Genesco Reports First Quarter Sales and Earnings
NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 22 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Genesco Inc. (NYSE: GCO) today reported net earnings of $3.3 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, for the first quarter ended May 3, 2003, compared with $8.2 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, for the first quarter last year. Net sales for the quarter were $193 million compared to $191 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2003.
Genesco President and Chief Executive Officer Hal N. Pennington, said, "Our results for the quarter reflect the general retail environment and a level of demand for seasonal merchandise that was behind both historical norms and our expectations. We were, however, pleased to see continued strength in our Underground Station stores and some signs of progress at Johnston & Murphy.
"Journeys same store sales declined 3% during the quarter, due primarily to weakness in seasonal footwear, with sales of sandals and other 'open' styles down more than 25% and average prices down 10% in the category. In response, we have accelerated our promotional activity in this product category and we intend to reduce inventories to seasonally appropriate levels by the end of the second quarter."
Pennington continued, "Underground Station posted another strong quarter, with same-store sales up 7% despite tough comparisons. We saw continued strength in women's and athletic footwear as well as apparel. We remain very optimistic about the growth potential of this concept. Unfortunately, Jarman stores felt the effects of the retail environment and same store sales fell 10%, giving the Underground Station/Jarman segment a combined same-store sales decrease of 2%. The relative performance of the two businesses reinforces our strategy of continuing Underground Station's expansion and opening no additional Jarman stores.
"We made solid progress with Johnston & Murphy in the quarter, giving us a heightened degree of confidence that the strategy we put in place last year to strengthen the business is working. Although retail same-store sales declined, our wholesale business came in above plan. We are focused on continuing to build on the brand's equity and improve its financial performance.
"Dockers Footwear's sales fell 19% during the quarter to $19 million due to a combination of factors, including lower levels of at once orders associated with retailer conservatism and fewer close-out shipments than last year. We are pleased that Dockers operating margins improved, driven by increased gross margins. We will continue to focus on asset management and expense control as Dockers works its way through this slower sales period."
Pennington commented, "We see the second quarter unfolding as a continuation of first quarter trends. We continue to believe our prospects for the second half are good, as we move past the seasonal product issues and into what is historically the stronger part of the year for our retail businesses. Because of continuing economic uncertainty, we have built some additional conservatism into the lower end of our range of guidance for the second half. Any improvement in the retail climate would improve our prospects, as well."
The Company now expects second quarter sales to range between $179 million to $181 million and earnings per share to be breakeven. For the third quarter, the Company expects sales to range from $224 million to $233 million and earnings per share to range between $0.41 to $0.48. For the fourth quarter, the Company expects sales to range from $266 million to $278 million and earnings per share to range between $0.72 to $0.82. The Company also stated that for fiscal 2004 it expects sales to range between $862 million to $885 million and earnings per share to range between $1.32 to $1.50.
Pennington concluded, "The underlying fundamentals of our business are sound, our strategy is intact and our financial position is strong. We remain committed to capitalizing on the opportunities that lie ahead."
This release contains forward-looking statements, including those dealing with expectations for the Company's and each division's performance for the second quarter and thereafter. Any statements that do not reflect purely historical information involve a number of known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results could be materially different. The factors that could cause materially different results include lower than expected consumer demand for the Company's products, whether caused by weakness in the overall economy or by changes in fashions or tastes that the Company fails to anticipate or respond appropriately to, changes in buying patterns by significant wholesale customers, disruptions in product supply or distribution, the inability to adjust inventory levels to sales and changes in business strategies by the Company's competitors. Other factors that could cause results to differ from expectations include the Company's ability 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, and investors should rely on them only as expressions of opinion about what may happen in the future and only at the time they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.
The Company's live conference call on May 22, 2003, at 10:30 a.m. (Central time) may be accessed through the Company's Internet website, www.genesco.com . The Company expects to discuss results from the first quarter and its current expectations for the second quarter and fiscal year 2004, 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.
