(COMTEX) JUST FOR FEET, INC. ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER RESULTS JUST FOR FEET, INC. ANNOUNCES FIRST QUARTER RESULTS BIRMINGHAM, Ala., May 21 /PRNewswire/ -- Harold Ruttenberg, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of JUST FOR FEET, INC. (Nasdaq: FEET), today announced consolidated results for the first quarter ended April 30, 1998. JUST FOR FEET, INC.'s net income for the first quarter ended April 30, 1998 increased 11.8% to $5,816,000 compared to net income of $5,201,000 for the comparable quarter last year. Net income per diluted share was $.19 for the current quarter as compared to $.18 per diluted share for the first quarter of last year. Weighted average shares outstanding were 31,172,000 for the first quarter of the current year as compared to 29,580,000 for the comparable quarter of last year. The Company reported record consolidated net sales of $151,921,000 for the first quarter ended April 30, 1998, representing a 63.7% increase over the first quarter net sales in the prior year of $92,803,000. For the first quarter ended April 30, 1998, comparable store sales increased 3.5%. Mr. Ruttenberg commented, "We are very pleased with our results for the quarter, especially when considering that we opened eleven new superstores and ten new specialty stores in the quarter. The eleven superstore openings were the most the Company has ever opened in one quarter. Our specialty store division performed above our plan for the quarter and we are excited about our prospects as we approach our busy back to school season." There were 49 superstores and 74 specialty stores in the comparable store sales base at April 30, 1998. This is the first quarter that the Company has included its specialty stores, which were acquired in March and May of 1997, in the comparable store sales base. During the quarter, the Company opened eleven new Just For Feet superstores in the following locations: -- Houston (Woodlands), Texas (Houston, Store 3) -- Houston (Sharpstown), Texas (Houston, Store 4) -- Montgomery, Alabama (Store 1) -- Mesquite, Texas (Dallas, Store 8) -- West Nyack (Palisades), New York (New York, Store 2) -- Bayamon, Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico, Store 1) -- Houston (Almeda), Texas (Houston, Store 5) -- Houston (Sugarland), Texas (Houston, Store 6) -- Maplewood, Minnesota (Minneapolis, Store 4) -- Norman, Oklahoma (Norman, Store 1) -- Carolina, Puerto Rico (Puerto Rico, Store 2) The majority of new stores opened during the first quarter were in fill in markets, the exceptions being the stores in Montgomery, Norman and the two stores in Puerto Rico. JUST FOR FEET, INC. operates both large format superstores and smaller specialty stores which specialize in brand-name athletic and outdoor footwear. The Just For Feet superstores feature a full line of sports related apparel, a high level of customer service and a distinctive combination of entertainment elements creating an exciting shopping experience. The Company operates 84 company and eleven franchise Just For Feet superstores in 21 states and Puerto Rico and 101 company and 48 franchised specialty stores in 22 states and Puerto Rico. There will be a conference call to discuss first quarter results on Thursday, May 21, 1998 at 9:00 a.m. CST (Central Standard Time). To participate, please call American Teleconferencing at (913) 981-5510. There will also be a playback of the conference call at 12:00 p.m. CST for which you can dial American Teleconferencing at (913) 981-5510. Certain statements contained in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, such as statements relating to financial results and plans for future business development activities, and are thus prospective. Such forward- looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from future results expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, economic conditions, competition and other uncertainties detailed from time to time in the Company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings. JUST FOR FEET, INC. & SUBSIDIARIES Consolidated Summary Financial Information (in thousands, except per share and store data) Three Months Ended April 30, 1998 1997 Net sales $ 151,921 $ 92,803 Cost of sales 88,303 53,801 Gross profit 63,618 39,002 Franchise fees & other income 308 208 Store operating 44,756 27,197 Store opening costs 3,352 1,060 General and administrative 5,399 3,035 Amortization of intangibles 360 110 Operating expenses 53,867 31,402 Operating income 10,059 7,808 Interest income(expense)-net (602) 445 Income before income taxes 9,457 8,253 Income taxes 3,641 3,052 Net income $ 5,816 $ 5,201 Weighted average shares - basic 30,044 28,687 Weighted average shares - diluted 31,172 29,580 Basic earnings per share $ 0.19 $ 0.18 Diluted earnings per share $ 0.19 $ 0.18 Number of Company owned and Franchise stores open at quarter end: Just For Feet Superstores: Company 84 54 Franchise 11 8 Total 95 62 Specialty Stores: Company 101 30 Franchise 48 48 Total 149 78 TOTAL 244 140 SOURCE Just For Feet, Inc. -0- 05/21/98 /CONTACT: Harold Ruttenberg, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, or Eric L. Tyra, Executive Vice President - Finance and Chief Financial Officer, both of Just For Feet, 205-408-3000/ /Web site: feet.com (FEET) CO: Just For Feet, Inc. ST: Alabama IN: REA HOU SU: ERN *** end of story *** |