FOOTSTAR INC
10-12B/A, 1996-09-25
SHOE STORES
Previous: SAPIENT CORP, S-1, 1996-09-25
Next: FIRST TRUST SPECIAL SITUATIONS TRUST SERIES 156, 497J, 1996-09-25



   
  As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 25, 1996
    


                    SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                          Washington, D. C. 20549


   
                              AMENDMENT NO. 6
    
                                    TO

                                 FORM 10/A

                GENERAL FORM FOR REGISTRATION OF SECURITIES
                   PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OR 12(g) OF
                    THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                           ____________________


                              FOOTSTAR, INC.
          (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)




         DELAWARE                                     22-3439443
(State or other jurisdiction of         (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
Incorporation or organization)


933 MACARTHUR BOULEVARD
   MAHWAH, NEW JERSEY
 (Address of Principal                                    07430
   executive offices)                                   (Zip Code)


                              (201) 934-2000
           (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

                           ____________________


                        Securities to be registered
                   pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


   Title of each class                        Name of each exchange on which
   to be so registered                        each class is to be registered
Common Stock, par value $.01 per share       The New York Stock Exchange, Inc.

                        Securities to be registered
                   pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                                   None




                                Footstar, Inc.

                 Information Included In Information Statement
                   And Incorporated In Form 10 By Reference

              Cross-Reference Sheet Between Information Statement
                             And Items Of Form 10




Item                                     Location In Information Statement
- ----                                     --------------------------------
Item 1.  Business......................  SUMMARY; RISK FACTORS; THE
                                         DISTRIBUTION; MANAGEMENT'S
                                         DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                                         FINANCIAL CONDITION AND
                                         RESULTS OF OPERATIONS;  THE
                                         BUSINESS;  DESCRIPTION OF
                                         CREDIT FACILITY;  COMBINED
                                         FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Item 2.  Financial Information.........  SUMMARY; RISK FACTORS;
                                         CAPITALIZATION; UNAUDITED PRO FORMA
                                         COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS;
                                         SELECTED HISTORICAL COMBINED
                                         FINANCIAL DATA; MANAGEMENT'S
                                         DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                                         FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
                                         OF OPERATIONS; COMBINED FINANCIAL
                                         STATEMENTS

Item 3.  Properties....................  THE BUSINESS

Item 4.  Security Ownership of Certain
         Beneficial Owners and
         Management....................  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
                                         BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
Item 5.  Directors and Executive
         Officers......................  MANAGEMENT

Item 6.  Executive Compensation........  MANAGEMENT; SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF
                                         CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
                                         MANAGEMENT
Item 7.  Certain Relationships and
         Related Transactions..........  SUMMARY; RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN
                                         THE COMPANY AND MELVILLE; THE
                                         DISTRIBUTION

Item 8.  Legal Proceedings.............  THE BUSINESS

Item 9.  Market Price of and Dividends
         on the Registrant's Common
         Equity and Related Stockholder
         Matters.......................  SUMMARY; RISK FACTORS; THE
                                         DISTRIBUTION; TRADING MARKET;
                                         DIVIDENDS; SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF
                                         CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND
                                         MANAGEMENT; DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL
                                         STOCK
Item 10. Recent Sales of Unregistered
         Securities....................  NONE

Item 11. Description of Registrant's
         Securities to be Registered...  RISK FACTORS; DESCRIPTION OF
                                         CAPITAL STOCK; CERTAIN STATUTORY,
                                         CHARTER AND BYLAW PROVISIONS

Item 13. Financial Statements and
         Supplementary Data............  SUMMARY; MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION
                                         AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                                         AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS; COMBINED
                                         FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
Item 14. Changes in and Disagreements
         with Accountants on
         Accounting and Financial
         Disclosure....................  NONE

Item 15. Financial Statements and Exhibits

          (a) Financial Statements--See Index to Combined Financial Statements

          (b) Exhibits:


Exhibit
Number                   DESCRIPTION
- -------                  -----------

  2.1   Form of Distribution Agreement among Melville Corporation
        ("Melville"), Footaction Center, Inc. and the Registrant.(*)

  3.1   Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation of the Registrant.*

  3.2   Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Registrant.*
   
 10.1   Master Agreement, dated as of June 9, 1995, between Kmart Corporation
        and the Registrant, as amended.*   Application for confidential
        treatment with respect to certain portions of this Exhibit has been
        made to the Securities and Exchange Commission.
    
 10.2   Form of Tax Disaffiliation Agreement between Melville and the
        Registrant.*

 10.3   1996 Incentive Compensation Plan of Registrant.*

 10.4   1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Plan of Registrant.*

 10.5   Form of Executive Employment Agreement.*

 10.6   Credit Agreement, dated as of August 13, 1996, among the Banks listed
        therein, the Bank of New York, as Issuing Bank, Morgan Guaranty Trust
        Company of New York, as Administrative Agent and Swingline Lender,
        and the Registrant.*

 21.1   Subsidiaries of the Registrant.*

 27.1   Financial Data Schedule for Six Months Ended June 30, 1996
        and Year Ended December 31, 1995.*

- --------------------
   
 * Previously filed.
    

                                   SIGNATURE

        Pursuant to the requirements of Section 12 of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized.




                                 FOOTSTAR,  INC.


                                 By: /s/ Carlos Alberini
                                     -------------------------------
                                     Name:  Carlos Alberini
                                     Title: Chief Financial Officer
   
Date:  September 24, 1996
    

                     [Melville Corporation Letterhead]

                                                                        , 1996


Dear Shareholder:

I am pleased to inform you that the Board of Directors of Melville Corporation
has approved a distribution to our shareholders of all the outstanding shares
of common stock of Footstar, Inc. ("FTS") to holders of record of Melville
common stock on October 2, 1996. In the distribution, you will receive 0.2879
shares of FTS common stock for every one share of Melville common stock you
hold on the record date.

Footstar will combine Melville's footwear businesses which consist of
Footaction, one of the leading athletic footwear and apparel specialty chains
in the country, and Meldisco, which operates leased footwear departments in
Kmart and Payless Drug stores.

The distribution of FTS common stock is part of Melville's comprehensive
strategic restructuring program, announced in October 1995. Your Board of
Directors has concluded that the distribution is in the best interests of
Melville, FTS and Melville's shareholders in light of, among other things the
positioning of Melville to take advantage of the strategic opportunities
presented by the ongoing drug store industry consolidation by creating two
separate public companies which the financial markets will evaluate more
effectively, the ability to offer management incentives in a manner that is
more directly linked to the performance of the respective companies, thereby
better aligning these incentives with the interests of shareholders, the
increased strategic clarity of the companies, and the overall cost savings
expected to be achieved and the expected resultant increase in overall
profitability of the separate companies.

   
Your current common shares will continue to represent your investment
in Melville which, following the distribution, will consist of CVS and,
initially, Linens 'n Things and Bob's Stores.  On June 3, 1996, Melville
announced a formal plan to separate Linens 'n Things and Bob's from CVS.
Following completion of the distribution, Melville's name will, subject to
shareholder approval, be changed to CVS Corporation and the New York Stock
Exchange ticker symbol will be CVS.
    

Shares of Footstar common stock are expected to trade on the New York Stock
Exchange, under the ticker symbol FTS.

The enclosed Information Statement explains the proposed distribution in
detail and provides important financial and other information regarding FTS.
We urge you to read it carefully. Holders of Melville common stock are not
required to take any action to participate in the distribution. A stockholder
vote is not required in connection with this matter and, accordingly, your
proxy is not being sought.


                                                    Very truly yours,


   
        Preliminary and Subject to Completion, Dated September 25, 1996
    

INFORMATION STATEMENT

                                FOOTSTAR, INC.

                                 COMMON STOCK
                          (par value $.01 per share)


               This Information Statement relates to the distribution (the
"Distribution") by Melville Corporation ("Melville") of 100% of the shares of
common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Company Common Stock"), of
Footstar, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Footstar" or the "Company"),
outstanding on the Distribution Date (as defined below) to holders of
Melville's common stock, par value $1.00 per share ("Melville Common Stock").
Such shares of Company Common Stock will represent all of the Company Common
Stock owned by Melville on the Distribution Date and will be distributed by
Melville to its shareholders of record (other than Melville Restricted
Shareholders (as defined below)) as of the close of business on October 2,
1996 (the "Record Date") on the basis of 0.2879 shares of Company Common Stock
for every one share of Melville Common Stock held of record on the Record
Date. See "The Distribution." No consideration will be paid to Melville or the
Company by Melville shareholders for the shares of Company Common Stock
received in the Distribution. Following the Distribution, Melville will own no
shares of Company Common Stock or other securities of the Company.

               The Distribution is currently expected to be effected on or
about October 12, 1996 (the date on which the Distribution is effected being
the "Distribution Date"). Certificates representing the shares of Company
Common Stock will be mailed to Melville shareholders on the Distribution Date
or as soon thereafter as practicable.

               Prior to the time that the Distribution is effected, Melville
will contribute to the Company all of the outstanding shares of capital stock
of the first-tier subsidiaries that own and operate Melville's Meldisco and
Footaction businesses and its Thom McAn business which is being discontinued
(the "discontinued Thom McAn business"), in accordance with the terms of the
Distribution Agreement to be entered into prior to the Distribution Date
between Melville and the Company, the form of which is filed as an exhibit to
the Registration Statement on Form 10 (the "Form 10") filed under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), of which
this Information Statement is a part. See "The Distribution," "Relationship
Between The Company and Melville" and "The Business--Discontinuation of Thom
McAn Segment." At the time of the Distribution, the Company will own the
Meldisco, Footaction and discontinued Thom McAn businesses.

               There has been no trading market for the Company Common Stock,
although it is expected that a "when-issued" trading market may develop on or
about the Record Date. The Company Common Stock has been approved for listing
on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FTS" subject to official
notice of issuance.  See "Trading Market."


               In reviewing this Information Statement, stockholders should
carefully consider the matters described under the section entitled "Risk
Factors" on page 9.

                           ____________________

          SHAREHOLDER APPROVAL IS NOT REQUIRED IN CONNECTION WITH THE
              DISTRIBUTION. WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND
                   YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A PROXY.

   THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES
    AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
     SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION
      PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT.
           ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A CRIMINAL OFFENSE.

    THIS INFORMATION STATEMENT DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
                SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY ANY SECURITIES.

           The date of this Information Statement is        , 1996.



                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                        PAGE


Introduction..............................................................1
Summary...................................................................2
Risk Factors..............................................................9
The Distribution.........................................................13
Relationship Between the Company and Melville............................17
Trading Market...........................................................21
Dividends................................................................21
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements........................23
Pro Forma Capitalization.................................................27
Selected Historical Combined Financial Data..............................29
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
    Results of Operations................................................30
Description of Credit Facility...........................................35
The Business.............................................................36
Management...............................................................49
Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management...........61
Description of Capital Stock.............................................62
Certain Statutory, Charter and Bylaw Provisions..........................63
Independent Auditors.....................................................65
Additional Information...................................................65
Index to Combined Financial Statements..................................F-i




                                 INTRODUCTION


               On July 10, 1996, the Board of Directors of Melville declared a
dividend payable to holders of record of Melville Common Stock (other than
Melville Restricted Shareholders) at the close of business on October 2, 1996
(the "Record Date") of 0.2879 shares of Company Common Stock for every one
share of Melville Common Stock owned of record on the Record Date. See "The
Distribution."  It is expected that certificates representing shares of
Company Common Stock will be mailed to Melville shareholders on the
Distribution Date or as soon thereafter as practicable.

               Prior to the Distribution Date, all of the outstanding capital
stock of the subsidiaries that own and operate the Meldisco, Footaction and
discontinued Thom McAn businesses (such Meldisco, Footaction and Thom McAn
businesses being referred to herein as "Meldisco", "Footaction" and "Thom
McAn", respectively) will have been transferred by Melville to, and will be
owned by, the Company (except for Kmart's minority interest in the Meldisco
Subsidiaries (as defined below)). As a result of the Distribution, 100% of the
outstanding shares of Company Common Stock will be distributed to Melville
shareholders. Melville will not own any securities of the Company immediately
after the Distribution.

               Melville shareholders with inquiries relating to the
Distribution should contact Chase Mellon Shareholder Services, LLC (the
"Distribution Agent"), Overpeck Centre, 85 Challenger Road, Ridgefield Park,
NJ 07660; or Melville Corporation, Investor Relations, 1 CVS Drive,
Woonsocket, RI 02895. The Distribution Agent's telephone number is (800)
851-9677. Melville's telephone number is (401) 765-1500. After the
Distribution, stockholders of the Company with inquiries relating to the
Distribution should contact Footstar, Inc., Maureen Richards, Corporate
Secretary, 933 MacArthur Boulevard, Mahwah, New Jersey 07430. The Company's
telephone number is (201) 934-2000.


               No action is required by Melville shareholders in order to
receive the Company Common Stock to which they are entitled in the
Distribution.


                                  SUMMARY

               The following is a brief summary of the matters covered by this
Information Statement and is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information (including the financial statements and the notes thereto)
included elsewhere herein. Unless the context indicates otherwise, the
"Company" means Footstar, Inc. and its subsidiaries after giving effect to the
Distribution.

                                The Company


               Footstar is a leading retailer of discount footwear and branded
athletic footwear and apparel. As of June 29, 1996, the Company operated 2,553
leased discount footwear departments in 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S.
Virgin Islands, Guam, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Mexico through Meldisco
and 436 branded athletic footwear and apparel specialty stores in 43 states
and Puerto Rico through Footaction.

               The Company is a leading competitor in the U.S. retail footwear
industry, which had sales of approximately $32.5 billion in 1995. In the
discount footwear industry, principally through its relationship with Kmart,
the Company is the largest operator of leased footwear departments and is the
third largest retailer of discount footwear based on unit market share in
1995, according to Footwear Market Insights, a management consulting and
marketing research firm specializing in footwear ("FMI"). The Company's leased
footwear operations had aggregate sales in 1995 of $1.2 billion representing
approximately 3.7% and 7.5% of the industry's total dollar volume and
aggregate unit sales, respectively, according to FMI and published reports. In
1995, the three largest retailers of discount footwear (including the Company)
had aggregate sales of approximately $5.1 billion, representing approximately
72.4% of the discount footwear segment's total unit sales. During the fiscal
year ended December 31, 1995, Meldisco's Kmart operations accounted for 95.7%
of Meldisco's net sales and for 70.6% of the Company's combined net sales. For
additional information on Meldisco's sales and other operating results, see
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations."


               As an operator of leased discount footwear departments, the
Company believes that it has a significantly more variable cost structure than
its discount footwear competitors which generally own or lease real estate
facilities. Because of the Company's low fixed cost structure and its capital
investment in 1995 and 1996 in a state-of-the-art distribution network and
demand-driven merchandise replenishment system, the Company believes its
discount footwear segment will be able to support substantial growth with
minimal additional capital investment. The Company also believes that, through
its merchandising and direct sourcing expertise, its discount footwear
departments offer products of a quality/value mix that is superior to those of
its discount competitors. In addition, the Company believes that it has
certain competitive advantages in advertising, resulting from the promotion of
its discount footwear products through weekly newspaper inserts that have a
circulation of approximately 70 million.

               Footaction is a leading mall-based specialty retailer of
branded athletic footwear, apparel and related accessories for the active
lifestyle consumer. Footaction ranked third (after Woolworth Athletic and
Athletes Foot) in total sales among athletic footwear specialty retailers in
1995 according to Sports Trend's Annual Top 100 Report. Aggregate sales of
Footaction have grown from $218 million in 1992 to $424 million in 1995,
representing a compounded annual growth rate of 24.8% compared to a .8%
compounded annual growth rate over the same period in footwear sales of the
athletic specialty store segment. Footaction achieved this sales growth
through an aggressive store expansion program and strong same store sales
growth. Same store sales for 1995, 1994 and 1993 increased by 13.1%, 2.4% and
2.7%, respectively. Aggregate sales for the first six months of 1996 were $220
million compared to $178 million for the first six months of 1995, an increase
of 23.5%. Same store sales growth for the first six months of 1996 and 1995
was 20.7% and 14.4%, respectively.

               Footaction is recognized as being one of the first to offer the
latest and most popular styles of branded athletic footwear and apparel from
its key vendors such as Nike, Fila, Adidas and Reebok which are highly desired
by its target customers, 12 to 24 year olds. The Company believes that its new
"large store" prototype, 4,000 to 6,500 square feet in size, represents a
point of differentiation from competitors and positions Footaction to achieve
its growth plans. Footaction's marketing efforts are designed to build
traffic, sales and brand awareness among its target customers. Footaction's
advertisements typically feature both Footaction and branded products, and may
include celebrity endorsements. A portion of the cost of such advertising is
offset by co-operative advertising allowances.

                                 Strategy

               The Company's strategies are to achieve growth and increase
profitability through (i) expansion of its businesses and (ii) improved
operating performance within and across its businesses.


               Expansion. Because of the Company's industry experience,
expertise and vendor relationships, it is well positioned to take advantage of
consolidation in the retail footwear industry. The Company's strategy is to
expand by capitalizing on growth opportunities in the branded athletic
footwear and apparel specialty store and discount footwear segments. In the
branded athletic footwear and apparel specialty store segment, the Company
intends to expand by opening new 4,000 to 6,500 square foot "large store"
prototype Footaction stores in new and existing markets, converting certain of
its traditional 2,000 square foot prototype stores to the new large store
prototype, engaging in strategic acquisitions as opportunities become
available, and converting approximately 80 to 100 Thom McAn stores which are
the most suitable locations for conversion in light of Footaction's real
estate, store profile and market requirements (as further described under "The
Business--Discontinuation of Thom McAn Segment" below). Footaction also
intends to continue marketing programs directed at its primary customer base
of 12 to 24 year olds in an effort to build traffic, sales and brand awareness
and the perception that Footaction is one of the first to offer the latest and
most popular styles of branded athletic footwear and apparel. In the discount
footwear segment, the Company intends to grow by implementing strategies
designed to expand its existing discount footwear customer base and by
entering into business arrangements with new lessors to operate additional
leased discount footwear departments. As an operator of leased departments,
these new arrangements would require little or no additional capital
investment on the part of the Company. The Company is also developing other
retail formats and concepts focused on leveraging its footwear industry
expertise and infrastructure investments. In addition, the Company is actively
pursuing international opportunities in the discount footwear segment
consistent with the Company's strategic objectives.


               Improved Operating Performance. The Company has undertaken
various initiatives designed to increase sales and inventory turnover and to
reduce costs. The Company is implementing a new state-of-the-art distribution
network and a demand-driven merchandise replenishment system for its discount
segment to complement Footaction's existing state-of-the-art facilities.
For further information on the Company's demand-driven merchandise
replenishment system, see "The Business--Management Information Systems."
These efforts are designed to reduce the cost of merchandise replenishment,
significantly increase capacity utilization, provide greater flexibility
with respect to inventory management practices, improve in-stock position
and reduce the cost of and time involved in transporting inventory between
factory and store.  These initiatives are expected to be fully implemented
by early 1997.  The Company is also developing for its discount segment a
price management system designed to permit customized pricing at the
individual store level to reduce the effect of markdowns and thereby
improve profitability.


                   Discontinuation of Thom McAn Segment

               Thom McAn, which has been part of Melville since 1922, is a
moderately-priced specialty retailer, largely mall-based, and markets
moderately-priced men's and women's private label footwear
and accessories to quality and value conscious customers.  As a result of
extreme competitive pressures in the moderately-priced footwear retail
market and Thom McAn's inability as a segment to satisfy the Company's
sales, profit and return on investment objectives in recent years, the
Company has decided to exit the Thom McAn business by converting 80 to 100
Thom McAn stores (which are the most suitable locations for conversion in
light of Footaction's real estate, store profile and market requirements)
to Footaction stores and by selling or closing the remaining Thom McAn
stores (the "McAn Plan").  The Company currently expects to have exited the
Thom McAn business within 12 months of announcing the discontinuation.
Accordingly, the Company is treating its Thom McAn segment as discontinued
operations and, in connection with its McAn Plan, has recorded a pre-tax
charge of approximately $85 million in the first quarter of 1996.  For
additional information on the material consequences expected to result from
the discontinuation of the Thom McAn segment, see "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Liquidity
and Capital Resources," and for additional information on the McAn Plan
generally, see "The Business--Discontinuation of Thom McAn Segment."


                               *     *     *


               The Company is a holding company which, directly or indirectly
through its wholly-owned subsidiaries, owns all of the outstanding shares of
the capital stock of the subsidiaries that own and operate its Meldisco and
Footaction businesses and its discontinued Thom McAn segment (except for
Kmart's minority interest in the Meldisco Subsidiaries (as defined below)).
For a more detailed description of the Company's business, see "The Business."
The Company was organized in Delaware on March 21, 1996. The Company's
principal office is located at 933 MacArthur Boulevard, Mahwah, New Jersey
07430, and its telephone number is (201) 934-2000.



                             The Distribution

The following is a brief summary of certain terms of the Distribution.

Distributing Company............. Melville Corporation. After the
                                  Distribution, Melville will own no shares of
                                  Company Common Stock.


Primary Purposes of the
  Distribution....................Melville has concluded that the
                                  Distribution is in the best interests of
                                  Melville, the Company and Melville's
                                  shareholders. In reaching such conclusion
                                  Melville considered, among other things, the
                                  enchanced ability for Melville to take
                                  advantage of strategic opportunities in the
                                  chain drug industry, the ability of Melville
                                  and the Company to offer management
                                  incentives that are more directly linked to
                                  the performance of the respective
                                  businesses, overall aggregate profitability
                                  of the independent companies after the
                                  Distribution, the strategic clarity of the
                                  Company and Melville after the Distribution,
                                  that separating the two companies would
                                  permit the financial markets to evaluate
                                  both Melville and the Company more
                                  effectively, enhancement of the Company's
                                  financial strength in connection with the
                                  Distribution, and that the Distribution will
                                  enable Melville to achieve overall aggregate
                                  cost savings. See "The
                                  Distribution--Background to and Reasons for
                                  the Distribution."

Securities To Be Distributed..... All of the outstanding shares of Company
                                  Common Stock. Based on the number of shares
                                  of Melville Common Stock outstanding as of
                                  August 31, 1996, it is estimated that
                                  approximately 30.5 million shares of Company
                                  Common Stock will be distributed to Melville
                                  shareholders in the Distribution. After the
                                  Distribution, the Company estimates that the
                                  Company Common Stock will be held by
                                  approximately 5,900 stockholders of record,
                                  although some of the shares may be
                                  registered in nominee names representing an
                                  additional number of stockholders.

Distribution Ratio............... 0.2879 shares of Company Common Stock for
                                  every one share of Melville Common Stock
                                  held by Melville shareholders of record on
                                  the Record Date.

Record Date...................... October 2, 1996 (close of business)

Distribution Date................ October 12, 1996. Certificates representing
                                  the shares of Company Common Stock will be
                                  mailed to Melville shareholders on the
                                  Distribution Date or as soon thereafter as
                                  practicable.

Distribution Agent............... Chase Mellon Shareholder Services, LLC.

Trading Market and Symbol........ There has been no trading market for the
                                  Company Common Stock, although it is
                                  expected that a "when-issued" trading market
                                  may develop on or about the Record Date. The
                                  Company Common Stock has been approved for
                                  listing on the New York Stock Exchange under
                                  the symbol "FTS" subject to official notice
                                  of issuance. See "Trading Market."

Tax Consequences................. Prior to the Distribution, Melville will
                                  receive an opinion of counsel that the
                                  Distribution should qualify as tax-free to
                                  Melville and its shareholders for federal
                                  income tax purposes. Such opinion of counsel
                                  is not binding on the Internal Revenue
                                  Service or the courts. See "The
                                  Distribution--Certain Federal Income Tax
                                  Consequences" for a more detailed
                                  description of the federal income tax
                                  consequences of the Distribution.


Risk Factors..................... Stockholders should carefully consider the
                                  matters discussed under the section
                                  entitled "Risk Factors" in this
                                  Information Statement.

No Fractional Shares............. No fractional shares of Company Common Stock
                                  will be distributed. All fractional share
                                  interests will be aggregated and sold by the
                                  Distribution Agent on behalf of stockholders
                                  and the cash proceeds distributed to those
                                  stockholders otherwise entitled to a
                                  fractional interest. See "The
                                  Distribution--Description of the
                                  Distribution."


Relationship with Melville
After the Distribution; Footstar
Management and Management
Compensation Following the
Distribution..................... In connection with the Distribution,
                                  Melville and the Company will enter into the
                                  Distribution Agreement and the Tax
                                  Disaffiliation Agreement described under
                                  "Relationship Between the Company and
                                  Melville." These agreements are not the
                                  result of arm's length negotiations. Mr.
                                  Stanley P. Goldstein, Chairman and Chief
                                  Executive Officer of Melville, will serve on
                                  the Board of Directors of the Company after
                                  the Distribution. The Company currently
                                  intends to elect to its Board of Directors,
                                  as of or prior to the Distribution, M.
                                  Cabell Woodward, Jr. and Terry R. Lautenbach
                                  each of whom is a current director of
                                  Melville. See "Relationship Between the
                                  Company and Melville" and
                                  "Management--Directors and Executive
                                  officers." Additional or modified
                                  agreements, arrangements and transactions
                                  may be entered into between Melville and
                                  the Company after the Distribution, which
                                  will be negotiated at arm's length.  In
                                  connection with the Distribution,
                                  Footstar is securing the services of
                                  additional senior financial, treasury,
                                  legal, human resources and other
                                  management personnel.  The compensation,
                                  awards and other benefits payable to
                                  certain Footstar management following the
                                  Distribution are described in
                                  "Management" under "--Executive
                                  Compensation," "--Employment Agreements,"
                                  "--Supplemental Executive Retirement
                                  Plan," and "--1996 Incentive Compensation
                                  Plan" generally (and in "--1996 Incentive
                                  Compensation Plan --Initial Awards" with
                                  respect to initial stock-based awards).



            Summary Selected Historical Combined Financial Data

               Prior to the Distribution Date, the Company and its Meldisco,
Footaction and discontinued Thom McAn segments have been operated as part of
Melville. The table below sets forth selected historical combined financial
data for the Company. The historical financial data presented below reflect
periods during which the Company did not operate as an independent company
and, accordingly, certain assumptions were made in preparing such financial
data. Therefore, such data may not reflect the results of operations or the
financial condition which would have resulted if the Company had operated as a
separate, independent company during such periods, and are not necessarily
indicative of the Company's future results of operation or financial
condition.


               The following selected historical combined financial data of
the Company for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, as of
December 31, 1995 and 1994 and as of and for the six months ended June 29,
1996 and July 1, 1995 are derived from and should be read in conjunction with
the Company's historical Combined Financial Statements and the Notes thereto
included elsewhere in this Information Statement and include all adjustments
consisting only of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair
presentation of the results for the unaudited periods. See "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and
"Combined Financial Statements." Earnings per share data are presented
elsewhere in this Information Statement on a pro forma basis only. See
"Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements."


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     Six Months Ended                          Fiscal Years Ended
                                                  ---------------------     ------------------------------------------------------
                                                  June 29,      July 1,
                                                    1996         1995        1995(1)      1994        1993       1992      1991
                                                  -------       -------     --------    --------    --------   --------   --------
<S>                                               <C)           <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
Statement of Operations Data: ($ in millions)
   Net sales...................................   $ 755.9       $ 747.6     $1,615.2    $1,612.8    $1,474.8   $1,413.8   $1,279.2
   Cost of sales...............................     524.2         527.4      1,124.5     1,117.8     1,011.7      971.5      894.9
                                                  -------       -------     --------    --------    --------   --------   --------
   Gross profit................................     231.7         220.2        490.7       495.0       463.1      442.3      384.3
   Store operating, selling, general and
     administrative expenses...................     170.6         159.7        343.0       319.6       287.0      266.7      233.6
   Depreciation and amortization...............      11.6          10.7         20.0        18.7        13.7       10.5        6.4
   Restructuring and asset impairment
     charges...................................      --            --           23.7        --          --         --         --
                                                  -------       -------     --------    --------    --------   --------   --------
   Operating profit............................      49.5          49.8        104.0       156.7       162.4      165.1      144.3
   Interest income, net........................       9.3          10.6         21.1        15.4        11.7       12.5       20.3
   Provision for income taxes..................      18.8          18.1         37.3        49.5        53.7       54.8       47.9
   Minority interests in net income............      11.7          16.1         38.4        51.9        47.3       53.8       50.4
   Earnings (loss) from discontinued
     operations, net...........................       0.8          (3.3)       (26.8)        6.0         5.0      (45.2)      17.3
   Loss on disposal of discontinued
     operations, net(2)........................     (53.6)         --           --          --          --         --         --
   Cumulative effect of changes in
     accounting principle, net(3)..............      --            (3.9)        (3.9)       --          --        (22.1)      --
                                                  -------       -------     --------    --------    --------   --------   --------
   Net (loss) income...........................   $ (24.5)      $  19.0     $   18.7    $   76.7    $   78.1   $    1.7   $   83.6
                                                  =======       =======     ========    ========    ========   ========   ========

Balance Sheet Data: ($ in millions)
   Current assets:
     Due from parent and other divisions.......   $ 626.6       $ 617.1      $ 710.8     $ 727.7     $ 706.1    $ 731.8    $ 696.4
     Inventories...............................     311.9         356.5        282.6       347.3       307.1      299.4      342.5
     Other.....................................     136.3          98.5        120.9       115.7       116.5      138.2       72.8
                                                  -------       -------     --------    --------    --------   --------   --------
   Total current assets........................   1,074.8       1,072.1      1,114.3     1,190.7     1,129.7    1,169.4    1,111.7
   Property and equipment, net.................     174.0         169.1        195.1       163.9       133.0      110.7      122.0
   Total assets................................   1,305.1       1,288.6      1,372.7     1,392.5     1,301.6    1,320.5    1,275.5
   Current liabilities.........................     215.3         125.2        203.5       168.3       135.1      159.1      171.6
   Minority interests in subsidiaries..........      41.7          73.6         93.8       108.7        93.9      100.2      105.3
   Melville equity investment..................     989.4       1,030.8      1,013.8     1,033.1       978.2      936.8      976.4

<FN>
- --------------
(1) Amounts in 1995 also reflect certain non-recurring special charges.
    Operating profit in 1995 excluding the effect of these charges would
    have been $139 million. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
    Financial Condition and Results of Operations."


(2) The Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $85.0 million in the first
    quarter of 1996 for the discontinuation of Thom McAn.)

(3) The charge in 1995 was for the writeoff, effective January 1, 1995, of
    internally developed software costs that had previously been)
    capitalized.  The charge in 1992 was for the adoption of Statement of
    Financial Accounting Standards No. 106, "Employers' Accounting for
    Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions," effective January 1,
    1992.


</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       Summary Selected Historical Combined Financial Data (continued)

                                                           Six Months Ended                         Fiscal Years Ended
                                                     ---------------------------       ----------------------------------------
                                                      June 29,           July 1,
                                                       1996               1995           1995            1994            1993
                                                     --------            -------       --------        --------        --------
<S>                                     <C>          <C>                 <C>           <C>             <C>             <C>

Other Financial and Operating Data:

 Current ratio (excluding due from
   parent and other divisions).............           2.1:1               3.6:1           2.0:1           2.7:1           3.1:1
  Additions to property and equipment
   ($ in millions).........................          $ 25.2              $ 30.8          $ 92.9          $ 59.3          $ 45.9
 Gross square footage: (in millions)
   Meldisco................................             8.6                 8.6             8.6             9.0             8.6
   Footaction..............................             1.5                 1.4             1.4             1.4             1.0
 Net sales: ($ in millions)
   Meldisco................................          $535.5              $569.2        $1,191.5        $1,280.5        $1,212.5
   Footaction..............................           220.4               178.4           423.7           332.3           262.3
 Present value of operating leases:
   ($ in millions)
   Meldisco................................          $ 28.3              $ 27.2          $ 28.6          $ 28.4          $ 37.4
   Footaction..............................           184.1 (1)           176.7           186.8           187.5           160.5

                                         1996
 Store openings and closings:        (Projected)
          (number of stores)
   Meldisco
    Beginning.......................    2,568       2,568               2,778           2,778           2,771           2,623
    Openings........................       25          13                  13              29             159             257
    Closings........................       30          28                 232             239             152             109
    Ending..........................    2,563       2,553               2,559           2,568           2,778           2,771
   Footaction
    Beginning.......................      439         439                 439             439             391             298
    Openings........................       48 (2)       8                   3              21              69             102
    Closings........................       12          11                   5              21              21               9
    Ending..........................      475         436                 437             439             439             391

<FN>
- --------------
(1) Does not include approximately $23.5 million of lease obligations related
    to stores to be converted from the discontinued Thom McAn business.


(2) Includes 21 stores to be converted from the discontinued Thom McAn
    business during 1996.  The balance of the 80 to 100 Thom
    McAn-to-Footaction store conversions is expected to be completed during
    1997.

</TABLE>

                                 RISK FACTORS

               In addition to the other information contained in this
Information Statement, stockholders should carefully review the following
considerations.


               This Information Statement contains statements which constitute
forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities
Litigation Reform Act of 1995.  Those statements appear in a number of places
in this Information Statement and can be identified by the use of
forward-looking terminology such as "believe," "expect," "may," "will,"
"should" or "anticipates" or the negative thereof or other variations thereon.
Such forward-looking statements include, without limitation, statements made
as to cost savings, the impact of the McAn Plan, improvements in
infrastructure,  distribution and replenishment systems and operating
efficiencies, business strategy, and growth plans.  Such forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements to be
materially different from any future results, performance or achievements
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements.  Consequently, all of
the forward-looking statements made herein are qualified by these cautionary
statements, and there can be no assurance that the actual results, performance
or achievements will be realized. The information contained in this
Information Statement, including without limitation the information set forth
below under "Risk Factors" and in the section captioned "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,"
identifies important factors that could cause such results, performance or
achievements not to be realized.


Significance of Relationship with Kmart


               During the six months ended June 29, 1996 and the fiscal year
ended December 31, 1995, Meldisco's Kmart operations accounted for 96.0% and
95.7%, respectively, of Meldisco's net sales. Meldisco's Kmart operations
accounted for 68.0% and 70.6% of the Company's combined net sales during the
same periods, respectively. The business relationship between Meldisco and
Kmart is very significant to the Company, and the loss of Meldisco's Kmart
operations would have a material adverse effect on the Company. The Company's
arrangement with Kmart is governed by a Master Agreement. For a discussion of
Meldisco's Master Agreement with Kmart and the circumstances under which this
agreement may be terminated, see "The Business--Meldisco Relationship with
Kmart."


