G-III Apparel Group, Ltd. Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year Fiscal 2008 Results



-- Net Sales for the Year Increased 21.5 % to $518.9 million --
-- Net Income for the Year Increased to $17.5 million, or $1.05 per diluted
share, from $13.2 million, or $0.94 per diluted share --
-- Adjusted Net Income Per Diluted Share for the Year Increased to $1.14 from
$0.87 --
-- Adjusted Net Income Per Diluted Share for the Fourth Quarter Increased to
$0.15 from $0.03 --

NEW YORK--G-III Apparel Group, Ltd. (Nasdaq: GIII) today announced operating results for the fourth quarter and full-year of fiscal 2008.

For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2008, G-III reported net sales increased by 21.5% to $518.9 million from $427.0 million last year and net income per diluted share increased to $1.05 from $0.94 last year. There were 16,670,000 weighted shares outstanding for fiscal 2008 compared to 13,982,000 for fiscal 2007.

For the three-month period ended January 31, 2008, G-III reported that net sales increased by 30.2% to $128.7 million from $98.8 million during the comparable period last year and net income per diluted share increased to $0.06 from $0.03 during the comparable period last year. There were 16,873,000 weighted average shares outstanding for the three months ended January 31, 2008 compared to 14,954,000 for the comparable period last year.

The Company noted that fourth quarter and fiscal 2008 results were affected by three different non-recurring items:


* The Company incurred a $3.0 million pre-tax charge in cost of sales,
equal to $0.11 per diluted share, to reflect losses with respect to
financing that the Company guaranteed related to purchase commitments by
one of its vendors. The vendor is no longer in business.
* The Company incurred a $720,000 pre-tax charge in cost of sales, equal
to $0.03 per diluted share, related to the termination of the Sean John
junior sportswear license.
* The Company realized a pre-tax gain of $860,000 included in selling
general and administrative costs , equal to $0.05 per diluted share,
related to the reversal of expense reserves no longer deemed necessary
that were recorded in connection with the December 2002 close-down of its
Indonesian production facility.

The prior year's results included the reversal of tax reserves of approximately $950,000, equal to $0.07 per diluted share. Excluding all of these non-recurring items, the Company had adjusted net income per diluted share of $0.15 for the three-months ended January 31, 2008 compared to adjusted net income per diluted share of $0.03 during the comparable period in fiscal 2007. For the fiscal year ended January 31, 2008, G-III's adjusted net income per diluted share was $1.14, compared to adjusted net income per diluted share of $0.87 for fiscal 2007. A reconciliation of adjusted net income per diluted share to net income per diluted share in accordance with GAAP is included in a table accompanying the condensed financial statements in this release.

For the twelve-month period ended January 31, 2008, EBITDA increased 17.0% to $37.8 million from $32.3 million. EBITDA should be evaluated in light of the Company's financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of EBITDA to net income in accordance with GAAP is included in a table accompanying the condensed financial statements in this release.

Morris Goldfarb, G-III's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, said, "We had a solid fourth quarter and finished fiscal 2008 on a strong note. We saw good momentum in a number of our businesses, including some of our outerwear fashion brands and also in non-outerwear categories, particularly in our dress businesses. While there is no question that the retail environment has been somewhat challenging and is expected to remain that way, we are pleased with what we have accomplished and with our outlook going forward."

Mr. Goldfarb continued, "In addition to our financial results, we have made great progress in strategically positioning our business for the future. Our acquisition last month of Andrew Marc provides us with a sought-after luxury brand, an expanded mid-tier presence through the Levi's and Dockers licenses, and opportunities for incremental leverage and economies of scale. Perhaps more importantly, we believe that the Andrew Marc brand is an exceptional one that will prove capable of expansion into a number of additional product categories."

Mr. Goldfarb concluded, "As we look forward to fiscal 2009, we are excited to continue our transformation to a business that can ultimately be profitable all year-round. Never in our history have we had such financial strength, so many growth opportunities, or the depth of talent and experience that we enjoy at all levels of the organization."

Outlook

The Company is forecasting net sales of approximately $60 million for its first fiscal quarter ending April 30, 2008, compared to $35.1 million in last year's first fiscal quarter. The Company is also forecasting a net loss of $7.7 million to $ 8.5 million, or between $0.47 and $0.51 per share, compared to a net loss of $6.4 million, or $0.42 per share, in last year's first fiscal quarter. The first quarter historically results in seasonal losses and the increase in the forecasted first quarter loss is attributable to our acquisition of Andrew Marc, which experiences seasonality similar to the rest of our business. We expect that the Andrew Marc acquisition will be accretive for the full fiscal year ending January 31, 2009.

About G-III Apparel Group, Ltd.

G-III Apparel Group, Ltd. is a leading manufacturer and distributor of outerwear and sportswear under licensed brands, private labels and our own brands. The Company has fashion licenses, among others, under the Calvin Klein, Sean John, Kenneth Cole, Cole Haan, Guess?, Jones New York, Nine West, Ellen Tracy, House of Dereon, IZOD, Tommy Hilfiger, Levi's and Dockers brands and sports licenses with the National Football League, National Basketball Association, Major League Baseball, National Hockey League, Touch by Alyssa Milano and more than 100 U.S. colleges and universities. G-III works with leading retailers in developing product lines to be sold under its own proprietary private labels. Company-owned brands include, among others, Andrew Marc, Marc New York, Marvin Richards, G-III, Jessica Howard, Eliza J., Industrial Cotton, Black Rivet, Siena Studio, Colebrook, G-III by Carl Banks, Winlit, NY 10018 and La Nouvelle Renaissance.