Genesco, based in Nashville, sells footwear and accessories in more than 1,000 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 May 3, May 4, In Thousands 2003 2002 Net sales $192,746 $190,593 Cost of sales 104,654 100,445 Selling and administrative expenses 80,653 75,226 Earnings from operations before interest 7,439 14,922 Interest expense, net 2,032 1,672 Pretax earnings 5,407 13,250 Income tax expense 2,070 5,048 Net Earnings $3,337 $8,202 Earnings Per Share Information Three Months Ended May 3, May 4, In Thousands (except per share amounts) 2003 2002 Preferred dividend requirements $74 $74 Average common shares - Basic EPS 21,743 21,876 Basic net earnings per share $0.15 $0.37 Average common and common equivalent shares - Diluted EPS 22,009 27,314 Diluted net earnings per share $0.15 $0.33 GENESCO INC. Consolidated Earnings Summary Three Months Ended May 3, May 4, In Thousands 2003 2002 Sales: Journeys $98,715 $91,474 Underground Station/Jarman Group 34,573 33,199 Johnston & Murphy 40,216 42,365 Dockers 19,189 23,555 Corporate and Other 53 -- Net Sales $192,746 $190,593 Pretax Earnings (Loss): Journeys $5,563 $8,203 Underground Station/Jarman Group 1,560 2,650 Johnston & Murphy 1,800 4,107 Dockers 2,553 2,787 Corporate and Other (4,037) (2,825) Operating income 7,439 14,922 Interest, net 2,032 1,672 Total Pretax Earnings 5,407 13,250 Income tax expense 2,070 5,048 Net Earnings $3,337 $8,202 GENESCO INC. Consolidated Balance Sheet May 3, May 4, In Thousands 2003 2002 Assets Cash and short-term investments $57,671 $44,266 Accounts receivable 19,394 22,513 Inventories 163,769 143,448 Other current assets 25,839 27,391 Total current assets 266,673 237,618 Plant, equipment and capital leases 126,979 125,419 Other non-current assets 22,332 13,440 Non-currrent assets of discontinued operations* -- 499 Total Assets $415,984 $376,976 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Accounts payable $41,694 $38,243 Other current liabilities 38,291 40,002 Total current liabilities 79,985 78,245 Long-term debt 103,245 103,245 Other long-term liabilities 46,210 24,507 Shareholders' equity 186,544 170,979 Total Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity $415,984 $376,976 *Non-current assets of discontinued operations include Volunteer Leather. GENESCO INC. Retail Units Operated Balance Balance Balance 02/02/ 02/01/ 05/03/ 02 Open Conv Close 03 Open Conv Close 03 Journeys Group 533 82 0 1 614 18 0 1 631 Journeys 519 61 0 1 579 16 0 1 594 Journeys Kidz 14 21 0 0 35 2 0 0 37 Underground Station/ Jarman Group 227 11 0 9 229 8 0 1 236 Underground Station 97 11 8 2 114 8 0 0 122 Jarman Retail 130 0 (8) 7 115 0 0 1 114 Johnston & Murphy 148 4 0 4 148 2 0 0 150 Shops 116 2 0 3 115 1 0 0 116 Factory Outlets 32 2 0 1 33 1 0 0 34 Total Retail Units 908 97 0 14 991 28 0 2 1,017 Constant Store Sales Three Months Ended May 3, May 4, 2003 2002 Journeys -3% -3% Underground Station/Jarman Group -2% 19% Underground Station 7% 16% Jarman Retail -10% 21% Johnston & Murphy -7% 1% Shops -7% -1% Factory Outlets -8% 8% Total Constant Store Sales -3% 2%
SOURCE Genesco Inc. -0- 05/22/2003 /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 / /Web site: http://www.genesco.com / (GCO) CO: Genesco Inc. ST: Tennessee IN: TEX REA FAS SU: ERN ERP CCA JB-CM -- CHTH001 -- 2412 05/22/2003 08:19 EDT http://www.prnewswire.com