               In an effort to gradually increase the significance of its
non-Kmart-related operations, the Company is actively seeking to identify,
develop and exploit new business opportunities. These efforts include, but are
not limited to, both domestic and international opportunities that leverage
the Company's expertise in leased footwear department operations. The Company
also seeks to expand through the growth of its Footaction segment. There can,
however, be no assurance as to when or whether the Company will be able to
secure such new business opportunities or attain such growth.

               In 1995, Kmart closed 218 stores in which Meldisco was
operating leased footwear departments. The pro forma impact of the 218 store
closings (assuming they had all closed on January 1, 1995) would have been to
reduce 1995 net sales by approximately $16.0 million and to increase income
from continuing operations by approximately $0.6 million.


               Kmart store closings generally have a negative effect on
Meldisco's overall profitability because, on an annualized basis, Meldisco
operates at a profit in substantially all Kmart stores. Although Kmart has
announced that it does not believe a significant number of additional closings
other than those described above will be necessary, there can be no assurance
that Kmart will not choose to close additional stores in the future.


               There have been reports in the financial press as to financial
difficulties being experienced by Kmart. In the event of a further significant
deterioration in Kmart's financial condition, there could be a material
adverse effect on the Company.

Lack of Operating History as a Stand-Alone Company; Unavailability of
Melville's Support as a Parent; Differing Strategies of Operating Segments

               While Meldisco and Footaction have established operating
histories, the Company has not operated as a combined, stand-alone public
company. The Company is subject to the risks and uncertainties associated with
any newly independent company. Prior to the Distribution Date, the Company's
segments had access to Melville's support as a parent company, including the
following support functions: corporate management, real estate, human
resources and other administration; treasury; tax; legal; internal auditing;
and external financial reporting. Following the consummation of the
Distribution, the Company will no longer have access to such Melville support.
In addition, initiatives of the Company designed to increase operating
efficiencies, such as implementation of a new state-of-the-art distribution
network (including the opening of two new distribution centers and the related
closing of five existing distribution centers), a demand-driven merchandise
replenishment system and the consolidation of certain administrative and other
functions, may not yield the expected benefits or efficiencies and may be
subject to delays, unexpected costs and cost overruns, all of which could have
a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or results of
operations. See "The Business--Purchasing and Distribution."


               The Company is also subject to risks related to the different
nature and strategies of its business segments. Meldisco is a mature business
whose cash flow together with externally borrowed funds, the Company believes,
should be able to fund the growth of Footaction. Meldisco's cash flow and such
borrowed funds may also be needed with respect to the performance of Thom McAn
pending completion of the McAn Plan. See "The Business--Discontinuation of
Thom McAn Segment."


               The Company has in place a credit facility, which becomes
effective as of the Distribution, that will permit borrowings in an amount
sufficient to satisfy its working capital needs and to fund trade letters of
credit. The Company believes that cash from operations, together with
borrowings under such credit facility, will be adequate to fund operating
expenses, working capital, capital expenditures and growth of the Company's
business in accordance with the Company's business plan. However, there can be
no assurance as to the future availability of such external financing or
internally generated funds. See "Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial
Statements," "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations," "Combined Financial Statements", and "Description of
Credit Facility."

Competitive Environment

               Although sales in the retail footwear market have been
relatively flat during the past four years, sales in the discount and athletic
footwear segments have grown from $5.8 billion and $11.5 billion,
respectively, in 1991 to $6.5 billion and $13.3 billion, respectively, in
1995, representing compounded annual sales growth of approximately 2.9% and
3.7%, respectively. There can be no assurance that growth in the discount and
athletic footwear segments will continue or that the Company's sales will not
be adversely affected by continued weakness in the retail environment. For
information relating to the competitive pressures giving rise, in part, to the
McAn Plan, see "The Business--Discontinuation of Thom McAn Segment."

               The retail footwear market is characterized by intense
competition. Moreover, a number of the Company's competitors have been growing
more rapidly or have substantially greater resources than the Company. In many
cases, the stores of the Company's Footaction segment are located in shopping
centers or malls in which one or more of their primary competitors competes.
As a result, there can be no assurance that the Company's Footaction stores
will be able to maintain or improve their sales performance, market share or
gross profit levels. See "The Business--Description of Operating Segments."

Fashion Trends

               The success of the Company depends in part on its ability to
anticipate and respond to changing fashion and merchandise trends and consumer
demands in a timely manner. Accordingly, any failure by the business segments
to identify and respond to emerging trends could adversely affect consumer
acceptance of the merchandise in the Company's leased footwear departments or
stores, which in turn could adversely affect the Company's business. In
particular, a general consumer shift away from athletic footwear could have an
adverse effect on the financial condition or results of operations of
Footaction and, ultimately, the Company. If the Company miscalculates either
the market for its merchandise or its customers' purchasing habits, it may be
required to sell a significant amount of inventory at below average margins or
below cost. These outcomes could have an adverse effect on the Company's
financial condition or results of operations.

Risks of Foreign Manufacturing

               Meldisco contracts for the manufacture of merchandise with
independent third parties in the United States and abroad. Additionally,
Footaction's vendors have a significant percentage of their merchandise
manufactured in foreign countries. Risks inherent in foreign manufacturing
include economic and political instability, transportation delays and
interruptions, restrictive actions by foreign governments, the laws and
policies of the United States affecting the importation of goods including
duties, quotas and taxes, trade and foreign tax laws, and fluctuations in
currency exchange rates. The Company has not historically experienced material
adverse effects from these risks, and the Company believes that its
competitors would most likely be similarly affected by any such instability,
delays, interruptions, restrictions, laws, policies or fluctuations.
Nevertheless, there can be no assurance that, in the future, these risks will
not result in increased costs and delays or disruption in product deliveries
that could cause loss of revenue and damage to customer relationships.

               From time to time, the United States Congress has proposed
legislation which could result in import restrictions, and various foreign
countries in which the Company and its primary competitors source footwear
have considered voluntary export restrictions. The Company benefits from "most
favored nation" provisions in trade treaties between the United States and
certain countries in which the industry's main suppliers are located. From
time to time, the United States Congress has proposed legislation which could
result in such provisions being rescinded from particular trade treaties. This
could, in turn, result in higher product costs to the Company as well as to
its competitors.

               In particular, there has been extensive congressional debate
with respect to the most favored nation provision of the trade treaty between
the U.S. and China. Meldisco currently imports a significant percentage
(approximately 77% in dollar amount) of its merchandise from China. In
addition, Footaction's vendors have a substantial amount of their product
manufactured in China. If the most favored nation provision of the trade
treaty between the U.S. and China were not renewed, the cost of importing
merchandise from China would increase. The Company believes that its segments
and their vendors would be able to find alternative sources of supply,
although merchandise shortages, delays in delivery or price increases may
result in the short-term. The Company believes that non-renewal of China's
most-favored nation status would similarly affect many of the Company's
competitors.

Reliance on Key Vendors

               The Company is dependent to a significant degree upon its
ability to purchase merchandise at competitive prices. In particular, during
1995, approximately 85% of Footaction's net sales were generated by
merchandise purchased from Nike, Fila, Adidas and Reebok, with the most
significant percentage attributable to Nike. The loss of the Company's
relationship with certain key vendors could have a material adverse effect on
the Company. The Company believes that its relationships with its key vendors
are satisfactory and that the Company has adequate sources of merchandise;
however, there can be no assurance that the Company will be able to acquire
such merchandise at competitive prices or on competitive terms in the future.

               Select new merchandise in high demand is allocated by vendors
based upon the vendors' internal criteria. Although Footaction has been able
to purchase sufficient quantities of allocated merchandise in the past, there
can be no assurance that Footaction will be able to obtain sufficient amounts
of such merchandise in the future. Footaction's vendors provide support to
Footaction through cooperative advertising allowances, employee training, and
promotional events. There can be no assurance that such assistance from
Footaction's vendors will continue in the future.

Quarterly and Seasonal Fluctuations

               The Company's quarterly results of operations may fluctuate
materially depending on variables such as local, regional or national economic
or weather conditions. Footwear retailers are subject to general economic
conditions, and purchases of footwear may decline during recessionary periods.
In addition, the Company's businesses are also subject to some seasonal
fluctuation, with heavier concentrations of sales during Easter,
"back-to-school" and Christmas selling seasons. Any decrease in net sales for
such periods could have a material adverse effect on the Company's financial
condition or results of operations in particular quarterly or annual periods.

Dependence on Mall Traffic and Lease Space

               Footaction stores are located primarily in enclosed regional
and neighborhood malls. Consequently, the ability of Footaction to maintain a
high level of sales is dependent in part on a high volume of mall traffic.
Mall traffic may be adversely affected by, among other things, economic
downturns, the closing of anchor department stores or changes in consumer
preferences. A decline in the popularity of mall shopping among individuals in
Footaction's target customer population -- 12 to 24 year olds -- could have a
material adverse effect on the financial condition and results of operations
of Footaction and, ultimately, the Company.

               Since Footaction is principally a mall-based chain, its future
growth is dependent on its ability to open new stores in desirable mall
locations and its ability to make strategic acquisitions. There can be no
assurance as to when or whether such desirable locations or acquisition
opportunities will become available.

Reliance on Key Personnel


               The Company's business is managed by key executive officers,
such as J. M. Robinson, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, and
Carlos E. Alberini, Chief Financial Officer, the loss of whom could have a
material adverse effect on the Company. The Company believes that its
continued success will depend in large part on its ability to attract and
retain highly skilled and qualified personnel. The Company believes that the
Distribution will, among other things, permit the Company to offer management
incentives in a manner that is more directly linked to the Company's
performance, which the Company believes will facilitate the attraction,
retention and motivation of highly skilled and qualified personnel. In this
regard, the Company has taken steps to retain its key personnel, including the
execution of employment agreements with Messrs. Robinson and Alberini and
certain other senior personnel and the provision of competitive employee
benefit programs including the granting of stock options and other stock-based
awards. See "Management." Although the Company will seek to employ a qualified
person to fill his or her position with the Company in the event that any
officer or director of the Company ceases to be associated with the Company,
there can be no assurance that such individuals could be engaged by the
Company.


Dividend Policy


               The Company anticipates that future earnings will be used
principally to support operations and finance growth of the business and,
thus, the Company does not intend to pay cash dividends on the Company Common
Stock in the foreseeable future. The payment of cash dividends in the future
will be subject to the restriction on dividends contained in the Company's
credit facility (described below in "Description of Credit Facility") and, to
the extent dividends are permitted by the Company's lenders, will be at the
discretion of the Company's Board of Directors (the "Company Board"). The
declaration of dividends and the amount thereof will also depend on a number
of other factors, including the Company's financial condition, capital
requirements, funds from operations, future business prospects, applicable
contractual restrictions and such other factors as the Company Board may deem
relevant. For information on dividends payable by Meldisco to Kmart with
respect to Kmart's minority interest in the Meldisco Subsidiaries (as defined
under "The Business--Meldisco Relationship with Kmart"), see "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources."


No Prior Market for Common Stock


               Prior to the Distribution, there has been no public market for
the Company Common Stock, and there can be no assurance that an active trading
market will develop or be sustained in the future. The Company Common Stock
has been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol
"FTS" subject to official notice of issuance. There can be no assurance as to
the price at which the Company Common Stock will trade or that such price will
not be significantly below the book value per share of the Company Common
Stock. See "Trading Market."

               There can be no assurance that the Company Common Stock will
not experience substantial price volatility, particularly as a result of
quarter-to-quarter variations in the actual or anticipated financial results
of the Company or other companies in the retail industry or the markets served
by the Company. In addition, the stock market has experienced extreme price
and volume fluctuations that have affected the market price of many retail
stocks in particular and that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to
the operating performance of these companies. These and other factors may
adversely affect the market price of the Company Common Stock.


Certain Changes in Tax Law


               The Clinton Administration and members of the United States
Congress have recently proposed various changes to the Internal Revenue Code,
including provisions affecting the dividends received deduction for corporate
taxpayers. Although the current proposals are not anticipated to have a
material adverse effect on the Company if enacted, it is uncertain at this
time whether any variation of the current proposals, or any future proposals,
will ultimately be enacted or whether, as enacted, they will have an adverse
effect on the Company.


Anti-Takeover Effects of Certain Statutory, Charter, Bylaw and Contractual
  Provisions


               Several provisions of the Company's Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws (as will be in effect as of the Distribution) and of
the Delaware General Corporation Law could discourage potential acquisition
proposals and could deter or delay unsolicited changes in control of the
Company. These include provisions creating a classified Board of Directors,
limiting the stockholders' powers to remove directors, prohibiting the taking
of action by written consent in lieu of a stockholders' meeting, and certain
restrictions on repurchases by the Company of its equity securities from
certain substantial stockholders. In addition, the Company Board has the
authority, without further action by the stockholders, to fix the rights and
preferences of and to issue preferred stock. The issuance of preferred stock
could adversely affect the voting power of the owners of Company Common Stock,
including the loss of voting control to others. The Company, however, has no
present plans to issue any preferred stock. Pursuant to the Tax Disaffiliation
Agreement, the Company will agree to refrain from engaging in certain
transactions for two years following the Distribution Date unless it shall
first provide Melville with a ruling from the Internal Revenue Service or an
unqualified opinion of counsel that the transaction will not cause the
Distribution to become taxable. Transactions subject to these restrictions
will include, among other things, the liquidation of the Company, the merger
or consolidation of the Company with another company, certain issuances or
redemptions of Company Common Stock, the sale, distribution or other
disposition of assets of the Company out of the ordinary course of business,
and the discontinuation of certain of the Company's businesses. The Company
will generally agree to indemnify Melville against any tax liability resulting
from the Company's breach of any covenant or representation contained in the
Tax Disaffiliation Agreement with respect to such transactions.


               These provisions and others (such as a stockholder rights plan)
that could be adopted in the future could discourage unsolicited acquisition
proposals or delay or prevent changes in control or management of the Company,
including transactions in which stockholders might otherwise receive a premium
for their shares over then current market prices. In addition, these
provisions could limit the ability of stockholders to approve transactions
that they may deem to be in their best interests. See "Description of Capital
Stock" and "Certain Statutory, Charter and Bylaw Provisions."


                             THE DISTRIBUTION

Background to and Reasons for the Distribution

               Melville has, up to the time of the Restructuring Program
described below, been a diversified retailer operating in four business
segments: prescription drugs and health and beauty care through its CVS
business; apparel through its Bob's Stores, its Marshalls business (up to the
time of the sale of Marshalls on November 17, 1995) and its Wilson's leather
goods chain (up to the time of the sale of Wilson's on May 25, 1996); footwear
through its Meldisco, Footaction and Thom McAn businesses; and toys through
its Kay-Bee business (up to the time of the sale of  Kay-Bee on May 5, 1996)
and home furnishings through its Linens 'n Things and This End Up businesses
(up to the time of the sale of This End Up on May 31,  1996).

               In Melville's letter to shareholders accompanying its 1994
Annual Report, Melville informed its shareholders that it was commencing a
strategic review of its organization and operations which it expected would be
substantially completed by December 31, 1995. In early 1994, Melville began to
explore various transaction structures, and this activity was accelerated in
late 1994 and throughout 1995. In the Spring of 1995, Melville retained Morgan
Stanley & Co. Incorporated ("Morgan Stanley") as financial adviser and certain
other advisers to assist in designing, formulating and implementing Melville's
restructuring strategy and plan (including Bain & Co., as a management
consultant, and Financo, Inc. as financial adviser in connection with the sale
of Kay-Bee and This End Up and, together with Morgan Stanley, the sale of
Marshalls). In this strategic review, Melville worked with its advisers and
legal counsel and accountants in an analysis and valuation of, among other
things, the financial, market, credit, tax, accounting and regulatory
implications of alternative transactions and structures, and Melville and its
advisers examined the mix of its businesses and the role and strategy of each
in generating sales and profits, as well as each business' market position and
growth potential.


               These preparatory efforts of Melville's management and advisers
culminated in the formulation and announcement in October 1995 of Melville's
comprehensive strategic restructuring program (the "Restructuring Program")
designed to achieve various strategic, profitability and growth objectives as
well as cost savings, and thereby to increase value for Melville shareholders.
The Restructuring Program includes:
   
               (i)  The planned creation of independent retailing companies
in the chain drug and footwear industries.  After giving effect to the
Restructuring Program, the remaining Melville (which, subject to
shareholder approval, will be renamed CVS Corporation) will be a publicly
traded holding company consisting of CVS and, initially, Linens 'n Things
and Bob's.

              On June 3, 1996, Melville announced a formal plan to
separate Linens 'n Things and Bob's from CVS, with Linens 'n Things and
Bob's to be classified as discontinued operations in Melville's financial
statements.  On September 18, 1996 a registration statement was filed under
the Securities Act of 1933 relating to a public offering of shares of
common stock of Linens 'n Things held by Melville.  While the registration
statement did not specify the number of shares to be sold by Melville,
Melville has publicly announced its intention to dispose of, subject to
market conditions, its entire ownership position in Linens 'n Things by the
end of 1997.  No assurance can be given as to when or whether such public
offering will be consummated, or if consummated, as to the number or
offering price of shares to be sold therein.
    
              Footstar will constitute the footwear company which will
become publicly traded through the Distribution.

              (ii) The previously announced sale of Marshalls, which was
completed on November 17, 1995.

             (iii) The previously announced sale of Kay-Bee Toys to
Consolidated Stores Corporation, which was completed on May 5, 1996.

              (iv) The previously announced sale of Wilson's to an investor
group led by Wilson's management and other investors, which was completed on
May 25, 1996; and the sale of This End Up to an outside investor group which
was completed on May 31, 1996.


               (v) The recording by Melville of an after-tax charge of
approximately $753.1 million in the fourth quarter of 1995 relating to the
Restructuring Program. An additional after-tax charge of approximately $148
million was recorded by Melville in the second quarter of 1996, resulting
primarily from the actions announced by Melville on June 3, 1996 regarding
Linens 'n Things and Bob's (discussed in paragraph (i) above) and the McAn
Plan (discussed in more detail in the section captioned "The
Business--Discontinuation of Thom McAn Segment").


              (vi)  A revision of Melville's dividend policy to align the
payout with the new Melville's growth and capital needs, as well as with the
prevailing practices in each industry segment. In January 1996, Melville
announced that its quarterly dividend would be reduced to $0.11 per share from
$0.38 per share.

               As described above, the Distribution constitutes part of the
overall Restructuring Program. Melville has considered various alternatives
with respect to the restructuring of the entire Melville portfolio of
businesses (including its footwear operations) and has concluded that the
Distribution is in the best interests of Melville, the Company and Melville's
shareholders.


               In concluding that the Distribution is in the best interests of
Melville, the Company and Melville's shareholders, Melville considered, among
other things, that (i) the Distribution will position Melville to take full
advantage of the strategic opportunities currently presented by the ongoing
drug store industry consolidation by creating two separate public companies
which the financial markets will evaluate more effectively; (ii) the
Distribution would permit Melville and the Company to offer management
incentives in a manner that is more directly linked to the performance of
their respective businesses, thereby better aligning these incentives with the
interests of shareholders; (iii) the Distribution will increase the strategic
clarity of the Company and Melville, as each will be focused on a specific
industry and will have the decision-making power to respond quickly and
decisively to evolving conditions in its industry; (iv) the Restructuring
Program should increase overall aggregate profitability of the newly
independent companies as a result of the cost savings achieved by removing
functions currently performed by Melville which duplicate similar functions
performed by the Meldisco and Footaction businesses; and (v) for various
corporate, strategic and contractual reasons, the Company could not, in
management's view, be disposed of through a third party sale.


Description of the Distribution

               The general terms and conditions relating to the Distribution
are set forth in the Distribution Agreement between Melville and the Company.
See "Relationship between the Company and Melville--Terms of the Distribution
Agreement."


               Melville will effect the Distribution on or about October 12,
1996 (the date on which the Distribution is effected being the "Distribution
Date") by providing for the delivery of the shares of Company Common Stock to
the Distribution Agent for distribution to the holders of record of Melville
Common Stock at the close of business on October 2, 1996 (the "Record Date"),
except that  holders ("Melville Restricted Shareholders") of  restricted
shares of Melville Common Stock issued under Melville stock-based compensation
plans to Melville employees who will remain Melville employees after the
Distribution will not receive Company Common Stock in respect of such
restricted stock in the Distribution and, in lieu thereof, an adjustment to
the applicable restricted stock award will be made pursuant to the terms of
such compensation plans whereby such employees will receive additional
Melville restricted stock equivalent to the Company Common Stock that would
otherwise have been received in the Distribution. The Distribution will be
made on the basis of 0.2879 shares of Company Common Stock for every one share
of Melville Common Stock outstanding on the Record Date. The actual total
number of shares of Company Common Stock to be distributed will depend on the
number of shares of Melville Common Stock outstanding on the Record Date.
Based upon the number of shares of Melville Common Stock outstanding on August
31, 1996, approximately 30.5 million shares of Company Common Stock will be
distributed to Melville shareholders, which will constitute all of the shares
of Company Common Stock owned by Melville. As a result of the Distribution,
100% of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock will be distributed to
Melville shareholders. The shares of Company Common Stock will be fully paid
and nonassessable, and the holders thereof will not be entitled to preemptive
rights. See "Description of Capital Stock." Certificates representing the
shares of the Company Common Stock will be mailed to Melville shareholders on
the Distribution Date or as soon as practicable thereafter.


               No certificates or scrip representing fractional shares of
Company Common Stock will be issued to Melville shareholders as part of the
Distribution. The Distribution Agent will aggregate fractional shares into
whole shares and sell them in the open market at then prevailing prices on
behalf of holders who otherwise would be entitled to receive fractional share
interests, and such persons will receive instead a cash payment in the amount
of their pro rata share of the total sale proceeds thereof. Proceeds from
sales of fractional shares will be paid by the Distribution Agent based upon
the average gross selling price per share of Company Common Stock of all such
sales. See "The Distribution--Federal Income Tax Consequences." Melville will
bear the cost of commissions incurred in connection with such sales. Such
sales are expected to be made as soon as practicable after the Distribution
Date. None of Melville, the Company or the Distribution Agent will guarantee
any minimum sale price for the fractional shares of Company Common Stock, and
no interest will be paid on the proceeds of such shares.

Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences


               On January 9, 1996, Melville filed an application for a ruling
with the Internal Revenue Service (the "Service") to the effect that the
proposed Distribution would qualify as tax-free to Melville and its
shareholders.  During the course of the Service's consideration of the
application, it has, from time to time, requested additional information from
Melville.  The Service has recently made another such request which further
extends the review process for an indeterminate period.  Melville believes
that it is in the best interests of Melville, the Company and Melville's
shareholders to effect the Distribution on or about October 12, 1996.
Accordingly, Melville has decided to withdraw its application and to proceed
with the Distribution on the basis of an opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell to
the effect that the Distribution should qualify as tax-free to Melville and
its shareholders under Sections 355 and 368 of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Code").

               Assuming that the Distribution qualifies as tax-free for
federal income tax purposes:

               (i)   Except as described below with respect to fractional
            shares, a Melville shareholder will not recognize gain or loss as
            a result of the Distribution.  Cash received in lieu of a
            fractional share will be treated as received in exchange for such
            fractional share.  Gain or loss will be recognized to the recipient
            shareholder to the extent of the difference between the
            shareholder's basis in the fractional share and the amount
            received for the fractional share.  Provided the fractional share
            interest is held as a capital asset by the recipient shareholder,
            such gain or loss will constitute capital gain or loss.

               (ii)  A Melville shareholder will apportion its tax basis for
            its Melville Common Stock between such Melville Common Stock and
            Company Common Stock received in the Distribution in proportion to
            the relative fair market values of such Melville Common Stock and
            Company Common Stock on the Distribution Date.

               (iii) A Melville shareholder's holding period for the Company
            Common Stock received in the Distribution will include the period
            during which such shareholder held the Melville Common Stock with
            respect to which the Distribution was made, provided that such
            Melville Common Stock is held as a capital asset by such
            shareholder as of the Distribution Date.

               (iv)  Except to the extent of any excess loss accounts or
            deferred intercompany gains, no gain or loss will be recognized to
            Melville as a result of the Distribution.

               Opinions of counsel are not binding on the Service or the
courts.  The Service may challenge positions taken based upon this opinion.
Davis Polk & Wardwell, however, is of the opinion that if the Service were to
assert that the Distribution did not qualify as tax-free, the Service should
not prevail in a judicial proceeding in which the issues and facts were
properly presented.

               If the Distribution does not qualify as a tax-free
distribution, the fair market value of the shares of Company Common Stock
received by the Melville stockholders would be taxable as a dividend.  In that
event, the tax basis of the shares of Company Common Stock held by the
Melville stockholders after the Distribution would not change and the tax
basis of the shares of Company Common Stock would be equal to their fair
market value on the Distribution Date.  In addition, Melville would recognize
a capital gain equal to the difference between the fair market value of the
shares of Company Common Stock and Melville's basis in such shares.


               Current Treasury regulations require each Melville shareholder
who receives Company Common Stock pursuant to the Distribution to attach to
its federal income tax return for the year in which the Distribution occurs a
descriptive statement concerning the Distribution. Melville (or the Company on
its behalf) will make available requisite information to each Melville
shareholder of record as of the Record Date.

               ALL SHAREHOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR OWN TAX ADVISERS
REGARDING THE PARTICULAR FEDERAL, FOREIGN, STATE AND LOCAL TAX CONSEQUENCES OF
THE DISTRIBUTION TO THEM.

               For a description of agreements pursuant to which Melville and
the Company have provided for certain tax sharing and other tax matters, see
"Relationship Between the Company and Melville--Terms of the Tax
Disaffiliation Agreement."


               RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN THE COMPANY AND MELVILLE

               This section of the Information Statement describes certain
agreements between the Company and Melville that will govern certain of the
on-going relationships between Melville and the Company after the Distribution
and will provide for an orderly transition to the status of two separate,
independent companies. To the extent that they relate to the Distribution
Agreement or the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement (collectively, the "Distribution
Documents"), the following descriptions describe the Distribution Documents as
they will be in effect as of the Distribution, do not purport to be complete
and are qualified in their entirety by reference to the Distribution
Documents, which are filed as exhibits to the Form 10 and are incorporated
herein by reference. All stockholders should read the Distribution Documents
in their entirety.

               The Distribution Documents will be entered into in connection
with the Distribution and are, therefore, not the result of arm's length
negotiation between independent parties. Additional or modified agreements,
arrangements and transactions may be entered into between Melville and the
Company after the Distribution, which will be negotiated at arm's length.

Terms of the Distribution Agreement

               Melville and the Company will enter into a Distribution
Agreement (the "Distribution Agreement") prior to the Distribution, among
other things, to provide for the principal corporate transactions and certain
procedures for effecting the Distribution, to define certain aspects of the
relationship between Melville and the Company after the Distribution and to
provide for the allocation of certain assets and liabilities between Melville
and the Company.

               Contribution of Assets


               Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, on or prior to the
Distribution Date, Melville will contribute (the "Contributions") to the
Company all of the outstanding shares of capital stock of, or other ownership
interests in, the subsidiaries that own or operate Meldisco, Footaction and
the discontinued Thom McAn business (except for Kmart's minority interest in
the Meldisco Subsidiaries).


               Cross Indemnification


               The Company and Melville have agreed to indemnify one another
against certain liabilities. The Company has agreed to indemnify Melville and
its subsidiaries (other than the Company and its subsidiaries) (Melville and
such subsidiaries being the "Melville Group") and their respective directors,
officers and affiliates (collectively, the "Melville Indemnitees") from and
against any and all damage, loss, liability and expense incurred or suffered
by any of the Melville Indemnitees (i) arising out of or due to the failure of
the Company to pay, perform or otherwise discharge any obligations and
liabilities of the Company and its subsidiaries (including subsidiaries
contributed pursuant to the Contributions and including subsidiaries as of and
(except where the context clearly indicates otherwise) after the Distribution
(the "Company Group")) under the Distribution Agreement (including all
liabilities, whenever arising, of or relating to the Company Group or arising
from or in connection with the conduct of the Footstar business or the
ownership or use of assets in connection therewith) or (ii) arising out of or
in connection with the  provision by the Melville Group of Services (as
defined below) to the Company Group pursuant to the Distribution Agreement. A
subsidiary of the Company will indemnify each of the Melville Indemnitees
against any and all damage, loss, liability and expense arising out of or due
to the failure of any Company subsidiary to pay, perform or otherwise
discharge its obligations under any Guaranteed Lease (as defined below). Such
indemnification obligations of this Company subsidiary with respect to the
Guaranteed Leases will be guaranteed by the Company.

               Melville has agreed to indemnify the Company Group and the
respective directors, officers and affiliates of persons in the Company Group
(collectively, the "Company Indemnitees") from and against any and all damage,
loss, liability and expense arising out of or due to the failure of Melville
to pay, perform, or otherwise discharge any obligations and liabilities of the
Melville Group under the Distribution Agreement (including all liabilities,
whenever arising, of or relating to the Melville Group or arising from or in
connection with the conduct of the businesses of the Melville Group (other
than the Footstar business) or the ownership or use of assets in connection
therewith).


               The Company and Melville have generally agreed to indemnify the
other and the other's affiliates and controlling persons from certain
liabilities under the securities laws in connection with the Form 10 and this
Information Statement or  to contribute under certain circumstances to the
amount payable by the other in respect thereof.

               None of the foregoing indemnities applies to indemnification
for tax liabilities, which are addressed in the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement
described below. The Company does not believe that any of the foregoing
indemnities will have a material adverse effect on the business, financial
condition or results of operations of the Company.


               The Distribution Agreement also includes procedures for notice
and payment of indemnification claims and generally provides that the
indemnifying party may assume the defense of a claim or suit brought by a
third party. Any indemnification paid under the foregoing indemnities is to be
paid net of the amount of any insurance or other amounts that would be payable
by any third party to the indemnified party in the absence of such indemnity
and net of any tax benefit to the Indemnified Party attributable to the
relevant payment or liability, and shall be grossed up so that the indemnified
party receives 100% of the after-tax amount thereof.


               Conditions to the Distribution

               The Distribution Agreement provides that the Distribution is
subject to the following conditions being satisfied or waived prior to or as
of the Distribution Date: (i) the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws (each as defined under "Description of Capital Stock" below) shall be
in effect; (ii) Melville shall have effected the Contributions; (iii) Melville
shall have received an opinion of counsel satisfactory to Melville relating to
the tax-free nature of the Distribution; (iv) the Form 10 filed with the
Commission shall have become effective under the Exchange Act; (v) the Company
Common Stock shall have been approved for listing on the New York Stock
Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance; (vi) Melville's Board of
Directors shall be satisfied that (A) both before and after giving effect to
the Distribution, Melville is not and would not be insolvent within the
meaning of Section 510 of the Business Corporation Law of the State of New York
("Section 510") and (B) the Distribution will be made solely out of surplus
within the meaning of Section 510; (vii) the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement
shall have been duly executed and delivered by the parties thereto; (viii) a
credit facility shall have been made available to the Company by its lenders
on terms and in an amount satisfactory to Melville and the Company, and (ix)
Melville's Board of Directors shall have approved the Distribution and shall
not have abandoned, deferred or modified the Distribution at any time prior to
the Distribution.

               Lease Guarantees

               The Distribution Agreement provides that, with respect to each
real estate lease of Footstar or any of its subsidiaries that is in effect
prior to the Distribution and that remains in effect following the
Distribution (i) without any renewal option having been exercised or (ii) by
reason of the exercise of any renewal option provided for in the terms of the
lease as of the Distribution (collectively, the "Guaranteed Leases"), any
lease guarantee of such Guaranteed Lease provided by Melville or Melville
Realty Corporation ("MRC") and in effect as of the Distribution (a "Lease
Guarantee") will remain in effect after the Distribution for the duration of
the term of such lease and any extension thereof pursuant to the exercise of
any such renewal option. Melville and MRC will be indemnified against any
liabilities arising from such Lease Guarantees as described under "--Cross
Indemnification" above.

               Transfer of Assets


               Subject to receipt of any necessary consents of third parties
or regulatory bodies, (i) Melville will use its best efforts to transfer to
the Company Group all assets not already owned by the Company Group and that
relate solely to the business of the Company Group (and not to that of
Melville) and the Company will assume all liabilities associated with such
assets  and (ii) the Company will use its best efforts to transfer to Melville
and its subsidiaries (other than the Company and its subsidiaries) (the
"Melville Group") all assets not already owned by the Melville Group and that
relate solely to the business of the Melville Group (and not to that of the
Company Group) and Melville will assume all liabilities associated with such
assets .


               Transitional Services


               Melville has agreed to provide or cause to be provided to the
Company certain specified services for a transitional period after the
Distribution. The transitional services to be provided by Melville to the
Company will be tax services ("Tax Services") as specified in the Tax
Disaffiliation Agreement (as defined below), services relating to certain
Melville health and welfare plans ("Welfare Services"), check collection
services and insurance claims administration services (the "Services"). Such
Services are to be provided in a manner generally consistent with the nature
of Melville's intercompany services and practices prior to the Distribution.

               The Services are generally to be offered through the first
anniversary of the Distribution Date, with the exception of Tax Services which
are to be offered until December 31, 1997 and Welfare Services which are to be
offered until December 31, 1996.

               The Distribution Agreement generally provides that the Services
will be provided in exchange for payment of Melville's costs therefor, except
with respect to Tax Services for which the consideration will be the provision
by the Company of certain tax services to Melville. The Company believes that
the fees for such services will be consistent with the fees that would be paid
if the Services were provided by independent third parties and that such fees
are consistent in all material respects with the allocation of the costs of
such services set forth in the historical financial statements of the Company.
See the Company's historical Combined Financial Statements included elsewhere
herein. The Company estimates that the net charge for the Services that would
have been payable by the Company in 1995 if the Distribution Agreement had
been in effect during that period is approximately $1.2 million, which is
approximately the amount reflected in the Company's historical Combined
Financial Statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995.


