CARTER HAWLEY HALE STORES INC /DE/
S-3, 1994-01-07
DEPARTMENT STORES
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<PAGE>   1
 
    AS FILED WITH THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ON JANUARY 7, 1994
 
                                                       REGISTRATION NO. 33-
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------
 
                                    FORM S-3
                             REGISTRATION STATEMENT
                                     UNDER
                           THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
                            ------------------------
 
                        CARTER HAWLEY HALE STORES, INC.
             (EXACT NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>
                     DELAWARE                                          94-0457907
             (STATE OF INCORPORATION)                     (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
</TABLE>
 
                            3880 NORTH MISSION ROAD
                         LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90031
                                 (213) 227-2000
    (ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER, INCLUDING AREA CODE,
                  OF REGISTRANT'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICES)
                            ------------------------
 
         MARC E. BERCOON, ESQ., GENERAL COUNSEL AND CORPORATE SECRETARY
                        CARTER HAWLEY HALE STORES, INC.
                            3880 NORTH MISSION ROAD
                         LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90031
                                 (213) 227-2000
           (NAME, ADDRESS, INCLUDING ZIP CODE, AND TELEPHONE NUMBER,
                   INCLUDING AREA CODE, OF AGENT FOR SERVICE)
 
                            ------------------------
 
           It is requested that copies of communications be sent to:
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>
               ERIC H. SCHUNK, ESQ.                           SANDRA A. SEVILLE-JONES, ESQ.
          MILBANK, TWEED, HADLEY & MCCLOY                        MUNGER, TOLLES & OLSON
        601 SO. FIGUEROA STREET, SUITE 3000                       355 SO. GRAND AVENUE
           LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90017                      LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA 90071
                  (213) 892-4000                                     (213) 683-9100
</TABLE>
 
                            ------------------------
 
       APPROXIMATE DATE OF COMMENCEMENT OF PROPOSED SALES TO THE PUBLIC:
         AT SUCH TIME OR TIMES ON AND AFTER THE EFFECTIVE DATE OF THIS
          REGISTRATION STATEMENT AS THE SELLING HOLDERS MAY DETERMINE.
 
     If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered
pursuant to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following
box. / /
 
     If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on
a delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. /X/
 
                        CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
<TABLE>
<S>                                                <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                            PROPOSED            PROPOSED
                TITLE OF CLASS OF                        AMOUNT              MAXIMUM             MAXIMUM            AMOUNT OF
                 SECURITIES TO BE                         TO BE          OFFERING PRICE         AGGREGATE         REGISTRATION
                    REGISTERED                         REGISTERED          PER UNIT(1)      OFFERING PRICE(1)          FEE
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
6 1/4% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due
  2000............................................    $143,750,000            100%            $143,750,000         $49,569.31
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share(2)........     11,792,453              --                  --                  --
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>
 
(1) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee,
    pursuant to Rule 457 (i) of Regulation C under the Securities Act of 1933.
 
(2) Such number represents the number of shares of Common Stock as are initially
    issuable upon conversion of the 6 1/4% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes
    due 2000 registered hereby and, pursuant to Rule 416 under the Securities
    Act of 1933, such indeterminate number of shares of Common Stock as may be
    issued from time to time upon conversion of the Notes by reason of
    adjustment of the conversion price in certain contingencies outlined in the
    Prospectus.
 
     The registrant hereby amends this registration statement on such date or
dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the registrant shall
file a further amendment which specifically states that this registration
statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of
the Securities Act of 1933 or until the registration statement shall become
effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a),
may determine.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2
 
     Information contained herein is subject to completion or amendment. A
     registration statement relating to these securities has been filed with the
     Securities and Exchange Commission. These securities
     may not be sold nor may offers to buy be accepted prior to the time the
     registration statement becomes effective. This prospectus shall not
     constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to
     buy nor shall there be any sale of these securities in any State in which
     such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or
     qualification under the securities laws of any such State.
 
                  SUBJECT TO COMPLETION DATED JANUARY 7, 1994
PROSPECTUS
 
$143,750,000                                                              [LOGO]
 
CARTER HAWLEY HALE STORES, INC.
6 1/4% CONVERTIBLE SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2000
 
This Prospectus relates to the 6 1/4% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due
2000 (the "Notes") of Carter Hawley Hale Stores, Inc. (the "Company") and the
shares of the Company's common stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock"),
issuable upon conversion of the Notes. The Notes were issued and sold on
December 21, 1993 (the "Original Offering"), in a transaction exempt from the
registration requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), to persons reasonably believed by the initial purchaser of
the Notes to be "qualified institutional buyers" (as defined by Rule 144A under
the Securities Act), other institutional "accredited investors" (as defined in
Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the Securities Act) or in transactions
complying with the provisions of Regulation S under the Securities Act. The
Notes and the Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof may be offered and
sold from time to time by such holders or by their transferees, pledgees, donees
or their successors (collectively, the "Selling Holders") pursuant to this
Prospectus. The Registration Statement of which this Prospectus is a part has
been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission pursuant to a
registration rights agreement entered into in connection with the Original
Offering.
 
The Notes will mature on December 31, 2000. Interest on the Notes will be paid
semi-annually on December 31 and June 30 of each year, commencing June 30, 1994.
The Notes are convertible at the option of the holder thereof at any time after
90 days following the date of original issuance thereof and prior to maturity,
unless previously redeemed, into shares of Common Stock of the Company, at a
conversion price of $12.19 per share, subject to adjustment in certain events.
On January 6, 1994, the last reported sale price of the Company's Common Stock
on the New York Stock Exchange (symbol "CHH") was $9.00 per share.
 
The Notes are redeemable at the option of the Company, in whole or in part, at
any time on and after December 31, 1998, at a redemption price equal to 100% of
the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and unpaid interest. The
Notes do not provide for any sinking fund. Upon a Change in Control (as
defined), holders of the Notes will have the right, subject to certain
restrictions and conditions, to require the Company to purchase all or any part
of the Notes at the principal amount thereof together with accrued and unpaid
interest to the date of purchase.
 
The Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company and (i) are subordinate in
right of payment to all existing and future Senior Debt (as defined) of the
Company and (ii) rank pari passu in right of payment with all existing and
future Senior Subordinated Indebtedness (as defined). On January 1, 1994, the
Company had approximately $901.7 million of Senior Debt outstanding.
 
The Notes and the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes may be sold
by the Selling Holders from time to time directly to purchasers or through
agents, underwriters or dealers. See "Plan of Distribution." If required, the
names of any such agents or underwriters involved in the sale of the Notes and
the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes in respect of which this
Prospectus is being delivered and the applicable agent's commission, dealer's
purchase price or underwriter's discount, if any, will be set forth in an
accompanying supplement to this Prospectus (the "Prospectus Supplement").
 
The Selling Holders will receive all of the net proceeds from the sale of the
Notes and the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes and will pay
all underwriting discounts and selling commissions, if any, applicable to the
sale of the Notes and the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes.
The Company is responsible for payment of all other expenses incident to the
offer and sale of the Notes and the Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the
Notes.
 
The Selling Holders and any broker-dealers, agents or underwriters which
participate in the distribution of the Notes and the Common Stock issuable upon
conversion of the Notes may be deemed to be "underwriters" within the meaning of
the Securities Act, and any commission received by them or purchase by them of
the Notes and Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Notes at a price less
than the initial price to the public may be deemed to be underwriting
commissions or discounts under the Securities Act. See "Plan of Distribution"
for a description of indemnification arrangements.
 
PROSPECTIVE INVESTORS SHOULD CAREFULLY CONSIDER MATTERS DISCUSSED UNDER THE
CAPTION "INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS."
                            ------------------------
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
     EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION NOR HAS THE
       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
       COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS
           PROSPECTUS. ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
               CRIMINAL OFFENSE.
 
                            ------------------------
 
The date of this Prospectus is           , 1994.
<PAGE>   3
 
                             AVAILABLE INFORMATION
 
     The Company is currently subject to the informational requirements of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and in
accordance therewith files reports, proxy statements, information statements and
other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission ("the
Commission"). Any reports, proxy statements, information statements and other
information filed by the Company with the Commission may be inspected and copied
at the public reference facilities maintained by the Commission at Room 1024,
Judiciary Plaza, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the
Commission's Regional Offices located at Suite 1400, Northwestern Atrium Center,
500 West Madison Street, Chicago, Illinois 60661 and 13th Floor, Seven World
Trade Center, New York, New York 10048, and copies of such material may also be
obtained by mail from the Public Reference Section of the Commission at 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates.
 
     The Company's Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange
("NYSE") and the Pacific Stock Exchange. The Company files the reports, proxy
and information statements and other information described above with the NYSE,
and such material may be inspected at the offices of the NYSE, 20 Broad Street,
New York, New York 10005.
 
     The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form
S-3 (herein together with all amendments and exhibits thereto, called the
"Registration Statement") under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Act") with respect to the securities offered by this Prospectus. This
Prospectus does not contain all of the information set forth or incorporated by
reference in the Registration Statement and the exhibits and schedules relating
thereto, certain portions of which have been omitted as permitted by the rules
and regulations of the Commission. For further information with respect to the
Company and the securities offered by this Prospectus, reference is made to the
Registration Statement and the exhibits filed or incorporated as a part thereof,
which are on file at the offices of the Commission and may be obtained upon
payment of the fee prescribed by the Commission, or may be examined without
charge at the offices of the Commission. Statements contained in this Prospectus
as to the contents of any documents referred to are not necessarily complete,
and, in each such instance, are qualified in all respects by reference to the
applicable documents filed with the Commission.
 
                INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
 
     The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission are hereby
incorporated by reference into this Prospectus:
 
          (a) The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fifty-two week
     period ended January 30, 1993, as amended by the Company's Annual Report on
     Form 10-K/A No. 1 dated May 14, 1993;
 
          (b) The Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the thirteen-week
     period ended May 1, 1993, the thirteen-week period ended July 31, 1993, and
     the thirteen-week period ended October 30, 1993;
 
          (c) The Company's Current Reports on Form 8-K, dated October 25, 1993,
     November 8, 1993 and December 21, 1993; and
 
          (d) The description of the Common Stock of the Company contained in
     its Registration Statement on Form 8-A (File No. 1-8765), dated August 13,
     1992, as amended by Amendment No. 1 on Form 8, dated September 10, 1992 and
     any amendment or report filed with the Commission for the purpose of
     updating such description.
 
     All documents subsequently filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a),
13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act prior to the termination of the offering
of securities hereunder, shall be deemed to be incorporated by reference in this
Prospectus and to be a part of this Prospectus from the date of the filing
thereof. Any statement contained in a document incorporated or deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein shall be deemed to be modified or superseded
for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement contained herein
or in any other subsequently filed document which also is or is deemed to be
incorporated by reference herein modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such
statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified
or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
 
     The Company hereby undertakes to provide without charge to each person to
whom a copy of this Prospectus has been delivered, on the written or oral
request of any such person, a copy of any or all of the documents referred to
above which have been or may be incorporated in this Prospectus by reference
(other than certain exhibits). Requests for such copies should be directed to:
Carter Hawley Hale Stores, Inc., 3880 North Mission Road, Los Angeles,
California 90031. Attention: Marc E. Bercoon, Esq., telephone (213) 227-2000.
 
                                        2
<PAGE>   4
 
                               PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
 
     The following summary is qualified in its entirety by the more detailed
information contained elsewhere in this Prospectus, which should be read in its
entirety. Prospective investors should carefully consider matters discussed
under the caption "Investment Considerations." Unless the context otherwise
requires, references to the "Company" include Carter Hawley Hale Stores, Inc.
and its subsidiaries.
 
                                  THE COMPANY
 
     The Company is one of the leading operators of department stores in
California and the Southwestern United States. Organized in 1896, the Company
currently operates 83 department stores under the names The Broadway, Emporium
and Weinstocks. The Company generates approximately 50% of its sales from
Southern California, 40% of its sales from Northern California and 10% of its
sales from four other states in the Southwest. The management of the Company
(the "Management") believes the Company enjoys a number of significant strengths
including convenient store locations, a loyal customer base and an advanced
management information system. The Company emerged from bankruptcy, pursuant to
a plan of reorganization on October 8, 1992. In July, 1993, the Company
completed a public offering of the Company's Common Stock with net proceeds of
$147.5 million. As of January 1, 1994, Zell/Chilmark Fund, L.P.
("Zell/Chilmark") owned approximately 54.5% of the outstanding Common Stock of
the Company.
 
     David L. Dworkin joined the Company as its President and Chief Executive
Officer on March 24, 1993. Prior to joining the Company, he served as Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of London-based retailer BhS (British Home Stores),
a division of Storehouse PLC ("Storehouse"), from November 1989 until July 1992,
and as Group Chief Executive of Storehouse from July 1992 until joining the
Company. During the time he was at BhS and Storehouse, BhS refocused its
merchandise assortment, strengthened its merchandising organization, remodeled
64 of its 137 stores and substantially reduced its supplier base. Mr. Dworkin
has in excess of 25 years experience in the retailing industry. In addition, as
part of the process of building a strong management team, Mr. Dworkin has either
hired or promoted six new senior executive officers since May 1993.
 
                               BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
     Under David Dworkin's leadership, the Company has begun the process of
transforming itself into a focused, value-oriented retail operation with a
merchandising strategy and a customer base that reflects the demographic, ethnic
and life-style diversity of California and the Southwest. Toward this goal, the
Company is in the process of implementing, or has already implemented,
strategies to improve the merchandise offerings, remodel the stores, improve
inventory management, refocus marketing efforts, improve the selling culture and
reduce costs. The specific strategies are described below.
 
     Improve Merchandise Offerings: The Company is adjusting its merchandise
     assortments toward faster-turning, higher profit core merchandise
     categories which include women's and men's apparel, accessories, women's
     shoes, cosmetics and soft home goods. Management believes the Company's
     increased offering of private label products across the merchandise
     spectrum will enhance this strategy and assist the Company in
     differentiating both its product lines and its image in the marketplace.
     Furthermore, the Company's newly implemented everyday value pricing
     strategy currently offers over 17% of the Company's merchandise at "value"
     prices. Management believes this value image coupled with broad assortments
     in staple items, differentiation of the Company's product line, the rapid
     flow of merchandise to the selling floor and minimization of out-of-stock
     items allows the Company to present an authoritative and competitive
     merchandising image. During the second half of 1993, Mr. Dworkin recruited
     and put in place a new merchandising team of key executives in core
     business areas. Management expects that the Company will not realize the
     full benefits of its new merchandising strategy until 1994 and beyond.
 
                                        3
<PAGE>   5
 
     Remodel the Stores: To create an appealing shopping environment, the
     Company intends to spend approximately $336 million on capital expenditures
     over the next three years, consisting of $276 million to remodel and/or
     reallocate space within at least 40 of its 83 stores and $60 million for
     maintenance capital expenditures. The goal of the remodeling program is to
     increase the space allocated to core merchandise, increase selling square
     footage, improve merchandise presentation and facilitate more efficient
     customer service, and modernize the stores. The Company began the
     remodeling program in 1993 by completing 58 quick-win capital investments
     at a cost of $17.4 million and investing an additional $12.5 million on new
     fixtures to enhance merchandising and displays. (Quick-win investments
     involve the installation of vendor shops and low cost upgrade and
     reallocation of selling space without significant relocation of walls and
     fixtures.) The Company also created a "model store" space distribution
     floor plan in concert with the new merchandising strategy. This space
     redistribution/remodel plan will be the foundation of the capital
     expenditure program and will be implemented in the Company's stores over
     the next three years in conjunction with the introduction of new fixtures
     to maximize merchandise presentation and capacity.
 
     Improve Inventory Management: To continuously provide a fresh flow of new
     goods to the selling floor, increase inventory turnover and reduce
     markdowns, the Company has implemented a new inventory management strategy.
     Since 1992, the Company has reduced the number of its vendors by over 40%,
     thereby becoming more important to the remaining vendors. The Company has
     also expanded vendor participation in its quick response inventory
     replenishment program to reduce purchase lead-time, maintain a faster and
     more continuous flow of merchandise and facilitate automatic replenishment
     of staple items. In addition, the Company has entered into strategic
     alliances with vendors in which vendors cooperate with respect to
     assortment, marketing, visual presentation and sales promotion. Coupled
     with more effective vendor relationships, the Company has implemented a new
     receipt-based internal inventory management system which is designed to
     improve the efficiency of its inventory management through a new focus on
     receipt flow, gross margin return on investment and timely markdowns to
     insure the freshness of its merchandise offerings. This system has already
     resulted in an improvement in the aging of the Company's inventory and a
     reduction in the weeks of supply on hand. Management believes this new
     inventory management system will allow the Company to continue to improve
     its inventory turns and decrease its weeks of supply on hand.
 
     Refocus Marketing Efforts: To present a focused image to its customers, the
     Company has redirected its marketing efforts to create a research-based
     marketing strategy that is fully integrated with both the merchandising and
     store operations functions. To this end, the Company has created a customer
     database through the use of both proprietary internal information and
     externally available information which enables the Company to identify its
     target customers by region and to tailor its marketing and merchandising
     strategy to best serve that customer base. In addition, in order to
     increase the number of target customers, the Company is pursuing a strategy
     of marketing to the ethnically diverse population of California and the
     Southwest through the use of targeted marketing programs and bilingual
     sales associates, signage and advertising.
 
     Improve the Selling Culture: The Company is in the process of creating a
     new selling culture. This new culture is customer driven, competitive and
     focuses on improving productivity and providing an improved shopping
     environment. To accomplish these goals, the Company is recruiting talented
     store personnel, improving customer service and sales training and
     redesigning the compensation structure to align more closely the sales
     associates' incentives with the customer service goals.
 
     Reduce Costs: The consolidation of operations to date has significantly
     reduced the Company's expense infrastructure. Furthermore, in September
     1993, the Company completed an Activity Value Analysis ("AVA") program.
     This program was designed to evaluate the importance and value of all
     activities within each of its areas of operation and identify duplicative
     and
 
                                        4
<PAGE>   6
 
     low value-added functions, potential staff reductions and other actions
     which would improve efficiency. This review yielded more than 1,500
     cost-saving ideas and identified approximately $40 million of annual
     expense reductions. The Company began implementing these measures earlier
     this year and expects to complete their implementation in 1995. Management
     believes the implementation of these measures will result in incremental
     annual savings of $7.0 million in 1993, $30 million in 1994 and $3.0
     million in 1995. Management intends to invest some of the annual savings
     generated by the expense reductions in programs designed to improve the
     Company's sales and marketing efforts. In addition to the above-mentioned
     cost savings, the Company continually strives for ways to control expenses
     and expects to develop further cost efficiencies.
 
     The Company's principal place of business is located at 3880 North Mission
Road, Los Angeles, California 90031; telephone (213) 227-2000.
 
                              RECENT DEVELOPMENTS
 
     In July 1993 the Company raised net proceeds of $147.5 million in a public
offering of its Common Stock to fund its business strategy, including the
remodeling and upgrading of stores. As a result of the implementation of its
business strategy, the Company has incurred significant one-time charges. These
charges included a $25 million charge in connection with the AVA program (which
is expected to achieve $40 million in annual expense reductions by 1995) and $18
million of inventory clearance markdowns designed to upgrade the Company's
merchandise offerings ($6 million of which is expected to be incurred in the
fourth quarter). In addition, during fiscal 1993, the Company expects that it
will expend $60 million on its capital expenditure program, $66 million on cash
interest payments, $20 million on additional working capital and $14 million to
repay debt. The Company believes that cash flow from operations, amounts
available under its credit facilities and the proceeds from the Original
Offering will enable it to implement the major elements of its business
strategy. However, the Company continuously evaluates increasing or decreasing
the number of stores, the terms of its credit facilities and other operating and
financing alternatives.
 
                                        5
<PAGE>   7
 
                                  THE OFFERING
 
                    
Issue...............  $143,750,000 principal amount of 6 1/4% Convertible Senior
                        Subordinated Notes due 2000.
                    
Maturity............  December 31, 2000.
                    
Interest Payment    
  Dates.............  December 31 and June 30 of each year, commencing June 30,
                        1994.
                    
Conversion..........  The Notes, unless previously redeemed, are convertible at
                        the option of the holder at any time after 90 days
                        following the date of original issuance thereof and
                        prior to maturity into shares of Common Stock at a
                        conversion price of $12.19 per share, subject to
                        adjustment in certain events. See "Description of the
                        Notes -- Conversion."
                    
Optional Redemption.  The Notes may be redeemed, at the Company's option, in
                        whole or from time to time in part, on and after
                        December 31, 1998, at a price equal to 100% of the
                        principal amount thereof, together with accrued and
                        unpaid interest to the date of redemption. See
                        "Description of the Notes -- Optional Redemption."
 
Ranking.............  The Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company and (i)
                        are subordinate in right of payment to all existing and
                        future Senior Debt (as defined) of the Company and (ii)
                        rank pari passu in right of payment with all existing
                        and future Senior Subordinated Indebtedness (as
                        defined). On January 1, 1994, the Company had
                        approximately $901.7 million of Senior Debt outstanding.
                     
Change in Control...  Upon a Change in Control (as defined), holders of the
                        Notes will have the right, subject to certain
                        restrictions and conditions, to require the Company to
                        purchase all or any part of their Notes at the principal
                        amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest thereon
                        to the date of purchase. See "Description of the
                        Notes -- Change in Control."
 
Use of Proceeds...... The Net Proceeds from the Original Offering were used by
                        the Company to make capital available to fund the
                        Company's business strategy, including the modernization
                        of the Company's stores, and, until such capital
                        expenditures are made, to the repayment of certain
                        amounts outstanding under the Company's credit
                        facilities. The Company will not receive any proceeds
                        from the Sale of Notes and/or Common Stock offered
                        pursuant to this Prospectus. See "Use of Proceeds" and
                        "Selling Holders."
 
                                        6
<PAGE>   8
 
       SUMMARY OF CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA AND CERTAIN OPERATING DATA
 
     The following table presents summary consolidated financial data and
certain operating data of the Company as of and for the 52-week periods ended
January 30, 1993, February 1, 1992 and February 2, 1991 and for the 39-week
periods ended October 30, 1993 and October 31, 1992. The financial data has
generally been derived from the Company's consolidated financial statements. The
following financial and other operating data should be read in conjunction with
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations, the consolidated financial statements included in the Company's
Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, the related
summaries of significant accounting policies and financial review contained
therein and the other information contained elsewhere in this Prospectus.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                            FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
                                                -----------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                OCTOBER 30,     OCTOBER 31,      JANUARY 30,      FEBRUARY 1,     FEBRUARY 2,
                                                   1993            1992            1993(1)           1992            1991
                                                (39 WEEKS)      (39 WEEKS)       (52 WEEKS)       (52 WEEKS)      (52 WEEKS)
                                                -----------     -----------      -----------      -----------     -----------
                                                                        (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS,
                                                                    EXCEPT SALES PER GROSS SQUARE FOOT)
<S>                                             <C>             <C>              <C>              <C>             <C>
EARNINGS DATA
Sales.........................................   $ 1,387.1       $ 1,405.3        $ 2,137.8        $ 2,127.9       $ 2,532.7
Finance charge revenue........................        60.0            61.9             82.7             94.0           110.7
Cost of goods sold, including occupancy and
  buying costs................................     1,049.8         1,065.6          1,577.0          1,581.1         1,885.1
Selling, general and administrative
  expenses....................................       393.3           397.6            572.6            570.5           681.6
Other expense, net(2).........................        25.0              --               --               --            17.6
                                                -----------     -----------      -----------      -----------     -----------
Earnings (loss) from operations before
  interest expense, reorganization income
  (costs) and income taxes ("EBIT")...........       (21.0)            4.0             70.9             70.3            59.1
Interest expense, net.........................        63.8            67.3             89.8            102.3           145.0
                                                -----------     -----------      -----------      -----------     -----------
Loss from operations before reorganization
  income (costs) and income taxes.............       (84.8)          (63.3)           (18.9)           (32.0)          (85.9)
Reorganization income (costs)(3)..............          --           884.1            884.1           (138.1)          (40.0)
                                                -----------     -----------      -----------      -----------     -----------
Earnings (loss) from operations before income
  taxes.......................................       (84.8)          820.8            865.2           (170.1)         (125.9)
Income tax benefit (expense)..................         6.9             6.8             (9.8)              --            26.3
                                                -----------     -----------      -----------      -----------     -----------
Earnings (loss) from operations...............       (77.9)          827.6            855.4           (170.1)          (99.6)
Extraordinary income (costs) and changes in
  accounting(4)...............................          --           323.2            323.2            (46.9)          (20.1)
                                                -----------     -----------      -----------      -----------     -----------
Net earnings (loss)...........................   $   (77.9)      $ 1,150.8        $ 1,178.6        $  (217.0)      $  (119.7)
                                                -----------     -----------      -----------      -----------     -----------
                                                -----------     -----------      -----------      -----------     -----------
OTHER DATA
Depreciation and amortization.................   $    25.0       $    30.7        $    38.5        $    43.6       $    42.6
Capital expenditures..........................   $    39.7       $    19.6        $    38.2        $    34.8       $    80.6
Gross square footage at period end (in
  thousands)..................................      15,177          15,842           15,177           15,995          16,156
Sales per gross square foot(5)................         N/A             N/A        $     137        $     133       $     145
Comparative store sales gain (decrease).......         1.8%           (1.3)%            0.9%            (9.9)%          (2.3)%
Number of stores..............................          83              87               83               88              89
Inventory turnover............................         N/A             N/A              2.1x             2.1x            2.2x
BALANCE SHEET DATA
Working capital...............................   $   674.3       $   602.2        $   701.5        $   628.3       $   978.1
Total assets..................................   $ 1,869.4       $ 1,866.2        $ 1,912.9        $ 1,667.7       $ 1,755.4
Liabilities subject to settlement under
  reorganization proceedings..................   $      --       $      --               --        $   598.3       $   598.6
Receivables based financing...................   $   388.7       $   398.0        $   467.6        $   489.3       $   633.8
Other long-term debt and capital lease
  obligations.................................   $   559.8       $   566.7        $   563.2        $   508.4       $   515.3
Stockholders' equity (deficit)................   $   445.3       $   344.9        $   374.8        $  (508.5)      $  (272.6)
</TABLE>
 
                                        7
<PAGE>   9
 
- ---------------
(1) Upon emergence from bankruptcy, the Company adopted the principles of fresh
    start reporting as of October 3, 1992 to reflect the impact of the
    reorganization. The 52-week period ended January 30, 1993 is thus comprised
    of the 35 weeks ended October 3, 1992 and the 17 weeks ended January 30,
    1993. In addition, the 39-week period ended October 31, 1992 is comprised of
    the 35 weeks ended October 3, 1992 and the 4 weeks ended October 31, 1992.
    As a result of the application of fresh start reporting, the financial
    condition and results of operations of the Company for dates and periods
    subsequent to October 3, 1992 are not necessarily comparable to those prior
    to October 3, 1992.
 
(2) Includes a $25.0 million charge for costs to implement the Company's
    strategic plan which is designed to streamline the Company's organizational
    structure, in the 39-week period ended October 30, 1993, and a $30.0 million
    gain on sale of the Company's Thalhimer Brothers, Inc. subsidiary
    ("Thalhimers") and a $47.0 million provision for consolidation programs in
    the 52-week period ended February 2, 1991.
 
(3) Includes income of $906.4 million resulting from adjustments to reflect the
    revaluation of assets and liabilities as a result of the application of
    fresh start reporting, $13.8 million in costs directly related to the
    reorganization, and $8.5 million in adjustments to the provision for
    disputed claims in the 52-week period ended January 30, 1993; $65.0 million
    provision for consolidation, $29.4 million in costs related to the
    reorganization, $25.0 million in adjustments to the provisions for disputed
    claims, a $9.7 million charge for unamortized costs on subordinated debt,
    and $9.0 million of adjustments to the carrying value of assets in the
    52-week period ended February 1, 1992; and a $40.0 million provision for
    store closings in the 52-week period ended February 2, 1991.
 
(4) Includes an extraordinary gain on debt discharge of $304.4 million and
    income from a change in accounting for income taxes of $18.8 million for the
    52-week period ended January 30, 1993; a charge for a change in accounting
    for post-retirement medical benefits of $30.0 million and an extraordinary
    charge of $16.9 million for costs relating to early retirements of debt for
    the 52-week period ended February 1, 1992; and extraordinary charges of
    $14.1 million for costs relating to early retirements of debt and $6.0
    million for uninsured losses associated with the October 1989 San Francisco
    earthquake for the 52-week period ended February 2, 1991.
 
(5) Based on sales for stores open at each period end.
 
                                        8
<PAGE>   10
 
                           INVESTMENT CONSIDERATIONS
 
     The Notes offered hereby are subject to a number of material risks and
other investment considerations, including those summarized below. These risks
and investment considerations should be carefully considered by prospective
investors.
 
LEVERAGE; RESTRICTIVE COVENANTS AND OTHER TERMS OF INDEBTEDNESS
 
     The Company has consolidated indebtedness that is greater than its
stockholders' equity. See "Capitalization." This degree of leverage increases
the Company's vulnerability to adverse general economic and retailing industry
conditions and to increased competitive pressures, including pricing pressure
from better capitalized competitors. The Indenture (as hereafter defined) and
the other debt instruments to which the Company is a party contain a number of
restrictive covenants, including covenants limiting capital expenditures,
incurrence of debt and sales of assets and prohibiting the payment of dividends
on the Company's Common Stock. In addition, under certain of its debt
instruments, the Company is required to achieve certain minimum levels for net
cash flows, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, and
other financial measures. See "Indebtedness of the Company." In the event that
the Company fails to comply with the financial covenants and certain other
covenants associated with the Company's debt instruments, the Company will be in
default under those debt instruments, which could result in the acceleration of
all of the Company's indebtedness and other obligations. The Company's ability
to comply with such covenants could be affected by lower than anticipated
margins or sales and there can be no assurance that the Company would be able to
obtain amendments to such covenants should this occur. See "Management's
Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources." In addition, in the event of
such a default, the creditors to certain debt instruments could proceed against
collateral securing such debt, which includes substantially all of the Company's
assets. As a result of the Company's continuing substantial indebtedness,
restrictive covenants and other terms of its debt instruments, the Company's
ability to obtain additional financing in the future, make acquisitions,
complete its planned capital expenditure program or take advantage of
significant business opportunities could be impaired.
 
OPERATING LOSSES; CHANGES IN OPERATIONS
 
     The Company reported losses from operations before reorganization income
(costs) and income taxes for the 52-week periods ended January 30, 1993,
February 1, 1992 and February 2, 1991 of $18.9 million, $32.0 million and $85.9
million, respectively, and for the 39-week period ended October 30, 1993 of
$84.8 million. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
and Results of Operations." The Company emerged from bankruptcy pursuant to a
plan of reorganization ("POR") on October 8, 1992 (the "Emergence Date"). See
"Business -- Recapitalization." Recently, the Company has implemented measures
designed to reduce operating costs, has hired new senior management and is in
the process of implementing a new business strategy intended to improve the
overall operating performance of the Company. Seven of the Company's nine
executive officers have either joined the Company or were promoted to their
present positions since February 1993. See "Business -- Business Strategy." No
assurance can be given that such measures will be successful or that the Company
will not continue to incur losses in subsequent periods. Losses could negatively
affect working capital and the extension of credit to the Company's suppliers by
the factor community, significantly impair the Company's ability to reduce or
refinance existing indebtedness and impact the Company's ability to implement
its strategic plan.
 
     The Company does not, as a matter of policy, publish projections covering
future performance. However, in connection with the consummation of the POR, the
Company was required by law to include certain projections in its disclosure
statement to establish the viability of the POR. Those projections were prepared
in early 1992. With the introduction of new management and the implementation of
its business strategy, along with other factors, the Company believes that the
 
                                        9
<PAGE>   11
 
projections it prepared in connection with its emergence from bankruptcy are not
necessarily indicative of future performance.
 
SUBORDINATION
 
     The Notes are unsecured and subordinate in right of payment to all existing
and future Senior Debt of the Company, including the Credit Facility. In the
event of the Company's insolvency or liquidation, or upon acceleration of the
Senior Debt, the holders of the Senior Debt must be paid in full before holders
of the Notes may be paid. Furthermore, payment on the Notes may not be permitted
if a default exists on the Senior Debt. On January 1, 1994, the Company had
approximately $901.7 million of Senior Debt outstanding. The Company may incur
additional Senior Debt to the extent permitted by the terms of such Senior Debt.
See "Indebtedness of the Company -- Credit Facility" and "Description of the
Notes -- Subordination of Notes." In addition, substantially all of the
Company's assets have been pledged to secure indebtedness of the Company. In the
event of the Company's insolvency or liquidation, the claims of the secured
lenders would have to be satisfied out of such collateral before any such assets
would be available to pay claims of the Company's other debtholders, including
holders of the Notes. See "Indebtedness of the Company."
 
CONSEQUENCES OF FURTHER EQUITY OFFERINGS
 
     The Company could make additional sales of equity securities. Depending on
market conditions and other factors, the effect of such equity offerings could
be to cause a dilution with respect to the holders of the Common Stock.
 
DEPENDENCE ON KEY PERSONNEL
 
     The development and operation of the Company depends significantly upon the
continued efforts of David L. Dworkin, the Company's President and Chief
Executive Officer. He joined the Company in March 1993 and has a three-year
employment agreement with the Company, which includes a provision permitting him
to terminate the agreement in the event of a change of control. See
"Management -- Employment Agreements." The loss of David Dworkin's services
could have an adverse effect upon the Company's operations.
 
ISSUANCE OF ADDITIONAL SHARES FOR DISPUTED CLAIMS
 
     Notwithstanding the confirmation and effectiveness of the POR, the
bankruptcy court continues to have jurisdiction to, among other things, resolve
disputed prepetition claims against the Company and to resolve other matters
that may arise in connection with or relate to the POR. The terms of the POR
require the Company to exchange .046 shares of Common Stock for each $1.00 of
allowed general unsecured claims. As of January 1, 1994, $52.9 million of
disputed claims remained outstanding. Management believes such claims will
ultimately be allowed upon settlement or litigation for approximately $19.0
million, for which the Company has reserved approximately 1.0 million shares.
Management believes that reserved shares of Common Stock will be sufficient to
meet the Company's obligations to such claim holders. If all disputed claims
were allowed in full, such claim holders would be entitled to a total of 2.4
million shares of Common Stock, compared to the 1.0 million shares reserved,
resulting in dilution to holders of the outstanding Common Stock of
approximately 3%. In addition, the Company has reserved approximately 0.2
million shares for preconfirmation stockholders of the Company who have not yet
claimed the distribution of Common Stock to which they were entitled under the
POR. The total of 1.2 million shares is included in the Company's outstanding
Common Stock. In addition, 0.2 million warrants to purchase Common Stock (the
"Warrants") remain issuable to certain preconfirmation stockholders pursuant to
the POR. There are no contractual restrictions on the resale of any of these
securities issuable pursuant to the POR. Such securities may be sold into a
public market without restriction at any time, potentially resulting in an
adverse effect on the market for, or the market price of, shares of Common
Stock. See "Business -- Legal Proceedings -- Chapter 11 Proceedings; Unresolved
Claims."
 
                                       10
<PAGE>   12
 
COMPETITIVE CONDITIONS; REGULATION; SEASONALITY; REGIONAL CONCENTRATIONS
 
     The retailing industry, in general, and the department store business, in
particular, are highly competitive. The Company's stores compete with the other
department stores in the geographic areas in which they operate and also with
numerous other types of retail outlets, including specialty stores, general
merchandise stores, and off-price and discount stores. Some of the retailers
with which the Company competes have substantially greater financial resources
than the Company. See "Business -- Competition." In addition, the Company's
proprietary credit card operations are subject to legal and regulatory
requirements which, if changed, could adversely affect the Company's results of
operations. See "Business -- Proprietary Credit Card Operations."
 
     The department store business is seasonal in nature with a high proportion
of sales and operating income generated in November and December. Working
capital requirements fluctuate during the year, increasing somewhat in late
Summer in anticipation of the Fall merchandising season and increasing
substantially at the outset of the holiday season as significantly higher
inventory levels are necessary. See "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations -- Seasonality."
 
     In addition, approximately 90% of the Company's sales are generated by its
stores located in California. As a result, the Company's sales are very
sensitive to fluctuations in the level of economic activity in California. The
California economy has remained in a recession longer than the economy in many
other portions of the United States. The current recession has had an adverse
effect on the Company's revenues and operating results and there can be no
assurance it will not continue to do so.
 
MAJORITY STOCKHOLDER; RESTRICTED STOCK
 
     As of January 1, 1994 Zell/Chilmark owned approximately 24.8 million shares
or 54.5% of the outstanding Common Stock. Zell/Chilmark, therefore, may control
the election of the Company's directors and may be able to effect amendments to
the Company's Certificate of Incorporation or a merger, sale of assets, "going
private," or other corporate transactions. Under the Company's Amended and
Restated Certificate of Incorporation, at least two members of the Company's
Board of Directors must be neither members of the Company's management nor
designated by Zell/Chilmark or any of its affiliates.
 
     Any transactions involving shares of Common Stock owned by Zell/Chilmark or
First Plaza Group Trust ("First Plaza"), which owns 2.5 million shares of the
Common Stock, may have an adverse effect on the market for, or the market price
of, the Common Stock. See "Security Ownership of Certain Persons." Such shares
may be sold in the public market, subject to the volume limitations and other
conditions of Rule 144 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the
"Securities Act"), or the filing of a registration statement with the Securities
and Exchange Commission.
 
MARKET FOR THE NOTES
 
     The Company does not intend to list the Notes for trading on any exchange.
Accordingly, there can be no assurance as to the development or liquidity of any
market that may develop for the Notes.
 
                                       11
<PAGE>   13
 
                                USE OF PROCEEDS
 
     The Selling Holders will receive all of the net proceeds from the Notes
sold pursuant to this Prospectus and the Common Stock issuable upon conversion
thereof sold pursuant to this Prospectus.
 
     The net proceeds to the Company from the Original Offering were
approximately $137.9 million. The Original Offering was principally intended to
make capital available for the execution of the Company's business strategy
including the remodeling and upgrading of stores. Pending such expenditures, the
Company has applied the net proceeds of the Original Offering (i) to repay
indebtedness outstanding under the Company's $225.0 million credit facility (as
heretofore amended, the "Credit Facility"), (ii) to repay a portion of the
Company's credit card receivables securitization facility (the "Receivables
Facility"), and (iii) for other general corporate purposes.
 
     The interest rate on borrowings under the Credit Facility was 7.5% at
January 1, 1994 and borrowings thereunder are repayable on or before October 31,
1995. The interest rate on borrowings under the Receivables Facility was 4.5% at
January 1, 1994 and borrowings thereunder are repayable on or before October 8,
1995. As of January 1, 1994, no advances were outstanding under the Credit
Facility and $337.1 million was outstanding under the Receivables Facility. See
"Indebtedness of the Company."
 
     Upon consummation of the Original Offering and the application of the net
proceeds, the Company did not have any outstanding indebtedness under the Credit
Facility. The Company expects to utilize certain of the available borrowing
capacity under the Credit Facility and Receivables Facility not needed for
seasonal working capital requirements to implement its business strategy,
including the remodeling and upgrading of stores.
 
                          PRICE RANGE OF COMMON STOCK
 
     The Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Pacific
Stock Exchange under the symbol CHH. The following table sets forth, for the
indicated periods, the high and low last reported sale prices per share of the
Common Stock after the Emergence Date as furnished by the New York Stock
Exchange. See "Business -- Recapitalization."
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                               COMMON STOCK
                                                                               -------------
                                                                               HIGH     LOW
                                                                               ----     ----
        <S>                                                                    <C>      <C>
        9-week period ended January 1, 1994..................................  $14 3/4  $8 1/2
        13-week period ended October 30, 1993................................    16       13
        13-week period ended July 31, 1993...................................  17 1/2   12 3/8
        13-week period ended May 1, 1993.....................................  12 3/4   9 1/2
        13-week period ended January 30, 1993................................  10 3/8   5 3/4
        For the period from October 8 to October 31, 1992....................  7 1/4    5 7/8
</TABLE>
 
     The last reported sale price of the Common Stock as quoted on the New York
Stock Exchange on January 6, 1994 was $9.00 per share. As of January 1, 1994,
there were 18,620 holders of record of the Common Stock.
 
     Although the Company's stock was publicly traded prior to the period from
October 8 to October 31, 1992, the table above excludes data with respect to the
Company's common stock outstanding prior to the Emergence Date, which data is
not comparable with data related to the Common Stock.
 
                                       12
<PAGE>   14
 
                                DIVIDEND POLICY
 
     Since May 1987, the Company has not declared or paid any cash dividends on
its common stock. The Company anticipates that no cash dividends on its Common
Stock will be declared in the foreseeable future, and that all earnings will be
retained for the development of the Company's business. Any future dividends
would be conditioned upon, among other things, future earnings, the financial
condition of the Company and regulatory requirements. In addition, certain of
the Company's credit agreements currently prohibit the Company from paying
dividends to stockholders. See "Indebtedness of the Company."
 
                                       13
<PAGE>   15
 
                                 CAPITALIZATION
 
     The following table sets forth the consolidated capitalization and
short-term debt of the Company as of October 30, 1993, and as adjusted to give
effect to the Original Offering and the application of approximately $137.9
million of net proceeds therefrom.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                            AS ADJUSTED
                                                                                        ACTUAL AS OF          FOR THE
                                                                                         OCTOBER 30,          ORIGINAL
                                                                                            1993              OFFERING
                                                                                       ---------------     --------------
                                                                                       (dollar amounts in thousands)
<S>                                                                                    <C>                 <C>
SHORT-TERM DEBT
  Credit Facility(1).................................................................    $    44,280         $       --
  Current portion of long-term secured debt..........................................            275                275
  Current portion of capital lease obligations.......................................          2,920              2,920
                                                                                       ---------------     --------------
         TOTAL.......................................................................    $    47,475         $    3,195
                                                                                       ---------------     --------------
                                                                                       ---------------     --------------
LONG-TERM SENIOR DEBT
  Receivables Facility(1)(2).........................................................    $   388,681         $  295,042
                                                                                       ---------------     --------------
  Secured Debt
    Term Loans due in 1999 (3.8125% at October 30, 1993).............................         89,663             89,663
    9.0% Note due 2002...............................................................         65,490             65,490
    9.9% Note due 2010...............................................................          9,441              9,441
    10.67% Notes due 2002(3).........................................................        344,000            344,000
    Other............................................................................          6,152              6,152
                                                                                       ---------------     --------------
         Total secured debt..........................................................        514,746            514,746
    Less current portion of secured debt.............................................           (275)              (275)
                                                                                       ---------------     --------------
         Total long-term portion of secured debt.....................................        514,471            514,471
                                                                                       ---------------     --------------
         TOTAL LONG-TERM SENIOR DEBT.................................................        903,152            809,513
                                                                                       ---------------     --------------
CAPITAL LEASE OBLIGATIONS (excluding current maturities of $2,920)...................         45,338             45,338
                                                                                       ---------------     --------------
CONVERTIBLE SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES................................................             --            143,750
                                                                                       ---------------     --------------
STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
  Preferred Stock -- 25 million $.01 par value shares authorized; 0.9 million shares
    outstanding......................................................................             11                 11
  Common Stock -- 100 million $.01 par value shares authorized; 46.7 million shares
    outstanding(4)...................................................................            467                467
  Other Paid-in Capital..............................................................        499,991            499,991
  Accumulated Earnings...............................................................        (55,194)           (55,194)
                                                                                       ---------------     --------------
         TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY..................................................        445,275            445,275
                                                                                       ---------------     --------------
TOTAL CAPITALIZATION.................................................................    $ 1,393,765         $1,443,876
                                                                                       ---------------     --------------
                                                                                       ---------------     --------------
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) As of January 1, 1994, there were no outstanding borrowings under the Credit
    Facility and outstanding borrowings under the Receivables Facility were
    $337.1 million. Pending usage of the proceeds of the Original Offering for
    remodeling and upgrading of stores, the net proceeds were used to paydown
    borrowings under the Credit Facility and the Receivables Facility.
(2) The Company funds its credit card activities through the Receivables
    Facility, which provides for a special purpose corporation, whose accounts
    are consolidated into the Company, to purchase the Company's proprietary
    credit card receivables and to pay for these interests through the issuance
    of up to $575.0 million in commercial paper. The securitization program is
    currently scheduled to mature on October 8, 1995.
(3) Cash interest is payable on the 10.67% Notes at the reduced rate of 7.5% per
    annum until October 8, 1994. The remaining interest (the difference between
    the contractual rate of 10.67% and 7.5%) is capitalized into the 9.0% Notes
    due 2002. After October 8, 1994 cash interest will be payable at 10.67%.
(4) Based on the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding as of October 30,
    1993. Includes approximately 1,318,167 shares of Common Stock reserved for
    issuance or otherwise issuable to certain prepetition creditors or
    preconfirmation stockholders pursuant to the Company's POR. Does not
    include: (i) 5,900,000 shares reserved for issuance under the 1992 Stock
    Incentive Plan, as amended (of which options with respect to 1,448,988
    shares of Common Stock are outstanding and immediately exercisable at prices
    of between $10.22 and $11.00 per share); (ii) 1,500,000 shares reserved for
    issuance to the Company's 401(k) Plan (none of which will be issued in
    calendar year 1993); or (iii) 2,476,054 shares issuable at $17.00 per share
    upon exercise of Warrants issued or issuable pursuant to the POR. Warrants
    to purchase 1,380,713 of such shares are currently outstanding; Warrants to
    purchase 905,474 shares are issuable upon surrender of outstanding Series A
    Exchangeable Preferred Stock (the "Preferred Stock") for exchange; and
    Warrants for 189,867 shares remain issuable to certain preconfirmation
    stockholders.
 
                                       14
<PAGE>   16
 
                      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
 
     A summary of certain financial information about the Company is presented
in the following tables. The financial data for the first table has generally
been derived from the Company's consolidated financial statements. The
information for the second table has been derived from the Company's unaudited
quarterly financial data. Both tables should be read in conjunction with
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations, the consolidated financial statements contained in the Company's
Annual Reports on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, the related
summaries of significant accounting policies and financial review contained
therein and the other information contained elsewhere in this Prospectus.
Effective as of February 2, 1991, the Company changed its fiscal year end from
the Saturday closest to July 31 of each year to the Saturday closest to January
31 of each year.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           AS OF AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
                    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                    JANUARY 30,       JANUARY 30,      OCTOBER 3,   FEBRUARY 1,   FEBRUARY 2,   FEBRUARY 2,    AUGUST 4,    JULY 29,
                      1993(1)            1993            1992          1992          1991          1991          1990         1989
                    (52 WEEKS)        (17 WEEKS)       (35 WEEKS)   (52 WEEKS)    (52 WEEKS)    (26 WEEKS)    (53 WEEKS)  (52 WEEKS)
                   -----------       ------------     ------------  ------------  ----------    ----------    ----------  ----------
                   (PRO FORMA                                                     (UNAUDITED)
                    COMBINED)                                    
  <S>                 <C>           <C>             <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>          <C>
                                                            (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
EARNINGS DATA
 Sales.............  $2,137,847    $  889,843      $1,248,004    $2,127,917    $2,532,749    $1,318,565   $2,857,819   $2,787,393
 Finance charge
  revenue..........      82,642        27,265          55,377        93,992       110,707        49,262      125,036      94,888
 Cost of goods
  sold, including
  occupancy and
  buying costs.....   1,576,952       638,173         938,779     1,581,144     1,885,152       985,018    2,085,344   2,001,188
 Selling, general
  and
  administrative
  expenses.........     572,637       209,992         362,645       570,512       681,561       341,503      742,616     702,329
 Other expense,
  net(2)...........     --            --              --            --             17,681        17,000        4,831       6,000
                    ------------  ------------    ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -----------  ----------
 EBIT..............      70,900        68,943           1,957        70,253        59,062        24,306      150,064     172,764
 Interest expense,
  net..............      89,808        29,623          60,185       102,288       144,982        71,046      161,534     160,344
                    ------------  ------------    ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -----------  ----------
 Earnings (loss)
  from operations
  before
  reorganization
  costs and income
  taxes............     (18,908)       39,320         (58,228)      (32,035)      (85,920)      (46,740)     (11,470 )    12,420
 Reorganization
  income
  (costs)(3).......     884,131       --              884,131      (138,057)      (40,000)      (40,000)      --          --
                    ------------  ------------    ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -----------  ----------
 Pretax earnings
  (loss) from
  operations.......     865,223        39,320         825,903      (170,092)     (125,920)      (86,740)     (11,470 )    12,420
 Income tax benefit
  (expense)........      (9,800)      (16,600)          6,800       --             26,250        13,200        2,000      (5,000 )
                    ------------  ------------    ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -----------  ----------
 Earnings (loss)
  from
  operations.......     855,423        22,720         832,703      (170,092)      (99,670)      (73,540)      (9,470 )     7,420
 Extraordinary
  income (costs)
  and changes in
  accounting(4)....     323,220       --              323,220       (46,894)      (20,070)      (14,070)     (16,500 )     6,050
                    ------------  ------------    ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -----------  ----------
 Net earnings
  (loss)...........  $1,178,643    $   22,720      $1,155,923    $ (216,986)   $ (119,740)   $  (87,610)  $  (25,970 ) $  13,470
                    ------------  ------------    ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -----------  ----------
                    ------------  ------------    ------------  ------------  ------------  ------------  -----------  ----------
OTHER DATA
 Depreciation and
  amortization.....  $   38,540    $   10,617      $   27,923    $   43,636    $   42,630    $   21,836   $   50,995   $  52,956
 Capital
  expenditures.....  $   38,242    $   21,190      $   17,052    $   34,850    $   80,556    $   37,989   $   83,220   $  75,849
 Gross square
  footage at period
  end
  (in thousands)...      15,177        15,177          15,842        15,995        16,156        16,156       18,958      18,815
 Sales per gross
  square foot(5)...  $      137           N/A             N/A    $      133    $      145           N/A   $      147   $     150
 Comparative store
  sales gain
  (decrease).......         0.9%          3.5%           (0.9)%        (9.9)%        (2.3)%        (3.5)%        2.0 %       5.6 %
 Number of
  stores...........          83            83              87            88            89            89          115         114
 Inventory
  turnover.........         2.1x          N/A             N/A           2.1x          2.2x          N/A          2.2 x       2.2 x
BALANCE SHEET DATA
 Working capital...  $  701,478    $  701,478      $  598,806    $  628,270    $  978,082    $  978,082   $  843,414   $ 873,307
 Total assets......  $1,912,902    $1,912,902      $1,918,701    $1,667,662    $1,755,421    $1,755,421   $2,045,194   $1,988,365
 Liabilities
  subject to
  settlement under
  reorganization
  proceedings......     --            --              --         $  598,321    $  598,650    $  598,650       --          --
 Receivables based
  financing........  $  467,577    $  467,577      $  388,306    $  489,254    $  633,798    $  633,798   $  678,646   $ 652,432
 Other long-term
  debt and capital
  lease
  obligations......  $  563,216    $  563,216      $  566,267    $  508,429    $  515,290    $  515,290   $  939,797   $ 956,665
 Stockholders'
  equity
  (deficit)........  $  374,761    $  374,761      $  350,000    $ (508,476)   $ (272,627)   $ (272,627)  $ (193,820)  $(211,617)
 Common shares
  outstanding
  (in thousands)...      35,200(6)     35,200(6)       34,986(6)     30,349        30,369        30,369       29,848      23,060
</TABLE>
 
                                               (see footnotes on following page)
 
                                       15
<PAGE>   17
 
- ---------------
(1) Upon emergence from bankruptcy on October 8, 1992, the Company adopted the
    principles of fresh start reporting as of October 3, 1992 to reflect the
    impact of the reorganization. The 52-week period ended January 30, 1993 is
    thus comprised of the 35 weeks ended October 3, 1992 and the 17 weeks ended
    January 30, 1993. As a result of the application of fresh start reporting,
    the financial condition and results of operations of the Company for dates
    and periods subsequent to October 3, 1992 are not necessarily comparable to
    those prior to October 3, 1992.
 
(2) Includes a $30.0 million gain on the sale of Thalhimers and a $47.0 million
    provision for consolidation programs in the 52-and 26-week periods ended
    February 2, 1991; gains on asset sales of $7.3 million and costs of closing
    certain facilities of $12.1 million for the 53-week period ended August 4,
    1990; and a $6.0 million charge for costs of closing certain facilities for
    the 52-week period ended July 29, 1989.
 
(3) Includes income of $906.4 million resulting from adjustments to reflect the
    revaluation of assets and liabilities as a result of the application of
    fresh start reporting, $13.8 million in costs directly related to the
    reorganization, and $8.5 million in adjustments to the provision for
    disputed claims in the 52-week period ended January 30, 1993 and the 35-week
    period ended October 3, 1992; $65.0 million provision for consolidation,
    $29.4 million in costs related to the reorganization, $25.0 million in
    adjustments to the provisions for disputed claims, a $9.7 million charge for
    unamortized costs on subordinated debt, and $9.0 million of adjustments to
    the carrying value of assets in the 52-week period ended February 1, 1992;
    and a $40.0 million provision for store closing in the 52-and 26-week
    periods ended February 2, 1991.
 
(4) Includes an extraordinary gain on debt discharge of $304.4 million and
    income from a change in accounting for income taxes of $18.8 million for the
    52-week period ended January 30, 1993 and the 35-week period ended October
    3, 1992; a charge for a change in accounting for post-retirement medical
    benefits of $30.0 million and an extraordinary charge of $16.9 million for
    costs relating to early retirements of debt for the 52-week period ended
    February 1, 1992; extraordinary charges of $14.1 million for costs relating
    to early retirements of debt for the 52-and 26-week periods ended February
    2, 1991, and $6.0 million for uninsured losses associated with the October
    1989 San Francisco earthquake for the 52-week period ended February 2, 1991;
    an extraordinary charge of $16.5 million for the uninsured loss associated
    with the October 1989 San Francisco earthquake for the 53-week period ended
    August 4, 1990; and income from a change in accounting for income taxes of
    $15.3 million and an extraordinary charge for costs relating to the early
    retirements of debt of $9.2 million for the 52-week period ended July 29,
    1989.
 
(5) Based on sales for stores open at each period-end excluding Thalhimers for
    the 53-week period ended August 4, 1990 and the 52-week period ended July
    29, 1989.
 
(6) Includes shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance or otherwise issuable
    to certain prepetition creditors or preconfirmation stockholders in
    accordance with the POR. Does not include shares reserved for issuance under
    the 1992 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, shares reserved for issuance to
    the Company's 401(k) Plan, or shares issuable upon exercise of Warrants.
 
                                       16
<PAGE>   18
 
                SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA (CONTINUED)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                 AS OF AND FOR THE PERIOD ENDED
                                                                                                ---------------------------------
                                                                                                 OCTOBER 30,        OCTOBER 31,
                                                                                                     1993               1992
                                                                                                  (39 WEEKS)         (39 WEEKS)
                                                                                                --------------     --------------
<S>                                                                                             <C>                <C>
                                                                                                 (UNAUDITED)        (UNAUDITED)
 
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                  (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                                                             <C>                <C>
EARNINGS DATA
 Sales........................................................................................    $1,387,103         $1,405,321
 Finance charge revenue.......................................................................        59,988             61,908
 Cost of goods sold, including occupancy and buying costs.....................................     1,049,833          1,065,584
 Selling, general and administrative expenses.................................................       393,271            397,663
 Charge for non-recurring costs(1)............................................................        25,000
                                                                                                --------------     --------------
 EBIT.........................................................................................       (21,013)             3,982
 Interest expense, net........................................................................        63,801             67,312
                                                                                                --------------     --------------
 Loss from operations before reorganization costs and income taxes............................       (84,814)           (63,330)
 Reorganization income........................................................................            --            884,131
                                                                                                --------------     --------------
 Pretax earnings (loss) from operations.......................................................       (84,814)           820,801
 Income tax benefits..........................................................................         6,900              6,800
                                                                                                --------------     --------------
 Earnings (loss) before extraordinary item and cumulative effect of change in accounting......       (77,914)           827,601
 Extraordinary gain in debt discharge.........................................................            --            304,388
 Cumulative effect of change in accounting for income taxes...................................            --             18,832
                                                                                                --------------     --------------
 Net earnings (loss)..........................................................................    $  (77,914)        $1,150,821
                                                                                                --------------     --------------
                                                                                                --------------     --------------
OTHER DATA
 Depreciation and amortization................................................................    $   25,033         $   30,657
 Capital expenditures.........................................................................    $   39,674         $   19,608
 Gross square footage at period end (in thousands)............................................        15,177             15,842
 Comparative store sales gain (decrease)......................................................           1.8%              (1.3)%
 Number of stores.............................................................................            83                 87
BALANCE SHEET DATA
 Working capital..............................................................................    $  674,260         $  602,193
 Total assets.................................................................................    $1,869,351         $1,866,223
 Receivables based financing..................................................................    $  388,681         $  397,972
 Other long-term debt and capital lease obligations...........................................    $  559,809         $  566,651
 Stockholders' equity.........................................................................    $  445,275         $  344,898
 Common shares outstanding (in thousands).....................................................        46,781(2)          34,986(2)
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Represents a second-quarter charge for non-recurring costs to be incurred in
    connection with the implementation of the Company's strategic plan to
    streamline its organizational structure.
 
(2) Includes shares of Common Stock reserved for issuance or otherwise issuable
    to certain prepetition creditors or preconfirmation stockholders in
    accordance with the POR. Does not include shares reserved for issuance under
    the 1992 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended, shares reserved for issuance to
    the Company's 401(k) Plan, or shares issuable upon exercise of Warrants.
 
                                       17
<PAGE>   19
 
          MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION
                           AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
INTRODUCTION
 
     The discussion of results of operations that follows is based upon the
Company's consolidated financial statements and quarterly information included
or incorporated by reference in this Prospectus. The discussion of liquidity and
capital resources is based upon the Company's current financial position. Upon
emergence from bankruptcy, the Company adopted the principles of fresh start
reporting as of October 3, 1992 (the "Effective Date") to reflect the impact of
the reorganization. As a result of the application of fresh start reporting, the
financial condition and results of operations of the Company for dates and
periods subsequent to the Effective Date are not necessarily comparable to those
prior to the Effective Date.
 
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
 
     Overview.  The Company changed its fiscal year-end in 1991 and emerged from
bankruptcy in 1992, leading to another fiscal period-end as a result of
accounting for the effects of the bankruptcy reorganization at the Effective
Date. Consequently, the last four fiscal "years" of the Company consist of a
26-week transition period ended February 2, 1991, a 52-week period ended
February 1, 1992, a 35-week period ended October 3, 1992 and a 17-week period
ended January 30, 1993. There are inherent difficulties in comparing such
periods due to the application of fresh start reporting, although certain
prepetition and post-petition income and expense elements remain comparable.
 
     13-Week and 39-Week Periods Ended October 30, 1993. The following table
summarizes the results of the 13-week and 39-week periods ended October 30, 1993
on a comparable period basis. During these periods, the Company incurred certain
one-time charges due to continued execution of the Company's business strategy.
These charges included inventory clearance markdowns, which are part of the
Company's inventory repositioning program. These markdowns were taken over and
above markdowns taken in the normal course of business. In the prior year
periods, markdowns of this nature were charged to previously established
inventory valuation reserves. The one-time charges also included a non-recurring
charge of $25 million for costs to implement a strategic plan to streamline the
Company's organizational structure and reduce administrative costs. Annualized
expense savings of approximately $40.0 million by 1995 have been identified from
this plan.
 
                                       18
<PAGE>   20
 
     This table illustrates reported EBIT as well as pro forma operating EBIT
which adds back the one-time charges described above.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                        THIRTEEN WEEKS ENDED             THIRTY-NINE WEEKS ENDED
                                                    -----------------------------     -----------------------------
                                                    OCTOBER 30,      OCTOBER 31,      OCTOBER 30,      OCTOBER 31,
                                                        1993             1992             1993             1992
                                                    ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
<S>                                                 <C>              <C>              <C>              <C>
Sales.............................................     $   469.7        $   490.4       $  1,387.1       $  1,405.3
Finance Charge Revenue............................          18.9             19.3             60.0             61.9
Cost of goods sold, including occupancy and buying
  costs (on a proforma FIFO basis)................         353.6            366.0          1,036.3          1,041.0
Selling, general and administrative expenses......         133.8            135.0            393.3            397.6
                                                    ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
Pro forma operating FIFO EBIT(1)..................           1.2              8.7             17.5             28.6
Adjustments to arrive at reported EBIT:
  LIFO charge.....................................           (.5)            (5.1)            (1.5)            (7.1)
  Realignment markdowns...........................          (6.0)              --            (12.0)              --
  Special period-end adjustments..................            --            (17.5)              --            (17.5)
  Charge for non-recurring costs..................            --               --            (25.0)              --
                                                    ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
Reported EBIT.....................................     $    (5.3)       $   (13.9)      $    (21.0)      $      4.0
                                                    ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
                                                    ------------     ------------     ------------     ------------
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) The 1992 pre-and post-emergence reporting periods each required separate
    year-end type closings. Accordingly, buying and occupancy costs totalling
    $17.5 million, which would normally have been allocated to the fourth
    quarter of fiscal 1992, were required to be expensed in September 1992. In
    addition, the LIFO charge for the 35 week period ended October 3, 1992 was
    computed on a discrete period basis and was unusually high for the 1992
    third quarter (approximately $4 million higher than usual).
 
     For the current quarter and year-to-date periods ended October 30, 1993,
sales were $469.7 million and $1,387.1 million, respectively, compared to sales
of $490.4 million and $1,405.3 million in the comparable prior periods. Included
in the prior year periods were the results for three Utah stores and the
Anaheim, California store which were closed in January 1993. On a comparative
store basis sales decreased 0.8 percent in the current quarter, but were up 1.8
percent for the thirty-nine week year-to-date period.
 
     On the pro forma basis shown above, cost of goods sold of $353.6 million,
75.3 percent of sales, in the current quarter and $1,036.3 million, 74.7 percent
of sales in the year-to-date period, compare to $366.0 million, 74.6 percent of
sales, and $1,041.0 million, 74.1 percent of sales in the comparable prior year
periods. The 0.7 percent and 0.6 percent increases as a percent to sales reflect
a reduction in markup rate resulting primarily from a movement to everyday low
pricing strategies and reflect the impact of competitive pricing pressures.
 
