FACTORY 2 U STORES INC
10-K, 2000-04-24
FAMILY CLOTHING STORES
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                                   FORM 10-K
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
      (Mark One)
        [X]    ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                   For fiscal period ended January 29, 2000 OR

           [  ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 or 15(d) OF THE
                        SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
                     For the transition period to__________

                         Commission File number 0-16309


                            FACTORY 2-U STORES, INC.
             (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)

     Delaware                                        51-0299573
     --------                                        ----------
(State or Other Jurisdiction of          (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)
Incorporation or Organization)


     4000 Ruffin Road
     San Diego, California                             92123
     ---------------------                             -----
     (Address of Principal Offices)                 (Zip Code)

     Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code: (858) 627-1800
                                                         --------------

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


Title of each class                   Name of each exchange on which registered
- -------------------                   ------------------------------------------
Common Stock, $0.01 par value                         None



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

                         Common Stock, $0.01 par value
                          -----------------------------
                                (Title of Class)

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


Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to Item
405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein,  and will not be contained,
to be best of Registrant's  knowledge,  in definitive proxy or information
statements  incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the  registrant has filed all documents and
reports  required to be filed by Section 12, 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 subsequent to the  distribution of securities under a
plan confirmed by a court.
                                  YES X    NO ___


At April 12, 2000 the  aggregate  market  value of the voting stock of the
Registrant held by non-affiliates was approximately $235,345,514.

At April 12, 2000 the  Registrant  had  outstanding  12,429,742  shares of
Common Stock, $0.01 par value per share.



<PAGE>



                                 FORM 10-K INDEX


                                     PART I
Item 1.    Business                                                            3
Item 2.    Properties                                                          7
Item 3.    Legal Proceedings                                                   8
Item 4.    Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders                 8




                                     PART II

Item 5.    Market for Registrant's Common Equity and
              Related Stockholder Matters                                      8
Item 6.    Selected Financial Data                                            10
Item 7.    Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and
              Results of Operations                                           11
Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk           17
Item 8.    Financial Statements and Supplementary Data                        18
Item 9.    Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting
              and Financial Disclosure                                        18



                                    PART III

Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant                  18
Item 11.  Executive Compensation                                              19
Item 12.  Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management      19
Item 13.  Certain Relationships and Related Transactions                      19



                                     PART IV

Item 14.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K.    19



                                       2

<PAGE>


PART I

Item 1.  Business

THE COMPANY

We operate a chain of off-price retail apparel and housewares stores in Arizona,
California,  Nevada, New Mexico,  Oregon, Texas and Washington.  We sell branded
casual  apparel for the  family,  as well as selected  domestics  and  household
merchandise  at prices  which  generally  are  significantly  lower  than  other
discount stores.  At January 29, 2000, we operated  substantially all of our 187
stores under the name Factory 2-U.

Prior to July 31,  1998,  we  operated  through our  wholly-owned  subsidiaries,
General  Textiles and Factory 2-U, Inc. We acquired  General Textiles (which was
our principal operating  subsidiary) in 1993. At that time, General Textiles was
operating only the Family  Bargain  Center chain.  In November 1995, we acquired
Factory 2-U,  Inc.  and began to  coordinate  the  purchasing,  warehousing  and
delivery operations for the Family Bargain Center and Factory 2-U chains.

In July 1998,  we merged  General  Textiles  and Factory  2-U,  Inc.  into a new
corporation,  General  Textiles,  Inc.  In  November  1998,  we  merged  General
Textiles,  Inc. into  ourselves,  converted our previous  three classes of stock
into a single  class of Common  Stock and changed  our name from Family  Bargain
Corporation to Factory 2-U Stores, Inc.

Our 187 stores  average 14,300 total square feet and are located mostly in strip
centers.  Our products  include a broad range of family apparel,  domestic goods
and housewares. Our typical customers are families with average household income
of approximately $35,000, who generally are profiled as discount store shoppers.
Our merchandising  strategy is to offer first quality recognizable  national and
discount store brands at a substantial discount, generally 20% to 50% below that
offered by the national discount chains. Our stores are well-lit and present the
merchandise  primarily on hanging  fixtures.  We also use  strategically  placed
in-store  signage  to  emphasize  the  savings  and  create  increased  customer
awareness.


OPERATIONS

Operating Strategy

We seek to be the  leading  off-price  apparel,  domestic  goods and  housewares
retailer  to  families  with more than  average  number  of  children  and whose
household  incomes  approximate  $35,000  in the  markets  we  serve.  The major
elements of our operating strategy include:

Provide  Value to  Customers  on National and  Discount  Brand  Merchandise:  We
emphasize  providing  value to our  customers  by selling  merchandise  found in
national  discount  chains at savings of 20% to 50% below prices  offered by the
national  discount  chains.  We buy excess  inventory  of  recognized  brands at
bargain prices and pass along the savings to our customers.

Target  Under-Served  Market  Segments:  Our  stores  target  customers  who are
under-served in their markets.  Typical customers are young, large families with
a household income of approximately $35,000.

Maximize  Inventory  Turns: We emphasize rapid inventory turn in our merchandise
and marketing  strategies  because we believe it leads to increased  profits and
efficient  use of  capital.  Merchandise  presentation,  an  everyday  low price
strategy,  frequent store  deliveries and advertising  programs all target rapid
inventory turn.


                                       3

<PAGE>


Expansion Plans

Opening of New Stores: We plan to open 60 to 65 stores in the fiscal year ending
February 3, 2001 (fiscal  2000).  The new stores are planned for states in which
we  currently  operate.  During the fiscal year ended  January 29, 2000  (fiscal
1999),  we opened 38 new stores and  closed 19  stores.  During the period  from
January 29, 2000 through  April 12,  2000,  we opened 18 new stores and closed 7
stores.  The  number of stores  that we opened and closed  each  quarter  during
fiscal 1999, 1998 and 1997 were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                            Quarter
                              -------------------------------------------------------------------
                                   First           Second             Third           Fourth
Fiscal Year       Beginning    Open    Close    Open     Close    Open     Close    Open    Close    Ending
- -----------       ---------    -------- ------- -------- -------- -------- -------- ------- -------- ------
<S>               <C>          <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>     <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>      <C>
1997                 150        10      (2)      11       (4)       9       (6)      1       (3)      166
1998                 166         -      (4)       3       (3)       6        -       -        -      168
1999                 168         9      (8)      10       (1)      15       (6)      4       (4)     187

</TABLE>


Our average store opening costs for equipment,  fixtures, leasehold improvements
and preopening  expenses  currently  approximate  $285,000.  Our average initial
inventory for a new store currently  approximates $160,000, net of trade credit.
Generally,  during the two to three month grand opening  period,  our new stores
achieve sales in excess of sales of an average  comparable mature store due to a
higher level of advertising  and, within six months,  generate sales  consistent
with comparable mature store levels.

Renovation  Program:  We plan to continue the  renovation of older  stores.  Our
store renovations generally include installing new fixtures, redesigning layouts
and  refurbishing  floors  and  walls.  Our  average  cost to  renovate  a store
currently  approximates $50,000.  During fiscal 1999, we renovated 74 stores. In
many cases,  our store  renovations  included a name change from Family  Bargain
Center to Factory 2-U. In fiscal 1999, we converted 80 stores to our Factory 2-U
name.  During  fiscal 2000, we plan to renovate 12 to 14 stores and complete the
conversion to the Factory 2-U name.

Warehouses: In September 1999, we opened a new 150,000 square-foot warehouse and
distribution  center  in San  Diego,  California.  We now have two  distribution
centers  in the San Diego  area.  The new  facility  was  opened to  accommodate
centralized ticketing of our merchandise,  which had previously been done at our
stores,  and to meet the increased  demand resulting from the opening of our new
stores and growth at our existing stores.  Generally,  manufacturers  ship goods
directly  to our  distribution  centers  or, in the case of  certain  east coast
vendors, to freight  consolidators who then ship to our distribution centers. We
generally ship merchandise  from our  distribution  centers to our stores within
two to three days of receipt  utilizing  the  services of  independent  trucking
companies.  We do not typically store  merchandise at our  distribution  centers
from season to season.  We plan to open a new distribution  center by the fourth
quarter of fiscal 2000. This new  distribution  center will service the existing
Texas and New  Mexico  stores  and our new  stores  that will be opened in those
states.


Buying and Distribution

We purchase  merchandise  from domestic  manufacturers,  jobbers,  importers and
other vendors.  Our payment terms are typically net 30 days. We continually  add
new vendors and do not maintain long-term or exclusive  purchase  commitments or
agreements  with any vendor.  We believe that there are a substantial  number of
additional  sources of supply of first  quality,  national  and  discount  brand
merchandise that will meet our increased inventory needs as we grow.

In-Season Goods:  Unlike traditional  department stores and discount  retailers,
which  primarily  purchase  merchandise  in advance of the  selling  season (for
example,   back-to-school   clothing  is  purchased   by  March),

                                       4

<PAGE>

we purchase  approximately  80% of our merchandise  in-season (i.e.,  during the
selling season).  In-season  purchases generally represent closeouts of vendors'
excess inventories  remaining after the traditional wholesale selling season and
are often created by other retailers'  order  cancellations.  Sometimes  vendors
manufacture to meet  anticipated  demand rather than known demand,  anticipating
that we are a potential buyer of the excess inventory, typically at prices below
wholesale.  We believe that  in-season  buying  practices are well suited to our
customers, who tend to make purchases on an as-needed basis later into a season.
Our in-season  buying practice is facilitated by our ability to process and ship
merchandise through our distribution  centers to our stores,  usually within two
or three  days of receipt  from the  vendor,  and to  process a large  number of
relatively  small purchase orders.  We believe that we are a desirable  customer
for  vendors  seeking  to  liquidate  inventory  because  we can take  immediate
delivery of large quantities of in-season goods. Furthermore,  because we rarely
request  markdown  concessions,  advertising  allowances or special shipping and
packing procedures,  insisting instead on the lowest possible price, we are able
to pass these low prices on to our customers.


Merchandising and Marketing

Our merchandise selection,  pricing strategies and store formats are designed to
reinforce the concept of value and maximize  customer  enjoyment of the shopping
experience.  Our stores offer  customers a diverse  selection of first  quality,
in-season  merchandise  at  prices  which  generally  are  lower  than  those of
competing  discount and off-price  stores in their local markets.  Nearly all of
our stores carry brand name labels, including nationally recognized brands.

We deliver new  merchandise to our stores at least weekly to encourage  frequent
shopping trips by our customers and to maximize the rate of inventory turn. As a
result of our  purchasing  practices,  store  inventory may not always include a
full  range of  colors,  sizes and  styles in a  particular  item.  We  believe,
however, that price, quality and product mix are more important to our customers
than the availability of a specific item at a given time.

We emphasize  inventory turn in our  merchandising and marketing  strategy.  Our
merchandise presentation,  pricing below discounters, frequent store deliveries,
staggered vendor shipments, promotional advertising, store-tailored distribution
and prompt  price  reductions  on slow moving  items are all designed to promote
rapid  inventory  turn. We believe that the pace of our inventory  turn leads to
increased  profits,  reduced inventory  markdowns,  efficient use of capital and
customer urgency to make purchase decisions.

At our  administrative  headquarters  we receive daily store sales and inventory
information from  point-of-sale  computers  located at each of our stores.  This
data is reported by stock  keeping  unit (the  "SKU"),  permitting  us to tailor
purchasing and  distribution  decisions.  Our chain-wide  computer  network also
facilitates  communications  between  our  administrative  headquarters  and our
stores, enabling corporate management to provide store management with immediate
pricing and distribution information.

Our stores are  characterized  by easily  accessible  merchandise  displayed  on
hanging fixtures and open shelves in well-lighted  areas. Our prices are clearly
marked,  usually in whole dollars,  with the  comparative  retail-selling  price
often  noted  on price  tags.  Our  major  advertising  vehicle  is the use of a
full-color print tab showing actual photos of our  merchandise.  Our print media
is  principally  delivered to  consumers  through  marriage-mail  drops and to a
lesser extent, newspaper inserts. Some of our other advertising programs include
radio and outdoor billboard promotional activities.

Our stores  emphasize  customer  satisfaction  to develop  customer  loyalty and
generate  repeat  sales.  If a customer  is not  completely  satisfied  with any
purchase,  we will  make a full  refund or  exchange.  Most of our sales are for
cash, although we accept checks,  debit and credit cards. We do not issue credit
cards, but do offer a layaway  program.  Our layaway program is important to our
customers,  many of whom do not possess credit cards, because it permits them to
pay for purchases over time.


                                       5

<PAGE>

Approximately  60% of our sales occur in our third and fourth  quarters,  during
the  back-to-school  (August and September) and Holiday  (November and December)
seasons.  See "Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and
Results of Operations -- Seasonality and Quarterly Fluctuations."

Our Stores

As of April 12, 2000, we operated 198 stores  located in seven  western  states.
Our stores are primarily located in rural and lower income suburban  communities
and, to a lesser extent,  in metropolitan  areas. Most of our stores are located
in strip shopping  centers,  where  occupancy  costs are more  favorable.  As of
January 29, 2000, our stores were located as follows:

                                Strip
      State                    Center   Metropolitan        Other       Total
      -----                    ------   ------------        -----       -----
      California                   81              11          12         104
      Arizona                      26               4           0          30
      Washington                   13               2           1          16
      New Mexico                    9               0           1          10
      Nevada                        7               0           0           7
      Oregon                        7               0           3          10
      Texas                         8               1           1          10
                                  ---             ---         ---         ---
                                  151              18          18         187
                                  ===             ===         ===         ===

Our stores typically range in size from 6,000 square feet to 34,800 square feet,
averaging 14,300 square feet.

We generally lease previously  occupied store sites on terms that we believe are
more favorable than those available for newly constructed  facilities.  After we
sign a store  lease,  one of our  store  opening  teams  prepares  the store for
opening by installing fixtures, signs, racks, dressing rooms, checkout counters,
cash register  systems and other items.  Our district  manager and store manager
arrange the  merchandise  according to the  standard  store layout and train new
personnel  before and after the store is opened.  We select store sites based on
demographic  analysis of the market area,  sales potential,  local  competition,
occupancy  expense,  operational fit and proximity to existing store  locations.
Once we take possession of a store site, it takes  approximately  eight weeks to
open a new store.

Our stores typically employ one store manager,  two assistant store managers and
seven to ten sales associates,  most of whom are part-time  employees.  We train
new  store   managers   in  all   aspects  of  store   operations   through  our
management-training  program.  Our other store personnel are trained on site. We
often  promote  experienced  assistant  store  managers  to  fill  open  manager
positions.

Our store management team participates in a bonus plan in which they are awarded
bonuses upon achieving plan objectives.  We believe that the bonus program is an
important  incentive for our key employees,  helps reduce employee  turnover and
results in lower costs.

We continually  review store performance and from time to time close stores that
do not meet  performance  criteria.  The costs  associated  with closing stores,
which  consist  primarily of the  recognition  of remaining  lease  obligations,
provisions  to  write  down  assets  to  net  realizable   value  and  inventory
liquidation  costs are charged to operations during the fiscal year in which the
commitment is made to close a store.

We maintain customary commercial  liability,  fire, theft, business interruption
and other insurance policies.


                                       6


<PAGE>


Competition

We operate in a highly competitive  marketplace.  We compete with large discount
retail chains, such as Wal-Mart,  K-Mart, Target and Mervyn's, and with regional
off-price chains, such as MacFrugal's,  some of which have substantially greater
resources than ours. We also compete with  independent and small chain retailers
and flea  markets  (also  known as "swap  meets")  which  serve the same low and
low-middle  income market.  We believe that we are well positioned to compete on
the basis of the principal competitive factors in our markets,  which are price,
quality and site location.

Employees

As of April 12,  2000,  we had  4,212  employees  (2,253 of whom were  part-time
employees).   Of  that  total,  3,820  were  store  employees  and  store  field
management,  252  were  executives  and  administrative  employees  and 140 were
warehouse employees.  None of our employees is subject to collective  bargaining
agreements and we consider relations with our employees to be good.

Trademarks

Except for the trade names "Family Bargain Center" and "Factory 2-U",  which are
federally registered trademarks, we do not have any material trademarks.

Government Regulation

Our operations are subject to various federal, state and local laws, regulations
and administrative practices affecting our business, including those relating to
equal employment and minimum wages. We believe we are in substantial  compliance
with all federal,  state and local laws and regulations governing operations and
we have obtained all material licenses and permits required for the operation of
our business. We believe that the compliance burdens and risks relating to these
laws and regulations do not have a material adverse effect on our business.