               Other Terms of the Distribution Agreement

     Employee Benefits


               The Distribution Agreement provides that generally Melville
will cease to have any liability under its employee benefit plans with respect
to employees and former employees of the Company Group after the Distribution,
except that (i) options and other outstanding stock based awards in respect of
Melville stock will continue to operate in accordance with their terms, (ii)
the full account balances of current employees of the Company Group in
Melville's 401(k) profit sharing plan will be transferred to a similar
successor plan of the Company and (iii) employees of the Company Group will be
entitled to exercise applicable distribution rights under Melville's employee
stock ownership plan.


     Intercompany Accounts


               The Distribution Agreement provides that the amount of all
intercompany receivable, payable and loan balances between Melville and its
subsidiaries, on the one hand, and the Company and its subsidiaries, on the
other, outstanding as of the Distribution will be eliminated as provided in
Schedule 9.01 to the Distribution Agreement. For additional information, see
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources," Note 1 of the Company's
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet and Note 1 under "Pro Forma
Capitalization."

     Melville Rights in the Event of Certain Third Party Beneficial Ownership
of Footstar

     The Distribution Agreement generally provides that no person or group may
acquire beneficial ownership of  more than 35% of the Company Common Stock,
unless prior to such acquisition, the acquiror has provided to Melville a
guarantee of the Company's indemnity and other obligations under the
Distribution Agreement.  In addition, if any person or group acquires such
beneficial ownership of the Company, Melville may forthwith terminate the
provision of Services.


     Access to Information; Provision of Witnesses; Confidentiality

               Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, each of the Company and
Melville will, for a reasonable period of time, afford the other and certain
of their agents reasonable access to all records in its possession relating to
the business and affairs of the other party as reasonably required, including,
for auditing, accounting, litigation, disclosure and reporting purposes,
subject to limited exceptions. Each party will also use reasonable efforts to
make available to the other, its officers, directors, employees and agents as
witnesses, and will otherwise cooperate with the other party, in connection
with any proceeding arising out of the business of it or the other party prior
to the Distribution.

               Except as otherwise provided in the Distribution Agreement, the
Company, Melville, and their respective officers, directors, employees and
agents will hold all information in its possession concerning the other party
in strict confidence.

               Transaction Expenses


            Melville will generally be responsible for all transaction
expenses incurred by the Melville Group or the Footstar Group in connection
with the Distribution, except that Footstar will be responsible for all fees
and expenses under or in connection with its bank credit facility (described
in "Description of Credit Facility").


Terms of the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement

               Prior to the Distribution, Melville and the Company will enter
into a tax disaffiliation agreement (the "Tax Disaffiliation Agreement") that
will set forth each party's rights and obligations with respect to payments
and refunds, if any, with respect to taxes for periods before and after the
Distribution and related matters such as the filing of tax returns and the
conduct of audits or other proceedings involving claims made by taxing
authorities.

               In general, Melville will be responsible for filing
consolidated federal and consolidated, combined or unitary state income tax
returns for periods through the Distribution Date, and paying the associated
taxes. The Company will reimburse Melville for the portion of such taxes, if
any, relating to the retail footwear businesses (except to the extent
attributable to Bob's or Marshalls), provided, however, that with respect to
any combined and unitary state income taxes based in part on allocation
percentages, the Company will reimburse Melville for the portion of such taxes
attributable to the retail footwear businesses' contribution to the relevant
allocation percentage. The Company will be reimbursed, however, for tax
attributes, such as net operating losses and foreign tax credits, when and to
the extent that they are used on a consolidated, combined or unitary basis.
The Company will be responsible for filing, and paying the taxes associated
with, all other tax returns relating to pre-Distribution tax periods relating
solely to the Company's businesses. Melville, however, will be responsible for
preparing all income tax returns to be filed by the Company for tax periods
that end on or before the Distribution Date.

               In general, the Company will agree to indemnify Melville for
taxes relating to a pre-Distribution tax period to the extent such taxes are
attributable to the retail footwear businesses (except to the extent
attributable to Bob's or Marshalls) or, in the case of any combined and
unitary state income taxes based in part on allocation percentages, to the
extent such taxes are attributable to the retail footwear businesses'
contribution to the relevant allocation percentage and Melville will agree to
indemnify the Company for all other taxes relating to a pre-Distribution tax
period. The Tax Disaffiliation Agreement will also provide that Melville will
generally pay to the Company the net benefit realized by Melville relating to
the Company's businesses from the carryback to pre-Distribution tax periods of
certain tax attributes of the Company arising in post-Distribution tax
periods.


               Pursuant to the Tax Disaffiliation Agreement the Company will
agree to refrain from engaging in certain transactions for two years following
the Distribution Date unless it shall first provide Melville with a ruling
from the Internal Revenue Service or an unqualified opinion of counsel that
the transaction will not cause the Distribution to become taxable.
Transactions subject to these restrictions will include, among other things,
the liquidation, merger, or consolidation with another company, the issuance
or redemption of Company Common Stock, the sale, distribution or other
disposition of assets out of the ordinary course of business, and the
discontinuation of certain businesses, except as such transaction relates to
the discontinuation of the Thom McAn business. The Company will generally
agree to indemnify Melville against any tax liability resulting from the
Company's breach of any covenant or representation contained in the Tax
Disaffiliation Agreement with respect to such transactions. In addition, the
Company and Melville have each agreed that neither party will take any action
inconsistent with the information furnished by such party in connection with
the rendering of the legal opinion regarding the tax-free nature of the
Distribution and, until the expiration of the statute of limitations period
applicable to the taxable year in which the Distribution occurs, neither party
will make or change any accounting method, amend any tax return or take any
tax position on any tax return, change the manner in which it conducts its
business, or take (or omit to take) any other action that results in any
increased tax liability relating to a pre-Distribution tax period.  The
Company and Melville have agreed to indemnify the other for liabilities
arising as a result of the breach by the Company or Melville, as the case may
be, of the foregoing agreement.  The Company and Melville have also agreed to
indemnify the other from liabilities under the securities laws or otherwise
resulting from information furnished by the Company or Melville, as the case
may be.


                              TRADING MARKET


               There has been no trading market for the Company Common Stock,
and there can be no assurances as to the establishment or continuity of any
such market. However, it is expected that a "when-issued" trading market may
develop on or about the Record Date. The Company Common Stock has been
approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "FTS"
subject to official notice of issuance.

               Prices at which the Company Common Stock may trade prior to the
Distribution, on a "when-issued" basis, or after the Distribution cannot be
predicted. Nor can there be any assurance that such price will not be
significantly below the book value per share of the Company Common Stock.
Prices at which trading in shares of Company Common Stock occurs may fluctuate
significantly. See "Risk Factors--No Prior Market for Common Stock." The
prices at which the Company Common Stock trades will be determined by the
marketplace and may be influenced by many factors, including, among others,
quarter to quarter variations in the actual or anticipated financial results
of the Company or other companies in the retail industry or the markets served
by the Company. In addition, the stock market has experienced extreme price
and volume fluctuations that have affected the market price of many retail
stocks in particular and that have often been unrelated or disproportionate
to the operating performance of these companies. These and other factors may
adversely affect the market price of the Company Common Stock.

               The Company Common Stock received by Melville shareholders
pursuant to the Distribution will be freely transferable, except for shares of
such Company Common Stock received by any person who may be deemed an
"affiliate" of the Company within the meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities
Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). Persons who may be deemed to
be affiliates of the Company after the Distribution generally include
individuals or entities that directly, or indirectly through one or more
intermediaries, control, are controlled by, or are under common control with,
the Company. Persons who are affiliates of the Company will be permitted to
sell their Company Common Stock received pursuant to the Distribution only
pursuant to an effective registration statement under the Securities Act or
pursuant to an exemption from registration under the Securities Act, such as
the exemption afforded by Rule 144 thereunder.

               Options to purchase approximately 700,000 shares of Company
Common Stock, approximately 200,000 shares of deferred Company Common Stock
and stock units in respect of 12,000 shares of Company Common Stock will be
outstanding immediately following the Distribution, which options, deferred
stock and stock units will be granted pursuant to the Company's 1996 Incentive
Compensation Plan and the 1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Plan. See
"Management--1996 Incentive Compensation Plan--Initial Awards" and
"Management--1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Plan." Shares of Company Common
Stock issued upon exercise of such options or stock units and upon vesting of
such deferred stock will be registered on Form S-8 under the Securities Act
and will, therefore, be freely transferable under the securities laws, except
by affiliates as described  above. Except for the shares of Company Common
Stock distributed in the Distribution and such stock options, deferred stock
and stock units, no securities of the Company will be outstanding as of or
immediately following the Distribution. The Company has not entered into any
agreement or otherwise committed to register any shares of Company Common
Stock under the Securities Act for sale by security holders. Except for the
shares registered on this Form 10 in connection with the Distribution and
common equity offered pursuant to employee benefit plans, no common equity of
the Company is being, or has been publicly proposed to be, publicly registered
or offered by the Company.


                                 DIVIDENDS


               The Company anticipates that future earnings will be used
principally to support operations and finance growth of the business and,
thus, the Company does not intend to pay cash dividends on the Company Common
Stock in the foreseeable future. The payment of cash dividends in the future
will be subject to the restriction on dividends contained in the Company's
credit facility (described below in  "Description of Credit Facility") and, to
the extent dividends are permitted by the Company's lenders, will be at the
discretion of the Company Board. The declaration of dividends and the amount
thereof will also depend on a number of other factors, including the Company's
financial condition, capital requirements, funds from operations, future
business prospects, applicable contractual restrictions and such other factors
as the Company Board may deem relevant. For information on dividends payable
by Meldisco to Kmart with respect to Kmart's minority interest in the Meldisco
Subsidiaries (as defined under "The Business--Meldisco Relationship with
Kmart"), see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources."



             UNAUDITED PRO FORMA COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


               Prior to the Distribution Date, the Company and its Meldisco,
Footaction and discontinued Thom McAn segments have been operated as part of
Melville. The following Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statement of Income sets
forth the historical combined statement of income of the Company for the year
ended December 31, 1995 and for the six months ended June 29, 1996 and as
adjusted for the Distribution and the related transactions and events
described in the Notes to such Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statements of
Income as if the Distribution and such transactions and events had been
consummated on January 1, 1995. The following Unaudited Pro Forma Combined
Balance Sheet sets forth the historical combined balance sheet of the Company
as of June 29, 1996, and as adjusted for the Distribution and the related
transactions and events described in the Notes to such Unaudited Pro Forma
Combined Balance Sheet as if the Distribution and such transactions and events
had been consummated on June 29, 1996.

               In reviewing the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial
Statements set forth below, in addition to the assumptions and other matters
noted in the above paragraph and in the Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma
Combined Financial Statements, the following should be noted. Incremental
costs that will be incurred because the Company is an independent company have
been reflected in the pro forma adjustments. See the accompanying notes to
Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements. In addition, during the
1995 fourth quarter, in anticipation of the Distribution, the Company
committed to close 18 stores and to outsource its data processing functions.
Furthermore, the Company adopted SFAS No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment
of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of."

               Management believes that the assumptions used provide a
reasonable basis on which to present such Unaudited Pro Forma Combined
Financial Statements. The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements
should be read in conjunction with the historical Combined Financial
Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere in this Information Statement
and "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations." The Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements are
provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed to be
indicative of the Company's results of operations or financial condition had
the Distribution and the transactions and events described above been
consummated on the dates assumed, may not reflect the results of operations or
financial condition which would have resulted had the Company been operated as
a separate, independent company during such periods, and are not necessarily
indicative of the Company's future results of operations or financial
condition.


                                Footstar, Inc.
               Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statement of Income
                         Year Ended December 31, 1995
                   ($ in millions, except per share amounts
                             and number of shares)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Adjustments         Pro Forma
                                                                    for                for
                                             Historical(1)      Distribution     Distribution(5)
                                             -------------      ------------     ---------------

<S>                                          <C>                <C>              <C>

Net sales................................      $1,615.2                            $1,615.2
Cost of sales............................       1,124.5                             1,124.5
Gross profit.............................         490.7                               490.7
Store operating, selling, general
  and administrative expenses............         343.0         $ 12.6(2)             355.6

Depreciation and amortization............          20.0                                20.0
Restructuring and asset
  impairment charges.....................          23.7                                23.7
                                               --------         ------             --------
Operating profit.........................         104.0          (12.6)                91.4
Interest income, net.....................          21.1          (20.9)(3)              0.2
                                               --------         ------             --------
Income from continuing operations before
  income taxes and minority interests....         125.1          (33.5)                91.6
Provision for income taxes...............          37.3          (13.1)(4)             24.2
                                               --------         ------             --------
Income from continuing operations before
  minority interests.....................          87.8          (20.4)                67.4
Minority interests in net income.........          38.4                                38.4
                                               --------         ------             --------
Income from continuing operations........      $   49.4         $(20.4)            $   29.0
                                               ========         ======             ========
Earnings per share.......................                                          $   0.94
                                                                                   ========
Weighted average number of
  common shares outstanding(6)...........                                      30.7 million
                                                                               ============
<FN>
- --------------
(1) Historical amounts reflect all special charges. See "Management's
    Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
    Operations."


(2) To record the elimination of Melville expense allocations and the
    anticipated net increase in overhead. This increase consists of the
    following:

            Elimination of Melville expense allocations........ $  (5.4)
            Stand-alone overhead costs.........................    18.0
                                                                -------
               Net increase.................................... $  12.6
                                                                =======


            The Melville expense allocations consist of the following:

            Cost of Employee Stock Ownership Plan.............. $   3.6
            Corporate administrative costs.....................     1.8
                                                                -------
                                                                $   5.4
                                                                =======
    The stand-alone overhead costs relate primarily to incremental salary
    and related costs of corporate management, financing fees and other
    costs associated with being a stand-alone public company.

(3) To eliminate net interest income relating to intercompany balances.
    See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
    Results of Operations." The net interest income on the intercompany
    account balance was calculated on a daily basis utilizing the Treasury
    Repurchase Agreement rate for overnight investments.

(4) To record the net change in the provision for income taxes to reflect the
    pro forma adjustments.  The effective tax rate utilized was 39%, which
    approximates the Company's blended statutory rate.

(5) Adjusting for the restructuring and asset impairment charge (amounting to
    $14.5 million after taxes), as well as asset writeoffs and certain
    one-time charges related to the repositioning of the Company (aggregating
    $9.0 million after taxes), pro forma income from continuing operations
    would have been $52.5 million, and earnings per share would have been
    $1.71.  Adjusting further for the impact of 218 store closings by Kmart
    in 1995, which incurred net losses totalling $0.6 million, pro forma
    income from continuing operations would have been $53.1 million and
    earnings per share would have been $1.73.

(6) The weighted average number of common shares outstanding reflects (i) the
    Distribution ratio times (ii) the number of shares of Melville Common
    Stock outstanding as of August 31, 1996 plus shares of deferred stock
    and stock units to be granted as of the Distribution pursuant to the
    Company's 1996 Incentive Compensation Plan and 1996 Non-Employee
    Director Stock Plan.

</TABLE>



                                Footstar, Inc.
               Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Statement of Income
                        Six Months Ended June 29, 1996
                   ($ in millions, except per share amounts
                             and number of shares)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>                                                       Adjustments         Pro Forma
                                                                     for                for
                                              Historical        Distribution       Distribution
                                             -------------      ------------     ---------------

<S>                                          <C>                <C>              <C>

Net sales................................      $  755.9                             $  755.9
Cost of sales............................         524.2                                524.2
                                               --------            ------           --------
Gross profit.............................         231.7                                231.7
Store operating, selling, general
 and administrative expenses.............         170.6            $  6.3(1)           176.9
Depreciation and amortization............          11.6                                 11.6
                                               --------            ------           --------
Operating profit.........................          49.5              (6.3)              43.2
Interest income, net.....................           9.3              (9.3)(2)            0.0
                                               --------            ------           --------
Income from continuing operations before
 income taxes and minority interests.....          58.8             (15.6)              43.2
Provision for income taxes...............          18.8              (6.1)(3)           12.7
                                               --------            ------           --------
Income from continuing operations before
 minority interests......................          40.0              (9.5)              30.5
Minority interests in net income.........          11.7                                 11.7
                                               --------            ------           --------
Income from continuing operations........      $   28.3            $ (9.5)          $   18.8
                                               ========            ======           ========
Earnings per share.......................                                           $   0.61
                                                                                    ========
Weighted average number of
 common shares outstanding(4)............                                       30.7 million
                                                                                ============
<FN>
- --------------

(1) To record the elimination of Melville expense allocations and the
    anticipated net increase in overhead. This increase consists of the
    following:

         Elimination of Melville expense allocations   $  (2.7)
         Stand-alone overhead costs.................       9.0
                                                       -------
            Net increase............................   $   6.3
                                                       =======

         The Melville expense allocations consist of the following:

         Cost of Employee Stock Ownership Plan......   $   1.9
         Corporate administrative costs.............       0.8
                                                       -------
                                                       $   2.7
                                                       =======

    The stand-alone overhead costs relate primarily to incremental salary and
    related costs of corporate management, financing fees and other costs
    associated with being a stand-alone public company.


(2) To eliminate net interest income relating to intercompany balances. See
    "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
    Results of Operations." The net interest income on the intercompany
    account balance was calculated on a daily basis utilizing the Treasury
    Repurchase Agreement rate for overnight investments.

(3) To record the net change in the provision for income taxes to reflect the
    pro forma adjustments. The effective tax rate utilized was
    39%, which approximates the Company's blended statutory rate.


(4) The weighted average number of common shares outstanding reflects (i) the
    Distribution ratio times (ii) the number of shares of Melville Common
    Stock outstanding as of August 31, 1996 plus shares of deferred stock
    and stock units to be granted as of the Distribution pursuant to the
    Company's 1996 Incentive Compensation Plan and 1996 Non-Employee
    Director Stock Plan.

</TABLE>


                                Footstar, Inc.
                  Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet
                                 June 29, 1996
                                ($ in millions)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>                                                       Adjustments         Pro Forma
                                                                     for                for
                                              Historical        Distribution       Distribution
                                             -------------      ------------     ---------------

<S>                                          <C>                <C>              <C>

                        Assets
Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents...................  $  22.6                              $  22.6
   Accounts receivable, net....................     58.0                                 58.0
   Due from parent and other divisions.........    626.6         $(896.8)(1a)
                                                                   269.9 (1b)
                                                                     0.3 (2)               --
   Inventories.................................    311.9                                311.9
   Prepaid expenses and other current assets...     55.7            (0.7)(2)             55.0
                                                -------         --------             --------
         Total current assets..................  1,074.8          (627.3)               447.5

Property and equipment, net....................    174.0                                174.0
Goodwill, net..................................     29.2                                 29.2
Deferred charges and other noncurrent assets        27.1             0.4 (2)             27.5
                                                --------        --------             --------
         Total assets.......................... $1,305.1        $ (626.9)            $  678.2
                                                ========        ========             ========

                Liabilities and Equity

Current liabilities:
   Short-term borrowings......................                   $  16.1 (1b)        $   16.1
   Accounts payable...........................  $   50.5                                 50.5
   Accrued expenses...........................     164.8                                164.8
                                                --------         -------             --------
         Total current liabilities............     215.3            16.1                231.4

Long-term debt................................       0.1                                  0.1
Other long-term liabilities...................      58.6                                 58.6
                                                --------         -------             --------
         Total long-term liabilities..........      58.7                                 58.7

Minority interests in subsidiaries............      41.7                                 41.7

Equity:
   Melville equity investment.................     989.4          (896.8)(1a)
                                                                   (92.6)(1c)             --
   Shareholders' equity:
     Common stock.............................                       0.3 (1c)             0.3
     Contributed capital......................                     253.8 (1b)

                                                                    51.6 (1c)           305.4
     Retained earnings......................                        40.5 (1c)            40.5
     Cumulative translation adjustment......                         0.2 (1c)             0.2
                                                --------         -------             --------
         Total equity.......................       989.4          (643.0)               346.4
                                                --------         --------            --------
         Total liabilities and equity.......    $1,305.1         $(626.9)            $  678.2
                                                ========         ========            ========

- --------------
<FN>

(1) To reflect the recapitalization of the Company prior to the Distribution
    (as if the Distribution occurred on June 29, 1996), including:  (a) a
    transfer of retained earnings to Melville, (b) the elimination of the
    resulting intercompany indebtedness, and (c) a capital contribution by
    Melville of its equity investment in the Company.  The table above
    reflects elimination of the intercompany balance through a Melville
    capital contribution and the incurrence by the Company of external
    short-term borrowings.  The Company intends to eliminate intercompany
    balances between the Company and its subsidiaries, on the one hand,
    and Melville and its subsidiaries, on the other, outstanding as of the
    Distribution as follows:  Melville will make a capital contribution in
    the amount reflected in the above table, and the remaining
    intercompany balance will be repaid to Melville or the Company, as the
    case may be.  The actual amount of such repayment in connection with
    the elimination of the intercompany balance will depend on the amount
    of the intercompany balance (which balance will fluctuate based
    primarily on the amount of working capital) as of the Distribution
    Date.  Accordingly, amounts in the table above are not necessarily
    indicative of amounts in any future period or as of the Distribution.
    See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
    Results of Operations--Liquidity and Capital Resources."


(2) To reflect the transfer to Melville of net assets related to certain
    Melville-sponsored employee benefit plans.
</TABLE>


                           PRO FORMA CAPITALIZATION


               Prior to the Distribution Date, the Company and its Meldisco,
Footaction and discontinued Thom McAn segments have been operated as part of
Melville. The following table sets forth the combined capitalization of the
Company as of June 29, 1996, and as adjusted to give effect to the
Distribution and the related transactions and events described in the notes
hereto and the Notes to the Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Balance Sheet
included in this Information Statement as if the Distribution and such
transactions and events had been consummated on June 29, 1996.


               Management believes that the assumptions used provide a
reasonable basis on which to present such Pro Forma Capitalization. The Pro
Forma Capitalization table below should be read in conjunction with the
historical Combined Financial Statements and Notes thereto included elsewhere
in this Information Statement, "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Unaudited Pro Forma
Combined Financial Statements." The Pro Forma Capitalization table below is
provided for informational purposes only and should not be construed to be
indicative of the Company's capitalization or financial condition had the
Distribution and such related transactions and events been consummated on the
date assumed, may not reflect the capitalization or financial condition which
would have resulted had the Company been operated as a separate, independent
company during such period, and are not necessarily indicative of the
Company's future capitalization or financial condition.

                                                       June 29, 1996
                                                        (Unaudited)
                                                      ($ in millions)
                                                  ---------------------------
                                                                 Pro Forma
                                                                    for
                                                  Historical  Distribution(1)
                                                  ----------  ---------------

 Due from parent and other divisions...........    $ 626.6         $    --
                                                   -------         ---------

 Total indebtedness:
 Short-term borrowings.........................    $                 $  16.1
 Current portion of long-term debt ............        0.1               0.1
 Long-term debt................................        0.1               0.1
                                                   -------           -------
    Total indebtedness.........................        0.2              16.3
                                                   -------           -------

 Minority interests in subsidiaries.............       41.7              41.7
 Equity:
  Melville equity investment....................      989.4              --
  Shareholders' equity:
    Common stock, par value $.01 per
      shares; 100 million shares
      authorized; 30.7 million shares
      issued and outstanding(2)................                           0.3
      Contributed capital......................                         305.4
           Retained earnings...................                          40.5
           Cumulative translation
            adjustment... .....................                      $    0.2

         Total equity..........................      989.4              346.4

                                                  --------           --------
         Total capitaliation...................   $1,031.3           $  404.4
                                                  ========           ========

  Debt to capitalization(3) ...................       .02%              4.03%

- --------------

(1) To reflect the recapitalization of the Company prior to the
    Distribution (as if the Distribution occurred on June 29, 1996),
    including:(a) a transfer of retained earnings to Melville of $896.8
    million, (b) the elimination of the resulting intercompany indebtedness
    of $269.9 million, and (c) a capital contribution by Melville of $92.6
    million representing Melville's equity investment in the Company.  The
    table above reflects elimination of the intercompany balance through a
    Melville capital contribution and the incurrence by the Company of
    external short-term borrowings.  The Company intends to eliminate
    intercompany balances between the Company and its subsidiaries, on the
    one hand, and Melville and its subsidiaries, on the other, outstanding
    as of the Distribution as follows:  Melville will make a capital
    contribution in the amount reflected in the above table, and the
    remaining intercompany balance will be repaid to Melville or the
    Company, as the case may be.  The actual amount of such repayment in
    connection with the elimination of the intercompany balance will depend
    on the amount of the intercompany balance (which balance will fluctuate
    based primarily on the amount of working capital) as of the
    Distribution Date.  Accordingly, amounts in the table above are not
    necessarily indicative of amounts in any future period or as of the
    Distribution.  For additional information, see "Unaudited Pro Forma
    Combined Financial Statements" and "Management's Discussion and
    Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Liquidity
    and Capital Resources."

(2) The number of shares of Company Common Stock outstanding
    reflects (i) the Distribution ratio times (ii) the number of shares of
    Melville Common Stock outstanding as of August 31, 1996 plus shares of
    deferred stock and stock units to be granted as of the Distribution
    pursuant to the Company's 1996 Incentive Compensation Plan and 1996
    Non-Employee Director Stock Plan.

(3) Debt-to-capitalization has been computed by dividing total
    indebtedness by total capitalization.The debt-to-capitalization ratio,
    including the present value of future minimum rental payments under
    operating leases, amounting to approximately $212 million, as
    indebtedness and as capitalization, is 17% as of June 29, 1996 and 37%
    as adjusted for the Distribution.


                SELECTED HISTORICAL COMBINED FINANCIAL DATA


               Prior to the Distribution Date, the Company and its Meldisco,
Footaction and discontinued Thom McAn segments have been operated as part of
Melville. The table below sets forth selected historical combined financial
data for the Company. The historical financial data presented below reflect
periods during which the Company did not operate as an independent company
and, accordingly, certain assumptions were made in preparing such financial
data. Therefore, such data may not reflect the results of operations or the
financial condition which would have resulted if the Company had operated as a
separate, independent company during such periods, and are not necessarily
indicative of the Company's future results of operation or financial condition.


               The following selected historical combined financial data of
the Company for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, as of
December 31, 1995 and 1994 and as of and for the six months ended June 29,
1996 and July 1, 1995 are derived from and should be read in conjunction with
the Company's historical Combined Financial Statements and the Notes thereto
included elsewhere in this Information Statement and include all adjustments
consisting only of normal recurring adjustments necessary for a fair
presentation of the results for the unaudited periods. See "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and
"Combined Financial Statements." Earnings per share data are presented
elsewhere in this Information Statement on a pro forma basis only. See
"Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements."


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                     Six Months Ended                          Fiscal Years Ended
                                                  ---------------------     ------------------------------------------------------
                                                  June 29,      July 1,
                                                    1996         1995        1995(1)      1994        1993       1992      1991
                                                  -------       -------     --------    --------    --------   --------   --------
<S>                                               <C)           <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
Statement of Operations Data: ($ in millions)
   Net sales.................................     $755.9        $747.6      $1,615.2    $1,612.8    $1,474.8   $1,413.8   $1,279.2
   Cost of sales.............................      524.2         527.4       1,124.5     1,117.8     1,011.7      971.5      894.9
                                                 -------       -------      --------    --------    --------   --------   --------
   Gross profit..............................      231.7         220.2         490.7       495.0       463.1      442.3      384.3
   Store operating, selling, general and
     administrative expenses.................      170.6         159.7         343.0       319.6       287.0      266.7      233.6
   Depreciation and amortization.............       11.6          10.7          20.0        18.7        13.7       10.5        6.4
   Restructuring and asset impairment
     charges................................         --            --           23.7        --          --         --          --
                                                 -------       -------      --------    --------    --------   --------   --------
   Operating profit.........................        49.5          49.8         104.0       156.7       162.4      165.1      144.3
   Interest income, net......................        9.3          10.6          21.1        15.4        11.7       12.5       20.3
   Provision for income taxes................       18.8          18.1          37.3        49.5        53.7       54.8       47.9
   Minority interests in net income..........       11.7          16.1          38.4        51.9        47.3       53.8       50.4
   Earnings (loss) from discontinued
     operations, net.........................        0.8          (3.3)        (26.8)        6.0         5.0      (45.2)      17.3
   Loss on disposal of discontinued
     operations, net(2)......................      (53.6)          --             --          --          --         --         --
   Cumulative effect of changes in
     accounting principle, net(3)............        --           (3.9)         (3.9)         --          --      (22.1)       --
                                                 -------       -------      --------    --------    --------   --------   --------
   Net (loss) income.........................     $(24.5)        $19.0         $18.7       $76.7       $78.1       $1.7      $83.6
                                                 =======       =======      ========    ========    ========   ========   ========
Balance Sheet Data: ($ in millions)
   Current assets:
     Due from parent and other divisions.....     $626.6        $617.1        $710.8      $727.7      $706.1     $731.8     $696.4
     Inventories.............................      311.9         356.5         282.6       347.3       307.1      299.4      342.5
     Other...................................      136.3          98.5         120.9       115.7       116.5      138.2       72.8
                                                 -------       -------      --------    --------    --------   --------   --------
   Total current assets......................    1,074.8       1,072.1       1,114.3     1,190.7     1,129.7    1,169.4    1,111.7
   Property and equipment, net...............      174.0         169.1         195.1       163.9       133.0      110.7      122.0
   Total assets..............................    1,305.1       1,288.6       1,372.7     1,392.5     1,301.6    1,320.5    1,275.5
   Current liabilities.......................      215.3         125.2         203.5       168.3       135.1      159.1      171.6
   Minority interests in subsidiaries........       41.7          73.6          93.8       108.7        93.9      100.2      105.3
   Melville equity investment................      989.4       1,030.8       1,013.8     1,033.1       978.2      936.8      976.4

<FN>
- --------------
(1) Amounts in 1995 also reflect certain non-recurring special charges.
    Operating profit in 1995 excluding the effect of these charges would
    have been $139 million.  See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
    Financial Condition and Results of Operations."


(2) The Company recorded a pre-tax charge of $85.0 million in the first
    quarter of 1996 for the discontinuance of Thom McAn.)

(3) The charge in 1995 was for the writeoff, effective January 1, 1995, of
    internally developed software costs that had previously been)
    capitalized.  The charge in 1992 was for the adoption of Statement of
    Financial Accounting Standards No. 106, "Employers' Accounting for
    Postretirement Benefits Other Than Pensions," effective January 1,
    1992.

</TABLE>

                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


               The following discussion should be read in conjunction with the
Company's historical Combined Financial Statements and Unaudited Pro Forma
Combined Financial Statements and the Notes thereto included elsewhere in this
Information Statement. Except as otherwise indicated, all dollar amounts
herein are stated in millions.

General


               Prior to the Distribution Date, Meldisco, Footaction and Thom
McAn have been operated as part of Melville. The historical financial
information presented herein reflects periods during which the Company did not
operate as an independent company, and accordingly, certain assumptions were
made in preparing such financial information. Such information, therefore, may
not necessarily reflect the results of operations or the financial condition
of the Company which would have resulted had the Company been an independent,
public company during the reporting periods, and are not necessarily
indicative of the Company's future operating results or financial condition.
On June 3, 1996, Melville announced the discontinuance of the Thom McAn
segment. Accordingly, the results of operations for the Thom McAn segment have
been classified as discontinued operations for all periods presented. In
connection with the discontinuation of Thom McAn, the Company recorded a
pre-tax charge of approximately $85.0 million in the first quarter of 1996.
The charge primarily relates to future operating losses during the wind-down
period,  lease settlement costs, asset write-offs and severance. See "The
Business--Discontinuation of Thom McAn Segment."


               Furthermore, the Company's operating profit from continuing
operations for the year ended December 31, 1995 as reflected in the Combined
Financial Statements included elsewhere in this Information Statement was
negatively impacted by the recording of special pre-tax charges of $35.0
million in the fourth quarter of 1995.

               The restructuring component of this charge, amounting to $16.2
million, was for estimated tenancy and severance costs associated with the
closing of 18 stores, as well as asset write-offs and other costs to be
incurred from the strategic decision to outsource the data processing
function. In addition, the Company recorded an asset impairment charge of $7.5
million due to the early adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting
Standards No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for
Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of."  Other one-time charges in connection
with the Company's repositioning, including the recording of markdowns related
to the discontinuation of certain product lines and other miscellaneous
charges, were directly charged to operations and totalled $11.3 million.


               In the absence of these non-recurring special charges,
operating profit from continuing operations would have been $139.0 million in
1995 compared with $104.0 million reflected in the historical Combined
Statement of Operations for such year.

               In 1995, the Company also changed its policy to expense
internally developed software costs that were previously capitalized. Such
amount was recorded on the historical Combined Statement of Operations as the
cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle.



Results of Operations

Net Sales

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   Second Quarter Ended              Six Months Ended                 Fiscal Years Ended
                                -------------------------         ---------------------       ----------------------------------
      ($ in millions)            June 29,         July 1,         June 29,       July 1,                 December 31,
                                   1996             1995            1996           1995          1995        1994         1993
                                ---------        --------         --------      -------       ---------    ---------    --------
<S>                           <C>                <C>             <C>           <C>            <C>          <C>         <C>
Company:
  Net sales................    $419.0             $421.8           $755.9        $747.6        $1,615.2     $1,612.8    $1,474.8
  Net sales %
    change from
    prior year.............      (0.7%)              8.0%           1.1%           3.9%         0.1%             9.4%        4.3%
  Same store sales
    % change...............      (1.0%)              1.1%           1.5%          (1.5%)       (2.1%)            2.4%       (1.8%)

Meldisco:
  Net sales................    $308.7             $326.6         $535.5         $569.2     $1,191.5         $1,280.5    $1,212.5
  Net sales %
    change from
    prior year.............      (5.5%)              0.2%          (5.9%)         (3.6%)       (7.0%)            5.6%        1.4%
  Same store sales
    % change...............      (4.6%)             (2.5%)         (4.4%)         (4.8%)       (5.8%)            2.4%       (2.5%)

% of combined net sales....      73.7%              77.4%          70.8%          76.1%        73.8%            79.4%       82.2%

Footaction:
  Net sales................    $110.3              $95.2         $220.4         $178.4       $423.7           $332.3      $262.3
  Net sales %
    change from
    prior year.............      15.9%              47.4%          23.5%          37.8%        27.5%            26.7%       20.5%
  Same store sales
    % change...............      11.6%              19.5%          20.7%          14.4%        13.1%             2.4%        2.7%

% of combined net sales....      26.3%              22.6%          29.2%          23.9%        26.2%            20.6%       17.8%
</TABLE>


   Second Quarter and Six Months

               Net sales for the second quarter ended June 29, 1996 decreased
0.7% while net sales for the first six months of 1996 increased 1.1% over the
prior year's comparable period. The second quarter of 1995 included sales from
the Easter and Palm Sunday selling periods, which occurred in the first
quarter of 1996. Driven by the continued success of its new merchandising
strategy, increased consumer demand for athletic footwear and increased sales
of branded apparel and accessories, Footaction's net sales increased 15.9% and
23.5% in 1996 over the comparable 1995 second quarter and six-month periods,
respectively. These increases were offset by decreased sales at Meldisco due
to unseasonably cool temperatures throughout the country, increased
competition among discount and department stores and the closing of stores in
1995 in which Meldisco operated leased footwear departments.

