CML GROUP INC
10-Q/A, 1997-05-13
SPORTING & ATHLETIC GOODS, NEC
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<PAGE>   1

================================================================================

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                   FORM 10-Q/A
                          AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO FORM 10-Q

(Mark one)
[X]      QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                  SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended February 1, 1997

                                       OR

[ ]      TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
                  SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from ________  to __________

Commission file number 0-12628

                                 CML GROUP, INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

         Delaware                                       04-2451745
(State of Incorporation)                    (IRS Employer Identification Number)


 524 Main Street, Acton, Massachusetts                    01720
(Address of principal executive offices)               (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (508) 264-4155

                                 Not Applicable
               (Former name, former address and former fiscal year
                         if changed since last report.)

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 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
                     ---

Number of shares  outstanding  of each of the issuer's  classes of common stock:
49,767,249 shares of common stock, $.10 par value, as of March 6, 1997.

================================================================================

<PAGE>   2

     The undersigned registrant hereby amends the following items, financial
statements, exhibits or other portions of its Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for
the fiscal quarter ended February 1, 1997 as set forth in the pages attached
hereto:

     The Exhibit Index referred to in Paragraph (a) of "Item 6: Exhibits and
Reports on Form 8-K" is hereby amended and replaced in its entirety by the
Exhibit Index following the signature page to this Amendment No. 1 on Form
10-Q/A. The registrant is also filing Amendment Numbers 1, 2, 3 and 4 to its
revolving credit agreement as exhibits to this Amendment No. 1 on Form 10-Q/A.


<PAGE>   3

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

                                               CML GROUP, INC.


Date:  May 13, 1997                            By: /s/ Paul J. Bailey
                                                   ------------------
                                                   Paul J. Bailey
                                                   Controller


<PAGE>   4

                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


                                                                      Page No.
                                                                      --------

11    --  Statement Regarding Computation of Earnings 
          (Loss) Per Share                                               *

27    --  Financial Data Schedule                                        *

10(a) --  Amendment No. 1 to the Revolving Credit Agreement,
          dated as of April 17, 1996, among CML Group, Inc., 
          NordicTrack, Inc., Nordic Advantage, Inc.,
          OTNC, Inc., Smith & Hawken, Ltd., Biscuit Factory 
          Publications, Incorporated, The First National 
          Bank of Boston and BankAmerica Business
          Credit, Inc.

10(b) --  Amendment No. 2 to the Revolving Credit 
          Agreement, dated as of April 17, 1996, among CML 
          Group, Inc., NordicTrack, Inc., Nordic Advantage, Inc.,
          Smith & Hawken, Ltd., Biscuit Factory Publications, 
          Incorporated, The First National Bank of Boston 
          and BankAmerica Business Credit, Inc.

10(c) --  Amendment No. 3 to the Revolving Credit 
          Agreement, dated as of April 17, 1996, among CML 
          Group, Inc., NordicTrack, Inc., Nordic Advantage, Inc.,
          Smith & Hawken, Ltd., Biscuit Factory Publications, 
          Incorporated, The First National Bank of Boston and 
          BankAmerica Business Credit, Inc.

10(d) --  Amendment No. 4 to the Revolving Credit
          Agreement, dated as of April 17, 1996, among CML
          Group, Inc., NordicTrack, Inc., Nordic Advantage, Inc.,
          Smith & Hawken, Ltd., Biscuit Factory Publications,
          Incorporated, The First National Bank of Boston and
          BankAmerica Business Credit, Inc.

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


<PAGE>   1

                                                                Exhibit 10(a)



                                 CML GROUP, INC.
                        AND ITS UNDERSIGNED SUBSIDIARIES
                                 524 Main Street
                           Acton, Massachusetts 01720


                                                    Dated as of October 15, 1996


The First National Bank of Boston
BankAmerica Business Credit, Inc.
c/o The First National Bank of Boston,
     as Administrative Agent
100 Federal Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110

         Re:      Amendment No. 1 to the Credit Agreement, Consent and Waiver

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We refer to the Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of April 17, 1996
(as amended by a letter agreement dated as of June 5, 1996, the "Credit
Agreement"), among (i) CML Group, Inc. ("CML"), (ii) NordicTrack, Inc., Nordic
Advantage, Inc., OTNC, Inc. (formerly known as The Nature Company), Smith &
Hawken, Ltd. and Biscuit Factory Publications Incorporated (d/b/a Hear Music),
(iii) The First National Bank of Boston ("Bank of Boston") and BankAmerica
Business Credit, Inc. ("BankAmerica") (each a "Lender" and collectively, the
"Lenders") and (ii) Bank of Boston, as administrative, collateral and
documentation agent for the Lenders (the "Administrative Agent") and as Issuing
Bank. Capitalized terms used and not otherwise defined in this letter agreement
(this "Amendment Agreement") shall have the meanings assigned to such terms in
the Credit Agreement.

         We have advised the Lenders and the Administrative Agent that: (i) we
have not delivered the Agency Account Agreement for Bank of America required to
be delivered pursuant to Section 9.14 of the Credit Agreement, (ii) we have not
delivered the intellectual property appraisals required to be delivered pursuant
to Section 9.16 of the Credit Agreement, (iii) we are not in compliance with the
Minimum Quarterly Consolidated EBITDA covenant set forth in Section 11.1 of the
Credit Agreement for the fiscal quarter ending July 31, 1996, (iv) we are not in
compliance with the Minimum Quarterly EBITDA (NordicTrack) covenant set forth in
Section 11.5 of the Credit Agreement for the fiscal quarter ending July 31,
1996, and (v) we are not in compliance with the Minimum Quarterly EBITDA
<PAGE>   2
                                      -2-

(TNC) covenant set forth in Section 11.6 of the Credit Agreement for the fiscal
quarter ending July 31, 1996. Each of the foregoing constitute an Event of
Default under Section 14.1 of the Credit Agreement (items (iii) through (v) are
referred to herein as the "Specified Financial Covenant Events of Default" and
items (i) and (ii) are referred to herein as the "Specified Other Events of
Default").

         We have further advised you that CML wishes to declare and pay a cash
dividend on its outstanding common stock even though we are not in compliance
with the Minimum Consolidated EBITDA requirement for payment of dividends set
forth in Section 10.4.2(a)(iii) of the Credit Agreement.

         We have requested the undersigned Lenders to (i) waive the Specified
Other Events of Default, (ii) waive the Specified Financial Covenant Events of
Default for the fiscal quarter ending July 31, 1996, and (iii) consent to the
declaration and payment by CML of a cash dividend on or about November 1, 1996
in an aggregate amount not in excess of $500,000.

         In addition, we have requested the undersigned Lenders to amend the
Credit Agreement to, among other things, eliminate the Overadvance, to amend
certain financial covenants and to address the sale of the assets of OTNC, Inc.

         The undersigned Lenders have advised us that they are prepared to so
amend the Credit Agreement, grant the requested consents and waive the Specified
Other Events of Default and Specified Financial Covenant Events of Default on
the terms, subject to the conditions and in reliance on our representations
contained herein.

         Accordingly, CML, the Borrowers, OTNC, Inc. and the Lenders hereby
agree as follows:

         SECTION 1. Amendments to Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement is
hereby amended as set forth below.

                  (a) OTNC, Inc. as Borrower. The preamble of the Credit
         Agreement is amended by deleting the words "THE NATURE COMPANY, a
         California corporation ("TNC")," and the words ", TNC" where they
         appear in the preamble.

