UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549





FORM 10-Q


(Mark One)
[X]
Quarterly report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the quarterly period endedOctoberApril 30, 20042005

 
[   ]
Transition report pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the transition period from  _____________     to _____________





Commission file number 1-2191





BROWN SHOE COMPANY, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
  
New York
(State or other jurisdiction
of incorporation or organization)
43-0197190
(IRS Employer Identification Number)
  
8300 Maryland Avenue
St. Louis, Missouri
(Address of principal executive offices)
63105
(Zip Code)
 
(314) 854-4000
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
 



Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant: (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports) and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     Yes [X][ X ]     No [   ]


Indicate by checkmark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2).    Yes [X][ X ]     No [   ]


As of November 27, 2004, 18,196,916May 28, 2005, 18,324,666 common shares were outstanding.



1




PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION


ITEM 1
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
BROWN SHOE COMPANY, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

 
(Unaudited)
   
($ thousands)
October 30, 2004

November 1, 2003

January 31, 2004


Assets         
Current Assets         
   Cash and cash equivalents$74,793 $52,750 $55,657 
   Receivables 74,850  64,534  81,930 
   Inventories 409,961  376,602  376,210 
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets

17,963


24,717


15,888

Total current assets

577,567


518,603


529,685

Other assets 87,928  84,056  83,692 
Goodwill and intangible assets, net 20,860  20,435  20,405 
Property and equipment 291,684  271,405  272,151 
   Allowances for depreciation and amortization

(201,944
)

(186,598
)

(186,603
)
Total property and equipment

89,740


84,807


85,548

Total assets
$
776,095

$
707,901

$
719,330

Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity        
Current Liabilities         
   Notes payable$43,500 $16,000 $19,500 
   Trade accounts payable 108,617  107,894  116,677 
   Accrued expenses 92,291  93,613  96,707 
   Income taxes 11,811  14,272  2,960 
   Current maturities of long-term debt

-


3,500


-

Total current liabilities

256,219


235,279


235,844

Other Liabilities         
   Long-term debt 100,000  100,000  100,000 
   Other liabilities

29,550


28,317


28,358

Total other liabilities

129,550


128,317


128,358

Shareholders' Equity         
   Common stock 68,229  67,640  67,787 
   Additional capital 62,977  55,135  62,772 
   Unamortized value of restricted stock (2,935) (2,691) (3,408)
   Accumulated other comprehensive loss (607) (5,366) (4,934)
   Retained earnings

262,662


229,587


232,911

Total shareholders' equity

390,326


344,305


355,128

Total liabilities and shareholders' equity
$
776,095

$
707,901

$
719,330

BROWN SHOE COMPANY, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS


 (Unaudited)   
   
AS RESTATED
(See Note 2)
   
($ thousands)
April 30, 2005 May 1, 2004 January 29, 2005 
Assets
         
Current Assets         
   Cash and cash equivalents$25,748 $66,422 $79,448 
   Receivables 112,703  88,072  97,503 
   Inventories 423,707  366,902  421,450 
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets 26,167  17,049  24,438 
Total current assets 588,325  538,445  622,839 
          
Other assets 91,488  87,751  87,427 
Goodwill and intangible assets, net 195,292  20,222  21,474 
          
Property and equipment 347,215  315,987  339,138 
   Allowances for depreciation and amortization (230,184) (210,732) (224,744)
Total property and equipment 117,031  105,255  114,394 
Total assets$992,136 $751,673 $846,134 
          
 
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
        
Current Liabilities         
   Current maturities of long-term debt$79,500 $43,000 $92,000 
   Trade accounts payable 123,864  100,902  143,982 
   Accrued expenses 103,777  89,556  98,096 
   Income taxes 12,064  5,189  7,437 
Total current liabilities 319,205  238,647  341,515 
          
Other Liabilities         
   Long-term debt 200,000  100,000  50,000 
   Other liabilities 79,531  54,887  63,316 
Total other liabilities 279,531  154,887  113,316 
          
Shareholders' Equity         
   Common stock 68,650  68,002  68,406 
   Additional paid-in capital 62,314  64,851  62,639 
   Unamortized value of restricted stock (2,443) (3,648) (2,661)
   Accumulated other comprehensive loss (974) (5,651) (983)
   Retained earnings 265,853  234,585  263,902 
Total shareholders’ equity 393,400  358,139  391,303 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$992,136 $751,673 $846,134 
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


2




BROWN SHOE COMPANY, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

 
(Unaudited)
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended

Thirty-nine Weeks Ended

($ thousands, except per share amounts)
October 30, 2004

November 1, 2003

October 30 , 2004

November 1, 2003

             
Net sales$514,825 $493,433 $1,465,314 $1,398,261 
Cost of goods sold

306,782


288,721


868,661


820,557

Gross profit208,043204,712596,653577,704
Selling and administrative expenses

179,762


172,278


540,177


511,317

Operating earnings28,28132,43456,47666,387
Interest expense 1,980  2,256  6,600  7,679 
Interest income

(221
)

(118
)

(517
)

(318
)
Earnings before income taxes26,52230,29650,39359,026
Income tax provision

7,702


9,096


15,192


17,267

Net earnings
$
18,820

$
21,200

$
35,201

$
41,759

         
Basic net earnings per common share
$
1.05

$
1.19

$
1.97

$
2.37

         
Diluted net earnings per common share
$
1.01

$
1.13

$
1.87

$
2.25

         
Dividends per common share
$
0.10

$
0.10

$
0.30

$
0.30

BROWN SHOE COMPANY, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS

   (Unaudited) 
   Thirteen Weeks Ended 
       
AS RESTATED
(See Note 2)
 
($ thousands, except per share amounts)
    April 30, 2005 May 1, 2004 
Net sales      $523,283 $491,832 
Cost of goods sold       312,677  292,468 
Gross profit       210,606  199,364 
Selling and administrative expenses       187,538  184,514 
Operating earnings       23,068  14,850 
Interest expense       (3,399 (2,479
Interest income       449  (126 
Earnings before income taxes       20,118  12,497 
Income tax provision       (16,339) (3,971)
Net earnings      $3,779 $8,526 
         
Basic earnings per common share      $0.21 $0.48 
         
Diluted earnings per common share      $0.20 $0.45 
         
Dividends per common share      $0.10 $0.10 
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.



3




BROWN SHOE COMPANY, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
 
(Unaudited)
 
 
Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
 
($ thousands)
October 30, 2004

November 1, 2003

Operating Activities:      
Net earnings$35,201 $41,759 
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided by operating activities:      
   Depreciation and amortization 18,251  19,053 
   Share-based compensation (income) expense (1,480) 3,299 
   Tax benefit related to share-based plans 913  - 
   Loss on disposal of facilities and equipment 739  1,599 
   Impairment charges for facilities and equipment 1,481  2,147 
   Provision for (recoveries from) doubtful accounts (342) 278 
   Changes in operating assets and liabilities:      
      Receivables 7,422  17,674 
      Inventories (33,751) 15,982 
      Prepaid expenses and other current assets (2,075) (3,739)
      Trade accounts payable and accrued expenses (12,476) (31,198)
      Income taxes 8,851  8,920 
   Other, net 

1,164


(182
)
Net cash provided by operating activities

23,898


75,592

Investing Activities:      
Capital expenditures (23,880) (21,668)
Other

153


368

Net cash used by investing activities

(23,727
)

(21,300
)
Financing Activities:      
Increase (decrease) in short-term notes payable 24,000  (13,000)
Principal repayments of long-term debt -  (20,000)
Debt issuance costs (1,274) - 
Proceeds from stock options exercised 1,687  4,696 
Dividends paid

(5,448
)

(5,359
)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities

18,965


(33,663
)
Increase in cash and cash equivalents19,13620,629
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

55,657


32,121

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
74,793

$
52,750

BROWN SHOE COMPANY, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

 (Unaudited) 
 Thirteen Weeks Ended 
   
AS RESTATED
(See Note 2)
 
($ thousands)
April 30, 2005 May 1, 2004 
Operating Activities:
      
Net earnings$3,779 $8,526 
Adjustments to reconcile net earnings to net cash provided (used) by operating activities:      
   Depreciation and amortization 7,826  7,130 
   Share-based compensation expense 352  1,405 
   Loss on disposal of facilities and equipment 184  315 
   Impairment charges for facilities and equipment 590  409 
   Provision for (recoveries from) doubtful accounts 165  (167)
   Changes in operating assets and liabilities:      
      Receivables 6,486  (5,975)
      Inventories 26,524  9,308 
      Prepaid expenses and other current assets (3,305) (3,387)
      Trade accounts payable and accrued expenses (23,763) (22,193)
      Income taxes 4,760  2,229 
   Deferred rent (1,341) 1,621 
   Deferred income taxes 7,316  (116)
   Other, net 320  (1,019)
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities 29,893  (1,914)
       
Investing Activities:
      
Payments on acquisition, net of cash received (206,970) - 
Capital expenditures (8,547) (9,774)
Other 105  115 
Net cash used by investing activities (215,412) (9,659)
       
Financing Activities:
      
Increase (decrease) in current maturities of long-term debt (12,500) 23,500 
Proceeds from issuance of senior notes 150,000  - 
Debt issuance costs (4,667) - 
Proceeds from stock options exercised 562  649 
Tax benefit related to share-based plans 254  - 
Dividends paid (1,830) (1,811)
Net cash provided by financing activities 131,819  22,338 
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (53,700) 10,765 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 79,448  55,657 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$25,748 $66,422 
See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.


4




BROWN SHOE COMPANY, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS



Note 1.
Basis of Presentation


The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and reflect all adjustments which management believes necessary (which include only normal recurring accruals) to present fairly the Company's financial position, results of operations, and cash flows.flows of Brown Shoe Company, Inc. (the “Company”). These statements, however, do not include all information and footnotes necessary for a complete presentation of the Company's consolidated financial position, results of operations and cash flows in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.

The condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and its subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated.


Certain prior period amounts on the condensed consolidated balance sheets, statements of earnings and statements of cash flows have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation. These reclassifications did not affect net earnings.

See Note 2 for information regarding the restatement of our consolidated financial statements for prior periods.


The Company's business is subject to seasonal influences, particularly the back-to-school selling season at Famous Footwear which falls in the Company'sCompany’s third quarter. Interim results may not necessarily be indicative of results which may be expected for any other interim period or for the year as a whole.


For further information, refer to the consolidated financial statements and footnotes included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2004.29, 2005.


Note 2.
Restatement of Consolidated Financial Statements

In conjunction with the issuance of our consolidated financial statements for the year ended January 29, 2005 (fiscal 2004), the Company restated its results for the first three quarters of fiscal 2004 and prior years to correct its method of accounting for certain lease issues. Accordingly, the consolidated financial statements for the first quarter of 2004, included herein, have been restated.

Construction Allowances
Consistent with many other companies having retail operations, the Company historically accounted for construction allowances received from landlords as a reduction of property and equipment and amortized the allowances over the useful lives of the assets to which they were assigned. The Company determined that, in some cases, the lives assigned to amortize the construction allowances were shorter than the lease term, thereby understating rent expense. In its restated consolidated financial statements, the Company has treated these construction allowances as a lease incentive, as defined by FASB Technical Bulletin 88-1. The allowances are recorded as a deferred rent obligation upon receipt, rather than a reduction of property and equipment, and amortized to income over the lease term as a reduction of rent expense.

Rent Holidays
The Company also determined that its calculation of straight-line rent expense should be modified. The Company had previously recognized straight-line rent expense for leases beginning on the commencement date of the lease, which had the effect of excluding the store build-out periods from the calculation of the period over which it expensed rent. In its restated consolidated financial statements, the Company has recognized straight-line rent expense over the lease term, including any rent-free build-out periods.

The adjustment to net earnings is a noncash item. As a result of the restatement, the Company’s earnings before income taxes were reduced by $66,000 and the Company’s net earnings were reduced by $41,000 for the thirteen weeks ended May 1, 2004. The restatement had no effect on basic or diluted net earnings per common share for the period.

All data reflected in the condensed consolidated financial statements and notes thereto have been restated to correct for these lease accounting issues.

5



Note 3.
Acquisition of Bennett Footwear Group and Related Financing

On April 22, 2005, the Company completed the acquisition of Bennett Footwear Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries (“Bennett”) for $205 million in cash, including indebtedness of Bennett repaid by the Company at closing of $35.7 million. The purchase price is subject to a post-closing adjustment based on net equity. This post-closing adjustment, if any, has not yet been determined. In addition, the sellers may receive up to $42.5 million in contingent payments to be earned upon the achievement of certain performance targets over the three years following the acquisition. The operating results of Bennett have been included in the Company’s financial statements since April 22, 2005. The Company expects the acquisition of Bennett to complement the Company’s portfolio of wholesale footwear brands, which are primarily sold in the moderately priced range, by adding owned and licensed brands that sell primarily in the better and bridge footwear zones at department stores, including Via Spiga, Franco Sarto, Etienne Aigner and Nickels Soft.
The total consideration paid by the Company in connection with the acquisition of Bennett was $207.4 million, including associated fees and expenses. The cost to acquire Bennett has been preliminarily allocated to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed according to estimated fair values and is subject to adjustment when additional information concerning asset and liability valuations are finalized. The preliminary allocation has resulted in acquired goodwill of $81.1 million and intangible assets related to trademarks, licenses and customer relationships of $92.9 million.

The Company has determined that certain redundant positions at Bennett will be eliminated and has recorded a severance liability of $0.7 million in the preliminary allocation of purchase price. The Company anticipates that the entire severance liability will be funded during 2005.