   Fiscal Year

               Combined net sales in 1995 increased 0.1% above the 1994 level.
Footaction's net sales grew by 27.5%, fueled by a 13.1% increase in same store
sales and the opening or acquisition of 21 new stores, as well as the
conversion of 11 additional stores to its new 4,000-6,500 square foot large
store prototype. Footaction's same store sales increase was driven by the
successful implementation of a new merchandise strategy more focused on
"narrow and deep" merchandise assortments and by the strength of branded
apparel. Footaction's sales performance was offset by a decline in Meldisco's
net sales resulting from decreased same store sales due to the difficult
retail environment, increased competition among department and discount
stores, and store closings. During 1995, 218 stores in which Meldisco operated
leased footwear departments were closed. During the fiscal year ended December
31, 1995, Meldisco's Kmart operations accounted for 70.6% and 95.7% of the net
sales of the Company and Meldisco, respectively.


               The 9.4% increase in 1994 combined net sales over the 1993
level is attributable to new store openings at Footaction and increased same
store sales at Meldisco and Footaction. Footaction opened 69 new stores in
1994, of which 34 were of the large store prototype. Same store sales
increases at Meldisco and Footaction were primarily due to improvements in
inventory management including better in-stock positions, more focused
merchandise assortments and shorter lead-times for key product offerings.

Costs and Expenses

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                   Second Quarter Ended              Six Months Ended                 Fiscal Years Ended
                                -------------------------         ---------------------       ----------------------------------
      (As a % of net sales)      June 29,         July 1,         June 29,       July 1,
                                   1996             1995            1996           1995          1995        1994         1993
                                ---------        --------         --------      -------       ---------    ---------    --------
<S>                           <C>                <C>             <C>           <C>            <C>          <C>         <C>

Cost of sales...............      67.0%            69.2%           69.3%          70.5%         69.6%         69.3%       68.6%

Store operating, selling,
  general and administrative
  expenses*.................      20.7%            18.9%           22.6%          21.4%         21.2%         19.8%       19.5%

Depreciation and
  amortization..............       1.4%             1.2%            1.5%           1.4%          1.2%          1.2%        0.9%

<FN>
*Includes allocations from parent
</TABLE>

Cost of Sales


Second Quarter and Six Months

               Cost of sales for the second quarter and the first six months
of 1996 as a percentage of sales on a combined basis decreased from the
corresponding prior year period primarily due to Footaction's higher
proportion of business to the total operations and improvements at Footaction
in leveraging fixed costs, shrinkage, promotional markdowns, and initial
markon.  The Company's cost of sales in both such 1996 periods were also
favorably impacted by Meldisco's variable occupancy cost structure, offset in
part by higher distribution costs related to the startup of new distribution
facilities and increased markdowns to clear out slow selling merchandise at
Meldisco.


Fiscal Year


               Cost of sales increased as a percentage of combined net sales
in 1995 as compared to 1994 due to the recording of additional markdowns at
Meldisco as a result of declining sales in a generally weak retail environment
as well as 218 Kmart store closings and at Footaction related to accelerated
liquidation of aged product and store closings associated with the strategic
restructuring in December 1995. Despite an increase in initial markon at both
the Meldisco and Footaction segments, cost of sales increased in 1994 from
1993 due to higher occupancy costs at Footaction resulting from the rollout
of 32 new superstores, 27 of which were opened in the second half of the year.
Additionally, Meldisco experienced an increase in its warehousing costs due to
incremental expenses incurred to implement a new merchandise replenishment
system.


Store Operating, Selling, General and Administrative Expenses


Second Quarter and Six Months

               Store operating, selling, general and administrative expenses
as a percentage of net sales for the second quarter of 1996 increased from the
second quarter of 1995 due to lower sales volume at Meldisco and increased
advertising expenditures and incentive compensation at Footaction.

               Store operating, selling, general and administrative expenses
as a percentage of net sales for the first six months of 1996 increased from
the first six months of 1995 due to lower sales volume at Meldisco partially
offset by improved leveraging of fixed costs at Footaction which resulted from
strong same store sales increases.


Fiscal Year

               Store operating, selling, general and administrative expenses
increased as a percentage of net sales in 1995 primarily due to negative same
store sales at Meldisco which hindered its ability to leverage its fixed
costs, and due to $6.9 million of special charges recorded in connection with
the Company's restructuring and other contingencies. These special charges
were principally for the settlement of certain litigation, as well as for
asset write-offs related to the repositioning of the Company. See "--General"
above and "Unaudited Pro-Forma Combined Financial Statements." This increase
was partially offset by improved operating leverage at Footaction.

               Store operating, selling, general and administrative expense as
a percentage of net sales increased in 1994 as compared to 1993 due to the
recognition of $5 million of one-time costs at Meldisco related to Kmart store
closings and other contingencies.

Operating Profit

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                       Second Quarter Ended            Six Months Ended                Fiscal Years Ended
                                    -------------------------       ---------------------       -------------------------------
            ($ in millions)          June 29,         July 1,       June 29,       July 1,
                                       1996            1995           1996          1995         1995         1994         1993
                                    ---------       ---------       ---------     -------       -------     ---------   -------
<S>                                 <C>             <C>             <C>           <C>           <C>         <C>          <C>
Operating (loss) profit before
  restructuring and asset
  impairment charges*
    Meldisco....................     $37.2           $41.1         $36.4         $47.3      $109.4       $147.1       $148.8
    Footaction..................       8.1             3.8          13.1           2.5        18.3          9.6         13.6
                                     -----           -----         -----         -----      ------       ------       ------
                                      45.3            44.9          49.5          49.8       127.7        156.7        162.4
Restructuring and asset
  impairment charges............       --              --            --            --         23.7         --           --
                                     -----           -----         -----         -----      ------       ------       ------
Operating profit................     $45.3           $44.9         $49.5         $49.8      $104.0       $156.7       $162.4
                                     =====           =====         =====         =====      ======       ======       ======
Operating profit as a % of
   net sales....................      10.8%           10.6%          6.5%          6.7%        6.4%         9.7%        11.0%

<FN>
* Includes special charges recorded in connection with the Company's restructuring. Excluding these charges,
  operating profit for the fiscal year ended 1995 would have been $116 million for Meldisco, $23 million for
  Footaction, and $139 million for the Company combined (or 8.6% of the Company's combined net sales).
</TABLE>


Second Quarter and Six Months

               Operating profit for the second quarter of 1996 was 0.9% higher
than the 1995 second quarter. Included in the second quarter of 1995 are the
Easter and Palm Sunday selling periods which fell in the first quarter of
1996. Footaction's growth in operating profit was due to increased sales and
the ability to leverage fixed costs. Meldisco's operating profit declined due
to lower overall and same store sales and the impact of Kmart closing over 200
stores in 1995.

               Operating profit for the first six months of 1996 was
relatively flat compared to the first six months of 1995. Footaction's strong
growth in operating profits due to increased sales and leveraging of fixed
costs was offset by the disappointing results of Meldisco. Meldisco's decrease
in operating profit was due to lower same store sales and the impact of the
Kmart store closings.


Fiscal Year

               Operating profit in 1995 was adversely affected by the
restructuring and asset impairment charges, asset write-offs related to the
repositioning of the Company in anticipation of the Distribution, and certain
one-time charges. For a discussion of these charges, see the discussion under
"--General" above. Adjusting operating profit to exclude the effect of these
charges, operating profit in 1995 would have been $139 million as compared to
$156.7 million in 1994. This decline resulted principally from the decrease in
operating performance of Meldisco due to a difficult retail environment and,
to a lesser extent, Kmart store closings. An improvement in Footaction's
operating performance driven primarily by a 13.1% same store sales increase
partially offset these results.

               Operating profit in 1994 decreased from 1993 due to increased
markdowns in both of the operating segments and higher operating costs from
the rapid rollout of 32 new Footaction superstores, 27 of which were opened in
the second half of the year. Operating profit was also adversely affected by
approximately $5 million of one-time costs recognized by Meldisco related to
store closings and other contingencies.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                     Six Months Ended                              Fiscal Years Ended
                                              -----------------------------            ------------------------------------------
            ($ in millions)                    June 29,             July 1,
                                                 1996                1995               1995             1994              1993
                                              ---------            ---------           ------           ------           --------
<S>                                           <C>                 <C>                 <C>               <C>              <C>

Cash flows provided by operating
  activities*.....................              $13.8                $2.2               $165.3          $136.2             $126.0

Capital expenditures..............               25.2                30.8                 92.9            59.3               45.9

<FN>
* Cash flows from operating activities are stated before cash outlays in respect of minority interest of $53.3 million,
  $38.1 million and $54.6 million for the fiscal years ended 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively. The cash flow
  amounts include after-tax interest income amounts of approximately $10.6 million and $13.1 million for the six
  months ended 1996 and 1995, respectively, and $27.0 million, $19.2 million and $14.3 million for the fiscal years
  ended 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively, related to intercompany accounts which will be eliminated as of the
  Distribution.
</TABLE>



               The historical financial statements reflect the Company's
status as a division of Melville, with an intercompany receivable balance that
generates interest income to the Company. As of the Distribution, a
significant amount of the Company's retained earnings will be transferred to
Melville, and the intercompany balance will be eliminated as described in the
Notes under "Pro Forma Capitalization."  As a result of this recapitalization
and elimination of the intercompany balance, the Company will no longer
generate such interest income from Melville. In addition, as further discussed
below, the Meldisco Subsidiaries made a distribution to Kmart in respect of
Kmart's minority interest in all of the undistributed retained earnings of
such subsidiaries with respect to prior periods. For additional information,
see "Unaudited Pro Forma Combined Financial Statements" and "Pro Forma
Capitalization."

               The Company's primary source of liquidity is cash provided by
operations. The earnings of the Company's businesses are seasonal in nature,
with approximately 39% of operating profit earned in the fourth quarter due to
the Christmas selling season. Other peak selling periods coincide with the
Easter holiday and the back-to-school selling seasons. Working capital
requirements vary with seasonal business volume and inventory buildups
occurring prior to the peak periods. The Company expects that the intercompany
balance (which will fluctuate primarily based on working capital) as of the
Distribution will be eliminated substantially through a capital contribution
by Melville. The Company believes that cash from operations, together with
borrowings under its credit facility (described in the section captioned
"Description of Credit Facility"), will be adequate to fund operating
expenses, working capital, capital expenditures, the cash needs associated
with implementation of the McAn Plan, and growth of the Company's business in
accordance with the Company's business plan. As discussed under
"Business--Strategy" the Company may, from time to time, pursue strategic
acquisitions or other new business opportunities, and may need to secure
additional financing in connection with any such acquisitions or other
business opportunities. The Company anticipates that the net after-tax cash
impact of implementing the McAn Plan will be approximately $15.0 million. Such
cash outlays relate principally to lease settlement and severance costs.

               Current assets were higher at June 29, 1996 as compared to the
end of the second quarter of 1995 due primarily to increases in deferred tax
assets (primarily related to the discontinued operations charge) and increases
in the amount due from parent and other divisions.  These increases were
partially offset by the success of a planned reduction in inventory levels.
Current assets decreased in 1995 as compared to year-end 1994 primarily due to
lower inventory levels and a reduced intercompany account balance with
Melville. The lower inventories resulted from a decreased store base,
effective inventory management, increased sales at Footaction and write-downs
of discontinued product lines. Prepaid expenses decreased due to the
utilization of deferred tax benefits recorded in 1994.

               The increase in current liabilities during the first six months
of 1996 compared to the end of the second quarter of 1995 was due primarily to
the recording of the discontinued operation reserves in 1996.

               The increase in current liabilities at December 31, 1995 versus
December 31, 1994 was due to an increase in accounts payable and accrued
expenses. The accounts payable increases resulted primarily from improved
working capital management. The increase in accrued expenses is due to the
recording of the special charges at December 31, 1995 of which approximately
$4 million will be paid in cash in 1996.

               Capital expenditures in 1995 were $93 million and related
primarily to the construction of two state-of-the-art distribution facilities
to be used by Meldisco (one of which facilities was completed in 1995, with
the other opened in 1996). The balance of such 1995 capital expenditures
related to strategic management information systems at Meldisco and
Footaction, to the opening, remodeling, relocation or expansion of Footaction
stores, and miscellaneous expenditures at Thom McAn. The Company plans to
spend approximately $70 million on capital expenditures in 1996 relating
primarily to the opening, remodeling, relocation or expansion of Footaction
stores, with the balance relating to continuing investment in strategic
management information systems and the completion of the second
state-of-the-art distribution facility for Meldisco. During the first six
months of 1996, the Company has spent approximately $25 million on capital
expenditures.

               Following the Distribution and except as described below with
respect to Kmart, the Company expects that it will retain all available funds
for operation and expansion of its business, and does not anticipate paying
any cash dividends to stockholders in the foreseeable future. See "Dividends"
and the discussion under "Description of Credit Facility" with respect to
restrictions on the payment of dividends contained in the Credit Facility.
Pursuant to the March 1996 amendment to the Master Agreement (as defined
below), Meldisco distributed to Kmart in April 1996 approximately $64 million,
representing Kmart's minority interest in all of the undistributed retained
earnings of the Meldisco Subsidiaries with respect to pre-1996 periods. Such
distribution was funded by an intercompany loan from Melville in connection
with the transfer of retained earnings to Melville and the elimination of the
resulting intercompany  indebtedness. For additional information on the
capital contribution by Melville in connection with the elimination of the
intercompany balance, see Note 1 of the Company's Unaudited Pro Forma Combined
Balance Sheet, the Notes under "Pro Forma Capitalization" and the discussion
above in "--Liquidity and Capital Resources."  Under its arrangement with
Kmart, Meldisco will distribute to Kmart, in future periods, a portion of
Meldisco Subsidiary profits representing Kmart's minority interest in the
Meldisco Subsidiaries. For additional information on Meldisco's relationship
with Kmart, see "The Business--Meldisco Relationship with Kmart."

                      DESCRIPTION OF CREDIT FACILITY

               This section of the Information Statement describes the terms
and conditions of the Credit Facility that the Company will have in place as
of the Distribution. The following description does not purport to be complete
and is subject to, and is qualified in its entirety by reference to, all of
the provisions of the Credit Facility, which is filed as an exhibit to the
Form 10 and is incorporated herein by reference. Capitalized terms used in
this Section and not otherwise defined herein are used as defined in the
Credit Facility.

               The Company has in place an unsecured credit facility (the
"Credit Facility"), which will be effective as of the Distribution Date, that
will permit revolving credit borrowings for working capital and general
corporate purposes up to an aggregate amount of $200 million and letters of
credit of up to an aggregate amount of $400 million, with an overall combined
limit for borrowings and letters of credit at any time outstanding of $425
million of which $50 million, at the option of the Company, can be in foreign
currency denominations. The term of the Credit Facility expires on the third
anniversary of the Distribution Date. The interest rate applicable to amounts
borrowed under the Credit Facility will be, at the election of the Company,
based on the following price options: an Adjusted CD Rate, a Base Rate and
LIBOR (each as defined in the Credit Facility), in each case (other than the
Base Rate) plus a spread that varies based on the Company's Fixed Charge
Coverage Ratio (defined as the ratio of EBITDAR for any period of four
consecutive fiscal quarters minus the consolidated capital expenditures of the
Company for such period to net interest expense and minimum rental expenses for
such period), and a competitive bid option, as outlined in the Credit
Facility. A fee will accrue on all letters of credit outstanding under the
Credit Facility at a percentage rate per annum that varies based on the
Company's Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.  In addition, a facility fee shall be
payable by the Company on all commitments under the Credit Facility, whether
used or unused, at a percentage rate per annum that varies based on the
Company's Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio.

               The Credit Facility will contain customary covenants for
facilities of this nature, including covenants: limiting liens (except, among
other things, liens securing debt in an aggregate amount not exceeding 10% of
the Company's consolidated tangible net worth), investments, subsidiary debt
(except, among other things,  debt in an aggregate principal amount not
exceeding 10% of the Company's consolidated tangible net worth),
consolidations, mergers, acquisitions and sales of assets, and transactions
with affiliates; and requiring that certain material subsidiaries of the
Company guarantee the obligations of the Company under the Credit Facility.
The Credit Facility will also require the Company to maintain the following
financial ratios: the ratio of total debt to total capitalization not to
exceed initially 0.65 to 1.0, adjusting over time to 0.6 to 1.0; the ratio of
total debt to EBITDAR for the most recently ended period of four fiscal
quarters not to exceed 2.5 to 1.0 at any time; and the Fixed Charge Coverage
Ratio not to be less than initially 2.0 to 1.0, adjusting over time to 2.25 to
1.0; in each case as defined in and as fully set forth in the Credit Facility.


               In addition, the Credit Facility will prohibit any dividend or
other distribution on, or any repurchase or redemption of, any shares of the
capital stock of the Company, other than dividends or other distributions
payable solely in shares of the Company's capital stock.

               The Credit Facility will also include customary events of
default, including payment and covenant defaults, material misrepresentations,
cross default to certain other debt of the Company and its subsidiaries,
bankruptcy, ERISA and judgment defaults and a change of control default.


                               THE BUSINESS

Introduction


               Footstar is a leading retailer of discount footwear and branded
athletic footwear and apparel. As of June 29, 1996, the Company operated 2,553
leased discount footwear departments in 50 states, Puerto Rico, the U.S.
Virgin Islands, Guam, the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Mexico through Meldisco
and 436 branded athletic footwear and apparel specialty stores in 43 states
and Puerto Rico through Footaction.

               The Company is a leading competitor in the U.S. retail footwear
industry, which had sales of approximately $32.5 billion in 1995. In the
discount footwear industry, principally through its relationship with Kmart,
the Company is the largest operator of leased footwear departments and is the
third largest retailer of discount footwear based on unit market share in
1995, according to FMI. The Company's leased footwear operations had aggregate
sales in 1995 of $1.2 billion representing approximately 3.7% and 7.5% of the
industry's total dollar volume and aggregate unit sales, respectively,
according to FMI and published reports. In 1995, the three largest retailers
of discount footwear (including the Company) had aggregate sales of
approximately $5.1 billion, representing approximately 72.4% of the discount
footwear segment's total unit sales. During the fiscal year ended December 31,
1995, Meldisco's Kmart operations accounted for 95.7% of Meldisco's net sales
and for 70.6% of the Company's combined net sales. For additional information
on Meldisco's sales and other operating results, see "Management's Discussion
and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations."


               As an operator of leased discount footwear departments, the
Company believes that it has a significantly more variable cost structure than
its discount footwear competitors which generally own or lease real estate
facilities. Because of the Company's low fixed cost structure and its capital
investment in 1995 and 1996 in a state-of-the-art distribution network and
demand-driven merchandise replenishment system, the Company believes its
discount footwear segment will be able to support substantial growth with
minimal additional capital investment. The Company also believes that, through
its merchandising and direct sourcing expertise, its discount footwear
departments offer products of a quality/value mix that is superior to those of
its discount competitors. In addition, the Company believes that it has
certain competitive advantages in advertising, resulting from the promotion of
its discount footwear products through weekly newspaper inserts that have a
circulation of approximately 70 million.


               Footaction is a leading mall-based specialty retailer of
branded athletic footwear, apparel and related accessories for the active
lifestyle consumer. Footaction ranked third (after Woolworth Athletic and
Athletes Foot) in total sales among athletic footwear specialty retailers in
1995 according to Sports Trend's Annual Top 100 Report. Footaction's aggregate
sales have grown from $218 million in 1992 to $424 million in 1995,
representing a compounded annual growth rate of 24.8% compared to a .8%
compounded annual growth rate over the same period in footwear sales of the
athletic specialty store segment. Footaction achieved this sales growth
through an aggressive store expansion program and strong same store sales
growth. Same store sales for 1995, 1994 and 1993 increased by 13.1%, 2.4% and
2.7%, respectively. Aggregate sales for the first six months of 1996 were $220
million compared to $178 million for the first six months of 1995, an increase
of 23.5%. Same store sales growth for the first six months of 1996 and 1995
was 20.7% and 14.4%, respectively.


               Footaction is recognized as being one of the first to offer the
latest and most popular styles of branded athletic footwear and apparel from
its key vendors such as Nike, Fila, Adidas and Reebok which are highly desired
by its target customers, 12 to 24 year olds. The Company believes that its new
"large store" prototype, 4,000 to 6,500 square feet in size, represents a
point of differentiation from competitors and positions Footaction to achieve
its growth plans. Footaction's marketing efforts are designed to build
traffic, sales and brand awareness among its target customers. Footaction's
advertisements typically feature both Footaction and branded products, and may
include celebrity endorsements. A portion of the cost of such advertising is
offset by co-operative advertising allowances.

Strategy

               The Company's strategies are to achieve growth and increase
profitability through (i) expansion of its businesses and (ii) improved
operating performance within and across its businesses.


               Expansion. Because of the Company's industry experience,
expertise and vendor relationships, it is well positioned to take advantage of
consolidation in the retail footwear industry. The Company's strategy is to
expand by capitalizing on growth opportunities in the branded athletic
footwear and apparel specialty store and discount footwear segments. In the
branded athletic footwear and apparel specialty store segment, the Company
intends to expand by opening new 4,000 to 6,500 square foot "large store"
prototype Footaction stores in new and existing markets, converting certain of
its traditional 2,000 square foot prototype stores to the new large store
prototype, engaging in strategic acquisitions as opportunities become
available and converting approximately  80 to 100 Thom McAn stores which are
the most suitable locations for conversion in light of Footaction's real
estate, store profile and market requirements (as further described under
"--Discontinuation of Thom McAn Segment" below). Footaction also intends to
continue marketing programs directed at its primary customer base of 12 to 24
year olds in an effort to build traffic, sales and brand awareness and the
perception that Footaction is one of the first to offer the latest and most
popular styles of branded athletic footwear and apparel. In the discount
footwear segment, the Company intends to grow by implementing strategies
designed to expand its existing discount footwear customer base and by
entering into business arrangements with new lessors to operate additional
leased discount footwear departments. As an operator of leased departments,
these new arrangements would require little or no additional capital
investment on the part of the Company. The Company is also developing other
retail formats and concepts focused on leveraging its footwear industry
expertise and infrastructure investments. In addition, the Company is actively
pursuing international opportunities in the discount footwear segment
consistent with the Company's strategic objectives.


               Improved Operating Performance.  The Company has undertaken
various initiatives designed to increase sales and inventory turnover and
to reduce costs.  The Company is implementing a new state-of-the-art
distribution network and a demand-driven merchandise replenishment system
for its discount segment to complement Footaction's existing state-of-the-art
facilities.  For further information on the Company's demand-driven
merchandise replenishment system, see "--Management Information Systems."
These efforts are designed to reduce the cost of merchandise replenishment,
significantly increase capacity utilization, provide greater flexibility
with respect to inventory management practices, improve in-stock position
and reduce the cost of and time involved in transporting inventory between
factory and store.  These initiatives are expected to be fully implemented
by early 1997.  The Company is also developing for its discount segment a
price management system designed to permit customized pricing at the
individual store level to reduce the effect of markdowns and thereby
improve profitability.


Store Locations

               The following table sets forth the location by State and
country of each of the Company's Meldisco and Footaction stores as of June 29,
1996.

STATE                   TOTAL      MELDISCO      FOOTACTION
- -----                  ------      --------      ----------

ALABAMA                   55            46               9
ALASKA                    14            14              --
ARIZONA                   43            39               4
ARKANSAS                  14            14              --
CALIFORNIA               379           339              40
COLORADO                  64            52              12
CONNECTICUT               26            18               8
DELAWARE                   7             6               1
FLORIDA                  201           165              36
GEORGIA                   85            75              10
HAWAII                    4              4              --
IDAHO                     24            24              --
ILLINOIS                 107            94              13
INDIANA                   67            63               4
IOWA                      29            28               1
KANSAS                    22            18               4
KENTUCKY                  47            43               4
LOUISIANA                 46            32              14
MAINE                      9             7               2
MARYLAND                  48            36              12
MASSACHUSETTS             43            27              16
MICHIGAN                 137           126              11
MINNESOTA                 49            45               4
MISSISSIPPI               24            20               4
MISSOURI                  40            35               5
MONTANA                   14            13               1
NEBRASKA                  13            11               2
NEVADA                    29            27               2
NEW HAMPSHIRE             14            12               2
NEW JERSEY                64            46              18
NEW MEXICO                24            19               5
NEW YORK                  94            79              15
NORTH CAROLINA            93            78              15
NORTH DAKOTA               8             8              --
OHIO                     135           121              14
OKLAHOMA                  19            13               6
OREGON                    85            82               3
PENNSYLVANIA             132           118              14
RHODE ISLAND               6             5               1
SOUTH CAROLINA            43            36               7
SOUTH DAKOTA              12            12              --
TENNESSEE                 64            53              11
TEXAS                    166            96              70
UTAH                      39            37               2
VERMONT                    3             3              --
VIRGINIA                  63            54               9
WASHINGTON               147           137              10
WEST VIRGINIA             22            18               4
WISCONSIN                 58            55               3
WYOMING                   10             9               1
                       -----         -----             ---
TOTAL U.S. STORES      2,941         2,512             429
                       -----         -----             ---
PUERTO RICO               26            19               7
VIRGIN ISLANDS             2             2              --
CZECH REPUBLIC             6             6              --
SLOVAKIA                   6             6              --
MEXICO                     4             4              --
SINGAPORE (1)              3             3              --
GUAM                       1             1              --
                       -----         -----             ---
TOTAL STORES           2,989         2,553             436
                       =====         =====             ===

- ---------------
(1) Closed effective August 1996.

Description of Operating Segments


               The Company's discount footwear and branded athletic footwear
and apparel segments are conducted through Meldisco and Footaction,
respectively.

               Discount Footwear Business


               Meldisco, the leading operator of leased footwear departments,
has operated leased footwear departments in discount chains since 1961. As of
June 29, 1996, Meldisco operated leased footwear departments in 2,152 Kmart
department stores, 389 PayLess Drug Stores and Thrifty Drug Stores
(collectively, "PayLess Thrifty Drug Stores"), and 12 Tesco department stores
(located in the Czech Republic and Slovakia). In its Kmart leased footwear
departments, Meldisco sells a wide variety of family footwear, including
men's, women's and children's dress, casual and athletic footwear, workshoes
and slippers. The majority of the shoes offered by Meldisco in its leased
footwear departments are private label brands, although Meldisco also sells
some brand-name merchandise at discounted prices.


               Meldisco began operating Kmart footwear departments in 1962.
Each Meldisco leased footwear department operation in a Kmart store is
conducted under a license agreement with Kmart pursuant to which a Meldisco
Subsidiary receives the exclusive right to operate a footwear department in a
Kmart store for the term of the agreement. Each Meldisco Subsidiary owns and
sells the inventory as principal for its own account (and not as agent for the
store) and itself employs the footwear department personnel. The arrangement
is transparent to Kmart customers, since the department is operated under the
store name. Kmart participates economically in the footwear department
operations through receipt of certain fees, as well as dividends from its
minority interest in the Meldisco Subsidiary. For a more detailed description
of the terms of Meldisco's arrangement with Kmart, see "The Business--Meldisco
Relationship with Kmart."

               In its PayLess Thrifty Drug Store operations, Meldisco leases
approximately 100 feet of selling space to display beachwear, slippers and
other casual footwear in season. In exchange for the right to operate footwear
departments in PayLess Thrifty Drug Stores, Meldisco pays certain fees
calculated as a percentage of footwear sales.


               Meldisco has achieved net sales in excess of $1 billion in each
year since 1986. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 1995, Meldisco's net
sales of approximately $1.2 billion accounted for approximately 74% of the
Company's net sales, and sales generated by Meldisco's Kmart operations
accounted for approximately 96% of Meldisco's net sales. For the first six
months of 1996, Meldisco's net sales of approximately $536 million accounted
for approximately 71% of the Company's net sales. Sales generated by
Meldisco's Kmart operations accounted for approximately 96% of Meldisco's net
sales for the same period.


               Meldisco is presently pursuing strategies designed to improve
sales performance and profitability in the face of competitive pressures. In
its Kmart operations, Meldisco seeks to improve sales performance by
increasing unit sales to current customers while attracting new customers,
particularly Kmart non-footwear shoppers. See "--Merchandising--Discount
Footwear." Meldisco is implementing a state-of-the-art distribution network
and demand-driven merchandise replenishment system which, when completed,
the Company believes will reduce the cost of merchandise replenishment,
significantly increase capacity utilization, provide the Company with
maximum flexibility with respect to inventory management practices, improve
in-stock position and reduce the cost of and time involved in transporting
inventory between factory and store.  See "The Business--Purchasing and
Distribution." The development and implementation of a new price management
system will support customized pricing at the individual store level and
thereby reduce the effect of markdowns on profitability.  See "--
Merchandising--Discount Footwear."

               The Company also plans to leverage its core competencies by
entering into new leased footwear department operations, either with Kmart or
with other parties, both in the U.S. and abroad. Within the U.S., Meldisco is
exploring numerous opportunities for leased footwear operations that would
offer a limited selection of Meldisco footwear (for example, in major grocery
or drugstore chains). Abroad, Meldisco believes that opportunities for
expansion exist in certain Eastern European markets characterized by
fragmentation and unsophisticated competition and in Mexico and Canada.

     Competitive Environment--Discount Footwear

               As the Company attempts to expand its leased footwear
operations, it faces competition from other discount footwear retailers and
from other operators of leased footwear departments.

               Retail Sales of Discount Footwear. The discount footwear
industry is characterized by consolidation and extreme competitive pressures.
Competition within the discount segment is heavily concentrated among four
retailers. Payless ShoeSource, Inc. ("Payless") (which is not affiliated with
PayLess Thrifty Drug Stores), and two discount department stores, Wal-Mart,
Inc. and Dayton Hudson's Target, are Meldisco's primary retail footwear
competitors.

               According to FMI, the market share of the discount footwear
category has grown from 37.4% in 1991 to 40.9% of the total footwear retail
market in 1995. Meldisco's unit market share, however, decreased from 8.4% in
1991 to 7.5% in 1995. This decrease in Meldisco's unit market share resulted
primarily from the fact that its domestic outlet base remained relatively
static (down 95 doors to 2,158 over the four year period ended December 31,
1995) during a period in which its primary competitors added outlets at a
compounded annual growth rate of 8.9%. Meldisco believes that its ability to
protect its overall unit market share during this period of rapid growth by
its primary competitors is attributable to the relative strength of Meldisco's
business. See "Risk Factors--Significance of Relationship with Kmart."

               Competition for Leased Footwear Departments. J. Baker, Inc.'s
Morse Shoe division ("Morse") is Meldisco's primary competitor among operators
of leased footwear departments. Morse, through its subsidiaries, operates
leased self-selection footwear departments in discount and promotional
department store chains located throughout the U.S., including footwear
departments at Hills, Bradlees, and ShopKo stores.  Morse constitutes a
competitor insofar as Meldisco is seeking to expand its leased footwear
department operations.  However, neither Morse nor any other operator is a
competitor with respect to Kmart since the terms of Meldisco's Master
Agreement with Kmart provide for Meldisco's continued operation of Kmart's
footwear departments through 2012, unless terminated earlier in the case of
breach or certain other limited circumstances.  For further information,
see "The Business--Meldisco Relationship with Kmart," and "Risk Factors--
Significance of Relationship with Kmart."

     Merchandising--Discount Footwear

               Meldisco's merchandising strategy focuses on solidifying and
building upon its current industry position while attracting Kmart shoppers
who do not currently purchase their footwear at Kmart. The essence of this
two-pronged strategy is to satisfy Meldisco's core customer with high in-stock
availability rates of traditional products while generating interest among
Kmart's non-footwear shoppers by introducing a wider selection of well known
national brands.

               Meldisco's traditional strength has been in seasonal, work,
value-priced athletic, and children's shoes. Meldisco intends to solidify its
strength in these segments by ensuring high levels of customer service and
satisfaction. Meldisco's "narrow and deep" merchandising strategy and its
planned systems innovations are designed to ensure that each store is well
stocked in product lines that are particularly popular with Meldisco's core
customers. Meldisco's demand-driven merchandise replenishment system,
currently expected to be fully implemented by early 1997, will permit inventory
management at the store, SKU and size level.


               Meldisco also seeks to attract more affluent Kmart non-footwear
shoppers to the footwear department from other areas of the store. To this
end, Meldisco will increasingly offer selected high quality footwear licensed
by well known national brands at prices significantly lower than comparable
merchandise sold by full price retailers. These branded products are also
intended to change customer perceptions of "sameness" among discount footwear
retailers. Licensed brands introduced during 1996 and available only at
Meldisco include "Black Ridge Mountain, A Division of the Timberland Co.";
"Yosemite by Hi Tec"; "Baywatch Gear"; and "Cobbie Cuddlers," a brand name
licensed from and styled by Nine West. Meldisco is currently conducting
consumer research to assess the fit of additional brands in terms of price,
positioning, and discount category suitability.


               Discount footwear retailers, including Meldisco and its primary
competitors, currently pursue a policy of chain-wide uniform pricing. Meldisco
is developing a price management system that will allow flexible pricing
policies at the store level. The Company believes that this approach should
reduce the impact of markdowns on overall profitability by focusing on a given
shoe's performance in each store rather than chain averages. The Company
further believes that the pricing flexibility afforded by the price management
system will improve margins by identifying markets or products where strong
sales performance indicates an opportunity for higher prices.

               Meldisco is also taking steps to increase customer perception
of assortment availability without increasing store inventories. Meldisco
believes that customer satisfaction and perception of assortment availability
should improve as Meldisco develops and implements systems enabling it to
offer the optimal product mix at the individual store level.

