SHORT-TERM BOND TRANSACTIONS

    In July 2001, December 2001 and August 2002, we entered into three transactions relating to the short sale of $139.0 million, $157.9 million and $190.5 million, respectively, of U. S. Treasury Securities. These transactions were intended to address interest rate exposure and generate capital gains that could be used to offset previously incurred capital losses.

    As a result of the first transaction, which closed in November 2001, we recorded a short-term capital gain of $2.8 million and related interest income of $0.8 million and interest expense and fees of $3.9 million for the fiscal nine months ended October 6, 2001. The net effect of $0.3 million is included in the statement of operations as interest expense.

    As a result of the second transaction, which closed in August 2002, we recorded a short-term capital gain of $9.2 million and related interest income of $1.1 million and interest expense and fees of $11.9 million for the fiscal nine months ended October 5, 2002. The net effect of $1.6 million is included in the statement of operations as interest expense. 

    As a result of the third transaction, we recorded a short-term capital gain of $1.8 million and related interest income of $0.3 million and interest expense and fees of $2.4 million for the fiscal nine months ended October 5, 2002. The net effect of $0.3 million is included in the statement of operations as interest expense. We have placed the proceeds from the short sale into an interest-bearing collateral account to provide for our obligation to repurchase the U. S. Treasury Securities (which had a market value of $201.1 million at October 5, 2002) on or before May 15, 2003. At October 5, 2002, the net excess of funds in the collateral account over the obligation to repurchase the securities was $1.2 million, which is included in prepaid expenses and other current assets.

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ACQUISITIONS

    On April 8, 2002, we acquired 100% of the common stock of Gloria Vanderbilt and also the Gloria Vanderbilt (and related) trademarks and third-party licenses from Gloria Vanderbilt Trademark B.V. Gloria Vanderbilt is a leading designer, marketer and distributor of women's moderately priced stretch and twill jeanswear. Gloria Vanderbilt markets its products nationwide to national chains, department stores, mass merchants, and specialty retailers. Brands include Gloria Vanderbilt and junior product marketed under the GLO brand name. Licensed products under the Gloria Vanderbilt brand include footwear, watches, socks, sleepwear, outerwear, swimwear and hair accessories. Gloria Vanderbilt's focus on moderately-priced bottoms will complement the moderately-priced tops business we obtained in the McNaughton acquisition. The acquisition of Gloria Vanderbilt also increases our penetration into the moderate market distribution channel.

    The aggregate purchase price was $100.9 million, which included $80.9 million in cash payments and 562,947 shares of our common stock valued at $35.564 (the average closing price for the week containing March 19, 2002, the date the acquisition was announced). The former shareholders of Gloria Vanderbilt will also be entitled to receive a future payment of up to $54.0 million in the form of cash and/or common stock if certain earnings targets are achieved for the one year following the closing of the transaction. Any additional payment will be recorded as goodwill.

    The purchase price was allocated to Gloria Vanderbilt's assets and liabilities, tangible and intangible (as determined by an independent appraiser). No goodwill resulted from this allocation. The allocation has not been finalized; we do not expect any additional adjustments to be material. We also assumed approximately $43.7 million of Gloria Vanderbilt's funded debt and accrued interest, which we subsequently refinanced.

    On August 15, 2002, we acquired 100% of the common stock of l.e.i., a leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of girls' and young women's moderately-priced jeanswear. l.e.i.'s products are marketed nationwide to national chains, department stores and specialty retailers. Licensed products under the l.e.i. brand include footwear, knit tops, children's apparel, underwear, accessories, sunglasses and handbags. The acquisition of l.e.i. is intended to enhance our competitive position in the moderate market and to improve our profitability and cash flow by the cross-branding opportunities that exist with our other lines of business, by leveraging l.e.i.'s strengths in design, production, merchandising and logistics, and by achieving cost synergies and economies of scale in the manufacturing process.

    The aggregate purchase price was $309.7 million, which included payments to the selling shareholders of $272.5 million in cash and the issuance of 1,035,854 shares of our common stock valued for financial reporting purposes at $35.04 per share (the average closing price for the week containing July 10, 2002, the date the acquisition was announced). The number of our common shares delivered was based upon the average of the high and low sales price for the ten consecutive trading days immediately preceding the signing date. The selling shareholders and certain employees of l.e.i. will be entitled to receive future payments of up to $70.0 million in the form of cash and/or common stock if certain earnings targets are achieved during the three years following the closing of the transaction. If fully earned, approximately $61.0 million of any such future payments would be recorded as goodwill.

    The purchase price was allocated to l.e.i.'s assets and liabilities, tangible and intangible (as determined by an independent appraiser), with the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired of approximately $171.6 million being recorded as goodwill. The allocation has not been finalized; we do not expect any additional adjustments to be material. We also assumed approximately $84.0 million of l.e.i.'s funded debt and accrued interest, $83.2 million of which we subsequently refinanced.

