Genesco Reports Third Quarter Results; Reports 3Q03 EPS of $0.41; Exceeds First Call Consensus Estimate of $0.33

November 20, 2002 at 8:04 AM EST

NASHVILLE, Tenn., Nov. 20 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Genesco Inc. (NYSE: GCO) today reported net earnings of $10.1 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, for the third quarter ended November 2, 2002, compared with $8.0 million, or $0.33 per diluted share before discontinued operations, for the third quarter last year. Net sales for the quarter increased 15% to $213 million from $186 million in the third quarter a year ago.

Genesco President and Chief Executive Officer Hal N. Pennington said, "Our ability to exceed internal and external expectations in a challenging retail environment is a testament to the strength of our retail and wholesale brands and to the talent and commitment of our people. Solid sales gains at Journeys and Dockers, coupled with another strong performance by Jarman and Underground Station, more than offset weakness in our Johnston & Murphy wholesale business during the quarter. We believe we are well positioned for the remainder of the year and we remain enthusiastic about our opportunities for the future."

"Journeys' net sales during the quarter increased by 17% to $114 million compared to $97 million for the same period last year. Same store sales increased 1%. As expected, a decline in average selling price that affected Journeys throughout the spring and summer moderated during the quarter, as sandals became a smaller percentage of the overall product mix. This helped to drive our better than expected same store sales. At the same time, our gross margins were above last year and we benefited from favorable expense leverage during the quarter. We believe we have the right merchandise in place for the key Holiday season and we remain excited about Journeys' prospects."

Pennington continued, "Once again, we were very pleased with the performance of the Jarman Group, as net sales increased 23% to $36 million, same store sales rose 15% and operating margin expanded from a small loss to a positive 7.2%. Jarman retail comps were up 10% and Underground Station posted a 21% same store sales gain. These results represent the Jarman Group's third consecutive quarter of double digit comp increases and its fourth quarter- over-quarter improvement in operating margin.

"Total sales at Johnston & Murphy declined 1% for the quarter to $40 million compared to $41 million last year. Retail same store sales for the division increased 4% during the quarter, while wholesale sales declined. The solid performance of our stores gives us confidence that the Johnston & Murphy brand is strong. While the department store environment remains extremely promotional, we are pleased with the sharper focus and improved teamwork we are seeing in that division and although much remains to be done, we believe that Johnston & Murphy is on the right track to improve results.

"Finally, Dockers Footwear's sales increased 26% to $23 million compared to $18 million in the same quarter last year. Dockers experienced strong gains in all of its distribution channels from department stores to specialty chains to volume moderates. While it is still early, the response to our new Gore-Tex product has been very positive and we are excited about the potential of this new line. We continue to believe that Dockers offers one of the best price-value relationships in the industry and we remain positive about the opportunities for this brand."

The forward-looking statements in this release involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Actual results could be materially different. The factors that could cause materially different results include, among other factors: lower than expected consumer demand for the Company's products in the Holiday selling season and beyond, whether caused by weakness in the overall economy, consumer reactions to unexpected events or changes in fashions or tastes that the Company fails to anticipate or respond to appropriately; greater than anticipated pricing pressure from product mix changes or competition; changes in buying patterns by significant wholesale customers; disruptions in product supply or distribution, including the impact of a continuing transition to a new distribution center; the inability to adjust inventory levels to sales changes in business strategies by the Company's competitors; the inability to open, staff and support additional retail stores on schedule and at acceptable expense levels; 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 20, 2002, at 8:30 a.m. (Central time), may be accessed through the Company's Internet website, www.genesco.com. The Company expects to discuss results from the third quarter and its current expectations for the fourth quarter and fiscal year ending February 1, 2003, during the call. To listen live, please go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary software. A replay will be available shortly after the call for 14 days.

Genesco, based in Nashville, sells footwear and accessories in more than 975 retail stores in the U.S., principally under the names Journeys, Journeys Kidz, Johnston & Murphy, Jarman and Underground Station, and on internet websites www.journeys.com and www.johnstonmurphy.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      Nine Months Ended
                              November 2,  November 3, November 2, November 3,
    In Thousands                2002       2001*        2002           2001*
    Net sales                   $ 213,157   $ 185,535   $ 578,592  $ 523,680
    Cost of sales                 112,318      99,814     304,754    277,877
    Selling and administrative
     expenses                      82,197      70,694     232,089    204,394
    Restructuring credit(1)            --          --          --       (269)
    Earnings from operations before
     interest                      18,642      15,027      41,749     41,678
    Interest expense, net           2,162       2,159       5,756      5,582
    Pretax earnings                16,480      12,868      35,993     36,096
    Income tax expense              6,373       4,877      13,721     13,584
    Earnings before discontinued
     operations                    10,107       7,991      22,272     22,512

    Provision for discontinued
     operations                        --        (708)         --       (708)
    Net Earnings                $  10,107   $   7,283   $  22,272  $  21,804

Earnings Per Share Information

In Thousands (except per share amounts)

                                 Three Months Ended       Nine Months Ended
                              November 2,  November 3, November 2, November 3,
                                   2002        2001        2002        2001
    Preferred dividend
     requirements               $      73   $     73    $     221  $     220
    Average common shares -
     Basic EPS                     21,785     21,907       21,858     21,905

    Basic earnings per share:
     Before discontinued
      operations                $    0.46   $   0.36    $    1.01  $    1.02
     Net earnings               $    0.46   $   0.33    $    1.01  $    0.99

    Average common and common
     equivalent shares - Diluted
     EPS                           26,985     27,234       27,207     27,334

    Diluted earnings per share:
     Before discontinued
      operations                $    0.41   $   0.33    $    0.92  $    0.92
     Net earnings               $    0.41   $   0.30    $    0.92  $    0.90

(1) Adjustment to Nautica closedown provision including a $0.1 million

        reversal of inventory write-down.
    * Certain amounts have been reclassified to conform to current

presentation.

