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NEWS RELEASE
CONTACT: Peter D. Brown
Vice
President, Investor Relations
and
Treasurer
Foot
Locker, Inc.
(212)
720-4254
·
Strategies
to Grow Future Earnings Outlined
·
Fourth
Quarter EPS Expected to Meet Previous Company Estimate
·
Near-term
Financial Objectives Articulated
NEW
YORK, NY, January 20, 2002 – Mathew D. Serra, President and CEO of Foot Locker,
Inc. (NYSE: Z), the New York-based specialty athletic retailer, today provided
attendees at The Super Show in Las Vegas with a review of the Company’s key
profitable growth strategies. Mr. Serra
also confirmed that the Company expects to meet its previously stated fourth
quarter earnings estimate and outlined the Company’s near-term financial
objectives.
Mr.
Serra said, “Foot Locker, Inc.’s sales to date for the fourth fiscal quarter
are running in line with expectations but below the sales trends experienced
during the first nine months of 2001.
Sales trends strengthened, however, in December from weaker results
experienced during November. Our
Footlocker.com, International Foot Locker and Champs Sports divisions continue
to be the strongest drivers of our comparable-store sales increases.”
“Given
our continuing solid and improving sales trends, we currently expect our fourth
quarter earnings to be at the mid-point of our previously stated $0.25 to $0.30
per share range.” continued Mr. Serra.
“The fourth quarter of 2000 included 14 weeks versus 13 weeks this year,
in line with the National Retail Federation calendar. Excluding last year’s additional week, the Company earned $0.19
per share.”
Mr.
Serra reiterated Foot Locker, Inc.’s key strategic advantages that are the
foundation from which the Company plans to implement its profitable growth
strategies. These competitive
advantages include its significant market leadership position, successful
global diversification, international private-label sourcing and development
operation, and multiple channels of distribution. The Company’s profitable growth strategies are to improve the
productivity of its existing stores, open 1,000 new stores and continue to
expand its high-growth Internet and catalog direct-to-customer business.
Mr.
Serra concluded by saying, “We have established certain financial objectives
that we expect to achieve over the next few years. These objectives include increasing sales to $350 per gross
square foot, achieving a 10 percent operating profit margin and generating
10-to-20 percent annual earnings per share growth. Improving its credit ratings by continuing to strengthen its
financial position are additional strategic priorities. In this regard, the Company expects to
generate approximately $100 million of positive cash flow in 2002, after $150-to-$165
million of capital spending and $32 million of mandatory long-term debt
repayment.”
.
- MORE -
January
20, 2002
Page
Two
Foot
Locker, Inc. is primarily a mall-based athletic specialty retailer that operates
approximately 3,600 athletic retail stores in 14 countries in North America,
Europe and Australia. Through its
specialty retail stores, including Foot Locker, Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot
Locker and Champs Sports, as well as its direct-to-customer channel
Footlocker.com/Eastbay, the Company is the leading provider of athletic
footwear and apparel.
This press release contains forward-looking
statements, which reflect management’s current views of future events and
financial performance. These
forward-looking statements are based on many assumptions and factors detailed
in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including
the effects of currency fluctuations, customer demand, fashion trends,
competitive market forces, uncertainties related to the effects of competitive
products and pricing, customer acceptance of the Company’s merchandise mix and
retail locations, economic conditions worldwide, the ability of the Company to
execute its business plan effectively with regard to each of its operating
unit. Any changes in such assumptions or factors could produce significantly
different results. The Company
undertakes no obligation to update forward-looking statements, whether as a
result of new information, future events, or otherwise.