TJX COMPANIES INC /DE/
10-Q, 1999-09-13
FAMILY CLOTHING STORES
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<PAGE>   1


                                     PAGE 1

                                    FORM 10-Q


                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549


                 /X/ Quarterly Report under Section 13 and 15(d)
                     Of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
                                       Or
             / / Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)
                     Of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


For Quarter Ended July 31, 1999
Commission file number 1-4908


                             THE TJX COMPANIES, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


                DELAWARE                                        04-2207613
     (State or other jurisdiction of                        (I.R.S. Employer
      incorporation or organization)                        Identification No.)


           770 Cochituate Road
      Framingham, Massachusetts                                    01701
(Address of principal executive offices)                        (Zip Code)


                                 (508) 390-1000
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was
required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing
requirements for the past 90 days. Yes [X]. No [ ].

The number of shares of Registrant's common stock outstanding as of August 28,
1999: 314,955,480.


<PAGE>   2


                                     PAGE 2

                          PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
              THE TJX COMPANIES, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
                              STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                   (UNAUDITED)
                  DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             Thirteen Weeks Ended
                                                          ---------------------------
                                                           July 31,         August 1,
                                                             1999             1998
                                                          ----------       ----------

<S>                                                       <C>              <C>
Net sales                                                 $2,098,644       $1,864,236
                                                          ----------       ----------

Cost of sales, including buying and occupancy costs        1,583,132        1,418,490

Selling, general and administrative expenses                 330,481          303,332

Interest expense (income), net                                 1,964            1,425
                                                          ----------       ----------

Income before income taxes                                   183,067          140,989

Provision for income taxes                                    68,388           56,113
                                                          ----------       ----------

Net income                                                   114,679           84,876

Preferred stock dividends                                         --            1,238
                                                          ----------       ----------

Net income available to common shareholders               $  114,679       $   83,638
                                                          ==========       ==========

Earnings per share:
   Basic                                                  $      .36       $      .26
   Diluted                                                $      .36       $      .25

Cash dividends per common share                           $     .035       $      .03
</TABLE>


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.


<PAGE>   3


                                     PAGE 3

                          PART I FINANCIAL INFORMATION
              THE TJX COMPANIES, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
                              STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                   (UNAUDITED)
                  DOLLARS IN THOUSANDS EXCEPT PER SHARE AMOUNTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                            Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
                                                          ---------------------------
                                                           July 31,         August 1,
                                                             1999             1998
                                                          ----------       ----------

<S>                                                       <C>              <C>
Net sales                                                 $4,050,728       $3,640,083
                                                          ----------       ----------

Cost of sales, including buying and occupancy costs        3,014,611        2,748,751

Selling, general and administrative expenses                 641,157          603,167

Interest expense (income), net                                 1,230            1,383
                                                          ----------       ----------

Income before income taxes                                   393,730          286,782

Provision for income taxes                                   151,389          114,139
                                                          ----------       ----------

Net income                                                   242,341          172,643

Preferred stock dividends                                         --            2,488
                                                          ----------       ----------

Net income available to common shareholders               $  242,341       $  170,155
                                                          ==========       ==========

Earnings per share:
   Basic                                                  $      .76       $      .53
   Diluted                                                $      .75       $      .51

Cash dividends per common share                           $      .07       $      .06
</TABLE>


The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.


<PAGE>   4


                                     PAGE 4

              THE TJX COMPANIES, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
                                 BALANCE SHEETS
                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                  IN THOUSANDS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                             July 31,            January 30,           August 1,
                                                                               1999                 1999                 1998
                                                                            ----------           -----------          ----------
<S>                                                                         <C>                  <C>                  <C>
ASSETS
- ------
Current assets:
   Cash and cash equivalents                                                $   47,187           $  461,244           $   58,017
   Accounts receivable                                                          87,960               67,345               81,493
   Merchandise inventories                                                   1,578,134            1,186,068            1,469,956
   Prepaid expenses                                                             70,821               28,448               63,627
                                                                            ----------           ----------           ----------
      Total current assets                                                   1,784,102            1,743,105            1,673,093
                                                                            ----------           ----------           ----------

Property, at cost:
   Land and buildings                                                          115,064              115,485              113,911
   Leasehold costs and improvements                                            590,641              547,099              514,437
   Furniture, fixtures and equipment                                           775,443              711,320              663,190
                                                                            ----------           ----------           ----------
                                                                             1,481,148            1,373,904            1,291,538
   Less accumulated depreciation and amortization                              685,967              617,302              576,215
                                                                            ----------           ----------           ----------
                                                                               795,181              756,602              715,323

Other assets                                                                    47,273               27,436               22,837
Deferred income taxes                                                           27,336               22,386                   --
Goodwill and tradename, net of amortization                                    195,402              198,317              201,235
                                                                            ----------           ----------           ----------

TOTAL ASSETS                                                                $2,849,294           $2,747,846           $2,612,488
                                                                            ==========           ==========           ==========

LIABILITIES
- -----------
Current liabilities:
   Short-term debt                                                          $   59,563           $       --           $    6,613
   Current installments of long-term debt                                      100,535                  694               22,669
   Accounts payable                                                            740,941              617,159              639,188
   Accrued expenses and other current liabilities                              576,528              624,801              566,190
   Federal and state income taxes payable                                       24,823               64,192               32,361
                                                                            ----------           ----------           ----------
      Total current liabilities                                              1,502,390            1,306,846            1,267,021
                                                                            ----------           ----------           ----------

Long-term debt exclusive of current installments:
   Promissory notes                                                                203                  433                  738
   General corporate debt                                                      119,918              219,911              219,904

Deferred income taxes                                                               --                   --                  952

SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
- --------------------
Preferred stock at face value, authorized 5,000,000 shares,
   par value $1, issued and outstanding cumulative
   convertible stock of 632,600 shares of 7% Series E
   at August 1, 1998                                                                --                   --               63,260
Common stock, authorized 1,200,000,000 shares,
   par value $1, issued and outstanding

   315,989,375; 322,140,770 and 314,772,568 shares                             315,989              322,141              314,772
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)                                   (1,268)              (1,529)              (1,862)
Additional paid-in capital                                                          --                   --                   --
Retained earnings                                                              912,062              900,044              747,703
                                                                            ----------           ----------           ----------
      Total shareholders' equity                                             1,226,783            1,220,656            1,123,873
                                                                            ----------           ----------           ----------
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                                  $2,849,294           $2,747,846           $2,612,488
                                                                            ==========           ==========           ==========
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.


<PAGE>   5


                                     PAGE 5

              THE TJX COMPANIES, INC. AND CONSOLIDATED SUBSIDIARIES
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (UNAUDITED)
                                  IN THOUSANDS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
                                                                                ---------------------------
                                                                                 July 31,         August 1,
                                                                                   1999              1998
                                                                                ---------         ---------
<S>                                                                             <C>               <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
   Net income                                                                   $ 242,341         $ 172,643
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
      provided by operating activities:
        Depreciation and amortization                                              75,962            65,585
        Property disposals                                                          4,717             1,391
        Other, net                                                                (19,579)             (622)
        Changes in assets and liabilities:
           (Increase) in accounts receivable                                      (20,615)          (20,758)
           (Increase) in merchandise inventories                                 (392,066)         (279,786)
           (Increase) in prepaid expenses                                         (42,373)          (36,270)
           Increase in accounts payable                                           123,782            56,397
           Increase (decrease) in accrued expenses and other
             current liabilities                                                  (48,273)           12,547
           (Decrease) in income taxes payable                                     (39,369)          (25,502)
           (Decrease) in deferred income taxes                                     (4,950)           (2,934)
                                                                                ---------         ---------

Net cash (used in) operating activities                                          (120,423)          (57,309)
                                                                                ---------         ---------

Cash flows from investing activities:
   Property additions                                                            (116,242)          (94,235)
   Proceeds from sale of other assets                                                  --             8,338
                                                                                ---------         ---------
Net cash (used in) investing activities                                          (116,242)          (85,897)
                                                                                ---------         ---------

Cash flows from financing activities:
   Proceeds from borrowings of short-term debt                                     59,563             6,613
   Principal payments on long-term debt                                              (389)           (1,080)
   Common stock repurchased                                                      (232,219)         (194,486)
   Proceeds from sale and issuance of common stock, net                            17,877             7,340
   Cash dividends                                                                 (22,224)          (21,533)
                                                                                ---------         ---------
Net cash (used in) financing activities                                          (177,392)         (203,146)
                                                                                ---------         ---------

Net (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents                                      (414,057)         (346,352)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year                                    461,244           404,369
                                                                                ---------         ---------

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period                                      $  47,187         $  58,017
                                                                                =========         =========
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of the financial statements.


<PAGE>   6


                                     PAGE 6

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.    The results for the first six months are not necessarily indicative of
      results for the full fiscal year, because the Company's business, in
      common with the businesses of retailers generally, is subject to seasonal
      influences, with higher levels of sales and income generally realized in
      the second half of the year.

2.    The preceding data are unaudited and reflect all normal recurring
      adjustments, the use of retail statistics, and accruals and deferrals
      among periods required to match costs properly with the related revenue or
      activity, considered necessary by the Company for a fair presentation of
      its financial statements for the periods reported, all in accordance with
      generally accepted accounting principles and practices consistently
      applied.