Item 2.  Properties

As of April 12,  2000,  we  operated  198  retail  stores  located  in  Arizona,
California,  Nevada,  New Mexico,  Oregon,  Texas and Washington,  under various
operating leases with third parties. Our store locations include malls, shopping
centers, strip centers,  downtown business districts, and stand-alone sites. Our
store leases are separately negotiated.  The typical lease for our stores is for
five years with renewal options in five year  increments.  Approximately  98% of
our leases are  "triple net leases"  under  which we are  required to  reimburse
landlords for insurance,  real estate taxes and common area  maintenance  costs;
however for many of those leases, we have negotiated  reimbursement  limitations
on common area  costs.  Some of our leases  require us to pay a minimum  monthly
rent and a percentage of sales in excess of a specified  gross sales level.  Our
annual  rent   expense  for  the  187  stores  open  at  January  29,  2000  was
approximately $22.0 million.

Our headquarters are located in a 269,000 square-foot multi-use facility at 4000
Ruffin Road, San Diego, California. This facility consists of 37,000 square feet
of office space,  an 8,000  square-foot  retail store and a 224,000  square-foot
warehouse and distribution  center. We currently  sublease 60,000 square feet of
this facility to a third party.  Our lease on this facility expires in September
2005.  The lease  provides  for annual base rent at an average of  approximately
$1.4 million over the lease term.

In September 1999, we leased a second  warehouse  facility at 7130 Miramar Road,
San Diego, California. This property consists of a 150,000 square-foot warehouse
and distribution center. Our lease expires in April 2002. The lease provides for
annual base rent at an average of approximately $783,000 over the lease term.


                                       7
<PAGE>

Item 3.  Legal Proceedings

We are at all times subject to pending and  threatened  legal actions that arise
in the normal course of business. In our opinion, based in part on the advice of
legal counsel, the ultimate disposition of current legal matters will not have a
material adverse effect on our financial position or results of operations.


Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

No matters were  submitted to a vote of our security  holders  during the fourth
quarter of the fiscal year ended January 29, 2000.


PART II

Item 5.  Market for Registrant's Common Equity and Related Stockholder Matters

As part of our  recapitalization in November 1998, our previous three classes of
capital stock outstanding were converted into a single class of Common Stock. We
converted each share of common stock outstanding  prior to the  recapitalization
into .30133 shares of post-recapitalization Common Stock, each share of Series A
9-1/2%  Cumulative  Convertible  Preferred Stock  outstanding  into one share of
post-recapitalization   Common   Stock  and  each   share  of  Series  B  Junior
Convertible,  Exchangeable  Preferred  Stock  outstanding  into 173.33 shares of
Post-Recapitalization  Common Stock. Immediately following the recapitalization,
we had 11,306,000 shares of Common Stock outstanding.

Prior to our  recapitalization,  our Common  Stock and Series A Preferred  Stock
were quoted on the NASDAQ SmallCap Market. Our Common Stock is now traded on the
NASDAQ  National  Market under the symbol "FTUS." The following table sets forth
the high and low closing  prices of our Common Stock,  as reported on the NASDAQ
National  Market since November 23, 1998, and the high and low bid prices of our
Common Stock prior thereto, all as adjusted to reflect the recapitalization.


                                                           COMMON STOCK
                                                        High          Low
      Fiscal 1998
      First Quarter                                       $10.58        $4.25
      Second Quarter                                      $11.10        $7.47
      Third Quarter                                        $9.54        $5.39
      Fourth Quarter (to November 23, 1998)                $7.16        $5.60
      Fourth Quarter (after November 23, 1998)            $12.63        $6.81

      Fiscal 1999
      First Quarter                                       $18.75       $11.00
      Second Quarter                                      $27.25       $16.25
      Third Quarter                                       $34.13       $20.63
      Fourth Quarter                                      $30.00       $17.88

      Fiscal Year Ending February 3, 2001
      First Quarter (through April 12, 2000)              $30.75       $21.75


                                       8

<PAGE>

As of January 29, 2000,  we had  approximately  350  stockholders  of record and
approximately 2,300 beneficial stockholders.

Until our recapitalization,  we paid quarterly dividends of $0.2375 per share on
our Series A Preferred Stock  (aggregating  $2,593,000 for fiscal 1998). We have
never paid cash dividends on our Common Stock and do not anticipate  paying cash
dividends in the  foreseeable  future.  The  declaration and payment of any cash
dividends on our Common Stock in the future will be  determined  by the Board of
Directors  in  light  of  conditions  then  existing,  including  our  earnings,
financial  condition,  cash  requirements and contractual,  legal and regulatory
restrictions  relating to the payments of dividends  and any other  factors that
our Board of Directors  deems  relevant.  We are  contractually  prohibited from
paying  cash  dividends  on our  Common  Stock  under the terms of our  existing
revolving credit facility without the consent of the lender.  See  "Management's
Discussion  and  Analysis of  Financial  Condition  and Results of  Operations -
Liquidity and Capital Resources - Revolving Credit Facility."

We  recorded  non-cash  dividends  on our  Series B  Preferred  Stock  using the
effective  interest method to recognize the dividend  ratably over the estimated
period in which the Series B Preferred Stock was to be  outstanding.  For fiscal
1998, the accreted dividends totaled  approximately $2.2 million.  See Note 9 of
Notes to Financial Statements.


                                       9

<PAGE>


Item 6.  Selected Financial Data

The selected  financial  data set forth below,  except for  Operating  Data,  is
derived from our audited financial information and should be read in conjunction
with "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of
Operations" and our Financial Statements, including the Notes, and Supplementary
Data included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                     Fiscal Year Ended
                                                  ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                                  January 29,   January 30,    January 31,     February 1,    January 27
                                                     2000          1999          1998            1997(1)         1996
                                                  ------------  -----------    -----------     ---------      ---------
                                                      (in thousands, except per share and operating data)
     <S>                                        <C>            <C>           <C>               <C>            <C>
      Statement of Operations Data
      Net sales                                   $ 421,391     $ 338,223      $300,592        $ 252,165      $ 179,820

      Operating income (loss)                        22,753        10,464        5,097           (27,939)         5,153
      Income (loss) from continuing                  20,481         5,019        (129)           (36,564)         1,478
      operations
      Net income (loss)                              12,442         2,269        (129)           (37,390)           978
      Dividends on Series A Preferred Stock               -         2,593        3,456             3,509          3,040
      Dividends on Series B Preferred Stock               -         2,210        2,661                 -              -
      Inducement to convert preferred stock
      to common stock                                                 -         2,804                  -              -            -
      Net income (loss) applicable to common         12,442       (5,338)      (6,246)           (40,899)        (2,062)
         stock
      Weighted average shares outstanding
          Basic                                      12,214         3,381        1,477             1,358          1,207
          Diluted                                    12,864         3,381        1,477             1,358          1,207
      Income (loss) before extraordinary item
        and discontinued operations applicable
        to common stock
           Basic                                       1.02        (0.77)       (4.23)            (29.50)         (1.29)
           Diluted                                     0.97        (0.77)       (4.23)            (29.50)         (1.29)
      Net income (loss) per common share(2)
           Basic                                       1.02        (1.58)       (4.23)            (30.12)         (1.71)
           Diluted                                     0.97        (1.58)       (4.23)            (30.12)         (1.71)


      Operating Data
      Number of stores                                  187           168          166               150            131
      Total selling square footage                2,169,000     1,804,000    1,788,000         1,567,000      1,367,000
      Sales per average selling square foot          $  209        $  192       $  180            $  172         $  161
      Comparable store sales growth                   10.3%         10.9%         3.4%              5.3%           2.8%

      Balance Sheet Data
      Working capital (deficit)                     $ 1,241      $(9,179)    $ (2,749)            $  248        $ 4,314
      Total assets                                  108,466        90,167       84,817            80,669         87,152
      Long-term debt and revolving credit
        notes, including current portion             11,067        13,773       29,076            37,894         30,120
      Stockholders' equity                           46,430        27,765       17,218            11,208         27,717


- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
</TABLE>

(1) 53-week fiscal year.
(2) In  December  1997,  we adopted  SFAS No.  128,  "Earnings  Per  Share." The
statement specifies the computation,  presentation,  and disclosure requirements
for basic  earnings  per share and diluted  earnings  per share.  The  statement
requires retroactive adoption for all prior periods presented. Additionally, all
prior periods  presented  have been restated  giving effect to the reverse stock
split that was effected during the fourth quarter of fiscal 1998.


                                       10

<PAGE>



Item 7.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
           and Results of Operations

The following  discussion and analysis  should be read in  conjunction  with the
information set forth under "Selected Financial Data" and "Financial  Statements
and Supplementary Data."


General

During the past three fiscal years, a number of events occurred which have had a
significant impact on our financial condition and that of our subsidiaries.

In January  1997, an investment  group  advised by Three Cities  Research,  Inc.
("TCR"),  purchased a controlling  equity interest in us by acquiring all of the
Common and Series A Preferred Stock held by our former  chairman,  vice chairman
and chief executive  officer and purchasing  from us shares of newly  authorized
Series B  Preferred  Stock.  Subsequent  to the  close of fiscal  1996,  we sold
additional  shares  of the  Series B  Preferred  Stock to these  investors,  our
directors and management.

In connection with the change in control,  three former directors  resigned from
the Board of Directors  and three  managing  directors of TCR were  appointed to
serve on the Board.  In March  1998,  we  appointed  Michael  M.  Searles as new
President and Chief Executive Officer of our operating subsidiaries. Mr. Searles
was elected a member of the Board of Directors in March 1998 and Chairman of the
Board in November 1998.

In July 1998, our two operating subsidiaries,  General Textiles and Factory 2-U,
Inc.,  were merged to form General  Textiles,  Inc. In November  1998, we merged
General Textiles,  Inc. into ourselves,  converted our previous three classes of
stock  into a single  class of Common  Stock and  changed  our name from  Family
Bargain  Corporation to Factory 2-U Stores, Inc. At that time, we had 11,306,000
shares of Common Stock outstanding. We undertook a rights offering and issued to
our stockholders transferable rights to purchase an additional 800,000 shares of
Common Stock for $13.00 per share.  The TCR  investors  purchased  approximately
798,000 shares.

During  fiscal  1999 and  1998,  our  operational  focus  was on  improving  the
operating performance of existing stores and opening new stores. In fiscal 1999,
we opened 38 new stores, closed 19 stores and renovated 74 stores.

                                       11

<PAGE>



Results of Operations

We define our fiscal  year by the  calendar  year in which most of the  activity
occurs (the year ended  January 29,  2000 is  referred to as fiscal  1999).  The
following table sets forth selected  statement of operations data expressed as a
percentage of net sales for the periods indicated:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

    Fiscal year                                                         1999           1998           1997
    -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    <S>                                                               <C>            <C>            <C>

    Net sales                                                          100.0          100.0          100.0
    Cost of sales                                                       64.3           65.7           67.7
                                                                      -------------------------------------
         Gross profit                                                   35.7
                                                                                       34.3           32.3

    Selling and administrative expenses                                 28.4
                                                                                       28.7           28.4
    Pre-opening expenses                                                 0.8            0.8            0.9
    Amortization of intangibles                                          0.6            0.7            0.7
    Stock based compensation expense                                     0.5              -              -
    Special charges                                                        -            0.7            0.6
    Merger costs                                                           -            0.3              -
                                                                      -------------------------------------
         Operating income                                                5.4                           1.7
                                                                                        3.1
    Interest expense                                                     0.5
                                                                                        1.2            1.7
                                                                      ------------------------------------
    Income (loss) before income taxes and extraordinary
         item                                                            4.9            1.9              -
    Income taxes                                                         1.9            0.4              -
    Extraordinary item, net of income tax benefit                          -            0.8              -
                                                                      -------------------------------------
         Net income (loss)                                               3.0            0.7              -
    Inducement to convert preferred stock to common                        -            0.9              -
    stock                                                                  -            1.4            2.1
    Preferred stock dividends
         Net income (loss) applicable to common stock                    3.0           (1.6)          (2.1)
</TABLE>

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


Fiscal 1999 Compared to Fiscal 1998

As of January 29, 2000, we operated 187 stores compared to 168 as of January 30,
1999. In fiscal 1999, we opened 38 new stores and closed 19 stores.

Net sales were $421.4  million for fiscal  1999  compared to $338.2  million for
fiscal  1998,  an increase  of $83.2  million or 24.6%.  Comparable  store sales
increased  10.3% in fiscal 1999 over the prior year.  The  increase in net sales
was related to new store growth and an increase in comparable  store sales which
was due to an increased number of transactions and average purchase.

Gross profit was $150.4  million for fiscal 1999 compared to $115.9  million for
fiscal  1998,  an increase of $34.5  million or 29.8%.  As a  percentage  of net
sales,  gross profit was 35.7% in fiscal 1999  compared to 34.3% in fiscal 1998.
The  increase  in gross  profit  as a  percentage  of net  sales  was  primarily
attributable  to a higher  initial  markup  on  purchases  and  lower  inventory
shrinkage.


                                       12

<PAGE>

Selling and administrative expenses were $119.8 million for fiscal 1999 compared
to $97.1 million for fiscal 1998,  an increase of $22.6  million or 23.3%.  As a
percentage  of net sales,  selling and  administrative  expenses  were 28.4% for
fiscal 1999  compared to 28.7% for fiscal 1998.  Approximately  $18.5 million of
the   increase  was  sales   volume   related.   The  increase  in  selling  and
administrative  expenses was also attributable to increased  corporate  employee
and field  supervisor  expenses and information  systems  expenses.  Selling and
administrative  expenses as a  percentage  of net sales  decreased  due to sales
volume growth.

We recorded non-cash stock based compensation  expense during fiscal 1999 in the
amount of $2.3  million when  certain  stock  options with a market price hurdle
became exercisable and approximately  $170,000 related to the grant of stock and
stock options.

We recorded a special  charge of $2.4 million in fiscal 1998 in connection  with
hiring the current President and CEO.

Merger costs of $1.0 million  recorded in fiscal 1998  represented  the expenses
associated with the recapitalization,  including the merger of Factory 2-U, Inc.
and General  Textiles  into  General  Textiles,  Inc.  and the merger of General
Textiles, Inc. into ourselves.

Interest  expense was $2.3  million in fiscal 1999  compared to $4.2  million in
fiscal 1998, a decrease of $1.9 million.  The decrease was attributable to lower
average  borrowings  under our revolving credit facility and the exchange of the
subordinated  and junior  subordinated  notes for new notes which  resulted in a
lower debt  discount  amortization.  See  "Liquidity  and  Capital  Resources  -
Subordinated Notes."

Federal and state income taxes were $8.0 million in fiscal 1999 compared to $1.3
million in fiscal 1998, an increase of $6.8 million. Income taxes increased as a
result of higher taxable income versus the same period a year ago.

We incurred an extraordinary charge of $2.8 million in fiscal 1998 because notes
payable associated with the General Textiles  bankruptcy were extinguished early
and new subordinated notes were issued with more favorable terms. See "Liquidity
and Capital Resources - Subordinated Notes."

Net  income was $12.4  million  in fiscal  1999  compared  to net income  before
preferred stock dividends of $2.3 million in fiscal 1998. No dividends were paid
or accreted in fiscal 1999 as a result of the recapitalization  discussed above.
See Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial  Condition and Results of
Operations - General. Net income applicable to common stock was $12.4 million in
fiscal 1999 compared to a net loss applicable to common stock of $5.3 million in
fiscal 1998.  Total  preferred stock dividends in fiscal 1998 were $4.8 million,
which  included  non-cash  dividends  on the  Series B  Preferred  Stock of $2.2
million.  The  increase  in net income was a result of the  operating  and other
factors cited above.

Fiscal 1998 Compared to Fiscal 1997

As of January 30, 1999, we operated 168 stores compared to 166 as of January 31,
1998. We opened 9 new stores and closed 7 in fiscal 1998.

Net sales were $338.2  million for fiscal  1998  compared to $300.6  million for
fiscal  1997,  an increase  of $37.6  million or 12.5%.  Comparable  store sales
increased  10.9% in fiscal  1998 over the same  period  of the prior  year.  The
increase  in net sales  was  related  to new store  growth  and an  increase  in
comparable  store sales which was due to an increased number of transactions and
average purchase.

Gross profit was $115.9  million for fiscal 1998  compared to $97.1  million for
fiscal 1997, an increase of $18.8 million.  As a percentage of net sales,  gross
profit was 34.3% in fiscal 1998  compared to 32.3% in fiscal 1997.  The increase
in gross  profit as a  percentage  of net sales was  primarily  attributable  to

                                       13

<PAGE>

higher initial markups and lower inventory shrinkage, partially offset by higher
markdowns in fiscal 1998 compared to fiscal 1997.