    Our consolidated financial statements include the results of operations of Gloria Vanderbilt and l.e.i. from their respective acquisition dates. The following unaudited pro forma information presents a summary of our consolidated results of operations as if the Gloria Vanderbilt, l.e.i., Judith Jack and McNaughton acquisitions and their related financing had taken place on January 1, 2001. The Gloria Vanderbilt and l.e.i. acquisitions have been recorded in accordance with SFAS No. 141; therefore, no amortization of goodwill or intangible assets without determinable lives relating to Gloria Vanderbilt or l.e.i. is reflected in the prior year amounts. These pro forma results have been prepared for comparative purposes only and do not purport to be indicative of the results of

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operations which actually would have resulted had the acquisitions occurred on January 1, 2001, or which may result in the future.

JOINT VENTURES

    On July 1, 2002, we entered into two joint ventures with HCL Technologies Limited ("HCL") to provide us with computer consulting, programming and associated support services. HCL is a global technology and software services company offering a suite of services targeted at technology vendors, software product companies and organizations. We received a 49% ownership interest in each joint venture, which will operate under the names HCL Jones Technologies, LLC and HCL Jones Technologies (Bermuda), Ltd., for a cash contribution of $0.3 million and the transfer of certain software and employees. HCL received a 51% ownership interest in each company for an initial cash contribution of $1.0 million. On August 31, 2004, HCL is obligated to contribute an additional $1.0 million in cash, and on that date we are also obligated to contribute approximately $1.0 million in cash or assets. HCL has the option to acquire our remaining ownership interest at the end of five years through the issuance of HCL equity shares. We have committed to purchase $30.5 million in services from the joint venture companies over the next five years. The results of both joint ventures will be reported under the equity method of accounting.

NEW ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

    In June 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities," which changes the accounting for costs such as lease termination costs and certain employee severance costs that are associated with a restructuring, discontinued operation, plant closing, or other exit or disposal activity initiated after December 31, 2002. The standard requires companies to recognize the fair value of costs associated with exit or disposal activities when they are incurred rather than at the date of a commitment to an exit or disposal plan. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material effect on our results of operations.

Item 2. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations

General

    The following discussion provides information and analysis of our results of operations for the fiscal quarters and nine-month periods ended October 5, 2002 and October 6, 2001, respectively, and our liquidity and capital resources. The following discussion and analysis should be read in conjunction with our Consolidated Financial Statements and notes thereto included elsewhere herein.

    We identify operating segments based on, among other things, the way our management organizes the components of our business for purposes of allocating resources and assessing performance. With the addition of McNaughton in 2001 and the recent acquisitions of Gloria Vanderbilt and l.e.i., we have redefined our reportable operating segments effective January 1, 2002. Our operations are now comprised of four reportable

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segments: wholesale better apparel, wholesale moderate apparel, wholesale footwear and accessories, and retail. Prior period segment results have been restated to reflect the new reporting segments.

    We completed our acquisitions of Judith Jack on April 26, 2001, McNaughton on June 19, 2001, Gloria Vanderbilt on April 8, 2002 and l.e.i. on August 15, 2002 . The results of operations of the acquired companies are included in our operating results from the respective dates of acquisition. Accordingly, the financial position and results of operations presented and discussed herein are not directly comparable between the periods presented.

    In November 2001, the FASB Emerging Issues Task Force released Issue 01-9, "Accounting for Consideration Given by a Vendor to a Customer (Including a Reseller of the Vendor's Products)." The scope of Issue 01-9 includes vendor consideration to any purchasers of the vendor's products at any point along the distribution chain, regardless of whether the purchaser receiving the consideration is a direct customer of the vendor. Our adoption, effective January 1, 2002, required us to reclassify cooperative advertising expenses from a deduction against revenues to a selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expense. As a result, restated net sales, gross profit and SG&A expenses for the third fiscal quarter and first fiscal nine months of 2001 all increased by $6.7 million and $17.8 million, respectively, from amounts previously reported.

    In June 2001, the FASB issued SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," which changed the accounting for goodwill and other intangible assets from an amortization method to an impairment-only approach. Upon our adoption of SFAS No. 142 on January 1, 2002, we ceased amortizing our trademarks without determinable lives and our goodwill. As prescribed under SFAS No. 142, we had our goodwill and trademarks tested for impairment during the first fiscal quarter of 2002.

    Due to market conditions resulting from a sluggish economy compounded by the aftereffects of the events of September 11, 2001, we revised our earnings forecasts for future years for several of our trademarks and licenses. As a result, the fair market value of these assets (as appraised by an independent third party) was lower than their carrying value as of December 31, 2001. We accordingly recorded an after-tax impairment charge of $13.8 million ($0.10 per diluted share), which is reported as a cumulative effect of change in accounting principle resulting from the adoption of SFAS No. 142.

    In the second fiscal quarter of 2002, we recorded an additional impairment charge of $5.8 million related to two trademarks due to a decrease in projected accessory revenues resulting from a further evaluation of our costume jewelry business. This charge is reported as a selling, general and administrative expense in the other and eliminations segment.

