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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

FORM 10-K

Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)

THE TALBOTS, INC.

One Talbots Drive

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

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

      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 and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.     Yes þ     No o

      Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained, to the best of registrant’s knowledge, in definitive proxy or information statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any amendment to this Form 10-K. o

      Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an accelerated filer (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 12b-2). þ

      The approximate aggregate market value of the registrant’s common stock held by non-affiliates as of August 2, 2003 based on the closing sale price on the New York Stock Exchange composite tape on August 2, 2003 was approximately $759 million.

      Number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of March 25, 2004: 56,997,407

Documents Incorporated by Reference:

      Portions of the Proxy Statement for the 2004 Annual Meeting of Shareholders are incorporated by reference into Part III.

The Talbots, Inc.

Annual Report on Form 10-K for the Fiscal Year Ended January 31, 2004

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PART I

Item 1.     Business.

General

      The Talbots, Inc., a Delaware corporation, together with its wholly owned subsidiaries (“Talbots” or the “Company”), is a leading national specialty retailer and cataloger of women’s, children’s and men’s classic apparel, accessories and shoes. The Company has grown significantly over the past ten years, with the number of stores increasing from 339 stores at the end of 1993 to 977 stores at the end of 2003. During 2003, Talbots issued 26 separate catalogs with a combined circulation of approximately 47.1 million compared to circulation of 59.5 million in 1993. In 1999, the Company began offering its merchandise online at www.talbots.com. Sales through the Company’s website are reported with catalog sales. Total Company net sales were approximately $1,624.3 million in 2003, of which retail store sales were approximately $1,384.9 million and catalog sales were approximately $239.4 million.

      Talbots follows the National Retail Federation’s fiscal calendar. Where a reference is made to a particular year or years, it is a reference to Talbots 52-week or 53-week fiscal year. For example, “2003” refers to the 52-week fiscal year ended January 31, 2004; “2002” refers to the 52-week fiscal year ended February 1, 2003 and “2001” refers to the 52-week ending February 2, 2002.

      Talbots offers a distinctive collection of classic sportswear, casual wear, dresses, coats, sweaters, accessories and shoes, consisting almost exclusively of Talbots own branded merchandise in misses, petites, woman’s and woman’s petite sizes. Talbots Kids offers an assortment of high quality classic clothing and accessories for infants, toddlers, boys and girls. In October 2002, the Company introduced a new test concept, Talbots Mens, which offers a distinguished line of classic men’s sportswear and dress furnishings.

      Talbots merchandising strategy focuses on achieving a “classic look” that emphasizes timeless styles and quality. Talbots stores, catalogs and website offer a variety of key basic and fashion items and a complementary assortment of accessories and shoes which enable customers to assemble complete wardrobes. The consistency in color, fabric and fit of Talbots merchandise allows a customer to create wardrobes across seasons and years. The Company believes that a majority of its customers are college-educated and employed, primarily in professional and managerial occupations, and are attracted to Talbots by its focused merchandising strategy, personalized customer service and continual flow of high quality, reasonably priced classic merchandise.

      Talbots has established a market niche as a brand in women’s and children’s classic apparel, accessories and shoes. In 2003, over 98% of the Company’s merchandise consisted of styles that were sold exclusively under the Talbots label. Most of this merchandise is manufactured to the specifications of the Company’s technical designers and product developers, enabling Talbots to offer consistently high quality merchandise that the Company believes differentiates Talbots from its competitors.

      The Company operates its stores, catalogs and website as an integrated business and provides the same personalized service to its customers regardless of whether merchandise is purchased through its stores, catalogs or online. The Company believes that the synergy across these distribution channels offers an important convenience to its customers and a competitive advantage to the Company in identifying new store sites and testing new business concepts.

      The first Talbots store was opened in 1947 in Hingham, Massachusetts, by Rudolph and Nancy Talbot. The first Talbots catalog was issued the following year with a circulation of approximately 3,000. Additional stores were opened beginning in 1955, and there were a total of five Talbots stores by 1973, at which time the Company was acquired by General Mills, Inc. Talbots continued to expand and grew to 126 stores by 1988. In 1988, AEON (U.S.A.), Inc. (“AEON U.S.A.”), acquired Talbots (the “Acquisition”). AEON U.S.A. is a wholly owned subsidiary of AEON Co., Ltd. (“AEON”), a Japanese retail conglomerate. In 1993, the Company effected an initial public offering of its common stock (the “Offering”), issuing approximately 25.2 million shares of common stock. Subsequent to the Offering, AEON U.S.A. has remained the

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      The Company has grown significantly since the Acquisition by adding stores and developing new complementary business concepts that capitalize on the strength of the Talbots name and its loyal customer base. By January 31, 2004, the number of stores increased to 977 and were located in 47 states, the District of Columbia, Canada and the United Kingdom. This included 492 Talbots Misses stores (including 20 Misses stores in Canada and five Misses stores in the United Kingdom), 266 Talbots Petites stores (including two Petites stores in Canada), 41 Talbots Accessories & Shoes stores, 68 Talbots Kids stores, 79 Talbots Woman stores (including one Woman store in Canada), six Talbots Mens stores, one Talbots Collection store and 24 Talbots Outlet stores (including one Outlet store in Canada and one Outlet store in the United Kingdom).

