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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-K

ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the fiscal year ended April 28, 2001 Commission File No. 1-7923

HANDLEMAN COMPANY
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

MICHIGAN 38-1242806
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)

500 Kirts Boulevard, Troy, Michigan 48084 - 4142
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)

248-362-4400
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


Title of each class Name of each exchange which registered
- ---------------------------- --------------------------------------
COMMON STOCK $.01 PAR VALUE NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

NONE
-----------------
(Title of Class)

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 at least the past 90 days.

YES X NO_____
-----

State the aggregate market value of the voting stock held by non-affiliates of
the registrant. The aggregate market value shall be computed by reference to the
price at which the stock was sold, or the average bid and asked prices of such
stock, as of a specified date within 60 days prior to the date of filing. The
aggregate market value as of June 29, 2001 was $424,813,000.

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the registrant's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date. The number of shares of common
stock outstanding as of June 29, 2001 was 26,682,285.

Item 14(a) 3. on page 40 describes the exhibits filed with the Securities and
Exchange Commission.

Certain sections of the definitive Proxy Statement to be filed for the 2001
Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III.


PART 1

Item 1. BUSINESS

Handleman Company, a Michigan corporation (herein referred to as the "Company"
or "Handleman" or "Registrant"), which has its executive offices in Troy,
Michigan, is the successor to a proprietorship formed in 1934, and to a
partnership formed in 1937.

DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS:
- ------------------------

Handleman Company is comprised of two operating segments: Handleman
Entertainment Resources (H.E.R.) and North Coast Entertainment (NCE).

H.E.R. is a category manager and distributor of prerecorded music to mass
merchants in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Mexico and Brazil. As a
category manager, H.E.R. manages a broad assortment of titles required to
optimize sales in retail stores and provides direct-to-store shipments,
marketing of the selections, in-store merchandising and product exchange.

NCE has three companies in its portfolio. Anchor Bay Entertainment, an
independent home video label, markets a collection of titles that range from
horror to exercise to children's classics. Madacy Entertainment, an independent
record label, markets music and video products with a catalog spanning all
genres. The itsy bitsy Entertainment Company is a provider of early childhood
entertainment, both on and off the screen, for the youngest of children and
their caregivers.

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in Note
1 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, "Accounting Policies." Segment
data includes intersegment revenues, as well as a charge allocating all
corporate costs to the operating segments. The Company evaluates performance of
its segments and allocates resources to them based on income before interest,
income taxes and minority interest.

See Note 2 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for additional
information regarding segment activities.

2


The following table sets forth net sales, and the percentage contribution to
consolidated revenues, for the Company's two business segments for the fiscal
years ended April 28, 2001 ("Fiscal 2001"), April 29, 2000 ("Fiscal 2000") and
May 1, 1999 ("Fiscal 1999").



Years Ended
(dollar amounts in millions)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 28, 2001 April 29, 2000 May 1, 1999
(52 weeks) (52 weeks) (52 weeks)
--------------------- -------------------- --------------------

Handleman Entertainment Resources $1,064.0 $1,011.3 $ 888.4
% of Total 89.2 88.9 83.9

North Coast Entertainment 142.7 142.0 139.0
% of Total 12.0 12.5 13.1

Eliminations, principally NCE sales to H.E.R.,
net of corporate rental income (13.7) (15.7) (17.5)
% of Total (1.2) (1.4) (1.6)

Exited activities/(1)/ -- -- 48.7
% of Total 4.6
-------- -------- --------

TOTAL $1,193.0 $1,137.6 $1,058.6
======== ======== ========


(1) Exited activities represent, within H.E.R., sales of the exited video, book
and software product lines and sales in Argentina where the operations
were sold in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1999, and within NCE, sales at
Sofsource, which was sold during the first quarter of fiscal 1999.


Handleman Entertainment Resources
---------------------------------


As category manager and distributor of pre-recorded music, H.E.R. manages the
selection, acquisition, delivery, display and return of music product for
unrelated mass merchant chain stores. The following discussion pertains to these
category management activities of H.E.R. which comprises approximately 89% of
the Company's sales.

The Company's vendors and customers use the services of H.E.R. for a variety of
reasons:

. Music is a local and national business requiring that products selected for
each individual store meet the demand of consumers who frequent each store.

. Store service - the Company's field sales force visits each mass merchant
store to implement a variety of merchandising responsibilities, including
verifying that product has been placed on display, ensuring that the
department is neatly merchandised and that top-hit product is available,
setting up point of purchase displays, reordering product with low
inventory levels or required for local events, and ensuring that new
release product is displayed as close to the release date as possible.

. Direct store shipment - the Company bypasses mass merchant distribution
centers and ships directly to thousands of retail locations.

. Numerous small quantity shipments - to tailor each store inventory to
changing consumer demand in each store, the Company must make frequent
shipments of less than case lot quantities to each store.

The Company distributes throughout vast geographic regions and adapts selections
to local tastes via a coordination of national and local purchasing
responsibility, both monitored by inventory control programs. In fiscal 2001,
approximately 93% of H.E.R.'s sales were in the U.S. and Canada.


3


Vendors
- -------

The Company purchases from many different vendors. The volume of purchases from
individual vendors fluctuates from year to year based upon the salability of
selections being offered by such vendors. Though a small number of major,
financially sound vendors account for a high percentage of purchases, product
must be selected from a variety of additional vendors in order to maintain an
adequate selection for consumers. The Company must closely monitor its inventory
exposure and accounts payable balances with smaller vendors which may not have
the financial resources to honor their return commitments.

Since the public's taste for the products the Company supplies is broad and
varied, H.E.R. is required to maintain sufficient inventories to satisfy diverse
tastes. The Company minimizes the effect of obsolescence through planned
purchasing methods and computerized inventory controls. Since substantially all
vendors from which the Company purchases product offer some level of return
allowances and price protection, the Company's exposure to markdown risk is
limited unless vendors are unable to fulfill their return obligations or non-
salable product purchases exceed vendor return limitations. Vendors offer a
variety of return programs, ranging from 100% returns to zero return allowance.
Other vendors offer incentive and penalty arrangements to restrict returns.
Accordingly, the Company may possess in its inventories non-salable product that
can only be returned to vendors with cost penalties or may be non-returnable
until the Company can comply with the provisions of the vendor's return
policies.

H.E.R. generally does not have distribution contracts with manufacturers or
suppliers; consequently, its relationships with them may be discontinued at any
time by such manufacturers or suppliers, or by H.E.R.


Customers
- ---------

The customers of H.E.R. utilize H.E.R.'s services for a variety of reasons.
Products must be selected from a multitude of vendors offering numerous titles,
different formats (e.g., compact discs, cassettes) and different payment and
return arrangements. In addition, mass merchants utilize category managers due
to the complexity of managing the numerous SKUs required per department, the
variability of salable items among individual stores of a mass merchant chain,
the wide array of programs offered by the multitude of vendors, the "hits"
nature of the business and the high risk of inventory obsolescence. By utilizing
H.E.R., customers avoid substantially all of the risks inherent in product
selection and the risk of inventory obsolescence.

The Company must anticipate consumer demand for individual titles. In order to
maximize sales, the Company must be able to immediately react to "breakout"
titles, while simultaneously minimizing inventory exposure for artists or titles
which do not sell.

H.E.R. also offers customers a variety of "value-added" services:

Store Service: Sales representatives visit individual retail stores and meet
with store management to discuss upcoming promotions, special merchandising
efforts, department changes, current programs, or breaking releases which will
increase sales. They also monitor inventory levels, check merchandise displays
and install point-of-purchase advertising materials.

Advertising: H.E.R. supplies point-of-purchase materials and assists customers
in preparing radio, television and print advertisements.

Fixturing: H.E.R. provides specially designed fixtures that emphasize product
visibility and accessibility.

Freight: H.E.R. coordinates delivery of product to each store.

Product Exchange: H.E.R. protects its continuing customers against product
markdowns by offering the privilege of exchanging slower-selling product for
newer product.

4


The nature of the Company's business lends itself to computerized ordering,
distribution and store inventory management techniques. The Company is able to
tailor the inventories of individual stores to reflect the customer profile of
each store and to adjust inventory levels, product mix and selections according
to seasonal and current selling trends.

Using proprietary processes and systems to forecast consumer demand, Handleman
determines the selections to be offered in its customers' retail stores, and
ships these selections to the stores from one of its distribution centers. Slow-
selling items are removed from the stores by the Company and are recycled for
redistribution to other stores, or for return to the manufacturers. Returns from
customer stores occur for a variety of reasons, including new releases which did
not achieve their expected sales potential, advertised product to be returned
after the promotion has ended, regularly scheduled realignment pick-ups and
customer directed returns. The Company (for financial reporting purposes)
reduces gross sales and direct product costs for estimated future returns at the
time the merchandise is shipped to customer stores.

During the fiscal year ended April 28, 2001, one customer, Wal-Mart, accounted
for approximately 44% of the Company's consolidated sales, while a second
customer, Kmart, accounted for approximately 35%. Handleman generally does not
have contracts with its customers, and such relationships may be changed or
discontinued at any time by the customers or Handleman; the discontinuance of,
or a significant unfavorable change in, the relationships with either of the two
largest customers would have a materially adverse effect upon the Company's
future sales and earnings.


Operations
- ----------

H.E.R. distributes products from facilities in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and the
United Kingdom. Besides economies of scale and through-put considerations in
determining the number of facilities it operates, the Company must also consider
freight costs to and from customers' stores and the importance of timely
delivery of new releases. Due to the nature of the music business, display of
new releases close to authorized "street dates" is an important driver of both
retail sales and customer satisfaction.

Within its facilities, H.E.R. operates return centers, including use of
automated return processing equipment in the United States and Canada, to
expedite the processing of customer returns. In order to minimize inventory
investment, customer returns must be sorted and identified for either
redistribution or return to vendors as expeditiously as possible. An item
returned from one store may be required for shipment to another store.
Therefore, timely recycling prevents purchasing duplicate product for a store
whose order could be filled from returns from other stores.

H.E.R. has implemented high-technology automated distribution equipment in
Indianapolis, Indiana; Sparks, Nevada; and Toronto, Canada; and is in the
process of implementing automated distribution equipment in Warrington, United
Kingdom.

H.E.R. also utilizes a proprietary inventory management system ("PRISM"). PRISM
automates and integrates the functions of ordering product, receiving,
warehousing, order fulfillment, ticket printing and perpetual inventory
maintenance. PRISM also provides the basis to develop title specific billing to
allow the Company to better serve its customers.

Other Developments
- ------------------

On February 1, 2001, the Company began category management, distribution and
service to 241 ASDA stores in the United Kingdom. The Company anticipates, going
forward, that Handleman UK will add over $100 million to sales on an annual
basis.

