DALLAS, Apr 11, 2003/ FW/ --- Nautica Enterprises announced last Wednesday that it is closing Nautica Europe and transition all its functions to Nautica Apparel, the company's worldwide brand licensing subsidiary.

Nautica's transition strategy was developed to limit the company's European financial investment and allowing for the expansion of Nautica brands european market share.

According to the announcement, Christopher Heyn, Nautica Apparel President, Inc, will initiate finding alternative arrangements as well the licensing efforts.

Greece, Turkey and Eastern Europe through Ridenco will fall under this plan, allowing for licensing of the Nautica brand as well as expansion plans to include Italy with showrooms located in Milan and Bologna.

Nautica Apparel is also currently evaluating a proposal to license the Nautica brand in Spain and Portugal.

Nautica Enterprises had already closed its sales offices in Germany, and has plans to close both offices in France and London.

The transition plan is expected to be completed by the second half of fiscal 2004.

Harvey Sanders, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Nautica Enterprises, Inc., recently commented "The Company strongly believes in the long term worlwide opport- unities for the Nautica brand and remains committed to Europe."

According to Sanders, two important objectives of the transition plan is to limit Nautica Enterprises exposure of capital investment in Europe while expanding the platform to achieve the company's goals in the European marketplace.