3.    The Company's cash payments for interest expense and income taxes are as
      follows:

                                                  Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
                                               ----------------------------
                                               July 31,           August 1,
                                                 1999               1998
                                               --------           ---------
                                                      (In Thousands)

      Cash paid for:
        Interest on debt                       $  9,801           $ 12,013
        Income taxes                           $184,027           $143,051

4.    In October 1988, the Company completed the sale of its former Zayre Stores
      division to Ames Department Stores, Inc. ("Ames"). In April 1990, Ames
      filed for protection under Chapter 11 of the Federal Bankruptcy Code and
      in December 1992, Ames emerged from bankruptcy under a plan of
      reorganization.

      The Company remains contingently liable for the leases of most of the
      former Zayre stores still operated by Ames. The Company believes that the
      Company's contingent liability on these leases will not have a material
      effect on the Company's financial condition.

      The Company is also contingently liable on certain leases of its former
      warehouse club operations (BJ's Wholesale Club and HomeBase), which was
      spun off by the Company in fiscal 1990 as Waban Inc. During fiscal 1998,
      Waban Inc. was renamed HomeBase, Inc. and spun-off its BJ's Wholesale Club
      division (BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc.). HomeBase, Inc., and BJ's Wholesale
      Club, Inc. are primarily liable on their respective leases and have
      indemnified the Company for any amounts the Company may have to pay with
      respect to such leases. In addition, HomeBase, Inc., BJ's Wholesale Club,
      Inc. and the Company have entered into agreements under which BJ's
      Wholesale Club, Inc. has substantial indemnification responsibility with
      respect to such HomeBase, Inc. leases. The Company is also contingently
      liable on certain leases of BJ's Wholesale Club, Inc. for which both BJ's
      Wholesale Club, Inc. and HomeBase, Inc. remain liable. The Company
      believes that its contingent liability on the HomeBase, Inc. and BJ's
      Wholesale Club, Inc. leases will not have a material effect on the
      Company's financial condition.

      The Company is also contingently liable on certain store leases of its
      former Hit or Miss division which was sold by the Company in September
      1995. During the third quarter ended October 31, 1998, the Company
      increased its reserve for its discontinued operations by $15 million ($9
      million after tax), primarily for potential lease liabilities relating to
      guarantees on leases of its former Hit or Miss


<PAGE>   7

                                     PAGE 7

      division. The after tax cost of $9 million or, $.02 per diluted share, was
      recorded as a loss on disposal of discontinued operations.

5.    On November 18, 1998, all outstanding shares of Series E cumulative
      convertible preferred stock were mandatorily converted into common stock
      in accordance with its terms.

6.    Other comprehensive income (loss), net of reclassification adjustments,
      was a loss of $335,000 for the thirteen weeks ended July 31, 1999, and a
      loss of $1,372,000 for the thirteen weeks ended August 1, 1998. For the
      six months, other comprehensive income (loss) was income of $261,000 at
      July 31, 1999 and a loss of $5,179,000 at August 1, 1998. The components
      of other comprehensive income (loss) for the Company include foreign
      currency translation adjustments of its foreign subsidiaries (including
      related hedging activity). In the prior year, other comprehensive income
      (loss) also included activity relating to unrealized gains and losses on
      marketable securities.

7.    The computation of basic and diluted earnings per share is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                  Thirteen Weeks Ended
                                                                          -----------------------------------
                                                                            July 31,               August 1,
                                                                              1999                   1998
                                                                          ------------           ------------
                                                                     ($'s in thousands except per share amounts)

      <S>                                                                 <C>                    <C>
      Net income (Numerator in diluted calculation)                       $    114,679           $     84,876
      Less preferred dividends                                                      --                  1,238
                                                                          ------------           ------------
      Net income available to common shareholders (Numerator
        in basic calculation)                                             $    114,679           $     83,638
                                                                          ============           ============

      Shares for basic and diluted earnings per share calculations:
        Average common shares outstanding for basic EPS                    317,158,089            317,367,085
        Dilutive effect of stock options and awards                          3,292,786              5,721,400
        Dilutive effect of convertible preferred stock                              --             14,048,540
                                                                          ------------           ------------
        Average common shares outstanding for diluted EPS                  320,450,875            337,137,025
                                                                          ============           ============

      Basic earnings per share                                            $        .36           $        .26
      Diluted earnings per share                                          $        .36           $        .25
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   8


                                     PAGE 8

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
                                                                                           -----------------------------------
                                                                                             July 31,               August 1,
                                                                                               1999                   1998
                                                                                           ------------           ------------
                                                                                       ($'s in thousands except per share amounts)

      <S>                                                                                  <C>                    <C>
      Net income (Numerator in diluted calculation)                                        $    242,341           $    172,643
      Less preferred dividends                                                                       --                  2,488
                                                                                           ------------           ------------
      Net income available to common shareholders (Numerator
        in basic calculation)                                                              $    242,341           $    170,155
                                                                                           ============           ============

      Shares for basic and diluted earnings per share calculations:
        Average common shares outstanding for basic EPS                                     319,436,817            318,350,224
        Dilutive effect of stock options and awards                                           3,519,324              5,862,259
        Dilutive effect of convertible preferred stock                                               --             14,742,915
                                                                                           ------------           ------------
        Average common shares outstanding for diluted EPS                                   322,956,141            338,955,398
                                                                                           ============           ============

      Basic earnings per share                                                             $        .76           $        .53
      Diluted earnings per share                                                           $        .75           $        .51
</TABLE>

8.    During October 1998, the Company completed its second $250 million stock
      repurchase program and announced its intentions to repurchase an
      additional $750 million of common stock over several years. During the six
      months ended July 31, 1999, the Company repurchased 7.2 million shares at
      a cost of $232.2 million. Since the inception of the $750 million stock
      repurchase program, the Company has repurchased 11.4 million shares at a
      cost of $327.7 million.

9.    During the second quarter the Company entered into a new lease agreement
      for the expansion of its corporate offices and amended the existing leases
      on the same property. The new lease has an initial term, which expires on
      December 31, 2015, and the existing lease agreements have been extended
      through December 31, 2010. Rental payments on the new expansion are
      expected to commence in the first quarter of fiscal 2002, and will be
      accounted for as a capital lease.


<PAGE>   9


                                     PAGE 9

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

                             Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
                                  July 31, 1999
                  Versus Twenty-Six Weeks Ended August 1, 1998

All reference to earnings per share amounts are diluted earnings per share
unless otherwise indicated.

Net sales from continuing operations for the second quarter were $2,098.6
million, up 13% from $1,864.2 million last year. For the six months, net sales
from continuing operations were $4,050.7 million, up 11% from $3,640.0 for the
same period last year. The increase in sales is attributable to an increase in
same store sales and new stores. Same store sales for the thirteen weeks
increased 7% at T.J. Maxx, 6% at Marshalls, 6% at Winners, 14% at T.K. Maxx and
14% at HomeGoods. Same store sales for the six months increased by 6% at T.J.
Maxx, 5% at Marshalls, 8% at Winners, 17% at T.K. Maxx and 12% at HomeGoods.

Net income for the second quarter was $114.7 million, or $.36 per common share,
versus $84.9 million, or $.25 per common share last year. For the six months,
net income was $242.3 million, or $.75 per share versus $172.6 million or $.51
per share in the prior year.

The following table sets forth operating results expressed as a percentage of
net sales (continuing operations):

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                           Percentage of Net Sales
                                                            ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                 13 Weeks Ended               26 Weeks Ended
                                                            -----------------------        --------------------
                                                            7/31/99          8/1/98        7/31/99       8/1/98
                                                            -------          ------        -------       ------

<S>                                                          <C>             <C>            <C>          <C>
Net sales                                                    100.0%          100.0%         100.0%       100.0%
                                                             -----           -----          -----        -----

Cost of sales, including buying and occupancy costs           75.4            76.1           74.4         75.5
Selling, general and administrative expenses                  15.8            16.2           15.8         16.5
Interest expense (income), net                                  .1              .1             .1           .1
                                                             -----           -----          -----        -----

Income before income taxes                                     8.7%            7.6%           9.7%         7.9%
                                                             =====           =====          =====        =====
</TABLE>

Cost of sales including buying and occupancy costs as a percent of net sales
decreased from the prior year. This improvement is primarily due to improved
merchandise margins, particularly at T.J. Maxx and Marshalls, resulting from
strong inventory management. In addition, the improvement in this ratio
reflects the strong growth in sales.

Selling, general and administrative expenses, as a percentage of net sales,
decreased from the prior year. This improvement in both periods reflects the
benefits of the Company's strong sales growth while the six months ended July
31, 1999 also reflects a reduction in certain corporate expenses, as discussed
on page 10.

Interest expense (income), net, includes income of $2.5 million in the second
quarter and $8.0 million in the first six months of the current year, versus
$5.0 million and $10.9 million of interest income in the second quarter and six
months ended last year.


<PAGE>   10


                                     PAGE 10

The Company's effective income tax rate is 38.4% for the six months ended July
31, 1999, versus 39.8% last year. This reduction is primarily due to the
recognition of additional tax benefits attributable to the Company's Puerto Rico
net operating loss carry forward.