Selling and administrative  expenses were $97.1 million for fiscal 1998 compared
to $85.3 million for fiscal 1997, an increase of $11.9 million.  As a percentage
of net sales,  selling and  administrative  expenses  were 28.7% for fiscal 1998
compared to 28.4% for fiscal 1997.  The  increase in selling and  administrative
expenses as a  percentage  of net sales was  primarily a result of higher  store
wage  rates,  due in part to an  increase in the  minimum  wage,  and  increased
administrative support expenses.

Amortization  of  intangibles  was $2.4 million for fiscal 1998 compared to $2.2
million for fiscal 1997, an increase of $120,000.  The increase was attributable
to a non-compete agreement with our former president and CEO in fiscal 1998. The
non-compete  agreement is being  amortized over 41 months.  In January 1997, our
principal  executive  officers,  who were our largest  stockholders,  sold their
stock  interest,  resigned from their  positions as officers and directors  and,
among other things,  entered into an agreement not to compete with us until June
2000 in return for $1.8 million in secured  promissory notes, which were paid in
January  1998.  In August  1997,  the former  President  and CEO entered into an
agreement  not to compete  with us until  January  2001 in return  for  payments
totaling $970,000.

We recorded a special  charge of $2.4 million in fiscal 1998 in connection  with
hiring the current  President  and CEO. In fiscal 1997, a charge of $1.8 million
was incurred when the former  president  and CEO resigned.  At the end of fiscal
1998,  future  payments  totaling $1.2 million  related to these special charges
were included in accrued liabilities.

Merger costs of $1.0 million in fiscal 1998 represented the expenses  associated
with the recapitalization, including the merger of Factory 2-U, Inc. and General
Textiles into General Textiles,  Inc. and the merger of General  Textiles,  Inc.
into ourselves.

Interest  expense was $4.2  million in fiscal 1998  compared to $5.2  million in
fiscal  1997, a decrease of $1.0  million.  The  decrease  was  attributable  to
decreases in the  amortization  of debt discount  related to the exchange of the
subordinated  and junior  subordinated  notes for new notes.  See "Liquidity and
Capital Resources - Subordinated Notes."

Federal and state income taxes were $1.3 million in fiscal 1998,  an increase of
$1.3  million  over prior year.  Income  taxes  increased  as a result of higher
taxable income versus the same period a year ago.

We incurred an extraordinary charge of $2.8 million in fiscal 1998 because notes
payable associated with the General Textiles  bankruptcy were extinguished early
and new notes were issued with more favorable  terms. See "Liquidity and Capital
Resources - Subordinated Notes."

Net income  before  preferred  stock  dividends  was $2.3 million in fiscal 1998
compared to a net loss before  preferred  stock  dividends of $129,000 in fiscal
1997.  Total preferred stock dividends were $4.8 million in fiscal 1998 and $6.1
million in fiscal  1997.  Preferred  stock  dividends  in fiscal  1998  included
non-cash  dividends on the Series B Preferred Stock of $2.2 million  compared to
$2.7 million in fiscal 1997.  Additionally,  in fiscal 1998,  we  recognized  an
inducement  charge of $2.8 million in  connection  with  conversion  of Series A
Preferred Stock to post-recapitalization common stock. The lower preferred stock
dividends in fiscal 1998 were due to the  recapitalization  discussed above. The
net loss  applicable to common stock was $5.3 million in fiscal 1998 compared to
a net loss  applicable  to common  stock of $6.2  million  in fiscal  1997.  The
improvement in the net loss  applicable to common stock was due to the operating
and other factors cited above.

                                       14

<PAGE>



Liquidity and Capital Resources


General

As of January 29, 2000, we had outstanding  indebtedness in the principal amount
of $11.1 million.

We  finance  our  operations  through  credit  provided  by  vendors  and  other
suppliers,  amounts  borrowed under our $50.0 million  revolving credit facility
and internally  generated cash flow.  Credit terms provided by vendors and other
suppliers  are usually  net 30 days.  Amounts  which may be  borrowed  under the
revolving credit facility are based on a percentage of eligible  inventories and
receivables, as defined,  outstanding from time to time, as more fully described
below.


Revolving Credit Facility

At January 29, 2000,  we had a revolving  credit  facility  under which we could
borrow up to $50.0 million at the prime rate plus 0.75%,  subject to limitations
based on  inventory  levels.  At that time,  we had no  outstanding  balance and
approximately $28.5 million of availability.  We were not in compliance with the
current ratio covenant as of January 29, 2000.

Subsequent  to year end, we entered into a new $50.0  million  revolving  credit
facility with another  financial  institution and terminated the prior revolving
credit facility. Under our new revolving credit facility we may borrow up to 70%
of our eligible inventory and 85% of our eligible  receivables,  as defined, not
to exceed $50.0  million.  The new credit  facility also provides a $5.0 million
subfacility  for letters of credit.  Interest  on the credit  facility is at the
prime  rate,  or at our  election,  LIBOR plus 2.0%.  Under the terms of the new
credit facility, the interest rate may increase or decrease subject to earnings,
as defined,  on a rolling four fiscal  quarter  basis.  Accordingly,  prime rate
borrowings  could range from prime to prime plus 0.50 and LIBOR  borrowing  from
LIBOR plus 1.50 to LIBOR plus 2.50.  At March 3, 2000,  the prime  interest rate
was  8.75%.  The new  credit  facility  expires  on March 3,  2003,  subject  to
automatic  one-year renewal periods,  unless terminated earlier by either party.
We are  obligated to pay fees equal to 0.125% per annum on the unused  amount of
the new credit  facility.  The new credit facility is secured by a first lien on
accounts  receivable and inventory and requires us to maintain  specified levels
of tangible net worth in the event that our borrowing  availability is less than
a specified amount.


Subordinated Notes

In fiscal 1998,  we exchanged  existing  Subordinated  Reorganization  Notes and
Junior  Subordinated  Reorganization  Notes for New  Subordinated  Notes and New
Junior  Subordinated  Notes  that  eliminated  an  estimated  excess  cash  flow
calculation  previously  used to determine the timing and amount of payments and
provided a fixed debt payment schedule.  In accordance with Emerging Issues Task
Force 96-19, we accounted for the exchange of the old notes as an extinguishment
of debt, and, in connection  therewith,  recorded an extraordinary  loss, net of
tax benefit,  of $2.8 million.  This loss  represented  increases in the present
value of the principal amount of the old notes and fees paid to the lenders. The
fees included the issuance of 22,600 shares of pre-recapitalization common stock
and warrants to purchase  82,690  shares of  pre-recapitalization  common stock,
both stated at fair market  value when they were  issued.  The New  Subordinated
Notes totaled $3.3 million and were fully paid on December 8, 1998.

The New Junior Subordinated Notes are non-interest  bearing and are reflected on
our  balance  sheets at the present  value  using a discount  rate of 10%. As of
January 29, 2000,  the New Junior  Subordinated  Notes had a face value of $16.3
million and a related unamortized  discount of $5.3 million,  resulting in a net
carrying value of $11.1 million.  The discount is amortized to interest  expense
as a  non-cash  charge  until the notes  are


                                       15
<PAGE>

paid in full. We made a principal payment on the New Junior  Subordinated  Notes
of $1.0 million during fiscal 1999.  Additional principal payments are scheduled
on December 31, 2000 ($1.0 million),  on December 31, 2001 and December 31, 2002
($2.0 million),  on December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2004 ($3.0 million) and a
final payment on May 28, 2005 ($5.3 million).

We believe that our sources of cash, including the new credit facility,  will be
adequate to finance our operations, capital requirements and debt obligations as
they become due for at least the next twelve months.


Capital Expenditures

We anticipate capital expenditures of approximately $21.0 million in fiscal 2000
which  includes  costs to open new stores,  to renovate  and  relocate  existing
stores, to construct a new distribution  center, to upgrade  information systems
and to renovate and expand our  administrative  offices.  We believe that future
capital  expenditures  will be financed from  internal cash flow and  borrowings
under our new credit facility.

Inflation

In general,  we believe that inflation has had no recent  material impact on our
operations and none is anticipated in the next fiscal year.


Minimum Wage Increases

We employ, both in our stores and in our corporate  headquarters,  a substantial
number of employees who earn hourly wages near or at the minimum  wage.  Actions
by both the  federal  and  certain  state  governments  have  increased  and may
continue  to  increase  the  hourly  wages  that we must pay to such  employees.
Historically,  we have mitigated such increases  through  policies to manage our
ratio of wages to sales.  However, we can make no assurances that these measures
and other  steps taken will be adequate to control the impact of any hourly wage
increases in the future and may have a negative impact on  profitability  in the
future.


Seasonality and Quarterly Fluctuations

We have historically  realized our highest levels of sales and income during the
third and fourth quarters of our fiscal year (the quarters ending in October and
January) as a result of the "Back to School"  (August and September) and Holiday
(November and December)  seasons.  The  seasonally  lower sales in our first two
quarters  (February  through July),  can result in losses during those quarters,
even in years in which we will have full year profits.


Year 2000 Issue

The Year 2000 issue is the result of  computer  systems  and  software  products
coded to accept  only 2 digit  entries in the date code  field.  This could have
resulted in system  failure or the  generation of erroneous data in systems that
do not properly recognize such information.

We diligently addressed the potential Year 2000 issue by utilizing both internal
and external  resources as  applicable,  to identify,  correct or reprogram  our
internal systems for Year 2000 compliance.  In fiscal 1999, we implemented a new
integrated  software  package to support future growth and to address the issues
associated with the year 2000 at a cost of approximately $2.8 million.

                                       16

<PAGE>

To date, we have not experienced any significant  business disruptions or system
failures as a result of the Year 2000 issue. None of our major vendors,  service
providers and customers have reported substantial Year 2000 related problems.

Although the Year 2000 event has  occurred,  and while there can be no assurance
that there will be no problems  related to the Year 2000 issue after  January 1,
2000, we believe we will not be adversely impacted by the Year 2000 issue.

New Accounting Pronouncements

In December  1999, the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  (the "SEC") issued
Staff  Accounting  Bulletin  (SAB) No. 101,  "Revenue  Recognition  in Financial
Statements." This SAB summarizes the SEC's view in applying  generally  accepted
accounting principles to revenue recognition in financial  statements.  This SAB
was amended by SAB No. 101A, which defers the effective date for all registrants
with fiscal years that begin  between  December 16, 1999 and March 15, 2000,  to
allow for the adoption of implementing during the second quarter of fiscal 2000.
We have reviewed the impact of SAB No. 101 on our financial  statements,  and do
not  believe  that its  adoption  will have a material  impact on our  financial
statements.

In June 1998,  the  Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board issued SFAS No. 133,
"Accounting   for  Derivative   Instruments  and  Hedging   Activities:,   which
establishes  accounting and reporting  standards for derivative  instruments and
hedging  activities.  SFAS  No.  133  requires  that  an  entity  recognize  all
derivatives  as either  assets or  liabilities  in the  statement  of  financial
position and measure those instruments at fair value. This Statement was amended
by SFAS No. 137 which defers the effective date to all fiscal quarters of fiscal
years  beginning  after June 15, 2000.  SFAS No. 133 is effective  for our first
quarter in the fiscal year  beginning  February  4, 2001 and is not  expected to
have a material effect on our financial position or results of operations.


Cautionary Statement for Purposes of "Safe Harbor Provisions" of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995


In December 1995, Congress enacted the Private Securities  Litigation Reform Act
of 1995.  The Act  contains  amendments  to the  Securities  Act of 1933 and the
Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934 which  provide  protection  from  liability in
private lawsuits for "forward-looking"  statements made by specified persons. We
desire to take advantage of the "safe harbor" provisions of the Act.

Certain  statements  in  this  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K,  or in  documents
incorporated   by  reference   into  this  Annual  Report  on  Form  10-K,   are
forward-looking  statements.  Those  forward-looking  statements  are subject to
uncertainties  that may cause the  actual  results  to differ  from the  results
anticipated by the  forward-looking  statements.  Factors which may cause actual
results to differ from those anticipated by forward-looking  statements include,
among others,  general economic and business  conditions (both nationally and in
the regions in which we operate);  government regulations (including regulations
regarding  temporary  immigration  of  agricultural  works and minimum  wages of
agricultural  and other  workers);  claims  asserted  against  us;  competition;
changes in our business strategy or development plans;  difficulties  attracting
and retaining qualified  personnel;  the inability to obtain adequate quantities
of  merchandise  at favorable  prices;  and the other factors  described in this
Annual  Report on Form 10-K and in our other  filings  with the  Securities  and
Exchange Commission.

Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk

We are  exposed to  interest  rate risk on our fixed rate debt  obligations.  At
January  29,  2000,  fixed rate debt  obligations  totaled  approximately  $16.3
million.  The fixed  rate debt  obligations  are  non-interest  bearing  and are
discounted at a rate of 10%, resulting in a net carrying value of $11.1 million.


                                       17

<PAGE>

Maturities  are $1.0 million,  $2.0 million,  $2.0 million,  $3.0 million,  $3.0
million and $5.3 million in fiscal year 2000,  2001,  2002, 2003, 2004 and 2005,
respectively. While generally an increase in market interest rates will decrease
the value of this debt, and decreases in rates will have the opposite effect, we
are unable to estimate  the impact that  interest  rate changes will have on the
value of this debt as there is no active  public  market for the debt and we are
unable to determine the market interest rate at which alternate  financing would
have been available at January 29, 2000.


Item 8.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA                                     Page

FACTORY 2-U STORES, INC.

<S>                                                                                       <C>

Report of Independent Public Accountants                                                  F-1

Factory 2-U Stores, Inc. Balance Sheets as of January 29, 2000 and January 30, 1999       F-2

Factory 2-U Stores, Inc. Statements of Operations for fiscal years
          ended January 29, 2000, January 30, 1999 and January 31, 1998                   F-4

Factory 2-U Stores, Inc. Statements of Stockholders' Equity for fiscal years
          ended January 29, 2000, January 30, 1999 and January 31, 1998                   F-5

Factory 2-U Stores, Inc. Statements of Cash Flows for fiscal years
          ended January 29, 2000, January 30, 1999 and January 31, 1998                   F-6

Factory 2-U Stores, Inc. Notes to Financial Statements                                    F-8
</TABLE>

All other schedules are omitted because of the absence of conditions under which
they are  required  or  because  the  required  information  is set forth in the
financial statements and notes thereto.


Item 9.  Changes in and Disagreements with Accountants on Accounting and
           Financial Disclosure

Not applicable.


PART III

Item 10.  Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the
Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement pursuant to Regulation 14A in connection
with the 2000 Annual Meeting of  Stockholders  under the headings  "Proposal 1 -
"Election of Directors" and "Executive  Officers",  which will be filed with the
SEC no later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year ended  January 29,
2000.


                                       18
<PAGE>


Item 11.   Executive Compensation

The information required by this item is incorporated herein by reference to the
Registrant's   Definitive   Proxy   Statement   under  the  heading   "Executive
Compensation", which will be filed with the SEC no later than 120 days after the
close of the fiscal year ended January 29, 2000.


Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management

The  information  required  by this item is  incorporated  by  reference  to the
Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement under the heading "Security Ownership of
Certain  Beneficial Owners and Management",  which will be filed with the SEC no
later than 120 days after the close of the fiscal year ended January 29, 2000.


Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions

The  information  required  by this item is  incorporated  by  reference  to the
Registrant's Definitive Proxy Statement under the heading "Certain Relationships
and  Related  Transactions",  which will be filed with the SEC no later than 120
days after the close of the fiscal year ended January 29, 2000.


PART IV

Item 14.  Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules and Reports on Form 8-K.

(a)  1.  Financial Statements.  See Index to Financial Statements and
           Supplementary Data contained in Item 8.

     2.  Financial Statement Schedules.  See Index to Financial Statements and
           Supplementary Data contained in Item 8.

     3.  Exhibits.  See Item 14(c).

(b)  Reports on Form 8-K.  For the last  quarter  of the  fiscal  year ended
           January 29, 2000, we filed the following reports on Form 8-K:

                  None.

(c)  Exhibits.  Reference is made to the Index to Exhibits immediately preceding
           the exhibits thereto.

(d)  Financial Statement  Schedules.  The required financial statement schedules
           are entered on the Index to Financial  Statements and Supplementary
           Data contained in Item 8.