     Selling, general and administrative expenses ("SG&A") of $133.8 million,
28.5 percent of sales, in the current quarter and $393.3 million, 28.4 percent
of sales in the year-to-date period, compared to $135.0 million, 27.5 percent of
sales, and $397.6 million, 28.3 percent of sales in the comparable prior year
periods. The impact of tighter expense controls during the current year was
negated on a percent to sales basis as a result of lower sales in the current
year.
 
     Finance charge revenue of $18.9 million, 4.0 percent of sales, and $60.0
million, 4.3 percent of sales in the current quarter and year-to-date periods,
compares to $19.3 million, 3.9 percent of sales, and $61.9 million, 4.4 percent
of sales in the comparable prior year periods.
 
     Interest expense of $19.8 million and $63.8 million in the current quarter
and year-to-date periods compare to $22.4 million and $67.3 million in the
comparable prior year periods. The decrease in current year interest expense
results primarily from lower average borrowing rates under the Company's
Receivables Facility subsequent to the Emergence Date and the utilization of
 
                                       19
<PAGE>   21
 
the proceeds from the equity offering to lower borrowings under these facilities
subsequent to July 1993.
 
     Limitations on the Company's ability to record income tax benefits for net
operating loss carryforwards for financial statement purposes is expected to
result in an effective income tax rate in the current year that is substantially
below the statutory rate and results in no income tax benefit being recorded for
the current quarter. The $6.8 million tax benefit recognized in the prior year
reflects the release of tax reserves on favorable resolution of income tax
audits for tax years through July 1990.
 
     Due to the seasonal nature of the retail business wherein a significant
portion of sales for the year are generated in the fourth quarter, the Company
follows the practice of allocating certain fixed buying and occupancy costs
among quarters within the fiscal year to match these costs with the associated
seasonal sales revenue. Operating results, on a net of tax basis, reflect the
allocation of such buying and occupancy costs that were less than those incurred
by $7.5 million and $16.1 million in the current quarter and year-to-date
periods. The application of fresh start reporting required the recognition at
October 3, 1992 of $17.5 million of such deferred buying and occupancy costs.
The expense allocation method had no significant impact on the results for the
four weeks ended October 31, 1992.
 
     The seasonal nature of the retail business also results in a significant
portion of the earnings from operations for the year being generated in the
fourth quarter. Interim operating results are thus not necessarily indicative of
results from operations that will be realized for the full fiscal year.
 
                                       20
<PAGE>   22
 
     Thirty-six months ended January 30, 1993.  The following table summarizes
the results of operations for certain periods in the 36 months ended January 30,
1993, presented on a comparable period basis (dollar amounts in millions).
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                              JANUARY 30,    FEBRUARY 1,   JANUARY 30,  FEBRUARY 1,   FEBRUARY 2,
                                                  1993           1992         1993          1992          1991
               Period end date               --------------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------
          Number of weeks reported               17(1)          17(1)          52            52            52
                                             --------------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------
<S>                                          <C>             <C>           <C>          <C>           <C>
                                             (pro forma)(2)
SALES........................................     $889.8        $859.6      $ 2,137.8     $2,127.9      $2,532.7(3)
FINANCE CHARGE REVENUE.......................       27.3          30.7           82.7         94.0         110.7
COST OF GOODS SOLD
  Cost of merchandise and other..............      571.1         548.2        1,374.5      1,358.9       1,647.2
  Buying and occupancy costs.................       84.6          88.7          202.5        222.2         237.9
                                             --------------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------
          Total cost of goods sold...........      655.7         636.9        1,577.0      1,581.1       1,885.1
                                             --------------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------
SG&A
  Sales promotion............................       48.3          45.3          123.2        107.4         124.6
  Selling payroll............................       70.3          69.1          195.5        190.5         246.9
  Other......................................       91.4          97.9          253.9        272.6         310.1
                                             --------------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------
          Total SG&A.........................      210.0         212.3          572.6        570.5         681.6
                                             --------------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------
OTHER COSTS, NET.............................         --            --             --           --          17.6
                                             --------------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------
EBIT.........................................     $ 51.4        $ 41.1      $    70.9     $   70.3      $   59.1
                                             --------------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------
                                             --------------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------
SALES........................................      100.0%        100.0%         100.0%       100.0%        100.0%
FINANCE CHARGE REVENUE.......................        3.1           3.6            3.9          4.4           4.3
COST OF GOODS SOLD
  Cost of merchandise and other..............       64.2          63.8           64.3         63.9          65.0
  Buying and occupancy costs.................        9.5          10.3            9.5         10.4           9.4
                                             --------------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------
          Total cost of goods sold...........       73.7          74.1           73.8         74.3          74.4
                                             --------------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------
SG&A
  Sales promotion............................        5.4           5.3            5.8          5.0           4.9
  Selling payroll............................        7.9           8.0            9.1          9.0           9.8
  Other......................................       10.3          11.4           11.9         12.8          12.2
                                             --------------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------
          Total SG&A.........................       23.6          24.7           26.8         26.8          26.9
                                             --------------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------
OTHER COSTS, NET.............................         --            --             --           --           0.7
                                             --------------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------
EBIT.........................................        5.8%          4.8%           3.3%         3.3%          2.3%
                                             --------------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------
                                             --------------  ------------  -----------  ------------  ------------
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
 
(1) Interim period results are affected by the Company's practice of allocating
    certain fixed buying and occupancy costs among periods within the fiscal
    year to match these costs with the associated seasonal sales revenue. See
    "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
    Operations -- Seasonality."
 
(2) Reported costs of goods sold for the 17-week period ended January 30, 1993
    was $638.2 million and reported EBIT was $68.9 million. The pro forma column
    reflects the addition of $17.5 million of allocated fixed buying and
    occupancy costs into the 17-week period ended January 30, 1993, which were
    recognized at October 3, 1992 as a result of the application of fresh start
    reporting.
 
(3) Includes Thalhimers sales of $183.6 million.
 
     17-Week Period Ended January 30, 1993 ("Post-reorganization
Period").  Sales increased 3.5 percent to $889.8 million in the
Post-reorganization Period from $859.6 million in the comparable prior-year
17-week period ended February 1, 1992. On a comparable store basis, the sales
increase was also 3.5 percent. For the 13-week period ended January 30, 1993,
comparable store sales increased 5.5 percent over the same period last year,
reflecting a generally strong holiday selling season and positive responses to
the Company's sales and credit promotional activities.
 
                                       21
<PAGE>   23
 
     Pro forma EBIT increased to $51.4 million, 5.8 percent of sales, in the
Post-reorganization Period from $41.1 million, 4.8 percent of sales, in the
comparable prior-year period. Pro forma EBIT reflects the reversal of the
cost-of-goods-sold adjustment described in note 2 to the table above. The
improvement reflects the increased sales base and the realization of the
benefits of cost reduction programs. Reported EBIT increased to $68.9 million,
7.7 percent of sales, in the Post-reorganization period.
 
     Pro forma cost of goods sold decreased to 73.7 percent of sales, $655.7
million, in the Post-reorganization Period from 74.1 percent, $636.9 million, in
the comparable prior-year period. Cost of goods sold as a percentage of sales
decreased 0.4 percent as a result of higher sales and lower buying and occupancy
costs partially offset by lower merchandise gross margins due to competitive
pressures. The LIFO credit of $1.9 million for the Post-reorganization Period
compares to a charge of $3.2 million in the comparable prior-year period. Actual
cost of goods sold increased $1.3 million.
 
     SG&A decreased to $210.0 million, 23.6 percent of sales, in the
Post-reorganization Period from $212.3 million, 24.7 percent of sales, in the
comparable prior-year period. This decrease is comprised of a $6.5 million
decrease in other SG&A primarily reflecting reduced fixed costs resulting from
the Company's consolidation programs, partially offset by a $4.2 million
increase in sales promotion and selling expenses in response to competitive
pressures during the holiday season.
 
     Finance charge revenue decreased to $27.3 million, 3.1 percent of sales, in
the Post-reorganization Period from $30.7 million, 3.6 percent of sales, in the
comparable prior-year period, reflecting the conservative approach to credit
purchases generally, including proprietary credit card purchases, taken by
customers prior to the holiday season, and the continuation of the trends
discussed under "Business -- Proprietary Credit Card Operations." In addition,
during the past two years, including the Post-reorganization Period, the Company
has experienced an accelerated collection rate on proprietary credit card
accounts resulting in lower overall outstanding customer receivables.
 
     Interest expense decreased to $29.6 million in the Post-reorganization
Period from $32.1 million in the comparable prior-year period. This reduction
was largely due to lower average interest rates.
 
     Net earnings of $22.7 million in the Post-reorganization Period are net of
taxes at statutory rates and reflect an effective tax rate of 42.2 percent.
 
     The seasonal nature of the retail business results in a significant portion
of the earnings from operations for the year being generated in the 17-week
period. Interim operating results are thus not necessarily indicative of
earnings from operations that will be realized for the full fiscal year.
 
     52-Week Period Ended January 30, 1993 ("1992").  Although the adoption of
fresh start reporting significantly affected comparability, certain income and
expense elements for the Post-reorganization Period and the 35-week period ended
October 3, 1992 (the "Pre-reorganization Period") remain comparable and are
addressed in the following analysis of results of operations for 1992.
 
     Sales for both 1992 and the prior fiscal year ended February 1, 1992
("1991") were $2.1 billion. Sales growth during the first three quarters of 1992
was significantly limited by the weakness in the California economy from which
approximately 90 percent of the Company's business is generated. On a comparable
store basis, sales for 1992 increased 0.9 percent as compared to the prior year.
Sales per square foot increased to $137 in 1992 and $133 in the prior year as a
result of the corresponding increase in sales.
 
     EBIT increased to $70.9 million, 3.3 percent of sales, in 1992 from $70.3
million, 3.3 percent of sales, in 1991. While EBIT was essentially unchanged,
1992 reflects the effect of overhead reductions resulting from the Company's
consolidation programs substantially offset by increased promotional and selling
expenses in response to current economic and competitive factors particularly
during the first three quarters of 1992.
 
                                       22
<PAGE>   24
 
     Cost of goods decreased to $1,577.0 million, 73.8 percent of sales, in 1992
from $1,581.1 million, 74.3 percent of sales, in 1991. The improvement reflects
a 0.9 percent increase in gross margin representing the impact of reductions in
fixed buying and occupancy costs partially offset by a 0.4 percent decline in
gross margin resulting from lower purchase mark-up. The LIFO method of inventory
accounting resulted in a charge of $5.2 million in both periods.
 
     SG&A increased to $572.6 million in 1992 from $570.5 million in 1991.
However, as a percentage of sales, SG&A was 26.8 percent in both years. Although
there was no net improvement in SG&A as a percent of sales, 1992 reflects an
$18.7 million decrease in other SG&A reflecting the impact on fixed costs of the
Company's consolidation programs offset by a $20.8 million increase in
promotional expenses and selling and support services in order to stimulate
business in the difficult California retail environment.
 
     Finance charge revenue decreased to $82.7 million, 3.9 percent of sales, in
1992 from $94.0 million, 4.4 percent of sales, in 1991. The reduction reflects
the impact of lower levels of consumer confidence in the California economy
manifested by a decrease in credit purchases and an acceleration in the paydown
of outstanding credit card balances.
 
     Interest expense decreased to $89.8 million in 1992 from $102.3 million in
1991. This decline was largely due to lower average interest rates.
 
     Net earnings of $1,178.6 million in 1992 reflect reorganization and debt
discharge related gains of $1,188.5 million and a benefit of $18.8 million from
the adoption of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 109, "Accounting
for Income Taxes." The change in accounting reflects the elimination of existing
deferred income taxes through the recognition of net operating loss
carryforwards for which no benefit could be recognized under the previous
accounting standard. The $6.8 million tax benefit recognized in the Pre-
reorganization Period reflects the reversal of existing tax reserves on the
favorable resolution of income tax audits for tax years through July 1990. The
tax provision of $16.6 million for the Post-reorganization Period reflects state
and federal taxes at statutory rates on pre-tax earnings for that period.
 
     52-Week Period Ended February 1, 1992 ("1991").  Sales for 1991 decreased
16.0 percent to $2.1 billion from $2.5 billion for the comparable 52-week period
ended February 2, 1991 ("1990"). The decrease was attributable to the disruption
of inventory flows surrounding the date the Company filed for bankruptcy, the
recessionary retail environment experienced in the Company's primary markets,
and the sale of Thalhimers, whose sales were included in the sales data for the
first six months of the comparable prior-year period. On a comparable store
basis, sales for 1991 decreased 9.9 percent compared to 1990. Sales per square
foot decreased to $133 in 1991 from $145 in the prior year as a result of the
corresponding decrease in sales.
 
     EBIT increased to $70.3 million, 3.3 percent of sales, in 1991 from $59.1
million, 2.3 percent of sales, in 1990. EBIT for 1991 was affected by the
substantial reduction in the sales base. EBIT in 1990 includes a $47.0 million
charge for costs associated with certain functional consolidations and the
consolidation of the administrative functions of the Company's Emporium and
Weinstocks divisions. These charges were partially offset by a gain of $30.0
million related to the November 1990 sale of Thalhimers.
 
     Cost of goods sold decreased to $1,581.1 million, 74.3 percent of sales, in
1991 from $1,885.1 million, 74.4 percent of sales, in 1990. Although cost of
goods sold as a percentage of sales remained relatively unchanged, 1991 reflects
the impact of a $19.7 million reduction in the LIFO charge and reductions in
fixed buying and occupancy costs resulting from the sale of Thalhimers and the
effects of cost reduction programs undertaken subsequent to October 1990.
 
     SG&A decreased to $570.5 million, 26.8 percent of sales, in 1991 from
$681.6 million, 26.9 percent of sales, in 1990. This decrease reflects the
impact of the cost reduction programs initiated in 1990 and the sale of
Thalhimers.
 
                                       23
<PAGE>   25
 
     Finance charge revenue decreased to $94.0 million, 4.4 percent of sales, in
1991 from $110.7 million, 4.3 percent of sales, in 1990. This decrease
principally resulted from reduced proprietary credit sales during 1991 and the
elimination of finance charge revenue relating to Thalhimers, which had been
included in six months of the prior-year period.
 
     Interest expense decreased to $102.3 million in 1991 from $145.0 million in
1990. This reduction principally comprises interest expense and amortization of
debt issue costs on $350.0 million of subordinated debt, for which no interest
was recognized subsequent to the date the Company filed for bankruptcy. As a
result of the claims relating to the subordinated debt being allowed pursuant to
the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code, unamortized subordinated debt issue costs
totaling $9.7 million were charged to reorganization costs in the fourth quarter
of 1991.
 
     The net loss of $217.0 million in 1991 includes a charge of $138.1 million
for reorganization costs comprised of a $65.0 million provision for the
consolidation of the Company into a single operating entity, a $34.0 million
charge for settlement of certain disputed prepetition trade claims and valuation
adjustments to reflect the effect of the chapter 11 proceedings on the amounts
to be realized for certain assets, a $29.4 million charge for professional fees
and other costs directly related to the proceedings, and a $9.7 million charge
to write-off unamortized debt issue costs related to the Company's subordinated
debt. In addition, the net loss reflects an extraordinary net-of-tax charge of
$16.9 million on the early extinguishment of an interim receivables facility
entered into as a result of the filing for bankruptcy and a net-of-tax charge of
$30.0 million resulting from a change in the method of accounting for
post-retirement medical and other benefits as a result of the adoption of
Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 106, "Employers Accounting for
Post-retirement Benefits Other Than Pensions."
 
     26-Week Period Ended February 2, 1991 (the "Transition Period").  Effective
as of February 2, 1991, the Company changed its fiscal year from the Saturday
closest to July 31, to the Saturday closest to January 31. As a result, the
results of operations for the Transition Period were separately reported.
 
     Sales for the Transition Period decreased 19.8 percent to $1.3 billion as
compared to $1.6 billion in the comparable prior-year period. The decrease was
largely attributable to Thalhimers' sales included in the prior year. In
addition, the prior-year period comprised 27 weeks compared with the 26 weeks
included in the Transition Period. On a comparable store and period basis,
Transition Period sales decreased 3.5 percent from the prior year's level,
reflecting the impact of the generally weak retail environment and the
disruption of inventory flows prior to the date the Company filed for
bankruptcy.
 
     EBIT decreased to $24.3 million, 1.8 percent of sales, in the Transition
Period from $115.3 million, 7.0 percent of sales, in the comparable prior-year
period. The Transition Period reflects the generally weak holiday sales
performance, the absence of Thalhimers' results and a $47.0 million charge for
consolidation programs. The decreases were partially offset by the $30.0 million
gain on the sale of Thalhimers. The comparable prior-year period included a net
charge of $4.2 million relating to consolidation charges partially offset by
gains on asset sales.
 
     Cost of goods sold decreased to $985.0 million, 74.7 percent of sales, in
the Transition Period from $1,185.2 million, 72.1 percent of sales, for the
comparable prior-year period. This increase in cost of goods sold as a
percentage of sales reflects a significant increase in markdowns in response to
the generally weak economic conditions and a highly competitive retail
environment during the 1990 fall season. The LIFO inventory method resulted in a
charge of $4.7 million in the Transition Period compared to $2.0 million in the
comparable prior-year period.
 
     SG&A decreased to $341.5 million, 25.9 percent of sales, in the Transition
Period from $402.6 million, 24.5 percent of sales, in the comparable prior-year
period. This decrease reflects the sale of Thalhimers, the impact of cost
reduction programs initiated in 1990, and the inclusion of an
 
                                       24
<PAGE>   26
 
additional week in the comparable prior-year period. The increase in SG&A as a
percentage of sales principally reflects the impact of the lower sales base
during the Transition Period.
 
     Finance charge revenue decreased to $49.3 million, 3.7 percent of sales, in
the Transition Period from $63.6 million, 3.9 percent of sales, in the
comparable prior-year period. This decrease resulted from lower levels of credit
sales in the Transition Period and the sale of Thalhimers in 1990.
 
     Interest expense for the Transition Period decreased to $71.0 million from
$87.6 million in the comparable prior-year period. The reduction reflects debt
retirements directly related to the sale of Thalhimers, the effect of other
reductions in borrowings, and generally lower interest rates.
 
     The net loss of $87.6 million in the Transition Period includes a charge of
$40.0 million for estimated costs associated with certain store and facility
closings resulting from the Chapter 11 proceedings and an extraordinary charge
of $14.1 million resulting from the early extinguishment of debt. The $13.2
million income tax benefit for the Transition Period was based on a 15.2 percent
effective tax rate, reflecting limitations on the Company's ability to utilize
net operating loss carryforwards.
 
LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES
 
     The chapter 11 proceedings significantly affected the Company's capital
structure, liquidity and capital resources.
 
     Recapitalization and Deferral of Principal Amortization.  Upon emergence
from bankruptcy, $600.0 million of subordinated debt and other liabilities were
converted into equity. In addition, $451.8 million of secured debt and $66.1
million of accrued interest was restructured to capitalize the accrued interest
and defer principal amortization. In the case of the $344 million of 10.67%
Notes, cash interest payments through October 8, 1994 were reduced as well. The
scheduled principal payments on real property secured debt for the next four
years are $4.4 million in 1994, $6.7 million in 1995, $5.6 million in 1996 and
$10.2 million in 1997. The Company made no principal payments on such debt in
1991. In 1992, the Company made principal payments on such debt of $1.7 million.
In addition, Management estimates that annual expenses under real estate and
equipment leases were reduced by approximately $15.0 million. The Company also
received a $50.0 million equity infusion. Concurrently with its emergence from
bankruptcy, the Company obtained three-year credit and accounts receivable
financing facilities. In July 1993, the Company raised net proceeds of $147.5
million through a public offering of Common Stock.
 
     Credit Facilities.  As of the Emergence Date, the Company obtained a new
three-year Credit Facility and a new three-year Receivables Facility. Subject to
collateral limitations, the new facilities provide for up to $225.0 million in
credit financing and up to $575.0 million to finance the Company's proprietary
credit card receivables portfolio. As of January 1, 1994, no advances and $45.4
million in letters of credit were outstanding under the Credit Facility and
$337.1 million of borrowings, $182.7 million less than the maximum available
based on the level of customer receivables, were outstanding under the
Receivables Facility.
 
     A substantial portion of the Company's debt is variable rate debt. Assuming
that the average borrowings and all other variables would have remained
constant, an increase (or decrease) in the annual interest rates applicable to
the variable rate portion of the Company's debt throughout the 52-week period
ended January 30, 1993 of one percent would have increased (or decreased) the
Company's interest expense for such period by $5.8 million.
 
     The Credit Facility contains a number of operating and financial covenants,
as well as significant negative covenants. The Credit Facility includes
covenants for material adverse changes, minimum aggregate net cash flow and
earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("EBITDA"). In
addition, the Credit Facility prohibits the Company from paying dividends on its
stock and places limitations on the Company's capital expenditures. The Credit
Agreement and the
 
                                       25
<PAGE>   27
 
Company's agreements with its other principal secured creditors also contain
other covenants and requirements. See "Indebtedness of the Company."
 
     Since July 1, 1993, the Company has had to amend its financial covenants in
the Credit Facility as a result of charges incurred with respect to
implementation of its business strategy, increased competitive pressure on sales
and margins and the weak California economy. The charges included a $25 million
charge in connection with the AVA program (which is expected to achieve $40
million in annual expense reductions by 1995) and $18 million of inventory
clearance markdowns designed to upgrade the Company's merchandise offerings ($6
million of which is expected to be incurred in the fourth quarter). In addition,
during fiscal 1993, the Company expects that it will expend $60 million on its
capital expenditure program, $66 million on cash interest payments, $20 million
on additional working capital and $14 million to repay debt.
 
     The Company is currently in compliance with all covenants under the credit
facility. For the 13-week period ended October 30, 1993, the Company had EBITDA
of $3.3 million, or $2.3 million more than the EBITDA minimum level required
under the Credit Facility. During this period, the Company had consolidated net
negative cash flows of $20.2 million, or $7.6 million less than the maximum
consolidated net negative cash flow allowed under the Credit Facility. At
October 30, 1993, the Company's net inventory ratio was 71.2%, or 4.0% less than
the maximum inventory ratio permitted under the Credit Facility. In addition,
the Company's inventory balance at October 30, 1993 was within the range
specified under the Credit Facility. Finally, the Company's capital expenditures
during the 22-week period ended October 30, 1993 were $28.1 million, compared to
the maximum capital expenditure allowed during such period of $84.5 million.
 
     Capital Expenditures.  In light of the bankruptcy proceedings, the
Company's capital expenditure programs were curtailed in 1992 and 1991. Capital
expenditures amounted to $38.2 million in 1992 and $34.9 million in 1991,
compared to $38.0 million in the 26-week Transition Period, and $83.2 million in
1990. The Company concentrated its capital expenditures in 1993 on store
modernization and selling space improvement in addition to ongoing required
maintenance expenditures. The Company is projected to spend $60.0 million for
capital expenditures during the 1993 fiscal year. Capital expenditures between
1994 and 1996 are expected to be approximately $336.0 million. During this
period capital expenditures for modernization and selling space improvements,
including capitalized interest, are expected to total approximately $276.0
million, and maintenance capital expenditures are expected to total
approximately $60.0 million. The following table sets forth Management's
estimates of the amounts, timing and allocation of capital expenditures for
fiscal years 1993 through 1996. The capital expenditure program may be modified
over time to accommodate market factors and the Company's then existing
financial condition. In addition, from time to time the Company considers
proposals to close existing stores or open new stores.
 
                          CAPITAL EXPENDITURE PROGRAM
                          (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS)
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                  1993       1994       1995       1996
                                                                 ------     ------     ------     ------
<S>                                                              <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
Modernization and Selling Space Improvements...................  $ 44.7     $ 85.6     $ 89.1     $ 95.0
Maintenance Capital Expenditures...............................    13.5       22.4       14.9       23.0
Capitalized Interest...........................................     1.8        2.0        2.0        2.0
                                                                 ------     ------     ------     ------
          Total................................................  $ 60.0     $110.0     $106.0     $120.0
                                                                 ------     ------     ------     ------
                                                                 ------     ------     ------     ------
</TABLE>
 
     The Company's ability to fund its capital expenditure program and to
implement its business strategy will depend on cash flow from operations and the
continued availability of borrowings under the Credit Facility. Operating cash
flow will be affected by, among other things, the timing of results from the
Company's business strategy, sales during the holiday season, and general
competitive and economic conditions. The Company believes that operating cash
flow and amounts available under the Credit Facility, together with proceeds
from the Original Offering, will be sufficient to fund
 
                                       26
<PAGE>   28
 
the major elements of the business strategy. However, the Company continuously
evaluates increasing or decreasing the number of stores, the terms of its Credit
Facility and Receivables Facility and other operating and financing
alternatives.
 
     Other Matters.  At January 30, 1993, the Company had an estimated federal
tax net operating loss ("NOL") carryforward of $360.0 million, which expires in
years 2005 through 2008. The Company's ability to utilize the NOL carryforward
is limited on an annual basis as a result of the change in control that occurred
at the emergence from bankruptcy. Notwithstanding this limitation, Management
does not currently anticipate that the Company will have any significant cash
requirements for income tax payments for the next several years based on the
availability of the NOLs.
 
     If within a three-year period, however, 50% or more of the stock of the
Company changes ownership again, the future annual use of NOLs may be limited to
a greater extent by a new annual limit. The new annual limitation would be
calculated as the product of (i) the highest long-term tax-exempt rate for a
designated period prior to the ownership change and (ii) the market value of the
Company at such time. This annual limit would apply to any NOLs incurred prior
to the new change in control, but after the change in control that occurred at
the emergence from bankruptcy. Furthermore, if the new annual limit were lower
than the current annual limit, the new annual limit would apply to all NOLs of
the Company incurred prior to the new change in control and could increase cash
requirements for income tax payments.
 
INFLATION
 
     The effect of inflation on the Company's sales and cost of sales is, in the
opinion of Management, most closely approximated by the available inflation
factors utilized in the computation of LIFO inventories. Commencing with the
17-week period ended January 30, 1993, the Company is utilizing an internally
developed inflation index based on an analysis of the Company's unique
merchandise assortment. For periods prior to the the Effective Date, the Company
utilized the Department Store Inventory Price Index published by the Bureau of
Labor Statistics (the "BLS Index"). For the 17-week period ended January 30,
1993, inflation as measured by the internally developed index was not
significantly different than that disclosed in the BLS Index. The inflationary
effect on SG&A is reflective of a variety of factors including the impact of
changes in the consumer price index and the state of the California economy. The
BLS Index increased 0.9 percent in the 52 week period ended October 30, 1993
compared to an increase of 0.6 percent in fiscal 1992.
 
                                       27
<PAGE>   29
 
SEASONALITY
 
     The department store business is seasonal in nature with a high proportion
of sales and earnings generated in November and December. Working capital
requirements fluctuate during the year, increasing somewhat in late Summer in
advance of the Fall merchandising season and increasing substantially at the
outset of the holiday season when the Company must carry significantly higher
inventory levels. Quarterly sales and EBIT for the twenty-four months ended
January 30, 1993 were as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                 SALES
                                                                    -------------------------------
                                                                       DOLLAR          PERCENT OF
                                                                        SALES         ANNUAL SALES      EBIT
                                                                    -------------     -------------     -----
                                                                          (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN MILLIONS)
<S>                                                                 <C>               <C>               <C>
13 weeks ended January 30, 1993 (pro forma).......................     $ 732.5             34.3%        $49.4(1)
13 weeks ended October 31, 1992 (pro forma).......................       490.3             22.9           3.6(1)
13 weeks ended August 1, 1992.....................................       481.4             22.5          12.3
13 weeks ended May 2, 1992........................................       433.6             20.3           5.6
13 weeks ended February 1, 1992...................................       693.2             32.6          36.2
13 weeks ended November 2, 1991...................................       508.7             23.9          15.1
13 weeks ended August 3, 1991.....................................       495.9             23.3          15.3
13 weeks ended May 4, 1991........................................       430.1             20.2           3.7
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Reported EBIT for the 13-week periods ended October 31, 1992 and January 30,
    1993 were $(13.9) million and $66.9 million, respectively. Pro forma EBIT
    reflects the allocation to the 13-week period ended January 30, 1993 of
    $17.5 million of fixed buying and occupancy costs recognized at October 3,
    1992 as a result of the application of fresh start reporting.
 
     As a result of the seasonal nature of the Company's business, the Company
follows the practice of allocating certain fixed buying and occupancy costs
among quarters within the fiscal year in proportion to projected quarterly sales
results. This allocation of costs, therefore, results in a higher portion of
yearly fixed buying and occupancy costs being allocated to the fourth quarter.
 
                                       28
<PAGE>   30
 
                                    BUSINESS
INTRODUCTION
 
     The Company is one of the leading operators of department stores in
California and the Southwestern United States. Organized in 1896, the Company
currently operates 83 department stores under the names The Broadway, Emporium
and Weinstocks with more than 15 million gross square feet of retail space. The
Company's 41 Southern California stores generate approximately 50% of the
Company's sales. Approximately 40% of the Company's sales are generated by its
Emporium and Weinstocks stores located in Northern California. The remainder of
the Company's sales are generated through stores located in Arizona, Nevada,
Colorado and New Mexico. The Company's stores are generally situated in prime
locations in popular malls and retail shopping centers.
 
     Management believes the Company enjoys a number of significant strengths.
These include operating in convenient store locations, a loyal customer base and
an advanced management information system.
 
     Locations and Demographics.  During the bankruptcy proceedings, the Company
     was able to close certain under-performing stores, and reduce lease and
     common area maintenance charges at a number of locations. As a result,
     Management believes the Company now has a focused portfolio of stores in
     desirable locations at attractive costs although Management continues to
     evaluate the profitability and strategic contribution of each store. See
     "Business -- Property." While the recent national recession has affected
     California to a greater extent than most other regions of the country,
     Management believes the Company is well positioned to benefit from any
     regional economic recovery.
 
     Advanced Management Information System.  The Company believes its
     management information system ("MIS System") is among the most advanced and
     efficient in the department store retailing industry. The MIS System
     provides sophisticated inventory tracking and control, automatic inventory
     replenishment of certain items through links to key vendors, price look-up
     capability and a fully integrated voice and data communication network. See
     "Business -- Management Information System."
 
     During the last two years, the Company has implemented substantial
operating and financial changes which have significantly reshaped both its
business and capitalization.
 
     Consolidation of Operations.  The Company has also substantially completed
     a consolidation of its operations, which resulted in a significant
     reduction of administrative expenses. The Company consolidated its four
     separate divisions into one, which also permitted the closure of two
     warehouses in Northern California. Management believes these steps resulted
     in cost savings of approximately $30.0 million per year. The Company
     combined its proprietary credit and accounts payable operations into a
     single administrative center, which Management believes has resulted in
     annual cost savings of approximately $6.0 million compared to amounts paid
     in the year prior to the filing of the chapter 11 petition. The Company
     also downsized its data processing operation, which Management believes
     reduced annual data processing costs by approximately $17.0 million. In
     addition, the Company negotiated significant reductions in its annual
     equipment and real estate lease and common area charge payments of $15
     million compared to the amounts paid for the year prior to filing for
     bankruptcy. See "Business -- Consolidation of Operations." In September
     1993 the Company completed an AVA study to identify ways to reduce
     administrative costs. Management believes the implementation of these
     measures will yield annual cost-savings of approximately $40 million by
     1995.
 
     Restructured Balance Sheet.  The Company has significantly restructured its
     secured debt obligations by extending maturities and adjusting the
     prospective interest and principal payment terms for such debt. During the
     bankruptcy proceedings, the Company restructured its secured and unsecured
     debt, obtained a $50.0 million cash equity infusion and put in place the
     new
 
                                       29
<PAGE>   31
 
     three-year Credit Facility and the new three-year Receivables Facility. See
     "Indebtedness of the Company." In connection with the Company's
     reorganization and recapitalization, Zell/Chilmark acquired approximately
     70% of the Common Stock. Additionally, the Company successfully completed a
     public offering of Common Stock in July, 1993 which raised net proceeds of
     approximately $147.5 million through the issuance of 11.45 million shares
     of stock. The Company raised approximately $137.9 million through the
     Original Offering in December, 1993. As of January 1, 1994, Zell/Chilmark
     owned approximately 54.5% of the outstanding Common Stock.
 
NEW MANAGEMENT
 
     David L. Dworkin joined the Company as its President and Chief Executive
Officer on March 24, 1993. Prior to joining the Company, he served as Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer of a London-based retailer, BhS, a division of
Storehouse, from November 1989 until July 1992, and as Group Chief Executive of
Storehouse from July 1992 until joining the Company in March of 1993. During the
time he was with BhS and Storehouse, BhS refocused its merchandise assortment,
strengthened its merchandising organization, remodeled 64 of its 137 stores and
substantially reduced its supplier base. Mr. Dworkin has in excess of 25 years
experience in the retail industry, including service as President and Chief
Executive Officer of Bonwit Teller and President and Chief Operating Officer of
Neiman Marcus, then a division of the Company.
 
     David Dworkin has begun to change the management of the Company and intends
to reduce the number of management layers and increase the level of
communication within the organization. The Company hired Gerald Mathews from
Saks Fifth Avenue as Executive Vice President, Stores; Elayne M. Garofolo from
GFT USA Corp. as Executive Vice President, Marketing and Sales Promotion;
Patricia A. Warren from The Bon Marche as Executive Vice President,
Merchandising, Women's Apparel; and Robert J. Lambert from the Stride Rite
Corporation, as Executive Vice President, Human Resources. Robert M. Menar was
promoted from Senior Vice President, Information Services to Executive Vice
President, Logistics and Information Services. See "Management."
 
     As a result of a leveraged recapitalization in 1987, significant asset
sales in 1990 and the bankruptcy proceedings, Management's attention was
diverted from the Company's core business. In addition, the Company has been
operating under significant capital constraints. With an improved balance sheet,
increased efficiency in its operations, the arrival of new leadership and
completion of the Original Offering, Management believes the Company is well
positioned to capitalize on its inherent strengths and to focus on its stores
and customers.
 
BUSINESS STRATEGY
 
     David Dworkin and the other senior executives have begun to implement a
long-term plan to improve store sales productivity and profitability, further
reduce operating expenses and identify other opportunities to increase the
profitability of the Company's business. The Company's sales per gross square
foot ($137) in 1992 were significantly below the department store industry
average and below the level achieved by the Company in fiscal 1989 ($150 per
gross square foot). Similarly, the Company's operating profit margin (EBIT
margin) is well below the department store industry average. Management believes
an opportunity exists to improve financial performance with the implementation
of clear merchandising and operating strategies and the investment of capital in
its stores.
 
     In mid 1993, the new management team developed a Mission Statement defining
the Company's target customer, merchandising focus and store identity.
Consistent with its Mission Statement, Management has developed specific
strategies that are intended to improve merchandise offerings, remodel the
stores, improve inventory management, refocus marketing efforts, improve the
selling culture and reduce costs.
 
     Improve Merchandise Offerings.  The Company plans to significantly
reallocate selling space towards faster turning, higher profit core merchandise
categories, which represent the primary merchandise which attracts customers to
the stores, and away from slower turning, low profit
 
                                       30
<PAGE>   32
 
categories. Other initiatives being taken to improve the Company's merchandise
offerings are described below.
 
     - Improve Merchandise Profitability. The Company will increase
       private-label products across the merchandise spectrum. The Company will
       also offer exclusive brand name product offerings by exploiting a
       dramatically edited vendor base.
 
     - Emphasize Value Pricing. Management will continue to refine its focused
       pricing architecture which emphasizes value and quality. The Company
       currently offers over 17% of its merchandise at every-day value pricing
       and intends to merchandise 20% of its product offerings in this manner.
 
     - Ensure Merchandise Freshness. The Company plans to provide fresh
       merchandise by using a receipts-driven planning process (the retail
       equivalent of just-in-time) which allows operation with lower stocks,
       creating faster inventory turnover and obviating the need for excessive
       markdowns to move dated merchandise.
 
       To support the Company's new merchandising strategy, Management has
       implemented a revised marketing and sales promotion strategy. This new
       focused marketing strategy relies on the collection and usage of
       demographic data on the Company's market areas obtained through the
       proprietary credit card operations, the point-of-sale ("POS") data base,
       independent data bases and both broad-based and focused market research.
       The new sales promotion strategy focuses promotional activity on key
       periods and specific events which complement, rather than define, the
       core business.
 
     Remodel Stores.  The Company has developed several specific strategies to
improve presentation of merchandise assortments and to communicate with its
target customers.
 
     - Reallocate and Remodel Selling Space.  Management is developing, on a
       store-by-store basis, a program to reallocate space away from non-core
       merchandise categories in favor of core merchandise. Management plans to
       remodel a number of stores to more effectively allocate selling space,
       increase selling square footage, improve merchandise presentation and
       general store appearance and facilitate better customer service.
 
       The Company plans to spend approximately $336.0 million for store
       modernization, selling space improvements and maintenance capital
       expenditures through 1996. Over the next three years, the Company
       intends to remodel/reallocate space within at least 40 of its 83 stores.
       The Company will first remodel those stores in which Management believes
       capital expenditures can produce the greatest return on investment
       through increases in sales productivity.
 
       In fall 1993, the Company completed "quick win" improvements in 58
       stores at a cost of $17.4 million and invested an additional $12.5
       million on fixtures to enhance merchandising and displays. These
       improvements involve low cost upgrades, reallocation of selling space
       without significant relocations of fixtures and walls and installation
       of additional vendor shops. The "quick win" strategy was designed to
       allow the Company's sales and profits to benefit from actions which
       involve relatively modest capital investment and could be implemented
       prior to formal store remodels. See "Business -- Store Remodeling."
 
       The Company has created a model store space distribution floor plan in
       concert with its merchandising strategy. This space
       redistribution/remodel plan will be the foundation of the capital
       expenditure program and will be implemented in the Company's stores over
       the next three years.
 
     Improve Inventory Management.  The Company has begun to tailor merchandise
assortments to its stores and develop more effective partnerships with its
vendors. Management believes these actions will increase the freshness of
merchandise assortments, improve store sales and inventory turnover and reduce
markdowns.
 
                                       31
<PAGE>   33
 
     - Utilize Planner-Distributor Department. The Company's planner-distributor
       department ("P&D Department") works closely with the Company's buying
       organization to improve the allocation and distribution of inventory to
       the Company's stores. The P&D Department analyzes demographic and market
       research data, as well as data on customer buying patterns captured
       through the Company's proprietary credit card system, to tailor
       merchandise assortments for individual stores. Management believes the
       P&D Department can provide the Company an advantage over large national
       department store chains with standardized merchandising. The tailoring of
       merchandise presents a particular marketing opportunity in California and
       the Southwest given the ethnic diversity of these regions. See
       "Business -- Merchandising and Planner-Distributor Organizations."
 
     - Reduction of Vendors. The Company has reduced the vendor base by 40%,
       with ongoing purchases consolidated in the remaining vendors. Management
       believes this reduction will increase the Company's importance to its
       remaining vendors.
 
     - Inventory Level Reduction/Focus on Receipt Flow and Gross Margin Return
       on Investment. The Company has increased vendor participation in its
       quick response inventory replenishment program to reduce purchase lead
       time, maintain a faster and more continuous merchandise flow and
       facilitate automatic replenishment of staple items. Automatic
       replenishment and cooperative supply arrangements enhance efficiency and
       drive down both inventory levels and costs. By coupling this approach to
       on-hand stock reduction with automatic markdown programs to clear-out
       slow moving items, Management will be able to simultaneously cut the
       investment in inventory and speed up the turnover of merchandise on the
       selling floor. Management intends to improve the efficiency of inventory
       through a new focus on receipt flow, gross margin return on investment
       and timely markdowns. Management believes this focus has already resulted
       in an improvement in the aging of the Company's inventory and a reduction
       in the weeks of supply on hand.
 
     Refocus Marketing Efforts. The Company has refocused its marketing efforts
to create a research based marketing strategy that is fully integrated with both
the merchandising and store operation functions. To implement this strategy, the
Company has created a customer database through the use of both proprietary
internal information and externally available information which enables the
Company to identify its customer base and to tailor its marketing and
merchandising strategy to reach its core customer. The Company is using its
market research to determine ways to communicate with the customer and enhance
the shopping environment. Additionally, the Company is pursuing a strategy of
marketing to the ethnically diverse population of California and the Southwest
through the use of targeted marketing programs and bilingual sale associates,
signage and advertising. The Company is redirecting its marketing to provide a
more focused image and communicate the changes underway.
 
     Improve Store Selling Culture. The Company is revitalizing its selling
culture. This new customer-driven culture focuses on improving productivity by
reallocating store personnel and providing an enhanced shopping environment. In
order to accomplish these goals, the Company is recruiting talented store
personnel, improving customer service and sales training, and redesigning the
compensation structure to align more closely the sales associates' incentives
with the customer service goals.
 
     Reduce Costs. The consolidation of operations to date has significantly
reduced the Company's expense infrastructure. In September 1993, the Company
completed an AVA program. This program was designed to evaluate the importance
and value of each of its areas of operation and identify duplicative and low
value-added functions, potential staff reductions and other actions which
improve efficiency. This review yielded more than 1,500 cost-saving ideas and
identified approximately $40.0 million of annual expense reductions. The Company
began implementing these measures earlier this year and expects to complete
their implementation in 1995. Management
 
                                       32
<PAGE>   34
 
believes the implementation of these measures will result in incremental annual
savings of $7.0 million in 1993, $30.0 million in 1994 and $3.0 million in 1995.
 
COMPANY OPERATIONS
 
     The Company's stores presently operate under the names The Broadway,
Emporium and Weinstocks. All support functions have been centralized, resulting
in the elimination of many duplicate support functions. Management, marketing
and sales promotion, merchandising and administrative functions (other than
accounts payable and proprietary credit card operations, which are consolidated
in Tempe, Arizona, and data processing operations, which are consolidated in
Anaheim, California) are all located at the Company's corporate offices in Los
Angeles, California.
 
     Forty-one Broadway stores are spread over a seven-county area in Southern
California extending from Bakersfield and Santa Barbara in the North to San
Diego in the South. The Company's twenty-two Emporium stores are located
predominantly in the San Francisco Bay area. Of the Company's nine Weinstocks
stores, eight are located in the Sacramento and Central Valley region of
California, and one in Reno, Nevada. The eleven non-California Broadway stores
are located in Arizona, Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                FISCAL
                                                                   GROSS         1992
                                                      NUMBER       SQUARE       SALES          SALES PER
 STORE NAME             GEOGRAPHIC REGION            OF STORES    FOOTAGE       ($000)     GROSS SQUARE FOOT
- -------------  ------------------------------------  ---------   ----------   ----------   -----------------
<S>            <C>                                   <C>         <C>          <C>          <C>
The Broadway   Southern California                       41       7,096,500   $1,063,977         $ 150
               Other Southwest                           11       1,701,900      217,012           128
Emporium       Greater San Francisco Bay Area            22       4,943,100      604,008           122
Weinstocks     California Central Valley and Reno,        9       1,435,300      187,240           130
               Nevada
                                                         --      ----------   ----------
                                                         83      15,176,800   $2,072,237(1)       $ 137
       Totals
                                                         --      ----------   ----------
                                                         --      ----------   ----------
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Excludes sales of $65.6 million relating to five stores closed during 1992.
 
     During the past five years, one California Broadway store was opened and
three stores were closed. In addition, one store was opened and one store was
closed in Arizona. In January 1993, the Company closed three Weinstocks stores
located in Utah. No Emporium stores were opened or closed in the past five
years. The following table summarizes the number of stores opened and closed
during the period August 2, 1987 through January 30, 1993 (excluding Thalhimers
stores).
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   NUMBER OF                        NUMBER OF
                                                                  STORES OPEN                      STORES OPEN
                                                                  AT BEGINNING   STORES   STORES     AT END
                                                                   OF PERIOD     OPENED   CLOSED    OF PERIOD
                                                                  ------------   ------   ------   -----------
<S>                                                               <C>            <C>      <C>      <C>
17-week period ended January 30, 1993...........................       87          --        4          83
35-week period ended October 3, 1992............................       88          --        1          87
52-week period ended February 1, 1992...........................       89          --        1          88
26-week transition period ended February 2, 1991................       89           1        1          89
53-week period ended August 4, 1990.............................       88           1       --          89
52-week period ended July 29, 1989..............................       88          --       --          88
52-week period ended July 30, 1988..............................       88          --       --          88
</TABLE>
 
     The Company intends to aggressively manage its portfolio of stores by
identifying and closing, if necessary, underperforming stores, as well as
identifying opportunities to open new stores.
 
                                       33
<PAGE>   35
 
CONSOLIDATION OF OPERATIONS
 
     The Company has undertaken a significant series of programs over the past
few years to consolidate its operating divisions and reduce its expenses. In the
fall of 1990, the Company sold Thalhimers, its only East Coast retailing
subsidiary. As of January 1991, the Company operated its stores through four
separate divisions, each with separate management, administrative, marketing and
sales promotion functions. In April of 1991, the Company consolidated its
Weinstocks and Emporium divisions. In January of 1992, the Company consolidated
the Broadway-Southwest division into the Broadway-Southern California division.
Finally, in April of 1992, the Company consolidated its Emporium-Weinstocks
division into its Broadway division, forming a single operating unit based in
Southern California. Management believes that the divisional consolidations have
resulted in cost savings of approximately $30.0 million per year.
 
     With the consolidation of the Company's store operations, the Company
consolidated its proprietary credit card and accounts payable operations into a
single administrative center located in Tempe, Arizona, which the Company
estimates will result in an estimated annual cost savings of approximately $6.0
million compared to the costs incurred in the year prior to the filing of the
chapter 11 petition. Over the last three years, the Company has downsized its
Anaheim, California data processing operation, reducing employment from
approximately 530 full-time employee equivalents to approximately 330 full-time
employee equivalents. Management estimates that this downsizing has reduced
annual data processing costs by approximately $17.0 million. The consolidation
of its operating divisions described above also reduced the requirements for
separate distribution and warehouse facilities, permitting the closure of two
warehouses in the San Francisco and Sacramento areas. As of April 1993, the
Company began operating its Broadway Southern California and Broadway Southwest
stores under the name "The Broadway."
 
     In connection with the chapter 11 proceedings, the Company negotiated
reductions in rental rates and common area charges under many of its real
property leases and related agreements, which the Company estimates will result
in an annual cost savings of approximately $6.0 million compared to the amounts
paid for the year prior to the bankruptcy filing. The Company also renegotiated
many of its equipment leases. As a result, rental charges under the Company's
equipment leases have been reduced by approximately one-third, which the Company
estimates will yield an annualized cost savings of approximately $9.0 million
compared to the amounts paid for the year prior to filing for bankruptcy.
 
                                       34
<PAGE>   36
 
MERCHANDISE ASSORTMENT
 
     The Company's stores carry a broad merchandise assortment of apparel,
shoes, cosmetics, accessories and home products such as tabletop and housewares,
domestic items, furniture and floor coverings and electronics. The following
table summarizes the Company's sales for the year ended January 30, 1993 by
merchandise category (including leased categories except leased automotive
centers) as a percentage of sales.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                               PERCENT OF
                                                                              PERCENT OF       NET SELLING
                                                                               SALES(1)         SPACE(2)
                                                                              -----------     -------------
<S>                                                                           <C>             <C>
APPAREL AND SOFT GOODS
  Women's Apparel...........................................................      28.0%            28.6%
  Men's Apparel.............................................................      15.8             13.8
  Cosmetics.................................................................      12.5              3.9
  Accessories...............................................................       7.5              6.0
  Children's Apparel........................................................       4.6              7.0
  Shoes.....................................................................       4.9              3.7
  Fine Jewelry..............................................................       2.5              0.6
HOME STORE GOODS
  Tabletop and Housewares...................................................       7.6             10.9
  Domestic Items............................................................       5.4              8.1
  Furniture and Floor Coverings.............................................       3.5              7.7
  Electronics...............................................................       3.1              2.2
OTHER.......................................................................       4.6              7.5
                                                                              -----------     -------------
          Totals............................................................     100.0%           100.0%
                                                                              -----------     -------------
                                                                              -----------     -------------
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Excludes sales from clearance centers, closed stores and leased automotive
    centers.
 
(2) Net selling space calculations are based on selling space existing as of the
    last week of November 1992.
 
     The Company intends to de-emphasize certain slow-turning or low margin
merchandise, such as furniture and electronics, and place more emphasis on
women's and men's apparel and accessories, cosmetics, women's shoes and soft
home goods (such as tabletop and housewares and domestic items), which
constitute the Company's core merchandise categories. See "Business -- Business
Strategy."
 
     Approximately 9% of store retail space (other than space leased for
automotive centers) is leased to outside vendors operating stand-alone
departments within each store. Leased departments include the shoe and jewelry
departments in each store and the automotive departments at certain store
locations. The independent operators supply their own merchandise and sales
personnel, contribute to advertising and pay the Company a percentage of gross
sales as rent. These departments (including leased automotive departments)
accounted for approximately 10.7% of the Company's total sales for the year
ended January 30, 1993. In connection with the refocusing of the Company's
merchandise assortments, the Company intends to carefully review the merchandise
offerings of its leased-space vendors to ensure that they appeal to the
Company's target customers and are consistent in terms of price, quality,
assortment and fashion with the Company's merchandise offerings in its other
departments.
 
STORE REMODELING
 
     The Company's store remodeling program is designed to increase the
available selling space within existing stores and make more productive use of
the existing selling space through the reallocation of space in favor of
apparel, accessories, cosmetics and soft home goods, categories of merchandise
which generally turn faster, have higher gross margins and constitute the Com-
 
                                       35
<PAGE>   37
 
pany's core merchandise. The Company's store remodeling program has a "quick
win" component and a longer-term component.
 
     "Quick Win" Remodeling.  Management has completed "quick win" minor
adjustments in selling space allocation and appearance in 58 stores at a cost of
$17.4 million. These improvements involve low-cost upgrades and the favorable
reallocation of selling space to the extent possible without relocating
significant fixtures or walls. Many of these improvements also involved the
installation of vendor shops or updated fixtures, which are typically partially
paid for by the vendor but operated by the Company. A vendor shop is a custom
display area dedicated to a specific vendor. Such shops are generally jointly
designed by the vendor and the Company and create a physical identity for the
vendor in the store. In 1992, 212 such vendor shops were opened and 252
additional vendor shops have been opened during 1993.
 
     Long-term Remodeling.  The Company has targeted approximately 40 stores for
remodeling by 1996. Stores are being selected for remodeling based primarily on
sales potential, demographic trends and expected return on investment. Over the
next three years the Company plans to spend approximately $336.0 million on
capital expenditures, with spending on store modernization and selling space
improvements expected to be $276.0 million after contributions from developers
and landlords, and maintenance capital expenditures of $60.0 million. See
"Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations -- Liquidity and Capital Resources -- Capital Expenditures."
 
     The Company's long-term remodeling plan contemplates three different types
of remodeling: major remodeling, which involves the total refitting of a store,
including the reallocation of selling space, the relocation or replacement of
significant interior walls and fixtures and the realignment of selling
departments to place complimentary merchandise offerings in closer proximity
with each other so as to stimulate cross-shopping and cross-selling
opportunities; moderate remodeling, in which selling space would be reallocated,
selling departments would be realigned, significant interior walls and fixtures
would be relocated or replaced and signage, lighting, carpeting and wall
covering would be changed to upgrade the store's appearance; and minor
remodeling, in which signage, lighting, carpeting and wall covering changes
would be made to upgrade the store's appearance, but no space reallocation would
occur. In addition, the Company plans to expend money for vendor shops and
general upgrading and maintenance of fixtures and merchandise presentation in
its stores.
 
     These store remodeling activities will generally be carried out over an
extended period between peak selling seasons. Management believes that the
Company will realize substantial long-term benefits from the remodeling program.
Moreover, Management believes that the remodeling program will be implemented in
a way that should avoid any material adverse impact on sales in the short term.
 
MERCHANDISING AND PLANNER-DISTRIBUTOR ORGANIZATIONS
 
     With the consolidation of its divisions, buying activities were centralized
for the Company's 83 stores. The centralized buying organization facilitates the
editing of assortments and reduction in the number of vendors and increases the
importance of the Company to its key vendors. The centralized buying function
has enabled the Company to improve the overall quality of its buying staff,
increase the depth and specialization of buyers dedicated to its merchandise
categories, and improve the consistency and coordination of the buying process.
 
     In 1992, in conjunction with the consolidation of the Company's operating
divisions, the Company established the P&D Department to work closely with its
buying organization and improve the allocation and distribution of inventory to
the Company's stores. The P&D Department synthesizes demographic and market
research along with data on current sales performance for each market served by
the Company. Using this information, the P&D Department works closely with the
buyers in the Company's merchandising department to determine the appropriate
merchandise mix
 
                                       36
<PAGE>   38
 
for each store, specifying the appropriate styles, colors and sizes to be
provided, the timing for delivery and the quantity of goods to be delivered. In
determining the merchandise mix for a particular store, the P&D Department takes
into account local differences in lifestyle and ethnic background, seasonal
differences and other factors.
 
     Planner-Distributor departments have been used extensively in the specialty
store sector. The Company believes its P&D Department enables it to better
merchandise its stores, react effectively and quickly to local market
conditions, improve inventory turnover and reduce markdowns. Management believes
the P&D Department can provide the Company an advantage over large national
department store chains with standardized merchandising, particularly in
California and the Southwest given the ethnic diversity of these regions.
 
PURCHASING
 
     Since 1992, the Company has reduced the number of vendors by 40% as it
continues to edit its merchandise assortment. By continuing to reduce the number
of vendors, the Company anticipates that it will become more important to its
remaining vendors. To facilitate this, the Company is increasing vendor
participation in the Company's quick response program and increasing the number
of strategic alliances with vendors. Management does not believe that reducing
the number of its vendors poses any material risk.
 
     The Company has increased the number of strategic alliances from four, as
of July 1993, to 13, as of December 1993 (three of which represent separate
departments of the same vendor), and expects to have entered into a total of 60
such alliances over the next few years. Strategic alliances allow the Company
and the vendor to better direct merchandise to the Company's customers. Pursuant
to such alliances, the vendor and the Company cooperate with respect to
assortment, marketing issues, visual presentation, sales promotion and staffing.
In addition, strategic alliances better enable the Company to obtain the
vendor's merchandise in the size, color and style specifications desired for
each store, as directed by the P&D Department.
 
     Management believes that the Company's quick response program and its
strategic alliances with vendors improve the Company's marketing decisions and
provide the Company with greater control over its merchandise assortments. In
addition, both programs reduce purchase order lead times, provide a faster and
more continuous flow of merchandise, increase sales and inventory turns and
reduce inventory investment and markdowns. The quick response program and the
strategic alliances improve the accuracy of the Company's inventory reporting
and reduce the Company's expenses.
 
     The Company purchases merchandise from many suppliers, no one of which
accounted for more than 5% of the Company's net purchases during 1992. The
Company has no long-term purchase commitments or arrangements with any of its
suppliers, and believes that it is not dependent on any one supplier. The
Company considers its relations with its suppliers to be satisfactory.
 
MANAGEMENT INFORMATION SYSTEM
 
     Management believes that its internally developed MIS System is among the
most advanced in the department store retailing industry. Management believes
its systems capability will play an important role in the implementation of its
business strategy. The MIS System provides detailed information that enables
Management to monitor the effectiveness of merchandise strategies, improve
merchandise assortments and reduce inventory costs. The MIS System capability
fully supports its efforts with vendors to shorten lead times and manage the
level of merchandise shipments received based on most recent sales trends.
 
     The Company's information services facility provides data processing,
systems development and communication services to all of the Company's stores,
headquarters and distribution and
 
                                       37
<PAGE>   39
 
support facilities. The MIS System provides fully integrated voice and data
communication links to its point-of-sale terminals, computer systems and
telephone system. The system currently provides sophisticated inventory tracking
and control for more than 800,000 stock-keeping units and has the capacity to
track 2 million units. The system also provides automatic inventory
replenishment of selected inventory items using computer-generated purchase
orders, and links the Company with more than 160 vendors through an interactive
electronic communications network. In addition, the MIS System's price
management system allows daily updating of merchandise prices (either
store-by-store or Company-wide) and provides on-line price-lookup capability at
the point-of-sale register. All of the major components of the MIS System are
protected from major systems failures through the MIS System's architecture, as
well as through an arrangement with a leading provider of back-up information
systems. Management believes that the Company's MIS System will continue to play
a central role in the execution of the Company's merchandising strategy and the
ongoing containment of inventory and operating costs.
 
PROPRIETARY CREDIT CARD OPERATIONS
 
     Customers may purchase merchandise at any of the Company's stores for cash,
with certain common third-party credit or charge cards, or on credit in
accordance with revolving credit account terms provided by the Company through
its own proprietary credit card operations. In addition to providing a source of
credit that customers may use to make purchases at Company stores, these
programs generate a significant body of marketing data related to customers'
tastes and buying patterns. Demographic and purchasing information available as
a result of the proprietary credit card program provides Management with a
valuable tool to analyze customer demographics and shopping patterns. The
Company uses this information to provide specific customers with information
about merchandise or events that would be of particular interest to them based
on their historical shopping patterns.
 
     In recent years, the Company's proprietary credit card sales have declined
while third-party credit card sales have been increasing. The Company believes
that this is due to the broader utility of third-party credit and stronger
marketing and expanded availability of third-party credit. The Company
continually evaluates the effectiveness of various credit-promotion programs to
maximize proprietary credit card sales volume consistent with the Company's
credit standards. For example, the Company developed a preferred proprietary
credit card. Under this preferred credit card program, customers are offered
special incentives designed to stimulate proprietary credit card purchases.
Effective October 1993, changes in the terms of the Company's revolving charge
accounts reduced the minimum monthly payment requirement on outstanding balances
from 10% to 5%. This change is expected to result in increases in customer
receivable balances outstanding and corresponding finance charge revenue gains.
 
     In the year ended January 30, 1993 proprietary credit card sales accounted
for 52.3 percent of gross sales. As of January 30, 1993, short-term revolving
proprietary credit card charge accounts comprised approximately 85 percent and
long-term revolving proprietary credit card charge accounts comprised
approximately 15 percent of total customer receivables. The following tables
reflect selected proprietary credit operations data:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                           AVERAGE
                                               NUMBER OF                                CREDIT BALANCE
                                                BILLED       NUMBER OF DAYS CREDIT        PER BILLED
                        AS OF                  ACCOUNTS        SALES OUTSTANDING           ACCOUNT
        -------------------------------------  ---------     ----------------------     --------------
        <S>                                    <C>                     <C>                   <C>
        January 30, 1993.....................  3,184,000               138                   $168
        February 1, 1992.....................  3,660,000               146                    157
        February 2, 1991.....................  3,830,000               141                    168
</TABLE>
 
     The Company's average accounts receivable balances during the years ended
January 30, 1993, February 1, 1992 and February 2, 1991 were $532.6 million,
$580.9 million and $632.2 million,
 
                                       38
<PAGE>   40
 
respectively (excluding Thalhimers data). During these periods, the Company's
finance charge revenue decreased from $99.4 million in 1990 (excluding
Thalhimers finance charge revenue) to $82.7 million in 1992. Management believes
that the decrease in the Company's finance charge revenue in recent years is due
to the decrease in the size of the Company's accounts receivable during the same
period attributable to lower proprietary credit sales and accelerated customer
repayments. Seasonal customer purchasing in November and December produces an
increase in credit purchases. As a result, customer receivable balances
outstanding and the number of accounts with unpaid balances normally reach their
highest levels in the months of December and January.
 
     Customer receivables are generally written-off when the aggregate of
payments made in the last six months is less than one full scheduled monthly
payment, or when it is otherwise determined that the account is uncollectible.
Proprietary credit card sales, net write-offs with respect thereto, and customer
receivable balances for the periods indicated were as follows (excluding
Thalhimers' data):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 CREDIT SALES                NET WRITE-OFFS
                                         ----------------------------    -----------------------       TOTAL
                                                            % OF                        % OF         CUSTOMER
           FISCAL YEAR ENDED               AMOUNT      GROSS SALES(1)    AMOUNT     CREDIT SALES    RECEIVABLES
           -----------------             ----------    --------------    -------    ------------    -----------
                                                             (DOLLAR AMOUNTS IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                      <C>           <C>               <C>        <C>             <C>
January 30, 1993.......................  $1,222,205         52.3%        $36,687         3.0%        $ 580,542
February 1, 1992.......................   1,252,843         53.8          38,503         3.1           598,562
February 2, 1991
  (26 weeks ended).....................     812,424         56.3          17,719         2.2           673,478
August 4, 1990.........................   1,497,508         56.7          35,186         2.3           589,705
July 29, 1989..........................   1,527,104         58.6          20,809         1.4           596,364
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) Proprietary credit card sales as a percent of total sales inclusive of
    related sales tax receipts.
 
     The deterioration of general economic conditions in the Company's principal
markets, including a significant increase in personal bankruptcies, has
adversely affected the Company's net write-off experience during the last two
years. Management expects that the Company may realize an improvement in net
write-off experience as regional economic conditions improve.
 
     In addition, the Company's proprietary credit cards are subject to federal
and state regulation, including consumer protection laws, that impose
restrictions on the making and collection of consumer loans and on other aspects
of credit card operations. During 1991, several legislative initiatives were
proposed to Congress which, had they been successful, would have had the effect
of imposing a ceiling on the interest rate that could be charged on credit card
accounts. There can be no assurance that the existing laws and regulations will
not be amended, or that new laws or regulations will not be adopted, in a manner
that could adversely affect the Company's proprietary credit card operations.
 
PROPERTY
 
     As of January 30, 1993, 24 of the Company's stores were owned, 17 were
owned subject to ground leases and 42 were leased. Three of these leased stores
are subject to separate ground and improvement leases. As of January 30, 1993,
the total annual base rent due under the store leases is approximately $28.0
million. In addition to the base monthly rent, the Company is obligated under
many of the leases, or under related agreements discussed below, for a portion
of common area maintenance charges and real property taxes. Further, the Company
is lessee under eleven other leases relating to various offices, distribution
facilities, and parking facilities. As of January 30, 1993, the total annual
base rent due under these additional leases is approximately $2.0 million.
Leases are generally for periods of up to 30 years, with renewal options for
substantial periods. Such leases
 
                                       39
<PAGE>   41
 
are generally at fixed rental rates, except that certain leases provide for
additional rental payments based on sales in excess of predetermined levels.
 
     Since many of the Company's stores are located in regional shopping
centers, the Company is also party to other agreements which are inextricably
tied to the Company's ground or improvement leases or its ownership of the
property. Anchor tenants such as the Company and shopping center developers
commonly enter into reciprocal easement agreements which, among other things,
establish certain operating covenants to which the anchor tenants are bound. In
addition, individual anchor tenants often enter into separate agreements with
the developers relating to, among other things, common area charges and
operating covenants.
 
