STEIN MART INC
10-K405, 1999-04-02
FAMILY CLOTHING STORES
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K

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

For the fiscal year ended January 2, 1999         Commission File number 0-20052



                                STEIN MART, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

         Florida                                          64-0466198
(State or other jurisdiction of                           (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization)                            Identification Number)

1200 Riverplace Blvd., Jacksonville, Florida              32207
  (Address of principal executive offices)                (Zip Code)

                                 (904) 346-1500
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

           Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                               Title of each class
                               -------------------    
                           Common Stock $.01 par value

Indicate  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,  and (2) has been subject to such filing  requirements  for
the past 90 days. Yes [X] No [ ]

Indicate if disclosure of delinquent  filers  pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation
S-K  is not  contained  herein,  and  will  not be  contained,  to the  best  of
registrant's   knowledge,   in  definitive   proxy  or  information   statements
incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this
Form 10-K [X].

The  aggregate  market  value  (based on the closing  price on The Nasdaq  Stock
Market) of the Common  Stock of the  registrant  held by  non-affiliates  of the
registrant was $266,692,734 on February 26, 1999. For purposes of this response,
executive  officers  and  directors  are  deemed  to be  the  affiliates  of the
registrant and the holdings by non-affiliates was computed as 29,226,601 shares.

The number of shares of Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share,  outstanding as
of February 26, 1999, was 45,340,373.

                       DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
                       -----------------------------------
1.  Portions of the registrant's 1998 Annual Report to Shareholders shown in
    Exhibit 13 are incorporated in Parts II and IV.
2.  Portions of the registrant's  Proxy Statement for its 1999 Annual Meeting
    are incorporated in Part III.


<PAGE>



                                Stein Mart, Inc.

                                    Form 10-K
                                 January 2, 1999

                                Table of Contents

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----
                                     Part I

Item  1.  Business                                                            3

Item  2.  Properties                                                          11

Item  3.  Legal Proceedings                                                   12

Item  4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders                 12

                                     Part II

Item  5.  Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder
          Matters                                                             13

Item  6.  Selected Financial Data                                             13

Item  7.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
          Results of Operations                                               13

Item  8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data                         13

Item  9.  Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and
          Financial Disclosure                                                13

                                    Part III

Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant                  14

Item 11.  Executive Compensation                                              14

Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management      14

Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions                      14

                                     Part IV

Item 14.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules, and Reports on Form 8-K    14

                                        2

<PAGE>



                                     PART I

ITEM 1.    BUSINESS

At January 2, 1999,  Stein Mart,  Inc.,  (the  "Company" or "Stein  Mart") was a
182-store retail chain offering fashionable,  current-season,  primarily branded
merchandise  comparable  in  quality  and  presentation  to that of  traditional
department and fine specialty  stores at prices typically 25% to 60% below those
regularly  charged  by  such  stores.   The  Company's  focused   assortment  of
merchandise  features moderate to designer brand-name apparel for women, men and
children,  as well as accessories,  gifts, linens,  shoes and fragrances.  Stein
Mart operated a single store in  Greenville,  Mississippi  from the early 1900's
until 1977, when it began its expansion program. During the last five years, the
Company  has more than  doubled  the number of Stein Mart  stores  from 66 in 16
states at year-end  1993 to 182 in 29 states at January 2, 1999.  The  Company's
stores,  which  average  approximately  38,000 gross  square  feet,  are located
primarily in neighborhood shopping centers in metropolitan areas.

Business Strategy

The Company's  business  strategy is to (i) maintain the quality of merchandise,
store appearance,  merchandise  presentation and customer service levels typical
of traditional department and fine specialty stores and (ii) offer value pricing
to its customers through its vendor relationships,  tight control over corporate
and store expenses and efficient management of inventory. The principal elements
of the Company's business strategy are as follows:

    Timely, Consistent, Upscale Merchandise.
    The  Company  purchases  upscale,   branded  merchandise  primarily  through
    preplanned  buying programs similar to those used by traditional  department
    and fine specialty  stores.  These  preplanned  buying  programs  enable the
    Company to offer  fashionable,  current-season  assortments  on a consistent
    basis.

    Appealing Store Appearance and Merchandise Presentation.
    The Company  creates an  ambiance  in its stores  similar to that of upscale
    retailers  through  attractive  in-store layout and signage.  Merchandise is
    displayed in lifestyle groupings to encourage multiple purchases.

    Emphasis on Customer Service.
    Customer  service is  fundamental  to Stein  Mart's  objective  of  building
    customer  loyalty.  Management  believes  that the Company  offers  customer
    service  superior to off-price  retailers and more comparable to traditional
    department and fine specialty stores.

    Value Pricing through Vendor Relationships.
    In  negotiating  with Stein  Mart,  vendors do not build into their  pricing
    structure  anticipated returns or markdown and advertising  allowances which
    are  typical in the  department  store  industry.  Stein Mart  passes  these
    savings on to its customers through prices which are

                                        3

<PAGE>



    typically 25% to 60% below those regularly charged by traditional department
    and fine specialty stores.

    Efficient Inventory Handling.
    Stein  Mart  does not rely on a large  distribution  center  or  warehousing
    facility.  Rather,  it primarily  utilizes drop  shipments  from its vendors
    directly  to  its  stores.  This  system  enables  the  Company  to  receive
    merchandise at each store on a timely basis and to save the time and expense
    of  handling   merchandise   twice,   which  is  typical  of  a  traditional
    distribution center structure.

    Operating Efficiencies.
    Management  believes that there will be opportunities  to create  additional
    operating  efficiencies  as the Company  continues  to add stores in new and
    existing markets.

Expansion Strategy

The  Company's  expansion  strategy is to add stores in new  markets,  including
those markets with the potential for multiple  stores,  and existing  markets to
capture  advertising  and  management  efficiencies.  The Company  plans to open
approximately 33 stores in 1999.

The Company targets  metropolitan  statistical areas with populations of 125,000
or more for new store expansion.  In determining where to locate new stores, the
Company  evaluates  detailed  demographic  information,  including,  among other
factors,  data  relating  to income,  education  levels,  age,  occupation,  the
availability of prime real estate locations, existing and potential competitors,
and the number of Stein Mart  stores that a market can  support.  As a result of
processing less than 10% of its merchandise through its distribution center, the
Company is not constrained geographically or by the capacity limits of a central
facility.  This  allows  management  to  concentrate  on the  best  real  estate
opportunities in targeted markets.

The Company refurbishes  existing retail locations or occupies newly constructed
stores,  which typically are anchor stores in new or existing  shopping  centers
situated near upscale residential areas, ideally with co-tenants that cater to a
similar customer base. The Company's  ability to negotiate  favorable leases and
to construct  attractive  stores with a  relatively  low  investment  provides a
significant  cost  advantage  over  traditional  department  and fine  specialty
stores. The cost of opening a typical new store includes  approximately $450,000
to $650,000 for fixtures,  equipment,  leasehold  improvements  and  pre-opening
expenses (primarily advertising,  stocking and training).  Pre-opening costs are
expensed  when  incurred.  Initial  inventory  investment  for  a new  store  is
approximately $1 million (a portion of which is financed through vendor credit).



                                        4

<PAGE>



Merchandising

Stein Mart's  focused  assortment of merchandise  features  moderate to designer
brand-name apparel for women, men and children,  as well as accessories,  gifts,
linens,  shoes and fragrances.  Branded merchandise is complemented by a limited
private label program that enhances the Company's assortments of current fashion
trends and provides key upper-end classifications in complete size ranges.

Management believes that Stein Mart differentiates itself from typical off-price
retailers by offering:  (i) a higher  percentage of  current-season  merchandise
carried by  traditional  department  and fine  specialty  stores at  moderate to
better price levels,  (ii) a stronger  merchandising  "statement,"  consistently
offering  more depth of color and size in  individual  stockkeeping  units,  and
(iii) a merchandise  presentation more comparable to traditional  department and
fine specialty stores.

The Company  identifies and responds to the latest fashion  trends.  Within each
major  merchandise  category,  the Company  offers a focused  assortment  of the
best-selling department and fine specialty store items. Stein Mart's merchandise
selection is driven primarily by its own merchandising  plans which are based on
management's  assessment of fashion trends,  color, and market conditions.  This
strategy  distinguishes  Stein Mart from  traditional  off-price  retailers  who
achieve  cost  savings by  responding  to unplanned  buying  opportunities.  The
Company's  merchandise  is  typically  priced at levels 25% to 60% below  prices
regularly charged by traditional department and fine specialty stores, therefore
offering distinct value to the Stein Mart customer.

The  following  reflects  the  percentage  of the  Company's  revenues  by major
merchandise category for the periods indicated:


                                                  Fiscal Year Ended
                                    --------------------------------------------
                                    December 28,      January 3,      January 2,
                                        1996             1998            1999
                                    ------------      ----------      ----------
Ladies' and Boutique apparel             36%              38%             38%
Ladies' accessories                      11               11              11
Men's and young men's                    20               19              19
Gifts and linens                         18               17              18
Shoes (leased department)                 8                8               7
Children's                                6                6               6
Other                                     1                1               1
                                        ----             ----            ----
                                        100%             100%            100%
                                        ====             ====            ====



                                        5

<PAGE>



Ladies'  apparel,  the Company's  largest  contributor of revenues,  consists of
distinctive presentations of dresses,  sportswear,  petites, juniors and women's
sizes at moderate to upper-moderate prices. Stein Mart's distinctive Boutique is
a key  element of the  Company's  merchandising  strategy  to  attract  the more
fashion-conscious  customers.  The Boutique, a store-within-a-store  department,
carries  better to  designer  ladies'  apparel and offers the  presentation  and
service levels of a fine specialty  boutique.  Each Stein Mart store has its own
Boutique,  staffed  generally  by women  employed on a  part-time  basis who are
civically and socially prominent in the community.  The Boutique  highlights the
Company's  strategy of offering  upscale  merchandise,  presentation and service
levels at value prices.