The following unaudited pro forma information presents the results of operations of the Company as if the Bennett acquisition had taken place on January 30, 2005 (the beginning of fiscal 2005), and February 1, 2004 (the beginning of fiscal 2004), respectively:
   
 Thirteen Weeks Ended 
($ thousands, except per share data)
April 30, 2005 May 1, 2004 
Net sales $560,653 $544,288 
Net earnings (loss)  1,110  (3,862)
Net earnings (loss) per common share:       
     Basic  0.06  (0.22)
     Diluted  0.06  (0.20)
The unaudited pro forma results shown above reflect the assumption that, on January 29, 2005 and February 1, 2004, the Company would have financed the Bennett acquisition under identical terms and conditions as the actual financing, including the repatriation of $60.5 million of foreign earnings to fund a portion of the acquisition and related expenses, and the associated $9.6 million tax expense. The unaudited pro forma results of operations have been prepared for comparative purposes only and do not purport to be indicative of the results of operations which actually would have resulted had the Bennett acquisition occurred as of January 30, 2005, and February 1, 2004, respectively. The unaudited pro forma results of operations have been prepared for comparative purposes only and do not purport to be indicative of the results of operations which actually would have resulted had the Bennett acquisition occurred as of January 30, 2005, and February 1, 2004, respectively.

Prior to and in connection with the acquisition, the Company entered into a commitment with a lender to provide $100.0 million of short-term financing (the “Bridge Commitment”) on a senior unsecured basis. The Bridge Commitment was not utilized as a result of the issuance of the senior notes described below simultaneously with the closing of the Bennett acquisition. The Company expensed all fees and costs associated with the Bridge Commitment, totaling $1.0 million, during the quarter ended April 2005 as a component of interest expense.

To fund a portion of the acquisition and associated expenses, the Company issued $150 million aggregate principal amount of 8.75% senior notes due 2012. To fund the remaining portion of the acquisition and associated expenses, the Company repatriated $60.5 million of earnings from its foreign subsidiaries pursuant to the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004.


6



Note 4.
Earnings Per Share


The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted net earnings per common share for the periods ended OctoberApril 30, 20042005, and NovemberMay 1, 2003:2004:











  
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
Thirty-nine Weeks Ended

($ thousands, except per share data)

October 30,
2004

November 1,
2003

October 30, 
2004

November 1,
2003 

NUMERATOR             
Net earnings

$
18,820

$
21,200

$
35,201

$
41,759

DENOMINATOR (thousand shares)             
Denominator for basic net earnings per common share  
17,943
  
17,761
  
17,902
  
17,634
 
Dilutive effect of unvested restricted stock and stock options


706


937


950


900

Denominator for diluted net earnings per common share


18,649


18,698


18,852


18,534

Basic net earnings per common share

$
1.05

$
1.19

$
1.97

$
2.37

Diluted net earnings per common share

$
1.01

$
1.13

$
1.87

$
2.25

          
    Thirteen Weeks Ended 
($ thousands, except per share data)
     April 30, 2005 May 1, 2004 
NUMERATOR             
Net earnings       $3,779 $8,526 
            
DENOMINATOR (thousand shares)          
Denominator for basic net earnings per common share   18,074  17,841 
Dilutive effect of unvested restricted stock and stock options  738  1,078 
Denominator for diluted net earnings per common share  18,812  18,919 
            
Basic net earnings per common share $0.21 $0.48 
              
Diluted net earnings per common share $0.20 $0.45 

Options to purchase 387,600613,433 and 34,921236,167 shares of common stock for the thirteen week periodsweeks ended April 30, 2005, and 284,978 and 37,216 shares of common stock for the thirty-nine week periods ended October 30,May 1, 2004, and November 1, 2003, respectively, were not included in the denominator for diluted net earnings per common share because their effect would be antidilutive.


Note 3.
5.
Comprehensive Income


Comprehensive income includes changes in shareholders'shareholders’ equity related to foreign currency translation adjustments and unrealized gains or losses from derivatives used for hedging activities.

5



The following table sets forth the reconciliation from net earnings to comprehensive income for the periodsthirteen weeks ended OctoberApril 30, 20042005, and NovemberMay 1, 2003:2004:











  
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
Thirty-nine Weeks Ended

($ Thousands)

October 30,
2004

November 1,
2003

October 30,
2004

November 1,
2003

Net earnings $18,820 $21,200 $35,201 $41,759 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:             
   Foreign currency translation adjustment  3,580  2,448  3,488  5,707 
   Unrealized losses on derivative instruments  (631) (624) (743) (1,179)
   Net loss from derivatives reclassified into earnings


418


536


1,582


1,253




3,367


2,360


4,327


5,781

Comprehensive income

$
22,187

$
23,560

$
39,528

$
47,540

          
    Thirteen Weeks Ended 
($ Thousands)
     April 30, 2005 May 1, 2004 
Net earnings       $3,779 $8,526 
              
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:          
   Foreign currency translation adjustment     (568) (1,310)
   Unrealized gains on derivative instruments     7  102 
   Net loss from derivatives reclassified into earnings     570  491 
         9  (717)
Comprehensive income       $3,788 $7,809 


7



Note 4.
6.
Business Segment Information


Applicable business segment information is as follows for the periods ended OctoberApril 30, 20042005, and NovemberMay 1, 2003:2004:

 











($ thousands)Famous
Footwear
 Wholesale
Operations
 Naturalizer
Retail
 Other Totals 











Thirteen Weeks Ended October 30, 2004          
External sales$311,685 $148,696 $49,911 $4,533 $514,825 
Intersegment sales 414  46,786  -  -  47,200 
Operating earnings (loss) 24,802  10,375  (1,491) (5,405) 28,281 
Operating segment assets 359,044  188,362  79,836  148,853  776,095 
Thirteen Weeks Ended November 1, 2003          
External sales$301,588 $140,062 $49,789 $1,994 $493,433 
Intersegment sales 284  35,968  -  -  36,252 
Operating earnings (loss) 23,427  15,460  (166) (6,287) 32,434 
Operating segment assets 345,000  171,986  70,669  120,246  707,901 
Thirty-nine Weeks Ended October 30, 2004          
External sales$853,620 $457,125 $143,507 $11,062 $1,465,314 
Intersegment sales 1,054  121,718  -  -  122,772 
Operating earnings (loss) 49,818  32,144  (6,262) (19,224) 56,476 
                
Thirty-nine Weeks Ended November 1, 2003          
External sales$831,634 $418,950 $142,296 $5,381 $1,398,261 
Intersegment sales 693  100,718  -  -  101,411 
Operating earnings (loss) 46,914  41,106  (2,534) (19,099) 66,387 
















The Other segment includes corporate administrative and other expenses, which are not allocated to

           
($ thousands)
Famous
Footwear
 
Wholesale
Operations
 
Specialty
Retail
 Other Totals 
Thirteen Weeks Ended April 30, 2005
          
                
External sales$288,735 $181,288 $53,260 $- $523,283 
Intersegment sales 440  46,945  -  -  47,385 
Operating earnings (loss) 16,514  17,504  (3,509) (7,441) 23,068 
Operating segment assets 389,925  417,185  88,545  96,481  992,136 
                
Thirteen Weeks Ended May 1, 2004
          
                
External sales$272,124 $171,545 $48,163 $- $491,832 
Intersegment sales 322  38,378  -  -  38,700 
Operating earnings (loss) 12,317  12,805  (2,470) (7,802) 14,850 
Operating segment assets 350,972  197,855  75,505  127,341  751,673 

In fiscal 2005, the operating units, and the Company's investment inCompany began reporting its majority-owned subsidiary, Shoes.com, Inc., a footwear e-commerce company.

Effective February 1, 2004,company, within the Company began accounting for its Irish financing subsidiary, Brown Group Dublin Limited, which holds cash and short term investments relating to offshore earnings other than in Canada,Specialty Retail segment. Shoes.com, Inc., had previously been reported within the Other segment. Brown Group Dublin Limited had previously been accounted for within the Wholesale Operations segment. Prior year

6


amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. This reclassification had no effect on operating earnings, but resulted in a transfer of sales of $6.6 million and $2.8 million in 2005 and 2004, respectively, and resulted in an immaterial transfer of operating earnings (loss) in both 2005 and 2004 to the Specialty Retail segment. This reclassification also resulted in a transfer of operating segment assets of $68.0$7.8 million and $47.1$4.8 million at October 30,in 2005 and 2004, respectively.


The Other segment includes unallocated corporate administrative and November 1, 2003, respectively, to the Other segment.other costs.


Note 5
7.
Restructuring Reserves

Closure of Canadian Manufacturing Facility

In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2003, the Company announced the closing of its last Canadian footwear manufacturing facility, located in Perth, Ontario, and recorded a pre-tax charge of $4.5 million, the components of which were as follows:

The following is a summary of the activity in the reserve, by category of costs:










($ millions)
Employee
Severance

Inventory
Markdowns

Lease
Buyouts

Total

Original charge and reserve balance
$
2.3
 
$
1.6
 
$
0.6
 
$
4.5
 
Adjustments 
(0.3
) 
0.4
  
(0.1
) 
-
 
Expenditures in quarter ending May 1, 2004 
(1.8
) 
(2.0
) 
(0.1
) 
(3.9
)
Expenditures in quarter ending July 31, 2004 
(0.1
) 
-
  
(0.2
) 
(0.3
)
Expenditures in quarter ending October 30, 2004

-


-


(0.1
)

(0.1
)
Reserve balance October 30, 2004
$
0.1

$
-

$
0.1

$
0.2

The Company anticipates that the restructuring activities associated with the closure of the Canadian manufacturing facility will be substantially completed by the end of fiscal 2004.

Note 6.
Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets


Goodwill and intangible assets were attributable to the Company's operating segments as follows:








($ thousands)
October 30, 2004

November 1, 2003

January 31, 2004

Famous Footwear
$
3,529
 
$
3,529
 
$
3,529
 
Wholesale Operations 
10,233
  
10,248
  
10,245
 
Naturalizer Retail 
5,763
  
5,323
  
5,296
 
Other

1,335


1,335


1,335


$
20,860

$
20,435

$
20,405

       
($ thousands)
April 30, 2005 May 1, 2004 January 29, 2005 
Famous Footwear$3,529 $3,529 $3,529 
Wholesale Operations 184,127  10,241  10,230 
Specialty Retail 6,913  6,452  6,992 
Other 723  -  723 
 $195,292 $20,222 $21,474 

The change between periods for the NaturalizerSpecialty Retail segment reflects changes in the Canadian dollar exchange rate. The change in the Other segment from May 1, 2004 to April 30, 2005 of $0.7 million reflects the adjustment to the Company’s minimum pension liability recorded in 2004. The change between periods in the Wholesale Operations segment reflects the Company’s preliminary purchase price allocation for the acquisition of Bennett on April 22, 2005. The Company’s preliminary purchase price allocation has resulted in acquired goodwill of $81.1 million and intangible assets of $92.9 million.


8



Note 7.
8.
Share-Based Compensation


As of OctoberApril 30, 2004,2005, the Company had four share-based compensation plans, which are described more fully in Note 16 to the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2004.29, 2005. The Company accounts for those plans under the recognition and measurement principles of APB Opinion No. 25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" and related interpretations. Compensation expense is recognized in net earnings for stock appreciation units, stock performance plans and restricted stock grants. No share-based employee compensation cost is reflected in net earnings for stock options, as all option grants had an exercise price equal to the market value of the

7


underlying common stock on the date of grant. The following table illustrates the effect on net earnings and net earnings per common share as if the Company had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123, "AccountingAccounting for Stock-Based Compensation", to stock options outstanding:












  
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
 
($ thousands, except per share amounts)

October 30,
2004

November 1,
2003

October 30,
2004

November 1,
2003

Net earnings, as reported $18,820 $21,200 $35,201 $41,759 
Add: Total share-based employee compensation
   (income) expense included in reported net 
   earnings, net of related tax effect
  (1,425) 931  (962) 2,145 
Deduct: Total share-based employee 
   compensation expense determined under the 
   fair value based method for all awards, net of 
   related tax effect


618


(1,479
)

(1,396
)

(3,877
)
Pro forma net earnings

$
18,013

$
20,652

$
32,843

$
40,027

Net earnings per common share:
   Basic - as reported $1.05 $1.19 $1.97 $2.37 
   Basic - pro forma  1.00  1.16  1.83  2.27 
   Diluted - as reported  1.01  1.13  1.87  2.25 
   Diluted - pro forma  0.97  1.10  1.74  2.16 














          
    Thirteen Weeks Ended 
($ thousands, except per share amounts)
     
April 30,
2005
 
May 1,
2004
 
Net earnings, as reported       $3,779 $8,526 
Add: Total share-based employee compensation expense
   included in reported net earnings, net of related tax effect
  137  913 
Deduct: Total share-based employee compensation expense determined
   under the fair value based method for all awards, net of related tax
   effect
  (1,135) (1,654)
Pro forma net earnings       $2,781 $7,785 
Net earnings per common share:             
   Basic - as reported       $0.21 $0.48 
   Basic - pro forma        0.15  0.44 
   Diluted - as reported        0.20  0.45 
   Diluted - pro forma        0.15  0.41 

During December 2004, the Financial Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 123(R),Share-Based Payment, which is a revision of SFAS No. 123. SFAS No. 123(R) requires all share-based payments to employees, including grants of employee stock options, to be recognized in the financial statements based on their fair values. The Company has historically provided pro forma disclosures of stock option expense in the notes to the Company’s financial statements as previously allowed by SFAS No. 123, rather than recognizing the impact of such expense in the financial statements. As a result of the Securities and Exchange Commission’s April 15, 2005 release delaying the required date of adoption, the Company now plans to adopt the provisions of SFAS No. 123(R), utilizing the modified-prospective transition method, at the beginning of fiscal year 2006.

