UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C.  20549

FORM 10-Q

ý        QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended January 29, 2005

OR

o        TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

Commission file no. 1-9659

The Neiman Marcus Group, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

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 the past 90 days.

YES ý                NO o

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

YES ý                NO o

As of March 2, 2005, the number of outstanding shares of each of the issuer’s classes of common stock was:

THE NEIMAN MARCUS GROUP, INC.

INDEX

THE NEIMAN MARCUS GROUP, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(UNAUDITED)

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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THE NEIMAN MARCUS GROUP, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF EARNINGS
(UNAUDITED)

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

2

THE NEIMAN MARCUS GROUP, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(UNAUDITED)

See Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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THE NEIMAN MARCUS GROUP, INC.
NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(UNAUDITED)

1.               Basis of Presentation

We have prepared the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements of The Neiman Marcus Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim financial information and the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X.  Accordingly, these financial statements do not include all of the information and footnotes required by accounting principles generally accepted for complete financial statements. Therefore, these financial statements should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2004.

Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to July 31.  All references to the second quarter of 2005 relate to the thirteen weeks ended January 29, 2005 and all references to the second quarter of 2004 relate to the thirteen weeks ended January 31, 2004.  All references to 2005 relate to the twenty-six weeks ended January 29, 2005 and all references to 2004 related to the twenty-six weeks ended January 31, 2004.

In our opinion, the accompanying unaudited Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements contain all adjustments, consisting of normal recurring adjustments, necessary to present fairly our financial position, results of operations and cash flows for the applicable interim periods.  The results of operations for these periods are not necessarily comparable to, or indicative of, results of any other interim period or for the fiscal year as a whole.

We are required to make estimates and assumptions about future events in preparing financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.  These estimates and assumptions affect the amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses and the disclosure of gain and loss contingencies at the date of the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.  We evaluate our estimates and judgments on an ongoing basis and predicate those estimates and judgments on historical experience and on various other factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances.  We make adjustments to our assumptions and judgments when facts and circumstances dictate.  Since future events and their effects cannot be determined with absolute certainty, actual results may differ from the estimates used in preparing the accompanying Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

We believe the following critical accounting policies, among others, encompass the more significant judgments and estimates used in the preparation of our financial statements:

•                  Revenue recognition;

•                  Valuation of merchandise inventories, including determination of original retail values, recognition of markdowns and vendor allowances, estimation of inventory shrinkage, and determination of cost of goods sold;

•                  Determination of impairment of long-lived assets;

•                  Recognition of income and expenses related to our previous securitization program;

•                  Recognition of advertising and catalog costs;

•                  Measurement of liabilities related to our loyalty programs;

•                  Recognition of income taxes; and

•                  Measurement of accruals for litigation, general liability, workers’ compensation and health insurance, short-term disability, pension and postretirement health care benefits.

A description of our critical accounting policies is included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2004.

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Stock-Based Compensation.  We account for stock-based compensation awards to employees in accordance with Accounting Principles Board Opinion No. 25, “Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees,” and related interpretations. Accordingly, we have recognized no compensation expense for stock options since all options granted had an exercise price equal to the market value of our common stock on the grant date.

The following table illustrates the effect on net earnings and earnings per share as if we had applied the fair value recognition provisions of SFAS No. 123 to stock-based employee compensation using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model for 2005 and 2004:

The effects on pro forma net earnings and earnings per share of expensing the estimated fair value of stock options are not necessarily representative of the effects on reported net earnings for future periods due to such factors as the vesting periods of stock options and the potential issuance of additional stock options in future years.  In addition, the Black-Scholes option-pricing model has inherent limitations in calculating the fair value of stock options for which no active market exists since the model does not consider the inability to sell or transfer options, vesting requirements and a reduced exercise period upon termination of employment - all of which would reduce the fair value of the options.

