Statement From Nine West

— -- Nine West takes customer safety very seriously and has clear policies in place to ensure its products are compliant with all applicable state and federal safety standards, including the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission requirements concerning lead and other unnecessary substances. Nine West's business is premised upon providing its customers with quality products that are both safe and fashionable. The product in question was purchased from an outside vendor and was not manufactured by Nine West. The Company received a written statement of compliance from the vendor prior to placing the product in stores. A small number of units of this product (approximately 400 units) were purchased from the outside vendor for sale in Nine West's outlet stores. The Company has taken immediate action to pull the product in question from all stores and is investigating this allegation further.