    During the fiscal nine-month period ended October 5, 2002, we recorded a $31.9 million charge relating to contractual obligations under employment contracts, primarily for former President Jackwyn Nemerov and former Vice Chairman Irwin Samelman. The charges under these contracts are comprised of pre-tax amounts totaling $11.8 million for contractual salary and bonus obligations and $18.1 million for non-cash compensation expense resulting from contractual vesting of outstanding stock options and restricted stock. Also included is a pre-tax amount of $2.0 million related to certain obligations under the employment agreement that we entered into with Peter Boneparth when we acquired McNaughton in 2001. These obligations were satisfied in March 2002 when Mr. Boneparth was elected President and designated to become our Chief Executive Officer on May 22, 2002.

    The terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001and subsequent increases in unemployment and reduced consumer spending had a negative impact on the United States economy. Retailers in those distribution channels to which we sell our products responded to the general sense of economic uncertainty with order reductions and extremely aggressive promotional activity. As a result, we had the challenge of liquidating inventory above our normal plan, as well as working with our retail customers to flow inventories through the normal retail distribution channels. Accordingly, we recorded a pre-tax charge of $86.8 million (the "special charge") during the third fiscal quarter of 2001 to provide for the writedown of inventories and receivables. Of the charge, $61.7 million was to write down to net realizable value merchandise that we either owned or were committed for and needed to dispose of through off-price channels. The charge to receivables of $24.1 million was to record an incremental 

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provision for customer allowances, which we anticipated we needed to provide to our retail customers in order to effectively flow goods through the retail channels.

     On July 31, 2002, we announced that we will begin expensing the fair value of employee stock options granted after December 31, 2002 pursuant to the guidelines contained in SFAS No. 123, "Accounting for Stock-Based Compensation." Since the expense to be recorded is dependent on both the timing and the number of options to be granted, we cannot estimate the effect on future results of operations at this time.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

    Several of our accounting policies involve significant judgements and uncertainties. The policies with the greatest potential effect on our results of operations and financial position include the estimated collectibility of accounts receivable, the recovery value of obsolete or overstocked inventory and the estimated fair values of both our goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives. For accounts receivable, we estimate the net collectibility, considering both historical and anticipated trends of trade discounts and co-op advertising deductions taken by our customers, allowances we provide to our retail customers to flow goods through the retail channels, and the possibility of non-collection due to the financial position of our customers. For inventory, we estimate the amount of goods that we will not be able to sell in the normal course of business and write down the value of these goods to the recovery value expected to be realized through off-price channels. If we incorrectly anticipate these trends or unexpected events occur, our results of operations could be materially affected. We utilize independent third-party appraisals to estimate the fair values of both our goodwill and our intangible assets with indefinite lives. These appraisals are based on projected cash flows and interest rates; should interest rates or our future cash flows differ significantly from the assumptions used in these projections, material impairment losses could result where the estimated fair values of these assets become less than their carrying amounts.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Fiscal Quarter Ended October 5, 2002 Compared to Fiscal Quarter Ended October 6, 2001

    Statements of Income Stated in Dollars and as a Percentage of Total Revenues

Percentage totals may not add due to rounding.

    Revenues. Total revenues for the 13 weeks ended October 5, 2002 (hereinafter referred to as the "third fiscal quarter of 2002") were $1.28 billion compared to $1.24 billion for the 13 weeks ended October 6, 2001 (hereinafter referred to as the "third fiscal quarter of 2001"), an increase of 2.8%. Excluding the effect of the special charge, total revenues for the third fiscal quarter of 2002 increased $11.1 million, or 0.9%, over the third fiscal quarter of 2001.

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    Revenues by segment were as follows:

    As a result of the difficult economic environment experienced in 2001 and uncertainty as to the extent and duration of any continuing impact into 2002, we planned reductions across most of our wholesale businesses in coordination with many of our wholesale customers. In our wholesale better apparel segment, these planned reductions significantly impacted shipments of our Jones New York and Rena Rowan career collection businesses (which had experienced difficult performance at retail during 2001). Other planned reductions in Polo Jeans Company and Lauren by Ralph Lauren products were offset by stronger shipments of Jones New York Sport products, a smaller increase in Ralph by Ralph Lauren products and the introduction of Easy Spirit apparel (which began shipping during the third fiscal quarter of 2002). Better wholesale apparel revenues for the third fiscal quarter of 2001 were negatively impacted by $11.6 million relating to the special charge.

    Wholesale moderate apparel revenues increased primarily as a result of the product lines obtained from the Gloria Vanderbilt and l.e.i. acquisitions, which accounted for $98.8 million of the increase, offset by lower sales in the Jones Wear and private label jeans businesses. Moderate wholesale apparel revenues for the third fiscal quarter of 2001 were negatively impacted by $1.0 million relating to the special charge.

