10-Q 1 tenq07_3q.htm FORM 10-Q Form 10-Q

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

FORM 10-Q


[X] QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended October 6, 2007

OR

[  ] 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 1-10746

JONES APPAREL GROUP, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Pennsylvania
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

06-0935166
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification No.)

1411 Broadway
New York, New York
(Address of principal executive offices)

10018
(Zip Code)

(212) 642-3860
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Not Applicable
(Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report)

Indicate by check mark 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] No [  ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated filer and large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

Large accelerated filer [X]

Accelerated filer [   ]

Non-accelerated filer [   ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes [   ] No [X]

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

Class of Common Stock
$.01 par value

Outstanding at November 3, 2007
85,259,781



JONES APPAREL GROUP, INC.

Index
 
Page No.
PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
Consolidated Balance Sheets
    October 6, 2007, September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2006
3
Consolidated Statements of Operations
    Fiscal Quarters and Nine Months ended October 6, 2007 and September 30, 2006
4
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity
    Fiscal Nine Months ended October 6, 2007 and September 30, 2006
5
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
    Fiscal Nine Months ended October 6, 2007 and September 30, 2006
6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements 7
Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 20
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk 29
Item 4.  Controls and Procedures 30
PART II. OTHER INFORMATION 
Item 1. Legal Proceedings 30
Item 2.  Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities 31
Item 5. Other Information 32
Item 6. Exhibits 32
Signatures 33
Exhibit Index 34

DEFINITIONS

        As used in this Report, unless the context requires otherwise, "our," "us" and "we" means Jones Apparel Group, Inc. and consolidated subsidiaries, "Sun" means Sun Apparel, Inc., "McNaughton" means McNaughton Apparel Group Inc., "Kasper" means Kasper, Ltd., "Maxwell" means Maxwell Shoe Company Inc., "Barneys" means Barneys New York, Inc., " Polo" means Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, "SFAS" means Statement of Financial Accounting Standards and "SEC" means the United States Securities and Exchange Commission.

- 2 -


PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1. Financial Statements

Jones Apparel Group, Inc. 
Consolidated Balance Sheets (Unaudited)
(All amounts in millions except per share data)
  
October 6,
2007

September 30,
2006

December 31,
2006

  
ASSETS       
CURRENT ASSETS: 
  Cash and cash equivalents $  109.0  $  29.9  $ 64.3 
Accounts receivable 505.9  524.1  357.8 
  Inventories 590.3  552.1  530.8 
Assets held for sale 5.1  207.6  620.8 
Deferred taxes 42.2  35.8  53.7 
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets 57.7  67.2  67.5 



TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 1,310.2  1,416.7  1,694.9 
PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT, at cost, less accumulated depreciation and amortization of $433.3, $432.8 and $427.2 297.5  273.8  279.5 
GOODWILL 1,051.9  1,493.2  1,051.9 
OTHER INTANGIBLES, at cost, less accumulated amortization 626.1  759.4  708.3 
DEFERRED TAXES 19.3 
ASSETS HELD FOR SALE 404.4 
OTHER ASSETS 53.9  50.8  52.4 



$ 3,358.9  $ 4,398.3  $ 3,787.0 



LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:      
Short-term borrowings $ -  $ 191.2  $  100.0 
Current portion of capital lease obligations 4.5  4.0  4.1 
  Accounts payable 190.9  234.3  277.9 
Liabilities related to assets held for sale 90.1  180.7 
Income taxes payable 46.1  61.0  11.3 
  Accrued employee compensation 47.2  45.5  42.7 
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 117.9  91.7  94.0 



  TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 406.6  717.8  710.7 



NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:
  Long-term debt 749.4  749.3  749.3 
Obligations under capital leases 29.6  36.9  35.8 
  Deferred taxes 7.4  160.6  7.8 
  Liabilities related to assets held for sale 93.2 
Other 72.3  66.9  71.8 



  TOTAL NONCURRENT LIABILITIES 858.7  1,106.9  864.7 



TOTAL LIABILITIES 1,265.3  1,824.7  1,575.4 



COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
  Preferred stock, $.01 par value - shares authorized 1.0;  none issued
Common stock, $.01 par value - shares authorized 200.0; issued 153.5, 152.7 and 153.2 1.5  1.5  1.5 
  Additional paid-in capital 1,257.9  1,301.6  1,320.0 
Retained earnings 2,582.6  2,511.0  2,226.4 
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1.4) (4.4) (5.9)
  Treasury stock, 65.8, 42.5 and 45.3 shares, at cost (1,747.0) (1,236.1) (1,330.4)
   


TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 2,093.6  2,573.6  2,211.6 
 


$ 3,358.9  $ 4,398.3  $ 3,787.0 



See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

- 3 -


Jones Apparel Group, Inc. 
Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) 
(All amounts in millions except per share data)
  
Fiscal Quarter Ended
Fiscal Nine Months Ended
  October 6,
2007
September 30,
2006
  October 6,
2007
September 30,
2006




Net sales $ 1,011.8  $ 1,058.3    $ 2,970.8  $ 3,031.5 
Licensing income (net) 15.4  14.2  36.8  35.5 
Service and other revenue 0.4  5.0    2.3  12.9 




Total revenues 1,027.6  1,077.5    3,009.9  3,079.9 
Cost of goods sold 701.1  704.6  2,028.1  1,982.4 
 

 

Gross profit 326.5  372.9  981.8  1,097.5 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 286.2  270.9    831.2  815.6 
Trademark impairments 11.5  80.5 
Reversal of losses on assets held for sale (30.4)  
Loss on sale of Polo Jeans Company business 45.1 
 

 

Operating income 59.2  102.0  70.1  236.8 
Interest income 1.0  0.5    1.7  3.3 
Interest expense and financing costs 13.7  10.6  41.7  37.4 
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates 1.0  1.1    3.1  2.9 
 



Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes 47.5  93.0    33.2  205.6 
(Benefit) provision for income taxes (90.9) 34.6  (98.5) 96.2 
 

 

Income from continuing operations 138.4  58.4  131.7  109.4 
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax 261.7  4.6    269.2  14.2 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting for share-based payments, net of tax   1.9 




Net income $ 400.1  $ 63.0    $ 400.9  $ 125.5 




Earnings per share  
    Basic
  Income from continuing operations $1.39  $0.53    $1.26  $0.98 
Income from discontinued operations 2.62  0.04  2.57  0.12 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting for share-based payments   0.02 
 



Basic earnings per share $4.01  $0.57    $3.83  $1.12 
   



    Diluted  
  Income from continuing operations $1.37  $0.52  $1.24  $0.96 
Income from discontinued operations 2.60  0.04    2.53  0.12 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting for share-based payments 0.02 
   

 

Basic earnings per share $3.97  $0.56  $3.77  $1.10 
   

 

Weighted average common shares and share equivalents outstanding        
    Basic 99.7  110.5    104.6  111.7 
    Diluted 100.7  112.4  106.3  113.8 
Dividends declared per share $0.14  $0.12    $0.42  $0.36 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

- 4 -


Jones Apparel Group, Inc.
Consolidated Statements of Stockholders' Equity (Unaudited)
(All amounts in millions except per share data)
  

Number of
common
shares
outstanding

Total
stock-
holders'
equity

Common
stock

Additional
paid-in
capital

Retained
earnings

Accumu-
lated 
other
compre-
hensive
income
(loss)

Treasury
stock

 
Balance, January 1, 2006
 
115.9 
 
$ 2,666.4 
 

$ 1.5 

 
$ 1,269.4 
 
$ 2,426.2 
 
$ (6.5)
 
$ (1,024.2)
Fiscal nine months ended September 30, 2006:                          
Comprehensive income:
  Net income   125.5        125.5     
Change in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of $0.8 tax 1.0  1.0 
  Reclassification adjustment for hedge gains and losses included in net income, net of $0.7 tax   (1.2)         (1.2)  
Foreign currency translation adjustments 2.3  2.3 
       
                   
  Total comprehensive income     127.6                     
     
                   
Issuance of restricted stock to employees, net of forfeitures 0.5 
Amortization expense in connection with employee stock options and restricted stock   13.7      13.7       
Exercise of employee stock options 0.8  19.3  19.3 
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements   2.3      2.3       
Dividends on common stock ($0.36 per share) (40.7) (40.7)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting for share-based payments (3.1) (3.1)
Treasury stock acquired (7.0) (211.9) (211.9)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, September 30, 2006 110.2    $ 2,573.6    $ 1.5    $ 1,301.6    $ 2,511.0    $ (4.4)   $ (1,236.1)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, January 1, 2007
 
107.9 
 
$ 2,211.6 
 

$ 1.5 

 
$ 1,320.0 
 
$ 2,226.4 
 
$ (5.9)
 
$ (1,330.4)
Fiscal Nine Months ended October 6, 2007:                          
Comprehensive income:
  Net income   400.9        400.9     
  Change in fair value of cash flow hedges, net of $1.7 tax   (2.4)         (2.4)  
  Reclassification adjustment for hedge gains and losses included in net income, net of $0.1 tax   (0.4)         (0.4)  
Foreign currency translation adjustments 7.3  7.3 
       
                   
  Total comprehensive income     405.4                     
     
                   
Forfeitures of restricted stock to employees, net of issuances (0.2)
Amortization expense in connection with employee stock options and restricted stock   5.5      5.5       
Exercise of employee stock options 0.5  11.1  11.1 
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements   1.6      1.6       
Dividends on common stock ($0.42 per share) (45.3) (45.3)
Treasury stock acquired (20.5)   (496.9)     (80.3)       (416.6)
Other 0.6  0.6 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Balance, October 6, 2007 87.7    $ 2,093.6    $ 1.5    $ 1,257.9    $ 2,582.6    $ (1.4)   $ (1,747.0)
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

- 5 -


Jones Apparel Group, Inc. 
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) 
(All amounts in millions)
  
Fiscal Nine Months Ended
  October 6, 2007 September 30, 2006


CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
Net income $ 400.9  $ 125.5 
Less: Income from discontinued operations (269.2) (14.2)
Cumulative effect of change in accounting for share-based payments, net of tax (1.9)
 

Income from continuing operations 131.7  109.4 
 

Adjustments to reconcile income from continuing operations to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities, net of acquisitions and divestitures:
Loss on sale of Polo Jeans Company business 45.1 
  Amortization expense in connection with employee stock options and restricted stock 12.3  10.2 
  Depreciation and other amortization 55.9  54.1 
  Trademark impairments 80.5 
  Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates (3.1) (2.9)
Provision for losses on accounts receivable 2.3  (0.5)
  Deferred taxes (22.9) 27.4 
  Other items, net 1.1  0.7 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
    Accounts receivable (148.5) (109.2)
Inventories (56.7) (11.6)
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets 8.4  (4.4)
Other assets 0.9  2.4 
    Accounts payable (88.0) 11.7 
Income taxes payable (102.3) 8.6 
    Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 17.6  9.8 
    Other liabilities 0.1  2.4 
 

Total adjustments (242.4) 43.8 
 

  Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities of continuing operations (110.7) 153.2 
  Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations 38.9  8.0 
 

  Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (71.8) 161.2 
 

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
  Proceeds from sale of Barneys, net of cash sold and selling costs 858.7 
  Net proceeds from sale of Polo Jeans Company business 350.6 
  Capital expenditures (79.0) (70.4)
Proceeds from sales of property, plant and equipment 2.8  0.1 
 

Net cash provided by investing activities of continuing operations 782.5  280.3 
Net cash used in investing activities of discontinued operations (40.5) (45.0)
 

Net cash provided by investing activities 742.0  235.3 
 

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Net (repayments) borrowings under credit facilities (100.0) 61.7 
  Redemption at maturity of 7.875% Senior Notes (225.0)
  Principal payments on capital leases (2.9) (3.2)
Purchases of treasury stock (496.9) (211.9)
Dividends paid (45.3) (40.7)
  Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options 11.1  19.3 
  Net cash advances to discontinued operations (21.8) (34.4)
  Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements 1.6  2.3 


Net cash used in financing activities of continuing operations (654.2) (431.9)
Net cash provided by financing activities of discontinued operations 18.0  34.4 


Net cash used in financing activities (636.2) (397.5)


EFFECT OF EXCHANGE RATES ON CASH 3.5  0.4 


NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS 37.5  (0.6)
CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, BEGINNING, including $7.2 and $6.9 reported under assets held for sale 71.5  34.9 
 

CASH AND CASH EQUIVALENTS, ENDING, including $4.4 reported under assets held for sale in 2006 $ 109.0  $ 34.3 
 

See accompanying notes to consolidated financial statements

- 6 -


JONES APPAREL GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

BASIS OF PRESENTATION

        The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Jones Apparel Group, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States ("GAAP") for interim financial information and in accordance with the requirements of Form 10-Q. Accordingly, they do not include all of the information and footnotes required by GAAP for complete financial statements. The consolidated financial statements included herein should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and the footnotes thereto included within our Annual Report on Form 10-K.