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Reclassification – Loyalty Programs.  A substantial portion of the points earned by customers in connection with our loyalty programs are redeemed for gift cards.  At the time the qualifying sales giving rise to the loyalty program points are made, we defer the portion of the revenues on the qualifying sales transactions equal to our estimate of the retail value of the gift cards to be issued upon conversion of the points to gift cards.   Beginning in the first quarter of 2005, we began to record the deferral of revenues related to gift card awards under our loyalty programs as a reduction of revenues. Previously, we charged  such amounts to selling, general and administrative expenses (SG&A).  In addition, we now charge the cost of all other awards under our loyalty programs to cost of goods sold (COGS) rather than SG&A.  These changes in classification do not impact the previously reported operating earnings, net income or earnings per share amounts.

The following table presents quarterly and annual information giving recognition to the changes in classification related to our loyalty programs:

Reclassification – Construction Allowances.  We periodically receive allowances from developers related to the construction of our stores.  We have historically recorded these allowances as a reduction of our capital expenditures and, as a result, the carrying values of our property and equipment.  Like other retailers, we have recently reviewed our accounting for leases and after consultation with Deloitte & Touche LLP, our independent registered public accounting firm, we have changed the classification of these developer funds from a reduction of property and equipment to deferred real estate credits on our balance sheet.  These deferred real estate credits are amortized over the lease term which is consistent with amortization period for the constructed assets.  As a result of the change in classification, property and equipment and long-term liabilities have been increased by $69 million at January 29, 2005 and $73 million at January 31, 2004.

2.               Loss on Disposition of Chef’s Catalog

In November 2004, we sold our Chef’s Catalog direct marketing business to a private equity firm.  Chef’s Catalog is a multi-channel retailer of professional-quality kitchenware with revenues of approximately $73 million in fiscal year 2004.  At October 30, 2004, Chef’s Catalog had net tangible assets, primarily inventory, of $12.5 million and net intangible assets of $17.2 million.  We received proceeds, net of selling costs, of $14.4 million from the sale.  As the carrying value of the Chef’s Catalog assets exceeded the net proceeds from the sale, we incurred a pre-tax loss of $15.3 million in the first quarter of 2005 related to the disposition of Chef’s Catalog.

3.               Operating Segments

We have identified two reportable segments: Specialty Retail Stores and Direct Marketing.  Our Specialty Retail Stores

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segment includes all of our Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman retail stores, including Neiman Marcus clearance stores.  Our Direct Marketing segment conducts both print catalog and online operations under the Neiman Marcus, Horchow and Bergdorf Goodman brand names and, until its disposition in November 2004, the Chef’s Catalog brand name.  Other includes the operations of Kate Spade LLC and Gurwitch Products, LLC (the Brand Development Companies) and corporate expenses.

The following table sets forth the information for our reportable segments:

4.               Stock Repurchase Program

In prior years, our Board of Directors authorized various stock repurchase programs and increases in the number of shares subject to repurchase.  In the second quarter of 2005, we repurchased 4,100 shares at an average price of $57.60.  In the first quarter of 2005, we repurchased 54,404 shares at an average price of $52.40.  As of January 29, 2005, approximately 1.2 million shares remain available for repurchase under our stock repurchase programs.

5.               Earnings per Share

The weighted average shares used in computing basic and diluted earnings per share (EPS) are presented in the table below.  We made no adjustments to net earnings for the computations of basic and diluted EPS during the periods presented.

We do not include antidilutive stock options in the computation of diluted EPS because the exercise price of those options is greater than the average market price of the common shares.

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6.               Undivided Interests in NMG Credit Card Master Trust

Pursuant to a revolving credit card securitization program (the Credit Card Facility), we transfer substantially all of our credit card receivables to a wholly-owned subsidiary, Neiman Marcus Funding Corporation, which in turn sells such receivables to the Neiman Marcus Credit Card Master Trust (Trust).  At the inception of the Credit Card Facility in September 2000, the Trust issued certificates representing undivided interests in the credit card receivables to third-party investors in the face amount of $225 million (Sold Interests).  We hold certificates representing interests in the credit card portfolio equal to the excess of the balance of the credit card portfolio over $225 million (Retained Interests).  In order to maintain the committed level of securitized assets, the Trust uses cash collections on the securitized receivables to purchase new credit card balances from us in accordance with the terms of the Credit Card Facility.