The Company issued 5,25064,875 and 88,65457,190 shares of common stock for the thirteen week periods ended April 30, 2005, and 117,827 and 354,807 shares of common stock for the thirty-nine week periods, ended October 30,May 1, 2004, and November 1, 2003, respectively, for stock options exercised, stock performance awards and restricted stock grants.

As a result of the decline in the Company's net earnings and stock price during the period and the corresponding change in estimated payouts under stock-based and other incentive plans, the Company's third quarter and year to date 2004 results reflect reduced compensation expense as compared to the same periods in 2003. The Company recognized income of $3.2 million ($2.0 million on an after tax basis, or $0.11 per diluted share) during the thirteen weeks ended October 30, 2004 related to these plans, compared to expense of $5.4 million ($3.3 million on an after tax basis) during the thirteen weeks ended November 1, 2003. For the year to date period, the Company recognized $4.2 million of expense ($2.6 million on an after tax basis, or $0.14 per diluted share) related to these plans during the thirty-nine weeks ended October 30, 2004 as compared to $13.9 million of expense ($8.6 million on an after tax basis) during the thirty-nine weeks ended November 1, 2003.


9



Note 8.
9.
Retirement and Other Benefit Plans


The following table sets forth the components of net periodic benefit cost or income for the Company, including all domestic and Canadian plans:










 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
($ thousands)
October 30,
2004

November 1, 
2003

October 30,
2004

November 1, 
2003

Service cost$1,543 $1,318 $- $- 
Interest cost 2,169  2,001  65  68 
Expected return on assets (3,831) (3,705) -  - 
Amortization of:            
   Actuarial loss (gain) 104  96  (35) (48)
   Prior service costs 78  78  -  (26)
   Net transition assets

-


(42
)

-


-

Total net periodic benefit cost (income)
$
63


(254
)
$
30

$
(6
)

8

     
 Pension Benefits Other Postretirement Benefits 
 Thirteen Weeks Ended Thirteen Weeks Ended 
($ thousands)
April 30,
2005
 
May 1,
2004
 
April 30,
2005
 
May 1,
2004
 
Service cost$1,608 $1,383 $- $- 
Interest cost 2,284  2,103  65  63 
Expected return on assets (3,935) (3,608) -  - 
Amortization of:            
   Actuarial loss (gain) 130  78  (15) (50)
   Prior service costs 100  75  -  - 
   Net transition assets (46) (43) -  - 
Total net periodic benefit cost (income)$141  (12)$50 $13 












 
Pension Benefits
 
Other Postretirement Benefits
 
 
Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
 
Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
 
($ thousands)
October 30,
2004

November 1,
2003

October 30,
2004

November 1,
2003

Service cost$4,625 $3,950 $- $- 
Interest cost 6,500  5,995  195  204 
Expected return on assets (11,481) (11,104) -  - 
Amortization of:            
   Actuarial loss (gain) 263  283  (105) (146)
   Prior service costs 234  234  -  (78)
   Net transition assets

(85
)

(123
)

-


-

Total net periodic benefit cost (income)
$
56

$
(765
)
$
90

$
(20
)

Note 9.
10.
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement
Income Taxes


In connection with the acquisition of Bennett, the Company repatriated $60.5 million of earnings from its foreign subsidiaries under the provisions of the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. The Company entered into an Amended and Restatedrecognized $9.6 million of tax expense associated with the repatriation. Although the Company recorded its best estimate of tax due related to the repatriation based on information currently available, certain regulations are still pending. Any adjustment to taxes due will be recorded when known.
The Company anticipates that it will repatriate approximately $20 million in additional foreign earnings during 2005. The Company is providing tax expense at the expected 5.25% effective rate under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 as these current period earnings are generated. With regard to any other accumulated unremitted foreign earnings, the Company’s intention is to reinvest these earnings indefinitely or to repatriate the earnings only when it is tax-effective to do so.


Note 11.
Debt

The Company has a Revolving Credit Agreement (the "Agreement"“Agreement”) effective July 21, 2004, which amended and restated its existing $350 million revolving bank credit agreement. The Agreementthat provides for a maximum line of credit of $350 million, subject to thea calculated borrowing base restrictions. In addition to extending the credit term, the Agreement also provides other benefits to the Company, including expanding the definition of eligible inventory in certain circumstances and reducing the interest rate spread paid on outstanding borrowings.base. Borrowing availability under the Agreement is based upon the sum of eligible accounts receivable and inventory, less outstanding borrowings, letters of credit and applicable reserves. The Agreement matures on July 21, 2009, and the Company'sCompany’s obligations are secured by the Company'sits accounts receivable and inventory. Borrowings under the Agreement bear interest at a variable rate determined based upon the level of availability under the Agreement. If availability falls below specified levels, the Company would then be subject to certain financial covenants. In addition, if availability falls below $25 million and the fixed charge coverage ratio is less than 1.0 to 1, the Company would be in default. The Agreement also contains certain other covenants and restrictions.

In connection with On March 14, 2005, the Company entered into the First Amendment to the Agreement to permit the Company incurred approximately $1.3 millionacquisition of Bennett and the issuance costs, which, together with remaining unamortized debt issuance costs of approximately $2.7 million associated with the original bank credit agreement, will be amortized over the five-year termits 8.75% Senior Notes due 2012.


To fund a portion of the Bennett acquisition, Brown Shoe Company, Inc. issued $150 million aggregate principal amount of 8.75% senior notes due 2012 (“Senior Notes”). The Senior Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by each of the subsidiaries of Brown Shoe Company, Inc. that is an obligor under its secured Revolving Credit Agreement. Interest is payable on May 1 and November 1 of each year, beginning on November 1, 2005. The Senior Notes will mature on May 1, 2012, but are callable any time on or after May 1, 2009, at specified redemption prices plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Senior Notes also contain certain restrictive covenants.

10



Note 10.
12.
Commitments and Contingencies


Environmental Remediation
The Company is involved in environmental remediation and ongoing compliance activities at several sites. The Company is remediating, under the oversight of Colorado authorities, the groundwater and indoor air at its owned facility in Colorado (also known as the Redfield site) and residential neighborhoods adjacent to and near the property that have been affected by solvents previously used at the facility. During the first quarter of 2005, the Company recorded $0.5 million of expense related to this remediation. The anticipated future cost of remediation activities at OctoberApril 30, 20042005 is $6.5$6.0 million and is accrued within other accrued expenses and other liabilities, on the condensed consolidated balance sheet, but the ultimate cost may vary. The cumulative costs incurred through OctoberApril 30, 20042005 are $14.2$15.4 million.


The Company assesses future recoveries from insurance companies related to remediation costs by estimating a range of probable recoveries and recording the low end of the range. Recoveries from other responsible parties are recorded when a contractual agreement is reached. As of OctoberApril 30, 2004,2005, recorded recoveries totaled $3.8$3.3 million and are recorded in other noncurrent assets on the condensed consolidated balance sheet. $3.3 millionsheet, substantially all of the recordedwhich represents recoveries are expected from certain insurance companies as indemnification for amounts spent for remediation associated with the Redfield site. The insurance companies are contesting their indemnity obligations, and the Company has sued its insurers seeking recovery of defense costs, indemnity and other damages related to the former operations and the remediation at the site. The Company believes insurance coverage in place entitles it to reimbursement for more than the recovery recorded. The Company believes the recorded recovery is supported by the fact the limits of the insurance policies at issue exceed the amount of the recorded

9


recovery, and certain insurers have offered to settle these claims. The Company is unable to estimate the ultimate recovery from the insurance carriers, but is pursuing resolution of its claims.


The Company has completed its remediation efforts at its closed New York tannery and two associated landfills. In 1995, state environmental authorities reclassified the status of these sites as being properly closed and requiring only continued maintenance and monitoring over the next 2019 years. The Company has an accrued liability of $2.2 million at April 30, 2005, related to these sites, which has been discounted at 6.4%. On an undiscounted basis, this liability would be $3.7 million. The Company expects to spend approximately $0.2 million in each of the next five succeeding years and $2.7 million thereafter related to these sites. In addition, various federal and state authorities have identified the Company as a potentially responsible party for remediation at certain other landfills.


Based on information currently available, the Company had an accrued liability of $8.5 million as of OctoberApril 30, 2004 to complete2005, for the cleanup, maintenance and monitoring at all sites. Of the $8.5 million liability, $1.7 million is included in accrued expenses, and $6.8 million is included in other noncurrent liabilities onin the condensed consolidated balance sheet. The ultimate costs may vary, and it is possible costs may exceed the recorded amounts.


While the Company currently does not operate manufacturing facilities, prior operations included numerous manufacturing and other facilities for which the Company may have responsibility under various environmental laws for the remediation of conditions that may be identified in the future.


Litigation
In March 2000, a class action lawsuit was filed in Colorado State Court (District Court for the City and County of Denver) related to the Redfield site described above. Plaintiffs alleged claims for trespass, nuisance, strict liability, unjust enrichment, negligence and exemplary damages arising from the alleged release of solvents contaminating the groundwater and indoor air in the areas adjacent to and near the site. In December 2003, the jury hearing the claims returned a verdict finding one of the Company's subsidiariesCompany’s subsidiary negligent and awarded the class plaintiffs $1.0 million in damages. The Company has recorded this award along with pre-trialestimated pretrial interest on the award and estimated costs related to sanctions imposed by the court related to a pre-trialpretrial discovery dispute between the parties. In the first quarter of 2005, the federal court hearing a cost recovery suit against other responsible parties approved a settlement agreement between us, our co-defendant in the class action lawsuit and an insurer which resolved all remaining sanctions issues related to the class action. Accordingly, the Company reversed into income $0.7 million related to accrued sanctions. The total pre-tax chargepretax charges recorded for these matters in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2003 was $3.1 million ($2.0 million after tax). The Company recorded an additional $0.6 million in expense in the first quarter of 2004 related to pre-trial interest, to reflect the trial court's ruling extending the time period for which pre-judgment interest applied. In April 2004, the plaintiffs filed a motion for a new trial; the court has denied that motion.and prior were $3.7 million. The plaintiffs have appealed the judgment to the Colorado Court of Appeals and have asked for a retrial. The Company has cross-appealed the trial court's ruling as to the amount of pre-judgment interest, and has conditionally appealed a numberfiled an appeal of the trial court's rulings inDecember 2003 jury verdict, and the event of a retrial. The ultimate outcome and cost to the Company may vary.


11



As described above in "Environmental“Environmental Remediation," the Company has filed suit against its insurance carriers and is seeking recovery of certain defense costs, indemnity for the costs incurred for remediation related to the Redfield site and for the damages awarded in the class action and other related damages.


The Company also is involved in legal proceedings and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the outcome of such ordinary course of business proceedings and litigation currently pending will not have a material adverse effect on the Company'sCompany’s results of operations or financial position.

All legal costs associated with litigation are expensed as incurred.


Other
The
During the fourth quarter of 2004, the Company isrecorded a guarantorcharge of $3.5 million related to its guarantee of an Industrial Development Bond financing of $3.5 million for a manufacturing and warehouse facility in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. The outstanding principal on this Industrial Development Bond is $3.0 million. These facilities and the business that operated them were sold to another party in 1985, which assumed thisthe bond obligation. This financing is scheduled to be paid annually in 2005 through 2009. During October 2004, theThe current owner of the manufacturing and warehouse facility has filed for bankruptcy protection and is seeking liquidation ofliquidating its assets. Management believesAlthough the maximum amountCompany will pursue recovery of potential future payments under this guarantee, including interest due through maturity, is $3.5 million. Whilethese costs, the ultimate outcome is uncertain, management believes that the fair market value of the facility is sufficient to cover the payments due under the Industrial Development Bond.uncertain. Accordingly, the Company recorded its estimate of the maximum exposure, $3.5 million, as a charge in the fourth quarter of 2004. The Company made a payment under this guarantee of $0.7 million during the first quarter of 2005 and has not recorded any chargean accrued liability of $2.8 million at April 30, 2005, related to this guarantee.

matter.


During 2004 and 2003, the Company recorded charges totaling $2.7 million relating to the insolvency of an insurance company that insured the Company for workers’ compensation and casualty losses from 1973 to 1989. That company is now in liquidation. Certain claims from that time period are still outstanding. While management has recorded its best estimate of loss, the ultimate outcome and cost to the Company may vary.

The Company is contingently liable for lease commitments of approximately $10$6.7 million in the aggregate, which primarily relate to the Cloth World and Meis specialty retailing chains and a manufacturing facility, which were sold in prior years. In order for the Company to incur any liability related to these lease commitments, the current owners would have to default. At this time, the Company does not believe this is reasonably likely to occur.

10




Note 13.
Financial Information for the Company and its Subsidiaries

On April 22, 2005, Brown Shoe Company, Inc. issued senior notes to finance a portion of the purchase price of Bennett. The notes are fully and unconditionally and jointly and severally guaranteed by all existing and future subsidiaries of Brown Shoe Company, Inc. that are guarantors under its existing Revolving Credit Agreement. The following table presents the condensed consolidating financial information for each of Brown Shoe Company, Inc. (Issuer), the Guarantors and subsidiaries of the Issuer that are not Guarantors (the Non-Guarantors), together with consolidating eliminations, as of and for the periods indicated.

