Genesco Reports Second Quarter Results

August 19, 2004 at 7:35 AM EDT
   -- Company Reports Second Quarter Diluted Earnings Per Share of $0.21 --

                      -- Raises Fiscal 2005 Guidance --

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Aug. 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Genesco Inc. (NYSE: GCO) today reported net earnings of $4.8 million, or $0.21 per diluted share, for the second quarter ended July 31, 2004. Items including the recognition of a gain on the curtailment of the Company's defined benefit plan and a tax benefit partially offset by retail store asset impairments and retail store closings, added $0.02 per diluted share in the second quarter of fiscal 2005. This compares with a net loss of $891,000, or $0.04 per diluted share, for the second quarter last year, which included a net loss of $0.07 per diluted share primarily related to the Company's refinancing of its convertible subordinated notes in the second quarter of fiscal 2004. Net sales for the second quarter of fiscal 2005 increased 37% to $246 million compared to $179 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2004.

Genesco President and Chief Executive Officer Hal N. Pennington said, "We are very pleased to be able to once again exceed expectations for the second quarter. Our results were primarily driven by continued strength at Hat World, a solid performance at Journeys and ongoing improvements at Johnston & Murphy and Dockers. As we head into the second half of the fiscal year, we are encouraged by our momentum and believe we are well positioned to take advantage of the current trends in the marketplace.

"Total sales at Journeys increased 8.5% to approximately $106 million and both same store sales and footwear unit comps rose 2%. We continued to benefit from the strong trend in athletic and solid gains in women's fashion footwear, offset in part by the impact of the shift in the tax-free timing in some states. We think our merchandise selection looks great for back-to- school and we are excited about our prospects.

"Underground Station reported a same store sales decline of 11% compared to a 9% increase last year. As expected, Underground Station's business remained challenging during the quarter due to difficult same store sales and product comparisons. Looking ahead, comparisons begin to moderate and we remain focused on improving this business.

"Hat World registered another strong quarter, with total sales up 30% and same store sales up 16% reflecting robust demand for our core sports product and ongoing strength in our fashion and branded businesses. We remain excited about this acquisition and the short and long-term opportunities of this business.

"Johnston & Murphy posted its second consecutive quarter of increased profitability. Operating margin improved significantly as we continued to benefit from enhanced sourcing efficiencies, less promotional selling and a higher mix of premium product. We believe the strong positive feedback that we recently received at WSA is further evidence that our initiatives are working and we remain committed to executing our strategic plan for this business.

"Finally, Dockers generated meaningful gains in terms of sales and operating income during the second quarter. Revenues grew 20.3% to $14.2 million and operating margin increased to 9.2% compared to a negative operating margin of 2.2% last year. Over the past six months we have made significant progress at Dockers and we are optimistic that this positive momentum will continue into the back half of the fiscal year."

Genesco also stated that it is revising upward its fiscal 2005 guidance. The Company now expects sales for the year of approximately $1.1 billion and earnings per share to range from $1.89 to $1.92, including previously announced charges of approximately $0.08 to $0.09 per share associated with the planned closing of Jarman and other underperforming stores in fiscal 2005.

This release contains forward-looking statements, including those regarding the Company's sales and earnings outlook 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 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 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, changes in business strategies by the Company's competitors (including pricing and promotional discounts), the integration of the Hat World acquisition, 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, 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. They also include the impact of proposed changes in the accounting treatment of the contingent conversion feature of the Company's 4-1/8% convertible subordinated notes due 2023 and the triggering of that feature by certain increases in the trading price of the Company's common stock, either of which could result in an increase in common shares deemed outstanding in the calculation of earnings per share by 3.9 million shares. The Company disclaims any obligation to update such statements.

The Company's live conference call on August 19, 2004, at 7:30 a.m. (Central time) may be accessed through the Company's internet website, http://www.genesco.com . The Company expects to discuss results from the second quarter, and its current expectations for the fiscal year ending January 29, 2005, during the call. 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 1,550 retail stores in the United States and Canada, principally under the names Journeys, Journeys Kidz, Johnston & Murphy, Underground Station, Hatworld, Lids, Hat Zone, Cap Factory, Cap Connection and Head Quarters, and on internet websites http://www.journeys.com, http://www.johnstonmurphy.com , http://www.lids.com , http://www.hatworld.com , and http://www.lidscyo.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 http://www.genesco.com .