     The Company operates distribution facilities in Los Angeles and Union City,
California, and Tempe, Arizona. Information services and data processing support
are centralized in a facility located in Anaheim, California. Credit card and
accounts payable administrative functions are provided from an administrative
center located in Tempe, Arizona. All other management, marketing and sales
promotion, merchandising departments, and support functions are located at the
Company's corporate offices in Los Angeles, California.
 
     At January 30, 1993, the square footage used in the Company's operations
was as follows:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                    OWNED
                                                                   SUBJECT
                                                                     TO
                                                                   GROUND
                                                      OWNED         LEASE        LEASED         TOTAL
                                                    ---------     ---------     ---------     ----------
<S>                                                 <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>
Stores............................................  4,819,500     2,972,000     7,385,300     15,176,800
Distribution centers and other facilities.........  2,240,000            --        97,500      2,337,500
</TABLE>
 
     Thirty-one of the Company's stores and the Company's corporate offices and
distribution center are encumbered by deeds of trust in favor of the Company's
largest secured creditor. An additional nine of the Company's stores are
encumbered by deeds of trust in favor of certain banks under the Company's loan
agreements with such banks. Two other stores and two non-store facilities are
encumbered under individual mortgage agreements with other lenders.
 
COMPETITION
 
     The retail industry, in general, and the retail department store business,
in particular, are intensely competitive with respect to the purchase and sale
of merchandise and the acquisition of desirable store locations. Significant
competitors of the Company include Robinsons-May, Bullock's, Macy's, Nordstrom,
Mervyn's, J.C. Penney, Dillard's and Gottschalks, though not all of these other
competitors have stores in each market in which the Company competes. Each store
competes not only with other traditional department stores, but also with
specialty stores, discount stores, off-price retailers and numerous other types
of local retail outlets selling apparel and accessories, electronics, furniture,
and home furnishings. The Company also competes with various retailers that
offer merchandise by mail order. Additionally, in the future, companies that
offer merchandise to consumers via television may become more significant
competitors of the Company. Many factors enter into the competition for
consumers' patronage, including service, price, quality, style, product mix,
convenience and credit availability. Each of the Company's stores has at least
one department store competitor nearby. Some of the retailers with which the
Company competes have substantially greater financial resources than the
Company.
 
EMPLOYEES
 
     As of January 30, 1993, the Company employed approximately 23,000
associates, of whom approximately 12,000 were then employed on a full-time
basis, subject to seasonal increases in the number of sales associates during
the holiday season. The Company has union contracts covering approximately three
and one-half percent of the associates of the Company, primarily in two
 
                                       40
<PAGE>   42
 
Emporium stores located in San Francisco. The Company believes that it has good
relations with its associates.
 
SERVICE MARKS
 
     The service marks "The Broadway," "Emporium," and "Weinstocks" have been
registered with the United States Patent and Trademark Office. The Company also
has rights to several other marks. The Company also uses several trademarks and
service marks in connection with certain of its private-label brand merchandise.
Except for the aforementioned service marks as applied to the retail
merchandising of goods and services, the Company does not believe that there are
any patents, licenses, trademarks and service marks that are material to its
business.
 
RECAPITALIZATION
 
     On February 11, 1991, the Company filed a voluntary petition for relief
under chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code (the "Bankruptcy Code") in
the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California (the
"Bankruptcy Court"). During the bankruptcy proceedings, the Company managed its
affairs and operated its business as debtor in possession under the supervision
of the Bankruptcy Court while it developed a reorganization plan to restructure
the Company. On the Emergence Date, the Company emerged from bankruptcy under
the POR. Since the Emergence Date, the Company has operated independently,
although the Bankruptcy Court has retained jurisdiction over certain claims and
other matters relating to the POR. See "Business -- Legal Proceedings -- Chapter
11 Proceedings; Unresolved Claims."
 
     Pursuant to the POR, as of the Emergence Date, the Company's largest
secured creditors and certain other secured creditors agreed to extend the
maturities and adjust the prospective interest and payment terms for loans
totaling $451.8 million and capitalize $66.1 million of interest accrued thereon
during the chapter 11 proceedings. See "Indebtedness of the Company." In
addition, the Company negotiated significant reductions in lease payments and
common area charges under its equipment and real property leases. See
"Business -- Property." While the bankruptcy proceedings were pending,
Zell/Chilmark acquired via tender offer approximately $461.0 of the $600.0
million in unsecured claims against the Company, making Zell/Chilmark the
Company's largest unsecured creditor. Pursuant to the POR, these unsecured
claims were converted into equity. In addition, Zell/Chilmark and First Plaza
were each issued 2,500,000 shares of Common Stock in exchange for a cash equity
infusion totaling $50.0 million. As a result, Zell/Chilmark held approximately
70% of the shares of Common Stock outstanding as of the Emergence Date.
 
     Pursuant to the POR, holders of the Company's common stock, $.01 par value,
outstanding prior to the Emergence Date ("Old Common Stock") received .081
shares of Common Stock and .084 Warrants (or, in the case of participants in the
profit sharing plan in effect prior to the Emergence Date with respect to shares
of Old Common Stock held by such plan and other holders of Old Common Stock who
so elected, .081 shares of Common Stock and .084 shares of Preferred Stock). See
"Description of Capital Stock."
 
     As of the Emergence Date, the existing debtor-in-possession working capital
facility and the receivables based financing arrangement were replaced with new
three-year facilities, the Credit Facility and the Receivables Facility. Subject
to collateral limitations, the new facilities provide for up to $225.0 million
under the Credit Facility and up to $575.0 million to finance the Company's
proprietary credit card receivables portfolio. See "Indebtedness of the
Company."
 
     For additional information related to the financial obligations of the
Company and the financial impact of the bankruptcy proceedings on the operations
of the Company's business, see "Management's Discussion and Analysis of
Financial Condition and Results of Operations" and "Indebtedness of the Company"
herein.
 
                                       41
<PAGE>   43
 
     The Company does not, as a matter of policy, publish projections covering
future performance. However, in connection with the consummation of the POR, the
Company was required by law to include certain projections in its disclosure
statement to establish the viability of the POR. Those projections were prepared
in early 1992. With the Company's management transition and the implementation
of its business strategy, among other factors, the Company does not believe that
such projections are necessarily indicative of future performance.
 
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
     Chapter 11 Proceedings; Unresolved Claims.  A discussion of the events
surrounding the Company's bankruptcy filing and an explanation of the material
terms of the Company's reorganization under the POR is set forth in the section
entitled "Business -- Recapitalization." None of the Company's subsidiaries
filed petitions for relief under the Bankruptcy Code. Notwithstanding the
confirmation and effectiveness of the POR, the Court continues to have
jurisdiction to, among other things, resolve disputed prepetition claims against
the Company and to resolve other matters that may arise in connection with or
relate to the POR.
 
     Pursuant to the POR, the Company is required to distribute .046 shares of
Common Stock for each $1.00 of allowed general unsecured claims. The POR
estimated the total amount of such claims to be approximately $600.0 million,
against which the Company reserved 27.6 million shares of Common Stock. As of
January 1, 1994, approximately $52.9 million of disputed claims remained
outstanding. Management believes such claims will ultimately be allowed upon
settlement or litigation for approximately $19.0 million, for which the Company
has reserved approximately 1.0 million shares. Management believes that reserved
shares of Common Stock will be sufficient to meet the Company's obligations to
such claim holders. If all disputed claims were allowed in full, such claim
holders would be entitled to a total of 2.4 million shares of Common Stock,
compared to the 1.0 million shares reserved, resulting in a dilution to holders
of outstanding Common Stock of approximately 3%. Management regularly evaluates
the status of remaining disputed claims and claim settlement experience and
accordingly adjusts its estimate of the number of shares to be reserved for
issuance with respect to such claims. In addition, the Company has reserved
approximately 0.2 million shares for preconfirmation stockholders of the Company
who have not yet claimed the distribution of Common Stock to which they were
entitled under the POR. The total of 1.2 million shares is included in the
Company's calculation of its outstanding Common Stock. In addition, 0.2 million
Warrants will remain issuable to certain preconfirmation stockholders pursuant
to the POR. There are no contractual restrictions on the resale of these
securities. Such securities may be sold into a public market without restriction
at any time, potentially resulting in an adverse effect on the market for, or
the market price of, the Common Stock.
 
     The Company is engaged in an ongoing effort to resolve these remaining
disputed claims. Because of the disputed nature of these claims and the delays
associated with litigation generally, Management anticipates that the settlement
of these claims is likely to occur over an extended period of time.
 
     Other Legal Proceedings.  The Company is involved in various other legal
proceedings incidental to the normal course of business. Management does not
expect that any of such other proceedings will have a material adverse effect on
the Company's financial position or results of operations.
 
                                       42
<PAGE>   44
 
                                   MANAGEMENT
 
     The following is a list of names and ages of all of the current executive
officers of the Company indicating all positions and offices with the Company
held by each such person, each such person's principal occupations or employment
during the past five years, and the expiration of each such person's term of
office.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                          TERM
         NAME          AGE                          OFFICE                            EXPIRATION(1)
         ----          ---                          ------                          -----------------        
<S>                    <C>   <C>                                                    <C>
David L. Dworkin...... 50    President, Chief Executive Officer and Director           March 23, 1996
Gerald J. Mathews..... 53    Executive Vice President, Stores                          April 30, 1996
Elayne M. Garofolo.... 47    Executive Vice President, Marketing and Sales               May 23, 1996
                             Promotion
Patricia A. Warren.... 46    Executive Vice President, Merchandising, Women's            May 23, 1996
                             Apparel
William J. Podany..... 47    Executive Vice President, Merchandising, Home, Men's       July 20, 1995
                             and Cosmetics
Robert J. Lambert..... 40    Executive Vice President, Human Resources               December 1, 1996
Robert M. Menar....... 56    Executive Vice President, Logistics and Information        July 20, 1995
                             Services
Brian L. Fleming...... 49    Senior Vice President, Accounting and Taxes                July 20, 1995
Marc E. Bercoon....... 33    General Counsel and Corporate Secretary                       (2)
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) The Company has entered into employment contracts with those individuals
    with term expirations indicated, except with respect to Mr. Mathews, Ms.
    Garofolo and Ms. Warren, with whom the Company has entered into agreements
    in principle with expiration terms as noted.
 
(2) Marc E. Bercoon serves at the pleasure of the Board of Directors.
 
     David L. Dworkin joined the Company as its President and Chief Executive
Officer on March 24, 1993. He also became a Director at that time. Prior to
joining the Company, he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of
London-based retailer BhS, a division of Storehouse, from November 1989 until
July 1992, and as Group Chief Executive of Storehouse from July 1992 until
joining the Company in March of 1993. He has in excess of 25 years experience in
the retail industry, including service as President and Chief Executive Officer
of Bonwit Teller, Inc. from 1988 through 1989, and President and Chief Operating
Officer of Neiman Marcus from 1984 through 1988, then a division of the Company.
 
     Gerald J. Mathews was appointed Executive Vice President, Stores in May
1993. From 1976 through 1992, he served as Executive Vice President, Stores of
Saks Fifth Avenue.
 
     Elayne M. Garofolo was appointed Executive Vice President, Marketing and
Sales Promotion in May 1993. From 1991 to 1993, she served as Senior Vice
President, Communications and Image of GFT USA. From 1981 to 1990, she served as
Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales Promotion of Bonwit Teller, Inc.
 
     Patricia A. Warren was appointed Executive Vice President, Merchandising,
Women's Apparel in May 1993. From 1989 to 1993, she served as Senior Vice
President, General Merchandising Manager of The Bon Marche. From 1986 to 1989,
she served as Executive Vice President of the Broadway Southwest.
 
     William J. Podany was appointed Executive Vice President, Merchandising,
Home, Men's and Cosmetics in April 1993. From February 1992 to April 1993, he
served as Vice Chairman -- Merchandise. He served as Senior Vice President,
General Merchandise Manager -- Home of Thalhimers from 1989 to 1992. He served
as Senior Vice President, General Merchandise Manager of Sibley from 1987 to
1989.
 
                                       43
<PAGE>   45
 
     Robert J. Lambert was appointed Executive Vice President, Human Resources
in January 1994. From 1990 to 1993 Mr. Lambert served as chief human resources
officer at The Stride Rite Corporation and from 1981 to 1990 he was with
Pepsico, Inc. most recently as director of personnel resources -- Pepsi-Cola
West.
 
     Robert M. Menar was promoted to Executive Vice President, Logistics and
Information Services in October, 1993. Prior to that Mr. Menar served in various
positions since joining the Company in 1978, most recently serving as Senior
Vice President, Information Services.
 
     Brian L. Fleming was appointed Senior Vice President, Accounting and Taxes
of the Company in October 1987. Prior to that time, he served as Vice President,
Accounting.
 
     Marc E. Bercoon has served as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of
the Company since February 9, 1993. He served as Legal Counsel and Assistant to
the Vice Chairman of the Company from October 1992 to February 1993. From
January 1990 to October 1992, he was Vice President and General Counsel of
Equity Properties and Development Company, a division of Equity Property
Management Corp. From July 1987 to January 1990, he was in private practice as a
corporate and real estate attorney at the firm of Rosenberg and Liebentritt,
P.C., a Chicago-based law firm.
 
     The Company is currently seeking to fill the position of the Chief
Financial Officer.
 
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
 
     In February of 1993, David Dworkin entered into an agreement with the
Company whereby he agreed to serve as the Company's President and Chief
Executive Officer for a term of three years and received a $1,000,000 bonus upon
commencing his duties and will receive an annual base salary of $1,000,000, and
subject to Board approval of a new annual incentive plan, a guaranteed bonus of
at least $400,000 for his first year of employment and at least $300,000 for his
second year. Mr. Dworkin also received $375,000 as compensation for the loss of
his bonus from his prior employer and was afforded the opportunity to invest
$250,000 in Zell/Chilmark on the same terms as its general partners at any time
on or before August 15, 1993. This agreement closely aligns David Dworkin's
interest with that of the Company's stockholders by providing Mr. Dworkin with
options to purchase 1,000,000 shares of Common Stock under the Company's 1992
Stock Incentive Plan, as amended. Options with respect to 333,333 shares of
Common Stock became vested on March 24, 1993. The remaining options will vest in
increments of 333,333 and 333,334 on March 24, 1994 and March 24, 1995,
respectively. The exercise price of all options granted is $10.22 per share with
an expiration date of March 24, 2003. If David Dworkin is involuntarily
terminated without cause, these options will become immediately exercisable. A
"change in control" may be deemed by Mr. Dworkin to constitute such an
involuntary termination. A "change in control" occurs if (i) the nominees or
designees of Zell/Chilmark cease to compose a majority of the Board of
Directors, (ii) changes in the Company's senior management occur by action of
Zell/Chilmark or the Board of Directors that are not approved by Mr. Dworkin,
(iii) Zell/Chilmark ceases to own that percentage of the outstanding shares of
the Company's voting stock which Zell/Chilmark owned immediately after the
Original Offering assuming all outstanding securities of the Company which are
exchangeable or convertible to Common Stock were so converted or exchanged and
all Common Stock currently reserved for issuance, pursuant to the POR was
issued, or (iv) some other person or entity, including affiliates thereof,
acquires as much as or more than the number of outstanding voting shares of the
Company then held by Zell/Chilmark. If Mr. Dworkin serves as President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company for at least one year, upon retirement he is
guaranteed retirement benefits under the Company's retirement plans. The amount
to which he would be entitled is determined based on the number of years that he
actually serves. If he is involuntarily terminated during his first year of
employ, Mr. Dworkin would receive the balance of three years' salary as a
termination benefit. If such an event occurred at any time after his first year
of employ, he would receive two years' salary as a termination benefit. This two
years' salary termination benefit continues beyond the term of the agreement
except to the extent the Company provides two years'
 
                                       44
<PAGE>   46
 
notice of termination. The Company's obligations under Mr. Dworkin's agreement
in principle are guaranteed by Zell/Chilmark.
 
     Several other key senior executives of the Company have entered three-year
employment agreements with the Company and have received option grants under the
Company's 1992 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended.
 
                     SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN PERSONS
 
     During the bankruptcy proceedings, Zell/Chilmark acquired an aggregate of
$461 million of unsecured claims against the Company, for which it paid
$216,963,174. Pursuant to the POR, Zell/Chilmark's unsecured claims against the
Company were converted into 21,204,840 shares of Common Stock. Also pursuant to
the POR and a Postpetition Store Modernization Facility Conversion Agreement
dated as of August 18, 1992 between the Company and Zell/Chilmark (the
"Conversion Agreement"), Zell/Chilmark purchased 2,500,000 shares of Common
Stock from the Company on the Emergence Date at a price of $10.00 per share. As
of January 1, 1994, Zell/Chilmark had acquired 24,800,866 shares of Common
Stock, or approximately 54.5% of the then outstanding Common Stock, at a total
cost of $256,268,891. All funds used in acquiring such shares were obtained from
partnership capital contributions from the general and limited partners of
Zell/Chilmark.
 
     The Conversion Agreement provided for the purchase, in connection with the
consummation of the POR, of 5,000,000 shares of Common Stock from the Company at
a price of $10.00 per share. On October 8, 1992, Zell/Chilmark assigned to First
Plaza, a limited partner of Zell/Chilmark, Zell/Chilmark's rights and
obligations under the Conversion Agreement with respect to the acquisition of
2,500,000 shares of Common Stock. First Plaza thus acquired its 2,500,000 shares
of Common Stock from the Company at a price of $10.00 per share.
 
     The Company and First Plaza entered into a Stockholder's Agreement, dated
as of January 25, 1993, under which the Company granted First Plaza certain
registration rights with respect to First Plaza's shares of Common Stock in
exchange for First Plaza's agreement not to engage in any proxy solicitation,
acquire any additional shares of Common Stock or seek to control or influence
the Board of Directors, Management or policies of the Company. First Plaza has
agreed not to exercise its registration rights in connection with the Original
Offering.
 
     Zell/Chilmark has agreed with First Plaza that in the event it agrees to
sell all or a portion of its shares of Common Stock (other than to an affiliate
of Zell/Chilmark or in a market transaction permitted by Rule 144 promulgated
under the Securities Act), if so requested by First Plaza, Zell/Chilmark shall
cause such prospective purchaser to purchase an equal proportion of First
Plaza's shares of Common Stock.
 
     In accordance with the Securities Act, Zell/Chilmark, if deemed an
affiliate of the Company, may sell its Common Stock pursuant to a registration
statement filed with the Commission or pursuant to an exemption from
registration under the Securities Act. Accordingly, after the expiration of the
90-day lock-up period, Zell/Chilmark will be eligible to sell its shares in
compliance with Rule 144.
 
     In general, under Rule 144, an affiliate of the Company that has satisfied
any required holding period may sell in any three-month period a number of
shares that does not exceed the greater of (i) one percent of the then
outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock, or (ii) the average weekly
trading volume during the four calendar weeks immediately preceding the date on
which notice of the sale is filed with the Commission. Sales pursuant to Rule
144 are also subject to certain requirements relating to manner of sale, notice
and availability of current public information about the Company. A person (or
persons whose shares are aggregated) who is not deemed to have been an affiliate
of the Company at any time during the 90 days preceding the sale and who has
beneficially owned restricted shares for at least three years is entitled to
sell such shares pursuant to Rule 144(k) without regard to the limitations
described above. Shares of Common Stock distributed pursuant to the POR are not
restricted securities and do not have any required
 
                                       45
<PAGE>   47
 
holding period under Rule 144, although sales of such Common Stock by affiliates
of the Company are subject to the limitations described in the first sentence of
this paragraph.
 
     The table below reflects the security ownership of Zell/Chilmark and First
Plaza as of January 1, 1994.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
    NAME AND ADDRESS                                              AMOUNT AND NATURE          PERCENT
   OF BENEFICIAL OWNER                                         OF BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP       OF CLASS
   -------------------                                         -----------------------       --------
<S>                                                                   <C>                      <C>
Zell/Chilmark Fund, L.P.
  Two North Riverside Plaza, Suite 1500
  Chicago, IL 60606........................................           24,800,866(1)            54.5%
Mellon Bank, N.A.,
  as Trustee for
  First Plaza Group Trust
  One Mellon Center
  Pittsburgh, PA 15258.....................................            2,500,000(2)             5.5%
</TABLE>
 
- ---------------
(1) The sole general partner of Zell/Chilmark is ZC Limited Partnership, an
    Illinois limited partnership ("ZC Limited"). The sole general partner of ZC
    Limited is ZC Partnership, a Delaware general partnership ("ZC"). The
    general partners of ZC are ZC, Inc., an Illinois corporation ("ZCI"), and CZ
    Inc., a Delaware corporation ("CZI"). The Samuel Zell Revocable Trust dated
    January 17, 1990 (the "SZ Trust") is the sole stockholder of ZCI. Mr. Samuel
    Zell is trustee and the beneficiary of the SZ Trust. Mr. David M. Schulte is
    the sole stockholder of CZI. One of the limited partners of ZC Limited is
    COP General Partnership, an Illinois general partnership ("COP"). One of the
    general partners of COP is COP Seniors General Partnership, an Illinois
    general partnership ("COP Seniors"). One of the general partners of COP
    Seniors is Sanford Shkolnik. Messrs. Zell, Schulte and Shkolnik, each of
    whom are directors of the Company, may each be deemed to share beneficial
    ownership of the shares referenced, but each disclaims beneficial ownership
    of such shares.
 
(2) Mellon Bank, N.A., acts as the trustee (the "Trustee") of First Plaza, a
    trust under and for the benefit of certain employee benefit plans of General
    Motors Corporation ("GM") and its subsidiaries. First Plaza may be deemed to
    beneficially own the shares referenced. Additionally, General Motors
    Investment Management Corporation, a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned
    subsidiary of GM, may be deemed to beneficially own these shares because it
    serves as investment manager for First Plaza with respect to such shares and
    has the power to direct the Trustee as to voting and disposition of such
    shares. The Pension Investment Committee of GM may also be deemed to
    beneficially own such shares by virtue of its authority to select the
    investment manager of such shares.
 
                          INDEBTEDNESS OF THE COMPANY
 
     The following summaries of certain provisions of certain indebtedness of
the Company are generalized, do not purport to be complete, and are qualified in
their entirety by reference to the provisions of the various agreements related
thereto, which may be obtained from the Company upon request.
 
GENERAL
 
     As of January 1, 1994, the Company's principal indebtedness (other than the
Notes) consisted of (i) $411.5 million in loans secured by deeds of trust and
other documents with respect to 31 of the Company's stores and its Los Angeles
distribution center (the "Group One Loans"), (ii) $89.7 million of loans secured
by deeds of trust and other documents with respect to nine of the Company's
stores (the "Group Two Loans"), (iii) advances under the Receivables Facility,
which are secured by the Company's accounts receivable, and (iv) advances under
the Credit Facility, which are secured by the Company's remaining personal
property. This indebtedness is described
 
                                       46
<PAGE>   48
 
below. In addition, the Company has $15.7 million of other indebtedness
outstanding secured by deeds of trust and certain other documents on certain
other properties of the Company. Substantially all of the Company's assets are
encumbered to secure the Company's indebtedness. The Receivables Facility and
the Credit Facility are both provided through a commercial lending institution,
as agent for itself and other commercial lending institutions (the "Lender").
 
CREDIT FACILITY
 
     Borrowing Availability and Termination Date.  The Credit Facility is a
revolving credit and letter of credit facility. Borrowings under the Credit
Facility are repayable on or before October 31, 1995. The aggregate amount of
advances available under the Credit Facility, including the aggregate face
amount of all letters of credit issuable under the Credit Facility ("LCs"), is
limited to an amount equal to the Borrowing Base. The term "Borrowing Base"
means the lesser of (i) $225,000,000, or (ii) up to 50-55%, depending on the
time of year, of the value of the Company's inventory and other merchandise and
personal property ("Eligible Inventory") less certain reserves for the
Receivables Securitization Agreement and as required by the Lender. The
aggregate face amount of LCs available under the Credit Facility shall not
exceed the lesser of (i) $65,000,000 and (ii) the Borrowing Base less
outstanding advances. As of January 1, 1994, no advances and $45.4 million in
letters of credit were outstanding under the Credit Facility.
 
     Interest and Fees.  Amounts outstanding under the Credit Facility bear
interest at a floating rate equal to the Index Rate (as defined below) plus
1.50% per annum, payable monthly in arrears. The term "Index Rate" means the
higher of (a) the highest of the prime rates as announced by certain banks, or
(b) the latest annualized yield (or midpoint if more than one yield is
published) on 90-day directly-placed commercial paper. The weighted average
annual interest rate on borrowings under the Credit Facility was 7.5% in 1992
(not including certain additional fees payable by the Company as described
below). Upon the occurrence of and during the continuation of an Event of
Default (as defined below), the interest rate otherwise applicable will be
increased by 2% per annum and interest will be payable upon demand. The Company
pays certain fees and commissions to the Lender, including a fee for non-use of
the facility of 1/2 of 1% per annum of the average unused daily balance of the
maximum amount of the facility (or a lesser amount if the Borrowing Base is less
than $200 million), a quarterly administrative fee of $62,499 and an obligation
fee equal to 2.375% per annum of the actual daily face amount of outstanding LCs
for the actual number of days during which such LCs are outstanding.
 
     Collateral.  Advances under the Credit Facility are secured on a first
priority basis by security interests in and liens on substantially all of the
Company's tangible and intangible personal property, including the Company's
accounts, equipment and inventory, other than certain interests subject to deeds
of trust in favor of the lenders under the Group One Loan and the Group Two Loan
and certain others. In addition, the Company's obligations under the Credit
Facility are secured by a pledge of the shares of each subsidiary of the
Company.
 
     Other Provisions.  The Company may prepay the loans under and terminate the
Credit Facility at any time without premium or penalty, provided (i) no LCs are
outstanding (or, if outstanding, have been cash collateralized), and (ii) the
Receivables Facility has been or is simultaneously terminated. Financial
reporting requirements include delivery of unaudited financial statements on a
monthly and quarterly basis and audited consolidated financial statements on a
yearly basis. Affirmative covenants include the obligation to maintain corporate
existence and the timely payment of obligations, fees and certain expenses as
provided in the Credit Facility.
 
     Restrictive Covenants.  In general, the Credit Facility prohibits the
Company and its subsidiaries from, among other things: (i) merging or
consolidating or otherwise combining with, or acquiring substantially all of the
capital stock or assets of, any person or entity (except for mergers or
liquidations between the Company and its subsidiaries); (ii) making investments
in, or loans or advances to, any person or entity, except as expressly permitted
and except for investments not
 
                                       47
<PAGE>   49
 
exceeding $5.0 million in the aggregate in short-term government securities,
commercial paper having the highest rating obtainable, and certificates of
deposit, time deposits and demand deposits issued by or placed with commercial
banks, (iii) making any material change in its capital structure, except for the
issuance of shares in connection with the POR, certain employee stock and option
plans, the Warrants, Common Stock of the Company that is by its terms not
redeemable prior to December 31, 1995 and warrants to purchase stock or
instruments convertible into stock; (iv) as to the Company, engaging in any line
of business other than its current line of business and as to subsidiaries of
the Company, owning assets in excess of applicable requirements or conducting
any business (except for CHH Receivables, in connection with Receivables
Facility); (v) except for transactions in the ordinary course of business with
officers and directors and transactions pursuant to the Receivables Facility,
entering into transactions with affiliates on other than an arm's length basis;
(vi) creating or permitting any lien on their respective assets or properties,
other than (x) liens that are expressly permitted, (y) liens granted pursuant to
the Receivables Facility, and (z) liens which do not encumber or adversely
affect collateral securing obligations under the Credit Facility and which
secure aggregate indebtedness of the Company not in excess of $7.5 million;
(vii) making use of any "hazardous materials" (as defined under applicable
environmental laws) in a manner that would violate any such environmental laws;
(viii) selling, transferring, conveying or otherwise disposing of any assets or
properties, except as expressly permitted; (ix) cancelling any claim or debt
owing to it, except for reasonable consideration and in the ordinary course of
business; (x) taking or omitting to take any action, which act or omission would
constitute (1) a default or event of default under (A) the Credit Facility or
the Receivables Facility or other documents and instruments entered into with
respect to each, or (2) a default or event of default under any other contract
where such defaults in the aggregate would exceed $7.5 million or have a
material adverse effect; (xi) engaging in any interest rate hedging or similar
transaction, except with respect to advances under the Credit Facility or, to
the extent permitted by the terms of the Receivables Facility, certain other
unsecured interest rate hedging transactions; (xii) (a) declaring any dividend
or incurring any liability to make any other payment or distribution in respect
of its capital stock (other than stock splits or dividends payable solely in
additional shares of stock) (b) making any payment on account of the purchase,
redemption or other retirement of its capital stock or any other payment or
distribution made in respect thereof, or except as scheduled, any payment, loan,
contribution or other transfer of funds or other property to any of its
respective stockholders or subsidiaries; (xiii) creating, incurring, assuming or
permitting to exist or otherwise become or be liable in respect of any
indebtedness, other than indebtedness as specified in the Credit Facility and
other indebtedness not in excess of $7.5 million outstanding at one time; (xiv)
incurring certain liabilities or obligations in respect of pension plans
established under the Employee Retirement and Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended ("ERISA"); and (xv) consenting to any amendment, supplement or other
modification of any of the terms or provisions contained in, or applicable to,
(a) the POR or the Receivables Facility or (b) certain settlement agreements
entered into with other secured creditors in connection with the implementation
of the POR, if such amendment, supplement or modification would (1) increase the
principal amount of, or the rate or amount of interest payable on such
obligation, (2) accelerate any date fixed for any payment of principal of, or
interest on such obligation, or (3) otherwise materially increase any such
obligation.
 
     Financial Covenants.  The Credit Facility contains financial covenants that
require the Company to maintain its Consolidated EBITDA, Consolidated Net Cash
Flow, Capital Expenditures, Minimum Receivables Effective Advance Rate,
consolidated net inventory ratio and consolidated inventory balance (as such
initially capitalized terms are defined below) within certain parameters set
forth in the Credit Facility.
 
     For purposes of the description of financial covenants set forth below, the
following terms shall have the indicated meanings:
 
     "Capital Expenditures" means all payments for any fixed assets or
improvements or for replacements, substitutions or additions thereto, that have
a useful life of more than one year and
 
                                       48
<PAGE>   50
 
which are required to be capitalized under generally accepted accounting
principles ("GAAP"), other than capital lease obligations.
 
     "Consolidated EBITDA" means for any period the sum of consolidated net
income of the Company and its subsidiaries for such period plus consolidated
interest charges (including any capitalized interest payable to certain lenders)
plus consolidated taxes deducted in arriving at consolidated net income plus
consolidated non-cash charges (including depreciation, amortization and LIFO
reserve charges) plus extraordinary losses less extraordinary gains.
 
     "Consolidated Net Cash Flow" means for any period the sum of consolidated
earnings before taxes of the Company and its subsidiaries for such period plus
consolidated non-cash charges (including depreciation, amortization and LIFO
reserve charges) less principal payments in respect of capital lease obligations
less reductions in the restructuring reserve liability account less consolidated
taxes actually paid less extraordinary losses plus extraordinary gains.
 
     "Effective Advance Rate" means, at any time, the ratio (expressed as a
percentage) determined by dividing the Borrowing Base by the aggregate amount
owed by the obligors with respect to the accounts receivable purchased from the
Company by the Receivables Borrower (as defined below under the heading
"Receivables Facility").
 
     "Fiscal Month" means each of the three four-week or five-week accounting
periods comprising a quarterly accounting period within a Fiscal Year.
 
     "Fiscal Year" means a fiscal year of the Company ending on the Saturday
closest to January 31, unless subsequently changed by the Company with the
Lender's consent.
 
     The Company has covenanted in the Credit Facility that it will not permit
aggregated Consolidated EBITDA during any period of three consecutive Fiscal
Months ending on the last day of any Fiscal Month set forth below to be less
than the amount set forth below opposite such Fiscal Month (except that any
amount set forth below in parentheses shall be the maximum amount of permitted
 
                                       49
<PAGE>   51
 
Consolidated EBITDA deficit for the period of three consecutive Fiscal Months
ending on the last day of the Fiscal Month set forth opposite such amount):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
          FISCAL MONTH                                           AMOUNT
        ----------------                                         ------
        <S>                                                    <C>   
        February 1994........................................  $ 22,370,000
        March 1994...........................................  $(15,480,000)
        April 1994...........................................  $  1,700,000
        May 1994.............................................  $ 13,800,000
        June 1994............................................  $ 19,500,000
        July 1994............................................  $ 16,800,000
        August 1994..........................................  $ 11,600,000
        September 1994.......................................  $  6,400,000
        October 1994.........................................  $  9,300,000
        November 1994........................................  $ 16,700,000
        December 1994........................................  $ 68,500,000
        January 1995.........................................  $ 60,400,000
        February 1995........................................  $ 49,400,000
        March 1995...........................................  $    300,000
        April 1995...........................................  $ 11,800,000
        May 1995.............................................  $ 23,800,000
        June 1995............................................  $ 30,100,000
        July 1995............................................  $ 27,800,000
        August 1995..........................................  $ 23,300,000
        September 1995.......................................  $ 17,800,000
        October 1995.........................................  $ 20,000,000
</TABLE>
 
provided, however, that Consolidated EBITDA (i) for the period from the February
1994 through and including the January 1995 Fiscal Months shall in no event be
less than $88.2 million, and (ii) for the period from the February 1995 through
and including October 1995 Fiscal Months shall in no event be less than $59.6
million.
 
     The Company has covenanted in the Credit Facility that it will not permit
Consolidated Net Cash Flow for any period of three consecutive Fiscal Months
ending on the last day of any Fiscal Month set forth below to be less than the
amount set forth below opposite such Fiscal Month (except that any amount set
forth below in parentheses shall be the maximum amount of permitted Consolidated
 
                                       50
<PAGE>   52
 
Net Cash Flow deficit for the period of three consecutive Fiscal Months ending
on the last day of the Fiscal Month set forth opposite such amount):
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
              FISCAL MONTH                                                          AMOUNT
              ------------                                                       ------------
        <S>                                                                      <C>
        February 1994..........................................................  $ (1,900,000)
        March 1994.............................................................  $(38,900,000)
        April 1994.............................................................  $(21,200,000)
        May 1994...............................................................  $ (8,000,000)
        June 1994..............................................................  $ (1,600,000)
        July 1994..............................................................  $ (4,200,000)
        August 1994............................................................  $ (9,200,000)
        September 1994.........................................................  $(14,400,000)
        October 1994...........................................................  $(11,000,000)
        November 1994..........................................................  $ (3,500,000)
        December 1994..........................................................  $ 48,600,000
        January 1995...........................................................  $ 40,600,000
        February 1995..........................................................  $ 29,200,000
        March 1995.............................................................  $(20,500,000)
        April 1995.............................................................  $ (9,500,000)
        May 1995...............................................................  $ 15,000,000
        June 1995..............................................................  $ 34,200,000
        July 1995..............................................................  $ 44,700,000
        August 1995............................................................  $ 40,400,000
        September 1995.........................................................  $ 22,200,000
        October 1995...........................................................  $ 11,800,000
</TABLE>
 
     The Company has covenanted in the Credit Facility that it will not permit
the aggregate amount of all Capital Expenditures of the Company and its
subsidiaries to exceed, during any period set forth below, the amount set forth
below opposite such period:
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
              PERIOD (FISCAL MONTHS)
              ----------------------
                      THROUGH
     FROM         (AND INCLUDING)                                           AMOUNT
  ----------  ----------------------                                     ------------
  <S>         <C>                                                        <C>
  Feb. 1994   June 1994................................................  $ 42,200,000
  July 1994   June 1995................................................  $110,000,000
  July 1995   October 1995.............................................  $ 59,500,000
</TABLE>
 
provided, however, that (i) the aggregate amount of Capital Expenditures
otherwise permitted during the period from the July 1994 through and including
the June 1995 Fiscal Months shall be increased by an amount equal to the lesser
of $20,000,000 or 75% of the excess, if any, of Consolidated EBITDA for the
period from the December 1993 through and including the June 1994 Fiscal Months
over $45,670,000, and (ii) the aggregate amount of Capital Expenditures
otherwise permitted during the period from the July 1995 through and including
the October 1995 Fiscal Months shall be increased by an amount equal to the
lesser of $25,000,000 or 75% of the excess, if any, of Consolidated EBITDA for
the period from the July 1994 through and including the June 1995 Fiscal Months
over $105,300,000. In no event may the aggregate amount of Capital Expenditures
of the Company and its subsidiaries exceed $25,000,000 during any Fiscal Month.
 
                                       51
<PAGE>   53
 
     The Company has also covenanted in the Credit Facility that it will not
permit its net inventory ratio on the last day of any two consecutive Fiscal
Months to exceed percentages specified in the Credit Facility for each month
during the term of the Credit Facility. In addition, the Credit Facility
requires the Company to maintain the aggregate amount of all inventory of the
Company and its subsidiaries (determined on the lower of a first-in, first-out
or market basis) on the last day of any two consecutive Fiscal Months within
certain minimum and maximum amounts specified in the Credit Facility for each
month during the term of the Credit Facility. As is the case with the
Consolidated EBITDA and Net Cash Flow covenants, the monthly thresholds
specified in the Credit Facility for the inventory ratio and inventory balance
covenants vary during the term of the Credit Facility to coincide with seasonal
fluctuations in the Company's business.
 
     Events of Default.  The Credit Facility provides for various events of
default (the "Events of Default"), including, in general, the following events:
(i) the Company shall fail to make any payment of principal of, interest on, or
any other amount owing in respect of any obligation when due and payable or
declared due and payable, except with respect to interest and fees such failure
shall have remained unremedied for two business days; (ii) the Company shall
fail or neglect to perform, keep or observe certain reporting covenants or any
of the restrictive covenants contained in the Credit Facility (except with
respect to defaults under the Credit Facility); (iii) the Company shall fail or
neglect to perform, keep or observe any other provision of the Credit Facility
(including defaults under the Credit Facility) or of any of the other loan
documents (subject to the Company's right to cure); (iv) a default shall occur
under any other agreement, document or instrument to which the Company or any of
its subsidiaries is a party or by which their respective properties are bound,
or under any agreement, document or instrument evidencing or applicable to any
indebtedness secured in whole or in part by any shares of Common Stock owned by
Zell/Chilmark ("Z/C Indebtedness"), and such default continues beyond any
applicable grace period provided in the instrument governing such indebtedness
and (i) is (a) in respect of any indebtedness of the Company or any of its
subsidiaries in excess of $7,500,000, or (b) in respect of any Z/C Indebtedness
or (ii) causes or permits the acceleration of any such indebtedness; (v) any
event of default shall occur under the Receivables Facility or related
documents, or the Receivables Facility shall for any reason cease to be in full
force and effect; (vi) any representation or warranty in the Credit Facility, in
any related loan document or in any written statement, report or other document
delivered thereto shall be untrue or incorrect in any material respect; (vii)
certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency (including the attachment of any
assets of the Company or its subsidiaries and any similar proceeding); (viii)
the modification, issuance, repeal or rescission of any order of the bankruptcy
court in the POR which adversely affects the Credit Facility and the rights of
the Lender; (ix) final judgments against the Company and its subsidiaries
aggregating in excess of $7,500,000 (to the extent not covered by insurance)
that are not discharged or stayed within 10 days of entry of such judgment; (x)
any provision of any document evidencing rights in the collateral or the
confirmation order shall for any reason cease to be valid or enforceable in
accordance with its terms or any lien created under any collateral document
shall cease to be a valid and perfected first priority lien; (xi) any "Changes
in Control" (as defined below) shall occur; (xii) any other event shall have
occurred which has a material adverse effect of which the Company receives at
least ten days' notice; and (xiii) certain events relating to pension plans
under ERISA. As used in the Credit Facility, the term "Change in Control" means
(a) individuals who are nominees or designees of Zell/Chilmark shall for any
reason cease to constitute a majority of the
members of the Company's Board of Directors; (b) any change in the senior
management of the Company which is not acceptable to a majority of the lenders;
(c) the failure of Zell/Chilmark to continue to own, directly or indirectly, at
least the percentage of outstanding shares of voting stock of the Company on a
fully diluted basis that Zell/Chilmark owned immediately after giving effect to
the issuance of the Notes and any stock options issued by the Company under its
existing stock option plan; or (d) any "Acquiring Person", as such term is
defined in the Indenture for the Notes, shall become the beneficial owner of
shares of Common Stock of the Company having more than 45% of the total number
of votes that may be cast for the election of directors of the Company; or
 
                                       52
<PAGE>   54
 
(e) the failure of the Company to own, directly and free and clear of all liens
or other encumbrances (other than the lien imposed pursuant to the Credit
Facility), all of the outstanding shares of stock of CHH Receivables, Inc.
 
RECEIVABLES FACILITY
 
     Structure of Financing.  The Receivables Facility is an accounts receivable
revolving credit facility. The Receivables Facility is provided through a
special purpose corporation not affiliated with the Company (although its
accounts are stated on a consolidated basis with the Company's accounts) (the
"SPC"). The SPC raises money through the issuance and sale of commercial paper
or through liquidity loans from the Lender and lends such funds to CHH
Receivables, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company (the "Receivables
Borrower"). The Receivables Borrower in turn purchases and holds accounts
receivable originated by the Company. The Lender provides the structure, credit
support and liquidity support for and provides for the administration of the
SPC, which is an A-1/P-1 rated entity. The liquidity line is a revolving credit
provided by the Lender to the SPC to provide funding when the SPC is unable to
issue sufficient commercial paper to meet its obligations.
 
     Borrowing Availability and Termination Date.  Advances under the
Receivables Facility are limited to an amount equal to the lesser of (i)
$575,000,000, and (ii) the Base Advance Rate, as described below, of the
Company's eligible accounts receivable (i.e., accounts receivable that meet
certain criteria specified in the Receivables Facility Credit Agreement) less
certain amounts purchased from the Company by the Receivables Borrower. The
Company may permanently reduce in part the unused portion of the Receivables
Facility, but in no event may it reduce such amount below $425 million. The
"Base Advance Rate" is 84.5% of eligible accounts receivable subject to certain
adjustments upward or downward as set forth in the definitive documentation for
the Receivables Facility (but in no event shall such adjustments result in an
advance rate in excess of 88% of eligible accounts receivable). All amounts
under the Receivables Facility are due on October 8, 1995. As of January 1,
1994, borrowings of $337.1 million of commercial paper, $182.7 million less than
the maximum available under the Receivables Facility based on the level of
customers receivables, were outstanding under the Receivables Facility.
 
     Interest.  Amounts outstanding under the Receivables Facility will bear
interest in an amount equal to the interest expense attributable to the SPC's
borrowings in the commercial paper market and/or under its liquidity line.
Amounts provided by the Lender under its liquidity line to the SPC will bear
interest at an annual rate equal to the Base Rate. The term "Base Rate" means
the higher of (a) the highest prime rate as announced by certain banks, and (b)
the rate for certain commercial paper having a maturity of one month as
published by the Federal Reserve System. Interest is payable monthly in arrears.
Following the maturity of loans under the liquidity line, all outstanding
principal and interest will bear interest at an annual rate equal to 2% plus the
Base Rate, and interest shall be payable on demand. At January 1, 1994, the
interest rate under the Receivables Facility was 4.5%.
 
     Collateral.  The Receivables Facility is secured by a first priority
security interest in all of the existing and after-acquired accounts receivable
sold by the Company to the Receivables Borrower and certain other property of
the Receivables Borrower. Certain repurchase obligations of the Company in
connection with accounts receivable sold to the Receivables Borrower are secured
by a second priority security interest of up to $15,000,000 in the collateral
securing advances under the Credit Facility (excluding the outstanding capital
stock of the Receivables Borrower and indebtedness of the Receivables Borrower
to the Company).
 
     Financial Covenants.  In addition to other restrictive covenants, the
Receivables Facility requires the Receivables Borrower to maintain a minimum
interest coverage ratio, amount of capitalization and a minimum receivables
advance rate.
 
                                       53
<PAGE>   55
 
     Events of Default.  The Receivables Facility provides for various events of
default, including, among other events, the occurrence of an Event of Default
under the Credit Facility and a failure by the Receivables Borrower or the
Company to pay any principal of or premium or interest on any debt when due if
such failure continues after any applicable grace period.
 
     Fees.  Ongoing fees payable in connection with the Receivables Facility
include (i) an administration fee during the term of each facility equal to
$28,125 per fiscal quarter, (ii) a program fee equal to 1.10% per annum of the
average daily aggregate outstanding amount, and (iii) a non-use fee equal to
 1/2 of 1% per annum of the average unused daily balance of the maximum amount
of the facility. All costs and expenses incurred in connection with the
facility, including all out-of-pocket costs and expenses of the Lender and the
SPC, are borne by the Receivables Borrower.
 
GROUP ONE MORTGAGE LOAN
 
     Pursuant to a settlement agreement with the Group One Loan lender (the
"Group One Settlement Agreement") and in connection with the implementation of
the POR, the Company restructured indebtedness of $344.0 million to defer
maturity from August 26, 1997 until October 7, 2002 (the "Existing Notes"). The
blended interest rate payable on the Existing Notes is 10.67% per annum. In
addition, previously accrued and unpaid interest and other charges were
capitalized into an accrued interest note in the principal amount of $53.4
million (the "Accrued Interest Note" and the Existing Notes are collectively
referred to as the "Group One Notes") bearing interest at a rate of 9% per
annum. The Company is required to pay interest on the Group One Notes at the
rate of 7.5% during the two year period following the Emergence Date. The
difference between the lower rate and the blended contract rate, amounting to
$23.8 million (the "Deferral Amount"), will be capitalized into the principal
amount of the Accrued Interest Note. The Existing Notes will be amortized on the
basis of a 276-month period commencing October 1, 1997. The entire outstanding
balance will be due and payable under the Existing Notes on December 7, 2002.
The principal amount of the Accrued Interest Note (as increased by the Deferral
Amount, as provided above) will be amortized on the basis of a 60-month period
commencing October 1, 1997 and mature on October 7, 2002. No principal payments
are required to be made on the Existing Notes or the Accrued Interest Note until
October 1, 1997.
 
     The Group One Notes are secured by first mortgages (the "Group One
Mortgages") on 31 of the Company's stores and its corporate offices and
distribution facility (collectively, the "Group One Stores"). The Group One
Notes and the Group One Mortgages are cross-defaulted and cross-collateralized
(with the exception of one store that is not cross-collateralized). The Company
may obtain the release of a Group One Mortgage from one or more of the stores by
prepaying the loan amount allocated to such Group One Store (each, an
"Allocation Amount"), together with any applicable prepayment premium. Certain
of the Existing Notes may be prepaid in full by the Company by prepaying the
aggregate Allocation Amount for Group One Stores in a division of the Company
(each, a "Division") that have been allocated to such Existing Note. In certain
cases the prepayment of Allocable Amounts for Group One Stores will trigger the
obligation to prepay the Allocation Amount for all stores in a Division. In the
event that the Company sells one or more of the Group One Stores (other than
certain specified stores), and the sale generates "Excess Net Proceeds" (defined
as gross proceeds received by the Company, less transfer taxes, the cost of
acquiring certain interests in connection with the sale, and other incidental
expenses), the Company is required to use such Excess Net Proceeds to renovate,
expand or improve one or more of the remaining Group One Stores within 12 months
of its receipt thereof. The loan document with respect to the Group One Notes
provides for a yield maintenance fee.
 
     On the occurrence of certain events (including the cessation of operations
at any Group One Store, sale of an interest in any Group One Store or granting a
lien thereon), the Company may be required to provide additional security
acceptable to the Group One Loan Lender or prepay the entire Allocation Amount
applicable to the affected Group One Store or prepay the Allocation Amount for
all stores in a division if the event affects certain stores within a division.
In the event that
 
                                       54
<PAGE>   56
 
any person or group other than Zell/Chilmark acquires more than 49% of the
outstanding voting stock of the Company, or the Company is merged or
consolidated into another corporation and such merger effects a change in
control, the Company may be required to prepay the Group One Notes in full,
together with any applicable prepayment premium. The loans evidenced by the
Group One Notes are without recourse to the Company, except in the event of
intentional misrepresentation or an intentional omission of a material fact by
the Company concerning the loan documents, or a misapplication of rents or
insurance or condemnation proceeds, in which event the loans will become full
recourse to the Company. In addition, certain covenants made by the Company
concerning hazardous materials at the Group One Stores are with full recourse to
the Company. Upon the occurrence of certain Events of Default, including the
failure to make a payment under the Group One Notes within three business days
from the due date, the failure to perform any monetary obligation under any of
the documents securing the Group One Notes which failure is not remedied for
three days after notice, or the failure to perform certain other obligations
within thirty days, the Group One lender would be permitted to accelerate
amounts due under the Group One Notes and exercise its remedies under the Group
One Mortgages.
 
GROUP TWO MORTGAGE LOAN
 
     Pursuant to a settlement agreement with the Group Two Loan lender (the
"Group Two Settlement Agreement") and in connection with the implementation of
the POR, the Company restructured $89.7 million of indebtedness with a syndicate
of certain financial institutions (the "Group Two Lenders"). The Group Two
Settlement Agreement extended the maturities of the $89.7 million principal
amount outstanding under an existing note (the "Master Principal Note") for
approximately four years. The maturity date of the Master Principal Note is June
30, 1999. The Master Principal Note accrues interest at the rate of LIBOR plus
.625% for the period from the Emergence Date until June 30, 1995, and thereafter
until maturity at the rate of LIBOR plus 1.25%. As of January 1, 1994, interest
had accrued on the Master Principal Note at the rate of 3.875%. The Master
Principal Note is amortized on the basis of a 276-month period commencing July
1, 1995; prior to such date no principal payments are due. In addition,
previously accrued and unpaid interest on the original note, together with
related charges totalling $2.0 million, were capitalized into the Master
Capitalized Interest Note in the principal amount of approximately $10.75
million, (the Master Principal Note and the Master Capitalized Interest Note are
referred to as the "Group Two Notes"). Interest is payable on the Master
Capitalized Interest Note at the rate of 9% per annum from the Emergence Date,
and is amortized based on a 36-month period commencing November 2, 1992.
Principal is payable in equal monthly installments from such date until the
maturity date of October 30, 1995. Subject to certain restrictions, the Company
may prepay in whole or in part the outstanding principal balance without paying
a prepayment premium.
 
     The Group Two Notes are secured by first mortgages on nine stores of the
Company (the "Group Two Stores"), and the Group Two Lenders hold certain other
interests relating to the Group Two Stores. With the exception of certain
indemnities among the Company and the Group Two Lenders relating to potential
environmental hazards and structural improvements at the Group Two Stores, the
loans evidenced by the Group Two Notes are non-recourse to the Company. The
Company may obtain the release of mortgages on one or more of the Group Two
Stores by prepayment of specified amounts established for each of the stores
(together with incidental costs and unpaid loan amounts), subject in certain
cases to obtaining the Group Two Lenders' consent. Covenants of the Company
include (a) the obligation to make capital expenditures or make payments under
the Credit Facility, with the proceeds of the issuance of any additional
preferred stock for cash, excluding Preferred Stock under the POR (the
"Additional Preferred"); (b) restriction on the payment of any dividends or
other distributions to any stockholder, other than the holders of Additional
Preferred, who may be paid dividends subject to certain limits; and (c) the
requirement to make capital improvements to five Group Two Stores within three
years of the Emergence Date, including capital expenditures for the Group Two
Stores of at least $700,000 by April 1, 1994. The loans evidenced by the Group
Two Notes are cross-defaulted in the event of
 
                                       55
<PAGE>   57
 
breach of covenants in the Group Two Notes (including financial covenants
contained in the Group One Settlement Agreement and any other documents
evidencing subordinated indebtedness of the Company hereinafter entered into).
Events of default under the Group Two Notes include events of default under the
Credit Facility, Receivables Facility and the Group One Settlement Agreement. A
default will occur if any group or person other than Zell/Chilmark acquires more
than 48% of the voting stock of the Company, or the Company merges or
consolidates in a manner that effects a change in control. In connection with
the administration of the loans evidenced by the Group Two Notes, the Group Two
Lenders are entitled to receive an annual fee of $20,000.
 
                          DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
 
     The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 100 million shares
of Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share and 25 million shares of preferred
stock, par value $.01 per share. As of January 1, 1994, there were 45,548,917
shares of Common Stock and 880,783 shares of Preferred Stock outstanding.
 
COMMON STOCK
 
     General.  The holders of the Common Stock are entitled to one vote for each
share held of record, voting together with holders of Preferred Stock as one
class, on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. The Common Stock does
not have cumulative voting rights. Holders of Common Stock are entitled to
receive ratably such dividends as may be declared by the Board out of funds
legally available therefor. See "Dividend Policy." In the event of a
liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company, holders of Common Stock
will be entitled to share ratably in any assets remaining after satisfaction in
full of the prior rights of creditors of the Company and the aggregate
liquidation preference of any preferred stock of the Company. Holders of Common
Stock have no preemptive rights and have no rights to convert their Common Stock
into any other securities and there are no redemption provisions with respect to
such shares. There generally exist no restrictions on alienability of shares of
Common Stock other than those imposed by law on certain holders. See "Security
Ownership of Certain Persons."
 
     Trading Market.  The Common Stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange
and the Pacific Stock Exchange under the trading symbol "CHH."
 
PREFERRED STOCK
 
     The Company's Board of Directors has the authority to issue various classes
or series of preferred stock having such voting powers, and such preferences and
relative, participating, optional or other special rights and such
qualifications, limitations or restrictions thereof, as shall be determined by
the Board of Directors, all in accordance with the laws of the State of
Delaware. Each presently outstanding share of Preferred Stock entitles each
holder thereof to one vote per share, voting together with holders of Common
Stock as one class, and a liquidation preference (together with shares of
preferred stock which are entitled to a preference in liquidation but subsequent
to the satisfaction of liquidation preferences ranking senior thereto, if any)
of $0.25 per share in any assets remaining after the satisfaction in full of the
prior rights of creditors of the Company. Holders of presently outstanding
Preferred Stock will be entitled to a dividend of $0.05 per share per year on a
non-cumulative basis when, as and if declared by the Company Board of Directors
out of assets legally available therefor. The Company does not ever expect to
pay a dividend with respect to the Preferred Stock. In addition, restrictions on
the Company's ability to pay dividends are imposed pursuant to the terms of the
Credit Facility and the Group Two Loan documents and additional restrictions may
be imposed by the terms of any preferred stock which may be issued in the future
by the Company. The Preferred Stock will be redeemable by the Company at the
Company's option at $0.25 per share after the expiration of the Warrants as
described below. Until October 8, 1999 (subject to earlier termination under
certain circumstances), each share of Preferred Stock is
 
                                       56
<PAGE>   58
 
exchangeable at the option of the holder for one Warrant. See "Description of
Capital Stock -- Warrants." The Preferred Stock is not listed for trading on any
national securities exchange or other national automated quotation system.
 
WARRANTS
 
     Each Warrant entitles the holder to purchase one share of Common Stock at
any time during the period through and including 5:00 p.m. New York City time on
October 8, 1999 (the "Exercise Period") at a purchase price (the "Warrant
Price") equal to $17 per share, subject to adjustment from time to time. In the
event the market price of the Common Stock equals or exceeds $25.50 for thirty
consecutive trading days, the Board of Directors, after April 8, 1995, may, upon
75 days' notice, shorten the Exercise Period to end on a date earlier than
October 8, 1999.
 
     The Warrant Price is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of certain
events, including, among other things, the payment of a stock dividend with
respect to Common Stock, the subdivision, combination or reclassification of
Common Stock, the merger or consolidation of the Company and the issuance of
rights, options, or warrants (other than rights to purchase Common Stock issued
to stockholders generally) to acquire Common Stock. No adjustment need be made
unless such adjustment would require an increase or decrease of at least 1% in
the Warrant Price, provided that any such adjustment which is not made shall be
carried forward and taken into account in computing the next Warrant Price
adjustment. No holder of Warrants, as such, is entitled to any rights as a
stockholder of the Company, including the right to vote or to receive dividends
or other distributions with respect to the shares of Common Stock, until such
holder has properly exercised the Warrants. The Warrants are listed for trading
on the New York Stock Exchange and the Pacific Stock Exchange.
 
                            DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
 
     The statements under this caption relating to the Notes, an indenture (the
"Indenture") dated as of December 21, 1993, between the Company and Continental
Bank, National Association, as trustee (the "Trustee") and a Registration
Agreement dated as of December 21, 1993 between the Company and the Initial
Purchaser for the benefit of holders of the Notes, are summaries and do not
purport to be complete. Such summaries make use of certain terms defined in the
Indenture or the Registration Agreement, as applicable and are qualified in
their entirety by express reference to the Indenture or Registration Agreement,
which are filed as Exhibits to the Registration Statement. As used under this
caption, the term "Company" refers only to Carter Hawley Hale Stores, Inc. and
not to its subsidiaries or affiliates.
 
GENERAL
 
     The Notes were issued under the Indenture, and the terms of the Notes
include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture by
reference to the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as in effect on the date of the
Indenture (the "Trust Indenture Act"). The Notes are subject to all such terms,
and prospective investors are referred to the Indenture and the Trust Indenture
Act for a statement of them.
 
     The Notes bear interest from the date of original issuance at the rate of
6 1/4% per annum (unless such rate has been temporarily or permanently increased
under the circumstances described in "Description of the Notes -- Registration
Rights" below), payable semi-annually on December 31 and June 30 of each year,
commencing June 30, 1994, to holders of record at the close of business on the
15th day of the month of such interest payment date (whether or not a business
day). The Notes are due on December 31, 2000 and will be issued only in
registered form, without coupons, in denominations of $1,000 and integral
multiples thereof.
 
                                       57
<PAGE>   59
 
     The Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company. The Indenture does not
contain any financial covenants or restrictions.
 
REGISTRATION RIGHTS
 
     In connection with the Original Offering, the Company entered into a
Registration Agreement for the benefit of the holders of the Notes, which
provided that (i) the Company would, at its cost, within 45 days after the
closing of the sale of the Notes (the "Closing"), file a shelf registration
statement (the "Shelf Registration Statement") with the Commission with respect
to resales of the Notes and the Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof,
(ii) within 90 days after the Closing, such Shelf Registration Statement would
be declared effective by the Commission and (iii) the Company would maintain
such Shelf Registration Statement continuously effective under the Securities
Act until the third anniversary of the date of the Closing or such earlier date
as of which all the Notes or the Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof
have been sold pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement. If the Company had
failed to comply with clause (i) above then, at such time, the per annum
interest rate on the Notes would have increased by 25 basis points. Such
increase would have remained in effect until the date on which such Shelf
Registration Statement was filed, on which date the interest rate on the Notes
would have reverted to the interest rate originally borne by the Notes plus any
increase in such interest rate pursuant to the following sentence. If the Shelf
Registration Statement had not been declared effective as provided in clause
(ii) above, then, at such time and on each date that would have been the
successive 30th day following such time, the per annum interest rate on the
Notes (which interest rate will be the original interest rate on the Notes plus
any increase or increases in such interest rate pursuant to the preceding
sentence and this sentence) would have increased by an additional 25 basis
points; provided that the interest rate would not have increased by more than 50
basis points pursuant to this sentence. Such increase or increases would have
remained in effect until the date on which such Shelf Registration Statement was
declared effective, on which date the interest rate on the Notes would have
reverted to the interest rate originally borne by the Notes. The Company has
satisfied its obligations under clauses (i) and (ii) by filing, and causing the
Commission to declare effective, the Registration Statement of which this
Prospectus is a part within the specified time periods. Pursuant to clause (iii)
above, however, if the Company fails to keep the Shelf Registration Statement
continuously effective for the period specified above, then at such time as the
Shelf Registration Statement is no longer effective and on each date thereafter
that is the successive 30th day subsequent to such time and until the earlier of
(i) the date that the Shelf Registration Statement is again deemed effective or
(ii) the date that is the third anniversary of the Closing or (iii) the date as
of which all of the Notes and/or the Common Stock issuable upon conversion
thereof are sold pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement, the per annum
interest rate on the Notes will increase by an additional 25 basis points;
provided, however, that the interest rate will not increase by more than 50
basis points pursuant to this sentence.
 
CONVERSION
 
     The holder of any Note has the right, exercisable at any time after 90 days
following the date of original issuance thereof and prior to maturity, to
convert the principal amount thereof (or any portion thereof that is an integral
multiple of $1,000) into shares of Common Stock at the conversion price set
forth on the cover page of this Prospectus, subject to adjustment as described
below (the "Conversion Price"), except that if a Note is called for redemption,
the conversion right will terminate at the close of business on the tenth
business day immediately preceding the date fixed for redemption. Upon
conversion, no adjustment or payment will be made for interest or dividends, but
if any holder surrenders a Note for conversion after the close of business on
the record date for the payment of an installment of interest and prior to the
opening of business on the next interest payment date, then, notwithstanding
such conversion, the interest payable on such interest payment date will be paid
to the registered holder of such Note on such record date. In such event, such
Note, when surrendered for conversion, must be accompanied by payment of an
amount equal to
 
                                       58
<PAGE>   60
 
the interest payable on such interest payment date on the portion so converted.
No fractional shares will be issued upon conversion but a cash adjustment will
be made for any fractional interest.
 
     The Conversion Price is subject to adjustment upon the occurrence of
certain events, including (i) the issuance of shares of Common Stock as a
dividend or distribution on the Common Stock; (ii) the subdivision or
combination of the outstanding Common Stock; (iii) the issuance to substantially
all holders of Common Stock of rights or warrants to subscribe for or purchase
Common Stock (or securities convertible into Common Stock) at a price per share
less than the then current market price per share, as defined; (iv) the
distribution of shares of capital stock of the Company (other than Common Stock)
to all holders of Common Stock, evidences of indebtedness or other assets
(excluding dividends in cash); and (v) the distribution to substantially all
holders of Common Stock of rights or warrants to subscribe for securities (other
than those referred to in clause (iii) above). In the event of a distribution to
substantially all holders of Common Stock of rights to subscribe for additional
shares of the Company's capital stock (other than those referred to in clause
(iii) above), the Company may, instead of making any adjustment in the
Conversion Price, make proper provision so that each holder of a Note who
converts such Note after the record date for such distribution and prior to the
expiration or redemption of such rights shall be entitled to receive upon such
conversion, in addition to shares of Common Stock, an appropriate number of such
rights. No adjustment of the Conversion Price will be made until cumulative
adjustments amount to one percent or more of the Conversion Price as last
adjusted. No adjustment of the Conversion Price will be made for cash dividends.
 