The condensed consolidating financial statements have been prepared using the equity method of accounting in accordance with the requirements for presentation of such information. Management believes that the information, presented in lieu of complete financial statements for each of the Guarantors, provides meaningful information to allow investors to determine the nature of the assets held by, and operation and cash flow of, each of the consolidating groups.

12



CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
AS OF APRIL 30, 2005

($ thousands)
Parent Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Total 
ASSETS
               
Current Assets               
Cash and cash equivalents
$
(1,458)$7,046 $20,160 $- $25,748 
Receivables, net 59,538  31,500  22,615  (950) 112,703 
Inventories, net 62,216  362,586  5,928  (7,023) 423,707 
Other current assets 4,135  18,577  1,152  2,303  26,167 
Total current assets 124,431  419,709  49,855  (5,670) 588,325 
Other assets 78,297  206,594  2,039  (150) 286,780 
Property and equipment, net 14,755  98,744  3,532  -  117,031 
Investment in subsidiaries 422,497  33,281  -  (455,778) - 
Total assets
$
639,980 $758,328 $55,426 $(461,598)$992,136 
                
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
             
Current Liabilities               
Current maturities of long-term debt
$
79,500 $- $950 $(950)$79,500 
Trade accounts payable 13,861  87,847  22,156  -  123,864 
Accrued expenses 48,290  51,018  3,811  658  103,777 
Income taxes 5,898  5,377  1,285  (496) 12,064 
Total current liabilities 147,549  144,242  28,202  (788) 319,205 
Other Liabilities               
Long-term debt 200,000  -  -  -  200,000 
Other liabilities 35,539  44,080  (88) -  79,531 
Intercompany payable (receivable) (136,508) 143,908  (2,368) (5,032) - 
Total other liabilities 99,031  187,988  (2,456) (5,032) 279,531 
Shareholders’ equity 393,400  426,098  29,680  (455,778) 393,400 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
639,980 $758,328 $55,426 $(461,598)$992,136 


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
FOR THE THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED APRIL 30, 2005

($ thousands)
Parent Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Total 
Net Sales
$
144,487 $350,311 $74,192 $(45,707)$523,283 
Cost of goods sold 104,757  191,071  61,785  (44,936) 312,677 
Gross profit 39,730  159,240  12,407  (771) 210,606 
Selling and administrative expenses 33,618  147,700  6,991  (771) 187,538 
Equity in (earnings) of subsidiaries (10,824) (5,089) -  15,913  - 
Operating earnings 16,936  16,629  5,416  (15,913) 23,068 
Interest expense (3,377 -  (22 -  (3,399
Interest income 10  37  402  -  449 
Intercompany interest income (expense) 1,372  (1,641 269  -  - 
Earnings before income taxes 14,941  15,025  6,065  (15,913) 20,118 
Income tax (provision) benefit (11,162) (4,144) (1,033) -  (16,339)
Net earnings
$
3,779 $10,881 $5,032 $(15,913)$3,779 


13



CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED APRIL 30, 2005

($ thousands)
Parent Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Total 
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities
$
21,448 $4,507 $2,311 $1,627 $29,893 
                
Investing activities
               
Payments on acquisition, net of cash received -  (206,970) -  -  (206,970)
Capital expenditures (310) (8,113) (124) -  (8,547)
Other 105  -  -  -  105 
Net cash used by investing activities (205) (215,083) (124) -  (215,412)
                
Financing activities
               
Increase (decrease) in current maturities of long-term debt (12,500) -  175  (175) (12,500)
Proceeds from the issuance of Senior Notes 150,000  -  -  -  150,000 
Debt issuance costs (4,667) -  -  -  (4,667)
Proceeds from stock options exercised 562  -  -  -  562 
Tax benefit related to share-based plans 254  -  -  -  254 
Dividends (paid) received (1,830) 60,464  (60,464) -  (1,830)
Intercompany financing (150,863) 147,253  5,062  (1,452) - 
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities (19,044) 207,717  (55,227) (1,627) 131,819 
                
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 2,199  (2,859) (53,040) -  (53,700)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period (3,657) 9,905  73,200  -  79,448 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
(1,458)$7,046 $20,160 $- $25,748 


14



CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
AS OF MAY 1, 2004

($ thousands)
Parent Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Total 
ASSETS
               
Current Assets               
Cash and cash equivalents
$
(416)$6,755 $60,083 $- $66,422 
Receivables, net 68,247  5,394  15,431  (1,000) 88,072 
Inventories, net 66,916  301,957  2,865  (4,836) 366,902 
Other current assets 1,108  12,973  1,279  1,689  17,049 
Total current assets 135,855  327,079  79,658  (4,147) 538,445 
Other assets 70,771  34,958  2,244  -  107,973 
Property and equipment, net 14,595  87,158  3,502  -  105,255 
Investment in subsidiaries 371,377  73,590  -  (444,967) - 
Total assets
$
592,598 $522,785 $85,404 $(449,114)$751,673 
                
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
             
Current Liabilities               
Current maturities of long-term debt
$
43,000 $- $1,000 $(1,000)$43,000 
Trade accounts payable 10,813  73,018  17,071  -  100,902 
Accrued expenses 42,658  42,207  4,398  293  89,556 
Income taxes 1,454  1,686  1,409  640  5,189 
Total current liabilities 97,925  116,911  23,878  (67) 238,647 
Other Liabilities               
Long-term debt 100,000  -  -  -  100,000 
Other liabilities 27,907  26,991  (11) -  54,887 
Intercompany payable (receivable) 8,627  3,139  (7,686) (4,080) - 
Total other liabilities 136,534  30,130  (7,697) (4,080) 154,887 
Shareholders’ equity 358,139  375,744  69,223  (444,967) 358,139 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
$
592,598 $522,785 $85,404 $(449,114)$751,673 


CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
FOR THE THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED MAY 1, 2004

($ thousands)
Parent Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Total 
Net Sales
$
136,836 $325,552 $69,365 $(39,921)$491,832 
Cost of goods sold 96,781  176,405  58,454  (39,172) 292,468 
Gross profit 40,055  149,147  10,911  (749) 199,364 
Selling and administrative expenses 38,683  141,605  4,975  (749) 184,514 
Equity in (earnings) of subsidiaries (9,066) (5,936) -  15,002  - 
Operating earnings 10,438  13,478  5,936  (15,002) 14,850 
Interest expense (2,466 -  (13 -  (2,479
Interest income 1  21  104  -  126 
Intercompany interest income (expense)                  
 1,852  (2,027 175  -  - 
Earnings before income taxes 9,825  11,472  6,202  (15,002) 12,497 
Income tax (provision) benefit (1,299) (2,303) (369) -  (3,971)
Net earnings
$
8,526 $9,169  5,833 $(15,002)$8,526 


15



CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED MAY 1, 2004

($ thousands)
Parent Guarantors Non-Guarantors Eliminations Total 
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities
$
(35,465)$25,515 $6,398 $1,638 $(1,914)
                
Investing activities
               
Capital expenditures (874) (7,828) (1,072) -  (9,774)
Other 115  -  -  -  115 
Net cash used by investing activities (759) (7,828) (1,072) -  (9,659)
                
Financing activities
               
Increase (decrease) in current maturities of
   long-term debt
 23,500  -  -  -  23,500 
Debt issuance costs -  -  -  -  - 
Proceeds from stock options exercised 649  -  -  -  649 
Dividends paid (1,811) -  -  -  (1,811)
Intercompany financing 17,008  (17,297) 1,927  (1,638) - 
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities 39,346  (17,297) 1,927  (1,638) 22,338 
                
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 3,122  390  7,253  -  10,765 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period (3,538) 6,365  52,830  --  55,657 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
$
(416)$6,755 $60,083 $- $66,422 


16



ITEM 2
MANAGEMENT'S
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Certain prior year data in “Management Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” have been restated to correct our treatment of certain lease accounting issues. See Note 2 to the condensed consolidated financial statements for further details.

OVERVIEW


Overall, the Company's thirdwe are pleased with our first quarter results were disappointing as we posted solid gains in both net earnings declined from the third quarter last year in spite of an increase in net sales.sales and operating earnings. Consolidated net sales rose 4.3%6.4% to $514.8$523.3 million for the thirdfirst quarter of fiscal 2004,2005, as compared to $493.4$491.8 million for the thirdfirst quarter of the prior year. Operating earnings rose 55.0% to $23.1 million in the first quarter of 2005 compared to $14.9 million in the first quarter of 2004. Net earnings were $18.8$3.8 million, or $1.01$0.20 per diluted share, for the thirdfirst quarter compared to $21.2$8.5 million, or $1.13$0.45 per diluted share, for the thirdfirst quarter of last year.

The following Net earnings were negatively impacted by $9.6 million of incremental income tax expense related to the repatriation of foreign earnings and $1.0 million ($0.6 million on an after-tax basis) of interest expense related to bank commitment fees associated with the acquisition of Bennett Footwear Holdings, LLC and its subsidiaries (“Bennett”).


Following is a summary of our operating results in the first quarter of 2005 and the status of our balance sheet:

·  Famous Footwear’s net sales increased 6.1% to $288.7 million in the first quarter compared to $272.1 million last year. Same-store sales increased 1.5%. Operating earnings increased to $16.5 million in the first quarter compared to $12.3 million in the first quarter of the prior year. This improvement in earnings was driven by the sales increase, and higher gross margin rates driven by lower markdowns.

·  Our Wholesale Operations segment’s operating earnings increased in the first quarter to $17.5 million compared to $12.8 million in the first quarter last year. Operating earnings were positively impacted by the non-recurrence of $3.3 million of transition and assimilation costs recorded in the first quarter of 2004 associated with the Bass footwear license. In addition, the acquisition of Bennett contributed $1.2 million in operating earnings for the period of ownership from April 22, 2005 to April 30, 2005.

·  Our Specialty Retail segment experienced a 10.6% increase in net sales to $53.3 million in the first quarter, compared to $48.2 million in the first quarter of the prior year. Same-store sales were up 0.1% for the quarter in our Naturalizer stores. We incurred an operating loss of $3.5 million in the first quarter compared to an operating loss of $2.5 million in the first quarter of the prior year. The higher loss was driven by higher markdowns taken to clear seasonal inventory in our stores. Effective January 30, 2005, we began reporting our majority-owned subsidiary, Shoes.com, Inc., a footwear e-commence company, within the Specialty Retail segment.

·  Inventories at quarter-end are $423.7 million, up from $366.9 million last year due to additional stores at Famous Footwear and the addition of $26.4 million from the Bennett acquisition. Our current ratio, the relationship of current assets to current liabilities, remained flat at 1.8 to 1 compared to January 29, 2005, but declined from the May 1, 2004 ratio of 2.3 to 1. Our debt-to-capital ratio, the ratio of our debt obligations to the sum of our debt obligations and shareholders’ equity, at the end of the quarter increased to 41.5% from 28.5% at the end of the year-ago quarter, driven by the issuance of $150 million senior notes due 2012 in conjunction with the acquisition of Bennett.

17



Following is a summary of the more significant factors affecting the comparability of our financial results for the first quarter of 2005 as compared to the first quarter of 2004:
·  During the first quarter of 2005, in connection with our acquisition of Bennett described in more detail below, we entered into a commitment letter with a lender to provide $100.0 million of short-term financing (the “Bridge Commitment”) on a senior unsecured basis. The Bridge Commitment was not utilized as a result of the issuance of the senior notes. We expensed all fees and costs associated with the Bridge Commitment, totaling $1.0 million ($0.6 million on an after-tax basis), or $0.04 per diluted share, as a component of interest expense in the first quarter of 2005.

·  During the first quarter of 2005, to fund a portion of the Bennett acquisition, we repatriated $60.5 million of earnings from our foreign subsidiaries under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. We recognized $9.6 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, of tax expense associated with the repatriation.

·  During the first quarter of 2004, we recorded $3.3 million ($2.0 million on an after-tax basis), or $0.11 per diluted share, of transition and assimilation costs related to the Bass footwear license acquired on February 2, 2004.


Recent Developments

Announcement of Naturalizer Retail Store Closings and Related Actions
On June 6, 2005, we announced that we would be closing approximately 80 underperforming Naturalizer retail stores, of which approximately 60 are in the third quarterUnited States and 20 are in Canada. We expect that these closures will be complete by April 2006. In addition, we will consolidate our Canadian retail division buying, merchandising, accounting and information services functions into the United States. We anticipate that the cost to implement this restructuring will result in expense in the range of $14 million to $17 million on a pretax basis (or $0.45 to $0.55 on a diluted per share basis) for lease buyouts, severance, and inventory markdowns. We expect that this expense will be recognized primarily over the remainder of fiscal 2004:
Acquisition of Bennett Footwear Group and Related Financing
On April 22, 2005, we completed the acquisition of Bennett for $205 million in cash, including indebtedness of Bennett repaid by us at closing of $35.7 million. The purchase price is subject to a post-closing adjustment based on net equity. In addition, the sellers may receive up to $42.5 million in contingent payments to be earned upon the achievement of certain performance targets over the next three years. The operating results of Bennett have been included in our financial statements since April 22, 2005. The acquisition of Bennett is expected to complement our portfolio of wholesale brands, which are primarily sold in the moderately priced range, by adding owned and licensed brands that sell primarily in the better and bridge footwear zones at department stores, including Via Spiga, Franco Sarto, Etienne Aigner and Nickels Soft.

