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): January 12, 1996
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(January 12, 1996)
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 January 12, 1996, 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
five and forty-eight weeks ended December 30, 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 five weeks ended December 30, 1995 were
$21.2 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, jewelry, domestics and hardware.
Overall sales were negatively impacted by several snow storms
during the month. EBITDA (as defined in Exhibit 20) for the five
weeks was $1.9 million better than Plan and $4.6 million below
last year. The EBITDA results for the five weeks reflected the
favorable impact of lower-than-planned expenses and higher-than-
planned other income and property gains (which was due to the
timing of the sale of a property), partially offset by an unfavorable
variance in gross margin dollars. The gross margin rate for the
five weeks was higher than planned; however, gross margin was
negatively impacted by the below Plan sales.
Sales for the forty-eight weeks ended December 30, 1995
were $59.3 million below Plan primarily due to lower-than-planned
sales in apparel and domestics. The year-to-date EBITDA was
$4.3 million below Plan and $1.9 million better than last year. The
EBITDA results for the forty-eight weeks reflected the favorable
impact of lower-than-planned expenses and higher-than-planned
other income and property gains (which was due to the timing of a
sale of a property), 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 December 30, 1995, merchandise inventories were
$4.9 million below Plan. Trade payables were $7.5 million below
Plan. There were no outstanding borrowings under the
Company's revolving line of credit.
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 Five
and Forty-eight Weeks Ended December 30, 1995
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit No. Exhibit Page No.
20 Unaudited Financial Summary Results 6
for the Five and Forty-eight Weeks
Ended December 30, 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: January 10, 1996 By: /s/ Joseph R. Ettore
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Joseph R. Ettore
President, Director, and
Chief Executive Officer
Dated: January 10, 1996 By: /s/ John F. Burtelow
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John F. Burtelow
Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer
Dated: January 10, 1996 By: /s/ William C. Najdecki
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William C. Najdecki
Senior Vice President,
Finance