     Marketing--Discount Footwear

               Meldisco believes that Kmart's typical footwear shopper
generally parallels the average Kmart softlines shopper who is a "busy
budget-conscious mom" in the 25 to 49 age group, employed at least part-time,
has at least one child under 18 and reports a total annual household income
between $25,000 and $65,000. Kmart's apparel and footwear shoppers do,
however, tend to be less affluent than Kmart's overall clientele. Meldisco's
marketing strategy is designed to support its overall business strategy of
increasing purchases among traditional Kmart footwear shoppers while
attracting more affluent current Kmart non-footwear shoppers to the footwear
department from hardlines and other areas of the store.

               Meldisco's marketing strategy is designed to convey to
prospective Kmart customers that Meldisco carries the right combination of
product selection, quality, and price to render Meldisco-operated Kmart leased
footwear departments their discount footwear destination of choice. This
marketing effort will support Meldisco's overall business strategy of
increasing current customer purchase occasions while drawing potential new
customers into the Kmart footwear department. These themes will also be
emphasized through advertisements in Kmart's weekly newspaper insert and other
advertising media.

                Meldisco's point-of-sale marketing strategy complements its
merchandising strategy of an enhanced assortment of branded products. Meldisco
is continually reviewing all packaging and collateral materials to help
communicate product developments and the availability of branded products.
Point-of-sale signage will be used to communicate more effectively the
availability of leather products and to support national brand and private
label identification. Outpost displays in select areas featuring branded
products will be used to attract Kmart's non-footwear customers into the
footwear department.

               Meldisco currently pays Kmart a sales promotional fee that
Kmart applies toward its footwear advertisements in the Kmart weekly newspaper
insert, a publication with a circulation of approximately 70 million. Although
Meldisco advertises primarily through the Kmart newspaper insert, it is
investigating other alternatives to promote its products such as merge mail,
consumer magazine advertising, television and radio advertising, and in-store
distribution programs.

               Branded Athletic Footwear and Apparel Business


               Footaction is a leading mall-based specialty retailer of
branded athletic footwear, apparel and related accessories for the active
life-style consumer. At June 29, 1996, Footaction operated 436 stores in 43
states and Puerto Rico. Footaction's stores are located predominantly in
enclosed regional and neighborhood malls anchored by major department stores
to take advantage of customer traffic and the shopping preferences of
Footaction's target customers.


               Footaction has been growing rapidly in recent years, with 1995
sales increasing 28% to $424 million and operating profit before special
charges increasing 142% to $23 million. For the fiscal year ended December 31,
1995, Footaction accounted for approximately 26% of the Company's net sales
and approximately 17% of the Company's operating profit before special
charges. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
Results of Operations."


               Net sales increased 23.5% in the first six months of 1996 to
$220 million from $178 million in the first six months of 1995. For the first
six months of 1996, Footaction accounted for approximately 29% of the
Company's net sales and approximately 26% of the Company's operating profit.


               Footaction is capitalizing on the importance of athletic
footwear and apparel for its 12 to 24 year old target customers. Having the
most up-to-date athletic footwear and apparel is an important consideration to
these target customers. Athletic footwear and apparel are highly fashionable
commodities and are acceptable for today's sports, casual, school and work
wear. In addition, the Company believes endorsements of athletic wear by
professional athletes, celebrities and other trend setters influence
purchasing patterns and preferences among Footaction's image and status
conscious target customers.

               Footaction seeks to differentiate itself from other branded
athletic footwear and apparel retailers by increasing consumer awareness and
name recognition of Footaction and establishing in the minds of its target
customer group the perception that Footaction is one of the first to offer the
latest styles. As part of this strategy, Footaction works with leading vendors
such as Nike, Fila, Adidas and Reebok to design and develop product line
exclusives based on unique designs or variations in color of the latest styles
of popular brand-name footwear. See "--Merchandising--Branded Athletic Footwear
and Apparel."


               Footaction is also in the process of refining its store
concept. Footaction's new prototype store design is the 4,000 to 6,500 square
foot "large store" format, which the Company believes can operate more
profitably than its 6,500 to 12,000 square foot "superstore" format while
satisfying the needs of its customers more effectively than its 2,500 square
foot "traditional store" format. At June 29, 1996, 39 of the Company's 436
Footaction stores were of the large store format, 351 stores were of the
traditional store format and 46 stores were of the superstore format. During
1996, the Company expects to open 27 new Footaction stores, convert 21 stores
from the discontinued Thom McAn business, and remodel, relocate or expand 27
existing Footaction stores. For 1997 and 1998, the Company presently expects
to open or convert 150 Footaction stores to the large store format in addition
to the Thom McAn stores that will be converted to the Footaction format under
the McAn Plan. See "The Business--Discontinuation of Thom McAn Segment." By
the end of 1998, the Company expects that over half of the Footaction stores
will be of the large store or superstore format.


                Historically, Footaction's core business has been branded
athletic footwear retailing. Footwear sales accounted for 77% of Footaction's
sales in 1995. Sales of athletic apparel and related accessories represented
16% and 7%, respectively, of Footaction's 1995 sales. Footaction seeks to
increase sales of higher margin apparel and accessories which offer
opportunities for sales and profit growth. See"--Merchandising--Branded
Athletic Footwear and Apparel."

               Footaction was founded by Charles Cristol who opened the first
Footaction store in Wichita Falls, Texas in 1976. In November 1991, Melville
acquired Footaction, whose 131 stores were located primarily in the Sunbelt
region, and converted Melville's existing chain of 124 Fan Club stores into
Footaction stores. Thereafter, Footaction expanded nationally through new
store openings and several small acquisitions.

     Competitive Environment--Branded Athletic Footwear and Apparel

               Athletic Footwear. According to NPD/Smart Consumer Panel
("NPD"), in 1995, total retail sales of athletic footwear in the United States
were $13.3 billion. Branded athletic footwear products accounted for
approximately $11.6 billion (or 87.2%) of athletic footwear sales. The
athletic footwear industry has experienced modest growth in recent years, with
sales increasing at a compounded annual growth rate of 3.7% between 1991 and
1995. Most of the growth in sales of athletic footwear during this period came
from unbranded products sold by discount retailers. Sales of unbranded athletic
footwear increased at a compounded annual growth rate of 10.1%, while sales of
branded products increased at a compounded annual growth rate of 2.9% between
1991 and 1995.

               Historically, the industry has been served by a variety of
distribution channels, including mall-based specialty athletic footwear
retailers, department stores, discount retailers, traditional shoe stores,
sporting goods stores, and "category killers" (i.e., retailers providing a
dominant assortment of selected lines of merchandise at competitive prices).
Footaction competes in the brand-name segment of the athletic footwear market,
and faces competition primarily from other mall-based athletic footwear stores
and sporting goods stores. Department stores, out-of-mall discount retailers,
traditional shoe stores and category killers constitute secondary competitors.


               According to NPD, in-mall sales accounted for approximately
$5.4 billion (or 47%) of branded athletic footwear sales in 1995. Footaction
believes that mall-based athletic footwear and apparel specialty retailers are
well positioned to compete effectively in the future against non mall-based
retailers. Total traffic in malls has been down in recent years, as has
average time spent by consumers shopping in malls. Nevertheless, the U.S.
Census Bureau projects that the population of 12 to 24 year olds will increase
in the coming decades (peaking at 30.8 million in 2010), and surveys by Teen
Research Unlimited ("TRU") indicate that malls remain popular with individuals
in this age group. These customers regularly shop Footaction and its
mall-based competitors in search of the latest styles.


               Within the mall environment, Footaction's primary competitors
are Woolworth Athletic, Athletes Foot and The Finish Line. Woolworth Athletic
is the dominant athletic footwear retailer, offering multiple formats designed
to compete in this market segment including Foot Locker, Lady Foot Locker,
Kids Foot Locker, Champs, Athletic Express, and Going To The Game. The Finish
Line competes on the basis of price, while Footaction, Woolworth Athletic and
Athletes Foot are full-price retailers. Footaction believes that it can
differentiate itself from its competitors by offering the latest styles
demanded by fashion-conscious, status-oriented consumers in an exciting
shopping environment.

               Athletic Apparel. Although industry statistics are difficult to
obtain for the athletic apparel market, the Company believes that total retail
sales of athletic apparel in the United States were $29.5 billion in 1994,
based on a study conducted for the Company by an independent management
consulting firm. Branded products accounted for approximately $8.9 billion (or
30%) of athletic apparel sales. The athletic apparel industry has experienced
modest growth in recent years, with sales increasing an average of 5.3% in
1993 and 1994.

               Although athletic specialty stores are the primary source for
athletic footwear, department stores and discounters constitute a much larger
share of the athletic apparel market. Because athletic footwear specialty
retailers have traditionally had comparatively low participation in the large
athletic apparel market, Footaction believes that even a small increase in
Footaction's market share could produce significant sales growth.

     Merchandising--Branded Athletic Footwear and Apparel

               Footaction seeks to be one of the first to offer the most
current and innovative brand-name athletic footwear and apparel available to
its target customer group. Footaction carries the leading athletic footwear
brands, including Nike, Fila, Adidas, Reebok, New Balance, Asics and Converse,
as well as outdoor brands such as Timberland. Footaction also offers a
selection of brand-name apparel and accessories including warm-up suits,
T-shirts, athletic shorts, caps, socks and shoe care products. Apparel and
accessory brands include Nike, Fila, Adidas and Reebok. The following table
sets forth the approximate percentage of Footaction's net sales attributable
to footwear, apparel and accessories:

            Approximate Percentage of Footaction's Net Sales

                    June 29,    July 1,               December 31,
                     1996        1995        1995        1994        1993
                    -------     -------      ----        ----        -----
Footwear....          80%         80%         77%         80%         81%
Apparel.....          14%         14%         16%         14%         15%
Accessories.           6%          6%          7%          6%          4%
                     ---         ---         ---         ---         ---
                     100%        100%        100%        100%        100%
                     ===         ===         ===         ===         ===

               Footaction constantly monitors product trends in order to
identify styles which are, or may become, popular. Footaction's buyers
regularly consult with vendor representatives, Footaction store and district
managers, and consumers to stay abreast of fashion trends in athletic footwear
and apparel. Footaction buyers visit key markets frequently to observe and
survey individuals in the target customer group.

               A significant element of Footaction's merchandising effort is
to work with leading vendors such as Nike, Fila, Adidas and Reebok to design
and develop product line exclusives, based on unique designs or variations in
color of the latest styles of popular brand-name footwear. These exclusives,
which are available only at Footaction, have generally been very popular with
Footaction's target customers and help to differentiate Footaction from other
athletic footwear and apparel specialty retailers.

               Footaction tailors merchandise assortment and store space
allocation to customer preferences at each store location. This is
accomplished by recognizing subtle differences in fashion preferences and
demographic factors in the region or market in which each store is located.
This store-by-store merchandising involves differences in brands, sizes,
colors, fabrication and timing or the assortment and space allocated to
present such merchandise. Footaction maintains information systems designed to
manage aged inventory, assuring that its product lines remain current.

     Marketing--Branded Athletic Footwear and Apparel


               Footaction's primary customers are teens and young adults, age
12 to 24. Footaction believes that these core customers constitute 47% of
total branded athletic footwear sales. According to TRU, 60% of teens claim to
visit a mall in a given week. An NPD survey found that these target customers
purchase 50% of their athletic footwear in malls. Footaction believes that,
within the target age group, male and female teens (age 12-17) are
over-represented among Footaction customers, accounting for 33% of Footaction
shoppers and 41% of sales.


               Footaction's marketing strategy is to build traffic, sales, and
brand awareness with its primary customers by increasing awareness of
Footaction among individuals in the target customer group and by increasing
the perception among these individuals that Footaction is one of the first to
have the latest styles. Footaction intends to continue to drive this strategy
through a series of marketing initiatives.

               Footaction's media advertisements typically feature both
Footaction and a branded product, and may include celebrity endorsements. A
portion of the cost of such advertising is offset by co-operative advertising
allowances. Footaction focuses its mass media advertising during key selling
periods on males in the 12 to 24 year old age group. Footaction is also
exploring cross-promotional opportunities with appropriate packaged goods
manufacturers, professional athletic teams and other companies.

               In-store visual merchandising programs are also an important
part of Footaction's marketing effort. Footaction believes these initiatives
create excitement at the store level and support the marketplace message that
Footaction carries the latest products. Footaction is developing a "Coming
Soon" display to announce upcoming product launches, enhancing its
presentation of new product with a "New Arrivals" tower for the latest lines,
and special "exclusive tags" to highlight products only available at
Footaction.

Meldisco Relationship with Kmart

               Meldisco's relationship with Kmart is governed by a Master
Agreement with Kmart effective as of July 1, 1995 and amended as of March 1996
(the "Master Agreement"). Pursuant to the March 1996 Amendment to the Master
Agreement, the Master Agreement has been assigned by Melville to the Company
in anticipation of the Distribution. The following description of the Master
Agreement does not purport to be a full description thereof and is qualified
in its entirety by reference to the Master Agreement itself, a copy of which
is filed as an exhibit to the Form 10 of which this Information Statement is a
part. Capitalized terms not defined herein are used in this Section as defined
in the Master Agreement.

               Each license granted under the Master Agreement with respect to
a Meldisco footwear department is held by a separate Meldisco corporation
(each a "Meldisco Subsidiary"). The Company directly or indirectly, through
another corporation in which the Company has a direct or indirect majority
stock ownership interest (a "Company Group Member"), owns 51% of the capital
stock of substantially all of the Meldisco Subsidiaries, and Kmart directly or
indirectly, through another corporation in which Kmart has a direct or
indirect majority stock ownership interest, owns the remaining 49% of the
capital stock of these Meldisco Subsidiaries. Approximately 30 of the Meldisco
Subsidiaries are wholly-owned by the Company or a Company Group Member.

               The Master Agreement grants to each Meldisco Subsidiary the
non-transferable exclusive right and license to operate a Footwear Department
in the applicable Kmart store and a non-transferable and non-exclusive license
to use certain of Kmart's trademarks and service marks in connection with the
operation of each Footwear Department (each Meldisco Subsidiary's licenses
being referred to herein as a "License Agreement"). Each Meldisco Subsidiary
is required to comply with Rules and Regulations established by Kmart with
respect to the operation of the Footwear Departments. Each Meldisco Subsidiary
is authorized to sell any footwear in the Footwear Department other than
certain products which are specifically excluded. The Meldisco Subsidiary
retains title to its merchandise until sale. Personnel working in each Footwear
Department are employees of each Meldisco Subsidiary, and each Meldisco
Subsidiary exercises control over such employees, including hiring,
terminating, promoting and determining wages and work procedures.

               Kmart remits to Meldisco, as agent for each Meldisco
Subsidiary, the cash sales receipts for the Footwear Departments less
deductions for certain fees, which each Meldisco Subsidiary owes to Kmart with
respect to the licensed Footwear Department. Such fees include a license fee
equal to a fixed percentage of gross sales in the Footwear Department, a
portion of which is allocated by Kmart for advertising for the Footwear
Department and fees to defray certain costs and expenses related to fixtures,
data terminals, employee discounts and certain other items. The total of each
Meldisco Subsidiary's license fees during Kmart's fiscal year must equal or
exceed a specified annual minimum which is calculated based on the total floor
space comprising such Footwear Department on the last day of Kmart's fiscal
year. To the extent that the after-tax profit of a Meldisco Subsidiary exceeds
a certain threshold, such Meldisco Subsidiary also pays to Kmart a fee
calculated as a percentage of such excess within 90 days following the end of
such Meldisco Subsidiary's fiscal year. Each Meldisco Subsidiary that is
jointly owned by Kmart and the Company or a Company Group Member also pays
dividends once each fiscal year to Kmart in respect of Kmart's 49% minority
equity interest in such Meldisco Subsidiary. So long as the aggregate cash
balance of the Meldisco Subsidiaries at the end of a fiscal month is greater
than $1 million, Kmart has the right to borrow 49% of such cash at an interest
rate of 1% plus the 30-day LIBOR rate. The outstanding loan balance must be
repaid in full by Kmart (i) as soon as such aggregate cash balance at the end
of any month is negative and (ii) on an annual date specified in the Master
Agreement.

               The initial Term of the Master Agreement is 17 years,
commencing as of July 1, 1995 and expiring July 1, 2012, unless earlier
terminated as set forth therein. All current and future License Agreements
between Kmart and the Meldisco Subsidiaries are coterminous with the Master
Agreement. At least 4 years prior to the end of the applicable Term or renewal
Term, either party may give the other party written notice of its intent to
renew the Master Agreement ("Renewal Notice") or to terminate the Master
Agreement ("Termination Notice") at the end of the applicable Term or renewal
Term. If renewed by means of Renewal Notice, the Master Agreement shall renew
for a 15 year renewal Term commencing on the day following the end of the
applicable Term or renewal Term. If either party gives Termination Notice to
the other, the Master Agreement shall terminate at the end of the applicable
Term or renewal Term. If neither party gives the other Renewal Notice or
Termination Notice, the applicable Term or renewal Term shall be extended for
a period ending on the date four years following either party's written notice
to the other of its intent to terminate.

               During the Term and any renewal Term, the Master Agreement or
any License Agreement may only be terminated: (i) by Kmart with respect to any
Kmart store with a Footwear Department which is to cease to operate and be
open for business to the public; (ii) by Kmart or Meldisco with respect to any
affected Kmart store, in the event that any Footwear Department premises
become unfit for use and occupancy by reason of material damage or
destruction, or as a result of condemnation; (iii) by Kmart or Meldisco if the
other party shall fail to make any material payments when due or to deliver
any material accounting reports as required by the Master Agreement, or in the
event of a material breach of any covenant, representation or warranty of the
other party, subject to the right of the party so charged to cure the breach
or failure within a specified period; (iv) by either party if Kmart or
Meldisco shall fail to pay its debts when due or become subject to certain
insolvency, bankruptcy or similar events; (v) at the option of the non-selling
or non-transferring party, in the event of a sale or transfer of a majority of
the outstanding shares of the other party to a single person or entity or an
affiliated group under common control; or (vi) in the event that the Meldisco
Subsidiaries fail to achieve the Performance Standards outlined in the Master
Agreement.

               If the Master Agreement is terminated with respect to any
stores under the circumstances described in the preceding paragraph, the
applicable Meldisco Subsidiaries must remove all fixtures, furnishings,
equipment and other property belonging to the Meldisco Subsidiary and
surrender possession of the premises of the Footwear Department (1) in the case
of clauses (i) or (ii) of the preceding paragraph, by the date specified in
the written notice of termination, (2) in the case of clauses (iii) or (vi) of
the preceding paragraph, within one year of receipt of notice, and (3) in the
case of clauses (iv) or (v) of the preceding paragraph or upon the expiration
of the Term or any renewal Term, within 30 days of receipt of notice. All
property remaining after the specified date will become the property of Kmart.
Upon such termination, Meldisco is required to pay all fees accruing through
the termination date. Meldisco has agreed to indemnify Kmart from certain
liabilities, including damages arising from any breach of the Master Agreement.

               Neither party may assign its rights or delegate its duties
under the Master Agreement without the prior written consent of the other
party. Either party may, however, assign its rights under the Master Agreement
to a subsidiary or affiliate which is and shall remain wholly controlled by or
under common control with such party.

Purchasing and Distribution

               The Company's sourcing and purchasing of product is conducted
by the merchandising department of each of its segments. A significant
percentage of the Company's products are sourced or manufactured offshore,
with China, Indonesia and Brazil being the most significant offshore sources.
See "Risk Factors--Risks of Foreign Manufacturing." The Company believes that
its purchasing volumes enable it to obtain product from suppliers on favorable
terms.

               Footaction's product sourcing is driven by its relationships
with athletic footwear and apparel vendors. Footaction buyers routinely meet
with vendor representatives and visit key markets in an effort to build
appropriate merchandise assortments.

               Previously, Meldisco products imported into the U.S. were
shipped to one of four distribution centers, located in Rancho Cucamonga,
California; Huntington, Indiana; Clinton, New Jersey; and Morrow, Georgia.
Each of these facilities either has been closed or is scheduled to be closed
by early 1997. New state-of-the-art facilities have been opened in Mira Loma,
California and Gaffney, South Carolina.Thom McAn's current distribution center
in Brockton, Massachusetts will be closed during 1996, and inventory will
thereafter be distributed through the Company's Gaffney, South Carolina
facility pending completion of the McAn Plan. The new facilities are designed
to reduce the cost of merchandise replenishment, significantly increase
capacity utilization and provide the Company with maximum flexibility with
respect to inventory management practices.

               Substantially all of Footaction's inventory is received and
distributed through its state-of-the-art facility in Dallas, Texas. The
facility, which began operation in late 1993, utilizes high speed sortation
equipment, bar code scanning and radio frequency technologies to ship product
to Footaction stores. When necessary, the facility has the ability to ship
merchandise to all of its stores on the same day product is received.

Management Information Systems

               The Company has emphasized the development and implementation
of strategic management information systems ("IS") focused on enhancing
productivity and improving inventory management and profit margins. The
Company utilizes relational database and client server technology to enhance
the speed of delivery of new systems and puts powerful decision support tools
in the hands of the users. In an effort to reduce capital requirements and
sharpen its focus on strategic efforts, the Company has entered into an
outsourcing arrangement with Lockheed Martin for the purchase, maintenance and
operation of all IS hardware.

               The main thrust of application software development at Meldisco
is the creation of systems that support inventory pipeline improvements.
Components of this strategy include the implementation of the state-of-the-art
distribution network and demand-driven merchandise replenishment system. The
demand-driven merchandise replenishment system will utilize sophisticated
forecasting routines, including seasonal and promotional inflators/deflators,
to automatically generate distributions to meet preset service levels using
proprietary statistical algorithms. The system is automated, requires only
exception-based intervention and represents a significant enhancement to
existing merchandise replenishment capability. The state-of-the-art
distribution network and demand-driven merchandise replenishment systems are
scheduled to be fully implemented by early 1997.

               The major thrust of IS at Footaction is to support the needs of
a rapidly growing business while maximizing synergies with Meldisco. The major
IS efforts are directed at merchandise allocation and replenishment, store
automation and labor management and decision support systems. EDI and Quick
Response programs are also planned. The Company will continue to engage in the
implementation of IS necessary to support its business objectives. It will
target its IS expenditures in areas with the largest strategic impact and will
strive to control IS expenditures by sharing software between divisions and
driving down processing costs.

Legal Proceedings

               The Company is from time to time involved in routine litigation
incidental to the conduct of its business, none of which, the Company
believes, will have a material adverse effect on its financial position or
results of operations.

Properties


               At June 29, 1996, Meldisco operated leased footwear departments
in 2,553 stores. Collectively, these leased departments are located in all 50
states, Guam, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, the Czech Republic,
Slovakia and Mexico. All but 401 of the leased departments operated at June
29, 1996 were located in Kmart discount department stores. Of these 401
stores, 389 leased departments were located in PayLess Thrifty Drug Stores and
12 in Tesco department stores. Footaction has a nationwide presence, operating
436 stores in 43 states and Puerto Rico.

               Meldisco-operated footwear departments in traditional Kmart
stores average 2,900 square feet and average 3,600 square feet in Super Kmart
Centers. Meldisco's footwear departments in PayLess Thrifty Drug Stores
generally occupy approximately 100 feet of selling space. Footaction's
prototype format is the 4,000 to 6,500 square foot large store format. At
June 29, 1996, 39 of the Company's 436 Footaction stores are of the large
store format, 351 are of the traditional store format and 46 are of the
superstore format. By the end of 1998, the Company expects that over half of
the Footaction stores will be of the large store or superstore format.


               Kmart and PayLess Thrifty Drug Stores provide Meldisco with
store space to sell footwear in exchange for certain payments made by
Meldisco. See "The Business--Meldisco Relationship with Kmart." Footaction
stores are typically operated pursuant to long-term leases. These leases call
for minimum annual rent subject to periodic adjustments, plus other charges,
including a proportionate share of taxes, insurance and common area
maintenance, and, in some cases, percentage rent based on the store's sales
volume.


               Meldisco's corporate offices are located in 130,000 square feet
of leased office space in Mahwah, New Jersey. Meldisco's offices also serve as
Company headquarters. Footaction's corporate offices are located in 50,000
square feet of leased office space in Irving, Texas. Meldisco has closed its
distribution facility in Rancho Cucamonga, California and expects to close its
distribution facilities in Huntington, Indiana, Clinton, New Jersey and
Morrow, Georgia by early 1997. The Company has recently opened
state-of-the-art distribution facilities in Mira Loma, California and Gaffney,
South Carolina. Footaction leases distribution facilities in Dallas, Texas
which will total 180,000 square feet as of the Distribution.


Employees


               As of June 29, 1996, the Company had approximately 12,600
employees (excluding Thom McAn employees), including approximately 8,200 at
Meldisco and 4,400 at Footaction. Of Meldisco's approximately 8,200 employees,
approximately 3,600 were employed full-time, and 4,600 were part-time
employees. As of June 29, 1996, Footaction had approximately 1,600 full-time
and 2,800 part-time employees.


               Except for the Thom McAn segment, none of the Company's
employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements. The Company
believes that its relationships with its employees are good.

Trademarks and Service Marks

               The Company or its subsidiaries own all rights to "Footaction"
for use as a trademark or service mark in connection with footwear and related
products and services. The Company or its subsidiaries have registered or have
common law rights to over 200 trademarks and/or service marks under which the
Company markets private label merchandise or its services. The Company either
has registered or is in the process of registering its trademarks and service
marks in foreign countries in which it may operate in the future. As
necessary, the Company vigorously protects its trademarks and service marks
both domestically and internationally.

Discontinuation of Thom McAn Segment


               Thom McAn, which has been part of Melville since 1922, is a
largely mall-based, moderately-priced specialty retailer, marketing
moderately-priced men's and women's private label footwear and accessories
to quality and value conscious customers.  As of June 29, 1996, Thom McAn
operated 278 stores, located primarily in the Eastern U.S., Puerto Rico,
and the U.S.  Virgin Islands.  Seventy-eight percent of Thom McAn's stores
are located in enclosed regional and neighborhood malls, anchored by major
department stores.  The remaining stores are located in urban areas
characterized by high customer traffic.


                The moderately-priced footwear retail market has come under
pressure in recent years from rapidly expanding discounters at the lower
end and department stores and non-traditional channels such as mail order
businesses and apparel retailers at the higher end.  Thom McAn also faces
competitive challenges within the moderately-priced category, primarily
from department stores.  In light of this competition, the total market
share of the moderately-priced category has fallen from 20.9% of the retail
footwear market in 1991 to 19.7% in 1995.  As a result of the difficult
competitive conditions in the moderately-priced footwear retail category,
the Company has, since 1992, closed in excess of 450 Thom McAn stores that
did not meet the Company's sales, profit and return on investment
objectives.  Furthermore, Thom McAn's financial results have continued to
be disappointing following these store closings and other restructurings.


                As a result of these extreme competitive pressures in the
moderately-priced footwear retail market and Thom McAn's inability to
satisfy the Company's sales, profit and return on investment objectives in
recent years, on June 3, 1996 Melville announced the decision to exit the
Thom McAn business by converting 80 to 100 Thom McAn stores (which are the
most suitable locations for conversion in light of Footaction's real
estate, store profile and market requirements) to Footaction stores, and by
pursuing the sale of or by closing the remaining Thom McAn stores.  The
Company currently expects to have exited the Thom McAn business within 12
months of announcing the discontinuation.  Accordingly, the Company is
treating its Thom McAn segment as discontinued operations and, in
connection with its McAn Plan, has recorded a pretax charge to income of
approximately $85 million in the first quarter of 1996.  For additional
information on the material consequences expected to result from the
discontinuation of the Thom McAn segment, see "Management's Discussion and
Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations--Liquidity and
Capital Resources."


                                  MANAGEMENT

Structure of Company's Board of Directors


               The Company will amend its Certificate of Incorporation prior
to the Distribution to provide for a classified board of directors consisting
of seven directors (as indicated in the table below). The Company Board will
be divided into three classes of directors. The term of office of the first
class ("Class I") expires at the 1997 annual meeting, the term of office of
the second class ("Class II") expires at the 1998 annual meeting and the term
of office of the third class ("Class III") expires at the 1999 annual meeting.
At each annual meeting of stockholders held after the Distribution, a class of
directors will be elected for a three year term to replace the class whose
term has then expired. See "Certain Statutory, Charter and Bylaw
Provisions--Classified Board of Directors."


               The Company Board further expects to establish an Audit
Committee and a Compensation Committee (the "Compensation Committee")
following the Distribution.

Directors and Executive Officers

               The following tables set forth certain information concerning
the directors and executive officers of the Company who will be serving or in
office as of the Distribution Date.

Name                        Age                      Position
- ----                        ---                      --------

J.M. Robinson                50     Chairman of the Board (Class I) and Chief
                                    Executive Officer

Carlos E. Alberini           41     Chief Financial Officer
Charles Messina              53     Chief Human Resources Officer
Maureen Richards             40     General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
Stanley P. Goldstein         61     Director (Class I)

George S. Day                59     Director (Class III)
Terry R. Lautenbach          58     Director (Class II)
Bettye Martin Musham         63     Director (Class III)
Kenneth S. Olshan            64     Director (Class III)
M. Cabell Woodward, Jr.      67     Director (Class II)

               J.M. Robinson will be the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of the Company as of the Distribution. Mr. Robinson has been President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Meldisco division of Melville Corporation since
June 1988. Prior to joining Meldisco, Mr. Robinson was President of Melville
Corporation's Smart Step division (1987-1988).


               Carlos E. Alberini will be the Chief Financial Officer of the
Company as of the Distribution.  From February, 1996 to July 10, 1996 Mr.
Alberini was the Acting Chief Financial Officer of Melville Corporation,
having joined Melville in May 1995 as Vice President of Finance. Prior to that
time, Mr. Alberini served as the Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice
President (1990-1995) and Vice President and Controller (1987 to 1990) of The
Bon Ton Stores Inc., a chain of 64 department stores.

               Charles Messina will be the Chief Human Resources Officer of
the Company as of the Distribution. Mr. Messina has been the Vice President of
Human Resources and International Sourcing and Specialty Retailing of the
Meldisco division of Melville Corporation since January 1992. Prior to joining
Meldisco, Mr. Messina was the Vice President, Operations and Personnel
(1985-1992) at Morse Shoe, Inc.

               Maureen Richards will be the General Counsel and Corporate
Secretary of the Company as of the Distribution. Since October 1995, Ms.
Richards has been Vice President and Corporate Counsel of Melville
Corporation. She joined Melville in 1988 and served as its Corporate and
Trademark Counsel and Assistant Secretary from October 1991 to October 1995.


               Stanley P. Goldstein is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Melville Corporation and, as of the Distribution, will also serve as a
director of the Company. Mr. Goldstein has served in various capacities at
Melville Corporation or its CVS division since 1969 including, in addition to
his current titles, as President of Melville from January 1987 to January
1994; Executive Vice President of Melville Corporation from 1984 to December
1986; and, prior to that, President of the CVS division of Melville
Corporation. Mr. Goldstein also serves on the board of NYNEX.

               Dr. George S. Day is a Professor of Marketing at The Wharton
School, University of Pennsylvania and, as of the Distribution, will also
serve as a director of the Company. Prior to joining the Wharton School in
July 1991, Dr. Day was executive director of the Marketing Science Institute,
an industry-supported research consortium. Dr. Day has been a consultant to
such corporations as AT&T, Eastman Kodak, General Electric, U.S. West, Trinova
Corporation, Unitel Corporation, E. I. duPont de Nemours and Company and IBM
Corporation.

               Terry R. Lautenbach is a director of Melville Corporation and a
member of its Executive Committee. As of the Distribution, Mr. Lautenbach will
also serve as a director of the Company. A retired Senior Vice President of IBM
Corporation, Mr. Lautenbach is currently a director of Air Products Corp.,
Varian Associates, Inc. and Trustee of Loomis-Sayles Mutual Funds.

               Bettye Martin Musham, is President and Chief Executive
Officer of GEAR HOLDINGS, INC., which she co-founded in 1977 and, as of the
Distribution, will also serve as a director of the Company.  Ms.  Martin
Musham is also a director of Brunswick Corporation, IO Electric, Peace
Links and the World Service Council of the YWCA of the USA.  Before
launching GEAR, she was the United States Manager for Louis Vuitton and
spent the prior 17 years in the talent and advertising industries.

               Kenneth S. Olshan was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
Wells Rich Greene BDDP until October 1995. As of the Distribution, Mr. Olshan
will serve as a director of the Company. Mr. Olshan currently serves on the
Creative Review Board of the Advertising Council and the boards of the Central
Park Conservancy, the National Multiple Sclerosis Foundation and Polytechnic
University.

               M. Cabell Woodward, Jr. is a director of Melville Corporation
and is Chairman of its Executive Committee. As of the Distribution, Mr.
Woodward will also serve as a director of the Company. A retired Vice
Chairman, Chief Financial Officer and Director of ITT Corporation, Mr.
Woodward is currently a director of The Black & Decker Corporation and Trustee
of a management investment company sponsored by Paine Webber.

Compensation of Directors

               Directors who are not currently receiving compensation as
officers or employees of the Company or any of its affiliates will be paid an
annual retainer fee of $10,000 and a $1,000 fee for each meeting of the
Company Board or any committee that they attend and a $2,500 retainer fee for
serving as a Committee chair. Non-employee directors will also participate in
the 1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Plan. See "--1996 Non-Employee Director
Stock Plan."

Executive Compensation

               The following sets forth annual base salaries, effective on the
Distribution, payable to the Chief Executive Officer and each of the three
most highly compensated executive officers of the Company whose compensation
is expected to exceed $100,000 on an annualized basis during the fiscal year
ending December 31, 1996 (the "Named Executive Officers"):


Named Executive Officers                  Title                      Salary
- ------------------------                  -----                      ------

J.M. Robinson           Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive   $600,000
                        Officer
Carlos E. Alberini      Chief Financial Officer                      320,000
Charles Messina         Chief Human Resources Officer                215,000
Maureen Richards        General Counsel and Corporate Secretary      200,000

               The Company intends to adopt a tailored compensation program
that offers incentive award opportunities to management through
performance-based plans authorized by the 1996 Incentive Compensation Plan
(described below). Awards under the 1996 Incentive Compensation Plan may be
made to Company executives, including those named above, each year reflecting
the annual earnings performance of the Company and its business units as well
as the annual achievement of strategic or qualitative goals in the same year.
Target annual awards will be set as a percentage of salary. Actual awards
thereunder, reflecting the annual assessment of performance, may be made in
cash or in Company Common Stock.