To fund a portion of the acquisition, we issued $150 million aggregate principal amount of 8.75% senior notes due 2012 (“Senior Notes”). The Senior Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by each of our subsidiaries that is an obligor under our secured Revolving Credit Agreement. Interest is payable on May 1 and November 1 of each year, beginning on November 1, 2005. The Senior Notes will mature on May 1, 2012, but are callable any time on or after May 1, 2009, at specified redemption prices plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Senior Notes also contain certain restrictive covenants.

To fund an additional portion of the acquisition, we repatriated $60.5 million of earnings from our foreign subsidiaries under the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004. We recognized $9.6 million of tax expense associated with the repatriation in the quarter ended April 30, 2005.

18



CONSOLIDATED RESULTS

   Thirteen Weeks Ended
       AS RESTATED
     April 30, 2005 May 1, 2004
($ millions)
           
% of
Net
Sales
   
% of
Net
Sales
Net sales          $523.3 100.0% $491.8 100.0%
Cost of goods sold           312.7 59.8%  292.4 59.5%
Gross profit           210.6 40.2%  199.4 40.5%
Selling and administrative expenses        187.5 35.8%  184.5 37.5%
Operating earnings           23.1 4.4%  14.9 3.0%
Interest expense           (3.4)(0.7)%  (2.5(0.5)%
Interest income           0.4 0.1%  0.1 0.0%
Earnings before income taxes         20.1 3.8%  12.5 2.5%
Income tax provision           (16.3)(3.1)%  (4.0)(0.8)%
Net earnings          $3.8 0.7% $8.5 1.7%

Net Sales
Net sales increased 3.3%$31.5 million, or 6.4%, to $311.7$523.3 million in the thirdfirst quarter of 2005 as compared to $301.6 million last year. Same-store sales declined 0.4%. However, operating earnings increased to $24.8$491.8 million in the third quarter compared to $23.4 million in the third quarter of the prior year.


11



CONSOLIDATED RESULTS


 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
October 30, 2004
November 1, 2003
October 30, 2004
November 1, 2003
($ millions)


% of
Net
Sales




% of
Net 
Sales



% of 
Net
Sales



% of 
Net
Sales
Net sales$
514.8
 
100.0%
 
$
493.4
 
100.0%
 $
1,465.3
 
100.0%
 
$
1,398.3
 
100.0%
Cost of goods sold

306.8

59.6%


288.7

58.5%


868.6

59.3%


820.6

58.7%
Gross profit 
208.0
 
40.4%
  
204.7
 
41.5%
  
596.7
 
40.7%
  
577.7
 
41.3%
Selling and
   administrative expenses

179.7

34.9%


172.3

34.9%


540.2

36.8%


511.3

36.6%
Operating earnings 
28.3
 
5.5%
  
32.4
 
6.6%
  
56.5
 
3.9%
  
66.4
 
4.7%
Interest expense 
2.0
 
0.3%
  
2.2
 
0.5%
  
6.6
 
0.5%
  
7.7
 
0.5%
Interest income

(0.2
)
0.0%


(0.1
)
0.0%


(0.5
)
0.0%


(0.3
)
0.0%
Earnings before 
   income taxes
 
26.5
 
5.2%
  
30.3
 
6.1%
  
50.4
 
3.4%
  
59.0
 
4.2%
Income tax provision

(7.7
)
(1.5)%


(9.1
)
(1.8)%


(15.2
)
(1.0)%


(17.2
)
(1.2)%
Net earnings
$
18.8

3.7%

$
21.2

4.3%

$
35.2

2.4%

$
41.8

3.0%

Net Sales
Net sales increased $21.4 million, or 4.3%, to $514.8 million in the third quarter of 2004 as compared to $493.4 million in the thirdfirst quarter of the prior year. This increase is primarily attributable to a $10.1$16.6 million increase at Famous Footwear and a $9.8 million increase in our Wholesale Operations segment. The improvement in the net sales of our Wholesale Operations segment were driven by the recent Bennett acquisition, which contributed $5.8 million of net sales in the Bass footwear license at the beginning of fiscal 2004.

Net salesperiod.


Gross Profit
Gross profit increased $67.0$11.2 million, or 4.8%5.6%, to $1,465.3$210.6 million for the first quarter of 2005 as compared to $199.4 million in the first nine months of 2004 as compared to $1,398.3 million in the first nine months of the prior year. The increase is primarily attributable to the acquisition of the Bass footwear license at the beginning of 2004, which contributed over one half of the increase. In addition, the net sales improvement was driven by sales gains within our Santana and LifeStride lines and from new Famous Footwear stores.

Gross Profit
Gross profit increased $3.3 million, or 1.6%, to $208.0 million for the third quarter of 2004 as compared to $204.7 million in the third quarter of the prior year. As a percent of net sales, our gross profit rate decreased to 40.4%40.2% in the thirdfirst quarter from 41.5%40.5% in the thirdfirst quarter of the prior year as a result of more aggressive promotions and pricing at Famous Footwear to capture more sales during the critical back-to-school period, higher provisions for allowances to our department store customers, and higher inventory markdowns in our wholesale operations.

Gross profit increased $19.0 million, or 3.3%,Specialty Retail segment, taken to $596.7 million in the first nine months of 2004 as compared to $577.7 million in the first nine months of the prior year. The overall increase in gross profit is primarily driven by the $67.0 million increase in net sales. Asclear seasonal inventory, and a percent of net sales, our gross profit rate decreased to 40.7% in the first nine months of 2004 as compared to 41.3% in the first nine months of the prior year. The decline in the gross profit rate reflects a greater mix of wholesale sales, which carry aslightly lower gross margin rate than our retail sales, more aggressive back-to-school pricing at Famous Footwear, a higher provision for allowances to our department store customers, and higher inventory markdowns in our wholesale operations.

Wholesale Operations segment.


Selling and Administrative Expenses
Selling and administrative expenses increased $7.4$3.0 million, or 4.3%1.6%, to $179.7$187.5 million for the thirdfirst quarter as compared to $172.3$184.5 million in the thirdfirst quarter of the prior year. This increase is primarily attributable to increased selling and administrative costs associated with the Bass footwear line, increased costsexpenses related to new store openings at Famous Footwear partially offset by the non-recurrence of the Bass transition and to our ongoing investments in talent, systems, and infrastructure intended to position the Company for future growth. Offsetting these factors were benefits from reduced compensationassimilation costs associated with stock-based and incentive compensation plans of $8.6 million compared to last year.

Selling and administrative expenses increased $28.9 million, or 5.6% to $540.2totaling $3.3 million in the first nine monthsquarter of 20042004. As a percentage of sales, selling and administrative expenses have decreased to 35.8% from 37.5%, as comparedwe have better leveraged our expense base.


Interest Expense
Interest expense increased $0.9 million, or 37.1%, to $511.3$3.4 million in the first nine months of the prior year. This increase is due to increased wholesale selling costs and warehousing costs, increased costs related to new store openings at Famous Footwear and transition and assimilation

12


costs related to the Bass footwear line of approximately $5.1 million, increased selling and administrative costs associated with the Bass footwear line, and our ongoing investments in talent, systems and infrastructure intended to position the Company for future growth. Offsetting these factors were benefits from reduced compensation costs associated with stock-based and incentive compensation plans of $9.7 million compared to last year.

Interest Expense
Interest expense decreased $0.2 million, or 12.2%, to $2.0 million in the third quarter as compared to $2.2$2.5 million in the thirdfirst quarter of the prior year. The decreaseincrease in interest expense is due to lower interest rates. On July 21, 2004,a result of $1.0 million of expense for bank commitment fees incurred in funding the Company amended and restated its credit agreement, which resulted in more favorable interest rates during the third quarter.

Interest expense decreased $1.1 million, or 14.1%, to $6.6 million in the first nine monthsacquisition of 2004 as compared to $7.7 million in the first nine months of the prior year due to more favorable interest rates.

Bennett.


Income Tax Provision
Our consolidated effective tax rate was 29.0%81.2% in the thirdfirst quarter of 20042005 as compared to 30.0%31.8% in the thirdfirst quarter of the prior year, reflectingyear. This higher tax rate reflects the $9.6 million of incremental tax expense recorded in the first quarter related to our repatriation of $60.5 million of earnings from our foreign subsidiaries to fund a lower projected annualportion of the Bennett acquisition. Excluding the $9.6 million incremental charge, our effective tax rate.

Forrate for the first nine monthsquarter was 33.7% compared to 31.8% in the first quarter of 2004,last year. This increase reflects the additional provision recorded for the additional expected repatriation in 2005.


19



Net Earnings
Net earnings decreased $4.7 million, or 55.7%, to $3.8 million in the first quarter of 2005 compared to $8.5 million in the first quarter of 2004. The decrease is driven by the tax expense of $9.6 million related to our consolidated effective incomerepatriation of foreign earnings and interest expense of $1.0 million ($0.7 million on an after-tax basis) related to bank commitment fees associated with funding the Bennett acquisition, partially offset by the non-recurrence of $3.3 million ($2.0 million on an after-tax basis) of transition and assimilation costs related to the acquisition of Bass footwear license recorded in the first quarter of 2004. Partially offsetting the 2005 incremental tax rate was 30.1%and interest expenses were improved operating earnings at our Famous Footwear and Wholesale Operations segments.

FAMOUS FOOTWEAR

   Thirteen Weeks Ended
       AS RESTATED
     April 30, 2005 May 1, 2004
($ millions, except per square foot)
           
% of
Net
Sales
   
% of
Net
Sales
Operating Results
                   
Net sales          $288.7 100.0% $272.1 100.0%
Cost of goods sold           159.5 55.2%  151.1 55.5%
Gross profit           129.2 44.8%  121.0 44.5%
Selling and administrative expenses        112.7 39.1%  108.7 40.0%
Operating earnings          $16.5 5.7% $12.3 4.5%
                    
Key Metrics
                   
Same-store sales % change           1.5%    2.6%  
Same-store sales $ change          $4.0   $6.4  
Sales change from new and closed stores, net      $12.6   $4.6  
                    
Sales per square foot          $44   $44  
Square footage (thousand sq. ft.)       6,506    6,249  
                    
Stores opened           20    12  
Stores closed           12    8  
Ending stores           927    897  

Net Sales
Net sales increased $16.6 million, or 6.1%, to $288.7 million in the first quarter of 2005 as compared to 29.3% for the first nine months of the prior year, reflecting a greater projected annual mix of domestic income. We do not provide deferred taxes on unremitted foreign earnings, as it is our intention to reinvest those earnings indefinitely or to repatriate the earnings only when it is tax-advantageous to do so.
FAMOUS FOOTWEAR

 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
October 30, 2004
November 1, 2003
October 30, 2004
November 1, 2004
($ millions, except per square foot)


% of
Net
Sales




% of
Net 
Sales



% of 
Net
Sales



% of 
Net
Sales
Operating Results                   
Net sales
$
311.7
 
100.0%
 
$
301.6
 
100.0%
 
$
853.6
 
100.0%
 
$
831.6
 
100.0%
Cost of goods sold

174.6

56.0%


167.5

55.6%


473.7

55.5%


462.5

55.6%
Gross profit 
137.1
 
44.0%
  
134.1
 
44.4%
  
379.9
 
44.5%
  
369.1
 
44.4%
Selling and 
   administrative expenses

112.3

36.0%


110.7

36.6%


330.1

38.7%


322.2

38.8%
Operating earnings
$
24.8

8.0%

$
23.4

7.8%

$
49.8

5.8%

$
46.9

5.6%
                    
Key Metrics                   
Same-store sales % change 
(0.4)%
    
0.7%
    
(0.2)%
    
(2.5)%
  
Same-store sales $ change 
$(1.2)
    
$1.9
    
$(1.3)
    
$(19.2)
  
Sales change from new and
   closed stores, net
 
$11.3
    
$5.2
    
$23.3
    
$17.9
  
                    
Sales per square foot 
$49
    
$48
    
$135
    
$134
  
Square footage
   (thousand sq. ft.)
 
6,394
    
6,274
    
6,394
    
6,274
  
                    
Stores opened 
16
    
19
    
54
    
51
  
Stores closed 
17
    
20
    
33
    
61
  
Ending stores 
914
    
908
    
914
    
908
  




















Net Sales
Net sales increased $10.1 million, or 3.3%, to $311.7$272.1 million in the third quarter of 2004 as compared to $301.6 million in the thirdfirst quarter of the prior year. This increase is attributable to higher sales from new stores offset by a modestand the same-store sales declineincrease of 0.4% reflecting lower traffic counts.1.5%. Sales of athletic footwear were strong during the quarter; however, sandal sales have been slower than anticipated, which could result in additional markdowns. During the thirdfirst quarter of 2004,2005, we opened 1620 new stores and closed

13


17, 12, resulting in 914927 stores at the end of the thirdfirst quarter as compared to 908897 at the end of the thirdfirst quarter of the prior year. Sales per square foot were $49, up slightly from $48 in$44, equal to the year ago period.

Net sales increased $22.0 million, or 2.6%, to $853.6 million in the first nine months of 2004 as compared to $831.6 million in the first nine months of the prior year. While same-store sales for the first nine months of 2004 were down 0.2% compared to the first nine months of the prior year, sales from net new stores totaled $23.3 million. We opened 54 new stores and closed 33 during the first nine months of 2004, resulting in 914 stores at the end of the third quarter.

Same-store sales changes are calculated by comparing the sales in stores that have been open at least 13 months. This method avoids the distorting effect that grand opening sales have in the first month of operation. Relocated stores are treated as new stores. Closed stores are excluded from the calculation. Sales change from new and closed stores, net reflects the change in net sales due to stores that have been opened or closed during the period and are thereby excluded from the same-store sales calculation.