        In our opinion, the information presented reflects all adjustments necessary for a fair statement of interim results. All such adjustments are of a normal and recurring nature. Certain reclassifications have been made to conform prior year data with the current presentation. The foregoing interim results are not necessarily indicative of the results of operations for the full year ending December 31, 2007.

        In accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 144, "Accounting for the Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets" ("SFAS No. 144"), the assets and liabilities relating to Barneys have been reclassified as held for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheets for all periods presented and the results of operations of Barneys for the current and prior periods have been reported as discontinued operations. For further information, see "Discontinued Operations."

SALE OF POLO JEANS COMPANY BUSINESS

        In October 1995, we acquired an exclusive license to manufacture and market women's shirts, blouses, skirts, jackets, suits, sweaters, pants, vests, coats, outerwear and hats under the Lauren by Ralph Lauren trademark in the United States, Canada and Mexico pursuant to license and design service agreements with Polo, which were to expire on December 31, 2006. In May 1998, we acquired an exclusive license to manufacture and market women's dresses, shirts, blouses, skirts, jackets, suits, sweaters, pants, vests, coats, outerwear and hats under the Ralph by Ralph Lauren trademark in the United States, Canada and Mexico pursuant to license and design service agreements with Polo. The Ralph License was scheduled to end on December 31, 2003.

        During the course of the discussions concerning the Ralph License, Polo asserted that the expiration of the Ralph License would cause the Lauren License agreements to end on December 31, 2003, instead of December 31, 2006. We believed that this was an improper interpretation and that the expiration of the Ralph License did not cause the Lauren License to end.

        On June 3, 2003, we announced that our discussions with Polo regarding the interpretation of the Lauren License had reached an impasse and that, as a result, we had filed a complaint in the New York State Supreme Court against Polo and its affiliates and our former President, Jackwyn Nemerov. The complaint alleged that Polo breached the Lauren License agreements by claiming that the license ends at the end of 2003. The complaint also alleged that Ms. Nemerov breached the confidentiality and non-compete provisions of her employment agreement with us. Additionally, Polo was alleged to have induced Ms. Nemerov to breach her employment agreement and Ms. Nemerov was alleged to have induced Polo to breach the Lauren License agreements. We asked the court to enter a judgment for compensatory damages of $550 million, as well as punitive damages, and to enforce the confidentiality and non-compete provisions of Ms. Nemerov's employment agreement.

        These matters were resolved by settlement dated January 22, 2006, which closed on February 3, 2006. In connection with this settlement, we entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with Polo and certain of its subsidiaries with respect to the sale to Polo of all outstanding stock of Sun. We received gross proceeds of $355.0 million in connection with the sale and the settlement. Sun's assets and liabilities on the closing date primarily

- 7 -


related to the Polo Jeans Company business, which Sun operated under long-term license and design agreements entered into with Polo in 1995. We retained distribution and product development facilities in El Paso, Texas, along with certain working capital items, including accounts receivable and accounts payable. In addition, as part of the agreements, we provided certain support services to Polo (including manufacturing, distribution and information technology) until January 2007 and certain financial and administrative functions until March 2007. Service revenue related to these agreements recognized in the statement of operations is based on negotiated monthly amounts according to the terms of the agreements.

        We recorded a loss of approximately $145.1 million after allocating $356.7 million of goodwill to the business sold. We also recorded an after-tax gain of approximately $96.3 million related to the litigation settlement, resulting in a combined after tax loss of approximately $48.8 million. The combined loss created federal and state capital loss carryforwards that we did not expect to be realizable and, as a result, we increased our deferred tax valuation allowance to offset the deferred tax benefit recorded as a result of the combined loss.

        Long-lived assets included in the sale include $2.0 million of net property, plant and equipment and $5.5 million of unamortized long-term prepaid marketing expenses. Net sales for the Polo Jeans Company business, which are reported under the wholesale better apparel segment, were $24.6 million for the fiscal Nine months ended September 30, 2006.

STOCK-BASED EMPLOYEE COMPENSATION

        In December 2004, the FASB issued a revision of SFAS No. 123, "Share-Based Payment" (hereinafter referred to as "SFAS No. 123R"), which requires that the cost resulting from all share-based payment transactions be recognized in the financial statements. This Statement establishes fair value as the measurement objective in accounting for share-based payment arrangements and requires all entities to apply a fair-value-based measurement method in accounting for share-based payment transactions with employees except for equity instruments held by employee share ownership plans. We adopted SFAS No. 123R on January 1, 2006 using the modified prospective application option. As a result, the compensation cost for the portion of awards we granted before January 1, 2006 for which the requisite service had not been rendered and that were outstanding as of January 1, 2006 will be recognized as the remaining requisite service is rendered. In addition, the adoption of SFAS No. 123R required us to change from recognizing the effect of forfeitures as they occur to estimating the number of outstanding instruments for which the requisite service is not expected to be rendered. As a result, we recorded a pretax gain of $3.1 million on January 1, 2006, which is reported as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle. We were also required to change the amortization period for employees eligible to retire from the period over which the awards vest to the period from the grant date to the date the employee is eligible to retire. This change resulted in additional amortization expense of $2.3 million and $0.2 million for the fiscal nine months ended October 6, 2007 and September 30, 2006, respectively. Concurrently with the adoption of SFAS No. 123R, we have shifted the composition of our share-based compensation awards towards the use of restricted shares and away from the use of employee stock options.

ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

        Accounts receivable consist of the following:

(In millions) October 6,
2007

September 30,
2006

December 31,
2006

Trade accounts receivable $ 545.7  $ 561.5  $ 388.4 
Allowances for doubtful accounts, returns, discounts and co-op advertising (39.8) (37.4) (30.6)



  $ 505.9  $ 524.1  $ 357.8 



- 8 -


INVENTORIES

        Inventories are summarized as follows (in millions):

October 6,
2007

September 30,
2006

December 31,
2006

Raw materials $ 0.9  $ 12.1  $ 10.4 
Work in process 5.5  18.2  10.1 
Finished goods 583.9  521.8  510.3 



$ 590.3  $ 552.1  $ 530.8 



EARNINGS PER SHARE

        The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share is as follows:


Fiscal Quarter Ended
Fiscal Nine Months Ended
(In millions except per share amounts) October 6,
2007
September 30,
2006
  October 6,
2007
September 30,
2006




Income from continuing operations $ 138.4  $ 58.4  $ 131.7  $ 109.4 
Income from discontinued operations 261.7  4.6    269.2  14.2 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting for share-based payments   1.9 




Net income $ 400.1  $ 63.0    $ 400.9  $ 125.5 




Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic 99.7  110.5    104.6  111.7 
Effect of dilutive employee stock options and restricted stock 1.0  1.9  1.7  2.1 




Weighted average common shares and share equivalents outstanding - diluted 100.7  112.4    106.3  113.8 




Earnings per share - basic  
  Income from continuing operations $1.39  $0.53    $1.26  $0.98 
  Income from discontinued operations 2.62  0.04  2.57  0.12 
  Cumulative effect of change in accounting for share-based payments 0.02 
   



  Basic earnings per share $4.01  $0.57    $3.83  $1.12 
   



Earnings per share - diluted  
  Income from continuing operations $1.37  $0.52    $1.24  $0.96 
  Income from discontinued operations 2.60  0.04  2.53  0.12 
  Cumulative effect of change in accounting for share-based payments 0.02 
   



  Diluted earnings per share $3.97  $0.56    $3.77  $1.10 
    



DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS

        On June 22, 2007, we entered into a definitive stock purchase agreement to sell Barneys to an affiliate of Istithmar PJSC, a Dubai-based private equity and alternative investment house ("Istithmar"), for $825.0 million in cash, subject to certain purchase price adjustments. We subsequently received additional proposals from a third party to acquire Barneys and, as permitted under the stock purchase agreement, we entered into discussions with that party. On August 8, 2007, we entered into an amended and restated definitive stock purchase agreement to sell Barneys to Istithmar for $942.3 million in cash, subject to certain purchase price adjustments. The sale was completed on September 6, 2007. At the closing of the sale, we received $947.5 million of cash, including $5.2 million related to estimated working capital and capital expenditure adjustments, which is subject to certain post-closing adjustments. We also paid an aggregate of $51.5 million in cash as of October 6, 2007 for

- 9 -


bonuses for key Barneys employees, compensation for restricted stock held by certain employees of Barneys that was forfeited upon the completion of the sale and other fees and costs related to the sale. Net cash proceeds, after estimated taxes to be paid, amounted to approximately $850.0 million.  This transaction will not result in a default under, or obligation to redeem or repurchase, any of our senior notes.

        In accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 144, the results of operations of Barneys for the current and prior periods have been reported as discontinued operations and the assets and liabilities relating to Barneys have been reclassified as held for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheets. Operating results of Barneys, which were formerly included in our retail segment, are summarized as follows:


Fiscal Quarter Ended
Fiscal Nine Months Ended
(In millions) October 6,
2007
September 30,
2006
  October 6,
2007
September 30,
2006




Total revenues $ 113.2  $ 163.4  $ 452.1  $ 450.5 
 
Income from operations of Barneys before provision for taxes $ 6.4  $ 7.8    $ 22.0  $ 25.1 
Provision for income taxes 2.9  3.2  11.0  10.9 




Income from operations of Barneys 3.5  4.6    11.0  14.2 
 



Gain on sale of Barneys before provision for income taxes 395.8    395.8 
Provision for income taxes 137.6  137.6 




Gain on sale of Barneys 258.2  258.2 




Income from discontinued operations $ 261.7  $ 4.6    $ 269.2  $ 14.2 
 



        We have allocated interest expense to discontinued operations based on the weighted-average monthly borrowing rate under our senior credit facilities applied to the average net monthly balance of funds that have been advanced to Barneys. As a result of the capital gain generated by the sale of Barneys, we reversed a $107.7 million deferred tax valuation allowance previously created from capital loss carryforwards that we had not expected to be able to utilize. The reversal of the tax valuation allowance has been recorded in income from continuing operations.

        The moderate product lines we are exiting, as discussed under "Trademark Impairments" below, have not been classified as discontinued operations as they do not meet the criteria for discontinued operations as set forth in SFAS No. 144.

TRADEMARK IMPAIRMENTS

        On May 1, 2007, we made the strategic decision to exit or sell some of our moderate product lines by year end 2007 as a result of the continued trend of our moderate customers towards differentiated product offerings. We believe that exiting or selling these product lines will strengthen our future operating results and allow us to focus primarily on growth opportunities in our remaining wholesale product lines, which have strong fundamentals and operate at substantially higher margins. This decision will not impact in any way our denim and junior division labels such as Gloria Vanderbilt, l.e.i., Energie, GLO, Jeanstar, Grane and others, which are also reported in the wholesale moderate apparel segment. As a result of the loss of these projected revenues, we recorded impairments for our Norton McNaughton and Erika trademarks of $80.5 million during the fiscal nine months ended October 6, 2007.

