SAKS INC
DEF 14A, 1999-04-28
DEPARTMENT STORES
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                   SCHEDULE 14 INFORMATION
          Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a)
            of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
  
  Filed by the Registrant [x]
  Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
  
  Check the appropriate box:
  [ ]     Preliminary Proxy Statement
  [ ]     Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only
          (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
  [X]     Definitive Proxy Statement
  [ ]     Definitive Additional Materials
  [ ]     Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or
            Section 240.14a-12
  
  
                      Saks Incorporated
                  --------------------------
       (Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter)
  
                      Saks Incorporated
                 ---------------------------
          (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
  
  Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box:)
  [X]     No fee required.
  [ ]     Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4)
          and 0-11.
  
     1)   Title of each class of securities to which
            transaction applies:
     ____________________________________________________________
  
     2)   Aggregate number of securities to which transaction
            applies:
     ____________________________________________________________
  
     3)   Per unit price or other underlying value of
            transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule
            0-11 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee
            is calculated and state how it was determined):
     ____________________________________________________________
  
     4)   Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
     ____________________________________________________________
  
     5)   Total fee paid:
  
     ____________________________________________________________
  
  [  ]    Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
  [  ]    Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by
            Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for
            which the offsetting fee was paid previously.  Identify
            the previous filing by registration statement number, or
            the Form of Schedule and the date of its filing.
  
     1)   Amount Previously Paid: _______________________
  
     2)   Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
            _______________
  
     3)   Filing party: ______________________
  
     4)   Date filed: ________________________
    <PAGE>
                                           
                    750 Lakeshore Parkway
                  Birmingham, Alabama 35211
                                April 28, 1999
  
  Dear Shareholder:
  
  You are cordially invited to attend the Annual Meeting of
  the Shareholders to be held at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Daylight
  Time on Wednesday, June 16, 1999, at Proffitt's Foothills
  Mall Store (Store for Women), 173 Foothills Mall, Maryville,
  Tennessee 37801.
  
  The notice of the meeting and proxy statement accompanying
  this letter describe the specific business to be acted upon.
  Your vote is very important, and your cooperation in
  completing, signing, and returning your proxy promptly in
  the enclosed return envelope will be appreciated. 
  
  At the meeting, there will be a report on the progress of
  the Company and an opportunity to ask questions of general
  interest to    the shareholders. 
  
  Shareholders attending the meeting are invited to shop at
  our Foothills Mall Proffitt's store and will be given a
  special discount on the day's purchases.
  
  I hope you will be able to join us, and I look forward to
  seeing you.
  
  Sincerely,

  /s/ R. Brad Martin
  
  R. Brad Martin
  Chairman of the Board and 
  Chief Executive Officer
  
                                           
                    750 Lakeshore Parkway
                  Birmingham, Alabama 35211
                               
                                
           NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
                                
  To the Shareholders of Saks Incorporated:
  
  Notice is hereby given that the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of Saks
  Incorporated (the "Company;" formerly Proffitt's, Inc.) will be held at 8:30
  a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Wednesday, June 16, 1999, at Proffitt's
  Foothills Mall Store (Store for Women), 173 Foothills Mall, Maryville,
  Tennessee 37801, for the following purposes:
  
   1.     To elect ten Directors to hold office for the terms specified or
       until their respective successors have been elected and qualified;
   
   2.     To approve and adopt the Saks Incorporated Amended and Restated
       1994 Long-Term Incentive Plan;
   
   3.     To ratify the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the
       Company's independent accountants for the current fiscal year ending
       January 29, 2000; and
   
   4.     To transact such other business as may properly come before the
       meeting or any adjournment thereof. 
   
  Shareholders of record at the close of business on April 19, 1999 are entitled
  to notice of, and to vote at, the meeting. 
  
  Shareholders are cordially invited to attend the meeting in person.
  
                                   By order of the Board of
                                     Directors,
  
                                   
                                   Julia Bentley
                                   Secretary
                                   April 28, 1999
  
  
  
  
  WHETHER OR NOT YOU INTEND TO BE PRESENT AT THE MEETING, YOU ARE URGED TO MARK,
  SIGN, AND DATE THE ENCLOSED PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE ENVELOPE
  PROVIDED.
  
                                           
  
                               PROXY STATEMENT
                    Information Concerning the Solicitation
      This proxy statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of
  proxies to be used at the Annual Meeting of the Shareholders (the "Annual
  Meeting") of Saks Incorporated (the "Company"), a Tennessee corporation, to be
  held on June 16, 1999.
  
  The solicitation of proxies in the enclosed form is made on behalf of the
  Board of Directors of the Company. Certain Directors, officers, and employees
  of the Company may solicit proxies by telephone, telecopier, telegram, mail,
  or personal contact. In addition, the Company has retained Georgeson &
  Company, Inc., New York, New York, to assist in the solicitation of proxies
  and will pay such firm a base fee, estimated not to exceed $8,500, plus
  reimbursement of expenses. Arrangements will be made with brokers, nominees,
  and fiduciaries to send proxies and proxy materials at the Company's expense
  to their principals. The proxy materials are first being mailed to
  shareholders on or about April 30, 1999.
  
  A shareholder signing and returning a proxy on the enclosed form has the power
  to revoke it at any time before the shares subject to it are voted by
  notifying the Secretary of the Company in writing. Attendance at the Annual
  Meeting by a shareholder who has given a proxy will not have the effect of
  revoking it unless he or she gives such written notice of revocation to the
  Secretary before the proxy is voted. Votes cast by proxy or in person at the
  Annual Meeting will be tabulated by the election inspectors appointed for the
  meeting and will determine whether or not a quorum is present. The election
  inspectors will treat abstentions as shares that are present and entitled to
  vote for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum. If a broker
  indicates on the proxy that it does not have discretionary authority as to
  certain shares to vote on a particular matter, those shares will not be
  considered as present and entitled to vote with respect to that matter. The
  nominees for Director receiving a plurality of the votes cast at the meeting
  in person or by proxy shall be elected. Abstentions and broker non-votes have
  no affect on the plurality vote for the election of Directors. All other
  matters will be approved if the votes cast favoring the action exceed the
  votes opposing the action.
  
                Outstanding Voting Securities
     Only shareholders of record at the close of business on April 19, 1999 are
  entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. On that day, there were issued and
  outstanding 144,436,755 shares of Common Stock. Each share has one vote.
  
  Listed in the following table are the number of shares owned by each Director,
  certain executive officers, and all Directors and officers of the Company as a
  group as of March 15, 1999. The table also includes the beneficial owners as
  of March 15, 1999 of more than 5% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock
  who are known to the Company.
  
  
  
          Name of Beneficial Owner       Total Shares        Percentage of
          (and Address if "Beneficial    Beneficially        Common Stock
          Ownership" Exceeds 5%)          Owned (1)           Ownership
         ---------------------------    ------------        --------------
          Directors:
            Bernard E. Bernstein            39,402(2)              *
            Stanton J. Bluestone           323,058                 *
            John W. Burden, III             11,598                 *
            Edmond D. Cicala                26,472                 *
            James A. Coggin                317,009                 *
            Ronald de Waal             2,2,779,152              1.92%
            Julius W. Erving                 7,989                 *
            Michael S. Gross                11,551                 *
            Donald E. Hess                 704,724(3)              *
            G. David Hurd                   20,651                 *     
            R. Brad Martin            2,62,814,551(4)           1.94%




          Name of Beneficial Owner      Total Shares       Percentage of
          (and Address if "Beneficial   Beneficially       Common Stock
          Ownership" Exceeds 5%)          Owned (1)          Ownership
          ---------------------------   ------------       -------------
            Philip B. Miller               667,027                 *
            Robert M. Mosco                365,873(5)              *
            C. Warren Neel                  22,214                 *
            Charles J. Philippin            17,603                 *
            Stephen I. Sadove                8,791                 *
            Marguerite W. Sallee             9,400                 *
            Gerald Tsai, Jr.                17,000                 *
          Named Executive Officers:
            Douglas E. Coltharp            145,596                 *
            Brian J. Martin                162,009                 *
          All Directors and Officers
          as a group (22 persons)        8,699,255              5.93%
          Other 5% Owners:
            Fidelity Management and     23,010,572(6)          15.93%
             Research Corporation                 
             82 Devonshire Street
             Boston, Massachusetts
            Investcorp S.A.              8,357,657(7)           5.79%
            SIPCO Limited                8,346,177(8)           5.78%
   
              *     Owns less than 1% of the total outstanding Common Stock
                    of the Company.
            (1)     Includes shares that the following persons have a right to
                    acquire within sixty days after March 15, 1999 through the
                    exercise of stock options: Bernstein (9,000), Bluestone
                    (317,000), Burden (4,200), Cicala (9,000), Coggin (160,000),
                    deWaal (12,000), Erving (4,200), Gross (9,000), Hess
                    (3,000), Hurd (9,940), R. Brad Martin (672,341), Miller
                    (553,109), Mosco (207,280), Neel (9,000), Philippin
                    (3,000), Sadove (4,640), Sallee (5,400), Tsai (9,000),
                    Coltharp (78,000), and Brian J. Martin (91,606).
            (2)     Includes 6,000 shares owned by the Bernard E. Bernstein
                    Defined Benefit Pension Plan.
            (3)     Includes: (i) 324,816 shares owned directly by Mr. Hess,
                    (ii) 307,732 shares held by Mr. Hess as trustee or co-
                    trustee for his children, and (iii) 69,176 shares held by
                    him as trustee for the children of his sister. Does not
                    include: (i) 4,580 shares owned directly by his wife,
                    (ii) 14,660 shares held by his wife as co-trustee for
                    one of their children, or (iii) 159,842 shares held
                    by another individual as trustee for Mr. Hess' children.
            (4)     Includes: (i) 20,227 shares held by the RBM Family Limited
                    Partnership, (ii) 3,700 shares owned by RBM Venture Company,
                    a company of which Mr. Martin is sole shareholder, (iii)
                    338,929 shares held by Mr. Martin as trustee or co-trustee
                    for his children, (iv) 14,277 shares owned by the R. Brad
                    and Jean L. Martin Family Foundation, (v) 25,000 shares of
                    restricted stock which were fully vested by March 30, 1999,
                    (vi) 40,000 shares of restricted stock which will fully vest
                    by October 2, 2001, (vii) 200,000 shares of restricted
                    stock, the restrictions on which lapse based on performance
                    measurements and length of service, and (viii) 50,000 shares
                    held in a trust to be settled in accordance with a deferral
                    agreement.
            (5)     Excludes 32,564 shares reserved by the Company for issuance
                    to Mr. Mosco with respect to a deferred compensation
                    arrangement.
            (6)     Based solely on information provided by the beneficial
                    owner.
            (7)     Investcorp does not directly own any shares of Common Stock.
                    Beneficial ownership includes 4,625,495 shares owned by
                    three indirect, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Investcorp. The
                    remainder of the shares shown as beneficially owned by
                    Investcorp consists of the shares owned by certain Cayman
                    Islands corporations, none of which is a beneficial owner of
                    five percent or more of the Common Stock. Investcorp may
                    be deemed to share beneficial ownership of the shares of
                    Common Stock held by such entities because such entities
                    or their stockholders or principals have entered into
                    revocable management services or similar agreements
                    with an affiliate of Investcorp pursuant to which each such
                    entity has granted such affiliate the authority to direct
                    the voting and disposition of the stock owned by such
                    entity for so long as such agreement is in effect.
                    Investcorp is a Luxembourg corporation, with its registered
                    address at 37 rue Notre-Dame, Luxembourg.
            (8)     SIPCO Limited ("SIPCO") does not directly own any Common
                    Stock. The number of shares shown as owned by SIPCO consists
                    of the shares Investcorp is deemed to beneficially own.
                    SIPCO may be deemed to control Investcorp through its
                    ownership of a majority of the stock of a company which
                    indirectly owns a majority of Investcorp's outstanding
                    stock. SIPCO is a Cayman Islands corporation with its
                    address at P.O. Box 1111, West Wind Building, George
                    Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, British West Indies.
  
  
                    ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
                       (Proposal No. 1)
                                
  The Company's Charter, as amended, provides that the Board of Directors be
  divided into three classes, designated as Class I, Class II, and Class III.
  The terms of Class I, II, and III will expire in 2001, 2002, and 2000,
  respectively. The Board of Directors proposes the election of two Directors to
  Class I, six Directors to Class II, and two Directors to Class III. These ten
  Directors, together with the eight Directors whose terms continue beyond this
  year's Annual Meeting, will comprise the Board of Directors. Each Director
  will hold office for the term specified and until his or her successor is
  elected and qualified. Each Director nominee is currently a Director. Unless
  otherwise instructed by the shareholder, the persons named in the enclosed
  form of proxy intend to vote for the election of the persons listed in this
  proxy statement. If any nominee becomes unavailable for any reason or should a
  vacancy occur before the election (which events are not anticipated), the
  proxies will be voted for the election of a substitute nominee to be selected
  by the persons named in the proxy. 
  
  Nominees for the term expiring in 2001 (Class I): Robert M. Mosco and Stephen
  I. Sadove.
  Nominees for the term expiring in 2002 (Class II): John W. Burden, III; James
  A. Coggin; Michael S. Gross; G. David Hurd; Philip B.
     Miller, and Gerald Tsai, Jr. 
  Nominees for the term expiring in 2000 (Class III): Edmond D. Cicala and
  Charles J. Philippin. 
  
  We have provided below certain information about the nominees and Directors.
  The business association as shown has been continued for more than five years
  unless otherwise noted.
  
                                                          Director
  Name, Principal Occupation, and Directorship      Age   Since
  
  NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR
  Class I (terms expiring in 2001):
  Robert M. Mosco                                    50   1998 
  President of Merchandising and Chief Operating Officer of 
  Saks Incorporated. Mr. Mosco served as President and Chief 
  Executive Officer Proffitt's Merchandising Group between 
  October 1996 and November 1998. Between February 1996 and
  October 1996, Mr. Mosco served as President and Chief Executive 
  Officer of the Younkers group of Proffitt's, Inc. Mr. Mosco served 
  as President and Chief Operating Officer of Younkers, Inc. 
  between 1992 and January 1996.
  
  Stephen I. Sadove                                  47     1998
  President Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. Worldwide Beauty Care and 
  Nutritionals since December 1997. Since 1991, Mr. Sadove has held
  various executive positions with Bristol-Myers Squibb, including
  President of Clairol, Inc.
  
  Class II (terms expiring in 2002):
  John W. Burden, III                                62     1998
  Retail consultant. Mr. Burden was a partner in Retail Options 
  between November 1993 and October 1997. Mr. Burden 
  is the Retired Chairman of Federated Department Stores, 
  Inc. and Allied Stores Corporation. He serves on the Board of 
  Directors of Chico's, Inc.
  
                                                         Director
  Name, Principal Occupation, and Directorship      Age   Since
  
  James A. Coggin                                    56     1998
  President and Chief Administrative Officer of Saks Incorporated.
  Mr. Coggin served as President and Chief Operating Officer of the 
  Company between March 1995 and November 1998 and served
  as Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer of
  the Company between March 1994 and March 1995. Prior to that,
  Mr. Coggin held various executive positions with McRae's, Inc.
  
  Michael S. Gross                                  37     1994
  Vice President of Apollo Capital Management, Inc., the general 
  partner of Apollo Advisors, L.P. Mr. Gross serves on the Boards of
  Directors of Alliance Imaging, Inc., Allied Waste Industries, Inc., 
  Converse, Inc., Florsheim Group, Inc., and United Rentals, Inc.
  
  G. David Hurd                                     69     1996
  Emeritus Chairman of Principal Financial Group. Mr. Hurd
  served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Principal 
  Financial Group from 1989 until his retirement in December 1994.
  
  Philip B. Miller                                  60     1998
  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Saks Fifth Avenue 
  group of Saks Incorporated. Mr. Miller served as Chairman 
  and Chief Executive Officer of Saks Holdings, Inc. (the holding 
  company for Saks & Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary that 
  did business as Saks Fifth Avenue ("SFA")) between March 1996
  and September 1998. He held the same positions with SFA
  between June 1993 and September 1998. He joined SFA in 1990.
  
  Gerald Tsai, Jr.                                  70     1993
  Private investor. Mr. Tsai served as Chairman, President, 
  and Chief Executive Officer of Delta Life Corporation from
  February 1993 to October 1997. Mr. Tsai serves on the Boards of
  Directors of Meditrust, Rite Aid Corporation, Sequa Corporation,
  Triarc Companies, Inc., United Rentals, Inc., and Zenith
  National Insurance Corporation.
  
  Class III (terms expiring in 2000):
  Edmond D. Cicala                                  73     1987
  President of Edmond Enterprises, Inc. Retired Chairman and 
  Chief Executive Officer of the Goldsmith's Division of Federated 
  Department Stores. Mr. Cicala serves on the Boards of Directors 
  of Evans, Inc. and National Commerce Bancorporation.
  
  Charles J. Philippin                              49     1998
  Executive of Investcorp, S.A. Mr. Philippin has served as an Executive
  of Investcorp, its predecessor, or one or more of its wholly-owned 
  subsidiaries since October 1994. Prior to joining Investcorp, he 
  was a partner with Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P. Mr. Philippin serves 
  on the Boards of Directors of CSK Auto Corporation, Falcon 
  Building Products, Inc., Harborside Healthcare, Inc., Star Markets,
  Inc., The William Carter Company, and Werner Company.
  
  THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE ELECTION AS
  DIRECTORS THE ABOVE LISTED NOMINEES.
  
                                                         Director
  Name, Principal Occupation, and Directorship      Age   Since
  
  CONTINUING DIRECTORS
  Class I (terms expiring in 2001):
  Bernard E. Bernstein                              68     1987 
  Partner in the Knoxville, Tennessee law firm of Bernstein, 
  Stair & McAdams LLP.
  
  Stanton J. Bluestone                              64     1998
  Chairman of the Carson Pirie Scott group of Saks Incorporated
  from February 1998 until his retirement in January 1999. 
  Mr. Bluestone served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer 
  of Carson Pirie Scott & Co. ("Carson's") between March 1996 and
  January 1998. He was the President and Chief Executive Officer 
  of Carson's between August 1993 and March 1996. Mr. Bluestone 
  serves on the Board of Directors of Hills Stores Company.
  
  Julius W. Erving                                   49     1997
  President of the Erving Group and Executive Vice President of the 
  Orlando Magic since September 1997. Mr. Erving was employed by the 
  National Broadcasting Company between December 1994 and 
  June 1997, and by the National Basketball Association between 1987 
  and September 1997. Mr. Erving serves on the Boards of Directors of 
  Converse, Inc., The Sports Authority, and Darden Restaurants, Inc.
  
  Donald E. Hess                                    50     1996
  Chief Executive Officer of Southwood Partners. Chairman 
  Emeritus of Parisian. Mr. Hess served as Chairman of the 
  Parisian group of Saks Incorporated until his retirement in 
  December 1997 and served as President and Chief Executive 
  Officer of Parisian from 1986 to April 1997.
  
  Class III (terms expiring in 2000):
  Ronald de Waal                                    47     1985
  Chairman of We International, B.V., a Netherlands corporation, 
  which operates more than 250 fashion specialty stores in 
  Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Germany, and France.
  
  R. Brad Martin                                    47     1984
  Chief Executive Officer of the Company since 1989, Chairman 
  of the Board of the Company since 1987, and President from 
  July 1989 until March 1994 and from September 1994 to March 
  1995. Mr. Martin serves on the Boards of Directors of First Tennessee 
  National Corporation and Harrah's Entertainment, Inc.
  
  C. Warren Neel                                    60     1987
  Dean of the College of Business Administration at the University 
  of Tennessee, Knoxville. Dr. Neel serves on the Boards of 
  Directors of American Healthcorp, Inc., Clayton Homes, Inc., 
  O'Charley's, Inc., and The Promus Companies, Inc.
  
  Marguerite W. Sallee                              53     1996
  Chief Executive Officer of Bright Horizons Family Solutions. Ms. Sallee 
  served as President and Chief Executive Officer of CorporateFamily 
  Solutions between February 1987 and July 1998. Ms. Sallee serves on  
  the Board of Directors of MagneTek, Inc.
  
           Further Information Concerning Directors
                                Directors' Fees
  Directors who are not officers of the Company each receive an annual fee of
  $15,000, $2,000 for attendance at each board meeting, and $1,000 for
  attendance at each meeting of a committee of which he is a member (or $750 for
  participation by telephone in a board or committee meeting). Effective June
  1999, the annual fee will be increased to $17,500. Committee chairpersons each
  receive an additional annual fee of $2,500. Directors are reimbursed for
  expenses in connection with their services as Directors of the Company.
  Directors not employed by the Company may elect to: (i) receive fees earned in
  Company Common Stock, (ii) receive one-half of fees earned in Company Common
  Stock with the balance in cash, or (iii) participate in the Company's Deferred
  Compensation Plan for Non-Employed Directors and defer all such compensation
  in lieu of immediate cash payments. The deferred compensation is tied to the
  value of the Company's Common Stock.
  
  Pursuant to the Company's 1994 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "1994 Plan") and
  the 1997 Stock-Based Incentive Plan (the "1997 Plan"), 
  each non-employee Director of the Company annually is granted a nonqualified
  stock option to purchase 2,000 shares of Company Common Stock (7,000 shares
  for the Company's Vice Chairman of the Board). This amount will be increased
  to 3,000 shares (8,000 shares for the Vice Chairman) effective with the Annual
  Meeting in June 1999. Options are priced at fair market value at the date of
  grant and vest in one-fifth installments commencing six months from the date
  of grant (with each subsequent installment vesting on the anniversary date of
  grant) with full vesting occurring on the fourth anniversary date of grant. In
  addition, each non-employee Director has been awarded 2,000 shares of
  restricted Common Stock which vest in one-tenth installments commencing on the
  first anniversary of the award date. The Company's Vice Chairman of the Board
  also receives an annual Common Stock grant of 2,000 shares which vests
  immediately upon grant.
  
  In October 1998, each non-employee Director of the Company was granted a
  nonqualified stock option to purchase 15,000 shares of Company Common Stock,
  priced at $18.9375 per share (the fair value at the October 2, 1998 grant
  date). These options will vest in accordance with the schedule outlined in the
  preceding paragraph.
  
  Committees of the Board of Directors and Meeting Attendance
  The Board met five times during the last fiscal year. The Board of Directors
  has established Audit, Human Resources/Option, Strategic Planning/Corporate
  Governance, and Executive Committees. All Committees except the Executive
  Committee are comprised of non-employee Directors.
  
  The Audit Committee includes C. Warren Neel (Chairman), Bernard E. Bernstein,
  John W. Burden, III, and Charles J. Philippin. The Committee met four times
  during the last fiscal year. The Audit Committee: (i) recommends the
  appointment of the Company's independent accountants; (ii) reviews the scope,
  results, and recommendations of the audits conducted by the independent
  accountants and the internal auditors; (iii) oversees the scope and adequacy
  of the Company's internal accounting controls and record-keeping systems; (iv)
  reviews the objectivity, effectiveness, and resources of the internal audit
  function, which reports directly to the Committee; (v) confers independently
  with the independent accountants and internal auditors; (vi) reviews the
  nature and scope of non-audit services to be performed by independent
  accountants or consultants; (vii) determines the appropriateness of fees for
  audit and non-audit services performed by the independent accountants; and
  (viii) determines when it is appropriate to accept proposals from different
  independent accountants for audit and non-audit services to be performed.
  
  The Human Resources/Option Committee includes Edmond D. Cicala (Chairman),
  Julius W. Erving, Marguerite W. Sallee, and Gerald Tsai, Jr. The Committee met
  three times during the last fiscal year. The Committee: (i) evaluates the
  performance of the Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") annually; (ii) reviews and
  recommends to the Board salary and incentive compensation, including bonus,
  stock options, and stock grants, for the CEO; (iii) reviews the salaries and
  incentive compensation for certain senior corporate officers and executives;
  (iv) reviews and approves the incentive compensation programs; (v) reviews and
  makes decisions regarding the structure of and awards granted under the
  Company's stock option and incentive plans; and (vi) recommends Director
  compensation to the Board.
  
  The Strategic Planning/Corporate Governance Committee includes Ronald de Waal
  (Chairman), Stanton J. Bluestone, Michael S. Gross, G. David Hurd, Stephen I.
  Sadove, and Marguerite W. Sallee. The Committee met twice during the last
  fiscal year. The Committee: (i) reviews the Company's strategic plan with
  management and coordinates presentation of the strategic plan to the full
  Board; (ii) assesses Board and Committee effectiveness; (iii) screens and
  recommends new Director candidates; and (iv) provides counsel to the Chairman
  of the Board on Committee composition. The Committee also considers any
  nominees for Director recommended by shareholders.
  
  The Executive Committee includes R. Brad Martin (Chairman), Edmond D. Cicala,
  Ronald de Waal, and C. Warren Neel. The Committee acted by unanimous written
  consent nine times during the last fiscal year. The Executive Committee
  exercises all of the powers of the full Board of Directors (with certain
  specified exceptions required by law) during intervals between full Board
  meetings. 
  
  All Directors attended 75% or more of the aggregate number of meetings of the
  Board of Directors and the committee(s) on which he or she served, except for
  Mr. Gross. Mr. Gross was unable to participate in one telephonic Committee
  meeting and one regular Board meeting due to unavoidable business conflicts.
  The overall average percentage for all Directors' meeting attendance was 95%.


        
                                Executive Compensation
                                Summary Compensation Table
  The following table sets forth, for the fiscal years ended January 30, 1999
  ("1998"), January 31, 1998 ("1997"), and February 1, 1997 ("1996"), the cash
  compensation paid by the Company, as well as other compensation paid or
  accrued for these years, as to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and to
  each of the other four highest compensated executive officers ("Named
  Officers"). As used in this Proxy Statement, the term "executive officer" has
  the meaning set forth in Rule 3b-7 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
  As a consequence, the table is not a list of the most highly compensated
    employees of the Company.


