SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT.
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): December 7, 1995
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(December 7, 1995)
Ames Department Stores, Inc.
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(Exact Name of Registrant As Specified In Its Charter)
Delaware
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(State Or Other Jurisdiction Of Incorporation)
1-5380 04-2269444
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(Commission File Number) (IRS Employer Identification No.)
2418 Main Street; Rocky Hill, Connecticut 06067-0801
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(Address Of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code)
(203) 257-2000
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(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code)
Not Applicable
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(Former Name Or Former Address, If Changed Since Last Report)
Exhibit Index on Page 4
Page 1 of 7 (Including Exhibits)
Item 5: OTHER EVENTS
Beginning on December 7, 1995, the Company will distribute,
to certain of its banks and other lenders, principal trade vendors
and factors, summaries of its unaudited financial results for the
four and forty-three weeks ended November 25, 1995. These
monthly and year-to-date results (collectively, the "monthly
results") are attached hereto as Exhibit 20 and are incorporated by
reference herein.
Sales for the four weeks ended November 25, 1995 were
$12.9 million below the projections contained in the Form 8-K
dated August 18, 1995 (the "Plan") primarily due to lower-than-
planned sales in apparel, domestics and housewares. EBITDA
(as defined in Exhibit 20) for the four weeks was $0.7 million
below Plan and $0.5 million better than last year. Lower-than-
planned gross margin and lower-than-planned other income were
partially offset by lower-than-planned expenses. The gross margin
rate for the four weeks was higher than planned; however, gross
margin was negatively impacted by the below Plan sales and was
below Plan for the period.
Sales for the forty-three weeks ended November 25, 1995
were $38.0 million below Plan primarily due to lower-than-planned
sales in apparel and domestics. The year-to-date EBITDA was
$6.2 million below Plan and $6.5 million better than last year. The
EBITDA results for the forty-three weeks reflected the favorable
impact of lower-than-planned expenses, partially offsetting an
unfavorable variance in gross margin. Gross margin was
impacted by the below Plan sales and a lower-than-planned gross
margin rate.
Year-to-date total expenses have been increased and
EBITDA reduced by $1.2 million in cash disbursements related to
the closing and sale of the Clinton, MA distribution center for
which a closing reserve had been established during fiscal 1994.
The year-to-date net income has not been affected by these
disbursements as other income/expense includes an offset of $1.2
million.
As of November 25, 1995, merchandise inventories were
$6.6 million below Plan. Trade payables were $17.8 million below
Plan primarily due to lower-than-planned merchandise purchases
during November. Outstanding borrowings under the Company's
revolving line of credit were $15.7 million below Plan.
The Company is distributing the monthly results to its banks
and other lenders, principal trade vendors and factors to facilitate
their credit analyses. The summary results should not be relied
upon for any other purpose and should be read in conjunction with
the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28,
1995, the Company's Form 10-Q for the first fiscal quarter ended
April 29, 1995, the Company's Form 10-Q for the second fiscal
quarter ended July 29, 1995, the Company's Form 10-Q for the
third fiscal quarter ended October 28, 1995 and the Company's
Form 8-K dated August 18, 1995. The monthly results are being
reported publicly solely because they are being distributed to a
large number of the Company's vendors for purposes of their
credit analyses.
Although the Company has continued to make its monthly
results public, the Company does not believe it is obligated to
provide such information indefinitely, other than as required by
applicable regulations, and the Company may cease making such
disclosures and updates at any time. The monthly results were
not examined, reviewed or compiled by the Company's
independent public accountants. Moreover, the Company does
not believe that it is obligated to update the monthly results to
reflect subsequent events or developments. The reported monthly
results are subject to future adjustments, if any, that could
materially affect such results. However, in the opinion of the
Company, the monthly results contain all adjustments (consisting
of normal recurring adjustments) necessary for a fair statement of
the results for the periods presented.
Item 7: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL
INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS
Exhibit: 20 Unaudited Financial Summary Results for the Four
and Forty-three Weeks Ended November 25, 1995.
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit No. Exhibit Page No.
20 Unaudited Financial Summary Results 6
for the Four and Forty-three Weeks
Ended November 25, 1995.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
AMES DEPARTMENT STORES, INC.
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Registrant
Dated: December 7, 1995 By: /s/ Joseph R. Ettore
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Joseph R. Ettore
President, Director, and
Chief Executive Officer
Dated: December 7, 1995 By: /s/ John F. Burtelow
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John F. Burtelow
Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer
Dated: December 7, 1995 By: /s/ William C. Najdecki
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William C. Najdecki
Senior Vice President,
Finance