DEFA14A 1 l39286bdefa14a.htm DEFA14A defa14a
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
 
SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a-101)
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
 
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No.     )
Filed by the Registrant þ
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
 
Check the appropriate box:
 
     
o  Preliminary Proxy Statement
o  Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
o  Definitive Proxy Statement
þ  Definitive Additional Materials
o  Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-12
 
Jo-Ann Stores
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
 
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
 
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
 
þ   No fee required.
 
o   Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
 
     (1)   Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
 
 
     (2)   Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
 
 
     (3)   Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined):
 
 
     (4)   Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
 
 
     (5)   Total fee paid:
 
 
o   Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
 
o   Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
 
     (1)   Amount Previously Paid:
 
 
     (2)   Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
 
 
     (3)   Filing Party:
 
 
     (4)   Date Filed:
 


 

JOANN STORES INC LOGO
 
Dear Shareholders;
 
Jo-Ann Stores achieved record financial results in fiscal year 2010. We began the year with the objective of completing several operating initiatives that we believed we could control, in spite of the challenging economic environment.
 
Our team did an outstanding job of executing those “controllable” initiatives. We also exceeded our sales and gross margin plans for the year, while maintaining disciplined control over expenses, inventory, and capital spending. This combination of factors enabled us to deliver record earnings and generate significant free cash flow.
 
Our priority for excess cash has been to re-invest in our business through new stores, remodels, and technology to support our long-term growth plans. We also paid down the majority of our outstanding debt during the year, and significantly strengthened the cash position on our balance sheet.
 
As we move into fiscal year 2011, we expect to continue growing sales, expanding gross margin, and leveraging expenses, which we believe will increase our operating margin well above the company’s historical record of 5.8%. We will accomplish this by executing several new operating initiatives which support our overall strategic plan to Revitalize our Store Portfolio, Enhance our Marketing and Merchandising Programs, and Improve the Customer Shopping Experience in our stores.
 
We will be accelerating our store revitalization program and expect to increase the number of new store openings and remodel projects each year for the next five years. This plan will bring us to a total of 850 stores with 95% of our portfolio new or remodeled within the past 10 years, when we complete fiscal year 2015. Following an assessment of several thousand trade areas across the country, we believe there is a longer term opportunity to operate 1,000 Jo-Ann stores nationwide.
 
I appreciate the hard work and dedication of all Jo-Ann team members this past year. Customers are rewarding us for the improvements we have made in our stores, our marketing and merchandise programs, and our overall store shopping experience. We look forward to making further enhancements to strengthen our competitive position and deliver sustainable sales and operating margin improvements. I believe our company is poised for strong growth in fiscal year 2011 and beyond.
 
Sincerely,
 
-s- Darrell Webb
Darrell Webb