Genesco Reports Second Quarter Fiscal 2008 Results

August 30, 2007 at 7:32 AM EDT
  - Company Reports Loss of $0.13 Per Share Before Discontinued Operations,
       Including Merger-Related Expenses, Asset Impairment Charges and
            Store Closing Costs of Approximately $0.13 Per Share -

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 30 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Genesco Inc. (NYSE: GCO) today reported a loss before discontinued operations of $2.9 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, for the second quarter ended August 4, 2007. Results for the quarter included $5.5 million pretax, or approximately $0.13 per diluted share, in expenses related to the Company's proposed merger with a subsidiary of The Finish Line Inc., retail store asset impairment charges and costs related to the previously announced decision to close certain underperforming stores, primarily in the Underground Station Group. For the second quarter ended July 29, 2006, earnings before discontinued operations were $5.9 million, or $0.24 per diluted share. Net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2008 increased 8% to $328 million, compared to $304 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2007.

Genesco Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Hal N. Pennington said, "Our second quarter results were affected by the combination of a later start to back-to-school, later sales tax holidays in Texas and Florida and a generally challenging retail environment, especially in footwear. While back-to-school season is still in progress, we are encouraged by the improving trend in sales for the third quarter to date.

"Net sales in the Journeys Group increased 8% to approximately $148 million in the second quarter, while same store sales declined 7%. The shift in sales tax holidays in Texas and Florida from the second quarter last year to the third quarter this year had an especially pronounced effect on the Journeys Group, since approximately 16% of Journeys stores are located in those two states. Journeys' same store sales in Texas and Florida decreased 13% and 20%, respectively, in the quarter. We expect the Journeys business for the balance of the year to benefit from the later back-to-school and tax holiday sales and from more pronounced competitive merchandising advantages in the fall and holiday seasons, and are pleased with the week-to-week improvement in comparable sales thus far in the quarter: Journeys Group's same store sales have improved from a 10% decline in the first week in August, to a 3% increase in the second week, to a 9% increase for the week most recently ended, for a 1% increase for the month to date.

"Net sales in the Hat World Group increased 15% to approximately $90 million, while same store sales declined 2% in the second quarter, primarily due to fewer store-wide promotions compared to last year, ongoing challenges in the urban market and the back-to-school and tax holiday shift. Hat World's core business, particularly Major League Baseball products, performed well during the quarter and the Canadian business remains strong across the board. Through the third week of fiscal August, same store sales for the Hat World Group increased 4%.

"Net sales for the Underground Station Group, which includes the remaining Jarman stores, were $25 million, and same store sales declined 23%, in line with our expectations for the quarter. Same store sales again reflected the weak urban market, a difficult Nike comparison, and continued softness in the athletic category. Additionally, the tax holiday shift exacerbated the comparison, as 21% of Underground Station stores are located in Texas and Florida. For the first three weeks of August, same store sales in the Underground Station Group declined 20%. We expect Underground Station to benefit in the second half from new merchandising strategies for the fall and from easier comparisons with last year, as Nike's significance to last year's sales progressively diminishes and overall comparisons moderate.

"Johnston & Murphy Group's net sales increased 9% to approximately $46 million in the second quarter. Wholesale sales rose 18%, same store sales for the shops were up 5% and operating margin increased 200 basis points to 7.9%, reflecting continuing strength across Johnston & Murphy's product lines. For the first three weeks of August, same store sales increased 7%.

"Second quarter sales of Licensed Brands increased 18% to approximately $19 million, and operating margin increased 370 basis points to 12%. The Dockers Footwear product continued to perform well in the volume moderate channel and its business with the specialty shoe chains was strong."

The Company said that because of its merger agreement with a subsidiary of The Finish Line, Inc., it does not expect to issue specific guidance with respect to sales and earnings expectations for the balance of the year.

This release contains forward-looking statements, including those regarding the performance outlook for the Company and its individual businesses, the proposed merger with a subsidiary of The Finish Line, Inc., and all other statements not addressing solely historical facts or present conditions. Actual results could vary materially from the expectations reflected in these statements. A number of factors could cause differences. These include uncertainty regarding the effect and timing of the Company's proposed merger with a subsidiary of The Finish Line, Inc., weakness in consumer demand for products sold by the Company, fashion trends that affect the sales or product margins of the Company's retail product offerings, changes in the timing of holidays or in the onset of seasonal weather affecting period to period sales comparisons, changes in buying patterns by significant wholesale customers, disruptions in product supply or distribution, further unfavorable trends in foreign exchange rates and other factors affecting the cost of products, and competition in the Company's markets. Additional factors that could affect the Company's prospects and cause differences from expectations include the ability to open, staff and support additional retail stores on schedule and at acceptable expense levels and to renew leases in existing stores on schedule and at acceptable expense levels, the ability to negotiate acceptable lease terminations and otherwise to execute the store closing plan referred to in this release on schedule and at expected expense levels, variations from expected pension-related charges caused by conditions in the financial markets, and the outcome of litigation and environmental matters involving the Company. Forward-looking statements reflect the expectations of the Company at the time they are made. The Company disclaims any obligation to update such statements.