                                   GENESCO INC.

    Consolidated Earnings Summary
                                       Three Months Ended   Six Months Ended
                                       July 31,  August 2, July 31,  August 2,
    In Thousands                         2004      2003      2004      2003

    Net sales                          $245,939  $179,478  $471,465  $372,224
    Cost of sales                       124,050    95,989   238,898   200,643
    Selling and administrative expenses 112,085    80,271   211,315   160,924
    Restructuring and other, net            186       139        40       139
    Earnings from operations before
     interest and other                   9,990     3,357    21,292    10,796
    Loss on early retirement of debt          -     2,581         -     2,581
    Interest expense, net                 2,896     2,149     4,778     4,181

    Earnings (loss) before income
     taxes from continuing operations     7,094    (1,373)   16,514     4,034

    Income tax expense (benefit)*         2,301      (482)    5,897     1,588
    Earnings (loss) from continuing
     operations                           4,793      (891)   10,617     2,446
    Provision for discontinued
     operations, net                        (21)        -       (21)        -

    Net Earnings (Loss)                  $4,772     $(891)  $10,596    $2,446

    *Includes favorable tax settlements of $0.4 million and $0.5 million in
      the second quarter and six months of Fiscal 2005, respectively.


    Earnings Per Share Information
                                        Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended
    In Thousands (except per share      July 31,  August 2, July 31, August 2,
     amounts)                             2004      2003      2004     2003

    Preferred dividend requirements         $73       $73      $146     $147

    Average common shares - Basic EPS    21,903    21,754    21,833   21,748

    Basic earnings (loss) per share:
       Before discontinued operations     $0.22    ($0.04)    $0.48    $0.11
       Net earnings (loss)                $0.21    ($0.04)    $0.48    $0.11

    Average common and common
     equivalent shares - Diluted EPS     22,391    21,754    22,309   22,041

    Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
       Before discontinued operations     $0.21    ($0.04)    $0.47    $0.10
       Net earnings (loss)                $0.21    ($0.04)    $0.47    $0.10


                                  GENESCO INC.

    Consolidated Earnings Summary
                                       Three Months Ended    Six Months Ended
                                       July 31, August 2,  July 31, August 2,
    In Thousands                         2004      2003      2004      2003
    Sales:
        Journeys                       $105,785   $97,474  $220,026  $196,189
        Underground Station Group        28,462    30,722    63,591    65,295
        Hat World                        57,956         -    76,041         -
        Johnston & Murphy                39,413    39,392    79,954    79,608
        Dockers                          14,223    11,821    31,703    31,010
        Corporate and Other                 100        69       150       122
        Net Sales                      $245,939  $179,478  $471,465  $372,224

    Pretax Earnings (Loss):
        Journeys                         $6,058    $6,711   $15,330   $12,274
        Underground Station Group        (1,485)      231       137     1,791
        Hat World                         7,519         -     9,116         -
        Johnston & Murphy                 1,285       174     3,626     1,974
        Dockers                           1,311      (263)    3,055     2,290
        Corporate and Other*             (4,698)   (3,496)   (9,972)   (7,533)
        Operating income                  9,990     3,357    21,292    10,796
        Loss on early retirement of debt      -     2,581         -     2,581
        Interest, net                     2,896     2,149     4,778     4,181

    Total Pretax Earnings (Loss)          7,094    (1,373)   16,514     4,034
    Income tax expense (benefit)**        2,301      (482)    5,897     1,588

    Earnings (loss) from continuing
     operations                           4,793      (891)   10,617     2,446

    Provision for discontinued
     operations                             (21)        -       (21)        -

    Net Earnings (Loss)                  $4,772     $(891)  $10,596    $2,446

    *Includes $0.4 million and $0.6 million of other charges for asset
      impairment and lease terminations in the second quarter and six months
      of Fiscal 2005 offset by a $0.6 million pension curtailment gain in the
      second quarter and six months of Fiscal 2005 and a $0.1 million
      restructuring adjustment in the second quarter and six months of Fiscal
      2004.