                  (b) Definitions. Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is
         amended as follows:

                           (i) the definition of "Aggregate Borrowing Base" set
                  forth in such section is amended by deleting the words ", the
                  TNC Borrowing Base";

                           (ii) the definition of "Borrowing Base" set forth in
                  such section is amended and restated in its entirety as
                  follows:
<PAGE>   3
                                      -3-

                                    Borrowing Base. Collectively, the
                           NordicTrack Borrowing Base, the S&H Borrowing Base
                           and the Hear Music Borrowing Base.

                           (iii) the definition of "Eligible Inventory" set
                  forth in such section is amended by (A) deleting the comma
                  after the words "Hear Music" in the first line thereof and
                  substituting in place thereof the word "and", (B) deleting the
                  words "and TNC" where they appear in such definition, (C)
                  deleting the dollar amount "$1,750,000" in clause (iii)(C) of
                  such definition and substituting in place thereof the phrase:
                  "$6,000,000 with respect to inventory located at S&H's
                  distribution center and warehouse located at 8145 Holton
                  Drive, Florence, Kentucky and operated by The Discovery
                  Channel Store, Inc. pursuant to the Cooperation and Services
                  Agreement between The Discovery Channel Store, Inc. and S&H,
                  and $1,750,000 with respect to all other inventory locations"
                  and (D) inserting at the end of clause (iii)(y) the following
                  proviso:

                           "provided, however that the Administrative Agent may,
                           in its sole discretion, waive the foregoing
                           requirement with respect to financing statements,";

                           (iv) the definition of "Foreign Pledge Agreement" set
                  forth in such section is amended by deleting the word "TNC" in
                  clause (b) and substituting in place thereof the words "The
                  Nature Company (now known as OTNC)";

                           (v) the definition of "Guarantor" set forth in such
                  section is amended by inserting the words ", OTNC" after the
                  words "CML, each Borrower";

                           (vi) the definition of "Loans" set forth in such
                  section is amended by deleting the words ", the TNC Loans";

                           (vii) the definition of "Note Records" set forth in
                  such section is amended by deleting the words ", the TNC Note
                  Records";

                           (viii) the definition of "Notes" set forth in such
                  section is amended by deleting the words ", the TNC Notes";

                           (ix) the definitions of "Determined Value", "Eligible
                  Machinery and Equipment", "Eligible Real Estate", "Litigation
                  Reserve", "Overadvance", "Overadvance Borrowing Base",
                  "Overadvance Reallocation Date", "Overadvance Reallocation
                  Request", "Permitted Overadvance Amount", "Sub-Overadvance
                  Amount", "TNC", "TNC Borrowing Base", "TNC Loans", "TNC
<PAGE>   4
                                      -4-

                  Notes" and "TNC Note Records" set forth in such section are
                  deleted in their entirety; and

                           (x) the following new definition is inserted in the
                  appropriate alphabetical sequence in such section:

                                    OTNC. OTNC, Inc., a California corporation
                           formerly known as The Nature Company.

                  (c) Commitment to Lend NordicTrack Loans. Section 2.1.1 of the
         Credit Agreement is amended by deleting the following from the proviso
         in the first sentence of section: "plus the lesser of (i) the
         Overadvance Borrowing Base less the aggregate outstanding amount of the
         Overadvances of the other Borrowers (after giving effect to all amounts
         requested) and (ii) NordicTrack's Sub-Overadvance Amount in effect at
         such time".

                  (d) Commitment to Lend TNC Loans. Section 2.1.2 of the Credit
         Agreement is amended by deleting such section in its entirety and
         substituting in place thereof the phrase "Intentionally Omitted."

                  (e) Commitment to Lend S&H Loans. Section 2.1.3 of the Credit
         Agreement is amended by deleting the following from the proviso in the
         first sentence of section: "plus the lesser of (i) the Overadvance
         Borrowing Base less the aggregate outstanding amount of the
         Overadvances of the other Borrowers (after giving effect to all amounts
         requested) and (ii) S&H's Sub-Overadvance Amount in effect at such
         time".

                  (f) Commitment to Lend Hear Music Loans. Section 2.1.4 of the
         Credit Agreement is amended by deleting the following from the proviso
         in the first sentence of section: "plus the lesser of (i) the
         Overadvance Borrowing Base less the aggregate outstanding amount of the
         Overadvances of the other Borrowers (after giving effect to all amounts
         requested) and (ii) Hear Music's Sub-Overadvance Amount in effect at
         such time".

                  (g) Permitted Overadvance Amount. Section 2.1.5 of the Credit
         Agreement is amended by deleting such section in its entirety and
         substituting in place thereof the phrase "Intentionally Omitted".

                  (h) The TNC Notes. Section 2.4.2 of the Credit Agreement is
         amended by deleting such section in its entirety and substituting in
         place thereof the phrase "Intentionally Omitted."

                  (i) Interest on Loans. Section 2.5 of the Credit Agreement is
         amended by (i) deleting the words "which does not constitute an
         Overadvance" in paragraph (a) of such section and (ii) deleting
         paragraph
<PAGE>   5
                                      -5-

         (c) of such section in its entirety and substituting in place thereof
         the phrase "Intentionally Omitted."

                  (j) Conversion to Different Type of Loan. Section 2.7.1 of the
         Credit Agreement is amended by deleting the parenthetical "(excluding
         the Loans outstanding from time to time which constitute Overadvances)"
         in the first sentence of such section.

                  (k) Change in Borrowing Bases. Section 2.9 of the Credit
         Agreement is amended by (i) deleting the words "and the Overadvance
         Borrowing Base" in the last sentence of such section and (ii) deleting
         the words "or the Overadvance Borrowing Base, as the case may be," in
         the last sentence of such section.

                  (l) Mandatory Repayment of NordicTrack Loans. Section 3.2.1 of
         the Credit Agreement is amended by deleting the following from clause
         (ii) of the first sentence of such section "plus the lesser of (x) the
         Overadvance Borrowing Base less the aggregate outstanding amount of the
         Overadvances of the other Borrowers and (y) NordicTrack's
         Sub-Overadvance Amount in effect at such time".

                  (m) Mandatory Repayment of TNC Loans. Section 3.2.2 of the
         Credit Agreement is amended by deleting such section in its entirety
         and substituting in place thereof the phrase "Intentionally Omitted."

                  (n) Mandatory Repayment of S&H Loans. Section 3.2.3 of the
         Credit Agreement is amended by deleting the following from clause (ii)
         of the first sentence of such section "plus the lesser of (x) the
         Overadvance Borrowing Base less the aggregate outstanding amount of the
         Overadvances of the other Borrowers and (y) S&H's Sub-Overadvance
         Amount in effect at such time".

                  (o) Mandatory Repayment of Hear Music Loans. Section 3.2.4 of
         the Credit Agreement is amended by deleting the following from clause
         (ii) of the first sentence of such section "plus the lesser of (x) the
         Overadvance Borrowing Base less the aggregate outstanding amount of the
         Overadvances of the other Borrowers and (y) Hear Music's
         Sub-Overadvance Amount in effect at such time".

                  (p) CML's Depository Arrangements. Section 3.3.2 of the Credit
         Agreement is amended by (A) deleting the word "and" at the end of
         clause (ii) in the first sentence of such section and substituting in
         place thereof a comma and (B) inserting before the period at the end of
         clause (iii) in the first sentence of such section the clause "and (iv)
         cause any and all tax refunds received by CML to be immediately
         deposited into CML's Concentration Account".
<PAGE>   6
                                      -6-

                  (q) Commitment to Issue Letters of Credit. Section 4.1.1 of
         the Credit Agreement is amended by deleting the following from clause
         (b)(ii)(B) of such section: "plus the lesser of (x) the Overadvance
         Borrowing Base and (y) such Borrower's Sub-Overadvance Amount less the
         aggregate Sub-Overadvance Amounts allocated to other Borrowers".