The Company's live conference call on August 30, 2007, at 7:30 a.m. (Central time) may be accessed through the Company's internet website, www.genesco.com. To listen live, please go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary software.

Genesco Inc., a Nashville-based specialty retailer, sells footwear, headwear and accessories in more than 2,100 retail stores in the United States and Canada, principally under the names Journeys, Journeys Kidz, Shi by Journeys, Johnston & Murphy, Underground Station, Hatworld, Lids, Hat Shack, Hat Zone, Head Quarters and Cap Connection, and on internet websites www.journeys.com , www.journeyskidz.com , www.shibyjourneys.com , www.undergroundstation.com , www.johnstonmurphy.com , www.lids.com and www.lidskids.com . The Company also sells footwear at wholesale under its Johnston & Murphy brand and under the licensed Dockers brand. Additional information on Genesco and its operating divisions may be accessed at its website www.genesco.com.



                                   GENESCO INC.

    Consolidated Earnings Summary
                                      Three Months Ended    Six Months Ended
                                      August 4,  July 29,  August 4,  July 29,
    In Thousands                        2007      2006       2007      2006

    Net sales                         $327,977  $304,301  $662,628  $619,319
    Cost of sales                      164,358   150,911   327,165   304,560
    Selling and administrative
     expenses                          166,059   140,619   325,132   282,485
    Restructuring and other, net           158       480     6,753       589

    Earnings (loss) from operations     (2,598)   12,291     3,578    31,685
    Interest expense, net                3,000     2,160     5,402     4,074

    Earnings (loss) before income
     taxes from continuing operations   (5,598)   10,131    (1,824)   27,611

    Income tax expense (benefit)        (2,658)    4,187    (1,087)   11,001

    Earnings (loss) from continuing
     operations                         (2,940)    5,944      (737)   16,610

    Provision for discontinued
     operations                         (1,225)        -    (1,225)     (189)

    Net Earnings (Loss)                $(4,165)   $5,944   $(1,962)  $16,421



    Earnings Per Share Information

                                      Three Months Ended    Six Months Ended
    In Thousands (except per          August 4,  July 29,  August 4,  July 29,
     share amounts)                      2007      2006       2007      2006

    Preferred dividend requirements        $54       $64      $118      $128

    Average common shares - Basic EPS   22,415    22,988    22,403    23,015

    Basic earnings (loss) per share:
       Before discontinued operations   ($0.13)    $0.26    ($0.04)    $0.72
       Net earnings (loss)              ($0.19)    $0.26    ($0.09)    $0.71

    Average common and common
     equivalent shares - Diluted EPS    22,415    27,340    22,403    27,388

    Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
       Before discontinued operations   ($0.13)    $0.24    ($0.04)    $0.65
       Net earnings (loss)              ($0.19)    $0.24    ($0.09)    $0.64



                                   GENESCO INC.

    Consolidated Earnings Summary
                                       Three Months Ended    Six Months Ended
                                      August 4,  July 29,  August 4,  July 29,
    In Thousands                        2007      2006       2007      2006
    Sales:
       Journeys Group                 $148,091  $136,669  $304,012  $278,169
       Underground Station Group        24,520    30,917    54,330    70,873
       Hat World Group                  90,460    78,506   169,304   149,194
       Johnston & Murphy Group          45,657    41,916    91,951    85,947
       Licensed Brands                  19,059    16,116    42,588    34,915
       Corporate and Other                 190       177       443       221

       Net Sales                      $327,977  $304,301  $662,628  $619,319

    Operating Income (Loss):
       Journeys Group                     $983    $7,935   $11,800   $21,086
       Underground Station Group        (4,893)   (1,747)   (7,061)      658
       Hat World Group                   7,418     8,617    10,070    14,624
       Johnston & Murphy Group           3,612     2,484     8,082     5,307
       Licensed Brands                   2,281     1,335     5,360     3,064
       Corporate and Other*            (11,999)   (6,333)  (24,673)  (13,054)

       Earnings (loss) from
        operations                      (2,598)   12,291     3,578    31,685
       Interest, net                     3,000     2,160     5,402     4,074

    Earnings (loss) before income
     taxes from continuing operations   (5,598)   10,131    (1,824)   27,611
    Income tax expense (benefit)        (2,658)    4,187    (1,087)   11,001

    Earnings (loss) from continuing
     operations                         (2,940)    5,944      (737)   16,610
    Provision for discontinued
     operations                         (1,225)        -    (1,225)     (189)

    Net Earnings (Loss)                $(4,165)   $5,944   $(1,962)  $16,421

    * Includes $0.2 million of other charges in the second quarter of Fiscal
      2008 which includes $0.4 million of retail asset impairments offset by a
      $0.2 million excise tax refund and includes $6.8 million of other
      charges in the first six months of Fiscal 2008 of which $6.7 million is
      asset impairments related to underperforming stores, primarily in the
      Underground Station Group, and $0.3 million for lease terminations
      offset by a $0.2 million excise tax refund. Includes $0.5 million and
      $0.6 million of other charges in the second quarter and six months of
      Fiscal 2007, respectively, primarily for asset impairments. The second
      quarter and six months of Fiscal 2008 also includes $5.4 million in
      expenses related to the Company's proposed merger with a subsidiary of
      The Finish Line Inc.