      Talbots catalog business has also undergone changes. The circulation of catalogs has been reduced by 21% from 59.5 million catalogs in 1993 to 47.1 million catalogs in 2003. This circulation reduction has been an integral part of a strategy to better focus the distribution of catalogs to proven customers.

      In 1999, Talbots launched its website, www.talbots.com. This distribution channel is a natural extension of the Company’s existing store and catalog channels. The same broad assortment of Talbots existing store and catalog classic merchandise is available online with one-stop shopping for Talbots Misses, Petites, Woman, Accessories & Shoes, Kids and Mens apparel. The Company’s existing catalog fulfillment and customer service infrastructure manages online orders and complements this new channel of distribution. In fiscal 2003, the website accounted for approximately 30% of total catalog sales.

      Information concerning the Company’s retail store business and the Company’s catalog and online business and certain geographic information is contained in Note 12 of the Company’s consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K and is incorporated in this Item 1 by reference.

Strategy

      The key elements of the Company’s strategy are to: (1) maintain its strong competitive position in the classic niche by providing consistently classic women’s, children’s and men’s apparel, accessories and shoes, (2) continue to operate as a predominantly branded merchandise retailer, (3) maintain its posture as a limited promotion retailer, (4) continue to capitalize on its complementary store, catalog and online operations, (5) continue to provide superior customer service and (6) offer a broad mix of store location types.

      Market Niche in Classic Apparel. Talbots offers a distinctive collection of women’s sportswear, casual wear, dresses, coats, sweaters, accessories and shoes and kids apparel consisting almost exclusively of the Company’s own branded merchandise. Talbots offers a variety of key basic and fashion items and a complementary assortment of accessories and shoes to enable customers to assemble complete outfits. In October 2002, the Company began offering a limited assortment of men’s apparel featuring sportswear and dress furnishings under the Talbots branded label. An important aspect of the Company’s marketing strategy is wardrobing the customer from “head-to-toe.” The Company believes that consistently emphasizing timeless styles helps to create a loyal customer base and reduces the risk that its apparel, accessories and shoes will be affected by sudden changes in fashion trends.

      Talbots Brand. The clothing assortment under the Talbots brand exceeded 98% of inventory purchased in 2003. Sales of branded merchandise generally provide the Company with a higher gross margin than it believes would be obtained on other merchandise and establishes Talbots identity as a brand of women’s, children’s and, beginning in 2002, men’s classic apparel.

      The Company believes that the quality and value of its classic merchandise are key competitive factors. Talbots merchandise is manufactured to the specifications of the Company’s technical designers and product developers, enabling Talbots to offer consistently high quality merchandise that the Company believes differentiates Talbots from its competitors. The Company continually monitors its manufacturers to ensure that apparel purchased by the Company is of consistent fit and high quality.

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      Limited Promotion Retailer. The Company positions itself as a limited-promotion retailer. Talbots typically holds only four major sale events a year in its stores, consisting of two end-of-season clearance sales and two mid-season sales. All mid-season and end-of-season store sale events are held in conjunction with catalog sales events. No other major promotional sale events are typically held. However, the Company does offer a variety of traffic and sales driving events through its stores, catalog and website, which complement its traditional sale calendar. The Company believes that its strategy of limiting its promotional events reinforces the integrity of its regular prices.

      Complementary Store, Catalog and Online Operations. The Company’s strategy is to operate its stores, catalogs and website as an integrated business and to provide the same personalized service to its customers regardless of whether merchandise is purchased through its stores, catalogs or online. The Company believes that the synergy across these distribution channels offers an important convenience to its customers, provides a competitive advantage to the Company and is an important element in identifying new store sites.

      Talbots catalogs and website provide customers with a broader selection of sizes and colors than its stores. In each of its United States stores, Talbots offers a “Red Line” phone which connects the store customer directly to a catalog telemarketing sales associate. This service can be used by store customers to order a particular size or color of an item that is not available or is sold out in the store. A reduced shipping and handling charge is provided to customers who use the “Red Line” phone service. In addition to providing customers the convenience of ordering Talbots merchandise, the Company generally uses its catalogs and website to communicate its classic image, to provide customers with fashion guidance in coordinating outfits and to generate store traffic. Merchandise can be easily returned or exchanged at any Talbots store or returned to the Company by mail.

      The Company believes that its catalog operation provides Talbots with a competitive advantage. The customer database compiled through Talbots catalog operations provides important demographic information and serves as an integral part of the Company’s expansion strategy by helping to identify markets with the potential to support a new store. Although the addition of stores in areas where the catalog has been successful has resulted in slightly lower catalog sales in such areas, such lower catalog sales have been more than offset by the significantly higher sales generated in these areas by the opening of new stores.