    **Includes favorable tax settlements of $0.4 million and $0.5 million in
      the second quarter and six months of Fiscal 2005, respectively.


                                  GENESCO INC.

    Consolidated Balance Sheet
                                                  July 31,          August 2,
    In Thousands                                    2004              2003

    Assets
    Cash and cash equivalents                     $15,380           $32,968
    Accounts receivable                            17,449            14,579
    Inventories                                   263,377           213,440
    Other current assets                           23,918            22,073
    Total current assets                          320,124           283,060

    Property and equipment                        148,279           125,865
    Other non-current assets                      162,563            27,344

    Total Assets                                 $630,966          $436,269

    Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
    Accounts payable                             $104,468           $80,074
    Current portion - long-term debt               13,000                 -
    Other current liabilities                      51,621            36,750
    Total current liabilities                     169,089           116,824

    Long-term debt                                189,250            86,250
    Other long-term liabilities                    42,924            47,342
    Shareholders' equity                          229,703           185,853

    Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity   $630,966          $436,269


                                    GENESCO INC.

    Retail Units Operated - Six Months Ended July 31, 2004
                                          Balance
                                          02/01/03  Open    Conv    Close

       Journeys                             614      55       0       4
           Journeys                         579      50       0       4
           Journeys Kidz                     35       5       0       0
       Underground Station Group            229      18       0      14
           Underground Station              114      18       8       3
           Jarman Retail                    115       0      (8)     11
       Hat World/Lids                         0       0       0       0
       Johnston & Murphy                    148       7       0       7
           Shops                            115       5       0       5
           Factory Outlets                   33       2       0       2
       Total Retail Units                   991      80       0      25


                                    GENESCO INC.

    Retail Units Operated - Six Months Ended July 31, 2004
                                   Balance  Acquisi-                  Balance
                                  01/31/04   tions  Open  Conv  Close 07/31/04

      Journeys                       665             18     0     3      680
        Journeys                     625             17     0     3      639
        Journeys Kidz                 40              1     0     0       41
      Underground Station Group      233              8     0    11      230
        Underground Station          137              8     4     1      148
        Jarman Retail                 96              0    (4)   10       82
      Hat World/Lids                   0      503    18     0     2      519
      Johnston & Murphy              148              3     0     9      142
        Shops                        115              0     0     8      107
        Factory Outlets               33              3     0     1       35
      Total Retail Units           1,046      503    47     0    25    1,571


      Retail Units Operated - Three Months Ended July 31, 2004
                                  Balance   Acquisi-                  Balance
                                  05/01/04   tions  Open  Conv  Close 07/31/04

      Journeys                       677              5     0     2      680
        Journeys                     636              5     0     2      639
        Journeys Kidz                 41              0     0     0       41
      Underground Station Group      231              3     0     4      230
        Underground Station          142              3     3     0      148
        Jarman Retail                 89              0    (3)    4       82
      Hat World/Lids                 492       17    12     0     2      519
      Johnston & Murphy              147              1     0     6      142
        Shops                        112              0     0     5      107
        Factory Outlets               35              1     0     1       35
      Total Retail Units           1,547       17    21     0    14    1,571


      Constant Store Sales
                                      Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended
                                      July 31, August 2,    July 31, August 2,
                                        2004     2003          2004     2003

      Journeys                            2%      -1%            5%      -2%
      Underground Station Group         -10%      -3%           -6%      -2%
        Underground Station             -11%       9%           -6%       8%
        Jarman Retail                    -9%     -14%           -6%     -12%
      Johnston & Murphy                   0%       2%            4%      -3%
        Shops                             0%       1%            3%      -3%
        Factory Outlets                   0%       8%            6%       0%
      Total Constant Store Sales         -1%      -1%            3%      -2%


      Hat World/Lids                     16%       -
        April 1, 2004 - July 31, 2004                           17%       -

SOURCE Genesco Inc.

CONTACT: Financial, James S. Gulmi, +1-615-367-8325, or Media, Claire S.
McCall, +1-615-367-8283, both of Genesco Inc.

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