UNITED STATES 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): June 18, 2004 JONES APPAREL GROUP, INC. (Exact Name of registrant as specified in its charter) Pennsylvania 1-10746 06-0935166 (State or Other Jurisdiction (Commission File (IRS Employer Identification of Incorporation) Number) No.) 250 Rittenhouse Circle Bristol, PA 19007 (Address of principal executive offices) (215) 785-4000 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) ITEM 5. OTHER EVENTS AND REGULATION FD DISCLOSURE. On June 18, 2004, Jones Apparel Group, Inc. ("Jones") and Maxwell Shoe Company Inc. ("Maxwell") issued a press release announcing that Jones and Maxwell had entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Jones would acquire all of the Class A Common Stock of Maxwell at a price of $23.25 per share in cash. A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this report. ITEM 7. EXHIBITS 99.1 Press Release issued by Jones Apparel Group, Inc. and Maxwell Shoe Company Inc. on June 18, 2004. 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 hereunto duly authorized. JONES APPAREL GROUP, INC., By: /s/ Wesley R. Card --------------------------------- Name: Wesley R. Card Title: Chief Operating and Financial Officer Date: June 18, 2004 EXHIBIT INDEX Exhibit No. Description - ------- ----------- 99.1 Press Release issued by Jones Apparel Group, Inc. and Maxwell Shoe Company Inc. on June 18, 2004.