                  (r) Notice of Sale of TNC. Section 9.5.6 of the Credit
         Agreement is amended by deleting such section in its entirety and
         substituting in place thereof the phrase "Intentionally Omitted."

                  (s) Agency Account Agreements. Section 9.14 of the Credit
         Agreement is amended by deleting the words "forty-five (45) days after
         the Closing Date" in the first sentence of such paragraph and
         substituting in place thereof the words "November 30, 1996".

                  (t) Intellectual Property Appraisals. Section 9.16 of the
         Credit Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

                           9.16. INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY APPRAISALS. As soon as
                  practicable but in any event not later than November 30, 1996,
                  the Borrowers will deliver to the Co-Agents appraisals of
                  NordicTrack's trade names and trademarks performed by a third
                  party mutually agreed upon by the Co-Agents and the Borrowers
                  and such appraisals shall be in form and substance
                  satisfactory to the Co-Agents.

                  (u) Collateral Notes. Section 9.20 of the Credit Agreement is
         amended by deleting the words ", the TNC Notes".

                  (v) Intercompany Distributions and Restricted Payments.
         Section 10.4.1(c) of the Credit Agreement is amended by deleting clause
         (ii) of such paragraph and substituting in place thereof the following
         clause: "(ii) $0 in respect of OTNC,".

                  (w) Minimum Quarterly Consolidated EBITDA. Section 11.1 of the
         Credit Agreement is amended by deleting the table set forth in such
         section and substituting in place thereof the following table:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       QUARTER ENDING                MINIMUM CONSOLIDATED EBITDA
                       --------------                ---------------------------

<S>                                                          <C>           
                       July 1996                             $ (27,750,000)
                       October 1996                          $ (19,600,000)
                       January 1997                          $  17,500,000
                       April 1997                            $   6,450,000
                       July 1997                             $  (2,750,000)
                       October 1997                          $    (900,000)
                       January 1998                          $  43,400,000
</TABLE>


<PAGE>   7
                                      -7-
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

<S>                                                          <C>         
                       April 1998                            $ (2,900,000)
                       July 1998                             $  1,300,000
                       October 1998                          $   (900,000)
                       January 1999                          $ 43,400,000
</TABLE>

                  (x) Minimum Consolidated EBITDA to Interest Ratio. Section
         11.2 of the Credit Agreement is amended by deleting the table set forth
         in such section and substituting in place thereof the following table
         and text:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       PERIOD ENDING                           RATIO
                       -------------                         ---------

<S>                                                          <C>
                       April 1997                            2.00:1.00
                       July 1997                             0.50:1.00
                       October 1997                          3.00:1.00
                       January 1998                          3.50:1.00
                       April 1998 and thereafter             4.00:1.00
</TABLE>

         For purposes of calculating the foregoing ratio, Consolidated EBITDA
         and Consolidated Total Interest Expense of CML and its Subsidiaries for
         the fiscal quarter ending in July 1996 shall be deemed to be zero
         dollars ($0).

                  (y) Total Liabilities to Tangible Net Worth. Section 11.4 of
         the Credit Agreement is amended by deleting the table set forth in such
         section and substituting in place thereof the following table:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                       QUARTER ENDING                          RATIO
                       --------------                        ---------

<S>                                                          <C>
                       July 1996                             2.00:1.00
                       October 1996                          3.00:1.00
                       January 1997                          2.00:1.00
                       April 1997                            1.80:1.00
                       July 1997                             1.90:1.00
                       October 1997                          2.70:1.00
                       January 1998                          1.60:1.00
                       April 1998                            1.60:1.00
                       July 1998                             1.60:1.00
                       October 1998                          2.70:1.00
                       January 1999                          1.80:1.00
</TABLE>

                  (z) Minimum Quarterly EBITDA (NordicTrack). Section 11.5 of
         the Credit Agreement is amended by deleting the table set forth in such
         section and substituting in place thereof the following table:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                       QUARTER ENDING                        MINIMUM EBITDA
                       --------------                        --------------

<S>                                                          <C>          
                       July 1996                             $(26,300,000)
</TABLE>
<PAGE>   8
                                      -8-

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S>                                                          <C>          
                       October 1996                          $(16,750,000)
                       January 1997                          $ 16,950,000
                       April 1997                            $  8,850,000
                       July 1997                             $ (4,150,000)
                       October 1997                          $    600,000
                       January 1998                          $ 28,100,000
                       April 1998                            $  6,400,000
                       July 1998                             $ (1,000,000)
                       October 1998                          $    900,000
                       January 1999                          $ 28,400,000
</TABLE>


                  (aa) Minimum Quarterly EBITDA (TNC). Section 11.6 of the
         Credit Agreement is amended by deleting such section in its entirety
         and substituting in place thereof the phrase "Intentionally Omitted."

                  (bb) Borrowing Availability. Section 13.6 of the Credit
         Agreement is amended by deleting the phrase "plus the Permitted
         Overadvance Amount" from such section.

         SECTION 2. Amendment to Loan Documents. All references in the Loan
Documents to "TNC" or "The Nature Company" shall be deemed to refer to OTNC.
Effective as of the Amendment No. 1 Effective Date, the Total Commitment shall
be permanently reduced to $40,000,000.

         SECTION 3. Waivers and Consents. The Lenders hereby (i) waive the
Specified Other Events of Default, (ii) waive the Specified Financial Covenant
Events of Default solely for the fiscal quarter ending July 31, 1996, provided
that, after giving effect to the amendments contained in Section 1 hereof, CML
and its Subsidiaries shall be in compliance with such financial covenants being
waived, and (iii) consent to the declaration and payment by CML of a cash
dividend on or about November 1, 1996 in an aggregate amount not in excess of
$500,000.

         SECTION 4. Conditions. The effectiveness of Sections 1, 2 and 3 above
is subject to satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

                  (a) This Amendment Agreement shall have been duly authorized,
         executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent by CML, the
         Borrowers, OTNC, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent.

                  (b) Each of the Guarantors and the Foreign Guarantors shall
         have duly authorized, executed and delivered to the Administrative
         Agent its consent to this Amendment Agreement.

                  (c) CML and the Borrowers shall have paid to each Lender an
         amendment fee equal in each case to $25,000.
<PAGE>   9
                                      -9-

         The date on which all of the foregoing conditions are satisfied is
referred to herein as the "Amendment No. 1 Effective Date".

         SECTION 5. Representations and Warranties. Each of the Borrowers, CML
and OTNC hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the
Lenders, on and as of the date hereof, as follows:

                  (a) This Amendment Agreement has been duly executed and
         delivered by each of the Borrowers, CML and OTNC. The execution and
         delivery by each of the Borrowers, CML and OTNC of this Amendment
         Agreement and the performance by each of the Borrowers, CML and OTNC of
         this Amendment Agreement and the Loan Documents, as amended hereby
         (collectively, the "Amendment Documents"), have been duly authorized by
         proper corporate proceedings by such Person, and each Amendment
         Document to which any of the Borrowers, CML and OTNC is a party
         constitutes the legal, valid and binding obligation of such Person,
         enforceable against such Person in accordance with the terms of such
         Amendment Document.