The Company's typical store layout emphasizes ladies' accessories as the fashion
focus at the front of each store.  The key  merchandise  in this  department  is
fashion-oriented,  brand-name,  designer and private label  jewelry,  as well as
scarves, hosiery, leather goods, bath products and fragrances.

Men's and young men's areas together provide the second largest  contribution to
revenues.  Menswear consists of sportswear,  suits,  sportcoats,  slacks,  dress
furnishings  and a Big and  Tall  assortment.  The  Company  believes  that  its
merchandise presentation is particularly strong in men's better sportswear.

Stein  Mart's  gifts  and  linens  departments  consist  primarily  of  a  broad
assortment of fashion-oriented  gifts (rather than basic items) for the home and
a wide  range of table,  bath and bed linens  and,  in some  stores,  decorative
fabrics.  The presentation in this distinctive  department  emphasizes  fashion,
lifestyle  and  seasonal  themes  and  includes  the full  range of  merchandise
available in a typical  department store. The strength of this category has been
the consistent presentation with a higher percentage mix of better goods.

Stein  Mart's  children's  department  offers a range of apparel for infants and
children and features an infants' gift boutique.

The  Company's  shoe  department is a leased  department  operated in individual
stores by one of two shoe  retailers.  The  merchandise  in this  department  is
presented in a manner  consistent  with the Company's  overall  presentation  in
other  departments,  stressing  fashionable,  current-season  footwear  at value
prices.  This department  offers a variety of men's and women's casual and dress
shoes,  which  complement the range of apparel  available in other  departments.
Shoe  department  leases  provide  for the  Company to be paid the greater of an
annual base rent or a percentage  of sales.  Almost all of the leases  currently
pay on the percentage of sales basis.

In 1995,  the Company began  leasing its  fragrance  department to a third-party
operator.  The operating agreement requires the third-party  operator to pay the
Company the greater of an annual base amount or a percentage of sales.





                                        6

<PAGE>



Store Appearance

Stein Mart's stores are designed to reflect the upscale  ambiance and appearance
of traditional  department and fine specialty stores through  attractive layout,
displays and in-store signage.  The typical store is approximately  38,000 gross
square feet with convenient check-out and customer service areas and attractive,
individual  dressing rooms. The Company seeks to create excitement in its stores
through the continual flow of brand-name  merchandise,  sales promotions,  store
layout,  merchandise  presentation,  and the  quality,  value  and  depth of its
merchandise assortment.

The  Company  displays   merchandise  in  lifestyle  groupings  of  apparel  and
accessories. Management believes that the lifestyle grouping concept strengthens
the fashion image of its  merchandise and enables the customer to locate desired
merchandise in a manner that encourages multiple purchases.

Customer Service

Customer service is fundamental to Stein Mart's  objective of building  customer
loyalty. The Company's stores offer most of the same services typically found in
traditional  department  and fine  specialty  stores such as  alterations  and a
liberal  merchandise return policy. Each store is staffed to provide a number of
sales associates to properly attend to customer needs.

The Company's  training  programs for sales  associates  and cashiers  emphasize
attentiveness, courtesy and the effective use of selling techniques. The Company
reinforces its training programs by employing  independent  shopping services to
monitor  associates'  success in  implementing  the  principles  taught in sales
training.  Associates who are highly rated by the shopping  service receive both
formal recognition and cash awards.  Management believes this program emphasizes
the importance of customer service necessary to create customer loyalty.

Vendor Relationships and Buying

Stein  Mart buys from  over  2,900  vendors.  Many of these are  considered  key
vendors,  with whom the Company enjoys longstanding  working  relationships that
create  a  continuity   of   preplanned   buying   opportunities   for  upscale,
current-season  merchandise.  Most of the  Company's  vendors  are  based in the
United States, which generally reduces the time necessary to purchase and obtain
shipments  and allows the  Company  to react to  merchandise  trends in a timely
fashion.  The Company does not have  long-term or exclusive  contracts  with any
particular vendor. In 1998, less than 2% of Stein Mart's purchases were from any
single vendor.

The Company employs several purchasing  strategies to provide its customers with
a consistent selection of quality,  fashionable merchandise at value prices: (i)
Stein Mart commits to its purchases  from vendors well in advance of the selling
season,  in the same  manner as  department  stores,  unlike  typical  off-price
retailers who rely heavily on buys of close-out  merchandise  or overruns;  (ii)
the Company's  information  systems enable it to acquire  merchandise  and track
sales  information  on a  store-by-store  basis,  allowing  its buying  staff to
respond  quickly to customer  buying trends;  and (iii) an in-house  merchandise
development department works with buyers and brand-name vendors to

                                        7

<PAGE>



ensure  that  the  merchandise  assortments  offered  are  unique,  fashionable,
color-forward and of high quality.

Stein  Mart  negotiates  favorable  prices  from its  vendors  by not  requiring
advertising and markdown allowances or return privileges that are typical in the
department store industry, resulting in savings that the Company passes along to
its  customers in the form of prices that are  typically  25% to 60% below those
regularly charged by traditional department and fine specialty stores.

The  Company's   buying  staff  is  headed  by  the  Executive  Vice  President,
Merchandising,  who is supported by four Vice Presidents - General Merchandising
Managers,  nine Divisional  Merchandising Managers and 34 buyers. In addition to
base  salary,  the  merchandising  staff  receives  incentive  compensation  for
achieving   certain   sales  goals   within   their  areas  of   responsibility.
Historically,  the Company has had very low  turnover  within its buying  staff,
enabling it to capitalize on an  experienced,  respected group of buyers capable
of maintaining and enhancing the Company's vendor relationships.

Information Systems

The Company's  information  systems  provide daily  financial and  merchandising
information  that is used by management to make timely and effective  purchasing
and pricing decisions and for inventory control.

The Company's  inventory control system enables it to achieve economies of scale
from bulk purchases  while at the same time ordering and tracking  separate drop
shipments by store. Store inventory levels are regularly  monitored and adjusted
as sales trends dictate.  The inventory control system provides information that
enhances  management's ability to make informed buying decisions and accommodate
unexpected  increases or decreases in demand for a particular  item. The Company
uses  bar  codes  and bar  code  scanners  as part  of an  integrated  inventory
management and check-out system in its stores.

The Company's merchandise planning and allocation system enables the merchandise
buyers to customize their  merchandise  assortments at the individual  store and
department  level,  based  on  selected  criteria,  such  as a  store's  selling
patterns,  geography and merchandise color preferences. The ability to customize
individual  store  assortments  enables the Company to more  effectively  manage
inventory, capitalize on sales trends and reduce markdowns.

A computerized  time management  system assists  management in scheduling  store
associates' hours based on individual  store's own customer traffic patterns and
necessary  tasks.  This system  helps to maximize  customer  service  levels and
enhance efficiency.




                                        8

<PAGE>



Store Operations

The Company has five Vice  Presidents - Regional  Directors of Stores who report
to the  Executive  Vice  President,  Stores.  Two of the  Vice  Presidents  each
directly  oversee 12 to 13 stores and three of the Vice Presidents have District
Directors of Stores reporting to them, who are each responsible for overseeing 8
to 13  stores.  Each  Vice  President's  and  District  Director's  compensation
includes an incentive  component based on overall  performance.  Each Stein Mart
store is managed by a general  manager who reports  directly to a Vice President
or a District  Director.  Store general  managers are responsible for individual
store operations, including hiring, motivating and supervising sales associates;
receiving and effectively presenting merchandise;  and implementing price change
determinations  made by the  Company's  buying  staff.  Store  general  managers
receive  incentive  compensation  based upon  operating  results in several  key
areas,  including  increases  in store sales.  In addition to the store  general
manager  and two  assistant  store  managers,  each Stein Mart store  employs an
average of 55 persons as department managers, sales associates,  cashiers and in
other positions.

Stein Mart  stores are  generally  open 11 hours per day, 6 days a week,  and on
Sunday  afternoons.  The store hours are extended  during the Christmas  selling
season.

Advertising and Sales Promotion

The Company's  advertising  strategy  stresses the offering of upscale,  branded
merchandise at significant savings. The Company generally allocates the majority
of its advertising budget to newspaper  advertising,  employing a combination of
image,  price-and-item  and sales event  approaches.  While  newspaper and color
inserts will continue to be an integral part of the media mix, radio, television
and direct mail will be utilized in selected  markets.  Stein  Mart's  per-store
advertising expense is reduced by spreading its advertising over multiple stores
in a single  market.  Management  believes the Company  also enjoys  substantial
word-of-mouth advertising benefits from its customer base.

Competition

Management  believes  that  the  Company  occupies  a  market  niche  closer  to
traditional  department stores than typical off-price retail chains. The Company
faces  competition  for  customers  and for access to quality  merchandise  from
traditional  department  stores,  fine specialty stores and, to a lesser degree,
from  off-price  retail  chains.  Many of these  competitors  are units of large
national or regional chains that have  substantially  greater resources than the
Company.  The retail apparel industry is highly fragmented and competitive,  and
the off-price retail business may become even more competitive in the future.