     If the Company reclassifies or changes its outstanding Common Stock, or
consolidates with or merges into or transfers or leases all or substantially all
its assets to any person, or is a party to a merger that reclassifies or changes
its outstanding Common Stock, the Notes will become convertible into the kind
and amount of securities, cash or other assets which the holders of the Notes
would have owned immediately after the transaction if the holders had converted
the Notes immediately before the effective date of the transaction.
 
OPTIONAL REDEMPTION
 
     The Notes may be redeemed at the option of the Company, in whole or from
time to time in part, on and after December 31, 1998, on not less than 15 nor
more than 60 days' notice by first class mail, at a redemption price of 100% of
the principal amount thereof together with accrued and unpaid interest. If less
than all the Notes are to be redeemed, the Trustee will select Notes for
redemption pro rata or by lot. If any Note is to be redeemed in part only, a new
Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the unredeemed principal portion
thereof will be issued.
 
CHANGE IN CONTROL
 
     In the event of a Change in Control (as defined below), each holder of
Notes will have the right, at the holder's option, subject to the terms and
conditions of the Indenture, to require the Company to purchase all or any part
(provided that the principal amount must be $1,000 or an integral multiple
thereof) of the holder's Notes on the date that is the later of (i) 20 business
days after the date of mailing of the notice referred to below, and (ii) 40
business days after the occurrence of such Change in Control (the "Purchase
Date") for a purchase price equal to the principal amount thereof, plus accrued
and unpaid interest to the Purchase Date.
 
     Within 20 business days after the occurrence of the Change in Control, the
Company shall mail to the Trustee and to each holder (and to beneficial owners
as required by law) a notice of the occurrence of the Change in Control, setting
forth, among other things, the terms and conditions of, and the procedures
required for exercise of the holder's right to require the purchase of such
holder's Notes. The Company shall cause a copy of such notice to be published in
a daily newspaper of national circulation, which shall be The Wall Street
Journal unless it is not then so circulated.
 
                                       59
<PAGE>   61
 
     To exercise the purchase right, a holder must deliver written notice of
such exercise to the Paying Agent prior to the close of business on the Purchase
Date, specifying the Notes with respect to which the right of purchase is being
exercised. Such notice of exercise may be withdrawn by the holder by a written
notice of withdrawal delivered to the Paying Agent at any time prior to the
close of business on the Purchase Date.
 
     Under the Indenture, a "Change in Control" means any event by which (i) an
Acquiring Person has become such or (ii) Continuing Directors cease to comprise
a majority of the Board of Directors, provided that a Change in Control shall
not be deemed to have occurred if either (i) the last sale price of the Common
Stock for any five trading days during the ten trading days immediately
preceding the Change in Control is at least equal to 105% of the Conversion
Price in effect on such day or (ii) the consideration, in the transaction giving
rise to such Change in Control, to the holders of Common Stock consists of cash,
securities that are, or immediately upon issuance will be, listed on a national
securities exchange or quoted on the NASDAQ National Market System, or a
combination of cash and such securities, and the aggregate fair market value of
such consideration (which, in the case of such securities, shall be equal to the
average of the last sale prices of such securities during the ten consecutive
trading days commencing with the sixth trading day following consummation of
such transaction) is at least 105% of the Conversion Price in effect on the date
immediately preceding the closing date of such transaction.
 
     For purposes of the Indenture, certain defined terms have the following
meanings:
 
     "Acquiring Person" means any Person or group (as defined in Section
13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act) who or which, together with all affiliates and
associates (as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act), becomes the
beneficial owner of shares of Common Stock of the Company having more than 50%
of the total number of votes that may be cast for the election of directors of
the Company; provided, however, that an Acquiring Person shall not include (i)
the Company, (ii) any Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) any employee benefit plan
of the Company or any Subsidiary of the Company or any entity holding Common
Stock of the Company for or pursuant to the terms of any such plan; (iv)
Zell/Chilmark Fund, L.P., or (v) any limited partner or Affiliate of
Zell/Chilmark Fund, L.P. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Person shall become
an "Acquiring Person" as the result of an acquisition of Common Stock by the
Company which, by reducing the number of shares outstanding, increases the
proportionate number of shares beneficially owned by such Person to 50% or more
of the Common Stock of the Company then outstanding; provided, however, that if
a Person shall become the beneficial owner of 50% or more of the Common Stock of
the Company then outstanding by reason of share purchases by the Company and
shall, after such share purchases by the Company, become the beneficial owner of
any additional shares of Common Stock of the Company, then such Person shall be
deemed to be an "Acquiring Person."
 
     "Affiliate of Zell/Chilmark Fund, L.P." means (i) any person which,
directly or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by or is under common
control with Zell/Chilmark Fund, L.P. or (ii) any other person who is a director
or officer (A) of Zell/Chilmark Fund, L.P., (B) of any subsidiary of
Zell/Chilmark Fund, L.P., or (C) of any person described in clause (i) above.
For purposes of this definition, control of a person means the power, direct or
indirect, to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of
such person whether by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and
"controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.
 
     "Continuing Director" means any member of the Board of Directors, while
such person is a member of such Board of Directors, who is not an Acquiring
Person, or an affiliate or associate of an Acquiring Person or a representative
of an Acquiring Person or of any such affiliate or associate and who (a) was a
member of the Board of Directors prior to the date of the Indenture, or (b)
subsequently becomes a member of such Board of Directors and whose nomination
for election or election to such Board of Directors is recommended or approved
by resolution of a majority of the Continuing Directors or who is included as a
nominee in a proxy statement of the Company distributed when a majority of such
Board of Directors consists of Continuing Directors.
 
                                       60
<PAGE>   62
 
     The Company will comply with the provisions of Rule 13e-4, Rule 14e-1 and
any other tender offer rules under the Exchange Act which may then be
applicable, and will file Schedule 13E-4 or any other schedule required
thereunder in connection with any offer by the Company to purchase Notes at the
option of the holders upon a Change in Control.
 
     The Change in Control purchase feature of the Notes may in certain
circumstances make more difficult or discourage a takeover of the Company and,
thus, the removal of incumbent management. The Change in Control purchase
feature, however, is not the result of Management's knowledge of any specific
effort to accumulate shares of Common Stock or to obtain control of the Company
by means of a merger, tender offer, solicitation or otherwise, or part of a plan
by Management to adopt a series of anti-takeover provisions. Instead, the Change
in Control purchase feature is a standard term contained in other similar debt
offerings and the terms of such feature result from negotiations between the
Company and the Initial Purchaser of the Notes. Change in control provisions are
also contained in the Credit Facility.
 
     If a Change in Control were to occur, there can be no assurance that the
Company would have sufficient funds to pay the required purchase price for all
Notes tendered by the holders thereof. The Company's ability to purchase Notes
tendered upon a Change in Control may be limited by the terms of its
then-existing borrowing and other agreements. No Notes may be purchased if there
has occurred and is continuing an Event of Default described below under "Events
of Default and Notice Thereof" (other than a default in the payment of the
purchase price with respect to such Notes).
 
SUBORDINATION OF NOTES
 
     The Notes are (i) subordinate in right of payment to all existing and
future Senior Debt, including the indebtedness under the Credit Facility, the
Group One Loans, the Group Two Loans, and advances under the Receivables
Facility, and (ii) pari passu in right of payment to all existing and future
Senior Subordinated Indebtedness. The Indenture does not restrict the amount of
Senior Debt or other indebtedness of the Company or any subsidiary of the
Company. On January 1, 1994 the Company had approximately $901.7 million of
Senior Debt outstanding. The Indenture prohibits the Company from incurring any
debt subsequent to the date of the Indenture which is subordinate in right of
payment to Senior Indebtedness of the Company and which is not expressly made by
the terms of the instrument creating such Indebtedness pari passu with, or
subordinate and junior in right of payment to, the Notes.
 
     The payment of the principal of, interest on or any other amounts due on
the Notes is subordinated in right of payment to the prior payment in full of
all Senior Debt of the Company. No payment on account of principal of,
redemption of, interest on or any other amounts due on the Notes and no
redemption, purchase or other acquisition of the Notes may be made unless (i)
full payment of amounts then due on all Senior Debt has been made or duly
provided for pursuant to the terms of the instrument governing such Senior Debt,
and (ii) at the time for, or immediately after giving effect to, any such
payment, redemption, purchase or other acquisition, there shall not exist under
any Senior Debt or any agreement pursuant to which any Senior Debt has been
issued, any default which shall not have been cured or waived and which shall
have resulted in the full amount of such Senior Debt being declared due and
payable. In addition, the Indenture will provide that if the holders of any
Senior Debt notify the Company and the Trustee that a default has occurred
giving the holders of such Senior Debt the right to accelerate the maturity
thereof, no payment on account of principal, redemption, interest or any other
amounts due on the Notes and no purchase, redemption or other acquisition of the
Notes will be made for the period (the "Payment Blockage Period") commencing on
the date notice is received and ending on the earlier of (A) the date on which
such event of default shall have been cured or waived or (B) 180 days from the
date notice is received. Notwithstanding the foregoing, only one payment
blockage notice with respect to the same event of default or any other events of
default existing and known to the person giving such notice at the time of such
notice on the same issue of Senior Debt may be given during any period of 360
consecutive days. No new Payment Blockage Period may be commenced by the holders
of
 
                                       61
<PAGE>   63
 
Senior Debt during any period of 360 consecutive days unless all events of
default which triggered the preceding Payment Blockage Period have been cured or
waived. Upon any distribution of its assets in connection with any dissolution,
winding-up, liquidation or reorganization of the Company or acceleration of the
principal amount due on the Notes because of an Event of Default, all Senior
Debt must be paid in full before the holders of the Notes are entitled to any
payments whatsoever.
 
     As a result of these subordination provisions, in the event of the
Company's insolvency, holders of the Notes may recover ratably less than general
creditors of the Company.
 
     The payment of the principal of, interest on or any other amounts due on
Junior Subordinated Indebtedness is subordinated in right of payment to the
prior payment in full of the Notes.
 
     For purposes of this Prospectus, certain defined terms have the following
meanings:
 
     "Senior Debt" means the principal of, interest on and other amounts due on
(i) Indebtedness of the Company, whether outstanding on the date of the
Indenture or thereafter created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed by the Company
in compliance with the Indenture, for money borrowed from banks or other
financial institutions, including, without limitation, money borrowed under the
Credit Facility and any refinancings or refundings thereof; (ii) Indebtedness of
the Company, whether outstanding on the date of the Indenture or thereafter
created, incurred, assumed or guaranteed by the Company in compliance with the
Indenture, which is not Senior Subordinated Indebtedness or Junior Subordinated
Indebtedness; and (iii) Indebtedness of the Company under interest rate swaps,
caps or similar hedging agreements and foreign exchange contracts, currency
swaps or similar agreements. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the
foregoing, Senior Debt shall not include: (a) Indebtedness of or amounts owed by
the Company for compensation to employees, or for goods or materials purchased
in the ordinary course of business, or for services; or (b) Indebtedness of the
Company to a subsidiary of the Company.
 
     "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any person, (i) any obligation of
such person to pay the principal of, premium of, if any, interest on (including
interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for
reorganization relating to the Company, whether or not a claim for such
post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding), penalties, reimbursement
or indemnification amounts, fees, expenses or other amounts relating to any
indebtedness and any other liability, contingent or otherwise, of such person
(A) for borrowed money (including instances where the recourse of the lender is
to the whole of the assets of such person or to a portion thereof), (B)
evidenced by a note, debenture or similar instrument (including a purchase money
obligation), including securities, (C) for any letter of credit or performance
bond in favor of such person, or (D) for the payment of money relating to a
Capitalized Lease Obligation; (ii) any liability of others of the kind described
in the preceding clause (i), which the person has guaranteed or which is
otherwise its legal liability; (iii) any obligation secured by a Lien to which
the property or assets of such person are subject, whether or not the
obligations secured thereby shall have been assumed by or shall otherwise be
such person's legal liability; and (iv) any and all deferrals, renewals,
extensions and refunding of, or amendments, modifications or supplements to, any
liability of the kind described in any of the preceding clauses (i), (ii) or
(iii). The amount of Indebtedness of any person at any date shall be the
outstanding balance at such date of all unconditional obligations as described
above, plus the maximum amount of any contingent obligations as described above,
in each case at such date.
 
     "Senior Subordinated Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of the Company
(whether outstanding on the date of the Indenture or thereafter created,
incurred, assumed or guaranteed by the Company) which, pursuant to the terms of
the instrument creating or evidencing the same, is subordinate to the Senior
Debt and senior in right of payment to the Junior Subordinated Indebtedness in
right of payment or in rights upon liquidation.
 
     "Junior Subordinated Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of the Company
(whether outstanding on the date of the Indenture or thereafter created,
incurred, assumed or guaranteed by the
 
                                       62
<PAGE>   64
 
Company), which, pursuant to the terms of the instrument creating or evidencing
the same, is subordinate to the Senior Debt and the Senior Subordinated
Indebtedness in right of payment or in rights upon liquidation.
 
EVENTS OF DEFAULT AND NOTICE THEREOF
 
     The term "Event of Default" when used in the Indenture means any one of the
following: (i) failure of the Company to pay interest for 30 days or principal
when due; (ii) failure of the Company to perform any other covenant in the
Indenture for 60 days after notice; (iii) default by the Company with respect to
its obligation to pay within any applicable grace period principal of or
interest on certain other Indebtedness aggregating more than $10,000,000, or the
acceleration of such Indebtedness under the terms of the instruments evidencing
such Indebtedness; (iv) one or more judgements or decrees are entered against
the Company invoking, individually or in the aggregate, a liability of
$10,000,000 or more and such judgements or decrees are not vacated, discharged,
satisfied or stayed pending appeal within 60 days so as to bring the aggregate
liability in respect thereof below the $10,000,000 threshhold; and (v) certain
events of bankruptcy or reorganization of the Company or any subsidiary.
 
     The Indenture provides that the Trustee shall, within 90 days after the
occurrence of any default (the term "default" to include the events specified
above without grace or notice) known to it, give to the holders of Notes notice
of such default; provided that, except in the case of a default in the payment
of principal of or interest on any of the Notes, the Trustee shall be protected
in withholding such notice if it in good faith determines that the withholding
of such notice is in the interest of the holders of Notes. The Indenture
requires the Company to certify to the Trustee annually as to whether any
default occurred during such year.
 
     In case an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default resulting from
bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization) shall occur and be continuing, the
Trustee or the holders of at least 25% in aggregate principal amount of the
Notes then outstanding, by notice in writing to the Company (and to the Trustee
if given by the holders of the Notes), may, and the Trustee shall, upon the
request of such holders, declare all unpaid principal and accrued interest on
the Notes then outstanding to be due and payable immediately. In case an Event
of Default resulting from certain events of bankruptcy, insolvency or
reorganization shall occur, all unpaid principal of and accrued interest on the
Notes then outstanding shall be due and payable immediately without declaration
or other act on the part of the Trustee or the holders of Notes. Such
acceleration may be annulled and past defaults (except, unless theretofore
cured, a default in payment of principal of or interest on the Notes) may be
waived by the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then
outstanding, upon the conditions provided in the Indenture.
 
     The Indenture provides that no holder of a Note may pursue any remedy under
the Indenture unless the Trustee shall have failed to act after notice of an
Event of Default and request by holders of at least 25% in principal amount of
the Notes and the offer to the Trustee of indemnity satisfactory to it;
provided, however, that such provision does not affect the right to sue for
enforcement of any overdue payment on the Notes.
 
MODIFICATION AND WAIVER
 
     The Indenture (including the terms and conditions of the Notes) may be
modified or amended by the Company and the Trustee, without the consent of the
holder of any Notes, for the purposes of (i) adding to the covenants of the
Company for the benefit of the holders of Notes; (ii) surrendering any right or
power conferred upon the Company; (iii) providing for conversion rights of
holders of Notes in the event of consolidation, merger or sale of all or
substantially all of the assets of the Company; (iv) evidencing the succession
of another corporation to the Company and the assumption by such successor of
the covenants and obligations of the Company thereunder and in the Notes as
permitted by the Indenture; (v) reducing the Conversion Price, provided that
such
 
                                       63
<PAGE>   65
 
reduction will not adversely affect the interests of holders of Notes in any
material respect; or (vi) curing any ambiguity or correcting or supplementing
any defective provision contained in the Indenture, or making any other
provisions which the Company and the Trustee may deem necessary or desirable and
which will not adversely affect the interests of the holders of Notes in any
material respect.
 
     Modification and amendment of the Indenture may be made by the Company and
the Trustee with the consent of the holders of not less than a majority in
principal amount of the outstanding Notes, provided that no such modification or
amendment may, without the consent of the holder of each Note affected thereby,
(i) change the stated maturity of the principal of or any installment of
interest on, or alter the redemption provisions with respect to, any Note, (ii)
reduce the principal of, or rate of interest on, any Note, (iv) impair the right
to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment on or with respect to any
Note, (v) modify the conversion or subordination provisions of the Indenture in
a manner adverse to the holders of the Notes, (vi) reduce the above-stated
percentage of holders of Notes necessary to modify or amend the Indenture or
(vii) modify any of the foregoing provisions or reduce the percentage of
outstanding Notes necessary to waive any covenant or past default. Holders of
not less than a majority in principal amount of the outstanding Notes may waive
certain past defaults. See "Events of Default and Notice Thereof." An amendment
to the Indenture may not adversely affect the rights under the subordination
provisions of the holders of any issue of Senior Debt without the consent of
such holders.
 
SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE
 
     The Indenture will be discharged and cancelled upon payment of all the
Notes. The Company may terminate all of its obligations under the Indenture,
other than its obligation to pay the principal of and interest on the Notes and
certain other obligations (including its obligation to deliver shares of Common
Stock upon conversion of Notes), at any time, by depositing with the Trustee or
a paying agent other than the Company, money or noncallable U.S. Government
Obligations (as defined in the Indenture) sufficient to pay all remaining
indebtedness on the Notes.
 
MERGER AND CONSOLIDATION
 
     The Company may consolidate or merge with any other corporation and the
Company may transfer its property and assets substantially as an entirety to any
person; provided that (i) the Company is the resulting or surviving corporation,
or the successor corporation is a domestic corporation and it assumes, by
supplemental indenture, payment of the principal of and interest on the Notes
and performance and observance of every covenant of the Indenture, and (ii)
immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such transaction, no
default or Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing. Thereafter,
all obligations of the Company under the Indenture and the Notes will terminate.
 
BOOK-ENTRY PROCEDURES
 
     The Notes may be represented by one or more fully registered notes in
global form ("Global Notes") as well as Notes in definitive form registered in
the name of individual purchasers or their nominees. Each such Global Note will
be deposited with The Depository Trust Company, as Depositary (the
"Depositary"), and registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of the
Depositary. The following are summaries of certain rules and operating
procedures of the Depositary which affect the payment of principal and interest
and transfers of interests in the Global Notes.
 
     The interest of investors in the Notes they elect to hold through the
Depositary will be represented through financial institutions acting on their
behalf as direct or indirect participants ("Participants") in the Depositary.
 
     Upon the issuance of a Global Note, the Depositary will credit, on its
book-entry registration and transfer system, the respective principal amounts of
the Notes represented by such Global Note to
 
                                       64
<PAGE>   66
 
the accounts of institutions that have accounts with such Depositary or its
nominee. Ownership of interests in such Global Note will be shown on, and the
transfer of those ownership interests will be only through, records maintained
by the Depositary (with respect to Participants' interests) and such
Participants (with respect to the owners of beneficial interests in such Global
Note). The laws of some jurisdictions may require that certain persons take
physical delivery of securities in definitive form. Consequently, the ability to
transfer beneficial ownership in the Global Notes may be limited.
 
     So long as the Depositary or its nominee is the registered holder of a
Global Note, the Depositary or such nominee, as the case may be, will be
considered the sole owner or holder of the Notes represented by such Global Note
for all purposes under the Indenture. Except under certain circumstances, owners
of beneficial interests in a Global Note will not be entitled to have Notes
represented by such Global Note registered in their names, will not receive or
be entitled to receive physical delivery of Notes in definitive form and will
not be considered the owners or holders thereof under the Indenture.
 
     Accordingly, each investor owning a beneficial interest in a Global Note
must rely on the procedures of the Depositary and, if such investor is not a
Participant, on the procedures of the Participant through which such investor
owns its interest, to exercise any rights of a holder under the Indenture or
such Global Note.
 
     Payments of principal and interest on the Notes represented by a Global
Note registered in the name of the Depositary or its nominee will be made to the
Depositary or its nominee, as the case may be, as the registered owner of the
Global Note representing such Notes.
 
     Resales or other transfers between investors holding Notes through the
Depositary will be conducted according to the Depositary's rules and procedures
applicable to U.S. corporate debt obligations and will settle in next-day funds.
 
CONCERNING THE TRUSTEE
 
     Continental Bank, National Association is the Trustee under the Indenture.
 
     The Indenture contains certain limitations on the rights of the Trustee,
should it become a creditor of the Company, to obtain payment of claims in
certain cases, or to realize on certain property received in respect of any such
claim as security or otherwise. The Trustee is permitted to engage in other
transactions; provided, however, if it acquires any conflicting interest (as
defined) and there exists a default with respect to the Notes, it must eliminate
such conflict or resign.
 
     The holders of a majority in principal amount of all outstanding Notes have
the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding for
exercising any remedy or power available to the Trustee, provided that such
direction does not conflict with any rule of law or with the Indenture.
 
     In case an Event of Default shall occur (and shall not be cured) and
holders have notified the Trustee, the Trustee will be required to exercise its
powers with the degree of care and skill of a prudent person in the conduct of
his own affairs. Subject to such provisions, the Trustee is under no obligation
to exercise any of its rights or powers under the Indenture at the request of
any of the holders of Notes, unless they shall have offered to the Trustee
security and indemnity satisfactory to it.
 
                   CERTAIN FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSIDERATIONS
 
     The following discussion summarizes the principal United States federal
income tax consequences, under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended
(the "Code"), and the regulations, judicial decisions and administrative rulings
promulgated thereunder, all as currently in effect, of the purchase, ownership
and disposition of the Notes, but does not purport to be a complete analysis of
all potential tax consequences thereof. There can be no assurance that future
changes in applicable
 
                                       65
<PAGE>   67
 
law or administrative and judicial interpretations thereof would not alter the
tax consequences described herein or that the Internal Revenue Service (the
"IRS") would agree with the description of the tax consequences set forth
herein. No ruling from the IRS has been or is currently intended to be sought by
the Company concerning matters discussed herein. The following discussion is for
general information only. The following discussion addresses tax considerations
relevant to beneficial owners of Notes that will own Notes as capital assets,
and does not address tax considerations relevant to persons or entities in
special tax purposes, or any persons or entities subject to special tax rules
such as foreign persons or entities, tax exempt entities, insurance companies
and financial institutions. PERSONS CONSIDERING PURCHASING NOTES SHOULD CONSULT
THEIR OWN TAX ADVISORS CONCERNING THE PARTICULAR TAX CONSEQUENCES OF THEIR
ACQUISITION, OWNERSHIP AND DISPOSITION OF THE NOTES, INCLUDING THE APPLICABILITY
AND EFFECT OF ANY FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL OR FOREIGN TAX LAWS AND ANY PROPOSED
CHANGES IN APPLICABLE TAX LAWS.
 
     For purposes of the discussion under "Certain Federal Income Tax
Considerations," the term "Holder" refers to the beneficial owner of a Note.
 
GENERAL
 
     Interest. Interest on a Note will be taxable to a Holder as ordinary
interest income in accordance with the Holder's method of accounting for federal
income tax purposes.
 
     Sale, Exchange or Redemption. A Holder generally will recognize gain or
loss on the sale, exchange, redemption or retirement of a Note in an amount
equal to the difference between (i) the amount realized from such sale,
exchange, redemption or retirement and (ii) the Holder's adjusted tax basis in
such Note. To the extent the amount received from such sale, exchange,
redemption or retirement is attributable to accrued interest not previously
included in income, such amount will not be taken into account in computing the
amount of gain or loss, but such amount will be taxable as interest income.
Subject to the following discussion of market discount, gain or loss recognized
on the sale, exchange, redemption or retirement of a Note will be a capital gain
or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the Holder's holding
period is more than one year.
 
     Market Discount. If a Holder acquires a Note subsequent to its original
issuance and the Note's stated redemption price at maturity (in general, its
outstanding principal amount) exceeds by more than a de minimis amount the
Holder's initial tax basis in the Note, the Holder will be treated as having
acquired the Note at a "market discount" equal to such excess. In general, any
gain recognized by a Holder upon the disposition of a Note having market
discount will be treated as ordinary income to the extent of the market discount
that accrued through the date of disposition. Market discount generally accrues
on a straight-line basis over the remaining term of a Note except that, at the
election of the Holder, market discount will accrue on a constant yield basis. A
Holder may elect to include any market discount in income currently as it
accrues (either on a straight-line basis or, if the Holder so elects, on a
constant yield basis) rather than upon disposition of the Notes, and any amounts
so included would increase the Holder's adjusted tax basis in the Note.
 
     It is anticipated that U.S. Treasury regulations will be issued that will
provide that, upon the conversion of a Note having market discount, a Holder
will not be required to include any amount in income with respect to accrued
market discount not previously included in income as of the date of conversion
(except to the extent attributable to cash received in lieu of fractional
shares, as described in "Conversion of the Notes" below) but such accrued market
discount will carry over to the Common Stock received on conversion and will be
treated as ordinary income to the Holder upon the subsequent disposition of the
Common Stock.
 
     A Holder who acquires a Note at a market discount may be required to defer
the deduction of all or a portion of any interest paid or accrued on any
indebtedness incurred or continued to purchase or carry the Note until the
market discount is recognized upon a subsequent disposition of the Note.
 
                                       66
<PAGE>   68
 
Such deferral is not required, however, if the Holder elects to include accrued
market discount in income currently (as described above).
 
     Bond Premium. If a Holder's initial tax basis in a Note exceeds the stated
redemption price at maturity of the Note, the Holder will be treated as having
acquired the Note with "bond premium" equal to such excess. In no case, however,
shall bond premium include any amount attributable to the conversion feature of
a Note. In general, the Holder may elect to amortize any bond premium, using a
constant yield method, over the remaining term of the Note. However, because the
Notes may be redeemed at the option of the Company at a price in excess of their
principal amount, a Holder may in certain cases be required to amortize any bond
premium based on the earlier call date and the call price payable at that time
and thus defer a portion of the amortization.
 
     The amount of bond premium amortized by an electing Holder during a year
will generally reduce the amount required to be included in the Holder's income
during that year with respect to interest on the Note and will reduce the
Holder's adjusted tax basis in the Note. An election to amortize bond premium
will apply to all bonds (other than bonds the interest on which is excludable
from gross income) held by the Holder at the beginning of the first taxable year
to which the election applies or thereafter acquired by the Holder, and is
irrevocable without the consent of the IRS.
 
     Conversion of the Notes. Generally, no gain or loss will be recognized by a
Holder on the conversion of a Note into Common Stock, except to the extent of
cash received in lieu of fractional shares of Common Stock. Cash received in
lieu of a fractional share of Common Stock should generally be treated as
payment in exchange for such fractional share, and should result in capital gain
or loss measured by the difference between the cash received and the Holder's
tax basis in the fractional share. A Holder's adjusted tax basis in shares of
Common Stock received upon conversion will be the same as the basis of the Notes
exchanged at the time of conversion (reduced by the adjusted tax basis of any
fractional share for which the Holder receives a cash payment from the Company),
and the holding period of the Common Stock received in the conversion will
include the holding period of the Notes converted.
 
     Adjustments to Conversion Price. Adjustments in the conversion price of the
Notes made pursuant to the provisions thereof may result in constructive
distributions to Holders of Notes that could be taxable to such Holders as
dividends pursuant to Section 305 of the Code.
 
BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND INFORMATION REPORTING
 
     Under current federal income tax laws, "backup" withholding and information
reporting requirements may apply to payments of principal, premium, if any, and
interest on the Notes and dividends on the Common Stock and to payments of
proceeds of the sale or redemption of the Notes and Common Stock. The Company,
its agent, a broker or any paying agent, as the case may be, will be required to
withhold from any payment that is subject to backup withholding a tax equal to
31% of such payment if the Holder (i) fails to furnish his or her taxpayer
identification number ("TIN"), which, for an individual, is his or her social
security number; (ii) furnishes an incorrect TIN; (iii) under certain
circumstances, is notified by the IRS that such Holder has failed to properly
report payments of interest or dividends; or (iv) under certain circumstances,
fails to certify, under penalty of perjury, that such Holder has furnished a
correct TIN and has not been notified by the IRS that such Holder is subject to
backup withholding for failure to report interest and dividend payments.
Furthermore, a Holder that does not provide the Company, its agent, a broker or
any paying agent, as the case may be, with the Holder's current TIN may be
subject to penalties imposed by the IRS. Certain Holders (including, among
others, corporations, tax-exempt organizations and individual retirement
accounts) are not subject to the backup withholding and information reporting
requirements. Any amount withheld from a payment to a Holder pursuant to the
backup withholding rules is allowable as a credit against such Holder's federal
income tax liability provided that the required information is provided to the
IRS.
 
                                       67
<PAGE>   69
 
     HOLDERS SHOULD CONSULT THEIR TAX ADVISORS REGARDING THEIR QUALIFICATION FOR
EXEMPTION FROM BACKUP WITHHOLDING AND THE PROCEDURE FOR OBTAINING SUCH AN
EXEMPTION IF APPLICABLE.
 
                                SELLING HOLDERS
 
     The Notes were originally issued and sold by the initial purchaser thereof,
in a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the Securities
Act, to persons reasonably believed by such initial purchaser to be "qualified
institutional buyers" (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act), other
institutional "accredited investors" (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or
(7) under the Securities Act) or in transactions complying with the provisions
of Regulation S under the Securities Act. The Selling Holders (which term
includes the original holders of the Notes and their transferees, pledgees,
donees or their successors) may from time to time offer and sell pursuant to
this Prospectus any or all of the Notes and Common Stock issued upon conversion
of the Notes.
 
     The Company has been informed that the following table sets forth, as of
the original issuance of the Notes, the Selling Holders and the respective
principal amounts of Notes beneficially owned by each Selling Holder that may be
offered pursuant to this Prospectus. None of the Selling Holders has, or within
the past three years has had, any position, office or other material
relationship with the Company or any of its predecessors or affiliates, except
as noted below. Because the Selling Holders may offer all or some portion of the
Notes or the Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof pursuant to this
Prospectus, no estimate can be given as to the amount of the Notes or the Common
Stock issuable upon conversion thereof that will be held by the Selling Holders
upon termination of any such sales. In addition, the Selling Holders identified
below may have sold, transferred or otherwise disposed of all or a portion of
their Notes since the original issuance of the Notes in transactions exempt from
the registration requirements of the Securities Act.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
        SELLING HOLDER                                                   OF THE NOTES
        --------------                                                 ----------------
        <S>                                                              <C>
        Fidelity Management & Research...............................    $     21,950
        Franklin Family of Funds.....................................          19,250
        Trust Co. of the West........................................          11,100
        Capital Guardian Trust.......................................           9,000
        Massachusetts Financial Services.............................           7,500
        Oppenheimer Management Corp..................................           7,000
        The President & Fellows of Harvard...........................           7,000
        IDS..........................................................           6,000
        RAS Trading..................................................           5,500
        Keystone Company of Boston...................................           5,000
        Magten Asset Management Corp. ...............................           5,000
        Froley, Revy Inv. Co.........................................           4,000
        Strong Capital Management Inc................................           3,500
        Jem Capital Management.......................................           3,500
        Dean Witter Reynolds.........................................           3,000
        Cargill Financial Markets PLC................................           2,500
        McGlinn Capital Management Inc...............................           2,250
        Bankers Trust Portfolio......................................           2,000
        AON Advisors Inc.............................................           2,000
        Glickenhaus & Co.............................................           1,750
        Delaware Management Company..................................           1,500
        JP Morgan Management Co. ....................................           1,500
</TABLE>
 
                                       68
<PAGE>   70
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       PRINCIPAL AMOUNT
        SELLING HOLDER                                                   OF THE NOTES
        --------------                                                 ----------------
        <S>                                                              <C>
        Highbridge Capital...........................................    $      1,500
        Cambridge Capital Fund.......................................           1,000
        Columbia Management Company..................................           1,000
        Harris Bank Investment Management Inc. ......................           1,000
        Pacific Mutual Life Insurance................................           1,000
        Wellington/Thorndike.........................................           1,000
        Hamilton Partners............................................           1,000
        Conseco Inc..................................................           1,000
        Longfellow Investment Management.............................             500
        Alexander Group Inc..........................................             500
        First Boston Asset Management................................             500
        Palladin Group LP............................................             500
        Zazove Associates Inc. ......................................             500
        Lord Abbett & Co.............................................             250
        Firebird Limited Partners....................................             150
        Salomon Brothers Inc. .......................................             150
        Nichido Fire and Marine......................................             100
        Paresco Pari Capital.........................................             100
        South Port Associates........................................             100
        S.C. Investments.............................................              50
        RGP Holdings.................................................              50
                                                                         ------------
             Total...................................................    $143,750,000
                                                                         ------------
                                                                         ------------
</TABLE>
 
                                       69
<PAGE>   71
 
                              PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
 
     The Notes and Common Stock offered hereby may be sold from time to time to
purchasers directly by the Selling Holders. Alternatively, the Selling Holders
may from time to time offer the Notes and Common Stock to or through
underwriters, broker/dealers or agents, who may receive compensation in the form
of underwriting discounts, concessions or commissions from the Selling Holders
or the purchasers of Notes and Common Stock for whom they may act as agent. The
Selling Holders and any underwriters, broker/dealers or agents that participate
in the distribution of Notes and Common Stock may be deemed to be "underwriters"
within the meaning of the Securities Act and any profit on the sale of Notes and
Common Stock by them and any discounts, commissions, concessions or other
compensation received by any such underwriter, broker/dealer or agent may be
deemed to be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.
 
     The Notes and Common Stock offered hereby may be sold from time to time in
one or more transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the
time of sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale or at negotiated
prices. The sale of the Notes and the Common Stock issuable upon conversion
thereof may be effected in transactions (which may involve crosses or block
transactions) (i) on any national securities exchange or quotation service on
which the Notes or the Common Stock may be listed or quoted at the time of sale,
(ii) in the over-the-counter market, (iii) in transactions otherwise than on
such exchanges or in the over-the-counter market or (iv) through the writing of
options. At the time a particular offering of the Notes and the Common Stock is
made, a Prospectus Supplement, if required, will be distributed which will set
forth the aggregate amount and type of Notes and Common Stock being offered and
the terms of the offering, including the name or names of any underwriters,
broker/dealers or agents, any discounts, commissions and other terms
constituting compensation from the Selling Holders and any discounts,
commissions or concessions allowed or reallowed or paid to broker/dealers.
 
     To comply with the securities laws of certain jurisdictions, if applicable,
the Notes and Common Stock will be offered or sold in such jurisdictions only
through registered or licensed brokers or dealers. In addition, in certain
jurisdictions the Notes and Common Stock may not be offered or sold unless they
have been registered or qualified for sale in such jurisdictions or any
exemption from registration or qualification is available and is complied with.
 
     The Selling Holders will be subject to applicable provisions of the
Exchange Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, which provisions may
limit the timing of purchases and sales of any of the Notes and Common Stock by
the Selling Holders. The foregoing may affect the marketability of the Notes and
the Common Stock.
 
     Pursuant to the Registration Agreement, all expenses of the registration of
the Notes and Common Stock will be paid by the Company, including, without
limitation, Commission filing fees and expenses of compliance with state
securities or "blue sky" laws; provided, however, that the Selling Holders will
pay all underwriting discounts and selling commissions, if any. The Selling
Holders will be indemnified by the Company against certain civil liabilities,
including certain liabilities under the Securities Act, or will be entitled to
contribution in connection therewith.
 
                                 LEGAL MATTERS
 
     The validity of the Notes and the shares of Common Stock issuable upon
conversion thereof will be passed upon for the Company by Milbank, Tweed, Hadley
& McCloy, Los Angeles, California, counsel to the Company.
 
                                    EXPERTS
 
     The financial statements incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to
the Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fifty-two week period ended January 30,
1993, have been so incorporated in reliance on the reports of Price Waterhouse,
independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in
auditing and accounting.
 
                                       70
<PAGE>   72
 
NO DEALER, SALESMAN OR ANY OTHER PERSON HAS BEEN AUTHORIZED TO GIVE ANY
INFORMATION OR TO MAKE ANY REPRESENTATIONS OTHER THAN THOSE CONTAINED IN THIS
PROSPECTUS IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER MADE BY THIS PROSPECTUS AND, IF GIVEN OR
MADE, SUCH INFORMATION OR REPRESENTATIONS MUST NOT BE RELIED UPON AS HAVING BEEN
AUTHORIZED BY THE COMPANY OR ANY OF ITS AGENTS. NEITHER THE DELIVERY OF THIS
PROSPECTUS NOR ANY SALE MADE HEREUNDER SHALL UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES CREATE ANY
IMPLICATION THAT THERE HAS BEEN NO CHANGE IN THE AFFAIRS OF THE COMPANY SINCE
THE DATE HEREOF. THIS PROSPECTUS DOES NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER OR SOLICITATION BY
ANYONE IN ANY JURISDICTION IN WHICH SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT AUTHORIZED
OR IN WHICH THE PERSON MAKING SUCH OFFER OR SOLICITATION IS NOT QUALIFIED TO DO
SO OR TO ANYONE TO WHOM IT IS UNLAWFUL TO MAKE SUCH SOLICITATION.
                            ------------------------
 
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
                                         PAGE
                                         ---- 
<TABLE>
<S>                                     <C>
Available Information.................     2
Incorporation of Certain Documents by
  Reference...........................     2
Prospectus Summary....................     3
Investment Considerations.............     9
Use of Proceeds.......................    12
Price Range of Common Stock...........    12
Dividend Policy.......................    13
Capitalization........................    14
Selected Consolidated Financial
  Data................................    15
Management's Discussion and Analysis
  of Financial Condition and Results
  of Operations.......................    18
Business..............................    29
Management............................    43
Security Ownership of Certain
  Persons.............................    45
Indebtedness of the Company...........    46
Description of Capital Stock..........    56
Description of the Notes..............    57
Certain Federal Income Tax
  Considerations......................    65
Selling Holders.......................    68
Plan of Distribution..................    70
Legal Matters.........................    70
Experts...............................    70
</TABLE>
 
$143,750,000
 
CARTER HAWLEY HALE
STORES, INC.
 
6 1/4% CONVERTIBLE SENIOR
SUBORDINATED NOTES
DUE 2000
 
         [LOGO]
 
PROSPECTUS
 
DATED           , 1994
 
                                                [LOGO] PRINTED ON RECYCLED PAPER
<PAGE>   73
 
                                    PART II
 
                     INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
 
ITEM 14.  OTHER EXPENSES OF ISSUANCE AND DISTRIBUTION
 
     The following is an itemization of all expenses (subject to future
contingencies) incurred or expected to be incurred by the Company in connection
with the Offering.
 
<TABLE>
        <S>                                                                          <C>
        SEC registration fee.......................................................  $ 49,569
        Legal fees and expenses....................................................   300,000
        Accounting fees and expenses...............................................   175,000
        NYSE filing fee............................................................    42,000
        Blue Sky fees and expenses (including counsel fees)........................    10,000
        Printing and engraving fees................................................   200,000
        Miscellaneous expenses.....................................................    23,431
                                                                                     --------
                  Total............................................................  $800,000
                                                                                     --------
                                                                                     --------
</TABLE>
 
ITEM 15.  INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS
 
     As permitted by Section 102 of the Delaware General Corporation Law (the
"DGCL"), the Company's certificate of incorporation eliminates a director's
personal liability for monetary damages to the Company and its stockholders
arising from a breach or alleged breach of a director's fiduciary duty except
for liability under Section 174 of the DGCL or liability for any breach of the
director's duty of loyalty to the Company or its stockholders, for acts or
omissions not in good faith or which involve intentional misconduct or a knowing
violation of law or for any transaction in which the director derived an
improper personal benefit. The effect of this provision in the certificate of
incorporation is to eliminate the rights of the Company and its stockholders
(through stockholders' derivative suits on behalf of the Company) to recover
monetary damages against a director for breach of fiduciary duty as a director
(including breaches resulting from negligent or grossly negligent behavior)
except in the situations described above.
 
     As permitted by Section 145 of the DGCL, the Company's bylaws provide for
indemnification of officers and directors and the Company has entered into an
indemnification agreement ("Indemnification Agreement") with each officer and
director of the Company (an "Indemnitee"). Under the bylaws and these
Indemnification Agreements, the Company must indemnify an Indemnitee to the
fullest extent permitted by Delaware Law for losses and expenses incurred in
connection with actions in which the Indemnitee is involved by reason of having
been a director or officer of the Company. The Company is also obligated to
advance expenses an Indemnitee may incur in connection with such actions before
any resolution of the action, and the Indemnitee may sue to enforce his or her
right to indemnification or advancement of expenses.
 
     The Company also maintains insurance for its officers and directors against
certain liabilities under the Securities Act under an insurance policy, the
premiums for which are paid by the Company.
 
                                      II-1
<PAGE>   74
 
ITEM 16. EXHIBITS
 
     A list of exhibits included as part of this Registration Statement is set
forth in the Exhibit Index which immediately precedes such exhibits and is
hereby incorporated by reference herein.
 
ITEM 17. UNDERTAKINGS
 
     (A) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the
registrant's annual report pursuant to section 13(a) or section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an
employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to section 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the
registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement
relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities
at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
     (B) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities
Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of
the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the
registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange
Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act
and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification
against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses
incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant
in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such
director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being
registered, the registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter
has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of
such issue.
 
     (C) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
     (1) For purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of
1933, the information omitted from the form of prospectus filed as part of this
registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A and contained in a form of
prospectus filed by the registrant pursuant to Rule 424(b)(1) or (4) or 497(h)
under the Securities Act shall be deemed to be part of this registration
statement as of the time it was declared effective.
 
     (2) For the purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act
of 1933, each post-effective amendment that contains a form of prospectus shall
be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be
the initial bona fide offering thereof.
 
     (D) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that:
 
     (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, a
post-effective amendment to this registration statement;
 
          (i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(A)(3) of the
     Securities Act of 1933;
 
          (ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after
     the effective date of the registration statement (or the most recent
     post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate,
     represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in the
     registration statement;
 
                                      II-2
<PAGE>   75
 
          (iii) To include any material information with respect to the plan of
     distribution not previously disclosed in the registration statement or any
     material change to such information in the registration statement;
 
provided, however, that paragraphs (a)(1)(i) and (a)(1)(ii) do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant pursuant to
Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are incorporated
by reference in the registration statement.
 
     (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities
Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the
offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona
fide offering thereof.
 
     (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any
of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the termination of the
offering.
 
     (4) If the registrant is a foreign private issuer, to file a post-effective
amendment to the registration statement to include any financial statements
required by Rule 3-19 of Regulation S-X at the start of any delayed offering or
throughout a continuous offering.
 
     (E) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes to file an application for
the purpose of determining the eligibility of the trustee to act under
subsection (a) of section 310 of the Trust Indenture Act in accordance with the
rules and regulations prescribed by the Commission under section 305(b)(2) of
the Trust Indenture Act.
 
                                      II-3
<PAGE>   76
 
                                   SIGNATURES
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the
Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all
of the requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this Registration
Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized in the City of Los Angeles, State of California, on this 7th day of
January, 1994.
 
                                      CARTER HAWLEY HALE STORES, INC.
 
                                      By:        /s/  DAVID L. DWORKIN
                                          -------------------------------------
                                          Name: David L. Dworkin
                                          Title: President and Chief Executive
                                          Officer
 
                               POWER OF ATTORNEY
 
     Each person whose signature appears below hereby authorizes David L.
Dworkin, Brian L. Fleming and Marc E. Bercoon Esq., and each and any of them, as
attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full powers of substitution, to sign on his
or her behalf, individually and in the capacities stated below, and to file any
and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) to this Registration
Statement on Form S-3 with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting to
said attorneys-in-fact and agents full power and authority to perform any other
act on behalf of the undersigned required to be done in the premises.
 
     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  SIGNATURE                                    TITLE                          DATE
                  ---------                                    -----                          ----
<S>                                            <C>                                     <C>
               /s/  SAMUEL ZELL                        Chairman of the Board              January 7, 1994
           -----------------------                          and Director
                 Samuel Zell

            /s/  DAVID L. DWORKIN              President, Chief Executive Officer and     January 7, 1994
           -----------------------             Director (Principal Executive Officer)
              David L. Dworkin

            /s/  BRIAN L. FLEMING              Senior Vice President, Accounting and      January 7, 1994
           -----------------------              Taxes (Principal Accounting Officer
               Brian L. Fleming                   and Principal Financial Officer)

                                                              Director
           -----------------------
           Dr. Leobardo F. Estrada

           /s/  SIDNEY R. PETERSEN                            Director                    January 7, 1994
           -----------------------
             Sidney R. Petersen

           /s/  DENNIS C. STANFILL                            Director                    January 7, 1994
           -----------------------
             Dennis C. Stanfill
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-4
<PAGE>   77
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                  SIGNATURE                                    TITLE                          DATE
                  ---------                                    -----                          ----
<S>                                            <C>                                     <C>
              /s/  TERRY SAVAGE                               Director                    January 7, 1994
           ------------------------
                Terry Savage

            /s/  DAVID M. SCHULTE                             Director                    January 7, 1994
           ------------------------
              David M. Schulte

            /s/  SANFORD SHKOLNIK                             Director                    January 7, 1994
           ------------------------
               Sanford Shkolnik

           /s/  Dr. ROBERT M. SOLOW                           Director                    January 7, 1994
           ------------------------
             Dr. Robert M. Solow

             /s/  JAMES D. WOODS                              Director                    January 7, 1994
           ------------------------
                James D. Woods
</TABLE>
 
                                      II-5
<PAGE>   78
 
                                 EXHIBIT INDEX
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EXHIBIT                                                                           SEQUENTIALLY
  NO.                                   DESCRIPTION                               NUMBERED PAGE
- -------     --------------------------------------------------------------------  -------------
<C>         <S>                                                                   <C>
   1.1      Purchase Agreement, dated as of December 14, 1993, between Carter
            Hawley Hale Stores, Inc. and Salomon Brothers Inc...................
   4.1      Indenture dated as of December 21, 1993, between Carter Hawley Hale
            Stores, Inc. and Continental Bank, National Association, as Trustee,
            relating to Carter Hawley Hale Stores, Inc.'s 6 1/4% Convertible
            Senior Subordinated Notes due 2000..................................
   4.2      Form of Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes (included in Exhibit
            4.1 to this Registration Statement.)................................
   4.3      Registration Agreement, dated December 21, 1993, between Carter
            Hawley Hale Stores, Inc. and Salomon Brothers Inc...................
   4.4      Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Carter Hawley
            Hale Stores, Inc.; incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.2 to Form
            S-8 filed February 17, 1993.........................................
   4.5      Bylaws of Carter Hawley Hale Stores, Inc.; incorporated by reference
            to Exhibit 3.2 to Form 10-K for the year ended January 30, 1993.....
   5.1      Opinion of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy..........................
  23.1      Consent of Price Waterhouse.........................................
  23.2      Consent of Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy (included in Exhibit
            5.1)................................................................
  25.2      Statement of Eligibility and Qualification under the Trust Indenture
            Act of 1939 of Continental Bank, National Association, as Trustee...
  28.1      Waiver Agreement, dated as of December 8, 1993 by and between Carter
            Hawley Hale Stores, Inc. and First Plaza Group Trust, by its trustee
            Mellon Bank, N.A. ..................................................
</TABLE>

<PAGE>   1





                        CARTER HAWLEY HALE STORES, INC.


                      $125,000,000 Principal Amount of(1)
             6-1/4% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2000


                               PURCHASE AGREEMENT




                                                              New York, New York
                                                               December 14, 1993





__________________________________

     (1)  Plus an option to purchase up to $18,750,000 principal amount of
          6-1/4% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes from Carter Hawley Hale
          Stores, Inc. to cover over-allotments.
<PAGE>   2
Salomon Brothers Inc
The Initial Purchaser
Seven World Trade Center
New York, New York  10048


Ladies and Gentlemen:

   Carter Hawley Hale Stores, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
proposes to issue and sell to Salomon Brothers Inc (the "Initial Purchaser"),
$125,000,000 principal amount of 6-1/4% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes
due 2000 ("Notes"), of the Company (the "Firm Securities").  The Company also
proposes to grant to the Initial Purchaser an option to purchase up to
$18,750,000 aggregate principal amount of additional Notes to cover
over-allotments, if any (the "Option Securities" and, together with the Firm
Securities, the "Securities").

   The Securities are to be issued pursuant to an indenture dated as of
December 21, 1993 between the Company and Continental Bank National
Association, as trustee (the "Trustee"), which shall contain the terms
described in the Final Memorandum (as defined below), including certain matters
relating to the registration of the Securities pursuant to the Registration
Agreement described in the Final Memorandum (the "Registration Rights
Agreement").  The Securities are convertible into shares of common stock of the
Company ("Common Stock") at the conversion rate and in the manner specified in
the Indenture.

   The sale of the Securities to the Initial Purchaser will be made without
registration of the Securities under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended
(the "Securities Act"), in reliance upon exemptions from the registration
requirements of the Securities Act.  The Initial Purchaser has advised the
Company that it will offer and sell the Securities purchased by it hereunder in
accordance with Section 4 hereof as soon as it deems advisable.

   In connection with the sale of the Securities, the Company has prepared a
preliminary offering memorandum, dated December 9, 1993 (including any and all
exhibits thereto and any information incorporated by reference therein, the
"Preliminary Memorandum"), and a final offering memorandum, dated December 21,
1993 (including all exhibits thereto and any information incorporated by
reference therein, the "Final Memorandum").  Each of the Preliminary Memorandum
and the Final Memorandum sets forth certain information concerning the Company
and the Securities.  The Company hereby confirms that it has authorized the use
of the Preliminary Memorandum and the Final Memorandum, and any amendment or
supplement thereto, in connection with the offer and sale of the Securities by
the Initial Purchaser.  Unless stated to the contrary, all references herein to
the Final Memorandum are to the Final Memorandum at the Execution Time (as
defined below) and are not meant to include any amendment or supplement, or any
information incorporated by reference therein, subsequent to the Execution
Time.  Any references herein to the Final Memorandum "as amended or
supplemented" at or as of a certain date shall be deemed to refer to and
include any information filed under the





[L120321.2]                                                             2
<PAGE>   3
  Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), which is
incorporated by reference therein.

   1.  Representations and Warranties.  The Company represents and warrants to
       the Initial Purchaser as set forth below in this Section 1.

     (a)  The Preliminary Memorandum, at the date thereof, did not contain any
   untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact
   necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances
   under which they were made, not misleading.  The Final Memorandum, at the
   date hereof, does not, and at the Closing Date will not (and any amendment
   or supplement thereto, at the date thereof and at the Closing Date, will
   not), contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
   material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
   circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; provided, however,
   that the Company makes no representation or warranty as to the information
   contained in or omitted from the Preliminary Memorandum or the Final
   Memorandum, or any amendment or supplement thereto, in reliance upon and in
   conformity with information furnished in writing to the Company by or on
   behalf of the Initial Purchaser specifically for inclusion therein.

     (b)  Neither the Company, nor any of its Affiliates (as defined in Rule
   501(b) of Regulation D under the Securities Act ("Regulation D")), nor any
   person acting on its or their behalf has, directly or indirectly, made
   offers or sales of any security, or solicited offers to buy any security,
   under circumstances that would require the registration of the Securities
   under the Securities Act.

     (c)  Neither the Company, nor any of its Affiliates, nor any person acting
   on its or their behalf has engaged in any form of general solicitation or
   general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D) in connection with
   any offer or sale of the Securities in the United States.

     (d)  The Securities satisfy the eligibility requirements of Rule
144A(d)(3) under the Securities Act.

     (e)  Neither the Company, nor any of its Affiliates, nor any person acting
   on its or their behalf has engaged in any directed selling efforts  with
   respect to the Securities, and each of them has complied with the offering
   restrictions requirement of Regulation S ("Regulation S") under the
   Securities Act.  Terms used in this paragraph have the meanings given to
   them by Regulation S.

     (f)  The Company is not an "investment company" within the meaning of the
   Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the "Investment Company Act")
   without taking account of any exemption arising out of the number of holders
   of the Company's securities.





[L120321.2]                                                             3
<PAGE>   4
     (g)  The Company is subject to and in full compliance with the reporting
   requirement of Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act.

     (h)  The Company has not paid or agreed to pay to any person any
   compensation for soliciting another to purchase any securities of the
   Company (except as contemplated by this Agreement).

     (i)  Each of the Company and CHH Receivables, Inc., a Delaware corporation
   (the "Subsidiary") is a Delaware corporation validly existing in good
   standing under the laws of the State of Delaware, with full corporate power
   and authority to own its properties and conduct its business as presently
   conducted and as described in the Preliminary Memorandum and Final
   Memorandum, and is duly qualified to do business as a foreign corporation
   and is in good standing under the laws of each jurisdiction which requires
   such qualification wherein it owns or leases properties or conducts
   business.

     (j)  The Company's authorized equity capitalization is as set forth in the
   Preliminary Memorandum and Final Memorandum.  The capital stock and
   indebtedness of the Company conforms to the description thereof contained in
   the Preliminary Memorandum and Final Memorandum.  The outstanding shares of
   the Company's Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, have been duly and
   validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and nonassessable.  The
   Securities being sold hereunder have been duly and validly authorized and,
   when validly authenticated, issued and delivered in accordance with the
   Indenture and paid for by the Initial Purchaser pursuant to this Agreement,
   will be validly issued and outstanding obligations enforceable in accordance
   with their terms and entitled to the benefits of the Indenture.  Upon
   delivery of the Securities pursuant to this Agreement and payment therefore
   as contemplated herein, the Initial Purchaser will acquire good and
   marketable title to the Securities, free and clear of any liens, claims,
   encumbrances, and security interests ("Liens"), restriction on transfer
   (other than those imposed by state or Federal securities laws) or other
   defect in title.  The appropriate number of shares of Common Stock issuable
   upon conversion of the Securities has been duly reserved for issuance, and
   such shares have been duly and validly authorized, and will when issued upon
   conversion of the Securities against delivery thereof, be validly issued,
   fully paid and non-assessable.

     (k)  All the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Subsidiary have
   been duly and validly authorized and issued and are fully paid and
   nonassessable, and are owned of record and beneficially by the Company free
   and clear of any Liens other than those described in the Preliminary
   Memorandum and Final Memorandum.  Other than as disclosed in the Preliminary
   Memorandum and Final Memorandum, there are no outstanding rights, warrants,
   or options to acquire or instruments convertible into or exchangeable for,
   any shares of capital stock or equity interest in the Subsidiary.  The
   Company's only subsidiaries (other than the Subsidiary) are





[L120321.2]                                                             4
<PAGE>   5
   those listed on Exhibit 22 to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for
   the fifty-two week period ended January 30, 1993, and individually or in the
   aggregate do not constitute a "significant subsidiary" as defined in
   Regulation S-X under the Act.

     (l)  Each of the Company and the Subsidiary have good and marketable title
   to their respective properties, free and clear of all Liens other than those
   referred to in the Preliminary Memorandum and Final Memorandum and for such
   Liens as do not materially affect the aggregate value of such property taken
   as a whole and that do not materially interfere with the uses or proposed
   uses of such properties.  The properties of the Company and the Subsidiary
   necessary to the conduct of their businesses (as presently conducted and as
   described in the Preliminary Memorandum and Final Memorandum) are in good
   repair (reasonable wear and tear excepted), insured in accordance with
   industry practice and suitable for their uses.  The real properties referred
   to in the Preliminary Memorandum and Final Memorandum as held under lease by
   the Company are held by it under valid, subsisting and enforceable leases
   with such exceptions as are not, separately or in the aggregate, material
   and do not interfere with the conduct of the business of the Company, and no
   defaults are existing under any such leases that, separately or in the
   aggregate, would have a material adverse effect on the business or financial
   condition of the Company.

     (m)  There is no pending or, to the Company's knowledge, threatened
   action, suit or proceeding before any court or governmental agency,
   authority or body or any arbitrator involving the Company or the Subsidiary
   or to which the business or property of either of them is or may be subject
   of a character required to be disclosed in the Preliminary Memorandum and
   Final Memorandum which is not adequately disclosed in the Preliminary
   Memorandum and Final Memorandum, and there is no statute, regulation,
   franchise, contract or other document of a character required to be
   described in the Preliminary Memorandum and Final Memorandum, or required to
   be filed under the Exchange Act, which is not described or filed as
   required.  The statements in the Preliminary Memorandum and Final Memorandum
   under the captions "Business - Recapitalization" and "Business - Legal
   Proceedings - Chapter 11 Proceedings; Unresolved Claims" fairly summarize
   the matters therein described.

     (n)  The consolidated financial statements of the Company and the related
   notes and schedules included and incorporated by reference in the
   Preliminary Memorandum and Final Memorandum comply as to form with the
   requirements of the Act and the Exchange Act and the respective rules
   thereunder, and present fairly the consolidated financial position,
   consolidated results of operations, consolidated cash flows, and
   consolidated shareholders' equity of the Company for the periods or at the
   dates therein specified.  Such consolidated financial statements and the
   related notes and schedules have been prepared in conformity with generally
   accepted accounting principles,





[L120321.2]                                                             5
<PAGE>   6
   consistently applied throughout the periods therein specified except as
   otherwise set forth in the Preliminary Memorandum and Final Memorandum.
   Price Waterhouse are independent accountants within the meaning of the Act
   and the Exchange Act and the respective rules thereunder.  The financial
   information of the Company set forth in the Preliminary Memorandum and Final
   Memorandum under the headings "Offering Memorandum Summary",
   "Capitalization," "Selected Consolidated Financial Data" and "Management's
   Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" has
   been fairly stated in all material respects in relation to the relevant
   consolidated financial statements of the Company from which it has been
   derived.

     (o)  Subsequent to July 1, 1993, the Company and the Subsidiary have not
   sustained any material loss or interference with their respective businesses
   or properties from fire, flood, earthquake, accident or other calamity,
   whether or not covered by insurance, or from any labor dispute or court or
   governmental action, order or decree; and subsequent to the dates as of
   which information is given in the Preliminary Memorandum and Final
   Memorandum, except as set forth therein, neither the Company nor the
   Subsidiary has incurred any liabilities or obligations, direct or
   contingent, or entered into any transactions, not in the ordinary course of
   business and material, separately or in the aggregate, to the business of
   the Company or the Subsidiary, and there has not been any material change in
   the working capital, receivables based financing, long-term debt and
   capitalized lease obligations, or capital stock of the Company or the
   Subsidiary, or the issuance of any options, warrants or rights to purchase
   the capital stock of the Company, or any payment or declaration of any
   dividend or other distribution with respect to the Company's capital stock,
   or any material adverse change, or any development involving a prospective
   material adverse change, in the business, financial position, net worth or
   results of operations of the Company or the Subsidiary.

     (p)  Neither the Company nor the Subsidiary is in violation of any term or
   provision of its certificate of incorporation or bylaws, or any franchise,
   license, certificate, permit, judgment, authorization, approval, decree,
   order, statute, rule or regulation which violation is reasonably expected to
   have a material adverse effect on the business of the Company or the
   Subsidiary.   No default exists, and no event has occurred which, with
   notice or lapse of time, or both, would constitute a default, in the due
   performance and observance of any term, covenant or condition of any
   indenture, note, mortgage, deed of trust, bank loan or other credit
   agreement, or any other agreement or instrument to which the Company or the
   Subsidiary is a party or by which either of them or any of their property is
   or may be bound or affected, which default would, separately or in the
   aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the business or financial
   condition of the Company or the Subsidiary.





[L120321.2]                                                             6
<PAGE>   7
     (q)  Neither the Company nor the Subsidiary is involved in any labor
   dispute with any union or group of employees nor, to the knowledge of the
   Company, is any dispute threatened which dispute or disputes would,
   separately or in the aggregate, have a material adverse effect on the
   business or financial condition of the Company or the Subsidiary.

     (r)  There has not been any generation, use, handling, transportation,
   treatment, storage, release or disposal of any Hazardous Substance (as
   defined herein) in connection with the conduct of the business of the
   Company or its subsidiaries or the use of any property or facility of the
   Company or any of its subsidiaries which has created any liability under any
   Environmental Laws that is or could reasonably be expected to be material to
   the business or financial condition of the Company and its subsidiaries,
   taken as a whole.  Neither the Company nor any subsidiary has received 
   (1) any notice or claim to the effect that it is or may be liable to any 
   person as a result of the release or threatened release of any Hazardous 
   Substance which liability is or could reasonably be expected to be material 
   to the business or financial condition of the Company and its subsidiaries, 
   taken as a whole or (2) any letter or request for information under 
   Section 104 of the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and 
   Liability Act (42 U.S.C. Section 9604) or comparable state laws, and to the 
   best of the Company's knowledge, none of the operations of the Company or 
   any Subsidiary is the subject of any federal or state investigation 
   evaluating whether any remedial action is needed to respond to a release 
   or threatened release of any Hazardous Substance at any facility of the 
   Company or any Subsidiary or at any other location.

     The term "Hazardous Substance" shall mean any (1) substance that is
   defined or listed in, or otherwise classified pursuant to any applicable
   laws or regulations as a "hazardous substance," "hazardous material,"
   "hazardous waste," "toxic substance," or any other formulation intended to
   define, list or classify substances by reason of deleterious properties such
   as ignitability, corrosivity, reactivity, carcinogenicity, reproductive
   toxicity, "TCLP toxicity" or "EP toxicity," (2) oil, petroleum or
   petroleum-derived substances and drilling fluid, produced water, and other
   waste associated with the exploration, development, or production of crude
   oil, natural gas or geothermal resources, or (3) any flammable substance or
   explosive, any radioactive material, any hazardous waste or substance, any
   toxic waste or substance or any other material or pollutant which poses a
   hazard to any property of the Company or to persons on or about such
   property.

     (s)  The Company and its subsidiaries have filed all federal, state, local
   and foreign tax returns which are required to be filed or have requested
   extensions thereof and have paid all taxes shown on such returns and all
   assessments received by them to the extent that the same have become due,
   other than assessments being contested in good faith.