Safe Harbor Language

Statements concerning G-III's business outlook or future economic performance, anticipated revenues, expenses or other financial items; product introductions and plans and objectives related thereto; and statements concerning assumptions made or expectations as to any future events, conditions, performance or other matters are "forward-looking statements" as that term is defined under the Federal Securities laws. Forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and factors which include, but are not limited to, reliance on licensed product, reliance on foreign manufacturers, the nature of the apparel industry, including changing customer demand and tastes, seasonality, customer acceptance of new products, the impact of competitive products and pricing, dependence on existing management, possible disruption from acquisitions and general economic conditions, as well as other risks detailed in G-III's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. G-III assumes no obligation to update the information in this release.


              G-III APPAREL GROUP, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                             (NASDAQ: GIII)

                CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
          (in thousands, except share and per share amounts)
                             (Unaudited)

                         Three Months Ended      Twelve Months Ended
                       ----------------------- -----------------------
                         1/31/08     1/31/07     1/31/08     1/31/07
                       ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net sales              $   128,676 $    98,842 $   518,868 $   427,017
Cost of sales               98,757      73,151     379,417     311,470
                       ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Gross profit                29,919      25,691     139,451     115,547
Selling, general and
 administrative
 expenses                   26,650      21,791     101,669      83,258
Depreciation and
 amortization                1,292       1,131       5,427       4,431
                       ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Operating profit             1,977       2,769      32,355      27,858
Interest and financing
 charges, net                  854       1,789       3,158       6,362
                       ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Income before income
 taxes                       1,123         980      29,197      21,496
Income tax expense              56         462      11,707       8,307
                       ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------
Net income             $     1,067 $       518 $    17,490 $    13,189
                       =========== =========== =========== ===========
Income per common
 share:
   Basic               $      0.06 $      0.04 $      1.09 $      1.00
                       =========== =========== =========== ===========
   Diluted             $      0.06 $      0.03 $      1.05 $      0.94
                       =========== =========== =========== ===========

Weighted average
 shares outstanding:
    Basic               16,424,000  14,093,000  16,119,000  13,199,000
    Diluted             16,873,000  14,954,000  16,670,000  13,982,000



Balance Sheet Data (in thousands):             At Jan. 31, At Jan. 31,
                                                  2008        2007
                                               ----------- -----------
  Cash                                         $    38,341 $    12,026
  Working Capital                                  120,996      81,858
  Inventory                                         59,934      38,111
  Total Assets                                     236,400     173,530

  Total Shareholders' Equity                   $   173,874 $   115,642



              G-III APPAREL GROUP, LTD. AND SUBSIDIARIES
            RECONCILIATION OF EBITDA TO ACTUAL NET INCOME
                            (in thousands)
                             (Unaudited)

                                     Twelve Months     Twelve Months
                                         Ended             Ended
                                    January 31, 2008 January 31, 2007
                                    ---------------- -----------------
EBITDA, as defined                  $         37,782 $          32,289
Depreciation and amortization                  5,427             4,431
Interest and financing charges, net            3,158             6,362
Income tax expense                            11,707             8,307
                                    ---------------- -----------------
Net income                          $         17,490 $          13,189
                                    ================ =================

EBITDA is a "non-GAAP financial measure" which represents earnings before depreciation and amortization, interest and financing charges, net, and income tax expense. EBITDA is being presented as a supplemental disclosure because management believes that it is a common measure of operating performance in the apparel industry. EBITDA should not be construed as an alternative to net income as an indicator of the Company's operating performance, or as an alternative to cash flows from operating activities as a measure of the Company's liquidity, as determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles.


   RECONCILIATION OF ADJUSTED NET INCOME PER SHARE TO ACTUAL NET
                       INCOME PER INCOME SHARE
                             (Unaudited)

                 Three Months Three Months Twelve Months Twelve Months
                    Ended        Ended         Ended         Ended
                 January 31,  January 31,   January 31,   January 31,
                     2008         2007         2008          2007
                 ------------ ------------ ------------- -------------
Adjusted net
 income per
 share, as
 defined         $      0.15  $       0.03 $       1.14  $        0.87

Vendor guaranty
 charge                (0.11)                     (0.11)

Contract
 termination
 charge                (0.03)                     (0.03)

Expense reserve
 reversal               0.05                       0.05

Reversal of tax
 reserves                                                         0.07

                 -----------------------------------------------------
Net income per
 share           $      0.06  $       0.03 $       1.05  $        0.94
                 =====================================================

In addition to providing financial results in accordance with GAAP, this press release provides non-GAAP adjusted net income per diluted share that excludes certain non-recurring items and is therefore not calculated in accordance with GAAP. Management believes that this non-GAAP financial measure provides useful supplemental information to both management and investors by excluding items that the Company believes are not indicative of the Company's core operating results. The Company believes that this non-GAAP information enhances management's and investors' ability to evaluate the Company's net income per diluted share as well as to compare it with historical net income per diluted share. This non-GAAP financial information should be considered in addition to, and not as a substitute for or as being superior to, net income or other measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with GAAP. A reconciliation of this non-GAAP information to the Company's results in accordance with GAAP is included in the above table.

SOURCE: G-III Apparel Group, Ltd.



            

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