<TABLE>
                                                                      Other                           Securities       All
                                                                      Annual         Restricted       Underlying      Other
                                        Salary         Bonus       Compensation         Stock           Options   Compensation
  Name & Principal Position    Year      ($)           ($)(1)           ($)           Awards ($)       Granted($)      ($)
  -------------------------    ----   ----------     ----------     ----------    -------------------   --------    ---------
  <S>                          <C>     <C>          <C>             <C>            <C>                   <C>       <C>
  R. Brad Martin               1998    825,000      1,351,344 (2)   137,918(3)     3,211,642(4)(5)(6)    866,341    54,517(7)
  Chairman of the Board and    1997    613,474      1,629,882 (8)   134,282(3)     1,223,968   (4)(9)    400,000    19,742(7)
  Chief Executive Officer      1996    536,031        606,882(10)    27,700(3)       664,589  (4)(11)                7,800(7)
  
  James A. Coggin              1998    700,000        252,000                      1,525,157(4)(5)(6)    300,000
  President and Chief          1997    508,667        440,945 (8)                    587,500   (4)(9)
  Administrative Officer       1996    450,000        375,200(10)                    362,500  (4)(11)
  
  Robert M. Mosco              1998    700,000        252,000                      1,463,827(4)(5)(6)    300,000
  President of Merchandising   1997    510,090        300,000                        538,532   (4)(9)               50,000(12)
  and Chief Operating Officer  1996    450,000        229,167                         151,036     (4)    120,000    37,500(12)
  
  Douglas E. Coltharp (13)     1998    350,000        105,000                         703,023(4)(5)(6)   140,000
  Executive Vice President     1997    281,318        134,063                         514,063   (4)(9)
  and Chief Financial Officer  1996     28,205                                                            70,000   239,688(14)
  
  Brian J. Martin              1998    350,000        105,000                         703,023(4)(5)(6)   130,493
  Executive Vice President of  1997    250,333        128,500                         470,000   (4)(9)
  Law and General Counsel      1996    213,981        108,500                         199,375  (4)(11)    30,000   164,875(12)
  
</TABLE>
   
  (1)  Amounts awarded under the Company's bonus compensation plans and
       arrangements for the respective fiscal years, even if deferred.
  (2)  Includes a stock grant to R. Brad Martin ("Martin") of 39,500 shares of
       Company Common Stock. This grant was priced as of March 30, 1999 and
       was valued at $980,094 (at a market price of $24.8125).
  (3)  In February 1989, the Company entered into a compensation agreement
       with Martin which provided for a $500,000 interest-free loan due
       January 31, 1999 or upon Martin's termination of employment with the
       Company. Pursuant to Martin's amended employment agreement, beginning
       in 1997, one-fifth of the loan balance is being forgiven annually.
       Other Annual Compensation represents one-fifth of the principal balance
       being forgiven and imputed interest on that interest-free loan.
  (4)  In 1996, Martin, Coggin, Mosco, and Brian Martin were granted 50,000,
       30,000, 25,000, and 18,000 shares of Company Common Stock,
       respectively, under a Restricted Stock Grant Agreement pursuant to the
       Company's 1994 Long-Term Incentive Plan. Restrictions lapse as a
       function of the Company achieving certain performance goals and time.
       Shares shall be earned ("Earned Shares") on the basis of achieving
       these goals for 1996, 1997, and 1998. Restrictions shall be removed
       from 25% of such Earned Shares at the time they are earned, and
       restrictions shall be removed from an additional 25% of such Earned
       Shares at the end of each of the following three years. In 1996,
       16,667, 10,000, 8,333, and 6,000 shares were earned for Martin, Coggin,
       Mosco, and Brian Martin, respectively. As of February 1, 1997, the
       market price of the Common Stock was $18.125, and the value of the
       shares earned was $302,089, $181,250, $151,036, and $108,750 for
       Martin, Coggin, Mosco, and Brian Martin, respectively. In late 1996,
       Coltharp was granted 15,000 shares of Company Common Stock under a
       Restricted Stock Grant Agreement. In 1997, 16,667, 10,000, 8,333,
       5,000, and 6,000 shares were earned for Martin, Coggin, Mosco,
       Coltharp, and Brian Martin, respectively. As of January 31, 1998, the
       market price of the Common Stock was $29.375, and the value of the
       shares earned was $489,593, $293,750, $244,782, $146,875, and $176,250
       for Martin, Coggin, Mosco, Coltharp, and Brian Martin, respectively. In
       1998, 16,666, 10,000, 8,334, 5,000, and 6,000 shares were earned for
       Martin, Coggin, Mosco, Coltharp, and Brian Martin, respectively. As of
       January 30, 1999, the market price of the Common Stock was $36.8125,
       and the value of the shares earned was $613,517, $368,125, $306,795,
       $184,063, and $220,875 for Martin, Coggin, Mosco, Coltharp, and Brian
       Martin, respectively. The value of the Earned Shares is included in
       total Restricted Stock Awards, even if not fully vested.
  (5)  In 1998, Martin, Coggin, Mosco, Coltharp, and Brian Martin were granted
       150,000, 75,000, 75,000, 20,000, and 20,000 shares of Company Common
       Stock, respectively, under a Restricted Stock Grant Agreement pursuant
       to the Company's 1997 Stock-Based Incentive Plan. Restrictions lapse as
       a function of the Company achieving certain performance goals and time.
       Shares shall be earned ("Earned Shares") on the basis of achieving
       these goals for 1998, 1999, and 2000. Restrictions shall be removed
       from 25% of such Earned Shares at the time they are earned, and
       restrictions shall be removed from an additional 25% of such Earned
       Shares at the end of each of the following three years. In 1998,
       50,000, 25,000, 25,000, 6,667, and 6,667 shares were earned for Martin,
       Coggin, Mosco, Coltharp, and Brian Martin, respectively. As of January
       30, 1999, the market price of the Common Stock was $36.8125, and the
       value of the shares earned was $1,840,625, $920,313, $920,313,
       $245,429, and $245,429 for Martin, Coggin, Mosco, Coltharp, and Brian
       Martin, respectively, as of that date. The value of the Earned Shares
       is included in total Restricted Stock Awards, even if not fully vested.
  (6)  Includes restricted stock awards of 40,000, 12,500, 12,500, 15,000, and
       12,500 for Martin, Coggin, Mosco, Coltharp, and Brian Martin,
       respectively, which were granted at the market price of $18.9375 on the
       October 2, 1998 date of grant (valued at $757,500, $236,719, $236,719,
       $284,063, and $236,719 for Martin, Coggin, Mosco, Coltharp, and Brian
       Martin, respectively). 25% of these awards vested on the date of grant,
       with 100% vesting by October 2, 2001. The entire value of the award is
       included, even if not fully vested.
  (7)  Represents economic benefit of split dollar life insurance policy for
       1996. For 1997, represents economic benefit of split dollar life
       insurance policy ($9,480) and estate planning services ($10,262). For
       1998, represents economic benefit of split dollar life insurance policy
       ($10,860), estate planning services ($17,200), and usage of Company
       aircraft ($26,457). All of these amounts were in accordance with
       Martin's employment agreement.
  (8)  Includes stock grants to Martin and Coggin of 40,000 and 5,000 shares
       of Company Common Stock, respectively. These grants were priced as of
       January 31, 1998 and were valued at $1,175,000 and $146,875 for Martin
       and Coggin, respectively (at a market price of $29.375).
  (9)  Includes restricted stock awards of 25,000, 10,000, 10,000, 12,500, and
       10,000 shares for Martin, Coggin, Mosco, Coltharp, and Brian Martin,
       respectively, which were granted at the market price of $29.375 on the
       January 30, 1998 date of grant (valued at $734,375, $293,750, $293,750,
       $367,188, and $293,750 for Martin, Coggin, Mosco, Coltharp, and Brian
       Martin, respectively). 25% of these awards vested on the date of grant,
       with 100% vesting by March 30, 1999.
  (10) Includes stock grants to Martin and Coggin of 10,000 and 5,000 shares
       of Company Common Stock, respectively. These grants were priced as of
       April 9, 1997 and were valued at $190,000 and $95,000 for Martin and
       Coggin, respectively (at a market price of $19.00).
  (11) Includes restricted stock awards of 20,000, 10,000, and 5,000 shares of
       Company Common Stock for Martin, Coggin, and Brian Martin,
       respectively, which were granted at the market price of $18.125 on the
       January 31, 1997 date of grant (valued at $362,500, $181,250, and
       $90,625 for Martin, Coggin, and Brian Martin, respectively). The awards
       fully vested one year from the date of grant.
  (12) Relocation reimbursements and bonuses.
  (13) Coltharp's initial date of employment with the Company was November 25,
       1996.
  (14) Initial bonus comprised of $150,000 in cash compensation and a stock
       grant of 5,000 shares of Company Common Stock which was granted at the
       market price of $17.9375 on the January 3, 1997 date of grant (valued
       at $89,688).
   
   Note 1: As of January 30, 1999, the number and value (based on the $36.8125
     closing price of Common Stock as of January 30, 1999) of shares of unvested
     restricted stock held by each of the Named Officers were as follows:
     Martin, 205,000 shares ($7,546,563); Coggin, 98,125 shares ($3,612,227);
     Mosco, 95,625 shares ($3,520,195); Coltharp, 47,083 shares ($1,733,255);
     and Brian Martin, 41,708 shares ($1,535,388).
   Note 2: All Common Stock amounts reflect the 2-for-1 stock split effected
  in October 1997.
  
  Employment Contracts
  All of the Named Officers and certain other officers have employment
  agreements with the Company. All agreements fix the Named Officers' minimum
  base compensation for the fiscal year and provide for participation by such
  officers in employment benefit plans as the Company may adopt. The current
  agreement for Martin expires on February 2, 2003 and the current agreements
  for Coggin, Mosco, Coltharp, and Brian Martin expire on February 2, 2001.
  Under the terms of each agreement, each Named Officer is entitled to receive
  his base salary for the remainder of his employment period in the event he is
  terminated without cause. If the termination is involuntary and due to a
  change in control or a potential change in control, he is entitled to receive
  his base salary then in effect for the greater of the remaining term of his
  agreement or twenty-four months (thirty-six months in the case of Coltharp).
  Annual base salaries currently in effect are as follows: Martin, $825,000;
  Coggin, $700,000; Mosco, $700,000; Coltharp, $350,000; and Brian Martin,
  $350,000. A "Change in Control" is defined as: (i) the acquisition of 25% or
  more of the combined voting power of the Company's outstanding securities,
  (ii) a tender offer, merger, sale of assets, or other business combination
  which results in the transfer of a majority of the combined voting power of
  the Company or any successor entity, or (iii) during any two consecutive year
  period, the failure to elect a majority of the individuals constituting the
  Board of Directors of the Company prior to the commencement of such period,
  unless the election or nomination of any replacement Directors was approved by
  vote of at least two-thirds of the Directors of the Company then still in
  office who were Directors of the Company at the beginning of such period. A
  "Potential Change in Control" is defined as: (i) the approval by the
  shareholders of the Company of an agreement which, if consummated, will result
  in a change of control or (ii) the acquisition of 5% or more of the
  outstanding voting securities of the Company and the adoption by the Company's
  Directors of a resolution to the effect that a potential change in control of
  the Company has occurred.
  
  The Company entered into an employment agreement with Robert M. Mosco in
  conjunction with the Company's February 3, 1996 business combination with
  Younkers, Inc. Under the terms of that Employment Agreement, Mr. Mosco had the
  right to terminate his employment with the Company in the 13th month after the
  business combination. In such event, he would have received a lump-sum
  severance payment in an amount equal to (i) salary through the date of
  termination and bonus for the then-current year, (ii) three times Mr. Mosco's
  highest annual salary in effect during the 12-month period prior to
  termination and three times Mr. Mosco's average bonus in respect of the three
  immediately preceding fiscal years, (iii) any unvested benefit under Younkers'
  defined benefit pension plan, and (iv) any unvested employer contributions
  under Younkers' defined contribution plan. In connection with Mr. Mosco
  entering into a new Employment Contract, Mr. Mosco waived his right to
  terminate employment and receive such compensation. In connection with that
  waiver, the Company paid Mr. Mosco $1,064,387 on February 3, 1997.
  