- 10 -


ASSETS HELD FOR SALE

        The assets and liabilities relating to Barneys have been reclassified as held for sale in the Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2006 and December 31, 2006. Assets held for sale on December 31, 2006 also include property, plant and equipment at our Bristol, Pennsylvania distribution facility and our Mexican production facilities, which have been closed. Assets held for sale at October 6, 2007 represent our Mexican production facilities.

        The assets and liabilities relating to these businesses consist of:

(In millions)
 
Barneys
Other
Total
At October 6, 2007:      
Property, plant and equipment $ -  $ 5.1  $ 5.1 
       
At September 30, 2006:      
Inventories $ 124.2  $ -  $ 124.2 
Other current assets 83.4  83.4 
Property, plant and equipment 93.0  93.0 
Goodwill 247.4  247.4 
Other intangibles 63.8  63.8 
Other assets 0.2  0.2 
 


Assets held for sale $ 612.0  $ -  $ 612.0 
 


Current liabilities $ 90.1  $ -  $ 90.1 
Long-term debt 3.5  3.5 
Long-term portion of deferred taxes 34.1  34.1 
Other long-term liabilities 55.6  55.6 
 


Liabilities related to assets held for sale $ 183.3  $ -  $ 183.3 
 


 
At December 31, 2006:      
Inventories $ 105.5  $ -  $ 105.5 
Other current assets 93.8  93.8 
Property, plant and equipment 105.4  5.2  110.6 
Goodwill 247.4  247.4 
Other intangibles 63.3  63.3 
Other assets 0.2  0.2 
 


Assets held for sale $ 615.6  $ 5.2  $ 620.8 
 


Current liabilities $ 85.4  $ -  $ 85.4 
Long-term debt 3.5  3.5 
Long-term portion of deferred taxes 34.7  34.7 
Other long-term liabilities 57.1  57.1 
 


Liabilities related to assets held for sale $ 180.7  $ -  $ 180.7 
 


        Our continued strategic operational reviews and efforts to improve profitability and the continued trend of our moderate customers towards differentiated product offerings has led us to make the strategic decision to exit or sell some of our moderate product lines by year end 2007. We believe that exiting or selling these product lines will strengthen our future operating results and allow us to focus primarily on growth opportunities in our remaining wholesale product lines, which have strong fundamentals and operate at substantially higher margins. This decision will not impact in any way our denim and junior division labels such as Gloria Vanderbilt, l.e.i., Energie, GLO, Jeanstar, Grane and others, which are also reported in the wholesale moderate apparel segment. As a result of the loss of these projected revenues, we recorded impairments for our Norton McNaughton and Erika

- 11 -


trademarks of $69.0 million in our licensing, other and eliminations segment during the fiscal quarter ended July 7, 2007.

        We had previously estimated the fair value of the moderate net assets to be sold to be $22.5 million based upon preliminary sales negotiations, and recorded losses of $30.4 million to write these assets down to realizable value during the fiscal quarter ended July 7, 2007. As of July 7, 2007, we had reported these assets as assets held for sale. During the fiscal quarter ended October 6, 2007, we decided to shut down and liquidate these brands. We have reclassified the assets previously reported as assets held for sale as assets held and used and, as a result, we reversed $16.8 million of previously reported losses on assets held for sale since the carrying value of these current assets will now be recovered during the process of shutting down and liquidating the related brands. We also reclassified the remaining $13.6 million of previously reported impairments of assets held for sale as additional impairments of trademarks and property, plant and equipment of $11.5 million and $2.1 million, respectively. The moderate product lines we are exiting have not been classified as discontinued operations as they do not meet the criteria for discontinued operations as set forth in SFAS No. 144.

ACCRUED RESTRUCTURING COSTS

        In connection with the acquisitions of McNaughton, Kasper and Maxwell, we assessed and formulated plans to restructure certain operations of each company. These plans involved the closure of distribution facilities and certain offices. The objectives of the plans were to eliminate unprofitable or marginally profitable lines of business and reduce overhead expenses.

        In late 2003, we began to evaluate the need to broaden global sourcing capabilities to respond to the competitive pricing and global sourcing capabilities of our denim competitors, as the favorable production costs from non-duty/non-quota countries and the breadth of fabric options from Asia began to outweigh the benefits of Mexico's quick turn and superior laundry capabilities. The decision to expand global sourcing, combined with lower projected shipping levels of denim products for 2005, led us to begin a comprehensive review of our denim manufacturing during the fourth quarter of 2004. The result of this review was the development of a plan of reorganization of our Mexican operations to reduce costs associated with excess capacity.

        On July 11, 2005, we announced that we had completed a comprehensive review of our denim manufacturing operations located in Mexico. The primary action plan arising from this review resulted in the closing of the laundry, assembly and distribution operations located in San Luis, Mexico (the "denim restructuring"). All manufacturing was consolidated into existing operations in Durango and Torreon, Mexico. A total of 3,170 employees were terminated as a result of the closure. We undertook a number of measures to assist affected employees, including severance and benefits packages. As a result of this consolidation, we expected that our manufacturing operations would perform more efficiently, thereby improving our operating performance.

        In connection with the denim restructuring, we recorded $11.4 million of net pre-tax costs, which includes $5.1 million of one-time termination benefits, $3.2 million of losses on the sale of property, plant and equipment, $2.2 million of contract termination costs and $0.9 million of legal and other associated costs. Of these amounts, $10.1 million were reported as cost of sales and $1.3 million were reported as a selling, general and administrative expense in the wholesale moderate apparel segment. The restructuring was substantially completed during the fiscal quarter ended April 1, 2006.

        On May 30, 2006, we announced the closing of our Stein Mart leased shoe departments, effective January 2007. In connection with the closing, we incurred $1.1 million of one-time termination benefits and associated employee costs for 468 employees, which was reported as a selling, general and administrative expense in the retail segment.

        On September 12, 2006, we announced the closing of certain El Paso, Texas and Mexican operations related to the decision by Polo to discontinue the Polo Jeans Company product line (the "manufacturing restructuring"), which we produced for Polo subsequent to the sale of the Polo Jeans Company business to Polo in February 2006.  In connection with the El Paso closing, we recorded $4.3 million of one-time termination benefits and associated 

- 12 -


employee costs for an estimated 134 employees and $0.7 million of other costs. Of this amount, $2.5 million has been reported as a selling, general and administrative expense and $2.5 million has been reported as a cost of sales in the wholesale moderate apparel segment (of which $0.3 and $0.6 million was recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses and cost of sales, respectively, during the fiscal nine months ended October 6, 2007). In connection with the Mexican closing, we expect to incur $3.7 million of one-time termination benefits and associated employee costs for an estimated 1,729 employees and $0.7 million of other costs. Of this amount, $3.1 million and $0.4 million have been reported as cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses, respectively, in the wholesale moderate apparel segment (of which $0.3 million and $0.4 million were recorded as cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses, respectively, during the fiscal nine months ended October 6, 2007). The remaining $0.2 million will be recorded during the fiscal quarter ending December 31, 2007. In addition, we determined the estimated fair value of the property, plant and equipment employed in Mexico was less than its carrying value. As a result, we recorded an impairment loss of $8.5 million, which is also reported as cost of sales in the wholesale moderate apparel segment, with the estimated fair value of $5.2 million reclassified as assets held for sale. The closings were substantially completed by the end of March 2007.

        Our continued strategic operational reviews and efforts to improve profitability and the continued trend of our moderate customers towards differentiated product offerings has led us to make the strategic decision to exit or sell some of our moderate product lines by year end 2007 (the "moderate restructuring"). In connection with the moderate restructuring, we recorded $6.7 million of one-time termination benefits and associated employee costs for an estimated 123 employees as a selling, general and administrative expense in the wholesale moderate apparel segment for the fiscal nine months ended October 6, 2007, of which $5.1 million was recorded during the fiscal quarter ended October 6, 2007. The moderate restructuring will be substantially complete by the end of 2007.

        The accrual of restructuring costs and liabilities, of which $7.2 million is included in accrued expenses and other current liabilities and $1.2 million is included in other noncurrent liabilities, is as follows:

(In millions)
 
Severance
and other
employee
costs

Closing of retail stores and consolidation
of facilities

Denim
restructuring

Manufacturing restructuring
Total
Balance, January 1, 2006 $ 3.4  $ 2.1  $ 2.5  $  -  $ 8.0 
Net additions (reversals) 3.9  1.6  (0.5) 0.8  5.8 
Payments and reductions (5.7) (0.8) (1.8) (0.3) (8.6)
 




Balance, September 30, 2006 $ 1.6  $ 2.9  $ 0.2  $ 0.5  $ 5.2 
 




 
Balance, January 1, 2007 $ 1.4  $ 1.6  $ -  $ 3.4  $ 6.4 
Net additions 6.7  1.6  8.3 
Payments and reductions (2.3) (0.4) (3.7) (6.4)





Balance, October 6, 2007 $ 5.8  $ 1.2  $ -  $ 1.3  $ 8.3 





        Estimated severance payments and other employee costs of $5.8 million accrued at October 6, 2007 relate to the remaining estimated severance for 120 employees. During the fiscal nine months ended October 6, 2007 and September 30, 2006, $2.3 million and $5.7 million, respectively, of the reserve was utilized (relating to partial or full severance and related costs for 524 and 293 employees, respectively). Employee groups affected (totaling an estimated 989 employees) included administrative, warehouse and management personnel at locations closed.

        The $1.2 million accrued at October 6, 2007 for the consolidation of facilities relates to expected costs to be incurred, including lease obligations, for closing certain acquired facilities in connection with consolidating their operations into our other existing facilities.

        The details of the denim restructuring accruals are as follows:

- 13 -


(In millions)
 
One-time
termination
benefits

Contract
termination
costs

Other
associated
costs

Total
denim
restructuring

Balance, January 1, 2006 $ 0.4  $ 1.6  $ 0.5  $ 2.5 
Reversals (0.2) (0.3) (0.5)
Payments and reductions (0.2) (1.3) (0.3) (1.8)
 



Balance, September 30, 2006 $    -  $    -  $ 0.2  $ 0.2 
 



        During the fiscal nine months ended September 30, 2006, we settled all outstanding lease commitments for facilities we closed, resulting in a $0.3 million reversal, of which $0.2 million and $0.1 million was recorded as a reduction of cost of sales and selling, general and administrative expenses, respectively, in the wholesale moderate apparel segment. During the fiscal nine months ended September 30, 2006, $0.2 million of the termination benefits reserve was utilized (relating to costs for 18 employees) and $0.2 million of the accrual was reversed to cost of sales in the wholesale moderate apparel segment.

        The details of the manufacturing restructuring accruals are as follows:

(In millions)
 
One-time
termination
benefits

Other
associated
costs

Total
denim
restructuring

Balance, January 1, 2006 $ -  $ -  $ - 
Additions 0.8  0.8 
Payments and reductions (0.3) (0.3)
 


Balance, September 30, 2006 $ 0.5  $ -  $ 0.5 
 


Balance, January 1, 2007 $ 2.8  $ 0.6  $ 3.4 
Additions 1.0  0.6  1.6 
Payments and reductions (3.4) (0.3) (3.7)
 


Balance, October 6, 2007 $ 0.4  $ 0.9  $ 1.3 
 


        The $1.3 million accrued at October 6, 2007 represents $0.4 million of one-time termination benefits for three employees and $0.9 million of legal fees and related costs. During the fiscal nine months ended October 6, 2007 and September 30, 2006, $3.4 million and $0.3 million, respectively, of the termination benefits reserve was utilized (relating to partial or full severance for 122 and 262 employees, respectively).

        Our plans have not been finalized in all areas, and additional restructuring costs may result as we continue to evaluate and assess the impact of duplicate responsibilities, warehouses and office locations. We do not expect any final adjustments to be material. Any additional costs will be charged to operations in the period in which they occur.

STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS

Fiscal Nine Months Ended:
(In millions)
October 6,
2007

September 30,
2006

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:     
  Cash paid during the period by continuing operations for:
    Interest $ 29.5  $ 30.3 
    Net income tax payments 37.6  55.7 
     
Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and financing activities for continuing operations:    
    Equipment acquired through capital lease financing   3.9  3.9 
    Restricted stock issued to employees 18.7  8.8 

- 14 -


DERIVATIVES

        SFAS No. 133, "Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities," subsequently amended by SFAS No. 138, "Accounting for Certain Derivative Instruments and Certain Hedging Activities" and SFAS No. 149, "Amendment of Statement 133 on Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities" (as amended, hereinafter referred to as "SFAS 133"), establishes accounting and reporting standards for derivative instruments. Specifically, SFAS 133 requires us to recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities on the balance sheet and to measure those instruments at fair value. Additionally, the fair value adjustments will affect either stockholders' equity or net income, depending on whether the derivative instrument qualifies as a hedge for accounting purposes and, if so, the nature of the hedging activity.

        We are exposed to market risk related to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. We have assets and liabilities denominated in certain foreign currencies. In addition, at October 6, 2007, we had outstanding foreign exchange contracts for a Canadian subsidiary to exchange Canadian Dollars for a total of US $31.4 million through December 2008.

        We recorded amortization of net gains resulting from the termination of interest rate swaps and locks of $2.3 million during the fiscal nine months ended September 30, 2006 as a reduction of interest expense of continuing operations. We reclassified $0.1 million of net gains and $0.5 million of net losses from foreign currency exchange contracts to cost of sales of continuing operations during the fiscal nine months ended October 6, 2007 and September 30, 2006, respectively. There has been no material ineffectiveness related to our foreign currency exchange contracts as the instruments are designed to be highly effective in offsetting losses and gains on transactions being hedged. If foreign currency exchange rates do not change from their October 6, 2007 amounts, we estimate that any reclassifications from other comprehensive income to earnings within the next 12 months also will not be material. The actual amounts that will be reclassified to earnings over the next 12 months could vary, however, as a result of changes in market conditions.

PENSION PLANS

Components of Net Periodic Benefit Cost

Fiscal Quarter Ended
Fiscal Nine Months Ended
(In millions)
 
October 6,
2007

September 30,
2006

  October 6,
2007

September 30,
2006

Interest cost  $ 0.6  $ 0.5    $ 1.9  $ 1.6 
Expected return on plan assets (0.6) (0.4) (1.7) (1.4)
Settlements 0.7    0.7 
Amortization of net loss 0.3  0.2    0.8  0.7 
 



Net periodic benefit cost $ 0.3  $ 1.0    $ 1.0  $ 1.6 
 



Employer Contributions

        As of October 6, 2007, we have made contributions of $9.4 million to our defined benefit pension plans. We do not anticipate making any additional contributions during 2007.

- 15 -


SEGMENT INFORMATION

        We identify operating segments based on, among other things, the way our management organizes the components of our business for purposes of allocating resources and assessing performance. Our operations are comprised of four reportable segments: wholesale better apparel, wholesale moderate apparel, wholesale footwear and accessories, and retail. Segment revenues are generated from the sale of apparel, footwear and accessories through wholesale channels and our own retail locations. The wholesale segments include wholesale operations with third party department and other retail stores, the retail segment includes operations by our own stores, and income and expenses related to trademarks, licenses and general corporate functions are reported under "licensing, other and eliminations." We define segment profit as operating income before net interest expense, equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, gains or losses on disposition of businesses (including related asset impairments) and income taxes. Summarized below are our revenues and income from continuing operations by reportable segment for the fiscal quarters and nine months ended October 6, 2007 and September 30, 2006.

 

(In millions)
  
Wholesale 
Better 
Apparel 

Wholesale 
Moderate 
Apparel 

Wholesale 
Footwear & 
Accessories 

 
 
Retail 

Licensing, 
Other & 
Eliminations 

  
  
Consolidated 

For the fiscal quarter ended October 6, 2007        
  Revenues from external customers $ 320.5  $ 246.9  $ 267.8  $ 176.8  $ 15.6  $ 1,027.6 
  Intersegment revenues 46.9  2.0  24.8  (73.7)






    Total revenues 367.4  248.9  292.6  176.8  (58.1) 1,027.6 






  Segment income (loss) $ 44.9  $ (9.9) $ 40.8  $ (15.3) $ (31.7) 28.8 





  Net interest expense (12.7)
  Reversal of losses on assets held for sale 30.4 
  Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates 1.0 
       
  Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes $ 47.5 
       
For the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2006        
  Revenues from external customers $ 320.7  $ 287.4  $ 260.0  $ 194.5  $ 14.9  $ 1,077.5 
  Intersegment revenues 41.9  0.9  16.0  (58.8)






    Total revenues 362.6  288.3  276.0  194.5  (43.9) 1,077.5 






  Segment income $ 48.8  $ 20.4  $ 36.7  $ 3.8  $ (7.7) 102.0 





  Net interest expense (10.1)
  Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates 1.1 
       
  Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes $ 93.0 
       
For the fiscal nine months ended October 6, 2007        
  Revenues from external customers $ 890.4  $ 807.4  $ 732.9  $ 541.9  $ 37.3  $ 3,009.9 
  Intersegment revenues 125.1  9.2  52.8  (187.1)






    Total revenues 1,015.5  816.6  785.7  541.9  (149.8) 3,009.9 






  Segment income (loss) $ 129.9  $ 17.6  $ 92.3  $ (38.9) $ (130.8) 70.1 





  Net interest expense (40.0)
  Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates 3.1 
       
  Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes $ 33.2
       
For the fiscal nine months ended September 30, 2006        
  Revenues from external customers $ 887.7  $ 887.4  $ 691.1  $ 576.3  $ 37.4  $ 3,079.9 
  Intersegment revenues 112.7  3.0  38.5  (154.2)






    Total revenues 1,000.4  890.4  729.6  576.3  (116.8) 3,079.9 






  Segment income $ 135.6  $ 84.4  $ 75.3  $ 19.1  $ (32.5) 281.9 





  Loss on sale of Polo Jeans Company business (45.1)
  Net interest expense (34.1)
  Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates 2.9 
       
  Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes $ 205.6 
       

- 16 -


NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

        In June 2006, the FASB issued FASB Interpretation No. 48 ("FIN 48"), "Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes - an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109," which establishes that the financial statement effects of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return are to be recognized in the financial statements when it is more likely than not, based on the technical merits, that the position will be sustained upon examination. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition.

        We adopted FIN 48 on January 1, 2007. On that date, we had no uncertain tax positions. We recognize interest and penalties, if any, as part of our provision for income taxes in our Consolidated Statements of Operations. We file a consolidated U.S. federal income tax return as well as unitary and combined income tax returns in several state jurisdictions, of which California is the most significant. Our subsidiaries also file separate company income tax returns in multiple states, of which New York is the most significant.

        In September 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 157, "Fair Value Measurements," which establishes a framework for measuring fair value in generally accepted accounting principles and expands disclosures about fair value measurements. SFAS No. 157 defines fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. SFAS No. 157 is effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and interim periods within those fiscal years. The adoption of SFAS No. 157 is not expected to have a material impact on our results of operations or our financial position.

        In February 2007, the FASB issued SFAS No. 159, "The Fair Value Option for Financial Assets and Financial Liabilities, Including an amendment of FASB Statement No. 115," which permits entities to choose to measure many financial instruments and certain other items at fair value that are not currently required to be measured at fair value. SFAS No. 159 also establishes presentation and disclosure requirements designed to facilitate comparisons between entities that choose different measurement attributes for similar types of assets and liabilities. SFAS No. 159 does not affect any existing accounting literature that requires certain assets and liabilities to be carried at fair value. SFAS No. 159 is effective as of the beginning of an entity's first fiscal year that begins after November 15, 2007. The adoption of SFAS No. 159 is not expected to have a material impact on our results of operations or our financial position.

COMMON STOCK

        We repurchased 5.0 million shares of our common stock for $95.4 million in open market transactions during the fiscal nine months ended October 6, 2007.

        On September 6, 2007, we paid $400.0 million for the purchase of our common stock under an accelerated stock repurchase ("ASR") program entered into with Goldman, Sachs & Co. ("Goldman"). We received an initial delivery of 15.5 million shares on September 11, 2007, to which we allocated $320.0 million of the purchase price as treasury stock in the October 6, 2007 Consolidated Balance Sheet. The remaining $80.0 million, which was allocated to a second delivery of 2.4 million shares on October 18, 2007, has been recorded as a temporary reduction of additional paid-in capital as of October 6, 2007 and was reclassified as treasury stock upon receipt of the second delivery. The combined average price for the 17.9 million shares delivered to date under the ASR is $22.31 per share. Remaining shares, if any, to be received under the ASR program, up to a maximum of 3.1 million possible shares, will be received upon final settlement of the program, which is scheduled for no later than July 19, 2008, and may occur earlier at the option of Goldman or later under certain circumstances. The exact number of additional shares, if any, to be delivered to us under the ASR will be based on the volume weighted-average price of our stock during the term of the ASR, subject to a minimum and maximum price for the purchased shares. The initial shares repurchased are subject to adjustment if we enter into or announce certain types of transactions.

- 17 -


SUPPLEMENTAL SUMMARIZED FINANCIAL INFORMATION

        Certain of our subsidiaries function as co-issuers (fully and unconditionally guaranteed on a joint and several basis) of the outstanding debt of Jones Apparel Group, Inc. ("Jones"), including Jones Apparel Group USA, Inc. ("Jones USA"), Jones Apparel Group Holdings, Inc. ("Jones Holdings"), Nine West Footwear Corporation ("Nine West") and Jones Retail Corporation ("Jones Retail").

        The following condensed consolidating balance sheets, statements of operations and statements of cash flows for the "Issuers" (consisting of Jones and Jones USA, Jones Holdings, Nine West and Jones Retail, which are all our subsidiaries that act as co-issuers and co-obligors) and the "Others" (consisting of all of our other subsidiaries, excluding all obligor subsidiaries) have been prepared using the equity method of accounting in accordance with the requirements for presentation of such information. Separate financial statements and other disclosures concerning Jones are not presented as Jones has no independent operations or assets. There are no contractual restrictions on distributions from Jones USA, Jones Holdings, Nine West or Jones Retail to Jones. On January 1, 2007, Kasper, Ltd. and Jones USA merged. As a result, the condensed consolidating balance sheets, statements of income and statements of cash flows for prior periods have been restated for comparison purposes.

