AMES DEPARTMENT STORES INC
8-K, 1994-06-10
VARIETY STORES
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<PAGE>

                      SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                           Washington, D.C.  20549


                                   FORM 8-K

                                CURRENT REPORT

                    PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                       SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934



      DATE OF REPORT (DATE OF EARLIEST EVENT REPORTED):   JUNE 10, 1994
      -----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                         (JUNE 10, 1994)


                         AMES DEPARTMENT STORES, INC.
            ------------------------------------------------------
            (Exact Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)


                                    DELAWARE                  
                ----------------------------------------------
                (State Or Other Jurisdiction Of Incorporation)


            1-5380                                 04-2269444           
       ------------------------          ---------------------------------
     (Commission File Number)          (IRS Employer Identification No.)


       2418 MAIN STREET; ROCKY HILL, CONNECTICUT             06067-0801
        -----------------------------------------             ----------
       (Address Of Principal Executive Offices)              (Zip Code)


                                (203) 257-2000                    
            ------------------------------------------------------
             (Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)


                               NOT APPLICABLE                        
        -------------------------------------------------------------
        (Former Name Or Former Address, If Changed Since Last Report)





                           Exhibit Index on Page 4

                       Page 1 of 8 (Including Exhibits)

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ITEM 5:  OTHER EVENTS

         On June 10, 1994, Ames Department Stores, Inc. ("Ames" or the 
         "Company") announced that Joseph R. Ettore has been appointed 
         President and Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately.  The 
         press release announcing the appointment, dated June 10, 1994, is 
         attached hereto as Exhibit 20-A.  Mr. Ettore replaces Peter Thorner, 
         former President and Chief Operating Officer, who has resigned.

         Also, beginning on June 10, 1994, Ames will distribute, to its banks 
         and other lenders, principal trade vendors and factors, summaries of 
         its unaudited financial results for the four and seventeen weeks ended 
         May 28, 1994.  These monthly and year-to-date results (collectively, 
         the "monthly results") are attached hereto as Exhibit 20-B and are 
         incorporated by reference herein.  

         Compared with the projections contained in the Form 8-K dated May 27, 
         1994 (referred to herein as the "Plan"), sales for the four weeks 
         ended May 28, 1994 were $12.8 million below Plan and EBITDA (as 
         defined in Exhibit 20-B) was $1.3 million below Plan.  In May, the 
         major portion of the sales shortfall against Plan was in apparel due, 
         in part, to unseasonable weather in the first half of the month.  The 
         unfavorable impact from the sales shortfall on May's EBITDA was 
         partially offset by lower-than-planned expenses.

         Sales for the seventeen weeks ended May 28, 1994 were $13.3 million 
         below Plan; however, EBITDA was $.1 million better than Plan.  The 
         unfavorable impact on the year-to-date EBITDA from the lower-than- 
         planned sales and gross margin rate was more than offset by 
         lower-than-planned expenses.  The year-to-date sales shortfall was 
         primarily due to the $12.8 million shortfall in May.  The lower gross 
         margin rate was primarily due to higher-than-planned clearance 
         markdowns on apparel merchandise in March.  Store, field and home 
         office expenses were all below the year-to-date Plan. 

         As of May 28, 1994, inventories were $5.5 million above Plan, 
         principally in hardline categories as a result of the additional 
         merchandise purchased after the temporary closing of the Company's 
         Leesport, PA distribution center in February and March.  Trade 
         payables were $24.3 million above Plan due primarily to improved 
         payment terms.  Outstanding borrowings under the Company's revolving 
         line of credit as of May 28, 1994 were $26.8 million below Plan due 
         primarily to the better-than-planned trade payable terms.  

         The Company is in compliance with all debt covenants through 
         May 28, 1994.

         Ames is distributing the monthly results to its banks and other 
         lenders, principal trade vendors and factors to facilitate their 
         credit analyses.  The summary results SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON FOR 
         ANY OTHER PURPOSE and should be read in conjunction with the Company's 
         Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 29, 1994, the Company's 
         Form 10-Q for the first fiscal quarter ended April 30, 1994, and the 
         Company's Form 8-K dated May 27, 1994.  The monthly results are being 
         reported publicly solely because they are being distributed to a large 
         number of the Company's vendors for purposes of their credit analyses.