                                       19
<PAGE>


                                Index to Exhibits

Exhibit
Number                             Document
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------

2.1      Plan and Agreement of Merger dated June 18, 1998 between Family Bargain
           Corporation and General
         Textiles, Inc. (1)
3.1      (i)      Certificate of Incorporation
         (ii)     Bylaws (2)
4.1      Junior Subordinated Note Agreement dated April 30, 1998 among General
           Textiles, American Endeavour Fund Limited and London Pacific Life &
           Annuity Company (1)
4.2      Form of Warrant dated April 30, 1998 (1)
10.1     Factory 2-U Stores, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan (3)
10.2     Financing Agreement between The CIT Group/Business Credit, Inc.
           (as Agent and a Lender) and Factory 2-U Stores, Inc. (as Borrower),
           dated as of March 3, 2000
10.3     Amended Employment Agreement between Factory 2-U Stores, Inc. and
           Michael M. Searles
11.1     Computation of per share earnings
23.1     Consent of Arthur Andersen LLP, Independent Public Accountants
 27      Financial Data Schedule

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

(1)   Incorporated by reference to Registration Statement on Form S-2,
          No. 333-58797 filed with the SEC on October 14, 1998.

(2)   Incorporated by reference to Registration Statement on Form S-1,
          No. 33-77488, filed with the SEC on April 7, 1994.

(3)   Incorporated by reference to Registration Statement on Form S-8,
          No. 333-94123 filed with the SEC on  January 5, 2000.



                                       20

<PAGE>


                                   SIGNATURES

     Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, the Company has duly caused this report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned, hereunto duly authorized.

                                             FACTORY 2-U STORES, INC.




                                             By: /s/ Michael M. Searles
                                                 ---------------------------
                                                 Michael M. Searles
                                                 Chairman of the Board

Dated:  April 21, 2000



    Pursuant to the  requirements of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,
this report has been signed  below by the  following  persons on behalf of
this Company and in the capacities and on the date indicated.

Signature                            Title                              Date

/s/ Michael M. Searles      President, Chief Executive Officer
- -----------------------        and Director
Michael M. Searles          (Principal Executive Officer)         April 21, 2000


/s/ Douglas C. Felderman    Executive Vice President,             April 21, 2000
- -------------------------     Chief Financial Officer
Douglas C. Felderman        (Principal Financial
                             and Accounting Officer)


/s/ Peter V. Handal         Director                              April 20, 2000
- -------------------------
Peter V. Handal


/s/ Ira Neimark             Director                              April 21, 2000
- -------------------------
Ira Neimark


/s/ Ronald Rashkow          Director                              April 19, 2000
- -------------------------
Ronald Rashkow


/s/ H. Whitney Wagner       Director                              April 18, 2000
- -------------------------
H. Whitney Wagner


/s/ Wm Robert Wright II     Director                              April 20, 2000
- -------------------------
Wm. Robert Wright II

                                       21

<PAGE>

              REPORT OF INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



         To Factory 2-U Stores, Inc.:

         We have audited the accompanying  balance sheets of Factory 2-U Stores,
         Inc.  (a Delaware  corporation)  as of January 29, 2000 and January 30,
         1999, and the related  statements of operations,  stockholders'  equity
         and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended  January
         29, 2000.  These  financial  statements are the  responsibility  of the
         Company's  management.  Our  responsibility is to express an opinion on
         these financial statements based on our audits.

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

         In our opinion,  the  financial  statements  referred to above  present
         fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of Factory 2-U
         Stores,  Inc. as of January 29,  2000 and  January  30,  1999,  and the
         results  of its  operations  and its cash  flows  for each of the three
         years  in  the  period  ended  January  29,  2000  in  conformity  with
         accounting principles generally accepted in the United States.


         /s/ ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP



         San Diego, California
         February 25, 2000



                                      F-1

<PAGE>



                          FACTORY 2-U STORES, INC.
                               Balance Sheets
                               (in thousands)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                            January 29,         January 30,
                                                               2000              1999
                                                            -----------         -----------
ASSETS
<S>                                                         <C>                 <C>
Current assets:
     Cash                                                   $    9,473          $     3,124
     Merchandise inventory                                      35,048               31,353
     Prepaid expenses and other assets                           2,291                1,137
     Deferred income taxes                                       2,184                1,690
                                                            ----------          -----------
       Total current assets                                     48,996               37,304

Leasehold improvements and equipment,
  net of accumulated depreciation and amortization              27,425               18,187

Deferred income taxes                                            1,032                1,149
Other assets                                                     1,507                2,419

Excess of cost over net assets acquired,
  less accumulated amortization of
  $10,139 and $8,537, respectively                              29,506               31,108
                                                            ----------          -----------

     Total assets                                           $  108,466          $    90,167
                                                            ==========          ===========


</TABLE>



                             (continued)


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

                                      F-2

<PAGE>



                            FACTORY 2-U STORES, INC.
                                 Balance Sheets
                        (in thousands, except share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                            January 29,         January 30,
                                                               2000                1999
                                                            -----------         -----------

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
<S>                                                         <C>                 <C>

Current liabilities:
  Current maturities of long-term debt
    and capital leases                                      $   1,251           $    2,418
  Accounts payable                                             19,994               21,258
  Income taxes payable                                          4,235                2,656
  Accrued expenses                                             22,275               20,151
                                                            ---------           ----------
     Total current liabilities                                 47,755               46,483

Revolving credit facility                                           -                1,843
Long-term debt                                                 10,067                9,930
Capital lease and other long-term obligations                   1,658                2,257
Deferred rent                                                   2,556                1,889
                                                            ---------           ----------
     Total liabilities                                         62,036               62,402
                                                            ---------           ----------

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders' equity:
  Series A  9-1/2% cumulative convertible preferred stock,
    $0.01 par value; 4,500,000 shares authorized, 0 shares
    issued and outstanding                                          -                    -

  Series B junior convertible, exchangeable preferred stock,
    $0.01 par value; 40,000 shares authorized,
    0 shares issued and outstanding                                 -                    -

  Common stock, $0.01 par value, 35,000,000 shares and
    80,000,000 shares authorized, respectively; and
    12,390,817 shares and 12,106,175 shares issued and
    outstanding, respectively                                     124                  121

  Stock subscription notes receivable                          (2,710)              (4,087)
  Additional paid-in capital                                  108,091              103,248
  Accumulated deficit                                         (59,075)             (71,517)
                                                            ----------          -----------
     Total stockholders' equity                                46,430               27,765
                                                            ----------          -----------
     Total liabilities and stockholders' equity             $ 108,466           $   90,167
                                                            ==========          ===========

</TABLE>


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


                                      F-3

<PAGE>


                                   FACTORY 2-U STORES, INC.
                                   Statements of Operations
                            (in thousands, except per share data)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                      Fiscal Year Ended
                                                       ---------------------------------------------------
                                                       January 29,         January 30,         January 31,
                                                          2000                1999                1998
                                                       -----------         -----------         -----------
<S>                                                    <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Net sales                                              $   421,391         $   338,223         $   300,592
Cost of sales                                              270,962             222,332             203,528
                                                       -----------         -----------         -----------
   Gross profit                                            150,429             115,891              97,064

Selling and administrative expenses
  (exclusive of non-cash stock-based compensation
  expense shown below)                                     119,781              97,140              85,276
Pre-opening expenses                                         3,273               2,579               2,703
Amortization of intangibles                                  2,358               2,358               2,238
Stock-based compensation expense                             2,264                   -                   -
Special charges                                                  -               2,350               1,750
Merger costs                                                     -               1,000                   -
                                                       -----------         -----------         -----------
   Operating income                                         22,753              10,464               5,097

Interest expense, net                                        2,272               4,189               5,226
                                                       -----------         -----------         ------------
Income (loss) before income taxes and
   extraordinary item                                       20,481               6,275                (129)

Income taxes                                                 8,039               1,256                   -
                                                       -----------         -----------         ------------

Income (loss) before extraordinary item                     12,442               5,019                (129)

Extraordinary item - debt extinguishment, net
of income tax benefit                                            -               2,750                   -
                                                       -----------         -----------         ------------

Net income (loss)                                           12,442               2,269                (129)

Inducement to convert preferred stock to
   common stock                                                  -               2,804                   -

Preferred stock dividends:
   Series A                                                      -               2,593               3,456
   Series B                                                      -               2,210               2,661
                                                       -----------         -----------         -----------

Net income (loss) applicable to common stock           $   12,442          $   (5,338)         $   (6,246)
                                                       ===========         ===========         ===========

Income (loss) per share:
   Basic
     Income (loss) before extraordinary item           $     1.02          $    (0.77)         $    (4.23)
     Net income (loss)                                 $     1.02          $    (1.58)         $    (4.23)

   Diluted
     Income (loss) before extraordinary item           $     0.97          $    (0.77)         $    (4.23)
     Net income (loss)                                 $     0.97          $    (1.58)         $    (4.23)

Weighted average common shares outstanding
   Basic                                                   12,214               3,381               1,477
   Diluted                                                 12,864               3,381               1,477

</TABLE>

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


                                      F-4

<PAGE>


                                      FACTORY 2-U STORES, INC.
                                  Statements of Stockholders' Equity
                                  (in thousands, except share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                 Preferred Stock
                                       --------------------------------------------
                                         Series A                        Series B                      Common Stock
                                   ------------------------      --------------------------    ------------------------------
                                   Shares         Amount         Shares         Amount         Shares         Amount
<S>                                <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>

Balance at February 1, 1997        3,727,415      $    37        $  22,000      $   -           1,414,242     $   14

Series A preferred
  stock dividends                          -            -                -          -                   -          -
Series B preferred
  stock dividend accretion                 -            -                -          -                   -          -

Conversion of preferred
  stock to common stock             (88,725)           (1)               -          -              71,049          1

Issuance of preferred
  stock in a private placement            -             -            9,599          -                   -          -

Issuance of preferred
  stock to management for notes           -             -            2,115          -                   -          -

Common stock rights redemption            -             -                -          -                   -          -

Net loss                                  -             -                -          -                   -          -
                                   ---------      --------       ---------      -----          ----------     -------
Balance at January 31 1998         3,638,690      $    36           33,714      $   -          1,485,291      $   15
                                   ---------      --------       ---------      -----          ----------     -------
Series A preferred
  stock dividends                          -            -                -          -                  -            -

Series B preferred
  stock dividend accretion                 -            -                -          -                  -            -

Issuance of preferred
  stock to management for notes            -            -            1,824          -                  -            -

Issuance of common
  stock in debt restructuring              -            -                -          -             22,600            -
Issuance of common
  stock in rights offering                 -            -                -          -            800,000            8

Conversion of preferred
  stock to common stock           (3,638,690)         (36)         (35,538)         -          9,798,468           98

Correction for unsplit units               -            -                -          -               (184)           -

Inducement to convert
  preferred stock to common stock          -            -                -          -                  -            -

Compensation expense                       -            -                -          -                  -            -

Net income                                 -            -                -          -                  -            -
                                   ----------     --------       ----------     ------         ----------     --------

Balance at January 30, 1999                -      $     -                -      $   -          12,106,175     $   121
                                   ---------      --------       ---------      ------         ----------     --------
  for exercise of stock options
  and warrants                             -            -                -          -            294,798            3

Compensation expense related
  to grant of stock options                -            -                -          -                  -            -

Compensation expense related
  to stock option performance              -            -                -          -                  -            -

Tax effect related to
  non-qualified stock options              -            -                -          -                  -            -

Issuance of common
  stock to Board members as
  compensation                             -            -                -          -              4,750            -

Correction of prior year conversion        -            -                -          -                173            -

Repurchase of warrants                     -            -                -          -                  -            -

Payments of notes receivable               -            -                -          -                  -            -

Cancellation of stock
  subscriptions receivable                 -            -                -          -            (15,079)           -

Net income                                 -            -                -          -                  -            -
                                   ---------      --------       ----------     ------         ---------      --------
Balance at January 29, 2000                -      $     -                -      $   -          12,390,817     $   124
                                   ---------      --------       ----------     ------         ----------     --------

<CAPTION>


                                     Stock
                                   Subscription   Additional
                                     Notes         paid-in        Accumulated
                                   Receivable      capital         deficit        Total
                                   ----------     --------       ----------     ----------
<S>                                <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>


Balance at February 1, 1997        $      -       $  71,090      $ (59,933)      11,208

Series A preferred
  stock dividends                         -               -         (3,456)      (3,456)

Series B preferred
  stock dividend accretion                -           2,661         (2,661)           -

Conversion of preferred
  stock to common stock                   -               -              -            -

Issuance of preferred
  stock in a private placement            -           9,600              -        9,600

Issuance of preferred
  stock to management for notes      (2,115)          2,115              -            -

Common stock rights redemption            -              (5)             -           (5)

Net loss                                  -               -           (129)        (129)
                                   --------       ----------     ----------     -------
Balance at January 31 1998         $ (2,115)      $  85,461      $ (66,179)     $17,218
                                   --------       ----------     ----------     -------
Series A preferred
  stock dividends                         -               -         (2,593)      (2,593)

Series B preferred
  stock dividend accretion                -           2,210         (2,210)           -

Issuance of preferred
  stock to management for notes      (1,972)          1,972              -            -

Issuance of common
  stock in debt restructuring              -            789              -          789

Issuance of common
  stock in rights offering                 -          9,992              -       10,000

Conversion of preferred
  stock to common stock                    -            (62)             -            -

Correction for unsplit units               -              -              -            -

Inducement to convert
  preferred stock to common stock          -          2,804         (2,804)           -

Compensation expense                       -             82              -           82

Net income                                 -              -          2,269        2,269
                                   ---------      ---------      ---------      -------
Balance at January 30, 1999        $  (4,087)     $ 103,248      $ (71,517)     $27,765
                                   ---------      ---------      ----------     -------
Issuance of common stock
  for exercise of stock options
  and warrants                             -         2,186              -         2,189

Compensation expense related
  to grant of stock options                -            83              -            83

Compensation expense related
  to stock option performance              -         2,094              -         2,094

Tax effect related to
  non-qualified stock options              -           972              -           972

Issuance of common
  stock to Board members as
  compensation                             -            87              -            87

Correction of prior year conversion        -             -              -             -

Repurchase of warrants                     -          (457)             -          (457)

Payments of notes receivable           1,255             -              -         1,255

Cancellation of stock
  subscriptions receivable               122          (122)             -             -

Net income                                 -             -         12,442        12,442
                                   ----------     ---------      --------       -------
Balance at January 29, 2000        $  (2,710)     $ 108,091      $(59,075)      $46,430

</TABLE>

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

                                      F-5

<PAGE>


                    FACTORY 2-U STORES, INC.
                    Statements of Cash Flows
                         (in thousands)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                    Fiscal Year Ended
                                                                 ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                 January 29,         January 30,         January 31,
                                                                    2000                1999                1998
                                                                 -----------         -----------         -----------
<S>                                                              <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
  Income (loss) from operating activities                        $  12,442           $   5,019           $   (129)
  Adjustments to reconcile income (loss) to net cash
     provided by operating activities
          Depreciation                                               6,859               4,484              3,505
          Amortization of intangibles                                2,358               2,359              2,238
          Amortization of debt discount                              1,137               1,430              2,168
          Loss on disposal of equipment                                796                 163                181
          Deferred rent expense                                        364                (362)               153
          Stock based compensation expense                           2,264                   -                  -
          Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
               Merchandise inventory                                (3,695)             (1,533)              (702)
               Prepaid expenses and other assets                    (1,375)             (4,117)            (1,540)
               Accounts payable                                     (1,264)              2,255              1,512
               Accrued expenses and other liabilities                4,638              10,120              4,089
                                                                 ----------          ----------          ---------
Net cash provided by operating activities                           24,524              19,818             11,475
                                                                 ----------          ----------          ---------
Cash flows used in investing activities:
  Purchase of leasehold improvements and equipment                 (16,893)             (6,798)            (5,865)
                                                                 ----------          ----------          ---------
Net cash used in investing activities:                             (16,893)             (6,798)            (5,865)
                                                                 ----------          ----------          ---------


</TABLE>

                                   (continued)

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

                                      F-6

<PAGE>


                              FACTORY 2-U STORES, INC.
                              Statements of Cash Flows
                                    (in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     Fiscal Year Ended
                                                                 ---------------------------------------------------
                                                                 January 29,         January 30,         January 31,
                                                                    2000                1999                1998
                                                                 ----------          -----------         -----------
<S>                                                              <C>                 <C>                 <C>
Cash flows used in financing activities:
  Borrowings on revolving credit facility                          454,157               54,816             335,053
  Payments on revolving credit facility                           (456,000)            (365,630)           (340,283)
  Payments of long-term debt and capital lease obligations          (2,426)              (9,445)             (6,218)
  Cash payments of preferred stock dividends                             -               (2,593)             (3,456)
  Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net                            -               10,000                   -
  Proceeds from issuance of Series B Preferred Stock                     -                    -               9,595
  Payments of deferred debt issuance costs                               -                 (211)               (320)
  Repurchase of warrants                                              (457)                   -                 (75)
  Proceeds from exercise of stock options and warrants               2,189                    -                   -
  Payments of stock subscription notes receivable                    1,255                    -                   -
                                                                 -----------         -----------         -----------
Net cash used in financing activities                               (1,282)             (13,063)             (5,704)
                                                                 -----------         -----------         -----------
Net increase (decrease) in cash                                      6,349                  (43)                (94)

Cash at the beginning of the period                                  3,124                3,167               3,261
                                                                 -----------         -----------         -----------
Cash at the end of the period                                    $   9,473           $    3,124          $    3,167
                                                                 ===========         ===========         ===========

Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:

  Cash paid during the period for:
    Interest                                                     $   1,295           $    2,679          $    2,948
    Income taxes                                                 $   6,011           $      111          $        -



Supplemental disclosures of non-cash investing and
  financing activities:
    Acquisition of equipment financed by capital leases          $       -           $      970          $    2,173
    Issuance of Series B preferred stock for notes               $       -           $    1,972          $    2,115
    Series B preferred stock dividend accretion                  $       -           $    2,210          $    2,661
    Conversion of preferred stock to common stock
      inducement charge                                          $       -           $    2,804          $        -
    Tax effect related to non-qualified stock options            $     972           $        -          $        -

</TABLE>


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


                                      F-7

<PAGE>
                          FACTORY 2-U STORES, INC.
                          Notes to Financial Statements


1.       SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

         Description of Business

         Factory 2-U Stores,  Inc. (the "Company") operates a chain of off-price
         retail apparel and housewares  stores in Arizona,  California,  Nevada,
         New Mexico,  Oregon,  Texas and  Washington.  The Company sells branded
         casual  apparel  for the  family,  as well as  selected  domestics  and
         household merchandise at prices which generally are significantly lower
         than other discount  stores.  At January 29, 2000, the Company operated
         substantially all of its 187 stores under the name Factory 2-U.

