Genesco Reports Third Quarter Results

November 22, 2005 at 7:40 AM EST
 --Diluted Earnings Per Share Before Discontinued Operations Increase 27% to
                                   $0.62--

                       --Raises Fiscal 2006 Guidance--

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Genesco Inc. (NYSE: GCO) today reported earnings before discontinued operations of $16.2 million, or $0.62 per diluted share, for the third quarter ended October 29, 2005. This compares with earnings before discontinued operations of $12.4 million, or $0.49 per diluted share, for the third quarter last year. Net sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2006 increased 10% to $316 million compared to $288 million for the third quarter of fiscal 2005.

Genesco's third quarter earnings reflect a pre-tax gain of $0.9 million, or approximately $0.02 per diluted share, associated with the conclusion of the settlement of a California employment class action more favorably than originally anticipated offset by a pre-tax expense of $0.6 million, or approximately $0.01 per diluted share, related to uninsured property damage from the hurricanes during the quarter.

Genesco Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Hal N. Pennington, said, "Our third quarter performance, which once again exceeded expectations, was driven primarily by same store sales gains and gross margin expansion. These results were particularly gratifying given the external challenges we faced during the quarter -- including hurricanes and rising gasoline prices -- and some difficult internal comparisons against the previous year.

"Net sales at Journeys rose 11% to approximately $153 million, and both same store sales and footwear unit comps increased 5% for the quarter. The Journeys business was strong across the board. In December, Journeys will open its 700th store, an important milestone that reflects the vibrancy and national appeal of the brand. In addition to seeking further growth in its mall-based store count, Journeys' growth plans include opening additional stores in major city street locations following a successful opening on 34th Street in Manhattan, as well as testing other non-mall venues. Additionally, the continuing strength of the Journeys Kidz business has led us to accelerate our store opening plans for that concept for next year to more than double this year's level.

"Net sales at Hat World increased 15% to $68 million and same store sales were up 1%, which was in line with expectations, and on top of a 12% comp increase a year ago. Despite the tough comparisons to the robust demand generated by last year's World Series, the Major League Baseball business was on plan, and the NFL, NBA and NHL products all performed well. Hat World remains on track to open about 96 new stores this year, up from 55 last year, and we expect it will have approximately 642 stores in operation at the end of fiscal 2006.

"Net sales for the Underground Station Group, which includes Jarman, increased 12% to $38 million and comparable store sales rose 9%. Comparable store sales at Jarman declined 5%. Underground Station registered another strong same store sales result, accelerating to a 13% comp increase, following a 12% gain in the second quarter and an 11% increase in the first quarter. Underground Station again expanded its operating margin in the quarter by 300 basis points to 5.1%, driven by better gross margins and improved expense leverage.

"Johnston & Murphy's net sales were up 2% for the quarter to $39 million, same store sales for Johnston & Murphy shops increased 6%, and footwear unit comps rose 7%. As anticipated, Johnston & Murphy's earnings declined modestly, primarily due to increased investment in brand advertising. Johnston & Murphy continued to experience growth in casual and dress casual footwear and registered solid gains in its accessory business as well.

"Sales of Dockers Footwear were $17 million compared to $18 million for the same period a year ago. The Stain Defender and Pro Style product has continued to perform strongly and the early response to its Spring 2006 offering is good."

Genesco also stated that it is revising its fiscal 2006 guidance upward. The Company now expects sales for the year to be approximately $1.28 billion and earnings per share to range from $2.34 to $2.35, including the previously announced charge of approximately $0.04 per share associated with the settlement of a class action lawsuit (adjusted for its more favorable than expected conclusion, as discussed above.)

Pennington concluded, "As we look toward the holiday selling season, we feel good about our product assortment, brand positioning and forward momentum. We remain focused on improving our platform for growth and driving increased shareholder value into the future."

