·	Net sales increased 1.4 percent to $235.1 million

·	Comparable store sales increased 0.4 percent

·	Earnings per diluted share increased 9.1 percent to $0.24

·	Repurchased 469,000 shares of common stock at a total cost of $10.2 million under existing share repurchase program

The Company reported net sales of $235.1 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2017, a 1.4 percent increase, compared to net sales of $231.9 million for the second quarter of fiscal 2016.  Comparable store sales increased 0.4 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2017.

Gross profit margin for the second quarter of fiscal 2017 remained flat at 29.0 percent compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2016.  Merchandise margin, along with buying, distribution and occupancy expenses as a percentage of net sales, remained flat compared to the second quarter of fiscal 2016.

Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") for the second quarter of fiscal 2017 increased $1.2 million to $61.8 million.  As a percentage of net sales, these expenses increased to 26.3 percent compared to 26.1 percent in the second quarter of fiscal 2016.

Net income for the second quarter of fiscal 2017 was $3.9 million, or $0.24 per diluted share.  For the second quarter of fiscal 2016, the Company reported net income of $4.1 million, or $0.22 per diluted share.

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Net sales during the first six months of fiscal 2017 decreased $3.9 million to $488.5 million compared to the same period last year.  Comparable store sales for the twenty-six week period ended July 29, 2017, decreased 1.9 percent.

Net earnings for the first six months of fiscal 2017 were $12.1 million, or $0.73 per diluted share, compared to net earnings of $14.8 million, or $0.78 per diluted share, in the first six months of fiscal 2016.  The gross profit margin for the first six months of fiscal 2017 was 28.7 percent compared to 29.0 percent in the same period last year.  SG&A for the first six months increased $1.9 million to $120.7 million.  As a percentage of net sales, these expenses increased to 24.7 percent compared to 24.1 percent in the first six months of fiscal 2016.  The Company opened 12 stores and closed nine stores during the first six months of fiscal 2017 compared to 12 store openings and four store closings in the first six months of fiscal 2016.

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This press release contains forward-looking statements, within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, that involve a number of risks and uncertainties.  A number of factors could cause our actual results, performance, achievements or industry results to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements.  These factors include, but are not limited to: general economic conditions in the areas of the continental United States in which our stores are located and the impact of the ongoing economic crisis in Puerto Rico on sales at, and cash flows of, our stores located in Puerto Rico; the effects and duration of economic downturns and unemployment rates; changes in the overall retail environment and more specifically in the apparel and footwear retail sectors; our ability to generate increased

sales at our stores; our ability to successfully navigate the increasing use of on-line retailers for fashion purchases and the impact on traffic and transactions in our physical stores; our ability to attract customers to our e-commerce website and to successfully grow our e-commerce sales; the potential impact of national and international security concerns on the retail environment; changes in our relationships with key suppliers; the impact of competition and pricing; our ability to successfully manage and execute our marketing initiatives and maintain positive brand perception and recognition; changes in weather patterns, consumer buying trends and our ability to identify and respond to emerging fashion trends; the impact of disruptions in our distribution or information technology operations; the effectiveness of our inventory management; the impact of natural disasters on our stores, as well as on consumer confidence and purchasing in general; risks associated with the seasonality of the retail industry; the impact of unauthorized disclosure or misuse of personal and confidential information about our customers, vendors and employees; our ability to manage our third-party vendor relationships; our ability to successfully execute our growth strategy, including the availability of desirable store locations at acceptable lease terms, our ability to open new stores in a timely and profitable manner, including our entry into major new markets, and the availability of sufficient funds to implement our growth plans; higher than anticipated costs associated with the closing of underperforming stores; the inability of manufacturers to deliver products in a timely manner; changes in the political and economic environments in, and continued favorable trade relations with, China and other countries which are the major manufacturers of footwear; the impact of regulatory changes in the United States and the countries where our manufacturers are located; the resolution of litigation or regulatory proceedings in which we are or may become involved; our ability to meet our labor needs while controlling costs; future stock repurchases under our stock repurchase program and future dividend payments; and other factors described in the Company's SEC filings, including the Company's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K.

In addition, these forward-looking statements necessarily depend upon assumptions, estimates and dates that may be incorrect or imprecise and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors.  Accordingly, any forward-looking statements included in this press release do not purport to be predictions of future events or circumstances and may not be realized.  Forward-looking statements can be identified by, among other things, the use of forward-looking terms such as "believes," "expects," "may," "will," "should," "seeks," "pro forma," "anticipates," "intends" or the negative of any of these terms, or comparable terminology, or by discussions of strategy or intentions.  Given these uncertainties, we caution investors not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof.  We disclaim any obligation to update any of these factors or to publicly announce any revisions to the forward-looking statements contained in this press release to reflect future events or developments.

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