      In conjunction with the Company’s well-established catalog operation, there is a strong infrastructure in place to support its website, www.talbots.com, including the Company’s existing distribution and fulfillment capabilities. As with catalog merchandise, items can be easily returned or exchanged at any Talbots store or returned to the Company by mail. The Company believes that this channel of business is a natural complement to the store and catalog operations, and has the potential to become a significant growth opportunity. In fiscal 2003, online sales accounted for approximately 30% of total catalog sales compared to 24% in fiscal 2002.

      Customer Service. The Company believes that it provides store, catalog and online customers an extraordinarily high level of customer service. The Company is committed to constantly improving customer service by enhancing its training programs to ensure that sales and customer service associates are knowledgeable about all Talbots merchandise, that they are up to date with fashion trends and are able to make appropriate wardrobing suggestions to customers.

      Broad Mix of Store Locations. The Company believes that providing a broad mix of store location types helps insulate it from changes in customer shopping patterns and allows it to offer locations that are convenient and consistent with its image. As of January 31, 2004, the Company had 39% of its stores in malls, 39% in specialty centers, 10% in village locations, 7% as freestanding stores, 2% in outlet locations and 3% in urban locations.

Merchandising

      The Company’s merchandising strategy focuses on achieving a “classic look” which emphasizes timeless styles. Talbots offers a distinctive collection of women’s and children’s classic sportswear, casual wear, dresses, coats, sweaters, accessories and shoes, as well as men’s sportswear and dress furnishings, consisting primarily

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      Branded Merchandise Design and Purchasing. Talbots branded merchandise is designed and produced through the coordinated efforts of the Company’s merchandising and manufacturing teams. These teams consist of the New York-based product development office, the Hingham-based buying and manufacturing staff and the Hong Kong-based production office. Styles for Talbots branded merchandise are developed based upon prior years’ sales history and current fashion trends for each of the Company’s two main seasons, spring and fall.

      The New York-based Talbots product development office oversees the conceptualization of Talbots merchandise. This initial product determination concerns styling, color, and fabrication recommendations. The development process begins approximately nine to twelve months before the expected in-house delivery date of the merchandise.

      In conjunction with the merchandise developed by the product development team and quantified by the buying organization, the Company’s Hingham-based technical design and performance testing staff work to determine the technical specifications of virtually all of the Company’s branded merchandise. In addition to preparing the initial specifications, this group also reviews the first fit sample together with the product development team, ensuring that the creative intent is preserved. Subsequent fit samples are evaluated on fit and quality characteristics, ensuring that specifications and quality standards are met.

      The Company’s Hingham-based buying staff is responsible for the quantification of specific merchandise and departmental needs and plans. These plans are used by the sourcing staff to place specific item orders on styles developed with the product development office and with the various merchandise vendors. The Hong Kong-based production office coordinates with the Hingham-based sourcing staff for product purchases made in Hong Kong, Macau, and Southern China.

      Sourcing. In fiscal 2003, Talbots purchased approximately 73% of its merchandise directly from offshore vendors, and the remaining 27% through domestic-based vendors. During the year, the Company’s Hong Kong office accounted for approximately 46% of Talbots total direct offshore sourcing, with the remaining 54% being handled through various agents. In fiscal 2003, approximately 33% of Talbots merchandise was sourced through Hong Kong.

      In order to diversify the Company’s sourcing operations, additional exclusive overseas sourcing offices have been established in Jakarta, Indonesia, in Bangkok, Thailand and in Singapore. Under the terms of an agreement between the Company and Eralda Industries (“Eralda”), a long-time supplier of the Company, Eralda serves as the Company’s exclusive agent and has established these offices to serve the Company in this capacity.

      In addition to the Company’s office in Hong Kong, which deals with local manufacturers, and the sourcing arrangement with Eralda, Talbots utilizes non-exclusive agents in Japan, Korea, Italy, Portugal, Spain and Brazil plus domestic resources to source its merchandise. The Company analyzes its overall distribution of manufacturing to ensure that no one company or country is responsible for a disproportionate amount of Talbots merchandise. Directly sourced merchandise is currently manufactured to the Company’s specifications by independent foreign factories located primarily in Hong Kong and other provinces of China and in South Korea, in Asia, and primarily Italy, in Europe.

      The Company’s domestic vendors include those who either manufacture their own merchandise or supply merchandise manufactured by others, as well as vendors that are both manufacturers and suppliers. Most of Talbots Hong Kong and other foreign vendors manufacture their own merchandise. The Company believes that, consistent with the practices of the retail apparel industry as a whole, many of its domestic suppliers import a significant portion of their merchandise from abroad.

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      The Company typically transacts business on an order-by-order basis; however, fabric and production projections are placed with mills and vendors to better address fulfillment and replenishment objectives. The Company does not maintain any long-term or exclusive commitments or arrangements to purchase from any vendor. The Company monitors its vendors for compliance with the Fair Labor Standards Act and believes that it has good relationships with its vendors. Additionally, as the number of Talbots stores increases, the Company believes that there will be adequate sources to produce a sufficient supply of quality goods in a timely manner and on satisfactory economic terms. The Company does business with virtually all of its vendors in United States currency.

