Gottschalks Opens New Store in Bend, Oregon

~ New Specialty Department Store Concept Featuring Major Fashion Brands ~ 


FRESNO, Calif., Oct. 23  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Gottschalks Inc. (NYSE:GOT) today announced the opening of its new 55,000 square foot store in Bend, Oregon. The store will feature many of the best quality fashion labels for women, juniors, men and kids to the Bend market area.  The Gottschalks store is located in the new Pioneer Crossing Shopping Center at the intersection of Badger Road and South Business Route 97.  The Company now operates five locations in Oregon.

Jim Famalette, chairman and chief executive officer of Gottschalks said, "We are extremely pleased to be holding the grand opening celebration for our new Gottschalks store in Bend.  The continued expansion of our Company footprint is bringing high quality fashion to our new customers in this market.  Our newly constructed store, which operates under our new merchandise prototype, contains increased square footage dedicated to trend-right brands within the cosmetics, apparel, footwear and gift categories.  We are focused on ensuring that our consumers have ample choices for the fashions and product that fit their lifestyle and their budget.  We anticipate the consumers in the greater Bend area will respond positively to our 104 year tradition of quality customer service and active involvement in the community."

About Gottschalks

Gottschalks is a regional department store chain, currently operating 59 department stores and three specialty apparel stores in six western states, including California (38), Washington (7), Alaska (5), Oregon (5), Nevada (2) and Idaho (2).  Gottschalks offers better to moderate brand-name fashion apparel, cosmetics, shoes, accessories and home merchandise.  Gottschalks offers corporate information and selected merchandise on its website located at http://www.gottschalks.com/.

Business Risks and Forward Looking Statements

This release contains forward-looking statements (within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995) that involve risks and uncertainties.  In some instances, such statements may be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "expects," "believes," "intends," "projects," "forecasts," "plans," "estimates," "anticipates," "continues," "targets," or similar terms, variations of such terms or the negative of such terms.  Such statements are based on management's current expectations and are subject to a number of factors and uncertainties which could cause actual results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements, including, without limitation, the Company's ability to meet debt obligations and adhere to the restrictions and covenants imposed under its various debt agreements; the timely receipt of merchandise and the Company's ability to obtain adequate trade credit from its key factors and vendors; risks arising from general economic and market conditions (including uncertainties arising from acts of terrorism or war); the ability to improve the profitability and cash flows of its stores or to sell, sublease or close underperforming stores; the ability to modify operations in order to minimize the adverse impact of rising costs, including but not limited to health care, workers' compensation, property and casualty insurance and utilities costs; the effects of seasonality and weather conditions, changing consumer trends and preferences, competition, consumer credit, the Company's dependence on its key personnel and general labor conditions, all of which are described in more detail in Gottschalks' Annual Report on Form 10-K and other reports filed by Gottschalks with the Securities and Exchange Commission.  GOTTSCHALKS PRESENTLY DOES NOT INTEND TO UPDATE THESE STATEMENTS AND UNDERTAKES NO DUTY TO ANY PERSON TO EFFECT ANY SUCH UPDATE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES. 

DATASOURCE: Gottschalks Inc.



CONTACT:  Gregory Ambro, Chief Operating Officer of Gottschalks Inc.,

[phone]; or Leigh Parrish, [phone], or Stephanie Rich,

[phone], both of Financial Dynamics, for Gottschalks Inc.



Web site:  http://www.gottschalks.com/ 

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