                                   GENESCO INC.

    Consolidated Balance Sheet
                                                August 4,          July 29,
    In Thousands                                  2007               2006
    Assets
    Cash and cash equivalents                    $22,129           $19,360
    Accounts receivable                           22,154            19,293
    Inventories                                  347,574           331,439
    Other current assets                          54,610            31,313

    Total current assets                         446,467           401,405

    Property and equipment                       236,154           204,419
    Other non-current assets                     171,948           156,285

    Total Assets                                $854,569          $762,109

    Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
    Accounts payable                            $119,727          $144,954
    Other current liabilities                     56,374            55,212

    Total current liabilities                    176,101           200,166

    Long-term debt                               188,220           129,250
    Other long-term liabilities                   86,271            76,173
    Shareholders' equity                         403,977           356,520

    Total Liabilities and Shareholders'
     Equity                                     $854,569          $762,109



                                    GENESCO INC.

    Retail Units Operated -- Six Months Ended August 4, 2007

                                 Balance    Acquisi-
                                 01/28/06     tions   Open     Conv   Close

    Journeys Group                 761                 96       0       4
       Journeys                    710                 61       0       3
       Journeys Kidz                50                 24       0       1
       Shi by Journeys               1                 11       0       0
    Underground Station Group      229                 11       0      17
       Underground Station         180                 11       3       1
       Jarman Retail                49                  0      (3)     16
    Hat World Group                641        49      104       0       9
    Johnston & Murphy Group        142                 13       0       7
       Shops                       107                  7       0       5
       Factory Outlets              35                  6       0       2
    Total Retail Units           1,773        49      224       0      37



                                 Balance                            Balance
                                 02/03/07    Open     Conv   Close  8/04/2007

    Journeys Group                 853        58        0       2     909
       Journeys                    768        23        0       2     789
       Journeys Kidz                73        18        0       0      91
       Shi by Journeys              12        17        0       0      29
    Underground Station Group      223         1        0       5     219
    Underground Station            193         1        1       2     193
       Jarman Retail                30         0       (1)      3      26
    Hat World Group                785        51        0       7     829
    Johnston & Murphy Group        148         6        0       0     154
       Shops                       109         4        0       0     113
       Factory Outlets              39         2        0       0      41
    Total Retail Units           2,009       116        0      14   2,111



    Retail Units Operated -- Three Months Ended August 4, 2007

                                 Balance                            Balance
                                 05/05/07    Open     Conv   Close  8/04/2007

    Journeys Group                 884         25       0       0     909
       Journeys                    777         12       0       0     789
       Journeys Kidz                84          7       0       0      91
       Shi by Journeys              23          6       0       0      29
    Underground Station Group      223          0       0       4     219
       Underground Station         195          0       0       2     193
       Jarman Retail                28          0       0       2      26
    Hat World Group                809         25       0       5     829
    Johnston & Murphy Group        152          2       0       0     154
       Shops                       112          1       0       0     113
       Factory Outlets              40          1       0       0      41
    Total Retail Units           2,068         52       0       9   2,111



        Constant Store Sales
                                       Three Months Ended    Six Months Ended
                                      August 4,  July 29,  August 4,  July 29,
                                        2007      2006       2007      2006

    Journeys Group                      -7%        5%         -2%       3%
    Underground Station Group          -23%       -6%        -22%      -5%
       Underground Station             -25%       -5%        -24%      -3%
       Jarman Retail                   -12%      -11%        -13%     -10%
    Hat World Group                     -2%        0%         -3%       0%
    Johnston & Murphy Group              5%       -3%          4%      -1%
       Shops                             5%       -2%          4%       0%
       Factory Outlets                   6%       -6%          6%      -3%
    Total Constant Store Sales          -6%        1%         -4%       1%
SOURCE  Genesco Inc.
    -0-                             08/30/2007
    /CONTACT: Financial, James S. Gulmi, +1-615-367-8325, or Media, Claire S.
McCall, +1-615-367-8283, both of Genesco Inc./
    /Company News On-Call:  http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/352750.html /
    /Web site:  http://www.genesco.com /
    (GCO)

CO:  Genesco Inc.
ST:  Tennessee
IN:  REA FAS TEX
SU:  ERN CCA

TP-JK
-- CLTH011 --
5409 08/30/2007 07:30 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com

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