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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
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FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
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Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): February 17,1999
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VENATOR GROUP, INC.
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(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
New York No. 1-10299 13-3513936
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(State or other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer
of incorporation) File Number) Identification No.)
233 Broadway, New York, New York 10279-0003
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(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (212) 553-2000
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Item 5. Other Events.
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On February 17, 1999, the Registrant announced that Bruce L. Hartman had
been named Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, effective February
26, 1999. Mr. Hartman, who is currently Vice President of Corporate Shared
Services, replaces Reid Johnson, who has resigned effective February 26, 1999.
(See Exhibit 99, which, in its entirety, is incorporated herein by reference.)
Item 7. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
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(c) Exhibits
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In accordance with the provisions of Item 601 of Regulation S-K, an index
of exhibits is included in this Form 8-K on page 3.
SIGNATURES
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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 being hereunto duly authorized.
VENATOR GROUP, INC.
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(Registrant)
Date: February 22, 1999 By: /s/Gary M. Bahler
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Gary M. Bahler
Senior Vice President,
General Counsel and Secretary
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VENATOR GROUP, INC.
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INDEX OF EXHIBITS
FURNISHED IN ACCORDANCE
WITH THE PROVISIONS OF
ITEM 601 OF REGULATION S-K
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Exhibit No. in Item 601
of Regulation S-K Description
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99 New Release Dated February 17, 1999
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Exhibit 99
NEWS RELEASE
CONTACT: Juris Pagrabs
Vice President, Investor Relations
Venator Group, Inc.
(212) 553-7017
VENATOR GROUP NAMES BRUCE L. HARTMAN
SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER
NEW YORK, New York, February 17, 1999 Venator Group, Inc. (NYSE: Z), the largest
athletic footwear and apparel retailer in the world, today announced that Bruce
L. Hartman, age 45, has been named Senior Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer, effective February 26, 1999. Mr. Hartman, formerly the Company's Vice
President of Corporate Shared Services since 1998, and prior to that its
Controller since 1996, replaces Reid Johnson, age 56, who has resigned.
"Bruce is a highly experienced retailer with a multi-faceted financial
background which includes specialty store operations, that will bring an added
dimension of strength to our executive management team," said Roger N. Farah,
Venator Group's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Bruce has been
instrumental in the restructuring of our accounting systems and functions at our
off-site processing facility located in Camp Hill, Pennsylvania and he has
played a critical role in identifying and implementing various cost reduction
initiatives within the corporate organization. We look forward to benefiting
greatly from his leadership and continued support as we head into the next
millennium."
Prior to joining the Company as Vice President and Controller in 1996, Mr.
Hartman spent 10 years of his career with the May Department Stores Co., and
most recently was the Chief Financial Officer of Filene's from 1994 until
October 1996. Mr. Hartman was also Chief Financial Officer at Famous Barr
between 1993 and 1994, and Controller at Robinson's division of The May
Department Stores, Co. from 1990 to 1993. He began his career with Haskins and
Sells in Boston, MA in 1975 and is a graduate of Suffolk University.
Venator Group is a diversified global retailer that operates more than 5,900
retail stores in 14 countries in North America, Europe, Australia and Asia.
Through its athletic group of specialty retail stores, including Foot Locker,
Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Champs Sports and Colorado, as well as its
direct marketer Eastbay, the Company is the leading provider of athletic
footwear and apparel. Venator Group's Internet web sites include
www.eastbay.com, www.footlocker.com, www.ladyfootlocker.com, www.kidsfootlocker.
com, and www.champssports.com. Other specialty retail chains include the
Northern Group of apparel stores, afterthoughts jewelry stores and San Francisco
Music Box.
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