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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, DC 20549
FORM 12b-25
Commission File Number 000-23515
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NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING
(Check One): [X] Form 10-K [ ] Form 11-K [ ] Form 20-F [ ] Form 10-Q
[ ] Form N-SAR
For Period Ended: January 3, 1998
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[ ] Transition Report on Form 10-K [ ] Transition Report on Form 10-Q
[ ] Transition Report on Form 20-F [ ] Transition Report on Form N-SAR
[ ] Transition Report on Form 11-K
For the Transition Period Ended:
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Read attached instruction sheet before preparing form. Please print
or type.
Nothing in the form shall be construed to imply that the Commission has
verified any information contained herein.
If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above,
identify the item(s) to which the notification relates:
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PART I
REGISTRANT INFORMATION
Full name of registrant GART SPORTS COMPANY
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Former name if applicable
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Address of principal executive office (Street and number)
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1000 Broadway
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City, State and Zip Code Denver, Colorado 80203
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PART II
RULES 12b-25(b) and (c)
If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or
expense and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the
following should be completed. (Check box if appropriate.)
(a) The reasons described in reasonable detail in Part III of this
form could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or
expense;
(b) The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition
report on Form 10-K, Form 20-F, 11-K, Form N-SAR, or portion
thereof, will be filed on or before the 15th calendar day
[X] following the prescribed due date; or the subject quarterly
report or transition report on Form 10-Q, or portion thereof
will be filed on or before the fifth calendar day following
the prescribed due date; and
(c) The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by Rule
12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable.
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PART III
NARRATIVE
State below in reasonable detail the reasons why the Form 10-K, 11-K,
20-F, 10-Q, N-SAR, or the transition report or portion thereof, could not be
filed within the prescribed time period. (Attach extra sheets if needed.)
The Form 10-K cannot be filed within the prescribed time period without
unreasonable effort and expense due to the following circumstances:
o The Registrant acquired Sportmart, Inc. ("Sportmart") on January
9, 1998, immediately following its fiscal year end of January 3,
1998. The acquired enterprise had substantially greater total
assets than the Registrant. Prior to the acquisition, the
Registrant did not file periodic reports under Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
o The accounting functions of Sportmart are in the process of
relocating from Wheeling, Illinois to the Registrants' corporate
headquarters in Denver, Colorado. This relocation has caused
certain logistical delays.
o The Registrant changed its fiscal year end in connection with the
Sportmart acquisition to the Saturday closest to the end of
January. The Registrant believes the sizable acquisition is of
material importance to investors and thus has elected to include
the transition period ended January 31, 1998, pursuant to Item
240.13a-10 of Regulation 13A, in its Form 10-K filing for this
fiscal year end.
PART IV
OTHER INFORMATION
(1) Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this
notification
Thomas B. Nelson (303)863-2602
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(Name) (Area Code) (Telephone Number)
(2) Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13 or
15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment
Company Act of 1940 during the preceding 12 months or for such shorter period
that the registrant was required to file such report(s) been filed? If the
answer is no, identify report(s).
[X] Yes [ ] No
(3) Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of
operations from the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be
reflected by the earnings statements to be included in the subject report or
portion thereof?
[ ] Yes [X] No
The Registrant does not anticipate any significant change in results of
operations from the 1996 fiscal year to the 1997 fiscal year; however, as
described in Part III above, the Form 10-K will also include the Registrant's
results of operations for the four weeks ended January 31, 1998, which will
include the results of operations of Sportmart from January 9, 1998 (the date
of acquisition) and the related merger and integration costs, which is not
comparable to the four week period ended January 31, 1997.
If so, attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both narratively
and quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a reasonable
estimate of the results cannot be made.
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GART SPORTS COMPANY
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(Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Has caused this notification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned
thereunto duly authorized.
Date April 3, 1998 By /s/ THOMAS HENDRICKSON
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Thomas Hendrickson
Executive Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer
