EXHIBIT 99.1 FINANCIAL CONTACT: JAMES S. GULMI (615) 367-8325 MEDIA CONTACT: CLAIRE S. MCCALL (615) 367-8283 GENESCO REPORTS FIRST QUARTER FISCAL 2007 RESULTS - --Company Reports First Quarter Diluted EPS Before Discontinued Operations of $0.41-- NASHVILLE, Tenn., May 25, 2006 -- Genesco Inc. (NYSE: GCO) today reported earnings before discontinued operations of $10.7 million, or $0.41 per diluted share, for the first quarter ended April 29, 2006. Earnings before discontinued operations were $8.4 million, or $0.33 per diluted share, for the first quarter ended April 30, 2005. Earnings before discontinued operations for the first quarter of this year included SFAS 123(R) share-based compensation and restricted stock expense of $1.6 million before taxes, or $0.04 per diluted share, while earnings before discontinued operations in the first quarter of last year included a charge of $2.6 million before taxes, or $0.06 per diluted share, related to the settlement of class action litigation. Net sales for the first quarter of fiscal 2007 increased 10% to $315 million compared to $286 million for the first quarter of fiscal 2006. Genesco Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Hal N. Pennington, said, "Driven by strong performances in our branded businesses and effective expense management across the board, we slightly exceeded our earnings per share expectations for the quarter despite lower than expected sales in our retail divisions. We are confident about our merchandising position as we head into summer and we are encouraged about our prospects for the back-to-school season. Additionally, we believe that most of the issues that affected sales in the first quarter will be less significant in the current quarter. We are consequently comfortable with our outlook for the second quarter. "We also continued to successfully execute our store growth plans during the first quarter, opening a total of 62 stores, compared with 28 during the first quarter last year, and increasing square footage by 16% versus 5% over the same period last year. We remain focused on expanding our retail presence across the country and building on our leadership position in the marketplace. "Net sales in the Journeys Group increased 10% to more than $141 million, same store sales increased 1% and footwear unit comps rose 4% in the first quarter. Board sport and women's casual shoes continued to perform well; however, overall sales were affected by a shift in demand from men's boots and utility footwear to lower-priced canvas shoes, sandals and clogs. We believe that the impact of this category shift will moderate in the second quarter, as boots and utility styles are historically less relevant in the summer months. We expect to open a total of 60 Journeys stores in fiscal 2007. "Journeys Kidz registered another excellent quarter with total sales up 30% to more than $8 million and same store sales up 10%, against a 22% comparison last year. We remain on track to open a total of 25 Kidz stores in fiscal 2007. Our newest concept, Shi by Journeys, performed well during the quarter. We had three Shi by Journeys stores in operation at the end of the quarter and expect to have a total of 12 stores by the end of the year. "Net sales at Hat World increased 14% to approximately $71 million and same store sales declined less than 1%. Hat World had a 7% comparable store sales increase in the same period a year ago. The Major League Baseball and branded core headwear categories continued strong, but this was somewhat offset by softness in demand for NCAA product. Hat World continued to expand its private label initiatives and roll out its embroidery machines, both of which represent attractive opportunities for incremental sales. We remain excited about the growth potential of Hat World and expect to open a total of 85 to 90 new stores in fiscal 2007. "Net sales for the Underground Station Group, which includes Jarman, were flat at $40 million and same store sales fell 3% in the first quarter. Comparable store sales at Underground Station declined 2%, primarily due to weak demand in men's boots and utility footwear. Underground Station continued to generate gains in women's footwear as well as apparel, accessories and children's shoes, and we see opportunities to expand these categories further. "Johnston & Murphy posted another strong quarter, reflecting the continued success of the 2 brand's strategic repositioning. Johnston & Murphy net sales increased 6% to more than $44 million, same store sales for the shops rose 3% and wholesale sales increased 14% in the first quarter. The positive results were driven by ongoing strength in casual and dress casual footwear, which made up 68% of first quarter unit sales in the Johnston & Murphy retail shops, and substantial increases in apparel and accessories. We also opened five shops and factory stores in the first quarter and plan to open a total of 12 in fiscal 2007. These more aggressive retail growth plans highlight Johnston & Murphy's positive momentum. "First quarter sales of Licensed Brands increased 37% to $19 million and operating profit more than doubled. Dockers is benefiting from its positioning in both the traditional and contemporary categories within the growing casual footwear industry, and the innovative and proprietary features of its proStyle(R) and Stain Defender(R) product lines." Genesco also stated that it is slightly increasing its fiscal 2007 guidance. The Company now expects sales to increase 14% to approximately $1.46 billion for the year and diluted earnings per share to approximate $2.63. The earnings per share estimate includes the expected expense of SFAS 123(R) share-based compensation expense and the amortization of recently granted restricted stock totaling approximately $0.17 per share. In the previous year, this amount was $0.01 per share. This release contains forward-looking statements, including those regarding the Company's sales and earnings outlook and all other statements not addressing solely historical facts or present conditions. Actual results could vary materially 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 that affect the sales or product margins of the Company's retail product offerings, changes in the timing of holidays or in the onset of seasonal weather affecting period to period sales comparisons, 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 (including pricing and promotional discounts), the 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 3 expense levels, variations from expected pension-related charges caused by conditions in the financial markets, and the outcome of litigation and environmental matters involving the Company. Forward-looking statements reflect the expectations of the Company at the time they are made. The Company disclaims any obligation to update such statements. The Company's live conference call on May 25, 2006, at 7:30 a.m. (Central time) may be accessed through the Company's internet website, www.genesco.com. To listen live, please go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary software. Genesco Inc., a Nashville-based specialty retailer, sells footwear, headwear and accessories in more than 1,800 retail stores in the United States and Canada, principally under the names Journeys, Journeys Kidz, Johnston & Murphy, Underground Station, Hatworld, Lids, Hat Zone, Cap Factory, Head Quarters and Cap Connection, and