      In light of the current and potential hostilities in the Middle East and other geographic areas, the Company’s sourcing operations may in the future be affected from time to time in varying degrees. Both the likelihood of such occurrences and their overall effect upon the Company are difficult to predict and the Company will take appropriate measures to minimize the impact of such occurrences.

      On December 31, 2004, quota restrictions on the import of foreign apparel from countries which are members of the World Trade Organization are expected to end. The effect this quota expiration will have on global sourcing patterns is uncertain. The Company currently believes that its diversified sourcing strategy and the long-term relationships it has with its vendors will allow the Company to respond to potential demand shifts following the elimination of these quotas so as not to significantly interrupt the Company’s flow of product.

Expansion

      An important aspect of the Company’s business strategy has been an expansion program designed to reach new and existing customers through the opening of new stores. The Company has grown significantly over the past ten years, with the number of stores increasing from 339 at the end of 1993 to 977 at the end of 2003. During that time, store net sales increased from approximately $582.8 million in 1993 to approximately $1,384.9 million in 2003. During fiscal 2003 Talbots opened a net of 91 new stores.

      In addition to expanding its core Misses business, the Company has introduced complementary new business concepts, including Talbots Petites, Talbots Kids, Talbots Accessories & Shoes, Talbots Woman, Talbots Woman Petites, Talbots Collection and most recently Talbots Mens.

      In 1984, Talbots began offering merchandise in petites sizes in its catalogs, and in 1985 opened its first Talbots Petites store. During 1989, Talbots stores began to carry a selection of Talbots Petites merchandise, and the Company opened three additional Talbots Petites stores in 1990 as the beginning of its strategy to expand the Talbots Petites business. At the end of fiscal 2003, 266 Talbots Petites stores were open, including two stores in Canada. Virtually every item of women’s apparel in the Talbots catalog is offered in both misses and petites sizes.

      In 1989, the Company presented Talbots Kids merchandise in a separate catalog dedicated to apparel for boys and girls. The first Talbots Kids store opened in 1990. During 1995, Talbots expanded the Talbots Kids merchandise by offering an assortment of infants and toddlers apparel. At the end of fiscal 2003, 68 Talbots Kids stores were open. Also in 2003, four separate Talbots Kids catalogs were circulated nationally. The Company will continue to position Talbots Kids as a brand that offers a complete assortment of high quality classic children’s clothing and accessories.

      During 1994, Talbots introduced Talbots Accessories & Shoes in two catalogs devoted to this category. The Company opened its first Talbots Accessories & Shoes stores in 1995 and operated 41 stores at the end of fiscal 2003. A limited collection of this merchandise is offered in each major catalog, in virtually all stores and, in 2003, in two separate catalogs.

      In 1998, the Company introduced two new concepts, Talbots Woman and Talbots Collection. Talbots Woman was developed for customers wearing sizes 12W to 24W who seek the same classic styling, high quality and fit as the Company’s misses and petites customers. It was introduced as a department in seven existing Misses stores, as one separate store adjacent to other Talbots concept stores, and in two nationally circulated catalogs. In 2001, the Company expanded the concept with the introduction of Talbots Woman

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      Talbots Collection was developed for those customers seeking an upper-tier, well-defined selection of apparel featuring more luxurious fabrics and sophisticated styling. It is presented as a separate department in 85 existing Talbots Misses stores. During the fall of 2003, the Company opened its first Collection store. The Company continues to use this concept to test new fabrics and fashion trends, which may be incorporated into the core Misses and Petites lines.

      In the fall of 2002, the Company introduced its Talbots Mens concept in a separate catalog and included items in its holiday catalog. The line features classic sportswear and dress furnishings with an emphasis on detail and quality, consistent with the Company’s other concepts. In the spring of 2003, the Company opened its first three Talbots Mens stores and at the end of fiscal 2003, six Talbots Mens stores were open. Merchandise was also presented in two separate catalogs and on the Company’s website. The Company believes this test concept may represent a future growth opportunity for Talbots.

      The Company currently anticipates opening approximately 75 new stores, with expansion in all concepts, in 2004. The Company’s ability to continue to expand its store base will be dependent upon a number of factors, including its overall sales performance, general economic and business conditions affecting consumer confidence and spending, the availability of desirable locations, the ability to negotiate acceptable lease terms for new locations, and the performance of its test concepts such as Talbots Mens.

Stores

      Misses stores generally range in size from 3,500 to 6,500 gross square feet, with a typical store averaging approximately 4,900 gross square feet. Talbots Petites, Woman and Kids stores generally measure 2,600, 3,300 and 3,500 gross square feet, respectively. Talbots Accessories & Shoes stores generally measure 1,800 gross square feet. Talbots Mens stores generally measure 4,400 gross square feet. Approximately 75%-80% of the floor area of all Talbots stores is devoted to selling space (including fitting rooms), with the balance allocated to stockroom and other non-selling space.