                  (b) The execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment
         Agreement by each of the Borrowers, CML and OTNC (i) are within the
         corporate authority of such Person, (ii) have been duly authorized by
         all necessary corporate proceedings, (iii) do not conflict with or
         result in any breach or contravention of any provision of law, statute,
         rule or regulation to which CML, any of the Borrowers, OTNC or any of
         their Subsidiaries is subject or any judgment, order, writ, injunction,
         license or permit applicable to CML, any of the Borrowers, OTNC or any
         of their Subsidiaries and (iv) do not conflict with any provision of
         the corporate charter or bylaws of, or any agreement or other
         instrument binding upon, CML, any of the Borrowers, OTNC or any of
         their Subsidiaries.

                  (c) Each of the representations and warranties of any of CML,
         the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries contained in the Credit Agreement,
         the other Loan Documents or in any document or instrument delivered
         pursuant to or in connection with the Credit Agreement are true as of
         the date as of which they were made and are true as of the date of this
         Amendment Agreement, except to the extent of changes resulting from
         transactions contemplated or permitted by the Credit Agreement and the
         other Loan Documents and except to the extent that such representation
         and warranties relate expressly to any earlier date.

                  (d) On or about September 27, 1996, CML has received a cash
         refund from the Internal Revenue Service in the amount of $55,900,000
         in respect of its tentative carryback adjustment under Section 6411 of
         the Code with respect to CML's consolidated net operating loss for
         CML's fiscal year 1996.
<PAGE>   10
                                      -10-

                  (e) After giving effect to this Amendment Agreement, no
         Default or Event of Default will be continuing under the Credit
         Agreement.

         SECTION 6. Continued Validity of Loan Documents. Except for the
amendments of the Credit Agreement and other Loan Documents pursuant to Sections
1 and 2 hereof and the waivers and consents granted pursuant to Section 3
hereof, this Amendment Agreement shall not, by implication or otherwise, limit,
impair, constitute a waiver of or otherwise affect any rights or remedies of the
Administrative Agent or the Lenders under the Credit Agreement or the other Loan
Documents, nor alter, modify, amend or in any way affect any of the obligations
or covenants contained in the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan
Documents, all of which are ratified and confirmed in all respects and shall
continue in full force and effect. The Lenders shall not have any obligation to
grant any further waiver or consent with respect to the subject matter of the
waivers and consents granted herein or any other waivers or consents.

         SECTION 7. Legal Fees. Each of the Borrowers and CML confirms and
agrees that it shall pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent for all legal
fees and disbursements of legal counsel for the Administrative Agent in
connection with this Amendment Agreement and the financing arrangements governed
by the Credit Agreement.

         SECTION 8. Loan Documents. From and after the date hereof, this
Amendment Agreement shall be deemed a Loan Document for all purposes of the
Credit Agreement, and each reference to Loan Documents in the Credit Agreement
shall be deemed to include this Amendment Agreement.

         SECTION 9. APPLICABLE LAW. THIS AMENDMENT AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED
BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF
MASSACHUSETTS.

         SECTION 10. Counterparts. This Amendment Agreement may be executed in
any number of counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all
of which when taken together shall constitute but one agreement. Delivery of an
executed counterpart of a signature page by facsimile transmission shall be
effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment
Agreement.
<PAGE>   11
                                      -11-

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment
Agreement to be duly executed by their duly authorized officers, all as of the
date first above written.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    CML GROUP, INC.


                                    By: /s/ Glenn E. Davis
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                       Glenn E. Davis, Vice President - Finance

                                    NORDICTRACK, INC.
                                    NORDIC ADVANTAGE, INC.
                                    SMITH & HAWKEN, LTD.
                                    BISCUIT FACTORY PUBLICATIONS
                                    INCORPORATED (d/b/a HEAR MUSIC)


                                    By: /s/ Glenn E. Davis
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                       Glenn E. Davis, Vice President

                                    For purposes of Sections 3.3, 7, and
                                    21-28 of the Credit Agreement:

                                    OTNC, INC.


                                    By: /s/ Glenn E. Davis
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                       Glenn E. Davis, Vice President

Agreed to and Accepted By:

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK
    OF BOSTON, individually and as
    Administrative Agent, Co-Agent and Issuing Bank


By: /s/ Brent E. Shay
    --------------------------------
    Brent E. Shay, Director

BANKAMERICA BUSINESS CREDIT, INC.,
    individually and as Co-Agent


By: /s/ Richard Levenson
    --------------------------------
    Richard Levenson, Vice President



<PAGE>   12
                  CONSENT OF GUARANTORS AND FOREIGN GUARANTORS

         Each of the undersigned hereby acknowledges and consents to the
Amendment No. 1 to Credit Agreement, dated as of October 15, 1996 and agrees
that the Guaranty dated as of April 17, 1996 executed by such Person in favor of
the Administrative Agent and the Lenders or, as the case may be, the Foreign
Guaranty dated in April 1996 executed by such Person in favor of the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and all of the other Loan Documents to
which such Person is a party remain in full force and effect, and such Person
confirms and ratifies all of its obligations thereunder.



                                    OCR, INC.
                                    OBW, INC.
                                    WFH GROUP, INC.
                                    CML INTERNATIONAL (FSC), LTD.
                                    THE NATURE COMPANY LIMITED
                                    NORDICTRACK (U.K.) LTD.
                                    NORDIC ADVANTAGE OF ONTARIO, INC.


                                    By: /s/ Glenn E. Davis
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                       Glenn E. Davis, Vice President 


                                    NORDICTRACK GmbH



                                    By: /s/ Glenn E. Davis
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                       Title: Vice President 
                                       

<PAGE>   1

                                                                Exhibit 10(b)



                                 CML GROUP, INC.
                        AND ITS UNDERSIGNED SUBSIDIARIES
                                 524 Main Street
                           Acton, Massachusetts 01720


                                                   Dated as of December 10, 1996


The First National Bank of Boston
BankAmerica Business Credit, Inc.
c/o The First National Bank of Boston,
     as Administrative Agent
100 Federal Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110

         Re: Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement and Consent

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We refer to the Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of April 17, 1996
(as amended by a letter agreement dated as of June 5, 1996 and by an Amendment
No. 1 to Credit Agreement, Consent and Waiver dated as of October 15, 1996, the
"Credit Agreement"), among (i) CML Group, Inc. ("CML"), (ii) NordicTrack, Inc.,
Nordic Advantage, Inc., Smith & Hawken, Ltd. and Biscuit Factory Publications
Incorporated (d/b/a Hear Music), (iii) The First National Bank of Boston ("Bank
of Boston") and BankAmerica Business Credit, Inc. ("BankAmerica") (each a
"Lender" and collectively, the "Lenders") and (iv) Bank of Boston, as
administrative, collateral and documentation agent for the Lenders (the
"Administrative Agent") and as Issuing Bank. Capitalized terms used and not
otherwise defined in this letter agreement (this "Amendment Agreement") shall
have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

         We have requested the undersigned Lenders to consent to certain
amendments to the Monogram Credit Card Program Agreement.

         In addition, we have requested the undersigned Lenders to amend the
Credit Agreement to permit NordicTrack to enter into a new credit card program
with General Electric Capital Corporation.

         The undersigned Lenders and the Administrative Agent have advised us
that they are prepared to so amend the Credit Agreement and to grant the
<PAGE>   2
                                      -2-

requested consents on the terms, subject to the conditions and in reliance on
our representations contained herein.

         Accordingly, CML, the Borrowers and the Lenders hereby agree as
follows:

         SECTION 1. Amendments to Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement is
hereby amended as set forth below.