         Principles of Consolidation

         Fiscal  year ended  January 31, 1998  reflects  consolidated  financial
         statements which include the accounts of Family Bargain Corporation and
         its wholly-owned  subsidiaries,  General Textiles and Factory 2-U, Inc.
         All significant intercompany accounts were eliminated in consolidation.
         In July 1998,  General  Textiles and Factory 2-U, Inc. merged to form a
         new Delaware corporation named General Textiles, Inc. In November 1998,
         General  Textiles,  Inc. merged into Family Bargain  Corporation  which
         simultaneously  changed  its  name to  Factory  2-U  Stores,  Inc.  The
         financial  statements  as of and for the fiscal years ended January 29,
         2000 and January 30, 1999, reflect the mergers (Note 3).

         Fiscal Year

         The  Company's  fiscal year is based on a 52/53 week year ending on the
         Saturday  nearest  January 31.  Fiscal  years ended  January 29,  2000,
         January 30, 1999 and  January 31, 1998  included 52 weeks.  The Company
         defines  its  fiscal  year by the  calendar  year in which  most of the
         activity  occurs  (e.g.  the fiscal  year  ended  January  29,  2000 is
         referred to as fiscal 1999).

         Merchandise Inventory

         Merchandise  inventory  is  stated  at the  lower  of  cost  or  market
         determined using the retail  inventory method on a first-in,  first-out
         flow assumption.  In addition,  consistent with industry practice,  the
         Company   capitalizes   certain   buying,   warehousing,   storage  and
         transportation  costs.  At both  January 29, 2000 and January 30, 1999,
         such costs included in inventory were $2.4 million.

         Leasehold Improvements and Equipment

         Leasehold  improvements  and  equipment  are stated at cost.  Equipment
         under  capital  leases is stated at the present  value of minimum lease
         payments at the date of acquisition.  Depreciation and amortization are
         calculated  using the  straight-line  method  over the  shorter  of the
         estimated  useful  lives  of  the  related  asset  or the  lease  term,
         generally five years.

         Excess of Cost Over Net Assets Acquired

         Excess of cost over net assets acquired  ("goodwill") is amortized on a
         straight-line   basis  over  25  years.   The  Company   assesses   the
         recoverability  of goodwill by  determining  whether its balance can be
         recovered  from the  future  undiscounted  operating  cash  flows.  The
         impairment,  if any,  is measured  based on the excess of the  carrying
         value of the asset over the asset's fair value or discounted  estimates
         of future cash flows.

                                      F-8

<PAGE>


         Asset Impairment

         The Company  assesses  potential  asset  impairment in accordance  with
         Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (SFAS) No. 121, "Accounting
         for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be
         Disposed  Of." This  statement  requires  that  long-lived  assets  and
         certain  identifiable  intangibles be reviewed for impairment  whenever
         events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of
         an asset may not be recoverable.  Recoverability of an asset to be held
         and used is measured by comparing  the carrying  amount of the asset to
         future net cash flows  expected to be generated  by the asset.  If such
         asset is considered to be impaired,  the impairment to be recognized is
         measured by the amount that the carrying value of the asset exceeds the
         fair value of the asset.

         Fair Value of Financial Instruments

         The carrying amounts of all receivables,  payables and accrued expenses
         approximate   fair  value  due  to  the   short-term   nature  of  such
         instruments.  The  carrying  amount of the  revolving  credit  facility
         approximates  fair value due to the floating  rate on such  instrument.
         The  carrying   value  of  long-term  debt  with  fixed  payment  terms
         approximates fair value.

         Advertising Costs

         Advertising  costs are expensed as incurred.  Advertising costs for the
         fiscal years ended  January 29, 2000,  January 30, 1999 and January 31,
         1998 were approximately  $12.3 million,  $9.9 million and $9.3 million,
         respectively.

         Deferred Rent

         Rent  expense  under  non-cancelable   operating  lease  agreements  is
         recorded  on a  straight-line  basis  over the  life of the  respective
         leases.  The excess rent  expense  over rent paid is  accounted  for as
         deferred rent (Note 8).

         Store Preopening and Closing Costs

         Preopening  costs (costs of opening new stores  including grand opening
         promotions, training and store set-up costs) are expensed as incurred.

         Costs  associated  with  closing  stores,  consisting  primarily of any
         future  net  lease   obligations,   inventory   liquidation  costs  and
         nonrecoverable  investment in fixed assets are  recognized as operating
         expense when the decision to close a store is made.

         Income Taxes

         Income taxes are accounted  for under the asset and  liability  method.
         Deferred tax assets and  liabilities  are recognized for the future tax
         consequences   attributable   to  differences   between  the  financial
         statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their
         respective tax bases and operating losses and tax credit carryforwards.
         Deferred  tax assets and  liabilities  are measured  using  enacted tax
         rates  expected to apply to taxable  income in the years in which those
         temporary  differences  are expected to be  recovered  or settled.  The
         effect on deferred tax assets and  liabilities of a change in tax rates
         is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment  date
         (Note 7).

         Stock Based Compensation

         The  Company  has  elected  under  the  provisions  of  SFAS  No.  123,
         "Accounting  for  Stock  Based  Compensation",  to  continue  using the
         intrinsic   value  method  of  accounting   for  employee  stock  based
         compensation  in accordance with  Accounting  Principles  Board No. 25,
         "Accounting  for Stock Issued to Employees."  Under the intrinsic value
         method,  compensation  expense is


                                      F-9

<PAGE>

         recognized only in the event that the
         exercise price of options  granted is less than the market price of the
         underlying  stock on the date of grant. The fair value method generally
         requires  entities to recognize  compensation  expense over the vesting
         period of options  based on the  estimated  fair  value of the  options
         granted.  The Company has  disclosed  the pro forma effect of using the
         fair value based method to account for its stock based  compensation as
         required by SFAS No. 123 (Note 10).

         Dividend Accretion

         The Company's  Series B Preferred Stock had an increasing rate dividend
         feature (Note 9).  Accordingly,  dividends on Series B Preferred  Stock
         were  recorded  using the  effective  interest  method to recognize the
         dividends  ratably over the  estimated  period in which the stock would
         have been  outstanding.  The Series B Preferred  Stock was converted to
         common stock in November 1998 and, therefore,  no additional  dividends
         have been accreted since fiscal 1998 (Note 3).

         Earnings (Loss) per Common Share

         The Company computes  earnings (loss) per share in accordance with SFAS
         No. 128,  "Earnings Per Share."  Under the  provisions of SFAS No. 128,
         basic  earnings  (loss)  per share is  computed  based on the  weighted
         average  shares  outstanding.  Diluted  earnings  (loss)  per  share is
         computed  based  on  the  weighted   average  shares   outstanding  and
         potentially dilutive common equivalent shares. Common equivalent shares
         are not included in the  computation  of diluted loss per share for the
         fiscal  years ended  January 30, 1999 and January 31, 1998  because the
         effect would be anti-dilutive.

         Use of Estimates

         Management   of  the  Company  has  made  a  number  of  estimates  and
         assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities and the
         disclosure  of  contingent  assets and  liabilities  at the date of the
         financial  statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses
         during the reporting  period to prepare these  financial  statements in
         conformity  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles.   Actual
         results could differ from those estimates.

         Reclassifications

         Certain prior period  amounts have been  reclassified  to conform their
         presentation to fiscal 1999 financial statements.

         New Accounting Pronouncements

         In December 1999, the  Securities and Exchange  Commission  (the "SEC")
         issued Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB) No. 101, "Revenue Recognition in
         Financial  Statements."  This SAB summarizes the SEC's view in applying
         generally  accepted  accounting  principles to revenue  recognition  in
         financial  statements.  This SAB was  amended  by SAB No.  101A,  which
         defers the effective  date for all  registrants  with fiscal years that
         begin  between  December 16, 1999 and March 15, 2000,  to allow for the
         adoption  of  implementing  during the second  quarter of fiscal  2000.
         Management  has  reviewed  the impact of SAB No.  101 on the  company's
         financial statements,  and does not believe that its adoption will have
         a material impact on the Company's financial statements.

         In June 1998, the Financial  Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No.
         133,  "Accounting for Derivative  Instruments  and Hedging  Activities,
         which  establishes  accounting  and reporting  standards for derivative
         instruments  and  hedging  activities.  SFAS No. 133  requires  that an
         entity recognize all derivatives as either assets or liabilities in the
         statement of financial  position and measure those  instruments at fair
         value.  This  Statement  was  amended by SFAS No. 137 which  defers the
         effective date to all fiscal  quarters of fiscal years  beginning after
         June 15,  2000.  SFAS No.  133 is  effective  for the  Company's  first
         quarter  in the  fiscal  year  beginning  February  4,  2001 and is not
         expected to have a material effect on the Company's  financial position
         or results of operations.

                                      F-10

<PAGE>

2.       SPECIAL CHARGES

         During fiscal 1998, the Company  recorded  charges to operations in the
         amount  of  $1.0  million  for  costs  related  to  the  merger  of its
         wholly-owned  subsidiary,  General Textiles,  Inc. into the Company and
         the  Recapitalization  (Note  3). In  addition,  the  Company  recorded
         special charges in the amount of $2.4 million in connection with hiring
         the current  President  and CEO of the  Company.  In fiscal  1997,  the
         Company  recorded  special  charges to operations in the amount of $1.8
         million  pertaining  to the  separation  from the Company of the former
         President and CEO.


3.       RECAPITALIZATION

         In  fiscal  1998,  the  Company   initiated  a  multi-phased   plan  to
         restructure its capitalization (the "Recapitalization"), which included
         restructuring the subordinated and junior subordinated debt in a manner
         that removed an estimated excess cash flow calculation  previously used
         to determine  the timing and amounts of payments and replaced that term
         with a fixed debt payments schedule. The debt restructuring resulted in
         an  extraordinary  charge of $2.8 million,  net of tax benefit,  in the
         first quarter ended April 30, 1998 (Note 6).

         On July 31, 1998, the Company's two operating  subsidiaries,  General
         Textiles and Factory 2-U, Inc.,  merged to form General Textiles, Inc.
         (the "Subsidiary Merger").

         On November 23, 1998,  the Company  carried out a  Recapitalization  in
         which all of the Company's  outstanding  shares were  converted  into a
         single class of Common Stock. Under the Plan of Recapitalization,  each
         outstanding  share of  Pre-Recapitalization  Common Stock was converted
         into .30133 shares of Common Stock,  each outstanding share of Series A
         9-1/2% Cumulative  Convertible Preferred Stock (the "Series A Preferred
         Stock")  was  converted  into  one  share  of  Common  Stock  and  each
         outstanding  share  of  Series  B  Junior   Convertible,   Exchangeable
         Preferred  Stock (the "Series B Preferred  Stock") was  converted  into
         173.33 shares of Common Stock. In connection with this conversion,  the
         Company  recorded  a  reduction  to net  income  applicable  to  common
         stockholders in the amount of $2.8 million pertaining to the conversion
         of Series A and Series B Preferred  Stock to Common  Stock  pursuant to
         the Plan of Recapitalization,  in accordance with SFAS No. 84, "Induced
         Conversions  of   Convertible   Debt."  The  amount  of  the  reduction
         represents  the  fair  value  of  Post-Recapitalization   Common  Stock
         transferred  in  excess  of the fair  value of  common  stock  issuable
         pursuant to the original  conversion  terms of the Preferred  Stock. In
         conjunction  with the  Recapitalization,  General  Textiles,  Inc.  was
         merged into Family Bargain  Corporation  (the "Family Bargain  Merger")
         and the Company's name was changed to Factory 2-U Stores, Inc.

         The last phase of the  Recapitalization  was a rights offering in which
         800,000  shares  of  Post-Recapitalization  Common  Stock  were sold to
         existing  stockholders at $13 per share. The Company received  proceeds
         of $10.0 million, net of $400,000 of related expenses.

                                      F-11
<PAGE>



4.       LEASEHOLD IMPROVEMENTS AND EQUIPMENT

         Leasehold improvements and equipment consist of the following:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                          January 29,           January 30,
          IN THOUSANDS                                                       2000                  1999
                                                                         -------------         -------------
          <S>                                                               <C>                   <C>
             Furniture, fixtures and equipment                               $ 35,609              $ 20,367
             Leasehold improvements                                             7,891                 5,820
             Automobiles                                                          748                   460
             Equipment under capital leases                                     1,047                 3,800
                                                                             --------              --------
                                                                               45,295                30,447
               Less accumulated depreciation and amortization                (17,870)              (12,260)
                                                                             --------              --------
                                                                             $ 27,425              $ 18,187
                                                                             ========              ========
</TABLE>

5.       ACCRUED EXPENSES

         Accrued expenses consist of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                          January 29,           January 30,
          IN THOUSANDS                                                       2000                  1999
                                                                         -------------         -------------
          <S>                                                               <C>                   <C>
             Accrued compensation and related costs                          $  7,882              $  5,925
             Sales tax payable                                                  5,128                 4,094
             Other accrued expenses                                             9,265                10,132
                                                                                -----                ------
                                                                             $ 22,275              $ 20,151
                                                                             ========              ========
</TABLE>


6.       LONG-TERM DEBT AND REVOLVING CREDIT FACILITY

         Long-term debt and revolving credit facility consist of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                           January 29,         January 30,
          IN THOUSANDS                                                         2000                1999
                                                                           -------------       -------------
          <S>                                                              <C>                 <C>
          Revolving  credit  facility,  interest  at prime
            plus 0.75%  (9.25% at January 29, 2000 and 8.50%
            at January 30, 1999) payable  monthly, principal due
            in March 2000                                                  $     -             $  1,843

          Installment note payable to a finance company,
            interest at prime plus 3%  (10.75% at  January  30,  1999)
            payable  monthly,  principal payable monthly in
            installments of $33,333, paid off in February 1999                   -                1,000

          Junior subordinated  notes,  discounted at a rate of 10.0%,
            principal payments in annual installments ranging from
            $1.0 million to $3.0 million, final balloon payment
            of $5.3 million due May 2005                                    11,067               10,930
                                                                            ------               ------
          Total long-term debt and revolving credit facility                11,067               13,773

          Less current maturities                                          (1,000)               (2,000)
                                                                           --------              -------
          Long-term debt and revolving credit facility,
             net of current maturities                                    $ 10,067              $ 11,773
                                                                           ========              ========
</TABLE>

                                      F-12
<PAGE>

         Revolving Credit Facility

         At January 29, 2000, the Company had a revolving  credit facility under
         which it could borrow up to $50.0 million at the prime rate plus 0.75%,
         subject to  limitations  based on inventory  levels.  At that time, the
         Company had no outstanding  balance and approximately  $28.5 million of
         availability.  The Company was not in compliance with the current ratio
         covenant as of January 29, 2000.