In November 2000, H.E.R. launched Handleman Online ("HOL") to enhance its
position in music category management by extending its capabilities to internet
driven markets. HOL provides both traditional and online retailers with an array
of e-commerce related products and services. HOL offers customers outsourced
inventory management and shipment of entertainment related products to
consumer's homes or to their local stores. Handleman Online also offers an
outsourced online webstore solution branded for each retailer that can either be

5


offered as a stand-alone webstore or transparently integrated into the
retailer's existing online environment. In addition, HOL offers its kiosk
products to enhance in-store shopping with preview capabilities as well as
allowing consumers to purchase from a deeper catalog of music titles. HOL
revenues in fiscal 2001 were not material, nor are such revenues anticipated to
be material in fiscal 2002. The Company, however, will continue to invest in HOL
in fiscal 2002 to position itself for future opportunities within internet
driven markets.


North Coast Entertainment
-------------------------

NCE, a subsidiary of Handleman Company, includes the Company's proprietary
product operations. NCE is the umbrella company for subsidiaries which acquire
exclusive licensing and distribution rights for home entertainment properties
including music and video products. Such items are manufactured and then
distributed directly to distributors or retailers. In fiscal 2001, approximately
99% of NCE's sales were in the U.S. and Canada. Many NCE products are
categorized as budget, with many retailing for under $10. Such products are
designed to provide high margins to the retailer at prices that generate impulse
sales.

NCE provides the following opportunities:

. NCE enables the Company to take a more active, and more profitable, role in
the production of home entertainment products. This enhances the Company's
profit potential.

. NCE provides the Company with a wide array of product development and
licensing opportunities for music products. This enables H.E.R. to offer a
broader range of more profitable products to its customers.

. NCE gives the Company access to new distribution channels, new markets and
new customers. For example, the Company can cross-sell music and video to
new or existing customers through any NCE subsidiary sales organization.

NCE's current portfolio is comprised of the following entities:

. Anchor Bay Entertainment ("ABE") is an independent home video label. In
addition to acquiring films for home entertainment distribution, ABE
markets a wide variety of products including the award-winning children's
series, Thomas the Tank Engine. Thomas has been a member of the ABE family
for nearly a decade. ABE also has a solid stable of fitness products
including the chart-topping Crunch series and most recently, the popular
Yoga for Dummies based on the successful For Dummies book franchise. ABE is
-----------
perhaps most noted for being one of the best marketers within the horror
genre and has the rights for Halloween and The Evil Dead series.

. Madacy Entertainment Group ("Madacy") is an independent recording label
which markets a range of music and video products with a catalog spanning
all genres. Madacy is the largest independently distributed label in North
America for the fifth consecutive year as published by Billboard Magazine.
------------------
It provides licensing services and distributes music, video, DVD and
customer entertainment premiums through its offices located in North
America and Europe. Madacy operates nine market-driven divisions namely
Madacy Special Products, Madacy Special Markets, Madacy Label Group, Madacy
Kids, Madacy Latino, Madacy Christian, Madacy Entertainment Interactive,
Madacy Sports Music and Madacy Home Video. The Madacy Label Group, launched
in 1999, distributes albums for other labels and produces music for its own
labels including Relentless Records (Contemporary Rock and Pop), Relentless
Nashville (Country), Bongo Boy Records (World Music, Reggae) and Suite 102
Music (Easy Listening, Jazz). Madacy Entertainment Group provides a variety
of marketing services to their clients including the creation and
production of advertising, custom packaging, manufacturing of audio, video
and DVD, the development of promotional campaigns, branding consultancy,
strategic media buying and planning, field marketing, sports marketing and
internet marketing.

6


. The itsy bitsy Entertainment Company ("TibECo"), is a provider of early
childhood entertainment, both on and off the screen, for the youngest of
children and their caregivers. TibECo holds exclusive rights to license a
number of popular entertainment properties including Teletubbies, created
by Ragdoll Ltd., and the classic children's brand, Eloise. TibECo consists
of an on-screen division responsible for producing, selling and
distributing its media products as well as an off-screen division, which
oversees its licensing, marketing, retail and promotion efforts. In
addition, TibECo includes a consumer products division, which creates and
distributes its own children's merchandise under the Hooray! brand name.

NCE's management will continue to focus on growing the business through
licensing, acquiring or producing new products, as well as via new markets, new
customers, geographical growth, growth within the home entertainment category
and selective acquisitions and joint ventures.


Competition
-----------

Handleman is primarily a category manager of music products. The business of the
Company is highly competitive as to both price and alternative supply
arrangements. Besides competition among the Company's mass merchant customers,
the Company's customers compete with alternative sources from which consumers
could purchase the same product, such as (1) specialty retail outlets, (2)
electronic specialty stores, (3) record clubs, and (4) internet direct sales,
including direct to home shipment and direct downloading through a consumer's
home computer. Also, new methods of in-home delivery of entertainment software
products are continually being introduced. The Company competes directly for
sales to its customers with (1) manufacturers that bypass wholesalers and sell
directly to retailers, (2) independent distributors, and (3) other category
managers. In addition, some large mass merchants have "vertically integrated" so
as to provide their own category management. Some of these companies, however,
also purchase from independent category managers.

The Company believes that the distribution of home entertainment software will
remain highly competitive. The Company believes that customer service and
continual progress in operational efficiencies are the keys to growth and
profitability in this competitive environment.



* * * * * * * *



See Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations for additional information regarding the Company's activities.

The Company's sales and earnings are of a seasonal nature. Note 9, Quarterly
Financial Summary (unaudited), on page 37 under Item 8, discloses quarterly
results which indicate the seasonality of the Company's business.

The Company has approximately 2,700 employees. As of April 28, 2001, none were
unionized.

7


Item 2. PROPERTIES


As of April 28, 2001, the Company's H.E.R. segment occupied leased warehouses
located in Indianapolis, Indiana; Reno, Nevada; Toronto, Ontario; Warrington,
United Kingdom and Mexico City, Mexico. H.E.R. also occupies nine leased
satellite sales offices located in the states of Maryland, Michigan, Missouri,
California, Georgia, Illinois and New York, as well as the Canadian provinces of
Alberta and Quebec. The vacant Company-owned warehouse in Tampa, Florida, which
has a net book value of approximately $2.0 million, is in the process of being
sold. Sale proceeds are estimated to approximate net book value.

The Company's NCE unit leases one warehouse located in Quebec, Canada. NCE also
occupies leased office space within the United States in the states of Michigan,
California, New Jersey, New York, Tennessee and Minnesota, as well as in Canada,
Germany and the United Kingdom.

The Company owns its 130,000 square feet corporate office building located in
Troy, Michigan, of which approximately 31,000 square feet are leased to an
outside lessee.


Item 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS


There are no pending legal proceedings to which the Registrant or any of its
subsidiaries is a party, other than routine legal matters which are incidental
to the business and for which the outcome would not be material to future
results of operations, financial position and cash flows.


Item 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS
TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS


Not applicable.

8


PART II


Item 5. MARKET FOR THE REGISTRANT'S COMMON
STOCK AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS



The Company's common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the
symbol of "HDL."



Below is a summary of the market price of the Company's common stock:

Fiscal Year Ended

------------------------------------------------------------
April 28, 2001 April 29, 2000

Quarter Low High Low High
------- ------------------------------------------------------------

First $8.75 $12.88 $10.75 $14.50

Second 9.81 13.44 9.38 16.38

Third 6.44 10.75 9.75 17.00

Fourth 8.57 11.60 8.50 12.88


As of June 29, 2001, the Company had 3,120 shareholders of record.


The Company has not declared or paid dividends during the two fiscal years
presented herein.

9


Item 6.
SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
HANDLEMAN COMPANY
FIVE-YEAR REVIEW
(amounts in thousands except per share data and ratios)



2001 % 2000 % 1999 % 1998 % 1997 %
---- - ---- - ---- - ---- - ---- -

SUMMARY OF OPERATIONS:

Revenues $1,192,979 100.0 $1,137,605 100.0 $1,058,553 100.0 $1,104,522 100.0 $1,181,037 100.0
Gross profit, after direct product costs 296,170 24.8 288,776 25.4 266,870 25.2 270,052 24.4 274,258 23.2
Selling, general & administrative expenses 224,406 18.8 219,625 19.3 211,682 20.0 243,778 22.1 250,286 21.2
Depreciation and amortization: included in
selling, general & administrative expenses 20,949 1.8 20,109 1.8 20,488 1.9 32,733 3.0 35,330 3.0
Repositioning and related charges -- -- 96,362 9.1 13,684 1.2 --
Interest expense, net 2,632 .2 3,178 .3 8,088 .8 12,319 1.1 10,967 .9
Income (loss) before income taxes
and minority interest 69,132 5.8 65,973 5.8 (49,262) * 271 * 13,005 1.1
Income tax expense (benefit) 26,379 2.2 26,255 2.3 (16,449) * 2,800 .3 4,909 .4
Net income (loss) 42,031 3.5 38,648 3.4 (35,052) * 312 * 5,352 .5
Dividends -- -- -- -- --
Weighted average number of shares outstanding
-- basic 27,318 29,425 31,568 32,868 33,481
-- diluted 27,458 29,692 31,818 32,886 33,500

PER SHARE DATA:

Earnings (loss) per share--basic $ 1.54 $ 1.31 $ (1.11) $ .01 $ .16
--diluted 1.53 1.30 (1.11) .01 .16

BALANCE SHEET DATA:

Merchandise inventories $ 113,348 $ 100,298 $ 102,589 $ 187,173 $ 188,215
Total assets 590,667 519,683 487,856 613,056 667,886
Debt, current 14,571 14,571 18,571 18,571 15,000
Debt, non-current 53,014 33,986 39,857 114,768 135,520
Working capital 162,867 129,721 152,721 246,916 260,936
Shareholders' equity 253,228 223,282 225,686 273,807 283,653

FINANCIAL RATIOS:

Working capital ratio
(Current assets/current liabilities) 1.6 1.5 1.7 2.1 2.1
Inventory turns
(Direct product costs/average
inventories throughout year) 6.8 6.6 5.5 3.9 4.1
Debt to total capitalization ratio
(Debt, non-current/debt, non-current plus
shareholders' equity) 17.3% 13.2% 15.0% 29.5% 32.3%
Return on assets (Net income/average assets) 7.6% 7.7% * * .8%
Return on beginning shareholders' equity
(Net income/beginning shareholders' equity) 18.8 % 17.1% * .1% 1.9%



* - Not meaningful
** - Amount for fiscal 1999 is net of $31,000 gain on sale of subsidiary.


Note: The Company's fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to April
30th. Fiscal years 2001, 2000, 1999 and 1998 consisted of 52 weeks,
whereas fiscal 1997 consisted of 53 weeks. Management believes the
inclusion of one additional week in fiscal 1997 did not have a
material effect on results of operations for fiscal 1997.

10


Item 7. Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations

The Company has two business segments: Handleman Entertainment Resources
("H.E.R.") and North Coast Entertainment ("NCE"). H.E.R. consists of music
category management and distribution operations, principally in North America
and the United Kingdom. NCE encompasses the Company's proprietary operations,
which include music and video products, as well as licensing operations. All
references herein to NCE exclude Sofsource, which was sold during the first
quarter of fiscal 1999. Business segment sales discussed herein include
intercompany sales which are eliminated in consolidation.

The following table sets forth net sales, and the percentage contribution to
consolidated revenues, for the Company's two business segments for the fiscal
years ended April 28, 2001, April 29, 2000 and May 1, 1999.