Gross Profit
Gross profit increased $3.0$8.2 million, or 2.3%6.8%, to $137.1$129.2 million in the thirdfirst quarter of 20042005 as compared to $134.1$121.0 million in the thirdfirst quarter of the prior year. As a percentage of net sales, there was a slight decreaseincrease in the gross profit rate to 44.0%44.8% in the thirdfirst quarter of 20042005 from 44.4%44.5% in the thirdfirst quarter of the prior year. This declineimprovement was due primarily to more aggressive promotions used to drive sales during the critical back-to-school period.

Gross profit increased $10.8 million, or 2.9%, to $379.9 million in the first nine months of 2004 as compared to $369.1 million in the first nine months of the prior year. The gross profit increase of 2.9% is primarily attributed to the 2.6% increase in net sales. As a percent of net sales, our gross profit rate increased slightly to 44.5% in the first nine months of 2004 as compared to 44.4% in the first nine months of the prior year.

lower markdowns.


20



Selling and Administrative Expenses
Selling and administrative expenses increased $1.6$4.0 million, or 1.5%3.7%, to $112.3$112.7 million for the thirdfirst quarter of 20042005 as compared to $110.7$108.7 million in the thirdfirst quarter of the prior year. This increase is primarily attributable to increased marketingretail facilities costs partially offsetdriven by reduced compensation costs associated with stock-based and incentive compensation plans.store growth. As a percentage of net sales, selling and administrative costs decreased to 36.0%39.1% from 36.6%40.0% last year as the division tightly controlled expenses.

Selling and administrative expenseseffectively leveraged its expense base.


Operating Earnings
Operating earnings increased $7.9$4.2 million, or 2.5%34.1%, to $330.1$16.5 million for the first quarter of 2005 as compared to $12.3 million in the first nine months of 2004 as compared to $322.2 million in the first nine months of the prior year due to increased marketing costs and higher selling salaries, due in part to store openings during the first nine months of 2004. Reduced compensation costs associated with stock-based and incentive compensation plans partially offset the increase in selling and administrative expenses. As a percent of net sales, selling and administrative costs decreased slightly to 38.7% from 38.8% last year.

Operating Earnings
Operating earnings increased $1.4 million, or 5.9%, to $24.8 million for the third quarter of 2004 as compared to $23.4 million in the third quarter of the prior year. This increase was driven by the $10.1$16.6 million increase in net sales partially offset byand the decline in thehigher gross profit rate.

Operating earnings


SPECIALTY RETAIL

   Thirteen Weeks Ended
       AS RESTATED
     April 30, 2005 May 1, 2004
($ millions, except per square foot)
           
% of
Net
Sales
   
% of
Net
Sales
Operating Results
                   
Net sales          $53.3 100.0% $48.2 100.0%
Cost of goods sold           28.4 53.3%  24.1 50.1%
Gross profit           24.9 46.7%  24.1 49.9%
Selling and administrative expenses        28.4 53.3%  26.6 55.0%
Operating loss          $(3.5)(6.6)% $(2.5)(5.1)%
                    
Key Metrics
                  
Same-store sales % change          0.1%    2.3%  
Same-store sales $ change         $0.1   $1.0  
Sales change from new and closed stores, net     $(0.1)   $0.1  
Impact of changes in Canadian exchange rate on sales     $1.3   $1.4  
Increase in sales of e-commerce subsidiary     $3.8   $1.2  
                    
Sales per square foot, excluding e-commerce subsidiary   $76   $75  
Square footage (thousand sq. ft.)      586    578  
                    
Stores acquired upon Bennett acquisition       12    -  
Stores opened           1    9  
Stores closed           10    8  
Ending stores           378    379  

Net Sales
Net sales increased $2.9$5.1 million, or 6.2%10.6%, to $49.8$53.3 million in the first nine monthsquarter of 20042005 as compared to $46.9$48.2 million in the first nine months of the prior year. This increase was driven by the increase in net sales and, to a lesser extent, the improvement in the gross profit rate as a percent of net sales and the reduction in selling and administrative expenses as a percent of net sales.

14



NATURALIZER RETAIL

 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
October 30, 2004
November 1, 2003
October 30, 2004
November 1, 2003
($ millions, except per square foot)


% of
Net
Sales




% of
Net 
Sales



% of 
Net
Sales



% of 
Net
Sales
Operating Results                   
Net sales
$
49.9
 
100.0%
 $
49.8
 
100.0%
 $
143.5
 
100.0%
 
$
142.3
 
100.0%
Cost of goods sold

26.0

52.1%


25.6

51.4%


75.9

52.9%


74.4

52.3%
Gross profit 
23.9
 
47.9%
  
24.2
 
48.6%
  
67.6
 
47.1%
  
67.9
 
47.7%
Selling and 
   administrative expenses

25.4

50.9%


24.4

48.9%


73.9

51.5%


70.4

49.5%
Operating loss
$
(1.5
)
(3.0)%

$
(0.2
)
(0.3)%

$
(6.3
)
(4.4)%

$
(2.5
)
(1.8)%
                    
Key Metrics                  
Same-store sales % change 
(2.8)%
   
(0.9)%
    
(1.6)%
    
(0.9)%
  
Same-store sales $ change 
$(1.4)
   
$(0.3)
    
$(2.3)
   
$(1.1)
  
Sales change from new and
   closed stores, net
 
$0.5
   
$(2.1)
    
$0.8
   
$(11.3)
  
Impact of changes in 
   Canadian exchange 
   rate on sales
 
$1.0
   
$2.3
    
$2.7
   
$5.3
  
                    
Sales per square foot 
$81
   
$85
    
$236
    
$238
  
Square footage
   (thousand sq. ft.)
 
586
   
575
    
586
   
575
  
                    
Stores opened 
4
    
1
    
13
    
4
  
Stores transferred, net 
-
    
-
    
4
    
-
  
Stores closed 
3
    
4
    
14
    
10
  
Ending stores 
381
    
383
    
381
    
383
  




















Net Sales
Net sales increased $0.1 million, or 0.2%, to $49.9 million in the third quarter of 2004 as compared to $49.8 million in the third quarter of the prior year. The favorable impact of the Canadian exchange rate improved net sales by $1.0$1.3 million but was offset by a same-storeand sales decline of 2.8%our e-commerce subsidiary, Shoes.com, Inc., increased $3.8 million, or 135%. For our Canadiandomestic stores, same-store sales increased 2.4%1.0%, while domesticCanadian stores experienced a same-store decline of 5.7%1.4%. During the thirdfirst quarter of 2004,2005, we opened 4 newacquired 12 stores with our acquisition of Bennett (8 Via Spiga retail stores and 4 leased shoe departments in department stores). We opened one new store and closed 310 resulting in 381378 stores at the end of the thirdfirst quarter of 20042005 as compared to 383379 at the end of the thirdfirst quarter of the prior year. Sales per square foot declinedincreased to $81$76 from $85$75 in the year ago period.

Net sales

Gross Profit
Gross profit increased $1.2$0.8 million, or 0.9%3.4%, to $143.5$24.9 million in the first nine monthsquarter of 20042005 as compared to $142.3$24.1 million in the first nine months of the prior year. However, same-store sales for the first nine months of 2004 declined 1.6%, led by weakness in our domestic stores. For our Canadian stores, same-store sales declined 1.6%, while domestic stores experienced a same-store decline of 1.7%. The increase in net sales is attributable to the impact of changes in the Canadian exchange rate, which improved net sales by $2.7 million during the first nine months of 2004. Sales per square foot decreased slightly to $236 for the first nine months of 2004 from $238 for the first nine months of the prior year due to lower customer traffic.

Gross Profit
Gross profit decreased $0.3 million, or 1.2%, to $23.9 million in the third quarter of 2004 as compared to $24.2 million in the third quarter of the prior year. As a percentage of net sales, our gross profit rate declined to 47.9%46.7% in the thirdfirst quarter from 48.6%49.9% in the year ago quarter. This decline was driven by lower initial markups resulting from more promotional pricing.

Gross profit decreased $0.3 million, or 0.4%,higher markdowns recorded to $67.6 millionclear seasonal inventory in our stores and a relative increase in the first nine monthsportion of 2004 as compared to $67.9 million in the first nine months of the prior year. Ase-commerce sales, which carry a percent of sales, ourlower gross profit rate decreased to 47.1% in the first nine months of 2004 as compared to 47.7% in the first nine months of the prior year, due to lower initial markups resulting from

15rate.


21

more promotional pricing, and the transition in the Canadian stores from domestically produced footwear to higher-grade imported product.



Selling and Administrative Expenses
Selling and administrative expenses increased $1.0$1.8 million, or 4.3%6.7%, to $25.4$28.4 million for the thirdfirst quarter of 20042005 as compared to $24.4$26.6 million in the thirdfirst quarter of the prior year. Approximately $0.5$0.7 million of the increase is due to changes in the Canadian exchange rate. The remaining $0.5$1.1 million relates to a combination of noncash asset impairment chargesincreased marketing costs and higher costs at our e-commerce subsidiary to support the sales growth.

Operating Earnings
Specialty Retail’s operating loss increased consulting fees, offset by reduced compensation costs associated with incentive compensation plans.

Selling and administrative expenses increasedto $3.5 million, or 4.9%, to $73.9 million in the first nine months of 2004 as compared to $70.4 million in the first nine months of the prior year. Approximately $1.3 million of the increase is due to changes in the Canadian exchange rate. The remaining increase is due to a combination of increased retail facilities costs, noncash asset impairment charges and increased consulting fees, offset by reduced compensation costs associated with incentive compensation plans.

Operating Earnings
Naturalizer Retail's operating loss increased to $1.5 million in the third quarter of 20042005 as compared to a loss of $0.2$2.5 million in the thirdfirst quarter of the prior year. The higher current period loss was due to the same-store sales decline, lower gross profit rates and higher selling and administrative expenses.

The operating loss of $6.3rates.



WHOLESALE OPERATIONS

   Thirteen Weeks Ended
     April 30, 2005 May 1, 2004
($ millions)
           
% of
Net
Sales
   
% of
Net
Sales
Operating Results
                   
Net sales          $181.3 100.0% $171.5 100.0%
Cost of goods sold           124.8 68.7%  117.2 68.3%
Gross profit           56.5 31.3%  54.3 31.7%
Selling and administrative expenses        39.0 21.5%  41.5 24.2%
Operating earnings          $17.5 9.8% $12.8 7.5%
                    
Key Metrics
                   
Unfilled order position at end of period, including $72.6 million from the recently acquired Bennett business      $275.5   $176.9  

Net Sales
Net sales increased $9.8 million, or 5.7%, to $181.3 million in the first nine monthsquarter of 2004 increased from an operating loss of $2.52005 as compared to $171.5 million in the first nine monthsquarter of the prior year, due to the same-store sales decline, lower gross profit rates and theyear. The increase in sellingsales was driven by the Bennett acquistion, which contributed $5.8 million in sales for the period. The division also experienced sales improvements in the Dr. Scholl’s, Naturalizer, LifeStride and administrative expenses.Santana divisions, which were partially offset by declines in the Women’s private label and Bass divisions.


WHOLESALE OPERATIONS

 
Thirteen Weeks Ended
 
Thirty-nine Weeks Ended
October 30, 2004
November 1, 2003
October 30, 2004
November 1, 2003
($ millions)


% of
Net
Sales




% of
Net 
Sales



% of 
Net
Sales



% of 
Net
Sales
Operating Results                   
Net sales$
148.7
 
100.0%
 $
140.1
 
100.0%
 $
457.1
 
100.0%
 
$
419.0
 
100.0%
Cost of goods sold

103.9

69.9%


94.7

67.6%


313.4

68.6%


281.2

67.1%
Gross profit 
44.8
 
30.1%
  
45.4
 
32.4%
  
143.7
 
31.4%
  
137.8
 
32.9%
Selling and 
   administrative
   expenses

34.4

23.1%


29.9

21.4%


111.6

24.4%


96.7

23.1%
Operating earnings
$
10.4

7.0%

$
15.5

11.0%

$
32.1

7.0%

$
41.1

9.8%
                    
Key Metrics                   
Unfilled order position at
   End of period
 
$199.2
    
$187.9
          




















Net Sales
Net sales

Gross Profit
Gross profit increased $8.6$2.2 million, or 6.2%4.1%, to $148.7$56.5 million in the thirdfirst quarter of 20042005 as compared to $140.1$54.3 million in the thirdfirst quarter of the prior year, due primarily to sales of Bass footwear. The division also experienced andriven by the increase of 20.6% in its Mens & Athletics business and an increase of 19.4% in its Lifestride businessnet sales. However, as compared to the year ago quarter. These increases were offset by continued weakness in the Children's division, which declined 19.0%, and the Naturalizer business, which declined 9.8%, as compared to the year ago quarter.

Net sales increased $38.1 million, or 9.1%, to $457.1 million in the first nine months of 2004 as compared to $419.0 million in the first nine months of the prior year. This increase was primarily due to sales of Bass footwear. In addition, we have experienced solid sales gains in our Lifestride and Mens & Athletics businesses. Our Lifestride business has increased by 11.1% and our Men's and Athletics' business has posted a 4.6% sales gain. Offsetting these increases were weakness in our

16


Children's business, which experienced a 22.5% sales decline and our Naturalizer business, which experienced a 4.6% sales decline.

Gross Profit
Gross profit decreased $0.6 million, or 1.2%, to $44.8 million in the third quarter of 2004 as compared to $45.4 million in the third quarter of the prior year. As a percentage of net sales, our gross profit rate declined to 30.1%31.3% in the thirdfirst quarter from 32.4%31.7% in the thirdfirst quarter of the prior year. Thisyear.This decline is primarily due to higher allowances granted to our department store customers within our Naturalizer, Bass, Dr. Scholl’s and Dr. Scholl'sSantana wholesale divisions and higher markdownsinventory markdowns.