From the inception of the Credit Card Facility until December 2003, our transfers and sales of credit card receivables pursuant to the terms of the Credit Card Facility were accounted for as sales (Off-Balance Sheet Accounting).  As a result, we removed $225 million of credit card receivables from our balance sheet at the inception of the Credit Card Facility and our $225 million repayment obligation to the holders of the certificates representing the Sold Interests was not required to be shown as a liability on our consolidated balance sheet.  During the period the transfers and sales qualified for Off-Balance Sheet Accounting, our Retained Interests were shown as “Undivided interests in NMG Credit Card Master Trust” on our consolidated balance sheets.

Beginning in December 2003, our transfers to the Trust ceased to qualify for Off-Balance Sheet Accounting.  Rather, credit card receivables transferred to the Trust after November 2003 remain on our balance sheet and our borrowings collateralized by those accounts receivable are recorded as liabilities on our balance sheet  (Financing Accounting).  The transition period from Off-Balance Sheet Accounting to Financing Accounting (Transition Period) lasted approximately four months (December 2003 to March 2004).  During the Transition Period, we allocated cash collections on our credit card receivables to the previous Sold Interests and Retained Interests until such time as those balances were reduced to zero and we recorded a liability for our repayment obligation to the holders of the $225 million of certificates representing the Sold Interests.

A reconciliation of the outstanding balance of our accounts receivable to the balances recorded at January 29, 2005 and January 31, 2004 is as follows:

After the Transition Period, our entire credit card portfolio is included in accounts receivable in our consolidated balance sheet and the $225 million repayment obligation is shown as a liability.

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7.               Employee Benefit Plans

Description of Benefit Plans.  We sponsor a defined benefit pension plan (Pension Plan) covering substantially all full-time employees.  We also sponsor an unfunded supplemental executive retirement plan (SERP Plan) that provides additional pension benefits to certain employees.  Benefits under both plans are based on the employees’ years of service and compensation over defined periods of employment.  Pension Plan assets consist primarily of equity and fixed income securities.

Retirees and active employees hired prior to March 1, 1989 are eligible to participate in a plan providing certain limited postretirement health care benefits (Postretirement Plan) if they have met certain service and minimum age requirements.

Costs of Benefits.  The components of the expenses incurred under our Pension Plan, SERP Plan and Postretirement Plan are as follows:                       

Funding Policy and Plan Assets.  Our policy is to fund the Pension Plan at or above the minimum required by law.  In 2004, we made voluntary contributions of $30.0 million in the second quarter and $15.0 million in the fourth quarter for the plan year ended July 31, 2003.  Based upon currently available information, we will not be required to make contributions to the Pension Plan for either the 2004 or 2005 plan years.

8.               Commitments and Contingencies

We are involved in various suits and claims in the ordinary course of business.  We do not believe that the disposition of any such suits or claims will have a material adverse effect upon our consolidated results of operations, cash flows or financial position.

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ITEM 2.      MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

EXECUTIVE OVERVIEW

Company Profile

The Neiman Marcus Group, Inc., together with its operating divisions and subsidiaries, is a high-end specialty retailer.  Our operations include the Specialty Retail Stores segment and the Direct Marketing segment.  Our Specialty Retail Stores segment consists primarily of Neiman Marcus and Bergdorf Goodman stores.  Our Direct Marketing segment conducts both print catalog and online operations under the brand names of Neiman Marcus, Horchow and Bergdorf Goodman and until its disposition in November 2004, the Chef’s Catalog brand name.  In November 2004, we sold our Chef’s Catalog operations, as more fully described in Note 2 to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

We own a 51 percent interest in Gurwitch Products, LLC, which distributes and markets the Laura Mercier cosmetic line, and a 56 percent interest in Kate Spade LLC, a manufacturer and retailer of high-end designer handbags and accessories.  Gurwitch Products, LLC and Kate Spade LLC are hereafter referred to collectively as the “Brand Development Companies.”