Year Ended
(dollar amounts in millions)
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
April 28, 2001 April 29, 2000 May 1, 1999
(52 weeks) (52 weeks) (52 weeks)
----------------------- -------------------- -------------------

Handleman Entertainment Resources $1,064.0 $1,011.3 $ 888.4
% of Total 89.2 88.9 83.9

North Coast Entertainment 142.7 142.0 139.0
% of Total 12.0 12.5 13.1

Eliminations, principally NCE sales to H.E.R.,
net of corporate rental income (13.7) (15.7) (17.5)
% of Total (1.2) (1.4) (1.6)

Exited Activities /(1)/ -- -- 48.7
% of Total 4.6
-------- -------- --------

TOTAL $1,193.0 $1,137.6 $1,058.6
======== ======== ========




/(1)/ Exited activities represent, within H.E.R., sales of the exited video,
book and software product lines and sales in Argentina where the
operations were sold in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1999, and, within
NCE, sales at Sofsource which was sold during the first quarter of fiscal
1999.

11


Comparison of Fiscal 2001 with Fiscal 2000
- ------------------------------------------

For the fiscal year ended April 28, 2001 ("fiscal 2001"), revenues increased 5%
to $1.19 billion from $1.14 billion for the fiscal year ended April 29, 2000
("fiscal 2000"). Net income for fiscal 2001 was $42.0 million or $1.53 per
diluted share, compared to net income of $38.6 million or $1.30 per diluted
share for fiscal 2000.

H.E.R. net sales increased 5% to $1.06 billion for fiscal 2001 from $1.01
billion for fiscal 2000. Over 60% of the increase in net sales was attributable
to H.E.R.'s United Kingdom ("UK") operations where the Company gained the ASDA
chain as a new customer in February 2001, and substantially all of the remaining
increase was attributable to improved sales in the United States throughout the
year.

NCE net sales for fiscal 2001 were $142.7 million, essentially the same as
$142.0 million for fiscal 2000. Increased sales of approximately $12.5 million
in the Anchor Bay Entertainment unit were offset by sales declines at the Madacy
Entertainment Group and The itsy bitsy Entertainment Company ("TibECo") units.

Direct product costs as a percentage of revenues was 75.2% for the year ended
April 28, 2001, compared to 74.6% for the year ended April 29, 2000. The slight
increase was due to higher costs as a percentage of revenues within the NCE
segment.

Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses for fiscal 2001 were
$224.4 million or 18.8% of revenues, compared to $219.6 million or 19.3% of
revenues for fiscal 2000. SG&A expenses at NCE approximated prior year levels,
whereas H.E.R. expenses increased due to the increase in H.E.R. sales; however,
as a percentage of sales, SG&A expenses at H.E.R. declined year over year.

Income before interest, income taxes and minority interest ("operating income")
for fiscal 2001 increased to $71.8 million from $69.2 million in fiscal 2000.
H.E.R. operating income rose 21% to $66.1 million in fiscal 2001 from $54.8
million in fiscal 2000. The increase in H.E.R. operating income was primarily
attributable to North American operations. NCE operating income was $4.3 million
in fiscal 2001, compared with $14.2 million in fiscal 2000. This decrease was
due to a higher operating loss at TibECo, as well as reduced operating income at
Madacy Entertainment Group. The Company's expectation is that NCE operating
income will improve in fiscal 2002 to levels more comparable to fiscal 2000
operating income.

Net interest expense was $2.6 million for fiscal 2001, compared to $3.2 million
for fiscal 2000. The decrease in interest expense was attributable to lower
borrowing levels.

Minority interest recognized in the statement of income represents the minority
shareholders' portion of the income or loss for less than wholly-owned
subsidiaries. Minority interest expense was $.7 million for fiscal 2001,
compared to $1.1 million for fiscal 2000.

The effective income tax rate for fiscal 2001 of 38.2% was lower than the fiscal
2000 tax rate of 39.8%. The decrease in the rate from last year was primarily
due to tax benefits resulting from tax planning initiatives. The effective rate
for fiscal 2001 was higher than expected due to higher losses at TibECo where no
tax benefit on these losses was recognized because TibECo was an unconsolidated
subsidiary for income tax purposes for fiscal 2001. The Company expects its
effective tax rate for fiscal 2002 to approximate its rate for fiscal 2001.

Accounts receivable, net was $265.3 million at April 28, 2001, compared to
$234.0 million at April 29, 2000. This increase was due to the higher sales
level in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2001, compared to the fourth quarter of
fiscal 2000.

Other assets, net was $101.8 million at April 28, 2001, compared to $90.0
million at April 29, 2000. This increase was primarily attributable to the cost
of license advances and acquired rights.

The increase in other current liabilities to $44.8 million at April 28, 2001
from $31.2 million at April 29, 2000 was chiefly due to increases in accrued
royalties and the timing of income tax payments.

Debt, non-current was $53.0 million at April 28, 2001, compared to $34.0 million
at April 29, 2000. This change was caused by additional borrowings under the
Company's revolving line of credit and the inclusion of the Handleman UK
revolving line of credit borrowings.

During fiscal 2001, the Company repurchased 1,230,880 shares of its common stock
at a cost of $12 million, leaving 26,540,000 shares outstanding as of April 28,
2001. The current stock repurchase program was approved

12


by the Board of Directors in December 2000 and allows the Company to repurchase
up to 10% of its outstanding common stock as of that date. Under the current
authorization, which has no expiration date, the Company can repurchase in
fiscal year 2002 or later approximately 2,100,000 additional shares.


Comparison of Fiscal 2000 with Fiscal 1999
- ------------------------------------------

For the fiscal year ended April 29, 2000 ("fiscal 2000"), revenues increased 7%
to $1.14 billion from $1.06 billion for the fiscal year ended May 1, 1999
("fiscal 1999"). This increase in revenues was primarily the result of increased
music sales at H.E.R. Fiscal 1999 revenues included $48.7 million attributable
to product lines and activities exited pursuant to the repositioning program
discussed later herein.

Net income for fiscal 2000 was $38.6 million or $1.30 per diluted share,
compared to a net loss of $(35.1) million or $(1.11) per share for fiscal 1999.
The Company's fiscal 1999 results included pre-tax repositioning and related
charges of $127.4 million and a pre-tax gain on the sale of a subsidiary
(Sofsource) of $31 million.

H.E.R. net sales increased 14% to $1.01 billion for fiscal 2000 from $888.4
million for fiscal 1999. This increase in net sales was principally due to
strong music sales by H.E.R.'s customers. Management believes this was mainly
due to the Company's mass merchant customers outperforming, in regards to music
sales, other music retailers as a group, as well as exceeding the overall music
industry growth rate.

NCE net sales for fiscal 2000 were $142.0 million, compared to $139.0 million
for fiscal 1999.

Direct product costs as a percentage of revenues was 74.6% for fiscal 2000,
compared to 74.8% for fiscal 1999. The slight decrease in direct product costs
as a percentage of revenues was primarily attributable to the inclusion of
higher direct product costs related to product lines exited during fiscal 1999,
which had a dampening effect on the prior year's gross profit margin percentage.

In the first quarter of fiscal 1999, the Company's Board of Directors approved a
repositioning program which resulted in a $110 million charge during that
quarter, representing asset adjustments and cost accruals directly related to
the repositioning program. A component of the $110 million charge was a $31.6
million provision for merchandise inventory write-downs required to liquidate
inventory through non-traditional channels as a result of the Company exiting
certain product lines (video, book and software) and no longer servicing certain
customers. The table below displays the proforma presentation of operations for
the fiscal years ended April 29, 2000 and May 1, 1999 as if the inventory write-
downs had been included in direct product costs (dollar amounts in millions):



Fiscal Year Ended
--------------------------------------------------
April 29, 2000
As Reported May 1, 1999 May 1, 1999
and Proforma As Reported Proforma
------------ ----------- --------


Revenues $1,137.6 $1,058.6 $1,058.6
Direct product costs 848.8 791.7 823.3
Repositioning and related costs -- 127.4 95.8
Direct product costs as a
percentage of revenues 74.6% 74.8% 77.8%



Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses for fiscal 2000 were
$219.6 million or 19.3% of revenues, compared to $211.7 million or 20.0% of
revenues for fiscal 1999. H.E.R. SG&A expenses for fiscal 2000 approximated
fiscal 1999 levels. NCE SG&A expenses increased 18% for fiscal 2000, compared to
the prior fiscal year, primarily due to incremental expenses incurred for
investments in future revenue producing projects.

13


Income before interest, income taxes, minority interest, repositioning and
related charges and gain on sale of subsidiary ("operating income") for fiscal
2000 increased to $69.2 million from $55.2 million for fiscal 1999. H.E.R.
operating income increased 52% to $54.8 million for fiscal 2000 from $36.1
million for fiscal 1999. This increase was attributable to the higher sales
level. NCE operating income was $14.2 million for fiscal 2000, compared to $20.0
million for fiscal 1999. The decrease in NCE operating income was principally
related to increased SG&A expenses.

Net interest expense for fiscal 2000 was $3.2 million, compared to $8.1 million
for fiscal 1999. This decrease in net interest expense was attributable to
lower borrowing levels.

Minority interest recognized in the statement of income represents the minority
shareholders' portion of the income or loss for less than wholly-owned
subsidiaries. Minority interest expense was $1.1 million for fiscal 2000,
compared to $2.2 million for fiscal 1999.

Accounts receivable, net was $234.0 million at April 29, 2000, compared to
$218.0 million at May 1, 1999. This increase was primarily due to the higher
level of sales in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000, compared to the fourth
quarter of fiscal 1999.

The decrease in other current assets to $16.0 million at April 29, 2000 from
$21.6 million at May 1, 1999 was mainly attributable to the collection of income
taxes receivable related to a net operating loss carryback arising from the
repositioning charges in fiscal 1999.

Other assets, net was $90.0 million at April 29, 2000, compared to $64.9 million
at May 1, 1999. This increase was primarily attributable to the cost of license
advances and acquired rights of $30.0 million.

Accounts payable increased to $202.3 million at April 29, 2000 from $156.3
million at May 1, 1999. This increase was principally the result of the timing
of payments to vendors and increased merchandise purchases during the fourth
quarter of fiscal 2000, compared to the fourth quarter of the prior fiscal year.

Accrued and other liabilities decreased to $31.2 million at April 29, 2000 from
$41.9 million at May 1, 1999. This decrease was chiefly due to decreases in
accrued royalties and other payroll related items.

Other liabilities were $14.3 million at April 29, 2000, compared to $5.5 million
at May 1, 1999. This increase was primarily the result of an increase in
deferred revenues, which related to cash received for future revenue recognition
on certain new investments at TibECo.


The following comments relate to the Company's repositioning program.

On June 2, 1998, the Company's Board of Directors approved a repositioning
program designed to focus the Company on its core music distribution business.
The major components of the program were:

. Exit the H.E.R. video, book and software distribution and service
operations;
. Reduce the number of customers serviced in the music distribution
business within H.E.R.; and
. Sell Sofsource, the Company's software publishing subsidiary.

The operational repositioning activities, including employee severance programs,
were completed during fiscal 1999.