               While long-term (or multiple year) awards under the 1996
Incentive Compensation Plan may also be made in Company Common Stock or in
cash, the Company intends to institute a long-term incentive program that pays
in a mixture of cash and Company Common Stock.

               The Company will also maintain for substantially all of its
full-time employees a 401(k) profit sharing plan under which eligible
employees will be permitted to make salary reduction contributions. The
Company will also make matching contributions of up to 4% of compensation
under a specified schedule in respect of employee contributions. Under this
plan, various investment funds will be available for participants to direct
both employer and employee contributions and loans to participants will be
available in accordance with applicable Internal Revenue Code and ERISA rules.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

               The Company does not currently have a Compensation Committee.
Prior to the Distribution, compensation was determined by the Company Board.
Following the Distribution, the Company expects to establish a Compensation
Committee comprised of independent directors.

Employment Agreements

               Prior to the Distribution, the Company expects to enter into
employment agreements (each referred to in this section individually as an
"Employment Agreement" and collectively as the "Employment Agreements"),
effective on the Distribution, with the Named Executive Officers relating to
their employment with the Company. The following briefly summarizes the
principal terms of such Employment Agreements and is qualified by reference to
the full text of the Employment Agreements.


               The period of employment under the Employment Agreements
extends initially for three years (five years in the case of Mr. Robinson),
subject to automatic one-year extensions at the end of the initial term unless
either party gives notice of non-renewal at least 180 days prior to expiration
of the term. The Employment Agreements generally provide for payment of an
annual base salary that will be reviewed each year, but may not be decreased
from the amount in effect in the previous year. Initially, base salary will be
$600,000, $320,000, $215,000 and $200,000 for Messrs. Robinson, Alberini, and
Messina and Ms. Richards, respectively. The Employment Agreements also
generally provide for (i) continued payment of base salary, incentive
compensation, and other benefits for 36 months in the case of Mr. Robinson and
for 18 months in the case of the other Named Executive Officers (or 24 months
in the case of a change in control) in the event the executive's employment is
terminated other than a termination by the Company for "cause" or voluntarily
by the executive without "good reason"; (ii) non-competition for a period of
18 months (36 months for Mr. Robinson) subsequent to termination for any
reason other than by the executive for "good reason" or by the Company without
"cause" following a "change in control"; (iii) other restrictive covenants
including non-disclosure, non-solicitation of employees and availability for
litigation support; (iv) participation in certain benefit plans and programs
(including pension benefits, disability and life insurance, and medical
benefits); (v) annual and long-term incentive compensation opportunities; and
(vi) deferred compensation arrangements. Mr. Robinson's Employment Agreement
provides that his target annual incentive and long-term incentive
opportunities may not be less than 50% and 35%, respectively, of his base
salary.

               A "change in control" is defined in generally the same manner
as under the 1996 Incentive Compensation Plan, as described below. "Good
reason" is defined generally as demotion, reduction in compensation,
unapproved relocation in the case of Mr. Robinson (or other Named Executive
Officers following a change in control), material breach of the Employment
Agreement by the Company, or, in the case of Mr. Robinson, failure to extend
the term of the Employment Agreement to his 60th birthday. "Cause" is defined
generally as a breach of the restrictive covenants referred to in clause (iii)
of the preceding paragraph, certain felony convictions, or willful acts or
gross negligence that are materially damaging to the Company.

               If payments under the Employment Agreements following a change
in control are subject to the "golden parachute" excise tax, the Company will
make an additional "gross-up" payment sufficient to ensure that the net
after-tax amount retained by the executive (taking into account all taxes,
including those on the gross-up payment) is the same as would have been the
case had such excise tax not applied. The Employment Agreements obligate the
Company to indemnify the executives to the fullest extent permitted by law,
including the advancement of expenses, and provide that the Company generally
will reimburse an executive for expenses incurred in seeking enforcement of
the Employment Agreement, unless the executive's assertion of rights was in
bad faith or frivolous.

               The Employment Agreement with Mr. Robinson relates to his
employment as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer and his agreement to serve
as a Director. The Employment Agreements with Messrs. Alberini and Messina and
with Ms. Richards relate to their employment as senior executives of the
Company.

Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan


               Following the Distribution, the Company expects to adopt a
Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan for Select Senior Management of
Footstar, Inc. (the "Supplemental Retirement Plan"). The Supplemental
Retirement Plan is designed to provide competitive retirement benefits to
selected executives with at least ten years of credited service. The normal
retirement benefit commencing at age 60 is equal to 2% of the average of the
three highest salary amounts received by the executive in the preceding ten
years plus actual annual bonus (before any deferrals) for each year (full and
partial) of service with the Company from and after the Distribution. In the
case of retirement on or after age 55 but before age 60, a reduced benefit is
provided. Except in the event of a change in control (as defined in the
Supplemental Retirement Plan) or as provided in the Employment Agreements
referred to above, no benefits are payable to an eligible executive who
terminates employment prior to age 55 or prior to completing ten years of
credited service. Benefits are generally payable in annual installments for
the life of the executive, but other forms of payment of equivalent actuarial
value may be elected.


1996 Incentive Compensation Plan

               Effective on the Distribution, the Company has adopted, and
Melville Corporation as sole stockholder of the Company has approved, the 1996
Incentive Compensation Plan (the "1996 ICP"). It is anticipated that the
Company's stockholders will be asked to ratify the adoption of the 1996 ICP at
the Company's first annual meeting of stockholders following the Distribution
in order to qualify certain compensation under the 1996 ICP as
"performance-based compensation" that is tax deductible by the Company without
limitation under Section 162(m) of the Code.

               The Company Board believes that attracting and retaining key
employees of high quality is essential to the Company's growth and success. In
addition, the Company Board believes that the long term success of the Company
is enhanced by a competitive and comprehensive compensation program which may
include tailored types of incentives designed to motivate executives and
reward key employees for outstanding service, including awards that link
compensation to applicable measures of the Company's performance and the
creation of stockholder value. In this regard, stock options and other
stock-related awards will be an important element of compensation for key
employees. Such awards will enable the Company to attract and retain
executives and key employees and enable such persons to acquire a proprietary
interest in the Company and thereby align their interests with the interests
of the Company's stockholders. In addition, the Company Board has concluded
that the Compensation Committee of the Company Board (the "Compensation
Committee") should be given as much flexibility as possible to provide for
annual and long-term incentive awards contingent on performance.

               The following is a brief description of the material features
of the 1996 ICP. Such description is qualified in its entirety by reference to
the full text of the 1996 ICP.

               Types of Awards

               The terms of the 1996 ICP provide for grants of stock options,
stock appreciation rights ("SARs"), restricted stock, deferred stock, other
stock-related awards, and performance or annual incentive awards that may be
settled in cash, stock, or other property ("Awards").

               Shares Subject to the 1996 ICP; Annual Per-Person Limitations


               Under the 1996 ICP, the total number of shares of Company
Common Stock reserved and available for delivery to participants in connection
with Awards is 3.1 million, plus 10% of the number of shares of Company Common
Stock issued by the Company during the term of the 1996 ICP (excluding
issuances under the 1996 ICP, or any other compensation or benefit plan of the
Company). Shares of Company Common Stock subject to an Award that is canceled,
expired, forfeited, settled in cash, or otherwise terminated without a
delivery of shares of Company Common Stock to the participant, including
shares of Company Common Stock withheld or surrendered in payment of any
exercise or purchase price of an Award or taxes relating to an Award, will
again be available for Awards under the 1996 ICP, except that, if any such
shares of Company Common Stock could not again be available for Awards to a
particular participant under any applicable law or regulation, such shares of
Company Common Stock shall be available exclusively for Awards to participants
who are not subject to such limitation. Shares of Company Common Stock issued
under the 1996 ICP may be either newly issued shares of Company Common Stock
or Company Common Stock held in treasury.

               In addition, the 1996 ICP imposes individual limitations on the
amount of certain Awards in order to comply with Code Section 162(m). Under
these limitations, during any fiscal year the number of options, SARs, shares
of restricted stock, shares of deferred stock, shares of Company Common Stock
as a bonus or in lieu of other Company obligations, and other stock-based
Awards granted to any one participant shall not exceed 1,000,000 shares for
each type of such Award, subject to adjustment in certain circumstances. The
maximum amount that may be earned as a final annual incentive award or other
cash Award in any fiscal year by any one participant is $3 million, and the
maximum amount that may be earned as a final performance award or other cash
Award in respect of a performance period by any one participant is $5 million.


               The Compensation Committee is authorized to adjust the number
and kind of shares of Company Common Stock subject to the aggregate share
limitations and annual limitations under the 1996 ICP and subject to
outstanding Awards (including adjustments to exercise prices and number of
shares of options and other affected terms of Awards) in the event that a
dividend or other distribution (whether in cash, shares of Company Common
Stock, or other property), recapitalization, forward or reverse split,
reorganization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase, or
share exchange, or other similar corporate transaction or event affects the
Company Common Stock so that an adjustment is appropriate in order to prevent
dilution or enlargement of the rights of participants. The Compensation
Committee is also authorized to adjust performance conditions and other terms
of Awards in response to these kinds of events or in response to changes in
applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles.

               Eligibility


               Executive officers and other officers and employees of the
Company or any subsidiary, including any such person who may also be a
director of the Company, are eligible to be granted Awards under the 1996 ICP.
Following the Distribution, it is anticipated that approximately 150 persons
would be considered eligible for Awards under the 1996 ICP.


               Administration

               The 1996 ICP will be administered by the Compensation
Committee, each member of which currently must be a "disinterested person" as
defined under Rule 16b-3 under the Exchange Act and an "outside director" for
purposes of Code Section 162(m). Subject to the terms and conditions of the
1996 ICP, the Compensation Committee is authorized to select participants,
determine the type and number of Awards to be granted and the number of shares
of Company Common Stock to which Awards will relate, specify times at which
Awards will be exercisable or settleable (including performance conditions
that may be required as a condition thereof), set other terms and conditions
of such Awards, prescribe forms of Award agreements, interpret and specify
rules and regulations relating to the 1996 ICP, and make all other
determinations which may be necessary or advisable for the administration of
the 1996 ICP. The 1996 ICP provides that Compensation Committee members shall
not be personally liable, and shall be fully indemnified, in connection with
any action, determination, or interpretation taken or made in good faith under
the 1996 ICP.

               Stock Options and SARS

               The Compensation Committee is authorized to grant stock
options, including both ISOs which can result in potentially favorable tax
treatment to the participant and non-qualified stock options (i.e, options not
qualifying as ISOs), and SARs entitling the participant to receive the excess
of the fair market value of the Company Common Stock on the date of exercise
(or defined "change in control price" following a change in control) over the
grant price of the SAR. The exercise price per share subject to an option and
the grant price of an SAR is determined by the Compensation Committee, but must
not be less than the fair market value of the Company Common Stock on the date
of grant (except to the extent of in-the-money awards or cash obligations
surrendered by the participant at the time of grant).  The maximum term of
each option or SAR, the times at which each option or SAR will be
exercisable, and provisions requiring forfeiture of unexercised options or
SARs at or following termination of employment generally is fixed by the
Compensation Committee, except that no option or SAR may have a term
exceeding ten years.  Options may be exercised by payment of the exercise
price in cash, shares of Company Common Stock, outstanding Awards, or other
property (possibly including notes or obligations to make payment on a
deferred basis) having a fair market value equal to the exercise price, as
the Compensation Committee may determine from time to time.  Methods of
exercise and settlement and other terms of the SARs are determined by the
Compensation Committee.  SARs granted under the 1996 ICP may include
"limited SARs" exercisable for a stated period of time following a "change
in control" of the Company, as discussed below.

               Restricted and Deferred Stock

               The Compensation Committee is authorized to grant restricted
stock and deferred stock. Restricted stock is a grant of shares of Company
Common Stock which may not be sold or disposed of, and which may be forfeited
in the event of certain terminations of employment and/or failure to meet
certain performance requirements, prior to the end of a restricted period
specified by the Compensation Committee. A participant granted restricted
stock generally has all of the rights of a stockholder of the Company,
including the right to vote the shares of Company Common Stock and to receive
dividends thereon, unless otherwise determined by the Compensation Committee.
An Award of deferred stock confers upon a participant the right to receive
shares of Company Common Stock at the end of a specified deferral period,
subject to possible forfeiture of the Award in the event of certain
terminations of employment and/or failure to meet certain performance
requirements prior to the end of a specified restricted period (which
restricted period need not extend for the entire duration of the deferral
period). Prior to settlement, an Award of deferred stock carries no voting or
dividend rights or other rights associated with Company Common Stock
ownership, although dividend equivalents may be granted, as discussed below.

               Dividend Equivalents

               The Compensation Committee is authorized to grant dividend
equivalents conferring on participants the right to receive, currently or on a
deferred basis, cash, shares of Company Common Stock, other Awards, or other
property equal in value to dividends paid on a specific number of shares of
Company Common Stock or other periodic payments. Dividend equivalents may be
granted on a free-standing basis or in connection with another Award, may be
paid currently or on a deferred basis, and, if deferred, may be deemed to have
been reinvested in additional shares of Company Common Stock, Awards, or other
investment vehicles specified by the Compensation Committee.

               Bonus Stock and Awards in Lieu of Cash Obligations

               The Compensation Committee is authorized to grant shares of
Company Common Stock as a bonus free of restrictions, or to grant shares of
Company Common Stock or other Awards in lieu of Company obligations to pay
cash under other plans or compensatory arrangements, subject to such terms as
the Compensation Committee may specify.

               Other Stock-Based Awards

               The 1996 ICP authorizes the Compensation Committee to grant
Awards that are denominated or payable in, valued by reference to, or
otherwise based on or related to the Company Common Stock. Such Awards might
include convertible or exchangeable debt securities, other rights convertible
or exchangeable into shares of Company Common Stock, purchase rights for
shares of Company Common Stock, Awards with value and payment contingent upon
performance of the Company or any other factors designated by the Compensation
Committee, and Awards valued by reference to the book value of the Company
Common Stock or the value of securities of or the performance of specified
subsidiaries. The Compensation Committee determines the terms and conditions
of such Awards, including consideration to be paid to exercise Awards in the
nature of purchase rights, the period during which Awards will be outstanding,
and forfeiture conditions and restrictions on awards.

               Performance Awards, Including Annual Incentive Awards

               The right of a participant to exercise or receive a grant or
settlement of an Award, and the timing thereof, may be subject to such
performance conditions as may be specified by the Compensation Committee. In
addition, the 1996 ICP authorizes specific annual incentive awards, which
represent a conditional right to receive cash, shares of Company Common Stock
or other Awards upon achievement of preestablished performance goals during a
specified one-year period. Performance awards and annual incentive awards
granted to persons the Compensation Committee expects to be, for the year in
which a deduction arises, among the Chief Executive Officer and four other
most highly compensated executive officers will, if so intended by the
Compensation Committee, be subject to provisions that should qualify such
Awards as "performance-based compensation" not subject to the limitation on
tax deductibility by the Company under Code Section 162(m).

               The performance goals to be achieved as a condition of payment
or settlement of a performance award or annual incentive award will consist of
(i) one or more business criteria and (ii) a targeted level or levels of
performance with respect to each such business criteria. In the case of
performance awards intended to meet the requirements of Code Section 162(m)
with respect to such executive officers, the business criteria used must be
one of those specified in the 1996 ICP, although for other participants the
Compensation Committee may specify any other criteria. The business criteria
specified in the 1996 ICP are: (1) earnings per share; (2) revenues; (3) cash
flow; (4) cash flow return on investment; (5) return on net assets; return on
investment; return on capital; return on equity; (6) operating margin; (7) net
income; pretax earnings; pretax earnings before interest, depreciation and
amortization; pretax operating earnings after interest expense and before
incentives, service fees, and extraordinary or special items; operating
earnings; (8) total stockholder return; and (9) any of the above goals as
compared to the performance of a published or special index deemed applicable
by the Compensation Committee.

               In granting annual incentive or performance awards, the
Compensation Committee may establish unfunded award "pools," the amounts of
which will be based upon the achievement of a performance goal or goals using
one or more of the business criteria described in the preceding paragraph.
During the first 90 days of a fiscal year or performance period, the
Compensation Committee will determine who will potentially receive annual
incentive or performance awards for that fiscal year or performance period,
either out of the pool or otherwise. After the end of each fiscal year or
performance period, the Compensation Committee will determine the amount, if
any, of the pool, the maximum amount of potential annual incentive or
performance awards payable to each participant in the pool, and the amount of
any potential annual incentive or performance award otherwise payable to a
participant. The Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, determine that
the amount payable as a final annual incentive or performance award will be
increased or reduced from the amount of any potential Award, but may not
exercise discretion to increase any such amount intended to qualify under Code
Section 162(m).

               Subject to the requirements of the 1996 ICP, the Compensation
Committee will determine other performance award and annual incentive award
terms, including the required levels of performance with respect to the
business criteria, the corresponding amounts payable upon achievement of such
levels of performance, termination and forfeiture provisions, and the form of
settlement.

               Other Terms of Awards

               Awards may be settled in the form of cash, shares of Company
Common Stock, other Awards, or other property, in the discretion of the
Compensation Committee. The Compensation Committee may require or permit
participants to defer the settlement of all or part of an Award in accordance
with such terms and conditions as the Compensation Committee may establish,
including payment or crediting of interest or dividend equivalents on deferred
amounts, and the crediting of earnings, gains, and losses based on deemed
investment of deferred amounts in specified investment vehicles. The
Compensation Committee is authorized to place cash, shares of Company Common
Stock, or other property in trusts or make other arrangements to provide for
payment of the Company's obligations under the 1996 ICP. The Compensation
Committee may condition any payment relating to an Award on the withholding of
taxes and may provide that a portion of any shares of Company Common Stock or
other property to be distributed will be withheld (or previously acquired
shares of Company Common Stock or other property surrendered by the
participant) to satisfy withholding and other tax obligations. Awards granted
under the 1996 ICP generally may not be pledged or otherwise encumbered and
are not transferable except by will or by the laws of descent and
distribution, or to a designated beneficiary upon the participant's death,
except that the Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, permit
transfers for estate planning or other purposes.

               Awards under the 1996 ICP are generally granted without a
requirement that the participant pay consideration in the form of cash or
property for the grant (as distinguished from the exercise), except to the
extent required by law. The Compensation Committee may, however, grant Awards
in exchange for other Awards under the 1996 ICP, awards under other Company
plans, or other rights to payment from the Company, and may grant Awards in
addition to and in tandem with such other Awards, awards, or rights as well.

               Unless the Award agreement specifies otherwise, the
Compensation Committee may cancel or rescind Awards if the participant fails
to comply with certain noncompetition, confidentiality or intellectual
property covenants. For instance, Awards may be canceled or rescinded if the
participant engages in competitive activity while employed with the Company
or within a specified period following termination of employment.

               Acceleration of Vesting

               The Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, accelerate
the exercisability, the lapsing of restrictions, or the expiration of deferral
or vesting periods of any Award, and such accelerated exercisability, lapse,
expiration and vesting shall occur automatically in the case of a "change in
control" of the Company (including cash settlements of SARs and "limited SARs"
which may be exercisable only in the event of a change in control). In
addition, the Compensation Committee may provide that the performance goals
relating to any performance-based award will be deemed to have been met upon
the occurrence of any "change in control." Subject to certain exceptions, the
1996 ICP generally defines a "change in control" as (i) any person acquiring
beneficial ownership of 25% or more of the outstanding Company Common Stock or
the combined voting power of the Company's outstanding voting securities; (ii)
the reorganization, merger, consolidation, complete liquidation or dissolution
of the Company, sale or disposition of all or substantially all of the assets
of the Company, or similar corporate transaction; or (iii) members of the
Company Board serving at the effective date of the 1996 ICP, together with
members first elected thereafter (excluding certain directors elected as a
result of an actual or threatened election contest) with the approval of a
majority of the original members and new members previously so approved,
ceasing to constitute a majority of the Company Board. Upon the occurrence of
a change in control, limited SARs and other Awards may be cashed out based on
a defined "change in control price," which will be the higher of (i) the cash
and fair market value of property that is the highest price per share paid
(including extraordinary dividends) in any reorganization, merger,
consolidation, liquidation or dissolution, or liquidation of shares following
a sale of substantially all assets of the Company, or (ii) the highest fair
market value per share (generally based on market prices) at any time during
the 60 days before and 60 days after the change in control.

               Amendment and Termination of the 1996 ICP

               The Company Board may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue, or
terminate the 1996 ICP or the Compensation Committee's authority to grant
Awards without further stockholder approval, except stockholder approval must
be obtained for any amendment or alteration if required by law or regulation
or under the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation system on
which the Company Common Stock is then listed or quoted. Thus, stockholder
approval will not necessarily be required for amendments which might increase
the cost of the 1996 ICP or broaden eligibility. Stockholder approval will not
be deemed to be required under laws or regulations, such as those relating to
ISOs, that condition favorable treatment of participants on such approval,
although the Company Board may, in its discretion, seek stockholder approval
in any circumstance in which it deems such approval advisable. Unless earlier
terminated by the Company Board, the 1996 ICP will terminate at such time as
no shares of Company Common Stock remain available for issuance under the 1996
ICP and the Company has no further rights or obligations with respect to
outstanding Awards under the 1996 ICP.

               Initial Awards

               At or shortly following the Distribution, it is anticipated
that the Compensation Committee will make deferred stock awards ("Founders
Stock Awards") to each Named Executive Officer  under the 1996 ICP in an
amount approximately equal to his or her annual base salary. It is expected
that such Founders Stock Awards will generally become 100% vested after five
years of service with the Company following the grant date.


               At or shortly following the Distribution, it is also
anticipated that the Compensation Committee will make the following grants of
non-qualified stock options to each Named Executive Officer under the 1996
ICP: Mr. Robinson -- 120,000 options, Mr. Alberini -- 60,000 options, Mr.
Messina -- 30,000 options and Ms. Richards -- 30,000 options. It is expected
that such options will have an exercise price equal to the average of the high
and low trading prices for Company Common Stock for the first 20 trading days.
It is expected that these options will generally become exercisable in five
equal installments based on continued service with the Company during the
five-year period following the grant date. No additional options are
anticipated to be granted to such Named Executive Officers until 1999.


               Federal Income Tax Implications of the 1996 ICP

               The following is a brief description of the federal income tax
consequences generally arising with respect to Awards under the 1996 ICP.

               The grant of an option or SAR will create no tax consequences
for the participant or the Company. A participant will not recognize taxable
income upon exercising an ISO (except that the alternative minimum tax may
apply). Upon exercising an option other than an ISO, the participant must
generally recognize ordinary income equal to the difference between the
exercise price and fair market value of the freely transferable and
nonforfeitable shares of Company Common Stock acquired on the date of
exercise. Upon exercising an SAR, the participant must generally recognize
ordinary income equal to the cash or the fair market value of the freely
transferable and nonforfeitable shares of Company Common Stock received.

               Upon a disposition of shares of Company Common Stock acquired
upon exercise of an ISO before the end of the applicable ISO holding periods,
the participant must generally recognize ordinary income equal to the lesser
of (i) the fair market value of the shares of Company Common Stock at the date
of exercise of the ISO minus the exercise price, or (ii) the amount realized
upon the disposition of the ISO shares minus the exercise price. Otherwise, a
participant's disposition of shares of Company Common Stock acquired upon the
exercise of an option (including an ISO for which the ISO holding periods are
met) or SAR generally will result in short-term or long-term capital gain or
loss measured by the difference between the sale price and the participant's
tax basis in such shares of Company Common Stock (the tax basis generally
being the exercise price plus any amount previously recognized as ordinary
income in connection with the exercise of the option or SAR).

               The Company generally will be entitled to a tax deduction equal
to the amount recognized as ordinary income by the participant in connection
with an option or SAR. The Company generally is not entitled to a tax
deduction relating to amounts that represent a capital gain to a participant.
Accordingly, the Company will not be entitled to any tax deduction with
respect to an ISO if the participant holds the shares of Company Common Stock
for the ISO holding periods prior to disposition of the shares of Company
Common Stock.

               With respect to Awards granted under the 1996 ICP that result
in the payment or issuance of cash or shares of Company Common Stock or other
property that is either not restricted as to transferability or not subject to
a substantial risk of forfeiture, the participant must generally recognize
ordinary income equal to the cash or the fair market value of shares of
Company Common Stock or other property received. Thus, deferral of the time of
payment or issuance will generally result in the deferral of the time the
participant will be liable for income taxes with respect to such payment or
issuance. The Company generally will be entitled to a deduction in an amount
equal to the ordinary income recognized by the participant.

               With respect to Awards involving the issuance of shares of
Company Common Stock or other property that is restricted as to
transferability and subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, the
participant must generally recognize ordinary income equal to the fair market
value of the shares of Company Common Stock or other property received at the
first time the shares of Company Common Stock or other property become
transferable or are not subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture, whichever
occurs earlier. A participant may elect to be taxed at the time of receipt of
shares of Company Common Stock or other property rather than upon lapse of
restrictions on transferability or the substantial risk of forfeiture, but if
the participant subsequently forfeits such shares of Company Common Stock or
property, the participant would not be entitled to any tax deduction,
including as a capital loss, for the value of the shares of Company Common
Stock or property on which he previously paid tax. The participant must file
such election with the Internal Revenue Service within 30 days of the receipt
of the shares of Company Common Stock or other property. The Company generally
will be entitled to a deduction in an amount equal to the ordinary income
recognized by the participant.

               Awards that are granted, accelerated or enhanced upon the
occurrence of a change in control may give rise, in whole or in part, to
"excess parachute payments" within the meaning of Code Section 280G and, to
such extent, will be non-deductible by the Company and subject to a 20%
excise tax by the participant.

               The foregoing summary of the federal income tax consequences in
respect of the 1996 ICP is for general information only. Interested parties
should consult their own advisors as to specific tax consequences, including
the application and effect of foreign, state and local tax laws.

1996 Non-Employee Director Stock Plan

               Effective on the Distribution, the Company has adopted, and
Melville Corporation as sole stockholder of the Company has approved, the 1996
Non-Employee Director Stock Plan (the "1996 Director Plan"). The 1996 Director
Plan is intended to assist the Company in attracting and retaining highly
qualified persons to serve as non-employee directors and to more closely align
such directors' current and ongoing interests with those of the Company's
stockholders by providing a significant portion of their total compensation in
the form of Company Common Stock.

               The following summary of the material terms of the 1996
Director Plan is qualified in its entirety by reference to the full text of
the 1996 Director Plan.

               Eligibility

               Under the 1996 Director Plan, only directors who are not
employees of the Company or of any subsidiary or parent corporation of the
Company are "non-employee directors" eligible to participate in the Plan.

               Option Grant
   
               An option to purchase 2,000 shares of Company Common Stock (an
"Option") will be automatically granted to each non-employee director upon the
later of the 20th trading day after the Distribution or the initial election
to the Company Board. Options granted under the 1996 Director Plan will be
non-qualified stock options and will be subject to, among other things, the
following terms and conditions:

               (i)  The exercise price per share of Company Common Stock
purchasable under an Option will be equal to 100% of the fair market value of
Company Common Stock on the date of grant of the Option, except that the
exercise price per share for Options granted on the 20th trading day after the
Distribution will be equal to the average of the high and low trading prices
for Company Common Stock for the first 20 trading days after the Distribution;
    
              (ii)  Each Option will expire at the earliest of (a) ten years
after the date of grant, (b) 12 months after the non-employee director ceases
to serve as a director of the Company for any reason other than death,
disability, or retirement at or after attaining age 65, or (c) immediately
upon removal of the non-employee director for cause;

             (iii)  Each Option will become exercisable as to 20% of the shares
of Company Common Stock relating to the Option on each of the first five
anniversaries of the date of grant, and will thereafter remain exercisable
until the Option expires; provided that an Option previously granted to a
participant (a) will be fully exercisable in the event of a Change in Control
(as defined in the 1996 Director Plan), (b) will be fully exercisable after
the non- employee director ceases to serve as a director of the Company due
to death, disability, or retirement at or after attaining age 65 and (c)
will be exercisable after the non-employee director ceases to serve as a
director of the Company for any reason other than death, disability, or
retirement at or after attaining age 65 only to the extent the Option was
exercisable at the date of such cessation of service; and

              (iv)  Each Option may be exercised, in whole or in part, at such
time as it is exercisable and prior to its expiration by, among other things,
giving written notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number of
shares to be purchased and accompanied by payment in full of the exercise
price in cash (including by check) or by surrender of shares of Company Common
Stock or a combination thereof.

               Stock Unit Grants

               The 1996 Director Plan also provides for automatic grants of
2,000 stock units ("Stock Units") to each non-employee director on the
Distribution and thereafter to each person who, at the close of business on
the date of each annual meeting of the Company's stockholders commencing in
1997, is a non-employee director.  Each Stock Unit represents the right to
receive one share of Company Common Stock at the end of a specified period.
Fifty percent of such Stock Units will be paid six months and a day after
the grant date, provided the non-employee director has not ceased to serve
as a director for any reason other than death, disability, or retirement at
or after attaining age 65, except that payment of such Stock Units shall be
accelerated in the event of a Change in Control.  The remaining fifty
percent of such Stock Units will be paid upon the later of ceasing to be a
director or attaining age 65, provided that payment of such Stock Units
shall be accelerated in the event of death, disability, or a Change in
Control.

               Deferral

               The 1996 Director Plan permits a non-employee director to elect
to defer receipt of all or a portion of the shares otherwise deliverable in
connection with Stock Units. The 1996 Director Plan also permits a
non-employee director to elect to defer receipt of fees otherwise payable in
cash, with such deferred amounts deemed invested in Stock Units. The director
may make such election for up to 100% of the fees otherwise payable to him or
her, including annual retainer fees, fees for attendance at meetings of the
Company Board or any committee and any other fees for service as director. If
a director elects to defer fees in the form of Stock Units, the Company will
credit a deferral account established for the director with a number of Stock
Units equal to the number of shares of Company Common Stock (including
fractional shares) having an aggregate fair market value at that date equal to
the amount of fees deferred by the director. The deferral period applicable to
Stock Units will be as elected by the director. However, all periods will end
upon a Change in Control of the Company.

               Dividends

               When, as, and if dividends are declared and paid on Company
Common Stock, dividend equivalents equal to the amount or value of any per
share dividend will be credited on each then outstanding Stock Unit. Such
dividend amounts will be deemed invested in non-forfeitable Stock Units, based
on the then-current fair market value of Company Common Stock.

               Shares of Company Common Stock Available for Issuance


               A total of 200,000 shares of Company Common Stock are reserved
and available for issuance under the 1996 Director Plan. Such shares may be
authorized but unissued shares, treasury shares or shares acquired in the
market for the account of a director. If any Option or Stock Unit is canceled
or forfeited, the shares subject thereto will again be available for issuance
under the 1996 Director Plan. The aggregate number of shares of Company Common
Stock issuable under the 1996 Director Plan and the number of shares subject
to each automatic grant of Options or Stock Units will be appropriately
adjusted by the Company Board in the event of a recapitalization,
reorganization, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase,
exchange of shares or other securities of the Company, stock split or reverse
split, stock dividend, certain other extraordinary dividends, liquidation,
dissolution, or other similar corporate transaction or event affecting Company
Common Stock, in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of directors' rights
under the 1996 Director Plan.


               Administration

               The 1996 Director Plan will be administered by the Company
Board, provided that any action by the Company Board shall be taken only if
approved by vote of a majority of the directors who are not then eligible to
participate in the 1996 Director Plan. The 1996 Director Plan may be amended,
altered, suspended, discontinued or terminated by the Company Board without
further stockholder approval, unless such approval is required by law or
regulation or under the rules of any stock exchange or automated quotation
system on which the Company Common Stock is then listed or quoted. Stockholder
approval will not be deemed to be required under laws or regulations that
condition favorable treatment of participating directors on such approval,
whether or not the amendment would increase the cost of the 1996 Director Plan
to the Company, although the Company Board may, in its discretion, seek
stockholder approval in any circumstance in which it deems such approval
advisable.

               Effective and Termination Dates

               The 1996 Director Plan will become effective upon the
Distribution. Unless earlier terminated by the Company Board, the 1996
Director Plan will terminate when no shares remain available under the 1996
Director Plan and the Company and directors have no further rights and
obligations under the 1996 Director Plan.

               Federal Income Tax Implications of the 1996 Director Plan

               The federal income tax consequences related to the grant and
exercise of Options to non-employee directors under the 1996 Director Plan are
substantially similar to the tax consequences described herein with respect to
the grant of non-qualified stock options under the 1996 Incentive
Compensation Plan.  Directors will recognize ordinary income equal to the
fair market value of Company Common Stock received in connection with the
payment of Stock Units, and the Company will be entitled to a corresponding
tax deduction at such time.


                         SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
                       BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT


               All of the outstanding shares of Company Common Stock are, and
will be prior to the Distribution, held beneficially and of record by
Melville. Set forth in the table below is information as of August 31, 1996
with respect to the number of shares of Melville Common Stock beneficially
owned by (i) each person or entity known by the Company to own more than five
percent of the outstanding Melville Common Stock, (ii) each director (and
nominee as director) of the Company, (iii) each of the Named Executive
Officers of the Company and (iv) all directors and executive officers of the
Company as a group. Also set forth below are the number of shares of Company
Common Stock that each such person or entity would own immediately after the
Distribution on a pro forma basis. To the Company's knowledge, unless
otherwise indicated, each person or entity has sole voting and investment
power with respect to the shares set forth opposite the person's or entity's
name.