  Stock Options
  The following table contains information concerning the grant of stock options
  under the Company's incentive plans to the Named Officers as of fiscal year
  end.
                                      Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year

<TABLE>
  
                                                                     Potential Realizable
                                                                             Value
                                                                   at Assumed Annual Rates
                                                                        of Stock Price 
                                                                         Appreciation
                                    Individual Grants                for Option Term (3)
                         ------------------------------------      ------------------------
  
                                     % of Total
                                      Options    Exercise
                                      ranted to     or
                          Options     Employees    Base              Expir-
                          Granted     in Fiscal    Price              ation
                          (#)(1)         Year   (#/share)(2)          Date        5%($)          10%($)
                         ---------      ------  ----------           -------    ---------       --------
  <S>                   <C>             <C>       <C>               <C>         <C>           <C>
  R. Brad Martin        100,000(4)       2.8      30.75              2/2/08     1,933,851       4,900,758
                         17,500(4)        .5      39.63             6/16/08       436,100       1,105,161
                        500,000(4)      14.0      18.94             10/2/08     5,954,846      15,090,749
                        112,776(5)       3.2      23.25              7/1/03       675,576       1,481,214
                        136,065(5)       3.8      23.25              4/1/04       964,060       2,155,667
  James A. Coggin       100,000(4)       2.8      30.75              2/2/08     1,933,851       4,900,758
                        200,000(4)       5.6      18.94             10/2/08     2,381,938       6,036,300
  Robert M. Mosco       100,000(4)       2.8      30.75              2/2/08     1,933,851       4,900,758
                        200,000(4)       5.6      18.94             10/2/08     2,381,938       6,036,300
  Douglas E. Coltharp    40,000(4)       1.1      30.75              2/2/08       773,540       1,960,303
                        100,000(4)       2.8      18.94             10/2/08     1,190,969       3,018,150
  Brian J. Martin        40,000(4)       1.1      30.75              2/2/08       773,540       1,960,303
                         75,000(4)       2.1      18.94             10/2/08       893,227       2,263,613
                         15,493(5)        .4      17.25              6/6/04       85,193          191,597
</TABLE>
  
  (1)  Under the terms of the 1994 Plan and the 1997 Plan, the Human
       Resources/Option Committee administers the option program.
  (2)  All options were granted at the market closing price on the date of
       grant. No incentive stock options were granted. The exercise price and
       tax withholding obligations related to exercise may be paid by delivery
       of already owned shares, subject to certain conditions.
  (3)  Potential gains are reported net of the option exercise price but
       before taxes associated with exercise. These amounts represent certain
       assumed rates of appreciation only. Actual gains, if any, on stock
       option exercises are dependent on the future performance of the Common
       Stock of the Company and overall stock conditions, as well as the
       optionholder's continued employment through the vesting period. The
       amounts reflected in this table may not necessarily be achieved.
  (4)  Options are exercisable in cumulative one-fifth installments commencing
       six months from the date of grant (with each subsequent installment
       vesting on the anniversary date of grant) with full vesting occurring
       on the fourth anniversary of the date of grant.
  (5)  Options are fully vested six months from the date of grant. These
       options were granted when the Named Officers exercised previously
       vested options by tendering shares of Common Stock that they owned to
       pay the exercise price and the tax withholding obligation. The new
       options equal the amount of shares used by the Named Officers to pay
       for those items, and thus the Human Resources/Option Committee granted
       the new options to restore the equity position of the Named Officers.
       The Named Officers did not receive cash on the exercise of these
       options, but instead received shares equal to the spread between the
       exercise price and the fair market value of the stock on the exercise
       date. The Committee permitted these exercises to promote outright
       ownership of shares of Company Common Stock, and this method of
       exercising options currently is available to all senior officers.


                            Option Exercises and Holdings
  The following table sets forth information with respect to the Named Officers
  concerning the exercise of options during 1998 and unexercised options held at
  fiscal year end.

<TABLE>
       Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year End and Fiscal Year-End
                                     Option Values
                                                                                                      Value of
                                                     Unexercised            Unexercised
                                                   Options Held            Options Held
                          Shares                    at Fiscal              at Fiscal
                         Acquired on     Value    Year Ended (#)         Year Ended (3)
                         Exercise      Realize     Exercisable/            Exercisable/
                            (#)          ($)        Unexercisable         Unexercisable
                         ---------      -------   ----------------       -----------------
  <S>                     <C>         <C>         <C>                  <C>
  R. Brad Martin          390,000     4,179,920   215,500/1,090,841    3,743,250/17,265,406
  James A. Coggin               0             0      92,000/288,000    1,875,750/4,253,000
  Robert M. Mosco         122,931     3,684,070     127,280/328,000    2,734,081/5,178,000
  Douglas E. Coltharp           0             0      50,000/160,000    775,625/2,466,250
  Brian J. Martin          18,887        94,435      43,113/138,493    903,963/2,228,957
  
</TABLE>

(1)  Represents the difference between the closing price of the Company's
     Common Stock on January 29, 1999 ($36.8125) and the exercise price of
     the options.
  
              Report of the Human Resources/Option Committee of 
               the Board of Directors on Executive Compensation

  Executive Compensation
  The Human Resources/Option Committee of the Board of Directors (the
  "Committee") is composed of four independent Directors who are not employees
  of the Company: Mr. Cicala, Chairman of the Committee; Mr. Erving; Ms. Sallee;
  and Mr. Tsai. The Committee approves the amount and form of compensation for
  certain executive officers of the Company. The Committee reviews the key
  performance standards of the executive officers of the corporation and
  measures individual and corporate achievement of those standards. The
  Committee conducts an extensive evaluation of the annual performance of the
  Chief Executive Officer ("CEO") and communicates the results of this
  evaluation to the other independent Directors and to the CEO.
  
  The compensation programs of the Company are designed to align compensation
  with business objectives and performance and to enable the Company to attract,
  retain, and reward executives who contribute to the long-term success of the
  Company. The Committee believes that executive pay should be linked to level
  of responsibility and performance. The executive compensation philosophy of
  the Company is to provide base salary levels at or below the mid-point of
  market compensation for comparable positions, to provide cash bonus incentives
  which relate to the short-term operating performance of the corporation, and
  to provide substantial equity-based incentives, which relate to strategic
  leadership and long-term value creation. Currently, executive officers can
  earn annual cash bonuses under the 1998 Senior Executive Bonus Plan ("1998
  Plan") based upon the achievement of targeted growth in earnings per share.
  
  Long-term incentives are provided through awards of stock options, stock
  grants, and restricted stock awards (containing provisions for acceleration of
  vesting upon achievement of corporate performance criteria) to the Named
  Officers and other key employees pursuant to the Company's 1994 Long-Term
  Incentive Plan ("1994 Plan") and the 1997 Stock-Based Incentive Plan ("1997
  Plan"). Stock options are granted at or above the prevailing market value and
  will only have value if the Company's stock price increases. Currently,
  options vest in five equal installments, and executives must be employed by
  the Company at the time of vesting in order to exercise the option grants. The
  Committee administers these plans.
  
  CEO Compensation
  R. Brad Martin has served as Chairman and CEO of the corporation since July
  1989. While serving in this capacity, the Company's revenues have grown, from
  a combination of mergers and acquisitions and internal growth, from $94.8
  million for the year ended February 3, 1990 ("1989") to over $6.2 billion for
  the year ended January 30, 1999 ("1998"). Income (before non-routine charges)
  increased from $.8 million in 1989 to $153.5 million in 1998. Shareholders'
  equity grew from $20.2 million in 1989 to $2.0 billion in 1998. The price of
  the Company's Common Stock increased from $3.00 at February 3, 1990 to $36.81
  at January 30, 1999. This share price performance has outpaced the relevant
  department store indices and the S&P composite index. Market capitalization of
  the Company increased from $22.8 million at February 3, 1990 to over $5.0
  billion at January 30, 1999.
  
  Effective February 2, 1998, Mr. Martin entered into an employment agreement
  ("Agreement"), approved by the Committee. The terms of this Agreement provide
  for an annual base salary of $825,000. The CEO may earn an annual cash bonus
  of up to 75% of base salary through his participation in the 1998 Plan. For
  1998, the potential cash bonus award was based solely upon the achievement of
  earnings per share growth of the corporation. Mr. Martin was awarded 60% of
  his total bonus potential. For 1998, Mr. Martin's cash compensation totaled
  $1,196,250, which was comprised of $825,000 in base salary and $371,250 in
  bonus.
  
  Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement and the 1998 Plan, the CEO is also
  eligible for an annual bonus of up to 40,000 shares of Company Common Stock.
  For 1998, the potential to earn 20,000 of the shares was based upon the
  achievement of earnings per share growth rates, and the potential to earn the
  remaining 20,000 was based upon the achievement of certain objective targets
  (cash flow growth, new unit growth, and stock price growth) and upon the
  achievement of objectives in his personal plan. Mr. Martin was awarded 39,500
  shares of Common Stock of the corporation pursuant to these provisions, valued
  at $980,094 as of the March 30, 1999 grant date.
  
  During 1996, the CEO was granted 50,000 restricted shares of Company Common
  Stock pursuant to a Restricted Stock Grant Agreement under the 1994 Plan.
  Restrictions lapse as a function of the Company achieving certain performance
  goals and time. Shares shall be earned ("Earned Shares") on the basis of
  achieving those goals for 1996, 1997, and 1998. Restrictions shall be removed
  from 25% of such Earned Shares at the time they are earned, and restrictions
  shall be removed from an additional 25% of such Earned Shares at the end of
  each of the following three years. For the three years ended January 30, 1999,
  the CEO earned all 50,000 shares, and 25,000 shares are now vested. The three
  years of Earned Shares were valued at $1,840,625 on January 30, 1999, and the
  vested shares were valued at $920,313 on that date.
  
  Effective January 31, 1998, under the 1997 Plan, the Company entered into a
  Restricted Stock Grant Agreement with the CEO. The CEO was granted 150,000
  restricted shares of Company Common Stock under this agreement. Restrictions
  lapse as a function of the Company achieving certain performance goals and
  time. Shares shall be earned on the basis of achieving those goals for 1998,
  1999, and 2000. Restrictions shall be removed from 25% of such Earned Shares
  at the time they are earned, and restrictions shall be removed from an
  additional 25% of such Earned Shares at the end of each of the following three
  years. For the year ended January 31, 1999, 50,000 shares were earned, and
  12,500 shares are now vested. The Earned Shares were valued at $1,840,625 on
  January 30, 1999, and the vested shares were valued at $460,156 on that date.
  
  On February 2, 1998, Mr. Martin was granted the option to purchase 100,000
  shares of Company Common Stock under the 1994 Plan. These options were priced
  at $30.75, the market price of the Company's stock on the date of grant.
  
  In accordance with the terms of Mr. Martin's employment agreement executed in
  1993, he was entitled to receive 50,000 shares of Company Common Stock if he
  remained CEO for five years until July 1, 1998. On June 16, 1998, Mr. Martin
  entered into an agreement with the Company whereby he agreed to defer receipt
  of these shares. In exchange for entering into this deferral agreement, Mr.
  Martin was granted options to purchase 17,500 shares of Company Common Stock,
  priced at $39.625, the market price on the grant date.
  
  In recognition of the extraordinary efforts of the CEO in dramatically growing
  the business during 1998, including the store base, revenues, and operating
  income, the CEO was granted 40,000 restricted shares of Company Common Stock
  under the 1997 Plan. These shares were valued at $757,500 on the October 2,
  1998 grant date. 25% of these shares vested on the date of grant, with 100%
  being vested by October 2, 2001. Also on October 2, 1998, Mr. Martin was
  granted options to purchase 500,000 shares of Company Common Stock, priced at
  $18.9375, the market price on the grant date.
  
  Tax Deductibility of Executive Compensation
  Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") limits the tax
  deductibility of compensation in excess of $1 million paid to the Named
  Officers, unless the payments are made under a performance-based plan as
  defined in Section 162(m). The Committee believes the payments in 1998 under
  the 1994 Plan and the 1998 Plan (both of which were previously approved by the
  shareholders of the Company) meet the requirements of deductibility as
  specified under the applicable provisions of the Code. While some portion of
  other compensation may not qualify as wholly-deductible in certain years, any
  such amount is not expected to be material to the Company. Awards under the
  Restricted Stock Grant Agreements will not qualify as performance-based
  compensation under Section 162(m); however, these agreements qualify for
  favorable accounting treatment, thus reducing the program's expense. It is the
  Committee's intention to continue to utilize performance-based compensation in
  order to obtain maximum deductibility of executive compensation, while
  providing a compensation program that will attract, retain, and reward the
  executive talent necessary to maximize shareholder return.
  
                              Human Resources/Option Committee
  
                              Edmond D. Cicala, Chairman
                              Julius W. Erving
                              Marguerite W. Sallee
                              Gerald Tsai, Jr.
  
                              March 30, 1999
  
               Approval of the Saks Incorporated
      Amended and Restated 1994 Long-term Incentive Plan
                                      (Proposal No. 2)
                                 
  Shareholders of the Company are being asked to approve and adopt an Amended
  and Restated 1994 Long-Term Incentive Plan (the "Amended Plan"): (i) to
  increase the number of shares of the Company's Common Stock issuable
  thereunder, (ii) to increase the number of shares subject to options which may
  be granted to one grantee in any twelve-month period to 1,000,000, (iii) to
  specify in the tax withholding provisions of the Amended Plan that, with
  respect to the withholding of shares, only the minimum amount of withholding
  required by tax law may be withheld, (iv) to increase the number of
  nonqualified options automatically granted to each nonemployee director from
  2,000 per year to 3,000, and (v) make it clear that options will be awarded at
  or above fair market value and will not be repriced.
   
  THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF THE COMPANY UNANIMOUSLY RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE
  APPROVAL OF AND ADOPTION OF THE AMENDED PLAN.
   