The principal competitive factors in the retail apparel industry are assortment,
presentation,  quality of merchandise, price, customer service, vendor relations
and store location.  Management  believes that the Company is well-positioned to
compete on the basis of each of these factors.


                                        9

<PAGE>



Employees

At January 2, 1999, the Company's work force consisted of  approximately  10,500
employees  (6,700  40-hour  equivalent  employees).   The  number  of  employees
fluctuates based on the particular selling season.

Trademarks

The Company owns the federally registered trademark Stein Mart(R), together with
a number of other marks used in conjunction  with its private label  merchandise
program.  Stein Mart primarily sells branded  merchandise.  However,  in certain
classifications of merchandise,  the Company uses several private label programs
to  provide  additional  availability  of items.  Management  believes  that its
trademarks are important but, with the exception of Stein Mart(R),  not critical
to the Company's merchandising strategy.



                                       10

<PAGE>



ITEM 2.           PROPERTIES

At January 2, 1999, the Company operated stores in the following states:

                           State                              Number of Stores
                           -----                              ----------------
                          Alabama                                      5
                          Arizona                                      6
                          Arkansas                                     5
                          California                                   2
                          Colorado                                     3
                          Florida                                     24
                          Georgia                                     13
                          Illinois                                     4
                          Indiana                                      5
                          Iowa                                         2
                          Kansas                                       2
                          Kentucky                                     3
                          Louisiana                                    8
                          Mississippi                                  4
                          Missouri                                     2
                          Nebraska                                     1
                          Nevada                                       2
                          New Mexico                                   2
                          New York                                     2
                          North Carolina                              12
                          Ohio                                        10
                          Oklahoma                                     4
                          Pennsylvania                                 1
                          South Carolina                               4
                          South Dakota                                 1
                          Tennessee                                   10
                          Texas                                       34
                          Virginia                                     6
                          Wisconsin                                    5
                                                                     ----
                                                                     182
                                                                     ==== 


The Company  leases all of its store  locations  and  therefore has been able to
grow without incurring indebtedness to acquire real estate.  Management believes
that the Company has earned a reputation  as an "anchor  tenant,"  which,  along
with its established  operating history,  has enabled it to negotiate  favorable
lease terms. Most of the leases provide for minimum rents, as well as percentage
rents that are based on sales in excess of predetermined levels.



                                       11

<PAGE>



The table below  reflects (i) the number of the Company's  leases (as of January
2, 1999) that will expire each year if the Company  does not exercise any of its
renewal  options,  and (ii) the number of the Company's  leases that will expire
each year if the Company  exercises  all of its renewal  options  (assuming  the
lease  is not  otherwise  terminated  by  either  party  pursuant  to any  other
provision).

                                Number of Leases              Number of Leases
                                Expiring Each Year            Expiring Each Year
                                if no Renewals                if all Renewals
                                   Exercised                     Exercised
                                ------------------            ------------------
     1999                               1                             0
     2000                               8                             0
     2001                               7                             0
     2002                               7                             0
     2003                              14                             0
     2004-2008                        105                             6
     2009-2013                         39                            22
     2014-2045                          1                           154

The Company has made  consistent  capital  commitments  to maintain  and improve
existing store facilities.  During 1998, approximately $4.2 million was spent to
upgrade computer equipment,  fixtures,  equipment and leasehold  improvements in
stores opened prior to 1998.

The Company  leases  approximately  54,000 gross square feet of office space for
its corporate  headquarters in Jacksonville,  Florida. The Company also leases a
92,000  square  foot  distribution  center in  Jacksonville  for the  purpose of
processing a limited amount of merchandise (less than 10%).

The Company continually evaluates underperforming stores and may choose to close
selected  underperforming  stores.  In accordance with this policy,  the Company
closed its Denver, Colorado store in May 1992, its Plantation,  Florida store in
February 1996 and its Milpitas,  California  store in December 1998. A new store
at a different  location was opened in Denver in March 1996 and a new store will
be opening in Plantation, Florida in Fall 1999.

ITEM 3.           LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

The Company is involved in various routine legal  proceedings  incidental to the
conduct of its  business.  Management  does not believe  that any of these legal
proceedings  will have a material  adverse effect on the financial  condition or
results of operations of the Company.

ITEM 4.           SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

There were no matters  submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth
quarter of 1998.



                                       12

<PAGE>



                                     PART II

ITEM 5.           MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY AND RELATED
                  STOCKHOLDER MATTERS

The information  required by this item is incorporated by reference and is shown
in Exhibit 13.


ITEM 6.           SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

The information  required by this item is incorporated by reference and is shown
in Exhibit 13.


ITEM 7.           MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL
                  CONDITION AND RESULTS  OF OPERATIONS

The information  required by this item is incorporated by reference and is shown
in Exhibit 13.


ITEM 8.           FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

The financial statements with  PricewaterhouseCoopers  LLP report dated February
19, 1999, are  incorporated  by reference in the Form 10-K Annual Report and are
shown in Exhibit 13.


ITEM 9.           CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON
                  ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

None.




                                       13

<PAGE>



                                    PART III

ITEM 10.          DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

The  information  required by this item appears  under the caption  "Election of
Directors"  in the  Company's  Proxy  Statement  for its 1999 Annual  Meeting of
Stockholders and is incorporated by reference.

ITEM 11.          EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

The  information  required by this item  appears  under the  caption  "Executive
Compensation"  in the Company's  Proxy  Statement for its 1999 Annual Meeting of
Stockholders and is incorporated by reference.

ITEM 12.          SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
                  MANAGEMENT

The  information  required  by this  item  appears  under  the  caption  "Voting
Securities"  in the Company's  Proxy  Statement  for its 1999 Annual  Meeting of
Stockholders and is incorporated by reference.

ITEM 13.          CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

The  information  required  by this  item  appears  under the  caption  "Certain
Transactions;  Compensation  Committee Interlocks and Insider  Participation" in
the Company's Proxy Statement for its 1999 Annual Meeting of Stockholders and is
incorporated by reference.

                                     PART IV

ITEM 14.          EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON
                  FORM 8-K

Financial Statements

The  financial  statements  shown  in  Exhibit  13 are  hereby  incorporated  by
reference.

Financial Statement Schedules

All  schedules  are omitted  because  they are not  applicable  or the  required
information is presented in the financial statements or notes thereto.

Reports on Form 8-K

The Company did not file a report on Form 8-K during the quarter  ended  January
2, 1999.


                                       14

<PAGE>



Exhibits

 * 3A -  Articles of Incorporation of the registrant

 * 3B -  Bylaws of the registrant

   4A -  See  Exhibits  3A and  3B for  provisions  of  the  Articles  of
         Incorporation  and  Bylaws of the  Registrant  defining  rights of
         holders of Common Stock of the registrant

 * 4B -  Form of stock certificate for Common Stock

~*10E -  Form of Director's and Officer's Indemnification Agreement

  10F -  Loan Agreement  and related promissory notes between the registrant and
         NationsBank, N.A. and SunTrust Bank, North Florida, N.A (previously
         filed as Exhibit 10 to Registrant's 10-Q for the quarter ended  October
         3, 1998 and incorporated herein by reference)

~*10G -  Employee Stock Plan

~*10H -  Form of Non-Qualified Stock Option Agreement

~*10I -  Form of Incentive Stock Option Agreement

 *10J -  Profit Sharing Plan

~*10K -  Executive Health Plan

~*10L -  Director Stock Option Plan

  13  -  Portions of 1998 Annual Report incorporated by reference into 1998
         Annual Report on Form 10K.

  23  -  Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

  27  -  Financial Data Schedule

*   Previously filed as Exhibit to Form S-1 Registration  Statement 33-46322 and
    incorporated herein by reference.
~   Management Contracts or Compensatory Plan or Arrangements filed pursuant to
    S-K 601 (10)(iii)(A).





                                       15

<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the  requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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.

                                                STEIN MART, INC.

       Date:      April 1, 1999             By: /s/ Jay Stein                   
                                                --------------------------------
                                                Jay Stein, Chairman of the Board
                                                and Chief Executive Officer

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report
has been signed by the following  persons on behalf of the registrant and in the
capacities indicated on the 1st day of April, 1999.