The following table sets forth the operating results of the Company's major
business segments: (unaudited)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                    Thirteen Weeks Ended                  Twenty-Six Weeks Ended
                                                -----------------------------         -----------------------------
                                                 July 31,           August 1,          July 31,           August 1,
                                                   1999               1998               1999               1998
                                                ----------         ----------         ----------         ----------
                                                                          (In Thousands)
<S>                                             <C>                <C>                <C>                <C>
Net sales:
   Off-price family apparel stores              $2,055,717         $1,837,419         $3,969,528         $3,587,884
   Off-price home fashion stores                    42,927             26,817             81,200             52,199
                                                ----------         ----------         ----------         ----------
                                                $2,098,644         $1,864,236         $4,050,728         $3,640,083
                                                ==========         ==========         ==========         ==========

Operating income (loss):
   Off-price family apparel stores              $  200,075         $  157,470         $  419,618         $  324,831
   Off-price home fashion stores                      (989)            (2,246)            (1,655)            (4,502)
                                                ----------         ----------         ----------         ----------
                                                   199,086            155,224            417,963            320,329

General corporate expense                           13,402             12,158             21,698             30,859
Goodwill amortization                                  653                652              1,305              1,305
Interest expense (income), net                       1,964              1,425              1,230              1,383
                                                ----------         ----------         ----------         ----------

Income before income taxes                      $  183,067         $  140,989         $  393,730         $  286,782
                                                ==========         ==========         ==========         ==========
</TABLE>

The off-price family apparel stores segment, which includes T.J. Maxx,
Marshalls, Winners, T.K. Maxx and A.J. Wright, significantly increased operating
income. These results reflect strong inventory management and the strong sales
performance on top of strong gains in the prior year. General corporate expense
for the six months decreased from the prior year as last year included a $5.5
million charge for the write-off of the Hit or Miss note receivable. In
addition, last year includes a charge of $4 million, versus $1 million this
year, for charges associated with a deferred compensation award granted to the
Company's Chief Executive Officer in the first quarter of fiscal 1998. This
award, initially denominated in shares of the Company's common stock, has now
been fully allocated to other investment options, at the election of the
executive.

Stores in operation at the end of the period are as follows:

                                             July 31, 1999        August 1, 1998
                                             -------------        --------------

        T.J. Maxx                                  617                 593
        Marshalls                                  487                 464
        Winners                                     91                  81
        HomeGoods                                   39                  25
        T.K. Maxx                                   43                  35
        A.J. Wright                                 11                   -

<PAGE>   11


                                     PAGE 11

FINANCIAL CONDITION

Cash flows from operating activities for the six months reflect increases in
inventories and accounts payable that are primarily due to normal seasonal
requirements and are largely influenced by the change in inventory from year-end
levels. Operating cash flows for the period ending July 31, 1999, reflects the
Company's purchase of investments intended to offset obligations associated with
certain deferred compensation plans and a reduction in accrued expenses from
year-end levels versus an increase in accrued expenses for the same period last
year.

During October 1998, the Company completed its second $250 million stock
repurchase program and announced its intentions to repurchase an additional $750
million of common stock over several years. During the six months ended July 31,
1999, the Company repurchased 7.2 million shares at a cost of $232.2 million.
Since the inception of the $750 million stock repurchase program, the Company
has repurchased 11.4 million shares at a cost of $327.7 million. The stock
repurchase activity during the first six months of the year resulted in the
Company borrowing $50 million under its revolving credit agreement in late July.

THE YEAR 2000 ISSUE

The following paragraphs relating to the Year 2000 issue also are designated a
Year 2000 Readiness Disclosure within the meaning of the Year 2000 Information
and Readiness Disclosure Act.

The operations of the Company rely on various computer technologies which, as is
true of many companies, may be affected by what is commonly referred to as the
Year 2000 ("Y2K") issue. To address this matter, in October 1995, the Company
began to evaluate whether its computer resources would be able to recognize and
accept date sensitive information before and after the arrival of the Year 2000.
A failure of these technologies to recognize and process such information could
create an adverse impact on the operations of the Company.

In connection with its Y2K evaluation, the Company established a Company-wide
Y2K project team to review and assess the Y2K readiness of its computer
technologies in each business area, and to remediate, validate and, where
necessary, develop contingency plans to enable these technologies to effect a
smooth transition to the Year 2000 and beyond.

These efforts have focused, and will continue to focus, on: (1) the Company's
information technology systems in the form of hardware and software (so-called
"IT" systems), such as mainframes, client/server systems, personal computers,
proprietary software and software purchased or licensed from third parties, upon
which the Company relies for its retail functions, such as merchandise
procurement and distribution, point-of-sale information systems and inventory
control; (2) the Company's embedded computer technologies (so-called "non-IT"
systems), such as materials handling equipment, telephones, elevators, climate
control devices and building security systems; and (3) the IT and non-IT systems
of third parties with whom the Company has commercial relationships to support
its daily operations, such as those of banks, credit card processors, payroll
services, telecommunications services, utilities and merchandise vendors.


<PAGE>   12


                                     PAGE 12

THE COMPANY'S STATE OF READINESS

The Company's review and assessment phase is complete with respect to its IT
systems and the Company has identified and inventoried those IT systems which
are critical to its operations. The Company's effort to modify these IT
technologies to address the Y2K issue is complete with final installation and
testing to be completed by the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2000. The
Company's mainframe operating system has already been remediated, tested and
determined to be compliant in a simulated Y2K environment. Ongoing validation
testing of this system will be performed during 1999. The Company's proprietary
software systems as well as those purchased or licensed from third parties have
been substantially remediated and ongoing validation testing will continue
during 1999.

With respect to the Company's non-IT systems, the review and assessment phase is
complete and the Company has identified and inventoried such technologies. The
Company has undertaken a program to modify or replace such technologies where
they are related to critical functions of the Company. This portion of the Y2K
project plan is expected to be substantially complete by the end of the third
quarter of fiscal 2000.

With respect to the IT and non-IT systems of critical third party providers, the
Company has already communicated with these parties to obtain assurances
regarding their respective Y2K remediation efforts. While the Company expects
such third parties to address the Y2K issue based on the representations it has
received to date, the Company cannot guarantee that these systems will be made
Y2K compliant in a timely manner or that the Company will not experience a
material adverse effect as a result of such non-compliance.

COSTS ASSOCIATED WITH YEAR 2000 ISSUES

As of July 31, 1999, the Company has incurred approximately $12 million in costs
related to the Y2K project. The Company currently estimates that the aggregate
cost of the Y2K project will be approximately $13 million, which cost is being
expensed as incurred. The Company's Y2K costs are primarily for the cost of
internal and third party programming for remediation and testing. All of these
costs have been or are expected to be funded through operating cash flows. The
aggregate cost estimate is based on the current assessment of the Y2K project
and is subject to change as the project progresses. The Company has not deferred
the implementation of any significant IT projects while addressing the Y2K
issue.

CONTINGENCY PLANS

The Company believes that the IT and non-IT technologies which support its
critical functions will be ready for the transition to the Year 2000. There can
be no assurance, however, that similar unresolved issues for key commercial
partners (including utilities, financial services, building services and
transportation services) will not cause an adverse effect on the Company. To
address these risks, and to address the risk that its own IT and non-IT
technologies may not perform as expected during the Y2K transition, the Company
is in the process of finalizing its contingency plans and such plans will be
established and then revised as necessary during the course of 1999. Although
the Company believes that its efforts to address the Y2K issue will be
sufficient to avoid a material adverse impact on the Company, there can be no
assurance that these efforts will be fully effective.


<PAGE>   13


                                     PAGE 13

PART II.   OTHER INFORMATION

Item 4     SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

           Information with respect to matters voted on at the Company's
           Annual Meeting of Stockholders on June 8, 1999 (during the
           period covered by this report) was provided in the Company's
           Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May 1, 1999.

Item 6(a)  EXHIBITS

     10.1  The 1986 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended through September 9,
           1999, is filed herewith.

     27    Financial Data Schedule.

Item 6(b)  REPORTS ON FORM 8-K

           The Company was not required to file a current report on Form 8-K
           during the quarter ended July 31, 1999.


<PAGE>   14


                                     PAGE 14



                                    SIGNATURE


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




                                  THE TJX COMPANIES, INC.
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  (Registrant)


Date: September 13, 1999



                                  /s/ Donald G. Campbell
                                  ----------------------------------------------
                                  Donald G. Campbell, Executive Vice President -
                                  Finance, on behalf of The TJX Companies, Inc.
                                  and as Principal Financial and Accounting
                                  Officer of The TJX Companies, Inc.


<PAGE>   1
                                                                    Exhibit 10.1





                                          (As amended through September 9, 1999)










                             THE TJX COMPANIES, INC.
                            1986 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN




<PAGE>   2



                                      INDEX

                                                                           Page

SECTION 1.  GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE PLAN.......................................1

SECTION 2.  PLAN ADMINISTRATION...............................................1

SECTION 3.  SHARES ISSUABLE UNDER THE PLAN; MERGERS;
                  SUBSTITUTION................................................2

SECTION 4.  ELIGIBILITY.......................................................3

SECTION 5.  LIMITATIONS ON TERM AND DATES OF AWARDS...........................4

SECTION 6.  STOCK OPTIONS.....................................................4

SECTION 7.  STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS;
                  DISCRETIONARY PAYMENTS......................................7

SECTION 8.  RESTRICTED STOCK; UNRESTRICTED STOCK..............................9

SECTION 9.  DEFERRED STOCK AWARDS............................................11

SECTION 10. PERFORMANCE AWARDS...............................................12

SECTION 11. OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS.........................................13

SECTION 12. TRANSFER, LEAVE OF ABSENCE.......................................14

SECTION 13. AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION.......................................15

SECTION 14. STATUS OF PLAN...................................................15

SECTION 15. CHANGE OF CONTROL PROVISIONS.....................................15

SECTION 16. GENERAL PROVISIONS...............................................16

SECTION 17.  DEFINITIONS.....................................................17

DEFINITION OF "CHANGE OF CONTROL"............................................20




<PAGE>   3



                             THE TJX COMPANIES, INC.
                            1986 STOCK INCENTIVE PLAN


SECTION 1.  GENERAL PURPOSE OF THE PLAN.