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  MELVILLE                           COMPANY PRO FORMA
                                      -------------------------------        -------------------------------
                                       Number of                              Number of
                                         Shares           Percent of            Shares           Percent of
                                      Beneficially        Outstanding        Beneficially        Outstanding
        Beneficial Owner               Owned<F1>            Shares              Owned              Shares
                                      ------------        -----------        ------------        -----------
<S>                                  <C>                  <C>               <C>                  <C>
Directors and Named
   Executive Officers(1)
    J. M. Robinson                        111,794              *                 8,141                *
    Carlos E. Alberini                      5,986              *                   571                *
    Charles Messina                        14,200              *                     0               0%
    Maureen Richards                        8,650              *                     0               0%
    Stanley P. Goldstein                  638,618(3)           *                51,246                *
    George S. Day                               0             0%                     0               0%
    Terry R. Lautenbach                     7,800              *                   581                *
    Bettye Martin Musham                        0             0%                     0               0%
    Kenneth S. Olshan                           0             0%                     0               0%
    M. Cabell Woodward, Jr.                12,000              *                 1,151                *
All Directors and Officers
   as a Group (10 persons)
                                          782,381              *                61,627                *
Other 5% Stockholders
    FMR Corp.(4)                       13,552,054          12.8%             3,901,636            12.8%
       82 Devonshire Street
       Boston, MA 02109
    Brinson Partners, Inc.(5)           6,904,354           6.5%             1,987,763             6.5%
       209 S. LaSalle Street
       11th Floor
       Chicago, IL 60604
<FN>
- --------------
(*) Less than 1%.

(1) The address of each director and Named Executive Officer is c/o Footstar,
    Inc., 933 MacArthur Boulevard, Mahwah, NJ 07430.

(2) Of the shares of stock shown as beneficially owned, the following shares
   are not currently owned but are subject to options which were outstanding
   on August 31, 1996 and were exercisable within 60 days thereafter: Mr.
   Robinson, 83,514 shares; Mr. Alberini, 4,000 shares; Ms. Richards, 8,650
   shares; Mr. Messina, 14,200 shares; Mr. Goldstein, 452,000 shares; Mr.
   Lautenbach, 6,000 shares; and Mr. Woodward, 8,000 shares. The foregoing
   information does not reflect any adjustments to the options to be made as a
   result of the Distribution.

(3) Of the shares shown opposite Mr. Goldstein's name, 9,434 shares are owned
    of record by a non-profit charitable foundation of which he is President
    and shares voting and investment power and 20,000 shares are owned by Mr.
    Goldstein's wife. Mr. Goldstein disclaims ownership of all such 29,434
    shares.

(4) FMR Corp. ("FMR") filed a statement with the Commission dated July 10,
    1996 on Schedule 13G under the Exchange Act, as the parent holding company
    in accordance with Rule 13d-1(b)(ii)(G) of the Exchange Act, disclosing
    beneficial ownership of greater than 5% of the Melville Common Stock
    (13,552,054 shares).  According to the statement, FMR and/or subsidiaries
    have neither shared voting power nor shared dispositive power over any of
    these shares, and FMR has certified that all of these shares were acquired
    in the ordinary course of business, and not for the purpose of changing or
    influencing the control of Melville.

(5) Share ownership information relating to Brinson Partners set forth in the
    table above is based on information contained in a 13(f) Filing Report
    obtained from CDA/Spectrum as of August 31, 1996.

</TABLE>


                         DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK


               The following description of the capital stock of the Company
is based upon the Company's Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation
(the "Certificate of Incorporation") and its Amended and Restated Bylaws (the
"Bylaws") which are to be in effect as of the Distribution, and by applicable
provisions of law. The following description is qualified in its entirety by
reference to such Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws, which are filed as
exhibits to the Form 10.

               The Company's Certificate of Incorporation authorizes the
issuance of  100 million shares of Company Common Stock, par value $.01 per
share, and 30 million shares of preferred stock, par value $.01 per share (the
"Company Preferred Stock").

Company Common Stock


               Subject to the rights of the holders of any Company Preferred
Stock which may be outstanding, each holder of Company Common Stock on the
applicable record date is entitled to receive such dividends as may be
declared by the Company Board out of funds legally available therefor, and, in
the event of liquidation, to share pro rata in any distribution of the
Company's assets after payment or providing for the payment of liabilities and
the liquidation preference of any outstanding Company Preferred Stock. Each
holder of Company Common Stock is entitled to one vote for each share held of
record on the applicable record date on all matters presented to a vote of
stockholders, including the election of directors. Holders of Company Common
Stock have no cumulative voting rights or preemptive rights to purchase or
subscribe for any stock or other securities and there are no conversion rights
or redemption or sinking fund provisions with respect to such stock. Based on
the number of shares of Melville Common Stock outstanding on August 31, 1996
and the distribution ratio of 0.2879 shares of Company Common Stock for every
one share of Melville Common Stock, it is anticipated that there will be
approximately 30.5 million shares of Company Common Stock outstanding upon
consummation of the Distribution.

               The shares of the Company Common Stock distributed in the
Distribution will be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
nonassessable. The Company's Certificate of Incorporation contains no
restrictions on the alienability of the Company Common Stock. For further
information on the securities laws restrictions, if any, on transferability of
the Company Common Stock, see "Trading Market." Except as disclosed in the
section entitled "Certain Statutory, Charter and Bylaw Provisions," no
provision of the Certificate of Incorporation and no provision of any
agreement or plan involving the Company is in effect that would discriminate
against any existing or prospective holder of such securities as a result of
such security holder owning a substantial amount of securities.


Preferred Stock

               Under the Certificate of Incorporation, the Company Board will
have the authority to create one or more series of preferred stock, to issue
shares of preferred stock in such series up to the maximum number of shares of
preferred stock authorized, and to determine the preferences, rights,
privileges and restrictions of any series, including the dividend rights,
voting rights, rights and terms of redemption, liquidating preferences, the
number of shares constituting any such series and the designation of such
series. The authorized shares of Company Preferred Stock, as well as
authorized but unissued shares of Company Common Stock, will be available for
issuance without further action by the Company's stockholders, unless
stockholder action is required by applicable law or by the rules of a stock
exchange on which any series of the Company's stock may then be listed.

Registrar and Transfer Agent

               Chase Mellon Shareholder Services, LLC will serve as the
Registrar and Transfer Agent for the Company Common Stock.

              CERTAIN STATUTORY, CHARTER AND BYLAW PROVISIONS

               Certain provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and
Bylaws of the Company summarized in the following paragraphs may be deemed to
have an anti-takeover effect and may delay, defer or prevent a tender offer or
takeover attempt that a stockholder might consider in its best interest,
including those attempts that might result in a premium over the market price
for the shares held by stockholders. The following is a summary of certain of
these provisions. The Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws are filed as
exhibits to the Form 10, and the following summary is qualified in its
entirety by reference to such documents.

Classified Board of Directors

               The Certificate of Incorporation provides for the Company Board
to be divided into three classes of directors. The term of office of the first
class expires at the 1997 annual meeting, the term of office of the second
class expires at the 1998 annual meeting, and the term of office of the third
class expires at the 1999 annual meeting. At each annual meeting held
thereafter, a class of directors will be elected to replace the class whose
term has then expired. As a result, approximately one-third of the members of
the Company Board will be elected each year and, except as described above,
each of the directors serves a staggered three-year term. See
"Management--Directors." Moreover, as is permitted under the Delaware General
Corporation Law only in the case of a corporation having a classified board,
the Certificate of Incorporation provides that directors may be removed only
for cause.

               These provisions could prevent a stockholder (or group of
stockholders) having majority voting power from obtaining control of the
Company Board until the second annual stockholders' meeting following the date
the acquiror obtains such voting power. Accordingly, these provisions could
have the effect of discouraging a potential acquiror from making a tender
offer or otherwise attempting to obtain control of the Company.

Stockholder Action by Written Consent; Special Meetings

               The Certificate of Incorporation provides that no action
required or permitted to be taken at an annual or special meeting of
stockholders may be taken without a meeting, and that no action may be taken
by the written consent of stockholders in lieu of a meeting. The Certificate
of Incorporation also provides that special meetings of the Company's
stockholders may only be called by the Company Board, the Chairman of the
Company Board, the President or the Secretary of the Company. These provisions
may make it more difficult for stockholders to take action opposed by the
Board.

Certain Restrictions on Repurchase of Equity Securities by the Company

               The Certificate of Incorporation provides that, subject to
certain exceptions, any direct or indirect purchase by the Company of any
equity securities of the Company from any Five Percent Holder (as defined
below) that has been the beneficial owner of such security for less than two
years prior to the earlier of the date of such purchase or any agreement in
respect thereof at a price in excess of Fair Market Value (as defined below)
must be approved by the affirmative vote of the holders of not less than a
majority of the total outstanding securities entitled to vote generally in the
election of directors, excluding voting securities beneficially owned by such
Five Percent Holder. "Fair Market Value" means the closing sale price on the
trading day immediately preceding the earlier of the date of any such purchase
of such equity securities or the date of any agreement in respect thereof
(such earlier date being referred to as the "Valuation Date") of such equity
security on the principal U.S. securities exchange on which such equity
security is listed; or, if such security is not listed on any such exchange,
the highest closing bid quotation with respect to such security on the
Valuation Date on the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc.
Automated Quotation System; or if no such quotations are available, the fair
market value of such security on the Valuation Date as determined by the
Company Board in good faith.

               A "Five Percent Holder" is any person or entity that is the
beneficial owner of an aggregate of 5% or more of the outstanding shares of
Company Common Stock or of the total voting power of all outstanding
securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of
directors.

Advance Notice Provisions

               The Bylaws establish an advance written notice procedure for
stockholders seeking to nominate candidates for election as directors at any
annual meeting of stockholders, or to bring business before an annual meeting
of stockholders of the Company. The Bylaws provide that only persons who are
nominated by, or at the direction of, the Company Board, or by a stockholder
who has given timely written notice to the Secretary of the Company prior to
the meeting at which directors are to be elected, will be eligible for
election as directors of the Company. The Bylaws also provide that at any
meeting of stockholders only such business may be conducted as has been
brought before the meeting by, or at the direction of, the Company Board or,
in the case of an annual meeting of stockholders, by a stockholder who has
given timely written notice to the Secretary of the Company of such
stockholder's intention to bring such business before such meeting. Under the
Bylaws, for any such stockholder notice to be timely, such notice must be
received by the Company in writing not less than 60 days nor more than 90 days
prior to the meeting, or, in the event that less than 70 days' notice or prior
public disclosure of the date of the annual meeting is given or made to
stockholders, to be timely, notice by the stockholder must be received not
later than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which
such notice of the date of the meeting or such public disclosure was made.
Under the Bylaws, a stockholder's notice must also contain certain information
specified in the Bylaws. These provisions may preclude or deter some
stockholders from bringing matters before a meeting of stockholders or from
making nominations for directors at an annual meeting.

Preferred Stock

               Under the Certificate of Incorporation, the Company Board will
have the authority, without further stockholder approval, to create one or
more series of preferred stock, to issue shares of preferred stock in such
series up to the maximum number of shares of preferred stock authorized, and
to determine the preferences, rights, privileges and restrictions of any
series, including the dividend rights, voting rights, rights and terms of
redemption, liquidating preferences, the number of shares constituting any
such series and the designation of such series. Pursuant to this authority,
the Company Board could create and issue a series of preferred stock with
rights, privileges or restrictions, and adopt a stockholder rights plan, having
the effect of discriminating against an existing or prospective holder of such
securities as a result of such security holder beneficially owning or
commencing a tender offer for a substantial amount of Company Common Stock.
One of the effects of authorized but unissued and unreserved shares of capital
stock may be to render more difficult or discourage an attempt by a potential
acquiror to obtain control of the Company by means of a merger, tender offer,
proxy contest or otherwise, and thereby protect the continuity of the
Company's management. The issuance of such shares of capital stock may have the
effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of the Company
without any further action by the stockholders of the Company.

Amendment of Certain Charter and Bylaw Provisions

               The Certificate of Incorporation provides that the Company
Board may adopt, amend or repeal any provision of the Bylaws. The Certificate
of Incorporation also provides that Bylaw provisions may be adopted, amended
or repealed by the affirmative vote of stockholders holding not less than 80%
of the total number of votes entitled to be cast in the election of directors.

               Any amendment, modification or repeal of the provisions of the
Certificate of Incorporation relating to the election and removal of
directors, the right to call special meetings, the prohibition on action by
written consent, amendment of the Bylaws, the limitation of liability and
indemnification of officers and directors and the provisions restricting
certain repurchases of equity securities will require approval by the
affirmative vote of stockholders holding at least 80% of the total number of
votes entitled to vote generally in the election of directors.

Delaware Takeover Statute

               The Company is subject to Section 203 of the Delaware General
Corporation Law ("Section 203"). In general, Section 203 prohibits a publicly
held Delaware corporation from engaging in a "business combination" with an
"interested stockholder" for a period of three years following the date that
such stockholder became an interested stockholder, unless (i) prior to such
date either the business combination or the transaction which resulted in the
stockholder becoming an interested stockholder is approved by the board of
directors of the corporation, (ii) upon consummation of the transaction which
resulted in the stockholder becoming an interested stockholder, the interested
stockholder owns at least 85% of the voting stock of the corporation
outstanding at the time the transaction commenced (excluding for purposes of
determining the number of shares outstanding, shares owned by (A) persons who
are both directors and officers and (B) employee stock plans in certain
circumstances), or (iii) on or after such date the business combination is
approved by the board and authorized at an annual or special meeting of
stockholders, and not by written consent, by the affirmative vote of at least
66 2/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by the interest
stockholder. A "business combination" includes a merger, consolidation, asset
sale, or other transaction resulting in a financial benefit to the interested
stockholder. An "interested stockholder" is a person who, together with
affiliates and associates, owns (or within three years, did own) 15% or more
of the corporation's voting stock. The restrictions imposed by Section 203
will not apply to a corporation if, among other things, (i) the corporation's
original certificate of incorporation contains a provision expressly electing
not to be governed by Section 203 or (ii) 12 months have passed after the
corporation, by action of its stockholders holding a majority of the
outstanding stock, adopts an amendment to its certificate of incorporation or
bylaws expressly electing not to be governed by Section 203. The Company has
not elected out of Section 203 and, therefore, the restrictions imposed by
Section 203 will apply to the Company.

Liability and Indemnification of Directors and Officers

               Certain provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law and
the Company's Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws relate to the limitation
of liability and indemnification of directors and officers of the Company.
These various provisions are described below.

               The Certificate of Incorporation provides that the Company's
directors are not personally liable to the Company or its stockholders for
monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties as a director to the
fullest extent permitted by Delaware law. Under existing Delaware law,
directors would not be personally liable to the Company or its stockholders
for monetary damages for breach of their fiduciary duties as a director,
except for (i) any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the Company or
its stockholders, (ii) acts or omissions not in good faith or involving
intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) any transaction
from which the director derived improper personal benefit or (iv) the unlawful
payment of dividends or unlawful stock repurchases or redemptions. As a result
of this exculpation provision, stockholders may be unable to recover monetary
damages against directors for actions taken by them that constitute negligence
or that are otherwise in violation of their fiduciary duties as directors,
although it may be possible to obtain injunctive or other equitable relief
with respect to such actions.  If equitable remedies are found not to be
available to stockholders in any particular situation, stockholders may not
have an effective remedy against a director in connection with such conduct.

               The Certificate of Incorporation also provides that each person
who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any threatened,
pending or completed civil or criminal action or proceeding by reason of the
fact that such person is or was a director or officer of the Company or is or
was serving at the request of the Company as a director or officer of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, shall be
indemnified and held harmless by the Corporation to the fullest extent
permitted by Delaware Law. This right to indemnification shall also include
the right to be paid by the Company the expenses incurred in connection with
any such proceeding in advance of its final disposition to the fullest extent
authorized by Delaware Law. This right to indemnification shall be a contract
right. The Company may, by action of the Company Board, provide
indemnification to such of the employees and agents of the Company to such
extent and to such effect as the Company Board determines to be appropriate
and authorized by Delaware law.

               The Company intends to purchase and maintain insurance on
behalf of any person who is or was a director, officer, employee or agent of
the Company, or is or was serving at the request of the Company as a director,
officer, employee or agent of another corporation, partnership, joint venture,
trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise against any liability
asserted against him or her and incurred by him or her in any such capacity,
or arising out of his or her status as such, whether or not the Company would
have the power or the obligation to indemnify him or her against such
liability under the provisions of the Company's Certificate of Incorporation.

                           INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

               The Board of Directors of the Company has appointed KPMG Peat
Marwick LLP as the Company's independent accountants to audit the Company's
financial statements for fiscal year 1996. KPMG Peat Marwick LLP has served as
Melville's auditors throughout the periods covered by the financial statements
included in this Information Statement.

                          ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

               The Company has filed the Form 10 with the Commission under the
Exchange Act with respect to the shares of Company Common Stock being received
by Melville shareholders in the Distribution. This Information Statement does
not contain all of the information set forth in the Form 10 and the exhibits
and schedules thereto, to which reference is hereby made. For additional
information, reference is made to the Form 10 and the exhibits thereto, which
are on file at the offices of the Commission and may be inspected and copied
as set forth below.


               The Form 10 and the exhibits thereto filed by the Company with
the Commission may be inspected and copied at the public reference facilities
maintained by the Commission at Room 1024, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington,
DC 20549, as well as at the Regional Offices of the Commission at Northwest
Atrium Center, 500 West Madison, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661, and 7
World Trade Center, 13th floor, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such
information can be obtained by mail from the Public Reference Branch of the
Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20549 at prescribed rates.


                    INDEX TO COMBINED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS


                                                                Page
                                                                ----

Independent Auditors' Report...................................  F-1

Combined Balance Sheets as of June 29, 1996, July 1, 1995,
  December 31, 1995 and December 31, 1994......................  F-2

Combined Statements of Operations for the Second Quarter
  and Six Months Ended June 29, 1996 and July 1, 1995..........  F-3

Combined Statements of Operations for the Fiscal
  Years 1995, 1994 and 1993....................................  F-4

Combined Statements of Divisional Equity for the Six Months
  Ended June 29, 1996 and July 1, 1995.......................... F-5

Combined Statements of Divisional Equity for the Fiscal
  Years 1995, 1994 and 1993..................................... F-6

Combined Statements of Cash Flows for the Six Months Ended
  June 29, 1996 and July 1, 1995 and the Fiscal Years 1995,
  1994 and 1993................................................. F-7

Notes to Combined Financial Statements.......................... F-8



                       Independent Auditors' Report


To the Board of Directors and Shareholders of
Melville Corporation:

We have audited the accompanying combined balance sheets of Footstar, Inc.
as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the related combined statements of
operations, divisional equity and cash flows for each of the years in the
three-year period ended December 31, 1995.  These combined financial
statements are the responsibility of the Company's management.  Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these combined financial
statements based on our audits.

We conducted our audits in accordance with generally accepted auditing
standards.  Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to
obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free
of material misstatement.  An audit includes examining, on a test basis,
evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements.  An audit also includes assessing the accounting principles
used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating
the overall financial statement presentation.  We believe that our audits
provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

In our opinion, the combined financial statements referred to above present
fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Footstar, Inc.
as of December 31, 1995 and 1994, and the results of its operations and its
cash flows for each of the years in the three-year period ended December
31, 1995 in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

As discussed in notes to combined financial statements, the Company has
adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, "Accounting for
the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed
Of," effective October 1, 1995 and changed its policy for accounting for the
costs of internally developed software effective January 1, 1995.

KPMG Peat Marwick LLP

New York, New York
February 21, 1996, except as to note 3, which is as of June 3, 1996




                                FOOTSTAR, INC.
                            Combined Balance Sheets
                         June 29, 1996, July 1, 1995,
                    December 31, 1995 and December 31, 1994
                                ($ in millions)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  (Unaudited)                      (Audited)
                                                            -------------------------         ------------------------
                                                             June 29,        July 1,               December 31,
                                                               1996           1995               1995          1994
                                                            ----------     ----------         ----------    ----------

                        Assets
<S>                                                        <C>            <C>               <C>           <C>
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents...........................           $22.6          $17.4              $26.3         $13.9
  Accounts receivable, net............................            58.0           53.7               56.1          49.3
  Due from parent and other divisions.................           626.6          617.1              710.8         727.7
  Inventories.........................................           311.9          356.5              282.6         347.3
  Prepaid expenses and other current assets...........            55.7           27.4               38.5          52.5
                                                            ----------     ----------         ----------    ----------

              Total current assets....................         1,074.8        1,072.1            1,114.3       1,190.7

Property and equipment, net...........................           174.0          169.1              195.1         163.9
Goodwill, net of accumulated amortization of $3.8
  at June 29, 1996, $3.2 at July 1, 1995, $3.4
  at December 31, 1995 and $2.8 at
  December 31, 1994...................................            29.2           32.3               29.6          32.7
Deferred charges and other noncurrent assets..........            27.1           15.1               33.7           5.2
                                                            ----------     ----------         ----------    ----------

                                                              $1,305.1       $1,288.6           $1,372.7      $1,392.5
              Total assets............................      ==========     ==========         ==========    ==========


          Liabilities and Divisional Equity

Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable....................................           $50.5          $45.7              $59.6         $39.4
  Accrued expenses....................................           164.8           79.5              143.9         121.9
  Federal income taxes payable........................            --             --                  --            7.0
                                                            ----------     ----------         ----------    ----------
                                                                 215.3          125.2              203.5         168.3
              Total current liabilities...............      ----------     ----------         ----------    ----------

Long-term debt........................................             0.1            0.2                0.2           0.2
Other long-term liabilities...........................            58.6           58.8               61.4          82.2
Minority interests in subsidiaries....................            41.7           73.6               93.8         108.7
                                                            ----------     ----------         ----------    ----------
              Total long-term liabilities.............           100.4          132.6              155.4         191.1
                                                            ----------     ----------         ----------    ----------
Divisional equity.....................................           989.4        1,030.8            1,013.8       1,033.1
                                                            ----------     ----------         ----------    ----------
                                                              $1,305.1       $1,288.6           $1,372.7      $1,392.5
              Total assets............................      ==========     ==========         ==========    ==========
     Total liabilities and divisional equity..........
</TABLE>


           See accompanying notes to combined financial statements.



                              FOOTSTAR, INC.
                     Combined Statements of Operations
                for the Second Quarter and Six Months Ended
                      June 29, 1996 and July 1, 1995
                              ($ in millions)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                      (Unaudited)
                                                                 ------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Second Quarter Ended                    Six Months Ended
                                                                   1996               1995             1996             1995
                                                                  ------             ------           ------           ------
<S>                                                       <C>                <C>                <C>              <C>
Net sales.............................................            $419.0             $421.8           $755.9           $747.6
Cost of sales.........................................             280.9              291.8            524.2            527.4
                                                                  ------             ------           ------           ------

     Gross profit.....................................             138.1              130.0            231.7            220.2

Store operating, selling, general and
   administrative expenses............................              86.9               79.9            170.6            159.7
Depreciation and amortization.........................               5.9                5.2             11.6             10.7
                                                                  ------             ------           ------           ------

     Operating profit.................................              45.3               44.9             49.5             49.8

Interest income, net..................................               4.0                5.1              9.3             10.6
                                                                  ------             ------           ------           ------

     Income from continuing operations before
        income taxes, minority interests and
        cumulative effect of change in
        accounting principle..........................              49.3               50.0             58.8             60.4

Provision for income taxes............................              15.6               15.3             18.8             18.1
                                                                  ------             ------           ------           ------

     Income from continuing operations before
        minority interests and cumulative effect
        of change in accounting principle.............              33.7               34.7             40.0             42.3

Minority interests in net income......................              11.5               14.1             11.7             16.1
                                                                  ------             ------           ------           ------

     Income from continuing operations before
        discontinued operations and cumulative
        effect of change in accounting principle......              22.2               20.6             28.3             26.2


Earnings (loss) from discontinued operations, net
   of income taxes of $1.3, $0.7, $1.1 and
   ($1.7).............................................               1.8                0.7              0.8             (3.3)

Loss on disposal of discontinued operations,
   net of income taxes of $31.4.......................              --                 --              (53.6)            --
                                                                  ------             ------           ------           ------

     Income (loss) before cumulative effect of
        change in accounting principle................              24.0               21.3            (24.5)            22.9

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle,
   net................................................              --                 --               --               (3.9)
                                                                  ------             ------           ------           ------

                                                                   $24.0              $21.3           $(24.5)           $19.0
     Net income (loss)................................            ======             ======           ======           ======

</TABLE>


         See accompanying notes to combined financial statements.


                                FOOTSTAR, INC.
                       Combined Statements of Operations
                 Years Ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993
                                ($ in millions)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                 (Audited)
                                                                    -------------------------------------
                                                                                Years Ended
                                                                      1995           1994          1993
                                                                    --------       --------      --------
<S>                                                                 <C>            <C>           <C>

Net sales.....................................................      $1,615.2       $1,612.8      $1,474.8
Cost of sales.................................................       1,124.5        1,117.8       1,011.7
                                                                    --------       --------      --------

     Gross profit.............................................         490.7          495.0         463.1

Store operating, selling, general and
   administrative expenses....................................         343.0          319.6         287.0
Depreciation and amortization.................................          20.0           18.7          13.7
Restructuring and asset impairment charges....................          23.7           --            --
                                                                    --------       --------      --------

     Operating profit.........................................         104.0          156.7         162.4

Interest income, net..........................................          21.1           15.4          11.7
                                                                    --------       --------      --------

     Income from continuing operations before
        income taxes, minority interests and
        cumulative effect of change in
        accounting principle..................................         125.1          172.1         174.1

Provision for income taxes....................................          37.3           49.5          53.7
                                                                    --------       --------      --------

     Income from continuing operations before
        minority interests and cumulative effect
        of change in accounting principle.....................          87.8          122.6         120.4

Minority interests in net income..............................          38.4           51.9          47.3
                                                                    --------       --------      --------

     Income from continuing operations before
        discontinued operations and cumulative
        effect of change in accounting principle..............          49.4           70.7          73.1

(Loss) earnings from discontinued operations, net
   of income taxes of ($14.1), $3.6 and $2.9 .................         (26.8)           6.0           5.0
                                                                    --------       --------      --------

     Income before cumulative effect of
        change in accounting principle........................          22.6           76.7          78.1

Cumulative effect of change in accounting principle,
     net......................................................          (3.9)          --            --
                                                                    --------       --------      --------

                                                                       $18.7          $76.7         $78.1
     Net income...............................................      ========       ========      ========

     Pro forma net income assuming retroactive                                        $73.6         $77.5
        application of accounting change......................                     ========      ========
</TABLE>


         See accompanying notes to combined financial statements.


                                FOOTSTAR, INC.
                   Combined Statements of Divisional Equity
                Six Months Ended June 29, 1996 and July 1, 1995
                                  (Unaudited)
                                ($ in millions)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  Cumulative
                                             Common        Retained         Contributed           translation
                                             stock         earnings           capital             adjustment          Total
                                            --------       ---------        ------------          -----------       --------
<S>                                         <C>            <C>              <C>                 <C>                  <C>

Balance as of December 31, 1994.......          $0.1          $981.3               $53.0                $(1.3)      $1,033.1

Net income............................          --              19.0                --                   --             19.0

Dividends paid to parent..............          --             (16.6)               --                   --            (16.6)

Recapitalization of subsidiaries by
   parent.............................          --              --                  (4.5)                --             (4.5)

Translation adjustment................          --              --                  --                   (0.2)          (0.2)
                                            --------       ---------        ------------          -----------       --------

                                                $0.1          $983.7               $48.5                $(1.5)      $1,030.8
Balance as of July 1, 1995............      ========       =========        ============          ===========       ========


Balance as of December 31, 1995.......          $0.1          $961.8               $51.6                 $0.3       $1,013.8

Net loss..............................
                                                --             (24.5)               --                   --            (24.5)

Translation adjustment................          --              --                  --                   (0.1)          (0.1)

Contribution of subsidiaries by
   parent.............................          --              --                   0.2                 --              0.2
                                            --------       ---------        ------------          -----------       --------
Balance as of June 29, 1996...........          $0.1          $937.3               $51.8                 $0.2         $989.4
                                            ========       =========        ============          ===========       ========
</TABLE>


           See accompanying notes to combined financial statements.



                                FOOTSTAR, INC.
                   Combined Statements of Divisional Equity
                 Years Ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993
                                   (Audited)
                                ($ in millions)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 Cumulative
                                            Common         Retained         Contributed         translation
                                             stock         earnings           capital            adjustment          Total
                                            ------         --------         -----------         -----------        ---------

 <S>                                        <C>            <C>              <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Balance as of December 31, 1992.......         $0.1           $894.5               $42.2       $      --               $936.8

Net income............................         --               78.1                --                --                 78.1

Dividends paid to parent..............         --              (36.7)               --                --                (36.7)

Common stock redistributed by
   parent in conjunction with
   reorganization of subsidiary.......         (0.1)            --                  --                 --                (0.1)
                                             ------         --------         -----------        -----------         ---------

Balance as of December 31, 1993.......         --              935.9                42.2               --               978.1
                                             ------         --------         -----------        -----------         ---------

Net income............................         --               76.7                --                 --                76.7

Dividends paid to parent..............         --              (31.3)               --                 --               (31.3)

Translation adjustment................         --               --                  --                 (1.3)             (1.3)

Recapitalization of subsidiaries
   by parent..........................          0.1             --                  10.8               --                10.9
                                             ------         --------         -----------        -----------         ---------

Balance as of December 31, 1994.......          0.1            981.3                53.0               (1.3)          1,033.1
                                             ------         --------         -----------        -----------         ---------

Net income............................         --               18.7                --                 --                18.7

Dividends paid to parent..............         --              (38.2)               --                 --               (38.2)

Recapitalization of subsidiaries by
   parent                                      --              --                   (1.4)              --                (1.4)

Translation adjustment................         --              --                   --                  1.6               1.6
                                             ------         --------         -----------        -----------         ---------

                                               $0.1           $961.8               $51.6               $0.3          $1,013.8
Balance as of December 31, 1995.......       ======         ========         ===========        ===========         =========
</TABLE>


           See accompanying notes to combined financial statements.

                                FOOTSTAR, INC.
                       Combined Statements of Cash Flows
              Six Months Ended June 29, 1996 and July 1, 1995 and
                 Years Ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993
                                ($ in millions)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>                                                                (Unaudited)                   (Audited)
                                                                  ----------------------     ------------------------------
                                                                     Six Months Ended                 Years Ended
                                                                  June 29,       July 1,
                                                                    1996          1995         1995       1994       1993
                                                                  --------      --------     --------   --------   --------
<S>                                                               <C>          <C>        <C>          <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Net (loss) income......................................          $(24.5)       $19.0        $18.7        $76.7     $78.1
  Adjustments to reconcile net (loss) income to net cash
     provided by operating activities:
       Loss on disposal of discontinued operations.......            85.0         --           --           --        --
       Restructuring and asset impairment charges........            --           --           51.8         --        --
       Cumulative effect of change in accounting
         principle.......................................            --            9.5          9.5         --        --
       Minority interests in net income..................            11.7         16.1         38.4         51.9      47.3
       Depreciation and amortization.....................            14.8         14.3         26.7         25.9      20.9
       Loss on disposal of fixed assets..................             0.9          1.6          7.6          7.9      11.0
       Deferred income taxes.............................           (11.2)         0.2        (17.5)        12.2      11.9
       Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
         (Increase) decrease in accounts receivable, net.            (1.9)        (4.4)        (3.5)        (9.5)     13.0
         (Increase) decrease in inventories..............           (29.3)        (9.2)        64.7        (40.2)     (6.7)
         (Increase) decrease in prepaid expenses,
            deferred charges and other assets............            (0.2)        (6.0)       (19.2)         1.1       4.2
         Decrease in accounts payable
            and accrued expenses.........................           (29.5)       (28.9)        (2.6)       (12.0)    (41.4)
         (Decrease) increase in federal income
            taxes payable and other liabilities..........            (2.0)       (10.0)        (9.3)        22.2     (12.3)
                                                                  --------      --------     --------   --------   --------
              Net cash provided by
                 operating activities....................            13.8          2.2        165.3        136.2     126.0
                                                                  --------      --------     --------   --------   --------

Cash flows from investing activities:
  Additions to property and equipment....................           (25.2)       (30.8)       (92.9)       (59.3)    (45.9)
  Acquisitions, net of cash acquired.....................            --           --           (1.5)        (0.4)     (3.4)
  Proceeds from the sale or disposal of                               3.4         --           --           --        --
                                                                  --------      --------     --------   --------   --------

              Net cash used in investing
                 activities..............................           (21.8)       (30.8)       (94.4)       (59.7)    (49.3)
                                                                  --------      --------     --------   --------   --------
Cash flows from financing activities:
  Dividends paid to parent...............................            --          (16.6)       (38.2)       (31.3)    (36.7)
  Dividends paid to minority interests...................           (63.8)       (51.2)       (53.3)       (38.1)    (54.6)
  (Decrease) increase in book overdrafts.................           (15.2)        (6.1)        16.4          6.4      (8.7)
  Decrease (increase) in due from parent and
     other divisions.....................................            84.2        110.6         16.6        (21.7)     25.6
  Recapitalization of subsidiaries by parent.............            --           (4.5)        (1.4)        10.9      --
  Other..................................................            (0.9)        (0.1)         1.4         (1.5)      0.4
                                                                  --------      --------     --------   --------   --------
              Net cash provided by (used in)
                 financing activities....................             4.3         32.1        (58.5)       (75.3)   (74.0)
                                                                  --------      --------     --------   --------   --------
              Net (decrease) increase in cash
                 and cash equivalents....................            (3.7)         3.5         12.4          1.2       2.7

Cash and cash equivalents beginning of period............            26.3         13.9         13.9         12.7      10.0
                                                                  --------      --------     --------   --------   --------
                                                                   $ 22.6        $17.4        $26.3        $13.9     $12.7
Cash and cash equivalents end of period..................         ========      ========     ========   ========   ========
</TABLE>

           See accompanying notes to combined financial statements.

                                FOOTSTAR, INC.

                    Notes to Combined Financial Statements

(1)Summary of Significant Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation

The combined financial statements of Footstar, Inc. (the "Company") include
all of the subsidiaries of the Meldisco, Footaction and Thom McAn divisions
controlled directly or indirectly by Melville Corporation ("Melville" or the
"Parent"). All interdivisional balances and transactions between the entities
have been eliminated.

The minority interests represent the 49% participation of Kmart Corporation
("Kmart") in the ownership of substantially all retail subsidiaries of
Meldisco formed or to be formed from July 1967 until July 1, 2012 for the
purpose of operating leased shoe departments in Kmart stores.