                  (a) Definitions. Section 1.1 of the Credit Agreement is
         amended as follows:

                           (i) the definition of "Eligible Accounts Receivable"
                  set forth in such section is amended by restating clause
                  (xiii) thereof to read as follows:

                                    (xiii) that are not receivables arising
                           under any Private Label Credit Card Program or any
                           other credit card receivables;

                           (ii) the definition of "Private Label Credit Card
                  Programs" set forth in such section is amended by inserting
                  after the words "The Monogram Credit Card Program", the words
                  ", the GE Capital Credit Card Program"; and

                           (iii) the following new definitions are inserted in
                  the appropriate alphabetical sequence in such section:

                                    GE Capital Credit Card Program. The credit
                           card program made available to customers of
                           NordicTrack in accordance with the GE Capital Credit
                           Card Program Agreement.

                                    GE Credit Card Program Agreement. The
                           Account Purchase and Consumer Credit Card Program
                           Agreement, dated as of December 10, 1996, among
                           General Electric Capital Corporation and NordicTrack.

                  (b) Private Label Credit Card Program. Section 9.19 of the
         Credit Agreement is amended by (i) deleting the word "and" at the end
         of clause (a) in the first sentence thereof and substituting in place
         thereof a comma and (ii) inserting before the period at the end of
         clause (b) thereof, the following: "and (c) has a Credit Review Point
         (as such term is defined in the Monogram Credit Card Program Agreement)
         of not less than $120,000,000".
<PAGE>   3
                                      -3-

                  (c) Restrictions on Indebtedness. Section 10.1(k) of the
         Credit Agreement is amended by deleting such paragraph in its entirety
         and substituting in place thereof a new paragraph (k) as follows:

                           (k) Indebtedness of NordicTrack under the Monogram
                  Credit Card Program and the GE Credit Card Program.

                  (d) Restrictions on Liens. Section 10.2 of the Credit
         Agreement is amended by (i) deleting the word "and" at the end of
         paragraph (i) thereof, (ii) deleting the period at the end of paragraph
         (j) thereof and substituting in place thereof the word "; and"; and
         (iii) inserting a new paragraph (k) as follows:

                           (k) liens on assets of NordicTrack granted in
                  accordance with the Monogram Credit Card Program and the GE
                  Capital Credit Card Program.

                  (e) Disposition of Assets. Section 10.5.2 of the Credit
         Agreement is amended by (i) deleting the word "and" at the end of
         clause (b) thereof, and (ii) deleting the period at the end of clause
         (c) thereof and substituting in place thereof the following: "and (d)
         the sale of accounts receivable of NordicTrack to General Electric
         Capital Corporation in accordance with the GE Capital Credit Card
         Program Agreement."

                  (f) Private Label Credit Card Programs. Section 10.14 of the
         Credit Agreement is amended and restated in its entirety as follows:

                           10.14. PRIVATE LABEL CREDIT CARD PROGRAMS. Neither
                  CML nor NordicTrack will amend, supplement or otherwise modify
                  any terms or provisions of any Private Label Credit Card
                  Program without the prior written consent of the
                  Administrative Agent. Without limitation of the foregoing,
                  neither CML nor NordicTrack will (a) increase the Credit
                  Review Point (as such term is defined in the Monogram Credit
                  Card Program Agreement) above $123,000,000 without the prior
                  written consent of the Administrative Agent or (b) increase
                  the Credit Review Point (as such term is defined in the GE
                  Capital Credit Card Program Agreement) above $20,000,000
                  without the prior written consent of the Administrative Agent.
                  CML and NordicTrack will promptly notify the Administrative
                  Agent of the termination of the GE Capital Credit Card Program
                  and of the termination of the Intercreditor Agreement dated as
                  of December 10, 1996 among General Electric Capital
                  Corporation, the Banks and the Administrative Agent.

         SECTION 2. Consent and Direction. The Administrative Agent hereby
consents to NordicTrack entering into the Second Amendment to Consumer Credit
Card Program Agreement in the form delivered to the Administrative
<PAGE>   4
                                      -4-

Agent on or prior to the date hereof (the "Monogram Amendment"). The Lenders
hereby direct the Administrative Agent to enter into an Intercreditor Agreement
with General Electric Capital Corporation (the "Intercreditor Agreement")
provided that such Intercreditor Agreement is in form and substance satisfactory
to the Administrative Agent.

         SECTION 3. Conditions. The effectiveness of Sections 1 and 2 above is
subject to satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

                  (a) This Amendment Agreement shall have been duly authorized,
         executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent by CML, the
         Borrowers, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent.

                  (b) The Monogram Amendment shall have been duly authorized,
         executed and delivered by the parties thereto, a copy thereof shall
         have been delivered to the Administrative Agent by NordicTrack and such
         amendment shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the
         Administrative Agent.

                  (c) The GE Capital Credit Card Program Agreement shall have
         been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto, a
         copy thereof shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent by
         NordicTrack and such agreement shall be in form and substance
         satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

                  (d) The Intercreditor Agreement shall have been duly
         authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto, a copy
         thereof shall have been delivered to the Administrative Agent by
         NordicTrack and such agreement shall be in form and substance
         satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

                  (e) All representations and warranties of CML and the
         Borrowers contained in Section 4 of this Amendment Agreement shall be
         true and correct.

         SECTION 4. Representations and Warranties. Each of the Borrowers and
CML hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders,
on and as of the date hereof, as follows:

                  (a) This Amendment Agreement has been duly executed and
         delivered by each of the Borrowers and CML. The execution and delivery
         by each of the Borrowers and CML of this Amendment Agreement and the
         performance by each of the Borrowers and CML of this Amendment
         Agreement and the Loan Documents, as amended hereby (collectively, the
         "Amendment Documents"), have been duly authorized by proper corporate
         proceedings by such Person, and each Amendment Document to which any of
         the Borrowers and CML is a party constitutes the legal,

<PAGE>   5
                                      -5-

         valid and binding obligation of such Person, enforceable against such
         Person in accordance with the terms of such Amendment Document.

                  (b) The execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment
         Agreement by each of the Borrowers and CML (i) are within the corporate
         authority of such Person, (ii) have been duly authorized by all
         necessary corporate proceedings, (iii) do not conflict with or result
         in any breach or contravention of any provision of law, statute, rule
         or regulation to which CML, any of the Borrowers, or any of their
         Subsidiaries is subject or any judgment, order, writ, injunction,
         license or permit applicable to CML, any of the Borrowers, or any of
         their Subsidiaries and (iv) do not conflict with any provision of the
         corporate charter or bylaws of, or any agreement or other instrument
         binding upon, CML, any of the Borrowers, or any of their Subsidiaries.

                  (c) Each of the representations and warranties of any of CML,
         the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries contained in the Credit Agreement,
         the other Loan Documents or in any document or instrument delivered
         pursuant to or in connection with the Credit Agreement are true as of
         the date as of which they were made and are true as of the date of this
         Amendment Agreement, except to the extent of changes resulting from
         transactions contemplated or permitted by the Credit Agreement and the
         other Loan Documents and except to the extent that such representation
         and warranties relate expressly to any earlier date.

                  (d) The Monogram Credit Card Program Agreement, as amended by
         the Monogram Amendment, is in full force and effect and no default or
         event of default is continuing thereunder.

                  (e) No Default or Event of Default is continuing under the
         Credit Agreement.

         SECTION 5. Continued Validity of Loan Documents. Except for the
amendments of the Credit Agreement pursuant to Section 1 hereof and the consent
and direction granted pursuant to Section 2 hereof, this Amendment Agreement
shall not, by implication or otherwise, limit, impair, constitute a waiver of or
otherwise affect any rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent or the
Lenders under the Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents, nor alter,
modify, amend or in any way affect any of the obligations or covenants contained
in the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, all of which are
ratified and confirmed in all respects and shall continue in full force and
effect. The Lenders shall not have any obligation to grant any further consent
with respect to the subject matter of the consent granted herein or any other
consents.

