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): February 27, 1997
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(February 27, 1997)
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Ames Department Stores, Inc.
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(Exact Name of Registrant As Specified In 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)
(860) 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 3
ITEM 5: OTHER EVENTS
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Beginning on February 27, 1997, Ames Department Stores, Inc.
(the "Company") will distribute to its banks and other lenders,
principal trade vendors and factors, summaries of its financial
plan (referred to herein as the "Plan") for the fiscal year ending
January 31, 1998 ("Fiscal 1997"). The Plan is attached hereto as
Exhibit 20 and is incorporated by reference herein.
The Company is distributing the Plan to its banks and other
lenders, principal trade vendors and factors to facilitate their
credit analyses. The Plan SHOULD NOT BE RELIED UPON FOR ANY
OTHER PURPOSE and should be read in conjunction with the
Company's Form 10-K to be filed in April, 1997 for the fiscal year
ended January 25, 1997 ("Fiscal 1996"). The Plan is being
reported publicly solely because it is being distributed to a
large number of the Company's vendors for purposes of their credit
analyses. Although the Company is publicly reporting the Plan
and currently expects to continue reporting its monthly results
during Fiscal 1997, the Company does not believe it is obligated
to provide such information indefinitely, other than as required
by applicable regulations, and may cease making such disclosures
and updates at any time. Moreover, the Company does not believe
that it is obligated to update the Plan to reflect subsequent events
or developments.
The Plan was not prepared with a view toward compliance with
the guidelines established by the American Institute of Certified
Public Accountants or the rules and regulations of the Securities
and Exchange Commission regarding financial projections. While
presented with numerical specificity, the Plan is based upon a
variety of assumptions that may not be realized and is subject to
significant business, economic and competitive uncertainties and
contingencies, many of which are beyond the Company's control.
Consequently, the Plan should not be regarded as a
representation or warranty by the Company, or any other person,
that the forecasts contained therein will be realized. Actual
results may vary materially from those presented in the Plan.
CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS RELEVANT TO FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
FOR PURPOSES OF "SAFE HARBOR" PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES
LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF 1995
When used in this Form 8-K, in any future filings by the Company with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, in the Company's press
releases and in oral statements made with the approval of an authorized
executive officer, the words or phrases "will likely result," "are
expected to," "will continue," "is anticipated," "estimate,"
"projected," "projections," "plans," or similar expressions are
intended to identify "forward-looking statements" within the meaning
of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such
statements are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that
could cause actual results to differ materially from historical
earnings and those presently anticipated or projected. The Company
wishes to caution readers not to place undue reliance on any
such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date
made.
ITEM 7: FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, PRO FORMA FINANCIAL
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INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS
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Exhibit: 20 Fiscal 1997 Summary Financial Plan
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit No. Exhibit Page No.
20 Fiscal 1997 Summary Financial Plan 5
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: February 25, 1997 By: /s/ Joseph R. Ettore
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Joseph R. Ettore
President, Director, and
Chief Executive Officer
Dated: February 25, 1997 By: /s/ John F. Burtelow
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John F. Burtelow
Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer
Dated: February 25, 1997 By: /s/ Gregory D. Lambert
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Gregory D. Lambert
Senior Vice President,
Finance