The Parent allocates various costs to its subsidiaries, including the Company.
A summary of the amounts allocated to the Company for the fiscal years ended
is as follows:

                                             (Audited)
                                         Fiscal Years Ended
                                    ------------------------------
                                            December 31,
                                     1995        1994        1993
                                    ------      ------      ------
                                          ($ in millions)
Costs of Employee Stock
  Ownership Plan.................     $5.4        $3.8        $4.1
Administrative costs.............      3.1         3.7         3.3
                                    ------      ------      ------
                                      $8.5        $7.5        $7.4
      Total......................   ======      ======      ======

Allocations to the Company are based on the Company's share of costs paid
by the Parent on its behalf for consolidated programs.  Such allocations
may not be reflective of the costs which would be incurred if the Company
operated on a stand-alone basis or which will be incurred in the future.
Management believes that the basis for allocations was reasonable.  Had the
Company operated on a stand alone basis for the years ended December 31,
1993, 1994 and 1995, it would have incurred a net increase in expenses of
approximately $12.6 million in each such year.

Business

The Company is a leading retailer of discount footwear, branded athletic
footwear and apparel and moderately-priced footwear.  Through its
arrangements with Kmart, Meldisco is the leading operator of leased shoe
departments and has operated since 1961.  Meldisco also operates leased
aisle space in Payless Drug Stores.  Meldisco operated 2,568 leased
discount footwear departments in the United States, Puerto Rico, the U.S.
Virgin Islands, the Czech Republic, Slovakia, Mexico, Singapore and Guam at
December 31, 1995.

Footaction is a mall-based specialty retailer of branded athletic footwear,
apparel and related accessories for the active lifestyle consumer. Footaction
operated 439 retail athletic footwear and apparel stores in the United States
and Puerto Rico at December 31, 1995.

Thom McAn is a mid-priced footwear specialty retailer which is largely
mall-based. Thom McAn operated 315 footwear stores located primarily in the
eastern United States, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands at December 31,
1995.

Accounting Changes

Effective October 1, 1995, the Company adopted Statement of Financial
Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 121, "Accounting for the Impairment of
Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of" ("SFAS No.
121"). The reduction of depreciation and amortization expense due to the
adoption of SFAS No. 121 was immaterial for fiscal 1995 as well as the six
months ended June 29, 1996.

                              FOOTSTAR, INC.

                  Notes to Combined Financial Statements

(1), Continued

Effective January 1, 1995, the Company changed its policy from capitalizing
internally developed software costs to expensing them as incurred. The Company
believes that this change results in a better matching of revenues and
expenses. The impact on 1995, inclusive of discontinued operations, as a
result of this change, exclusive of the cumulative effect of $3.9 million, was
to reduce net income by $1.0 million.

Effective January 1, 1994, the Company adopted SFAS No. 112, "Employers'
Accounting for Postemployment Benefits," the cumulative effect of which was
not material to the combined financial statements and, therefore, is not
presented separately.

Effective January 1, 1993, the Company adopted SFAS No. 109, "Accounting for
Income Taxes," the cumulative effect of which was also immaterial to the
combined financial statements and, therefore, is not presented separately.

Use of Estimates in the Preparation of Financial Statements

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted
accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions
that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and disclosure of
contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and
the reported amounts of expenses during the reporting period. Actual results
could differ from those estimates.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash equivalents consist of highly liquid instruments with maturities of
three months or less and are stated at cost which approximates market.  The
Company's cash management program utilizes zero balance accounts.
Accordingly, all book overdraft balances have been reclassified to current
liabilities.

Inventories

Inventories, principally finished goods, consist of merchandise purchased
from domestic and foreign vendors and are carried predominantly at the
lower of cost or market value, determined by the retail inventory method on
a first-in, first-out (FIFO) basis.

Property and Equipment

Property and equipment are stated at cost. Property and equipment under
capital leases are stated at the present value of future minimum lease
payments.

Depreciation and amortization of property and equipment is computed on a
straight-line basis, generally over the estimated useful lives of the assets
or, when applicable, the life of the lease, whichever is shorter. Amortization
of leased property under capital leases is computed on a straight-line basis
over the life of the lease. Capitalized software costs are amortized on a
straight-line basis over their estimated useful lives beginning in the year
placed in service. Fully depreciated property and equipment are removed from
the cost and related accumulated depreciation accounts.


                              FOOTSTAR, INC.

                  Notes to Combined Financial Statements

(1), Continued

Maintenance and repairs are charged directly to expense as incurred. Major
renewals or replacements are capitalized after making the necessary adjustment
on the asset and accumulated depreciation accounts of the items renewed or
replaced.

Impairment of Long-Lived Assets

When changes in circumstance warrant measurement, impairment losses for store
fixed assets are calculated by comparing projected individual store cash flows
over the lease term to the asset carrying values.

Deferred Charges

Deferred charges, principally beneficial leasehold costs, are amortized on a
straight-line basis, generally over the remaining life of the leasehold
acquired.

Goodwill

The excess of acquisition costs over the fair value of net assets acquired is
amortized on a straight-line basis over periods not to exceed 40 years.
Impairment is assessed based on the profitability of the related business
relative to planned levels.

Store Opening and Closing Costs

New store opening costs are charged to expense as incurred. In the event a
store is closed before its lease has expired, the total lease obligation, less
sublease rental income, is provided for in the year of closing.

Advertising Costs

The Company charges production costs of advertising to expense the first time
the advertising takes place.

Income Taxes

The provision for federal income taxes recorded by the Company represents the
amount calculated on a separate return basis in accordance with a tax-sharing
agreement with the Parent. State income taxes represent actual amounts paid or
payable by the Company.

Foreign Currency Translation

The Company translates foreign currency financial statements by translating
balance sheet accounts at the exchange rate as of the balance sheet date and
income statement accounts at the average rate for the year. Translation gains
and losses are recorded in divisional equity, and realized gains and losses
are reflected in operations. The balance in the cumulative translation
adjustment account relates principally to the Company's operations in Mexico.
Transaction gains and losses were insignificant in all periods.


                              FOOTSTAR, INC.

                  Notes to Combined Financial Statements

(1),Continued

Postretirement Benefits

The annual cost of postretirement benefits is funded as it arises and the cost
is recognized over an employee's term of service to the Company.

(2)Restructuring and Asset Impairment Charges

On October 24, 1995, Melville announced a comprehensive restructuring plan
that includes the spin-off of the Company and the outsourcing of certain
information processing and telecommunication functions. In connection with the
initiation of the plan, 18 stores are scheduled to be closed and a pretax
charge of $23.7 million was recorded. Asset write offs included in the charge
totaled $19.9 million, while the balance will require cash outlays, primarily
in 1996. In connection with the various components of the plan, approximately
40 store employees will be eliminated.

The significant components of the restructuring and asset impairment charges,
and the reserves remaining as of December 31, 1995 and June 29, 1996, relating
to continuing operations, were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                      Recorded                Remaining
                                      --------      -------------------------------
                                                    December 31,         June 29,
                                                        1995               1996
                                                    ------------        -----------
                                      (Audited)      (Audited)          (Unaudited)
                                                           ($ in millions)

<S>                                  <C>            <C>        <C>          <C>
Lease obligations and fixed asset
  write-offs for store
  closings........................     $ 3.8           $3.6               $1.8
Asset write-offs related to
  outsourcing.....................      12.2            --                 --
Severance and other employee
  benefit vesting.................       0.2            0.2                --
                                      --------      --------            --------
                                        16.2            3.8                1.8
Asset impairment charge in
  connection with the adoption
  of SFAS No. 121.................       7.5            --                 --
                                      --------      --------            --------
                                       $23.7           $3.8               $1.8
                                      ========      ========            ========

The SFAS No. 121 charge related entirely to assets to be held or used as
defined in SFAS No. 121. The net sales and operating losses in 1995 of the
stores to be closed were approximately $7.0 million and $0.8 million,
respectively.

(3) Discontinued Operations and Subsequent Event

On June 3, 1996, Melville announced a plan to convert approximately 100 Thom
McAn stores to Footaction stores and to exit the Thom McAn business. This plan
is expected to be completed by mid-1997. In connection with this plan, the
Company recorded a pre-tax charge of approximately $85.0 million in the first
quarter of 1996. Accordingly, the results of operations for the Thom McAn
segment have been classified as discontinued operations for all periods
presented in the combined statements of operations.


                              FOOTSTAR, INC.

                  Notes to Combined Financial Statements

(3), Continued

Discontinued operations accounted for 27.9% of total assets and 13.9% of
total liabilities as of December 31, 1995.  The assets consist principally
of a due from parent, inventory and property and equipment.  The following
table summarizes the operating results of the discontinued operations for
the first six months and fiscal years presented:


</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                         (Unaudited)                      (Audited)
                      Six Months Ended               Fiscal Years Ended
                    --------------------        -------------------------------
                    June 29,      July 1,               December 31,
                      1996          1995          1995        1994       1993
                    --------      --------      --------    --------   --------
                                           ($ in millions)

<S>                 <C>            <C>          <C>         <C>         <C>
Net sales......       $92.9        $97.7      $212.0         $227.1      $238.3
Operating loss.        (2.5)       (13.2)      (57.3)          (1.8)       (1.1)
</TABLE>


The operating loss for the year ended December 31, 1995 reflected $24.8
million of restructuring charges related to the consolidation of operations
and closure of stores, as well as an asset impairment charge of $3.2 million
related to the adoption of SFAS No. 121.

The significant components of the restructuring and asset impairment charges,
and the reserves remaining as of December 31, 1995 and June 29, 1996 were as
follows:
<TABLE>
                                                                           Recorded                    Remaining
                                                                           ---------       ---------------------------------
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           December 31,         June 29,
                                                                                               1995               1996
                                                                                           --------------     --------------
                                                                          (Audited)           (Audited)         (Unaudited)
                                                                                           ($ in millions)

<S>                                                                        <C>              <C>                 <C>

Lease obligations and fixed asset write-offs for store closings,
 home office and warehouse shutdowns................................         17.6             $17.6                $12.9
Asset write-offs related to outsourcing.............................          0.3               --                   --
Severance and other employee benefit vesting........................          6.9               6.9                  5.3
                                                                           ------            ------               ------
                                                                             24.8              24.5                 18.2
Asset impairment charge in connection with the adoption of SFAS
 No. 121............................................................          3.2               --                   --
                                                                           ------            ------               ------
                                                                            $28.0             $24.5                $18.2
                                                                           ======            ======               ======
</TABLE>


(4) Accounts Receivable

Accounts receivable consisted of the following:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                               (Unaudited)                              (Audited)
                                                          June 29,        July 1,                      December 31,
                                                            1996           1995                   1995            1994
                                                           ------         ------                 ------           ------
                                                                                 ($ in millions)

<S>                                                         <C>             <C>               <C>                 <C>
Due from licensors...........................               $27.9          $29.5                 $31.8             $27.7
Other........................................                30.6           24.8                  25.3              22.2
                                                           ------         ------                 ------           ------
                                                             58.5           54.3                  57.1              49.9
Less allowance for doubtful accounts.........                 0.5            0.6                   1.0               0.6
                                                           ------         ------                 ------           ------
                                                            $58.0          $53.7                 $56.1             $49.3
      Total..................................              ======         ======                 ======            ======
</TABLE>


(5) Prepaid Expenses and Other Current Assets

Prepaid expenses and other current assets consisted of the following:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                               (Unaudited)                              (Audited)
                                                          June 29,        July 1,                      December 31,
                                                            1996           1995                   1995             1994
                                                           ------         ------                 ------           ------
                                                                                 ($ in millions)
<S>                                                         <C>           <C>                     <C>              <C>
Deferred income taxes.                                      $46.3         $20.8                  $30.7             $44.9
Other........................................                 9.4           6.6                    7.8               7.6
                                                            -----         -----                  -----             -----
                                                            $55.7         $27.4                  $38.5             $52.5
      Total..................................               =====         =====                  =====             =====
</TABLE>



(6)Property and Equipment

Property and equipment consisted of the following:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                               (Unaudited)                              (Audited)
                                                          June 29,        July 1,                      December 31,
                                                            1996           1995                   1995             1994
                                                           ------         ------                 ------           ------
                                                                                 ($ in millions)
<S>                                                        <C>            <C>                    <C>               <C>
Land........................................                 $7.4          $6.1                   $7.7              $1.1
Buildings and improvements..................                 48.4          26.2                   55.6              20.8
Equipment and furniture.....................                181.9         173.1                  174.3             171.0
Leasehold improvements......................                 75.4          77.7                   78.3              75.7
Leased property under capital leases........                  4.4           4.4                    4.4               4.4
                                                           ------         ------                ------            ------
                                                            317.5         287.5                  320.3             273.0
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization.......       143.5         118.4                  125.2             109.1
                                                           ------         ------                ------            ------
      Property and equipment, net...........               $174.0        $169.1                 $195.1            $163.9
                                                           ======        ======                 ======            ======
</TABLE>



(7) Accrued Expenses

Accrued expenses consisted of the following:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                               (Unaudited)                              (Audited)
                                                          June 29,        July 1,                      December 31,
                                                            1996           1995                   1995             1994
                                                           ------         ------                 ------           ------
                                                                                 ($ in millions)

<S>                                                        <C>            <C>                    <C>              <C>
Taxes other than federal income taxes.........               $7.6          $7.1                   $9.3             $13.0
Rent..........................................               17.5          21.4                   29.2              45.2
Salaries and compensated absences.............                9.0           5.4                   10.4              11.7
Reserve for loss on disposal of
   discontinued operations....................               60.0           --                     --                --
Restructuring reserves........................               17.2          10.1                   24.9               8.8
Professional fees.............................                1.5           4.5                   14.1               5.0
Capital expenditures..........................                5.4           1.2                   15.3               1.9
Other.........................................               46.6          29.8                   40.7              36.3
                                                           ------        ------                 ------            ------
   Total......................................             $164.8         $79.5                 $143.9            $121.9
                                                           ======        ======                 ======            ======
</TABLE>


(8)Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                               (Unaudited)                              (Audited)
                                                          June 29,        July 1,                      December 31,
                                                            1996           1995                   1995             1994
                                                           ------         ------                 ------           ------
                                                                                 ($ in millions)

<S>                                                        <C>            <C>                    <C>              <C>
National Shawmut Bank 9.5% Notes, due 1998........           $0.1         $0.2                    $0.2              $0.2
Other.............................................            0.1          0.1                     0.1               0.1
                                                           ------       ------                  ------            ------
                                                              0.2          0.3                     0.3               0.3
Less current installments.........................            0.1          0.1                     0.1               0.1
                                                           ------       ------                  ------            ------
   Total..........................................           $0.1         $0.2                    $0.2              $0.2
                                                           ======       ======                  ======            ======
</TABLE>



      The aggregate long-term debt maturing during each of the next three years
is as follows:


                                                                 (Audited)
                         Year                                 ($ in millions)
                         ----                                 --------------

                         1996                                     $0.1
                         1997                                      0.1
                         1998                                      0.1
                                                                  ----
                                                                  $0.3
                                                                  ----

(9)Other Long-Term Liabilities

Other long-term liabilities consisted of the following:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                             (Unaudited)                              (Audited)
                                                        June 29,        July 1,                      December 31,
                                                          1996           1995                   1995             1994
                                                         ------         ------                 ------           ------
                                                                               ($ in millions)

<S>                                                        <C>           <C>                   <C>              <C>
Employee benefit costs......................              $47.2          $44.7                  $46.0            $43.5
Deferred income taxes.......................               --             --                     --               20.3
Lease obligations for closed stores.........                5.6            6.1                    7.7             10.2
Other.......................................                5.8            8.0                    7.7              8.2
                                                         ------         ------                 ------           ------
                                                          $58.6          $58.8                  $61.4            $82.2
                                                         ======         ======                 ======           ======
</TABLE>


(10)Divisional Equity

Divisional equity consisted of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
June 29, 1996
                                                                   (Unaudited)
                                           Meldisco        Footaction         Thom McAn          Total
                                           --------        ----------         ---------          -----
                                                                 ($ in millions)

        <S>                                 <C>            <C>                <C>               <C>
        Common stock, no par value...         $0.1         $    --            $    --            $0.1
        Retained earnings............        650.9               8.1              278.3          937.3
        Contributed capital..........          3.6              48.2               --             51.8
        Cumulative translation
           adjustment................          0.2              --                 --              0.2
                                          --------        ----------          ---------         ------
                                            $654.8             $56.3             $278.3         $989.4
                                          ========        ==========          =========         ======
</TABLE>
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
July 1, 1995
                                                                    (Unaudited)
                                           Meldisco         Footaction         Thom McAn         Total
                                           --------         ----------         ---------        --------
                                                                  ($ in millions)

        <S>                                  <C>        <C>                <C>                 <C>
        Common stock, no par value...         $0.1          $    --           $     --              $0.1
        Retained earnings............        635.3               4.6              343.8            983.7
        Contributed capital..........          0.3              48.2                --              48.5
        Cumulative translation
           adjustment................         (1.5)              --                 --              (1.5)
                                          --------          --------           --------         --------
                                            $634.2             $52.8             $343.8         $1,030.8
                                          ========          ========           ========         ========
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
December 31, 1995
                                                                    (Audited)
                                           Meldisco         Footaction         Thom McAn         Total
                                           --------         ----------         ---------        --------
                                                                  ($ in millions)

        <S>                                 <C>             <C>                <C>               <C>
        Common stock, no par value...          $0.1            $  --             $  --               $0.1
        Retained earnings............         629.4               1.4              331.0            961.8
        Contributed capital..........           3.4              48.2               --               51.6
        Cumulative translation
           adjustment................           0.3               --                 --               0.3
                                           --------         ---------          ---------         --------
                                             $633.2             $49.6             $331.0         $1,013.8
                                   ========         =========          =========         ========

</TABLE>
(10),Continued
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


December 31, 1994


                                                                    (Unaudited)
                                           Meldisco         Footaction         Thom McAn         Total
                                           --------         ----------         ---------        --------
                                                                  ($ in millions)

        <S>                                    <C>             <C>                <C>               <C>
        Common stock, no par value...          $0.1            $  --              $  --              $0.1
        Retained earnings............         625.4                6.1             349.8            981.3
        Contributed capital..........           0.3               48.2               4.5             53.0
        Cumulative translation
           adjustment................          (1.3)              --                 --              (1.3)
                                           --------         ----------         ---------         --------
                                             $624.5              $54.3            $354.3         $1,033.1
                                           ========         ==========         =========         ========
</TABLE>

The figures presented above reflect the following capital transactions:

(A)   A cash contribution of $10.8 million by Melville to Footaction in 1994,
      which is reflected in contributed capital.

(B)   The elimination by Melville in 1995 of a portion of the indebtedness of
      the Company's Mexican subsidiaries and a return of capital in connection
      with the dissolution of Thom McAn's manufacturing subsidiary. The net
      effect of these transactions reduced contributed capital by $1.4 million.



(11)Leases

The Company leases retail stores, warehouses and office facilities under
capital leases that expire through 2002.

The Company also has noncancelable operating leases, primarily for retail
stores, which expire through 2011. The leases generally contain renewal
options for periods ranging from one to five years and require the Company to
pay costs such as real estate taxes and common area maintenance. Contingent
rentals are based on sales and profits. Net rental expense for all operating
leases for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 was as follows:

                                           (Audited)
                               1995          1994           1993
                             --------     -----------      --------
                                        ($ in millions)

Minimum rentals..........       $80.0          $70.6          $61.7
Contingent rentals.......       149.6          174.7          162.2
                             --------     ----------       --------
                               $229.6         $245.3         $223.9
      Total..............    ========     ==========       ========


(11),Continued

At December 31, 1995, the future minimum lease payments under capital leases,
future minimum rental payments under operating leases and future minimum
sublease rentals excluding lease obligations for closed stores were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             (Audited)
Year                                                           Capital leases        Operating leases
                                                               --------------        ----------------
                                                                          ($ in millions)

<S>                                                            <C>                   <C>
1996.....................................................           $0.4                   $56.8
1997.....................................................            0.4                    52.7
1998.....................................................            0.4                    48.5
1999.....................................................            0.4                    41.3
2000.....................................................            0.1                    38.2
                                                                     0.1                   114.0
                                                               ---------             -----------
Thereafter...............................................

                                                                    $1.8                  $351.5
            Total........................................

                                                                     0.4
                                                               ---------             -----------
      Less amount representing interest..................

                                                                    $1.4
                                                               ---------             -----------
      Present value of minimum lease payments............
                                                                    $0.5                    $4.5
                                                               =========             ===========
</TABLE>

(12)Income Taxes

Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects of temporary differences
between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial reporting
purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. Significant components
of the Company's deferred tax assets and liabilities as of the first quarter
and the fiscal years were as follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       (Unaudited)                        (Audited)
                                                                June 29,         July 1,                 December 31,
                                                                  1996             1995             1995             1994
                                                                --------         --------         --------         --------
                                                                                        ($ in millions)

<S>                                                             <C>             <C>               <C>              <C>
Deferred tax assets:
     Loss on disposal of discontinued
       operations reserves................................         $31.4           $  --            $  --           $  --
     Restructuring and purchase accounting reserves.......           3.6              8.5             21.2             9.6
     Inventories..........................................           6.8              8.0              6.8             8.0
     Postretirement benefits..............................          17.0             19.6             17.0            19.6
     Other................................................           9.3              2.7              9.4             2.7
                                                                --------         --------         --------         -------

            Total deferred tax assets.....................          68.1             38.8             54.4            39.9

 Deferred tax liabilities:
     Property and equipment...............................          10.1             12.2             10.1            12.3

     Other................................................           2.1              3.0              2.1             3.0
                                                                --------         --------         --------         -------
                                                                                                      12.2            15.3
            Total deferred tax liabilities................          12.2             15.2
                                                                --------         --------         --------         -------
                                                                   $55.9            $23.6            $42.2           $24.6
            Net deferred tax assets.......................      ========         ========         ========         =======
</TABLE>



(12),Continued

Based on the Company's historical and current pre-tax earnings, management
believes it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the net
deferred tax assets.

The provision for income taxes is composed of the following:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION
                    (Unaudited)                        (Audited)
                  Six Months Ended                    Years Ended
               -----------------------       _______________________________
               June 29,       July 1,                 December 31,
                 1996          1995            1995        1994       1993
               --------       --------       --------    --------   --------
                                    ($ in millions)

<S>             <C>             <C>           <C>          <C>        <C>
Federal..        $15.8          $14.7           $29.6      $40.0       $44.2
State....          3.0            3.4             7.7        9.5         9.5
               --------       --------       --------    --------   --------
  Total..         $18.8          $18.1           $37.3      $49.5      $53.7
               --------       --------       --------    --------   --------

</TABLE>


Reconciliations of the effective tax rates to the U.S. statutory income tax
rate are as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            (Unaudited)                               (Audited)
                                          Six Months Ended                           Years Ended
                                    ---------------------------       --------------------------------------------
                                       June 29,        July 1,                        December 31,
                                         1996           1995              1995            1994           1993
                                    ------------    ------------      ------------    ------------    ------------

                                                                (Percent of pre-tax earnings)

<S>                                  <C>             <C>               <C>            <C>              <C>
Effective tax rate...........              32.0%           30.0%             29.8%           28.7%          30.8%
State income taxes, net of
  federal tax benefit........              (3.3)           (3.7)             (4.0)           (3.6)          (3.6)
51% owned subsidiaries
  excluded from the Parent's
  consolidated federal
  income tax return..........               6.3             8.2              11.4            10.1            8.8
Other........................               --              0.5              (2.2)           (0.2)          (1.0)
                                       --------         -------           -------         -------        -------
Statutory income tax rate....              35.0%           35.0%             35.0%           35.0%          35.0%
                                       ========         =======           =======         =======        =======
</TABLE>

The provision for income taxes includes net deferred tax benefits of $15.0
million, $2.8 million and $3.6 million for 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.



(13) Supplemental Cash Flow Information

Cash payments for income taxes and interest for the six months ended June 29,
1996 and July 1, 1995 and the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993
were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        (Unaudited)                           (Audited)
                                                     Six Months Ended                       Years Ended
                                                 -----------------------          --------------------------------
                                                 June 29,        July 1,                    December 31,
                                                   1996           1995              1995        1994        1993
                                                 --------       --------          --------    --------    --------
                                                                        ($ in millions)

<S>                                              <C>              <C>             <C>           <C>         <C>
Income taxes...............................         $12.6          $34.2             $52.8        $40.6       $52.1
                                                 ========       ========          ========     ========    ========
                                                     $0.4           $0.1              $0.3         $0.6        $0.2
Interest (net of amounts capitalized)......      ========       ========          ========     ========    ========
</TABLE>


(14)  Related Party Transactions

Postretirement Benefits

The Company provides postretirement health benefits for retirees who meet
certain eligibility requirements.

The weighted average discount rates used to determine the accumulated
postretirement benefit obligation ("APBO") were 6.89% and 8.67% at December
31, 1995 and 1994, respectively. The following table reflects the Company's
accrued postretirement benefit costs as of December 31:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                            (Audited)
                                                         1995            1994
                                                       -------         -------
                                                         ($ in millions)

     <S>                                                <C>             <C>
     Retirees..................................         $13.0            $11.2
     Fully eligible active plan participants...           1.3              1.9
    Not fully eligible active plan participants          12.5              7.9
                                                      -------          -------
     APBO......................................          26.8             21.0

     Unrecognized prior service cost...........          11.6             12.5
     Unrecognized net gain.....................           7.5              7.3
                                                      -------          -------
     Accrued postretirement benefit cost.......         $45.9            $40.8
                                                      =======         =======
</TABLE>


Effective December 1992, the Company amended these plans to terminate
certain benefits, resulting in a prior service gain of $14.8 million to be
amortized over 13 years.  The Company's net periodic cost, inclusive of
discontinued operations, for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and
1993 was as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  (Audited)
                                                                        1995          1994          1993
                                                                       ------        ------        ------
                                                                                ($ in millions)
    <S>                                                                 <C>           <C>           <C>
    Interest expense............................................         $1.8          $1.7          $1.9
    Service cost (net of prior service gain amortization).......         (0.5)         (0.3)         (0.4)
    Amortization of gains.......................................         (0.3)         --            --
                                                                       ------        ------        ------
                                                                         $1.0          $1.4          $1.5
                                                                       ======        ======        ======
</TABLE>

For measurement purposes, a 10% increase in the cost of covered health care
benefits was assumed for 1995.  The rate was assumed to decline gradually
to 5% in the year 2005 and remain at that level thereafter.  A 1% increase
in the health-care cost trend rate would increase the APBO at December 31,
1995 by $3.3 million and the 1995 annual expense by $0.3 million.

401(k) Profit Sharing Plan

The Parent has a qualified 401(k) profit sharing plan available to full-
time employees who meet the plan's eligibility requirements.  This plan,
which is a defined contribution plan, contains a profit sharing component
with tax-deferred contributions to each employee based on certain
performance criteria, and also permits employees to make contributions


(14),Continued

up to the maximum limits allowed by Internal Revenue Code Section 401(k).
Under the 401(k) component, the Parent matches a portion of the employee's
contribution under a predetermined formula based on the level of
contribution and years of vesting.  The Parent charges to its divisions the
portion of the expense related to these contributions based on the
proportionate share of qualifying compensation at the Company to the total
of all such compensation for all plan participants.

Contributions to the plan by the Company for both profit sharing and
matching of employee contributions were approximately $2.3 million, $2.0
million and $2.0 million for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and
1993, respectively.

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

The Company's employees participate in the Parent's Employee Stock
Ownership Plan ("ESOP").  The ESOP is a defined contribution plan for all
employees meeting certain eligibility requirements.  During 1989, the ESOP
trust (the "Trust") borrowed $357.5 million at an interest rate of 8.6%
through a 20-year loan guaranteed by the Parent.  The Trust used the
proceeds of the loan to purchase a new issue of convertible preference
stock from the Parent.

The Parent charges compensation expense to the Company based upon total
payments due to the ESOP.  The charge allocated to the Company is based on
the Company's proportionate share of qualifying compensation expense and
does not reflect the manner in which the Parent funds these costs or the
related tax benefits realized by the Parent.

Administrative Costs

The Parent allocates other administrative expenses to the Company.
Allocations are based on the Company's ratable share of expense paid by the
Parent on behalf of the Company for the combined programs.  The total costs
allocated to the Company for the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and
1993 were $3.1 million, $3.7 million and $3.3 million, respectively.

Melville Realty Company, Inc., a subsidiary of the Parent, guarantees the
leases of certain stores operated by the Company and charges a fee for that
service, which amounted to $0.7 million, $0.6 million and $0.4 million for
the years ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993, respectively.

Loans

The weighted average interest rate on loans to the Parent for the years
ended December 31, 1995, 1994 and 1993 were 5.7%, 4.2% and 3.0%,
respectively.  The related interest income earned by the Company on such
loans was $20.9 million, $15.5 million and $11.7 million in 1995, 1994 and
1993, respectively.


(15) Commitments and Contingencies

At December 31, 1995, the Company had outstanding letters of credit of
approximately $189.1 million which were used to guarantee certain foreign
purchase contracts.  The Company is not obligated under any formal or
informal compensating balance agreements.

The Company is involved in various claims and legal actions arising in the
ordinary course of business.  In the opinion of management, the ultimate
disposition of these matters will not have a material adverse effect on the
Company's combined financial position, results of operations or liquidity.


(16)  Countervailing Duty

The U.S.  Customs Service accused Brazilian companies of unfair trading
practices during 1980 and 1981, when the Brazilian government was allegedly
subsidizing its shoe manufacturers, and imposed an additional duty (the
"countervailing duty") on all shoes imported from Brazil by U.S. companies
during this time period.  The Company accrued approximately $7.0 million
for the estimated liability related to this matter between 1981 and 1988.

In December 1994, the GATT Uruguay Round Agreements Act contained
provisions which effectively ended the Brazil countervailing duty.
Accordingly, the Company reversed the entire accrual which is reflected in
the 1994 combined statement of operations.

(17)  Meldisco's Relationship with Kmart

For the six months ended June 29, 1996 and the fiscal year ended December
31, 1995, Meldisco's Kmart operations represented 96.0% and 95.7%,
respectively, of Meldisco's net sales.  These operations represented 68.0%
and 70.6%, respectively, of the Company's combined net sales during the
same periods.  The business relationship between Meldisco and Kmart is very
significant to the Company and the loss of Meldisco's Kmart operations
would have a material adverse effect on the Company.

The Company's arrangement with Kmart is governed by a Master Agreement
effective as of July 1, 1995 and amended as of March 25, 1996.  The Master
Agreement grants to each Meldisco subsidiary the non-transferable exclusive
right and license to operate a footwear department in the applicable Kmart
store.  The initial term of the Master Agreement expires July 1, 2012 and
is renewable thereafter for 15 year terms, unless earlier terminated as
provided in the Master Agreement.


(18)  Segment Information

The company is a retailer conducting business through retail stores in two
business segments:  Meldisco in discount footwear and Footaction in branded
athletic footwear and apparel.  Information about operations for each of
these segments is summarized as follows:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 (Audited)
                                                                                December 31,
                                                                      1995          1994          1993
                                                                     ------        ------        ------
                                                                              ($ in millions)

<S>                                                                <C>           <C>           <C>
Meldisco
  Net sales....................................................      $1,191.5      $1,280.5      $1,212.5
  Operating profit(1)..........................................          99.5         147.1         148.8
  Identifiable assets at December 31...........................         870.4         864.4         778.1
  Depreciation and amortization................................           4.6           5.9           4.8
  Additions to property and equipment..........................          75.2          14.1           6.4

Footaction
  Net sales....................................................         423.7         332.3         262.3
  Operating profit(1)..........................................           4.5           9.6          13.6
  Identifiable assets at December 31...........................         119.3         107.2          72.2
  Depreciation and amortization................................          15.4          12.8           8.9
  Additions to property and equipment..........................          13.2          32.4          32.1

Combined
  Net sales....................................................       1,615.2       1,612.8       1,474.8
  Operating profit(1)..........................................         104.0         156.7         162.4
  Interest income, net.........................................          21.1          15.4          11.7
                                                                     --------      --------      --------
  Earnings before income taxes and minority interests..........        $125.1        $172.1        $174.1
                                                                     ========      ========      ========
Identifiable assets at December 31.............................        $989.7        $971.6        $850.3
Assets of discontinued operations..............................         383.0         420.9         451.3
                                                                     --------      --------      --------
Total assets at December 31....................................      $1,372.7      $1,392.5      $1,301.6
                                                                     ========      ========      ========
Depreciation and amortization..................................         $20.0         $18.7         $13.7
                                                                     ========      ========      ========
Additions to property and equipment............................         $88.4         $46.5         $38.5
Additions of discontinued operations to
  property and equipment.......................................           4.5          12.8           7.4
                                                                     --------      --------      --------


Total additions to property and equipment......................         $92.9         $59.3         $45.9
                                                                     ========      ========      ========

Operating profit is defined as total revenues less operating expenses.
Identifiable assets include those assets directly related to each segment's
operations.

- ----------------------
<FN>
(1)   Includes special charges recorded in connection with the Company's
      restructuring. Excluding these charges, operating profit for the fiscal year
      ended 1995 would have been $116 million for Meldisco, $23 million for
      Footaction, and $139 million for the Company combined.
</TABLE>


(19)  Summary of Quarterly Results

Summary quarterly data for 1996, 1995 and 1994 is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                (Unaudited)
                            ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                            1st Quarter         2nd Quarter        3rd Quarter        4th Quarter         Total
                            -----------         ----------         -----------        -----------        -------
                                                              ($ in millions)

<S>                         <C>                 <C>                <C>                <C>                 <C>
Net sales
  1996................        $     336.9        $      419.0
  1995................              325.8               421.8             $412.4             $455.2       $1,615.2
  1994................              329.4               390.4              430.8              462.2        1,612.8

Gross profit
  1996................               93.6               138.1
  1995................               90.2               130.0              125.3              145.2          490.7
  1994................               89.7               123.8              133.0              148.5          495.0

Income from
  continuing operations
  before cumulative effect
  of change in accounting
  principle
  1996 ...............                6.1                22.2
  1995................                5.6                20.6               17.9                5.3           49.4
  1994................                5.4                17.8               20.1               27.4           70.7

(Loss) income before
  cumulative effect of
  change in accounting
  principle
  1996................              (48.5)               24.0
  1995................                1.6                21.3               18.3              (18.6)          22.6
  1994................                1.6                18.9               20.0               36.2           76.7

Net (loss) income
  1996................              (48.5)               24.0
  1995................               (2.3)               21.3               18.3              (18.6)          18.7
  1994................                1.6                18.9               20.0               36.2           76.7
</TABLE>


© 2022 IncJournal is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission