FORM 8-K
UNITED STATES 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
January 6, 2000
(Date of Report, date of earliest event reported)
Stage Stores, Inc.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Commission file number 001-14035
DELAWARE 76-0407711
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identifications No.)
10201 Main Street, Houston, 77025
Texas (Zip Code)
(Address of principal executive
offices)
(713) 667-5601
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)
Not Applicable
(Former name or address, if changed since last report)
ITEM 5. Other Events.
A press release regarding the Company announcing 1999
holiday period sales and certain other matters was issued by the
Company on January 6, 2000 and is attached hereto as Exhibit
99.1.
ITEM 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(a) Financial statements of business acquired.
Not applicable.
(b) Pro forma financial information.
Not applicable.
(c) Exhibits.
99.1 Press release dated January 6, 2000 issued by the
Company.
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.
STAGE STORES, INC.
January 6, 2000 /s/ James A. Marcum
(Date) James A. Marcum
Vice Chairman and,
Chief Financial Officer
Exhibit 99.1
NEWS RELEASE
CONTACT:
Bob Aronson
Director of Investor Relations
(800) 579-2302
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
STAGE STORES, INC. REPORTS 1999 HOLIDAY PERIOD SALES
______________________________
HOUSTON, TX, January 6, 2000 -- Stage Stores, Inc. (NYSE: SGE)
today reported sales for the nine-week holiday period ended
January 1, 2000 of $273.3 million as compared to $296.8 million
for the same period last year. The decrease in sales primarily
reflects the net reduction of 27 stores year-to-date as well as a
6.7% decline in comparable store sales during the holiday period.
Commenting on the holiday period sales results, Carl E. Tooker,
Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer, stated, "We are
disappointed with the sales results for the nine-week holiday
period. We believe that these results reflect an overall
softness in the apparel retail sector which was further impacted
by an increased level of competitive promotional activity.
During the holiday period, we continued to see the trend that has
developed over the past several years in which a significant
amount of the holiday period sales occurs during the Thanksgiving
period and over the last two weeks of December. In fact, our
comparable store sales were positive during these periods.
However, during the other weeks of the holiday period, sales were
substantially below our expectations, which led to the overall
decline for the period. Despite the softness in sales
experienced during the holiday period, we continue to believe
that we have made good progress in transitioning our merchandise
mix to reflect the fashions and the brands that we think have the
greatest appeal to our customer base."
The Company also announced that it will report its total fourth
quarter sales on or about February 3, 2000 and will report its
fourth quarter financial results on or about March 9, 2000.
Stage Stores, Inc. brings nationally recognized brand name family
apparel, accessories, cosmetics and footwear for the entire
family to small towns and communities throughout the United
States. The company currently operates 652 stores in 33 states,
primarily under the Stage, Bealls and Palais Royal trade names.
Any statements in this press release that may be considered
forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties
that could cause actual results to differ materially. These
risks and uncertainties are discussed in periodic reports filed
by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission that
the Company urges investors to consider.
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