         Subsequent  to year end, the Company  entered into a new $50.0  million
         revolving  credit  facility  with  another  financial  institution  and
         terminated the prior revolving credit facility. Under the new revolving
         credit  facility,  the  Company  may  borrow up to 70% of its  eligible
         inventory  and 85% of its  eligible  receivables,  as  defined,  not to
         exceed $50.0  million.  The new credit  facility  also  provides a $5.0
         million  subfacility  for  letters  of credit.  Interest  on the credit
         facility is at the prime rate, or at the Company's election, LIBOR plus
         2.0%. Under the terms of the new credit facility, the interest rate may
         increase or decrease subject to earnings, as defined, on a rolling four
         fiscal quarter basis.  Accordingly,  prime rate borrowings  could range
         from prime to prime plus 0.50 and LIBOR  borrowing from LIBOR plus 1.50
         to LIBOR  plus  2.50.  At March 3, 2000,  the prime  interest  rate was
         8.75%.  The new credit  facility  expires on March 3, 2003,  subject to
         automatic one-year renewal periods, unless terminated earlier by either
         party.  The Company is  obligated to pay fees equal to 0.125% per annum
         on the  unused  amount  of the new  credit  facility.  The  new  credit
         facility  is  secured  by a  first  lien  on  accounts  receivable  and
         inventory  and  requires  the Company to maintain  specified  levels of
         tangible net worth in the event that its borrowing availability is less
         than a specified amount.


         Subordinated Notes

         In  fiscal   1998,   the  Company   exchanged   existing   Subordinated
         Reorganization  Notes and Junior Subordinated  Reorganization Notes for
         New  Subordinated   Notes  and  New  Junior   Subordinated  Notes  that
         eliminated an estimated excess cash flow calculation previously used to
         determine  the timing and amount of payments  and provided a fixed debt
         payment schedule.  In accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force 96-19,
         the  Company  accounted  for  the  exchange  of  the  old  notes  as an
         extinguishment  of debt,  and,  in  connection  therewith,  recorded an
         extraordinary  loss,  net of tax benefit,  of $2.8  million.  This loss
         represented  increases in the present value of the principal  amount of
         the old notes  and fees  paid to the  lenders.  The fees  included  the
         issuance  of 22,600  shares of  pre-recapitalization  common  stock and
         warrants  to  purchase  82,690  shares of  pre-recapitalization  common
         stock, both stated at fair market value when they were issued.  The New
         Subordinated Notes totaled $3.3 million and were fully paid on December
         8, 1998.

         The New Junior  Subordinated  Notes are  non-interest  bearing  and are
         reflected on the Company's  balance sheets at the present value using a
         discount  rate  of  10%.  As  of  January  29,  2000,  the  New  Junior
         Subordinated  Notes  had a face  value of $16.3  million  and a related
         unamortized discount of $5.3 million, resulting in a net carrying value
         of $11.1  million.  The discount is amortized to interest  expense as a
         non-cash  charge  until the notes are paid in full.  The Company made a
         principal payment on the New Junior  Subordinated Notes of $1.0 million
         during  fiscal 1999.  Additional  principal  payments are  scheduled on
         December 31, 2000 ($1.0 million), on December 31, 2001 and December 31,
         2002 ($2.0  million),  on December 31, 2003 and December 31, 2004 ($3.0
         million) and a final payment on May 28, 2005 ($5.3 million).

         Management  believes that the Company's sources of cash,  including the
         new  credit  facility,  will be  adequate  to finance  its  operations,
         capital  requirements  and debt  obligations  as they become due for at
         least the next twelve months.

                                      F-13

<PAGE>



 7.      INCOME TAXES

         Significant  components  of  the  provision  for  income  taxes  are as
follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                               January 29,       January 30,         January 31,
          IN THOUSANDS                                           2000              1999                 1998
                                                             --------------     ------------        -----------
          <S>                                                <C>                <C>                 <C>
          Federal Income Tax Provision
             Current                                          $    6,592        $   2,857           $      -
             Deferred                                               (302)          (1,914)                 -
                                                              -----------       ----------          ---------
                                                              $    6,290        $    943            $       -
                                                              -----------       -----------         ---------



          State Income Tax Provision
             Current                                          $    1,822        $    698            $      -
             Deferred                                               (73)            (385)                  -
                                                              ----------        ----------          ----------
                                                                   1,749             313                   -
                                                              ----------        ----------          ----------
                                                              $    8,039         $ 1,256            $      -
                                                              ==========         =========          ===========


</TABLE>


         The  principal  temporary  differences  that give  rise to  significant
         portions  of the  deferred  tax assets and  liabilities  are  presented
         below:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                          January 29,           January 30,
          IN THOUSANDS                                                       2000                  1999
                                                                         -------------         -------------
          <S>                                                              <C>                   <C>
          Deferred tax assets
               Net operating loss carryforwards                              $  9,426              $ 11,495
               Compensated absences and bonuses                                 1,227                   463
               Deferred rent                                                    1,304                 1,126
               Closed store accrual                                               593                 1,141
               Excess of tax over book inventory                                  520                   506
               Other                                                              346                   330
               Accrued expenses                                                 1,285                    73
                                                                             --------              --------
               Total gross deferred tax assets                                 14,701                15,134

               Less valuation allowance                                      (10,711)              (11,495)
                                                                             --------              --------
                 Net deferred tax assets                                        3,990                 3,639
                                                                             --------              --------

          Deferred tax liabilities
               Leasehold improvements and equipment,
                   principally due to differences in depreciation
                   recognized on fixed assets                                     774                   800
                                                                             --------               -------
                 Deferred tax liabilities                                         774                   800
                                                                             --------               -------
                 Net deferred tax asset                                      $  3,216              $  2,839
                                                                             ========              ========
</TABLE>


          The  Company has  established  a  valuation  allowance  due to lack of
          historical  earnings  and  annual  limitations  on  the  usage  of net
          operating loss carryforwards.

                                      F-14
<PAGE>

          The  difference  between the  expected  income tax  expense  (benefit)
          computed by applying the U.S.  federal income tax rate of 35%, 34% and
          34% to net income from continuing  operations for fiscal 1999, 1998 an
          1997, respectively, and actual expense is a result of the following:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                             January 29,      January 30,       January 31,
          IN THOUSANDS                                        2000              1999              1998
                                                         --------------     ------------      ------------
          <S>                                               <C>                <C>               <C>
          Computed "expected" tax expense
               (benefit)                                      $    7,168        $   2,180         $    (44)
          Amortization of goodwill                                   657              658               638
          Utilization of net operating losses                      (784)          (2,017)           (1,551)
          Merger costs                                                 -              410                 -
          Business credits                                          (52)            (150)                 -
          State income taxes, net of federal
               income tax benefit                                  1,059              374                 -
          Other, net                                                 (9)            (199)               957
                                                                     ---            -----               ---
                                                              $    8,039        $   1,256          $      -
                                                              ==========        =========          ========
</TABLE>


         At January 29, 2000, the Company had net operating  loss  carryforwards
         for federal  income tax purposes of  approximately  $26.4  million that
         expire  starting in fiscal year 2012 and for state  income tax purposes
         of approximately $4.0 million that start expiring in fiscal year 2002.


8.       LEASE COMMITMENTS

         The  Company   operates   retail  stores,   warehouse   facilities  and
         administrative  offices  under  various  operating  leases.  Total rent
         expense  was  approximately  $22.0  million,  $18.0  million  and $17.3
         million,  including contingent rent expense of approximately  $447,000,
         $240,000 and $128,000, for fiscal years ended January 29, 2000, January
         30, 1999 and January 31, 1998, respectively.

         Rent expense is recorded on a straight-line  basis over the life of the
         lease.  For  fiscal  years  1999 and  1997,  rent  expense  charged  to
         operations exceeded cash payment requirements by approximately $364,000
         and $153,000, respectively, and resulted in an increase to the deferred
         rent  liability  for the same  amount.  For fiscal  1998,  cash payment
         requirements   exceeded   rent  expense   charged  to   operations   by
         approximately  $362,000,  resulting in a decrease to the deferred  rent
         liability for the same amount.

         The  Company  is  also  obligated  under  various  capital  leases  for
         leasehold  improvements  and  equipment  that  expire at various  dates
         during the next two years.  Leasehold  improvements  and  equipment and
         related accumulated  amortization  recorded under capital leases are as
         follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                          January 29,           January 30,
          IN THOUSANDS                                                       2000                  1999
                                                                         -------------         -------------
          <S>                                                               <C>                   <C>
          Leasehold improvements                                              $    81               $   344
          Equipment                                                               966                 3,456
                                                                                  ---                 -----
                                                                                1,047                 3,800
             Less accumulated amortization                                      (535)               (1,172)
                                                                                -----               -------

                                                                              $   512              $  2,628
                                                                              =======              ========
</TABLE>


                                      F-15

<PAGE>



         At January 29, 2000,  the future  minimum lease  payments under capital
         leases and operating leases with remaining  noncancelable  terms are as
         follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                           Capital              Operating
          IN THOUSANDS                                                      Leases                Leases
                                                                         -------------         -------------
          <S>                                                                <C>                  <C>
          Fiscal year:
               2000                                                           $   280              $ 18,784
               2001                                                               180                17,001
               2002                                                                20                13,709
               2003                                                                 -                11,785
               2004                                                                 -                 8,940
               Thereafter                                                           -                11,618
                                                                               ------                ------
               Total minimum lease payments                                       480              $ 81,837
                                                                                                   ========
                Less amount representing interest (rates ranging
                        from 9.0% to 14.8%)                                      (37)

               Present value of capital lease obligation                          443
               Less current maturities                                          (251)
                                                                               ------
               Long-term capital lease obligation                             $   192
                                                                              =======
</TABLE>


9.       STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

         Prior to the  Recapitalization,  the  Company was  authorized  to issue
         Series A Preferred Stock, Series B Preferred Stock and Common Stock. In
         connection with the Recapitalization,  the Company converted all shares
         of its Series A and Series B Preferred Stock into Post-Recapitalization
         Common Stock and effected a reverse  stock split,  which  converted all
         shares of its  Pre-Recapitalization  Common Stock into .30133 shares of
         Post-Recapitalization  Common Stock (Note 3). There were 12,390,817 and
         12,106,175  shares of common stock  outstanding at January 29, 2000 and
         January 30, 1999, respectively.


         Series A and Series B Preferred Stock

         The Company has  7,500,000  shares of preferred  stock  authorized,  of
         which  4,500,000 are  allocated to Series A Preferred  Stock and 40,000
         are allocated Series B Preferred Stock. At January 29, 2000 and January
         30, 1999, no shares of preferred stock were outstanding.

         Prior to the  Recapitalization,  the Series A  Preferred  Stock  ranked
         senior to the  Series B  Preferred  Stock  and the  common  stock  with
         respect to the payment of dividends and distribution of net assets upon
         liquidation,  dissolution  or winding  up.  Cumulative  dividends  were
         payable  quarterly  at the rate of $.95 per year on April 30,  July 31,
         October 31, and the last Friday in January if, as and when  declared by
         the Board of Directors. Series A Preferred Stock was convertible, prior
         to redemption, at the option of the holder, into shares of common stock
         at a conversion price subject to adjustment under certain circumstances
         pursuant to anti-dilution provisions.

                                      F-16

<PAGE>



         The Series B Preferred  Stock  ranked  junior to the Series A Preferred
         Stock and senior to the common  stock  with  respect to the  payment of
         dividends and the distribution of assets upon liquidation,  dissolution
         or winding up. The Series B  Preferred  Stock was  convertible,  at the
         option of the holder,  only after all the Series A Preferred  Stock was
         converted or redeemed.  The  conversion  price per share was subject to
         adjustment  under  certain  circumstances   pursuant  to  anti-dilution
         provisions. Each share of Series B Preferred Stock was entitled to
         voting rights equivalent to the number of common shares into which it
         is convertible. The Series B Preferred Stock was to pay no dividend
         until January 2002.

         During  fiscal  1998,  the Company  placed 1,824 shares of its Series B
         Preferred Stock for notes receivable in the amount of $2.0 million from
         management of the Company.  The notes receivable from management of the
         Company for the  purchase  of Series B Preferred  Stock are due in 2002
         and 2003,  accrue  interest at 8% per annum and require annual interest
         and principal payments equivalent to 16.25% of the annual bonus of each
         purchaser  and a balloon  payment of the unpaid  principal  and accrued
         interest at maturity.  All but one of the notes are full-recourse notes
         and they were all  secured by the Series B  Preferred  Stock  issued in
         return   for  the   notes.   The   notes   are  now   secured   by  the
         Post-Recapitalization  Common Stock into which the underlying  Series B
         Preferred  Stock was  converted.  As of January 29, 2000,  the total of
         such notes receivable from management of the Company was $2.7 million.


10.      STOCK OPTIONS AND WARRANTS

         At January 29, 2000,  warrants to purchase  82,690  common  shares were
         outstanding. These warrants have an exercise price of $19.91 and expire
         in May  2005.  During  fiscal  1999,  the  Company  repurchased  49,769
         warrants   which  had  an  exercise   price  of  $6.22  for   $288,000.
         Additionally,  the Company  repurchased  113,000  warrants which had an
         exercise  price of $16.50 at a purchase  price of $169,000;  holders of
         108,000  warrants  with an  exercise  price of $16.50  exercised  those
         warrants;  and 99,000 warrants with an exercise price of $16.50 expired
         on July 14, 1999.

         In July  1999,  the holder of a warrant to  purchase  83,000  shares of
         common stock for $16.50 per share  exercised  the warrant.  The Company
         issued to the warrant  holder 12,316  shares of common stock,  based on
         the fair market  value of 83,000  shares of common stock at the time of
         exercise less the exercise price.

         The Company has a stock  option plan,  the Amended and Restated  Family
         Bargain  Corporation 1997 Stock Option Plan.  Options may be granted as
         incentive or  nonqualified  stock options.  The Company may grant up to
         1,807,980  options  under this  Plan.  The  options  are issued at fair
         market value with exercise prices equal to the Company's stock price at
         the  date  of  grant.  Options  vest  over  three  to five  years;  are
         exercisable  in whole or in  installments;  and expire from five to ten
         years from the date of grant.

                                      F-17
<PAGE>



         The  Company's  Board of Directors has granted stock options to members
         of the Board and to  Company  management.  A summary  of the  Company's
         stock option activity and related information is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                             Number of          Weighted average
                                                              options *         exercise prices *
                                                       ----------------------------------------
          <S>                                                <C>                      <C>

          Outstanding February 1, 1997                         117,268                  10.12
          Granted                                              908,947                   7.14
          Exercised                                                 --                     --
          Canceled                                             (95,798)                 11.38
                                                             ----------                -----
          Outstanding January 31, 1998                         930,417                   7.07
          Granted                                              452,147                   6.88
          Exercised                                                 --                     --
          Canceled                                             (57,667)                  7.27
                                                            -----------                  ----
          Outstanding January 30, 1999                        1,324,897                  7.00
          Granted                                               438,232                 17.70
          Exercised                                           (257,482)                  6.90
          Canceled                                            (141,209)                  7.86
                                                            -----------                  ----
          Outstanding January 29, 2000                        1,364,438                 10.37

          Exercisable at January 29, 2000                       531,659                  7.05
          Exercisable at January 30, 1999                       352,115                  6.45

</TABLE>

         * Options for January 31, 1998 and February 1, 1997 have been converted
         at .30133 per option under the Recapitalization.