The repositioning program resulted in a $110 million charge to earnings in the
first quarter of fiscal 1999, representing asset adjustments and cost accruals
directly related to the repositioning program, other than those costs actually
incurred and charged to earnings in fiscal 1998 and certain costs that were
incurred in the last three quarters of fiscal 1999 that were required to be
expensed as incurred.

14


A summary of the components of the $127.4 million (pre-tax) repositioning and
related charge recognized in fiscal 1999 is as follows (in millions):



First Second Third Fourth
Quarter Quarter Quarter Quarter Fiscal 1999
------- ------- ------- ------- -----------

Adjustments of assets to net realizable $ 84.5 $ 84.5
value

Intangibles write-off 13.0 13.0

Other repositioning related costs 12.5 7.0 6.9 3.5 29.9
------ ---- ---- ---- ------

Total $110.0 $7.0 $6.9 $3.5 $127.4
====== ==== ==== ==== ======


Adjustments of assets to net realizable value included adjustments to reflect
the estimated recovery amount of assets disposed of during fiscal 1999 that were
directly related to exited businesses or customers no longer serviced. The
components of the provision were, principally, inventory of $31.6 million and
property and equipment of $11.8 million, as well as certain adjustments to the
carrying value of receivables of $27.2 million, payables of $4.1 million and
investments of $9.2 million. Intangibles related to either businesses exited, or
customers no longer serviced, were included in the intangibles write-off. Other
repositioning related costs recorded in the first quarter of fiscal 1999 were
principally employee severance costs of $3.5 million, advisory fees of $3.0
million, debt restructuring costs of $2.0 million and inventory handling costs
of $2.0 million. Other repositioning related costs recognized in subsequent
quarters were primarily employee stay bonus costs and advisory fees, which were
not accruable as part of the initial repositioning charge, and therefore, were
expensed as incurred.

The amount of each element of the overall repositioning charge was determined
based upon the actual cost of the asset and management estimates of
recoverability. In the case of receivables, the fact that certain accounts would
be settled with customer product returns rather than cash, which resulted in a
reversal of gross margin, was taken into consideration, as well as liquidation
value of the inventory returned since ongoing relationships with certain vendors
no longer existed and, therefore, return authorizations would be difficult to
obtain. In the case of property and equipment, which was principally display
fixtures in customer stores, the charge represented the net book value of such
abandoned display fixtures.

There were no adjustments necessary to the original estimated repositioning
provision of $110 million recognized in the first quarter of fiscal 1999.

The repositioning program resulted in a reduction of approximately 1,000
positions (approximately 30% of the Company's total workforce). This reduction
occurred predominantly in the H.E.R. division. For the most part, the reductions
were in the following areas: field sales representatives; distribution facility
employees; and the corporate headquarters. Employee severance amounts were
determined based upon an employee's length of service, salary grade level and
compensation. Total employee severance paid in fiscal 2000 and fiscal 1999 in
connection with the repositioning program was approximately $.3 and $3.5
million, respectively.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
- -------------------------------

Working capital at April 28, 2001 was $162.9 million, compared to $129.7 million
at April 29, 2000. The working capital ratio was 1.6 to 1 at April 28, 2001,
compared to 1.5 to 1 at April 29, 2000.

Property and equipment consist primarily of display fixtures, computer hardware
and software, warehouse equipment and facilities. The Company also acquires or
licenses video and music products which it markets. Purchases of these assets
are expected to be funded primarily by cash flow from operations.

15


The Company has an unsecured, five-year, $150,000,000 credit agreement, as
amended, with a consortium of banks that expires in September 2002. $25,000,000
was outstanding under the credit agreement as of April 28, 2001. The Company
also has $25,285,000 outstanding as of April 28, 2001 under a senior note
agreement with a group of insurance companies, of which $14,571,000 matures in
fiscal 2002. See Note 5 of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for
additional information regarding the senior notes, including scheduled
maturities.

Two subsidiary companies have uncommitted credit facilities with certain banks.
The Company has guaranteed repayment of amounts borrowed under each facility and
is required to maintain availability under its $150,000,000 unsecured credit
agreement in an amount equal to total borrowings under the guaranteed lines of
credit. As of April 28, 2001, TibECo had $8,700,000 outstanding on its
$8,750,000 facility and the Company's UK subsidiary had $8,600,000 outstanding
on its $11,500,000 facility.

Net cash provided from operating activities included in the Consolidated
Statement of Cash Flows decreased to $43,893,000 for fiscal 2001 from
$107,476,000 for fiscal 2000. This decrease was attributable to an increase
during fiscal 2001 in the investment in working capital.

Net cash used by investing activities was $44,718,000 for fiscal 2001, compared
to net cash used by investing activities of $56,448,000 for fiscal 2000.

Net cash provided from financing activities was $6,943,000 for 2001, compared to
$50,923,000 used by financing activities for fiscal 2000. This change was
principally due to fewer shares of common stock being repurchased in fiscal 2001
compared to fiscal 2000, and additional borrowings under the Company's revolving
credit agreements in fiscal 2001.

Management believes that the credit agreement, and the senior note agreement,
will provide sufficient amounts to fund day-to-day operations and higher peak
seasonal demands. For further information, reference should be made to Note 5
of Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements.


OTHER INFORMATION
- -----------------

The Company's financial statements have reported amounts based on historical
costs which represent dollars of varying purchasing power and do not measure the
effects of inflation. If the financial statements had been restated for
inflation, net income would have been lower because depreciation expense would
have to be increased to reflect the most current costs.

Inflation within the economies in which the Company does business has not had a
material effect on the Company's results of operations.

16


* * * * * *


Information in this document contains forward-looking statements that are not
historical facts and involve risk and uncertainties. Actual results, events and
performance could differ materially from those contemplated by these forward-
looking statements, including, without limitation, conditions in the music
industry, ability to enter into profitable agreements with customers in the new
businesses outlined in the Company's strategic growth plan, securing funding or
providing sufficient cash required to build and grow the new businesses,
customer requirements, continuation of satisfactory relationships with existing
customers and suppliers, effects of electronic commerce, relationships with the
Company's lenders, pricing and competitive pressures, certain global and
regional economic conditions, and other factors discussed in this Form 10-K and
those detailed from time to time in the Company's other filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission. The Company undertakes no obligation to
update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after
the date of this document.



Item 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA


The following financial statements and supplementary data are filed as a part of
this report:

Report of Independent Accountants

Consolidated Balance Sheet at April 28, 2001, April 29, 2000 and May 1, 1999

Consolidated Statement of Income - Years Ended April 28, 2001, April 29, 2000
and May 1, 1999

Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity - Years Ended April 28, 2001,
April 29, 2000 and May 1, 1999

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - Years Ended April 28, 2001, April 29,
2000 and May 1, 1999

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

17


Report of Independent Accountants



To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Handleman Company:


In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the related
consolidated statements of income, shareholders' equity, and of cash flows
present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Handleman
Company and subsidiaries (the "Company") at April 28, 2001, April 29, 2000 and
May 1, 1999, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each
of the three years in the period ended April 28, 2001, in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In
addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in Item
14(a) 2 of this Annual Report on Form 10-K presents fairly, in all material
respects, the information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the
related consolidated financial statements. These financial statements and
financial statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's
management; our responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial
statements based on our audits. We conducted our audits of these statements in
accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of
America, which require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable
assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material
misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a test basis, evidence
supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements, assessing
the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management,
and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation. We believe that
our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.



PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP



Detroit, Michigan
June 5, 2001

18


HANDLEMAN COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
YEARS ENDED APRIL 28, 2001, APRIL 29, 2000 AND MAY 1, 1999
(amounts in thousands except share data)
----------------------------------------



ASSETS 2001 2000 1999
- ------ ---- ---- ----

Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 33,628 $ 27,510 $ 27,405
Accounts receivable, less allowance of $16,336
in 2001, $17,383 in 2000 and $13,760 in 1999
for gross profit impact of estimated future returns 265,280 234,005 217,968
Merchandise inventories 113,348 100,298 102,589
Other current assets 19,720 16,036 21,560
--------------- --------------- ----------------
Total current assets 431,976 377,849 369,522
Property and equipment, net 56,887 51,852 53,419
Other assets, net 101,804 89,982 64,915
--------------- ---------------- ----------------
Total assets $ 590,667 $ 519,683 $ 487,856
=============== ================ ================

LIABILITIES
- -----------

Current liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 209,766 $ 202,339 $ 156,300
Debt, current portion 14,571 14,571 18,571
Accrued and other liabilities 44,772 31,218 41,930
--------------- ---------------- ---------------
Total current liabilities 269,109 248,128 216,801
Debt, non-current 53,014 33,986 39,857
Other liabilities 15,316 14,287 5,512

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
- --------------------

Preferred stock, par value $1.00; 1,000,000
shares authorized; none issued -- -- --
Common stock, $.01 par value; 60,000,000
shares authorized: 26,540,000, 27,691,000
and 31,049,000 shares issued in 2001, 2000 and
1999, respectively 265 277 310
Paid-in capital -- -- 6,828
Foreign currency translation adjustment (7,479) (6,449) (5,220)
Unearned compensation (63) (443) (1,557)
Retained earnings 260,505 229,897 225,325
--------------- ---------------- ---------------
Total shareholders' equity 253,228 223,282 225,686
--------------- ---------------- ---------------
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 590,667 $ 519,683 $ 487,856
=============== ================ ===============



The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.

19


HANDLEMAN COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME
YEARS ENDED APRIL 28, 2001, APRIL 29, 2000 AND MAY 1, 1999
(amounts in thousands except per share data)
--------------------------------------------



2001 2000 1999
---- ---- -----

Revenues $ 1,192,979 $ 1,137,605 $ 1,058,553

Costs and expenses:

Direct product costs 896,809 848,829 791,683
Selling, general and administrative expenses 224,406 219,625 211,682
Interest expense, net 2,632 3,178 8,088
Repositioning and related charges -- -- 127,362

Gain on sale of subsidiary -- -- (31,000)
-------------- -------------- --------------
Income (loss) before income taxes
and minority interest 69,132 65,973 (49,262)

Income tax (expense) benefit (26,379) (26,255) 16,449

Minority interest (722) (1,070) (2,239)
-------------- -------------- --------------

Net income (loss) $ 42,031 $ 38,648 $ (35,052)
============== ============== ==============
Earnings (loss) per common share
Basic $ 1.54 $ 1.31 $ (1.11)
============== ============== ==============
Diluted 1.53 1.30 (1.11)
============== ============== ==============
Weighted average number of common shares
outstanding during the year
Basic 27,318 29,425 31,568
============== ============== ==============
Diluted 27,458 29,692 31,818
============== ============== ==============


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.

