Exhibit 99.1


FINANCIAL CONTACT: JAMES S. GULMI (615) 367-8325
MEDIA CONTACT: CLAIRE S. MCCALL (615) 367-8283


               GENESCO COMPLETES HAT WORLD CORPORATION ACQUISITION


NASHVILLE, Tenn., April 2, 2004 --- Genesco Inc. (NYSE: GCO) announced today
that it has completed the acquisition of Hat World Corporation, a leading
specialty retailer of licensed and branded headwear. The total purchase price
for Hat World was $177.4 million in cash, including adjustments for $11.1
million of net cash acquired and for working capital and certain tax benefits,
subject to further post-closing adjustments. Genesco funded the acquisition and
associated expenses with debt of $100 million and the balance from cash on hand.
In connection with the transaction, Genesco entered into new credit facilities
totaling $175 million with 10 banks, led by Bank of America, N.A., as
Administrative Agent, to fund a portion of the purchase price and to replace its
existing revolving credit facility. The new credit facilities were arranged by
Banc of America Securities, L.L.C.

         Hal N. Pennington, Genesco's president and chief executive officer,
said, "We are excited about this acquisition and the opportunities it presents.
Hat World brings an impressive track record of growth, a strong management team
and a culture that is very similar to ours. We believe there is a tremendous
strategic fit between Hat World and our other concepts and that, using the
skills we have developed in growing our Journeys and Underground Station
concepts, we can grow Hat World by 400 to 500 stores over time."

         Robert J. Dennis, Hat World's chief executive officer, stated, "Joining
Genesco is a tremendous opportunity for Hat World. Together, we will focus our
energy and resources as we seek to expand our business, increase our market
share and enhance shareholder value."


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GENESCO INC. - ADD ONE

         This release contains forward-looking statements, including those
regarding the Company's sales and earnings outlook, the future growth prospects
of the Hat World business, and all other statements not addressing solely
historical facts or present conditions. Actual results could turn out materially
different from the expectations reflected in these statements. A number of
factors could cause differences. These include weakness in consumer demand for
products sold by the Company, fashion trends or other factors that affect the
sales or product margins of the Company's retail product offerings, changes in
buying patterns by significant wholesale customers, disruptions in product
supply or distribution, further unfavorable trends in foreign exchange rates and
other factors affecting the cost of products, changes in business strategies by
the Company's competitors, and the Company's ability to open, staff and support
additional retail stores on schedule and at acceptable expense levels and to
renew leases in existing stores on schedule and at acceptable expense levels.
Forward-looking statements reflect the expectations of the Company at the time
they are made. The Company disclaims any obligation to update such statements.

         Headquartered in Indianapolis, Hat World operates 481 stores across the
U.S. under the Hat World, Lids, Hat Zone and Cap Factory names. The company also
operates e-commerce websites accessible through www.hatworld.com, www.lids.com,
www.lidscyo.com and www.capfactory.com. Hat World's core products consist of a
broad range of licensed college, professional teams and branded headwear in
various styles including baseball hats, visors, knitwear and buckets.

         Genesco, based in Nashville, sells footwear and accessories in more
than 1,040 retail stores in the U.S., principally under the names Journeys,
Journeys Kidz, Johnston & Murphy and Underground Station, and on internet
websites www.journeys.com and www.johnstonmurphy.com. The Company also sells
footwear at wholesale under its Johnston & Murphy brand and under the licensed
Dockers brand. Additional information on Genesco and its operating divisions may
be accessed at its website www.genesco.com.



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