SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. __________________ FORM 10-K Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 For the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999 Commission File Number 1-9659 _______________ THE NEIMAN MARCUS GROUP, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) 27 Boylston Street, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts 02467 (Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code) Delaware 95-4119509 (State or other jurisdiction of (IRS Employer incorporation or organization) IdentificationNo.) Registrant's telephone number and area code: 617-232-0760 _______________ Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: Title of each Class Name of each Exchange on which Registered Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value New York Stock Exchange Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value New York Stock Exchange Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: None _______________ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes X No _____ Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. [ X ] The aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non- affiliates of the registrant as of October 25, 1999 was $856,866,600. There were 27,602,841 shares of Class A Common Stock and 21,440,960 shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding as of October 25, 1999. _________________________________________________ Documents Incorporated by Reference Portions of the Company's 1999 Annual Report to Shareholders are incorporated by reference in Parts I, II and IV of this Report. Portions of the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on January 21, 2000 are incorporated by reference in Part III of this Report. THE NEIMAN MARCUS GROUP, INC. ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JULY 31, 1999 TABLE OF CONTENTS Page No. PART I Item 1. Business 1 Item 2. Properties 4 Item 3. Legal Proceedings 5 Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders 5 PART II Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters 5 Item 6. Selected Financial Data 5 Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations 5 Item 7a. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk 5 Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data 5 Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure 6 PART III Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant 6 Item 11. Executive Compensation 8 Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial 8 Owners and Management Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions 8 PART IV Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports 8 on Form 8-K Signatures S-1 PART I Item 1. Business General The Neiman Marcus Group, Inc. (together with its operating divisions and subsidiaries, the "Company") is a Delaware corporation which commenced operations in August 1987. Prior to October 22, 1999, Harcourt General, Inc. ("Harcourt General"), a Delaware corporation based in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, owned approximately 54% of the outstanding common stock of the Company. On October 22, 1999 Harcourt General distributed to its stockholders approximately 21.4 million of the 26.4 million shares of the Company's common stock held by Harcourt General (the "Distribution"). For more information about the relationship between the Company and Harcourt General and the Distribution, see Notes 8 and 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 14 below. Business Overview The Company is a high-end specialty retailer operating through specialty retail stores, consisting of Neiman Marcus Stores and Bergdorf Goodman, and a direct marketing operation, NM Direct. The 31 Neiman Marcus stores are in premier retail locations in major markets nationwide, and the two Bergdorf Goodman stores, the main store and the Bergdorf Goodman Men store, are located in Manhattan at 58th Street and Fifth Avenue. Neiman Marcus Stores and Bergdorf Goodman offer high-end fashion apparel and accessories primarily from leading designers. NM Direct, the Company's direct marketing operation, offers a mix of apparel and home furnishings which is complementary to the Neiman Marcus Stores merchandise. NM Direct also publishes the Horchow catalogues, the world famous Neiman Marcus Christmas Book, and Chef's Catalog, a leading direct marketer of gourmet cookware and high-end kitchenware. For more information about the Company's business segments, see Note 15 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 14 below. Description of Operations Specialty Retail Stores Neiman Marcus Stores Neiman Marcus Stores offer women's and men's apparel, fashion accessories, shoes, cosmetics, furs, precious and designer jewelry, decorative home accessories, fine china, crystal and silver, gourmet food products, children's apparel and gift items. A relatively small portion of Neiman Marcus Stores' customers accounts for a significant percentage of its retail sales. The Company currently operates 31 Neiman Marcus stores, located in Arizona (Scottsdale); California (five stores: Beverly Hills, Newport Beach, Palo Alto, San Diego and San Francisco); 1 Colorado (Denver); the District of Columbia; Florida (two stores: Fort Lauderdale and Bal Harbour); Georgia (Atlanta); Hawaii (Honolulu); Illinois (three stores: Chicago, Northbrook and Oak Brook); Missouri (St. Louis); Massachusetts (Boston); Minnesota (Minneapolis); Michigan (Troy); Nevada (Las Vegas); New Jersey (two stores: Short Hills and Paramus); New York (Westchester); Pennsylvania (King of Prussia); Texas (six stores: three in Dallas, one in Fort Worth and two in Houston); and Virginia (McLean). The average size of these 31 stores is approximately 143,000 gross square feet, and they range in size from 90,000 gross square feet to 269,000 gross square feet. The Company opened its Neiman Marcus store in Hawaii in September 1998. The Company plans to open new Neiman Marcus stores in Palm Beach, Florida in 2000, Plano, Texas in 2001, Tampa, Florida in 2001, Coral Gables, Florida in 2002, and in Houston, Texas and Long Island, New York in years subsequent to 2002 on a schedule not yet determined. The Plano store will replace the existing store located in the Prestonwood Mall in Dallas, and the Houston store will replace the existing Houston Town & Country store. The Company has opened three stores in order to test a new concept, known as The Galleries of Neiman Marcus, which focuses on 10,000-15,000 square foot stores featuring precious and fine jewelry, gifts and decorative home accessories. These stores allow the Company to further leverage its expertise in these categories and to extend the Neiman Marcus brand into certain markets that may not be large enough to support full-line stores. The Galleries of Neiman Marcus stores opened in Cleveland, Ohio in November 1998, in Phoenix, Arizona in December 1998 and in Seattle, Washington in October 1999. The Company plans to evaluate the concept based on the performance of these first three stores. Bergdorf Goodman The Company operates two Bergdorf Goodman stores in Manhattan at 58th Street and Fifth Avenue. The main Bergdorf Goodman store consists of 250,000 gross square feet. The core of Bergdorf Goodman's offerings includes high-end women's apparel and unique fashion accessories from leading designers. Bergdorf Goodman also features traditional and contemporary decorative home accessories, precious and fashion jewelry, gifts, and gourmet foods. Bergdorf Goodman Men consists of 66,000 gross square feet and is dedicated to fine men's apparel and accessories. During fiscal 1999, the Company began construction on a remodeling project at the Bergdorf Goodman main store that will add 25,000 square feet of selling space, including a new 12,000 square foot plaza level below the first floor scheduled to open in November 1999. Clearance Centers The Company operates ten clearance centers which average 25,000 gross square feet each. These stores provide an efficient and controlled outlet for the sale of marked down merchandise from Neiman Marcus Stores, Bergdorf Goodman and NM Direct. The Company expects to open one additional clearance center during fiscal 2000. 2 Direct Marketing The Company's direct marketing operation, NM Direct, operates an upscale direct marketing business, which primarily offers women's apparel under the Neiman Marcus name and, through its Horchow catalogue, offers quality home furnishings, tabletop, linens and decorative accessories. NM Direct also offers a broad range of more modestly priced items through its Trifles and Grand Finale catalogues and annually publishes the world famous Neiman Marcus Christmas Book. The Company acquired Chef's Catalog, a leading direct marketer of gourmet cookware and high-end kitchenware, in January 1998, and has consolidated those operations into NM Direct. Other Brand Development Initiative In fiscal 1999 the Company launched its Brand Development Initiative to invest in high-potential designer resources that serve affluent customers. In November 1998, the Company acquired a 51% interest in Gurwitch Bristow Products, which manufactures and markets Laura Mercier cosmetic lines, for $6.7 million. In February 1999, the Company acquired a 56% interest in Kate Spade LLC, a manufacturer of high-end fabric and leather handbags and accessories, for $33.6 million. Competition The specialty retail industry is highly competitive and fragmented. The Company competes with large specialty retailers, traditional and better department stores, national apparel chains, designer boutiques, individual specialty apparel stores and direct marketing firms. The Company competes for customers principally on the basis of quality, assortment and presentation of merchandise, customer service, sales and marketing programs and value and, in the case of Neiman Marcus Stores and Bergdorf Goodman, on the basis of store ambience. In addition, the Company competes for quality merchandise and assortment principally based on relationships with designer resources and purchasing power. The Company's apparel business is especially dependent upon its relationship with these designer resources. Neiman Marcus Stores competes with other retailers for real estate opportunities, principally on the basis of its ability to attract customers. NM Direct competes principally on the basis of quality, assortment and presentation of merchandise, customer service, price and speed of delivery. Employees At July 31, 1999, Neiman Marcus Stores had approximately 12,000 employees, Bergdorf Goodman had approximately 1,100 employees, and NM Direct had approximately 1,700 employees. The Company's staffing requirements fluctuate during the year as a result of the seasonality of the retail apparel industry and, accordingly, 3 the Company expects to add approximately 1,900 more seasonal employees in the second quarter of fiscal 2000. None of the employees of Neiman Marcus Stores or NM Direct are subject to collective bargaining agreements. Approximately 18% of the Bergdorf Goodman employees are subject to collective bargaining agreements. The Company believes that its relations with its employees are