/s/ Jay Stein                                             /s/ Alvin R. Carpenter
- ----------------------------                              ----------------------
Jay Stein                                                 Alvin R. Carpenter    
Chairman of the Board and                                 Director
   Chief Executive Officer


/s/ John H. Williams, Jr.                                 /s/ Albert Ernest, Jr.
- ----------------------------                              ----------------------
John H. Williams, Jr.                                     Albert Ernest, Jr.
President, Chief Operating                                Director
   Officer and Director


/s/ James G. Delfs                                        /s/ Mitchell W. Legler
- ----------------------------                              ----------------------
James G. Delfs                                            Mitchell W. Legler
Senior Vice President,                                    Director
   Chief Financial Officer


/s/ Clayton E. Roberson, Jr.                              /s/ Michael D. Rose
- ----------------------------                              ----------------------
Clayton E. Roberson, Jr.                                  Michael D. Rose
Vice President, Controller                                Director



                                                          /s/ James H. Winston
                                                          ----------------------
                                                          James H. Winston
                                                          Director              

                                       16

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                Stein Mart, Inc.
                             Selected Financial Data
       (Dollars in Thousands Except Per Share Amounts and Operating Data)


                                                                1998         1997 (1)         1996           1995           1994    
                                                            ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
<S>                                                         <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>    
Statement of Income Data:
Net Sales                                                      $897,821       $792,655       $616,150       $496,006       $419,220
Cost of Merchandise Sold                                        677,334        579,747        451,232        366,781        305,672
                                                            ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
     Gross Profit                                               220,487        212,908        164,918        129,225        113,548

Selling, General and Administrative Expenses                    195,460        163,953        128,427        105,195         87,397
Other Income, Net                                                10,420          9,243          7,624          6,378          5,062
                                                            ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
     Income From Operations                                      35,447         58,198         44,115         30,408         31,213

Interest Expense                                                  2,368          1,203          1,567          1,289            744
                                                            ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
Income Before Income Taxes                                       33,079         56,995         42,548         29,119         30,469
Income Tax Provision                                             12,570         22,228         16,594         11,361         12,050
                                                            ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------   ------------
     Net Income                                                $ 20,509       $ 34,767       $ 25,954       $ 17,758       $ 18,419
                                                            ============   ============   ============   ============   ============

Earnings Per Share - Basic (2)                                 $   0.45       $   0.75       $   0.58       $   0.40       $   0.41
Earnings Per Share - Diluted (2)                               $   0.44       $   0.73       $   0.56       $   0.38       $   0.39

Selected Operating Data:
Stores Open at End of Period                                        182            151            123            100             80
Average Sales Per Store (000's) (3)                            $  5,958       $  6,261       $  6,176       $  6,129       $  6,335
Average Sales Per Square Foot of Selling Area (4)              $    185       $    194       $    191       $    189       $    196
Comparable Store Net Sales Increase (Decrease) (5)                 1.2%           7.2%           6.1%         (0.7%)           2.4%

Balance Sheet Data:
Working Capital                                                $110,985       $110,296       $ 86,588       $63,685        $ 53,668
Total Assets                                                    318,012        270,604        218,264       173,517         154,039
Long-term Debt, Less Current Portion                               -              -                 1             1               1
Total Stockholders' Equity                                      177,979        165,803        132,143       101,436          85,277

<FN>
(1)    1997 is a 53-week year; all others are 52-week years.
(2)    Basic and Diluted  Earnings  Per Share are  presented  for all periods in
       accordance  with  Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standards No. 128,
       "Earnings Per  Share"  which the  Company  adopted  in 1997 and have been
       restated for the two-for-one stock split declared in 1998.
(3)    Average sales per store  (including  sales from leased shoe and fragrance
       departments) for each period have been  calculated by dividing (a) total
       sales  during  such period by (b) the number of stores open at the end of
       such  period,  in each case  exclusive  of  stores  open for less than 12
       months. All periods are calculated on a 52-week basis.
(4)    Includes  sales  and  selling  space of the  leased  shoe  and  fragrance
       departments. Selling area excludes administrative,  receiving and storage
       areas. All periods are calculated on a 52-week basis.
(5)    Comparable store information for a period reflects stores open throughout
       that period and for the full prior year.  All periods are calculated on a
       52-week basis.
</FN>
</TABLE>

                                       17

<PAGE>


                                STEIN MART, INC.
                      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS



This report includes a number of  forward-looking  statements  which reflect the
Company's current views with respect to future events and financial performance.
Wherever used, the words "plan", "expect",  "anticipate",  "believe", "estimate"
and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements.

Any such  forward-looking  statements  contained herein are subject to risks and
uncertainties  that could cause the  Company's  actual  results of operations to
differ materially from historical results or current  expectations.  These risks
include,  without  limitation,  ongoing competition from other retailers many of
whom  are  larger  and have  greater  financial  and  marketing  resources,  the
availability of suitable new store sites at acceptable  lease terms,  changes in
the level of consumer  spending or preferences in apparel,  adequate  sources of
designer and  brand-name  merchandise  at acceptable  prices,  and the Company's
ability to attract and retain qualified employees to support planned growth.

The Company does not undertake to publicly update or revise its  forward-looking
statements  even if experience  or future  changes make clear that any projected
results expressed or implied therein will not be realized.

The following should be read in conjunction  with the "Selected  Financial Data"
and the notes  thereto and the  Financial  Statements  and notes  thereto of the
Company.

Results of Operations

The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the percentage of the
Company's net sales represented by each line item presented:


                                                          Years Ended
                                                 -------------------------------
                                                 Jan 2,     Jan 3,       Dec 28,
                                                 1999       1998(1)       1996 
                                                 ------     --------     -------

  Net Sales                                      100.0%       100.0%      100.0%
  Cost of Merchandise Sold                        75.4         73.1        73.2
                                                 ------     --------     -------
      Gross Profit                                24.6         26.9        26.8
  Selling, General and Administrative Expenses    21.8         20.7        20.8
  Other Income, Net                                1.2          1.1         1.2
                                                 ------     --------     -------
      Income From Operations                       4.0          7.3         7.2
  Interest Expense                                  .3           .1          .3
                                                 ------     --------     -------
  Income Before Income Taxes                       3.7%         7.2%        6.9%
                                                 ======     ========     =======

  (1) Fifty-three week fiscal year.




                                       18

<PAGE>



1998 Compared to 1997

In 1998 the  Company  opened 32 stores and closed one store  bringing to 182 the
number of stores in operation at year-end.

Net sales of $897.8  million were  achieved for the  fifty-two  week fiscal year
1998,  an increase of $105.1  million,  or 13.3 percent over net sales of $792.7
million for the  fifty-three  week fiscal year 1997. The 32 new stores opened in
1998  contributed  $71.0 million to net sales.  Comparable  store net sales on a
fifty-two week basis increased 1.2 percent over 1997.

Gross profit for 1998 was $220.5  million or 24.6 percent of net sales  compared
to $212.9  million  or 26.9  percent  of net sales  for  1997.  The 2.3  percent
decrease in the gross  profit  percent  resulted  primarily  from  increases  in
markdowns and  occupancy  costs as a percent of net sales due to lower per store
sales productivity.

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $195.5 million or 21.8 percent
of net sales for 1998,  as  compared  to $164.0  million or 20.7  percent of net
sales  for  1997.   The  $31.5   million   increase  in  selling,   general  and
administrative  expenses is primarily due to the additional  stores in operation
during  1998 as  compared  to the  number of stores in  operation  in 1997.  The
increase of 1.1 percent of net sales is primarily  due to increased  selling and
advertising  expenses as a percent of net sales  resulting  from lower per store
sales  productivity.  Included in selling,  general and administrative  expenses
were pre-opening expenses for the 32 stores opened in 1998 in the amount of $4.6
million and for the 28 stores opened in 1997 in the amount of $4.2 million.

Other income, primarily from in-store leased shoe departments, amounted to $10.4
million in 1998, an increase of $1.2 million over the $9.2 million for 1997. The
increase was due to the additional 32 stores opened in 1998.

Interest  expense for 1998 was $2.4  million,  compared to $1.2 million in 1997.
This increase  resulted from higher average  borrowings offset by slightly lower
interest rates during this year compared to last year. The increased  borrowings
were used to fund operating activities and to repurchase common stock.

Net income for 1998 was $20.5 million or $0.44 per diluted share compared to net
income of $34.8 million or $0.73 per diluted share for 1997.

1997 Compared to 1996

In 1997 the  Company  opened 28 stores  bringing  to 151 the number of stores in
operation at year-end.

Net sales of $792.7 million were achieved for the  fifty-three  week fiscal year
1997,  an increase of $176.5  million,  or 28.6 percent over net sales of $616.2
million for the  fifty-two  week fiscal year 1996.  The 28 new stores  opened in
1997 contributed $72.7 million to net sales and the fifty-third week contributed
$11.7 million.  Comparable  store net sales on a fifty-two week basis  increased
7.2 percent over 1996.




                                       19

<PAGE>



Gross profit for 1997 was $212.9 million,  an increase of $48.0 million over the
gross  profit  of  $164.9  million  for the  previous  year.  Gross  profit as a
percentage of net sales  increased 0.1 percent to 26.9 percent from 26.8 percent
in the  previous  year.  This  increase  is the result of  improved  mark-up and
leveraging occupancy costs, partially offset by higher markdowns.

Selling,  general  and  administrative  expenses  were $164.0  million,  or 20.7
percent of net sales for 1997, as compared to $128.4 million, or 20.8 percent of
net sales for 1996.  The  increase in expense  dollars is  primarily  due to the
additional  stores in operation  during 1997 as compared to the number of stores
in  operation  in 1996.  The  decrease  of 0.1  percent  of net sales was due to
leveraging stores' and corporate office expenses.  Included in selling,  general
and administrative  expenses were pre-opening  expenses for the 28 stores opened
in 1997 in the amount of $4.2  million  and for the 24 stores  opened in 1996 in
the amount of $3.2 million.

Other income, primarily from in-store leased shoe departments,  amounted to $9.2
million in 1997, an increase of $1.6 million over the $7.6 million for 1996. The
increase was due to the additional 28 stores opened in 1997.

Interest  expense for 1997 was $1.2  million,  compared to $1.6 million in 1996.
This decrease is primarily due to decreased average levels of borrowings.