    We also planned reductions in our wholesale footwear and accessories revenues as a result of the uncertain retail environment. We shipped fewer goods in our Enzo Angiolini footwear and Nine West accessories product lines. We also experienced increased markdowns in the costume jewelry business to more aggressively liquidate inventories in both the wholesale and retail channels. Shipments of the Nine West footwear line increased, reflecting the positive business initiatives of focusing inventory on tested and proven footwear styles, as well as shortened production lead times. Wholesale footwear and accessories revenues for the third fiscal quarter of 2001 were negatively impacted by $11.5 million relating to the special charge.

    Retail revenues decreased slightly, primarily as a result of a 1.7% increase in comparable footwear and accessory store sales and a 10.5% decrease in comparable store sales for our apparel outlet stores, as well as the net reduction of thirteen stores from the prior period.

    Gross Profit. The gross profit margin increased to 37.9% in the third fiscal quarter of 2002 compared to 32.2% in the third fiscal quarter of 2001. Without the impact of $13.9 million and $10.0 million in the third fiscal quarters of 2002 and 2001,respecitvely, relating to adjustments required under purchase accounting to mark up acquired inventories to market value upon acquisition and $61.7 million in the third fiscal quarter of 2001 relating to the special charge, the gross profit margins would have been 39.0% and 39.1%, respectively.

    Wholesale better apparel gross profit margins, without the special charge, were 42.0% and 38.9% for the third fiscal quarters of 2002 and 2001, respectively. The primary reasons for the increase were more favorable production costs realized from offshore production and a continued focus on inventory management.

    Wholesale moderate apparel gross profit margins, without purchase accounting adjustments and the special charge, were 27.8% and 28.2% for the third fiscal quarters of 2002 and 2001, respectively. This decrease was primarily the result of higher off-price sales in third fiscal quarter of 2002 as we more aggressively cleared out excess inventory in the Energie and Erika product lines due to their relocation to alternate distribution centers,

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partially offset by the acquisitions of the higher-margin Gloria Vanderbilt and l.e.i. businesses and higher margins in the Norton McNaughton business.

    Wholesale footwear and accessories gross profit margins, without purchase accounting adjustments and the special charge, were 33.9% and 36.1% for the third fiscal quarters of 2002 and 2001, respectively. The decrease in the margin was driven by continued markdowns in the costume jewelry business to more aggressively liquidate inventories in both the wholesale and retail channels.

    Retail gross profit margins, without the special charge, were 51.9% and 51.8% for the third fiscal quarters of 2002 and 2001, respectively. Margins in our Nine West retail business continued to benefit from better inventory planning, but were offset by more promotional activity in our apparel outlet stores, which was impacted by the difficulty experienced in our Jones New York career business.

    SG&A expenses. SG&A expenses of $262.7 million in the third fiscal quarter of 2002 represented a decrease of $2.7 million from the $265.4 million (excluding $16.9 million of goodwill and trademark amortization and $1.0 million related to the special charge) reported for the third fiscal quarter of 2001. Gloria Vanderbilt and l.e.i. added a total of $11.8 million to the third fiscal quarter of 2002, which was offset by savings from cost controls and the restructuring of our costume jewelry business.

    Operating Income. The resulting operating income for the third fiscal quarter of 2002 of $221.7 million increased 90.3%, or $105.2 million, from the $116.5 million for the third fiscal quarter of 2001. Excluding the purchase accounting adjustments, the special charge and the amortization of goodwill and intangibles for the third fiscal quarter of 2001 that ended upon the adoption of SFAS No. 142, operating income for the third fiscal quarters of 2002 and 2001 would have been $235.6 million and $230.2 million, respectively.

    Net Interest Expense. Net interest expense was $14.1 million in the third fiscal quarter of 2002 compared to $22.9 million in the comparable period of 2001, resulting from lower average borrowings and lower interest rates.

    Provision for Income Taxes. The effective income tax rate was 37.7% for the third fiscal quarter of 2002 compared to 43.3% for the third fiscal quarter of 2001. The decrease was primarily due to the elimination of nondeductible goodwill amortization resulting from the adoption of SFAS No. 142.

    Net Income. Net income was $129.8 million in the third fiscal quarter of 2002, an increase of $76.7 million from the net income of $53.1 million earned in the third fiscal quarter of 2001. Excluding the purchase accounting adjustments, the special charge and the amortization of goodwill and intangibles for the third fiscal quarter of 2001 that ended upon the adoption of SFAS No. 142, net income would have been $138.4 million and $128.0 million, respectively.

    Earnings Per Share. Diluted earnings per share for the third fiscal quarter of 2002 was $0.95 compared to $0.41 for the third fiscal quarter of 2001, on a 3.2% increase in shares outstanding. Excluding the purchase accounting adjustments, the special charge and the amortization of goodwill and intangibles for the third fiscal quarter of 2001 that ended upon the adoption of SFAS No. 142, earnings per diluted share for the third fiscal quarters of 2002 and 2001 would have been $1.01 and $0.96, respectively.