generally good. Capital Expenditures; Seasonality; Liquidity For information on capital expenditures, seasonality and liquidity, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in Item 7 below. Executive Officers of the Registrant The information set forth under the heading "Executive Officers" in Item 10 below is incorporated herein by reference. Item 2. Properties The Company's corporate headquarters are located at Harcourt General's leased facility in Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts. The operating headquarters for Neiman Marcus Stores, Bergdorf Goodman and NM Direct are located in Dallas, New York City and Las Colinas, Texas, respectively. The aggregate gross square footage used in the Company's operations is approximately as follows: Owned Subject to Owned Ground Lease Leased Total Specialty Retail Stores..........348,000 2,112,000 2,555,000 5,015,000 Distribution, Support and Office Facilities........... 1,169,000 0 554,000 1,723,000 Leases for the Company's stores, including renewal options, range from 30 to 99 years. The lease on the Bergdorf Goodman main store expires in 2050, and the lease on the Bergdorf Goodman Men store expires in 2010, with two 10-year renewal options. Leases are generally at fixed rentals, and a majority of leases provide for additional rentals based on sales in excess of predetermined levels. The Company owns approximately 34 acres of land in Longview, Texas, where its National Service Center, the principal distribution facility for Neiman Marcus Stores, is located in a 464,000 square foot facility, and also owns approximately 50 acres of land in Las Colinas, Texas, where its 705,000 square foot NM Direct warehouse and distribution facility is located. For further information on the Company's properties, see "Operating Leases" in Note 12 of the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 14 below. For more information about the Company's plans to open additional stores, see "Description of Operations" in Item 1 above. 4 Item 3. Legal Proceedings The Company presently is engaged in various legal actions which are incidental to the ordinary conduct of its business. The Company believes that any liability arising as a result of these actions and proceedings will not have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial position or results of operations. Item 4. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders On September 15, 1999 the Company's stockholders approved a recapitalization of the Company and certain related actions for the purpose of facilitating the Distribution described in Item 1 above. For more information, see Note 16 to the Consolidated Financial Statements in Item 14 below. PART II Item 5. Market for the Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters The information contained under the captions "Stock Information" and "Shares Outstanding" on page 41 of the Company's Annual Report to Shareholders for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1999 (the "1999 Annual Report") is incorporated herein by reference. Beginning with the third quarter of fiscal 1995, the Company eliminated the quarterly cash dividend on its Common Stock. The Company currently does not intend to resume paying cash dividends on its Common Stock. Item 6. Selected Financial Data The response to this Item is contained in the 1999 Annual Report under the caption "Selected Financial Data" on page 40 and is incorporated herein by reference. Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations The response to this Item is contained in the 1999 Annual Report under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis" on pages 16 through 21 and is incorporated herein by reference. Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk. The response to this Item is contained in the 1999 Annual Report under the caption "Management's Discussion and Analysis - Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure About Market Risk" on page 19 and is incorporated herein by reference. Item 8. Financial Statements and Supplementary Data The Consolidated Financial Statements and supplementary data referred to in Item 14 are incorporated herein by reference. 5 Item 9. Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure Not Applicable. PART III Item 10. Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant Directors The response to this Item regarding the directors of the Company and compliance with Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 by the Company's officers and directors is contained in the Proxy Statement for the 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders under the captions "Election of Directors" and "Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance" and is incorporated herein by reference. Executive Officers Set forth below are the names, ages at October 22, 1999, and principal occupations for the last five years of each executive officer of the Company. All such persons have been elected to serve until the next annual election of officers and their successors are elected or until their earlier resignation or removal. Richard A. Smith - 74 Chairman of the Company and of Harcourt General; Chief Executive Officer of the Company from January 1997 until December 1998 and prior to December 1991; Chief Executive Officer of Harcourt General from January 1997 until November 1, 1999 and prior to December 1991; Chairman, President (until November 1995) and Chief Executive Officer of GC Companies, Inc.; Director of the Company, Harcourt General and GC Companies, Inc. Mr. Smith is the father of Robert A. Smith and