         The name of the plan is The TJX Companies, Inc. 1986 Stock Incentive
Plan (the "Plan"). The purpose of the Plan is to secure for The TJX Companies,
Inc. (the "Company") and its stockholders the benefit of the incentives inherent
in Common Stock ownership and the receipt of incentive awards by selected key
employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries who contribute to and will be
responsible for its continued long term growth. The Plan is intended to
stimulate the efforts of such key employees by providing an opportunity for
capital appreciation and giving suitable recognition for services which
contribute materially to the success of the Company.

SECTION 2.  PLAN ADMINISTRATION.

         The Plan shall be administered by a Committee of not less than two
Non-Employee Directors, who shall be appointed by the Board and who shall serve
at the pleasure of the Board.

         The Committee shall have the power and authority to grant Awards
consistent with the terms of the Plan, including the power and authority:

         (i)      to select the officers and other key employees of the Company
                  and its Subsidiaries to whom Awards may from time to time be
                  granted;

         (ii)     to determine the time or times of grant, and the extent, if
                  any, of Incentive Stock Options, Non-Qualified Stock Options,
                  Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock, Unrestricted
                  Stock, Deferred Stock, Performance Awards and any Other
                  Stock-based Awards, or any combination of the foregoing,
                  granted to any one or more participants;

         (iii)    to determine the number of shares to be covered by any Award;

         (iv)     to determine the terms and conditions, including restrictions,
                  not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, of any Award,
                  which terms and conditions may differ among individual Awards
                  and participants;

         (v)      to determine whether, to what extent, and under what
                  circumstances Stock and other amounts payable with respect to
                  an Award shall be deferred either automatically or at the
                  election of the participant and whether and to what extent the
                  Company shall pay or credit amounts equal to interest (at



<PAGE>   4



                  rates determined by the Committee) or dividends or deemed
                  dividends on such deferrals; and

         (vi)     to adopt, alter and repeal such rules, guidelines and
                  practices for administration of the Plan and for its own acts
                  and proceedings as it shall deem advisable; to interpret the
                  terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award (including
                  related Award Agreements); to make all determinations it deems
                  advisable for the administration of the Plan; to decide all
                  disputes arising in connection with the Plan; and to otherwise
                  supervise the administration of the Plan.

         All decisions and interpretations of the Committee shall be binding on
all persons, including the Company and Plan participants.

SECTION 3.  SHARES ISSUABLE UNDER THE PLAN; MERGERS; SUBSTITUTION.

         (a) SHARES ISSUABLE. The maximum number of shares of Stock reserved and
available for issuance under the Plan shall be 42,000,000(1), including shares
issued in lieu of or upon reinvestment of dividends arising from Awards. For
purposes of this limitation, Awards and Stock which are forfeited, reacquired by
the Company or satisfied without the issuance of Stock shall not be counted and
such limitation shall apply only to shares which have become free of any
restrictions under the Plan, except that shares of Restricted Stock reacquired
by the Company, and shares withheld by the Company to satisfy tax withholding
requirements shall be counted to the extent required under Rule 16b-3 under the
Act or any successor rule. The maximum number of shares of Stock which may be
issued pursuant to awards of Restricted Stock or Performance Awards on or after
June 3, 1997 shall not exceed an aggregate of 6,300,000(2) shares. Subject to
the foregoing limitations in this paragraph (a), shares may be issued up to such
maximums pursuant to any type or types of Award, including Incentive Stock
Options. Shares issued under the Plan may be authorized but unissued shares or
shares reacquired by the Company.

         The number of Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights or Performance
Awards that shall be awarded to any Participant during any consecutive
three-year period


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

    (1) Reflects adjustments under Section 3(b) through February 2, 1999.

    (2) Reflects adjustments under Section 3(b) through February 2, 1999.


                                       -2-




<PAGE>   5



commencing after June 3, 1997 shall be limited to 4,000,000(3) shares calculated
separately for each of Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights and Performance
Awards.

         (b) STOCK DIVIDENDS, MERGERS, ETC. In the event of a stock dividend,
stock split or similar change in capitalization, or extraordinary dividend or
distribution or restructuring transaction affecting the Stock, the Committee
shall make appropriate adjustments in the number and kind of shares of stock or
securities on which Awards may thereafter be granted and shall make such
adjustments in the number and kind of shares remaining subject to outstanding
Awards, and the option or purchase price in respect of such shares as it may
deem appropriate with a view toward preserving the value of outstanding awards.
In the event of any merger, consolidation, dissolution or liquidation of the
Company, the Committee in its sole discretion may, as to any outstanding Awards,
make such substitution or adjustment in the aggregate number of shares reserved
for issuance under the Plan and in the number and purchase price (if any) of
shares subject to such Awards as it may determine, or accelerate, amend or
terminate such Awards upon such terms and conditions as it shall provide (which,
in the case of the termination of the vested portion of any Award, shall require
payment or other consideration which the Committee deems equitable in the
circumstances), subject, however, to the provisions of Section 15.

         (c) SUBSTITUTE AWARDS. The Company may grant Awards under the Plan in
substitution for stock and stock based awards held by employees of another
corporation who concurrently become employees of the Company or a Subsidiary as
the result of a merger or consolidation of the employing corporation with the
Company or a Subsidiary or the acquisition by the Company or a Subsidiary of
property or stock of the employing corporation. The Committee may direct that
the substitute awards be granted on such terms and conditions as the Committee
considers appropriate in the circumstances. The shares which may be delivered
under such substitute Awards shall be in addition to the maximum number of
shares provided for in Section 3(a).

SECTION 4.  ELIGIBILITY.

         Participants in the Plan will be such full or part time officers and
other key employees of the Company and its Subsidiaries (excluding any director
who is not a full time employee) who are responsible for or contribute to the
management, growth or profitability of the Company and its Subsidiaries and who
are selected from time to time by the Committee, in its sole discretion. Persons
who are not employees of the


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

    (3) Reflects adjustments under Section 3(b) through February 2, 1999.


                                       -3-




<PAGE>   6



Company or a subsidiary (within the meaning of Section 424 of the Code) shall
not be eligible to receive grants of Incentive Stock Options.

SECTION 5.  LIMITATIONS ON TERM AND DATES OF AWARDS.

         (a) DURATION OF AWARDS. Subject to Sections 16(a) and 16(c) below, no
restrictions or limitations on Awards shall extend beyond 10 years (or 10 years
and one day in the case of Non-Qualified Stock Options) from the grant date,
except that deferrals elected by participants of the receipt of Stock or other
benefits under the Plan may extend beyond such date.

         (b) LATEST GRANT DATE. No Award shall be granted after April 8, 2007,
but then outstanding Awards may extend beyond such date.

SECTION 6.  STOCK OPTIONS.

         Any Stock Option granted under the Plan shall be in such form as the
Committee may from time to time approve.

         Stock Options granted under the Plan may be either Incentive Stock
Options or Non-Qualified Stock Options. To the extent that any option does not
qualify as an Incentive Stock Option, it shall constitute a Non-Qualified Stock
Option.

         Anything in the Plan to the contrary notwithstanding, no term of this
Plan relating to Incentive Stock Options shall be interpreted, amended or
altered, nor shall any discretion or authority granted to the Committee under
the Plan be so exercised, so as to disqualify the Plan or, without the consent
of the optionee, any Incentive Stock Option under Section 422 of the Code.

         Stock Options granted under the Plan shall be subject to the following
terms and conditions and shall contain such additional terms and conditions, not
inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee shall deem desirable:

         (a) OPTION PRICE. The option price per share of Stock purchasable under
a Stock Option shall be determined by the Committee at the time of grant but
shall be not less than 100% of Fair Market Value on the date of grant.

         (b) OPTION TERM. The term of each Stock Option shall be fixed by the
Committee, but no Incentive Stock Option shall be exercisable more than ten
years after the date the option is granted and no Non-Qualified Stock Option
shall be exercisable more than ten years and one day after the date the option
is granted.

                                       -4-




<PAGE>   7



         (c) EXERCISABILITY. Stock Options shall be exercisable at such future
time or times, whether or not in installments, as shall be determined by the
Committee at or after the grant date. The Committee may at any time accelerate
the exercisability of all or any portion of any Stock Option.

         (d) Intentionally omitted.

