HMX Martmarx Corp.

CHICAGO, May 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hartmarx Corporation (NYSE:HMX) today announced agreement with The Arvind Mills Limited to market and retail in India its owned Hart Schaffner Marx and Sansabelt brands and, in cooperation with S.A.R.L. de Gestion Pierre Cardin, the licensed Pierre Cardin brand. The long term agreements provide for the opening of 135 Hart Schaffner Marx, 400 Sansabelt and 260 Pierre Cardin points of sale in India. These points of sale will include a number of exclusive stores for each of these brands as well as shop-in-shop locations in leading department and specialty stores. Homi Patel, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Hartmarx stated, "We are extremely excited to be working with the group at Arvind Mills on the introduction of the Hart Schaffner Marx, Sansabelt and Pierre Cardin brands in India and look forward to a long and mutually beneficial relationship for both companies." Arvind currently markets a number of international brands and is aggressively pursuing a multiple brand, multiple channel and multiple price point strategy to gain dominant leadership in the fast growing, branded apparel market in India. Established in 1931, Arvind is the third largest denim producer worldwide. The dynamics of the Indian market are rapidly changing and becoming very receptive to international brands. One quarter of its population (300 million) are between the ages of 20 and 35 and represent a high spending segment interested in fashion. Apparel sales are estimated to grow approximately 18 percent per year with the market for men's branded apparel to grow at the rate of 22 percent a year. Sanjay Lalbhai, Chairman and Managing Director of Arvind Mills stated, "Our association with Hartmarx will not only add strength to our portfolio but will also help us secure a dominant position in the tailored clothing market. We are excited at the opportunity to embark on this association and to grow the business relationship with additional Hartmarx brands in the future. Our decision to partner with Hartmarx in India reinforces our commitment to connect with internationally recognized labels that hold a unique place in fashion history." Hartmarx produces and markets business, casual and golf apparel under its own brands, including Hart Schaffner Marx, Hickey-Freeman, Palm Beach, Coppley, Monarchy, Manchester Escapes, Society Brand, Racquet Club, Naturalife, Pusser's of the West Indies, Brannoch, Sansabelt, Exclusively Misook, Barrie Pace, Eye, Christopher Blue, Pine IV, Worn, Blue House Drive, One Girl Who . . ., Zooey by alice heller and b.chyll. In addition, the Company has certain exclusive rights under licensing agreements to market selected products under a number of premier brands such as Austin Reed, Tommy Hilfiger, Burberry men's tailored clothing, Ted Baker, Bobby Jones, Jack Nicklaus, Claiborne, Pierre Cardin, Perry Ellis, Lyle & Scott, Golden Bear, Jag and Dr. Martens. The Company's broad range of distribution channels includes fine specialty and leading department stores, value-oriented retailers, direct mail catalogs and e-commerce. The comments set forth above contain forward-looking statements made in reliance upon the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "anticipate," "believe," "continue," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "may," "should" or "will" or the negatives thereof or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees as actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. The statements could be significantly impacted by such factors as the level of consumer spending for men's and women's apparel, the prevailing retail environment, the Company's relationships with its suppliers, customers, licensors and licensees, actions of competitors that may impact the Company's business, possible acquisitions and the impact of unforeseen economic changes, such as interest rates, or in other external economic and political factors over which the Company has no control. The reader is also directed to the Company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for additional factors that may impact the Company's results of operations and financial condition. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. DATASOURCE: Hartmarx Corporation CONTACT: Lisa Wells for Hartmarx, +1-212-826-3529 Web site: http://www.hartmarx.com/

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