 

Condensed Consolidating Balance Sheets
(In millions)

October 6, 2007
December 31, 2006
Issuers
Others
Eliminations
Cons-
olidated

Issuers
Others
Eliminations
Cons-
olidated

ASSETS
CURRENT ASSETS:                  
Cash and cash equivalents $ 76.6  $ 32.4  $ -  $ 109.0  $ 35.1  $ 29.2  $ -  $ 64.3 
Accounts receivable - net 313.9  192.0  505.9  194.6  163.2  357.8 
Inventories 376.3  214.3  (0.3) 590.3  359.9  171.8  (0.9) 530.8 
Assets held for sale 5.1  5.1  620.8  620.8 
Prepaid and refundable income taxes 0.6  5.3  (5.9) 0.5  6.7  (7.2)
Deferred taxes 20.8  36.5  57.3  28.4  25.5  (0.2) 53.7 
Prepaid expenses and other current assets 40.6  17.9  58.5  39.9  27.6  67.5 








   TOTAL CURRENT ASSETS 828.8  503.5  (6.2) 1,326.1  658.4  1,044.8  (8.3) 1,694.9 
  
Property, plant and equipment - net 158.2  139.3  297.5  157.7  121.8  279.5 
Due from affiliates 827.8  (827.8) 51.8  755.6  (807.4)
Goodwill 1,367.5  283.9  (599.5) 1,051.9  1,479.1  172.3  (599.5) 1,051.9 
Other intangibles - net 160.6  465.5  626.1  160.6  547.7  708.3 
Deferred taxes 26.7  (20.4) 6.3  13.4  (13.4)
Investments in subsidiaries 1,926.1  (1,926.1) 2,091.4  (2,091.4)
Other assets 27.5  26.3  53.8  32.9  21.5  (2.0) 52.4 








$ 4,468.7  $ 2,273.0  $ (3,380.0) $ 3,361.7  $ 4,631.9  $ 2,677.1  $ (3,522.0) $ 3,787.0 








LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
CURRENT LIABILITIES:                  
Short-term borrowings $ -  $ -  $ -  $ -  $ 100.0  $ -  $ -  $ 100.0 
Current portion of capital lease obligations 0.7  3.8  4.5  1.5  2.6  4.1 
Accounts payable 141.2  49.7  190.9  189.0  88.9  277.9 
Liabilities related to assets held for sale 180.7  180.7 
Income taxes payable 61.4  29.4  (35.3) 55.5  18.4  23.4  (30.5) 11.3 
Deferred taxes 0.2  (0.2)
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 119.9  46.0  165.9  101.2  35.5  136.7 








   TOTAL CURRENT LIABILITIES 323.2  128.9  (35.3) 416.8  410.1  331.3  (30.7) 710.7 








NONCURRENT LIABILITIES:                  
Long-term debt 749.4  749.4  749.3  749.3 
Obligations under capital leases 4.5  25.1  29.6  11.1  24.7  35.8 
Deferred taxes 4.0  (4.0) 9.8  (2.0) 7.8 
Due to affiliates 827.8  (827.8) 755.6  51.8  (807.4)
Other 51.4  20.9  72.3  52.6  19.2  71.8 








   TOTAL NONCURRENT LIABILITIES 1,637.1  46.0  (831.8) 851.3  1,578.4  95.7  (809.4) 864.7 








   TOTAL LIABILITIES 1,960.3  174.9  (867.1) 1,268.1  1,988.5  427.0  (840.1) 1,575.4 








STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
Common stock and additional paid-in capital 1,259.4  1,843.7  (1,843.7) 1,259.4  1,321.5  1,979.9  (1,979.9) 1,321.5 
Retained earnings 2,997.4  245.8  (660.6) 2,582.6  2,658.2  267.4  (699.2) 2,226.4 
Accumulated other comprehensive (loss) income  (1.4) 8.6  (8.6) (1.4) (5.9) 2.8  (2.8) (5.9)
Treasury stock (1,747.0) (1,747.0) (1,330.4) (1,330.4)








   TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 2,508.4  2,098.1  (2,512.9) 2,093.6  2,643.4  2,250.1  (2,681.9) 2,211.6 








$ 4,468.7  $ 2,273.0  $ (3,380.0) $ 3,361.7  $ 4,631.9  $ 2,677.1  $ (3,522.0) $ 3,787.0 








- 18 -


Condensed Consolidating Statements of Operations
(In millions)

Fiscal Quarter Ended October 6, 2007
Fiscal Quarter Ended September 30, 2006
Issuers
Others
Eliminations
Cons-
olidated

Issuers
Others
Eliminations
Cons-
olidated

Net sales $ 716.9  $ 299.7  $ (4.8) $ 1,011.8  $ 726.4  $ 336.3  $ (4.4) $ 1,058.3 
Licensing income (net) 15.4  15.4    14.2  14.2 
Service and other revenue 0.2  0.2  0.4    5.0  5.0 








Total revenues 717.1  315.3  (4.8) 1,027.6  726.4  355.5  (4.4) 1,077.5 
Cost of goods sold 467.4  235.2  (1.5) 701.1  456.2  248.3  0.1  704.6 








Gross profit 249.7  80.1  (3.3) 326.5  270.2  107.2  (4.5) 372.9 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 251.8  37.8  (3.4) 286.2  243.6  30.8  (3.5) 270.9 
Trademark impairments 11.5  11.5 
Reversal of losses on assets held for sale (30.4) (30.4)








Operating (loss) income (2.1) 61.2  0.1  59.2  26.6  76.4  (1.0) 102.0 
Net interest (expense) income and financing costs (17.5) 4.8  (12.7) (15.0) 4.9  (10.1)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates 1.0  1.0  0.1   0.8  0.2  1.1 








(Loss) income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries (19.6) 67.0  0.1  47.5  11.7  82.1  (0.8) 93.0 
(Benefit) provision for income taxes (114.6) 23.7  (90.9) 6.5  28.0  0.1  34.6 
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries 2.4  (2.4) 69.7  (69.7)








Income from continuing operations 97.4  43.3  (2.3) 138.4  74.9  54.1  (70.6) 58.4 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax 296.2  (34.5) 261.7  4.6  4.6 








Net income $ 393.6  $ 8.8  $ (2.3) $ 400.1  $ 74.9  $ 58.7  $ (70.6) $ 63.0 








 

Fiscal Nine Months Ended October 6, 2007
Fiscal Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006
Issuers
Others
Eliminations
Cons-
olidated

Issuers
Others
Eliminations
Cons-
olidated

Net sales $ 2,042.1  $ 941.8  $ (13.1) $ 2,970.8  $ 2,008.1  $ 1,036.1  $ (12.7) $ 3,031.5 
Licensing income (net) 36.8  36.8    35.5  35.5 
Service and other revenue 0.6  1.7  2.3    12.9  12.9 








Total revenues 2,042.7  980.3  (13.1) 3,009.9  2,008.1  1,084.5  (12.7) 3,079.9 
Cost of goods sold 1,321.4  714.1  (7.4) 2,028.1  1,233.7  755.2  (6.5) 1,982.4 








Gross profit 721.3  266.2  (5.7) 981.8  774.4  329.3  (6.2) 1,097.5 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 726.7  114.0  (9.5) 831.2  717.1  107.9  (9.4) 815.6 
Trademark impairments 80.5  80.5 
Loss on sale of Polo Jeans Company business 22.8  22.3  45.1 








Operating (loss) income (5.4) 71.7  3.8  70.1  34.5  199.1  3.2  236.8 
Net interest (expense) income and financing costs (55.2) 15.2  (40.0) (47.3) 13.2  (34.1)
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates (0.9) 2.0  2.0  3.1  0.4  2.8  (0.3) 2.9 








(Loss) income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes and equity in earnings of subsidiaries (61.5) 88.9  5.8  33.2  (12.4) 215.1  2.9  205.6 
(Benefit) provision for income taxes (124.6) 26.2  (0.1) (98.5) 15.6  81.1  (0.5) 96.2 
Equity in earnings of subsidiaries 25.0  (25.0) 188.3  (188.3)








Income from continuing operations 88.1  62.7  (19.1) 131.7  160.3  134.0  (184.9) 109.4 
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax 295.8  (26.6) 269.2  14.2  14.2 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting for share-based payments, net of tax 1.9  1.9 








Net income $ 383.9  $ 36.1  $ (19.1) $ 400.9  $ 162.2  $ 148.2  $ (184.9) $ 125.5 








- 19 -


Condensed Consolidating Statements of Cash Flows
(In millions)

Fiscal Nine Months Ended October 6, 2007
Fiscal Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006
Issuers
Others
Eliminations
Cons-
olidated

Issuers
Others
Eliminations
Cons-
olidated

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities of continuing operations $ (121.8) $ 11.1  $ -  $ (110.7) $ 118.3  $ 35.9  $ (1.0) $ 153.2 
Net cash provided by operating activities of discontinued operations 38.9  38.9  8.0  8.0 








Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (121.8) 50.0  (71.8) 118.3  43.9  (1.0) 161.2 








Cash flows from investing activities:
Net proceeds from sale of Barneys 858.7  858.7 
Net proceeds from sale of Polo Jeans Company business 344.1  6.5  350.6 
Capital expenditures (43.6) (35.4) (79.0) (39.7) (30.7) (70.4)
Proceeds from sales of plant, property and equipment 0.1  2.7  2.8  0.1   -  0.1 








Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities of continuing operations 815.2  (32.7) 782.5  304.5  (24.2) 280.3 
Net cash used in investing activities of discontinued operations (40.5) (40.5) (45.0) (45.0)








Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 815.2  (73.2) 742.0  304.5  (69.2) 235.3 








Cash flows from financing activities:
Net (repayments) borrowings under credit facilities (100.0) (100.0) 61.7  61.7 
Redemption at maturity of 7.875% Senior Notes (225.0) (225.0)
  Principal payments on capital leases (0.6) (2.3) (2.9)   (1.3) (1.9) (3.2)
Purchases of treasury stock (496.9) (496.9) (211.9) (211.9)
  Dividends paid (45.3) (45.3)   (40.7) (1.0) 1.0  (40.7)
Proceeds from exercise of employee stock options 11.1  11.1  19.3  19.3 
Net cash advances to discontinued operations (21.8) (21.8) (34.4) (34.4)
Excess tax benefits from share-based payment arrangements 1.6  1.6  2.3  2.3 








Net cash used in financing activities of continuing operations (651.9) (2.3) (654.2) (430.0) (2.9) 1.0  (431.9)
Net cash provided by financing activities of discontinued operations 18.0  18.0  34.4  34.4 








Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (651.9) 15.7  (636.2) (430.0) 31.5  1.0  (397.5)








Effect of exchange rates on cash 3.5  3.5  0.4  0.4 








Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 41.5  (4.0) 37.5  (7.2) 6.6  (0.6)
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning, including cash reported under assets held for sale 35.1  36.4  71.5    21.1  13.8  34.9 
 







Cash and cash equivalents, ending, including cash reported under assets held for sale $ 76.6  $ 32.4  $ -  $ 109.0  $ 13.9  $ 20.4  $ -  $ 34.3 
 







Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

        The following discussion provides information and analysis of our results of operations for the 13 and 40 week periods ended October 6, 2007 (hereinafter referred to as the "third fiscal quarter of 2007" and the "first fiscal nine months of 2007," respectively) and the 13 and 39 week periods ended September 30, 2006 (hereinafter referred to as the "third fiscal quarter of 2006" and the "first fiscal nine months of 2006," respectively), and our liquidity and capital resources. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements included elsewhere herein.

Executive Overview

        We design, contract for the manufacture of and market a broad range of women's collection sportswear, suits and dresses, casual sportswear and jeanswear for women and children, and women's footwear and accessories. We sell our products through a broad array of distribution channels, including better specialty and department stores and mass merchandisers, primarily in the United States and Canada. We also operate our own network of retail and factory outlet stores. In addition, we license the use of several of our brand names to select manufacturers and distributors of women's and men's apparel and accessories worldwide.

        During the first fiscal nine months of 2007, the following significant events took place:

- 20 -


  • in May 2007, we announced our strategic decision to exit or sell some of our moderate product lines by year end 2007;
  • in September 2007, we sold Barneys to an affiliate of Istithmar PJSC, a Dubai-based private equity and alternative investment house, for $947.5 million in cash, subject to certain purchase price adjustments;
  • in September 2007, we entered into an accelerated stock repurchase program to repurchase $400.0 million of our common stock; and
  • in September 2007, Standard & Poor's and Moody's downgraded their credit ratings on our senior notes.

Exit or Sale of Moderate Brands

        Our continued strategic operational reviews and efforts to improve profitability and the continued trend of our moderate customers towards differentiated product offerings has led us to make the strategic decision to exit or sell some of our moderate product lines by year end 2007. We believe that exiting or selling these product lines will strengthen our future operating results and allow us to focus primarily on growth opportunities in our remaining wholesale product lines, which have strong fundamentals and operate at substantially higher margins. This decision will not impact in any way our denim and junior division labels such as Gloria Vanderbilt, l.e.i., Energie, GLO, Jeanstar, Grane and others, which are also reported in the wholesale moderate apparel segment. As a result of the loss of these projected revenues, we recorded impairments for our Norton McNaughton and Erika trademarks of $69.0 million in our licensing, other and eliminations segment during the fiscal quarter ended July 7, 2007.