20



HANDLEMAN COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
YEARS ENDED APRIL 28, 2001, APRIL 29, 2000 AND MAY 1, 1999
(amounts in thousands)
----------------------




Common Stock Foreign Total
------------------- Currency Unearned Share-
Shares Paid-In Translation Compen- Retained holders'
Issued Amount Capital Adjustment sation Earnings Equity
-------- -------- --------- ------------- --------- ---------- ------------

May 2, 1998 31,977 $ 320 $ 20,710 $ (7,600) $ -- $ 260,377 $ 273,807


Net loss (35,052) (35,052)
Adjustment for foreign currency translation 2,380 2,380
----------
Comprehensive loss, net of tax (32,672)
----------
Common stock issuances, net of forfeitures,
in connection with employee benefit plans 368 4 4,290 (1,557) 2,737
Common stock repurchased (1,742) (18) (20,991) (21,009)
Additional investment in The itsy bitsy
Entertainment Company, Inc. 446 4 2,819 2,823
------- ------ --------- --------- -------- --------- ----------

May 1, 1999 31,049 310 6,828 (5,220) (1,557) 225,325 225,686


Net income 38,648 38,648
Adjustment for foreign currency translation (1,229) (1,229)
----------
37,419
Comprehensive income, net of tax ----------

Common stock issuances, net of forfeitures,
in connection with employee benefit plans 181 2 1,559 1,114 (515) 2,160
Common stock repurchased (3,539) (35) (8,387) (33,561) (41,983)
------- ------ --------- --------- -------- --------- ----------

April 29, 2000 27,691 277 -- (6,449) (443) 229,897 223,282


Net income 42,031 42,031
Adjustment for foreign currency translation (1,030) (1,030)
----------
Comprehensive income, net of tax 41,001
----------
Common stock issuances, net of forfeitures,
in connection with employee benefit plans 80 380 620 1,000
Common stock repurchased (1,231) (12) (12,043) (12,055)
------- ------ --------- --------- -------- --------- ----------

April 28, 2001 26,540 $ 265 -- $ (7,479) $ (63) $ 260,505 $ 253,228
======= ====== ========= ========= ======== ========= ==========



The accompanying notes are an integral part of the consolidated financial
statements.

21



HANDLEMAN COMPANY
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
YEARS ENDED APRIL 28, 2001, APRIL 29, 2000 AND MAY 1, 1999
(amounts in thousands)
--------------------



2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) $ 42,031 $ 38,648 $ (35,052)
------------ ------------ ------------
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to
net cash provided from operating activities:
Depreciation 16,004 15,962 16,526
Amortization of acquisition costs 4,945 4,147 3,962
Recoupment of license advances 12,992 10,793 9,478
Loss on disposal of property and equipment 844 1,008 590
Repositioning charge -- -- 110,000
Gain on sale of subsidiary -- -- (31,000)
Loss on sale of book business -- -- 1,291
(Increase) decrease in accounts receivable (31,275) (8,424) 12,101
(Increase) decrease in merchandise inventories (13,050) 5,817 79,285
(Increase) decrease in other operating assets (10,608) 5,682 (2,787)
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable 7,427 36,113 (20,795)
Increase (decrease) in other operating liabilities 14,583 (2,270) (68,634)
------------ ------------ ------------
Total adjustments 1,862 68,828 110,017
------------ ------------ ------------
Net cash provided from operating activities 43,893 107,476 74,965
------------ ------------ ------------

Cash flows from investing activities:
Additions to property and equipment (26,503) (20,335) (17,054)
Proceeds from disposition of property and equipment 4,750 361 4,742
License advances and acquired rights (22,965) (30,042) (13,561)
Cash investment in Lifetime Entertainment Limited -- (6,432) --
Cash investment in The itsy bitsy Entertainment
Company, Inc. -- -- (4,754)
Proceeds from sale of subsidiary -- -- 45,000
Proceeds from sale of book business and other -- -- 3,308
------------ ------------ ------------
Net cash provided from (used by) investing activities (44,718) (56,448) 17,681
------------ ------------ ------------

Cash flows from financing activities:
Issuances of debt 1,262,171 1,363,621 2,142,705
Repayments of debt (1,243,143) (1,373,492) (2,217,616)
Repurchase of common stock (12,055) (41,983) (21,009)
Other changes in shareholders' equity, net (30) 931 5,117
------------ ------------ ------------
Net cash provided from (used by) financing activities 6,943 (50,923) (90,803)
------------ ------------ ------------

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents 6,118 105 1,843
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 27,510 27,405 25,562
------------ ------------ ------------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year $ 33,628 $ 27,510 $ 27,405
============ ============ ============


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the
consolidated financial statements.

22



NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
________________


1. Accounting Policies:
--------------------

Business

The Company is comprised of two business segments. Handleman Entertainment
Resources is a category manager and distributor of prerecorded music to mass
merchants, principally in North America. North Coast Entertainment is
responsible for the Company's proprietary operations, which include music and
video products, as well as licensing operations. (see "Segment Information"
note)

Fiscal Year

The Company's fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to April 30th. Fiscal
years 2001, 2000 and 1999 consisted of 52 weeks.

Principles of Consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Company and
all subsidiaries where the Company has voting control. All intercompany
accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Minority interest recognized
in the statement of income represents the minority shareholders' portion of
the income (loss) for less than wholly-owned subsidiaries. The minority
interest share of the net assets of these subsidiaries of $4,187,000,
$5,000,000 and $5,244,000 as of April 28, 2001, April 29, 2000 and May 1,
1999, respectively, is included in other liabilities in the accompanying
consolidated balance sheet. The Company does not have any material equity
investments other than in companies in which they have voting control.

Estimates

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements,
and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting
period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Foreign Currency Translation

The Company utilizes the policies outlined in Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards No. 52, "Foreign Currency Translation," to convert the
balance sheet and operations of its foreign subsidiaries to United States
dollars. Net transaction gains (losses) included in the statement of income
were $(123,000), $383,000 and $(162,000) for the years ended April 28, 2001,
April 29, 2000 and May 1, 1999, respectively.

Recognition of Revenue and Future Returns

Revenues are recognized upon shipment of the merchandise. The Company reduces
gross sales and direct product costs for estimated future returns at the time
the merchandise is sold. Staff Accounting Bulletin No. 101 issued by the
Securities and Exchange Commission regarding revenue recognition did not have
an impact on the Company's revenue recognition policy when the Bulletin
became effective in fiscal 2001.

23


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, continued
________________

Inventory Valuation

Merchandise inventories are recorded at the lower of cost (first-in, first-out
method) or market. The Company accounts for inventories using the full cost
method which includes costs associated with acquiring and preparing inventory
for distribution. Costs associated with acquiring and preparing inventory for
distribution of $11,086,000, $11,178,000 and $10,980,000 were incurred during
the years ended April 28, 2001, April 29, 2000 and May 1, 1999, respectively.
Merchandise inventories as of April 28, 2001, April 29, 2000 and May 1, 1999
included $855,000, $843,000 and $892,000, respectively, of such costs.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are recorded at cost. Upon retirement or disposal, the
asset cost and related accumulated depreciation are eliminated from the
respective accounts and the resulting gain or loss is included in the
consolidated statement of income for the period. Repair costs are charged to
expense as incurred.

Depreciation

Depreciation is computed using primarily the straight-line method based on the
following estimated useful lives:

Display fixtures 5 years
Computer hardware and software 3-5 years
Equipment, furniture and other 3-10 years
Buildings and improvements 10-40 years

License Advances and Acquired Rights

The Company, principally in its proprietary product business, acquires video
and audio licenses or rights giving it the exclusive privilege to manufacture
and distribute such products. The cost of license advances and acquired rights
are included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet and are
amortized based upon the sales volume method over a period which is the lesser
of the term of the agreement or the products' estimated useful life. The
effective lives of the licenses and rights tend to range from three to five
years. As of April 28, 2001, April 29, 2000 and May 1, 1999, licenses and
acquired rights, net of amortization, amounted to $74,181,000, $61,390,000 and
$31,654,000, respectively.

Intangible Assets

Intangible assets consist primarily of the excess of consideration paid over
the estimated fair values of net assets of businesses acquired. Such amounts
included in other assets in the consolidated balance sheet as of April 28,
2001, April 29, 2000 and May 1, 1999 are $19,719,000, $24,575,000 and
$24,624,000, which are net of amortization of $15,756,000, $10,900,000 and
$7,894,000, respectively. These assets are amortized using the straight-line
method over periods ranging from four to 15 years. As of April 28, 2001, the
weighted average period remaining to be amortized is approximately six years.

24


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, continued
________________

Long-Lived Assets

At each balance sheet date, management evaluates the carrying value and
remaining estimated lives of long-lived assets, including intangible assets,
for potential impairment by considering several factors, including
management's plans for future operations, recent operating results, market
trends and other economic factors relating to the operation to which the
assets apply. Recoverability of these assets is measured by a comparison of
the carrying amount of such assets to the future undiscounted net cash flows
expected to be generated by the assets. If such assets were deemed to be
impaired as a result of this measurement, the impairment that would be
recognized is measured by the amount by which the carrying amount of the
asset exceeds the fair value of the asset as determined on a discounted
basis.

Cash Equivalents

The Company considers all highly liquid debt instruments purchased with a
maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. Cash and cash
equivalents are net of issued and outstanding checks in excess of disbursing
bank account balances, which checks are routinely funded on a daily basis
from the Company's main bank account with another bank.

Financial Instruments

The Company has evaluated the fair value of those assets and liabilities
identified as financial instruments under Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 107. The Company estimates that fair values generally
approximated carrying values at April 28, 2001, April 29, 2000 and May 1,
1999. Fair values have been determined through information obtained from
market sources and management estimates.

Earnings Per Share

For computing diluted earnings per share in accordance with SFAS No. 128,
"Earnings Per Share," additional weighted average shares attributable to
outstanding stock options were 140,000, 267,000 and 250,000 for the years
ended April 28, 2001, April 29, 2000 and May 1, 1999, respectively.

Reclassifications

The 2000 and 1999 Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows have been conformed to
the presentation adopted in 2001.

2. Segment Information:
--------------------

The Company has determined, using the management approach, that it operates
in two business segments: Handleman Entertainment Resources (H.E.R.) provides
category management and distribution services of music products to select
mass merchants; and North Coast Entertainment (NCE) encompasses the Company's
proprietary activities, which include music and video products, as well as
licensing operations.

The accounting policies of the segments are the same as those described in
Note 1, "Accounting Policies." Segment data includes intersegment revenues,
as well as a charge allocating all corporate costs to the operating segments.
The Company evaluates performance of its segments and allocates resources to
them based on income before interest, income taxes, minority interest and
repositioning and related charges ("segment income").