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Fiscal Nine Months Ended October 5, 2002 Compared to Fiscal Nine Months Ended October 6, 2001

    Revenues. Total revenues for the 40 weeks ended October 5, 2002 (hereinafter referred to as the "first fiscal nine months of 2002") were $3.38 billion compared to $3.20 billion for the 40 weeks ended October 6, 2001 (hereinafter referred to as the "first fiscal nine months of 2001"), an increase of 5.4%. Excluding the effect of the special charge mentioned above, total revenues for the first fiscal nine months of 2002 increased $148.5 million, or 4.6%, over the first fiscal nine months of 2001.

    Revenues by segment were as follows:

    As a result of the difficult economic environment experienced in 2001 and uncertainty as to the extent and duration of any continuing impact into 2002, we planned reductions across most of our wholesale businesses in coordination with many of our wholesale customers. In our wholesale better apparel segment, these planned reductions significantly impacted shipments of our Jones New York and Rena Rowan career collection businesses (which had experienced difficult performance at retail during 2001). Other planned reductions in the Lauren by Ralph Lauren collection were partially offset by increases in our Jones New York Sport casual collection business. Better wholesale apparel revenues for the first fiscal nine months of 2001 were negatively impacted by $11.6 million relating to the special charge.

    Wholesale moderate apparel revenues increased primarily as a result of the product lines obtained as a result of the McNaughton, Gloria Vanderbilt and l.e.i. acquisitions, which accounted for $420.1 million of the increase.

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Increases in our Evan-Picone and Nine & Company businesses were offset by lower sales in the Jones Wear and private label jeans businesses. Moderate wholesale apparel revenues for the first fiscal nine months of 2001 were negatively impacted by $1.0 million relating to the special charge.

    We also planned reductions in our wholesale footwear and accessories business as a result of the uncertain retail environment. The most significant decreases were experienced in Nine West accessories and in Enzo Angiolini and Easy Spirit footwear. The decrease is also due to markdowns recognized in the costume jewelry business to more aggressively liquidate inventories in both the wholesale and retail channels. Shipments of the Nine West footwear line increased as a result of the positive business initiatives of focusing inventory on tested and proven footwear styles, as well as shortened production lead times. Wholesale footwear and accessories revenues for the first fiscal nine months of 2001 were negatively impacted by $11.5 million relating to the special charge.

    Retail revenues decreased primarily as a result of a reduction of 14 stores in the first fiscal nine months of 2002 compared to the prior period. Comparable store sales were up approximately 1.6% for footwear and accessories stores and down 7.2% for apparel outlet stores as compared to the first fiscal nine months of 2001.

    Gross Profit. The gross profit margin increased to 39.2% in the first fiscal nine months of 2002 compared to 37.4% in the first fiscal nine months of 2001. Without the impact of $23.1 million and $17.7 million in the first fiscal nine months of 2002 and 2001, respectively, relating to adjustments required under purchase accounting to mark up acquired inventories to market value upon acquisition and $61.7 million in the first fiscal nine months of 2001 relating to the special charge, the gross profit margins would have been 39.8% and 40.3%, respectively.

    Wholesale better apparel gross profit margins, without the special charge, were 42.0% and 38.9% for the first fiscal nine months of 2002 and 2001, respectively. The primary reasons for the increase were more favorable production costs realized from offshore production and a continued focus on inventory management, which resulted in lower off-price sales to discounters.

    Wholesale moderate apparel gross profit margins, without purchase accounting adjustments and the special charge, were 30.3% and 27.8% for the first fiscal nine months of 2002 and 2001, respectively. The increase was primarily the result of the addition of higher-margin businesses realized from the inclusion of McNaughton for the full nine months in 2002 compared to only approximately 16 weeks in 2001, as well as the addition of Gloria Vanderbilt and l.e.i.

    Wholesale footwear and accessories gross profit margins, without purchase accounting adjustments and the special charge, were 32.3% and 36.4% for the first fiscal nine months of 2002 and 2001, respectively. The decrease in the margin was driven by significant markdowns in the costume jewelry business to more aggressively liquidate inventories in both the wholesale and retail channels. Our wholesale footwear business realized a significant improvement in margins resulting primarily from a continued focus on inventory management, which resulted in lower off-price sales to discounters.

    Retail gross profit margins, without the special charge, were 53.0% and 51.8% for the first fiscal nine months of 2002 and 2001, respectively. Margins in our Nine West retail business benefitted from better inventory planning and improved product assortments in our stores. This improvement was offset by more promotional activity in our apparel outlet stores, impacted by the difficulty experienced in our Jones New York career business.

    SG&A expenses. SG&A expenses of $795.8 million (excluding $31.9 million of costs related to the termination of executive employment contracts) in the first fiscal nine months of 2002 represented an increase of $50.3 million from the $745.5 million (excluding $43.1 million of goodwill and trademark amortization and $1.0 million related to the special charge) reported for the first fiscal nine months of 2001. McNaughton, Gloria Vanderbilt and l.e.i. added a total of $56.3 million to the first fiscal nine months of 2002. Also contributing to the increase in SG&A expenses were the $5.8 million write down of trademarks and $1.9 million of costs related to the consolidation of certain administrative functions and the closing of a Canadian production facility. These increases were somewhat offset by savings from cost controls and the restructuring of our costume jewelry business.