the father-in-law of Brian J. Knez. Robert A. Smith - 40 Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Company since May 1999; Chief Executive Officer of the Company from December 1998 until May 1999; President and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Harcourt General effective November 1, 1999; President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company from January 1997 until December 1998; President and Co-Chief Operating Officer of Harcourt General from January 1997 until November 1, 1999; Group Vice President of the Company and of Harcourt General prior to January 1997; President and Chief Operating Officer of GC Companies, Inc. since November 1995; Director of the Company and of Harcourt General. Mr. Smith is the son of Richard A. Smith and the brother-in-law of Brian J. Knez. 6 Brian J. Knez - 42 Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Company since May 1999; President and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Harcourt General effective November 1, 1999; President and Co-Chief Operating Officer of Harcourt General from January 1997 until November 1, 1999; President (until November 1998) and Chief Executive Officer of Harcourt, Inc. since May 1995; President of the Scientific, Technical, Medical and Professional Group of Harcourt, Inc. prior to May 1995; Director of the Company and Harcourt General. Mr. Knez is the son-in-law of Richard A. Smith and the brother-in-law of Robert A. Smith. John R. Cook - 58 Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and a director of the Company; Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Harcourt General. Eric P. Geller - 52 Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary of the Company and of Harcourt General. Burton M. Tansky - 61 President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company since December 1998; Executive Vice President of the Company from February 1998 until December 1998; Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Neiman Marcus Stores. Gerald A. Sampson - 58 President and Chief Operating Officer of Neiman Marcus Stores. Hubert W. Mullins - 48 Vice Chairman of Neiman Marcus Stores since December 1998; Executive Vice President of Neiman Marcus Stores from February 1998 until December 1998; Executive Vice President - Merchandise from February 1996 until February 1998; Senior Vice President and General Merchandise Manager prior thereto. Stephen C. Elkin - 56 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bergdorf Goodman. Sharon Jester Turney - 43 President and Chief Executive Officer of NM Direct since March 1999; Executive Vice President of NM Direct prior thereto. Peter Farwell - 56 Vice President - Corporate Relations of the Company and of Harcourt General. Paul F. Gibbons - 48 Vice President and Treasurer of the Company and of Harcourt General. Gerald T. Hughes - 42 Vice President - Human Resources of the Company and of Harcourt General. 7 Catherine N. Janowski - 38 Vice President and Controller of the Company and of Harcourt General since November 1997; Director, Corporate Accounting of the Company and of Harcourt General prior thereto. Gail S. Mann - 48 Vice President- Corporate Law of the Company and of Harcourt General since August 1999; Vice President, Assistant General Counsel, Secretary and Clerk, Digital Equipment Corporation from 1994 until September 1998. Michael F. Panutich - 51 Vice President - General Auditor of the Company and of Harcourt General. Paul J. Robershotte - 45 Vice President - Strategy and Business Development of the Company and of Harcourt General since February 1999; President and Chief Executive Officer of Age Wave Communications from February 1996 until June 1998; Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of Age Wave, Inc. from May 1995 until February 1996; Vice President and Director of Bain & Co. prior thereto. Item 11. Executive Compensation The response to this Item is contained in the Proxy Statement for the 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders under the captions "Directors' Compensation", "Executive Compensation" and "Transactions Involving Management" and is incorporated herein by reference. Item 12. Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management The response to this Item is contained in the Proxy Statement for the 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders under the caption "Stock Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management" and is incorporated herein by reference. Item 13. Certain Relationships and Related Transactions The response to this Item is contained in the Proxy Statement for the 2000 Annual Meeting of Stockholders under the captions "Executive Compensation" and "Transactions Involving Management" and is incorporated herein by reference. PART IV Item 14. Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K 14(a)(1) Consolidated Financial Statements The documents listed below are incorporated herein by reference 8 to the 1999 Annual Report, and are incorporated herein by reference into Item 8 hereof: Consolidated Balance Sheets - July 31, 1999 and August 1, 1998 Consolidated Statements of Earnings for the fiscal years ended July 31, 1999, August 1, 1998 and August 2, 1997. Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the fiscal years ended July 31, 1999, August 1, 1998 and August 2, 1997. Consolidated Statements of Common Shareholders' Equity for the fiscal years ended July 31, 1999, August 1, 1998 and August 2, 1997. Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. Independent Auditors' Report. 