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, including 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, 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 availability or distribution, 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), 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 November 22, 2005, 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 1,700 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, Head Quarters and Cap Connection, and on internet websites www.journeys.com , www.journeyskidz.com , www.undergroundstation.com , www.johnstonmurphy.com, www.lids.com, www.hatworld.com, and www.lidscyo.com. The Company also sells footwear at wholesale under its Johnston & Murphy brand and under the licensed Dockers and Perry Ellis brands. 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   Nine Months Ended
                                      October   October   October   October
      In Thousands                    29, 2005  30, 2004  29, 2005  30, 2004

      Net sales                        $316,336  $288,398  $877,589  $759,863
      Cost of sales                     154,825   145,030   430,567   383,928
      Selling and administrative
       expenses                         133,225   119,492   385,429   330,841
      Restructuring and other, net         (789)      664     2,255       572

      Earnings from operations before
       interest                          29,075    23,212    59,338    44,522
      Interest expense, net               2,669     3,138     7,941     7,916

      Earnings before income taxes
       from continuing operations        26,406    20,074    51,397    36,606

      Income tax expense                 10,168     7,691    19,967    13,592

      Earnings from continuing
       operations                        16,238    12,383    31,430    23,014

      Provision for discontinued
       operations, net                      (95)     (440)      (30)     (461)

      Net Earnings                      $16,143   $11,943   $31,400   $22,553



      Earnings Per Share Information
                                       Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended
      In Thousands                     October   October   October   October
       (except per share amounts)      29, 2005  30, 2004  29, 2005  30, 2004

      Preferred dividend requirements       $67       $73      $209      $219

      Average common shares - Basic EPS  22,797    22,041    22,675    21,902

      Basic earnings per share:
           Before discontinued operations $0.71     $0.56     $1.38     $1.04
           Net earnings                   $0.71     $0.54     $1.38     $1.02

      Average common and common
       equivalent shares - Diluted EPS   27,346    26,388    27,106    26,256

      Diluted earnings per share:
           Before discontinued operations $0.62     $0.49     $1.22     $0.94
           Net earnings                   $0.61     $0.47     $1.22     $0.92



                                   GENESCO INC.

      Consolidated Earnings Summary
                                      Three Months Ended  Nine Months Ended
                                      October   October   October   October
      In Thousands                    29, 2005  30, 2004  29, 2005  30, 2004
      Sales:
          Journeys                     $153,109  $137,985  $400,881  $358,011
          Underground Station Group      38,395    34,273   110,417    97,864
          Hat World                      68,330    59,477   199,532   135,518
          Johnston & Murphy              38,981    38,256   121,497   118,210
          Licensed Brands                17,457    18,334    45,065    50,037
          Corporate and Other                64        73       197       223

          Net Sales                    $316,336  $288,398  $877,589  $759,863

      Pretax Earnings (Loss):
          Journeys                      $21,551   $17,830   $42,270   $33,076
          Underground Station Group       1,965       720     3,900       862
          Hat World                       7,615     7,612    22,355    16,614
          Johnston & Murphy               1,404     1,881     6,352     5,666
          Licensed Brands                 1,781     2,140     3,545     5,195
          Corporate and Other*           (5,241)   (6,971)  (19,084)  (16,891)

         Operating income                29,075    23,212    59,338    44,522

         Interest, net                    2,669     3,138     7,941     7,916

      Total Pretax Earnings              26,406    20,074    51,397    36,606

      Income tax expense                 10,168     7,691    19,967    13,592

      Earnings (loss) from continuing
       operations                        16,238    12,383    31,430    23,014

      Provision for discontinued
       operations, net                      (95)     (440)      (30)     (461)

      Net Earnings                      $16,143   $11,943   $31,400   $22,553

    *Includes $0.1 million and $0.6 million of other charges for asset
       impairment and lease terminations in the third quarter and nine
       months of Fiscal 2006, respectively, and a $0.9 million credit due to a
       favorable adjustment to the litigation settlement in the third
       quarter of Fiscal 2006 and a $1.7 million charge for the litigation
       settlement for the nine months of Fiscal 2006. In addition, the third
       quarter and nine months of fiscal 2006 include a $0.6 million charge
       for uninsured property damage from the hurricanes during the quarter.
       Includes $0.7 million and $1.2 million of other charges for asset
       impairment and lease terminations in the third quarter and nine months
       of Fiscal 2005, respectively, offset by a $0.6 million pension
       curtailment gain in the nine months of Fiscal 2005.