                            Page 2 of 8
<PAGE>
<PAGE>

         During the pendency of its reorganization case, Ames disclosed 
         publicly its monthly results through filings with the Office of the 
         U.S. Bankruptcy Trustee and continued to report publicly its monthly 
         results during the fiscal year ended January 29, 1994.  Although Ames 
         expects to continue to make its monthly results public for the fiscal 
         year ending January 28, 1995, Ames does not believe it is obligated 
         to provide such information indefinitely, other than as required by 
         applicable regulations, and Ames may cease making such disclosures 
         and updates at any time.  The monthly results were not examined, 
         reviewed or compiled by Ames' independent certified accountants.  
         Moreover, Ames does not believe that it is obligated to update the 
         monthly results to reflect subsequent events or developments.  The 
         reported monthly results are subject to future adjustments, if any, 
         that could materially affect such results.  However, in the opinion 
         of the Company, the monthly results contain all adjustments 
         (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair 
         statement of the results for the periods presented.  

ITEM 7:  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS

         Exhibit:  20-A     Press Release, dated June 10, 1994, announcing
                            the appointment of Joseph R. Ettore as President
                            and Chief Executive Officer.

                   20-B     Unaudited Financial Summary Results for the Four
                            Weeks and Seventeen Weeks Ended May 28, 1994.






























                                 Page 3 of 8
<PAGE>
<PAGE>


                               INDEX TO EXHIBITS
                             -------------------






                                                                    
      EXHIBIT NO.                  EXHIBIT                           PAGE NO.
      -----------                  -------                          ----------

         20-A         Press Release, dated June 10, 1994,                6
                      announcing the appointment of 
                      Joseph R. Ettore as President and 
                      Chief Executive Officer.

         20-B         Unaudited Financial Summary Results for            7
                      the Four Weeks and Seventeen Weeks Ended 
                      May 28, 1994



































                                 Page 4 of 8
<PAGE>
<PAGE>



                                   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.  







                                           AMES DEPARTMENT STORES, INC.
                                           ----------------------------
                                                     Registrant       





Dated:  June 10, 1994                 By: /S/ WILLIAM C. NAJDECKI     
                                          ----------------------------
                                           William C. Najdecki
                                           Senior Vice President,
                                           Chief Accounting Officer


























                                 Page 5 of 8
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<PAGE>


                                                                 Exhibit 20-A



June 10, 1994


                                 NEWS RELEASE


           AMES NAMES ETTORE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
           -------------------------------------------------------


ROCKY HILL, Conn. -- Ames Department Stores, Inc. (NASDAQ: AMES) announced 
today that Joseph R. Ettore has been appointed President and Chief Executive 
Officer, effective immediately.  Mr. Ettore was formerly President and Chief 
Executive Officer of Jamesway Corporation, a discount retail chain based in 
Secaucus, N.J.  Ettore replaces Peter Thorner, former President and Chief 
Operating Officer, who has resigned to pursue personal interests.

According to Paul M. Buxbaum, Ames Chairman, the appointment of Ettore is a 
logical step in the evolution of Ames, enabling the company to be even more 
competitive and achieve its full potential going forward.

Buxbaum said, "Joe Ettore, a veteran of the retail industry, has the proven 
merchandising skills that we feel are needed to take Ames to the next level.  
His appointment, along with the company's new, three-year, $300 million credit 
facility, should allow Ames to continue to build on its positive momentum."

Ames, which operates 306 stores in the Northeast, reported its first annual net 
profit in five years on April 5, 1994.






                                  Contacts:

                        Marge Wyrwas - (203) 257-2659
                 Jim Bierfeldt, Mintz & Hoke - (203) 679-9713




 








                                 Page 6 of 8


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<TABLE>
                             AMES DEPARTMENT STORES, INC.           Exhibit 20-B
                                  MAY RESULTS VS. PLAN              Page 1 of 2
                                   MANAGEMENT FORMAT
                                      (Unaudited)
                                     (In Millions)
<CAPTION>
                                   May 1994           Fiscal 1995 Year-to-Date
                             Actual  Plan*  Last Yr**  Actual   Plan*  Last Yr**
<S>                          <C>    <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
INCOME SUMMARY:
Net Sales                    $148.3  $161.1   $158.7   $584.0   $597.3   $593.5

FIFO Margin     $              44.4    48.1     47.1    157.4    164.5    163.0
     Margin     %             29.9%   29.9%    29.7%    27.0%    27.5%    27.5%

Total Expenses                 40.7    42.9     43.0    169.8    175.3    170.3

Gain on Dispos. of Properties   0.2     0.1        -      2.0      1.9        -
                             ---------------------------------------------------
EBIT                            3.9     5.3      4.1    (10.4)    (8.9)    (7.3)

Net Interest Expense            2.3     2.8      1.7      8.2      9.6      8.2
Non-Cash Inc. Tax Prov.(Ben.)   0.5     0.8        -     (6.0)    (6.0)       -
Extra. Chg., net of tax ben.      -       -        -      1.5      1.5        -
                             ---------------------------------------------------
Net Income (Loss)              $1.1    $1.7     $2.4   ($14.1)  ($14.0)  ($15.5)
                             ===================================================
From EBIT:
Non-Cash SARs Exp.(Credit)     (0.7)      -        -      0.8      1.5        -
Depr/Amort, LIFO, & other,net   0.9     0.1     (0.3)     2.3      0.0     (1.5)
                             ---------------------------------------------------
EBITDA                         $4.1    $5.4     $3.8    ($7.3)   ($7.4)   ($8.8)
                             ===================================================