         (e) METHOD OF EXERCISE. Stock Options may be exercised in whole or in
part, by giving written notice of exercise to the Company specifying the number
of shares to be purchased. Such notice shall be accompanied by payment in full
of the purchase price, either by certified or bank check or other instrument or
means acceptable to the Committee or by delivery of an unconditional and
irrevocable undertaking by a broker to deliver promptly to the Company
sufficient funds to pay the exercise price. As determined by the Committee, in
its discretion, at (or, in the case of Non-Qualified Stock Options, after)
grant, payment in full or in part of the exercise price or to pay withholding
taxes (as provided in Section 16(c)) may also be made in the form of shares of
Stock not then subject to restrictions under any Company plan. An optionee shall
have the rights of a shareholder only as to shares acquired upon the exercise of
a Stock Option and not as to unexercised Stock Options. Notwithstanding anything
to the contrary contained herein, this Plan does not permit the exercise of an
option in successive stages (pyramiding) using as payment at each stage shares
which have been acquired under the option in preceding stages.

         (f) NON-TRANSFERABILITY OF OPTIONS. No Stock Option shall be
transferable by the optionee otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent
and distribution, and all Stock Options shall be exercisable, during the
optionee's lifetime, only by the optionee.

         (g) TERMINATION BY DEATH. If an optionee's employment by the Company
and its Subsidiaries terminates by reason of death, the Stock Option may
thereafter be exercised, to the extent then exercisable (or on such accelerated
basis as the Committee shall at any time determine prior to death), by the legal
representative or legatee of the optionee, for a period of three years (or such
shorter period as the Committee shall specify at time of grant) from the date of
death or until the expiration of the stated term of the option, if earlier.

         (h) TERMINATION BY REASON OF DISABILITY. Any Stock Option held by an
optionee whose employment by the Company and its Subsidiaries has terminated, or
who has been designated an inactive employee, by reason of Disability may
thereafter be exercised to the extent it was exercisable at the time of the
earlier of such termination or such designation (or on such accelerated basis as
the Committee shall at any time determine prior to such termination or
designation) for a period of three years (or such shorter


                                       -5-




<PAGE>   8



period as the Committee shall specify at time of grant) from the date of such
termination of employment or designation or until the expiration of the stated
term of the option, if earlier. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee at
the time of grant, the death of an optionee during the final year of such
exercise period shall extend such period for one year following death, subject
to termination on the expiration of the stated term of the option, if earlier.
The Committee shall have the authority to determine whether a participant has
been terminated or designated an inactive employee by reason of Disability.

         (i) TERMINATION BY REASON OF NORMAL RETIREMENT. If an optionee's
employment by the Company and its Subsidiaries terminates by reason of Normal
Retirement, any Stock Option held by such optionee may thereafter be exercised
to the extent that it was then exercisable (or on such accelerated basis as the
Committee shall at any time determine) for a period of three years (or such
shorter period as the Committee shall specify at time of grant) from the date of
Normal Retirement or until the expiration of the stated term of the option, if
earlier. Except as otherwise provided by the Committee at the time of grant, the
death of an optionee during the final year of such exercise period shall extend
such period for one year following death, subject to earlier termination on the
expiration of the stated term of the option, if earlier.

         (j) TERMINATION BY REASON OF SPECIAL SERVICE RETIREMENT. If an
optionee's employment by the Company and its Subsidiaries terminates by reason
of a Special Service Retirement, any Stock Option granted on or after February
2, 1999 that is held by the optionee may thereafter be exercised (to the extent
exercisable from time to time during the extended exercise period as hereinafter
determined) for a period of three years (or such shorter period as the Committee
shall specify at time of grant) from the date of the Special Service Retirement
or until the expiration of the stated term of the option, if earlier. Except as
otherwise provided by the Committee at the time of grant, the death of an
optionee during the final year of such exercise period shall extend such period
for one year following death, subject to earlier termination on the expiration
of the stated term of the option, if earlier. For purposes of the first sentence
of this subsection (j), a Stock Option granted on or after February 2, 1999 that
is held by an optionee at the optionee's Special Service Retirement and that is
not then fully exercisable shall continue to become exercisable during the
post-retirement exercise period as though the optionee had remained employed by
the Company and its Subsidiaries during such period, or on such accelerated
basis as the Committee shall at any time determine.

         (k) OTHER TERMINATION. Unless otherwise determined by the Committee, if
an optionee's employment by the Company and its Subsidiaries terminates for any
reason other than death, Disability, Normal Retirement, Special Service
Retirement or for Cause, any Stock Option held by such optionee may thereafter
be exercised to the extent

                                       -6-




<PAGE>   9



it was exercisable on the date of termination of employment (or on such
accelerated basis as the Committee shall determine at or after grant) for a
period of three months (or such longer period up to three years as the Committee
shall specify at or after grant) from the date of termination of employment or
until the expiration of the stated term of the option, if earlier. If an
optionee's employment terminates for Cause, the unexercised portion of any Stock
Option then held by the optionee shall immediately terminate.

         (l) FORM OF SETTLEMENT. Subject to Section 16(a) and Section 16(c)
below, shares of Stock issued upon exercise of a Stock Option shall be free of
all restrictions under the Plan, except as provided in the following sentence.
The Committee may provide at time of grant that the shares to be issued upon the
exercise of a Stock Option shall be in the form of Restricted Stock or Deferred
Stock, or may reserve the right to so provide after time of grant.

SECTION 7.  STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS; DISCRETIONARY PAYMENTS.

         (a) NATURE OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHT. A Stock Appreciation Right is
an Award entitling the recipient to receive an amount in cash or shares of Stock
(or in a form of payment permitted under paragraph (e) below) or a combination
thereof having a value equal to (or if the Committee shall so determine at time
of grant, less than) the excess of the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on
the date of exercise over the Fair Market Value of a share of Stock on the date
of grant (or over the option exercise price, if the Stock Appreciation Right was
granted in tandem with a Stock Option) multiplied by the number of shares with
respect to which the Stock Appreciation Right shall have been exercised, with
the Committee having the right to determine the form of payment.

         (b) GRANT AND EXERCISE OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS. Stock Appreciation
Rights may be granted in tandem with, or independently of, any Stock Option
granted under the Plan. In the case of a Stock Appreciation Right granted in
tandem with a Non-Qualified Stock Option, such Right may be granted either at or
after the time of the grant of such option. In the case of a Stock Appreciation
Right granted in tandem with an Incentive Stock Option, such Right may be
granted only at the time of the grant of the option.

         A Stock Appreciation Right or applicable portion thereof granted in
tandem with a given Stock Option shall terminate and no longer be exercisable
upon the termination or exercise of the related Stock Option, except that a
Stock Appreciation Right granted with respect to less than the full number of
shares covered by a related Stock Option shall not be reduced until the exercise
or termination of the related Stock Option exceeds the number of shares not
covered by the Stock Appreciation Right.


                                       -7-




<PAGE>   10



         (c) TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF STOCK APPRECIATION RIGHTS. Stock
Appreciation Rights shall be subject to such terms and conditions as shall be
determined from time to time by the Committee, subject to the following:

         (i)      Stock Appreciation Rights granted in tandem with Stock Options
                  shall be exercisable only at such time or times and to the
                  extent that the related Stock Options shall be exercisable.

         (ii)     Upon the exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right, the
                  applicable portion of any related Stock Option shall be
                  surrendered.

         (iii)    Stock Appreciation Rights granted in tandem with a Stock
                  Option shall be transferable only with such Stock Option.
                  Other Stock Appreciation Rights shall not be transferable
                  otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and
                  distribution. All Stock Appreciation Rights shall be
                  exercisable during the participant's lifetime only by the
                  participant or the participant's legal representative.

         (d) DISCRETIONARY PAYMENTS. Notwithstanding that a Stock Option at the
time of exercise shall not be accompanied by a related Stock Appreciation Right,
if the market price of the shares subject to such Stock Option exceeds the
exercise price of such Stock Option at the time of its exercise, the Committee
may, in its discretion, cancel such Stock Option, in which event the Company
shall pay to the person exercising such Stock Option an amount equal to the
difference between the Fair Market Value of the Stock to have been purchased
pursuant to such exercise of such Stock Option (determined on the date the Stock
Option is cancelled) and the aggregate consideration to have been paid by such
person upon such exercise. Such payment shall be by check, bank draft or in
Stock (or in a form of payment permitted under paragraph (e) below) having a
Fair Market Value (determined on the date the payment is to be made) equal to
the amount of such payments or any combination thereof, as determined by the
Committee. The Committee may exercise its discretion under the first sentence of
this paragraph (d) only in the event of a written request of the person
exercising the option, which request shall not be binding on the Committee.

         (e) SETTLEMENT IN THE FORM OF RESTRICTED SHARES OR RIGHTS TO RECEIVE
DEFERRED STOCK. Subject to Sections 16(a) and 16(c) below, shares of Stock
issued upon exercise of a Stock Appreciation Right or as a Discretionary Payment
shall be free of all restrictions under the Plan, except as provided in the
following sentence. The Committee may provide at the time of grant in the case
of a Stock Appreciation Right (and at the time of payment in the case of a
Discretionary Payment) that such shares shall be in the form of shares of
Restricted Stock or rights to acquire Deferred Stock, or in the


                                       -8-




<PAGE>   11



case of a Stock Appreciation Right may reserve the right to so provide at any
time after the time of grant. Any such shares and any shares subject to rights
to acquire Deferred Stock shall be valued at Fair Market Value on the date of
exercise of the Stock Appreciation Right or the date the Stock Option is
cancelled in the case of Discretionary Payments.

SECTION 8.  RESTRICTED STOCK; UNRESTRICTED STOCK.