[L120321.2]                                                             7
<PAGE>   8
     (t)  This Agreement, the Indenture and the Registration Agreement have
   been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Company and are the
   valid and binding agreements of the Company enforceable against the Company
   in accordance with their terms.  Neither the issue and sale of the
   Securities, nor the execution and delivery of this Agreement, the Indenture
   or the Registration Agreement, nor the consummation of the transactions
   contemplated herein or therein, nor the fulfillment of the terms hereof or
   thereof will conflict with, result in a breach or violation of, or
   constitute a default under any applicable law or the charter or bylaws of
   the Company or the terms of any indenture or other agreement or instrument
   to which the Company or the Subsidiary is a party or bound or any judgment,
   order or decree applicable to the Company or the Subsidiary of any court,
   regulatory body, administrative agency, governmental body or arbitrator
   having jurisdiction over the Company or the Subsidiary.  No consent,
   approval, authorization or order of any court or governmental agency or body
   is required for the consummation of the transactions contemplated herein,
   except such as have been obtained or such as may be required under the Act
   or securities or blue sky laws of any jurisdiction in connection with the
   purchase and distribution of the Securities by you.

     (u)  The Company owns, or is licensed or otherwise has the full exclusive
   right to use, all trademarks, trade names, and service marks which are used
   in or necessary for the conduct of its business as described in the
   Preliminary Memorandum and Final Memorandum.  No claims have been asserted
   by any person to the use of any such trademarks, trade names, or service
   marks or challenging or questioning the validity or effectiveness of any
   such trademark, trade name, or service mark.  The use, in connection with
   the business and operations of the Company, of such trademarks, trade names,
   and service marks does not, to the Company's knowledge, infringe on the
   rights of any person.

     (v)  The Company and the Subsidiary possess such certificates, authorities
   or permits issued by the appropriate local, state, federal or foreign
   regulatory agencies or bodies necessary to conduct the business now operated
   by them, and neither the Company nor the Subsidiary has received any notice
   of proceedings relating to the revocation or modification of any such
   certificate, authority or permit which, separately or in the aggregate, if
   the subject of any unfavorable decision, ruling or finding, would have a
   material adverse effect upon the business or financial condition of the
   Company or the Subsidiary.

     (w)  The Company maintains a system of internal accounting controls
   sufficient to provide reasonable assurance that:  (i) transactions are
   executed in accordance with management's general or specific authorizations;
   (ii) transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of
   financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting
   principles and to maintain accountability for assets; (iii) access to assets
   is permitted only in accordance with management's general or specific
   authorizations; and (iv) the





[L120321.2]                                                             8
<PAGE>   9
   recorded accountability for assets is compared with the existing assets at
   reasonable intervals and appropriate action is taken with respect to any
   differences.

     (x)  Except for registration rights held by First Plaza Group Trust
   ("First Plaza") pursuant to that certain Stockholder's Agreement dated as of
   January 25, 1993 (the "First Plaza Stockholder's Agreement"), which rights
   have been waived by First Plaza with respect to the Shelf Registration
   Statement for a period of 90 days after the date of the Final Memorandum,
   provided such Final Memorandum is dated no later than January 30, 1994, no
   holders of securities of the Company have rights to the registration of such
   securities under the Shelf Registration Statement.

     (y)  The Company's plan of reorganization (the "Plan of Reorganization")
   was confirmed by order (the "Confirmation Order") of the United States
   Bankruptcy Court for the Central District of California (the "Bankruptcy
   Court") on September 14, 1992 after adequate notice and a hearing, both in
   compliance with the United States Bankruptcy Code, 11 U.S.C. Section  101
   et. seq. (the "Code"), and applicable national and local bankruptcy rules
   (the "Bankruptcy Rules").  Notice in compliance with the Code, the
   Bankruptcy Rules and the Confirmation Order was given of the time fixed for
   filing proofs of claims by the order of the Bankruptcy Court entered
   September 6, 1991 (Dkt. No. 1367).  Each of the Plan of Reorganization and
   the Confirmation Order remains in force and effect, without amendment, and
   the Plan of Reorganization has been substantially consummated (within the
   meaning of 11 U.S.C. Section  1101(2)) in accordance with its terms.  The
   Company is not in violation of, and no default by the Company exists with
   respect to, any term or provision of the Plan of Reorganization or the
   Confirmation Order.  There is no condition specified in the Plan of
   Reorganization the occurrence of which would result in the termination of
   the Plan of Reorganization.  No appeal of the Confirmation Order has been
   filed, and no request for revocation of the Confirmation Order under 11
   U.S.C.  Section 1144 has been made; and there is no other legal or
   governmental proceeding pending or, to the Company's knowledge, threatened
   challenging or questioning the Plan of Reorganization, the Confirmation
   Order, or the implementation of either of them.

   2.  Purchase and Sale.

     (a)  Subject to the terms and conditions and in reliance upon the
   representations and warranties herein set forth, the Company agrees to sell
   to the Initial Purchaser, and the Initial Purchaser agrees to purchase from
   the Company, at a purchase price of 96.5% of the principal amount thereof,
   the Firm Securities.  The initial conversion price is $12.19 per share.

     (b)  Subject to the terms and conditions and in reliance upon the
   representations and warranties herein set forth, the Company hereby grants
   an option (the "Option") to the Initial Purchaser to purchase the Option





[L120321.2]                                                             9
<PAGE>   10
   Securities at the same purchase price per share as the Initial Purchaser
   shall pay for the Firm Securities.  The Option may be exercised only to cover
   over-allotments in the sale of the Firm Securities by the Initial Purchaser.
   The Option may be exercised in whole or in part at any time (but not more
   than once) on or before the 30th day after the date of the Final Memorandum
   upon written or telegraphic notice by the Initial Purchaser to the Company
   setting forth the number of Option Securities as to which the Initial
   Purchaser is exercising the Option and the settlement date therefor.
   Delivery of certificates for the Option Securities, and payment therefor,
   shall be made as provided in Section 3 hereof.

   3.  Delivery and Payment.  Delivery of and payment for the Firm Securities
and the Option Securities (if the Option provided for in Section 2(b) hereof
shall have been exercised on or before the third business day prior to the
Closing Date) shall be made at 10:00 AM, New York City time, on December 21,
1993, or such later date (not later than December 28, 1993) as the Initial
Purchaser shall designate, which date and time may be postponed by agreement
between the Initial Purchaser and the Company or as provided in Section 9
hereof (such date and time of delivery and payment for the Securities being
herein called the "Closing Date").  Delivery of the Securities shall be made to
the Initial Purchaser against payment by the Initial Purchaser of the purchase
price thereof to or upon the order of the Company by certified or official bank
check or checks drawn on or by a New York Clearing House bank and payable in
next day funds or such other manner of payment as may be agreed by the Company
and the Initial Purchaser.  Delivery of the Securities shall be made at such
location as the Initial Purchaser shall reasonably designate at least one
business day in advance of the Closing Date and payment for the Securities
shall be made at the office of Millbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy ("Counsel for
the Company"), 601 South Figueroa Street, Los Angeles, California.
Certificates for the Securities shall be registered in such names and in such
denominations as the Initial Purchaser may request not less than three full
business days in advance of the Closing Date.

   The Company agrees to have the Securities available for inspection, checking
and packaging by the Initial Purchaser in New York, New York, not later that
1:00 PM on the business day prior to the Closing Date.

   If the Option is exercised after the third business day prior to the Closing
Date, the Company will deliver (at the expense of the Company) to the Initial
Purchaser, at Seven World Trade Center, New York, New York, on the date
specified by the Initial Purchaser (which shall be within three business days
after exercise of the Option), certificates for the Option Securities in such
names and denominations as the Initial Purchaser shall have requested against
payment of the purchase price thereof to or upon order of the Company by
certified or official bank check or checks drawn on or by a New York Clearing
House bank and payable in next day funds or such other manner of payment as may
be agreed by the Company and the Initial Purchaser.  If settlement for the
Option Securities occurs after the Closing Date, the Company will deliver to
the Initial Purchaser on the settlement date for the Option Securities, and the
obligation of the Initial Purchaser to purchase the Option Securities shall be
conditioned upon receipt of, supplemental opinions, certificates and letters
confirming as of such date the opinions, certificates and letters delivered on
the Closing Date pursuant to Section 6 hereof.





[L120321.2]                                                            10
<PAGE>   11
   4.  Offering of Securities.  The Initial Purchaser represents and warrants
   to and agrees with the Company that:

     (a)  It is a qualified institutional buyer as defined in Rule 144A under
   the Act (a "QIB").  The Initial Purchaser agrees with the Company that (i)
   it has not and will not solicit offers for, or offer or sell, the Securities
   by any form of general solicitation or general advertising (as those terms
   are used in Regulation D under the Act) or in any manner involving a public
   offering within the meaning of Section 4(2) of the Act; and (ii) it has and
   will solicit offers for the Securities only from, and will offer the
   Securities only to, persons that it reasonably believes to be (A) in the
   case of offers inside the United States, (x) QIBs or (y) other accredited
   investors (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3), (4) or (7) under the
   Securities Act ("Accredited Investors") that, prior to their purchase of the
   the Securities, deliver to the Initial Purchaser a letter containing
   representations and agreements set forth in Exhibit A to the Final
   Memorandum and (B) in the case of offers outside the United States, to
   persons other than U.S. persons ("foreign purchasers," which term shall
   include dealers or other professional fiduciaries in the United States
   acting on a discretionary basis for foreign beneficial owners (other than an
   estate or trust)) that, in each case, in purchasing such Securities are
   deemed to have represented and agreed as provided in the Final Memorandum
   (or, if the Final Memorandum is not in existence, in the most recent
   Offering Memorandum).

     (b)  With respect to offers and sales outside the United States as set
   forth in Exhibit B.

   5.  Agreements.  The Company agrees with the Initial Purchaser that:

     (a)  The Company will furnish to the Initial Purchaser and to Counsel for
   the Initial Purchaser, without charge, during the period referred to in
   paragraph (c) below, as many copies of the Final Memorandum and any
   amendments and supplements thereto as it may reasonably request.  The
   Company will pay the expenses of printing or other production of all
   documents relating to the offering.

     (b)  The Company will not amend or supplement the Final Memorandum, other
   than by filing documents under the Exchange Act which are incorporated by
   reference therein, without the prior written consent of the Initial
   Purchaser; provided, however, that, prior to the completion of the
   distribution of the Securities by the Initial Purchaser (as determined by
   the Initial Purchaser), the Company will not file any document under the
   Exchange Act which is incorporated by reference in the Final Memorandum
   unless, prior to such proposed filing, the Company has furnished the Initial
   Purchaser with a copy of such document for their review and the Initial
   Purchaser has not reasonably objected to the filing of such document.  The
   Company will promptly advise the Initial Purchaser when any document filed
   under the Exchange Act which is incorporated by reference in the Final





[L120321.2]                                                            11
<PAGE>   12
   Memorandum shall have been filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission
   (the "Commission").

     (c)  If at any time prior to the completion of the sale of the Securities
   by the Initial Purchaser, any event occurs as a result of which the Final
   Memorandum, as then amended or supplemented, would include any untrue
   statement of a material fact or omit to state any material fact necessary to
   make the statements therein, in the light of the circumstances under which
   they were made, not misleading, or if it should be necessary to amend or
   supplement the Final Memorandum to comply with applicable law, the Company
   will promptly notify the Initial Purchaser of the same and, subject to the
   prior written consent of the Initial Purchaser as provided by paragraph (b)
   of this Section 5, will prepare and provide to the Initial Purchaser
   pursuant to paragraph (a) of this Section 5 an amendment or supplement which
   will correct such statement or omission or effect such compliance.

     (d)  The Company will arrange for the qualification of the Securities for
   sale by the Initial Purchaser under the laws of such jurisdictions as the
   Initial Purchaser may designate and will maintain such qualifications in
   effect so long as required for the sale of the Securities.  The Company will
   promptly advise the Initial Purchaser of the receipt by the Company of any
   notification with respect to the suspension of the qualification of the
   Securities for sale in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of
   any proceeding for such purpose.  The Company will use its best efforts to
   have the Securities designated for trading on PORTAL.

     (e)  Neither the Company, nor any of its Affiliates, nor any person acting
   on its or their behalf will, directly or indirectly, make offers or sales of
   any security, or solicit offers to buy any security, under circumstances
   that would require the registration of the Securities under the Securities
   Act.

     (f)  Neither the Company, nor any of its Affiliates, nor any person acting
   on its or their behalf will engage in any form of general solicitation or
   general advertising (within the meaning of Regulation D) in connection with
   any offer or sale of the Securities in the United States.

     (g)  So long as any of the Securities are "restricted securities" within
   the meaning of Rule 144(a)(3) under the Securities Act, the Company will,
   during any period in which it is not subject to and in compliance with
   Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, provide to each holder of such
   restricted securities and to each prospective purchaser (as designated by
   such holder) of such restricted securities, upon the request of such holder
   or prospective purchaser, any information required to be provided by Rule
   144A(d)(4) under the Securities Act.  This covenant is intended to be for
   the benefit of the holders, and the prospective purchasers designated by
   such holders, from time to time of such restricted securities.





[L120321.2]                                                            12
<PAGE>   13
     (h)  Neither the Company, nor any of its Affiliates, nor any person acting
   on its or their behalf will engage in any directed selling efforts with
   respect to the Securities, and each of them will comply with the offering
   restrictions requirement of Regulation S.  Terms used in this paragraph have
   the meanings given to them by Regulation S.

     (i)  The Company will cooperate with the Initial Purchaser and use its
   best efforts to permit the Securities to be eligible for clearance and
   settlement through The Depository Trust Company.

     (j)  The Company will not, until 90 days following the Closing Date,
   without the prior written consent of the Initial Purchaser, offer, sell or
   contract to sell, or otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, or
   announce the offering of, any other shares of Common Stock or any securities
   convertible into, or exchangeable for, shares of Common Stock; provided,
   however, that the Company may issue and sell Common Stock pursuant to any
   employee stock option plan, stock ownership plan or dividend reinvestment
   plan of the Company described in the Final Memorandum and in effect on the
   date hereof, and the Company may issue Common Stock issuable upon the
   conversion of securities or the exercise of warrants outstanding on the date
   hereof and described in the Final Memorandum or contemplated by the Plan of
   Reorganization as it is in effect as of the Execution Time.

   6.  Conditions to the Obligations of the Initial Purchaser.  The obligations
of the Initial Purchaser to purchase the Firm Securities and the Option
Securities, as the case may be, shall be subject to the accuracy of the
representations and warranties on the part of the Company contained herein at
the date and time that this Agreement is executed and delivered by the parties
hereto (the "Execution Time"), and, the Closing Date and any settlement date
pursuant to Section 3 hereof, to the accuracy of the statements of the Company
made in any certificates pursuant to the provisions hereof, to the performance
by the Company of its obligations hereunder and to the following additional
conditions:

   (a)   The Company shall have furnished to the Initial Purchaser the opinions
of the following:

     (i)  Marc E. Bercoon, General Counsel of the Company, in form and
   substance satisfactory to the Initial Purchaser, dated the Closing Date, to
   the effect set forth in Exhibit 6A hereto.  In rendering such opinion, such
   counsel may rely (A) as to matters involving the application of laws of any
   jurisdiction other than the States of California, Delaware, or New York or
   the United States, to the extent he deems proper and as specified in such
   opinion, upon the opinion of other counsel of good standing whom he believes
   to be reliable and who are satisfactory to counsel to the Initial Purchaser
   and (B) as to matters of fact, to the extent proper, on certificates of
   responsible officers of the Company and public officials.





[L120321.2]                                                            13
<PAGE>   14
        (ii) Millbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy, Counsel for the Company, dated
      the Closing Date, in form and substance satisfactory to the Initial
      Purchaser, to the effect set forth in Exhibit 6B hereto.  In rendering
      such opinion, such counsel may rely (A) as to matters involving the
      application of laws of any jurisdiction other than the State of New York,
      the General Corporate Law of Delaware or the Federal laws of the United
      States, to the extent they deem proper and as specified in such opinion,
      upon the opinion of other counsel of good standing whom they believe to
      be reliable and who are satisfactory to Counsel for the Initial Purchaser
      and (B) as to matters of fact, to the extent they deem proper, on
      certificates of responsible officers of the Company and public officials.

   (b)   The Initial Purchaser shall have received from Munger, Tolles & Olson,
  counsel for the Initial Purchaser, such opinion or opinions, dated the
  Closing Date, with respect to the issuance and sale of the Securities, the
  Final Memorandum (as amended or supplemented at the Closing Date) and other
  related matters as the Initial Purchaser may reasonably require, and the
  Company shall have furnished to such counsel such documents as they request
  for the purpose of enabling them to pass upon such matters.

   (c)   The Company shall have furnished to the Initial Purchaser a
  certificate of the Company, signed by the Chairman of the Board or the
  President and the principal financial or accounting officer of the Company,
  dated the Closing Date, to the effect that the signers of such certificate
  have carefully examined the Final Memorandum, any amendment or supplement to
  the Final Memorandum and this Agreement, and that:

        (i)  to the best of their knowledge, the representations and warranties
      of the Company in this Agreement are true and correct in all material
      respects on and as of the Closing Date with the same effect as if made on
      the Closing Date, and the Company has complied with all the agreements
      and satisfied all the conditions on its part to be performed or satisfied
      hereunder at or prior to the Closing Date; and

        (ii)  to the best of their knowledge, since the date of the most recent
      financial statements included in the Final Memorandum, there has been no
      material adverse change in the condition (financial or other), earnings,
      business or properties of the Company and its subsidiaries, whether or
      not arising from transactions in the ordinary course of business, except
      as set forth in or contemplated by the Final Memorandum (exclusive of any
      amendment or supplement thereto).

   (d)   At the Execution time and at the Closing Date, Price Waterhouse shall
  have furnished to the Initial Purchaser a letter or letters, dated
  respectively as of the Execution Time and as of the Closing Date, in form and
  substance satisfactory to the Initial Purchaser, confirming that they are
  independent accountants within the meaning of the Securities Act and the
  Exchange Act and the applicable rules and regulations thereunder and Rule 101
  of the Code of Professional Conduct of the





[L120321.2]                                                            14
<PAGE>   15
  American Institute of Certified Public Accountants (the "AICPA") and stating
in effect that:

     (i)  in their opinion the consolidated financial statements and financial
   statement schedules included or incorporated in the Final Memorandum and
   audited by them comply in form in all material respects with the applicable
   accounting requirements of the Act and the Exchange Act and the related
   published rules and regulations thereunder;

     (ii)  on the basis of a reading of the latest unaudited financial
   statements made available by the Company and its subsidiaries; their limited
   review in accordance with the standards established by the AICPA of the
   unaudited interim financial information as indicated in their reports
   included or incorporated in the Final Memorandum; carrying out certain
   specified procedures (but not an examination in accordance with generally
   accepted auditing standards) which would not necessarily reveal matters of
   significance with respect to the comments set forth in such letter; a
   reading of the minutes of the meetings of the stockholders, directors and
   Audit, Compensation and Other Special committees of the Company and the
   Subsidiaries; and inquiries of certain officials of the Company who have
   responsibility for financial and accounting matters of the Company and its
   subsidiaries as to transactions and events subsequent to January 30, 1993,
   nothing came to their attention which caused them to believe that:

     (1)  any unaudited financial statements included or incorporated in the
     Final Memorandum do not comply in form in all material respects with
     applicable accounting requirements and with the published rules and
     regulations of the Commission with respect to financial statements
     included or incorporated in quarterly reports on Form 10-Q under the
     Exchange Act; and said unaudited financial statements are not, in all
     material respects, in conformity with generally accepted accounting
     principles applied on a basis substantially consistent with that of the
     audited financial statements included or incorporated in the Final
     Memorandum; or

     (2)  with respect to the period subsequent to January 30, 1993, there were
     any changes, at a specified date not more than five business days prior to
     the date of the letter, in the working capital, receivables based
     financing, long-term debt and capitalized lease obligations or capital
     stock of the Company or decreases in total shareholders' equity of the
     Company as compared with the amounts shown on the January 30, 1993
     consolidated balance sheet included or incorporated in the Final
     Memorandum, or for the period from January 31, 1993 to such specified date
     there were any decreases, as compared with the corresponding period in the
     preceding year in sales, in earnings from operations before interest
     expense, reorganization items, and income taxes, or in total or per share
     amounts of net earnings of the Company, except in all instances for
     changes or decreases set forth in





[L120321.2]                                                            15
<PAGE>   16
  such letter, in which case the letter shall be accompanied by an explanation
  by the Company as to the significance thereof unless said explanation is not
  deemed necessary by the Initial Purchaser; or

     (3)  the information included under the headings "Summary of Consolidated
     Financial Data and Certain Operating Data" and "Selected Consolidated
     Financial Data" is not in conformity with the disclosure requirements of
     Regulation S-K; or

       (iii)  they have performed certain other specified procedures as a
     result of which they determined that certain information of an accounting,
     financial or statistical nature (which is limited to accounting, financial
     or statistical information derived from the general accounting records of
     the Company and its subsidiaries) set forth in the Final Memorandum,
     including the information set forth under the captions "Selected
     Consolidated Financial Information" and "Management's Discussion and
     Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" in the Final
     Memorandum, the information included or incorporated in Items 1, 2, 6, 7,
     11, 13 and 14 of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, incorporated in
     the Final Memorandum, and the information included in the "Management's
     Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations"
     included or incorporated in the Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q,
     incorporated in the Final Memorandum, agree with the accounting records of
     the Company and its subsidiaries, excluding any questions of legal
     interpretation.

   All references in this Section 6(d) to the Final Memorandum shall be deemed
  to include any amendment or supplement thereto at the date of the letter.

   (e)  Subsequent to the Execution Time or, if earlier, the dates as of which
  information is given in the Final Memorandum, there shall not have been (i)
  any change or decrease specified in the letter or letters referred to in
  paragraph (d) of this Section 6 or (ii) any change, or any development
  involving a prospective change, in or affecting the business or properties of
  the Company and its subsidiaries the effect of which, in any case referred to
  in clause (i) or (ii) above, is, in the judgment of the Initial Purchaser, so
  material and adverse as to make it impractical or inadvisable to market the
  Securities as contemplated by the Final Memorandum.

   (f)   Prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall have furnished to the
  Initial Purchaser a letter substantially in the form of Exhibit 6C hereto
  from each of Zell/Chilmark Fund, L.P., each director of the Company and
  certain executive officers of the Company addressed to the Initial Purchaser,
  in which each such person agrees not to offer, sell or contract to sell or
  otherwise dispose of, directly or indirectly, or announce an offering of, any
  shares of Common Stock or any securities convertible into, or exchangeable
  for, shares of Common Stock for a period of 90 days following the Execution
  Time without the prior written consent of the Initial Purchaser.





[L120321.2]                                                            16
<PAGE>   17
   (g)   Prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall have furnished to the
  Initial Purchaser a copy of that certain agreement, dated as of December 8,
  1993 by and between First Plaza and the Company.

   (h)   The Common Stock issuable upon conversion of the Securities shall have
  been duly authorized for listing on the New York Stock Exchange subject only
  to official notice of issuance.

   (i)    Prior to the Closing Date, the Company shall have furnished to the
  Initial Purchaser such further information, certificates and documents as the
  Initial Purchaser may reasonably request.

   If any of the conditions specified in this Section 6 shall not have been
fulfilled in all material respects when and as provided in this Agreement, or
if any of the opinions and certificates mentioned above or elsewhere in this
Agreement shall not be in all material respects reasonably satisfactory in form
and substance to the Initial Purchaser and Counsel for the Initial Purchaser,
this Agreement and all obligations of the Initial Purchaser hereunder may be
cancelled at, or at any time prior to, the Closing Date by the Initial
Purchaser.  Notice of such cancellation shall be given to the Company in
writing or by telephone or telegraph confirmed in writing.

   The documents required to be delivered by this Section 6 will be delivered
at the Office of Counsel for the Initial Purchaser, at One Liberty Plaza, New
York, New York, on the Closing Date.

   7.  Reimbursement of Expenses.  If the sale of the Securities provided for
herein is not consummated because any condition to the obligations of the
Initial Purchaser set forth in Section 6 hereof is not satisfied, because of
any termination pursuant to Section 9 hereof or because of any refusal,
inability or failure on the part of the Company to perform any agreement herein
or comply with any provision hereof other than by reason of a default by the
Initial Purchaser, the Company will reimburse the Initial Purchaser upon demand
for all out-of-pocket expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel)
that shall have been incurred by them in connection with the proposed purchase
and sale of the Securities.

   8.  Indemnification and Contribution.  (a) The Company agrees to indemnify
and hold harmless the Initial Purchaser, the directors, officers, employees and
agents of each Initial Purchaser and each person who controls the Initial
Purchaser within the meaning of either the Securities Act or the Exchange Act
against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several,
to which it may become subject under the Securities Act, the Exchange Act or
other Federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or otherwise,
insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions in respect
thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or alleged untrue
statement of a material fact contained in the Preliminary Memorandum, the Final
Memorandum or any information provided by the Company to any holder or
prospective purchaser of Securities pursuant to Section 5(h), or in any
amendment thereof or supplement thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the
omission or alleged omission to state therein a material fact required to be
stated therein or necessary to make the





[L120321.2]                                                            17
<PAGE>   18
statements therein not misleading, and agrees to reimburse each such
indemnified party, as incurred, for any legal or other expenses reasonably
incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss,
claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the Company will
not be liable in any such case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage
or liability arises out of or is based upon any such untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made in the
Preliminary Memorandum or the Final Memorandum, or in any amendment thereof or
supplement thereto, in reliance upon and in conformity with written information
furnished to the Company by or on behalf of any Initial Purchaser specifically
for inclusion therein, provided, further, that the indemnity agreement
contained in this subsection (a) with respect to any Preliminary Memorandum
shall not inure to the benefit of any Initial Purchaser (or to the benefit of
any person employed by or controlling such Initial Purchaser) from whom the
person asserting any such loss, expense, liability or claim purchased the
Securities which is the subject thereof if the Final Memorandum corrected any
such alleged untrue statement or omission and if such Initial Purchaser failed
to send or give a copy of the Final Memorandum to such person at or prior to
the written confirmation of the sale of such Securities to such person.  This
indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which the Company may
otherwise have.

   (b)   The Initial Purchaser agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the
Company, each of its directors, each of its officers, and each person who
controls the Company within the meaning of either the Securities Act or the
Exchange Act, to the same extent as the foregoing indemnity from the Company to
the Initial Purchaser, but only with reference to written information relating
to the Initial Purchaser furnished to the Company by or on behalf of the
Initial Purchaser specifically for inclusion in the Preliminary Memorandum or
the Final Memorandum (or in any amendment or supplement thereto).  This
indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which the Initial
Purchaser may otherwise have.  The Company acknowledges that the statements set
forth in the last paragraph of the cover page and under the heading "Plan of
Distribution" in the Preliminary Memorandum and the Final Memorandum constitute
the only information furnished in writing by or behalf of the Initial Purchaser
for inclusion in the Preliminary Memorandum or the Final Memorandum (or in any
amendment or supplement thereto).

   (c)   Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 8 of
notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a
claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under
this Section 8, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement
thereof; but the failure so to notify the indemnifying party (i) will not
relieve it from liability under paragraph (a) or (b) above unless and to the
extent it did not otherwise learn of such action and such failure results in
the forfeiture by the indemnifying party of substantial rights and defenses and
(ii) will not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying party from any
obligations to any indemnified party other than the indemnification obligation
provided in paragraph (a) or (b) above.  The indemnifying party shall be
entitled to appoint counsel of the indemnifying party's choice at the
indemnifying party's expense to represent the indemnified party in any action
for which indemnification is sought (in which case the indemnifying party shall
not thereafter be responsible for the fees and expenses of any separate counsel
retained by the indemnified party or parties except as set forth below);
provided, however, that such counsel shall be





[L120321.2]                                                            18
<PAGE>   19
satisfactory to the indemnified party.  Notwithstanding the indemnifying
party's election to appoint counsel to represent the indemnified party in an
action, the indemnified party shall have the right to employ separate counsel
(including local counsel), and the indemnifying party shall bear the reasonable
fees, costs and expenses of such separate counsel if (i) the use of counsel
chosen by the indemnifying party to represent the indemnified party would
present such counsel with a conflict of interest, (ii) the actual or potential
defendants in, or targets of, any such action include both the indemnified
party and the indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have
reasonably concluded that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or
other indemnified parties which are different from or additional to those
available to the indemnifying party, (iii) the indemnifying party shall not
have employed counsel satisfactory to the indemnified party to represent the
indemnified party within a reasonable time after notice of the institution of
such action or (iv) the indemnifying party shall authorize the indemnified
party to employ separate counsel at the expense of the indemnifying party.  An
indemnifying party will not, without the prior written consent of the
indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to the entry of any
judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim, action, suit or
proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution may be sought
hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or potential
parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise or consent
includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all liability
arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding.

   (d)  In the event that the indemnity provided in paragraph (a) or (b) of
this Section 8 is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an
indemnified party for any reason, the Company and the Initial Purchaser agree
to contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages and liabilities
(including legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in connection with
investigating or defending same) (collectively "Losses") to which the Company
and the Initial Purchaser may be subject in such proportion as is appropriate
to reflect the relative benefits received by the Company and by the Initial
Purchaser from the offering of the Securities; provided, however, that in no
case shall the Initial Purchaser be responsible for any amount in excess of the
purchase discount or commission applicable to the Securities purchased by such
Initial Purchaser hereunder.  If the allocation provided by the immediately
preceding sentence is unavailable for any reason, the Company and the Initial
Purchaser shall contribute in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not
only such relative benefits but also the relative fault of the Company and of
the Initial Purchaser in connection with the statements or omissions which
resulted in such Losses as well as any other relevant equitable considerations.
Benefits received by the Company shall be deemed to be equal to the total net
proceeds from the offering (before deducting expenses) and benefits received by
the Initial Purchaser shall be deemed to be equal to the total purchase
discounts and commissions received by the Initial Purchaser from the Company in
connection with the purchase of the Securities hereunder.  Relative fault shall
be determined by reference to whether any alleged untrue statement or omission
relates to information provided by the Company or the Initial Purchaser.  The
Company and the Initial Purchaser agree that it would not be just and equitable
if contribution were determined by pro rata allocation or any other method of
allocation which does not take account of the equitable considerations referred
to above.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph (d), no person
guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of
the Securities Act) shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was
not guilty of such fraudulent misrepresentation.  For purposes of this Section
8, each person who controls the





[L120321.2]                                                            19
<PAGE>   20
Initial Purchaser within the meaning of either the Securities Act or the
Exchange Act and each director, officer, employee and agent of an Initial
Purchaser shall have the same rights to contribution as such Initial Purchaser,
and each person who controls the Company within the meaning of either the
Securities Act or the Exchange Act and each officer and director of the Company
shall have the same rights to contribution as the Company, subject in each case
to the applicable terms and conditions of this paragraph (d).

   9.  Termination.  This Agreement shall be subject to termination in the
absolute discretion of the Initial Purchaser, by notice given to the Company
prior to delivery of and payment for the Securities, if prior to such time (i)
trading in the Common Stock shall have been suspended by the Commission or the
New York Stock Exchange or trading generally on the New York Stock Exchange
shall have been suspended or limited or minimum prices shall have been
established on such exchange, (ii) a banking moratorium shall have been
declared either by Federal or New York State authorities or (iii) there shall
have occurred any outbreak or escalation of hostilities, declaration by the
United States of a national emergency or war or other calamity or crisis the
effect of which on financial markets is such as to make it, in the judgment of
the Initial Purchaser, impractical or inadvisable to proceed with the offering
or delivery of the Securities as contemplated by the Final Memorandum.

   10.   Representations and Indemnities to Survive.  The respective
agreements, representations, warranties, indemnities and other statements of
the Company or its officers and of the Initial Purchaser set forth in or made
pursuant to this Agreement will remain in full force and effect, regardless of
any investigation made by or on behalf of the Initial Purchaser or the Company
or any of the officers, directors or controlling persons referred to in Section
8 hereof, and will survive delivery of and payment for the Securities.  The
provisions of Sections 7 and 8 hereof shall survive the termination or
cancellation of this Agreement.

   11.   Notices.  All communications hereunder will be in writing and
effective only on receipt, and, if sent to the Initial Purchaser, will be
mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to them, care of Salomon
Brothers Inc, at Seven World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048; or, if
sent to the Company, will be mailed, delivered or telegraphed and confirmed to
it at 3880 North Mission Road, Los Angeles, California 90031, attention: Legal
Department.

   12.   Successors.  This Agreement will inure to the benefit of and be
binding upon the parties hereto and their respective successors and the
officers and directors and controlling persons referred to in Section 8 hereof,
and, except as expressly set forth in Section 5(h) hereof, no other person will
have any right or obligation hereunder.

   13.   Applicable Law.  This Agreement will be governed by and construed in 
accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

   14.   Business Day.  For purposes of this Agreement, "business day" means
each Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday that is not a day on which





[L120321.2]                                                            20
<PAGE>   21
banking institutions in The City of New York, New York are authorized or
obligated by law, executive order or regulation to close.

   15.   Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, each of which will be deemed to be an original, but all such
counterparts will together constitute one and the same instrument.

   If the foregoing is in accordance with your understanding of our agreement,
please sign and return to us the enclosed duplicate hereof, whereupon this
Agreement and your acceptance shall represent a binding agreement between the
Company and the Initial Purchaser.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        Carter Hawley Hale Stores, Inc.


                                        By________________________
                                        Name:
                                        Title:

The foregoing Agreement is hereby
confirmed and accepted as of
the date first above written

Salomon Brothers Inc


     By__________________________
       Name:
       Title:

As the Initial Purchaser





[L120321.2]
                                                                      21
<PAGE>   22
                                                                       EXHIBIT A





[L120321.2]                                                            A-1
<PAGE>   23
                                                                       EXHIBIT B


                      Selling Restrictions for Offers and
                        Sales Outside the United States


         (1)     (a)  The Securities have not been and will not be registered
under the Securities Act and may not be offered or sold within the United
States or to, or for the account or benefit of, U.S. persons except in
accordance with Regulation S under the Securities Act or pursuant to an
exemption from the registration requirements of the Securities Act.  The
Initial Purchaser represents and agrees that, except as otherwise permitted by
Section 4(a)(i) or (ii) of the Agreement to which this is an exhibit, it has
offered and sold the Securities, and will offer and sell the Securities, (i) as
part of its distribution at any time and (ii) otherwise until 40 days after the
later of the commencement of the Offering and the Closing Date, only in
accordance with Rule 903 of Regulation S under the Securities Act.
Accordingly, the Initial Purchaser represents and agrees that neither it, nor
any of its affiliates nor any person acting on its or their behalf has engaged
or will engage in any directed selling efforts with respect to the Securities
and that it and they have complied and will comply with the offering
restrictions requirement of Regulation S.  Each Initial Purchaser agrees that,
at or prior to the confirmation of sale of Securities (other than a sale of
Securities pursuant to Section 4(a)(i) or (ii) of the Agreement to which this
is an exhibit), it shall have sent to each distributor, dealer or person
receiving a selling concession, fee or other remuneration that purchases
Securities from it during the restricted period a confirmation or notice to
substantially the following effect:

                 "The Securities covered hereby have not been registered under
         the U.S. Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act") and may not be
         offered or sold within the United States or to, or for the account or
         benefit of, U.S. persons (i) as part of their distribution at any time
         or (ii) otherwise until 40 days after the later of the commencement of
         the offering and [specify closing date of the offering], except in
         either case in accordance with Regulation S or Rule 144A under the
         Securities Act.  Terms used above have the meanings given to them by
         Regulation S."

                 (b)      The Initial Purchaser also represents and agrees that
it has not entered and will not enter into any contractual arrangement with any
distributor (as that term is defined by Regulation S) with respect to the
distribution of the Securities, except with its affiliates or with the prior
written consent of the Company.

                 (c)      Terms used in this paragraph have the meanings given
to them by Regulation S.

         (2)     The Initial Purchaser represents and agrees that (i) it has
not offered or sold, and will not offer or sell, in the United Kingdom, by
means of any document, any Securities other than to persons whose ordinary
business it is to buy or sell shares or debentures, whether as principal or as
agent (except in circumstances which do not constitute an offer to the public
within the meaning of the Companies Act 1985 of Great





[L120321.2]                                                            B-1
<PAGE>   24
Britain), (ii) it has complied and will comply with all applicable provisions
of the Financial Services Act 1986 of the United Kingdom with respect to
anything done by it in relation to the Securities in, from or otherwise
involving the United Kingdom, and (iii) it has only issued or passed on and
will only issue or pass on in the United Kingdom any document received by it in
connection with the issue of the Securities to a person who is of a kind
described in Article 9(3) of the Financial Services Act 1986 (Investment
Advertisements) (Exemptions) Order 1988 or is a person to whom the document may
otherwise lawfully be issued or passed on.





[L120321.2]                                                            B-2
<PAGE>   25
                                                                       EXHIBIT C





[L120321.2]                                                            C-1
<PAGE>   26

                              SALOMON BROTHERS INC
                            Seven World Trade Center
                           New York, New York  10048


December 14, 1993


Price Waterhouse
400 South Hope Street
Los Angeles, California  90071

Dear Sirs:

                 Salomon Brothers Inc, as principal or agent, in the placement
of 6-1/4% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2000 (the "Securities") to
be issued by Carter Hawley Hale Stores, Inc. will be reviewing certain
information relating to Carter Hawley Hale Stores, Inc.  that will be included
in the Offering Memorandum which may be delivered to investors and utilized by
them as a basis for their investment decision.  This review process, applied to
the information relating to the issuer, will be substantially consistent* with
the due diligence review process that we would perform if this placement of
Securities were being registered pursuant to the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Act).  We are knowledgeable with respect to the due diligence
review process that would be performed if this placement of Securities were
being registered pursuant to the Act.  We hereby request that you deliver to us
a "comfort letter" concerning the financial statements of the issuer and
certain statistical and other data included in the Offering Memorandum.  We
will contact you to identify the procedures we wish you to follow and the form
we wish the comfort letter to take.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        SALOMON BROTHERS INC



                                        By:________________________________
                                           Name:
                                           Title:





__________________________________

     *   It is recognized that what is "substantially consistent" may vary from
         situation to situation and may not necessarily be the same as that
         done in a registered offering of the same securities for the same
         issuer; whether the procedures being, or to be, followed will be
         "substantially consistent" will be determined by us on a case-by-case
         basis.

[L120321.2]                                                            C-2

<PAGE>   1





                        CARTER HAWLEY HALE STORES, INC.

                                      AND

                               CONTINENTAL BANK,
                             NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
                                    TRUSTEE





                          ____________________________





                                   INDENTURE

                         Dated as of December 21, 1993





                          ____________________________





                  6-1/4% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes
                                    due 2000
<PAGE>   2
                             CROSS-REFERENCE TABLE

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   Indenture
                                                                                   ---------
TIA Section                                                                          Section
- -----------                                                                          -------
<S>      <C>                                                                          <C>
Section  310(a)(1)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    9.10
            (a)(2)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    9.10
            (a)(3)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    N.A.
            (1)(4)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    N.A.
            (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    9.08;
                                                                                       9.10
            (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    N.A.
Section  311(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    9.11
            (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    9.11
            (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    N.A.
Section  312(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    2.05
            (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   12.03
            (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   12.03
Section  313(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    9.06
            (b)(1)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    N.A.
            (b)(2)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    9.06
            (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    9.06;
                                                                                      11.02
            (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    9.06
Section  314(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    6.02;
                                                                                      11.02
            (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    N.A.
            (c)(1)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   12.04(a)
            (c)(2)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   12.04(a)
            (c)(3)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    N.A.
            (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    N.A.
            (e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   12.04(b)
            (f) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    N.A.
Section  315(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    9.01(b)
            (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    9.05;
                                                                                      11.02
            (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    9.01(a)
            (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    9.01(c)
            (e) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    8.11
Section  316(a)(last sentence)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    2.09
            (a)(1)(A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    8.05
            (A)(1)(B) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    8.04
            (a)(2)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    N.A.
            (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    8.07
            (c) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   12.05
Section  317(a)(1)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    8.08
            (a)(2)  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    8.09
            (b) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    2.04
Section  318(a) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   12.01
</TABLE>

N.A. means Not Applicable
Note:  This Cross-Reference Table shall not, for any purpose, be deemed to be a
part of this Indenture.





[L120300.7]
<PAGE>   3
                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                                           Page
                                                                                                           ----
<S>               <C>                                                                                       <C>
                                                           ARTICLE 1                 
                                          DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 
                                                                                     
SECTION 1.01      Definitions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . .  2
SECTION 1.02      Other Definitions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . .  7
SECTION 1.03      Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act  . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . .  7
SECTION 1.04      Rules of Construction  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . .  8
                                                                                     
                                                           ARTICLE 2                 
                                                        THE SECURITIES               
                                                                                     
SECTION 2.01      Form and Dating  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . .  8
SECTION 2.02      Execution and Authentication   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . .  9
SECTION 2.03      Registrar, Paying Agent and Conversion Agent   . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . . .  9
SECTION 2.04      Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . .   10
SECTION 2.05      Securityholder Lists   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . .   10
SECTION 2.06      Transfer and Exchange  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . .   11
SECTION 2.07      Replacement Securities   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . .   13
SECTION 2.08      Outstanding Securities   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . .   14
SECTION 2.09      Treasury Securities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . .   14
SECTION 2.10      Temporary Securities   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . .   14
SECTION 2.11      Cancellation   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . .   15
SECTION 2.12      Defaulted Interest   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . .   15
SECTION 2.13      CUSIP Numbers  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . .   15
SECTION 2.14      Procedures for Global Securities   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . .   15
                                                                                     
                                                           ARTICLE 3                 
                                                           REDEMPTION                 
                                                                                     
SECTION 3.01      Notice to Trustee  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . .   18
SECTION 3.02      Selection of Securities to be Redeemed   . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . .   18
SECTION 3.03      Notice of Redemption   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . .   18
SECTION 3.04      Effect of Notice of Redemption   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . .   19
SECTION 3.05      Deposit of Redemption Price  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . .   19
SECTION 3.06      Securities Redeemed in Part  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . .   20
                                                                                     
                                                           ARTICLE 4                 
                                                           CONVERSION                 
                                                                                     
SECTION 4.01      Conversion Privilege   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . .   20
SECTION 4.02      Conversion Procedure   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . .   20
SECTION 4.03      Fractional Shares  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . .   21
SECTION 4.04      Taxes on Conversion  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . .   21
SECTION 4.05      Company to Provide Stock   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . .   22
SECTION 4.06      Adjustment of Conversion Price   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . . . . . .   22

</TABLE>                                                                





[L120300.7]                                                             i
<PAGE>   4
<TABLE>                                                                
<S>               <C>                                                                                          <C>
SECTION 4.07      No Adjustment  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   24
SECTION 4.08      Equivalent Adjustments   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   25
SECTION 4.09      Adjustments for Tax Purposes   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   25
SECTION 4.10      Notice of Adjustment   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   25
SECTION 4.11      Notice of Certain Transactions   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   25
SECTION 4.12      Effect of Reclassifications, Consolidations, Mergers or Sales on             
                  Conversion Privilege   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   26
SECTION 4.13      Trustee's Disclaimer   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   27
                                                                                               
                                                           ARTICLE 5                           
                                                         SUBORDINATION                         
                                                                                               
SECTION 5.01      Agreement to Subordinate   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   27
SECTION 5.02      No Payment on Securities if Senior Debt in Default   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   28
SECTION 5.03      Distribution on Acceleration of Securities; Dissolution and 
                  Reorganization; Subrogation of Securities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   29
SECTION 5.04      Reliance by Senior Debt on Subordination Provisions  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   32
SECTION 5.05      Trustee's Relation to Senior Debt  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   33
SECTION 5.06      Other Provisions Subject Hereto  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   34
                                                                                               
                                                           ARTICLE 6                           
                                                           COVENANTS                           
                                                                                               
SECTION 6.01      Payment of Securities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   34
SECTION 6.02      SEC Reports  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   34
SECTION 6.03      Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   35
SECTION 6.04      Liquidation  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   35
SECTION 6.05      Compliance Certificates  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   36
SECTION 6.06      Notice of Events of Defaults   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   37
SECTION 6.07      Payment of Taxes and Other Claims  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   37
SECTION 6.08      Corporate Existence  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   37
SECTION 6.09      Maintenance of Properties  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   37
SECTION 6.10      Purchase of Securities at Option of the Holder Upon Change in Control  . . . . . . . . . .   38
SECTION 6.11      Effect of Change in Control Purchase Notice  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   40
SECTION 6.12      Deposit of Change in Control Purchase Price  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   40
SECTION 6.13      Securities Purchased in Part   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   41
SECTION 6.14      Compliance with Securities Laws upon Purchase of Securities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   41
SECTION 6.15      Repayment to the Company   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   41
SECTION 6.16      Limitations on Ranking of Future Indebtedness  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   42
SECTION 6.17      Registration Rights  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   42
SECTION 6.18      Maintenance of Office or Agency  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   43

</TABLE>                                                                    





[L120300.7]                                                            ii
<PAGE>   5
<TABLE>                                                                     
<S>               <C>                                                                                          <C>
                                                           ARTICLE 7                           
                                                     SUCCESSOR CORPORATION                     
                                                                                               
SECTION 7.01      When Company May Merge, etc.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   43
SECTION 7.02      Successor Corporation Substituted  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   44
                                                                                               
                                                           ARTICLE 8                           
                                                     DEFAULT AND REMEDIES                      
                                                                                               
SECTION 8.01      Events of Default  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   44
SECTION 8.02      Acceleration   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   46
SECTION 8.03      Other Remedies   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   47
SECTION 8.04      Waiver of Defaults and Events of Default   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   47
SECTION 8.05      Control by Majority  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   47
SECTION 8.06      Limitation on Suits  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   48
SECTION 8.07      Rights of Holders to Receive Payment   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   48
SECTION 8.08      Collection Suit by Trustee   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   48
SECTION 8.09      Trustee May File Proofs of Claim   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   49
SECTION 8.10      Priorities   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   49
SECTION 8.11      Undertaking for Costs  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   50
                                                                                               
                                                           ARTICLE 9                           
                                                            TRUSTEE                            
                                                                                               
SECTION 9.01      Duties of Trustee  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   50
SECTION 9.02      Rights of Trustee  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   51
SECTION 9.03      Individual Rights of Trustee   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   51
SECTION 9.04      Trustee's Disclaimer   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   52
SECTION 9.05      Notice of Defaults or Events of Default  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   52
SECTION 9.06      Reports by Trustee to Holders  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   52
SECTION 9.07      Compensation and Indemnity   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   52
SECTION 9.08      Replacement of Trustee   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   53
SECTION 9.09      Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   54
SECTION 9.10      Eligibility: Disqualification  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   54
SECTION 9.11      Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   54
                                                                                               
                                                          ARTICLE 10                           
                                            SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE            
                                                                                               
SECTION 10.01     Termination of Company's Obligations   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   55
SECTION 10.02     Application of Trust Money   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   55
SECTION 10.03     Repayment to Company   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   56
SECTION 10.04     Reinstatement  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   56
                                                                                               
                                                          ARTICLE 11                           
                                              AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS              
                                                                                               
SECTION 11.01     Without Consent of Holders   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   57
SECTION 11.02     With Consent of Holders  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   57
SECTION 11.03     Compliance with Trust Indenture Act  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   58
                                                                                               
</TABLE>                                                                      





[L120300.7]                                                            iii
<PAGE>   6
<TABLE>                                                               
<S>               <C>                                                                                         <C>
SECTION 11.04     Revocation and Effect of Consents  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   58
SECTION 11.05     Notation On or Exchange of Securities  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   59
SECTION 11.06     Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   59
                                                                                               
                                                          ARTICLE 12                           
                                                         MISCELLANEOUS                         
                                                                                               
SECTION 12.01     Trust Indenture Act Controls   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   59
SECTION 12.02     Notices  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   60
SECTION 12.03     Communications by Holders With Other Holders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   60
SECTION 12.04     Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   61
SECTION 12.05     Record Date for Vote or Consent of Securityholders . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   61
SECTION 12.06     Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   62
SECTION 12.07     Legal Holidays   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   62
SECTION 12.08     Governing Law  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   62
SECTION 12.09     No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   62
SECTION 12.10     No Recourse Against Others   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   62
SECTION 12.11     Successors   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   62
SECTION 12.12     Multiple Counterparts  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   63
SECTION 12.13     Separability   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   63
SECTION 12.14     Table of Contents, Headings, etc.  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   63
                                                                                               
EXHIBIT A         FORM OF SECURITY   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  A-1
EXHIBIT B         FORM OF INVESTOR LETTER  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  B-1
EXHIBIT C         REGISTRATION AGREEMENT   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  C-1

</TABLE>                                                                





[L120300.7]                                                            iv
<PAGE>   7
   INDENTURE dated as of December 21, 1993 between CARTER HAWLEY HALE STORES,
INC., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and Continental Bank, National
Association, as Trustee (the "Trustee").

   Both parties agree as follows for the benefit of the other and for the equal
and ratable benefit of the Holders of the Company's 6-1/4% Convertible Senior
Subordinated Notes due 2000.

                                   ARTICLE 1

                   DEFINITIONS AND INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

   SECTION 1.01  Definitions.

   "Acquiring Person" means any person or group (as defined in Section 13(d)(3)
of the Exchange Act) who or which, together with all affiliates and associates
(as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the Exchange Act), becomes the beneficial owner
of shares of Common Stock having more than 50% of the total number of votes
that may be cast for the election of directors of the Company; provided,
however, that an Acquiring Person shall not include (i) the Company, (ii) any
Subsidiary of the Company, (iii) any employee benefit plan of the Company or
any Subsidiary of the Company or any entity holding Common Stock for or
pursuant to the terms of any such plan, (iv) Zell/Chilmark Fund, L.P., or (v)
any limited partner or Affiliate of Zell/Chilmark Fund, L.P.  Notwithstanding
the foregoing, no person shall become an "Acquiring Person" as the result of an
acquisition of Common Stock by the Company which, by reducing the number of
shares outstanding, increases the proportionate number of shares beneficially
owned by such person to 50% or more of the Common Stock then outstanding;
provided, however, that if a person shall become the beneficial owner of 50% or
more of the Common Stock then outstanding by reason of share purchases by the
Company and shall, after such share purchases by the Company, become the
beneficial owner of any additional shares of Common Stock, then such person
shall be deemed to be an "Acquiring Person."

   "Affiliate" of any specified person means any other person directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified person.  For the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any person means the power to direct the
management and policies of such person, directly or indirectly, whether through
the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms
"controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

   "Affiliate of Zell/Chilmark Fund, L.P." means (i) any person which, directly
or indirectly, is in control of, is controlled by or is under common control
with Zell/Chilmark Fund, L.P., (ii) any other person who is a director or
officer (A) of Zell/Chilmark Fund, L.P., (B) of any subsidiary of Zell/Chilmark
Fund, L.P., or (C) of any person described in clause (i) above.





[L120300.7]                                              2
<PAGE>   8
For purposes of this definition, control of a person means the power, direct or
indirect, to direct or cause the direction of the management and policies of
such person whether by contract or otherwise; and the terms "controlling" and
"controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

   "Agent" means any Registrar, Paying Agent or Conversion Agent.

   "Associate" shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in Rule 12b-2 of
the General Rules and Regulations under the Exchange Act, as such Rule is in
effect on the date of this Indenture.

   "Board of Directors" means the Board of Directors of the Company or any
authorized committee of the Board.

   "Business Day" means a day that is not a Legal Holiday.

   "Capitalized Lease Obligation" means indebtedness represented by obligations
under a lease that is required to be capitalized for financial reporting
purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and the
amount of such indebtedness shall be the capitalized amount of such obligations
determined in accordance with such principles.

   "Change in Control" means any event by which (i) an Acquiring Person has
become such or (ii) Continuing Directors cease to comprise a majority of the
members of the Board of Directors; provided that a Change in Control shall not
be deemed to have occurred if either (i) the last sale price of the Common
Stock for any five trading days during the ten trading days immediately
preceding the Change in Control is at least equal to 105% of the Conversion
Price in effect on such day or (ii) the consideration, in the transaction
giving rise to such Change in Control, to the holders of Common Stock consists
of cash, securities that are, or immediately upon issuance will be, listed on a
national securities exchange or quoted on the NASDAQ National Market System, or
a combination of cash and such securities, and the aggregate fair market value
of such consideration (which, in the case of such securities, shall be equal to
the average of the last sale prices of such securities during the ten
consecutive trading days commencing with the sixth trading day following
consummation of such transaction) is at least 105% of the Conversion Price in
effect on the date immediately preceding the closing date of such transaction.

   "Common Stock" means the common stock, par value $.01 per share, of the
Company as it exists on the date of this Indenture or as it may be constituted
from time to time.

   "Company" means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor
replaces it pursuant to this Indenture and thereafter means the successor.





[L120300.7]                                                             3
<PAGE>   9
   "Continuing Director" means any member of the Board of Directors, while such
person is a member of such Board of Directors, who is not an Acquiring Person,
or an affiliate or associate of an Acquiring Person or a representative of an
Acquiring Person or of any such affiliate or associate and who (a) was a member
of the Board of Directors prior to the date of this Indenture, or (b)
subsequently becomes a member of such Board of Directors and whose nomination
for election or election to such Board of Directors is recommended or approved
by resolution of a majority of the Continuing Directors or who is included as a
nominee in a proxy statement of the Company distributed when a majority of such
Board of Directors consists of Continuing Directors.

   "Credit Facility" means the Credit Agreement dated October 8, 1992 among the
Company and certain commercial lending institutions and General Electric
Capital Corporation, as agent for the lenders, and all modifications,
amendments, replacements and extensions thereto.

   "default" means any event which is, or after notice or passage of time, or
both, would be, an Event of Default.

   "Holder" or "Securityholder" means the person in whose name a Security is
registered on the Registrar's books.

   "Indebtedness" means, with respect to any person, (i) any obligation of such
person to pay the principal of, premium of, if any, interest on (including
interest accruing on or after the filing of any petition in bankruptcy or for
reorganization relating to the Company, whether or not a claim for such
post-petition interest is allowed in such proceeding), penalties, reimbursement
or indemnification amounts, fees, expenses or other amounts relating to any
indebtedness, and any other liability, contingent or otherwise, of such person
(A) for borrowed money (including instances where the recourse of the lender is
to the whole of the assets of such person or to a portion thereof), (B)
evidenced by a note, debenture or similar instrument (including a purchase
money obligation) including securities, (C) for any letter of credit or
performance bond in favor of such person, or (D) for the payment of money
relating to a Capitalized Lease Obligation; (ii) any liability of others of the
kind described in the preceding clause (i), which the person has guaranteed or
which is otherwise its legal liability; (iii) any obligation secured by a Lien
to which the property or assets of such person are subject, whether or not the
obligations secured thereby shall have been assumed by or shall otherwise be
such person's legal liability; and (iv) any and all deferrals, renewals,
extensions and refunding of, or amendments, modifications or supplements to,
any liability of the kind described in any of the preceding clauses (i), (ii)
or (iii).

   "Indenture" means this Indenture as amended or supplemented from time to
time.





[L120300.7]                                                             4
<PAGE>   10
   "Junior Subordinated Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of the Company
(whether outstanding on the date of this Indenture or thereafter created,
incurred, assumed or guaranteed by the Company) which, pursuant to the terms of
the instrument creating or evidencing the same, is subordinate to the Senior
Debt and Securities in right of payment or in rights upon liquidation.

   "Lien" means any mortgage, pledge, security interest, adverse claim (as
defined in Section 8.302(2) of the New York Uniform Commercial Code),
encumbrance, lien or charge of any kind (including any conditional sale or
other title retention agreement or lease in the nature thereof, any filing or
agreement to file a financing statement as debtor under the Uniform Commercial
Code or any similar statute other than to reflect ownership by a third party of
property leased to the Company or any of its Subsidiaries under a lease which
is not in the nature of a conditional sale or title retention agreement).

   "Officer" means the Chairman of the Board, the President, any Vice
President, the Chief Financial Officer, the Treasurer, the Secretary or the
Controller of the Company.

   "Officers' Certificate" means a certificate signed by two Officers or by an
Officer and an Assistant Treasurer or Assistant Secretary of the Company.  See
Section 12.04.

   "Opinion of Counsel" means a written opinion from legal counsel who is
reasonably acceptable to the Trustee.  See Section 12.04.

   "Over-Allotment Option" means the option to purchase up to an additional
$15,000,000 principal amount of Securities granted to the initial purchaser
pursuant to Section 2(b) of the Purchase Agreement dated December 15, 1993
between the Company and the initial purchaser named therein.

   "person" means any individual, corporation, partnership, joint venture,
association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization or
government or other agency or political subdivision thereof.

   "principal" of a debt security, including the Securities, means the
principal of the Security plus, when appropriate, the premium, if any, on the
security.

   "redemption date," when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed,
means the date fixed for such redemption pursuant to this Indenture, as set
forth in the form of Security annexed as Exhibit A hereto.

   "redemption price," when used with respect to any Security to be redeemed,
means the price fixed for such redemption pursuant to this Indenture, as set
forth in the form of Security annexed as Exhibit A hereto.





[L120300.7]                                                             5
<PAGE>   11
   "SEC" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

   "Securities" mean the 6-1/4% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2000,
or any of them, that are issued and authenticated under this Indenture.

   "Securities Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules
and regulations promulgated thereunder.

   "Senior Debt" means the principal of, interest on and other amounts due on
and other amounts due on (i) Indebtedness of the Company, whether outstanding
on the date of this Indenture or hereafter created, incurred, assumed or
guaranteed by the Company in compliance with Section 6.16 hereof, for money
borrowed from banks or other financial institutions, including, without
limitation, money borrowed under the Credit Facility and any refinancings or
refundings thereof; (ii) Indebtedness of the Company, whether outstanding on
the date of this Indenture or hereafter created, incurred, assumed or
guaranteed by the Company in compliance with Section 6.16 hereof, which is not
Senior Subordinated Indebtedness or Junior Subordinated Indebtedness; and (iii)
Indebtedness of the Company under interest rate swaps, caps or similar hedging
agreements and foreign exchange contracts, currency swaps or similar
agreements.  Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in the foregoing, Senior
Debt shall not include: (a) Indebtedness of or amounts owed by the Company for
compensation to employees, or for goods or materials purchased in the ordinary
course of business, or for services, or (b) Indebtedness of the Company to a
Subsidiary of the Company.  For purposes of this definition, Indebtedness shall
be deemed to have been incurred in compliance with Section 6.16 hereof if the
initial holder of such Indebtedness relied in good faith upon an Officers'
Certificate of the Company to the effect that the incurrence of such
Indebtedness did not violate the provisions of Section 6.16 hereof.

   "Senior Subordinated Indebtedness" means Indebtedness of the Company
(whether outstanding on the date of the Indenture or thereafter created,
incurred, assumed or guaranteed by the Company) which, pursuant to the terms of
the instrument creating or evidencing the same, is subordinate in right of
payment to the Senior Debt and senior in right of payment to the Junior
Subordinated Indebtedness.

   "Subsidiary" means any corporation of which at least a majority of the
outstanding capital stock having voting power under ordinary circumstances to
elect directors of such corporation shall at the time be held, directly or
indirectly, by the Company, by the Company and one or more Subsidiaries or by
one or more Subsidiaries.

   "TIA" means the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended by the Trust
Indenture Reform Act of 1990 and as in effect on the date of this Indenture,
except as provided in Section 11.03 hereof.





[L120300.7]                                                             6
<PAGE>   12
   "trading day" means any day on which the New York Stock Exchange is open for
trading.

   "Trustee" means the party named as such in this Indenture until a successor
replaces it in accordance with the provisions of this Indenture and thereafter
means the successor.

   "Trust Officer" means the Chairman of the Board, any Vice President or any
other officer or assistant officer of the Trustee assigned by the Trustee to
administer its corporate trust matters.

   SECTION 1.02  Other Definitions.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    Defined in
Term                                                                                 Section
- ----                                                                                 -------
<S>                                                                                  <C>
"Bankruptcy Law"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     8.01
"Change in Control Purchase Date"   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     6.10
"Change in Control Purchase Notice" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     6.10
"Change in Control Purchase Price"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     6.10
"Conversion Agent"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     2.03
"Conversion Price"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     4.06
"Custodian" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     8.01
"Event of Default"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     8.01
"Exchange Act"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     6.02
"Global Securities" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     2.15
"Legal Holiday" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    12.07
"Paying Agent"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     2.03
"Payment Blockage Notice" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     5.02
"Payment Blockage Period" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     5.02
"Qualified Institutional Buyer" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     2.06(b)
"Registrar" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     2.03
"Registration Agreement"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     6.17
"Regulation S"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     2.06(b)
"Rights"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     4.06(c)
"Shelf Registration Statement"  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .     6.17
"U.S. Government Obligations" . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .    10.01
</TABLE>

   SECTION 1.03    Incorporation by Reference of Trust Indenture Act.

   Whenever this Indenture refers to a provision of the TIA, the provision is
incorporated by reference in and made a part of this Indenture.  The following
TIA terms used in this Indenture have the following meanings:

   "Commission" means the SEC.

   "indenture securities" means the Securities.

   "indenture security holder" means a Securityholder.

   "indenture to be qualified" means this Indenture.





[L120300.7]                                                             7
<PAGE>   13
   "indenture trustee" or "institutional trustee" means the Trustee.

   "obligor" on the indenture securities means the Company or any other obligor
on the Securities.

   All other terms used in this Indenture that are defined in the TIA, defined
by TIA reference to another statute or defined by SEC rule and not otherwise
defined herein have the meanings assigned to them therein.

   SECTION 1.04  Rules of Construction.

   Unless the context otherwise requires:

     (1)  a term has the meaning assigned to it;

     (2)  an accounting term not otherwise defined has the meaning assigned to
it in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in effect on the
date hereof, and any other reference in this Indenture to "generally accepted
accounting principles" refers to generally accepted accounting principles in
effect on the date hereof;

     (3)  "or" is not exclusive;

     (4)  words in the singular include the plural, and words in the plural
include the singular;

     (5)  provisions apply to successive events and transactions; and

     (6)  "herein", "hereof" and other words of similar import refer to this
Indenture as a whole and not to any particular Article, section or other
subdivision.

                                   ARTICLE 2

                                 THE SECURITIES

   SECTION 2.01  Form and Dating.