BALANCE SHEET SUMMARY:                                  Balance at
                                                       end of Period
                                                      Actual    Plan
                                                     ------------------
Unrestricted Cash and Cash Equivalents                  $32.2    $33.0
Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents                     55.3     69.3
Merchandise Inventories, LIFO                           505.6    500.1
Other Current Assets                                     39.8     33.7
                                                     ------------------
     Total Current Assets                               632.9    636.1
Net Fixed Assets                                         23.1     34.0
Other Assets and Deferred Charges                         1.2      1.3
                                                     ------------------
     Total Assets                                      $657.2   $671.4
                                                     ==================

Trade Accounts Payable                                 $101.7    $77.4
Short-Term Debt (Revolver)                              108.2    135.0
Other Current Liabilities                               235.7    251.3
                                                     ------------------
     Total Current Liabilities                          445.6    463.7
Long-Term Debt                                           43.2     43.1
Fresh-start Excess Net Assets (Negative Goodwill)        52.8     52.8
Unfavorable Lease Liability                              24.3     24.4
Other Long-Term Liabilities                              51.7     50.3
                                                     ------------------
     Total Liabilities & Fresh-St. Excess Net Assets    617.6    634.3
Paid-In-Capital                                          66.7     63.4
Retained Earnings (Deficit)                             (27.1)   (26.3)
                                                     ------------------
     Total Liabilities & Equity                        $657.2   $671.4
                                                     ==================

<FN>
          * As reported on Form 8-K dated May 27, 1994.
         ** Last year's (fiscal 1994) income summary represents 309 stores as
            compared to 306 stores in May 1994.

NOTE: EBIT is earnings (loss) before net interest expense, income taxes, and 
      non-recurring or extraordinary items. EBITDA is EBIT before depre-
      ciation & amortization, LIFO expense, stock appreciation rights (SARs) 
      accruals, and other non-cash charges.

                                    Page 7 of 8
</TABLE>







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<TABLE>
                      AMES DEPARTMENT STORES, INC.              Exhibit 20-B
                          MAY RESULTS VS. PLAN                  Page 2 of 2
                            MANAGEMENT FORMAT
                               (Unaudited)
                              (In Millions)

<CAPTION>
                                                             Fiscal 1995
                                             May 1994        Year-to-Date
                                          Actual    Plan*   Actual    Plan*
<S>                                     <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
CASH FLOW SUMMARY:
Beg. Unrestricted Cash & Cash Equiv.       $24.4    $27.9    $16.5    $26.9

Cash Generated from (Used in) Operations:
   Net Income (Loss)                         1.1      1.7    (14.1)   (14.0)
   Non-Cash Income Tax Expense (Benefit)     0.5      0.8     (6.0)    (6.0)
   Other                                    (0.6)     0.4      1.3      2.4
                                        ------------------------------------
Cash from Operations                         1.0      2.9    (18.8)   (17.6)

Changes in Working Capital:
   FIFO Inventory (increase) decrease        1.3      3.9    (63.6)   (59.9)
   Trade Payables increase (decrease)       (8.6)     7.2     27.6      2.5
   All Other                                (5.4)    (2.7)    (8.4)    (1.0)
                                        ------------------------------------
Net Changes in Working Capital             (12.7)     8.4    (44.4)   (58.4)

Capital Expenditures                        (0.7)    (3.6)    (2.9)    (9.7)

(Incr) Decr. in Rest. Cash & Cash Equiv.     1.3     (1.5)     0.7    (11.0)

Other:
   Short-Term Borrow. (Pymts) - Revolver    19.8      0.0     92.9    115.0
   Payments of Capital Leases               (0.3)    (0.3)    (1.2)    (1.2)
   Payments on Long-Term Debt               (0.4)    (0.5)    (9.6)    (9.4)
   Increase in Deferred Financing Costs     (0.2)    (0.3)    (1.0)    (1.6)
                                        ------------------------------------
Total Other                                 18.9     (1.1)    81.1    102.8
                                        ------------------------------------

Unrestricted Cash Increase (Decrease)        7.8      5.1     15.7      6.1
                                        ------------------------------------

Ending Unrestricted Cash & Cash Equiv.     $32.2    $33.0    $32.2    $33.0
                                        ====================================
<FN>

* As reported on Form 8-K dated May 27, 1994.


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