        We had previously estimated the fair value of the moderate net assets to be sold to be $22.5 million based upon preliminary sales negotiations, and recorded losses of $30.4 million to write these assets down to realizable value during the fiscal quarter ended July 7, 2007. As of July 7, 2007, we had reported these assets as assets held for sale. During the fiscal quarter ended October 6, 2007, we decided to shut down and liquidate these brands. We have reclassified the assets previously reported as assets held for sale as assets held and used and, as a result, we reversed $16.8 million of previously reported losses on assets held for sale since the carrying value of these current assets will now be recovered during the process of shutting down and liquidating the related brands. We also reclassified the remaining $13.6 million of previously reported impairments of assets held for sale as additional impairments of trademarks and property, plant and equipment of $11.5 million and $2.1 million, respectively. The moderate product lines we are exiting have not been classified as discontinued operations as they do not meet the criteria for discontinued operations as set forth in SFAS No. 144.

Sale of Barneys

        On September 6, 2007, we completed the sale of Barneys to an affiliate of Istithmar PJSC. At the closing of the sale, we received $947.5 million of cash, including $5.2 million related to estimated working capital and capital expenditure adjustments, which is subject to certain post-closing adjustments. We also paid an aggregate of $51.5 million in cash as of October 6, 2007 for bonuses for key Barneys employees, compensation for restricted stock held by certain employees of Barneys that was forfeited upon the completion of the sale and other fees and costs related to the sale. Net cash proceeds, after estimated taxes to be paid, amounted to approximately $850.0 million.  This transaction will not result in a default under, or obligation to redeem or repurchase, any of our senior notes.

        As a result of the capital gain generated by the sale of Barneys, we reversed a $107.7 million deferred tax valuation allowance previously created from capital loss carryforwards that we had not expected to be able to utilize. The reversal of the tax valuation allowance has been recorded in income from continuing operations.

        In accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 144, the results of operations of Barneys for the current and prior periods have been reported as discontinued operations and the assets and liabilities relating to Barneys have been reclassified as held for sale for all prior periods in the Consolidated Balance Sheets.

- 21 -


Sale of Polo Jeans Company Business

        On January 22, 2006, we entered into a Stock Purchase Agreement with Polo and certain of its subsidiaries with respect to the sale to Polo of all outstanding stock of Sun. We also entered into a settlement and release agreement with Polo to settle the pending litigation between the respective parties, including our former President, upon closing. Gross proceeds of the transactions, which closed on February 3, 2006, were $355.0 million. Sun's assets and liabilities on the closing date primarily related to the Polo Jeans Company business, which Sun operated under long-term license and design agreements entered into with Polo in 1995. We retained distribution and product development facilities in El Paso, Texas, along with certain working capital items, including accounts receivable and accounts payable. In addition, we provided certain support services to Polo (including manufacturing, distribution and information technology) until January 2007 and certain financial and administrative functions until March 2007.

        We recorded a loss of approximately $145.1 million after allocating $356.7 million of goodwill to the business sold. We also recorded an after tax gain of approximately $96.3 million related to the litigation settlement, resulting in a combined after tax loss of approximately $48.8 million. The combined loss created federal and state capital loss carryforwards that we did not expect to be realizable and, as a result, we increased our deferred tax valuation allowance to offset the deferred tax benefit recorded as a result of the combined loss.

        Long-lived assets included in the sale include $2.0 million of net property, plant and equipment and $5.5 million of unamortized long-term prepaid marketing expenses. Net sales for the Polo Jeans Company business, which are reported under the wholesale better apparel segment, were $24.6 million for the fiscal nine months ended September 30, 2006.

Strategic Review of Operations

        We have completed a strategic review of our operating infrastructure and general and administrative support areas to improve profitability and to ensure we are properly positioned for the long-term benefit of our shareholders. By proactively reviewing our infrastructure, systems and operating processes at a time when the industry is undergoing consolidation and change, we plan to eliminate redundancies and improve our overall cost structure and margin performance.

Supply Chain Management

  • We are in the process of implementing a product development management system which will ultimately be integrated with our third-party manufacturers.
  • We are utilizing the capabilities of our third-party manufacturers to increase pre-production collaboration efforts with them, thereby increasing speed to market and improving margins. This has already been achieved in some of the moderate and better apparel businesses, and will continue to be expanded across most of our businesses.
  • We have selected SAP Apparel and Footwear Solution as our enterprise resource planning system, which is being implemented company-wide utilizing one universal platform.
  • The logistics network is being analyzed in an effort to reduce costs and increase efficiency by following a tiered approach of (i) multiple product usage of existing distribution centers, (ii) utilizing third party logistics providers, and (iii) ultimately direct shipping from factory to customer.
  • In response to the elimination of apparel quotas and other trade safeguards, we are in the process of consolidating our third-party manufacturing to a more concentrated vendor matrix.

General and Administrative Areas

  • We are implementing best practices in connection with the migration of our current systems to the SAP Apparel and Footwear Solution platform.

- 22 -


        We estimate that the implementation and execution of the initiatives underway will be substantially completed by the end of 2007. We are targeting annual cost reductions of approximately $100 million once all the initiatives have been implemented. The costs associated with the review and the ultimate capital expenditures and execution expenses (including severance and fees) related to the initiatives that are derived are expected to fall in a range of $115 million to $120 million. As of October 6, 2007, we have spent a total of $110.0 million.

Critical Accounting Policies

        Several of our accounting policies involve significant judgements and uncertainties. The policies with the greatest potential effect on our results of operations and financial position include the estimated collectibility of accounts receivable, the recovery value of obsolete or overstocked inventory and the estimated fair values of both our goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives.

        For accounts receivable, we estimate the net collectibility, considering both historical and anticipated trends of trade discounts and co-op advertising deductions taken by our customers, allowances we provide to our retail customers to flow goods through the retail channels, and the possibility of non-collection due to the financial position of our customers. For inventory, we estimate the amount of goods that we will not be able to sell in the normal course of business and write down the value of these goods to the recovery value expected to be realized through off-price channels. Historically, actual results in these areas have not been materially different than our estimates, and we do not anticipate that our estimates and assumptions are likely to materially change in the future. However, if we incorrectly anticipate trends or unexpected events occur, our results of operations could be materially affected.

        We utilize independent third-party appraisals to estimate the fair values of both our goodwill and our intangible assets with indefinite lives. These appraisals are based on projected cash flows and interest rates; should interest rates or our future cash flows differ significantly from the assumptions used in these projections, material impairment losses could result where the estimated fair values of these assets become less than their carrying amounts.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Statements of Operations Stated in Dollars and as a Percentage of Total Revenues

(In millions)
 
Fiscal Quarter Ended
Fiscal Nine Months Ended
  October 6, 2007
  September 30, 2006
  October 6, 2007
  September 30, 2006
Net sales $ 1,011.8  98.5%    $ 1,058.3  98.2%  $ 2,970.8  98.7%    $ 3,031.5  98.4% 
Licensing income (net) 15.4  1.5%  14.2  1.3%    36.8  1.2%  35.5  1.2% 
Service and other revenue 0.4  0.0%  5.0  0.5%    2.3  0.1%  12.9  0.4% 








Total revenues 1,027.6  100.0%    1,077.5  100.0%    3,009.9  100.0%    3,079.9  100.0% 
Cost of goods sold 701.1  68.2%  704.6  65.4%  2,028.1  67.4%  1,982.4  64.4% 




 



Gross profit 326.5  31.8%    372.9  34.6%  981.8  32.6%    1,097.5  35.6% 
Selling, general and administrative expenses 286.2  27.9%  270.9  25.1%    831.2  27.6%  815.6  26.5% 
Trademark impairments 11.5  1.1%  -      80.5  2.7%  -   
Reversal of losses on assets held for sale (30.4) (3.0%) -      -    -   
Loss on sale of Polo Jeans Company business -    -      -    45.1  1.5% 








Operating income 59.2  5.8%  102.0  9.5%    70.1  2.3%  236.8  7.7% 
Net interest expense 12.7  1.2%    10.1  0.9%  40.0  1.3%    34.1  1.1% 
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates 1.0  0.1%  1.1  0.1%    3.1  0.1%  2.9  0.1% 








Income from continuing operations before provision for income taxes 47.5  4.6%    93.0  8.6%     33.2  1.1%    205.6  6.7% 
(Benefit) provision for income taxes (90.9) (8.8%) 34.6  3.2%  (98.5) (3.3%) 96.2  3.1% 
 

 

 

 

Income from continuing operations 138.4  13.5%  58.4  5.4%  131.7  4.4%  109.4  3.6% 
Income from discontinued operations, net of tax 261.7  25.5%    4.6  0.4%  269.2  8.9%    14.2  0.5% 
Cumulative effect of change in accounting for share-based payments, net of tax -    -    -    1.9  0.1% 
 

 

 

 

Net income $ 400.1  38.9%    $ 63.0  5.8%  $ 400.9  13.3%    $ 125.5  4.1% 


 

 

 

Percentage totals may not add due to rounding.

- 23 -


Fiscal Quarter Ended October 6, 2007 Compared with Fiscal Quarter Ended September 30, 2006

        Revenues. Total revenues for the third fiscal quarter of 2007 were $1.02 billion compared with $1.08 billion for the third fiscal quarter of 2006, a decrease of 4.6%.

        Revenues by segment were as follows:

 
 

(In millions)
Third Fiscal
Quarter
of 2007

Third Fiscal
Quarter
of 2006

Increase/
(Decrease)

Percent 
Change 

Wholesale better apparel $ 320.5  $ 320.7  $ (0.2) (0.1%)
Wholesale moderate apparel 246.9  287.4  (40.5) (14.1%)
Wholesale footwear and accessories 267.8  260.0  7.8  3.0% 
Retail 176.8  194.5  (17.7) (9.1%)
Other 15.6  14.9  0.7  4.7% 




  Total revenues $ 1,027.6  $ 1,077.5  $ (49.9) (4.6%)




        Wholesale better apparel revenues did not significantly change from the prior period. Increased shipments of our Jones New York Signature product line due to increased orders from our customers based on the performance of the brand at retail were offset by decreased shipments of our Jones New York Suit decrease due to decreased orders from our customers based on the performance of the brand at retail. Increased shipments of our Jones Sport product line to specialty market stores was offset by decreased shipments of our AK Sport product line to these customers.

        Wholesale moderate apparel revenues decreased primarily due to decreased shipments of our l.e.i. product line due to decreased orders from our customers based on the performance of the brand at retail, markdown allowances to clear inventory of the moderate brands we are exiting (including the Evan Picone, Bandolino, Nine & Co. and Norton McNaughton product lines) and the discontinuance by our wholesale customers of their exclusive W and Duckhead product lines. These decreases were partially offset by increased shipments of our Energie product line due to increased orders from our customers based on the performance of this brand at retail.

        Wholesale footwear and accessories revenues increased primarily due to increased shipments of our Nine West and Nine & Co. handbag products due to higher customer orders from strong product performance at retail.

        Retail revenues decreased primarily due to the effect of the closing of our leased Stein Mart locations ($11.1 million) and an 8.7% decline in comparable store sales ($14.8 million) (comparable stores are stores that have been open for a full year, are not scheduled to close in the current period and are not scheduled for an expansion or downsize by more than 25% or relocation to a different street or mall), offset by $8.8 million from new store openings. Excluding Barneys, we began the third fiscal quarter of 2007 with 1,003 retail locations and had a net increase of 15 locations during the quarter to end the quarter with 1,018 locations.

        Revenues for the third fiscal quarter of 2007 also include $0.2 million in the licensing and other segment of service fees charged to Barneys under a short-term transition services agreement entered into with Barneys at the time of the sale. These revenues are based on contractual monthly fees as set forth in the agreement.

        Revenues for the third fiscal quarter of 2006 also include $5.0 million of service fees charged to Polo under a short-term transition services agreement entered into with Polo at the time of the sale of the Polo Jeans Company business. These revenues are based on contractual monthly and per-unit fees as set forth in the agreement. Of this amount, $3.2 million was recorded in the wholesale better apparel segment, $1.0 million was recorded in the wholesale moderate apparel segment and $0.8 million was recorded in the licensing and other segment.