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    Operating Income. The resulting operating income for the first fiscal nine months of 2002 of $494.3 million increased 20.9%, or $85.4 million, from the $408.9 million for the first fiscal nine months of 2001. Excluding the purchase accounting adjustments, the special charge, the $31.9 million of costs related to the termination of executive employment contracts and the amortization of goodwill and intangibles for the first fiscal nine months of 2001 that ended upon the adoption of SFAS No. 142, operating income for the first fiscal nine months of 2002 and 2001 would have been $549.3 million and $556.6 million, respectively.

    Net Interest Expense. Net interest expense was $44.3 million in the first fiscal nine months of 2002 compared to $64.3 million in the comparable period of 2001, resulting from lower average borrowings, lower interest rates and using the proceeds from zero coupon convertible senior debt securities issued in February 2001 to repay higher-rate borrowings under our credit facilities.

    Provision for Income Taxes. The effective income tax rate was 37.7% for the first fiscal nine months of 2002 compared to 40.5% for the first fiscal nine months of 2001. The decrease was primarily due to the elimination of nondeductible goodwill amortization resulting from the adoption of SFAS No. 142.

    Net Income. Net income was $266.9 million in the first fiscal nine months of 2002, an increase of $62.0 million from the net income of $204.9 million earned in the first fiscal nine months of 2001. Excluding the purchase accounting adjustments, the cumulative change in accounting principle, costs related to the termination of executive employment contracts, the special charge and the amortization of goodwill and intangibles for the first fiscal nine months of 2001 that ended upon the adoption of SFAS No. 142, net income would have been $315.1 million and $308.1 million, respectively.

    Earnings Per Share. Diluted earnings per share for the first fiscal nine months of 2002 was $1.97 compared to $1.58 for the first fiscal nine months of 2001, on a 4.4% increase in shares outstanding. Excluding the purchase accounting adjustments, the cumulative change in accounting principle, costs related to the termination of executive employment contracts, the special charge and the amortization of goodwill and intangibles for the first fiscal nine months of 2001 that ended upon the adoption of SFAS No. 142, earnings per diluted share would have been $2.32 and $2.36, respectively.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

    Our principal capital requirements have been to fund acquisitions, working capital needs, capital expenditures and repurchases of our common stock on the open market. We have historically relied on internally generated funds, trade credit, bank borrowings and the issuance of notes to finance our operations and expansion.

    Operating activities provided $370.3 million and $54.7 million in the first fiscal nine months of 2002 and 2001, respectively. The change was primarily due to a smaller increase in accounts receivable and a larger reduction of inventories during the first fiscal nine months of 2002 compared to the first fiscal nine months of 2001 and an increase in accounts payable during the first nine months of 2002 compared to a decrease in the first fiscal nine months of 2001.

    Investing activities used $366.4 million and $150.8 during the first fiscal nine months of 2002 and 2001, respectively. The difference was primarily due to higher expenditures for acquisitions during the first fiscal nine months of 2002. Capital expenditures were $40.3 million and $40.1 million for the first fiscal nine months of 2002 and 2001, respectively; total capital expenditures for 2002 are expected to be approximately $50.0 million.

    Financing activities used $51.8 million and provided $91.0 million in the first fiscal nine months of 2002 and 2001, respectively. In February 2001, we issued 20-year, zero coupon convertible senior debt securities. Net proceeds of the offering were $392.8 million. The securities carry a 3.5% yield to maturity with a face value of $805.6 million ($1,000 per note) and are convertible into common stock at a conversion rate of 9.8105 shares per note. The proceeds were used to repay amounts then outstanding under our Senior Credit Facilities, repurchase $16.1 million of our outstanding 6.25% Senior Notes at par, and for general corporate purposes.

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    During the first fiscal nine months of 2002, we refinanced $43.7 and $83.2 million of debt assumed as part of the acquisitions of Gloria Vanderbilt and l.e.i., respectively, and during the first fiscal nine months of 2001, we refinanced $146.9 of debt assumed as part of the McNaughton acquisition.

    In January 2001, we realized $8.3 million in proceeds from terminating interest rate swap agreements that we had entered into in June 1999 and in October 2002, we realized $21.6 million in proceeds from terminating interest rate swap agreements that we had entered into in April 2002 (see "Derivatives" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements).

    We repurchased $29.5 million and $69.0 million of our common stock on the open market during the first fiscal nine months of 2002 and 2001, respectively. As of October 5, 2002, a total of $455.3 million had been expended under announced programs to acquire up to $500.0 million of such shares. On October 28, 2002, an additional program to repurchase up to $150.0 million of our common stock was approved by our Board of Directors. We may make additional share repurchases in the future depending on, among other things, market conditions and our financial condition. Proceeds from the issuance of common stock to our employees exercising stock options amounted to $62.2 million and $82.7 million in the first fiscal nine months of 2002 and 2001, respectively.