         SECTION 6. Legal Fees. Each of the Borrowers and CML confirms and
agrees that it shall pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent for all legal
fees and disbursements of legal counsel for the Administrative Agent in
connection 
<PAGE>   6
                                      -6-

with this Amendment Agreement, the transactions contemplated hereby,
and the financing arrangements governed by the Credit Agreement.

         SECTION 7. Loan Documents. From and after the date hereof, this
Amendment Agreement shall be deemed a Loan Document for all purposes of the
Credit Agreement, and each reference to Loan Documents in the Credit Agreement
shall be deemed to include this Amendment Agreement.

         SECTION 8. APPLICABLE LAW. THIS AMENDMENT AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED
BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL SUBSTANTIVE LAWS OF THE
COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.

         SECTION 9. Counterparts. This Amendment Agreement may be executed in
any number of counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all
of which when taken together shall constitute but one agreement. Delivery of an
executed counterpart of a signature page by facsimile transmission shall be
effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment
Agreement.


                  [REMAINDER OF PAGE INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]



<PAGE>   7
                                       -7-


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment
Agreement to be duly executed by their duly authorized officers, all as of the
date first above written.

                                    Very truly yours,

                                    CML GROUP, INC.


                                    By: /s/ Glenn E. Davis
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                       Glenn E. Davis, Vice President - Finance

                                    NORDICTRACK, INC.
                                    NORDIC ADVANTAGE, INC.
                                    SMITH & HAWKEN, LTD.
                                    BISCUIT FACTORY PUBLICATIONS
                                      INCORPORATED (d/b/a HEAR MUSIC)


                                    By: /s/ Glenn E. Davis
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                       Glenn E. Davis, Vice President 


Agreed to and Accepted By:

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK
    OF BOSTON, individually and as
    Administrative Agent, Co-Agent and Issuing Bank


By: /s/ Brent E. Shay
    -----------------------------------
    Brent E. Shay, Director

BANKAMERICA BUSINESS CREDIT, INC.,
    individually and as Co-Agent


By: /s/ Ira A. Mermelstein
    -----------------------------------
    Ira A. Mermelstein, Vice President



<PAGE>   8
                  CONSENT OF GUARANTORS AND FOREIGN GUARANTORS


         Each of the undersigned hereby acknowledges and consents to the
foregoing Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement and Consent, dated as of December
10, 1996 and agrees that the Guaranty, dated as of April 17, 1996, executed by
such Person in favor of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders or, as the case
may be, the Foreign Guaranty, dated in April 1996, executed by such Person in
favor of the Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and all of the other Loan
Documents to which such Person is a party remain in full force and effect, and
such Person confirms and ratifies all of its obligations thereunder.



                                    OCR, INC.
                                    OBW, INC.
                                    WFH GROUP, INC.
                                    CML INTERNATIONAL (FSC), LTD.
                                    THE NATURE COMPANY LIMITED
                                    NORDICTRACK (U.K.) LTD.
                                    NORDIC ADVANTAGE OF ONTARIO, INC.
                                    OTNC, INC.



                                    By: /s/ Glenn E. Davis
                                        ------------------------------
                                        Glenn E. Davis, Vice President


                                    NORDICTRACK GmbH



                                    By: /s/ Glenn E. Davis
                                        ------------------------------
                                        Title: Vice President



<PAGE>   1

                                                                Exhibit 10(c)


                                 CML GROUP, INC.
                        AND ITS UNDERSIGNED SUBSIDIARIES
                                 524 Main Street
                           Acton, Massachusetts 01720


                                                     Dated as of January 8, 1997


The First National Bank of Boston
BankAmerica Business Credit, Inc.
c/o The First National Bank of Boston,
     as Administrative Agent
100 Federal Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110

         Re: Amendment No. 3 to the Credit Agreement

Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We refer to the Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of April 17, 1996
(as amended by a letter agreement dated as of June 5, 1996, by an Amendment No.
1 to Credit Agreement, Consent and Waiver dated as of October 15, 1996 and by an
Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement and Consent dated as of December 10, 1996,
the "Credit Agreement"), among (i) CML Group, Inc. ("CML"), (ii) NordicTrack,
Inc., Nordic Advantage, Inc., Smith & Hawken, Ltd. and Biscuit Factory
Publications Incorporated (d/b/a Hear Music), (iii) The First National Bank of
Boston ("Bank of Boston") and BankAmerica Business Credit, Inc. ("BankAmerica")
(each a "Lender" and collectively, the "Lenders") and (ii) Bank of Boston, as
administrative, collateral and documentation agent for the Lenders (the
"Administrative Agent") and as Issuing Bank. Capitalized terms used and not
otherwise defined in this letter agreement (this "Amendment Agreement") shall
have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

         We have requested the undersigned Lenders to amend the Total
Liabilities to Tangible Net Worth financial covenant set forth in Section11.4 of
the Credit Agreement.

         The undersigned Lenders have advised us that they are prepared to so
amend the Credit Agreement on the terms, subject to the conditions and in
reliance on our representations contained herein.

         Accordingly, CML, the Borrowers and the Lenders hereby agree as
follows:
<PAGE>   2
                                      -2-

         SECTION 1. Amendment to Credit Agreement. The Credit Agreement is
hereby amended as set forth below.

                  (a) Total Liabilities to Tangible Net Worth. Section 11.4 of
         the Credit Agreement is amended by deleting the table set forth in such
         section and substituting in place thereof the following table:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                     QUARTER ENDING                            RATIO
                     --------------                          ---------

<S>                                                          <C> 
                     October 1996                            3.00:1.00
                     January 1997                            2.30:1.00
                     April 1997                              2.10:1.00
                     July 1997                               2.20:1.00
                     October 1997                            3.00:1.00
                     January 1998                            1.90:1.00
                     April 1998                              1.90:1.00
                     July 1998                               1.90:1.00
                     October 1998                            3.00:1.00
                     January 1999                            2.10:1.00
</TABLE>

         SECTION 2. Conditions. The effectiveness of Section 1 above is subject
to satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

                  (a) This Amendment Agreement shall have been duly authorized,
         executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent by CML, the
         Borrowers, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent.

                  (b) All representations and warranties of CML and the
         Borrowers contained in Section 3 of this Amendment Agreement shall be
         true and correct.

         SECTION 3. Representations and Warranties. Each of the Borrowers and
CML hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders,
on and as of the date hereof, as follows:

                  (a) This Amendment Agreement has been duly executed and
         delivered by each of the Borrowers and CML. The execution and delivery
         by each of the Borrowers and CML of this Amendment Agreement and the
         performance by each of the Borrowers and CML of this Amendment
         Agreement and the Loan Documents, as amended hereby (collectively, the
         "Amendment Documents"), have been duly authorized by proper corporate
         proceedings by such Person, and each Amendment Document to which any of
         the Borrowers and CML is a party constitutes the legal, valid and
         binding obligation of such Person, enforceable against such Person in
         accordance with the terms of such Amendment Document.
<PAGE>   3
                                      -3-

                  (b) The execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment
         Agreement by each of the Borrowers and CML (i) are within the corporate
         authority of such Person, (ii) have been duly authorized by all
         necessary corporate proceedings, (iii) do not conflict with or result
         in any breach or contravention of any provision of law, statute, rule
         or regulation to which CML, any of the Borrowers or any of their
         Subsidiaries is subject or any judgment, order, writ, injunction,
         license or permit applicable to CML, any of the Borrowers or any of
         their Subsidiaries and (iv) do not conflict with any provision of the
         corporate charter or bylaws of, or any agreement or other instrument
         binding upon, CML, any of the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries.