Net income for 1997 was $34.8 million or $0.73 per diluted share compared to net
income of $26.0 million or $0.56 per diluted share for 1996.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

The Company's primary capital  requirements are to support inventory and capital
investments  for the opening of new stores,  to  maintain  and improve  existing
stores,  and to meet seasonal  working  capital  needs.  The  Company's  capital
requirements  and working  capital  needs are funded  through a  combination  of
internally generated funds, a bank line of credit and credit terms from vendors.
During the course of the Company's  seasonal business cycle,  working capital is
needed to support inventory for existing stores,  especially during peak selling
seasons.  Historically,  the Company's  working  capital needs are lowest in the
first quarter and peak in either the third or fourth quarter in  anticipation of
the fourth quarter selling season.

Net cash provided by operating  activities  for 1998 amounted to $24.1  million,
compared to $25.2  million for 1997.  Net income for 1998 was $20.5  million,  a
decrease of $14.3  million from net income in 1997.  Cash was also provided by a
$37.5  million  increase  in accounts  payable.  The $35.2  million  increase in
inventories is primarily related to the new stores opened in 1998. Cash was also
used by a $9.4 million decrease in income taxes payable.

Net cash provided by operating  activities  for 1997 amounted to $25.2  million,
compared to $19.8 million for 1996.  Net income for 1997 was $34.8  million,  an
increase of $8.8 million over net income for 1996.  Cash was also  provided by a
$5.8 million  increase in accounts payable and a $7.5 million increase in income
taxes payable. The $36.4 million increase in inventories is primarily related to
the new stores opened in 1997.




                                       20

<PAGE>



For 1998 and 1997,  cash flows used in  investing  activities  amounted to $21.5
million  and $19.7  million,  respectively,  primarily  for the  acquisition  of
fixtures,   equipment  and  leasehold   improvements  for  new  stores  and  for
information system enhancements.

Cash used in financing activities was $8.3 million for 1998 and $1.1 million for
1997. During 1998, cash was used to repurchase 1,193,500 shares of the Company's
common stock for $12.8 million and in 1997,  658,000 shares were repurchased for
$8.9 million.  Included in 1998 is $3.6 million of proceeds from the exercise of
stock options and related  income tax benefits and $0.9 million of proceeds from
the employee  stock  purchase plan compared to $7.8 million of proceeds from the
exercise of stock options and related tax benefits in 1997. In January 1999, the
Company repurchased an additional 131,000 shares of its common stock in the open
market at a total cost of $894,000,  for a total of 3,055,500  shares which have
been  repurchased  pursuant  to  the  Board  of  Director's   authorizations  to
repurchase a total of 4,000,000 shares.

The cost of  opening a typical  new store  generally  ranges  from  $450,000  to
$650,000 for fixtures,  equipment,  leasehold improvements and pre-opening costs
(primarily advertising,  stocking and training).  Pre-opening costs are expensed
at the  time  of  opening.  Initial  inventory  investment  for a new  store  is
approximately $1 million (a portion of which is normally financed through vendor
credit).   The  Company's  total  anticipated  capital   expenditures  for  1999
(including  amounts budgeted for new store  expansion,  improvements to existing
stores and information system enhancements) are approximately $24 million.

The Company may borrow up to $60 million  throughout  the year and an additional
$30 million seasonally under its existing credit agreement.  Due to the seasonal
nature of the Company's business, the Company's bank borrowings fluctuate during
the year,  typically  reaching  their highest  levels during the third or fourth
quarter,  as the Company builds its inventory for the Christmas  selling season.
At January 2, 1999,  there was no loan balance under the agreement.  The Company
had cash and cash equivalents at January 2, 1999 of $22.3 million.

The Company  believes that  expected net cash provided by operating  activities,
bank borrowings and vendor credit will be sufficient to fund anticipated current
and long-term capital expenditures and working capital requirements.

Seasonality and Inflation

The  Company's  business is seasonal  in nature with the fourth  quarter,  which
includes the Christmas selling season,  historically  accounting for the largest
percentage of the Company's  net sales volume and operating  profit.  During the
past three  years,  the fourth  quarter  accounted  for an average of 36% of the
Company's  annual net sales and 64% of the  Company's  income  from  operations.
Accordingly,  selling,  general and administrative expenses are typically higher
as a percent of net sales during the first three quarters of each year.

Inflation  affects  the  costs  incurred  by  the  Company  in the  purchase  of
merchandise,  the leasing of its stores,  and certain components of its selling,
general  and  administrative  expenses.  The  Company  has  been  successful  in
offsetting the effects of inflation  through the control of expenses  during the
past three years.  However,  there can be no assurance  that  inflation will not
have a material effect in the future.



                                       21

<PAGE>


Year 2000 Issue

Beginning  in  1997,  the  Company  conducted  a  comprehensive  review  of  its
information  technology  systems and other  equipment  and services to determine
those which will be impacted by the Year 2000 Issue (i.e., the inability of some
technology and equipment to accurately  read and process certain dates including
all dates in the Year 2000 and  thereafter).  As a result  of this  review,  the
Company  developed and  commenced a five-phase  program to resolve its Year 2000
issues.  The program phases include:  (i) analysis and  inventorying of existing
systems,  applications,   software  and  hardware  to  determine  if  Year  2000
modifications  are  required;   (ii)  development  of  those  systems  requiring
modification;  (iii)  testing  for  and  validation  of  Year  2000  compliance,
including  integration testing;  (iv) installation of modified  applications and
software in a production  environment;  and (v) final confirmation at an offsite
disaster recovery facility where the Year 2000 date can be simulated.

The Company has  categorized as "mission  critical"  those systems whose failure
could cause cessation of store  operations,  or could otherwise have a sustained
and  significant  detrimental  financial  impact on the Company.  These  systems
enable the Company to maintain  sales,  order and  receive  merchandise  and pay
employees and vendors. All mission critical systems are currently in phase (iii)
or have been completed  through phase (iv).  The Company  expects to resolve all
Year 2000 issues by mid-1999.

The Company  performs system  upgrades and purchases new systems,  applications,
software  and  hardware in the  ordinary  course of  business.  Since 1996,  the
Company has only purchased  software and systems that are Year 2000 compliant or
require little modification to remedy Year 2000 issues. As a result, the Company
has been able to minimize the financial  impact of its Year 2000 costs  incurred
to date.  In  addition,  the  Company  does not expect that  remaining  costs of
changes  necessary  to resolve  the Year 2000  issues  will be  material  to its
financial position, results of operations or cash flows in future periods.

Management  believes that it has taken a reasonable approach to resolve the Year
2000 issues.  However,  there can be no assurance that all of the Company's Year
2000 issues or those of key third parties upon whom the Company relies for goods
and services will be resolved or  satisfactorily  addressed before the Year 2000
commences.  If the  Company or its key  vendors  fail to  address  the Year 2000
issues  in a timely  manner,  and  there are no  alternatives  available  to the
company,  then the Company  could  experience a material  adverse  impact on its
results of operations or financial position.

                                       22

<PAGE>


               Report of Independent Certified Public Accountants


To the Board of Directors
and Stockholders of Stein Mart, Inc.


In our opinion,  the  financial  statements  appearing on pages 14 through 22 of
this annual  report  present  fairly,  in all material  aspects,  the  financial
position  of Stein Mart,  Inc.  at January 2, 1999 and January 3, 1998,  and the
results of its  operations and its cash flows for each of the three fiscal years
in the period ended  January 2, 1999,  in  conformity  with  generally  accepted
accounting principles.  These financial statements are the responsibility of the
Company's  management;  our  responsibility  is to  express  an opinion on these
financial  statements  based on our  audits.  We  conducted  our audits of these
statements  in accordance  with  generally  accepted  auditing  standards  which
require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable  assurance about
whether the financial  statements  are free of material  misstatement.  An audit
includes  examining,  on a test  basis,  evidence  supporting  the  amounts  and
disclosures in the financial  statements,  assessing the  accounting  principles
used and  significant  estimates made by management,  and evaluating the overall
financial  statement  presentation.   We  believe  that  our  audits  provide  a
reasonable basis for the opinion expressed above.




/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
- ------------------------------
Jacksonville, Florida
February 19, 1999


                                       23

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                Stein Mart, Inc.
                                  Balance Sheet
                                 (In thousands)



                                                                      January 2,      January 3,
                                                                        1999            1998
                                                                      ----------      ----------
<S>                                                                   <C>             <C>    
ASSETS
Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                                          $   22,257      $   27,979
   Trade and other receivables                                             4,580           2,518
   Inventories                                                           210,781         175,620
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets                               4,392           2,170
                                                                      ----------      ----------
         Total current assets                                            242,010         208,287

Property and equipment, net                                               72,022          61,087
Other assets                                                               3,980           1,230
                                                                      ----------      ----------
         Total assets                                                 $  318,012      $  270,604
                                                                      ==========      ==========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
   Accounts payable                                                     $102,474      $   65,013
   Accrued liabilities                                                    26,453          21,527
   Income taxes payable                                                    2,098          11,451
                                                                      ----------      ----------
         Total current liabilities                                       131,025          97,991

Deferred income taxes                                                      9,008           6,810
                                                                      ----------      ----------
         Total liabilities                                               140,033         104,801

Stockholders' equity:
   Preferred stock - $.01 par value; 1,000,000 shares
     authorized; no shares outstanding
   Common stock - $.01 par  value;  100,000,000  shares
     authorized;  45,371,476 shares issued and  outstanding
     at January 2, 1999 and  46,010,708  shares issued and
     outstanding at January 3, 1998                                          454             460
   Paid-in capital                                                        31,238          39,565
   Retained earnings                                                     146,287         125,778
                                                                      ----------      ----------
         Total stockholders' equity                                      177,979         165,803
                                                                      ----------      ----------
         Total liabilities and stockholders' equity                   $  318,012      $  270,604
                                                                      ==========      ==========