         (a) NATURE OF RESTRICTED STOCK AWARD. A Restricted Stock Award is an
Award entitling the recipient to acquire shares of Stock for a purchase price
(which may be zero), subject to such conditions, including a Company right
during a specified period or periods to repurchase such shares at their original
purchase price (or to require forfeiture of such shares, if the purchase price
was zero) upon participant's termination of employment, as the Committee may
determine at the time of grant.

         (b) AWARD AGREEMENT. Unless the Committee shall otherwise determine, a
participant who is granted a Restricted Stock Award shall have no rights with
respect to such Award unless the participant shall have accepted the Award
within 60 days (or such shorter date as the Committee may specify) following the
award date by making payment to the Company by certified or bank check or other
instrument acceptable to the Committee in an amount equal to the specified
purchase price, if any, of the shares covered by the Award and by executing and
delivering to the Company a Restricted Stock Award Agreement in such form as the
Committee shall determine.

         (c) RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER. Upon complying with paragraph (b) above, a
participant shall have all the rights of a shareholder with respect to the
Restricted Stock including voting and dividend rights, subject to
nontransferability restrictions and Company repurchase or forfeiture rights
described in this Section and subject to any other conditions contained in the
Award Agreement. Unless the Committee shall otherwise determine, certificates
evidencing shares of Restricted Stock shall remain in the possession of the
Company until such shares are free of any restrictions under the Plan.

         (d) RESTRICTIONS. Shares of Restricted Stock may not be sold, assigned,
transferred, pledged or otherwise encumbered or disposed of except as
specifically provided herein. In the event of termination of employment with the
Company and its subsidiaries for any reason such shares shall be resold to the
Company at their purchase price, or forfeited to the Company if the purchase
price was zero, except as set forth below.


                                       -9-




<PAGE>   12



         (i)      The Committee at the time of grant shall specify the date or
                  dates (which may depend upon or be related to the attainment
                  of performance goals and other conditions) on which the
                  nontransferability of the Restricted Stock and the obligation
                  to resell such shares to the Company shall lapse. However, no
                  grants of Restricted Stock made after September 8, 1993 shall
                  specify such a date which is less than three years from the
                  date of grant, except that (i) such a date may be one year or
                  greater in the case of Restricted Stock granted subject to the
                  attainment of performance goals, (ii) future shares of
                  Restricted Stock may be granted which specify full vesting in
                  no less than three years and partial vesting at a rate no
                  faster than one-third of such shares each year, and (iii)
                  shares of Restricted Stock may be granted which specify any
                  vesting date provided that on a cumulative basis such shares
                  granted after September 8, 1993, when no longer subject to
                  restrictions under the Plan, do not exceed 800,000(4) shares.
                  The Committee at any time may accelerate such date or dates
                  and otherwise waive or, subject to Section 13, amend any
                  conditions of the Award.

         (ii)     Except as may otherwise be provided in the Award Agreement, in
                  the event of termination of employment by the Company and its
                  Subsidiaries for any reason (including death), a participant
                  or the participant's legal representative shall offer to
                  resell to the Company, at the price paid therefor, all
                  Restricted Stock, and the Company shall have the right to
                  purchase the same at such price, or if the price was zero to
                  require forfeiture of the same, provided that except as
                  provided in the Award Agreement, the Company must exercise
                  such right of repurchase or forfeiture not later than the 60th
                  day following such termination of employment.

         (e) WAIVER, DEFERRAL AND REINVESTMENT OF DIVIDENDS. The Restricted
Stock Award Agreement may require or permit the immediate payment, waiver,
deferral or investment of dividends paid on the Restricted Stock.

         (f) UNRESTRICTED STOCK. The Committee may, in its sole discretion,
grant or sell to any participant shares of Stock free of restrictions under the
Plan ("Unrestricted Stock"). Shares of Unrestricted Stock may be granted or sold
as described in the preceding sentence in respect of past services or other
valid consideration.


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

     (4) Reflects adjustments under Section 3(b) through February 2, 1999.


                                      -10-




<PAGE>   13




SECTION 9.  DEFERRED STOCK AWARDS.

         (a) NATURE OF DEFERRED STOCK AWARD. A Deferred Stock Award is an award
entitling the recipient to acquire shares of Stock without payment in one or
more installments at a future date or dates, all as determined by the Committee.
The Committee may also condition such acquisition on the attainment of specified
performance goals.

         (b) AWARD AGREEMENT. Unless the Committee shall otherwise determine, a
participant who is granted a Deferred Stock Award shall have no rights with
respect to such Award unless within 60 days of the grant of such Award or such
shorter period as the Committee may specify, the participant shall have accepted
the Award by executing and delivering to the Company a Deferred Stock Award
Agreement.

         (c) RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER. Deferred Stock Awards and all rights with
respect to such Awards may not be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged or
otherwise encumbered. Rights with respect to such Awards shall be exercisable
during the participant's lifetime only by the participant or the participant's
legal representative.

         (d) RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER. A participant receiving a Deferred Stock
Award will have rights of a shareholder only as to shares actually received by
the participant under the Plan and not with respect to shares subject to the
Award but not actually received by the participant. A participant shall be
entitled to receive a stock certificate for shares of Deferred Stock only upon
satisfaction of all conditions therefor specified in the Deferred Stock Award
Agreement.

         (e) TERMINATION. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Committee
at any time prior to termination of employment, a participant's rights in all
Deferred Stock Awards shall automatically terminate upon the participant's
termination of employment by the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason
(including death).

         (f) ACCELERATION, WAIVER, ETC. At any time prior to the participant's
termination of employment the Committee may in its discretion accelerate, waive,
or, subject to Section 13, amend any or all of the restrictions or conditions
imposed under any Deferred Stock Award.

         (g) PAYMENTS IN RESPECT OF DEFERRED STOCK. Without limiting the right
of the Committee to specify different terms, the Deferred Stock Award Agreement
may either make no provisions for, or may require or permit the immediate
payment, deferral or investment of amounts equal to, or less than, any cash
dividends which would have been


                                      -11-




<PAGE>   14



payable on the Deferred Stock had such Stock been outstanding, all as determined
by the Committee in its sole discretion.

SECTION 10. PERFORMANCE AWARDS.

         (a) NATURE OF PERFORMANCE AWARDS. A Performance Award is an award
entitling the recipient to acquire cash or shares of Stock, or a combination of
cash and Stock, upon the attainment of specified performance goals. If the
grant, vesting, or exercisability of a Stock Option, SAR, Restricted Stock,
Deferred Stock or Other Stock-Based Award is conditioned upon attainment of a
specified performance goal or goals, it shall be treated as a Performance Award
for purposes of this Section and shall be subject to the provisions of this
Section in addition to the provisions of the Plan applicable to such form of
Award.

         (b) QUALIFYING AND NONQUALIFYING PERFORMANCE AWARDS. Performance Awards
may include Awards intended to qualify for the performance-based compensation
exception under Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code ("Qualifying Awards") and
Awards not intended so to qualify ("Nonqualifying Awards").

         (c) TERMS OF PERFORMANCE AWARDS. The Committee in its sole discretion
shall determine whether and to whom Performance Awards are to be granted, the
performance goals applicable under each such Award, the periods during which
performance is to be measured, and all other limitations and conditions
applicable to the Award. Performance Awards may be granted independently or in
connection with the granting of other Awards. In the case of a Qualifying Award
(other than a Stock Option or SAR), the following special rules shall apply: (i)
the Committee shall preestablish the performance goals and other material terms
of the Award not later than the latest date permitted under Section 162(m) of
the Code; (ii) the performance goal or goals fixed by the Committee in
connection with the Award shall be based exclusively on one or more Approved
Performance Criteria; (iii) no payment (including, for this purpose, vesting or
exercisability where vesting or exercisability, rather than the grant of the
award, is linked to satisfaction of performance goals) shall be made unless the
preestablished performance goals have been satisfied and the Committee has
certified (pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Code) that they have been
satisfied; (iv) no payment shall be made in lieu or in substitution for the
Award if the preestablished performance goals are not satisfied (but this clause
shall not limit the ability of the Committee or the Company to provide other
remuneration to the affected Participant, whether or not under the Plan, so long
as the payment of such remuneration would not cause the Award to fail to be
treated as having been contingent on the preestablished performance goals) and
(v) in all other respects the Award shall be construed and administered
consistent with the intent that any


                                      -12-




<PAGE>   15



compensation under the Award be treated as performance-based compensation under
Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code.

         (d) AWARD AGREEMENT. Unless the Committee shall otherwise determine, a
participant shall have no rights with respect to a Performance Award unless
within 60 days of the grant of such Award or such shorter period as the
Committee may specify, the participant shall have accepted the Award by
executing and delivering to the Company a Performance Award Agreement.

         (e) RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER. A participant receiving a Performance
Award will have rights of a shareholder only as to shares actually received by
the participant under the Plan and not with respect to shares subject to the
Award but not actually received by the participant. A participant shall be
entitled to receive a stock certificate evidencing the acquisition of shares of
Stock under a Performance Award (to the extent the Award provides for the
delivery of shares of Stock) only upon satisfaction of all conditions therefor
specified in the Performance Award Agreement.

         (f) TERMINATION. Except as may otherwise be provided by the Committee
(consistent with Section 162(m), in the case of a Qualifying Award) at any time
prior to termination of employment, a participant's rights in all Performance
Awards shall automatically terminate upon the participant's termination of
employment by the Company and its Subsidiaries for any reason (including death).