25


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, continued
________________

The tables below present information about reported segments for the years ended
April 28, 2001, April 29, 2000 and May 1, 1999 (in thousands of dollars):



Fiscal 2001: H.E.R. NCE Total
------ --- -----

Revenues, external customers $1,064,003 $128,887 $1,192,890
Intersegment revenues -- 13,840 13,840
Segment income 66,123 4,271 70,394
Total assets 498,109 186,084 684,193
Capital expenditures 22,011 4,492 26,503


Fiscal 2000: H.E.R. NCE Total
------ ---- -----

Revenues, external customers $1,011,323 $126,282 $1,137,605
Intersegment revenues -- 15,716 15,716
Segment income 54,811 14,182 68,993
Total assets 425,743 175,468 601,211
Capital expenditures 14,016 6,319 20,335


Fiscal 1999: H.E.R. NCE Total
------ --- -----

Revenues, external customers $ 884,670 $124,560 $1,009,230
Intersegment revenues 3,737 14,408 18,145
Segment income 36,099 19,973 56,072
Total assets 377,869 152,246 530,115
Capital expenditures 13,004 4,050 17,054


26


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, continued
________________


A reconciliation of total segment revenues to consolidated revenues, total
segment income to total consolidated income before income taxes and total
segment assets to total consolidated assets for the years ended April 28, 2001,
April 29, 2000 and May 1, 1999 is as follows (in thousands of dollars):




2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----

Revenues
--------

Total segment revenues $1,206,730 $1,153,321 $1,027,375
Revenues from exited activities -- -- 48,684
Corporate rental income 89 -- --
Elimination of intersegment revenues (13,840) (15,716) (17,506)
---------- ---------- ----------
Consolidated revenues $1,192,979 $1,137,605 $1,058,553
========== ========== ==========

Income Before Income Taxes
--------------------------

Total segment income for reportable segments $ 70,394 $ 68,993 $ 56,072
Segment loss for sold operation (Sofsource) -- -- (135)
Interest revenue 1,844 2,195 1,392
Interest expense (4,476) (5,373) (9,480)
Repositioning and related charges -- -- (127,362)
Gain on sale of subsidiary -- -- 31,000
Unallocated corporate (costs) income 1,370 158 (749)
---------- ---------- ----------
Consolidated income (loss) before income taxes $ 69,132 $ 65,973 $ (49,262)
========== ========== ==========

Assets
------

Total segment assets $ 684,193 $ 601,211 $ 530,115
Elimination of intercompany receivables
and payables (93,526) (81,528) (42,259)
---------- ---------- ----------
Total consolidated assets $ 590,667 $ 519,683 $ 487,856
========== ========== ==========



27


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, continued
__________________


The following is revenue and long-lived asset information by geographic area as
of and for the years ended April 28, 2001, April 29, 2000 and May 1, 1999:



Revenues
----------------------------------------------------------

2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----

United States $1,030,120 $ 997,238 $ 926,573
Canada 85,712 92,200 76,994
Other foreign 77,147 48,167 54,986
---------- ---------- ----------
$1,192,979 $1,137,605 $1,058,553
========== ========== ==========


Long-Lived Assets
----------------------------------------------------------

2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----

United States $ 143,248 $ 130,248 $ 107,103
Canada 3,866 4,012 3,888
Other foreign 9,002 7,056 3,320
---------- ---------- ----------
$ 156,116 $ 141,316 $ 114,311
========== ========== ==========



Foreign revenue is based upon the country in which the legal subsidiary is
domiciled. Revenue from no single foreign country other than Canada was material
to the consolidated revenues of the Company.

For the years ended April 28, 2001, April 29, 2000 and May 1, 1999, one customer
accounted for approximately 35 percent, 35 percent and 31 percent of the
Company's revenues, respectively, and a second customer accounted for
approximately 44 percent, 42 percent and 39 percent of the Company's revenues,
respectively. Approximately 98 percent, 98 percent and 96 percent of the
combined revenues for these two customers are included in the H.E.R. segment for
the years ended April 28, 2001, April 29, 2000 and May 1, 1999, respectively.
Collectively, these customers accounted for approximately 74 percent, 63 percent
and 66 percent of accounts receivable at April 28, 2001, April 29, 2000 and May
1, 1999, respectively.

28


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, continued
__________________

3. Repositioning and Related Charges:
----------------------------------

On June 2, 1998 the Board of Directors approved a repositioning program
designed to focus the Company on its core music distribution business. The
repositioning program resulted in a $110 million charge to earnings in the
first quarter of fiscal 1999 representing asset adjustments and cost
accruals directly related to the repositioning program, other than certain
costs totaling $17.4 million that were required to be expensed as incurred
in the last three quarters of fiscal 1999. The repositioning activities,
including employee severance programs, were completed during fiscal 1999.

The $127.4 million (pre-tax) repositioning and related charge recognized in
fiscal 1999 was comprised of adjustments of assets to net realizable value
of $84.5 million, intangibles write-off of $13.0 million and other
repositioning related costs of $29.9 million. Adjustments of assets to net
realizable value included adjustments to reflect the estimated recovery
amount of assets disposed of during fiscal 1999. The components of the
provision were, principally, inventory of $31.6 million and property and
equipment of $11.8 million, as well as certain adjustments to the carrying
value of receivables of $27.2 million, payables of $4.1 million and
investments of $9.2 million. Intangibles related to either businesses
exited, or customers no longer serviced, are included in the intangibles
write-off. Other repositioning related costs were principally employee
severance costs of $3.8 million, advisory fees of $17.2 million, debt
restructuring costs of $2.0 million and inventory handling costs of $2.0
million.

The amount of each element of the overall repositioning charge was
determined based upon estimated costs at the time, or the actual cost of
assets compared to management estimates of recoverability. No adjustments
were subsequently necessary to adjust the initial overall repositioning
provision of $110 million.

The repositioning program resulted in a reduction of approximately 1,000
positions (approximately 30% of the Company's total workforce at the time).
This reduction occurred predominantly in the H.E.R. division. For the most
part, the reductions were in the following areas: field sales
representatives; distribution facility employees; and the corporate
headquarters. Employee severance amounts were determined based upon an
employee's length of service, salary grade level and compensation. Total
employee severance paid in fiscal 2000 and fiscal 1999 in connection with
the repositioning program was approximately $.3 million and $3.5 million,
respectively.

29


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, continued
__________________

A reconciliation of the provisions for repositioning and related charges and the
remaining liability balance follows (in thousands):



Other
Adjustment of Repositioning
Assets to Net Related Costs, Accrued
Realizable Intangibles Including Exit Liability
Value Write-off Costs Account
-------------- -------------- ---------------- -------------

Amount provided during the
first quarter ended August 1, 1998 $ 84,500 $ 13,000 $ 12,500 $ 110,000

Charges in fiscal 1999 resulting
from asset write-offs and cash
expenditures (84,500) (13,334) (11,935) (109,769)


Reclassify residual intangibles
write-off -- 334 (334) --
--------- --------- --------- ----------

Remaining balance as of
May 1, 1999 $ -- $ -- 231 231
========= =========

Charges in fiscal 2000 resulting
from cash expenditures (231) (231)
--------- ----------

Remaining balance as of
April 29, 2000 $ -- $ --
========= ==========




The remaining liability balance as of May 1, 1999 is included in accrued and
other liabilities in the consolidated balance sheet.

30


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, continued
__________________
4. Pension Plan:
-------------

The Company has two principal retirement plans which cover substantially all
full-time U.S. employees. The benefit obligation, plan assets, funded status,
net periodic benefit cost and the amount which is recorded in the Company's
consolidated balance sheet at April 28, 2001, April 29, 2000 and May 1, 1999 for
these plans are as follows:



2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----

Change in projected benefit obligation:
Benefit obligation at beginning of year $ 24,684,000 $ 26,553,000 $ 24,291,000
Service cost 1,148,000 1,206,000 1,109,000
Interest cost 2,159,000 1,820,000 1,650,000
Amendments 1,263,000 -- --
Actuarial (gain)/loss 5,229,000 (3,555,000) 879,000
Benefits paid (1,009,000) (1,340,000) (1,376,000)
------------- ------------ ------------
Benefit obligation at end of year $ 33,474,000 $ 24,684,000 $ 26,553,000
============= ============ ============


Change in plan assets:
Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year $ 20,174,000 $ 20,373,000 $ 20,413,000
Actual return on plan assets 113,000 1,385,000 1,422,000
Net realized gain on the sale of assets 1,117,000 1,295,000 1,462,000
Unrealized depreciation (1,125,000) (1,556,000) (1,564,000)
Company contribution 1,160,000 17,000 16,000
Benefits paid (1,009,000) (1,340,000) (1,376,000)
------------- ------------ ------------
Fair value of plan assets at end of year $ 20,430,000 $ 20,174,000 $ 20,373,000
============= ============ ============


Funded status at end of year $ (13,044,000) $ (4,510,000) $ (6,180,000)
Unrecognized net (gain)/loss from past experience
different from that assumed 5,834,000 (982,000) 2,039,000
Unrecognized net gain from excess funding (252,000) (371,000) (490,000)
Unrecognized prior service cost 1,705,000 644,000 708,000
------------- ------------ ------------
Accrued benefit cost included in
other liabilities $ (5,757,000) $ (5,219,000) $ (3,923,000)
============= ============ ============



Assumptions used in determining the actuarial present value of the projected
benefit obligation included a weighted average discount rate of 7.25% for 2001,
7.75% for 2000 and 6.75% for 1999, and a rate of increase in future compensation
levels of 5% for all years.



2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----

Components of net periodic benefit cost:
Service cost $ 1,148,000 $ 1,206,000 $ 1,109,000
Interest cost 2,159,000 1,820,000 1,650,000
Expected return on plan assets (1,744,000) (1,696,000) (1,701,000)
Amortization of unrecognized transition
asset, prior service cost and actuarial gain 135,000 (16,000) 65,000
------------- ------------- ------------
Net periodic benefit cost $ 1,698,000 $ 1,314,000 $ 1,123,000
============= ============= ============


The expected long-term rate of return on assets was 8.5% for all years. Plan
assets are invested in various pooled investment funds and mutual funds
maintained by the Plan trustee, as well as Handleman Company common stock valued
at $835,000 at April 28, 2001, $888,000 at April 29, 2000 and $1,040,000 at May
1, 1999.

31


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, continued
__________________

5. Debt:
-----

The Company has an unsecured, $150,000,000 line of credit with a consortium
of banks, which is scheduled to expire in September 2002. At April 28, 2001,
borrowings available under the credit agreement were $99,639,000, after
$5,111,000 of outstanding letters of credit, borrowings of $25,000,000
outstanding at that date, and approximately $20,250,000 required to be
available for guaranteed lines of credit as discussed below. The Company may
elect to pay interest under a variety of formulae tied principally to either
prime or "LIBOR." As of April 28, 2001, the interest rate was 5.5%. The
weighted average amount of borrowings outstanding under the credit agreement
was $5,430,000, $6,694,000 and $32,494,000 for the years ended April 28,
2001, April 29, 2000 and May 1, 1999, respectively, and the weighted average
interest rate under the credit agreement was 6.85% for the year ended April
28, 2001, 6.74% for the year ended April 29, 2000 and 6.8% for the year ended
May 1, 1999.

In fiscal 1995, the Company entered into a $100,000,000 senior note
agreement, as amended, with a group of insurance companies. These notes bear
interest at rates of 8.51% or 8.84%. Scheduled maturities for the senior note
agreement as of April 28, 2001 are as follows:

2002 $14,571,000
2003 3,572,000
2004 3,571,000
2005 3,571,000
-----------
$25,285,000
===========




The senior note and the credit agreements contain certain restrictions and
covenants, relating to, among others, interest coverage ratio, working
capital, debt and net worth. As of April 28, 2001, the Company was in
compliance with these various provisions.

