NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 18, 2002--Coach (NYSE: COH) has announced today that Mike Tucci will join the company as President, Retail Division, North America, effective January 2003.

He will be responsible for all Coach retail and factory store strategy and operations including merchandising, planning, and real estate activities in the United States and Canada, reporting directly to Lew Frankfort, Coach's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.

Mr. Tucci joins Coach from Gap, Inc., where he held the position of Executive Vice President, Gap Inc. Direct. During his eight years with Gap Inc., he has had responsibility for Merchandising for Men's, Gap Body, Gap Kids, and Old Navy. Prior to joining Gap, Mike was President of Aeropostale, a specialty store division of Macy's, which culminated his twelve-year career with the company that included senior buying and merchandising roles. He joined Macy's Executive Training Program from Trinity College, where he earned a B.A. in English.

"We are extremely pleased that Mike will be joining our management team as an executive officer, bringing his substantial merchandising and retail experience to Coach." said Lew Frankfort, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Coach. "Mike's a dynamic, creative merchant and leader who has demonstrated the ability to build retail businesses and partnerships to achieve outstanding results. Growing our U.S. retail business is a key component of significantly increasing Coach's market share here in the U.S., where we will be building our retail store base, relocating and expanding key locations and driving productivity through fashion innovation, marketing initiatives and in-store merchandising activities. Mike's talents and experience qualify him to drive Coach retail growth as we continue to leverage the vibrancy of our brand and relevancy of our product offering."

"Coach is a brand that is truly part of the American landscape," Mr. Tucci stated. "The company has tremendous momentum, a clearly articulated vision and well-defined strategies in place for continued growth. I look forward to being a part of the Coach team and its future success."

Mr. Tucci replaces Dave DeMattei, who will be leaving Coach after the holiday season to pursue other opportunities. "Dave's contribution to the transformation of Coach has been invaluable. He spearheaded the modernization of U.S. Coach stores and has directed the company's accelerated U.S. retail store expansion program. We wish him every success in the future," said Mr. Frankfort.

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, weekend and travel accessories, footwear, watches, outerwear, jewelry, sunwear, 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.

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