         (g) ACCELERATION, WAIVER, ETC.. At any time prior to the participant's
termination of employment by the Company and its Subsidiaries, the Committee may
in its sole discretion (but subject to Section 162(m), in the case of a
Qualifying Award) accelerate, waive or, subject to Section 13, amend any or all
of the goals, restrictions or conditions imposed under any Performance Award.

SECTION 11. OTHER STOCK-BASED AWARDS.

         (a) NATURE OF AWARDS. The Committee may grant other Awards under which
Stock is or may in the future be acquired ("Other Stock-based Awards").

         (b) PURCHASE PRICE; FORM OF PAYMENT. The Committee may determine the
consideration, if any, payable upon the issuance or exercise of an Other
Stock-based Award. The Committee may permit payment by certified check or bank
check or other instrument acceptable to the Committee or by surrender of other
shares of Stock (excluding shares then subject to restrictions under the Plan).


                                      -13-




<PAGE>   16



         (c) FORFEITURE OF AWARDS; REPURCHASE OF STOCK; ACCELERATION OR WAIVER
OF RESTRICTIONS. The Committee may determine the conditions under which an Other
Stock-based Award shall be forfeited or, in the case of an Award involving a
payment by the recipient, the conditions under which the Company may or must
repurchase such Award or related Stock. At any time the Committee may in its
sole discretion accelerate, waive or, subject to Section 13, amend any or all of
the limitations or conditions imposed under any Other Stock-based Award.

         (d) AWARD AGREEMENTS. Unless the Committee shall otherwise determine, a
participant shall have no rights with respect to any Other Stock-based Award
unless within 60 days after the grant of such Award (or such shorter period as
the Committee may specify) the participant shall have accepted the Award by
executing and delivering to the Company an Other Stock-based Award Agreement.

         (e) NONTRANSFERABILITY. Other Stock-based Awards may not be sold,
assigned, transferred, pledged or encumbered except as may be provided in the
Other Stock-based Award Agreement. However, in no event shall any Other
Stock-based Award be transferred other than by will or by the laws of descent
and distribution or be exercisable during the participant's lifetime by other
than the participant or the participant's legal representative.

         (f) RIGHTS AS A SHAREHOLDER. A recipient of any Other Stock-based Award
will have rights of a shareholder only at the time and to the extent, if any,
specified by the Committee in the Other Stock-based Award Agreement.

         (g) DEEMED DIVIDEND PAYMENTS; DEFERRALS. Without limiting the right of
the Committee to specify different terms at or after grant, an Other Stock-based
Award Agreement may require or permit the immediate payment, waiver, deferral or
investment of dividends or deemed dividends payable or deemed payable on Stock
subject to the Award.

SECTION 12. TRANSFER, LEAVE OF ABSENCE.

         For purposes of the Plan, the following events shall not be deemed a
termination of employment:

         (a)      a transfer to the employment of the Company from a Subsidiary
                  or from the Company to a Subsidiary, or from one Subsidiary to
                  another;

         (b)      an approved leave of absence for military service or sickness,
                  or for any other purpose approved by the Company, if the
                  employee's right to


                                      -14-




<PAGE>   17



                  reemployment is guaranteed either by a statute or by contract
                  or under the policy pursuant to which the leave of absence was
                  granted or if the Committee otherwise so provides in writing.

For purposes of the Plan, the employees of a Subsidiary of the Company shall be
deemed to have terminated their employment on the date on which such Subsidiary
ceases to be a Subsidiary of the Company.

SECTION 13. AMENDMENTS AND TERMINATION.

         The Board may at any time amend or discontinue the Plan and the
Committee may at any time amend or cancel any outstanding Award for the purpose
of satisfying changes in law or for any other lawful purpose, but no such action
shall adversely affect rights under any outstanding Award without the holder's
consent. However, no such amendment shall be effective unless approved by
stockholders if it would (i) reduce the exercise price of any option previously
granted hereunder or (ii) cause the Plan to fail to satisfy the incentive stock
option requirements of the Code or the requirements of Rule 16b-3 or any
successor rule under the Act as in effect on the date of such amendment.
Notwithstanding any provision of this Plan, the Board or the Committee may at
any time adopt any subplan or otherwise grant Stock Options or other Awards
under this Plan having terms consistent with applicable foreign tax or other
foreign regulatory requirements or laws; provided, however, that no person
subject to the restrictions of Section 16(b) of the Act may be eligible for or
be granted any such Stock Options or other Awards if such eligibility or grant
would cause the Plan to fail to satisfy the requirements of Rule 16b-3 or any
successor rule under the Act as in effect on the applicable date.

SECTION 14. STATUS OF PLAN.

         With respect to the portion of any Award which has not been exercised
and any payments in cash, stock or other consideration not received by a
participant, a participant shall have no rights greater than those of a general
creditor of the Company unless the Committee shall otherwise expressly determine
in connection with any Award or Awards. In its sole discretion, the Committee
may authorize the creation of trusts or other arrangements to meet the Company's
obligations to deliver Stock or make payments with respect to awards hereunder,
provided that the existence of such trusts or other arrangements is consistent
with the provision of the foregoing sentence.

SECTION 15. CHANGE OF CONTROL PROVISIONS.



                                      -15-




<PAGE>   18



         As used herein, a Change of Control and related definitions shall have
the meanings set forth in Exhibit A to this Plan.

         Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control:

         (i)      Each Stock Option and Stock Appreciation Right shall
                  automatically become fully exercisable unless the Committee
                  shall otherwise expressly provide at the time of grant.

         (ii)     Restrictions and conditions on Restricted Stock, Deferred
                  Stock, Performance Units and Other Stock-based Awards shall
                  automatically be deemed waived only if and to the extent, if
                  any, specified (whether at or after time of grant) by the
                  Committee.

The Committee may at any time prior to or after a Change of Control accelerate
the exercisability of any Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights and may
waive restrictions, limitations and conditions on Restricted Stock, Deferred
Stock, Performance Units and Other Stock-based Awards to the extent it shall in
its sole discretion determine.

SECTION 16. GENERAL PROVISIONS.

         (a) NO DISTRIBUTION; COMPLIANCE WITH LEGAL REQUIREMENTS, ETC. The
Committee may require each person acquiring shares pursuant to an Award to
represent to and agree with the Company in writing that such person is acquiring
the shares without a view to distribution thereof.

         No shares of Stock shall be issued pursuant to an Award until all
applicable securities law and other legal and stock exchange requirements have
been satisfied. The Committee may require the placing of such stop-orders and
restrictive legends on certificates for Stock and Awards as it deems
appropriate.

         (b) OTHER COMPENSATION ARRANGEMENTS; NO EMPLOYMENT RIGHTS. Nothing
contained in this Plan shall prevent the Board of Directors from adopting other
or additional compensation arrangements, subject to stockholder approval if such
approval is required; and such arrangements may be either generally applicable
or applicable only in specific cases. The adoption of the Plan does not confer
upon any employee any right to continued employment with the Company or a
Subsidiary, nor does it interfere in any way with the right of the Company or a
Subsidiary to terminate the employment of any of its employees at any time.


                                      -16-




<PAGE>   19



         (c) TAX WITHHOLDING, ETC. Each participant shall, no later than the
date as of which the value of an Award or of any Stock or other amounts received
thereunder first becomes includable in the gross income of the participant for
Federal income tax purposes, pay to the Company, or make arrangements
satisfactory to the Committee regarding payment of, any Federal, state, or local
taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to such income.
The Company and its Subsidiaries shall, to the extent permitted by law, have the
right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the
participant. The Company may withhold or otherwise administer the Plan to comply
with tax obligations under any applicable foreign laws.

         The Committee may provide, in respect of any transfer of Stock under an
Award, that if and to the extent withholding of any Federal, state or local tax
is required in respect of such transfer or vesting, the participant may elect,
at such time and in such manner as the Committee shall prescribe, to (i)
surrender to the Company Stock not then subject to restrictions under any
Company plan or (ii) have the Company hold back from the transfer or vesting
Stock having a value calculated to satisfy such withholding obligation. In no
event shall Stock be surrendered under clause (i) or held back by the Company
under clause (ii) in excess of the minimum amount required to be withheld for
Federal, state and local taxes.

         (d) DEFERRAL OF AWARDS. Participants may elect to defer receipt of
Awards or vesting of Awards only in such cases and to the extent that the
Committee shall determine at or after the grant date.

SECTION 17.  DEFINITIONS.

         The following terms shall be defined as set forth below:

         (a)      "Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

         (b)      "Approved Performance Criteria" means criteria based on any
                  one or more of the following (on a consolidated, divisional,
                  line of business, geographical or area of executive's
                  responsibilities basis): one or more items of or within (i)
                  sales, revenues, assets or expenses; (ii) earnings, income or
                  margins, before or after deduction for all or any portion of
                  interest, taxes, depreciation, or amortization, whether or not
                  on a continuing operations and aggregate or per share basis;
                  (iii) return on investment, capital, assets, sales or
                  revenues; and (iv) stock price.

         (c)      "Award" or "Awards" except where referring to a particular
                  category of grant under the Plan shall include Incentive Stock
                  Options, Non-Qualified


                                      -17-




<PAGE>   20



                  Stock Options, Stock Appreciation Rights, Restricted Stock
                  Awards, Unrestricted Stock Awards, Deferred Stock Awards,
                  Performance Awards and Other Stock-based Awards.