In fiscal 1999, a subsidiary entered into an $8,750,000 credit facility. As
of April 28, 2001, the interest rate was 7.0% and $8,700,000 was outstanding
and was classified as non-current debt. In fiscal 2001, a second subsidiary
entered into an (Pounds)8,000,000 credit facility (approximately $11,500,000
U.S.) with a certain bank. As of April 28, 2001, the interest rate was 6.6%
and $8,600,000 was outstanding and was classified as non-current debt. The
Company has guaranteed repayment of amounts borrowed under each of these
facilities, and is required to maintain availability under its $150,000,000
line of credit to refinance any outstanding balances.

Interest expense for the years ended April 28, 2001, April 29, 2000 and May
1, 1999 was $4,527,000, $5,373,000 and $9,480,000, respectively. Interest
paid for the years ended April 28, 2001, April 29, 2000 and May 1, 1999 was
$4,462,000, $5,039,000 and $9,526,000, respectively.

32


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, continued

_________________

6. Income Taxes:
-------------

The domestic and foreign components of income (loss) before income taxes and
minority interest for the years ended April 28, 2001, April 29, 2000 and May 1,
1999 are as follows:



2001 2000 1999
----------- ----------- ------------


Domestic $73,389,000 $63,372,000 $(44,121,000)
Foreign (4,257,000) 2,601,000 (5,141,000)
----------- ----------- ------------
Income (loss) before income
taxes and minority interest $69,132,000 $65,973,000 $(49,262,000)
=========== =========== ============


Provisions for income taxes for the years ended April 28, 2001, April 29, 2000
and May 1, 1999 consist of the following:



2001 2000 1999
----------- ----------- ------------

Currently payable:
Federal $24,528,000 $19,749,000 $ (2,686,000)
Foreign 1,985,000 2,195,000 814,000
State and other 3,780,000 2,845,000 (392,000)

Deferred, net:
Federal (1,145,000) 1,545,000 (12,180,000)
Foreign (2,758,000) (209,000) (996,000)
State and other (11,000) 130,000 (1,009,000)
----------- ----------- ------------
$26,379,000 $26,255,000 $(16,449,000)
=========== =========== ============



The following table provides a reconciliation of the Company's resulting income
tax to the statutory federal income tax:



2001 2000 1999
----------- ----------- ------------

Federal statutory tax $24,197,000 $23,092,000 $(17,241,000)
State and local income taxes 2,273,000 1,940,000 (911,000)
Effect of foreign operations (5,344,000) 1,076,000 1,617,000
Effect of domestic operating loss with
no tax benefit 4,485,000 -- --
Write-off of intangible assets -- -- 1,914,000
Prior years' tax accruals no longer
necessary -- -- (1,846,000)
Other 768,000 147,000 18,000
----------- ----------- ------------
Resulting tax $26,379,000 $26,255,000 $(16,449,000)
=========== =========== ============


33


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, continued
__________________


Items that gave rise to significant portions of the deferred tax accounts at
April 28, 2001, April 29, 2000 and May 1, 1999 are as follows:



April 28, 2001 April 29, 2000 May 1, 1999
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Deferred Tax Deferred Tax Deferred Tax Deferred Tax Deferred Tax Deferred Tax
Assets Liabilities Assets Liabilities Assets Liabilities
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Allowances $ 14,146,000 $ 5,202,000 $13,585,000 $ 6,618,000 $13,615,000 $ 8,783,000
Carryforward losses 14,594,000 -- 10,600,000 -- 8,300,000 --
Employee benefits 4,795,000 56,000 2,251,000 95,000 4,788,000 --
Property and equipment 1,163,000 5,666,000 2,802,000 6,075,000 8,327,000 6,656,000
Inventory 178,000 538,000 271,000 374,000 366,000 1,587,000
Other 3,710,000 347,000 1,531,000 83,000 1,734,000 --
------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------

38,586,000 11,809,000 31,040,000 13,245,000 37,130,000 17,026,000
Valuation allowance (11,600,000) -- (8,600,000) -- (6,300,000) --
------------ ----------- ----------- ----------- ----------- -----------

Net $ 26,986,000 $11,809,000 $22,440,000 $13,245,000 $30,830,000 $17,026,000
============ =========== =========== =========== =========== ===========




The Company has net operating and capital loss carryforwards for tax purposes of
approximately $42,000,000 which expire at various times from 2002 through 2020.
A valuation allowance is provided when it is more likely than not that some
portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The Company has
valuation allowance recognized related to approximately $33,000,000 of its loss
carryforwards.

Income taxes paid in 2001, 2000 and 1999 were approximately $26,867,000,
$26,311,000 and $5,203,000, respectively.


7. Property and Equipment:
-----------------------

Property and equipment consists of the following:


2001 2000 1999
------------ ------------ ------------

Land $ 1,233,000 $ 3,078,000 $ 3,354,000
Buildings and improvements 14,621,000 17,126,000 16,227,000
Display fixtures 34,627,000 52,362,000 45,486,000
Computer hardware and software 34,110,000 22,475,000 12,607,000
Equipment, furniture and other 34,192,000 27,207,000 31,223,000
------------ ------------ ------------
118,783,000 122,248,000 108,897,000

Less accumulated depreciation 61,896,000 70,396,000 55,478,000
------------ ------------ ------------
$ 56,887,000 $ 51,852,000 $ 53,419,000
============ ============ ============



34


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, continued
_________________

8. Stock Plans:
------------

The Company's shareholders approved the adoption of the Handleman Company
1998 Performance Incentive Plan (the "Plan"), which authorizes the granting
of stock options, stock appreciation rights and restricted stock. The
maximum number of shares of stock which may be issued under the Plan is
1,500,000 shares. After deducting restricted stock, options and awards
issued or granted under the Plan since adoption in September 1998, 550,206
shares of the Company's stock are available for use under the Plan as of
April 28, 2001.

During fiscal 2001, 70,294 shares of previously issued restricted stock
vested with recipients, and 92,672 shares, net of forfeitures, remain to
vest based upon pre-determined periods of continued service. Compensation
expense recorded in fiscal 2001 and fiscal 2000 related to the restricted
stock awards was $448,000 and $579,000, respectively.

Information with respect to options outstanding under the previous and
current stock option plans, which have various terms and vesting periods as
approved by the Compensation and Stock Option Committee of the Board of
Directors, for the years ended May 1, 1999, April 29, 2000 and April 28,
2001, is set forth below. Options were granted during such years at no less
than fair market value at the date of grant.



Number Weighted
of Shares Average Price
-------------- ---------------

Balance, May 2, 1998 1,407,419 $10.24

Granted 292,100 12.06
Terminated (278,919) 11.60
Exercised (257,962) 9.61
---------- ------

Balance, May 1, 1999 1,162,638 10.53

Granted 450,200 11.30
Terminated (88,597) 16.42
Exercised (117,214) 8.89
----------- ------

Balance April 29, 2000 1,407,027 10.55

Granted 499,594 10.31
Terminated (171,899) 12.39
Exercised (55,069) 6.96
---------- ------

Balance April 28, 2001 1,679,653 $10.42
========== ======

Number of shares exercisable
at April 28, 2001 851,614 $10.59
========== ======


35


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, continued
______________


The exercise price range of outstanding options as of May 1, 1999, April 29,
2000 and April 28, 2001 was $6.00-$21.83, $6.00-$15.87 and $6.00-$16.75,
respectively. Approximately 77% of outstanding options as of April 28, 2001 had
exercise prices of $10.00 per share or more. The average remaining exercise
period for shares exercisable at April 28, 2001 was six years.

The Company applies the provisions of Accounting Principles Board Opinion No.
25, "Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees," in determining stock option
compensation expense. The following table presents the proforma effects on the
Company's earnings and earnings per share in fiscal years 2001, 2000 and 1999
had stock option compensation expense been determined pursuant to the
methodology of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, "Accounting
for Stock-Based Compensation," including amortization to expense the estimated
fair value of the granted options over the options' vesting periods.



2001 2000 1999
----------- ----------- ------------

Net income (loss):
As reported $42,031,000 $38,648,000 $(35,052,000)
Proforma 41,189,000 37,901,000 (35,655,000)
Earnings (loss) per share:
As reported - basic $ 1.54 $ 1.31 $ (1.11)
- diluted 1.53 1.30 (1.11)
Proforma - basic 1.51 1.29 (1.13)
- diluted 1.50 1.28 (1.12)


The fair value of each option grant was estimated as of the date of grant
using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model using the following weighted
average assumptions for fiscal years 2001, 2000 and 1999:

2001 2000 1999
---- ---- ----
Expected life (in years) 5.0 5.0 5.0
Risk free interest rate 6.25% 5.84% 5.57%
Volatility 42.60% 42.17% 39.16%
Dividend yield -- -- --

The weighted average estimated fair value of stock options granted during
fiscal years 2001, 2000 and 1999 was $4.80, $5.16 and $5.21, respectively.

36


NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, continued
_________________

9. Quarterly Financial Summary (unaudited):
----------------------------------------
(amounts in thousands except per share data)



For the Three Months Ended
--------------------------

July 29, Oct. 28, Jan. 31, April 28,
Fiscal Year 2001 2000 2000 2001 2001
---------------- ---- ---- ---- ----

Revenues $231,435 $297,593 $348,974 $314,977
Income before income taxes
and minority interest 2,983 23,609 23,284 19,256
Net income 1,742 14,142 16,256 9,891
Earnings per share - basic and diluted .06 .51 .60 .37


July 31, Oct. 30, Jan. 31, April 29,
Fiscal Year 2000 1999 1999 2000 2000
---------------- ---- ---- ---- ----

Revenues $226,357 $288,855 $343,246 $279,147
Income before income taxes
and minority interest 1,686 23,487 25,131 15,669
Net income 682 13,479 14,660 9,828
Earnings per share - basic and diluted .02 .45 .50 .35




The high effective tax rate in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2001 resulted
from losses at a certain subsidiary where no tax benefit on these losses
was recognized because the subsidiary was unconsolidated for tax purposes
in fiscal 2001.

37


Item 9. DISAGREEMENTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
FINANCIAL DISCLOSURES

Not applicable

PART III

Item 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

Item 10, with the exception of the following information regarding executive
officers of the Registrant required by Item 10, is contained in the Handleman
Company definitive Proxy Statement for its 2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders
to be filed on or before August 24, 2001 and such information is incorporated
herein by reference. All officers serve at the discretion of the Board of
Directors.



EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT

Name and Age Office and Year First Elected
- ------------------------ ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Stephen Strome 56 (1) Chairman (2001), Chief Executive Officer (1991) and Director (1989)
Peter J. Cline 54 (2) President (2001) and Chief Operating Officer (2000)
Leonard A. Brams 50 (3) Senior Vice President/Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary (1997)
Stephen Nadelberg 60 (4) Senior Vice President/President of NCE (1997)
Geraldo Lopez 41 (5) Senior Vice President/General Manager, Customer Teams
and Consumer Marketing (2000)
Thomas C. Braum, Jr. 46 (6) Vice President (1992) and Corporate Controller (1988)


1. Stephen Strome was named Chairman on January 12, 2001. Mr. Strome has
served as Chief Executive Officer since May 1991. Prior to his appointment
as Chairman, Mr. Strome served as President since March 1990.