                  (c) Each of the representations and warranties of any of CML,
         the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries contained in the Credit Agreement,
         the other Loan Documents or in any document or instrument delivered
         pursuant to or in connection with the Credit Agreement are true as of
         the date as of which they were made and are true as of the date of this
         Amendment Agreement, except to the extent of changes resulting from
         transactions contemplated or permitted by the Credit Agreement and the
         other Loan Documents and except to the extent that such representation
         and warranties relate expressly to any earlier date.

                  (d) No Default or Event of Default will be continuing under
         the Credit Agreement.

         SECTION 4. Continued Validity of Loan Documents. Except for the
amendment of the Credit Agreement pursuant to Section 1 hereof, this Amendment
Agreement shall not, by implication or otherwise, limit, impair, constitute a
waiver of or otherwise affect any rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent
or the Lenders under the Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents, nor
alter, modify, amend or in any way affect any of the obligations or covenants
contained in the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, all of
which are ratified and confirmed in all respects and shall continue in full
force and effect.

         SECTION 5. Legal Fees. Each of the Borrowers and CML confirms and
agrees that it shall pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent for all legal
fees and disbursements of legal counsel for the Administrative Agent in
connection with this Amendment Agreement and the financing arrangements governed
by the Credit Agreement.

         SECTION 6. Loan Documents. From and after the date hereof, this
Amendment Agreement shall be deemed a Loan Document for all purposes of the
Credit Agreement, and each reference to Loan Documents in the Credit Agreement
shall be deemed to include this Amendment Agreement.

         SECTION 7. APPLICABLE LAW. THIS AMENDMENT AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED
BY, AND CONSTRUED
<PAGE>   4
                                      -4-

IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF MASSACHUSETTS.

         SECTION 8. Counterparts. This Amendment Agreement may be executed in
any number of counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all
of which when taken together shall constitute but one agreement. Delivery of an
executed counterpart of a signature page by facsimile transmission shall be
effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment
Agreement.

                  [Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]
<PAGE>   5
                                      -5-

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment
Agreement to be duly executed by their duly authorized officers, all as of the
date first above written.

                             Very truly yours,

                             CML GROUP, INC.


                             By: /s/ Glenn E. Davis
                                 --------------------------------------------
                                 Glenn E. Davis, Vice President - Finance

                             NORDICTRACK, INC.
                             NORDIC ADVANTAGE, INC.
                             SMITH & HAWKEN, LTD.
                             BISCUIT FACTORY PUBLICATIONS
                               INCORPORATED (d/b/a HEAR MUSIC)


                             By: /s/ Glenn E. Davis
                                 --------------------------------------------
                                 Glenn E. Davis, Vice President




Agreed to and Accepted By:

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK
    OF BOSTON, individually and as
    Administrative Agent, Co-Agent and Issuing Bank


By: /s/ Brent E. Shay
    ----------------------------------
    Brent E. Shay, Director

BANKAMERICA BUSINESS CREDIT, INC.,
    individually and as Co-Agent


By: /s/ Richard M. Levenson
    -----------------------------------
    Richard M. Levenson, Vice President

<PAGE>   6
                  CONSENT OF GUARANTORS AND FOREIGN GUARANTORS


         Each of the undersigned hereby acknowledges and consents to the
Amendment No. 3 to Credit Agreement, dated as of January 8, 1997 and agrees
that the Guaranty dated as of April 17, 1996 executed by such Person in favor of
the Administrative Agent and the Lenders or, as the case may be, the Foreign
Guaranty dated in April 1996 executed by such Person in favor of the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and all of the other Loan Documents to
which such Person is a party remain in full force and effect, and such Person
confirms and ratifies all of its obligations thereunder.



                                    OCR, INC.
                                    OBW, INC.
                                    WFH GROUP, INC.
                                    CML INTERNATIONAL (FSC), LTD.
                                    THE NATURE COMPANY LIMITED
                                    NORDICTRACK (U.K.) LTD.
                                    NORDIC ADVANTAGE OF ONTARIO, INC.
                                    OTNC, INC.


                                    By: /s/ Glenn E. Davis
                                        --------------------------------
                                        Glenn E. Davis, Vice President


                                    NORDICTRACK GmbH



                                    By: /s/ Glenn E. Davis
                                        --------------------------------
                                        Title: Vice President



<PAGE>   1
                                                                  Exhibit 10(d)


                                 CML GROUP, INC.
                        AND ITS UNDERSIGNED SUBSIDIARIES
                                 524 Main Street
                           Acton, Massachusetts 01720


                                                   Dated as of February 1, 1997


The First National Bank of Boston
BankAmerica Business Credit, Inc.
c/o The First National Bank of Boston,
     as Administrative Agent
100 Federal Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02110

         Re:      Amendment No. 4 to Credit Agreement
                  -----------------------------------
                           
Ladies and Gentlemen:

         We refer to the Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of April 17, 1996
(as amended by a letter agreement dated as of June 5, 1996, by an Amendment No.
1 to Credit Agreement, Consent and Waiver dated as of October 15, 1996, by an
Amendment No. 2 to Credit Agreement and Consent dated as of December 10, 1996,
and by an Amendment No. 3 to Credit Agreement dated as of January 8, 1997, the
"CREDIT AGREEMENT"), among (i) CML Group, Inc. ("CML"), (ii) NordicTrack, Inc.,
Nordic Advantage, Inc., Smith & Hawken, Ltd. and Biscuit Factory Publications
Incorporated (d/b/a Hear Music), (iii) The First National Bank of Boston ("BANK
OF BOSTON") and BankAmerica Business Credit, Inc. ("BANKAMERICA") (each a
"LENDER" and collectively, the "LENDERS") and (ii) Bank of Boston, as
administrative, collateral and documentation agent for the Lenders (the
"ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT") and as Issuing Bank. Capitalized terms used and not
otherwise defined in this letter agreement (this "AMENDMENT AGREEMENT") shall
have the meanings assigned to such terms in the Credit Agreement.

         We have requested the undersigned Lenders to amend the Consolidated
EBITDA and the EBITDA (NordicTrack) financial covenants set forth in
Section 11.1 and Section 11.5, respectively, of the Credit Agreement.

         The undersigned Lenders have advised us that they are prepared to so
amend the Credit Agreement on the terms, subject to the conditions and in
reliance on our representations contained herein.



<PAGE>   2
                                     -2-


         Accordingly, CML, the Borrowers and the undersigned Lenders hereby
agree as follows:

         SECTION 1. AMENDMENT TO CREDIT AGREEMENT. The Credit Agreement is
hereby amended as set forth below.

