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Non-Tech : Zany Brainy -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: zurdo who wrote (385)	11/3/1999 5:09:00 PM
From: KS	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 485

November 03, 1999 16:20 Zany Brainy, Inc. Reports Third Quarter and Nine Month Sales; Third Quarter Sales Increase 52%; Comparable Store Sales Increase 3% KING OF PRUSSIA, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 3, 1999--Zany Brainy, Inc., (Nasdaq National Market: ZANY), a leading specialty retailer of high quality toys, games, books and multimedia products, today reported sales results for the third quarter and nine-months ended October 30, 1999. Sales for the third quarter of fiscal 1999 increased 52% to $46.7 million compared with sales of $30.7 million for the third quarter of fiscal 1998. Comparable-store sales increased 3%. "In the third quarter, we achieved strong sales in several of our core product categories, such as software, books and electronics," said Keith C. Spurgeon, Chairman and CEO of Zany Brainy, Inc. "In addition, while sales of Beanie Babies declined in line with our expectations and availability of product, demand for our selection of Pokemon products was strong." "We are pleased with our performance in the third quarter," continued Mr. Spurgeon. "While Hurricane Floyd impacted comparable store sales results, our overall third quarter performance remained on track and benefited from strong margins and effective control of operating expenses." For the nine-month period ended October 30, 1999, sales increased 50% to $131.4 million compared with sales of $87.8 million for the same period last year. Comparable store sales increased 7%. "The Zany Brainy holiday initiatives are set," said Mr. Spurgeon. "Our 76-page Holiday Gift Guide is our biggest and best ever and will be delivered to over three million households this week. And, for the first time, our customers can use our Gift Guide as a catalog and order directly via a toll-free telephone call." Mr. Spurgeon concluded, "This year we have made great strides in extending the Zany Brainy brand across the country. We now operate 103 stores in 26 states and have just announced our e-commerce joint venture with Online Retail Partners. We look forward to the Grand Opening of www.zanybrainy.com in time for the key holiday selling season." About Zany Brainy Zany Brainy, Inc. is a leading and rapidly growing specialty retailer of high quality toys, games, books and multimedia products for kids. The Company is a different kind of toy store with a unique product mission and a passionate commitment to its customers. Zany Brainy believes learning should be fun. Its products entertain, educate and spark the imaginations of children up to 12 years of age. The Company combines distinctive merchandise offering with superior customer service and daily in-store events to create an interactive, "kid-friendly" and exciting shopping experience for children and adults. The Company presently operates 103 stores in 26 states. Certain statements in this report, including statements about the timing of the web-site launch and the delivery of gift guides, set forth management's intentions, plans, beliefs, expectations or predictions of the future based on current facts and analyses. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated in such statements because of factors such as delays in the web-site launch date and mail delays. Additional information on factors that may affect the business and financial results of the Company can be found in filings of the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission. CONTACT: Zany Brainy, Inc. Robert A. Helpert Chief Financial Officer 610/278-7800 or The MWW Group Robert Ferris Investor Relations 212/704-9727 rferris@mww.com