      In certain markets, the Company has created Talbots “superstores” by placing two or more other Talbots concepts adjacent to a Misses store. Together, these stores feature at least three Talbots business concepts -Misses, Petites, Kids, Woman and/or Accessories & Shoes — in order to create a one-stop shopping environment. At January 31, 2004, the Company operated 102 superstores. Additionally, Talbots “flagship” stores are Misses stores which are operated to generate greater awareness of Talbots merchandise in major metropolitan locations, including Boston, New York City, Chicago, San Francisco, London and Toronto, and are significantly larger than the average Misses store.

      The Company utilizes Talbots Outlet stores that are separate from its retail stores to provide for the controlled and effective clearance of store and catalog merchandise remaining from each sale event. The Company uses Talbots Outlet stores primarily for the sale of past season and “as is” merchandise. At January 31, 2004, the Company operated 24 Talbots Outlet stores, including one Outlet store in Canada and one Outlet store in the United Kingdom.

      Talbots stores, except Mens, are distinguished by a signature red door. Each interior is designed to have a gracious and comfortable residential feel. This interior design theme is consistently used in all Talbots Misses, Petites, Woman and Accessories & Shoes stores to promote familiarity, ease of shopping and cost savings in the design and construction of new stores. Talbots Kids stores also have the signature red doors and are designed to create a warm shopping atmosphere appropriate for both adults and children. Talbots Mens stores are masculine yet complementary to the Company’s Misses stores. Talbots Mens interior design includes natural woods, polished slate and granite tile, and stained wood doors with glass center panels. Management provides guidelines for merchandise display to the stores throughout the year.

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Talbots Catalog and Online Business

      Since 1948, the Company has used its catalog to offer customers convenience in ordering Talbots merchandise. In 2003, the Company issued 26 separate catalogs with a combined circulation of approximately 47.1 million, including catalogs sent to stores for display and general distribution. During 2003, the catalog sales segment represented approximately 14.7% of total Company sales. Catalog circulation has included: base catalogs offering the broadest assortment of Talbots merchandise; Talbots Kids catalogs; Talbots Accessories & Shoes catalogs; Talbots Mens catalogs; and sale catalogs. In addition to providing customers convenience in ordering Talbots merchandise, the Company generally uses its catalogs to communicate its classic image, to provide customers with fashion guidance in coordinating outfits and to generate store traffic.

      The Company utilizes computer applications, which employ mathematical models to improve the efficiency of its catalog mailings through refinement of its customer list. A principal factor in improving customer response has been the Company’s development of its own list of active customers. The Company routinely updates and refines this list prior to individual catalog mailings by monitoring customer interest. This includes the frequency and dollar amount of purchases as well as the date of last purchase. The Company complies with the Direct Marketing Association’s policy recommendations insuring that customer privacy is not compromised.

      The Company attempts to make catalog shopping as convenient as possible. It maintains a toll-free number, accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week (except Christmas Day), to accept requests for catalogs and to take customer orders. It maintains telemarketing centers in Knoxville, Tennessee and Hingham, Massachusetts, which are linked by computer and telephone and are designed to provide uninterrupted service to customers. Telephone calls are answered by knowledgeable sales associates located at the telemarketing centers that utilize online computer terminals to enter customer orders and to retrieve information about merchandise and its availability. These sales associates also suggest and help to select merchandise and can provide detailed information regarding size, color, fit and other merchandise features. In both the Hingham and Knoxville telemarketing centers, sales associates are able to refer to current catalog items in a sample store, allowing them access to merchandise as they assist customers.

      The Company employs advanced technology to process orders. Sales associates enter orders online into a computerized inventory control system, which systematically updates Talbots customer database and permits the Company to measure the response to individual merchandise and catalog mailings. Sales and inventory information are available to the Company’s Hingham-based buying staff the next day. The Company has achieved efficiencies in order entry and fulfillment, which permit the shipment of most orders the following day.

      Reported in catalog sales are online sales. Sales orders from the website are merged into the existing catalog fulfillment system, allowing efficient shipping of merchandise. Customers can check the availability of merchandise at the time of purchase and the website will provide examples of alternative merchandise if items are unavailable. Additionally, the website’s “online chat” feature allows customers to communicate with customer service representatives. As with the catalog, customer online purchases can be returned by mail or at any Talbots retail store.

Customer Credit

      Customers may elect to pay for their purchases using a proprietary Talbots charge card which is managed through Talbots Classics National Bank, a wholly owned Rhode Island chartered national bank subsidiary, and Talbots Classics Finance Company, a wholly owned subsidiary. The Company has extended credit to its customers since commencing business in 1947 and believes that the Talbots charge card enhances customer loyalty, produces finance charge revenue and decreases third-party bankcard fees. During fiscal 2003, Talbots charge purchases accounted for approximately 43% of total Company sales and at January 31, 2004, outstanding balances on Talbots charge purchases totaled $182.7 million, including an allowance for doubtful accounts of $2.7 million. Bad debts have historically been well below 1% of total Talbots charge card sales.

