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): September 4, 1997
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(September 4, 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 06067-2598
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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 4
Page 1 of 7 (including Exhibits)
ITEM 5: OTHER EVENTS
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Beginning on September 4, 1997, the Company will
distribute, to certain of its banks and other lenders, principal
trade vendors and factors, summaries of its financial results for
the four and thirty weeks ended August 23, 1997. 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 August 23, 1997 were $0.4
million above the projections contained in the Form 8-K dated
August 7, 1997 (the "Plan"). EBITDA (as defined in Exhibit 20)
was $1.3 million better than Plan and $1.0 million better than last
year.
Sales for the thirty weeks ended August 23, 1997 were $19.9
million below Plan. EBITDA was $7.6 million better than Plan and
$4.4 million better than last year.
As of August 23, 1997, merchandise inventories were $27.6
million below Plan. Trade payables were $28.6 million below Plan
and borrowings under the Company's revolving line of credit were
$15.1 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 25,
1997, the Company's Form 8-K dated August 7, 1997 and the
Company's Form 10-Qs for the fiscal quarters ended April 26,
1997 and July 26, 1997. The monthly results are being reported
publicly 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
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INFORMATION AND EXHIBITS
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Exhibit: 20 Financial Summary Results for the Four
and Thirty Weeks Ended August 23, 1997
INDEX TO EXHIBITS
Exhibit No. Exhibit Page No.
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20 Financial Summary Results for the Four 6
and Thirty Weeks Ended August 23, 1997.
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: September 3, 1997 By: /s/ Joseph R. Ettore
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Joseph R. Ettore
President, Director, and
Chief Executive Officer
Dated: September 3, 1997 By: /s/ John F. Burtelow
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John F. Burtelow
Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer
Dated: September 3, 1997 By: /s/ Gregory D. Lambert
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Gregory D. Lambert
Senior Vice President,
Finance