         The  following  table  summarizes  information  about the stock options
outstanding at January 29, 2000:


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                  Weighted-     Weighted-                   Weighted-
                                                   average       average                     average
           Range of exercise       Number         contractual   exercise      Number        exercise
                 prices          outstanding         life         price      exercisable      price
          --------------------- -------------- -------------- ------------- ------------- --------------
          <S>                        <C>             <C>         <C>          <C>           <C>

            $ 3.36 to $ 6.72          362,038          5.3       $ 6.22       286,121        $ 6.21
            $ 6.72 to $10.08          579,635          2.3       $ 7.56       235,038        $ 7.55
            $10.08 to $13.44          183,615          9.0       $12.08         2,500        $11.63
            $13.44 to $16.81           63,000          9.1       $15.07         3,000        $16.38
            $16.81 to $20.17           23,250          5.5       $18.48             -        $    -
            $20.17 to $23.53            8,500          8.3       $21.59         2,500        $20.75
            $23.53 to $26.89          112,400          9.2       $24.99             -        $    -
            $26.89 to $30.25           29,000          9.2       $28.29         2,500        $27.38
            $30.25 to $33.61            3,000          4.7       $33.61             -        $    -
                                   ----------                                 --------
                                    1,364,438                                 531,659
                                   ==========                                =========
</TABLE>

                                      F-18

<PAGE>

         During fiscal 1997 and 1998, the Company granted options which, subject
         to time vesting  conditions,  originally were to become  exercisable in
         25%  installments  when the Common  Stock price  reached the  following
         market price  hurdles and  maintained  those prices for 60  consecutive
         trading days: $19.91,  $24.89, $33.19 and $49.78. In December 1998, the
         Board of Directors removed the first two market price hurdles for those
         optionees that were employees, making one-half of those options granted
         exercisable only subject to time vesting  conditions.  As a result, the
         Company recorded compensation expense in the amount of $82,000.

         During fiscal 1999, the market price of the Company's  stock was $19.91
         or greater for at least 60  consecutive  trading days;  therefore,  all
         92,960 options with a market price hurdle of $19.91 became exercisable.
         The Company  recorded a non-cash  compensation  charge of approximately
         $2,094,000 in connection with this event.

         There are 258,107 remaining stock options  outstanding that are subject
         to price hurdles. Once the remaining specified market price hurdles for
         the Company's  common stock have each been achieved and  maintained for
         60 consecutive trading days, subject to time vesting conditions, 92,961
         options  will become  exercisable  at a market  price hurdle of $24.89;
         82,573  will  become  exercisable  at $33.19;  and 82,573  will  become
         exercisable  at $49.78.  When the market price of the Company's  common
         stock reaches  $24.89,  $33.19 and $49.78 for the specified  periods of
         time,  the  Company  will be  required  to  record  aggregate  non-cash
         compensation  expense  in the  minimum  amounts of $1.6  million,  $2.1
         million and $3.5 million, respectively.

         SFAS No. 123 "Accounting for  Stock-Based  Compensation"  was issued by
         the FASB in 1995  and,  if  fully  adopted,  changes  the  methods  for
         recognition  of cost on plans  similar  to those  of the  Company.  The
         Company has adopted the disclosure-only provisions of SFAS No. 123. Had
         compensation  cost for  stock  options  awarded  under  this  plan been
         determined  consistent  with SFAS No. 123, the Company's net income and
         earnings  per  share  would  have  reflected  the  following  pro forma
         amounts:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                  January 29,      January 30,       January 31,
                                                     2000             1999              1998
                                                 --------------    ------------      ------------
<S>                                                  <C>             <C>               <C>
           Net Income (Loss): As Reported            $  12,442       $ (5,338)         $ (6,246)
                              Pro Forma              $  11,485       $ (6,249)         $ (7,114)
           Basic EPS:         As Reported            $    1.02       $  (1.58)         $  (1.27)
                              Pro Forma              $    0.94       $  (1.85)         $  (1.45)
           Diluted EPS:       As Reported            $    0.97       $  (1.58)         $  (1.27)
                              Pro Forma              $    0.89       $  (1.85)         $  (1.45)


</TABLE>

         The  Black-Scholes  option  valuation  model was  developed  for use in
         estimating  the fair  value of  traded  options  that  have no  vesting
         restrictions and are fully  transferable.  Option valuation models also
         require  the input of highly  subjective  assumptions  such as expected
         option life and expected stock price volatility.  Because the Company's
         employee    stock-based    compensation   plan   has    characteristics
         significantly  different  from  those of  traded  options  and  because
         changes in the subjective input  assumptions can materially  affect the
         fair value  estimate,  the Company  believes  that the existing  option
         valuation  models do not necessarily  provide a reliable single measure
         of the fair value of awards from those plans.

         The  weighted-average  fair value of each option  grant is estimated on
         the date of grant using the  Black-Scholes  option pricing model using
         the following weighted-average  assumptions:  (i)  expected  dividend
         yield  of  0.00%,  (ii) expected  volatility of 103.33%,  106.89% and
         1.388% for fiscal years 1999, 1998 and 1997,  respectively,
         (iii)  expected life of three to five years,  and (iv) risk-free
         interest  rate of 6.68%,  5.55% and a range  from  5.45% to 6.88% for
         fiscal years 1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.

                                      F-19

<PAGE>



11.      EMPLOYEE BENEFITS

         The  Company  sponsors a defined  contribution  plan,  qualified  under
         Internal Revenue Code Section 401(k),  for the benefit of employees who
         have completed twelve months of service and who work a minimum of 1,000
         hours during that twelve  month  period.  The Company  makes a matching
         contribution  equal  to  20%  of  participating   employees'  voluntary
         contributions.  Participants  may  contribute  from 1% to 15% of  their
         compensation  annually,   subject  to  IRS  limitations.   The  Company
         contributed  approximately  $170,000,  $134,000  and $132,000 in fiscal
         1999, 1998 and 1997, respectively.

         In December 1999, the Company  established the Factory 2-U Stores, Inc.
         Employee Stock Purchase Plan which allows eligible employees to acquire
         shares of the  Company's  Common Stock at a discount from market price,
         at periodic  intervals,  paid for with accumulated  payroll deductions.
         The  discount  is 15% of the  lower of the  market  price  per share as
         quoted on the  NASDAQ  National  Market on the first and last day of an
         offering  period.  The  Plan was  approved  by the  Company's  Board of
         Directors  on  December  8, 1999 and is  expected to be approved by the
         Company's  stockholders  at the annual meeting of  stockholders in June
         2000. The Plan will  terminate  when all 350,000  shares  available for
         issuance  under the Plan are sold  although the Plan may be  terminated
         earlier by the Company at any time.


12.      COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

         The  Company is at all times  subject to pending and  threatened  legal
         actions that arise in the normal course of business.  In the opinion of
         management,  based in part on the advice of legal counsel, the ultimate
         disposition of these current  matters will not have a material  adverse
         effect on the  financial  position  or  results  of  operations  of the
         Company.

         The Company has entered into an employment  contract with its President
         and CEO,  which defines his duties,  compensation  and severance in the
         event of his termination of employment with the Company.


13.      RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

         In March 1997, the Company  entered into an agreement with Three Cities
         Research,  Inc. ("TCR") engaging TCR to act as financial advisor to the
         Company.  Under this  agreement,  the Company pays TCR an annual fee of
         $50,000 and reimburses TCR all of its  out-of-pocket  expenses incurred
         for services  rendered,  up to an aggregate  of $50,000  annually.  The
         Company  reimbursed TCR for  out-of-pocket  expenses in the approximate
         amounts of $46,000,  $48,000 and $47,000 during fiscal year 1999,  1998
         and 1997, respectively. TCR controls approximately 33% of the Company's
         outstanding  common stock and certain  principals of TCR are members of
         the Company's Board of Directors.

                                      F-20


<PAGE>



14.      SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED)

         The results of operations for fiscal 1999 and 1998 were as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                 First       Second      Third       Fourth
          IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA                   Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter
                                                                -------     -------     -------     -------
          <S>                                                   <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
          Fiscal 1999
             Net Sales                                            $85,099     $91,931    $104,551    $139,810
             Gross profit                                          28,991      33,659      37,360      50,420
             Operating income                                       1,105       2,715       3,514      15,418
             Net income                                               334       1,211       1,706       9,191

             Earnings per share:
               Basic                                              $  0.03     $  0.10     $  0.14     $  0.74
               Diluted                                            $  0.03     $  0.09     $  0.13     $  0.70



                                                                 First       Second      Third       Fourth
                                                                Quarter     Quarter     Quarter     Quarter
                                                                -------     -------     -------     -------
          IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA
          Fiscal 1998
             Net Sales                                            $66,495     $73,456     $84,978    $113,294
             Gross profit                                          21,846      24,962      28,785      40,298
             Operating income (loss)                              (1,437)          42       3,382       8,477
             Income (loss) before extraordinary item              (2,789)     (1,077)       2,251       6,634
             Extraordinary item                                   (2,750)           -           -           -
             Net income (loss)                                    (5,539)     (1,077)       2,251       6,634
             Net income (loss) applicable to common
                 stock                                            (7,106)     (2,669)
                                                                                              607       3,830
             Basic earnings per share:
               Income (loss) before extraordinary item           $ (2.92)    $ (1.77)     $  0.40     $  0.42
               Extraordinary item                                  (1.86)           -           -           -
               Net income (loss) applicable to common
                   stock                                         $ (4.78)    $ (1.77)     $  0.40     $  0.42
             Diluted earnings per share:
               Income (loss) before extraordinary item           $ (2.92)    $ (1.77)     $  0.23     $  0.34
               Extraordinary item                                  (1.86)           -           -           -
               Net (income) loss applicable to common
                  stock                                          $ (4.78)    $ (1.77)     $  0.23     $  0.34
</TABLE>


                                      F-21





EXHIBIT 3.1




                          CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                            FACTORY 2-U STORES, INC.



     FIRST: The name of the corporation is FACTORY 2-U STORES, INC.

     SECOND:  The address of the  registered  office of the  Corporation  in the
State of Delaware is:

                                    1013 Centre Road
                                    Wilmington, Delaware 19805
                                    New Castle County

     THIRD:   The  name  of  the  registered  agent  at  such  address  is:  The
Prentice-Hall Corporation System, Inc.

     FOURTH:  The purpose of the  Corporation  is to engage in any lawful act or
activity for which a Corporation may be organized under the General  Corporation
Law of the State of Delaware.

     FIFTH: The total number of shares of stock which the Corporation shall have
authority to issue is Eighty Million  (80,000,000)  shares of Common Stock,  par
value $.01 per share  ("Common  Stock") and Seven Million Five Hundred  Thousand
(7,500,000)  shares of  Preferred  Stock,  par value $.01 per share  ("Preferred
Stock").

     The Board of Directors is authorized, subject to the limitations prescribed
by law, to provide for the issuance of the shares of Preferred  Stock in series,
by filing a certificate pursuant to the applicable law of the State of Delaware,
to establish  from time to time the number of shares to be included in each such
series, and to fix the designation, powers, preferences and rights of the shares
of each of such  series and the  qualifications,  limitations  and  restrictions
thereof.

     The authority of the Board with respect to each series shall  include,  but
not be limited to, determination of the following:

     (a) The  number of shares  constituting  that  series  and the  distinctive
designation of that series;

     (b) The dividend rate on the shares of that series, whether dividends shall
be cumulative,  and, it so, from which date of dates, and the relative rights of
priority, if any, of payment of dividends on shares of that series;

     (c) Whether that series shall have voting rights, in addition to the voting
rights provided by law, and, if so, the terms of such voting rights;

     (d) Whether that series shall have conversion  privileges,  and, if so, the
terms and conditions of such conversion,  including  provision for adjustment of
the conversion rate in such events as the Board of Directors shall determine;

     (e) Whether or not the shares of that series shall be  redeemable,  and, if
so, the terms and  conditions  of such  redemption,  including the date or dates
upon or after which they shall be  redeemable,  and the amount per share payable
in case of redemption,  which amount may vary under different  conditions and at
different redemption dates;

     (f) Whether  that series shall have a sinking  fund for the  redemption  or
purchase  of shares of that  series,  and,  if so,  the terms and amount of such
sinking fund;

     (g) The rights of the shares of that  series in the event of  voluntary  or
involuntary liquidation,  dissolution or winding up of the corporation,  and the
relative rights of priority, if any, or payment of shares of that series;

     (h) Any other relative rights, preferences and limitations of that series.

     Dividends  on  outstanding  shares  of  Preferred  Stock  shall  be paid or
declared  and set  apart  for  payment  before  any  dividends  shall be paid or
declared and set apart for payment on the common shares with respect to the same
dividend period.

     If upon any voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up
of the  Corporation,  the assets available for distribution to holders of shares
of Preferred  Stock of all series shall be  insufficient to pay such holders the
full preferential  amount to which they are entitled,  then such assets shall be
distributed  ratably  among the  shares  of all  series  of  Preferred  Stock in
accordance with the respective preferential amounts (including unpaid cumulative
dividends, if any) payable with respect thereto.

     All the  Preferred  Stock of any one series  shall be  identical  with each
other in all  respects,  except  that the  shares  of any one  series  issued at
different times may differ as to the dates from which dividends thereon shall be
cumulative.  Except  as to the  particulars  fixed by the  Board as  hereinabove
provided or as provided in the  description of the series,  all Preferred  Stock
shall otherwise be of equal rank,  regardless of series,  and shall be identical
in all respects.

     SIXTH:  The Board of Directors is authorized  and empowered to make,  alter
amend and rescind the By-laws of the corporation,  but By-laws made by the Board
may be altered or repealed, and new By-laws made, by the stockholders.

     SEVENTH: No contract or transaction between the Corporation and one or more
of its  directors  or  officers,  or  between  the  Corporation  and  any  other
Corporation.  partnership,  association,  or other  organization in which one or
more of its directors or officers are directors or officers, or have a financial
interest,  shall be void or voidable  solely for this reason,  or solely because
the  director  or officer is present at or  participates  in the  meeting of the
board or committee  thereof which  authorizes  the contract or  transaction,  or
solely because his or their votes are counted for such purpose, if:

     The material facts as to his interest and as to the contract or transaction
are disclosed or are known to the Board of Directors or the  committee,  and the
Board or committee in good faith  authorizes  the contract or  transaction  by a
vote  sufficient  for such purpose  without  counting the vote of the interested
director or directors; or


     The material facts as to his interest and as to the contract or transaction
are disclosed or are known to the stockholders entitled to vote thereon, and the
contract or  transaction is  specifically  approved in good faith by vote of the
stockholders; or

     The contract or transaction is fair as to the Corporation as of the time it
is  authorized,  approved or ratified,  by the Board of  Directors,  a committee
thereof, or the stockholders.

     Interested directors may be counted in determining the presence of a quorum
at a meeting of the Board of Directors or of a committee  which  authorizes  the
contract or transaction.


     EIGHTH:INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE:

     (a) RIGHT TO INDEMNIFICATION.  Each person who was or is made a party or is
threatened to be made a party or is involved in any action,  suit or proceeding,
whether  civil,  criminal,   administrative  or  investigative   (hereinafter  a
"proceeding"),  by reason of the fact that he or she,  or a person of whom he or
she  is the  legal  representative,  is or was a  director  or  officer,  of the
Corporation  or is or  was  serving  at the  request  of  the  Corporation  as a
director, officer, employee or agent of another Corporation or of a partnership,
joint  venture,  trust or other  enterprise,  including  service with respect to
employee  benefit plans,  whether the basis of such proceeding is alleged action
in an  official  capacity as a  director,  officer,  employee or agent or in any
other capacity while serving as a director. officer, employee or agent, shall be
indemnified  and  held  harmless  by  the  Corporation  to  the  fullest  extent
authorized by the Delaware  General  Corporation  Law, as the same exists or may
hereafter be amended (but, in the case of any such amendment, only to the extent
that such amendment  permits the Corporation to provide broader  indemnification
rights  than  said  law  permitted  the  Corporation  to  provide  prior to such
amendment),  against all expense, liability and loss (including attorneys' fees,
judgments, fines, ERISA excise taxes or penalties and amounts paid or to be paid
in  settlement)  reasonably  incurred or  suffered by such person in  connection
therewith and such indemnification  shall continue as to a person who has ceased
to be a director,  officer,  employee or agent and shall inure to the benefit of
his or her heirs, executors and administrators;  provided, however, that, except
as provided in paragraph (b) hereof,  the  Corporation  shall indemnify any such
person seeking indemnification in connection with a proceeding (or part thereof)
initiated by such person only if such proceeding (or part thereof was authorized
by the Board of  Directors  of the  Corporation.  The  right to  indemnification
conferred in this Section shall be a contract  right and shall include the right
to be paid by the  Corporation  the  expenses  incurred  in  defending  any such
proceeding in advance of its final disposition:  provided, however, that, if the
Delaware General Corporation Law requires, the payment of such expenses incurred
by a director or officer in his or her  capacity  as a director or officer  (and
not in any other  capacity  in which  service  was or is rendered by such person
while a  director  or  officer,  including.  without  limitation,  service to an
employee  benefit  plan) in advance of the final  disposition  of a  proceeding,
shall be made only upon delivery to the Corporation of an undertaking,  by or on
behalf of such director or officer, to repay all amounts so advanced if it shall
ultimately  be  determined  that such  director or officer is not entitled to be
indemnified  under this Section or otherwise.  The Corporation may, by action of
its Board of Directors,  provide  indemnification to employees and agents of the
Corporation with the same scope and effect as the foregoing  indemnification  of
directors and officers.