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      In 1997, the Company began testing a customer loyalty program in six states, which rewards customers with a $25 appreciation award for every $500 in merchandise purchases on their Talbots charge card. The award can be redeemed against future charge card purchases. The award expires one year from the date of issuance. The testing found that the program increased customer usage of the Talbots charge (versus another method of payment), and in the test states, overall sales levels increased at a faster rate than other non-test states. In 2001, the program was rolled out nationally. As with the test states, the Company has seen increased usage of the Talbots charge card since the national rollout as customer usage increased from 36% of total sales in 2001 to 43% of total sales in 2003.

Inventory Control and Merchandise Distribution

      The Company uses a centralized distribution system, under which all U.S. merchandise is received, processed and distributed through its catalog and store distribution center in Lakeville, Massachusetts. The Company also has smaller distribution centers in both the United Kingdom and Canada to process store inventory in those locations. Merchandise received at the distribution centers is promptly inspected, assigned to individual stores, packed for delivery and shipped to the stores. Talbots ships merchandise to its stores virtually every business day, with each store generally receiving merchandise twice a week. The Company believes that its strong store, catalog and online synergy, coupled with its central distribution system, allows it to move merchandise efficiently between its three distribution channels to take better advantage of sales trends.

      In 1995, the Company completed an expansion of its distribution center in Lakeville, Massachusetts, by adding an additional 124,260 square feet to support its growth plans. Additional mezzanine level space was added in 1996 and 1997 to further support the Company’s growth. In 2001, an additional 125,000 square foot expansion was completed, bringing the facility’s gross square footage to 933,000 square feet.

Management Information Systems

      Talbots management information systems and electronic data processing systems are located at the Company’s Systems Center in Tampa, Florida and at its corporate facilities in Hingham, Massachusetts. These systems consist of a full range of retail, financial and merchandising systems, including credit, inventory distribution and control, sales reporting, accounts payable, budgeting and forecasting, financial reporting, merchandise reporting and distribution. The Company protects company-sensitive information on its servers from unauthorized access using industry standard network security systems in addition to anti-virus and firewall protection. The website makes use of encryption technology to protect sensitive customer information. The Company complies with the Direct Marketing Association’s policy recommendations insuring that customer privacy is not compromised.

      All Talbots stores have point-of-sale terminals that transmit information daily on sales by item, color and size. Talbots stores are equipped with bar code scanning programs for the recording of store sales, returns, inventories, price changes, receipts and transfers. The Company evaluates this information, together with weekly reports on merchandise statistics, prior to making merchandising decisions regarding reorders of fast-selling items and the allocation of merchandise.

      Also, sales associates can conduct customer searches for merchandise no longer available in their store through the register or with a single phone call, 24 hours a day, seven days a week (except Christmas Day).

Seasonality

      The nature of the Company’s business is to have two distinct selling seasons, spring and fall. The first and second quarters make up the spring season and the third and fourth quarters make up the fall season. Within the spring season, catalog sales are stronger in the first quarter while retail store sales are slightly stronger in the second quarter. Within the fall season, catalog sales and retail store sales are the strongest in the fourth quarter.

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Competition

      The retail apparel industry is highly competitive. The Company believes that the principal basis upon which it competes are quality, value and service in offering classic apparel to build “head-to-toe” wardrobes through stores, catalogs and online.

      Talbots mainly competes with certain departments within national specialty department stores as well as strong regional department store chains. Talbots also competes with other specialty retailers and catalog companies. The Company believes that its focused merchandise selection in classic apparel, consistent branded merchandise, superior customer service, store site selection resulting from the synergy between its stores and catalog operations, and the availability of its merchandise in multiple concepts, distinguish it from department stores and other specialty retailers.

Employees

      At January 31, 2004, Talbots had approximately 11,000 employees, of whom approximately 3,100 were full-time salaried employees, approximately 1,300 were full-time hourly employees and approximately 6,600 were part-time hourly employees. The Company believes that its relationship with its employees is good.

Executive Officers of the Company

      The following table sets forth certain information regarding the executive officers of the Company as of April 1, 2004:

      Mr. Zetcher joined Talbots as President in 1987. He has been President and Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Board of Directors since 1988 and assumed the additional position of Chairman of the Board in 2000. Mr. Zetcher was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of John Breuner Company, a home furnishings division of BATUS, and prior to that, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Kohl’s Food Stores, another BATUS division. Mr. Zetcher served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Bonwit Teller in New York and served in various capacities during his ten years with Federated Department Stores. Mr. Zetcher also serves as Chairman of the Board of the National Retail Federation and Chairman of its Executive Committee.

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      Mr. Bosworth was promoted to the position of Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer in January 2003. He joined the Company in June 1997 as Senior Vice President and General Manager for Talbots Kids and assumed the additional position of General Manager for Talbots Mens in 2001. From 1988 to 1997, Mr. Bosworth served as Senior Vice President, Retail of Ermenegildo Zegna, and Senior Vice President and General Merchandise Manager at the I. Magnin/ Bullock’s Wilshire division of R.H. Macy, where he was responsible for numerous merchandising areas. He also served in various capacities at J.W. Robinson’s, a division of Associated Dry Goods; The Broadway, a division of Carter Hawley Hale; and Jordan Marsh, a division of Allied Stores, from 1972 to 1988.

