NEW YORK, Jul 1, 2002 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Coach, Inc. (NYSE: COH), a leading marketer of modern classic American accessories, today announced an agreement with Case London Ltd. for the exclusive distribution of Coach products in the United Kingdom and Ireland.

Over the next three years, Case London, a privately held British retailer and distributor of fine accessories and luggage, plans to open up to 25 Coach locations in the U.K. Retail sales are expected to build to more than $20 million during this period. Case will develop a multi-channel distribution strategy consistent with the successful Coach model in the United States and Japan. In addition, Case will assume the responsibility of operating the existing Coach store on Sloane Street and the Coach shop in Harrods.

Peter Emmerson, President, Coach International said, "We are delighted to announce the appointment of Case London as Coach's exclusive distributor for this market. Case has built solid relationships with key retailers and has significant in-market brand building and merchandising expertise. In addition, they bring credibility and organizational strength to this alliance. Case management shares our vision that the Coach concept of accessible luxury with a New York attitude will appeal to both the British consumer and tourists, and offer an alternative to the established European brands. Further, we see this U.K. development as a strategic step for future expansion into Continental Europe."

Stephen Spitz, Managing Director of Case London, said, "We are excited and honored to a be a part of Coach's expansion into Europe. Their brand strength is evidenced throughout their product offering. We believe that the unique balance of Coach's modern American styling and classic craftsmanship brings freshness to the handbag and accessories market in the U.K. and will be embraced by British and European consumers alike. We are confident that, together with Case's infrastructure and extensive network in the retail sector in the U.K., Coach will prosper in this increasingly important market for luxury brands."

Case, with head offices in London, is a private company representing and retailing premier accessory and luggage brands. The company currently operates 18 stores in the United Kingdom, including exclusive concessions in department stores, as well as freestanding stores in major towns throughout the U.K.

Coach, with headquarters in New York, is a leading American marketer of fine accessories and gifts for women and men, including handbags, women's and men's small leathergoods, business cases, luggage and travel accessories, footwear, watches, outerwear, jewelry, furniture and related accessories. Coach is sold worldwide through Coach stores, select department stores and specialty stores, through the Coach catalogue in the U.S. by calling 1-800-223-8647 and through Coach's website at www.coach.com. Coach's shares are traded on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol COH.

This press release contains forward-looking statements based on management's current expectations. These statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "may," "will," "should," "expect," "intend," "estimate," "are positioned to," "continue," "project," "guidance," "forecast," "anticipated," or comparable terms. Future results may differ materially from management's current expectations, based upon risks and uncertainties such as expected economic trends, the ability to anticipate consumer preferences, the ability to control costs, etc. Please refer to Coach's latest Annual Report on Form 10-K for a complete list of risk factors.

CONTACT:

Coach, New York
Analysts & Media:
Andrea Shaw Resnick, 212/629-2618
or
Burson-Marsteller, New York
Media:
Jennifer Lipari, cell 646/824-9508 or 212/614-4619