  The Company's long-term success depends upon its ability to attract, retain,
  and encourage dedicated, competent, and resourceful key employees. To further
  these goals, the Company's Board of Directors adopted the 1994 Long-Term
  Incentive Plan (the "Incentive Plan") on March 1, 1994, and the shareholders
  approved the Incentive Plan at the Company's Annual Meeting of the
  Shareholders held on June 16, 1994. At a Special Meeting on February 2, 1996,
  the shareholders approved an amendment to the Incentive Plan increasing the
  number of shares of the Company's Common Stock issuable under the Incentive
  Plan.
   
  The purpose of the Amended Plan is to direct the attention and efforts of
  participating employees to the long-term performance of the Company and its
  subsidiaries, by relating incentive compensation to the achievement of long-
  term corporate economic objectives. The Amended Plan is designed to retain,
  reward, and motivate participating employees by providing an opportunity for
  investment in the Company and the advantages inherent in stock ownership in
  the Company. The Amended Plan also is designed to structure and limit
  executive compensation to the extent necessary to preserve the tax
  deductibility under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code")
  of the performance-based compensation paid by the Company. The Amended Plan
  must be approved by the shareholders in order for the compensation paid under
  the Amended Plan to be deductible as performance-based compensation under
  Section 162 of the Code.
  
  Plan Benefits
  The following table shows the maximum number of shares subject to options that
  have been granted to date under the Amended Plan to the named executive
  officers and directors and groups, subject to approval of the Amended Plan by
  the shareholders. No other awards have been granted under the Amended Plan.
  The Human Resources/Option Committee of the Board made these awards on October
  2, 1998 in connection with the end of the Company's first fiscal month after
  the merger with Saks Holdings, Inc.
  
    Name and Position                         Number of Options (1)
    
  R. Brad Martin                                         500,000
  Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer             
  James A. Coggin                                        200,000
  President and Chief Administrative Officer
  Robert M. Mosco                                        200,000
  President of Merchandising and Chief Operating Officer             
  Douglas E. Coltharp                                    100,000
  Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
  Brian J. Martin                                         75,000
  Executive Vice President of Law and General Counsel
  Donald E. Wright                                        50,000
  Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Accounting Officer
  Julia A. Bentley                                        15,000
  Senior Vice President of Investor Relations and
  Communications and Secretary
  Current Executive Officer                            1,140,000
  Group (7 persons)
  Non-Executive Director                                     ---
  Group (15 persons)
  All Employees, including Officers who are not              ---
  Executive Officers as a Group (approx. 60,000 persons)
   
  (1) All options granted under the Amended Plan as of October 2, 1998 have
      an exercise price of $18.9375 per share, the market price as of the
      date of the award.  The actual value, if any, a person may realize will
      depend on the excess of the stock price over the exercise price on the
      date the option is exercised.  The closing price of the Company's
      Common Stock on April 12, 1999 was $27.6875.
  
  Proposed Incentive Plan Amendments
  The total number of shares of the Company's Common Stock currently authorized
  for issuance under the Incentive Plan is 5,822,000 (as adjusted for stock
  splits). As of April 12, 1999, options to purchase 5,208,000 shares of the
  Company's Common Stock had been granted and not forfeited, 346,000 shares of
  restricted Company Common Stock had been granted, and 78,000 shares of the
  Company's Common Stock had been reserved for specific future awards under the
  Incentive Plan. Thus, as of April 12, 1999, 190,000 shares of the Company's
  Common Stock remain available for issuance under the Incentive Plan. The
  Amended Plan would increase the number of shares of the Company's Common Stock
  authorized for issuance under the Incentive Plan by 5,000,000 shares from
  5,822,000 shares to 10,822,000 shares. A copy of the Amended Plan is attached
  as Exhibit A to this Proxy Statement and is incorporated by reference herein.
  
  The Amended Plan will permit the Company to grant options to purchase up to
  1,000,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock to any one grantee in any
  twelve-month period. The Amended Plan also increases the number of
  nonqualified options granted annually to each nonemployee director from 2,000
  to 3,000. The Board concluded that the increases are necessary to reflect the
  growth of the Company and the resulting increase in responsibilities of the
  Company's directors and executive officers.
  
  The Amended Plan conforms the plan document to Company policy by stating that
  all options shall be granted with an exercise price at least equal to the
  market price of the stock on the date of the grant and that exercise prices
  for options will not be changed after the option is granted. The Amended Plan
  also makes it clear that restricted stock awarded under the Amended Plan will
  have at least a three-year restricted period unless the restrictions lapse on
  the basis of achieving performance targets.
  
  The Amended Plan also clarifies that, when shares of the Company's Common
  Stock are withheld from the recipient to satisfy income tax withholding
  requirements, only the minimum amount required to be withheld under tax laws
  may be withheld.
  
  The Company's Board of Directors believes that the Amended Plan is necessary
  in order to recruit and retain a pool of skilled and experienced executives.
  Approval of the Amended Plan by the shareholders is necessary to preserve the
  tax deductibility under Section 162(m) of the Code of executive compensation
  paid by the Company pursuant to the Amended Plan.
   
  On April 7, 1999, the Company's Board of Directors approved the Amended Plan
  and recommended that it be submitted to the Company's shareholders for
  approval.
   
  Summary of Incentive Plan
  The following is a description of the principal features of the Amended Plan.
  This description is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Amended
  Plan, as amended, attached as Exhibit A to this Proxy Statement. Except as
  summarized above for the proposed amendments, and changes to reflect past
  stock splits and the change of the Company's corporate name, the Amended Plan
  is identical to the Incentive Plan approved by shareholders in 1994. 
   
  The Amended Plan provides for the grant to directors, executive officers, and
  key employees of the Company and its subsidiaries ("Participants") the
  following types of incentive awards: stock options, stock appreciation rights,
  restricted stock, and performance units.
   
  The Committee has the exclusive discretion to select the Participants and to
  determine the type, size, and terms of each award, to modify the terms of
  awards within the limits set forth in the Amended Plan, to determine when
  awards will be granted and paid, and to make all other determinations which it
  deems necessary or desirable in the interpretation and administration of the
  Amended Plan. The Amended Plan remains in effect until all awards under the
  Amended Plan have been satisfied by the issuance of shares of the Company's
  Common Stock or the payment of cash or have expired or otherwise terminated;
  provided, however, that no awards may be granted more than ten years after the
  date of the Amended Plan's approval. Generally, a Participant's rights and
  interest under the Amended Plan will not be transferable except by will or by
  the laws of the descent and distribution. 
   
  Options, which include non-qualified stock options and incentive stock
  options, are rights to purchase a specified number of shares of the Company's
  Common Stock at a price fixed by the Committee. The exercise price for stock
  options issued under the Amended Plan shall not be less than 100% of the fair
  market value as of the date of grant. The option exercise price may be
  satisfied in cash or by exchanging shares of the Company's Common Stock owned
  by the optionee, or a combination of cash and shares. If the exercise price is
  paid by tendering shares of the Company's Common Stock, the Committee, in its
  discretion, may grant the optionee a new stock option for the number of shares
  used to pay the exercise price. The Committee has broad discretion as to the
  terms and conditions upon which options granted shall be exercised, but the
  Committee cannot change the exercise price after an option has been granted.
  Options have a maximum term of ten years from the date of grant. Options
  granted to date generally have a ten-year term and become exercisable on a
  cumulative basis in annual installments over a four-year period.
   
  Stock Appreciation Rights ("SAR") are rights to receive cash or shares, or a
  combination thereof, as the Committee may determine, in an amount equal to the
  excess of (i) the fair market value of the shares with respect to which the
  SAR is exercised over (ii) a specified price which must not be less than 100%
  of the fair market value of the shares at the time the SAR is granted, or, if
  the SAR is granted in connection with a previously issued stock option, not
  less than 100% of the fair market value of shares at the time such option is
  granted. 
   
  SARs may be granted in connection with a previously or contemporaneously
  granted stock option or independently. If a SAR is granted in relation to a
  stock option, (i) the SAR will be exercisable only at such times and by such
  persons as the related option is exercisable, and (ii) the grantee's right to
  exercise either the related option or the SAR will be canceled to the extent
  that the other is exercised. No SAR may be exercised earlier than six months
  or later than ten years after the date of grant. The Committee may provide in
  the SAR agreement circumstances under which SARs will become immediately
  exercisable and may, not withstanding the foregoing restriction on time of
  exercise, accelerate the exerciseability of any SAR at any time. No SARs have
  been granted to date under the Amended Plan.
   
  Awards of restricted shares under the Amended Plan may be made at the
  discretion of the Committee and consist of shares of stock granted to a
  participant and subject to a stock restriction agreement. The Amended Plan
  also provides for the automatic grant of restricted stock to outside directors
  of the Company. At the time of an award, a Participant may have the benefits
  of ownership in respect of such shares, including the right to vote such
  shares and receive dividends thereon and other distributions subject to the
  restrictions set forth in the Amended Plan and in the stock restriction
  agreement. Any shares of the Company's Common Stock issued as restricted
  shares are legended and may not be sold, transferred, or disposed of until
  such restrictions have elapsed. Restrictions shall last for at least three
  years unless tied to achieving performance targets. Upon the expiration,
  lapse, or removal of restrictions, shares free of restrictive legend will be
  granted to the grantee. The Committee has broad discretion as to the specific
  terms and conditions of each award, including applicable rights upon certain
  terminations of employment. No restricted shares have been granted under the
  Amended Plan to date.
  
  Performance unit awards entitle grantees to future payments based upon the
  achievement of pre-established long-term performance objectives. A performance
  unit agreement will establish with respect to each unit award (i) a
  performance period of not fewer than two years, (ii) a value for each unit
  which will not thereafter change, or which may vary thereafter pursuant to
  criteria specified by the Committee, and (iii) maximum and minimum performance
  targets to be achieved during the applicable performance period. Under each
  agreement, the grantee will be entitled to full value of a unit award for
  achievement of maximum targets and a portion of a unit award for performance
  exceeding minimum targets but less than maximum targets. The Committee has
  discretion to determine the Participants to whom performance unit awards are
  to be made, the times in which such awards are to be made, the size of such
  awards, and all other conditions of such awards, including any restriction,
  deferral periods, or performance requirements. No performance unit awards have
  been awarded to date under the Amended Plan.
  
  Federal Income Tax Consequences for Option Holders
  No income will be realized by an optionee upon the optionee's purchase of
  shares pursuant to the exercise of an Incentive Stock Option. In order to
  avail himself of this tax benefit, the optionee must not dispose of the shares
  before he has held such shares for at least one year after the date of
  exercise and at least two years after the date of grant. Assuming compliance
  with this and other applicable tax provisions, an optionee will recognize
  long-term capital gain or loss when the optionee disposes of the shares,
  measured by the difference between the option price and the amount realized
  for the shares at the time of disposition. If the optionee disposes of shares
  purchased upon the exercise of the option before the expiration of the above-
  noted periods, any amount realized from such disqualifying disposition will be
  taxable as ordinary income in the year of disposition to the extent of the
  lesser of the amount realized by the optionee in excess of the option price,
  or the spread between the option price and the fair market value of the shares
  at the time the option is exercised. Any amount realized in excess of the fair
  market value of the shares on the date of exercise will be treated as long-or
  short-term capital gain, depending upon the holding period of the shares. No
  deduction will be allowed to the Company for federal income tax purposes at
  the time of the grant or exercise of an Incentive Stock Option. At the time of
  a disqualifying disposition by an optionee, the Company will be entitled to a
  deduction for the amount taxable to the optionee as ordinary income.
  
  The exercise of a Nonqualified Stock Option will result in the recognition of
  ordinary income by the optionee for federal income tax purposes in an amount
  equal to the difference between the option price and the fair market value of
  the shares acquired upon the exercise of the option. The Company will be
  entitled to a deduction equal to the amount of income recognized by the
  optionee. Upon the later sale of any shares acquired upon the exercise of a
  Nonqualified Stock Option, any amount realized by the optionee in excess of
  the amount recognized by the optionee as ordinary income will be treated as
  long-or short-term capital gain to the optionee, depending upon the holding
  period of the shares.
  
  The foregoing description of tax consequences is based upon present federal
  income tax laws and is subject to change as the laws change. The summary does
  not cover any State or local tax consequences of participation in the Amended
  Plan.
  
  THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE "FOR" THE APPROVAL OF THE AMENDED AND
  RESTATED 1994 LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN.
  
  Approval of the Amended Plan requires that more votes are cast in favor of
  approval of the Amended Plan than are cast in opposition to the Amended Plan,
  at a meeting at which a quorum is present. Abstentions and broker non-votes
  will be counted for purposes of determining whether a quorum is present, but
  will not otherwise affect the outcome of the shareholder vote. 
  
                               
    Ratification of Appointment of Independent Accountants
                                      (Proposal No. 3)
                                
  Subject to ratification by the shareholders, the Board of Directors has
  reappointed PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as independent accountants to audit the
  financial statements of the Company for the fiscal year ending January 29,
  2000. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (or their predecessor firm Coopers & Lybrand)
  has examined the financial statements of the Company since 1991.
  