      Ms. Mandell was promoted to Executive Vice President, Stores and Talbots Kids in January 2003. She joined Talbots in 1983 as Store Manager, became District Manager in 1984, Regional Director in 1985 and was Senior Vice President, Stores from 1992 until her recent promotion. From 1971 to 1983 she held various management and merchandising positions for Price’s of Oakland in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania and A.E. Troutman Co., a division of Allied Stores.

      Mr. Kastner joined Talbots in 1988 as Director, Business Planning and Analysis and became Vice President, New Business Ventures and Strategic Planning, Assistant Treasurer and Assistant Secretary in 1989. In 1994, Mr. Kastner was promoted to the position of Senior Vice President, International and Strategic Planning. Prior to joining Talbots, he was Director of Research and Merchandise Information with John Breuner Company.

      Mr. Larsen became Senior Vice President, Finance, Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of Talbots in 1991. From 1989 to 1991, Mr. Larsen was Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Lillian Vernon Corporation. From 1977 to 1988, he held various positions with General Mills, Inc., including, from 1985 to 1988, the position of Vice President and Group Controller of the Specialty Retailing Group.

      Ms. McKenna joined Talbots in 2000 as Senior Vice President, Marketing and Catalog Development. Prior to joining Talbots, she served as Senior Vice President and Group Media Director at Hill, Holliday, Connors, Cosmopulos, Inc. From 1998 to 1999, she was Vice President at McKenna Associates Corp., a consulting firm. From 1996 to 1998, Ms. McKenna served as Vice President of Marketing and Advertising for Hoyts Cinemas Corporation.

      Mr. O’Connell joined Talbots in 1988 as Vice President, Legal and Real Estate and Secretary, and became Senior Vice President, Legal and Real Estate and Secretary in 1989. Prior to joining Talbots, he served as Vice President, Group Counsel of the Specialty Retailing Group at General Mills, Inc.

      Mr. Prescott became Senior Vice President, Direct Marketing and Customer Service in 1998. He joined Talbots in 1987 as Manager, Direct Marketing Fulfillment. In 1988, he was promoted to the position of Director of Marketing Fulfillment and in 1991 became Director, Customer Service and Telemarketing. In 1994, he was promoted to the position of Vice President, Customer Service and Telemarketing. From 1976 to 1987, he was employed by Johnny Appleseed’s, serving as manager of catalog operations and supervising retail distribution and customer service.

      Mr. Richardson joined Talbots in 1998 as Senior Vice President, Information Services. From 1997 to 1998, Mr. Richardson was Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer for Best Buy Company, Inc. From 1996 to 1997, Mr. Richardson was a Product Manager for Computer Associates International, Inc. From 1992 to 1996, he was Senior Vice President, Information Services for Ann Taylor, and spent 10 years with The Limited, Inc. in various positions at Abercrombie and Fitch, Limited Stores and Lane Bryant.

      Mr. Soderholm has been Senior Vice President, Operations since 1989. He joined Talbots in 1976 as Manager of Accounting, was promoted to Director of Operations in 1978, and served as Vice President, Operations from 1979 to 1989.

      Mr. Stolper joined Talbots in 1989 as Vice President, Human Resources and assumed the position of Senior Vice President, Human Resources and Assistant Secretary later that year. From 1988 to 1989, he served as Vice President, Administration at AEON (U.S.A.), Inc. Prior to that time, he was Vice President, Human Resources of the Specialty Retailing Group at General Mills, Inc.

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Available Information

      We make available free of charge through our website, www.talbots.com, all materials that we file electronically with the SEC, including our annual report on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 as soon as reasonably practicable after electronically filing such materials with, or furnishing them to, the SEC. During the period covered by this Form 10-K, we made all such materials available through our website as soon as reasonably practicable after filing such materials with the SEC.

      You may also read and copy any materials filed by the Company with the SEC at the SEC’s Public Reference Room at 450 Fifth Street, NW, Washington, DC 20549, and you may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. In addition, the SEC maintains its website, www.sec.gov, that contains reports, proxy and information statements and other information which the Company files electronically with the SEC.

      A copy of the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidance, its Code of Business Conduct and Ethics, and the charters of the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee are posted on the Company’s website, www.talbots.com, under “Investor Relations,” and are available in print to any shareholder who requests copies by contacting Talbots Investor Relations by calling (781) 741-4500, by writing to Investor Relations Department, The Talbots, Inc., One Talbots Drive, Hingham, MA, 02043 or by e-mail at investor.relations@talbots.com. Information contained on the website is not incorporated by reference or otherwise considered part of this document.

Item 2.     Properties.

      The table below presents certain information relating to the Company’s properties at January 31, 2004:

(a)	Talbots owns the property for five of its 977 stores.