   The Securities and the Trustee's certificate of authentication shall be
substantially in the form of Exhibit A, which is incorporated in and made part
of this Indenture, with such appropriate insertions, omissions, substitutions
and other variations as are required or permitted by this Indenture.  The
Securities may have notations, legends or endorsements as may be required by
law, stock exchange rule, agreements to which the Company is subject or usage.
The Company shall approve the form of the Securities and any notation, legend
or endorsement on them.  Each Security shall be dated the date of its
authentication.





[L120300.7]                                                             8
<PAGE>   14
   SECTION 2.02  Execution and Authentication.

   Two Officers shall sign the Securities for the Company by manual or
facsimile signature.  The Company's seal shall be reproduced on the Securities.

   If an Officer whose signature is on a Security no longer holds that office
at the time the Trustee authenticates the Security, the Security shall be valid
nevertheless.

   A security shall not be valid until the Trustee manually signs the
certificate of authentication on the Security.  The signature shall be
conclusive evidence that the Security has been authenticated under this
Indenture.

   The Trustee shall authenticate Securities for original issue in the
aggregate principal amount of $125,000,000, upon a written order or orders of
the Company signed by two Officers or by an Officer and an Assistant Treasurer
or Assistant Secretary of the Company; provided, however, that in the event
that the Company sells any Securities pursuant to the Over-Allotment Option,
then the Trustee shall authenticate Securities for original issue in an
aggregate principal amount of up to $125,000,000 plus up to $18,750,000
aggregate principal amount of Securities sold pursuant to the Over-Allotment
Option upon a written order of the Company signed by two Officers or by an
Officer and an Assistant Treasurer or Assistant Secretary of the Company.  The
aggregate principal amount of Securities outstanding at any time may not exceed
the amount set forth in the preceding sentence, except as provided in Section
2.07.

   The Trustee may appoint an authenticating agent acceptable to the Company to
authenticate Securities.  An authenticating agent may authenticate Securities
whenever the Trustee may do so.  Each reference in this Indenture to
authentication by the Trustee includes authentication by such agent.  An
authenticating agent has the same rights as an Agent to deal with the Company
or an Affiliate of the Company.

   The Securities shall be issuable only in registered form without coupons and
only in denominations of $1,000 and any integral multiple thereof.

   SECTION 2.03  Registrar, Paying Agent and Conversion Agent.

   The Company shall maintain an office or agency where Securities may be
presented for registration of transfer or for exchange ("Registrar"), an office
or agency where Securities may be presented for payment ("Paying Agent"), an
office or agency where Securities may be presented for conversion ("Conversion
Agent") and an office or agency where notices and demands to or upon the
Company in respect of the Securities and this Indenture may be served.  The
Registrar shall keep a register of the Securities and of their transfer and
exchange.  The Company may





[L120300.7]                                                             9
<PAGE>   15
have one or more additional Conversion Agents.  The term "Registrar" includes
any co-Registrar, the term "Paying Agent" includes any additional Paying Agent
and the term "Conversion Agent" includes any additional Conversion Agent.
Except for purposes of Article 10, the Company or any Affiliate of the Company
may act as Paying Agent.

   The Company shall enter into an appropriate agency agreement with any Agent
not a party to this Indenture.  The agreement shall implement the provisions of
this Indenture that relate to such Agent.  The Company shall promptly notify
the Trustee of the name and address of any Agent not a party to this Indenture.
If the Company fails to maintain a Registrar, Paying Agent, Conversion Agent or
agent for service of notices and demands, or fails to give the foregoing
notice, the Trustee shall act as such.

   The Company initially appoints the Trustee as Registrar, Paying Agent,
Conversion Agent and agent for service of notices and demands.

   SECTION 2.04  Paying Agent to Hold Money in Trust.

   On or prior to each due date of the principal of or interest on any
Securities, the Company shall promptly deposit with the Paying Agent a sum
sufficient to pay such principal or interest so becoming due.  Subject to
Section 5.07, the Paying Agent shall hold in trust for the benefit of
Securityholders or the Trustee all money held by the Paying Agent for the
payment of principal of or interest on the Securities and shall notify the
Trustee of any default by the Company (or any other obligor on the Securities)
in making any such payment.  If the Company or an Affiliate of the Company acts
as Paying Agent, it shall on or before each due date of the principal of or
interest on any Securities segregate the money and hold it as a separate trust
fund.  The Company at any time may require a Paying Agent to pay all money held
by it to the Trustee and the Trustee may at any time during the continuance of
any default, upon written request to a Paying Agent, require such Paying Agent
to forthwith pay to the Trustee all sums so held in trust by such Paying Agent.
Upon doing so, the Paying Agent (other than the Company) shall have no further
liability for the money.

   SECTION 2.05  Securityholder Lists.

   The Trustee shall preserve in as current a form as is reasonably practicable
the most recent list available to it of the names and addresses of
Securityholders.  If the Trustee is not the Registrar, the Company shall
promptly furnish to the Trustee on or before each semi-annual interest payment
date and at such other times as the Trustee may request in writing a list in
such form and as of such date as the Trustee may reasonably require of the
names and addresses of Securityholders.





[L120300.7]                                                            10
<PAGE>   16
   SECTION 2.06  Transfer and Exchange.

   (a)   Subject to the provisions of subsection (b) below, when a Security is
presented to the Registrar with a request to register a transfer thereof, the
Registrar shall register the transfer as requested and when Securities are
presented to the Registrar with a request to exchange them for an equal
principal amount of Securities of other authorized denominations, the Registrar
shall make the exchange as requested; provided that every Security presented or
surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange shall be duly endorsed or
be accompanied by a written instrument of transfer in form satisfactory to the
Company and the Registrar duly executed by the Holder thereof or his attorney
duly authorized in writing.  To permit registration of transfer and exchanges,
the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate Securities at the
Registrar's request.  Any exchange or transfer shall be without charge, except
that the Company may require payment of a sum sufficient to cover any tax or
other governmental charge that my be imposed in relation thereto, but this
provision shall not apply to any exchange pursuant to Section 2.10, 3.06 or
11.05.

   (b)   The following procedures and restrictions shall apply with respect to
the registration of any transfer (but shall not apply to the initial issuance
of any Security) of any Security other than a Global Security prior to the date
that is three years after the original issue date of the Securities; provided,
however, that such procedures and restrictions shall not apply with respect to
the registration of any transfer of any Security that has been registered under
a Shelf Registration Statement that has been declared effective by the SEC and
continues to be deemed effective at the time of such transfer pursuant to the
Registration Agreement or otherwise pursuant to an effective registration
statement under the Securities Act, or any subsequent transfer of such
registered Security:

   The Registrar shall register the transfer of any Security, if the requested
transferee (i) is the Company or any Subsidiary thereof, (ii) is a qualified
institutional buyer (as defined in Rule 144A under the Securities Act)
("Qualified Institutional Buyer"), (iii) is acquiring such Security in a
transaction exempt from the registration provisions of the Securities Act
provided by Regulation S thereunder ("Regulation S"), (iv) is an institutional
"accredited investor" (as defined in Rule 501(a)(1), (2), (3) or (7) under the
Securities Act) who has delivered to the Company and the Trustee a letter in
the form of Exhibit B hereto and such other certificates and other information,
if any, as the Company or the Trustee shall have specified with respect to such
transfer, or (v) is acquiring the Security pursuant to Rule 144 under the
Securities Act and has delivered to the Company and the Trustee such other
certificates and other information, if any, as the Company or the Trustee shall
have specified with respect to such transfer.





[L120300.7]                                                            11
<PAGE>   17
   (c)   Each Security shall bear the following legend on the face thereof
until the date that is three years from the original issue date of the
Securities unless otherwise agreed by the Issuer and Holder thereof, provided,
however, that such legend need not appear with respect to any Security that has
been registered under a shelf registration statement that has been declared
effective by the SEC and continues to be deemed effective at the time of any
transfer or otherwise pursuant to an effective registration statement under the
Securities Act:

   THE SECURITY OR ITS PREDECESSOR EVIDENCED HEREBY HAS NOT BEEN AND WILL NOT
   BE REGISTERED UNDER THE U.S. SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE
   "SECURITIES ACT"), AND, ACCORDINGLY, MAY NOT BE OFFERED OR SOLD WITHIN THE
   UNITED STATES OR TO, OR FOR THE ACCOUNT OR BENEFIT OF, U.S.  PERSONS EXCEPT
   AS SET FORTH IN THE FOLLOWING SENTENCE.  BY ITS ACQUISITION HEREOF, THE
   HOLDER (1) REPRESENTS THAT (A) IT IS A "QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER" (AS
   DEFINED IN RULE 144A UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT) OR (B) IT IS AN INSTITUTIONAL
   "ACCREDITED INVESTOR" (AS DEFINED IN RULE 501(a)(1),(2),(3) OR (7) UNDER THE
   SECURITIES ACT) ("INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR") OR (C) IT IS NOT A
   U.S. PERSON AND IS ACQUIRING THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY IN AN OFFSHORE
   TRANSACTION, (2) AGREES THAT IT WILL NOT WITHIN THREE YEARS AFTER THE
   ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY RESELL OR OTHERWISE
   TRANSFER THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY EXCEPT (A) TO CARTER HAWLEY HALE
   STORES, INC. OR ANY SUBSIDIARY THEREOF, (B) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO A
   QUALIFIED INSTITUTIONAL BUYER IN COMPLIANCE WITH RULE 144 UNDER THE
   SECURITIES ACT, (C) INSIDE THE UNITED STATES TO AN INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED
   INVESTOR THAT, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISHES TO CONTINENTAL BANK,
   NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRANSFER AGENT, A SIGNED LETTER CONTAINING CERTAIN
   REPRESENTATIONS AND AGREEMENTS RELATING TO THE RESTRICTIONS ON TRANSFER OF
   THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY (THE FORM OF WHICH LETTER CAN BE OBTAINED FROM
   SUCH TRANSFER AGENT) OR (D) OUTSIDE THE UNITED STATES IN COMPLIANCE WITH
   RULE 904 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT AND (3) AGREES THAT IT WILL DELIVER TO
   EACH PERSON TO WHOM THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY IS TRANSFERRED A NOTICE
   SUBSTANTIALLY TO THE EFFECT OF THIS LEGEND.  IN CONNECTION WITH ANY TRANSFER
   OF THE SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY IN CERTIFICATED FORM WITHIN THREE YEARS
   AFTER THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF SUCH SECURITY, THE HOLDER MUST CHECK THE
   APPROPRIATE BOX SET FORTH ON THE REVERSE OF THIS CERTIFICATE RELATING TO THE
   MANNER OF SUCH TRANSFER AND SUBMIT THIS CERTIFICATE TO CONTINENTAL BANK,
   NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRANSFER AGENT.  IF THE PROPOSED TRANSFEREE IS AN
   INSTITUTIONAL ACCREDITED INVESTOR OR A PURCHASER WHO IS NOT A U.S. PERSON,
   THE HOLDER MUST, PRIOR TO SUCH TRANSFER, FURNISH TO CONTINENTAL BANK,
   NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS TRANSFER AGENT, SUCH CERTIFICATIONS, LEGAL OPINIONS
   OR





[L120300.7]                                                            12
<PAGE>   18
  OTHER INFORMATION AS IT MAY REASONABLY REQUIRE TO CONFIRM THAT SUCH TRANSFER
  IS BEING MADE PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM, OR IN A TRANSACTION NOT SUBJECT
  TO, THE REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES ACT.  THIS LEGEND WILL BE
  REMOVED AFTER THE EXPIRATION OF THREE YEARS FROM THE ORIGINAL ISSUANCE OF THE
  SECURITY EVIDENCED HEREBY.  AS USED HEREIN, THE TERMS "OFFSHORE TRANSACTION",
  "UNITED STATES," AND "U.S. PERSON" HAVE THE MEANINGS GIVEN TO THEM BY
  REGULATION UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT.

   (d)   The Company shall not, and shall not permit any of its affiliates (as
defined in Rule 501(b) of Regulation D under the Securities Act) to, resell any
Securities (or any Common Stock issued or issuable upon conversion thereof)
that have been acquired by any of them; provided, however, that such affiliates
may resell any such Securities (or Common Stock) if, upon resale, such
Securities (or Common Stock) would not be "restricted securities" within the
meaning of Rule 144 under the Securities Act.  The Registrar shall not register
the transfer of any Security if the transferor of such Security is the Company
or such an affiliate of the Company, except, in the case of such an affiliate,
to the Company.

   The Securities and related documentation may be amended or supplemented from
time to time in accordance with Section 11.01 hereof (x) to modify the
restrictions on, the procedures for, resales and other transfers of the
Securities to reflect any change in applicable law or regulation (or the
interpretation thereof) or provide alternative procedures in compliance with
applicable law and practices relating to the resale or other transfer of
restricted securities generally and (y) to accommodate the issuance, if any, of
Securities in book-entry form and matters related thereto (although no such
amendment or supplement may require that a Security outstanding at the time
such amendment or supplement becomes effective be placed in book-entry form).
Each Holder of any Security shall be deemed, by the acceptance or such
Security, to have agreed to any such amendment or supplement.

   SECTION 2.07  Replacement Securities.

   If a mutilated Security is surrendered to the Trustee, or if the Holder of a
Security claims that the Security has been lost, destroyed or wrongfully taken,
and neither the Company nor the Trustee has received notice that such Security
has been acquired by a bona fide purchaser, the Company shall issue and the
Trustee shall authenticate a replacement Security if the requirements of
Section 8-405 of the New York Uniform Commercial Code, as in effect on the date
of this Indenture, are met, and there shall have been delivered to the Company
and the Trustee evidence to their satisfaction of the loss, destruction or
theft of any Security if such is the case.  An indemnity bond may be required
that is sufficient in the judgment of the Company and the Trustee to protect
the Company, the Trustee or any Agent from





[L120300.7]                                                            13
<PAGE>   19
any loss which any of them may suffer if a Security is replaced.  The Company
may charge for its expenses (including the fees and expenses of the Trustee) in
replacing a Security.  Every replacement Security is an additional obligation
of the Company.

   SECTION 2.08  Outstanding Securities.

   Securities outstanding at any time are all Securities authenticated by the
Trustee, except for those cancelled by it, those delivered to it for
cancellation and those described in this Section 2.08 as not outstanding.

   If a Security is replaced pursuant to Section 2.07, it ceases to be
outstanding until the Trustee receives proof satisfactory to it that the
replaced Security is held by a bona fide purchaser.

   If the Paying Agent (other than the Company or an Affiliate of the Company)
holds on a redemption date or maturity date money sufficient to pay the
principal of and accrued interest on Securities payable on that date, then on
and after that date such Securities cease to be outstanding and interest on
them ceases to accrue.

   A Security does not cease to be outstanding because the Company or an
Affiliate of the Company holds the Security.

   SECTION 2.09  Treasury Securities.

   In determining whether the Holders of the required principal amount of
Securities have concurred in any notice, direction, waiver or consent,
Securities owned by the Company or any other obligor on the Securities or by
any Affiliate of the Company or of such other obligor shall be disregarded,
except that for purposes of determining whether the Trustee shall be protected
in relying on any such notice, direction, waiver or consent, only Securities
which the Trustee knows are so owned shall be so disregarded.  Securities so
owned which have been pledged in good faith shall not be disregarded if the
pledge establishes to the satisfaction of the Trustee the pledgee's right so to
act with respect to the Securities and that the pledgee is not the Company or
any other obligor upon the Securities or any Affiliate of the Company or of
such other obligor.

   SECTION 2.10  Temporary Securities.

   Until definitive Securities are ready for delivery, the Company may prepare
and, upon the order of the Company, the Trustee shall authenticate temporary
Securities.  Temporary Securities shall be substantially in the form of
definitive Securities but may have variations that the Company considers
appropriate for temporary Securities.  Without unreasonable delay, the Company
shall prepare and the Trustee shall





[L120300.7]                                                            14
<PAGE>   20
authenticate definitive Securities in exchange for temporary Securities.

   SECTION 2.11  Cancellation.

   The Company at any time may deliver Securities to the Trustee for
cancellation.  The Registrar, Paying Agent and Conversion Agent shall forward
to the Trustee any Securities surrendered to them for transfer, exchange,
payment or conversion.  The Trustee and no one else shall cancel all Securities
surrendered for transfer, exchange, payment, conversion or cancellation.  The
Company may not issue new Securities to replace Securities it has paid or
delivered to the Trustee for cancellation or which have been converted.  All
cancelled Securities shall be held by the Trustee and may be destroyed (and, if
so destroyed, certification of their destruction shall be delivered to the
Company) unless the Company shall direct in writing that the cancelled
Securities be returned to it.

   SECTION 2.12  Defaulted Interest.

   If the Company defaults in a payment of interest on the Securities, it shall
pay the defaulted interest to the persons who are Securityholders on a
subsequent special record date, and such term as used in this Section 2.12 with
respect to the payment of any defaulted interest shall mean the fifteenth day
next preceding the special payment date fixed by the Company, whether or not
such day is a Business Day.  At least 15 days before the special record date,
the Company shall mail to each Securityholder and the Trustee a notice that
states the special record date, the special payment date and the amount of
defaulted interest to be paid.

   SECTION 2.13  CUSIP Numbers.

   The Company in issuing the Securities may use "CUSIP" numbers (if then
generally in use), and, if so, the Trustee shall use "CUSIP" numbers in notices
of redemption as a convenience to Holders; provided that any such notice may
state that no representation is made as to the correctness of such number
either as printed on the Securities or as contained in any notice of a
redemption and that reliance may be placed only on the other identification
numbers printed on the Securities, and any such redemption shall not be
affected by any defect in or omission of such numbers.

   SECTION 2.14  Procedures for Global Securities.

   (a)   Upon issuance, the Securities may be represented by one or more fully
registered notes in global form ("Global Securities") as well as Securities in
definitive form registered in the name of individual purchasers or their
nominees.





[L120300.7]                                                            15
<PAGE>   21
   If the Securities are to be represented by one or more Global Securities,
the Company shall execute and the Trustee shall, in accordance with Section
2.02, authenticate and deliver, such Global Security or Securities which (i)
shall represent, and shall be denominated in an amount equal to the aggregate
principal amount of, the aggregate principal amount of the outstanding
Securities to be represented by such Global Security or Securities, (ii) shall
be registered in the name of Cede & Co., as nominee of The Depository Trust
Company, as depositary (such depositary and any successor depositary shall be
referred to herein as the "Depositary"), (iii) shall be delivered by the
Trustee to the Depositary or pursuant to the Depositary's instructions and (iv)
if required by the Depositary, shall bear a legend substantially to the
following effect:

   Unless this certificate is presented by an authorized representative of the
   Depositary to the Company or its agent for registration or transfer,
   exchange or payment, and any certificate issued is registered in the name of
   the nominee of the Depositary or in such other name as is requested by an
   authorized representative of the Depositary (and any payment is made to the
   nominee of the Depositary or to such other entity as is requested by an
   authorized representative of the Depositary), ANY TRANSFER, PLEDGE, OR OTHER
   USE HEREOF FOR VALUE OR OTHERWISE BY OR TO ANY PERSON IS WRONGFUL inasmuch
   as the registered owner hereof, the nominee of the Depositary, has an
   interest herein.

   (b)   A Global Security may be transferred, in whole but not in part, only
to a nominee of the Depositary for such Global Security, or to the Depositary,
or to the successor Depositary selected or approved by the Company, or to a
nominee of such successor Depositary.

   (c)   (i)  If at any time the Depositary for a Global Security notifies the
Company that it is unwilling or unable to continue as Depositary for such
Global Security or if at anytime the Depositary for such Global Security shall
no longer be eligible or in good standing under the Exchange Act, or other
applicable statute or regulation, the Company shall appoint a successor
Depositary with respect to such Global Security.  If a successor Depositary for
such Global Security is not appointed by the Company within 90 days after the
Company receives such notice or becomes aware of such ineligibility, the
Company will execute an authentication order or orders signed by two Officers
or by an Officer and an Assistant Treasurer or Assistant Secretary of the
Company, and the Trustee, upon receipt of such order or orders, will
authenticate and deliver individual Securities in an aggregate principal amount
equal to the principal amount of the Global Security in exchange for such
Global Security.

   (ii)  The Company may at any time and in its sole discretion determine that
the Securities or portion thereof issued or issuable in the form of one or more
Global Securities





[L120300.7]                                                            16
<PAGE>   22
shall no longer be represented by such Global Security or Securities.  In such
event the Company will execute an authentication order or orders for the
authentication and delivery of individual Securities in exchange in whole or in
part for such Global Security, and the Trustee, upon receipt of such order or
orders, will authenticate and deliver individual Securities in definitive form
in an aggregate principal amount equal to the principal amount of such Global
Security or Securities representing such Securities or portion thereof in
exchange for such Global Securities.

   (iii)  In any exchange provided for in any of clauses (i) or (ii) above, the
Company will execute and the Trustee will authenticate and deliver individual
Securities in definitive registered form in authorized denominations.  Upon the
exchange of the entire principal amount of a Global Security for individual
Securities, such Global Security shall be cancelled by the Trustee.  Except as
provided in the preceding paragraph, Securities issued in exchange for a Global
Security pursuant to this Section shall be registered in such names and in such
authorized denominations as the Depositary for such Global Security shall
instruct the Trustee or the Registrar.  The Trustee or the Registrar shall
deliver such Securities to the persons in whose names such Securities are so
registered.

   (d)  Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, so long as a
Global Security remains outstanding, unless the transferee shall otherwise
request in writing to the Registrar, no definitive Security shall be issued or
authenticated in connection with the transfer of any definitive  Security
pursuant to the exemption from registration provided by Rule 144A under the
Securities Act.  Instead, upon acceptance for transfer of any definitive
Security, the Registrar shall cancel such definitive Security and shall, in
lieu of issuing a new definitive Security in exchange for the definitive
Security surrendered for registration of transfer, endorse on the schedule
affixed to such Global Security (or on a continuation of such schedule affixed
to such Global Security and made a part thereof), an appropriate notation
evidencing the date and an increase in the principal amount of such Global
Security in an amount equal to the principal amount of such definitive
Security.  The Registrar shall notify the Depositary promptly of any increase
in the principal amount of any Global Security.

   Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Indenture, resales or other
transfers of Securities represented by a Global Security made in compliance
with Rule 144A under the Securities Act or made on or subsequent to the date
that is three years after the original issue date of such Securities will be
conducted according to the rules and procedures of the Depositary applicable to
U.S. corporate debt obligations and without notice to, or action by, the
Registrar.  Upon written notice (upon which notice to the Registrar may rely)
from a participant in the Depositary's system having an interest in the
Securities represented by a Global Security that such participant (or a





[L120300.7]                                                            17
<PAGE>   23
beneficial owner who holds an interest in the Securities through such
participant) intends to resell or transfer such Securities otherwise than
pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act prior to three years after the
original issue date of such Securities, and upon satisfaction by the transferor
and, if applicable, the transferee, of the conditions necessary for the
registration of transfer of a Security set out in Section 2.06(b), the
Registrar shall and is authorized by the holder of such Global Security, by its
acceptance thereof, to endorse on the schedule affixed to such Global Security
(or on a continuation of such schedule affixed to such Global Security and made
a part thereof) an appropriate notation evidencing the date and the reduction
in the principal amount of such Global Security equal to the principal amount
of the portion of the Global Security being transferred and shall authenticate
and deliver a definitive Security registered in the name of the transferee or
its nominee in an equal aggregate principal amount.  The Registrar shall notify
the Depositary promptly of any decrease in the principal amount of the Global
Security.


                                   ARTICLE 3

                                   REDEMPTION

   SECTION 3.01  Notice to Trustee.

   If the Company wants to redeem Securities pursuant to paragraph 5 of the
Securities, it shall notify the Trustee at least 45 days prior to the
redemption date as fixed by the Company (unless a shorter notice shall be
satisfactory to the Trustee) of the redemption date and the principal amount of
Securities to be redeemed.

   SECTION 3.02  Selection of Securities to be Redeemed.

   If less than all of the Securities are to be redeemed, the Trustee shall,
not more than 60 days prior to the redemption date, select the Securities to be
redeemed pro rata or by lot, as the Trustee in its discretion shall determine.
The Trustee shall make the selection from the Securities outstanding and not
previously called for redemption.  Securities in denominations of $1,000 may
only be redeemed in whole.  The Trustee may select for redemption portions
(equal to $1,000 or any integral multiple thereof) of the principal of
Securities that have denominations larger than $1,000.  Provisions of this
Indenture that apply to Securities called for redemption also apply to portions
of Securities called for redemption.

   SECTION 3.03  Notice of Redemption.

   At least 15 days but not more than 60 days before a redemption date, the
Company shall mail a notice of redemption by first class mail to each Holder of
Securities to be redeemed.





[L120300.7]                                                            18
<PAGE>   24
   The notice shall identify the Securities to be redeemed and shall state:

   (1) the redemption date;

   (2) the redemption price;

   (3) the then current conversion price;

   (4) the name and address of the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent;

   (5) that Securities called for redemption must be surrendered to the Paying
Agent to collect the redemption price;

   (6) that the right to convert Securities called for redemption shall
terminate at the close of business on the tenth Business Day immediately
preceding the redemption date;

   (7) that Holders who wish to convert Securities must satisfy the
requirements in paragraph 8 of the Securities;

   (8) that, unless the Company defaults in making the redemption payment,
interest on Securities called for redemption ceases to accrue on and after the
redemption date and the only remaining right of the Holder is to receive
payment of the redemption price upon surrender to the Paying Agent of the
Securities;

   (9) if any Security is being redeemed in part, the portion of the principal
amount of such Security to be redeemed and that, after the redemption date,
upon surrender of such Security, a new Security or Securities in principal
amount equal to the unredeemed portion thereof will be issued; and

   (10) the  CUSIP number, if any, of the Securities to be redeemed.

   At the Company's request, the Trustee shall give the notice of redemption in
the Company's name and at the Company expense.

   SECTION 3.04  Effect of Notice of Redemption.

   Once notice of redemption is mailed, Securities called for redemption become
due and payable on the redemption date, subject to the provisions of Section
4.01, and at the redemption price.  Upon surrender to the Paying Agent, such
Securities shall be paid at the redemption price, plus accrued and unpaid
interest to the redemption date.

   SECTION 3.05  Deposit of Redemption Price.

   On or prior to the redemption date, the Company shall promptly deposit with
the Paying Agent (or if the Company is its





[L120300.7]                                                            19
<PAGE>   25
own Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust) money sufficient to pay
the redemption price of and accrued and unpaid interest on all Securities to be
redeemed on that date, other than Securities or portions thereof called for
redemption on that date which have been delivered by the Company to the Trustee
for cancellation.  The Paying Agent shall return to the Company any money not
required for that purpose because of the conversion of Securities or otherwise.

   SECTION 3.06  Securities Redeemed in Part.

   Upon surrender of a Security that is redeemed in part, the Company shall
issue and the Trustee shall authenticate for the Holder a new Security equal in
principal amount to the unredeemed portion of the Security surrendered.

                                   ARTICLE 4

                                   CONVERSION

   SECTION 4.01  Conversion Privilege.

   A Holder of a Security may convert it into Common Stock of the Company at
any time prior to maturity at the conversion price then in effect, except that,
with respect to any Security called for redemption, such conversion right shall
terminate at the close of business on the tenth Business Day immediately
preceding the redemption date (unless the Company shall default in making the
redemption payment when it becomes due, in which case the conversion right
shall terminate on the date such default is cured).  The number of shares of
Common Stock issuable upon conversion of a Security is determined by dividing
the principal amount converted by the conversion price in effect on the
conversion date.

   The initial conversion price is stated in paragraph 8 of the Securities and
is subject to adjustment as provided in this Article 4.

   A Holder may convert a portion of a Security equal to $1,000 or any integral
multiple thereof.  Provisions of this Indenture that apply to conversion of all
of a Security also apply to conversion of a portion of it.

   SECTION 4.02  Conversion Procedure.

   To convert a Security, a Holder must satisfy the requirements in paragraph 8
of the Securities.  The date on which the Holder satisfies all of those
requirements is the conversion date.  As soon as practicable after the
conversion date, the Company shall deliver to the Holder through the Conversion
Agent a certificate for the number of whole shares of Common Stock issuable
upon the conversion and a check for any fractional share.  The person in whose
name the certificate is registered shall become the stockholder of record on
the conversion date





[L120300.7]                                                            20
<PAGE>   26
and, as of such date, such person's rights as a Securityholder shall cease.

   No payment or adjustment will be made for accrued and unpaid interest on a
converted Security or for dividends or distributions on shares of Common Stock
issued upon conversion of a Security, but if any Holder surrenders a Security
for conversion after the close of business on the record date for the payment
of an installment of interest and prior to the opening of business on the next
interest payment date, then, notwithstanding such conversion, the interest
payable on such interest payment date shall be paid to the Holder of such
Security on such record date.  In such event, such Security, when surrendered
for conversion, must be accompanied by payment of an amount equal to the
interest payable on such interest payment date on the portion so converted.  If
such payment does not accompany such Security, the Security shall not be
converted.  If the Company defaults in the payment of interest payable on the
interest payment date, the Trustee shall repay such funds to the Holder.

   If a Holder converts more than one Security at the same time, the number of
whole shares issuable upon the conversion shall be based on the total principal
amount of Securities converted.

   Upon surrender of a Security that is converted in part, the Trustee shall
authenticate for the Holder a new Security equal in principal amount to the
unconverted portion of the Security surrendered.

   SECTION 4.03  Fractional Shares.

   The Company will not issue fractional shares of Common Stock upon conversion
of Securities.  In lieu thereof, the Company will pay an amount in cash based
upon the current market price of the Common Stock on the trading day prior to
the date of conversion.

   SECTION 4.04  Taxes on Conversion.

   The issuance of certificates for shares of Common Stock upon the conversion
of any Security shall be made without charge to the converting Securityholder
for such certificates or any tax in respect of the issuance of such
certificates, and such certificates shall be issued in the respective names of,
or in such names as may be directed by, the Holder or Holders of the Security
converted; provided, however, that in the event that certificates for shares of
Common Stock are to be issued in a name other than the name of the Holder of
the Security converted, such Security, when surrendered for conversion, shall
be accompanied by an instrument of transfer, in form satisfactory to the
Company, duly executed by the registered Holder thereof or his duly authorized
attorney; and provided further, however, that the Company shall not be required
to pay any tax which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the
issuance and





[L120300.7]                                                            21
<PAGE>   27
delivery of any such certificates in a name other than that of the holder of
the Security converted, and the Company shall not be required to issue or
deliver such certificates unless or until the person or persons requesting the
issuance thereof shall have paid to the Company the amount of such tax or shall
have established to the satisfaction of the Company that such tax has been paid
or is not applicable.

   SECTION 4.05  Company to Provide Stock.

   The Company shall at all times reserve and keep available, free from
preemptive rights, out of its authorized but unissued Common Stock, solely for
the purpose of issuance upon conversion of Securities as herein provided, a
sufficient number of shares of Common Stock to permit the conversion of all
outstanding Securities.

   All shares of Common Stock which may be issued upon conversion of the
Securities shall be duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and
non-assessable when so issued.

   SECTION 4.06  Adjustment of Conversion Price.

   The conversion price (herein called the "Conversion Price") shall be subject
to adjustment from time to time as follows:

   (a)   In case the Company shall (1) pay a dividend in shares of Common Stock
to holders of Common Stock, (2) make a distribution in shares of Common Stock
to holders of Common Stock, (3) subdivide its outstanding shares of Common
Stock into a greater number of shares of Common Stock or (4) combine its
outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares of Common
Stock, the Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to such action shall be
adjusted so that the Holder of any Security thereafter surrendered for
conversion shall be entitled to receive the number of shares of Common Stock
which he would have owned immediately following such action had such Securities
been converted immediately prior thereto.  Any adjustment made pursuant to this
subsection (a) shall become effective immediately after the record date in the
case of a dividend or distribution and shall become effective immediately after
the effective date in the case of a subdivision or combination.

   (b)   In case the Company shall issue rights or warrants to substantially
all holders of Common Stock entitling them (for a period commencing no earlier
than the record date for the determination of holders of Common Stock entitled
to receive such rights or warrants and expiring not more than 45 days after
such record date) to subscribe for or purchase shares of Common Stock (or
securities convertible into Common Stock) at a price per share less than the
current market price (as determined pursuant to subsection (d) below) of the
Common Stock on such record date, the Conversion Price shall be adjusted so
that the same shall





[L120300.7]                                                            22
<PAGE>   28
equal the price determined by multiplying the Conversion Price in effect
immediately prior to such record date by a fraction of which the numerator
shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on such record date,
plus the number of shares of Common Stock which the aggregate offering price of
the offered shares of Common Stock (or the aggregate conversion price of the
convertible securities so offered) would purchase at such current market price,
and of which the denominator shall be the number of shares of Common Stock
outstanding on such record date plus the number of additional shares of Common
Stock offered (or into which the convertible securities so offered are
convertible).  Such adjustments shall become effective immediately after such
record date.

   (c)   In case the Company shall distribute to all holders of Common Stock
shares of any class of stock other than Common Stock, evidences of indebtedness
or other assets (other than cash dividends out of current or retained
earnings), or shall distribute to substantially all holders of Common Stock
rights or warrants to subscribe for securities (other than those referred to in
subsection (b) above), then in each such case the Conversion Price shall be
adjusted so that the same shall equal the price determined by multiplying the
Conversion Price in effect immediately prior to the date of such distribution
by a fraction of which the numerator shall be the current market price
(determined as provided in subsection (d) below) of the Common Stock on the
record date mentioned below less the then fair market value (as determined by
the Board of Directors of the Company, whose determination shall be conclusive
evidence of such fair market value) of the portion of the assets so distributed
or of such subscription rights or warrants applicable to one share of Common
Stock, and of which the denominator shall be such current market price of the
Common Stock.  Such adjustment shall become effective immediately after the
record date for the determination of the holders of Common Stock entitled to
receive such distribution.  Notwithstanding the foregoing, in the event that
the Company shall distribute rights or warrants (other than those referred to
in subsection (b) above) ("Rights") pro rata to holders of Common Stock, the
Company may, in lieu of making any adjustment pursuant to this Section 4.06,
make proper provision so that each holder of a Security who converts such
Security (or any portion thereof) after the record date for such distribution
and prior to the expiration or redemption of the Rights shall be entitled to
receive upon such conversion, in addition to the shares of Common Stock
issuable upon such conversion (the "Conversion Shares"), a number of Rights to
be determined as follows:  (i) if such conversion occurs on or prior to the
date for the distribution to the holders of Rights of separate certificates
evidencing such Rights (the "Distribution Date"), the same number of Rights to
which a holder of a number of shares of Common Stock equal to the number of
Conversion Shares is entitled at the time of such conversion in accordance with
the terms and provisions of and applicable to the Rights; and (ii) if such
conversion occurs after the Distribution Date, the same number of Rights to
which a holder of the number of shares of





[L120300.7]                                                            23
<PAGE>   29
Common Stock into which the principal amount of the Security so converted was
convertible immediately prior to the Distribution Date would have been entitled
on the Distribution Date in accordance with the terms and provisions of and
applicable to the Rights.

   (d)   The current market price per share of Common Stock on any date shall
be deemed to be the average of the daily closing prices for thirty consecutive
trading days commencing forty-five trading days before the day in question.
The closing price for each day shall be the last reported sales price regular
way or, in case no such reported sale takes place on such date, the average of
the reported closing bid and asked prices regular way, in either case on the
New York Stock Exchange, or if the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to
trading on such Exchange, or the principal national securities exchange on
which the Common Stock is listed or admitted to trading or, if not listed or
admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the closing sale price
of the Common Stock, or in case no reported sale takes place, the average of
the closing bid and asked prices, on NASDAQ or any comparable system, or if the
Common Stock is not quoted on NASDAQ or any comparable system, the closing sale
price or, in case no reported sale takes place, the average of the closing bid
and asked prices, as furnished by any two members of the National Association
of Securities Dealers, Inc. selected from time to time by the Company for that
purpose.

   (e)   In any case in which this Section 4.06 shall require that an
adjustment be made immediately following a record date, the Company may elect
to defer (but only until five Business Days following the filing by the Company
with the Trustee of the certificate described in Section 4.10 below) issuing to
the holder of any Security converted after such record date the shares of
Common Stock and other capital stock of the Company issuable upon such
conversion over and above the shares of Common Stock and other capital stock of
the Company issuable upon such conversion only on the basis of the Conversion
Price prior to adjustment; and, in lieu of the shares the issuance of which is
so deferred, the Company shall issue or cause its transfer agents to issue due
bills or other appropriate evidence of the right to receive such shares.

   SECTION 4.07  No Adjustment.

   No adjustment in the Conversion Price shall be required until cumulative
adjustments amount to 1% or more of the Conversion Price as last adjusted;
provided, however, that any adjustments which by reason of this Section 4.07
are not required to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in
any subsequent adjustment.  All calculations under this Article 4 shall be made
to the nearest cent or to the nearest one-hundredth of a share, as the case may
be.  No adjustment of the Conversion Price shall be made for cash dividends.





[L120300.7]                                                            24
<PAGE>   30
   SECTION 4.08  Equivalent Adjustments.

   In the event that, as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Section
4.06 above, the holder of any Security thereafter surrendered for conversion
shall become entitled to receive any shares of capital stock of the Company
other than shares of its Common Stock, thereafter the Conversion Price of such
other shares so receivable upon conversion of any Securities shall be subject
to adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent
as practicable to the provisions with respect to Common Stock contained in this
Article 4.

   SECTION 4.09  Adjustments for Tax Purposes.

   The Company may make such reductions in the Conversion Price, in addition to
those required by paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of Section 4.06 above, as it
considers to be advisable in order that any event treated for Federal income
tax purposes as a dividend of stock or stock rights shall not be taxable to the
recipients thereof.

   SECTION 4.10  Notice of Adjustment.

   Whenever the Conversion Price is adjusted, the Company shall promptly mail
to Securityholders a notice of the adjustment and file with the Trustee an
Officers' Certificate briefly stating the facts requiring the adjustment and
the manner of computing it.  The certificate shall be conclusive evidence of
the correctness of such adjustment.

   SECTION 4.11  Notice of Certain Transactions.

   In the event that:

   (1)  the Company takes any action which would require an adjustment in the
        Conversion Price.

   (2)  the Company consolidates or merges with, or transfers all or
substantially all of its assets to, another corporation and stockholders of the
Company must approve the transaction, or

   (3)   there is a dissolution or liquidation of the Company,

a Holder of a Security may wish to convert such Security into shares of Common
Stock prior to the record date for or the effective date of the transaction so
that he may receive the rights, warrants, securities or assets which a holder
of shares of Common Stock on that date may receive.  Therefore, the Company
shall mail to Securityholders and the Trustee a notice stating the proposed
record or effective date, as the case may be.  The Company shall mail the
notice at least 10 days before such date; however, failure to mail such notice
or any defect therein shall





[L120300.7]                                                            25
<PAGE>   31
not affect the validity of any transaction referred to in clause (1), (2) or
(3) of this Section 4.11.

   SECTION 4.12  Effect of Reclassifications, Consolidations, Mergers or Sales
                 on Conversion Privilege.

   If any of the following shall occur, namely:  (i) any reclassification or
change of outstanding shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion of
Securities (other than a change in par value, or from par value to no par
value, or from no par value to par value, or as a result of a subdivision or
combination), (ii) any consolidation or merger to which the Company is a party
other than a merger in which the Company is the continuing corporation and
which does not result in any reclassification of, or change (other than a
change in name, or par value, or from par value to no par value, or from no par
value to par value or as a result of a subdivision or combination) in,
outstanding shares of Common Stock or (iii) any sale or conveyance of all or
substantially all of the property or business of the Company as an entirety,
then the Company, or such successor or purchasing corporation, as the case may
be, shall, as a condition precedent to such reclassification, change,
consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance, execute and deliver to the Trustee a
supplemental indenture providing that the Holder of each Security then
outstanding shall have the right to convert such Security into the kind and
amount of shares of stock and other securities and property (including cash)
receivable upon such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, sale or
conveyance by a holder of the number of shares of Common Stock deliverable upon
conversion of such Security immediately prior to such reclassification, change,
consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance.  Such supplemental indenture shall
provide for adjustments of the Conversion Price which shall be as nearly
equivalent as may be practicable to the adjustments of the Conversion Price
provided for in this Article 4.  The foregoing, however, shall not in any way
affect the right a holder of a Security may otherwise have, pursuant to clause
(ii) of the last sentence of subsection (c) of Section 4.06, to receive Rights
upon conversion of a Security.  If, in the case of any such consolidation,
merger, sale or conveyance, the stock or other securities and property
(including cash) receivable thereupon by a holder of Common Stock includes
shares of stock or other securities and property of a corporation other than
the successor or purchasing corporation, as the case may be, in such
consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance, then such supplemental indenture
shall also be executed by such other corporation and shall contain such
additional provisions to protect the interests of the Holders of the Securities
as the Board of Directors of the Company shall reasonably consider necessary by
reason of the foregoing.  The provision of this Section 4.12 shall similarly
apply to successive consolidations, mergers, sales or conveyances.





[L120300.7]                                                            26
<PAGE>   32
   In the event the Company shall execute a supplemental indenture pursuant to
this Section 4.12, the Company shall promptly file with the Trustee an
Officers' Certificate briefly stating the reasons therefor, the kind or amount
of shares of stock or securities or property (including cash) receivable by
Holders of the Securities upon the conversion of their Securities after any
such reclassification, change, consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance and
any adjustment to be made with respect thereto.

   SECTION 4.13  Trustee's Disclaimer.

   The Trustee has no duty to determine when an adjustment under this Article 4
should be made, how it should be made or what such adjustment should be, but
may accept as conclusive evidence of the correctness of any such adjustment,
and shall be protected in relying upon, the Officers' Certificate with respect
thereto which the Company is obligated to file with the Trustee pursuant to
Section 4.10.  The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or value
of any securities or assets issued upon conversion of Securities, and the
Trustee shall not be responsible for the Company's failure to comply with any
provisions of this Article 4.

   The Trustee shall not be under any responsibility to determine the
correctness of any provisions contained in any supplemental indenture executed
pursuant to Section 4.12, but may accept as conclusive evidence of the
correctness thereof, and shall be protected in relying upon, the Officers'
Certificate with respect thereto which the Company is obligated to file with
the Trustee pursuant to Section 4.12.

                                   ARTICLE 5

                                 SUBORDINATION

   SECTION 5.01  Agreement to Subordinate.

   The Company, for itself and its successors, and each Holder, by his
acceptance of Securities, agree that the payment of the principal of or
interest on or any other amounts due on the Securities is subordinated in right
of payment, to the extent and in the manner stated in this Article 5, to the
prior payment in full of all Senior Debt.  Each Holder by his acceptance of the
Securities authorizes and directs the Trustee on his behalf to take such action
as may be necessary or appropriate to effectuate, as between the holders of
Senior Debt and such Holder, the subordination provided in this Article and
appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for such purpose.  If the Trustee
does not file a proper claim or proof of debt in the form required in any
voluntary or involuntary dissolution, winding up, liquidation, reorganization,
arrangement or similar proceedings relating to the Company prior to 30 days
before the expiration of time to file such claim or claims, then any holder or
holders of Senior Debt or their representative or representatives are hereby





[L120300.7]                                                            27
<PAGE>   33
authorized to and have the right to file an appropriate claim for and on behalf
of the Holders.

   The Securities shall be senior in right of payment and in rights upon
liquidation to all Junior Subordinated Indebtedness.

   SECTION 5.02  No Payment on Securities if Senior Debt in Default.

   Anything in this Indenture to the contrary notwithstanding, no payment on
account of principal of or redemption of, interest on or other amounts due on
the Securities, and no redemption, purchase, or other acquisition of the
Securities, shall be made by or on behalf of the Company (i) unless full
payment of amounts then due for principal and interest and of all other amounts
then due on all Senior Debt has been made or duly provided for pursuant to the
terms of the instrument governing such Senior Debt, (ii) if, at the time of
such payment, redemption, purchase or other acquisition, or immediately after
giving effect thereto, there shall exist under any Senior Debt, or any
agreement pursuant to which any Senior Debt is issued, any default, which
default shall not have been cured or waived and which default shall have
resulted in the full amount of such Senior Debt being declared due and payable
or (iii) if, at the time of such payment, redemption, purchase or other
acquisition, the Trustee shall have received written notice from the holder or
holders of any Senior Debt or their representative or representatives (a
"Payment Blockage Notice") that there exists under such Senior Debt, or any
agreement pursuant to which such Senior Debt is issued, any default, which
default shall not have been cured or waived, permitting the holders there to
declare the full amount of such Senior Debt due and payable, but only for the
period (the "Payment Blockage Period") commencing on the date of receipt of the
Payment Blockage Notice and ending (unless earlier terminated by notice given
to the Trustee by the holders of such Senior Debt) on the earlier of (a) the
date on which such event of default shall have been cured or waived or (b) 180
days from the receipt of the Payment Blockage Notice.  Upon termination of
Payment Blockage Period, payments on account of principal of or interest on the
Securities (other than amounts due and payable by reason of the acceleration of
the maturity of the Securities) and redemptions, purchases or other
acquisitions may be made by or on behalf of the Company.  Notwithstanding
anything herein to the contrary, (A) only one Payment Blockage Notice may be
given during any period of 360 consecutive days with respect to the same event
of default and any other events of default on the same issue of Senior Debt
existing and known to the person giving such notice at the time of such notice
and (B) no new Payment Blockage Period may be commenced by the holder or
holders of the same issue of Senior Debt or their representative or
representatives during any period of 360 consecutive days unless all events of
default which were the object of the immediately preceding Payment Blockage
Notice, and any other event of default on the same issue of





[L120300.7]                                                            28
<PAGE>   34
Senior Debt existing and known to the person giving such notice at the time of
such notice, have been cured or waived.

   In the event that, notwithstanding the provisions of this Section 5.02,
payments are made by or on behalf of the Company in contravention of the
provisions of this Section 5.02, such payments shall be held by the Trustee,
any Paying Agent or the Holders, as applicable, in trust for the benefit of,
and shall be paid over to and delivered to, the holders of Senior Debt or their
representative or the trustee under the indenture or other agreement (if any),
pursuant to which any instruments evidencing any Senior Debt may have been
issued, as their respective interests may appear, for application to the
payment of all Senior Debt remaining unpaid to the extent necessary to pay all
Senior Debt in full in accordance with the terms of such Senior Debt, after
giving effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to or for the holders
of Senior Debt.

   The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee and any Paying
Agent of event of default under any Senior Debt or under any agreement pursuant
to which any Senior Debt may have been issued.

   SECTION 5.03  Distribution on Acceleration of Securities; Dissolution and
                 Reorganization; Subrogation of Securities.

   (a)   Upon (i) any acceleration of the principal amount due on the
Securities because of an Event of Default or (ii) any distribution of assets of
the Company upon any dissolution, winding up, liquidation or reorganization of
the Company (whether in bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership proceedings or
upon an assignment for the benefit of creditors or any other dissolution,
winding up, liquidation or reorganization of the Company):

     (1)  the holders of all Senior Debt shall first be entitled to receive
payment in full of the principal thereof, the interest thereon and any other
amounts due thereon before the Holders are entitled to receive payment on
account of the principal of or interest on or any other amounts due on the
Securities;

     (2)  any payment or distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or
character, whether in cash, property or securities (other than securities of
the Company as reorganized or readjusted or securities of the Company or any
other corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment the
payment of which is subordinate, at least to the extent provided in this
Article with respect to the Securities, to the payment in full without
diminution or modification by such plan of all Senior Debt), to which the
Holders or the Trustee would be entitled except for the provisions of this
Article, shall be paid by the liquidating trustee or agent or other person
making such a payment or distribution, directly to the holders of





[L120300.7]                                                            29
<PAGE>   35
Senior Debt (or their representative(s) or trustee(s) acting on their behalf),
ratably according to the aggregate amounts remaining unpaid on account of the
principal of or interest on and other amounts due on the Senior Debt held or
represented by each, to the extent necessary to make payment in full of all
Senior Debt remaining unpaid, after giving effect to any concurrent payment or
distribution to the holders of such Senior Debt; and

     (3)  in the event that, notwithstanding the foregoing, any payment or
distribution of assets of the Company of any kind or character, whether in
cash, property or securities (other than securities of the Company as
reorganized or readjusted, or securities of the Company or any other
corporation provided for by a plan of reorganization or readjustment the
payment of which is subordinate, at least to the extent provided in this
Article with respect to the Securities, to the payment in full without
diminution or modification by such plan of Senior Debt), shall be received by
the Trustee or the Holders before all Senior Debt is paid in full, such payment
or distribution shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and be paid over to
upon request by a holder of the Senior Debt, the holders of the Senior Debt
remaining unpaid (or their representatives) or trustee(s) acting on their
behalf, ratably as aforesaid, for application to the payment of such Senior
Debt until all such Senior Debt shall have been paid in full, after giving
effect to any concurrent payment or distribution to the holders of such Senior
Debt.

   Subject to the payment in full of all Senior Debt, the Holders shall be
subrogated to the rights of the holders of Senior Debt to receive payments or
distributions of cash, property or securities of the Company applicable to the
Senior Debt until the principal of and interest on the Securities shall be paid
in full and, for purposes of such subrogation, no such payments or
distributions to the holders of Senior Debt of cash, property or securities
which otherwise would have been payable or distributable to Holders shall, as
between the Company, its creditors other than the holders of Senior Debt, and
the Holders, be deemed to be a payment by the Company to or on account of the
Senior Debt, it being understood that the provisions of this Article are and
are intended solely for the purpose of defining the relative rights of the
Holders, on the one hand, and the holders of Senior Debt, on the other hand.

   Nothing contained in this Article or elsewhere in this Indenture or in the
Securities is intended to or shall impair, as between the Company and its
creditors other than the holders of Senior Debt, the obligation of the Company,
which is absolute and unconditional, to pay to the Holders the principal of and
interest on the Securities as and when the same shall become due and payable in
accordance with the terms of the Securities or is intended to or shall affect
the relative rights of the Holders and creditors of the Company other than
holders of Senior Debt or, as between the Company and the Trustee, the
obligations of the Company to the Trustee, nor shall anything herein or therein





[L120300.7]                                                            30
<PAGE>   36
prevent the Trustee or the Holders from exercising all remedies otherwise
permitted by applicable law upon default under this Indenture, subject to the
rights, if any, under this Article of the holders of Senior Debt in respect of
cash, property and securities of the Company received upon the exercise of any
such remedy.  Upon distribution of assets of the Company referred to in this
Article, the Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section 9.01 hereof, and the
Holders shall be entitled to rely upon a certificate of the liquidating trustee
or agent or other person making any distribution to the Trustee or to the
Holders for the purpose of ascertaining the persons entitled to participate in
such distribution, the holders of the Senior Debt and other indebtedness of the
Company, the amount thereof or payable thereon, the amount or amounts paid or
distributed thereon and all other facts pertinent thereto or to this Article.
The Trustee, however, shall not be deemed to owe any fiduciary duty to the
holders of Senior Debt.  Nothing contained in this Article or elsewhere in this
Indenture, or in any of the Securities, shall prevent the application by the
Trustee of any moneys which were deposited with it hereunder, prior to its
receipt of written notice of facts which would prohibit such application, for
the purpose of the payment of or on account of the principal of or interest on,
the Securities unless, prior to the date on which such application is made by
the Trustee, the Trustee shall be charged with notice under Section 5.03(c)
hereof of the facts which would prohibit the making of such application.

   (b)   The provisions of this Article shall not be applicable to any cash,
properties or securities received by the Trustee or by any Holder when received
as a holder of Senior Debt and nothing in Section 9.11 hereof or elsewhere in
this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee or such Holder of any of its rights as
such holder.

   (c)   The Company shall give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any
fact known to the Company which would prohibit the making of any payment of
money to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities pursuant to the
provisions of this Article.  The Trustee, subject to the provisions of Section
9.01 hereof, shall be entitled to assume that no such fact exists unless the
Company or any holder of Senior Debt or any trustee therefor has given such
notice to the Trustee.  Notwithstanding the provisions of this Article or any
other provisions of this Indenture, the Trustee shall not be charged with
knowledge of the existence of any fact which would prohibit the making of any
payment of monies to or by the Trustee in respect of the Securities pursuant to
the provisions in this Article, unless, and until three Business Days after,
the Trustee shall have received written notice thereof from the Company or any
holder or holders of Senior Debt or from any trustee therefor; and, prior to
the receipt of any such written notice, the Trustee, subject to the provisions
of Section 9.01 hereof, shall be entitled in all respects conclusively to
assume that no such facts exist; provided that if on a date not less than two
Business Days immediately preceding the date upon which by the terms hereof any





[L120300.7]                                                            31
<PAGE>   37
such monies may become payable for any purpose (including, without limitation,
the principal of or interest on any Security, and any amounts immediately due
and payable upon the execution of any instrument acknowledging satisfaction and
discharge of this Indenture, as provided in Article 10 hereof), the Trustee
shall not have received with respect to such monies the notice provided for in
this Section 5.03(c), than anything herein contained to the contrary
notwithstanding, the Trustee shall have full power and authority to receive
such monies and to apply the same to the purpose for which they were received,
and shall not be affected by any notice to the contrary which may be received
by it on or after such prior date.

   The Trustee shall be entitled to rely on the delivery to it of a written
notice by a person representing himself to be a holder of Senior Debt (or a
trustee on behalf of such holder) to establish that such notice has been given
by a holder of Senior Debt (or a trustee on behalf of any such holder or
holders).  In the event that the Trustee determines in good faith that further
evidence is required with respect to the right of any person as a holder of
Senior Debt to participate in any payment or distribution pursuant to this
Article, the Trustee may request such person to furnish evidence to the
reasonable satisfaction of the Trustee as to the amount of Senior Debt held by
such person, the extent to which such person is entitled to participate in such
payment or distribution and any other facts pertinent to the rights of such
person under this Article, and, if such evidence is not furnished, the Trustee
may defer any payment to such person pending judicial determination as to the
right of such person to receive such payment; nor shall the Trustee be charged
with knowledge of the curing or waiving of any default of the character
specified in Section 5.02 hereof or that any event or any condition preventing
any payment in respect of the Securities shall have ceased to exist, unless and
until the Trustee shall have received an Officers' Certificate to such effect.

   (d)   The provisions of this Section 5.03 applicable to the Trustee shall
also apply to any Paying Agent for the Company.

   SECTION 5.04  Reliance by Senior Debt on Subordination Provisions.

   Each Holder of any Security by his acceptance thereof acknowledges and
agrees that the foregoing subordination provisions are, and are intended to be,
an inducement and a consideration for each holder of any Senior Debt, whether
such Senior Debt was created or acquired before or after the issuance of the
Securities, to acquire and continue to hold, or to continue to hold, such
Senior Debt, and such holder of Senior Debt shall be deemed conclusively to
have relied on such subordination provisions in acquiring and continuing to
hold, or in continuing to hold, such Senior Debt.  Notice of any default in the
payment of any Senior Debt, except as expressly stated in this Article, and
notice of acceptance of the provisions hereof





[L120300.7]                                                            32
<PAGE>   38
are hereby expressly waived.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no
waiver, forbearance or release by any holder of Senior Debt under such Senior
Debt or under this Article shall constitute a release of any of the obligations
or liabilities of the Trustee or Holders of the Securities provided in this
Article.  Except as otherwise expressly provided herein, no right of any
present or future holder of Senior Debt to enforce the subordination provisions
hereof shall at any time or in any way be prejudiced or impaired by any act or
failure to act on the part of the Company or any such holder or by any
noncompliance by the Company with the terms, provisions or covenants of this
Indenture, regardless of any knowledge thereof which such holder may have
otherwise been charged with.

   SECTION 5.05  Trustee's Relation to Senior Debt.

   The Trustee in its individual capacity shall be entitled to all the rights
set forth in this Article in respect of any Senior Debt at any time held by it,
to the same extent as any holder of Senior Debt, and nothing in Section 9.11
hereof or elsewhere in this Indenture shall deprive the Trustee of any of its
rights as such holder.

   With respect to the holders of Senior Debt, the Trustee undertakes to
perform or to observe only such of its covenants and obligation, as are
specifically set forth in this Article, and no implied covenants or obligations
with respect to the holders of Senior Debt shall be read into this Indenture
against the Trustee.  The Trustee shall not owe any fiduciary duty to the
holders of Senior Debt but shall have only such obligations to such holders as
are expressly set forth in this Article.

   Each Holder of a Security by his acceptance thereof authorizes and directs
the Trustee on his behalf to take such action as may be necessary or
appropriate to effectuate the subordination provided in this Article and
appoints the Trustee his attorney-in-fact for any and all such purposes,
including, in the event of any dissolution, winding up or liquidation or
reorganization under any applicable bankruptcy law of the Company (whether in
bankruptcy, insolvency or receivership proceedings or otherwise), the timely
filing of a claim for the unpaid balance of such Holder's Securities in the
form required in such proceedings and the causing of such claim to be approved.
If the Trustee does not file a claim or proof of debt in the form required in
such proceedings prior to 10 days before the expiration of the time to file
such claims or proofs, then the holders of Senior Debt, jointly, or their
representative shall have the right to demand, sue for, collect, receive and
receipt for the payments and distributions in respect of the Securities which
are required to be paid or delivered to the holders of Senior Debt as provided
in this Article and to file and prove all claims therefore and to take all such
other action in the name of the Holders or otherwise, as such holders of Senior
Debt or representative thereof may determine to be necessary or





[L120300.7]                                                            33
<PAGE>   39
appropriate for the enforcement of the provisions of this Article.

   SECTION 5.06  Other Provisions Subject Hereto.

   Expect as expressly stated in this Article, notwithstanding anything
contained in this Indenture to the contrary, all the provisions of this
Indenture and the Securities are subject to the provisions of this Article.
However, nothing in this Article shall apply to or adversely affect the claims
of, or payment, to, the Trustee pursuant to Section 9.07.  Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the failure to make a payment on account of principal of or interest
on the Securities by reason of any provision of this Article 5 shall not be
construed as preventing the occurrence of an Event of Default under Section
8.01.

                                   ARTICLE 6

                                   COVENANTS

   SECTION 6.01  Payment of Securities.

   The Company shall pay the principal of and interest on the Securities on the
dates and in the manner provided in the Securities and this Indenture.  An
installment of principal or interest shall be considered paid on the date it is
due if the Paying Agent (other than the Company or an Affiliate of the Company)
holds by 12:00 noon New York City time on that date money designated for and
sufficient to pay the installment.  The Company shall pay interest on overdue
principal at the rate borne by the Securities per annum; it shall pay interest
on overdue installments of interest at the same rate to the extent lawful.

   SECTION 6.02  SEC Reports.

   The Company shall file all reports and other information and documents which
it is required to file with the SEC pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and within 15
days after it files them with the SEC, the Company shall file copies of all
such reports, information and other documents with the Trustee.  The Company
will cause any quarterly and annual reports which it mails to its stockholders
to be mailed to the Holders of the Securities.


   If the Company is not subject to the reporting requirements of Section 13 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act, the Company will prepare, for the first three
quarters of each fiscal year, quarterly financial statements substantially
equivalent to the financial statements required to be included in a report on
Form 10-Q under the Exchange Act.  The Company will also prepare, on an annual
basis, complete audited consolidated financial statements including, but not
limited to, a balance sheet, a





[L120300.7]                                                            34
<PAGE>   40
statement of income and retained earnings, a statement of changes in financial
position and all appropriate notes.  All such financial statements will be
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles
consistently applied, except for changes with which the Company's independent
accountants concur, and except that quarterly statements may be subject to
year-end adjustments.  The Company will cause a copy of such financial
statements to be filed with the Trustee and mailed to the Holders of the
Securities within 50 days after the close of each of the first three quarters
of each fiscal year and within 95 days after the close of each fiscal year.
The Company will also comply with the other provisions of TIA Section  314(a).

   Holders of Securities and prospective purchasers designated by such Holders
will have the right to obtain from the Company upon request by such Holders or
prospective purchasers, during any period in which the Company is not subject
to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act, the information required by
paragraph d(4)(i) of Rule 144A under the Securities Act.

   SECTION 6.03  Waiver of Stay, Extension or Usury Laws.

   The Company covenants (to the extent that it may lawfully do so) that it
will not at any time insist upon, or plead, or in any manner whatsoever claim,
and will actively resist any and all efforts to be compelled to take the
benefit or advantage of, any stay or extension law or any usury law or other
law, which would prohibit or forgive the Company from paying all or any portion
of the principal of and/or interest on the Securities as contemplated herein,
wherever enacted, now or at any time hereafter in force, or which may affect
the covenants or the performance of this Indenture; and (to the extent that it
may lawfully do so) the Company hereby expressly waives all benefit or
advantage of any such law, and covenants that it will not hinder, delay or
impede the execution of any power herein granted to the Trustee, but will
suffer and permit the execution of every such power as though no such law had
been enacted.

   SECTION 6.04  Liquidation.

   The Board of Directors or the stockholders of the Company may not adopt a
plan of liquidation which plan provides for, contemplates or the effectuation
of which is preceded by (a) the sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition of
all or substantially all of the assets of the Company otherwise than
substantially as an entirety (Article 7 of this Indenture being the Article
which governs any such sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition
substantially as an entirety), and (b) the distribution of all or substantially
all of the proceeds of such sale, lease, conveyance or other disposition and of
the remaining assets of the Company to the holders of the capital stock of the
Company, unless the Company shall in connection with the adoption of such plan
make provision for, or agree that prior to making any liquidating distributions
it will make provision for, the satisfaction of the Company's obligations
hereunder and under the





[L120300.7]                                                            35
<PAGE>   41
Securities as to the payment of the principal and interest.  The Company shall
be deemed to make provision for such payments only if (1) the Company
irrevocably deposits in trust with the Trustee money or U.S. Government
Obligations maturing as to principal and interest in such amounts and at such
times as are sufficient, without consideration of any reinvestment of such
interest, to pay the principal of and interest on the Securities then
outstanding to maturity and to pay all other sums payable by it hereunder, or
(2) there is an express assumption of the due and punctual payment of the
Company's obligations hereunder and under the Securities and the performance
and observance of all covenants and conditions to be performed by the Company
hereunder, by the execution and delivery of a supplemental indenture in form
satisfactory to the Trustee by a person who acquires, or will acquire
(otherwise than pursuant to a lease) a portion of the assets of the Company,
and which person will have assets (immediately after the acquisition) and
aggregate earnings (for such person's four full fiscal quarters immediately
preceding such acquisition) equal to not less than the assets of the Company
(immediately preceding such acquisition) and the aggregate earnings of the
Company (for its four full fiscal quarters immediately preceding the
acquisition), respectively, and which is a corporation organized under the laws
of the United States, any State thereof or the District of Columbia; provided,
however, that Company shall not make any liquidating distribution until after
the Company shall have certified to the Trustee with an Officers' Certificate
at least five days prior to the making of any liquidating distribution that it
has complied with the provisions of this Section 6.04.  Notwithstanding the
foregoing, the provisions of this Section 6.04 shall be subject to Article 5
hereof.