Selling and provisions for minimum royalty guarantees on license agreements.

Gross profit increased $5.9Administrative Expenses

Selling and administrative expenses decreased $2.5 million, or 4.3%6.0%, to $143.7$39.0 million for the first quarter of 2005 as compared to $41.5 million in the first nine months of 2004 as compared to $137.8 million in the first nine months of the prior year. As a percent of net sales, our gross profit rate decreased to 31.4% in the first nine months of 2004 as compared to 32.9% in the first nine months of the prior year. The decline in our gross profit rate is principally due to higher allowances granted to our department store customers.

Selling and Administrative Expenses
Selling and administrative expenses increased $4.5 million, or 15.1%, to $34.4 million for the third quarter of 2004 as compared to $29.9 million in the third quarter of the prior year, due primarily to increased sellingthe non-recurrence of $3.3 million of transition and administrativeassimilation costs associated with the Bass footwear line. Excludingline, which were incurred in the first quarter of 2004. Partially offsetting these decreases were increased costs associated with Bass marketing, marketing coststhe Bennett operations of approximately $0.8 million.


Operating Earnings
Operating earnings increased $2.0$4.7 million, or 36.7%, to $17.5 million for the first quarter of 2005 as compared to the third quarter last year. Partially offsetting these increases were benefits from reduced compensation costs associated with stock-based and incentive compensation plans.

Selling and administrative expenses increased $14.9 million, or 15.4%, to $111.6$12.8 million in the first nine months of 2004 as compared to $96.7 million in the first nine monthsquarter of the prior year. This increaseimprovement is due to the increase in net sales, lower selling and administrative expenses, the addition of the Bennett operating results, which contributed $1.2 million of operating earnings during the period, and the non-recurrence of $3.3 million of transition and assimilation costs related to the Bass footwear line of approximately $5.1 million and increased selling and administrative costs associated with the Bass footwear line. Partially offsetting these factorsline, which were benefits from reduced compensation costs associated with stock-based and incentive compensation plans.

Operating Earnings
Operating earnings decreased $5.1 million, or 32.9%, to $10.4 million for the third quarter of 2004 as compared to $15.5 million in the third quarter of the prior year. This decrease is due to weakness in our Children's and Naturalizer products, lower gross profit rates and the operating loss within the Bass division.

Operating earnings decreased $9.0 million, or 21.8%, to $32.1 millionincurred in the first nine monthsquarter of 2004 as compared to $41.1 million in the first nine months of the prior year. This decrease is due to weakness in our Children's and Naturalizer businesses, Bass transition and assimilation costs and the operating loss within the Bass division.2004.


22


OTHER SEGMENT


The Other segment includes our majority-owned subsidiary, Shoes.com, Inc., a footwear e-commerce company, and unallocated corporate administrative and other costs.

Net Sales
Net sales of Effective January 30, 2005, we began reporting Shoes.com, increased $2.5 million to $4.5 million inInc. within the third quarter of 2004 as compared to $2.0 million inSpecialty Retail segment. Shoes.com, Inc. had previously been accounted for within the third quarter of the prior year. Net sales increased $5.7 million to $11.1 million in the first nine months of 2004 as compared to $5.4 million in the first nine months of the prior year. This increase reflects continuing strong sales growth due to increased Web site traffic and improved conversion rates.

Operating Earnings
The Shoes.com business generated an operating loss of $0.2 million in the third quarter of 2004, even with the third quarter of the prior year. For the first nine months of 2004, the Shoes.com business generated an operating loss of $0.3 million compared to an operating loss of $0.5 million for the prior year. The earnings improvement is due to a favorable settlement to discontinue operation of a former affiliate's Web site of $0.5 million received in the second quarter of 2004, offset by increased warehouse and distribution expenses.

17


Other Corporate Expenses
segment.

Unallocated corporate administrative and other costs were $5.3$7.4 million in the thirdfirst quarter of 20042005 as compared to $6.1$7.8 million in the thirdfirst quarter of the prior year. Corporate expenses decreasedyear, due primarily to lower compensation coststhe non-recurrence of $3.7$0.6 million of expense associated with stock-based and incentive compensation plans, partially offset by higher consulting costs related to Project ExCEL, our supply chain management improvement initiative.

Forenvironmental litigation recorded in the first nine monthsquarter of 2004, unallocated corporate administrative and other costs were $18.92004.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Borrowings

       
($ millions)
April 30,
2005
 
May 1,
2004
 
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
Current maturities of long-term debt$79.5 $43.0 $36.5 
Long-term debt, including current maturities 200.0  100.0  100.0 
Total short- and long-term debt$279.5 $143.0 $136.5 

Total debt obligations have increased by $136.5 million, or 95.5%, to $279.5 million at April 30, 2005, as compared to $18.6$143.0 million at May 1, 2004. The increase in total debt obligation is due to the issuance of $150 million senior notes to fund a portion of the Bennett acquisition. Interest expense increased $0.9 million, or 37.1%, to $3.4 million in the first nine monthsquarter of 2005 from $2.5 million in the first quarter of the prior year. The increase is attributable to both increased consulting costs associated with Project ExCEL and a charge of $0.6 million recorded in the first quarter related to pre-trial interest awarded in connection with the Redfield litigation offset by lower compensation costs of $4.3 million associated with stock-based and incentive compensation plans. For further information on the Redfield litigation, see Part II - - Item 1 - Legal Proceedings.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Borrowings


($ millions)
October 30, 
2004

November 1,
2003

Increase/
(Decrease)

Notes payable$43.5 $16.0 $27.5 
Long-term debt, including current maturities 100.0  103.5  (3.5)
Total short- and long-term debt
$
143.5

$
119.5

$
24.0

Total debt obligations have increased by $24.0 million, or 20.1%, to $143.5 million at October 30, 2004 as compared to $119.5 million at November 1, 2003. Interest expense decreased $0.3 million, or 12.2%, to $2.0 million in the third quarter of 2004 as compared to $2.3 million in the third quarter of the prior year. The reduction in interest expense wasis a result of $1.0 million of expense recorded for bank commitment fees incurred in funding the acquisition of Bennett.


To fund a portion of the Bennett acquisition, we issued $150 million aggregate principal amount 8.75% senior notes due 2012 (“Senior Notes”). The Senior Notes are guaranteed on a senior unsecured basis by each of our subsidiaries that is an obligor under our senior secured credit facility. Interest is payable on May 1 and November 1 of each year, beginning on November 1, 2005. The Senior Notes will mature on May 1, 2012, but are callable any time on or after May 1, 2009, at specified redemption prices plus accrued and unpaid interest. The Senior Notes also contain certain restrictive covenants, including, among other things, restrictions on the payment of dividends, the incurrence of additional indebtedness, the guarantee or pledge of our assets, certain investments, and our ability to lower interest rates.

The Company entered into an Amended and Restatedmerge or consolidate with another entity or sell substantially all of our assets.


We have a Revolving Credit Agreement (the "Agreement"“Agreement”) effective July 21, 2004, which amended and restated its existing $350 million revolving bank credit agreement. The Agreementthat provides for a maximum line of credit of $350 million, subject to thea calculated borrowing base restrictions. In addition to extending the credit term, the Agreement also provides other benefits to the Company, including expanding the definition of eligible inventory in certain circumstances and reducing the interest rate spread paid on outstanding borrowings.base. Borrowing availability under the Agreement is based upon the sum of eligible accounts receivable and inventory, less outstanding borrowings, letters of credit and applicable reserves. The Agreement matures on July 21, 2009, and the Company'sour obligations are secured by the Company'sour accounts receivable and inventory. Borrowings under the Agreement bear interest at a variable rate determined based upon the level of availability under the Agreement. If availability falls below specified levels, the Companywe would then be subject to certain financial covenants. In addition, if availability falls below $25 million and the fixed charge coverage ratio is less than 1.0 to 1, the Companywe would be in default. The Agreement also contains certain other covenants and restrictions.

On March 14, 2005, we entered into the First Amendment to the Agreement to permit the acquisition of Bennett and the issuance of 8.75% Senior Notes due 2012.


At OctoberApril 30, 2004, the Company2005, we had $143.5$129.5 million of borrowings outstanding and $12.5$14.3 million in letters of credit outstanding under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. Total additional borrowing availability was approximately $165.5$203.4 million at OctoberApril 30, 2004.

182005.


23



Working Capital and Cash Flow


($ millions)
October 30, 2004

November 1, 2003

Increase/
(Decrease)

          
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities$23.9 $75.6 $(51.7)
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities (23.7) (21.3) (2.4)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities 18.9  (33.7) 52.6 
Increase in cash and cash equivalents
$
19.1

$
20.6

$
(1.5
)

       
($ millions)
April 30, 2005 May 1, 2004 
Increase/
(Decrease)
 
          
Net cash provided (used) by operating activities$29.9 $(1.9)$31.8 
Net cash provided (used) by investing activities (215.4) (9.6) (205.8)
Net cash provided (used) by financing activities 131.8  22.3  109.5 
Increase in cash and cash equivalents$(53.7)$10.8 $(64.5)


A summary of key financial data and ratios at the dates indicated is as follows:



October 31, 2004

November 1, 2003

January 31, 2004
Working capital ($ millions)$ 321.3 $ 283.3 $ 293.8
Current ratio2.3:12.2:12.2:1
Total debt as a percentage of total capitalization
26.9%

25.8%

25.2%


      
 April 30, 2005 May 1, 2004 January 29, 2005
Working capital($ millions)
$269.1 $299.8 $281.3
      
Current ratio1.8:1 2.3:1 1.8:1
      
Total debt as a percentage of total Capitalization41.5% 28.5% 26.6%

Working capital at OctoberApril 30, 20042005, was $321.3$269.1 million, which was $27.5$12.2 million higherlower than at January 31, 200429, 2005, and $38.0$30.7 million higherlower than at NovemberMay 1, 2003.2004. The improvementdecline in our working capital is attributable to growtha reduction in cash and cash equivalentsequivalents. In connection with our acquisition of Bennett, we repatriated $60.5 million of earnings from our foreign subsidiaries and inventories as well as effective management of our outstanding debt obligations and other current liabilities.used this cash to partially fund the acquisition. Our current ratio, the relationship of current assets to current liabilities, increased to 2.3remained flat at 1.8 to 1 at October 30, 2004 from 2.2 to 1the ratio at January 31,29, 2005, and decreased from the May 1, 2004 and November 1, 2003ratio as a result of the working capital increase.

Bennett acquisition.


At OctoberApril 30, 2004, the Company2005, we had $74.8$25.7 million of cash and cash equivalents, substantially all of which represents cash and cash equivalents of our Canadian and other foreign subsidiaries. Our intention is to maintain this cash within our foreign operations indefinitely or to repatriate it only when it is tax-effective to do so. On October 22, 2004, the American Jobs Creation Act of 2004 (the "Act"“Act”) was signed into law. The Act provides for a special one-time tax reductionrate for certain foreign earnings that are repatriated to the United States if certain conditions are met. Based on initial estimates,In connection with the Company may be able toacquisition of Bennett, we repatriated $60.5 million of earnings from our foreign subsidiaries under the provisions of the Act. We anticipate that we will repatriate approximately $50 - $60$20 million in additional foreign earnings during 2005, on which would generatewe are providing tax expense of approximately $9 - - $10 million. However, at this time, we are evaluating the terms ofexpected 5.25% effective rate under the American Jobs Creation Act but have made no decisions regarding repatriation, and accordingly, have not provided deferred taxes on unremitted foreign earnings.

Cash provided by operating activities was $23.9 million in the first nine months of 2004 as compared to $75.6 million last year, a difference of $51.7 million. This difference primarily reflects the investment of approximately $10.8 million in Bass inventory and approximately $5.9 million of accounts receivable from sales of Bass footwear.

Cash used for investing activities was $23.7 million in the first nine months of 2004 as compared to $21.3 million last year. Investing activities primarily include capital expenditures. Our capital expenditures are relatively consistent with the prior year and are in line with our planned levels. The majority of our capital expenditures in the third quarter were used to both retrofit existing stores and open new stores in our retail divisions.

Cash provided by financing activities was $18.9 million in the first nine months of 2004 as compared to cash used for financing activities of $33.7 million last year, a difference of $52.6 million. This difference represents an increase in our short-term notes payable of $24.0 million since the beginning of the year as compared to debt reductions totaling $33.0 million in the first nine months of last year. The increase in short-term notes payable was used to fund operations, including the Bass inventory and accounts receivable as well as the related transition and assimilation costs. In connection with its Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, the Company incurred $1.3 million in debt issuance costs, whichthese current period earnings are being deferred and amortizedgenerated. With regard to expense overany other accumulated unremitted foreign earnings, our intention is to reinvest these earnings indefinitely or to repatriate the five-year term of the agreement.

earnings only when it is tax-effective to do so.


In May 2000, we announced a stock repurchase program authorizing the repurchase of up to 2 million shares of our outstanding common stock. Since the inception of this program, we have purchased a total of 928,900 shares for $11.3 million. No shares were purchased under the plan in either the first nine monthsquarter of 20042005 or during any of fiscal 2003.

192004.



The Company

We paid dividends of $0.10 per share in the thirdfirst quarter of 20042005 and the thirdfirst quarter of the prior year.


CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES


No material changes have occurred related to critical accounting policies and estimates since the end of the most recent fiscal year. For further information, see Item 7 of the Company'sCompany’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2004.29, 2005.