      Except for retail store space, the Company believes that its operating facilities and sales offices are adequate and suitable for its current needs. To address expected future office and distribution space needs, in fiscal 1999 the Company completed a 75,000 square foot expansion of its Hingham, Massachusetts offices and in fiscal 2001 completed construction on 125,000 square foot of additional space at its Lakeville, Massachusetts distribution facility. In 2002, the Company executed a lease for a new facility to relocate its existing operation in Knoxville, Tennessee. The new lease covers 36,761 square feet and the relocation was completed in February 2004. Talbots long-term expansion program, if successful, may require additional office and distribution space to service its operations in the future.

      At January 31, 2004, Talbots operated 977 stores; all but five were leased. The leases typically provide for an initial term between 10 and 15 years, with renewal options permitting the Company to extend the term

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      At January 31, 2004, the current terms of Talbots store leases (assuming solely for this purpose that the Company exercises all lease renewal options) were as follows:

(a)	Certain leases have more than one store included within the leased premises.
(b)	Includes 43 executed leases related to future stores not yet opened at January 31, 2004.

      Talbots is a party to certain legal actions arising in the normal course of its business. Although the amount of any liability that could arise with respect to these actions cannot be accurately predicted, in the opinion of the Company, any such liabilities individually and in the aggregate are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations or liquidity of Talbots.

      No matters were submitted to a vote of security holders during the fourth quarter of fiscal year ended January 31, 2004.

PART II

      The Company’s common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the trading symbol “TLB”. Information regarding the high and low sales prices per share of common stock in fiscal 2003 and 2002 is included in Note 16, “Quarterly Results,” to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

      The payment of dividends and the amount thereof is determined by the Board of Directors and depends upon, among other factors, the Company’s earnings, operations, financial condition, capital requirements and general business outlook at the time payment is considered. Information regarding the Company’s payment of dividends for fiscal 2003 and 2002 is included in Note 16, “Quarterly Results,” to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

      The number of holders of record of the Company’s common stock at March 25, 2004 was 536.

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Item 6.     Selected Financial Data.

      The following selected financial data have been derived from the Company’s consolidated financial statements. The information set forth below should be read in conjunction with “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included under Item 7 below and the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in Item 15 below.

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

      This Report contains forward-looking information within the meaning of The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The statements may be identified by such forward-looking terminology as “expect,” “look,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “outlook,” “will,” or similar statements or variations of such terms. All information concerning future financial performance results or conditions constitutes forward-looking information. Our forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections about our Company. Our forward looking statements involve material known and unknown risks and uncertainties as to future events which may or may not occur, including, store traffic, levels of store sales, effectiveness of the Company’s brand awareness and marketing programs, effectiveness and profitability of new concepts including the Mens concept, effectiveness of its online sales, acceptance of Talbots fashions, the Company’s ability to anticipate and successfully respond to changing customer tastes and preferences and to produce the appropriate balance of merchandise offerings, the Company’s ability to sell its merchandise at regular prices as well as its ability to successfully execute its major sale events including the timing and levels of markdowns, retail economic conditions including consumer spending, consumer confidence and a continued uncertain economy, and the impact of a continued highly promotional retail environment, uncertainties associated with the expected year end expiration of trade quotas for member countries of the World Trade Organization and the current and potential hostilities in the Middle East and other geographic areas. In each case, actual results may differ materially from such forward-looking information. Certain other factors that may cause actual results to differ from such forward-looking statements are included in the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated October 30, 1996 filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (a copy of which may also be obtained from the Company at 781-741-4500) as well as other periodic reports filed

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      The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is based upon the Company’s consolidated financial statements, which have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and should be read in conjunction with these statements and the notes thereto.

Business Overview

      Overall, fiscal 2003 was a challenging year for the Company in terms of sales. As the Company entered 2003, the retail economy remained soft, a war with Iraq was imminent, the Company’s sales trends from 2002 continued to be difficult, and the Company made a significant change in its merchandising organization with the appointment of a new Chief Merchandising Officer. Given these factors, the Company continued to maintain tight control over its expenses and for the third consecutive year made further reductions in planned inventory levels to protect gross margins. Total inventories at year-end were $170.5 million versus $175.3 million at the end of 2002, and on a square foot basis fiscal 2003 year-end inventories were down 9% in the Company’s U.S. women’s apparel stores. At the same time, overall product gross margin improved by approximately 30 basis points, due to an increase in markon, offset partially by higher markdowns. This lean inventory strategy, however, which protected the Company on the downside, began to limit its ability to drive sales when the economy began to recover in the second half of the year, particularly impacting fourth quarter sales and net income.

      Fourth quarter sales and net income were also impacted by lower markdown selling. The Company believes this was partially due to the Company’s end of season sale event having reduced levels of inventory available (on a square-foot basis) and compounded by reduced customer demand for the goods included in the sale event.

      The Company ended the year with notes payable of zero and long-term debt at $100.0 million. Cash flow from operations was very strong, at $211.4 million for the year, or 13% of sales, compared to $222.4 million, or 14% of sales in fiscal 2002.