  Representatives of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP will be present at the Annual
  Meeting and will have an opportunity to make a statement, if they so desire,
  and will be available to respond to appropriate questions.
  
  THE AUDIT COMMITTEE AND THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMEND THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE
  "FOR" SUCH RATIFICATION.
  
  
     Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
          Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
     Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's
  Directors, executive officers, and persons who own more than 10% of the
  Company's Common Stock to file with the Securities and Exchange Commission
  initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership of stock of
  the Company.
  
  To the Company's knowledge, based solely on a review of copies of reports
  provided by such individuals to the Company and written representations of
  such individuals that no other reports were required, during the fiscal year
  ended January 30, 1999, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to
  its officers, Directors, and 10% or greater beneficial owners were satisfied.
  
                        Other Matters
   The Board of Directors of the Company knows of no other matters that may come
  before the meeting. However, if any other matters should properly come before
  the meeting or any adjournment thereof, it is the intention of the persons
  named in the proxy to vote the proxy in accordance with their best judgment.
  
    Shareholders' Proposals or Nominations for 2000 Annual
                           Meeting
     Proposals for shareholder action which eligible shareholders wish to have
  included in the Company's proxy mailed to shareholders in connection with the
  Company's 2000 Annual Meeting must be received by the Company at its corporate
  headquarters, 750 Lakeshore Parkway, Birmingham, Alabama, 35211, by December
  31, 1999. Under the Company's bylaws, in order for a matter to be brought
  before the 2000 Annual Meeting, or for a shareholder to nominate persons for
  election to the Board of Directors at the 2000 Annual Meeting, the shareholder
  must give the Company notice at its corporate headquarters by December 31,
  1999.
  
  If you wish to make a nomination to the Board, your notice must include the
  following information: (a) the name, age, business address, and residence
  address of the nominee, (b) the principal occupation or employment of such
  person, (c) the number of shares of Common Stock of the Company that are
  beneficially owned by such person, (d) any other information about such person
  that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies with respect to
  nominees for election as directors pursuant to Regulation 14A under the
  Securities Exchange Act of 1934, (e) the name and address of the shareholder
  giving notice, (f) the number of shares of Common Stock that are beneficially
  owned by such shareholder, and (g) descriptions of all arrangements or
  understandings between the shareholder and each nominee and any other person
  pursuant to which the nomination or nominations are to be made by the
  shareholder. Nominations by the Board of Directors of the Company are proper
  if they are made in compliance with the proxy rules of the Securities and
  Exchange Commission.
  
  If you wish to propose an item of business, your notice must include the
  following information: (a) a brief description of the proposal desired to be
  brought before the Annual Meeting and the reasons for conducting such business
  at the Annual Meeting, (b) the name and address, as they appear on the
  Company's books, of the shareholder proposing such business, (c) the number of
  shares of Common Stock of the Company that are beneficially owned by the
  shareholder, and (d) any financial interest of the shareholder in such
  proposal.
                   Listing of Shareholders
   A complete list of the shareholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of
  the Shareholders, to be held on June 16, 1999, will be available for
  inspection during normal business hours at the principal office of the Company
  for a period of at least 10 days prior to the meeting, upon written request to
  the Company by a shareholder, and at all times during the Annual Meeting at
  the place of the meeting.
  
                        Annual Report
      The Company's annual report for the year ended January 30, 1999 is being
  mailed with this proxy statement but is not to be considered as a part hereof.
  
  A copy of the Company's annual report on Form 10-K, including the financial
  statements and schedules thereto, required to be filed with the Securities and
  Exchange Commission, may be obtained without charge by any shareholder whose
  proxy is solicited upon written request to:
  
  Senior Vice President of Investor Relations
  Saks Incorporated
  P.O. Box 9388
  Alcoa, Tennessee 37701-9388
  
  
                              By order of the Board of Directors,
                              /s/ Julia Bentley
                              
                              Julia Bentley
                              Secretary
                              Birmingham, Alabama
                              April 28, 1999
  
  
                          EXHIBIT A
                                     Saks Incorporated
                     Amended and Restated
                1994 Long-Term Incentive Plan
                                1. Purpose
  The purpose of the Saks Incorporated Amended and Restated 1994 Long-Term
  Incentive Plan (the "Plan") is to further the earnings of Saks Incorporated, a
  Tennessee corporation, and its subsidiaries (collectively, the "Company") by
  assisting the Company in attracting, retaining, and motivating management
  employees and directors of high caliber and potential. The Plan provides for
  the award of long-term incentives to those officers, other key executives, and
  directors who make substantial contributions to the Company by their loyalty,
  industry, and invention. 
  
  2. Administration
  The Plan shall be administered by a committee (the "Committee") selected by
  the Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board of Directors") consisting
  solely of two or more members who are "outside directors" as described in
  Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code").
  Except to the extent permitted under Rule 16b-3 under the Securities Exchange
  Act of 1934, as amended (the "1934 Act") (or any successor rule of similar
  import), each Committee member shall be ineligible to receive, and shall not
  have been, during the one-year period prior to appointment thereto, granted or
  awarded stock options, stock appreciation rights, performance units, or
  restricted stock pursuant to this Plan or any other similar plan of the
  Company or any affiliate of the Company. Without limiting the foregoing, the
  Committee shall have full and final authority in its discretion to interpret
  the provisions of the Plan and to decide all questions of fact arising in its
  application. Subject to the provisions hereof, the Committee shall have full
  and final authority in its discretion to determine the employees and directors
  to whom awards shall be made under the Plan; to determine the type of awards
  to be made and the amount, size and terms, and conditions of each such award;
  to determine the time when awards shall be granted; to determine the
  provisions of each agreement evidencing an award; and to make all other
  determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan.
  
  3. Stock Subject to the Plan
  The Company may grant awards under the Plan with respect to not more than a
  total of 10,822,000 shares of $.10 par value common stock of the Company (the
  "Shares") (subject, however, to adjustment as provided in paragraph 20,
  below). Such shares may be authorized and unissued Shares or treasury Shares.
  Except as otherwise provided herein, any Shares subject to an option or right
  which for any reason is surrendered before exercise or expires or is
  terminated unexercised as to such Shares shall again be available for the
  granting of awards under the Plan. Similarly, if any Shares granted pursuant
  to restricted stock awards are forfeited, such forfeited Shares shall again be
  available for the granting of awards under the Plan.
  
  4. Eligibility to Receive Awards
  Persons eligible to receive awards under the Plan shall be limited to those
  officers, other key employees, and directors of the Company who are in
  positions in which their decisions, actions, and counsel have a significant
  impact upon the profitability and success of the Company (but excluding
  members of the Committee, except as provided in paragraphs 6(h) and 8(e)).
  
  5. Form of Awards
  Awards may be made from time to time by the Committee in the form of stock
  options to purchase Shares, stock appreciation rights, performance units,
  restricted stock, or any combination of the above. Stock options may be
  options which are intended to qualify as incentive stock options ("Incentive
  Stock Options") within the meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code, or options
  which are not intended to so qualify ("Nonqualified Stock Options").
  
  6. Stock Options
  Stock options for the purchase of Shares shall be evidenced by written
  agreements in such form not inconsistent with the Plan as the Committee shall
  approve from time to time, provided that the maximum number of options which
  may be granted to any one grantee during any twelve-month period is 1,000,000
  (as adjusted pursuant to paragraph 20, below). Such agreement shall contain
  the terms and conditions applicable to the options, including in substance the
  following terms and conditions:  
   (a)    Type of Option. Each option agreement shall identify the options
       represented thereby as Incentive Stock Options or Nonqualified Stock
       Options, as the case may be, and shall set forth the number of Shares
       subject to the options.
   (b)    Option Price. The option exercise price to be paid by the
       optionee to the Company for each Share purchased upon the exercise of
       an option shall be determined by the Committee, but shall in no event
       be less than the fair market value of the stock on the date the option
       is granted, nor shall the Committee reduce the exercise price after the
       option is granted.
    (c)   Exercise Term. Each option agreement shall state the period or
       periods of time within which the option may be exercised, in whole or
       in part, as determined by the Committee and subject to such terms and
       conditions as are prescribed for such purpose by the Committee,
       provided that no option shall be exercisable after ten years from the
       date of grant thereof. The Committee, in its discretion, may provide in
       the option agreement circumstances under which the option shall become
       immediately exercisable, in whole or in part, and, notwithstanding the
       foregoing, may accelerate the exerciseability of any option, in whole
       or in part, at any time.
   (d)    Payment for shares. The purchase price of the Shares with respect
       to which an option is exercised shall be payable in full at the time of
       exercise in cash, shares at fair market value, or a combination
       thereof, as the Committee may determine and subject to such terms and
       conditions as may be prescribed by the Committee for such purpose. If
       the purchase price is paid by tendering Shares, the Committee in its
       discretion may grant the optionee a new stock option for the number of
       Shares used to pay the purchase price. 
   (e)    Rights Upon Termination. In the event of Termination (as defined
       below) of an optionee's status as an employee or director of the
       Company for any cause other than Retirement (as defined below), death,
       or Disability (as defined below), the optionee shall have the right to
       exercise the option during its term within a period of three months
       after such Termination to the extent that the option was exercisable at
       the time of Termination, or within such other period, and subject to
       such terms and conditions, as may be specified by the Committee. As
       used herein, "Termination" means (i) in the case of an employee, the
       cessation of the grantee's employment by the Company for any reason and
       (ii) in the case of a director, the cessation of the grantee's service
       as a director of the Company, and "Terminates" has the corresponding
       meaning. As used herein, "Retirement" means retirement from active
       employment (in the case of an employee) or active service (in the case
       of a director) with the Company on or after age 65, or such earlier age
       with the express written consent for purposes of the Plan of the
       Company at or before the time of such retirement, and "Retires" has the
       corresponding meaning. As used herein, "Disability" means a condition
       that, in the judgment of the Committee, has rendered a grantee
       completely and presumably permanently unable to perform any and every
       duty of his regular occupation, and "Disabled" has the corresponding
       meaning. In the event that an optionee Retires, dies, or becomes
       Disabled prior to the expiration of his option and without having fully
       exercised his option, the optionee or his Beneficiary (as defined
       below) shall have the right to exercise the option during its term
       within a period of (i) one year after Termination due to Retirement,
       death, or Disability, or (ii) one year after death if death occurs
       either within one year after Termination due to Retirement or
       Disability or within three months after Termination for other reasons,
       to the extent that the option was exercisable at the time of death or
       Termination, or within such other period, and subject to such terms and
       conditions, as may be specified by the Committee. (As used herein,
       "Beneficiary" means the person or persons designated in writing by the
       grantee as his beneficiary with respect to an award under the Plan; or,
       in the absence of an effective designation or if the designated person
       or persons predecease the grantee, the grantee's Beneficiary shall be
       the person or persons who acquire by bequest or inheritance the
       grantee's rights in respect of an award.) In order to be effective, a
       grantee's designation of a Beneficiary must be on file with the
       Committee before the grantee's death, but any such designation may be
       revoked and a new designation substituted therefore at any time before
       the grantee's death. 
   (f)    Nontransferability. Options granted under the Plan shall not be
       sold, assigned, transferred, exchanged, pledged, hypothecated, or
       otherwise encumbered, other than by will or by the laws of descent and
       distribution. During the lifetime of the optionee the option is
       exercisable only by the optionee.
   (g)    Incentive Stock Options. In the case of an Incentive Stock
       Option, each option shall be subject to such other terms, conditions,
       and provisions as the Committee determines necessary or desirable in
       order to qualify such option as an incentive stock option within the
       meaning of Section 422(b) of the Code (or any amendment or substitute
       or successor thereto or regulation thereunder), including in substance,
       without limitation, the following:
               (i) The purchase price of stock subject to an Incentive Stock
            Option shall not be less than 100 percent of the fair market value
            of such stock on the date the option is granted, as determined by
            the Committee. 
               (ii) The aggregate fair market value (determined as of the time
            the option is granted) of the stock with respect to which incentive
            stock options are exercisable for the first time by an optionee
            in any calendar year under all plans of the Company and its
            subsidiary corporations (which term, as used hereinafter, shall
            have the meaning ascribed thereto in Section 424(f) of the Code
            or successor provision of similar import) shall not exceed
            $100,000.
              (iii) No Incentive Stock Option shall be granted to any employee
            if at the time the option is granted the individual owns stock
            possessing more than 10 percent of the total combined voting
            power of all classes of stock of the Company or of a subsidiary
            corporation of the Company, unless at the time such option is
            granted the option price is at least 110 percent of the fair
            market value (as determined by the Committee) of the stock
            subject to the option and such option by its terms is not
            exercisable after the expiration of five years from the date of
            grant.
               (iv) Directors who are not employees of the Company shall not be
            eligible to receive Incentive Stock Options.
                (v) In the event of Termination of employment by reason of
            Retirement, if an Incentive Stock Option is exercised after the
            expiration of the exercise periods that apply for purposes of
            Section 422 of the Code, the option will thereafter be treated as
            a Nonqualified Stock Option. 
   (h)    Automatic Grant of Options to Nonemployee Directors.
       Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, the grant of options
       hereunder to directors who are not also employees of the Company
       ("Nonemployee Directors") shall be subject to the following terms and
       conditions:
                (i) Immediately following each annual meeting of the
            stockholders of the Company ("Annual Meeting"), each Nonemployee
            Director of the Company who is then incumbent shall be granted a
            Nonqualified Stock Option to purchase 3,000 Shares (as adjusted
            pursuant to paragraph 20, below).
               (ii) If a person is elected or appointed as a Nonemployee
            Director of the Company other than at an Annual Meeting, such
            person shall thereupon be granted a Nonqualified Stock Option to
            purchase 3,000 shares (as adjusted pursuant to paragraph 20, below).
              (iii) The purchase price of stock subject to an option granted to
            Nonemployee Directors under this paragraph 6(h) shall be equal to
            100 percent of the fair market value of such stock on the date
            the option is granted, as determined by the Committee.
               (iv) Except as provided in paragraph 18, each option granted to
            Nonemployee Directors under this paragraph 6(h) shall be
            exercisable to the extent of (a) 20% of the Shares covered
            thereby on or after the date which is six months after the date
            of grant; (b) an additional 20% of the Shares covered thereby on
            or after the first anniversary of the date of grant; (c) an
            additional 20% of the Shares covered thereby on or after the
            second anniversary of the date of grant; (d) an additional 20% of
            the Shares covered thereby on or after the third anniversary of
            the date of grant; and (e) exercisable to the extent of the
            remaining 20% of the Shares covered thereby on or after the
            fourth anniversary of the date of grant; provided, however, that
            no portion of the option shall be exercisable any earlier than
            the date the Plan is approved by the stockholders of the Company. 
                (v) Unless otherwise provided in the Plan, all provisions with
            respect to the terms of Nonqualified Stock Options hereunder
            shall be applicable to options granted to Nonemployee Directors
            under this paragraph 6(h). 
               (vi) The automatic grants described in this paragraph 6(h) and
            the restricted stock awards under paragraph 8(e) shall constitute
            the only awards under the Plan permitted to be made to Nonemployee
            Directors. 
   