    The terms of the acquisition agreement for Victoria require us to pay the former Victoria shareholders additional consideration of $3.00 for each $1.00 of Victoria's earnings before interest and taxes (as defined in the securities purchase agreement) for each of the 12-month periods ending June 30, 2001 through 2003 that exceeds certain targeted levels. Any future additional consideration is to be paid 50% in cash and 50% in our common stock, the value of which will be determined by the prices at which our common stock trades in a defined period preceding delivery in each year. No payments were required for the 12-month period ending June 30, 2002.

    The terms of the acquisition agreement for Judith Jack require us to pay the seller additional cash consideration of $2.00 for each $1.00 of Judith Jack's earnings before interest and taxes (as defined in the asset purchase agreement) that exceeds certain targeted levels for each of the years ending December 31, 2001, 2002 and 2003. No payments were required for the period ending December 31, 2001.

    The terms of the acquisition agreement for Gloria Vanderbilt require us to pay the former Gloria Vanderbilt shareholders additional consideration of $4.50 for each $1.00 of Gloria Vanderbilt's earnings before interest and taxes (as defined in the stock purchase agreement) for the 12 months following the completion of the acquisition that exceeds certain targeted levels. Any additional consideration (the amount of which cannot exceed $54.0 million) is to be paid either in cash or a combination of cash and our common stock, the value of which will be determined by the prices at which our common stock trades in a defined period preceding delivery.

    On August 16, 2002, we completed the acquisition of l.e.i. The aggregate purchase price was approximately $309.7 million, which included payments to the selling shareholders of $272.5 million in cash and the issuance of approximately 1.0 million shares of our common stock. We also assumed approximately $84.0 million of l.e.i.'s funded debt and accrued interest, $83.2 million of which we subsequently refinanced. The selling shareholders and certain employees of l.e.i. will be entitled to receive future payments of up to $70.0 million in the form of cash and/or common stock if certain earnings targets are achieved during the three years following the closing of the transaction.

    At October 5, 2002, we had credit agreements with several lending institutions to borrow an aggregate principal amount of up to $1.55 billion under Senior Credit Facilities. These facilities, of which the entire amount is available for letters of credit or cash borrowings, provide for an $850.0 million 364-Day Revolving Credit Facility (which was renewed on June 11, 2002) and a $700.0 million Five-Year Revolving Credit Facility. At October 5, 2002, $169.8 million was outstanding under the 364-Day Revolving Credit Facility (comprised of $153.8 million in outstanding letters of credit and $16.0 million in cash borrowings), and $40.0 million in cash borrowings was outstanding under our Five-Year Revolving Credit Facility. Borrowings under the Senior Credit Facilities may also be used for working capital and other general corporate purposes, including permitted acquisitions and stock repurchases. The Senior Credit Facilities are unsecured and require us to satisfy both a coverage ratio of earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization and rent to interest expense plus rents and a net worth maintenance covenant, as well as other restrictions, including (subject to exceptions) limitations on our ability to

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incur additional indebtedness, prepay subordinated indebtedness, make acquisitions, enter into mergers, and pay dividends.

    In addition to these committed facilities, we have an unsecured line of credit for the purpose of issuing letters of credit and bankers' acceptances for McNaughton and Gloria Vanderbilt. As of October 5, 2002, $102.8 million was outstanding under this line of credit.

    We also have a C$20.0 million unsecured line of credit in Canada, under which C$8.9 million was outstanding at October 5, 2002.

    We also have a $3.0 million secured line of credit for the purposes of issuing letters of credit and bankers' acceptances for l.e.i. As of October 5, 2002, $1.7 million was outstanding under this line of credit.

    In July 2001, December 2001 and August 2002, we entered into three transactions relating to the short sale of $139.0 million, $157.9 million and $190.5 million, respectively, of U. S. Treasury Securities. These transactions were intended to address interest rate exposure and generate capital gains that could be used to offset previously incurred capital losses. See "Short Term Bond Transaction" in Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. We may enter into similar transactions in the future if we determine that market conditions are appropriate for generating the desired results from the transactions.

    We believe that funds generated by operations, proceeds from the issuance of notes, the Senior Credit Facilities, the McNaughton line of credit and the Canadian line of credit will provide the financial resources sufficient to meet our foreseeable working capital, letter of credit, debt repayment, capital expenditure and stock repurchase requirements and any ongoing obligations to the former Victoria and Gloria Vanderbilt shareholders, the seller of Judith Jack, and the selling shareholders and certain employees of l.e.i.

New Accounting Standards

    In June 2002, the FASB issued SFAS No. 146, "Accounting for Costs Associated with Exit or Disposal Activities," which changes the accounting for costs such as lease termination costs and certain employee severance costs that are associated with a restructuring, discontinued operation, plant closing, or other exit or disposal activity initiated after December 31, 2002. The standard requires companies to recognize the fair value of costs associated with exit or disposal activities when they are incurred rather than at the date of a commitment to an exit or disposal plan. We do not expect the adoption of this standard to have a material effect on our results of operations.

Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

    The market risk inherent in our financial instruments represents the potential loss in fair value, earnings or cash flows arising from adverse changes in interest rates or foreign currency exchange rates. We manage this exposure through regular operating and financing activities and, when deemed appropriate, through the use of derivative financial instruments. Our policy allows the use of derivative financial instruments for identifiable market risk exposures, including interest rate and foreign currency fluctuations. We do not enter into derivative financial contracts for trading or other speculative purposes.

    The primary interest rate exposures on floating rate financing arrangements are with respect to United States and Canadian short-term interest rates. We had approximately $1.6 billion in variable rate facilities at October 5, 2002.

    At October 5, 2002, we had outstanding foreign exchange contracts in Canada to purchase a total of $6.0 million U.S. dollars through November 2002. We believe that these financial instruments should not subject us to undue risk due to foreign exchange movements because gains and losses on these contracts should offset losses and gains on the assets, liabilities, and transactions being hedged. We are exposed to credit-related losses if the counterparty to the financial instruments fails to perform its obligations. However, we do not expect the counterparty, which presently has high credit ratings, to fail to meet its obligations.

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    On April 30, 2002, we entered into several fixed-to-floating interest rate swaps on the outstanding $225.0 million of our 7.875% Senior Notes due 2006 and $129.6 million of our 8.375% Series B Senior Notes due 2005. The expiration dates of the swaps matched the maturity dates of the related debt. These swaps were terminated in October 2002, generating pre-tax gains of $21.6 million, which will be amortized as a reduction of interest expense over the remaining terms of the interest rate swap agreements.

    For further information see "Derivatives" in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.

Item 4. Controls and Procedures

    Within the 90 days prior to the date of this report, we carried out an evaluation, under the supervision and with the participation of our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Operating and Financial Officer, of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 13a-14. Based upon that evaluation, our President and Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Operating and Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in timely alerting them to material information required to be included in our periodic SEC filings and that information required to be disclosed by us in these periodic filings is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC's rules and forms.

    There have been no significant changes in our internal controls or in other factors that could significantly affect internal controls subsequent to the date we carried out this evaluation.

PART II. OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

    We have been named as a defendant in various actions and proceedings arising from our ordinary business activities. Although the amount of any liability that could arise with respect to these actions cannot be accurately predicted, in our opinion, any such liability will not have a material adverse financial effect on us.

Item 5. Other information

Statement Regarding Forward-looking Disclosure

    This Report includes, and incorporates by reference, "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements regarding our expected financial position, business and financing plans are forward-looking statements. The words "believes," "expects," "plans," "intends," "anticipates" and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements also include representations of our expectations or beliefs concerning future events that involve risks and uncertainties, including those associated with the effect of national and regional economic conditions, lowered levels of consumer spending resulting from a general economic downturn or generally reduced shopping activity caused by public safety concerns, the performance of our products within the prevailing retail environment, customer acceptance of both new designs and newly-introduced product lines, financial difficulties encountered by customers, the effects of vigorous competition in the markets in which we operate, the integration of the organizations and operations of any acquired businesses into our existing organization and operations, the termination or non-renewal of the licenses with Polo Ralph Lauren Corporation, our foreign operations and manufacturing, changes in the costs of raw materials, labor and advertising, and our ability to secure and protect trademarks and other intellectual property rights. All statements other than statements of historical facts included in this Report, including, without limitation, the statements under "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations," are forward-looking statements. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such expectations may prove to be incorrect. Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from our expectations ("Cautionary Statements") are disclosed in this Report in conjunction with the forward-looking statements. All subsequent 

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written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to us or persons acting on our behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the Cautionary Statements.

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

(a) Exhibits

    Not applicable.

(b) Reports on Form 8-K

    During the fiscal quarter ended October 5, 2002, we filed the following Current Reports on Form 8-K with the SEC.

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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.

JONES APPAREL GROUP, INC.
(Registrant)

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CERTIFICATION OF CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER AND CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER PURSUANT TO 18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350, AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

    I, Peter Boneparth, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that the Quarterly Report of Jones Apparel Group, Inc. on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 5, 2002 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that information contained in such Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q fairly presents in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of Jones Apparel Group, Inc.

By: /s/ Peter Boneparth

Name: Peter Boneparth
Title: President and Chief Executive Officer

    I, Wesley R. Card, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that the Quarterly Report of Jones Apparel Group, Inc. on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarter ended October 5, 2002 fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and that information contained in such Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q fairly presents in all material respects the financial condition and results of operations of Jones Apparel Group, Inc.

By: /s/ Wesley R. Card

Name: Wesley R. Card
Title: Chief Operating and Financial Officer

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SARBANES-OXLEY SECTION 302(a) CERTIFICATIONS

I, Peter Boneparth, President and Chief Executive Officer, certify that:

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I, Wesley R. Card, Chief Operating and Financial Officer, certify that:

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