</TABLE>


   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                       24

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                Stein Mart, Inc.
                               Statement of Income
                     (In thousands except per share amounts)




                                                                               For The Years Ended
                                                                --------------------------------------------
                                                                January 2,      January 3,      December 28,
                                                                   1999           1998             1996
                                                                ----------      ----------      ------------
<S>                                                             <C>             <C>             <C>     
Net sales                                                         $897,821        $792,655          $616,150                        
Cost of merchandise sold                                           677,334         579,747           451,232
                                                                ----------      ----------      ------------
   Gross profit                                                    220,487         212,908           164,918

Selling, general and administrative expenses                       195,460         163,953           128,427
Other income, net                                                   10,420           9,243             7,624
                                                                ----------      ----------      ------------
   Income from operations                                           35,447          58,198            44,115

Interest expense                                                     2,368           1,203             1,567
                                                                ----------      ----------      ------------
Income before income taxes                                          33,079          56,995            42,548
Provision for income taxes                                          12,570          22,228            16,594
                                                                ----------      ----------      ------------
   Net income                                                     $ 20,509        $ 34,767          $ 25,954
                                                                ==========      ==========      ============

Earnings per share - Basic                                        $   0.45        $   0.75          $   0.58
                                                                ==========      ==========      ============
Earnings per share - Diluted                                      $   0.44        $   0.73          $   0.56
                                                                ==========      ==========      ============

Weighted-average shares outstanding - Basic                         45,787          46,158            44,873
                                                                ==========      ==========      ============
Weighted-average shares outstanding - Diluted                       46,498          47,310            46,241
                                                                ==========      ==========      ============

</TABLE>








   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                       25

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                Stein Mart, Inc.
                        Statement of Stockholders' Equity
                                 (In thousands)


                                                                                                        Total
                                                          Common         Paid-in       Retained      Stockholders'
                                                           Stock         Capital       Earnings         Equity
                                                         ---------      --------      ---------      ------------- 

<S>                                                      <C>            <C>           <C>            <C>                            
Balance at December 30, 1995                             $    448       $35,931       $ 65,057       $    101,436
   Net income                                                                           25,954             25,954
   Common shares issued under stock
         option plan and related income                                                                                   
         tax benefits                                          16         9,303                             9,319

   Reacquired shares                                         (8)       (4,558)                           (4,566)
                                                         ---------      --------      ---------      -------------
Balance at December 28, 1996                                  456        40,676         91,011            132,143

    Net income                                                                          34,767             34,767

    Common shares issued under stock
         option plan and related income
         tax benefits                                          10         7,824                             7,834

    Reacquired shares                                          (6)       (8,935)                           (8,941)
                                                         ---------      --------      ---------      -------------
Balance at January 3, 1998                                    460        39,565        125,778            165,803

    Net income                                                                          20,509             20,509

    Common shares issued under stock
         option plan and related income                                                                                   
         tax benefits                                           4         3,572                             3,576

    Common shares issued under employee
          stock purchase plan                                   1           928                               929

    Reacquired shares                                         (11)      (12,827)                          (12,838)
                                                         ---------      --------      ---------      -------------
Balance at January 2, 1999                               $    454       $31,238       $146,287       $    177,979
                                                         =========      ========      =========      =============

</TABLE>




   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                       26





                                                        

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                Stein Mart, Inc.
                             Statement of Cash Flows
                                 (In thousands)

                                                                                 For the Years Ended
                                                                      --------------------------------------------          
                                                                      January 2,      January 3,      December 28,
                                                                         1999           1998             1996
                                                                      ----------      ----------      ------------
<S>                                                                   <C>             <C>             <C>    
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net income                                                            $20,509         $34,767           $25,954
  Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
      provided by operating activities:
         Depreciation and amortization                                   10,545           8,766             6,659
         (Increase) decrease in:
              Trade and other receivables                                (2,062)           (227)             (980)
              Inventories                                               (35,161)        (36,440)          (26,219)
              Prepaid expenses and other current assets                  (2,222)           (296)               81
              Other assets                                               (2,750)            (13)              241
         Increase (decrease) in:
              Accounts payable                                           37,461           5,837            11,560
              Accrued liabilities                                         4,926           4,340             2,565
              Income taxes payable                                       (9,353)          7,506            (1,500)
              Deferred income taxes                                       2,198             998             1,415
                                                                      ----------      ----------      ------------
  Net cash provided by operating activities                              24,091          25,238            19,776

Cash flows used in investing activities:
  Net acquisition of property and equipment                             (21,480)        (19,703)          (16,119)

Cash flows from financing activities:
  Proceeds from exercise of stock options and related
    income tax benefits                                                   3,576           7,834             9,319
  Proceeds from employee stock purchase plan                                929             -                 -
  Purchase of common stock                                              (12,838)         (8,941)           (4,566)
                                                                      ----------      ----------      ------------
  Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities                    (8,333)         (1,107)            4,753
                                                                      ----------      ----------      ------------

Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                     (5,722)          4,428             8,410
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                           27,979          23,551            15,141
                                                                      ----------      ----------      ------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year                                $22,257         $27,979           $23,551
                                                                      ==========      ==========      ============

Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
  Interest paid                                                         $ 1,975        $  1,153           $ 1,372
  Income taxes paid                                                      18,167           9,296            12,142

</TABLE>


   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


                                       27

<PAGE>



                                STEIN MART, INC.
                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                 January 2, 1999
            (Dollars in tables in thousands except per share amounts)

1.   Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

At January 2, 1999 the Company  operated a chain of 182 off-price  retail stores
in 29 states.  Each store offers women's,  men's and children's apparel, as well
as accessories, gifts, linens and shoes.

Fiscal Year
The Company's  fiscal year ends on the Saturday  closest to December 31. Results
for 1998 and 1996 are for the 52 weeks ended  January 2, 1999 and  December  28,
1996, respectively. Results for 1997 are for the 53 weeks ended January 3, 1998.

Cash and Cash Equivalents
Cash and cash equivalents  include cash on hand,  demand deposits and short-term
investments with original maturities of three months or less.

Inventories
Merchandise  inventories are valued at the lower of average cost or market, on a
first-in first-out basis, using the retail inventory method.

Property and Equipment
Property and  equipment  are stated at cost less  accumulated  depreciation  and
amortization. Depreciation is provided on a straight-line method using estimated
useful  lives of 5-10  years.  Leasehold  improvements  are  amortized  over the
shorter of the  estimated  useful lives of the  improvements  or the term of the
lease.

Routine  maintenance  and repairs are charged to expense  when  incurred.  Major
replacements  and  improvements  are  capitalized.  The cost of  assets  sold or
retired and the related  accumulated  depreciation or  amortization  are removed
from the accounts  with any resulting  gain or loss included in net income.  The
Company reviews long-lived assets and reserves for impairment whenever events or
changes in  circumstances  indicate the carrying amount of the assets may not be
fully recoverable.

Pre-Opening Expenses
The Company adopted AICPA Statement of Position 98-5,  Reporting on the Costs of
Start-Up  Activities ("SOP 98-5"),  effective  January 4, 1998. SOP 98-5, issued
April 1998,  requires that costs of start-up activities be expensed as incurred.
The Company previously capitalized store pre-opening expenses and amortized such
amounts over the balance of the fiscal year.

Advertising Expense
Advertising costs are expensed as incurred. Advertising expenses of $33,731,000,
$27,632,000  and  $21,089,000 are reflected in the Statement of Income for 1998,
1997 and 1996, respectively.

Income Taxes
Deferred  income  taxes  reflect  the net tax effects of  temporary  differences
between the carrying  amounts of assets and liabilities for financial  reporting
purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes.

Stock Split
On April 24, 1998, the Board of Directors  authorized a two-for-one  stock split
that  was  distributed  in the  form of a  stock  dividend  on May  22,  1998 to
shareholders  of record as of May 8, 1998.  In this report,  all  references  to
number of  shares  and per  share  amounts  have  been  restated.  In  addition,
stockholders'  equity has been restated to give  retroactive  recognition to the
stock split in prior  periods by  reclassifying  from paid-in  capital to common
stock the $.01 par value of the additional shares arising from the split.


                                       28

<PAGE>


                                STEIN MART, INC.
                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                 January 2, 1999
            (Dollars in tables in thousands except per share amounts)

Earnings  Per Share
Basic   earnings   per  share  is  computed  by  dividing   net  income  by  the
weighted-average  number of common shares  outstanding  for the period.  Diluted
earnings  per share is computed by dividing  net income by the  weighted-average
number of common shares  outstanding  plus common stock  equivalents  related to
stock options for each period.

A reconciliation of weighted-average number of common shares to weighted-average
number of common shares plus common stock equivalents is as follows (000's):


                                                     1998       1997       1996
                                                    ------     ------     ------

Weighted-average number                                                         
  of common shares                                  45,787     46,158     44,873
Stock options                                          711      1,152      1,368
                                                    ------     ------     ------
Weighted-average number of common
  shares plus common stock equivalents              46,498     47,310     46,241
                                                    ======     ======     ======


Use of Estimates
The preparation of financial  statements in conformity  with generally  accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that
affect  the  reported  amounts  of assets  and  liabilities  and  disclosure  of
contingent  assets and  liabilities at the date of the financial  statements and
the  reported  amounts of revenues  and expenses  during the  reporting  period.
Actual results could differ from those estimates.