        Gross Profit. The gross profit margin decreased to 31.8% in the third fiscal quarter of 2007 from 34.6% in the third fiscal quarter of 2006.

- 24 -


        Wholesale better apparel gross profit margins were 31.1% and 35.8% for the third fiscal quarters of 2007 and 2006, respectively. The decrease was due to higher levels of markdowns to clear excess inventory, higher levels of sales to off-price retailers, higher production costs and higher levels of shipments of lower-margin specialty market products.

        Wholesale moderate apparel gross profit margins were 16.1% and 21.9% for the third fiscal quarters of 2007 and 2006, respectively. Margins were negatively impacted in the current period by markdown allowances to clear inventory of the moderate brands we plan to exit or sell, as well as by higher levels of sales to off-price retailers.

        Wholesale footwear and accessories gross profit margins were 29.7% and 28.9% for the third fiscal quarters of 2007 and 2006, respectively. The increase was primarily due to lower levels of sales to off-price retailers in the current period.

        Retail gross profit margins were 48.4% and 51.5% for the third fiscal quarters of 2007 and 2006, respectively. The decrease was primarily the result of a higher level of promotional activity in our footwear and accessories stores in the current period to liquidate excess Spring merchandise.

        Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses were $286.2 million and $270.9 million for the third fiscal quarters of 2007 and 2006, respectively. SG&A expenses in our retail segment increased by $4.4 million, primarily as a result of $5.1 million of higher employee compensation and occupancy costs, including the effects of new store openings, and $1.2 million of costs related to store remodels, offset by lower expenses of $5.1 million resulting from the closure of our leased Stein Mart locations. SG&A expenses in our other segments decreased primarily due to the effects of our strategic initiatives offset by $2.3 million related to the launch of new product lines. SG&A expenses for the third fiscal quarter of 2007 included $16.5 million recorded in the licensing, other and eliminations segment related to the termination of two executive officers and $5.2 million of severance and related employee costs related to restructuring in the wholesale moderate apparel segment.

        Operating Income. The operating income from continuing operations for the third fiscal quarter of 2007 was $59.2 million compared with operating income of $102.0 million for the third fiscal quarter of 2006, due to the factors described above and the reversal of $16.8 million of losses on assets held for sale in the current period.

        Net Interest Expense. Net interest expense was $12.7 million in the third fiscal quarter of 2007 compared with $10.1 million in the third fiscal quarter of 2006. The increase was primarily the result of higher average borrowings during the third fiscal quarter of 2007.

        Provision for Income Taxes. Excluding the effects of the reversal of deferred tax valuation allowance related to the sale of Barneys ($107.7 million), the effective income tax rate on continuing operations was 35.3% for the third fiscal quarter of 2007 and 37.3% for the third fiscal quarter of 2006. The difference is due primarily to the greater impact of the foreign income tax differential relative to pre-tax income in the current period than in the prior period.

        Discontinued Operations. Income from discontinued operations before income taxes, which represents the results of Barneys, was $6.4 million and $7.8 million for the third fiscal quarters of 2007 and 2006, respectively. The decrease was primarily due to the results of Barneys being included in the current period only through September 5, 2007.

        Net Income and Earnings Per Share. Net income was $400.1 million in the third fiscal quarter of 2007 compared with net income of $63.0 million in the third fiscal quarter of 2006. Diluted earnings per share for the third fiscal quarter of 2007 was $3.97 compared with earnings per share of $0.56 for the third fiscal quarter of 2006, on 10.4% fewer shares outstanding.

- 25 -


Fiscal Nine Months Ended October 6, 2007 Compared with Fiscal Nine Months Ended September 30, 2006

        Revenues. Total revenues for the first fiscal nine months of 2007 were $3.0 billion compared with $3.1 billion for the first fiscal nine months of 2006, a decrease of 2.3%.

        Revenues by segment were as follows:

 
 

(In millions)
First Fiscal
Nine Months
of 2007

First Fiscal
Nine Months
of 2006

Increase/
(Decrease)

Percent 
Change 

Wholesale better apparel $ 890.4  $ 887.7  $ 2.7  0.3% 
Wholesale moderate apparel 807.4  887.4  (80.0) (9.0%)
Wholesale footwear and accessories 732.9  691.1  41.8  6.0% 
Retail 541.9  576.3  (34.4) (6.0%)
Other 37.3  37.4  (0.1) (0.3%)




  Total revenues $ 3,009.9  $ 3,079.9  $ (70.0) (2.3%)




        Wholesale better apparel revenues did not significantly change from the prior period. Increased shipments of our Jones New York Signature product line due to increased orders from our customers based on the performance of this brand at retail were offset by the effects of the sale of the Polo Jeans Company business, which contributed $24.6 million in net sales in the prior period.

        Wholesale moderate apparel revenues decreased primarily due to decreased shipments of our l.e.i. product line due to decreased orders from our customers based on the performance of this brand at retail, markdown allowances to clear inventory of the moderate brands we are exiting (including the Evan Picone, Bandolino, Nine & Co. and Norton McNaughton product lines) and the discontinuance by our wholesale customers of their exclusive W, Joneswear Jeans, C.L.O.T.H.E.S., Latina and Duckhead product lines. These decreases were partially offset by increased shipments of our Energie product line due to increased orders from our customers based on the performance of this brand at retail.

        Wholesale footwear and accessories revenues increased primarily due to (1) increased shipments of our AK Anne Klein and Sam & Libby footwear products and our Nine West handbag products due to higher customer orders from strong product performance at retail, (2) the launch of our Anne Klein New York and Boutique 9 footwear product lines, and (3) increased shipping in our international business due to increased orders from our existing customers and the addition of new territories. These increases were partially offset by reductions in our Bandolino and certain other footwear product lines due to retail consolidations.

        Retail revenues decreased primarily due to the effect of the closing of our leased Stein Mart locations ($36.7 million) and a 7.2% decline in comparable store sales ($36.6 million), offset by $14.4 million from new store openings and approximately $14.4 million in net sales for the extra week during the current period. Excluding Barneys, we began the first fiscal nine months of 2007 with 1,100 retail locations and had a net decrease of 82 locations (primarily the Stein Mart locations) during the period to end the period with 1,018 locations.

        Revenues for the first fiscal nine months of 2007 also include $0.2 million in the licensing and other segment of service fees charged to Barneys under a short-term transition services agreement entered into with Barneys at the time of the sale. These revenues are based on contractual monthly fees as set forth in the agreement.

        Revenues for the first fiscal nine months of 2007 and 2006 also include $1.6 million and $12.9 million, respectively, of service fees charged to Polo under a short-term transition services agreement entered into with Polo at the time of the sale of the Polo Jeans Company business. These revenues are based on contractual monthly and per-unit fees as set forth in the agreement. Of this amount, $1.1 million was recorded in the wholesale better apparel segment, $0.2 million was recorded in the wholesale moderate apparel segment and $0.3 million was recorded in the licensing and other segment during the first fiscal nine months of 2007, and $8.5 million was

- 26 -


recorded in the wholesale better apparel segment, $2.4 million was recorded in the wholesale moderate apparel segment and $2.0 million was recorded in the licensing and other segment during the first fiscal nine months of 2006.

        Gross Profit. The gross profit margin decreased to 32.6% in the first fiscal nine months of 2007 from 35.6% in the first fiscal nine months of 2006.

        Wholesale better apparel gross profit margins were 33.8% and 37.6% for the first fiscal nine months of 2007 and 2006, respectively. The decrease was due to higher levels of markdowns to clear excess inventory, higher levels of sales to off-price retailers, higher production costs and higher levels of shipments of lower-margin specialty market products.

        Wholesale moderate apparel gross profit margins were 19.8% and 23.8% for the first fiscal nine months of 2007 and 2006, respectively. Margins were negatively impacted in the current period by markdown allowances to clear inventory of the moderate brands we plan to exit or sell, as well as by higher levels of sales to off-price retailers and air shipments compared with the prior period.

        Wholesale footwear and accessories gross profit margins were 29.0% and 29.6% for the first fiscal nine months of 2007 and 2006, respectively. The decrease was primarily the result of higher levels of sales in our lower-margin international business and higher levels of markdowns to clear excess inventory, offset by lower levels of sales to off-price retailers.

        Retail gross profit margins were 48.6% and 52.2% for the first fiscal nine months of 2007 and 2006, respectively. The decrease was primarily the result of a higher level of promotional activity in our footwear and accessories stores in the current period to liquidate excess Fall 2006, Spring 2007 and Anne Klein New York merchandise, including the effects of the closing of all of our Stein Mart retail locations.

        Selling, General and Administrative Expenses. SG&A expenses were $831.2 and $815.6 million in the first fiscal nine months of 2007 and 2006, respectively. SG&A expenses in our retail segment increased by $20.5 million, primarily as a result of $17.3 million of higher employee compensation and occupancy costs, including the effects of new store openings, $4.7 million related to store remodels and $1.6 million of consulting fees. These costs were offset by lower expenses of $14.1 million resulting from the closure of our leased Stein Mart locations. SG&A expenses in our other segments decreased primarily due to the effects of our strategic initiatives offset by $7.4 million related to the launch of new product lines and higher levels of employee compensation due to the extra week in the current period. SG&A expenses for the first fiscal nine months of 2007 included $16.5 million recorded in the licensing, other and eliminations segment related to the termination of two executive officers and $6.7 million of severance and related employee costs related to restructuring in the wholesale moderate apparel segment. SG&A expenses for the first fiscal nine months of 2006 included $4.3 million in the wholesale better apparel segment related to the closing of the Secaucus warehouse and $10.0 million recorded in the wholesale footwear and accessories segment related to the termination of a former executive officer and the settlement of litigation concerning a license agreement. SG&A expenses for the first fiscal nine months of 2006 also included $2.6 million in the retail segment and $0.9 million recorded in the licensing, other and eliminations segment related to the termination of the former executive officer.

        Operating Income. The resulting operating income from continuing operations for the first fiscal nine months of 2007 was $70.1 million compared with $236.8 million for the first fiscal nine months of 2006, due to the factors described above and $80.5 million of trademark impairments in the current period.

        Net Interest Expense. Net interest expense was $40.0 million in the first fiscal nine months of 2007 compared with $34.1 million in the first fiscal nine months of 2006. The increase was primarily the result of higher average borrowings during the second fiscal quarter of 2007.

        Provision for Income Taxes. Excluding the effects of the reversal of deferred tax valuation allowance related to the sale of Barneys, the effective income tax rate on continuing operations was 27.5% for the first fiscal nine

- 27 -


months of 2007. Excluding the net tax effects of the Polo Jeans Company sale and litigation settlement, the effective tax rate on continuing operations for the first fiscal nine months of 2006 was 36.9%. The difference is due primarily to the greater impact of the foreign income tax differential relative to pre-tax income in the current period than in the prior period.

        Discontinued Operations. Income from discontinued operations before income taxes, which represents the results of Barneys, was $22.0 million and $25.1 million for the first fiscal nine months of 2007 and 2006, respectively. The decrease was primarily due to the results of Barneys being included in the current period only through September 5, 2007 and expenses related to new store openings in the current period.

        Cumulative Effect of Change in Accounting for Share-Based Payment. The adoption of SFAS No. 123R required us to change from recognizing the effect of forfeitures of unvested employee stock options and restricted stock as they occur to estimating the number of outstanding instruments for which the requisite service is not expected to be rendered. As a result, we recorded a gain of $1.9 million (net of $1.2 million in taxes) on January 1, 2006 as a cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle.

        Net Income and Earnings Per Share. Net income was $400.9 million in the first fiscal nine months of 2007 compared with $125.5 million in the first fiscal nine months of 2006. Diluted earnings per share for the first fiscal nine months of 2007 was $3.77 compared with $1.10 for the first fiscal nine months of 2006, on 6.6% fewer shares outstanding.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

        Our principal capital requirements have been to fund acquisitions, pay dividends, working capital needs, capital expenditures and repurchases of our common stock on the open market. We have historically relied on internally generated funds, trade credit, bank borrowings and the issuance of notes to finance our operations and expansion. As of October 6, 2007, total cash and cash equivalents were $109.0 million, a decrease of $14.4 million from the $71.5 million reported as of December 31, 2006 (which includes $7.2 million of cash recorded under assets held for sale).