  7. Stock Appreciation Rights
  Stock appreciation rights (SARs) shall be evidenced by written SAR agreements
  in such form not inconsistent with the Plan as the Committee shall approve
  from time to time, provided that the maximum number of SARs which may be
  granted to any one grantee during any twelve- month period is 125,000 (as
  adjusted pursuant to paragraph 20, below). Such SAR agreements shall contain
  the terms and conditions applicable to the SARs, including in substance the
  following terms and conditions:
    (a)   Award. SARs may be granted in connection with a previously or
       contemporaneously granted stock option, or independently of a stock
       option. SARs shall entitle the grantee, subject to such terms and
       conditions as may be determined by the Committee, to receive upon
       exercise thereof all or a portion of the excess of (i) the fair market
       value at the time of exercise, as determined by the Committee, of a
       specified number of Shares with respect to which the SAR is exercised,
       over (ii) a specified price which shall not be less than 100 percent of
       the fair market value of the Shares at the time the SAR is granted, or,
       if the SAR is granted in connection with a previously issued stock
       option, not less than 100 percent of the fair market value of the
       Shares at the time such option was granted. Upon exercise of a SAR, the
       number of Shares reserved for issuance hereunder shall be reduced by
       the number of Shares covered by the SAR. Shares covered by a SAR shall
       not be used more than once to calculate the amount to be received
       pursuant to the exercise of the SAR.
   (b)    SARs Related to Stock Options. If a SAR is granted in relation to
       a stock option, (i) the SAR shall be exercisable only at such times,
       and by such persons, as the related option is exercisable; (ii) the
       grantee's right to exercise the related option shall be canceled if and
       to the extent that the Shares subject to the option are used to
       calculate the amount to be received upon the exercise of the related
       SAR; (iii) the grantee's right to exercise the related SAR shall be
       canceled if and to the extent that the Shares subject to the SAR are
       purchased upon the exercise of the related option; and (iv) the SAR
       shall not be transferable other than by will or by the laws of descent
       and distribution, and shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the
       grantee only by him.
   (c)    Term. Each SAR agreement shall state the period or periods of
       time within which the SAR may be exercised, in whole or in part, as
       determined by the Committee and subject to such terms and conditions as
       are prescribed for such purpose by the Committee, provided that no SAR
       shall be exercisable earlier than six months after the date of grant or
       later than ten years after the date of grant. The Committee may, in its
       discretion, provide in the SAR agreement circumstances under which the
       SARs shall become immediately exercisable, in whole or in part, and
       may, notwithstanding the foregoing, accelerate the exercisability of
       any SAR, in whole or in part, at any time.
   (d)    Termination. SARs shall be exercisable only during the grantee's
       tenure as an employee or director of the Company, except that, in the
       discretion of the Committee, a SAR may be made exercisable for up to
       three months after the grantee is Terminated for any reason other than
       Retirement, death, or Disability, and for up to one year after the
       grantee is Terminated because of Retirement, death, or Disability.
   (e)    Payment. Upon exercise of a SAR, payment shall be made in cash,
       in shares at fair market value on the date of exercise, or in a
       combination thereof, as the Committee may determine at the time of
       exercise. 
   (f)    Other Terms. SARs shall be granted in such manner and such form,
       and subject to such additional terms and conditions, as the Committee
       in its sole discretion deems necessary or desirable, including without
       limitation: (i) if granted in connection with an Incentive Stock
       Option, in order to satisfy any requirements set forth under Section
       422 of the Code; or, (ii) in order to avoid any insider-trading
       liability in connection with a SAR under Section 16(b) of the 1934 Act.
   
  8. Restricted Stock Awards
  Restricted stock awards under the Plan shall consist of Shares free of any
  purchase price or for such purchase price as may be established by the
  Committee restricted against transfer, subject to forfeiture, and subject to
  such other terms and conditions (including attainment of performance
  objectives) as may be determined by the Committee. Restricted stock shall be
  evidenced by written restricted stock agreements in such form not inconsistent
  with the Plan as the Committee shall approve from time to time, which
  agreement shall contain the terms and conditions applicable to such awards,
  including in substance the following terms and conditions:
   (a)    Restriction Period. Restrictions shall be imposed for such period
       or periods as may be determined by the Committee, provided, however,
       the restriction period shall be at least three years unless
       restrictions lapse on the basis of achieving performance targets. The
       Committee, in its discretion, may provide in the agreement
       circumstances under which the restricted stock shall become immediately
       transferable and nonforfeitable, or under which the restricted stock
       shall be forfeited.
   (b)    Restrictions Upon Transfer. Restricted stock and the right to
       vote such shares and to receive dividends thereon, may not be sold,
       assigned, transferred, exchanged, pledged, hypothecated, or otherwise
       encumbered, except as herein provided, during the restriction period
       applicable to such Shares. Notwithstanding the foregoing, and except as
       otherwise provided in the Plan, the grantee shall have all of the other
       rights of a stockholder, including, but not limited to, the right to
       receive dividends and the right to vote such Shares. 
   (c)    Certificates. A certificate or certificates representing the
       number of restricted Shares granted shall be registered in the name of
       the grantee. The Committee, in its sole discretion, shall determine
       when the certificate or certificates shall be delivered to the grantee
       (or, in the event of the grantee's death, to his Beneficiary), may
       provide for the holding of such certificate or certificates in escrow
       or in custody by the Company or its designee pending their delivery to
       the grantee or Beneficiary, and may provide for any appropriate legend
       to be borne by the certificate or certificates.
   (d)    Lapse of Restrictions. The restricted stock agreement shall
       specify the terms and conditions upon which any restriction upon
       restricted stock awarded under the Plan shall expire, lapse, or be
       removed, as determined by the Committee. Upon the expiration, lapse, or
       removal of such restrictions, Shares free of the restrictive legend
       shall be issued to the grantee or his legal representative.
   (e)    Automatic Award of Restricted Stock to Nonemployee Directors.
       Notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan, awards of restricted
       stock hereunder to Nonemployee Directors shall be subject to the
       following terms and conditions:
                (i) Until the 2003 Annual Meeting, if a person is elected or
            appointed as a Nonemployee Director of the Company other than at
            an Annual Meeting, such person shall thereupon be awarded 2,000
            Shares of restricted stock (as adjusted pursuant to paragraph 20,
            below).
               (ii) The shares of restricted stock awarded pursuant to this
            paragraph 8(e) shall have a restriction period of ten years. The
            restrictions shall lapse with respect to 10 percent of the Shares
            awarded hereunder on the anniversary date of the award during
            each of the ten consecutive calendar years following the date on
            which the award is made, but only if the grantee has been a
            director of the Company continuously from the grant date of the
            restricted stock award to such anniversary date; provided,
            however, that all restrictions shall lapse, and the grantee of
            such restricted Shares shall be entitled to the delivery of a
            stock certificate or certificates evidencing the restricted
            Shares, upon (a) the date of the grantee's death or Disability
            while serving as a director, or (b) the date on which the Board
            of Directors determines that the holder will not be nominated for
            election as a director by reason of Retirement. Upon any other
            Termination, all shares still subject to the restrictions hereof
            shall be returned to or canceled by the Company and shall be
            deemed to have been forfeited by the grantee.
              (iii) No Shares awarded under this paragraph 8(e) may be sold,
            assigned, transferred, exchanged, pledged, hypothecated, or
            otherwise encumbered unless, until and then only to the extent
            that the restrictions shall have lapsed in accordance with
            paragraph 8(e) (iii) hereof.
               (iv) Stock certificates evidencing restricted Shares awarded
            under this paragraph 8(e) shall be issued in the sole name of the
            grantee (but shall be held by the Company until the restrictions
            shall have lapsed in accordance herewith) and shall bear a legend
            which, in part, shall provide that such Shares (a) are subject to
            the terms and restrictions of the Plan, (b) are subject to
            forfeiture or cancellation under the terms of the Plan, and (c)
            shall not be sold, assigned, transferred, exchanged, pledged,
            hypothecated, or otherwise encumbered except pursuant to the
            provisions of the Plan. 
                (v) Unless otherwise provided in the Plan, all provisions with
            respect to the terms of restricted stock awards hereunder shall
            be applicable to restricted stock awarded to Nonemployee
            Directors under this paragraph 8(e). 
               (vi) The restricted stock awards under this paragraph 8(e) and
            the automatic grants described in paragraph 6(h) shall constitute
            the only awards under the Plan permitted to be made to Nonemployee
            Directors. 
  
  9. Performance Units
  Performance unit awards under the Plan shall entitle grantees to future
  payments based upon the achievements of preestablished long-term performance
  objectives and shall be evidenced by written performance unit agreements in
  such form not inconsistent with this Plan as the Committee shall approve from
  time to time. Such agreements shall contain the terms and conditions
  applicable to the performance unit awards, including in substance the
  following terms and conditions:
   (a)    Performance Period. The Committee shall establish with respect to
       each unit award a performance period of not fewer than two years. 
   (b)    Unit Value. The Committee shall establish with respect to each
       unit award value for each unit which shall not thereafter change, or
       which may vary thereafter pursuant to criteria specified by the
       Committee.
   (c)    Performance Targets. The Committee shall establish with respect
       to each unit award maximum and minimum performance targets to be
       achieved during the applicable performance period. Achievement of
       maximum targets shall entitle grantees to payment with respect to the
       full value of a unit award. Grantees shall be entitled to payment with
       respect to a portion of a unit award according to the level of
       achievement of targets as specified by the Committee for performance
       which achieves or exceeds the minimum target but fails to achieve the
       maximum target.
   (d)    Performance Measures. Performance targets established by the
       Committee shall relate to corporate, subsidiary, division, or unit
       performance and may be established in terms of growth in gross revenue,
       earnings per share, ratios of earnings to equity or assets, or such
       other measures or standards as may be determined by the Committee in
       its discretion. Multiple targets may be used and may have the same or
       different weighing, and they may relate to absolute performance or
       relative performance measured against other companies or businesses.
   (e)    Adjustments. At any time prior to the payment of a unit award,
       the Committee may adjust previously established performance targets or
       other terms and conditions, including the Company's or other
       corporations' financial performance for Plan purposes, to reflect major
       unforeseen events such as changes in laws, regulations or accounting
       practices, mergers, acquisitions or divestitures, or other
       extraordinary unusual or non-recurring items or events. 
   (f)    Payment of Unit Awards. Following the conclusion of each
       performance period, the Committee shall determine the extent to which
       performance targets have been attained and any other terms and
       conditions satisfied for such period. The Committee shall determine
       what, if any, payment is due on the unit award and whether such payment
       shall be made in cash, Shares, or a combination thereof. Payment shall
       be made in a lump sum or installments, as determined by the Committee,
       commencing as promptly as practicable following the end of the
       performance period, unless deferred subject to such terms and
       conditions and in such form as may be prescribed by the Committee.
   (g)    Termination. In the event that a grantee is Terminated as an
       employee or director by the Company prior to the end of the performance
       period by reason of death, Disability, or Retirement with the consent
       of the Company, any unit award, to the extent earned under the
       applicable performance targets, shall be payable at the end of the
       performance period according to the portion of the performance period
       during which the grantee was employed by or served as a director of the
       Company, provided that the Committee shall have the power to provide
       for an appropriate settlement of a unit award before the end of the
       performance period. Upon any other Termination, participation shall
       terminate forthwith, and all outstanding unit awards shall be canceled. 
   
