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                                                                    EXHIBIT 99.1


FINANCIAL CONTACT:         JAMES S. GULMI (615) 367-8325
GENESCO MEDIA CONTACT:     CLAIRE S. MCCALL (615) 367-8283

                GENESCO REPORTS FIRST QUARTER FISCAL 2006 SALES
                   AND REAFFIRMS EARNINGS PER SHARE GUIDANCE
                 --Q1 NET SALES INCREASE 27% TO $286 MILLION--
      --COMPANY REITERATES Q1 EPS GUIDANCE TO A RANGE OF $0.25 TO $0.26--
                 --COMPANY ANNOUNCES ANTICIPATED SETTLEMENT OF
                    PREVIOUSLY DISCLOSED CLASS ACTION SUIT--

NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 11, 2005 --- Genesco Inc. (NYSE: GCO) today reported net
sales of $286 million for the first quarter ended April 30, 2005, compared to
$226 million for the same period last year. The Company also reported that
Journeys' same store sales increased 7%, Hat World's same store sales rose 7%,
Underground Station Group's same store sales increased 9% with Underground
Station stores up 11%, and Johnston & Murphy reported a same store sales gain of
3%. The Company said that it remains comfortable with its previously announced
first quarter earnings per share guidance of between $0.25 and $0.26, versus
$0.24 for the same period a year ago.

         The Company said that its reaffirmation of guidance reflects charges of
$1.6 million, or $0.06 per share, after taxes, associated with the anticipated
settlement of a previously disclosed class action lawsuit. The lawsuit, brought
on behalf of managers and assistant managers of its California retail stores,
alleges violations of California wages and hours laws and other employment laws
and regulations. The anticipated settlement is subject to negotiation of a
definitive settlement agreement, class certification and court approval, among
other conditions, and may be terminated at the Company's option if more than 5%
of the class members elect not to participate in the settlement.

            Hal N. Pennington, Genesco chairman, president and chief executive
officer, commented, "These strong results represent a great way to start the new
fiscal year. Our positive momentum continues and we are encouraged about our
prospects."

         Genesco plans to announce its first quarter fiscal 2006 earnings and
host its quarterly conference call on May 26, 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
turn out materially different from the expectations reflected in these
statements. A number of factors could cause differences. These include
completion of the Company's quarterly procedures relating to reporting results
for the first quarter of fiscal 2006, 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, limitations in product supply or disruptions in
distribution, unfavorable trends in foreign exchange rates and other factors
affecting the cost of products, changes in business strategies by the Company's
competitors, 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. The Company disclaims any obligation to update such statements.

         Genesco Inc., a Nashville-based specialty retailer, sells footwear,
headwear and accessories in more than 1,600 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.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 brand. Additional information on Genesco and its
operating divisions may be accessed at its website www.genesco.com.