George Heller Quotations

We have simplified our operations and we are harvesting the benefits of completing the integration of all remaining HBC functions,

But the worst of it is behind us,

We enter the back half of the year with many more of our new merchandise programs now in place that have shown early success; coupled with our extensive store upgrade program for the year substantially completed, we are positive about the prospects for the balance of the year.

We are anxious to get to work with Mr. Zucker on realizing the value that we know is inherent in this great company.

Although an improvement on trend from our first quarter, our sales performance this quarter is still not at the level we know we can achieve,

A lot has been said about that big ticket (system) but at the end of the day, if you take that out, the quarter was flat if not up a little bit. Although it is an improvement on trend, clearly it's not where we want to be.

The market place is competitive, ... We are not really certain how oil prices are going to affect the consumer but we are confident that we have our programs in place and every reason to be positive about the back half (of 2005).