<TABLE>

                  (a) MINIMUM QUARTERLY CONSOLIDATED EBITDA. Section 11.1 of the
         Credit Agreement is amended by deleting the table set forth in such
         section and substituting in place thereof the following table:

<CAPTION>
                       QUARTER ENDING             MINIMUM CONSOLIDATED EBITDA
                       --------------             ---------------------------
                       <S>                                  <C>
                       July 1996                            $(27,750,000)
                       October 1996                         $(19,600,000)
                       January 1997                         $ (3,603,000)
                       April 1997                           $  6,450,000
                       July 1997                            $ (2,750,000)
                       October 1997                         $   (900,000)
                       January 1998                         $ 43,400,000
                       April 1998                           $ (2,900,000)
                       July 1998                            $  1,300,000
                       October 1998                         $   (900,000)
                       January 1999                         $ 43,400,000
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
                  (b) MINIMUM QUARTERLY EBITDA (NORDICTRACK). Section 11.5 of
         the Credit Agreement is amended by deleting the table set forth in such
         section and substituting in place thereof the following table:

<CAPTION>
                       QUARTER ENDING                   MINIMUM EBITDA
                       --------------                   --------------
                       <S>                              <C>                   
                       July 1996                        $(26,300,000)
                       October 1996                     $(16,750,000)
                       January 1997                     $ (4,084,000)
                       April 1997                       $  8,850,000
                       July 1997                        $ (4,150,000)
                       October 1997                     $    600,000
                       January 1998                     $ 28,100,000
                       April 1998                       $  6,400,000
                       July 1998                        $ (1,000,000)
                       October 1998                     $    900,000
                       January 1999                     $ 28,400,000

</TABLE>

         SECTION 2. CONDITIONS. The effectiveness of the amendments to the
Credit Agreement described in Section 1 above is subject to satisfaction of the
following conditions precedent:



<PAGE>   3
                                     -3-


                  (a) This Amendment Agreement shall have been duly authorized,
         executed and delivered to the Administrative Agent by CML, the
         Borrowers, the Lenders and the Administrative Agent.

                  (b) Each of the Guarantors and the Foreign Guarantors shall
         have duly authorized, executed and delivered to the Administrative
         Agent its consent to this Amendment Agreement, in form and substance
         satisfactory to the Administrative Agent.

                  (c) All representations and warranties of CML and the
         Borrowers contained in Section 3 of this Amendment Agreement shall be
         true and correct.

         SECTION 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. Each of the Borrowers and
CML hereby represents and warrants to the Administrative Agent and the Lenders
as follows:

                  (a) This Amendment Agreement has been duly executed and
         delivered by each of the Borrowers and CML. The execution and delivery
         by each of the Borrowers and CML of this Amendment Agreement and the
         performance by each of the Borrowers and CML of this Amendment
         Agreement and the Loan Documents, as amended hereby (collectively, the
         "AMENDMENT DOCUMENTS"), have been duly authorized by proper corporate
         proceedings by such Person, and each Amendment Document to which any of
         the Borrowers and CML is a party constitutes the legal, valid and
         binding obligation of such Person, enforceable against such Person in
         accordance with the terms of such Amendment Document.

                  (b) The execution, delivery and performance of this Amendment
         Agreement by each of the Borrowers and CML (i) are within the corporate
         authority of such Person, (ii) have been duly authorized by all
         necessary corporate proceedings, (iii) do not conflict with or result
         in any breach or contravention of any provision of law, statute, rule
         or regulation to which CML, any of the Borrowers or any of their
         Subsidiaries is subject or any judgment, order, writ, injunction,
         license or permit applicable to CML, any of the Borrowers or any of
         their Subsidiaries and (iv) do not conflict with any provision of the
         corporate charter or bylaws of, or any agreement or other instrument
         binding upon, CML, any of the Borrowers or any of their Subsidiaries.

                  (c) Each of the representations and warranties of any of CML,
         the Borrowers and their Subsidiaries contained in the Credit Agreement,
         the other Loan Documents or in any document or instrument delivered
         pursuant to or in connection with the Credit Agreement are true as of
         the date as of which they were made and are true as of the date of this
         Amendment Agreement, except to the extent of changes resulting from
         transactions contemplated or permitted by the Credit Agreement and the

<PAGE>   4
                                     -4-


         other Loan Documents and except to the extent that such representation
         and warranties relate expressly to any earlier date.

                  (d) After the amendments to the Credit Agreement described in
         Section 1 above become effective, no Default or Event of Default will
         be continuing under the Credit Agreement.

         SECTION 4. CONTINUED VALIDITY OF LOAN DOCUMENTS. Except for the
amendment of the Credit Agreement pursuant to Section 1 hereof, this Amendment
Agreement shall not, by implication or otherwise, limit, impair, constitute a
waiver of or otherwise affect any rights or remedies of the Administrative Agent
or the Lenders under the Credit Agreement or the other Loan Documents, nor
alter, modify, amend or in any way affect any of the obligations or covenants
contained in the Credit Agreement or any of the other Loan Documents, all of
which are ratified and confirmed in all respects and shall continue in full
force and effect.

         SECTION 5. LEGAL FEES. Each of the Borrowers and CML confirms and
agrees that it shall pay or reimburse the Administrative Agent for all legal
fees and disbursements of counsel for the Administrative Agent in connection
with this Amendment Agreement and the financing arrangements governed by the
Credit Agreement.

         SECTION 6. LOAN DOCUMENTS. From and after the date hereof, this
Amendment Agreement shall be deemed a Loan Document for all purposes of the
Credit Agreement, and each reference to Loan Documents in the Credit Agreement
shall be deemed to include this Amendment Agreement.

         SECTION 7. APPLICABLE LAW. THIS AMENDMENT AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED
BY, AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE COMMONWEALTH OF
MASSACHUSETTS.

         SECTION 8. COUNTERPARTS. This Amendment Agreement may be executed in
any number of counterparts, each of which shall constitute an original but all
of which when taken together shall constitute but one agreement. Delivery of an
executed counterpart of a signature page by facsimile transmission shall be
effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart of this Amendment
Agreement.

                  [Remainder of Page Intentionally Left Blank]



<PAGE>   5
                                     -5-


         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Amendment
Agreement to be duly executed by their duly authorized officers, all as of the
date first above written.

                                  Very truly yours,

                                  CML GROUP, INC.


                                  By:  /s/ Glenn E. Davis
                                       ---------------------------------------- 
                                       Glenn E. Davis, Vice President - Finance

                                  NORDICTRACK, INC.
                                  NORDIC ADVANTAGE, INC.
                                  SMITH & HAWKEN, LTD.
                                  BISCUIT FACTORY PUBLICATIONS
                                    INCORPORATED (d/b/a HEAR MUSIC)


                                  By:  /s/ Glenn E. Davis
                                       ----------------------------------------
                                       Glenn E. Davis, Vice President




Agreed to and Accepted By:

THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK
    OF BOSTON, individually and as
    Administrative Agent, Co-Agent and Issuing Bank


By: /s/ Brent E. Shay
    -----------------------------------
    Brent E. Shay, Director

BANKAMERICA BUSINESS CREDIT, INC.,
    individually and as Co-Agent


By: /s/ Richard M. Levenson
    -----------------------------------
    Richard M. Levenson, Vice President



<PAGE>   6






                  CONSENT OF GUARANTORS AND FOREIGN GUARANTORS
                  --------------------------------------------

         Each of the undersigned hereby acknowledges and consents to Amendment
No. 4 to Credit Agreement, dated as of February 1, 1997, and agrees that the
Guaranty dated as of April 17, 1996 executed by such Person in favor of the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders or, as the case may be, the Foreign
Guaranty dated in April 1996 executed by such Person in favor of the
Administrative Agent and the Lenders, and all of the other Loan Documents to
which such Person is a party remain in full force and effect, and such Person
confirms and ratifies all of its obligations thereunder.



                                    OCR, INC.
                                    OBW, INC.
                                    WFH GROUP, INC.
                                    CML INTERNATIONAL (FSC), LTD.
                                    THE NATURE COMPANY LIMITED
                                    NORDICTRACK (U.K.) LTD.
                                    NORDIC ADVANTAGE OF
                                      ONTARIO, INC.
                                    OTNC, INC.


                                    By:  /s/ Glenn E. Davis
                                         ------------------------------    
                                         Glenn E. Davis, Vice President


                                    NORDICTRACK GmbH



                                    By: /s/ Glenn E. Davis
                                         ------------------------------    
                                    Title:  Vice President



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