                                   GENESCO INC.

     Consolidated Balance Sheet
                                               October 29,        October 30,
     In Thousands                                     2005               2004
     Assets
     Cash and cash equivalents                     $33,398            $15,012
     Accounts receivable                            22,738             18,823
     Inventories                                   292,798            265,733
     Other current assets                           26,011             23,905

     Total current assets                          374,945            323,473

     Property and equipment                        181,630            168,202
     Other non-current assets                      159,130            163,775

     Total Assets                                 $715,705           $655,450

     Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
     Accounts payable                             $115,993            $93,541
     Current portion - long-term debt                    -             17,000
     Other current liabilities                      62,671             57,197

     Total current liabilities                     178,664            167,738

     Long-term debt                                151,250            175,250
     Other long-term liabilities                    74,076             73,211
     Shareholders' equity                          311,715            239,251

     Total Liabilities and Shareholders'
      Equity                                      $715,705           $655,450



                        GENESCO INC.

      Retail Units Operated - Nine Months Ended October 29, 2005

                                         Balance    Acquisi-
                                        01/31/04      tions  Open   Conv Close
         Journeys                           665               37      0     7
             Journeys                       625               35      0     6
             Journeys Kidz                   40                2      0     1
         Underground Station Group          233               21      0    25
             Underground Station            137               21     12     5
             Jarman Retail                   96                0    (12)   20
         Hat World                            0        503    55      0     6
         Johnston & Murphy                  148                7      0    13
             Shops                          115                3      0    11
             Factory Outlets                 33                4      0     2
         Total Retail Units               1,046        503   120      0    51



       Retail Units Operated - Nine Months Ended October 29, 2005

                                          Balance                   Balance
                                         01/29/05  Open  Conv Close 10/29/05
         Journeys                            695    34     0     5     724
             Journeys                        654    33     0     4     683
             Journeys Kidz                    41     1     0     1      41
         Underground Station Group           229    15     0    14     230
             Underground Station             165    15     2     6     176
             Jarman Retail                    64     0    (2)    8      54
         Hat World                           552    73     0     4     621
         Johnston & Murphy                   142     4     0     3     143
             Shops                           107     4     0     2     109
             Factory Outlets                  35     0     0     1      34
         Total Retail Units                1,618   126     0    26   1,718



         Retail Units Operated - Three Months Ended October 29, 2005
                                          Balance                    Balance
                                         07/30/05  Open Conv Close  10/29/05
         Journeys                            711    15    0     2       724
             Journeys                        670    15    0     2       683
             Journeys Kidz                    41     0    0     0        41
         Underground Station Group           226    11    0     7       230
             Underground Station             168    11    0     3       176
             Jarman Retail                    58     0    0     4        54
         Hat World                           593    30    0     2       621
         Johnston & Murphy                   142     2    0     1       143
             Shops                           107     2    0     0       109
             Factory Outlets                  35     0    0     1        34
         Total Retail Units                1,672    58    0    12     1,718


         Constant Store Sales
                                        Three Months Ended Nine Months Ended
                                        October   October   October   October
                                        29, 2005  30, 2004  29, 2005  30, 2004

         Journeys                             5%       7%       6%       6%
         Underground Station Group            9%      -5%       9%      -6%
             Underground Station             13%      -2%      12%      -5%
             Jarman Retail                   -5%      -9%       0%      -7%
         Johnston & Murphy                    5%      -1%       6%       2%
             Shops                            6%       0%       6%       2%
             Factory Outlets                  5%      -2%       5%       3%
         Total Constant Store Sales           6%       4%       7%       3%


         Hat World                            1%      12%       4%        -
             April 1, 2004 - October 30, 2004  -        -        -      15%
SOURCE  Genesco Inc.
    -0-                             11/22/2005
    /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
                http://www.journeys.com
                http://www.journeyskidz.com
                http://www.undergroundstation.com
                http://www.johnstonmurphy.com
                http://www.lids.com
                http://www.hatworld.com
                http://www.lidscyo.com/
    (GCO)

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

JE-DL
-- CLTU006 --
6073 11/22/2005 07:38 EST http://www.prnewswire.com

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