24



FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS


This Form 10-Q contains forward-looking statements. Such statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially. These include (i) general economic conditions and the consumer's preferences and purchasing patterns, which may be influenced by consumers' disposable income; (ii) the uncertainties of currently pending litigation; (iii) intense competition within the footwear industry; and (iv) political and economic conditions or other threats to continued and uninterrupted flow of inventory from Brazil and China, where the Company relies heavily on third-party manufacturing facilities for a significant amount of its inventory.inventory; (v) the integration of the Bennett business; and (vi) the Company’s ability to successfully implement its plan to strengthen the Naturalizer brand. In Item 1 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2004,29, 2005, detailed risk factors that could cause variations in results to occur are listed and further described. Such description is incorporated herein by reference.

 
ITEM 3
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURE ABOUT MARKET RISK


No material changes have taken place in the quantitative and qualitative information about market risk since the end of the most recent fiscal year. For further information, see Item 7A of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2004.29, 2005.


ITEM 4
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES


Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

It is the Chief Executive Officer's and Chief Financial Officer's ultimate responsibility to ensure the Company maintainswe maintain disclosure controls and procedures designed to provide reasonable assurance that material information, both financial and non-financial, and other information required under the securities laws to be disclosed is identified and communicated to senior management on a timely basis. The Company'sOur disclosure controls and procedures include mandatory communication of material events, automated accounting processing and reporting, management review of monthly, quarterly and annual results, an established system of internal controls and internal control reviews by the Company'sour internal auditors.


As of OctoberApril 30, 2004,2005, management of the Company, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of the Company'sour disclosure controls and procedures with respect to the information generated for use in this Quarterly Report. Based upon and as of the date of that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have concluded the Company'sour disclosure controls were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed in the reports that the Company fileswe file or submitssubmit under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Commission's rules and forms. There

Changes in Controls and Procedures

Lease Accounting
During the thirteen weeks ended April 30, 2005, we effected a change in our internal control over financial reporting to remediate a material weakness related to the application of our lease accounting policies and practices that existed as of January 29, 2005. As further discussed in Note 2 of the condensed consolidated financial statements, we corrected our lease accounting practices to treat construction allowances received from landlords as lease incentives, as defined by FASB Technical Bulletin 88-1. These lease incentives are recorded as a deferred rent obligation upon receipt and amortized to income over the lease term as a reduction of rent expense. For rent holidays, we now recognize rent expense on a straight-line basis over the lease term, including any rent-free build-out periods. We have implemented additional review processes over our leasing arrangements to ensure the collection and communication of information necessary for the proper accounting for each lease in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.


25


Transition of Business and Financial Systems for Wholesale Operation Segment
As of April 30, 2005, we are in the process of transitioning certain of our business and financial systems supporting our Wholesale Operations segment to new platforms. Implementation of the new systems necessarily involves changes to our procedures for control over financial reporting. The new systems have been and are being subjected to testing prior to and after April 30, 2005, and appropriate controls are functioning to ensure that information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms. We have not experienced any significant difficulties to date in connection with the implementation or operation of the new systems.
Acquisition of Bennett Footwear
On April 22, 2005, we completed the acquisition of Bennett Footwear Group, LLC (“Bennett”). The operating results of Bennett are included in our results from April 22, 2005, to April 30, 2005. We have applied our disclosure controls and procedures to the operating results of Bennett for that period. We will continue to closely monitor and refine our internal controls over financial reporting for this division during the transition and integration period. No deficiencies have been identified at this time.

Other than as described above, there have been no changes in the Company'sour internal control over financial reporting during the quarter ended OctoberApril 30, 2004,2005, that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company'sour internal control over financial reporting.


It should be noted that while the Company'sour management, including the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, believes the Company'sour disclosure controls and procedures provide a reasonable level of assurance, they do not expect that the Company'sour disclosure controls and procedures or internal control over financial reporting will prevent all errors and all fraud. A control system, no matter how well conceived or operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance the objectives of the control system are met. Further, the design of a control system must reflect the fact there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance all control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected. These inherent limitations include the realities that judgments in decision-making can be faulty, and

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breakdowns can occur because of simple error or mistake. Additionally, controls can be circumvented by the individual acts of some persons, by collusion of two or more people, or by management override of the controls. The design of any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions about the likelihood of future events, and there can be no assurance any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals under all potential future conditions; over time, controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate. Because of the inherent limitations in a cost-effective control system, misstatements due to errors or fraud may occur and not be detected.



PART II
OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS


We are involved in legal proceedings and litigation arising in the ordinary course of business. In the opinion of management, the outcome of such ordinary course of business proceedings and litigation currently pending will not have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial position.

All legal costs associated with litigation are expensed as incurred.


We are involved in environmental remediation and ongoing compliance activities at several sites. We are remediating, under the oversight of Colorado authorities, contamination at and beneath our owned facility in Colorado (also known as the "Redfield"“Redfield” site) and groundwater and indoor air in residential neighborhoods adjacent to and near the property, which have been affected by solvents previously used at the site and surrounding facilities.


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In March 2000, a class action lawsuit was filed in Colorado State Court (District Court for the City and County of Denver) related to the Redfield site described above against one of our subsidiaries, a prior operator at the site and two individuals (the Antolovich class action).above. Plaintiffs certain current and former residents living in an area adjacent to the Redfield site, alleged claims for trespass, nuisance, strict liability, unjust enrichment, negligence and exemplary damages arising from the alleged release of solvents that are contaminating the groundwater and indoor air in certainthe areas adjacent to and near the site. In December 2003, athe jury hearing the claims returned a verdict finding one of our subsidiariessubsidiary negligent and awardingawarded the class plaintiffs $1.0 million in damages. We have recorded this award along with estimated pretrial interest on the cost of associated pre-trial interestaward and the estimated costs ofrelated to sanctions imposed on us by the court resulting from pre-trialrelated to a pretrial discovery disputesdispute between the parties. We haveIn the first quarter of 2005, the federal court hearing a cost recovery suit against other responsible parties approved a settlement agreement between us, our co-defendant in the class action lawsuit and an insurer which resolved all remaining sanctions issues related to the class action. Accordingly, we reversed into income $0.7 million related to accrued sanctions. The total pretax charges recorded total pre-tax charges of $3.7 million for these matters. In Aprilmatters in 2004 the plaintiffs filed a motion for a new trial; the court has denied that motion.and prior were $3.7 million. The plaintiffs have appealed the judgment to the Colorado Court of Appeals and have asked for a retrial. The Company has cross-appealed the trial court's ruling as to the amount of pre-judgment interest, and has conditionally appealed a numberfiled an appeal of the trial court's rulings inDecember 2003 jury verdict, and the event of a retrial. The ultimate outcome and cost to us may vary.

We have also filed suit


As described above in Federal District Court in Denver against a number of former owners/operators of the Redfield site as well as surrounding businesses seeking recovery of amounts spent responding to the contamination at and around the Redfield site. We have consummated settlements with all but two of the defendants. A settlement agreement with one of the remaining defendants has been submitted to the court for approval, and“Environmental Remediation,” we have an agreement in principle to settle with the other remaining defendant. We currently do not anticipate the case will be tried. We have also filed a contribution action in Colorado State Court against the Colorado Department of Transportation, which owns and operates a facility adjacent to the Redfield site. That case is not yet set for trial.

We have also filed suit against our insurance carriers and are seeking recovery of certain defense costs, indemnity for the costs incurred for investigation and remediation ofrelated to the Redfield site and for the damages awarded in the Antolovich class action and other relief. In prior years,related damages.


Other
During the fourth quarter of 2004, we recorded an anticipated recoverya charge of $4.5$3.5 million for remediation costs, of which approximately $3.8 million is outstanding at October 30, 2004. We believe insurance coverage in place entitles usrelated to reimbursement for more than the recorded recovery. While the insurance companies are contesting their indemnity obligations, we believe the recorded recovery is supported by the fact that the limits of the insurance policies at issue exceed the amount of the recorded recovery, and certain insurance companies have made offers to settle the claim. We are unable to estimate the ultimate recovery from our insurers, but are pursuing resolution of our claims.

We have completed our remediation efforts at our closed New York tannery and two associated landfills. In 1995, state environmental authorities reclassified the status of these sites as being properly closed and requiring only continued maintenance and monitoring over the next 20 years. In addition, various federal and state authorities have identified the Company as a potentially responsible party for remediation at certain other landfills.

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While we currently do not operate manufacturing facilities, prior operations included numerous manufacturing and other facilities for which we may have responsibility under various environmental laws to address conditions that may be identified in the future.

The Company is a guarantorguarantee of an Industrial Development Bond financing of $3.5 million for a manufacturing and warehouse facility in Bedford County, Pennsylvania. The outstanding principal on this Industrial Development Bond is $3.0 million. These facilities and the business that operated them were sold to another party in 1985, which assumed thisthe bond obligation. This financing is scheduled to be paid annually in 2005 through 2009. During October 2004, theThe current owner of the manufacturing and warehouse facility has filed for bankruptcy protection and is seeking liquidation ofliquidating its assets. Management believes the maximum amountAlthough we will pursue recovery of potential future payments under this guarantee, including interest due through maturity, is $3.5 million. Whilethese costs, the ultimate outcome is uncertain, management believes that the fair market valueuncertain. Accordingly, we recorded our estimate of the facility is sufficient to covermaximum exposure, $3.5 million, as a charge in the payments duefourth quarter of 2004. We made a payment under this guarantee of $0.7 million during the Industrial Development Bond. Accordingly, the Company has not recorded any chargefirst quarter of 2005 and have an accrued liability of $2.8 million at April 30, 2005 related to this guarantee.

There have been no material developments duringmatter.


During 2004 and 2003, we recorded charges of $2.7 million relating to the quarter ended October 30, 2004insolvency of an insurance company that insured us for workers’ compensation and casualty losses from 1973 to 1989. That company is now in any other legal proceedings describedliquidation. Certain claims from that time period are still outstanding. While management has recorded its best estimate of loss, the ultimate outcome and cost to us may vary.

We are contingently liable for lease commitments of approximately $6.7 million in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-Kaggregate, which relate to the Cloth World and Meis specialty retailing chains and a manufacturing facility, which were sold in prior years. In order for us to incur any liability related to these lease commitments, the year ended January 31, 2004.current owners would have to default. At this time, we do not believe this is reasonably likely to occur.


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ITEM 2
UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS

During


The following table provides information relating to our repurchases of common stock during the thirdfirst quarter of 2004, the Company did not repurchase any shares of common stock.

In May 2000, the Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program authorizing the repurchase of up to 2 million shares of our outstanding common stock. The Company can utilize the repurchase program to repurchase shares on the open market or in private transactions from time to time, depending on market conditions. The repurchase program does not have an expiration date. Under this plan, 928,900 shares have been repurchased and the remaining availability is 1,071,100 shares as of the end of the quarter.2005.


          
Fiscal Period
 
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased
 
Average
Price Paid
per Share
 
Total Number
of Shares Purchased
as Part of Publicly
Announced Program
 
Maximum Number
of Shares that
May Yet Be
Purchased Under
the Program
(1)
 
January 30, 2005 - February 26, 2005 - - -  1,071,100 
            
February 27, 2005 - April 2, 2005 31,380 (2) 33.60 (2)-  1,071,100 
            
April 3, 2005 - April 30, 2005 1,281 (2) 33.81 (2)-  1,071,100 
            
Total 32,661 $33.61 -  1,071,100 

1)  In May 2000, the Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program authorizing the repurchase of up to 2 million shares of our outstanding common stock. The Company can utilize the repurchase program to repurchase shares on the open market or in private transactions from time to time, depending on market conditions. The repurchase program does not have an expiration date. Under this plan, 928,900 shares have been repurchased and the remaining availability is 1,071,100 shares as of the end of the quarter.
2)  Represents shares that were tendered by employees related to certain share-based awards. These shares were tendered in satisfaction of the exercise price of stock options and/or to satisfy minimum tax withholding amounts for non-qualified stock options, restricted stock and stock performance awards. Accordingly, these share purchases are not considered a part of our publicly announced stock repurchase program.

ITEM 3
DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES


None


ITEM 4
SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

None


At the Annual Meeting of Shareholders held on May 26, 2005, two proposals described in the Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders dated April 15, 2005, were voted upon.

1.  The shareholders elected three directors, Ronald A. Fromm, Steven W. Korn and Patricia G. McGinnis for terms of three years each. The voting for each director was as follows:

Directors For Withheld
Ronald A. Fromm 15,891,773 1,352,671
Steven W. Korn 16,196,290 1,048,154
Patricia G. McGinnis 16,217,923 1,026,521

2.  The shareholders approved amendments to the Incentive and Stock Compensation Plan of 2002. The voting was as follows:

For Against Abstaining
11,172,558 3,646,932 81,371



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ITEM 5
OTHER INFORMATION


None

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ITEM 6
EXHIBITS

 (3)(i)Certificate of Incorporation of the Company incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 3 (a) to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 4, 2002.
  (ii)Bylaws of the Company as amended through February 5, 2004, incorporated herein by reference from Exhibit 3 (b) to the Company'sCompany’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 31, 2004.
 (31.1) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 (31.2) Certification of the Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 (32.1) Certification of the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.


SIGNATURES
 


SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

  
BROWN SHOE COMPANY, INC.
   
Date: DecemberJune 8, 20042005 
/s/ Andrew M. Rosen
  
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
On
on Behalf of the Corporation and as the
Principal Financial Officer

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