2.   Property and Equipment, Net

Property and equipment and the related accumulated depreciation and amortization
consist of:


                                                        1998               1997
                                                       -------           -------

Furniture, fixtures and
  equipment                                            $89,643           $75,146
Building and leasehold
  improvements                                          30,700            23,717
Land                                                       128               128
                                                       -------           -------
                                                       120,471            98,991
Less: accumulated depreciation                                                  
  and amortization                                      48,449            37,904
                                                       -------           -------
                                                       $72,022           $61,087
                                                       =======           =======
                                                                                



                                       29

<PAGE>


                                STEIN MART, INC.
                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                 January 2, 1999
            (Dollars in tables in thousands except per share amounts)

3.   Accrued Liabilities

The major components of accrued liabilities are as follows:


                                                    1998                  1997
                                                   -------               -------

Taxes, other than income taxes                     $13,755               $11,286
Salary, wages, bonuses and benefits                  4,137                 4,595
Other                                                8,561                 5,646
                                                   -------               -------
                                                   $26,453               $21,527
                                                   =======               =======


4.   Notes Payable to Banks

In August 1998, the Company  entered into a new credit  facility with two banks.
This agreement,  which expires June 30, 2001,  provides a $60 million  revolving
line of credit and a $30 million  seasonal line of credit.  The seasonal line of
credit is available during the periods March 15 through June 30 and September 15
through December 31 of each year. The agreement  includes a $5 million letter of
credit facility which expires on June 30, 1999.

Interest  on the  outstanding  balance is payable  quarterly  at 1.50% below the
prime rate or .35% over the  London  Interbank  Offering  Rate  (LIBOR),  at the
option of the Company.  The Company is  obligated to pay a quarterly  commitment
fee of 1/8 percent per annum based on the daily  average  unused  balance of the
commitment  during the term of the  agreement.  The agreement  also requires the
Company to maintain  certain  financial ratios and meet certain working capital,
net worth and  indebtedness  tests for which the  Company  is in  compliance  at
January 2, 1999.

5.   Stockholders' Equity

In  February  1998,  the Board of  Directors  authorized  the  repurchase  of an
additional  2,000,000  shares of the Company's  common stock in the open market,
bringing the total repurchases  authorized to 4,000,000 shares. During 1998, the
Company repurchased 1,193,500 shares of its common stock in the open market at a
total cost of $12,838,000. During 1997 and 1996, 658,000 and 740,000 shares were
repurchased for $8,941,000 and $4,566,000, respectively.

6.   Stock Option and Purchase Plans

The  Company  has an  Employee  Stock  Plan  which  provides  that a maximum  of
9,000,000 shares of common stock may be granted to certain key employees through
non-qualified stock options,  incentive stock options, stock appreciation rights
and  restricted  stock.  The  Compensation  Committee  of the Board of Directors
determines  the  exercise  price of options  which  cannot be less than the fair
market value on the date of grant for incentive stock options or 50% of the fair
market value for non-qualified options.  One-third of the options granted become
exercisable on each of the third,  fourth and fifth  anniversary  dates of grant
and expire ten years after the date of grant.  No stock  appreciation  rights or
restricted stock awards have been granted under this plan.



                                       30

<PAGE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                STEIN MART, INC.
                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                 January 2, 1999
            (Dollars in tables in thousands except per share amounts)

The Company also has a Director Stock Option Plan which provides that a total of
84,000 shares of common stock may be issued to outside  directors  through stock
options which are  exercisable  at a price equal to the fair market value at the
date of grant and which become  exercisable  on the same basis as options issued
under the Employee Stock Plan.

Information  regarding these fixed-price option plans for 1998, 1997 and 1996 is
as follows:


                                            1998                            1997                           1996
                                 -------------------------       -------------------------       -------------------------

                                   Number        Weighted-        Number         Weighted-         Number        Weighted-
                                    of           Average           of            Average             of           Average
                                   Shares        Exercise         Shares         Exercise          Shares         Exercise
                                   (000)           Price           (000)           Price           (000)            Price
                                 ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------       ---------

<S>                                  <C>          <C>              <C>             <C>             <C>              <C>
                               
Options outstanding at
        beginning of year           5,020        $  10              3,412         $  5              4,860           $ 4
Options granted                       542           14              3,124           14                288             9
Options exercised                    (469)           4             (1,046)           3             (1,632)            3
Options forfeited                    (467)          12               (470)          12               (104)            7
                                 ---------                       ---------                       ---------

Options outstanding
        at end of year              4,626           11              5,020           10              3,412             5
                                 =========                       =========                       =========
                                                                                 
Options exercisable
        at end of year              1,148                           1,372                             974


                                  

The following  table  summarizes  information  about  fixed-price  stock options outstanding at January 2, 1999:
<CAPTION>


                                               Options Outstanding                                    Options Exercisable
                         ----------------------------------------------------------------    -------------------------------------
                                                    Weighted-
                                                     Average                Weighted-                                 Weighted-
     Range of                 Number                Remaining                Average              Number               Average
     Exercise               Outstanding            Contractual              Exercise            Exercisable            Exercise
      Prices                   (000)               Life (Years)               Price                (000)                Price
  --------------          --------------          --------------         --------------       --------------        --------------
   <S>                        <C>                      <C>                   <C>                   <C>                <C>    

  $ 2.50 -  5.75              1,120                    4.0                   $ 4.01                  926                $ 3.67
  $ 6.56 -  9.62                475                    6.9                     8.04                  133                  7.88
  $10.00 - 13.81              2,113                    8.1                    13.35                   89                 10.02
  $14.25 - 16.59                918                    8.9                    15.25                   -                    -
                          --------------                                                      --------------
                              4,626                    7.1                   $10.92                1,148                $ 4.65
                          ==============                                                      ==============

</TABLE>






                                       31

<PAGE>


                                STEIN MART, INC.
                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                 January 2, 1999
            (Dollars in tables in thousands except per share amounts)

The Company has adopted the disclosure only provisions of Statement of Financial
Accounting  Standards No. 123,  Accounting  for  Stock-Based  Compensation,  and
intends to retain the  intrinsic  value  method of  accounting  for stock  based
compensation which it currently uses. Accordingly, no compensation cost has been
recognized for the stock option plans.  Had  compensation  cost of the Company's
two stock option plans been  determined  consistent  with the provisions of SFAS
No. 123, the Company's net income and earnings per share would have been reduced
to the following pro forma amounts:


                                                 1998        1997         1996
                                               -------      -------      -------

Net income - as reported                       $20,509      $34,767      $25,954
Net income - pro forma                          16,979       32,340       25,676

Basic earnings per share - as reported         $  0.45      $  0.75      $  0.58
Diluted earnings per share - as reported          0.44         0.73         0.56

Basic earnings per share - pro forma           $  0.37      $  0.70      $  0.57
Diluted earnings per share - pro forma            0.37         0.68         0.56

The effects of applying this Statement for pro forma  disclosures are not likely
to be representative of the effects on reported net income for future years, for
example,  because options vest over several years and additional awards are made
each year. In determining the pro forma compensation cost, the  weighted-average
fair value of options granted during 1998, 1997 and 1996 was estimated to be $8,
$8 and $5,  respectively,  using the  Black-Scholes  options pricing model.  The
following  weighted-average  assumptions  were used for grants made during 1998,
1997 and 1996:  dividend yield of 0.0%,  expected volatility of 45.8%, 44.7% and
47.2%,   respectively,   risk-free   interest  rate  of  5.0%,  6.2%  and  6.3%,
respectively and expected lives of 7.0 years.

The Company has an Employee  Stock  Purchase  Plan (the "Stock  Purchase  Plan")
whereby all  employees who complete six months  employment  with the Company and
who work on a full-time  basis or are  regularly  scheduled to work more than 20
hours  per  week  are  eligible  to  participate  in the  Stock  Purchase  Plan.
Participants  in the Stock  Purchase  Plan are  permitted  to use their  payroll
deductions  to acquire  shares at 85% of the fair market value of the  Company's
stock  determined at either the beginning or end of each option  period.  Shares
eligible  under the Plan are limited to 800,000  shares in the aggregate and the
Plan  will be  effective  for the years  1997  through  2000,  with no more than
200,000  shares  being  made  available  in each  calendar  year.  In 1998,  the
participants  acquired 81,700 shares of the Company's common stock at $11.37 per
share.

7.   Leased Facilities and Commitments

The  Company  leases  substantially  all of its retail and  support  facilities.
Annual  store rent is  generally  comprised  of a fixed  minimum  amount  plus a
contingent amount based on a percentage of sales exceeding a stipulated  amount.
Most leases also require additional  payments covering real estate taxes, common
area costs and insurance.







                                       32

<PAGE>


                                STEIN MART, INC.
                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                 January 2, 1999
            (Dollars in tables in thousands except per share amounts)

Rent expense for 1998, 1997 and 1996 was as follows:


                                   1998             1997                 1996
                                ----------         ----------         ----------

Minimum rentals                   $36,707            $29,915            $23,315
Contingent rentals                    783                751                527
                                ----------         ----------         ----------
                                  $37,490            $30,666            $23,842
                                ==========         ==========         ==========


At January 2, 1999, for the majority of its retail and corporate facilities, the
Company was committed under noncancellable  leases with remaining terms of up to
20 years. Future minimum payments under noncancellable leases are:


1999                            $  40,462
2000                               38,984
2001                               37,523
2002                               36,335
2003                               34,262
Thereafter                        145,026
                                ----------
                                $ 332,592                                       
                                ==========   
                                

The Company  subleases shoe department and fragrance  department space in all of
its  stores.  Sales  from  leased  departments  are  excluded  from sales of the
Company.  Sublease  rental income of  $9,904,000,  $8,798,000  and $7,248,000 is
included  in other  income,  net for 1998,  1997 and 1996,  respectively.  Total
future minimum rental income under these noncancellable subleases is $15,903,000
at January 2, 1999.