Our fiscal year ends on the Saturday closest to July 31.  All references to the second quarter of 2005 relate to the thirteen weeks ended January 29, 2005 and all references to the second quarter of 2004 relate to the thirteen weeks ended January 31, 2004.  All references to 2005 relate to the twenty-six weeks ended January 29, 2005 and all references to 2004 relate to the twenty-six weeks ended January 31, 2004.

The information contained in this “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” (MD&A) should be read in conjunction with our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2004.  Unless otherwise specified, the meanings of all defined terms in MD&A are consistent with the meanings of such terms as defined in the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

Overview of the Business

We believe that our unique product assortment of luxury, designer and fashion merchandise, coupled with our sales promotion activities and our commitment to superior customer service, have been critical to our success in the past.  In addition, we believe these factors are critical to our future growth and success.

We conduct our selling activities in two primary selling seasons, Fall and Spring.  Sales and margins fluctuate during each selling season due to the results of in-store marketing and full-price selling towards the beginning of each season and sales  on a marked down basis towards the end of each season.  As a result of the seasonality of our selling activities, inventory management is critical to our success.

Inherent in the successful execution of our business plans, particularly our inventory management strategy, is our ability both to predict the fashion trends that will be of interest to our customers and to anticipate the future spending patterns of our customer base.  Accordingly, we monitor the sales performance of our inventories throughout each season.  We seek to order additional goods to supplement our original purchasing decisions when the level of customer demand is higher than originally anticipated.  However, in certain merchandise categories, particularly fashion apparel, our ability to purchase additional goods can be limited.  This can result in lost sales in the event of higher than anticipated demand for the fashion goods offered or a higher than anticipated level of consumer spending.  Conversely, in the event we buy fashion goods that are not accepted by our customer or the level of consumer spending is less than we anticipated, we typically incur a higher than anticipated level of markdowns, net of vendor allowances, to sell the goods that remain at the end of the season, resulting in lower operating profits.  We believe that the experience of our merchandising and selling organizations helps to minimize the inherent risk in predicting fashion trends and related demand.

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Second Quarter Fiscal Year 2005 Highlights

Diluted earnings per share for the second quarter of 2005 increased 18.2 percent to $1.43 from $1.21 in the prior year period. Other significant highlights for the second quarter of 2005 include:

•                  Revenues – Our revenues for the second quarter of 2005 were $1,129.2 million compared to $1,048.4 million in the prior year period.  Revenues increased 7.7 percent in the second quarter of 2005 while comparable revenues increased 10.4 percent.  Year to date, revenues have increased 9.1 percent while comparable revenues have increased 10.8 percent.  We have experienced double digit percentage increases in comparable store sales in each of our last six consecutive quarters.  For Specialty Retail Stores, our sales per square foot for the last twelve trailing months increased to $555 as of January 2005 compared to $494 as of January 2004.

•                  Margins – Margins increased to 32.5 percent of revenues in the second quarter of 2005 from 31.4 percent in the second quarter of 2004.  Year to date, margins have increased to 35.4 percent of revenues from 34.2 percent in the prior year period.  These increases are reflective of the high level of acceptance and demand for the fashion goods we offer as well as our efforts to more closely align purchases and customer demand.

•                  Selling, general and administrative expenses – Selling, general and administrative (SG&A) expenses decreased to 21.9 percent of revenues in the second quarter of 2005 from 22.8 percent in the second quarter 2004 and to 23.3 percent of revenues year-to-date from 24.1 percent in the prior year period.

•                  Operating earnings – Operating earnings increased 33.0 percent in the second quarter of 2005, representing 10.6 percent of our revenues compared to 8.6 percent in the second quarter of 2004.  Year to date, operating earnings increased 22.6 percent, representing 11.3 percent of our revenues for 2005 compared to 10.0 percent in 2004.  Operating earnings were 10.8 percent of revenues in the second quarter and 13.3 percent year to date for our Specialty Retail Stores and 14.8 percent of revenues in the second quarter and 12.0 percent year to date for Direct Marketing.

OPERATING RESULTS

Performance Summary

The following table sets forth certain items expressed as percentages of net sales for the periods indicated.

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Set forth in the following table is certain summary information with respect to our operations for the periods indicated.