   SECTION 6.05  Compliance Certificates.

   The Company shall deliver to the Trustee concurrently with the delivery of
annual reports as provided in Section 6.02 herein, an Officers' Certificate as
to the signers' knowledge of the Company's compliance with all conditions and
covenants on its part contained in this Indenture and stating whether or not
the signers know of any Event of Default.  If they do know of such an Event of
Default, the Certificate shall describe the Event of Default and the efforts to
remedy the same.  For the purposes of this Section 6.05, compliance shall be
determined without regard to any requirement of notice provided pursuant to the
terms of this Indenture.  The Certificate need not comply with Section 12.04
hereof.  One of the signers of the Officers' Certificate shall be the principal
executive officer, the principal financial officer or the principal accounting
officer of the Company.





[L120300.7]                                                            36
<PAGE>   42
   SECTION 6.06  Notice of Events of Defaults.

   In the event that indebtedness of the Company in an aggregate amount in
excess of $10,000,000 is declared due and payable before its maturity because
of the occurrence of any default under such indebtedness, the Company will
promptly give written notice to the Trustee of such declaration.

   SECTION 6.07  Payment of Taxes and Other Claims.

   The Company will pay or discharge or cause to be paid or discharged, before
the same shall become delinquent, (1) all material taxes, assessments and
governmental charges levied or imposed upon the Company, directly or by reason
of its ownership of any Subsidiary or upon the income, profits or property of
the Company; and (2) all material lawful claims for labor, materials and
supplies, which, if unpaid, might by law become a lien upon the property of the
Company; provided, however, that the Company shall not be required to pay or
discharge or cause to be paid or discharged any such tax, assessment, charge or
claim whose amount, applicability or validity is being contested in good faith
by appropriate proceedings and for which adequate provision has been made.

   SECTION 6.08  Corporate Existence.

   Subject to Section 6.04 and Article 7, the Company will do or cause to be
done all things necessary to preserve and keep in full force and effect its
corporate existence and rights (charter and statutory); provided, however, that
the Company shall not be required to preserve any right if the Board of
Directors shall determine that the preservation is no longer desirable in the
conduct of the Company's business and that the loss thereof is not, and will
not be, adverse in any material respect to the Holders.

   SECTION 6.09  Maintenance of Properties.

   Subject to Section 6.04, the Company will cause all material properties
owned, leased or licensed in the conduct of its business or the business of its
Subsidiaries to be maintained and kept in good condition, repair and working
order and supplied with all necessary equipment and will cause to be made all
necessary repairs, renewals, replacements, betterments and improvements thereof
and thereto, all as in the judgment of the Company may be necessary so that the
business carried on in connection therewith may be properly and advantageously
conducted at all times while any Securities are outstanding; provided, however,
that nothing in this Section 6.09 shall prevent the Company from discontinuing
the maintenance of any such properties if, in the judgment of the Board of
Directors, such discontinuance is desirable in the conduct of the Company's
business or the business of its Subsidiaries and is not, and will not be,
adverse in any material respect to the Holders.





[L120300.7]                                                            37
<PAGE>   43
   SECTION 6.10  Purchase of Securities at Option of the Holder Upon Change in
                 Control.

   (a)   If at any time that Securities remain outstanding there shall have
occurred a Change in Control, Securities shall be purchased by the Company at
the option of the Holder thereof, at a purchase price (the "Change in Control
Purchase Price") equal to the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest to
the Change in Control Purchase Date (as hereinafter defined), as of the date
that is the later of (i) 20 Business Days after the date of mailing of the
Change in Control Purchase Notice and (ii) 40 Business Days after the
occurrence of the Change in Control (the "Change in Control Purchase Date"),
subject to satisfaction by or on behalf of the Holder of the requirements set
forth in Section 6.10(c).

   (b)   Within 20 Business Days after the occurrence of a Change in Control,
the Company shall mail a written notice of Change in Control by first-class
mail to the Trustee and to each Holder (and to beneficial owners as required by
applicable law) and shall cause a copy of such notice to be published in a
daily newspaper of national circulation (which shall be The Wall Street Journal
unless it is not then so circulated).  The Trustee may conclusively assume in
the absence of written notice to the contrary from the Company that no Change
in Control has occurred.  The notice shall include the form of a Change of
Control Purchase Notice (as defined below) to be completed by the Holder and
shall state:

   (1)   the date of such Change in Control and, briefly, the events causing
         such Change in Control;

   (2)   the date by which the Change in Control Purchase Notice pursuant to
         this Section 6.10 must be given;

   (3)   the Change in Control Purchase Date;

   (4)   the Change in Control Purchase Price;

   (5)   briefly, the conversion rights of the Securities;

   (6)   the name and address of the Paying Agent and the Conversion Agent;

   (7)   the Conversion Price and any adjustments thereto;

   (8)   that Securities as to which a Change in Control Purchase Notice has
         been given may be converted into Common Stock only to the extent
         that the Change in Control Purchase Notice has been withdrawn in 
         accordance with the terms of this Indenture;

   (9)   the procedures that the Holder must follow to exercise rights under
         this Section 6.10;





[L120300.7]                                                            38
<PAGE>   44
   (10)  the procedures for withdrawing a Change in Control Purchase Notice,
         including a form of notice of withdrawal; and

   (11)  that the Holder must satisfy the requirements set forth in the
         Securities in order to convert the Securities.

   (c)   A Holder may exercise its rights specified in Section 6.10(a) upon
delivery of a written notice of the exercise of such rights (a "Change in
Control Purchase Notice") to the Paying Agent at any time prior to the close of
business on the Change in Control Purchase Date, stating;

   (1)   the certificate number of each Security that the Holder will deliver
         to be purchased;

   (2)   the portion of the principal amount of each Security that the Holder
         will deliver to be purchased, which portion must be $1,000 or an 
         integral multiple thereof; and

   (3)   that such Security shall be purchased pursuant to the terms and
         conditions specified in this Indenture.

   The delivery of such Security to the Paying Agent prior to, on or after the
Change in Control Purchase Date (together with all necessary endorsements) at
the office of the Paying Agent shall be a condition to the receipt by the
Holder of the Change in Control Purchase Price therefor; provided, however,
that such Change in Control Purchase Price shall be so paid pursuant to this
Section 6.10 only if the Security so delivered to the Paying Agent shall
conform in all respects to the description thereof set forth in the related
Change in Control Purchase Notice.

   The Company shall purchase from the Holder thereof, pursuant to this Section
6.10, a portion of a Security if the principal amount of such portion is $1,000
or an integral multiple of $1,000.  Provisions of this Indenture that apply to
the purchase of all of a Security pursuant to Section 6.10 through 6.15 also
apply to the purchase of such portion of such Security.

   Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, any Holder delivering to
the Paying Agent the Change in Control Purchase Notice contemplated by this
Section 6.10(c) shall have the right to withdraw such Change in Control
Purchase Notice in whole or in a portion thereof that is $1,000 or in an
integral multiple thereof at any time prior to the close of business on the
Change in Control Purchase Date by delivery of a written notice of withdrawal
to the Paying Agent in accordance with Section 6.11.

   The Paying Agent shall promptly notify the Company of the receipt by it of
any Change in Control Purchase Notice or written withdrawal thereof.





[L120300.7]                                                            39
<PAGE>   45
   SECTION 6.11  Effect of Change in Control Purchase Notice.

   Upon receipt by the Paying Agent of the Change in Control Purchase Notice
specified in Section 6.10(c), the Holder of the Security in respect of which
such Change in Control Purchase Notice was given shall (unless such Change in
Control Purchase Notice is withdrawn as specified below) thereafter be entitled
to receive solely the Change in Control Purchase Price with respect to such
Security.  Such Change in Control Purchase Price shall be paid to such Holder
promptly following the later of (i) the Change in Control Purchase Date with
respect to such Security (provided the conditions in Section 6.10(c) have been
satisfied) and (ii) the time of delivery of such Security to the Paying Agent
by the Holder thereof in the manner required by Section 6.10(c).  Securities in
respect of which a Change in Control Purchase Notice has been given by the
Holder thereof may not be converted into shares of Common Stock on or after the
date of the delivery of such Change in Control Purchase Notice unless such
Change in Control Purchase Notice has first been validly withdrawn.

   A Change in Control Purchase Notice may be withdrawn by means of a written
notice of withdrawal delivered to the office of the Paying Agent at any time
prior to the close of business on the Change in Control Purchase Date to which
it relates, specifying:

   (1)   the certificate number of each Security in respect of which such
         notice of withdrawal is being submitted.

   (2)   the principal amount of the Security or portion thereof with respect
         to which such notice of withdrawal is being submitted, and

   (3)   the principal amount, if any, of such Security that remains subject to
         the original Change in Control Purchase Notice and that has been or 
         will be delivered for purchase by the Company.

   There shall be no purchase of any Securities pursuant to Section 6.10 if
there has occurred (prior to, on or after, as the case may be, the giving, by
the Holders of such Securities, of the required Change in Control Purchase
Notice) and is continuing an Event of Default (other than a default in the
payment of the Change in Control Purchase Price with respect to such
Securities).

   SECTION 6.12  Deposit of Change in Control Purchase Price.

   On or before the Business Day following a Change in Control Purchase Date,
the Company shall deposit with the Trustee or with the Paying Agent (or, if the
Company is acting as the Paying Agent, shall segregate and hold in trust as
provided in





[L120300.7]                                                            40
<PAGE>   46
Section 2.04) an amount of money sufficient to pay the aggregate Change in
Control Purchase Price of all the Securities or portions thereof that are to be
purchased as of such Change in Control Purchase Date.

   If on the Business Day following the Change in Control Purchase Date the
Paying Agent holds, in accordance with the terms hereof, money sufficient to
pay the Change in Control Purchase Price of any Security for which a Change in
Control Purchase Notice has been tendered and not withdrawn, then, on and after
the Change in Control Purchase Date, such Security will cease to be outstanding
and interest on such Security will cease to accrue and will be deemed paid,
whether or not such Security is delivered to the Paying Agent, and all other
rights of the Holder in respect thereof shall terminate (other than the right
to receive the Change in Control Purchase Price upon delivery of such
Security).

   SECTION 6.13  Securities Purchased in Part.

   Any Security that is to be purchased only in part shall be surrendered at
the office of the Paying Agent (with, if the Company or the Trustee so
requires, due endorsement by, or a written instrument of transfer in form
satisfactory to the Company and the Trustee duly executed by, the Holder
thereof or such Holder's attorney duly authorized in writing), and the Company
shall execute and the Trustee shall authenticate and deliver to the Holder of
such Security, without service charge, a new Security or Securities, of such
authorized denomination or denominations as may be requested by such Holder, in
aggregate principal amount equal to, and in exchange for, the portion of the
principal amount of the Security so surrendered that is not purchased.

   SECTION 6.14  Compliance  with Securities Laws upon Purchase of Securities.

   In connection with any offer to purchase or purchase of Securities under
Section 6.10 hereof (provided that such offer or purchase constitutes an
"issuer tender offer" for purposes of Rule 13e-4 (which term, as used herein,
includes any successor provision thereto) at the time of such offer or
purchase), the Company shall (i) comply with Rule 13e-4 and Rule 14e-1 under
the Exchange Act, (ii) file the related Schedule 13E-4 (or any successor
schedule, form or report) under the Exchange Act, and (iii) otherwise comply
with all Federal and state securities laws so as to permit the rights of the
Holders and obligations of the Company under Sections 6.10 through 6.13, to be
exercised in the time and in the manner specified therein.

   SECTION 6.15  Repayment to the Company.

   Subject to the provisions of Section 5.07, to the extent that the aggregate
amount of cash deposited by the Company pursuant to Section 6.12 exceeds the
aggregate Change in Control





[L120300.7]                                                            41
<PAGE>   47
Purchase Price of the Securities or portions thereof to be purchased, then
promptly after the Business Day following the Change in Control Purchase Date
the Trustee or the Paying Agent, as the case may be, shall return any such
excess to the Company.

   SECTION 6.16  Limitations on Ranking of Future Indebtedness.

   The Company will not, directly or indirectly, incur, create, assume or
guarantee any Indebtedness which is subordinate or junior in right of payment
to any Senior Indebtedness and which is not expressly made by the terms of the
instrument creating such Indebtedness pari passu with, or subordinate and
junior in right of payment to, the Notes.

   SECTION 6.17  Registration Rights.

   (a)   Simultaneously with the execution and delivery of this Indenture, the
Company shall enter into a Registration Agreement substantially in the form of
Exhibit C hereto (the "Registration Agreement"), and shall deliver to the
Trustee an Opinion of Counsel stating that the Registration Agreement has been
duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto.

   (b)   If the Company fails to comply with Section 2(a)(i) of the
Registration Agreement with respect to the filing of a Shelf Registration
Statement (as defined in the Registration Agreement), then, at such time, in
lieu of any other remedy that may be available to the Holders hereunder,
pursuant to applicable law or otherwise, the interest rate on the Securities
shall increase by 25 basis points.  Such increase will remain in effect until
the date on which the Shelf Registration Statement is filed, on which date the
interest rate on the Securities shall revert to the interest rate originally
borne by the Securities plus any increase in such interest rate pursuant to the
following sentence.  If the Company fails to comply with Section 2.1(a)(ii) of
the Registration Agreement with respect to the effectiveness of such Shelf
Registration Statement, then, at such time and on each date that is the
successive 30th day subsequent to such time, in lieu of any other remedy that
may be available to the Holders hereunder, pursuant to applicable law or
otherwise, the per annum interest rate on the Securities (which interest rate
shall be the original interest rate on the Securities plus any increase or
increases in such interest rate pursuant to the preceding sentence and this
sentence) shall increase by an additional 25 basis points; provided, however,
that the interest rate shall not increase by more than 50 basis points pursuant
to this sentence.  Such increase or increases will remain in effect until the
date on which such Shelf Registration Statement is declared effective, on which
date the interest rate on the Securities shall revert to the interest rate
originally borne by the Securities; provided, however, that if a Shelf
Registration Statement has been declared effective with respect to resales of
the Securities and Converted Notes (as defined in the





[L120300.7]                                                            42
<PAGE>   48
Registration Agreement) as set forth in Section 2.1 of the Registration
Agreement and the Company fails at any time for any reason to comply with
Section 2.1(a)(iii) of the Registration Agreement with respect to such Shelf
Registration Statement, then at such time and on each date thereafter that is
the successive 30th day subsequent to such time and until the earliest of (i)
the date that the Shelf Registration Agreement is again deemed effective
pursuant to Section 2.3 of the Registration Agreement, (ii) the date that is
the third anniversary subsequent to the date of original issuance of the
Securities and (iii) the date as of which all the Securities and the Converted
Notes have been sold pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement, the per
annum interest rate on the Securities shall increase by an additional 25 basis
points; provided, further, that the interest rate shall not increase by more
than 50 basis points pursuant to the foregoing proviso.  The sole and exclusive
remedy of the holders of the Securities for any failure of the Company to
perform any of its obligations under Section 2 of the Registration Agreement is
as set forth in this Section 6.17 of the Indenture.

   SECTION 6.18  Maintenance of Office or Agency.

   The Company will maintain an office or agency where Securities may be
surrendered for registration of transfer or exchange or for presentation for
payment and where notices and demands to or upon the Company in respect of the
Securities and this indenture may be served.  The Company will give prompt
written notice to the Trustee of the location, and any change in location, of
such office or agency.  If at any time the Company shall fail to maintain any
such required office or agency or shall fail to furnish the Trustee with the
address thereof, such presentations, surrenders, notices and demands may be
made or served at the address of the Trustee.

   The Company may also from time to time designate one or more other offices
or agencies where the Securities may be presented or surrendered for any or all
such purposes and may from time to time rescind such designations.  The Company
will give prompt written notice to the Trustee of any such designation or
rescission and of any change in the location of any such other office or
agency.

   The Company hereby initially designates the office of the Trustee as such
office of the Company.

                                   ARTICLE 7

                             SUCCESSOR CORPORATION

   SECTION 7.01  When Company May Merge, etc.

   The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or transfer
all or substantially all of its assets to, any person unless:





[L120300.7]                                                            43
<PAGE>   49
   (a)   either the Company shall be the resulting or surviving entity or such
  person is a corporation organized and existing under the laws of the United
  States, a State thereof or the District of Columbia, such person expressly
  assumes by supplemental indenture executed and delivered to the Trustee, in
  form satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Company under
  the Securities and this Indenture (in which case all such obligations of the
  Company shall terminate); and

   (b)   immediately before and immediately after giving effect to such
  transaction and treating any indebtedness which becomes an obligation of the
  Company as a result of such transaction as having been incurred by the
  Company at the time of such transaction, no default or Event of Default shall
  have occurred and be continuing.

   The Company shall deliver to the Trustee prior to the proposed transaction
an Officers' Certificate and an Opinion of Counsel, each of which shall comply
with Section 12.04 and shall state that such consolidation, merger or transfer
and such supplemental indenture comply with this Article 7 and that all
conditions precedent herein provided for relating to such transaction have been
complied with.

   SECTION 7.02  Successor Corporation Substituted.

   Upon any consolidation or merger, or any transfer of all or substantially
all of the assets of the Company in accordance with Section 7.01, the successor
corporation formed by such consolidation or into which the Company is merged or
to which such transfer is made shall succeed to, and be substituted for, and
may exercise every right and power of, the Company under this Indenture and the
Securities with the same effect as if such successor corporation had been named
as the Company herein and in the Securities.

                                   ARTICLE 8

                              DEFAULT AND REMEDIES

   SECTION 8.01  Events of Default.

   An "Event of Default" occurs if:

   (1)   the Company defaults in the payment of interest on any Security when
  the same becomes due and payable and the default continues for a period of 30
  days;

   (2)   the Company defaults in the payment of the principal of any Security
  when the same becomes due and payable at maturity, upon redemption or
  otherwise;

   (3)   the Company fails to comply with any of its other agreements contained
  in the Securities or this Indenture and





[L120300.7]                                                            44
<PAGE>   50
  the default continues for the period and after the notice specified below;

   (4)   there shall be a default under any bond, debenture, note or other
  evidence of indebtedness for money borrowed or under any mortgage, indenture
  or other instrument under which there may be issued or by which there may be
  secured or evidenced any indebtedness for money borrowed by the Company or
  under any guarantee of payment by the Company of indebtedness for money
  borrowed, whether such indebtedness or guarantee now exists or shall
  hereafter be created, which default relates to (A) the obligation to pay the
  principal of or interest on any such indebtedness or guarantee, taking into
  account any applicable grace period, or (B) an obligation other than the
  obligation to pay the principal of or interest on any such indebtedness,
  which default results in the accelaration of the maturity of such
  indebtedness; provided, however, that no default under this Section 8.01(4)
  shall exist if all such defaults do not relate to such indebtedness or such
  guarantees with an aggregate principal amount in excess of $10,000,000;

   (5)   the Company pursuant to or within the meaning of any Bankruptcy Law
  (A) commences a voluntary case or proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law with
  respect to itself, (B) consents to the entry of a judgment, decree or order
  for relief against it in an involuntary case or proceeding under any
  Bankruptcy Law, (C) consents to or acquiesces in the institution of
  bankruptcy or insolvency proceedings against it, (D) applies for, consents to
  or acquiesces in the appointment of or taking possession by a Custodian of
  the Company for any material part of its property, (E) makes a general
  assignment for the benefit of its creditors or (F) takes any corporate action
  in furtherance of or to facilitate, conditionally or otherwise, any of the
  foregoing;

   (6)   (i) a court of competent jurisdiction enters a judgment, decree or
  order for relief in respect of the Company in an involuntary case or
  proceeding under any Bankruptcy Law which shall (A) approve as properly filed
  a petition seeking reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition in
  respect of the Company, (B) appoint a Custodian of the Company for any
  material part of its property or (C) order the winding-up or liquidation of
  its affairs, and such judgment, decree or order shall remain unstayed and in
  effect for a period of 90 consecutive days; or (ii) any bankruptcy or
  insolvency petition or application is filed, or any bankruptcy or insolvency
  proceeding is commenced against the Company and such petition, application or
  proceeding is not dismissed within 90 days; or (iii) any warrant of
  attachment is issued against any material portion of the property of the
  Company which is not released within 90 days of service; or





[L120300.7]                                                            45
<PAGE>   51
   (7)   one or more judgments or decrees shall be entered against the Company
  involving, individually or in the aggregate, a liability of ten million
  dollars ($10,000,000) or more and a sufficient number of such judgments or
  decrees shall not have been vacated, discharged, satisfied or stayed pending
  appeal within 30 days from the entry thereof so as to bring the aggregate
  liability in respect thereof below the ten million dollar ($10,000,000)
  threshold.

   The term "Bankruptcy Law" means Title II, U.S. Code or any similar Federal
or state law for the relief of debtors.  The term "Custodian" means any
receiver, trustee, assignee, liquidator, sequestrator or similar official under
any Bankruptcy Law.

   A default under clause (3) is not an Event of Default until the Trustee
notifies the Company or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the
Securities then outstanding of the default, and the Company does not cure the
default within 60 days after receipt of such notice.  The notice given pursuant
to this Section 8.01 must specify the default, demand that it be remedied and
state that the notice is a "Notice of Default".  When a default under clause
(3) above is cured within such 60 day period, it ceases.

   Subject to the provisions of Sections 9.01 and 9.02, the Trustee shall not
be charged with knowledge of any Event of Default unless written notice thereof
shall have been given to a Trust Officer at the principal corporate trust
office of the Trustee by the Company, the Paying Agent, any Holder or an agent
of any Holder.

   SECTION 8.02  Acceleration.

   If an Event of Default (other than an Event of Default specified in Section
8.01(5) or (6)) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may, by notice to the
Company, or the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Securities
then outstanding may, by notice to the Company and the Trustee, and the Trustee
shall, upon the request for such Holders, declare all unpaid principal of and
accrued interest to the date of acceleration on the Securities then outstanding
(if not then due and payable) to be due and payable and upon any such
declaration, the same shall become and be immediately due and payable.  If an
Event of Default specified in Section 8.01(5) or (6) occurs, all unpaid
principal and accrued interest on the Securities then outstanding shall ipso
facto become and be immediately due and payable without any declaration or
other act on the part of the Trustee or any Securityholder.  The Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Securities then outstanding by notice to
the Trustee may rescind an acceleration and its consequences if (i) all
existing Events of Default, other than the non-payment of the principal of the
Securities which has become due solely by such declaration of acceleration,
have been cured or waived; (ii) to the extent the payment of such interest is
lawful, interest on





[L120300.7]                                                            46
<PAGE>   52
overdue installments of interest and overdue principal, which has become due
otherwise than by such declaration of acceleration, has been paid; (iii) the
rescission would not conflict with any judgment or decree of a court of
competent jurisdiction; and (iv) all payments due to the Trustee and any
predecessor Trustee under Section 9.07 have been made.  Anything herein
contained to the contrary notwithstanding, in the event of any acceleration
pursuant to this Section 8.02, the Company shall not be obligated to pay any
premium which it would have had to pay if it had then elected to redeem the
Securities pursuant to paragraph 5 of the Securities, except in the case of any
Event of Default occurring by reason of any willful action (or inaction) taken
(or not taken) by or on behalf of the Company with the intention of avoiding
payment of the premium which it would have had to pay if it had then elected to
redeem the Securities pursuant to paragraph 5 of the Securities, in which case
an equivalent premium shall also become and be immediately due and payable to
the extent permitted by law.

   SECTION 8.03  Other Remedies.

   If an Event of Default occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may pursue any
available remedy by proceeding at law or in equity to collect the payment of
the principal of or interest on the Securities or to enforce the performance of
any provision of the Securities or this Indenture.

   The Trustee may maintain a proceeding even if it does not possess any of the
Securities or does not produce any of them in the proceeding.  A delay or
omission by the Trustee or any Securityholder in exercising any right or remedy
accruing upon an Event of Default shall not impair the right or remedy or
constitute a waiver of or acquiescence in the Event of Default.  No remedy is
exclusive of any other remedy.  All available remedies are cumulative to the
extent permitted by law.

   SECTION 8.04  Waiver of Defaults and Events of Default.

   Subject to Sections 8.07 and 11.02, the Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the Securities then outstanding by notice to the Trustee may waive an
existing default or Event of Default and its consequences, except a default in
the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security as specified in
clauses (1) and (2) of Section 8.01.  When a default or Event of Default is
waived, it is cured and ceases.

   SECTION 8.05  Control by Majority.

   The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Securities then
outstanding may direct the time, method and place of conducting any proceeding
for any remedy available to the Trustee or exercising any trust or power
conferred on it.  However, the Trustee may refuse to follow any direction that
conflicts with law or this Indenture, that the Trustee determines





[L120300.7]                                                            47
<PAGE>   53
may be unduly prejudicial to the rights of another Securityholder, or that may
involve the Trustee in personal liability; provided that the Trustee may take
any other action deemed proper by the Trustee which is not inconsistent with
such direction.

   SECTION 8.06  Limitation on Suits.

   A Securityholder may not pursue any remedy with respect to this Indenture or
the Securities unless:

   (1)   the Holder gives to the Trustee written notice of a continuing Event
  of Default;

   (2)   the Holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the outstanding
  Securities make a written request to the Trustee to pursue the remedy;

   (3)   such Holder or Holders offer to the Trustee indemnity satisfactory to
  the Trustee against any loss, liability or expense (including counsel fees
  and expenses);

   (4)   the Trustee does not comply with the request within 60 days after
  receipt of the request and the offer of indemnity; and

   (5)   no direction inconsistent with such written request has been given to
  the Trustee during such 60-day period by the Holders of a majority in
  principal amount of the Securities then outstanding.

   A Securityholder may not use this Indenture to prejudice the rights of
another Securityholder or to obtain a preference or priority over such other
Securityholder.

   SECTION 8.07  Rights of Holders to Receive Payment.

   Notwithstanding any other provision of this Indenture, the right of any
Holder of a Security to receive payment of the principal of and interest on the
Security, on or after the respective due dates expressed in the Security, or to
bring suit for the enforcement of any such payment on or after such respective
dates, is absolute and unconditional and shall not be impaired or affected
without the consent of the Holder.

   SECTION 8.08  Collection Suit by Trustee.

   If an Event of Default in the payment of principal or interest specified in
Section 8.01(1) or (2) occurs and is continuing, the Trustee may recover
judgment in its own name and as trustee of an express trust against the Company
or any other obligor on the Securities for the whole amount of principal and
accrued interest remaining unpaid, together with interest on overdue principal
and, to the extent that payment of such interest is lawful, interest on overdue
installments of interest,





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<PAGE>   54
in each case at the rate per annum borne by the Securities and such further
amount as shall be sufficient to cover the costs and expenses of collection,
including the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements and advances of
the Trustee, its agents and counsel.

   SECTION 8.09  Trustee May File Proofs of Claim.

   The Trustee may file such proofs of claim and other papers or documents as
may be necessary or advisable in order to  have the claims of the Trustee
(including any claim for the reasonable compensation, expenses, disbursements
and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel) and the Securityholders
allowed in any judicial proceedings relative to the Company (or any other
obligor on the Securities), its creditors or its property and shall be entitled
and empowered to collect and receive any monies or other property payable or
deliverable on any such claims and to distribute the same, and any Custodian in
any such judicial proceeding is hereby authorized by each Securityholder to
make such payments to the Trustee and, in the event that the Trustee shall
consent to the making of such payments directly to the Securityholders, to pay
to the Trustee any amount due to it for the reasonable compensation, expenses,
disbursements and advances of the Trustee, its agents and counsel, and any
other amounts due the Trustee under Section 9.07.  Nothing herein contained
shall be deemed to authorize the Trustee to authorize or consent to or the
Trustee to authorize or accept or adopt on behalf of any Securityholder any
plan of reorganization, arrangement, adjustment or composition affecting the
Securities or the rights of any Holder thereof, or to authorize the Trustee to
vote in respect of the claim of any Securityholder in any such proceeding.

   SECTION 8.10  Priorities.

   If the Trustee collects any money pursuant to this Article 8, it shall pay
out the money in the following order:

   First:  to the Trustee for amounts due under Section 9.07;

   Second:  to the holders of Senior Debt to the extent required by Article 5;

   Third:  to Securityholders for amounts due and unpaid on the Securities for
  principal and interest, ratably, without preference or priority of any kind,
  according to the amounts due and payable on the Securities for principal and
  interest, respectively; and

   Fourth:  to the Company.

   The Trustee may fix a record date and payment date for any payment to
Securityholders pursuant to this Section 8.10.





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<PAGE>   55
   SECTION 8.11  Undertaking for Costs.

   In any suit for the enforcement of any right or remedy under this Indenture
or in any suit against the Trustee for any action taken or omitted by it as
Trustee, a court in its discretion may require the filing by any party litigant
in the suit of an undertaking to pay the costs of the suit, and the court in
its discretion may assess reasonable costs, including reasonable attorneys'
fees, against any party litigant in the suit, having due regard to the merits
and good faith of the claims or defense made by the party litigant.  This
Section 8.11 does not apply to a suit made by the Trustee, a suit by a Holder
pursuant to Section 8.06, or a suit by Holders of more than 10% in principal
amount of the Securities then outstanding.

                                   ARTICLE 9

                                    TRUSTEE

   SECTION 9.01  Duties of Trustee.

   (a)   If an Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Trustee
shall exercise such of the rights and powers vested in it by this Indenture and
use the same degree of care and skill in their exercise as a prudent person
would exercise or use under the circumstances in the conduct of his own
affairs.

   (b)   Except during the continuance of an Event of Default:

   (1)   the Trustee need perform only those duties as are specifically set
  forth in this Indenture and no others; and

   (2)   in the absence of bad faith on its part, the Trustee may conclusively
  rely, as to the truth of the statements and the correctness of the opinions
  expressed therein, upon certificates or opinions furnished to the Trustee and
  conforming to the requirements of this Indenture.  The Trustee, however,
  shall examine the certificates and opinions to determine whether or not they
  conform to the requirements of this Indenture.

   (c)   The Trustee may not be relieved from liability for its own negligent
action, its own negligent failure to act, or its own willful misconduct, except
that:

   (1)   this paragraph does not limit the effect of paragraph (b) of this
  Section 9.01;

   (2)   the Trustee shall not be liable for any error of judgment made in good
  faith by a Trust Officer, unless it is proved that the Trustee was negligent
  in ascertaining the pertinent facts; and





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<PAGE>   56
   (3)   the Trustee shall not be liable with respect to any action it takes or
  omits to take in good faith in accordance with a direction received by it
  pursuant to Section 8.05.

   (d)   The Trustee may refuse to perform any duty or exercise any right or
power unless it receives indemnity satisfactory to it against any loss,
liability, expense or fee.

   (3)   Every provision of this Indenture that in any way relates to the
  Trustee is subject to paragraphs (a), (b), (c) and (d) of this Section 9.01.

   (f)   The Trustee shall not be liable for interest on any money received by
it except as the Trustee may agree in writing with the Company.  Money held in
trust by the Trustee need not be segregated from other funds except to the
extent required by law.

   SECTION 9.02  Rights of Trustee.

   Subject to Section 9.01:

   (a)   The Trustee may rely upon (and shall be protected in acting or
  refraining from acting upon) any document believed by it to be genuine and to
  have been signed or presented by the proper person.  The Trustee need not
  investigate any fact or matter stated in the document.

   (b)   Before the Trustee acts or refrains from acting, it may require an
  Officers' Certificate or an Opinion of Counsel, which shall conform to
  Section 12.04(b).  The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or
  omits to take in good faith in reliance on such Certificate or Opinion.

   (c)   The Trustee may act through its agents and shall not be responsible
  for the misconduct or negligence of any agent appointed with due care.

   (d)   The Trustee shall not be liable for any action it takes or omits to
  take in good faith which it believes to be authorized or within its rights or
  powers.

   (e)   The Trustee may consult with counsel of its selection and the advice
  or opinion of such counsel as to matters of law that shall be full and
  complete authorization and protection in respect of any action taken, omitted
  or suffered by it hereunder in good faith and in accordance with the advice
  or opinion of such counsel.

   SECTION 9.03  Individual Rights of Trustee.

   The Trustee in its individual or any other capacity may become the owner or
pledgee of Securities and may otherwise deal





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<PAGE>   57
with the Company or an affiliate of the Company with the same rights it would
have if it were not Trustee. Any Agent may do the same with like rights.
However, the Trustee is subject to Section 9.10 and 9.11.

   SECTION 9.04  Trustee's Disclaimer.

   The Trustee makes no representation as to the validity or adequacy of this
Indenture or the Securities, it shall not be accountable for the Company's use
of the proceeds from the Securities, and it shall not be responsible for any
statement in the Securities other than its certificate of authentication.

   SECTION 9.05  Notice of Defaults or Events of Default.

   Within 30 days after the occurrence of any default or Event of Default with
respect to the Securities, the Trustee shall give to all Holders of the
Securities notice of such default or Event of Default known to the Trustee,
unless such default or Event of Default shall have been cured or waived;
provided, however, that, except in the case of a default or Event of Default in
the payment of the principal of or interest on any Security, the Trustee shall
be protected in withholding such notice if and so long as the board of
directors of the Trustee or a committee of Trust Officers in good faith
determine that the withholding of such notice is in the interest of the
Holders.

   SECTION 9.06  Reports by Trustee to Holders.

   Within 60 days after each May 15 beginning with the May 15 following the
date of this Indenture, the Trustee shall, if required by TIA Section  313(a),
mail to each Securityholder a brief report dated as of such May 15 that
complies with TIA Section  313(a).  The Trustee also shall comply with TIA
Section  313(b).

   A copy of each report at the time of its mailing to Securityholders shall be
mailed to the Company and filed with the SEC and each stock exchange, if any,
on which the Securities are listed.  The Company shall promptly notify the
Trustee whenever the Securities become listed on any stock exchange.

   SECTION 9.07  Compensation and Indemnity.

   The Company shall pay to the Trustee from time to time such compensation for
its services as the Company and the Trustee shall from time to time agree to in
writing (which compensation shall not be limited by any provision of law in
regard to the compensation of a trustee of an express trust).  The Company
shall reimburse the Trustee upon request for all reasonable disbursements,
expenses and advances incurred or made by it, including the compensation and
the expenses and disbursements of its agent and counsel.

   The Company shall indemnify the Trustee for, and hold it harmless against,
any and all loss, damage, claims, liability





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<PAGE>   58
or expense, including taxes (other than taxes based upon, measured by or
determined by the income of the Trustee), arising out of or in connection with
the acceptance or administration of the trust or trusts hereunder, including
the costs and expenses of defending itself against any claim or liability in
connection with the exercise or performance of any of its powers or duties
hereunder, except to the extent that such loss, damage, claim, liability or
expense is due to its own negligence or bad faith.  The Trustee shall notify
the Company promptly of any Claim asserted against the Trustee for which it may
seek indemnity.  The Company shall defend the claim and the Trustee shall
cooperate in the defense.  The Trustee may have separate counsel and the
Company shall pay the reasonable fees and expenses of such counsel.  The
Company need not pay for any settlement made without its written consent.

   To secure the Company's payment obligations in this Section, the Trustee
shall have a senior claim to which the Securities are hereby made subordinate
on all money or property held or collected by the Trustee, except such money or
property held in trust to pay the principal of and interest on particular
Securities.

   When the Trustee incurs expenses or renders services after an Event of
Default specified in Section 8.01(5) and (6) occurs, the expenses and the
compensation for the services are intended to constitute expenses of
administration under any Bankruptcy Law.

   The provisions of this Section 9.07 shall survive the termination of this
Indenture.

   SECTION 9.08  Replacement of Trustee.

   The Trustee may resign by so notifying the Company.  The Holders of a
majority in principal amount of the Securities then outstanding may remove the
Trustee by so notifying the Trustee and may appoint a successor Trustee with
the Company's written consent.  The Company may remove the Trustee if:

   (1)   the Trustee fails to comply with Section 9.10;

   (2)   the Trustee is adjudged a bankrupt or an insolvent;

   (3)   a receiver or other public officer takes charge of the Trustee or its
  property; or

   (4)   the Trustee becomes incapable of acting.

   If the Trustee resigns or is removed or if a vacancy exists in the office of
Trustee for any reason, the Company shall promptly appoint a successor Trustee.





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<PAGE>   59
   If a successor Trustee does not take office within 45 days after the
retiring Trustee resigns or is removed, the retiring Trustee, the Company or
the Holders of 10% in principal amount of the Securities then outstanding may
petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the appointment of a successor
Trustee.

   If the Trustee fails to comply with Section 9.10, any Securityholder may
petition any court of competent jurisdiction for the removal of the Trustee and
the appointment of a successor Trustee.

   A successor Trustee shall deliver a written acceptance of its appointment to
the retiring Trustee and to the Company.  Immediately after that, the retiring
Trustee shall transfer all property held by it as Trustee to the successor
Trustee, the resignation or removal of the retiring Trustee shall become
effective, and the successor Trustee shall have all the rights, powers and
duties of the Trustee under this Indenture.  A successor Trustee shall mail
notice of its succession to each Securityholder.

   Notwithstanding replacement of the Trustee pursuant to this Section 9.08,
the Company's obligations under Section 9.07 hereof shall continue for the
benefit of the retiring Trustee.

   SECTION 9.09  Successor Trustee by Merger, etc.

   If the Trustee consolidates with, merges or converts into, or transfers all
or substantially all of its corporate trust assets to, another corporation, the
resulting, surviving or transferee corporation without any further act shall be
the successor Trustee, provided such transferee corporation shall qualify and
be eligible under Section 9.10.

   SECTION 9.10  Eligibility:  Disqualification.

   This Indenture shall always have a Trustee who satisfies the requirements of
paragraphs (1), (2) and (5) of TIA Section  310 and has a capital and surplus
of at least $50,000,000.  If at any time the Trustee shall cease to satisfy any
such requirements, it shall resign immediately in the manner and with the
effect specified in this Article Nine.  The Trustee shall be subject to the
provisions of TIA Section 310(b).  Nothing herein shall prevent the Trustee 
from filing with the SEC the application referred to in the penultimate 
paragraph of TIA Section  310(b).

   SECTION 9.11  Preferential Collection of Claims Against Company.

   The Trustee shall comply with TIA Section  311(a), excluding any creditor
relationship listed in TIA Section  311(b).  A trustee who





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<PAGE>   60
has resigned or been removed shall be subject to TIA Section  311(a) to the
extent indicated therein.


                                   ARTICLE 10

                    SATISFACTION AND DISCHARGE OF INDENTURE

   SECTION 10.01  Termination of Company's Obligations.

   The Company may terminate all of its obligations under the Securities and
this Indenture (except those obligations referred to in the immediately
succeeding paragraph) if all Securities previously authenticated and delivered
(other than destroyed, lost or stolen Securities which have been replaced or
paid or Securities for whose payment money has theretofore been held in trust
and thereafter repaid to the Company, as provided in Section 10.03) have been
delivered to the Trustee for cancellation and the Company has paid all sums
payable by it hereunder, or if the Company irrevocably deposits in trust with
the Trustee money or U.S. Government Obligations maturing as to principal and
interest in such amounts and at such times as are sufficient, without
consideration of any reinvestment of such interest, to pay the principal of and
interest on the Securities then outstanding to maturity and to pay all other
sums payable by it hereunder.  The Company may make an irrevocable deposit
pursuant to this Section 10.01 only if at such time it is not prohibited from
doing so under the provisions of Article 5 and the Company shall have delivered
to the Trustee and any such Paying Agent an Officers' Certificate to that
effect.

   The Company's obligations in paragraph 10 of the Securities and in Sections
2.03, 2.04, 2.05, 2.06, 2.07, 6.01, 9.07, 9.08 and 10.04 and in Article 4 shall
survive until the Securities are no longer outstanding.  Thereafter, the
Company's obligations in such paragraph 10 and in Section 9.07 shall survive.

   After such irrevocable deposit, the Trustee upon request shall acknowledge
in writing the discharge of the Company's obligations under the Securities and
this Indenture, except for those surviving obligations specified above.

   "U.S. Government Obligations" means direct non-callable obligations of, or
non-callable obligations guaranteed by, the United States of America for the
payment of which guarantee or obligation the full faith and credit of the
United States is pledged.

   SECTION 10.02  Application of Trust Money.





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<PAGE>   61
   The Trustee or Paying Agent shall hold in trust, for the benefit of the
Holders, money or U.S. Government Obligations deposited with it pursuant to
Section 10.01, and shall apply the deposited money and the money from U.S.
Government Obligations in accordance with this Indenture to the payment of the
principal of and interest on the Securities.  Money and U.S. Government
Obligations so held in trust shall not be subject to the subordination
provisions of Article 5.

   SECTION 10.03  Repayment to Company.

   Subject to Section 10.01, the Trustee and the Paying Agent shall promptly
pay to the Company upon written request any excess money or U.S.  Government
Obligations held by them at any time.

   The Trustee and the Paying Agent shall pay to the Company upon request any
money held by them for the payment of principal or interest that remains
unclaimed for two years after a right to such money has matured; provided,
however, that the Trustee or such Paying Agent, before being required to make
any such payment, may at the expense of the Company cause to be published once
in newspapers of general circulation in the City of New York and the City of
Los Angeles or mail to each Holder entitled to such money notice that such
money remains unclaimed and that after a date specified therein, which shall be
at least 30 days from the date of such publication or mailing, any unclaimed
balance of such money then remaining will be repaid to the Company.  After
payment to the Company, Securityholders entitled to money must look to the
Company for payment as general creditors unless otherwise prohibited by law.

   SECTION 10.04  Reinstatement.

   If the Trustee or Paying Agent is unable to apply any money or U.S.
Government Obligations in accordance with Section 10.01 by reason of any legal
proceeding or by reason of any order or judgment of any court or governmental
authority enjoining, restraining or otherwise prohibiting such application, the
Company's obligations under this Indenture and the Securities shall be revived
and reinstated as though no deposit had occurred pursuant to Section 10.01
until such time as the Trustee or Paying Agent is permitted to apply all such
money or U.S. Government Obligations in accordance with Section 10.01;
provided, however, that if the Company has made any payment of the principal of
or interest on any Securities because of the reinstatement of its obligations,
the Company shall be subrogated to the rights of the Holders of such Securities
to receive any such payment from the money or U.S. Government Obligations held
by the Trustee or Paying Agent.





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<PAGE>   62
                                   ARTICLE 11

                      AMENDMENTS, SUPPLEMENTS AND WAIVERS

   SECTION 11.01  Without Consent of Holders.

   The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the
Securities without notice to or consent of any Securityholder:

   (a)   to comply with Sections 6.04 and 7.01;

   (b)   to provide for uncertificated Securities in addition to or in place of
  certificated Securities;

   (c)   to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, or to make any other
  change that does not adversely affect the rights of any Securityholder;


   (d)   to add to the covenants, agreements and obligations of the Company for
  the benefit of the Holders of all of the Securities or to surrender any right
  or power herein conferred upon the Company;

   (e)   to reduce the Conversion Price, provided that such reduction will not
  adversely effect the interests of any holder of the Securities in any
  material respect;

   (f)   Pursuant to the last paragraph of Section 2.06(d); or

   (g)   to comply with the requirements of the SEC in order to effect or
  maintain the qualification of this Indenture under the TIA.

   SECTION 11.02  With Consent of Holders.

   The Company and the Trustee may amend or supplement this Indenture or the
Securities with the written consent of the Holders of a majority in principal
amount of the Securities then outstanding.  The Holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Securities then outstanding may waive compliance in a
particular instance by the Company with any provision of this Indenture or the
Securities without notice to any Securityholder.  Subject to Section 11.04,
without the consent of each Securityholder affected, however, an amendment,
supplement or waiver, including a waiver pursuant to Section 8.04, may not:

   (1)   reduce the percentage in principal amount of Securities whose Holders
  must consent to an amendment, supplement or waiver;





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<PAGE>   63
   (2)   reduce the rate of or change the time for payment of interest on any
  Security;

   (3)    reduce the principal of or change the fixed maturity of any Security
  or alter the redemption provisions with respect thereto;

   (4)   alter the conversion, Change in Control or redemption provisions with
  respect to any Security in a manner adverse to the holder thereof;

   (5)   waive a default in the payment of the principal of or interest on any
  Security;

   (6)   make any changes in Section 8.04, 8.07 or this sentence;

   (7)   modify the provisions of Article 5 hereof in a manner adverse to the
  holders;

   (8)   make any Security payable in money other than that stated in the
  Security; or

   (9)   impair the right to institute suit for the enforcement of any payment
  of principal or interest after the payment date therefor.

   It shall not be necessary for the consent of the Holders under this Section
to approve the particular form of any proposed amendment, supplement or waiver,
but it shall be sufficient if such consent approves the substance thereof.

   After an amendment, supplement or waiver under this Section becomes
effective, the Company shall mail to the Holders affected thereby a notice
briefly describing the amendment, supplement or waiver.  Any failure of the
Company to mail such notice, or any defect therein, shall not, however, in any
way impair or affect the validity of any such amendment, supplement or waiver.

   An amendment under this Section 11.02 may not make any change that adversely
affects the rights under Article 5 of any holder of an issue of Senior Debt
unless the holders of that issue, pursuant to its terms, consent to the change.

   SECTION 11.03    Compliance with Trust Indenture Act.

   Every amendment to or supplement of this Indenture or the Securities shall
comply with the TIA as in effect at the date of such amendment or supplement.

   SECTION 11.04     Revocation and Effect of Consents.





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<PAGE>   64
   Until an amendment or waiver becomes effective, a consent to it by a Holder
is a continuing consent by the Holder and every subsequent Holder of a Security
or portion of a Security that evidences the same debt as the consenting
Holder's Security even if notation of the consent is not made on any Security.
However, any such Holder or subsequent Holder may revoke the consent as to his
Security or portion of a Security if the Trustee receives the notice of
revocation before the date the amendment, supplement or waiver becomes
effective.

   After an amendment, supplement or waiver becomes effective, it shall bind
every Securityholder, unless it makes a change described in any of clauses (1)
through (9) of Section 11.02.  In that case the amendment, supplement or waiver
shall bind each Holder of a Security who has consented to it and every
subsequent Holder of a Security or portion of a Security that evidences the
same debt as the consenting Holder's Security.

   SECTION 11.05  Notation On or Exchange of Securities.

   If an amendment, supplement or waiver changes the terms of a Security, the
Trustee may require the Holder of the Security to deliver it to the Trustee.
The Trustee may place an appropriate notation on the Security about the changed
terms and return it to the Holder.  Alternatively, if the Company or the
Trustee so determines, the Company in exchange for the Security shall issue and
the Trustee shall authenticate a new Security that reflects the changed terms.

   SECTION 11.06  Trustee to Sign Amendments, etc.

   The Trustee shall sign any amendment or supplement authorized pursuant to
this Article 11 if the amendment or supplement does not adversely affect the
rights, duties, liabilities or immunities of the Trustee.  If it does, the
Trustee may but need not sign it.  In signing or refusing to sign such
amendment or supplement, the Trustee shall be entitled to receive and, subject
to Section 9.01 shall be fully protected in relying upon, an Opinion of Counsel
stating that such amendment or supplement is authorized or permitted by this
Indenture.  The Company may not sign an amendment or supplement until the Board
of Directors approves it.


                                   ARTICLE 12

                                 MISCELLANEOUS

   SECTION 12.01  Trust Indenture Act Controls.

   If any provision of this Indenture limits, qualifies or conflicts with the
duties imposed by any of Sections 310 to 317,





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<PAGE>   65
inclusive, of the TIA through operation of Section 318(c) thereof, such imposed
duties shall control.

   SECTION 12.02  Notices.

   Any notice or communication shall be given in writing and delivered in
person or mailed by certified or registered mail, return receipt requested,
addressed as follows:

  if to the Company:

        Carter Hawley Hale Stores, Inc.
        3880 North Mission Road
        Los Angeles, California 90031


        Attention:  Marc C. Bercoon, Esq.
                    General Counsel


  if to the Trustee:

        Continental Bank, National Association
        231 S. La Salle
        Chicago, Illinois 60697


        Attention:  Corporate Trust Department

Such notices or communications shall be effective when received.

   The Company or the Trustee by notice to the other may designate additional
or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

   Any notice or communication mailed to a Securityholder shall be mailed by
first-class mail to him at his address shown on the register kept by the
Registrar.

   Failure to mail a notice or communication to a Securityholder or any defect
in it shall not affect its sufficiency with respect to other Securityholders.
If a notice or communication to a Securityholder is mailed in the manner
provided above, it is duly given, whether or not the addressee receives it.

   SECTION 12.03   Communications by Holders With Other Holders.

   Securityholders may communicate pursuant to TIA Section  312(b) with other
Securityholders with respect to their rights under this Indenture or the
Securities.  The Company, the





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<PAGE>   66
Trustee, the Registrar and any other person shall have the protection of TIA
Section  312(c).

   SECTION 12.04   Certificate and Opinion as to Conditions Precedent.

   (a)   Upon any request or application by the Company to the Trustee to take
any action under this Indenture, the Company shall furnish to the Trustee at
the request of the Trustee:

     (1)  an Officers' Certificate stating that, in the opinion of the signers,
   all conditions precedent (including any covenants compliance with which
   constitutes a condition precedent), if any, provided for in this Indenture
   relating to the proposed action have been complied with; and

     (2)  an Opinion of Counsel stating that, in the opinion of such counsel,
   all such conditions precedent (including any covenant compliance with which
   constitutes a condition precedent) have been complied with.

   (b)   Each Officers' Certificate and Opinion of Counsel with respect to
compliance with a condition or covenant provided for in this Indenture (other
than annual certificates provided pursuant to Section 6.05 hereof) shall
include:

     (1)  a statement that the person making such certificate or opinion has
   read such covenant or condition;

     (2)  a brief statement as to the nature and scope of the examination or
   investigation upon which the statements or opinions contained in such
   certificate or opinion are based;

     (3)  a statement that, in the opinion of such person, he has made such
   examination or investigation as is necessary to enable him to express an
   informed opinion as to whether or not such covenant or condition has been
   complied with; and

     (4)  a statement as to whether or not, in the opinion of such person, such
   condition or covenant has been complied with; provided, however, that with
   respect to matters of fact an Opinion of Counsel may rely on an Officer's
   Certificate on certificates of public officials.

   SECTION 12.05  Record Date for Vote or Consent of Securityholders.





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<PAGE>   67
   The Company may set a record date for purposes of determining the identity
of Securityholders entitled to vote or consent to any action by vote or consent
authorized or permitted under this Indenture, which record date shall be the
later of 10 days prior to the first solicitation of such vote or consent or the
date of the most recent list of Securityholders furnished to the Trustee
pursuant to Section 2.05 hereof prior to such solicitation.  If a record date
is fixed, those persons who were Holders of Securities at such record date (or
their duly designated proxies), and only those persons, shall be entitled to
take such action by vote or consent or to revoke any vote or consent previously
given, whether or not such persons continue to be Holders after such record
date.

   SECTION 12.06  Rules by Trustee, Paying Agent, Registrar.

   The Trustee may make reasonable rules for action by or at a meeting of
Holders. The Registrar or Paying Agent may make reasonable rules for its
functions.

   SECTION 12.07  Legal Holidays.

   A "Legal Holiday" is a Saturday, a Sunday or a day on which state or
Federally chartered banking institutions in New York, New York or Chicago,
Illinois are not required to be open.  If a payment date is a Legal Holiday at
a place of payment, payment may be made at that place on the next succeeding
day that is not a Legal Holiday, and no interest shall accrue for the
intervening period.

   SECTION 12.08  Governing Law.

   The laws of the State of New York shall govern this Indenture and the
Securities without regard to principles of conflicts of law.

   SECTION 12.09  No Adverse Interpretation of Other Agreements.

   This Indenture may not be used to interpret another indenture, loan or debt
agreement of the Company or a Subsidiary.

   SECTION 12.10  No Recourse Against Others.

   All liability described in paragraph 19 of the Securities of any director,
officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of the Company is waived and
released.

   SECTION 12.11  Successors.





[L120300.7]                                                            62
<PAGE>   68
   All agreements of the Company in this Indenture and the Securities shall
bind its successor.  All agreements of the Trustee in this Indenture shall bind
its successor.

   SECTION 12.12  Multiple Counterparts.

   The parties may sign multiple counterparts of this Indenture.  Each signed
counterpart shall be deemed an original, but all of them together represent the
same agreement.

   SECTION 12.13  Separability.

   In case any provision in this Indenture or in the Securities shall be
invalid, illegal or unenforceable, the validity, legality and enforceability of
the remaining provisions shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

   SECTION 12.14  Table of Contents, Headings, etc.

   The table of contents, cross-reference sheet and headings of the Articles
and Sections of this Indenture have been inserted for convenience of reference
only, are not to be considered a part hereof, and shall in no way modify or
restrict any of the terms or provisions hereof.





[L120300.7]                                                            63
<PAGE>   69
                                   SIGNATURES

   IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have hereunto set their hands as of
the ___ of December, 1993.


                                        CARTER HAWLEY HALE STORES, INC.

                                        By___________________________

                                        Title________________________


[SEAL]

Attest:______________________
            Secretary

                                        CONTINENTAL BANK,
                                        NATIONAL ASSOCIATION,
                                        Trustee


                                        By___________________________

                                        Title________________________


[SEAL]

Attest:_________________________

Title___________________________





[L120300.7]                                                            64
<PAGE>   70
STATE OF CALIFORNIA     )
                        )  ss.
COUNTY OF LOS ANGELES   )



  On ___ day of December, 1993, before me personally came ________________, to
me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he is
___________________ of Carter Hawley Hale Stores, Inc., one of the parties
described in and which executed the foregoing instrument; that he knows the
seal of said corporation; that the seal affixed to said instrument is such
corporate seal; that it was so affixed by authority of the Board of Directors
of said corporation; and that he signed his name thereto by like authority.



                                        __________________________________

                                        My Commission Expires:





[L120300.7]                                                            65
<PAGE>   71
STATE OF ILLINOIS      )
                       )  ss.
COUNTY OF __________   )



  On ___ day of December, 1993, before me personally came ________________, to
me known, who, being by me duly sworn, did depose and say that he is
___________________ of Continental Bank, National Association one of the
parties described in and which executed the foregoing instrument; that he knows
the seal of said corporation; that the seal affixed to said instrument is such
corporate seal; that it was so affixed by authority of the Board of Directors
of said corporation; and that he signed his name thereto by like authority.



                                        __________________________________

                                        My Commission Expires:





[L120300.7]                                                            66
<PAGE>   72
   Exhibit A                                           [Front of Security]

Number

                        CARTER HAWLEY HALE STORES, INC.

              6-1/4% Convertible Senior Subordinated Note due 2000


   CARTER HAWLEY HALE STORES, INC., a Delaware corporation promises to pay 
to                               or registered assigns the principal sum of

Dollars on December 31, 2000.

Interest Payment Dates:    December 31 and June 30

Record Dates:              December 15 and June 15

   Additional provisions of this Note are set forth on the other side of this
Note.

                                        CARTER HAWLEY HALE STORES, INC.

                                        By: _______________________

                                        By: _______________________




Certificate of Authentication:

CONTINENTAL BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, as 
Trustee, certifies that this is one of the 
Securities referred to in the Indenture.


By _______________________________________
            Authorized Signatory

Dated:





[L120300.7]                                                            A-1
<PAGE>   73
                                                              [BACK OF SECURITY]


                        CARTER HAWLEY HALE STORES, INC.
              6-1/4% Convertible Senior Subordinated Note Due 2000

1. Interest and Maturity.

   Carter Hawley Hale Stores, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
promises to pay interest on the principal amount of this Note at the rate per
annum shown above (plus any rate increase that may be required under Section
6.17 of the Indenture (as defined below)).  The Company will pay interest
semi-annually on December 31 and June 30 of each year, commencing June 30,
1994.  Interest on the Notes will accrue from the most recent date to which
interest has been paid or, if no interest has been paid, from the date of first
issuance of the Notes under the Indenture; provided that, if there is no
existing default in the payment of interest, and if this Note is authenticated
between a record date referred on the face hereof and the next succeeding
interest payment date, interest shall accrue from such interest payment date.
Interest will be computed on the basis of a 360-day year of twelve 30-day
months; and provided, further that, if a Note is converted after the close of
business on the record date for the payment of an installment of interest and
prior to the opening of business on the next interest payment date, then, in
accordance with Section 8 hereof, the holder of the Note so converted will be
required to pay to the Company the amount of such interest at the time of
surrender of the Note for conversion.  The principal of this Note will mature
and be payable on December 31, 2000, unless earlier redeemed or converted.

2. Method of Payment.

   The Company will pay interest on this Note (except defaulted interest) to
the person who is the registered holder of this Note at the close of business
on the December 15 and June 15  next preceding the interest payment date.  The
holder must surrender this Note to the Paying Agent to collect payment of
principal.  The Company will pay principal and interest in money of the United
States that at the time of payment is legal tender for payment of public and
private debts.

3. Paying Agent, Registrar and Conversion Agent.

   Initially, Continental Bank, National Association (the "Trustee"), will act
as Paying Agent, Registrar and Conversion Agent.  The Company may change any
Paying Agent, Registrar or Conversion Agent without notice to the Noteholders.
The Company or any of its Subsidiaries may act as Paying Agent,  Registrar or
Conversion Agent.





[L120300.7]                                                            A-2
<PAGE>   74
4. Indenture Limitations.

   The Company issues this Note under an Indenture dated as of December 21,     
1993 (the "Indenture") between the Company and the Trustee.  The terms of this
Note include those stated in the Indenture and those made part of the Indenture
by reference to the Indenture Act of 1939 (15 U.S.C. Section 77aaa-77bbb),
as amended, by the Trust Indenture Reform Act of 1990 and as in effect on the
date of the Indenture.  This Note is subject to all such terms, and the holder
of this Note is referred to the Indenture and said Act for a statement of them. 
The Notes are unsecured obligations of the Company limited to $125,000,000
aggregate principal amount (subject to Sections 2.02 and 2.07 of the
Indenture).

5. Optional Redemption.

   The Notes may be redeemed, at the Company's option, in whole or from time to
time in part, at any time on and after December 31, 1998, at a redemption price
of 100% of the principal amount thereof together with accrued and unpaid
interest to the date fixed for redemption.

6. Notice of Redemption.

   Notice of redemption will be mailed by first class mail at
least 15 days but not more than 60 days before the redemption date of each
holder of Notes to be redeemed at his registered address.  Notes in
denominations larger than $1,000 may be redeemed in part, but only in whole
multiples of $1,000.  On and after the redemption date, interest ceases to
accrue on Notes or portions of them called for redemption.

7. Purchase of Notes at Option of Holder upon a Change in Control.

   At the option of the Holder and subject to the terms and
conditions of the Indenture, the Company shall become obligated to purchase all
or any part specified by the Holder (so long as the principal amount of such
part is $1,000 or an integral multiple thereof) of the Notes held by such
Holder on the date that is the later of (i) 20 Business Days after the date of
mailing of a Change in Control Purchase Notice and (ii) 40 Business Days after
the occurrence of a Change in Control of the Company, at the principal amount
thereof together with accrued and unpaid interest thereon to the Change in
Control Purchase Date.  The Holder shall have the right to withdraw any Change
in Control Purchase Notice by delivering a written notice of withdrawal to the
Paying Agent in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.





[L120300.7]                                                            A-3
<PAGE>   75
8. Conversion.

   A Holder of a Note may convert it into shares of Common
Stock of the Company at any time after 90 days following the date of original
issuance thereof and prior to maturity, except that if the Note is called for
redemption, the conversion right will terminate at the close of business on the
tenth Business Day immediately preceding the redemption date.  The initial
conversion price is $12.19 per share, subject to adjustment under certain
circumstances.  The number of shares issuable upon conversion of a Note is
determined by dividing the principal amount converted by the conversion price
in effect on the conversion date.  Upon conversion, no adjustment for interest
or dividends will be made.  No fractional shares will be issued upon
conversion, in lieu thereof, an amount will be paid in cash based upon the
market price (as defined) of the Common Stock on the last trading day prior to
the date of conversion.

   To convert a Note, a Holder must (1) complete and sign a
conversion notice substantially in the form set forth below, (2) surrender the
Note to a Conversion Agent, (3) furnish appropriate endorsements or transfer
documents if required by the Registrar or Conversion Agent and (4) pay any
transfer or similar tax, if required.  If a holder surrenders a Note for
conversion after the close of business on the record date for the payment of an
installment of interest and prior to the opening of business on the next
interest payment date, then, notwithstanding such conversion, the interest
payable on such interest payment date will be paid to the registered holder on
such record date.  In such event, the Note, when surrendered for conversion,
must be accompanied by payment of an amount equal to the interest payable on
such interest payment date on the principal amount of the Note or portion
thereof then converted.  A holder may convert a portion of a Note equal to
$1,000 or any integral multiple thereof.

   A Note in respect of which a Holder has delivered a Change
in Control Purchase Notice exercising the option of such Holder to require the
Company to purchase such Note may be converted only if the notice of exercise
is withdrawn as provided above and in accordance with the terms of the
Indenture.

9. Subordination.

   This Note is a general unsecured obligation of the Company
and is (i) subordinate in right of payment to all existing and future Senior
Debt of the Company, (ii) pari passu in right of payment to all existing and
future Senior Subordinated Indebtedness; and (iii) senior in right of payment
to all existing and future Junior Subordinated Indebtedness of the Company, as
described in the Indenture.





[L120300.7]                                                            A-4
<PAGE>   76
10. Denominations, Transfer, Exchange.

   The Notes are issuable in registered form without coupons in
denominations of $1,000 and integral multiples of $1,000.  A holder may
register the transfer of or exchange Notes in accordance with the Indenture.
The Registrar may require a holder, among other things, to furnish appropriate
endorsements and transfer documents and to pay any taxes or other governmental
charges that may be imposed by law or permitted by the Indenture.

11. Available Information.

   The Holder of this Note and prospective purchasers
designated by such Holder will have the right to obtain from the Company upon
request by such Holder or prospective purchasers, during any period in which
the Company is not subject to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended, the information required by paragraph d(4)(i) of Rule
144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act").

12. Persons Deemed Owners.

   The registered holder of a Note may be treated as the owner
of it for all purposes.