8.   Profit Sharing Plan

The Company has a defined  contribution  retirement plan covering  employees who
are at least 21 years of age and have  completed  at least one year of  service.
Under the profit sharing  portion of the plan,  the Company makes  discretionary
contributions  which vest at a rate of 20 percent  per year after three years of
service.  Under the  401(k)  portion  of the plan the  Company  contributes  one
percent of the employee's  compensation and matches 25 percent of the employee's
voluntary  pre-tax  contributions  up  to a  maximum  of  four  percent  of  the
employee's   compensation.   The  Company's  base  401(k)   contribution   vests
immediately  while the  matching  portion  vests in  accordance  with the plan's
vesting  schedule.  Total Company  contributions  under the retirement plan were
$1,301,000, $1,360,000 and $1,150,000 for 1998, 1997 and 1996, respectively.










                                       33

<PAGE>


                                STEIN MART, INC.
                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                 January 2, 1999
            (Dollars in tables in thousands except per share amounts)

9.   Income Taxes

The provision for income taxes for 1998, 1997 and 1996 consisted of:


                                          1998            1997            1996
                                        --------        --------        --------
Current:
     Federal                            $  9,554        $ 18,622        $ 12,844
     State                                   818           2,608           2,335
                                        --------        --------        --------
     Total current                        10,372          21,230          15,179

Deferred:
     Federal                               2,024             898           1,269
     State                                   174             100             146
                                        --------        --------        --------
     Total deferred                        2,198             998           1,415
                                        --------        --------        --------
     Total income
           tax expense                  $ 12,570        $ 22,228        $ 16,594
                                        ========        ========        ========


Income tax expense  differed  from the amounts  computed by applying the Federal
statutory rate of 35 percent to income before taxes as follows:


                                          1998            1997             1996
                                        --------        --------        --------
Tax expense at the
     statutory rate                     $ 11,578        $ 19,948        $ 14,892
State income taxes,
     net of federal benefit                  992           2,280           1,702
                                        --------        --------        --------
                                        $ 12,570        $ 22,228        $ 16,594
                                        --------        --------        --------
Effective tax rate                         38.0%           39.0%           39.0%
                                        ========        ========        ========


Deferred income tax assets and liabilities resulted from the following temporary
differences:


                                          1998            1997            1996
                                        --------        --------        --------
Excess of tax over
     book depreciation                  $  8,616        $  7,102        $  5,715
Other                                        392            (292)             97
                                        --------        --------        --------
                                        $  9,008        $  6,810        $  5,812
                                        ========        ========        ========





                                       34

<PAGE>


                                STEIN MART, INC.
                          NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                 January 2, 1999
            (Dollars in tables in thousands except per share amounts)

The  exercise  of  certain  stock  options  which  have been  granted  under the
Company's stock option plans gives rise to  compensation  which is includable in
the taxable income of the applicable employees and deductible by the Company for
federal and state income tax purposes.  Such compensation results from increases
in the market  value of the  Company's  common stock  subsequent  to the date of
grant  of  the  applicable  exercised  stock  options,  and in  accordance  with
Accounting  Principles Board Opinion No. 25, such compensation is not recognized
as an expense for financial accounting purposes and the related tax benefits are
recorded directly in Paid-in Capital.

In the years ended January 2, 1999,  January 3, 1998 and December 28, 1996, such
deductions  resulted in  significant  federal and state tax  deductions  for the
Company.

10.      Quarterly Results of Operations (Unaudited)

The following table shows unaudited quarterly results of operations for 1998 and
1997:


                                             Quarter Ended
                            -------------------------------------------------  
                            Apr. 4,       July 4,         Oct. 3,     Jan. 2,
                              1998         1998            1998        1999
                           --------      --------      --------      --------
Net sales                  $169,482      $213,967      $192,138      $322,234
Gross profit                 39,898        59,269        37,606        83,714
Net income (loss)               183         9,066        (4,724)       15,984
EPS - Basic                $   0.01      $   0.20      $  (0.10)     $   0.35
EPS - Diluted              $   0.01      $   0.19      $  (0.10)     $   0.35




                                             Quarter Ended
                           ---------------------------------------------------  
                            Mar. 29,      Jun. 28,     Sep. 27,       Jan. 3,
                             1997          1997          1997          1998
                           --------      --------      --------      ---------
Net sales                  $151,387      $183,604      $166,734      $290,930
Gross profit                 35,554        52,794        40,002        84,558
Net income                    1,395         9,683         3,040        20,649
EPS - Basic                $   0.03      $   0.21      $   0.07      $  0 .45
EPS - Diluted              $   0.03      $   0.20      $   0.06      $  0 .44




                                       35

<PAGE>



Corporate headquarters
Stein Mart, Inc.
1200 Riverplace Boulevard
Jacksonville, FL  32207
(904) 346-1500

Notice of annual meeting of stockholders
The annual meeting of stockholders will be held at two o'clock in the afternoon,
Monday,  May 17, 1999 in the auditorium of The Cummer Museum of Art and Gardens,
829 Riverside Avenue, Jacksonville, Florida.

Transfer Agent and Registrar
ChaseMellon Shareholder Services, L.L.C.
Overpeck Centre
85 Challenger Road
Ridgefield Park, NJ  07660
Shareholder services: 1-800-756-3353
Website: www.chasemellon.com

Legal Counsel
Mitchell W. Legler, P.A.
300A Wharfside Way
Jacksonville, Florida  32207

Independent Auditors
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Jacksonville, Florida

Common stock information
Stein Mart's  common stock trades on The Nasdaq Stock  Market under the trading
symbol SMRT. On March 16, 1999, there were 1,099 stockholders of record.

The following  table  reflects the high and low sales prices of the common stock
for each fiscal  quarter in 1997 and 1998  (adjusted for the 2-for-1 stock split
in May, 1998.)

(Quarter ending dates)                                      High           Low
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
March  29, 1997                                           $15.00          $ 9.38
June  28, 1997                                            $16.00          $12.75
September 27, 1997                                        $16.88          $13.00
January 3, 1998                                           $17.06          $11.78

April 4, 1998                                             $18.25          $11.56
July 4, 1998                                              $19.43          $10.88
October 3, 1998                                           $13.50          $ 6.19
January 2, 1999                                           $ 9.81          $ 6.00


                                       36
               
<PAGE>

The Company  intends to reinvest future earnings in the business and accordingly
does not anticipate paying dividends in the foreseeable future.

Financial Information

Investor inquiries are welcome.  Please contact the Company by letter to request
information,  including a copy of Stein Mart's Annual  Report to the  Securities
and Exchange  Commission  on Form 10-K.  Additional  copies and other  financial
reports are available without charge upon request from our Stockholder Relations
Department at the Company's corporate address, listed above.

To receive Stein Mart information electronically, you may choose to:

o        Access the Stein Mart website at www.steinmart.com
o        E-mail your request to [email protected]
o        Call 1-800-239-0927 for the latest news release/other information to be
         faxed directly to you
o        Call 904: 346-1500, x. 5888, to leave a recorded request for mailed
         information and/or hear highlights of the latest news release.
   
If you are a member of the  financial  community  or the news  media and need to
address specific financial information, please call Susan Datz Edelman, Director
of Stockholder Relations, at (904) 346-1506.

                                       37



               CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


We  hereby  consent  to the  incorporation  by  reference  in  the  Registration
Statements on Forms S-8 (Nos. 333-27991,  33-88176 and 333-39323) of Stein Mart,
Inc. of our report dated February 19, 1999, which appears on page 13 of the 1998
Annual Report to Shareholders, which is incorporated by reference in this Annual
Report on Form 10-K.


/s/PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
- -----------------------------
Jacksonville, Florida
April 1, 1999

                                       38

<TABLE> <S> <C>
                                                                     
<ARTICLE>                                                                      5
<LEGEND>                                                    
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from
the statements of income and balance sheets and is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such financial statements.
</LEGEND>                                                   
<MULTIPLIER>                                                                1000
                                                                           
<S>                                                                          <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                                               YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                                     JAN-2-1999
<PERIOD-START>                                                        JAN-4-1998
<PERIOD-END>                                                          JAN-2-1999
<CASH>                                                                     22257
<SECURITIES>                                                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                               4580
<ALLOWANCES>                                                                   0
<INVENTORY>                                                               210781
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                          242010
<PP&E>                                                                    120471
<DEPRECIATION>                                                             48449
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                            318012
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                                     131025
<BONDS>                                                                        0
                                                          0
                                                                    0
<COMMON>                                                                     454
<OTHER-SE>                                                                177525
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                              318012
<SALES>                                                                   897821
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                          908241
<CGS>                                                                     677334
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                             872794
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                          2368
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                            33079
<INCOME-TAX>                                                               12570
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                        20509
<DISCONTINUED>                                                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                                0   
<CHANGES>                                                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                                               20509
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                               0.45
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                               0.44
        

</TABLE>


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