        Operating activities from continuing operations used $110.7 million and provided $153.2 million in the first fiscal nine months of 2007 and 2006, respectively. The change was primarily due to changes in certain components of working capital. The higher increase in accounts receivable in the current period is primarily the result of the timing of shipments in our footwear business and a reduction in the prior period accounts receivable balance in the wholesale better apparel segment due to the sale of the Polo Jeans Company business. The higher increase in inventory in the current period is primarily due to the timing of inventory receipts and planned increases in replenishment inventory in our denim businesses. Accounts payable decreased in the current period compared with an increase in the prior period primarily as a result of the effects of the Polo Jeans Company sale in the prior period and the timing of payments for inventory purchases in the current period. Income taxes payable decreased in the current period compared to an increase in the prior period primarily due to the effects of the sale of Barneys.

        Investing activities from continuing operations provided $782.5 million and $280.3 million in the first fiscal nine months of 2007 and 2006, respectively. The difference was primarily due to cash received from the sale of Barneys in the current period compared with cash received from the sale of the Polo Jeans Company business in the prior period.

        Financing activities from continuing operations used $654.2 million in the first fiscal nine months of 2007. Borrowings under our Senior Credit Facilities were primarily used for working capital needs and to pay dividends to our common shareholders. On July 2, 2007, we redeemed all of our outstanding Barneys 9% Senior Secured Notes Due 2008 at par for a total payment of $3.8 million, which is reported under net cash provided by financing activities of discontinued operations.

- 28 -


        Financing activities from continuing operations used $431.9 million in the first fiscal nine months of 2006, primarily to repay amounts outstanding under our Senior Credit Facilities, to redeem at maturity our outstanding 7.875% Senior Notes on June 15, 2006, to repurchase our common stock and to pay dividends to our common shareholders.

        We repurchased $496.9 million and $211.9 million of our common stock during the first fiscal nine months of 2007 and 2006, respectively. As of October 6, 2007, $303.1 million of Board authorized repurchases was still available. We may make additional share repurchases in the future depending on, among other things, market conditions and our financial condition. For further information see "Common Stock" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

        Proceeds from the issuance of common stock to our employees exercising stock options amounted to $11.1 million and $19.3 million in the first fiscal nine months of 2007 and 2006, respectively.

        At October 6, 2007, we had credit agreements with several lending institutions to borrow an aggregate principal amount of up to $1.75 billion under Senior Credit Facilities. These facilities, of which the entire amount is available for letters of credit or cash borrowings, provide for a $1.0 billion five-year revolving credit facility that expires in June 2009 and a $750.0 million five-year revolving credit facility that expires in June 2010. At October 6, 2007, $170.4 million was outstanding under the credit facility that expires in June 2009 (comprised solely of outstanding letters of credit) and no amounts were outstanding under the credit facility that expires in June 2010. Borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities may also be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes, including permitted acquisitions and stock repurchases. The Senior Credit Facilities are unsecured and require us to satisfy both a coverage ratio of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and rent to interest expense plus rents and a net worth maintenance covenant, as well as other restrictions, including (subject to exceptions) limitations on our ability to incur additional indebtedness, prepay subordinated indebtedness, make acquisitions, enter into mergers and pay dividends.

        At October 6, 2007, we also had a C$10.0 million unsecured line of credit in Canada, under which C$0.2 million of letters of credit were outstanding.

        On September 10, 2007, Standard & Poor's announced it had downgraded its senior unsecured rating on our outstanding senior notes from BBB- to BB+, and on September 27, 2007, Moody's announced it had downgraded its senior unsecured rating on our outstanding senior notes from Baa3 to Ba1. Both rating agencies maintain a negative outlook.

        On October 31, 2007, we announced that the Board of Directors had declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.14 per share to all common stockholders of record as of November 16, 2007 for payment on November 30, 2007.

        We have a joint venture with Sutton Developments Pty. Ltd. ("Sutton") to operate retail locations in Australia. We have unconditionally guaranteed up to $7.0 million of borrowings under the joint venture's uncommitted credit facility and up to $0.4 million of presettlement risk associated with foreign exchange transactions. Sutton is required to reimburse us for 50% of any payments made under these guarantees. At October 6, 2007, the outstanding balance subject to these guarantees was approximately $0.9 million.

        We believe that funds generated by operations, proceeds from the issuance of notes, the Senior Credit Facilities and the Canadian line of credit will provide the financial resources sufficient to meet our foreseeable working capital, dividend, capital expenditure and stock repurchase requirements and fund our contractual obligations and our contingent liabilities and commitments.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

        The market risk inherent in our financial instruments represents the potential loss in fair value, earnings or cash flows arising from adverse changes in interest rates or foreign currency exchange rates. We manage this exposure through regular operating and financing activities and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments. Our policy allows the use of derivative financial instruments for identifiable

- 29 -


market risk exposures, including interest rate and foreign currency fluctuations. We do not enter into derivative financial contracts for trading or other speculative purposes.

        The primary interest rate exposures on floating rate financing arrangements are with respect to United States and Canadian short-term interest rates. We had approximately $1.75 billion in variable rate credit facilities at October 6, 2007.

        We are exposed to market risk related to changes in foreign currency exchange rates. We have assets and liabilities denominated in certain foreign currencies. In addition, at October 6, 2007, we had outstanding foreign exchange contracts for a Canadian subsidiary to exchange Canadian Dollars for a total of US $31.4 million through December 2008. We believe that these financial instruments should not subject us to undue risk due to foreign exchange movements because gains and losses on these contracts should offset losses and gains on the transactions being hedged. We are exposed to credit-related losses if the counterparty to a financial instrument fails to perform its obligation. However, we do not expect the counterparty, which presently has a high credit rating, to fail to meet its obligations.

        For further information see "Derivatives" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

        As required by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(b), we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based upon this evaluation, our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer concluded that both our disclosure controls and procedures and our internal controls and procedures are effective at the reasonable assurance level in timely alerting them to material information required to be included in our periodic SEC filings and that information required to be disclosed by us in these periodic filings is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms and that our internal controls are effective to provide reasonable assurance that our financial statements are fairly presented in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

        We have made changes to our internal controls and procedures over financial reporting to enhance the control environment as a result of the implementation of SAP, an enterprise resource planning ("ERP") system. We are in the process of implementing SAP throughout Jones Apparel Group, Inc. and our consolidated subsidiaries. SAP will integrate our operational and financial systems and expand the functionality of our financial reporting processes. This process began in late 2006, when we converted our Gloria Vanderbilt, Norton McNaughton and Miss Erika businesses to this system. During the third fiscal quarter of 2007, we did not complete any further conversions in this process. We expect to roll out the implementation of this system to all locations over a multi-year period. As the phased roll out occurs, we may experience changes in internal control over financial reporting each quarter. We expect this ERP system to further advance our control environment by automating manual processes, improving management visibility and standardizing processes as its full capabilities are utilized.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

        We have been named as a defendant in various actions and proceedings arising from our ordinary business activities. Although the amount of any liability that could arise with respect to these actions cannot be accurately predicted, in our opinion, any such liability will not have a material adverse financial effect on us.

- 30 -


Item 2. Changes in Securities, Use of Proceeds and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

        The following table sets forth the repurchases of our common stock for the fiscal quarter ended October 6, 2007.

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities

Period (a) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased (b) Average Price Paid per Share (or Unit) (c) Total Number of Shares (or Units) Purchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (d) Maximum Number (or Approximate Dollar Value) of Shares (or Units) that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs
July 8, 2007 to
August 4, 2007
-    -    -    $21,441   
August 5, 2007 to
September 1, 2007
4,361,338    $18.67    4,361,338    $218,590,515   
September 2, 2007 to 
October 6, 2007
16,175,769    $20.72    16,175,769    $383,378,306   
Total 20,537,107    $20.29    20,537,107    $383,378,306   

        These repurchases were made under programs announced on February 15, 2006 for $250.0 million, February 13, 2007 for $300.0 million and September 6, 2007 for $500.0 million. While these programs have no expiration date, the limits under the February 15, 2006 and February 13, 2007 programs were reached during the fiscal quarter ended October 6, 2007.

        We repurchased 5.0 million shares of our common stock for $95.4 million in open market transactions during the fiscal nine months ended October 6, 2007.

        On September 6, 2007, we paid $400.0 million for the purchase of our common stock under an accelerated stock repurchase program entered into with Goldman, Sachs & Co. We received an initial delivery of 15.5 million shares on September 11, 2007, to which we allocated $320.0 million of the purchase price as treasury stock in the accompanying October 6, 2007 Consolidated Balance Sheet. The remaining $80.0 million, which was allocated to a second delivery of 2.4 million shares on October 18, 2007, has been recorded as a temporary reduction of additional paid-in capital as of October 6, 2007 and was reclassified as treasury stock upon receipt of the second delivery. The $80.0 million has not been deducted from the dollar value of shares that may yet be purchased under announced plans or programs in the table above. The combined average price for the 17.9 million shares delivered to date under the ASR is $22.31 per share. Remaining shares, if any, to be received under the ASR program, up to a maximum of 3.1 million possible shares, will be received upon final settlement of the program, which is scheduled for no later than July 19, 2008, and may occur earlier at the option of Goldman or later under certain circumstances. The exact number of additional shares, if any, to be delivered to us under the ASR will be based on the volume weighted-average price of our stock during the term of the ASR, subject to a minimum and maximum price for the purchased shares. The initial shares repurchased are subject to adjustment if we enter into or announce certain types of transactions.

- 31 -


Item 5. Other information

Statement Regarding Forward-looking Disclosure

        This Report includes, and incorporates by reference, "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements regarding our expected financial position, business and financing plans are forward-looking statements. The words "believes," "expects," "plans," "intends," "anticipates" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements also include representations of our expectations or beliefs concerning future events that involve risks and uncertainties, including:

  • those associated with the effect of national and regional economic conditions;
  • lowered levels of consumer spending resulting from a general economic downturn or lower levels of consumer confidence;
  • the performance of our products within the prevailing retail environment;
  • customer acceptance of both new designs and newly-introduced product lines;
  • our reliance on a few department store groups for large portions of our business;
  • consolidation of our retail customers;
  • financial difficulties encountered by our customers;
  • the effects of vigorous competition in the markets in which we operate;
  • our ability to attract and retain qualified executives and other key personnel;
  • our reliance on independent foreign manufacturers;
  • changes in the costs of raw materials, labor, advertising and transportation;
  • the general inability to obtain higher wholesale prices for our products that we have experienced for many years;
  • the uncertainties of sourcing associated with the new environment in which general quota has expired on apparel products (while China has agreed to safeguard quota on certain classes of apparel products through 2008, political pressure will likely continue for restraint on importation of apparel);
  • our ability to successfully implement new operational and financial computer systems; and
  • our ability to secure and protect trademarks and other intellectual property rights.

        All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this Report, including, without limitation, the statements under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," are forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such expectations may prove to be incorrect. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations ("Cautionary Statements") are disclosed in this Report in conjunction with the forward-looking statements. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the Cautionary Statements. We do not undertake to publicly update or revise our forward-looking statements as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

Item 6. Exhibits

        See Exhibit Index.

- 32 -


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.

JONES APPAREL GROUP, INC.
(Registrant)

Date: November 5, 2007

By          /s/ Wesley R. Card
WESLEY R. CARD
 President and Chief Executive Officer

By          /s/ John T. McClain
JOHN T. McCLAIN
Chief Financial Officer

- 33 -


EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit
No.
Description of Exhibit
31* Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Rule 13a-14(a) or Rule 15d-14(a), as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
 
32o Certifications of Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

____________
* Filed herewith.
o Furnished herewith.

- 34 -