         (d)      "Board" means the Board of Directors of the Company.

         (e)      "Cause" means a felony conviction of a participant or the
                  failure of a participant to contest prosecution for a felony,
                  or a participant's willful misconduct or dishonesty, any of
                  which is directly harmful to the business or reputation of the
                  Company or any Subsidiary.

         (f)      "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended,
                  and any successor Code, and related rules, regulations and
                  interpretations.

         (g)      "Committee" means the Committee referred to in Section 2. If
                  at any time no Committee shall be in office, the functions of
                  the Committee shall be exercised by the Board.

         (h)      "Deferred Stock Award" is defined in Section 9(a).

         (i)      "Disability" means disability as determined in accordance with
                  standards and procedures similar to those used under the
                  Company's long term disability program.

         (j)      "Fair Market Value" on any given date means the last sale
                  price regular way at which Stock is traded on such date as
                  reflected in the New York Stock Exchange Composite
                  Transactions Index or, where applicable, the value of a share
                  of Stock as determined by the Committee in accordance with the
                  applicable provisions of the Code.

         (k)      "Incentive Stock Option" means any Stock Option intended to be
                  and designated as an "incentive stock option" as defined in
                  the Code.

         (l)      "Non-Employee Director" shall have the meaning set forth in
                  Rule 16b- 3(b)(3) promulgated under the Act, or any successor
                  definition under the Act.

         (m)      "Non-Qualified Stock Option" means any Stock Option that is
                  not an Incentive Stock Option.


                                      -18-




<PAGE>   21



         (n)      "Normal Retirement" means retirement from active employment
                  with the Company and its Subsidiaries at or after age 65 with
                  at least five years of service for the Company and its
                  Subsidiaries as specified in The TJX Companies, Inc.
                  Retirement Plan.

         (o)      "Other Stock-based Award" is defined in Section 11(a).

         (p)      "Performance Award" is defined in Section 10(a).

         (q)      "Restricted Stock Award" is defined in Section 8(a).

         (r)      "Special Service Retirement" means retirement from active
                  employment with the Company and its Subsidiaries (i) at or
                  after age 60 with at least twenty years of service for the
                  Company and its Subsidiaries, or (ii) at or after age 65 with
                  at least ten years of service for the Company and its
                  Subsidiaries. The term "Special Service Retirement" applies
                  only to Stock Options granted on or after February 2, 1999.

         (s)      "Stock" means the Common Stock, $1.00 par value, of the
                  Company, subject to adjustments pursuant to Section 3.

         (t)      "Stock Appreciation Right" means a right described in Section
                  7(a) and granted, either independently of other Awards or in
                  tandem with the grant of a Stock Option.

         (u)      "Stock Option" means any option to purchase shares of Stock
                  granted pursuant to Section 6.

         (v)      "Subsidiary" means any corporation or other entity (other than
                  the Company) in an unbroken chain beginning with the Company
                  if each of the entities (other than the last entity in the
                  unbroken chain) owns stock or other interests possessing 50%
                  or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of
                  stock or other interest in one of the other corporations or
                  other entities in the chain.

         (w)      "Unrestricted Stock Award" is defined in Section 8(f).


                                      -19-




<PAGE>   22



                                                                       EXHIBIT A
                                                                       ---------


                        DEFINITION OF "CHANGE OF CONTROL"

         "Change of Control" shall mean the occurrence of any one of the
following events:

                  (a) there occurs a change of control of the Company of a
         nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 1(a)
         of the Current Report on Form 8-K pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
         the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") or in any
         other filing under the Exchange Act; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that if the
         Participant or a Participant Related Party is the Person or a member of
         a group constituting the Person acquiring control, a transaction shall
         not be deemed to be a Change of Control as to a Participant unless the
         Committee shall otherwise determine prior to such occurrence; or

                  (b) any Person other than the Company, any wholly-owned
         subsidiary of the Company, or any employee benefit plan of the Company
         or such a subsidiary becomes the owner of 20% or more of the Company's
         Common Stock and thereafter individuals who were not directors of the
         Company prior to the date such Person became a 20% owner are elected as
         directors pursuant to an arrangement or understanding with, or upon the
         request of or nomination by, such Person and constitute at least 1/4 of
         the Company's Board of Directors; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that unless the
         Committee shall otherwise determine prior to the acquisition of such
         20% ownership, such acquisition of ownership shall not constitute a
         Change of Control as to a Participant if the Participant or a
         Participant Related Party is the Person or a member of a group
         constituting the Person acquiring such ownership; or

                  (c) there occurs any solicitation or series of solicitations
         of proxies by or on behalf of any Person other than the Company's Board
         of Directors and thereafter individuals who were not directors of the
         Company prior to the commencement of such solicitation or series of
         solicitations are elected as directors pursuant to an arrangement or
         understanding with, or upon the request of or nomination by, such
         Person and constitute at least 1/4 of the Company's Board of Directors;
         or

                                      -20-




<PAGE>   23



                  (d) the Company executes an agreement of acquisition, merger
         or consolidation which contemplates that (i) after the effective date
         provided for in such agreement, all or substantially all of the
         business and/or assets of the Company shall be owned, leased or
         otherwise controlled by another Person and (ii) individuals who are
         directors of the Company when such agreement is executed shall not
         constitute a majority of the board of directors of the survivor or
         successor entity immediately after the effective date provided for in
         such agreement; PROVIDED, HOWEVER, that unless otherwise determined by
         the Committee, no transaction shall constitute a Change of Control as
         to a Participant if, immediately after such transaction, the
         Participant or any Participant Related Party shall own equity
         securities of any surviving corporation ("Surviving Entity") having a
         fair value as a percentage of the fair value of the equity securities
         of such Surviving Entity greater than 125% of the fair value of the
         equity securities of the Company owned by the Participant and any
         Participant Related Party immediately prior to such transaction,
         expressed as a percentage of the fair value of all equity securities of
         the Company immediately prior to such transaction (for purposes of this
         paragraph ownership of equity securities shall be determined in the
         same manner as ownership of Common Stock); and PROVIDED, FURTHER, that,
         for purposes of this paragraph (d), if such agreement requires as a
         condition precedent approval by the Company's shareholders of the
         agreement or transaction, a Change of Control shall not be deemed to
         have taken place unless and until such approval is secured (but upon
         any such approval, a Change of Control shall be deemed to have occurred
         on the date of execution of such agreement).

         In addition, for purposes of this Exhibit A the following terms have
the meanings set forth below:

         "Common Stock" shall mean the then outstanding Common Stock of the
Company plus, for purposes of determining the stock ownership of any Person, the
number of unissued shares of Common Stock which such Person has the right to
acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after the passage
of time) upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights, warrants or
options or otherwise. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the term Common Stock shall
not include shares of Preferred Stock or convertible debt or options or warrants
to acquire shares of Common Stock (including any shares of Common Stock issued
or issuable upon the conversion or exercise thereof) to the extent that the
Board of Directors of the Company shall expressly so determine in any future
transaction or transactions.

                                      -21-




<PAGE>   24


         A Person shall be deemed to be the "owner" of any Common Stock:

                  (i) of which such Person would be the "beneficial owner," as
         such term is defined in Rule 13d-3 promulgated by the Securities and
         Exchange Commission (the "Commission") under the Exchange Act, as in
         effect on March 1, 1989; or

                  (ii) of which such Person would be the "beneficial owner" for
         purposes of Section 16 of the Exchange Act and the rules of the
         Commission promulgated thereunder, as in effect on March 1, 1989; or

                  (iii) which such Person or any of its affiliates or associates
         (as such terms are defined in Rule 12b-2 promulgated by the Commission
         under the Exchange Act, as in effect on March 1, 1989) has the right to
         acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or only after
         the passage of time) pursuant to any agreement, arrangement or
         understanding or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange
         rights, warrants or options or otherwise.

         "Person" shall have the meaning used in Section 13(d) of the Exchange
Act, as in effect on March 1, 1989.

         A "Participant Related Party" shall mean, with respect to a
Participant, any affiliate or associate of the Participant other than the
Company or a Subsidiary of the Company. The terms "affiliate" and "associate"
shall have the meanings ascribed thereto in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act
(the term "registrant" in the definition of "associate" meaning, in this case,
the Company).

         "Participant" means a participant in the Plan.


                                      -22-








<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM THE
STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND BALANCE SHEETS AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY BY
REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>

<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-29-2000
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                               AUG-28-1999
<CASH>                                      47,187,000
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                               87,960,000
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                              1,578,134,000
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                         1,784,102,000
<PP&E>                                   1,481,148,000
<DEPRECIATION>                             685,967,000
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                           2,849,294,000
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                    1,502,390,000
<BONDS>                                    120,121,000
                                0
                                          0
<COMMON>                                   315,989,000
<OTHER-SE>                                 910,794,000
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>             2,849,294,000
<SALES>                                  4,050,728,000
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                         4,050,728,000
<CGS>                                    3,014,611,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                            3,014,611,000
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                           641,157,000
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                           1,230,000
<INCOME-PRETAX>                            393,730,000
<INCOME-TAX>                               151,389,000
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                        242,341,000
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                               242,341,000
<EPS-BASIC>                                      .76
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .75


</TABLE>


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