14(a)(2) Consolidated Financial Statement Schedules The document and schedule listed below are filed as part of this Form 10-K: Page in Document/Schedule Form 10-K Independent Auditors' Report on F-1 Consolidated Financial Statement Schedule Schedule II - Valuation and F-2 Qualifying Accounts and Reserves All other schedules for which provision is made in the applicable regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission have been omitted because the information is disclosed in the Consolidated Financial Statements or because such schedules are not required or are not applicable. 14(a)(3) Exhibits The exhibits filed as part of this Annual Report are listed in the Exhibit Index immediately preceding the exhibits. The Company has identified with an asterisk in the Exhibit Index each management contract and compensation plan filed as an exhibit to this Form 10-K in response to Item 14(c) of Form 10-K. 14(b) Reports on Form 8-K On May 27, 1999, the Company filed a report on Form 8-K describing a proposed recapitalization of the Company (the "Recapitalization") intended to facilitate the plan of Harcourt General, Inc. to spin off to its stockholders most of its controlling equity position in the Company. 9 On October 1, 1999, the Company filed a report on Form 8-K reporting the completion of the Recapitalization. On October 15, 1999 the Company filed a report on Form 8-K reporting the adoption by the Board of Directors of the Company of a stockholder rights plan. 10 INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of The Neiman Marcus Group, Inc. Chestnut Hill, MA We have audited the consolidated financial statements of The Neiman Marcus Group, Inc. and subsidiaries as of July 31, 1999 and August 1, 1998, and for each of the three fiscal years in the period ended July 31, 1999, and have issued our report thereon dated August 31, 1999 (September 22, 1999 as to Note 16); such financial statements and report are included in your 1999 Annual Report to Shareholders and are incorporated herein by reference. Our audits also included the financial statement schedule of The Neiman Marcus Group, Inc. and subsidiaries, listed in Item 14. This financial statement schedule is the responsibility of the Company's management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion based on our audits. In our opinion, such financial statement schedule, when considered in relation to the basic consolidated financial statements taken as a whole, presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein. /s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP Boston, Massachusetts August 31, 1999 (September 22, 1999 as to Note 16) F-1 THE NEIMAN MARCUS GROUP, INC. SCHEDULE II VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES THREE YEARS ENDED JULY 31, 1999 (In thousands) COLUMN A COLUMN B COLUMN C COLUMN D COLUMN E Additions _____________________ Balance at Charged to Charged to Balance at Beginning Costs and Other Deductions - End Description of Period Expenses Accounts - (A) of Period _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ YEAR ENDED JULY 31, 1999 Allowance for doubtful accounts $1,800 2,366 - 1,866 $2,300 (deducted from accounts receivable) YEAR ENDED AUGUST 1, 1998 Allowance for doubtful accounts $1,700 2,771 - 2,671 $1,800 (deducted from accounts receivable) YEAR ENDED AUGUST 2, 1997 Allowance for doubtful accounts (deducted from accounts receivable) $1,300 2,815 - 2,415 $1,700 (A) Write-off of uncollectible accounts net of recoveries. F-2 SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) 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. THE NEIMAN MARCUS GROUP, INC. By: /s/ Robert A. Smith Robert A. Smith Co-Chief Executive Officer By: /s/ Brian J. Knez Brian J. Knez Co-Chief Executive Officer Dated: October 27, 1999 Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the following capacities and on the dates indicated. Signature Title Date Principal Executive Officers: /s/ Robert A. Smith Co-Chief Executive Officer October 27, 1999 Robert A. Smith /s/ Brian J. Knez Co-Chief Executive Officer October 27, 1999 Brian J. Knez Principal Financial Officer: /s/ John R. Cook Senior Vice President and October 27, 1999 John R. Cook Chief Financial Officer Principal Accounting Officer: /s/ Catherine N. Janowski Vice President and October 27, 1999 Catherine N. Janowski Controller S-1 Directors: /s/ Richard A. Smith October 27, 1999 Richard A. Smith /s/ John R. Cook October 27, 1999 John R. Cook October ---,1999 Matina S. Horner /s/ Brian J. Knez October 27, 1999 Brian J. Knez /s/ Vincent M. O'Reilly October 27, 1999 Vincent M. O'Reilly /s/ Walter J. Salmon October 27, 1999 Walter J. Salmon /s/ Jean Head Sisco October 27, 1999 Jean Head Sisco /s/ Robert A. Smith October 27, 1999 Robert A. Smith S-2 EXHIBIT INDEX 3.1(a) Restated Certificate of Incorporation of the Company. 3.1(b) Certificates of Designation with respect to Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, Series B Junior Participating Preferred Stock and Series C Junior Participating Preferred Stock. 3.2 By-Laws of the Company. 4.1 Indenture, dated as of May 27, 1998, between the Company and The Bank of New York, as trustee (the "Indenture")incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 1, 1998. 4.2 Form of 6.65% Senior Note Due 2008, dated May 27, 1998, issued by the Company pursuant to the Indenture, incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 1, 1998. 4.3 Form of 7.125% Senior Note Due, 2008, dated May 27, 1998, issued by the Company pursuant to the Indenture, incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 1, 1998. 