on internet websites www.journeys.com, www.journeyskidz.com, www.undergroundstation.com, www.johnstonmurphy.com, www.lids.com, www.hatworld.com, and www.lidscyo.com. The Company also sells footwear at wholesale under its Johnston & Murphy brand and under the licensed Dockers and Perry Ellis brands. Additional information on Genesco and its operating divisions may be accessed at its website www.genesco.com. 4 GENESCO INC. CONSOLIDATED EARNINGS SUMMARY ================================================================================================================================= Three Months Ended ------------------------------------------- APRIL 29, April 30, In Thousands 2006 2005 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Net sales $ 315,018 $ 286,085 Cost of sales 153,649 139,532 Selling and administrative expenses 141,866 127,256 Restructuring and other, net 109 2,867 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Earnings from operations 19,394 16,430 Interest expense, net 1,914 2,704 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- EARNINGS BEFORE INCOME TAXES FROM CONTINUING OPERATIONS 17,480 13,726 Income tax expense 6,814 5,300 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Earnings from continuing operations 10,666 8,426 Discontinued operations, net (189) 65 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NET EARNINGS $ 10,477 $ 8,491 ================================================================================================================================= EARNINGS PER SHARE INFORMATION ================================================================================================================================= Three Months Ended ------------------------------------------ APRIL 29, April 30, In Thousands (except per share amounts) 2006 2005 - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Preferred dividend requirements $ 64 $ 73 Average common shares - Basic EPS 23,042 22,525 Basic earnings per share: Before discontinued operations $ 0.46 $ 0.37 Net earnings $ 0.45 $ 0.37 Average common and common equivalent shares - Diluted EPS 27,436 26,898 Diluted earnings per share: Before discontinued operations $ 0.41 $ 0.33 Net earnings $ 0.40 $ 0.34 ================================================================================================================================= 5 GENESCO INC. CONSOLIDATED EARNINGS SUMMARY ========================================================================================================================= Three Months Ended ----------------------------------------------- APRIL 29, April 30, In Thousands 2006 2005 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Sales: Journeys $ 141,500 $ 128,844 Underground Station Group 39,956 39,836 Hat World 70,688 62,147 Johnston & Murphy 44,031 41,508 Licensed Brands 18,799 13,692 Corporate and Other 44 58 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NET SALES $ 315,018 $ 286,085 ========================================================================================================================= Pretax Earnings (Loss): Journeys $ 13,151 $ 13,768 Underground Station Group 2,405 2,616 Hat World 6,007 5,482 Johnston & Murphy 2,823 2,530 Licensed Brands 1,729 746 Corporate and Other* (6,721) (8,712) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Operating income 19,394 16,430 Interest, net 1,914 2,704 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL PRETAX EARNINGS 17,480 13,726 Income tax expense 6,814 5,300 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Earnings from continuing operations 10,666 8,426 Discontinued operations, net (189) 65 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- NET EARNINGS $ 10,477 $ 8,491 ========================================================================================================================= * Includes $0.1 million of other charges in the first quarter of Fiscal 2007 for asset impairments. Includes $2.9 million of other charges in the first quarter of Fiscal 2006, including $2.6 million for a litigation settlement and the remaining $0.3 million for asset impairment and lease terminations. 6 GENESCO INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET ======================================================================================================= APRIL 29, April 30, In Thousands 2006 2005 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ASSETS Cash and cash equivalents $ 34,719 $ 62,377 Accounts receivable 22,742 17,514 Inventories 247,773 217,086 Other current assets 30,192 20,885 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total current assets 335,426 317,862 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Property and equipment 197,546 171,243 Other non-current assets 157,094 160,924 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL ASSETS $ 690,066 $ 650,029 ======================================================================================================= LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY Accounts payable $ 90,541 $ 81,828 Current portion - long-term debt -0- -0- Other current liabilities 56,568 52,994 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total current liabilities 147,109 134,822 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Long-term debt 106,250 161,250 Other long-term liabilities 74,498 68,790 Shareholders' equity 362,209 285,167 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 690,066 $ 650,029 ======================================================================================================= 7 GENESCO INC. RETAIL UNITS OPERATED - THREE MONTHS ENDED APRIL 29, 2006 =================================================================================================================================== BALANCE BALANCE BALANCE 01/29/05 OPEN CONV CLOSE 01/28/06 OPEN CONV CLOSE 04/29/06 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------- Journeys Group 695 71 0 5 761 30 0 1 790 Journeys 654 61 0 4 711 23 0 1 733 Journeys Kidz 41 10 0 1 50 7 0 0 57 Underground Station Group 229 21 0 21 229 5 0 2 232 Underground Station 165 21 2 8 180 5 1 0 186 Jarman Retail 64 0 (2) 13 49 0 (1) 2 46 Hat World 552 96 0 7 641 22 0 3 660 Johnston & Murphy 142 5 0 5 142 5 0 0 147 Shops 107 4 0 4 107 2 0 0 109 Factory Outlets 35 1 0 1 35 3 0 0 38 - ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Total Retail Units 1,618 193 0 38 1,773 62 0 6 1,829 =================================================================================================================================== CONSTANT STORE SALES ================================================================================================================== Three Months Ended ----------------------- APRIL 29, April 30, 2006 2005 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Journeys 1% 7% Underground Station Group -3% 9% Underground Station -2% 11% Jarman Retail -9% 4% Hat World -1% -- Johnston & Murphy 2% 3% Shops 3% 3% Factory Outlets 0% 3% - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Total Constant Store Sales 0% 7% ================================================================================================================== ================================================================================================================== Hat World 7% ================================================================================================================== 8