GENESCO INC.

    Consolidated Earnings Summary
                                 Three Months Ended      Nine Months Ended
                              November 2, November 3,  November 2, November 3,
    In Thousands                   2002        2001         2002        2001
    Sales:
     Journeys                  $ 113,777   $   97,143   $ 296,932  $ 258,538
     Jarman                       36,415       29,592      99,797     77,619
     Johnston & Murphy            40,363       40,812     122,269    125,112
     Licensed Brands(1)           22,526       17,988      59,518     62,411
     Corporate and Other              76           --          76         --
     Net Sales                 $ 213,157   $  185,535   $ 578,592  $ 523,680
    Pretax Earnings (Loss):
     Journeys                  $  15,464   $   12,666   $  31,164  $  32,071
     Jarman                        2,637         (264)      6,440       (365)
     Johnston & Murphy               992        2,812       6,464     11,470
     Licensed Brands(2)            3,305        2,006       7,417      6,996
     Corporate and Other          (3,578)      (2,193)     (9,105)    (8,313)
     Nonrecurring charges(3)        (178)          --        (631)      (181)
     Operating income             18,642       15,027      41,749     41,678
     Interest, net                 2,162        2,159       5,756      5,582

    Total Pretax Earnings         16,480       12,868      35,993     36,096

    Income tax expense             6,373        4,877      13,721     13,584
    Earnings before discontinued
     operations                   10,107        7,991      22,272     22,512

    Provision for discontinued
     operations                       --         (708)         --       (708)
    Net Earnings               $  10,107    $   7,283   $  22,272  $  21,804

(1) Includes Nautica sales of $0.1 million and $6.1 million for the third

quarter and nine months of Fiscal 2002.

(2) Includes Nautica operating gain of $0.1 million for the third quarter

        of Fiscal 2002 and an operating loss of $0.5 million for the nine
        months of Fiscal 2002.

(3) Includes professional fees and severance charges in the third quarter

        and nine months of Fiscal 2003 and litigation and severance charges in
        the nine months of Fiscal 2002 offset by an adjustment to the Nautica
        closedown provision of $0.3 million.



                                  GENESCO INC.

    Consolidated Balance Sheet
                                                 November 2,       November 3,
    In Thousands                                     2002              2001
    Assets
    Cash and short-term investments              $  10,260         $   9,926
    Accounts receivable                             24,597            26,334
    Inventories                                    199,773           183,676
    Other current assets                            22,021            28,553
    Total current assets                           256,651           248,489
    Plant, equipment and capital leases            129,271           104,336
    Other non-current assets                        20,884            19,639
    Non-current assets of discontinued
     operations*                                       499               535
    Total Assets                                 $ 407,305         $ 372,999
    Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
    Total current liabilities                       96,220            95,478
    Long-term debt                                 103,271           103,272
    Other long-term liabilities                     25,578            11,132
    Shareholders' equity                           182,236           163,117
    Total Liabilities and Shareholders'
     Equity                                      $ 407,305         $ 372,999

*Non-current assets of discontinued operations include Volunteer Leather.

    Retail Units Operated - Nine Months Ended November 2, 2002
                              Balance                                 Balance
                             02/02/02    Open    Conversions  Close  11/02/02
    Journeys Group              533       69           0        1       601
     Journeys                   519       49           0        1       567
     Journeys Kidz               14       20           0        0        34
    Jarman Group                227        7           0        6       228
     Jarman Retail              130        0          (5)       5       120
     Underground Station         97        7           5        1       108
    Johnston & Murphy           148        4           0        1       151
     Shops                      116        2           0        1       117
     Factory Outlets             32        2           0        0        34
    Total Retail Units          908       80           0        8       980



    Retail Units Operated - Three Months Ended November 2, 2002
                              Balance                                 Balance
                             08/03/02    Open    Conversions  Close  11/02/02
    Journeys Group              586       15           0        0       601
     Journeys                   558        9           0        0       567
     Journeys Kidz               28        6           0        0        34
    Jarman Group                229        1           0        2       228
     Jarman Retail              126        0          (4)       2       120
     Underground Station        103        1           4        0       108
    Johnston & Murphy           149        3           0        1       151
     Shops                      117        1           0        1       117
     Factory Outlets             32        2           0        0        34
    Total Retail Units          964       19           0        3       980



    Constant Store Sales
                                 Three Months Ended      Nine Months Ended
                              November 2,  November 3, November 2, November 3,
                                   2002        2001        2002        2001
    Journeys                        1%           8%         -1%         7%
    Jarman Group                   15%          -3%         17%        -5%
     Jarman Retail                 10%          -4%         16%        -7%
     Underground Station           21%          -2%         19%        -1%
    Johnston & Murphy               4%         -16%          1%       -11%
     Shops                          6%         -18%          1%       -12%
     Factory Outlets               -2%          -8%          1%        -9%
    Total Constant Store Sales      4%           1%          3%         1%

SOURCE Genesco Inc.

-0- 11/20/2002

/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/gh/cnoc/comp/352750.html/

/Web site: http://www.journeys.com /

/Web site: http://www.johnstonmurphy.com /

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