4.4 Rights Agreement, dated as of October 6, 1999, between the Company and BankBoston, N.A., as Rights Agent, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 to the Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated October 15, 1999. *10.1 Intercompany Services Agreement, dated as of July 24, 1987 between Harcourt General and the Company, incorporated by reference herein to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the twenty-six week period ended August 1, 1987. *10.2 1987 Stock Incentive Plan, incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Annual Reporton Form 10-K for the twenty-six week period ended August 1, 1987. *10.3 The Neiman Marcus Group, Inc. 1997 Incentive Plan, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit A to the Company's Definitive Schedule 14A dated December 10, 1996 and filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. E-1 *10.4 Employment Agreement between the Company and Burton M. Tansky effective February 1, 1997, incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Annual Report on 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 3, 1996. *10.5 Termination and Change of Control Agreement between the Company and Gerald A. Sampson dated September 17, 1998, incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Annual Report or Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 1, 1998. *10.6 Termination Agreement between Bergdorf Goodman, Inc. and Stephen C. Elkin, effective September 1993, incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1993. *10.7 Key Executive Stock Purchase Loan Plan, as amended, incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 2, 1997. *10.8 Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 30, 1988. *10.9 Description of the Company's Executive Life Insurance Plan, incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 1, 1992. *10.10 Supplementary Executive Medical Plan, incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 1993. *10.11 Key Employee Deferred Compensation Plan, as amended, incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 30, 1994. *10.12 Deferred Compensation Plan For Non-Employee Directors, as amended, incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 1, 1998. E-2 10.13(a) Credit Agreement dated as of October 29, 1997 among the Company, the Banks parties thereto, Bank of America National Trust and Savings Association, as Syndication Agent, The Chase Manhattan Bank, as Documentation Agent, and Morgan Guaranty Trust Company of New York, as Administrative Agent, (the "Credit Agreement") incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended November 1, 1997. 10.13(b) Amendment to the Credit Agreement dated August 27, 1999. 10.14 Receivables Purchase Agreement, dated as of March 1, 1995, between the Company and Neiman Marcus Funding Corporation, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Neiman Marcus Group Credit Card Master Trust dated March 3, 1995 (Registration No. 33-88098). 10.15 Pooling and Servicing Agreement, dated as of March 1, 1995, between Neiman Marcus Funding Corporation, the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Neiman Marcus Group Credit Card Master Trust dated March 3, 1995(Registration No. 33-88098). 10.16 Series 1995-1 Supplement to the Pooling and Servicing Agreement, dated as of March 1, 1995, among Neiman Marcus Funding Corporation, the Company and The Chase Manhattan Bank, N.A., incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 of Neiman Marcus Group Credit Card Master Trust dated March 3, 1995 (Registration No. 33-88098). 10.17 Exchange and Repurchase Agreement between The Neiman Marcus Group, Inc. and Harcourt General, Inc., incorporated herein by Reference to Exhibit 10.1 to Registration Statement on Form S-3 of The Neiman Marcus Group, Inc. dated October 10, 1996 (Registration No. 333-11721). 10.18 Amended and Restated Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of July 1, 1999, among The Neiman Marcus Group, Inc., Harcourt General, Inc. and Spring Merger Corporation, incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Definitive Schedule 14A dated August 10, 1999. 10.19 Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement, dated as of July 1, 1999, between Harcourt General, Inc. and The Neiman Marcus Group, Inc., incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Definitive Schedule 14A dated August 10, 1999. E-3 10.20 Agreement, dated as of September 1, 1999, among the Company and certain holders of the Company's Class B Common Stock. 13.1 The following sections of the 1999 Annual Report to Shareholders ("1999 Annual Report") which are expressly incorporated by reference into this Annual Report on Form 10-K: Management's Discussion and Analysis at pages 16 through 21 of the 1999 Annual Report. Consolidated Financial Statements and the Notes thereto at pages 22 through 38 of the 1999 Annual Report. Independent Auditors' Report at page 39 of the 1999 Annual Report. The information appearing under the caption "Selected Financial Data" on page 40 of the 1999 Annual Report. The information appearing under the captions "Stock Information" and "Shares Outstanding" on page 41 of the 1999 Annual Report. 21.1 Subsidiaries of the Company. 23.1 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP. 27.1 Financial Data Schedule. 99.1 Dividend Reinvestment and Common Stock Purchase Plan, incorporated herein by reference to the Company's Registration Statement on Form S-3 dated September 17, 1990 (Registration No. 33-36419). ___________________________________________ * Exhibits filed pursuant to Item 14(c) of Form 10-K. E-4