2. Peter J. Cline was named President on January 12, 2001. Mr. Cline has
served as Chief Operating Officer since May 2000, and as Executive Vice
President/President of Handleman Entertainment Resources since joining the
Company in April 1994.

3. Leonard A. Brams has served as Senior Vice President/Finance, Chief
Financial Officer and Secretary since joining the Company in June 1997.
Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Brams was Vice President/Administration
and Chief Financial Officer for Talon LLC from 1995 until 1997, and Vice
President Finance of United Technologies Automotive from 1990 until 1994.

4. Stephen Nadelberg has served as Senior Vice President/President of North
Coast Entertainment since joining the Company in February 1997. Prior to
joining the Company, Mr. Nadelberg was employed from 1974 to 1996 by Allied
Domecq Spirits & Wines, parent company of Hiram Walker, Inc., where he held
various positions, most recently as Vice President and General Manager of
global product development.

5. Geraldo Lopez has served as Senior Vice President/General Manager of
Customer Teams and Consumer Marketing since joining the Company in May
2000. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Lopez was President of the
International Division and Senior Vice President/General Manager of
Southwest Brands of International Home Foods from 1997 until 2000, and held
various positions with Frito Lay from 1991 through 1997, most recently as
Vice President of the St. Louis/Tulsa market.

6. Thomas C. Braum, Jr. has served as Corporate Controller since June 1988.
In February 1992, Mr. Braum was elected Vice President.

38


Item 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Information required by this item is contained in the Handleman Company
definitive Proxy Statement for its 2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be
filed on or before August 24, 2001 and such information is incorporated herein
by reference.

Item 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

Information required by this item is contained in the Handleman Company
definitive Proxy Statement for its 2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be
filed on or before August 24, 2001 and such information is incorporated herein
by reference.

Item 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS

Information required by this item is contained in the Handleman Company
definitive Proxy Statement for its 2001 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, to be
filed on or before August 24, 2001 and such information is incorporated herein
by reference.

PART IV

Item 14. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES, AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

(a) 1. The following financial statements and supplementary data are filed as
a part of this report under Item 8.:

Report of Independent Accountants

Consolidated Balance Sheet at April 28, 2001, April 29, 2000 and May
1, 1999

Consolidated Statement of Income - Years Ended April 28, 2001, April
29, 2000 and May 1, 1999

Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity - Years Ended April 28,
2001, April 29, 2000 and May 1, 1999

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - Years Ended April 28, 2001,
April 29, 2000 and May 1, 1999

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

39


2. Financial Statement Schedules


II. Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserves

All other schedules for Handleman Company have been omitted since
the required information is not present or not present in an amount
sufficient to require submission of the schedule, or because the
information required is included in the financial statements or the
notes thereto.


3. Exhibits as required by Item 601 of Regulation S-K.

S-K Item 601 (3)

The Registrant's Restated Articles of Incorporation dated June 30,
1989 were filed with the Form 10-K dated May 1, 1993, and are
incorporated herein by reference. The Registrant's Bylaws adopted
March 7, 1990, as amended June 16, 1993 and December 6, 1995, and
further amended January 12, 2001, are filed as Exhibit A to this
Form 10-K.

S-K Item 601 (10)

The Registrant's 1983 Stock Option Plan was filed with the
Commission in Form S-8 dated January 18, 1985, File No. 2-95421.
The first amendment to the 1983 Stock Option Plan, adopted on March
11, 1987, was filed with the Commission with the Form 10-K for the
year ended May 2, 1987.

The Registrant's 1992 Performance Incentive Plan was filed with the
Commission in Form S-8, dated March 5, 1993, File No. 33-59100.

The Registrant's 1998 Stock Option and Incentive Plan was filed
with the Commission in Form S-8, dated December 21, 1998, File No.
333-69389.

The advisory agreement with David Handleman was filed with the Form
10-K for the year ended April 28, 1990.

The Note Agreement dated as of November 1, 1994 was filed with the
Form 10-K for the year ended April 28, 1995.

The Credit Agreement among Handleman Company, the Banks named
therein and NBD Bank, N.A., as Agent, dated September 3, 1997 was
filed with the Form 10-K for the year ended May 2, 1998.

The change in control agreements dated March 17, 1997 and October
30 and 31, 1997 between Handleman Company and certain executive
officers of the Company were filed with the Form 10-K for the year
ended May 3, 1997 and Form 10-K for the year ended May 2, 1998,
respectively.

40


S-K Item 601 (21) - Subsidiaries of the Registrant:

ABE R2 Communications, Inc., a California Corporation
ABE R2 Video, Ltd., a California Limited Partnership
American Sterling Corp., a Delaware Corporation
Anchor Bay Entertainment, GmbH, a German Limited Liability Company
Anchor Bay Entertainment, Inc., a Michigan Corporation
Anchor Bay Entertainment UK Limited, a United Kingdom Corporation
Anchor Bay International, Limited, a Private Limited (U.K.)
Corporation
A teeny weeny Production Company, a Delaware Corporation
Bosco Music, Inc., a Michigan Corporation
Click 2 the Music, LLC, a Michigan Limited Liability Company
Eloise Production Company, a Delaware Corporation
Global Entertainment Utility, LLC, a Michigan Limited Liability
Company
Handleman Canada, Inc., a Canadian Corporation
Handleman Category Management Company, a Michigan Corporation
Handleman Company of Canada, Limited, an Ontario Corporation
Handleman de Mexico S.A. de C.V.
Handleman do Brasil Commercial Ltda.
Handleman Distribution Company, a Michigan Corporation
Handleman Entertainment Resources, L.L.C., a Michigan LLC
Handleman Online, Inc., a Michigan Corporation
Handleman Ontario Ltd., a British Virgin Islands Corporation
Handleman Real Estate, LLC, a Michigan LLC
Handleman UK Limited, a United Kingdom Corporation
Hanley Advertising Company, a Michigan Corporation
HCCL , LP, a Canadian Limited Partnership
HGV Video Productions, Inc., an Ontario Corporation
HOORAY! Inc., a New York Corporation
Lifetime Entertainment Limited, a United Kingdom Corporation
Lifetime Holding, Inc., a Michigan Corporation
Madacy Enterprises USA, Inc., a Delaware Corporation
Madacy Entertainment Group, Inc., a Michigan Corporation
Madacy Entertainment Group, Ltd., a Canadian Corporation
Madacy Entertainment (U.K.) Limited, a United Kingdom Corporation
Madacy Music Publishing, Inc., a Canadian Corporation
Maryart Marketing, Inc., a Canadian Corporation
Mediaphon, GmbH, a German Limited Liability Company
Michigan Property and Risk Management Company, a Michigan Corporation
North Coast Entertainment, Inc., a Michigan Corporation
North Coast Entertainment, Ltd., a Canadian Corporation
Oasis Merchandisers Limited, a United Kingdom Corporation
Rackjobbing Services, S.A. de C.V.
Sellthrough Entertainment, Inc., a Michigan Corporation
The itsy bitsy Entertainment Company, a Delaware Corporation
The itsy bitsy Entertainment Company (Canada) Ltd., a Canadian
Corporation
The itsy bitsy Entertainment Holding Company, a Michigan Corporation
The itsy bitsy Melody Company, Inc., a New York Corporation
The itsy bitsy Music Publishing Company, Inc., a New York Corporation
TibECo Productions, Inc., a New York Corporation

S-K Item 601 (23) - Consent of Independent Accountants:
Filed with this report.

(b) No reports on Form 8-K have been filed during the last quarter of the
period covered by this report.

Note: Exhibits, if any, attached to this report will be furnished to requesting
security holders upon payment of a reasonable fee to reimburse the
Registrant for expenses incurred by Registrant in furnishing such
Exhibits.

41


CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



We consent to the incorporation by reference in the Registration Statements of
Handleman Company and subsidiaries on Form S-3 (File No. 33-42018) and Form S-8
(File Nos. 2-95421, 33-59100, 33-16637, 33-69030, 333-69389 and 333-60205) of
our report dated June 5, 2001 on our audits of the consolidated financial
statements and financial statement schedule of Handleman Company and
subsidiaries as of April 28, 2001, April 29, 2000 and May 1, 1999, and for the
years then ended, which report is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.


PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP


Detroit, Michigan
July 13, 2001

42


SCHEDULE II - VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES
YEARS ENDED MAY 1, 1999, APRIL 29, 2000 AND APRIL 28, 2001



COLUMN A COLUMN B COLUMN C COLUMN D COLUMN E
-------- -------- -------- -------- --------


Deductions:
Balance at Additions: Adjustments
Beginning Charged to of, or Charge Balance at
Description of Period Expense to, Reserve End of Period
----------- --------- ---------- ------------- -------------

Year ended May 1, 1999:

Accounts receivable,
allowance for gross
profit impact of estimated
future returns $17,339,000 $ 7,260,000 $10,839,000 $13,760,000
=========== =========== =========== ===========

Other assets, collectability
allowance for receivables
from bankrupt customers $ 5,341,000 $ 875,000 $ 269,000 $ 5,947,000
=========== =========== =========== ===========

Year ended April 29, 2000:

Accounts receivable,
allowance for gross
profit impact of estimated
future returns $13,760,000 $ 6,750,000 $ 3,127,000 $17,383,000
=========== =========== =========== ===========

Other assets, collectability
allowance for receivables
from bankrupt customers $ 5,947,000 $ 1,515,000 $ 476,000 $ 6,986,000
=========== =========== =========== ===========

Year ended April 28, 2001:

Accounts receivable,
allowance for gross
profit impact of estimated
future returns $17,383,000 $ 9,788,000 $10,835,000 $16,336,000
=========== =========== =========== ===========

Other assets, collectability
allowance for receivables
from bankrupt customers $ 6,986,000 $ 895,000 $ 2,510,000 $ 5,371,000
=========== =========== =========== ===========


43


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.

HANDLEMAN COMPANY


DATE: July 24, 2001 BY: /s/ Stephen Strome
----------------------------------- --------------------------------
Stephen Strome, Chairman of the
Board, Chief Executive Officer
and Director

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, this
report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the
Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.


/s/ Leonard A. Brams /s/ Thomas C. Braum, Jr.
- ----------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
Leonard A. Brams, Senior Vice President, Thomas C. Braum, Jr., Vice
Finance and Chief Financial Officer President, Corporate Controller
(Principal Financial Officer) (Principal Accounting Officer)

July 24, 2001 July 24, 2001
- ----------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
DATE DATE



/s/ David Handleman /s/ John M. Barth
- ----------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
David Handleman, Director John M. Barth, Director

July 24, 2001 July 24, 2001
- ----------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
DATE DATE



/s/ Elizabeth A. Chappell /s/ Richard H. Cummings
- ----------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
Elizabeth A. Chappell, Director Richard H. Cummings, Director

July 24, 2001 July 24, 2001
- ----------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
DATE DATE



/s/ James B. Nicholson /s/ Lloyd E. Reuss
- ----------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
James B. Nicholson, Director Lloyd E. Reuss, Director

July 24, 2001 July 24, 2001
- ----------------------------------------- ------------------------------------
DATE DATE



/s/ Alan E. Schwartz
- -----------------------------------------
Alan E. Schwartz, Director

July 24, 2001
- -----------------------------------------
DATE

44