13. Registration Rights.

   The Company has entered into the Registration Agreement with
Salomon Brothers Inc as the representative of each Holder, substantially in the
form of Exhibit C to the Indenture, to file, after the date of issuance hereof,
a shelf registration statement under the Securities Act relating to resales of
the Notes and the Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof.  If such
registration statement is not filed or has not been declared effective by the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission") within the time periods
set forth in the Indenture, the interest rate on the Notes will be temporarily
or permanently increased in the manner set forth in the Indenture.  Unless and
until the Notes are registered pursuant to a registration statement that has
been declared effective by the Commission under the Securities Act, the Notes
are subject to certain restrictions on transfer and may only be resold or
transferred to certain persons in a transaction that complies with certain
procedures established by the Company as described in the Indenture.  By
purchasing this Note, the Holder hereof agrees to be bound by all of the terms
of the Registration Agreement, including the information supplying,
indemnification and other obligations contained therein.





[L120300.7]                                                            A-5
<PAGE>   77
14. Unclaimed Money.

   If money for the payment of principal or interest remains
unclaimed for two years, the Trustee or Paying Agent will pay the money back to
the Company at its request.  After that, holders entitled to money must look to
the Company for payment.

15. Amendments, Supplement and Waiver.

   Subject to certain exceptions, the Indenture or the Notes
may be amended or supplemented with the consent of the holders of a majority in
principal amount of the Notes then outstanding and any past default or
noncompliance with any provision may be waived in a particular instance with
the consent of the holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then
outstanding.  Without the consent of or notice to any Noteholder, the Company
and the Trustee may amend or supplement the Indenture or the Notes to, among
other things, provide for uncertified Notes in addition to or in place of
certificated Notes, to cure any ambiguity, defect or inconsistency, to add to
the covenants and obligations of the Company for the benefit of the holders, to
reduce the Conversion Price provided it will not adversely effect the interests
of any holder in any material respect, or to make any other change that does
not adversely affect the right of any Noteholder.

16. Successor Corporation

   When a successor corporation assumes all the obligations of
its predecessor under the Notes and the Indenture, the predecessor corporation
will be released from those obligations.

17. Defaults and Remedies.

   An Event of Default is:  default for 30 days in payment of
interest on the Notes; default in payment of principal on the Notes; failure by
the Company for 60 days after notice to it to comply with any of its other
agreements in the Indenture or the Notes; certain events of bankruptcy or
insolvency of the Company or any of its subsidiaries; certain failures to pay
judgments or decrees entered against the Company; and certain defaults on other
indebtedness.  If an Event of Default (other than as a result of certain events
of bankruptcy or insolvency), occurs and is continuing, the Trustee or the
holders of at least 25% in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may
declare all unpaid principal and the accrued interest to the date of
acceleration on the Notes then outstanding to be due and payable immediately,
all as and to the extent provided in the Indenture.  If any Event of Default
occurs as a result of certain events of bankruptcy or insolvency, all unpaid
principal of and accrued interest on the Notes then outstanding shall become
due and





[L120300.7]                                                            A-6
<PAGE>   78
payable immediately without any declaration or other act on the part of the
Trustee or any Noteholder, all as and to the extent provided in the Indenture.
Noteholders may not enforce the Indenture or the Notes except as provided in
the Indenture.  The Trustee may require indemnity satisfactory to it before it
enforces the Indenture or the Notes.  Subject to certain limitations, holders
of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding may direct the
Trustee in its exercise of any trust or power.  The Trustee may withhold from
Noteholders notice of any continuing default (except a default in payment of
principal or interest) if it determines that withholding notice is in their
interests.  The Company is required to file periodic reports with the Trustee
as to the absence of default.

18. Trustee Dealing with the Company.

   Continental Bank, National Association, the Trustee under
the Indenture, in its individual or any other capacity, may make loans to,
accept deposits from, and perform services for the Company or an Affiliate of
the Company, and may otherwise deal with the Company or an Affiliate of the
Company, as if it were not Trustee.

19. No Recourse Against Others.

   A director, officer, employee or stockholder, as such, of
the Company shall not have any liability for any obligations of the Company
under the Notes or the Indenture or for any claim based on, in respect or by
reason of, such obligations or their creation.  The Holder of this Note by
accepting this Note waives and releases all such liability.  The waiver and
release are part of the consideration for the issue of this Note.

20. Discharge Prior to Maturity.

   If the Company deposits with the Trustee or Paying Agent
money or U.S. Government Obligations sufficient to pay the principal of and
interest on the Notes to maturity, the Company will be discharged from the
Indenture except for certain Sections thereof.

21. Authentication.

   This Note shall not be valid until the Trustee or an
authenticating agent signs the certificate of authentication on the other side
of this Note.

22. Abbreviations and Definitions.

   Customary abbreviations may be used in name of a Noteholder
or an assignee, such as :  TEN COM (= tenants in common, TEN ENT (= tenants by
the entireties), JT TEN (= joint





[L120300.7]                                                            A-7
<PAGE>   79
tenants with right of survivorship and not as tenants in common), CUST (=
Custodian) and U/G/M/A (= Uniform Gifts to Minors Act).

   All capitalized terms used in this Note and not specifically
defined herein are defined in the Indenture and are used herein as so defined.

23. Indenture to Control.

   In the case of any conflict between the provisions of this
Note and the Indenture, the provisions of the Indenture shall control.

   The Company will furnish to any Noteholder, upon written
request and without charge, a copy of the Indenture.  Requests may be made to:
Carter Hawley Hale Stores, Inc., 3880 North Mission Road, Los Angeles,
California  90031, Attention:  Secretary.





[L120300.7]                                                            A-8
<PAGE>   80
                                ASSIGNMENT FORM


      To assign this Note, fill in the form below:  (I) or (we)
assign and transfer this Note to

            (insert assignee's Social Security or tax I.D. number)
       _________________________________________________________________
       _________________________________________________________________
             (print or type assignee's name, address and zip code)

and irrevocably appoint _________________________________________ agent to
transfer this Note on the books of the Company.  The agent may substitute
another to act for him.

Date:  ________________    Your Signature ________________________
(Sign exactly as your name appears on the other side of this Note)

*Signature
Guarantee: ______________________________________________________

*Guarantor must be a member of one of the following recognized signature
guarantee program:  (1) the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program, (2)
the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program and (3) the Stock
Exchange Medallion Program.





[L120300.7]                                                            A-9
<PAGE>   81
                              ELECTION TO CONVERT


To Carter Hawley Hale Stores, Inc.:

      The undersigned owner of this Note hereby irrevocably
exercises the option to convert this Note, or the portion below designated,
into Common Shares of CARTER HAWLEY HALE STORES, INC. in accordance with the
terms of the Indenture referred to in this Note, and directs that the shares
issuable and deliverable upon conversion, together with any check in payment
for fractional shares, be issued in the name of and delivered to the
undersigned, unless a different name has been indicated in the assignment
below.  If shares are to be issued in the name of a person other than the
undersigned, the undersigned will pay all transfer taxes payable with respect
thereto.  Any amount required to be paid by the undersigned on account of
interest accompanies this Note.

Date:


                                          Portions of Note to be
      in whole ___                        purchased ($1,000 or an
                                          integral multiplier
                                          thereof):  $ _________

                                     ______________________________
                                     Signature (for conversion only)


                                           Please Print or Typewrite
                                        Name and Address, Including Zip
                                        Code, and Social Security or Other  
                                               Identifying Number

                                      _____________________________________




[L120300.7]                                                           A-10
<PAGE>   82
                       OPTION OF HOLDER TO ELECT PURCHASE


         If you wish to elect to have all or portion of this Note purchased by
the Company pursuant to Section 6.10 of the Indenture, check the applicable
box:

                                          Portions of Note to be
      in whole ___                        purchased ($1,000 or an
                                          integral multiplier
                                          thereof):  $ _________

Date: ________________________            Signature: ___________________
                                          (Sign exactly as your name 
                                          appears on the other side of
                                          this Note)

*Signature
Guarantee: ________________________________________________
Taxpayer Identification Number: ___________________________

*Guarantor must be a member of one of the following recognized signature
guarantee program:  (1) the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program, (2)
the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program and (3) the Stock
Exchange Medallion Program.





[L120300.7]                                                           A-11

<PAGE>   1





                                   
                                   
                         CARTER HAWLEY HALE STORES, INC.

             6-1/4% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes Due 2000

                             REGISTRATION AGREEMENT


                                                              New York, New York
                                                               December 21, 1993


Salomon Brothers Inc
Seven World Trade Center
New York, New York  10048

Dear Sirs:

   Carter Hawley Hale Stores, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),
proposes to issue and sell to a purchaser (the "Purchaser"), upon the terms set
forth in a purchase agreement of even date herewith (the "Purchase Agreement"),
its 6-1/4% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes due 2000 (the "Securities")
(the "Initial Placement").  As an inducement to the Purchaser to enter into the
Purchase Agreement and in satisfaction of a condition to your obligations
thereunder, the Company agrees with you, (i) for your benefit and (ii) for the
benefit of the holders from time to time of the Securities and the Converted
Securities (as defined below) (including you) (each of the foregoing a "Holder"
and together the "Holders"), as follows:

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

   WHEREAS, the Company and Continental Bank, National Association (the
"Trustee") have entered into an indenture, dated as of December 21, 1993 (as it
may be amended from time to time, the "Indenture"), relating to $125,000,000
aggregate principal amount of Securities and an option relating to $18,750,000
aggregate principal amount of additional Securities;

   WHEREAS, Section 6.17 of the Indenture provides that, unless, after the
Closing Date, the Company complies with certain conditions relating to the
filing and effectiveness of a shelf registration statement with respect to the
Securities and the Converted Securities, the per annum interest rate on the
Securities will be adjusted by the percentage specified in the Indenture;

   WHEREAS, as provided in Section 6.17 of the Indenture, the Company has
agreed to enter into this Agreement; and

   NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto hereby agree as follows:
<PAGE>   2
   1.  Definitions.  Capitalized terms used herein without definition shall
have their respective meanings set forth in the Purchase Agreement.  As used in
this Agreement, the following capitalized defined terms shall have the
following meanings:

   "Act" means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and the rules and
regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

   "Affiliate" of any specified person means any other person, directly or
indirectly controlling or controlled by, or under direct or indirect common
control with such specified person.  For the purposes of this definition,
"control" when used with respect to any person means the power to direct the
management and policies of such person, directly or indirectly, whether through
the ownership of voting securities, by contract or otherwise; and the terms
"controlling" and "controlled" have meanings correlative to the foregoing.

   "Closing Date" has the meaning set forth in the Purchase Agreement.

   "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission.

   "Common Stock" shall mean the common stock, $.01 par value, of the Company.

   "Converted Securities" shall mean Securities which have been duly converted
into shares of Common Stock.

   "Exchange Act" means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and
the rules and regulations of the Commission promulgated thereunder.

   "Final Memorandum" has the meaning set forth in the Purchase Agreement.

   "Holder" has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

   "Initial Placement" has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

   "Majority Holders" means the Holders of a majority of the aggregate
principal amount of securities registered under a Shelf Registration Statement.

   "Managing Underwriters" means the investment banker or investment bankers
and manager or managers that shall administer an underwritten offering.

   "Prospectus" means the prospectus included in any Shelf Registration
Statement (including, without limitation, a prospectus that discloses
information previously omitted from a prospectus filed as part of an effective
registration statement in reliance upon Rule 430A under the Act), as amended or
supplemented by any prospectus supplement, with respect to the terms of the
offering of any portion of the Securities or Converted Securities, covered by
such Shelf Registration Statement, and all amendments and supplements to the
Prospectus, including post- effective amendments.





[L120333.4]                                                              2
<PAGE>   3
   "Securities" has the meaning set forth in the preamble hereto.

   "Shelf Registration" means a registration effected pursuant to Section 2
hereof.

"Shelf Registration Period" has the meaning set forth in Section 2(b) hereof.

   "Shelf Registration Statement" means a "shelf" registration statement of the
Company pursuant to the provisions of Section 2 hereof which covers some or all
of the Securities or Converted Securities, as applicable, on an appropriate
form under Rule 415 under the Act, or any similar rule that may be adopted by
the Commission, amendments and supplements to such registration statement,
including post-effective amendments, in each case including the Prospectus
contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by
reference therein.

   "Trustee" means the trustee with respect to the Securities under the
Indenture.

   "underwriter" means any underwriter of Securities or Converted Securities in
connection with an offering thereof under a Shelf Registration Statement.

   2.  Shelf Registration.

   (a)   The Company agrees that (i) it shall prepare and, not later than 45
days following the Closing Date, shall file with the Commission, a Shelf
Registration Statement providing for resales of the Securities and the
Converted Securities by the Holders thereof; and (ii) within 90 days of the
Closing Date such Shelf Registration Statement shall be declared effective by
the Commission.

   (b)   The Company shall keep the Shelf Registration Statement continuously
effective in order to permit the Prospectus forming part thereof to be usable
by Holders for a period of three years from the Closing Date or such shorter
period that will terminate when all the Securities covered by the Shelf
Registration Statement have been registered and sold pursuant to the Shelf
Registration Statement (in any such case, such period being called the "Shelf
Registration Period").

   (c)   A Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to Section 2.1 hereof will not
be deemed to have become effective unless it has been declared effective by the
Commission; provided, however, that if, after it has been declared effective,
the offering of Securities or Converted Securities pursuant to a Shelf
Registration Statement is interfered with by any stop order, injunction or
other order or requirement of the Commission or any other governmental agency
or court, such Registration Statement will be deemed not to have been effective
during the period of such interference, and instead shall be deemed to have
been declared effective at such time as the offering of Securities and
Converted Securities pursuant to such Registration Statement may resume.

   3.  Registration Procedures.  In connection with the obligations of the
Company pursuant to Section 2 hereof, the Company shall have the following
obligations:





[L120333.4]                                                             3
<PAGE>   4
   (a)   The Company shall furnish to you, prior to the filing thereof with the
  Commission, a copy of any Shelf Registration Statement, and each amendment
  thereof and each amendment or supplement, if any, to the Prospectus included
  therein and shall use its best efforts to reflect in each such document, when
  so filed with the Commission, such comments as you or your counsel reasonably
  may propose.

   (b)   The Company shall ensure that (i) any Shelf Registration Statement and
  any amendment thereto and any Prospectus forming part thereof and any
  amendment or supplement thereto complies in all material respects with the
  Act and the rules and regulations thereunder, (ii) any Shelf Registration
  Statement is available for the sale of the Securities or the Converted
  Securities, as the case may be, by the Selling Holders, (iii) any Shelf
  Registration Statement and any amendment thereto does not, when it becomes
  effective, contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a
  material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
  statements therein not misleading, (iv) any Prospectus forming part of any
  Shelf Registration Statement, and any amendment or supplement to such
  Prospectus, does not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit
  to state a material fact necessary in order to make the statements, in the
  light of the circumstances under which they were made, not misleading; (v)
  any Shelf Registration Statement complies as to form in all material respects
  with the requirements of the applicable form and include all financial
  statements required by the Commission to be filed therewith; and (vi) it
  prepares and files with the Commission such amendments and post-effective
  amendments to such Shelf Registration Statement effective for the applicable
  period specified in Section 2 and cause such Prospectus to be supplemented,
  and as so supplemented to be filed pursuant to Rule 424 under the Securities
  Act.

   (c)   (1)  The Company shall advise you and the Holders and, if requested by
you or any such Holder, confirm such advice in writing:

     (i)  when a Shelf Registration Statement and any amendment thereto has
   been filed with the Commission and when the Shelf Registration Statement or
   any post-effective amendment thereto has become effective; and

     (ii) of any request by the Commission for amendments or supplements to the
   Shelf Registration Statement or the Prospectus included therein or for
   additional information.

   (2)   The Company shall promptly advise you and the Holders and, if
         requested by you or any such Holder, confirm such advice in writing:

     (i)  of the issuance by the Commission of any stop order suspending the
   effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement or the initiation of any
   proceedings for that purpose;





[L120333.4]                                                             4
<PAGE>   5
     (ii) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to the
   suspension of the qualification of the securities included therein for sale
   in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for
   such purpose;

     (iii) of the happening of any event that requires the making of any
   changes in the Shelf Registration Statement or the Prospectus so that, as of
   such date, the statements therein are not misleading and do not omit to
   state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
   statements therein (in the case of the Prospectus, in light of the
   circumstances under which they were made) not misleading (which advice shall
   be accompanied by an instruction to suspend the use of the Prospectus until
   the requisite changes have been made); and

     (iv) if between the effective date of such Registration Statement and the
   closing of any sale of Securities or Converted Securities covered thereby,
   the representations and warranties of the Company contained in any
   underwriting agreement, securities sales agreements or other sales agreement
   or similar agreement relating to the Offering cease to be true and correct
   in all material respects.

   (d)   The Company shall use its best efforts to obtain the withdrawal of any
  order suspending the effectiveness of any Shelf Registration Statement at the
  earliest possible time.

   (e)   The Company shall furnish to each Holder of securities included within
  the coverage of any Shelf Registration Statement, without charge, at least
  one copy of such Shelf Registration Statement and any post-effective
  amendment thereto, including financial statements and schedules, and, if the
  Holder so requests in writing, all exhibits (including those incorporated by
  reference).

   (f)   The Company shall, during the Shelf Registration Period, deliver to
  each Holder of securities included within the coverage of any Shelf
  Registration Statement, without charge, as many copies of the Prospectus
  (including each preliminary Prospectus) included in such Shelf Registration
  Statement and any amendment or supplement thereto as such Holder may
  reasonably request; and the Company consents to the use of the Prospectus or
  any amendment or supplement thereto by each of the selling Holders of
  securities in connection with the offering and sale of the securities covered
  by the Prospectus or any amendment or supplement thereto.

   (g)   Prior to any offering of securities pursuant to any Shelf Registration
  Statement, the Company shall register or qualify or cooperate with the
  Holders of securities included therein and their respective counsel in
  connection with the registration or qualification of such securities for
  offer and sale under the securities or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as
  any such Holders reasonably request in writing and do any and all other acts
  or things necessary or advisable to enable the





[L120333.4]                                                             5
<PAGE>   6
  offer and sale in such jurisdictions of the securities covered by such Shelf
  Registration Statement; provided, however, that the Company will not be
  required to qualify generally to do business in any jurisdiction where it is
  not then so qualified or to take any action which would subject it to general
  service of process or to taxation in any such jurisdiction where it is not
  then so subject.

   (h)   The Company shall cooperate with the Holders of Securities to
  facilitate the timely preparation and delivery of certificates representing
  Securities or Converted Securities to be sold pursuant to any Shelf
  Registration Statement free of any restrictive legends and in such
  denominations and registered in such names as Holders may request prior to
  sales of securities pursuant to such Shelf Registration Statement.

   (i)   Upon the occurrence of any event contemplated by paragraph (c)(2)(iii)
  above, the Company shall promptly prepare a post-effective amendment to any
  Shelf Registration Statement or an amendment or supplement to the related
  Prospectus or file any other required document so that, as thereafter
  delivered to purchasers of the securities included therein, the Prospectus
  will not include an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state any
  material fact necessary to make the statements therein, in the light of the
  circumstances under which they were made, not misleading.

   (j)   Not later than the effective date of any Shelf Registration Statement
  hereunder, the Company shall provide a CUSIP number for the Securities
  registered under such Shelf Registration Statement, and provide the
  applicable trustee with printed certificates for such Securities, in a form
  eligible for deposit with The Depository Trust Company.

   (k)   The Company shall use its best efforts to comply with all applicable
  rules and regulations of the Commission and shall make generally available to
  its security holders as soon as practicable after the effective date of the
  applicable Shelf Registration Statement an earnings statement satisfying the
  provisions of Section 11(a) of the Act.

   (l)   The Company shall cause the Indenture to be qualified under the Trust
  Indenture Act in a timely manner, cooperate with the Trustee and the Holders
  to effect such changes to the Indenture as may be required for such Indenture
  to be qualified in accordance with the terms of the Trust Indenture Act and
  execute, and use its best efforts to cause the Trustee to execute all
  documents as may be required to effect such changes, and all other forms and
  documents required to be filed with the Commission to enable such Indenture
  to be so qualified in a timely manner.

   (m)   The Company may require each Holder of securities to be sold pursuant
  to any Shelf Registration Statement to furnish to the Company such
  information regarding the Holder and the distribution of such securities as
  the Company may from time to time reasonably require for inclusion in such
  Shelf Registration Statement.





[L120333.4]                                                             6
<PAGE>   7
   (n)   The Company shall, if requested, promptly incorporate in a Prospectus
  supplement or post-effective amendment to a Shelf Registration Statement,
  such information as the Managing Underwriters and Majority Holders reasonably
  agree should be included therein and shall make all required filings of such
  Prospectus supplement or post-effective amendment as soon as notified of the
  matters to be incorporated in such Prospectus supplement or post-effective
  amendment.

   (o)   The Company shall enter into such agreements (including underwriting
  agreements) and take all other appropriate actions in order to expedite or
  facilitate the registration or the disposition of the Securities, and in
  connection therewith, if an underwriting agreement is entered into, cause the
  same to contain indemnification provisions and procedures no less favorable
  than those set forth in Section 5 (or such other provisions and procedures
  acceptable to the Majority Holders and the Managing Underwriters, if any,
  with respect to all parties to be indemnified pursuant to Section 5 from
  Holders of Securities to the Company).

   (p)   The Company shall (i) make reasonably available for inspection by the
  Holders of securities to be registered thereunder, any underwriter
  participating in any disposition pursuant to such Shelf Registration
  Statement, and any attorney, accountant or other agent retained by the
  Holders or any such underwriter all relevant financial and other records,
  pertinent corporate documents and properties of the Company and its
  subsidiaries; (ii) cause the Company's officers, directors and employees to
  supply all relevant information reasonably requested by the Holders or any
  such underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent in connection with any such
  Shelf Registration Statement as is customary for similar due diligence
  examinations; provided, however, that any information that is designated in
  writing by the Company, in good faith, as confidential at the time of
  delivery of such information shall be kept confidential by the Holders or any
  such underwriter, attorney, accountant or agent, unless such disclosure is
  made in connection with a court proceeding or required by law, or such
  information becomes available to the public generally or through a third
  party without an accompanying obligation of confidentiality; (iii) make such
  representations and warranties to the Holders of securities registered
  thereunder and the underwriters, if any, in form, substance and scope as are
  customarily made by issuers to underwriters in primary underwritten offerings
  and covering matters including, but not limited to, those set forth in the
  Purchase Agreement; (iv) obtain opinions of counsel to the Company and
  updates thereof (which counsel and opinions (in form, scope and substance)
  shall be reasonably satisfactory to the Managing Underwriters, if any)
  addressed to each selling Holder and the underwriters, if any, covering such
  matters as are customarily covered in opinions requested in underwritten
  offerings and such other matters as may be reasonably requested by such
  Holders and underwriters; (v) obtain "cold comfort" letters and updates
  thereof from the independent certified public accountants of the Company
  (and, if necessary, any other independent certified public accountants of any
  subsidiary of the Company or of any business acquired by the Company for
  which financial statements and financial data are, or are required to be,
  included in the Shelf Registration Statement), addressed to each selling
  Holder of securities registered thereunder and the underwriters, if any, in
  customary form and





[L120333.4]                                                             7
<PAGE>   8
  covering matters of the type customarily covered in "cold comfort" letters in
  connection with primary underwritten offerings; and (vi) deliver such
  documents and certificates as may be reasonably requested by the Majority
  Holders and the Managing Underwritings, if any, including those to evidence
  compliance with Section 3(i) and with any customary conditions contained in
  the underwriting agreement or other agreement entered into by the Company.
  The foregoing actions set forth in clauses (iii), (iv), (v) and (vi) of this
  Section 3(p) shall be performed at (A) the effectiveness of such Shelf
  Registration Statement and each post-effective amendment thereto and (B) each
  closing under any underwriting or similar agreement as and to the extent
  required thereunder.

   4.  Registration Expenses.  The Company shall bear all expenses incurred in
connection with the performance of its obligations under Sections 2 and 3
hereof and shall reimburse the Holders for the reasonable fees and
disbursements of one firm or counsel designated by the Majority Holders to act
as counsel for the Holders in connection therewith.  Such expenses shall
include but not be limited to the following: (i) all Commission, stock exchange
or National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. registration and filing
fees; (ii) all fees and expenses incurred in connection with compliance with
state securities or blue sky laws (including reasonable fees and disbursements
of counsel for any Underwriter or Holders in connection with blue sky
qualification of any of the Notes or Converted Securities), (iii) all expenses
of any persons in preparing or assisting in preparing, printing and
distributing any Registration Statement, any Prospectus, any amendments or
supplements thereto, any underwriting agreements and other documents relating
to the performance of and compliance with this Agreement; (iv) all rating
agency fees; (v) all fees associated with listing of the Converted Securities
with the New York Stock Exchange; and (vi) the fees and disbursements of
counsel for the Company and of independent public accountants of the Company,
including the expenses of any special audits or "comfort" letters required by
or incident to such performance and compliance.

   5.  Indemnification and Contribution.  (a)  In connection with any Shelf
Registration Statement, the Company agrees to indemnify and hold harmless each
Holder of securities covered thereby (including each Purchaser), the directors,
officers, employees and agents of each such Holder and each person who controls
any such Holder within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act
against any and all losses, claims, damages or liabilities, joint or several,
to which they or any of them may become subject under the Act, the Exchange Act
or other Federal or state statutory law or regulation, at common law or
otherwise, insofar as such losses, claims, damages or liabilities (or actions
in respect thereof) arise out of or are based upon any untrue statement or
alleged untrue statement of a material fact contained in the Shelf Registration
Statement as originally filed or in any amendment thereof, or in any
preliminary Prospectus or Prospectus, or in any amendment thereof or supplement
thereto, or arise out of or are based upon the omission or alleged omission to
state therein a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to
make the statements therein not misleading, and agrees to reimburse each such
indemnified party, as incurred, for any legal or other expenses reasonably
incurred by them in connection with investigating or defending any such loss,
claim, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the Company will
not be liable in any case to the extent that any such loss, claim, damage or
liability arises out of or is based upon any such untrue statement or





[L120333.4]                                                             8
<PAGE>   9
alleged untrue statement or omission or alleged omission made therein in
reliance upon and in conformity with written information furnished to the
Company by or on behalf of any such Holder specifically for inclusion therein.
This indemnity agreement will be in addition to any liability which the Company
may otherwise have.

   The Company also agrees to indemnify or contribute to Losses of, as provided
in Section 5(d), any underwriters of Securities registered under a Shelf
Registration Statement, their officers and directors and each person who
controls such underwriters on substantially the same basis as that of the
indemnification of the Purchaser and the selling Holders provided in this
Section 5(a) and shall, if requested by any Holder, enter into an underwriting
agreement reflecting such agreement, as provided in Section 3(o) hereof.

   (b)   Each Holder of securities covered by a Shelf Registration Statement
(including each Purchaser) severally agrees to indemnify and hold harmless (i)
the Company, (ii) each of its directors, (iii) each of its officers who signs
such Shelf Registration Statement and (iv) each person who controls the Company
within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act to the same extent as
the foregoing indemnity from the Company to each such Holder, but only with
reference to written information relating to such Holder furnished to the
Company by or on behalf of such Holder specifically for inclusion in the
documents referred to in the foregoing indemnity.  This indemnity agreement
will be in addition to any liability which any such Holder may otherwise have.

   (c)   Promptly after receipt by an indemnified party under this Section 5 or
notice of the commencement of any action, such indemnified party will, if a
claim in respect thereof is to be made against the indemnifying party under
this Section 5, notify the indemnifying party in writing of the commencement
thereof; but the failure so to notify the indemnifying party (i) will not
relieve it from liability under paragraph (a) or (b) above unless and to the
extent it did not otherwise learn of such action and such failure results in
the forfeiture by the indemnifying party of substantial rights and defenses and
(ii) will not, in any event, relieve the indemnifying party from any
obligations to any indemnified party other than the indemnification obligation
provided in paragraph (a) or (b) above.  The indemnifying party shall be
entitled to appoint counsel of the indemnifying party's choice at the
indemnifying party's expense to represent the indemnified party in any action
for which indemnification is sought (in which case the indemnifying party shall
not thereafter be responsible for the fees and expenses of any separate counsel
retained by the indemnified party or parties except as set forth below);
provided, however, that such counsel shall be satisfactory to the indemnified
party.  Notwithstanding the indemnifying party's election to appoint counsel to
represent the indemnified party in an action, the indemnified party shall have
the right to employ separate counsel (including local counsel), and the
indemnifying party shall bear the reasonable fees, costs and expenses of such
separate counsel (and local counsel) if (i) the use of counsel chosen by the
indemnifying party to represent the indemnified party would present such
counsel with a conflict of interest, (ii) the actual or potential defendants
in, or targets of, any such action include both the indemnified party and the
indemnifying party and the indemnified party shall have reasonably concluded
that there may be legal defenses available to it and/or other indemnified
parties which are different from or additional to those available to the
indemnifying party, (iii) the





[L120333.4]                                                             9
<PAGE>   10
indemnifying party shall not have employed counsel satisfactory to the
indemnified party to represent the indemnified party within a reasonable time
after notice of the institution of such action or (iv) the indemnifying party
shall authorize the indemnified party to employ separate counsel at the expense
of the indemnifying party.  An indemnifying party will not, without the prior
written consent of the indemnified parties, settle or compromise or consent to
the entry of any judgment with respect to any pending or threatened claim,
action, suit or proceeding in respect of which indemnification or contribution
may be sought hereunder (whether or not the indemnified parties are actual or
potential parties to such claim or action) unless such settlement, compromise
or consent includes an unconditional release of each indemnified party from all
liability arising out of such claim, action, suit or proceeding.

   (d)   In the event that the indemnity provided in paragraph (a) or (b) of
this Section 5 is unavailable to or insufficient to hold harmless an
indemnified party for any reason, then each applicable indemnifying party, in
lieu of indemnifying such indemnified party, shall have a joint and several
obligation to contribute to the aggregate losses, claims, damages and
liabilities (including legal or other expenses reasonably incurred in
connection with investigating or defending same) (collectively "Losses") to
which such indemnified party may be subject in such proportion as is
appropriate to reflect the relative benefits received by such indemnifying
party, on the one hand, and such indemnified party, on the other hand, from the
Initial Placement and the Shelf Registration Statement which resulted in such
Losses; provided, however, that in no case shall any Purchaser or any
subsequent Holder of any Security be responsible, in the aggregate, for any
amount in excess of the purchase discount or commission applicable to such
Security, as set forth on the cover page of the Final Memorandum, nor shall any
underwriter be responsible for any amount in excess of the underwriting
discount or commission applicable to the securities purchased by such
underwriter under the Shelf Registration Statement which resulted in such
Losses.  If the allocation provided by the immediately preceding sentence is
unavailable for any reason, the indemnifying party and the indemnified party
shall contribute in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect not only such
relative benefits but also the relative fault of such indemnifying party, on
the one hand, and such indemnified party, on the other hand, in connection with
the statements or omissions which resulted in such Losses as well as any other
relevant equitable considerations.  Benefits received by the Company shall be
deemed to be equal to the sum of (x) the total net proceeds from the Initial
Placement (before deducting expenses) as set forth on the cover page of the
Final Memorandum and (y) the total amount of additional interest which the
Company was not required to pay as a result of registering the securities
covered by the Shelf Registration Statement which resulted in such Losses.
Benefits received by the Initial Purchaser shall be deemed to be equal to the
total purchase discounts and commissions as set forth on the cover page of the
Final Memorandum, and benefits received by any other Holders shall be deemed to
be equal to the value of receiving Securities registered under the Act.
Benefits received by any underwriter shall be deemed to be equal to the total
underwriting discounts and commissions, as set forth on the cover page of the
Prospectus forming a part of the Shelf Registration Statement which resulted in
such Losses.  Relative fault shall be determined by reference to whether any
alleged untrue statement or omission relates to information provided by the
indemnifying party, on the one hand, or by the indemnified party, on the other
hand.  The parties agree that it would not be just and equitable if
contribution were





[L120333.4]                                                            10
<PAGE>   11
determined by pro rata allocation or any other method of allocation which does
not take account of the equitable considerations referred to above.
Notwithstanding the provisions of this paragraph (d), no person guilty of
fraudulent misrepresentation (within the meaning of Section 11(f) of the Act)
shall be entitled to contribution from any person who was not guilty of such
fraudulent misrepresentation.  For purposes of this Section 6, each person who
controls a Holder within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act and
each director, officer, employee and agent of such Holder shall have the same
rights to contribution as such Holder, and each person who controls the Company
within the meaning of either the Act or the Exchange Act, each officer of the
Company who shall have signed the Shelf Registration Statement and each
director of the Company shall have the same rights to contribution as the
Company, subject in each case to the applicable terms and conditions of this
paragraph (d).

   (e)   The provisions of this Section 5 will remain in full force and effect,
regardless of any investigation made by or on behalf of any Holder or the
Company or any of the officers, directors or controlling persons referred to in
Section 5 hereof, and will survive the sale by a Holder of securities covered
by a Shelf Registration Statement.

   6.  Miscellaneous.

   (a)   No Inconsistent Agreements.  The Company has not, as of the date
  hereof, entered into, nor shall it, on or after the date hereof, enter into,
  any agreement with respect to its securities that is inconsistent with the
  rights granted to the Holders herein or otherwise conflicts with the
  provisions hereof.

   (b)   Amendments and Waivers.  The provisions of this Agreement, including
  the provisions of this sentence, may not be amended, qualified, modified or
  supplemented, and waivers or consents to departures from the provisions
  hereof may not be given, unless the Company has obtained the written consent
  of the Holders of at least a majority of the then outstanding aggregate
  principal amount of Securities; provided that, with respect to any matter
  that directly or indirectly affects the rights of any Purchaser hereunder,
  the Company shall obtain the written consent of each such Purchaser against
  which such amendment, qualification, supplement, waiver or consent is to be
  effective.  Notwithstanding the foregoing (except the foregoing proviso), a
  waiver or consent to departure from the provisions hereof with respect to a
  matter that relates exclusively to the rights of Holders whose securities are
  being sold pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement and that does not
  directly or indirectly affect the rights of other Holders may be given by the
  Majority Holders, determined on the basis of securities being sold rather
  than registered under such Shelf Registration Statement.

   (c)   Notices.  All notices and other communications provided for or
  permitted hereunder shall be made in writing by hand-delivery, first- class
  mail, telex, telecopier, or air courier guaranteeing overnight delivery:

     (1)  if to a Holder, at the most current address given by such holder to
   the Company in accordance with the provisions of this Section 6(c), which





[L120333.4]                                                            11
<PAGE>   12
  address initially is, with respect to each Holder, the address of such Holder
  maintained by the Registrar under the Indenture, with a copy in like manner
  to Salomon Brothers Inc;

     (2)  if to you, initially at the respective address set forth in the 
   Purchase Agreement; and

     (3)  if to the Company, initially at its address set forth in the Purchase
   Agreement.

   All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have been duly given
when received.

   The Purchasers or the Company by notice to the other may designate
additional or different addresses for subsequent notices or communications.

   (d)   Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of
  and be binding upon the successors and assigns of each of the parties,
  including, without the need for an express assignment or any consent by the
  Company thereto, subsequent Holders of Securities.  The Company hereby agrees
  to extend the benefits of this Agreement to any Holder of Securities and any
  such Holder may specifically enforce the provisions of this Agreement as if
  an original party hereto.

   (e)   Counterparts.  This Agreement may be executed in any number of
  counterparts and by the parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of
  which when so executed shall be deemed to be an original and all of which
  taken together shall constitute one and the same agreement.

   (f)   Headings.  The headings in this agreement are for convenience of
  reference only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

   (g)   Governing Law.  This agreement shall be governed by and construed in
  accordance with the internal laws of the State of New York applicable to
  agreements made and to be performed in said State.

   (h)   Severability.  In the event that any one of more of the provisions
  contained herein, or the application thereof in any circumstances, is held
  invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any respect for any reason, the
  validity, legality and enforceability of any such provision in every other
  respect and of the remaining provisions hereof shall not be in any way
  impaired or affected thereby, it being intended that all of the rights and
  privileges of the parties shall be enforceable to the fullest extent
  permitted by law.

   (i)   Securities Held by the Company, etc. Whenever the consent or approval
  of Holders of a specified percentage of principal amount of Securities is
  required hereunder, Securities held by the Company or its Affiliates (other
  than subsequent Holders of Securities if such subsequent Holders are deemed
  to be





[L120333.4]                                                            12
<PAGE>   13
  Affiliates solely by reason of their holdings of such Securities) shall not
  be counted in determining whether such consent or approval was given by the
  Holders of such required percentage.

   (j)   The sole and exclusive remedy of you and the Holders for any failure
  of the Company to perform any of its obligations under Section 2 hereof shall
  be as set forth in Section 6.17 of the Indenture.

   Please confirm that the foregoing correctly sets forth the agreement between
the Company and you.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        CARTER HAWLEY HALE STORES, INC.



                                        By:  ______________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:


Accepted in New York, New York

December __, 1993

SALOMON BROTHERS INC

By:  SALOMON BROTHERS INC



By:  ___________________________
     Title:





[L120333.4]                                                            13

<PAGE>   1
 
                                                                 January 7, 1994
 
Carter Hawley Hale Stores, Inc.
3880 North Mission Road
Los Angeles, California 90031

     Re: Registration Statement on Form S-3
 
Gentlemen:
 
     We have examined the Registration Statement on Form S-3 filed by Carter
Hawley Hale Stores, Inc. (the "Company") with the Securities and Exchange
Commission on January 7, 1994 (the "Registration Statement"), relating to the
shelf registration of the sale by the holders thereof of $143,750,000 aggregate
principal amount of the Company's 6 1/4% Convertible Senior Subordinated Notes
due 2000 (the "Notes") and 11,792,453 shares of the Company's common stock, par
value $.01 per share issuable upon conversion of the Notes (the "Shares"). We
have examined that certain indenture, dated December 21, 1993 (the "Indenture"),
between the Company and Continental Bank, National Association as trustee (the
"Trustee") under which the Notes were issued. We are familiar with the
proceedings heretofore taken by the Company in connection with the
authorization, registration, issuance and sale of the Notes and Shares.
 
     It is our opinion that the Notes constitute legally valid and binding
obligations of the Company, enforceable against the Company in accordance with
their terms, except as limited by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization,
moratorium or similar laws affecting creditors' rights generally, and except
that we advise you that the enforceability of the Notes is subject to the effect
of general principles of equity including, without limitation, concepts of
materiality, reasonableness, good faith and fair dealing and the possible
unavailability of specific performance or injunctive relief regardless of
whether considered in a proceeding in equity or at law.
 
     Based on the foregoing, it is our opinion that the Shares, if and when
issued upon conversion of the Notes in the manner prescribed in the Indenture,
will be validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable.
 
     We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the
Registration Statement and to the reference to this firm appearing under the
heading "Legal Matters" in the prospectus which is contained in the Registration
Statement.
 
     This opinion is furnished to you in connection with the filing of the
Registration Statement, and is not to be used, circulated, quoted or otherwise
relied upon for any other purposes, except as expressly provided in the
preceding paragraph.
 
                                          Respectfully submitted,
 
                                          Milbank, Tweed, Hadley & McCloy

<PAGE>   1
 
                       CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS
 
     We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in the Prospectus
constituting part of this Registration Statement on Form S-3 of our reports
dated March 12, 1993 appearing on pages 30 and 31 of Carter Hawley Hale Stores,
Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fifty-two week period ended January
30, 1993, as amended by the Company's Amended Annual Report on Form 10-K/A No. 1
dated May 14, 1993. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading
"Experts" in such Prospectus.
 
PRICE WATERHOUSE
 
Los Angeles, California
January 6, 1994

<PAGE>   1

 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
 
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
 
                               ----------------
 
                                    FORM T-1
 
                            STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
                   UNDER THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939 OF A
                    CORPORATION DESIGNATED TO ACT AS TRUSTEE
 
                      CHECK IF AN APPLICATION TO DETERMINE
                  ELIGIBILITY OF A TRUSTEE PURSUANT TO SECTION
                                   305(B)(2)
 
                               ----------------
 
                     CONTINENTAL BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
              (EXACT NAME OF TRUSTEE AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
                                   36-0947896
                                (I.R.S. EMPLOYER
                              IDENTIFICATION NO.)
 
   231 SOUTH LASALLE STREET, CHICAGO,                    60697
                ILLINOIS                               (ZIP CODE)
    (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE
                OFFICES)
 
                               ----------------
 
                        CARTER HAWLEY HALE STORES, INC.
              (EXACT NAME OF OBLIGOR AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
 
                DELAWARE                               94-0457907
    (STATE OR OTHER JURISDICTION OF       (I.R.S. EMPLOYER IDENTIFICATION NO.)
     INCORPORATION OR ORGANIZATION)
 
        3880 NORTH MISSION ROAD
        LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA                          90031
    (ADDRESS OF PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE                    (ZIP CODE)
                OFFICES)
 
             6 1/4% CONVERTIBLE SENIOR SUBORDINATED NOTES DUE 2000
                      (TITLE OF THE INDENTURE SECURITIES)
 
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>   2
 
ITEM 1. GENERAL INFORMATION.
 
    FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE TRUSTEE:
 
  (A)NAME AND ADDRESS OF EACH EXAMINING OR SUPERVISING AUTHORITY TO WHICH IT
  IS SUBJECT.
 
      Comptroller of the Currency, Washington, D.C.
 
      Chicago Clearing House Association, 164 W. Jackson Boulevard,
      Chicago, Illinois.
 
      Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, Washington, D.C.
 
      The Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, Washington,
      D.C.
 
  (B)WHETHER IT IS AUTHORIZED TO EXERCISE CORPORATE TRUST POWERS.
 
    Yes.
 
ITEM 2. AFFILIATIONS WITH THE OBLIGOR.
 
    IF THE OBLIGOR IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH SUCH
  AFFILIATION.
 
      The obligor is not an affiliate of the trustee.
 
ITEM 3. VOTING SECURITIES OF THE TRUSTEE.
 
    FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO EACH CLASS OF VOTING SECURITIES
  OF THE TRUSTEE:
 
                             AS OF JANUARY 4, 1994
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
               COL. A      COL. B
              TITLE OF     AMOUNT
               CLASS     OUTSTANDING
              --------   -----------
              <S>        <C>
 
</TABLE>
 
      Not applicable by virtue of response to Item 13.
 
ITEM 4. TRUSTEESHIPS UNDER OTHER INDENTURES.
 
    IF THE TRUSTEE IS A TRUSTEE UNDER ANOTHER INDENTURE UNDER WHICH ANY OTHER
  SECURITIES, OR CERTIFICATES OF INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION IN ANY OTHER
  SECURITIES, OF THE OBLIGOR ARE OUTSTANDING, FURNISH THE FOLLOWING
  INFORMATION:
 
  (A)TITLE OF THE SECURITIES OUTSTANDING UNDER EACH SUCH OTHER INDENTURE.
 
      Not applicable by virtue of response to Item 13.
 
  (B) A BRIEF STATEMENT OF THE FACTS RELIED UPON AS A BASIS FOR THE CLAIM
      THAT NO CONFLICTING INTEREST WITHIN THE MEANING OF SECTION 310(B)(1) OF
      THE ACT ARISES AS A RESULT OF THE TRUSTEESHIP UNDER ANY SUCH OTHER
      INDENTURE, INCLUDING A STATEMENT AS TO HOW THE INDENTURE SECURITIES
      WILL RANK AS COMPARED WITH THE SECURITIES ISSUED UNDER SUCH OTHER
      INDENTURE.
 
      Not applicable by virtue of response to Item 13.
 
ITEM 5. INTERLOCKING DIRECTORATES AND SIMILAR RELATIONSHIPS WITH THE OBLIGOR OR
UNDERWRITERS.
 
    IF THE TRUSTEE OR ANY OF THE DIRECTORS OR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE
  TRUSTEE IS A DIRECTOR, OFFICER, PARTNER, EMPLOYEE, APPOINTEE, OR
  REPRESENTATIVE OF THE OBLIGOR OR OF ANY UNDERWRITER FOR THE OBLIGOR,
  IDENTIFY EACH SUCH PERSON HAVING ANY SUCH CONNECTION AND STATE THE NATURE
  OF EACH SUCH CONNECTION.
 
    Not applicable by virtue of response to Item 13.
 
                                       1
<PAGE>   3
 
ITEM 6. VOTING SECURITIES OF THE TRUSTEE OWNED BY THE OBLIGOR OR ITS OFFICIALS.
 
    FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE VOTING SECURITIES OF THE
  TRUSTEE OWNED BENEFICIALLY BY THE OBLIGOR AND EACH DIRECTOR, PARTNER AND
  EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF THE OBLIGOR.
 
                             AS OF JANUARY 4, 1994
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           COL. A             COL. B            COL. C             COL. D
                                                                PERCENTAGE OF
                                                              VOTING SECURITIES
                                                               REPRESENTED BY
                                             AMOUNT OWNED       AMOUNT GIVEN
        NAME OF OWNER     TITLE OF CLASS     BENEFICIALLY         IN COL. C
        -------------     --------------     ------------     -----------------
        <S>               <C>                <C>              <C>
</TABLE>
 
    Not applicable by virtue of response to Item 13.
 
ITEM 7. VOTING SECURITIES OF THE TRUSTEE OWNED BY UNDERWRITERS OR THEIR
OFFICIALS.
 
    FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE VOTING SECURITIES OF THE
  TRUSTEE OWNED BENEFICIALLY BY EACH UNDERWRITER FOR THE OBLIGOR AND EACH
  DIRECTOR, PARTNER, AND EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF EACH SUCH UNDERWRITER.
 
                             AS OF JANUARY 4, 1994
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           COL. A             COL. B            COL. C             COL. D
                                                                PERCENTAGE OF
                                                              VOTING SECURITIES
                                                               REPRESENTED BY
                                             AMOUNT OWNED       AMOUNT GIVEN
        NAME OF OWNER     TITLE OF CLASS     BENEFICIALLY         IN COL. C
        -------------     --------------     ------------     -----------------
        <S>               <C>                <C>              <C>
</TABLE>
 
    Not applicable by virtue of response to Item 13.
 
ITEM 8. SECURITIES OF THE OBLIGOR OWNED OR HELD BY THE TRUSTEE.
 
    FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO SECURITIES OF THE OBLIGOR OWNED
  BENEFICIALLY OR HELD AS COLLATERAL SECURITY FOR OBLIGATIONS IN DEFAULT BY
  THE TRUSTEE:
 
                             AS OF JANUARY 4, 1994
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
       COL. A          COL. B               COL. C                   COL. D
                    WHETHER THE
                     SECURITIES
                     ARE VOTING  AMOUNT OWNED BENEFICIALLY OR   PERCENT OF CLASS
                    OR NONVOTING HELD AS COLLATERAL SECURITY  REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT
   TITLE OF CLASS    SECURITIES   FOR OBLIGATIONS IN DEFAULT     GIVEN IN COL. C
   --------------   ------------ ---------------------------- ---------------------
   <S>              <C>          <C>                          <C>
</TABLE>
 
    Not applicable by virtue of response to Item 13.
 
                                       2
<PAGE>   4
 
ITEM 9. SECURITIES OF UNDERWRITERS OWNED OR HELD BY THE TRUSTEE.
 
    IF THE TRUSTEE OWNS BENEFICIALLY OR HOLDS AS COLLATERAL SECURITY FOR
  OBLIGATIONS IN DEFAULT ANY SECURITIES OF AN UNDERWRITER FOR THE OBLIGOR,
  FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES OF SUCH
  UNDERWRITER ANY OF WHICH ARE SO OWNED OR HELD BY THE TRUSTEE.
 
                             AS OF JANUARY 4, 1994
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         COL. A           COL. B                 COL. C                      COL. D
                                      AMOUNT OWNED BENEFICIALLY OR      PERCENT OF CLASS
   NAME OF ISSUER AND     AMOUNT     HELD AS COLLATERAL SECURITY FOR  REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT
     TITLE OF CLASS     OUTSTANDING OBLIGATIONS IN DEFAULT BY TRUSTEE    GIVEN IN COL. C
   ------------------   ----------- --------------------------------- ---------------------
   <S>                  <C>         <C>                               <C>
</TABLE>
 
    Not applicable by virtue of response to Item 13.
 
ITEM 10. OWNERSHIP OR HOLDINGS BY THE TRUSTEE OF VOTING SECURITIES OF CERTAIN
       AFFILIATES OR SECURITY HOLDERS OF THE OBLIGOR.
 
    IF THE TRUSTEE OWNS BENEFICIALLY OR HOLDS AS COLLATERAL SECURITY FOR
  OBLIGATIONS IN DEFAULT VOTING SECURITIES OF A PERSON WHO, TO THE KNOWLEDGE
  OF THE TRUSTEE (1) OWNS 10 PERCENT OR MORE OF THE VOTING SECURITIES OF THE
  OBLIGOR OR (2) IS AN AFFILIATE, OTHER THAN A SUBSIDIARY, OF THE OBLIGOR,
  FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO THE VOTING SECURITIES OF SUCH
  PERSON.
 
                             AS OF JANUARY 4, 1994
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         COL. A           COL. B                 COL. C                      COL. D
                                      AMOUNT OWNED BENEFICIALLY OR      PERCENT OF CLASS
   NAME OF ISSUER AND     AMOUNT     HELD AS COLLATERAL SECURITY FOR  REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT
     TITLE OF CLASS     OUTSTANDING OBLIGATIONS IN DEFAULT BY TRUSTEE    GIVEN IN COL. C
   ------------------   ----------- --------------------------------- ---------------------
   <S>                  <C>         <C>                               <C>
</TABLE>
 
    Not applicable by virtue of response to Item 13.
 
ITEM 11. OWNERSHIP OR HOLDINGS BY THE TRUSTEE OF ANY SECURITIES OF A PERSON
       OWNING 50 PERCENT OR MORE OF THE VOTING SECURITIES OF THE OBLIGOR.
 
    IF THE TRUSTEE OWNS BENEFICIALLY OR HOLDS AS COLLATERAL SECURITY FOR
  OBLIGATIONS IN DEFAULT ANY SECURITIES OF A PERSON WHO, TO THE KNOWLEDGE OF
  THE TRUSTEE, OWNS 50 PERCENT OR MORE OF THE VOTING SECURITIES OF THE
  OBLIGOR, FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION AS TO EACH CLASS OF SECURITIES
  OF SUCH PERSON ANY OF WHICH ARE SO OWNED OR HELD BY THE TRUSTEE.
 
                             AS OF JANUARY 4, 1994
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         COL. A           COL. B                 COL. C                      COL. D
                                      AMOUNT OWNED BENEFICIALLY OR      PERCENT OF CLASS
   NAME OF ISSUER AND     AMOUNT     HELD AS COLLATERAL SECURITY FOR  REPRESENTED BY AMOUNT
     TITLE OF CLASS     OUTSTANDING OBLIGATIONS IN DEFAULT BY TRUSTEE    GIVEN IN COL. C
   ------------------   ----------- --------------------------------- ---------------------
   <S>                  <C>         <C>                               <C>
</TABLE>
 
    Not applicable by virtue of response to Item 13.
 
                                       3
<PAGE>   5
 
ITEM 12. INDEBTEDNESS OF THE OBLIGOR TO THE TRUSTEE.
 
    EXCEPT AS NOTED IN THE INSTRUCTIONS, IF THE OBLIGOR IS INDEBTED TO THE
  TRUSTEE, FURNISH THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION:
 
                             AS OF JANUARY 4, 1994
 
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
           COL. A                            COL. B                              COL. C
   NATURE OF INDEBTEDNESS              AMOUNT OUTSTANDING                       DATE DUE
   ----------------------              ------------------                       --------
   <S>                                 <C>                                      <C>
                                              ---                                 ---
</TABLE>
 
      Not applicable by virtue of response to Item 13.
 
ITEM 13. DEFAULTS BY THE OBLIGOR.
 
    (A) STATE WHETHER THERE IS OR HAS BEEN A DEFAULT WITH RESPECT TO THE
  SECURITIES UNDER THIS INDENTURE. EXPLAIN THE NATURE OF ANY SUCH DEFAULT.
 
      There is not nor has there been a default with respect to the
    securities under this indenture.
 
    (B) IF THE TRUSTEE IS A TRUSTEE UNDER ANOTHER INDENTURE UNDER WHICH ANY
  OTHER SECURITIES, OR CERTIFICATES OF INTEREST OR PARTICIPATION IN ANY OTHER
  SECURITIES, OF THE OBLIGOR ARE OUTSTANDING, OR IS TRUSTEE FOR MORE THAN ONE
  OUTSTANDING SERIES OR SECURITIES UNDER THE INDENTURE, STATE WHETHER THERE
  HAS BEEN A DEFAULT UNDER ANY SUCH INDENTURE OR SERIES, IDENTIFY THE
  INDENTURE OR SERIES AFFECTED, AND EXPLAIN THE NATURE OF ANY SUCH DEFAULT.
 
      There is not nor has there been a default with respect to the
    securities outstanding under this indenture. The trustee is not a
    trustee under another indenture under which securities issued by the
    obligor are outstanding.
 
ITEM 14. AFFILIATIONS WITH THE UNDERWRITERS.
 
    IF ANY UNDERWRITER IS AN AFFILIATE OF THE TRUSTEE, DESCRIBE EACH SUCH
  AFFILIATION.
 
      Not applicable by virtue of response to Item 13.
 
ITEM 15. FOREIGN TRUSTEE.
 
    IDENTIFY THE ORDER OR RULE PURSUANT TO WHICH THE FOREIGN TRUSTEE IS
  AUTHORIZED TO ACT AS SOLE TRUSTEE UNDER INDENTURES QUALIFIED OR TO BE
  QUALIFIED UNDER THE ACT.
 
      Not applicable.
 
ITEM 16. LIST OF EXHIBITS.
 
    LIST BELOW ALL EXHIBITS FILED AS A PART OF THIS STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY
  AND QUALIFICATION.
 
    1. A copy of the Articles of Association of Continental Bank, National
  Association as now in effect, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 1
  to T-1; Registration No. 33-40462.
 
    2. A copy of the certificate of authority to commence business,
  incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 2 to T-1; Registration No. 33-
  26747.
 
    3. A copy of the authorization to exercise corporate trust powers,
  incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3 of Amendment No. 1 to T-1;
  Registration No. 2-51075.
 
    4. A copy of the existing By-Laws of Continental Bank, National
  Association as now in effect, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4
  to T-1; Registration No. 33-43020.
 
    5. Not applicable by virtue of response to Item 13.
 
    6. The consent of the trustee required by Section 321(b) of the Trust
  Indenture Act of 1939, incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 6 of
  Amendment No. 1 to T-1; Registration No. 2-51075.
 
    7. A copy of the latest report of condition of the trustee published
  pursuant to law or the requirements of its supervising or examining
  authority, filed herewith.
 
    8. Not applicable.
 
    9. Not applicable.
 
                                       4
<PAGE>   6
 
                                   SIGNATURE
 
PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE TRUST INDENTURE ACT OF 1939, THE TRUSTEE,
CONTINENTAL BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, A NATIONAL BANKING ASSOCIATION
ORGANIZED AND EXISTING UNDER THE LAWS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, HAS DULY
CAUSED THIS STATEMENT OF ELIGIBILITY TO BE SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE
UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED, ALL IN THE CITY OF CHICAGO, AND STATE
OF ILLINOIS, ON THE 4TH DAY OF JANUARY, 1994.
 
                                          CONTINENTAL BANK, NATIONAL
                                           ASSOCIATION
 
                                                   /s/ Michele Gallo
                                          By __________________________________
                                                       MICHELE GALLO
                                                       TRUST OFFICER
 
                                       5
<PAGE>   7
 
                                                                       EXHIBIT 7
                            (OFFICIAL PUBLICATION)
                             REPORT OF CONDITION 
            CONSOLIDATING DOMESTIC AND FOREIGN SUBSIDIARIES OF THE
                  
                 (LOGO) CONTINENTAL BANK, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION

Charter No. 13639                                     National Bank Region No. 7

In the state of Illinois at the close of business on September 30, 1993
published in response to call made by Comptroller of the Currency, under title
12, United States Code, Section 161. 

<TABLE> 
<CAPTION> 
                                    ASSETS                           In Millions
<S>                                                                  <C>  
Cash and balances due from depository institutions:
  Noninterest-bearing balances and currency and coin.................  $ 1,790
  Interest-bearing balances..........................................    2,043
Securities...........................................................    1,534
Federal funds sold and securities purchased under agreements to
resell in domestic offices of the bank and of its Edge and Agreement
subsidiaries, and in IBFs: 
  Federal funds sold.................................................      303
  Securities purchased under agreements to resell....................    1,011
Loans and lease financing receivables:
  Loans and leases, net of unearned income................  $11,950
  LESS: Allowance for loan and lease losses...............      350
  LESS: Allocated transfer risk reserve...................        0
  Loans and leases, net of unearned income, allowance and reserve....   11,600
Assets held in trading accounts......................................    1,565
Premises and fixed assets (including capitalized leases).............      215
Other real estate owned..............................................      131
Investments in unconsolidated subsidiaries and associated companies..        0
Customers' liability to this bank on acceptances outstanding.........      110
Intangible assets....................................................        1
Other assets.........................................................    1,226
                                                                       ------- 
  TOTAL ASSETS.......................................................  $21,529
                                                                       =======
                                  LIABILITIES
Deposits:
  In domestic offices................................................  $ 9,817
  Noninterest-bearing.....................................   $2,485
  Interest-bearing........................................    7,332 
In foreign offices, Edge and Agreement subsidiaries, and IBFs........    3,981
  Noninterest-bearing.....................................   $  103
  Interest-bearing........................................    3,878
Federal funds purchased and securities sold under agreements to 
repurchase in domestic offices of the bank and of its Edge and 
Agreement subsidiaries, and in IBFs: 
  Federal funds purchased............................................      688
  Securities sold under agreements to repurchase.....................      584
Demand notes issued to the U.S.Treasury..............................    1,385
Other borrowed money.................................................    1,417
Mortgage indebtedness and obligations under capitalized leases.......        0
Bank's liability on acceptances executed and outstanding.............      110
Notes and debentures subordinated to deposits........................      397
Other liabilities....................................................    1,065
                                                                       -------
  TOTAL LIABILITIES..................................................   19,444
                                                                       -------
Limited-life preferred stock.........................................        0

                                EQUITY CAPITAL
Perpetual preferred stock............................................        0
Common stock.........................................................      685
Surplus..............................................................      827
Undivided profits and capital reserves...............................      578
  LESS: Net unrealized loss on marketable equity securities..........        0
Cumulative foreign currency translation adjustments..................       (5)
                                                                       -------
  TOTAL EQUITY CAPITAL...............................................    2,085
                                                                       -------
  TOTAL LIABILITIES, LIMITED-LIFE PREFERRED STOCK, AND EQUITY CAPITAL  $21,529
                                                                       =======
</TABLE>
 
  I, John J. Higgins, Controller of the above-named bank do hereby declare that
this Report of Condition is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and
belief.

                                JOHN J. HIGGINS
                              -------------------
                                  Controller

                               November 10, 1993

<PAGE>   1

                               WAIVER AGREEMENT

    THIS WAIVER AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is entered into as of December 8, 
1993 by and between Carter Hawley Hale Stores, Inc. (the "Company") and
First Plaza Group Trust, by its trustee, Mellon Bank, N.A. ("First Plaza").


                                  WITNESSETH

    WHEREAS, First Plaza and the Company are parties to that certain
Stockholder's Agreement, dated as of January 25, 1993 (the "Stockholder's
Agreement"), pursuant to which the Company granted to First Plaza certain
registration rights with respect to 2.5 million shares (the "FP Shares") of the
Company's common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock") owned by
First Plaza;

    WHEREAS, the Company is considering issuing notes or preferred stock (the
"Securities"); and

    WHEREAS, in connection with the issuance of the Securities (the
"Offering"), the Company may grant certain registration rights to or for the
benefit of the purchasers or holders of such Securities.

    NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements contained
herein, the parties agree as follows:

        Section 1.  DEFINITIONS.  Initially capitalized terms not otherwise
    defined herein shall have the meanings ascribed to such terms in the
    Stockholder's Agreement.

        Section 2.  WAIVER OF REGISTRATION RIGHTS.  First Plaza hereby agrees
    that it shall not exercise its rights to Demand Registration or Piggy-Back
    Registration of the FP Shares (i) during the period beginning on the date
    hereof and ending on the last day of the Lock-Up Period (as defined below),
    and (ii) that it shall not at any time exercise such rights to Piggy-Back
    Registration with respect to any registration statement filed in connection
    with the Offering.  The term "Lock-Up Period" shall mean the period
    commencing on the date hereof and ending on that date which is 90 days
    after the date of a definitive Offering Memorandum circulated in connection
    with the Proposed Offering (the "Offering Memorandum"); provided, however,
    that such Offering Memorandum shall be dated no later than January 30,
    1994.  In the event circulation of such Offering Memorandum has not
    commenced on or before January 31, 1994, the Lock-Up Period shall terminate
    at 11:59 p.m. on January 31, 1994, and this Agreement shall thereupon
    terminate.

        Section 3.  TRANSFER OF FP SHARES.  During the Lock-Up Period, First
    Plaza shall not sell, transfer, distribute or otherwise dispose of any of
    the FP Shares or any other shares of Common Stock that may now or hereafter
    be owned, beneficially or

<PAGE>   2

    otherwise, by First Plaza.

        Section 4.  COUNTERPARTS, FACSIMILE TRANSMISSION.  This Agreement may
    be executed in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an
    original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same
    instrument.  This Agreement may also be executed and delivered by facsimile
    transmission.

        Section 5.  HEADINGS.  Section headings are inserted herein for
    convenience of reference only and do not form a part of this Agreement.

        Section 6.  SCOPE OF WAIVER.  The parties hereto acknowledge that no
    representation or promise not expressly contained in this Agreement has
    been made to such entity and further acknowledge that neither of the
    parties hereto have agreed to waive any rights not expressly waived herein.

    IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as
of the date first written above.


                                      CARTER HAWLEY HALE STORES, INC.


                                      By: ___________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:


                                      FIRST PLAZA GROUP TRUST


                                      By:  Mellon Bank, N.A.
                                           Trustee (as directed by
                                           General Motors Investment
                                           Management Corporation)


                                      By: ___________________________
                                      Name:
                                      Title:

The decision to participant in this investment, any representations made herein
by the participant, and any actions taken hereunder by the participant has/have
been made solely at the direction of the investment fiduciary who has sole
investment discretion with respect to this investment.




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