Stage Stores, Inc.

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

OMB APPROVAL

 

OMB Number:    3235-0058
Expires:       March 31, 2006
Estimated average burden hours per response........2.50

 

 

FORM 12b-25

 

 

NOTIFICATION OF LATE FILING

SEC FILE NUMBER
001-15283

 

CUSIP NUMBER

 

(Check one):

ý Form 10-K

o Form 20-F

o Form 11-K

o Form 10-Q

o Form N-SAR

o Form N-CSR

 

 

For Period Ended:

January 29, 2005

 

 

o Transition Report on Form 10-K

 

o Transition Report on Form 20-F

 

o Transition Report on Form 11-K

 

o Transition Report on Form 10-Q

 

o Transition Report on Form N-SAR

 

For the Transition Period Ended:

 

 
 

 

Nothing in this form shall be construed to imply that the Commission has verified any information contained herein.


If the notification relates to a portion of the filing checked above, identify the Item(s) to which the notification relates:

                                                                                                                                                                            

 

 

 

PART I - REGISTRANT INFORMATION

 

 

Stage Stores, Inc.   

Full Name of Registrant

 

 

Former Name if Applicable

 

 

10201 Main Street

Address of Principal Executive Office (Street and Number)

 

 

Houston, Texas 77025

City, State and Zip Code

 

 

 

PART II - RULES 12b-25(b) AND (c)

If the subject report could not be filed without unreasonable effort or expense and the registrant seeks relief pursuant to Rule 12b-25(b), the following should be completed. (Check box if appropriate)

  (a)

The reason described in reasonable detail in Part III of this form could not be eliminated without unreasonable effort or expense

ý

  (b)

The subject annual report, semi-annual report, transition report on Form 10-K, Form 20-F, Form 11-K, Form N-SAR or Form N-CSR, or portion thereof, will be filed on or before the fifteenth calendar day following the prescribed due date; or the subject quarterly report or transition report on Form 10-Q, or portion thereof, will be filed on or before the fifth calendar day following the prescribed due date; and

  (c)

The accountant's statement or other exhibit required by Rule 12b-25(c) has been attached if applicable.

 

 

 

PART III - NARRATIVE

State below in reasonable detail the reasons why Forms 10-K, 20-F, 11-K, 10-Q, N-SAR, N-CSR, or the transition report or portion thereof, could not be filed within the prescribed time period.

 

Stage Stores, Inc. (the "Company") has experienced delays in completing the preparation and review of its consolidated financial statements due to its previously announced restatements related to the changes in its lease accounting practices.  As a result, the Company is unable to complete and file its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 2004 fiscal year by the prescribed filing date.  The Company currently anticipates filing the 2004 Annual Report on or before April 29, 2005.

 

 

(Attach extra Sheets if Needed)

 

 

SEC 1344 (07-03)

Persons who are to respond to the collection of information contained in this form are not required to respond unless the form displays a currently valid OMB control number.

 

 

PART IV - OTHER INFORMATION

 

 

(1)

Name and telephone number of person to contact in regard to this notification

Robert J. Aronson

(800)

579-2302

(Name)

(Area Code)

(Telephone Number)
 

 

(2)

Have all other periodic reports required under Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 or Section 30 of the Investment Company Act of 1940 during the preceding 12 months or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such report(s) been filed? If answer is no, identify report(s).

ý Yes

o No
 

 

(3)

Is it anticipated that any significant change in results of operations from the corresponding period for the last fiscal year will be reflected by the earnings statements to be included in the subject report or portion thereof?

ý Yes

o No
 

 

If so, attach an explanation of the anticipated change, both narratively and quantitatively, and, if appropriate, state the reasons why a reasonable estimate of the results cannot be made.


For explanation, see attached Exhibit A, the news release issued by the Company on March 21, 2005, announcing its intended restatement of the Company's previously issued financial statements, as well as revisions to the unaudited 2004 earnings results and the 2005 guidance.

 

 

 

 

Stage Stores, Inc.

(Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
 

 

has caused this notification to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
 

 

Date

April 14, 2005

By

/s/ Michael E. McCreery

Michael E. McCreery

Chief Financial Officer

 

INSTRUCTION: The form may be signed by an executive officer of the registrant or by any other duly authorized representative. The name and title of the person signing the form shall be typed or printed beneath the signature. If the statement is signed on behalf of the registrant by an authorized representative (other than an executive officer), evidence of the representative's authority to sign on behalf of the registrant shall be filed with the form.

 


ATTENTION

Intentional misstatements or omissions of fact constitute Federal Criminal Violations (See 18 U.S.C. 1001).