  10. Loans and Supplemental Cash
  The Committee, in its sole discretion to further the purpose of the Plan, may
  provide for supplemental cash payments or loans to individuals in connection
  with all or any part of an award under the Plan. Supplemental cash payments
  shall be subject to such terms and conditions as shall be prescribed by the
  Committee at the time of grant, provided that in no event shall the amount of
  payment exceed:
   (a)    In the case of an option, the excess fair market value of a Share
       on the date of exercise over the option price multiplied by the number
       of Shares for which such option is exercised, or
   (b)    In the case of a SAR, performance unit, or restricted stock
       award, the value of the Shares and other consideration issued in
       payment of such award. 
  Any loan shall be evidenced by a written loan agreement or other instrument in
  such form and containing such terms and conditions (including, without
  limitation, provisions for interest, payment schedules, collateral,
  forgiveness or acceleration) as the Committee may prescribe from time to time.
  
   
  11. General Restrictions
  Each award under the Plan shall be subject to the requirement that if at any
  time the Company shall determine that (i) the listing, registration or
  qualification of the Shares subject or related thereto upon any securities
  exchange or under any state or federal law, or (ii) the consent or approval of
  any regulatory body, or (iii) an agreement by the recipient of an award with
  respect to the disposition of Shares, or (iv) the satisfaction of withholding
  tax or other withholding liabilities is necessary or desirable as a condition
  of or in connection with the granting of such award or the issuance or
  purchase of Shares thereunder, such award shall not be consummated in whole or
  in part unless such listing, registration, qualification, consent, approval,
  agreement, or withholding shall have been effected or obtained free of any
  conditions not acceptable to the Company. Any such restriction affecting an
  award shall not extend the time within which the award may be exercised; and
  neither the Company nor its directors or officers nor the Committee shall have
  any obligation or liability to the grantee or to a Beneficiary with respect to
  any Shares with respect to which an award shall lapse or with respect to which
  the grant, issuance, or purchase of Shares shall not be effected, because of
  any such restriction.
   
  12. Single or Multiple Agreements
  Multiple awards, multiple forms of awards, or combinations thereof may be
  evidenced by a single agreement or multiple agreements, as determined by the
  Committee.
  
  13. Rights of the Shareholder
  The recipient of any award under the Plan shall have no rights as a
  shareholder with respect thereto unless and until certificates for Shares are
  issued to him, and the issuance of Shares shall confer no retroactive right to
  dividends.
  
  14. Rights to Terminate
  Nothing in the Plan or in any agreement entered into pursuant to the Plan
  shall confer upon any person the right to continue in the employment of the
  Company or to serve as a director, or affect any right which the Company may
  have to terminate the employment or directorship of such person. 
  
  15. Withholding
   (a)    Prior to the issuance or transfer of Shares under the Plan, the
       recipient shall remit to the Company an amount sufficient to satisfy
       any federal, state, or local withholding tax requirements. The
       recipient may satisfy the withholding requirement in whole or in part
       by electing to have the Company withhold Shares having a value equal to
       the minimum amount required to be withheld. No additional amount may be
       withheld. The value of the Shares to be withheld shall be the fair
       market value, as determined by the Committee, of the stock on the date
       that the amount of tax to be withheld is determined (the "Tax Date").
       Such election must be made prior to the Tax Date, must comply with all
       applicable securities law and other legal requirements, as interpreted
       by the Committee, and may not be made unless approved by the Committee,
       in its discretion.
   (b)    Whenever payments to a grantee in respect of an award under the
       Plan are to be made in cash, such payments shall be net of the amount
       necessary to satisfy any federal, state, or local withholding tax
       requirements. 
   
  16. Non-Assignability
  No award under the Plan shall be sold, assigned, transferred, exchanged,
  pledged, hypothecated, or otherwise encumbered, other than by will or by the
  laws of descent and distribution, or by such other means as the Committee may
  approve. Except as otherwise provided herein, during the life of the
  recipient, such award shall be exercisable only by such person or by such
  person's guardian or legal representative.
   
  17. Non-Uniform Determinations
  
  The Committee's determinations under the Plan (including without limitation
  determinations of the persons to receive awards, the form, amount and timing
  of such awards, the terms and provisions of such awards and the agreements
  evidencing same, and the establishment of values and performance targets) need
  not be uniform and may be made selectively among persons who receive, or are
  eligible to receive, awards under the Plan, whether or not such persons are
  similarly situated.
  
  18. Change in Control Provisions
   (a)    In the event of (1) a Change in Control (as defined) or (2) a
       Potential Change in Control (as defined), but only if and to the extent
       so determined by the Board of Directors at or after grant (subject to
       any right of approval expressly reserved by the Board of Directors at
       the time of such determination), the following acceleration and
       valuation provisions shall apply: 
                (i) Any SARs outstanding for at least six months and any stock
            options awarded under the Plan not previously exercisable and
            vested shall become fully exercisable and vested.
               (ii) Any restrictions and deferral limitations applicable to any
            restricted stock, performance units, or other stock-based awards,
            in each case to the extent not already vested under the Plan,
            shall lapse and such shares, performance units, or other stock-based
            awards shall be deemed fully vested.
              (iii) The value of all outstanding stock options, SARs, restricted
            stock, performance units, and other stock-based awards, in each
            case to the extent vested, shall, unless otherwise determined by
            the Committee in its sole discretion at or after grant but prior
            to any Change in Control, be cashed out on the basis of the
            Change in Control Price (as defined) as of the date such Change
            in Control or such Potential Change in Control is determined to
            have occurred or such other date as the Committee may determine
            prior to the Change in Control.
   (b)    As used herein, the term "Change in Control" means the happening
       of any of the following:
                (i) Any person or entity, including a "group" as defined in
            Section 13(d)(3) of the 1934 Act, other than the Company, a
            subsidiary of the Company, or any employee benefit plan of the
            Company or its subsidiaries, becomes the beneficial owner of the
            Company's securities having 25 percent or more of the combined 
            voting power of the then outstanding securities of the Company
            that may be cast for the election for directors of the Company
            (other than as a result of an issuance of securities initiated by
            the Company in the ordinary course of business), or

              (ii) As the result of, or in connection with, any cash tender or
            exchange offer, merger or other business combination, sale of
            assets or contested election, or any combination of the foregoing
            transactions, less than a majority of the combined voting power
            of the then outstanding securities of the Company or any
            successor corporation or entity entitled to vote generally in the
            election of directors of the Company or such other corporation or
            entity after such transaction, are held in the aggregate by
            holders of the Company's securities entitled to vote generally in
            the election of directors of the Company immediately prior to
            such transactions; or
       (iii)During any period of two consecutive years, individuals who at
            the beginning of any such period constitute the Board of
            Directors cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority
            thereof, unless the election, or the nomination for election by
            the Company's stockholders, of each director of the Company first
            elected during such period was approved by a vote of at least
            two-thirds of the directors of the Company then still in office
            who were directors of the Company at the beginning of any such
            period. 
   (c)    As used herein, the term "Potential Change in Control" means the
       happening of any of the following:
           (i) The approval by stockholders of an agreement by the Company, the
            consummation of which would result in a Change in Control of the
            Company; or 
          (ii) The acquisition of beneficial ownership, directly or indirectly,
            by any entity, person, or group (other than the Company, a
            wholly-owned subsidiary thereof, or any employee benefit plan of
            the Company or its subsidiaries, including any trustee of such
            plan acting as such trustee) of securities of the Company
            representing 5 percent or more of the combined voting power of
            the Company's outstanding securities and the adoption by the
            Board of Directors of a resolution to the effect that a Potential
            Change in Control of the Company has occurred for purposes of
            this Plan.
   (d)    As used herein, the term "Change in Control Price" means the
       highest price per share paid in any transaction reported by the New
       York Stock Exchange, or paid or offered in any bona fide transaction
       related to a Potential or actual Change in Control of the Company at
       any time during the 60 day period immediately preceding the occurrence
       of the Change in Control (or, where applicable, the occurrence of the
       Potential Change in Control event), in each case determined by the
       Committee except that, in the case of Incentive Stock Options and SARs
       relating to Incentive Stock Options, such price shall be based only on
       transactions reported for the date on which the optionee exercises such
       SARs or, where applicable, the date on which a cash out occurs under
       Section 18(a)(iii).
   
  19. Non-Competition Provision
  Unless the award agreement relating to a stock option, SAR, restricted stock,
  or performance unit specifies otherwise, a grantee shall forfeit all
  unexercised, unearned and/or unpaid awards, including, but not by way of
  limitation, awards earned but not yet paid, all unpaid dividends and dividend
  equivalents, and all interest, if any, accrued on the foregoing if, (i) in the
  opinion of the Committee, the grantee without the written consent of the
  Company, engages directly or indirectly in any manner or capacity as
  principal, agent, partner, officer, director, employee or otherwise, in any
  business or activity competitive with the business conducted by the Company or
  any of its subsidiaries; or (ii) the grantee performs any act or engages in
  any activity which in the opinion of the Chief Executive Officer of the
  Company is inimical to the best interests of the Company. 
   
  20. Adjustments
  In the event of any change in the outstanding common stock of the Company, by
  reason of a stock dividend or distribution, recapitalization, merger,
  consolidation, reorganization, split-up, combination, exchange of Shares or
  the like, the Board of Directors, in its discretion, may adjust
  proportionately the number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan, the
  number of Shares subject to outstanding awards, and the option exercise price
  of each outstanding option, and may make such other changes in outstanding
  options, SARs, performance units, and restricted stock awards, as it deems
  equitable in its absolute discretion to prevent dilution or enlargement of the
  rights of grantees, provided that any fractional Shares resulting from such
  adjustments shall be eliminated.
   
  21. Amendment
  The Board of Directors may terminate, amend, modify, or suspend the Plan at
  any time, except that the Board shall not, without the authorization of the
  holders of a majority of Company's voting securities, increase the maximum
  number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan (other than increases
  pursuant to paragraph 20 hereof), extend the last date on which awards may be
  granted under the Plan, extend the date on which the Plan expires, change the
  class of persons eligible to receive awards, or change the minimum option
  price. In no event, however, shall the provisions of paragraphs 6(h) and 8(e)
  be amended more often than once every six months, other than to comport with
  changes in the Code, the Employment Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
  amended, or the rules thereunder. No termination, modification, amendment, or
  suspension of the Plan shall adversely affect the rights of any grantee or
  Beneficiary under an award previously granted, unless the grantee or
  Beneficiary shall consent; but it shall be conclusively presumed that any
  adjustment pursuant to paragraph 20 hereof does not adversely affect any such
  right. 
   
  22. Effect on Other Plans
  Participation in this Plan shall not affect a grantee's eligibility to
  participate in any other benefit or incentive plan of the Company. Any awards
  made pursuant to this Plan shall not be used in determining the benefits
  provided under any other plan of the Company unless specifically provided
  therein.
   
  23. Effective Date and Duration of the Plan
  The Plan shall become effective when adopted by the Board of Directors,
  provided that the Plan is approved by the holders of a majority of the
  Company's voting securities on the date of its adoption by the Board or before
  the first anniversary of that date. Unless it is sooner terminated in
  accordance with paragraph 21 hereof, the Plan shall remain in effect until all
  awards under the Plan have been satisfied by the issuance of Shares or payment
  of cash or have expired or otherwise terminated, but no award shall be granted
  more than ten years after the earlier of the date the Plan is adopted by the
  Board of Directors or is approved by the holders of the Company's voting
  securities. 
   
  24. Unfunded Plan
  The Plan shall be unfunded, except to the extent otherwise provided in
  accordance with Section 8 hereof. Neither the Company nor any affiliate shall
  be required to segregate any assets that may be represented by stock options,
  SARs, or performance units, and neither the Company nor any affiliate shall be
  deemed to be a trustee of any amounts to be paid under any stock option, SAR,
  or performance unit. Any liability of the Company or any affiliate to pay any
  grantee or Beneficiary with respect to an option, SAR, or performance unit
  shall be based solely upon any contractual obligations created pursuant to the
  provisions of the Plan; no such obligations will be deemed to be secured by a
  pledge or encumbrance on any property of the Company or an affiliate.
   
  25. Governing Law
  The Plan shall be construed and its provisions enforced and administered in
  accordance with the laws of the State of Tennessee except to the extent that
  such laws may be superseded by any federal law.
  
   
  Adopted by the Board of Directors of Saks Incorporated on the seventh day of
  April 1999.
   
  By  /s/ R. Brad Martin
  
  R. Brad Martin
  Chairman of the Board of Directors and 
  Chief Executive Officer


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