     (b) RIGHT OF CLAIMANT TO BRING SUIT. If a claim under paragraph (a) of this
Section  is not  paid in full by the  Corporation  within  thirty  days  after a
written claim has been received by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time
thereafter  bring suit against the  Corporation  to recover the unpaid amount of
the claim and. if successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled
to be paid also the expense of prosecuting  such claim. It shall be a defense to
any such action  (other than an action  brought to enforce a claim for  expenses
incurred in defending any proceeding in advance of its final  disposition  where
the  required  undertaking.  if  any  is  required,  has  been  tendered  to the
Corporation)  that the claimant has not met the  standards of conduct which make
it permissible under the Delaware General Corporation law for the Corporation to
indemnify  the claimant for the amount  claimed,  but the burden of proving such
defense  shall be on the  Corporation.  Neither the  failure of the  Corporation
(including  its  Board  of  Directors,   independent   legal  counsel,   or  its
stockholders)  to have made a  determination  prior to the  commencement of such
action  that  indemnification  of the  claimant  is proper in the  circumstances
because he or she has met the  applicable  standard  of conduct set forth in the
Delaware General Corporation Law, nor an actual determination by the Corporation
(including  its  Board  of  Directors,   independent   legal  counsel,   or  its
stockholders) that the claimant has not met such applicable standard of conduct,
shall be a defense to the action or create a  presumption  that the claimant has
not met the applicable standard of conduct.


     (c)  Notwithstanding  any  limitation  to the  contrary  contained  in sub-
paragraphs 8(a) and 8(b), the Corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted
by Section 145 of the General  Corporation Law of the State of Delaware,  as the
same may be amended and  supplemented,  indemnify  any and all  persons  whom it
shall have power to indemnity under said section from and against any and all of
the expenses,  liabilities  or other  matters  referred to in or covered by said
section,  and the  indemnification  provided  for  herein  shall  not be  deemed
exclusive of any other rights to which those  indemnified  may be entitled under
any By-law,  agreement,  vote of  stockholders  or  disinterested  Directors  or
otherwise,  both as to  action  in his  official  capacity  and as to  action in
another  capacity  while holding such office,  and shall continue as to a person
who has ceased to be a director,  officer,  employee or agent and shall inure to
the benefit of the heirs, executors and administrators of such a person.

     (d) INSURANCE.  The Corporation may maintain insurance,  at its expense. to
protect itself and any director,  officer,  employee or agent of the Corporation
or another corporation,  partnership,  joint venture,  trust or other enterprise
against such expense,  liability or loss,  whether or not the Corporation  would
have the power to indemnify such person against such expense,  liability or loss
under the Delaware General Corporation Law.

     NINTH: Under Section 102(b)(7) of the Delaware General Corporation Law, and
other provisions of the Delaware  General  Corporation Law, no director shall be
personally  liable to the Corporation or its  stockholders  for monetary damages
for any breach of fiduciary duty by such director as a director. Notwithstanding
the foregoing  sentence.  a director  shall be liable to the extent  provided by
applicable  law  (i)  for  breach  of  the  directors  duty  of  loyalty  to the
Corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or
which  involve  intentional  misconduct  or a knowing  violation  of law,  (iii)
pursuant to Section 174 of the Delaware General  Corporation Law or (iv) for any
transaction from which the director  derived an improper  personal  benefit.  No
amendment  to or repeal of this  Article 9 shall  apply to or have any effect on
the  liability or alleged  liability of any director of the  Corporation  for or
with respect to any acts or omissions of such director  occurring  prior to such
amendment.


     TENTH:  Election  of  directors  need not be by  written  ballot  unless so
provided in the By-laws of the Corporation.

     ELEVENTH:  Except  as  otherwise  required  by  statute,  the  books of the
Corporation  may be kept  outside  of the State of  Delaware,  at such  place or
places  as  provided  in the  By-laws  of the  Corporation  or from time to time
designated by the Board of Directors.

     TWELFTH:  Any Director or the entire Board of Directors may be removed with
or without  cause by the holders of a majority  of the shares  then  entitled to
vote at an election of Directors.








                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
                                       OF
                          CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                       OF
                            FACTORY 2-U STORES, INC.


     Factory 2-U Stores, Inc., a corporation organized and existing under and by
virtue  of  the  General   Corporation   Law  of  the  State  of  Delaware  (the
"Corporation"), does hereby certify that:

     FIRST:  The Board of Directors of the  Corporation  approved,  and declared
advisable,  then proposed for adoption by the  stockholders of the  Corporation,
the following resolution to amend the Corporation's Certificate of Incorporation
(the "Amendment"):

     RESOLVED,  that  the  first  paragraph  of  Article  Fifth be  deleted  and
substitute in lieu thereof the following new first paragraph of Article Fifth:

     "FIFTH:  the total  number of shares of stock which the  Corporation  shall
have authority to issue is  Thirty-Five  Million  (35,000,000)  shares of Common
Stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock"), and Seven Million Five Hundred
Thousand  (7,500,000)  shares  of  Preferred  Stock,  par  value  $.01 per share
("Preferred Stock")."

     SECOND:  The foregoing  amendment was approved,  in accordance
with Section 242 of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, by the
stockholders  of  the  Corporation,  at  the  Corporation's  annual  meeting  of
stockholders held on June 23, 1999, by stockholders of the Corporation  entitled
to vote thereon holding the requisite  number of shares as prescribed by statute
and by the Certificate of Incorporation for the taking of such action.



<PAGE>



                  IN  WITNESS   WHEREOF,   the   Corporation   has  caused  this
Certificate  to be  signed by its  President  and Chief  Executive  Officer  and
attested to by its Secretary this 22nd day of December, 1999.


                                  /s/ Michael M. Searles
                                  Name:    Michael M. Searles
                                  Title:   President and Chief Executive Officer





Attest:


/s/ Wm. Robert Wright II
Name:  Wm. Robert Wright II
Title:  Secretary




EXHIBIT 10.2








                               FINANCING AGREEMENT





                       The CIT Group/Business Credit, Inc.

                             (as Agent and a Lender)




                                       and

                            Factory 2-U Stores, Inc.

                                  (as Borrower)



                              Dated: March 3, 2000





<PAGE>





                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

                                                                          Page

SECTION 1.     Definitions..................................................1
SECTION 2.     Conditions Precedent........................................13
SECTION 3.     Revolving Loans.............................................16
SECTION 4.     Intentionally Left Blank....................................20
SECTION 5.     Letters of Credit...........................................20
SECTION 6.     Collateral..................................................23
SECTION 7.     Representations, Warranties and Covenants...................25
SECTION 8.     Interest, Fees and Expenses.................................32
SECTION 9.     Powers......................................................36
SECTION 10.    Events of Default and Remedies..............................37
SECTION 11.    Term and Termination........................................40
SECTION 12.    Miscellaneous...............................................41
SECTION 13.    Agreement between the Lenders...............................43
SECTION 14.    Agency......................................................46

                                      -i-

<PAGE>



                  THE CIT GROUP/BUSINESS  CREDIT,  INC., a New York corporation,
(hereinafter  "CITBC"),  with offices  located at 300 South Grand Avenue,  Third
Floor,  Los  Angeles,  California  90071  (CITBC and any other  party  hereafter
becoming a Lender  hereunder  pursuant to Section 13.9 hereof each  individually
sometimes referred to as a "Lender" and collectively,  the "Lenders"), and CITBC
as Agent for the Lenders  (hereinafter  the  "Agent") are pleased to confirm the
terms and conditions under which the Lenders acting through the Agent shall make
revolving loans and other financial  accommodations to FACTORY 2-U STORES, INC.,
a Delaware  corporation  (hereinafter the "Company"),  with a principal place of
business at 4000 Ruffin Road, San Diego, California 92123.

SECTION 1      Definitions

     For purposes of this  Financing  Agreement,  the  following  terms shall be
defined in the following manner:

                  Accounts  shall mean all of the  Company's  now  existing  and
future: (a) accounts (as defined in the U.C.C.), including,  without limitation,
all accounts  created by or arising from all of the Company's  sales of goods or
rendition of services to its customers,  and all accounts  arising from sales or
rendition of services made under any of the Company's trade names or styles,  or
through any of the Company's divisions,  but the term Accounts shall not include
the Company's  landlord  receivables for tenant  improvements  and the Company's
employee stock subscription receivables; (b) Credit Card Receivables (whether or
not specifically  listed on schedules  furnished to the Agent);  (c) any and all
instruments,  documents,  General  Intangibles,  payment  intangibles,  contract
rights  and  chattel  paper  (all as  such  terms  are  defined  in the  U.C.C.)
representing   Accounts;  (d)  unpaid  seller's  rights  (including  rescission,
replevin,  reclamation  and  stoppage in transit)  relating to the  foregoing or
arising therefrom;  (e) rights to any goods represented by any of the foregoing,
including  rights to returned or  repossessed  goods;  (f)  reserves  and credit
balances  arising  hereunder;  (g)  guarantees  or  collateral  for  any  of the
foregoing;  (h) insurance  policies or rights  relating to any of the foregoing;
and (i) cash and non-cash proceeds of any and all the foregoing.

                  Agent Commitment Letter shall mean the commitment letter dated
February 10, 2000, issued by the Agent to, and accepted by, the Company.

                  Anniversary  Date shall have the  meaning set forth in Section
11.1 hereof.

                  Assignment  and Transfer  Agreement  shall mean the Assignment
and Transfer Agreement in the form of Exhibit B hereto.

                                      -1-

<PAGE>

                  Availability  shall  mean at any time the excess of the lesser
of (a)  the  Borrowing  Base  or  (b)  $50,000,000,  over  the  sum  of (x)  the
outstanding  aggregate amount of all Obligations,  including without limitation,
all  Obligations  with respect to Revolving  Loans and Letters of Credit and (y)
the Availability Reserve.

                  Availability  Reserve  shall  mean an amount  equal to any (a)
delinquent sales taxes, (b) delinquent  rental payments for the Company's leased
premises,  and (c) such  other  reserves  as the Agent  deems  necessary  in its
commercially  reasonable  judgment as a result of (i) negative  forecasts and/or
trends in the Company's  business,  profits,  operations or financial  condition
that could  reasonably  be  expected  to have a material  adverse  effect on the
Company  and  its   subsidiaries   taken  as  a  whole  or  (ii)  other  issues,
circumstances,   or  facts  that  could  otherwise  reasonably  be  expected  to
negatively impact the Company,  it's business,  profits,  operations,  financial
condition or assets.

                  Borrowing Base shall mean the sum of (a)  eighty-five  percent
(85%) of the outstanding  Eligible  Accounts  Receivable of the Company plus (b)
the  aggregate  value  of  Eligible  Inventory  (including  Eligible  In-Transit
Inventory)  determined  at the lower of cost or market on a first-in,  first-out
basis multiplied by the Inventory Advance Percentage;  provided that in no event
shall advances  against Eligible  In-Transit  Inventory exceed the lesser of (A)
$5,000,000,  or (B)  forty  percent  (40%) of the  aggregate  value of  Eligible
Inventory.

                  Business  Day shall  mean any day on which  both the Agent and
The Chase Manhattan Bank are open for business.

                  Capital Lease shall mean any lease of property  (whether real,
personal or mixed) which, in conformity with GAAP, is accounted for as a capital
lease on the balance sheet of the Company.

                  Chase Manhattan Rate shall mean the rate of interest per annum
announced  by The Chase  Manhattan  Bank from time to time as its prime  rate in
effect at its principal  office in the City of New York.  (The prime rate is not
intended to be the lowest rate of interest  charged by The Chase  Manhattan Bank
to its borrowers).

                  Closing Date shall mean March 3, 2000.

                  Collateral  shall mean all present and future  Accounts,
 Inventory,  and Other Collateral of the Company.

                  Collateral  Management Fee shall mean, for the initial term of
this Financing  Agreement,  the sum of $105,000 which shall be paid to the Agent
in  accordance  with  Section 8.8 hereof to offset the expenses and costs of the
Agent  in  connection  with  record   keeping,   analyzing  and  evaluating  the
Collateral.  Following

                                      -2-

<PAGE>


 the initial term of this Financing  Agreement,  an annual
Collateral  Management  Fee shall be  established in an amount as agreed between
the Agent and the Company.

                  Consolidated  Balance Sheet shall mean a consolidated  balance
sheet for the Company, prepared in accordance with GAAP and in a form acceptable
to the Agent.

                  Contract  Rate  shall  mean the  applicable  rate of  interest
computed as set forth in Section 8.1 of this Financing Agreement.

                  Credit  Card  Acknowledgments  shall  mean,  individually  and
collectively,  the  agreements by Credit Card Issuers or Credit Card  Processors
who are  parties  to  Credit  Card  Agreements  in favor of Agent  acknowledging
Agent's first priority  security interest in the monies due and to become due to
the Company  (including,  without  limitation,  credits and reserves)  under the
Credit Card Agreements,  and agreeing to transfer such amounts to the Depository
Account established for such purposes, as the same now exist or may hereafter by
amended, modified, supplemented, extended, renewed, restated or replaced.

                  Credit  Card  Agreements  shall  mean  all  agreements  now or
hereafter  entered into by the Company with any Credit Card Issuer or any Credit
Card  Processor,  as the same now exist or may  hereafter be amended,  modified,
supplemented, extended, renewed, restated or replaced.

                  Credit Card Issuer shall mean any person  (including,  without
limitation,  a bank) (other than the Company) who issues or whose  members issue
credit cards, including,  without limitation,  MasterCard or VISA bank credit or
debit  cards or other  bank  credit or debit  cards  issued  through  MasterCard
International,  Inc.,  Visa,  U.S.A.,  Inc. or Visa  International  and American
Express,  Discover, Diners Club, Carte Blanche and other bank or non-bank credit
or debit cards.

                  Credit Card  Processor  shall mean any servicing or processing
agent  or any  factor  or  financial  intermediary  who  facilitates,  services,
processes or manages the credit authorization,  billing, transfer and/or payment
procedures with respect to sales  transactions of the Company  involving  credit
cards or debit card  purchases  by  customers  using credit cards or debit cards
issued by any Credit Card Issuer.

                  Credit  Card  Receivables  shall  mean  collectively,  (a) all
present and future rights of the Company to payment from any Credit Card Issuer,
Credit  Card  Processor  or other  third  party  arising  from sales of goods or
rendition of services to  customers  who have  purchased  such goods or services
using a credit  or debit  card and (b) all  present  and  future  rights  of the
Company to payment from any Credit Card Issuer,  Credit Card  Processor or other
third party in connection with the sale or transfer of Accounts arising pursuant
to the sale of goods or rendition of services to


                                      -3-

<PAGE>


 customers  who have  purchased
such goods or services using a credit card or a debit card.

                  Customarily Permitted Liens shall mean:


                  (a) liens of local or state authorities for franchise or other
like taxes provided the aggregate amount of such liens shall not exceed $250,000
in the aggregate at any one time;

                  (b)  statutory  liens of  landlords  and  liens  of  carriers,
warehousemen,  mechanics,  materialmen  and other  like  liens  imposed  by law,
created in the ordinary course of business and for amounts not yet due (or which
are  being  contested  in  good  faith  by  appropriate   proceedings  or  other
appropriate actions which are sufficient to prevent imminent foreclosure of such
liens)  and  with  respect  to which  adequate  reserves  or  other  appropriate
provisions are being maintained in accordance with GAAP; and

                  (c)  deposits  made (and the liens  thereon)  in the  ordinary
course of business (including, without limitation, security deposits for leases,
surety  bonds  and  appeal  bonds) in  connection  with  workers'  compensation,
unemployment  insurance and other types of social security benefits or to secure
the  performance of tenders,  bids,  contracts  (other than for the repayment or
guarantee  of  borrowed   money  or  purchase  money   obligations),   statutory
obligations  and other  similar  obligations  arising  as a result  of  progress
payments under government contracts.

                  Default  shall mean any event  specified in Section 10 hereof,
whether or not any requirement  for the giving of notice,  the lapse of time, or
both, or any other condition, event or act, has been satisfied.

                  Default  Rate of Interest  shall mean a rate of  interest  per
annum  equal to the lesser of (a) the  Maximum  Legal Rate or (b) the sum of (i)
two percent (2%) and (ii) the applicable Contract Rate based upon the applicable
increment over the Chase Manhattan Rate as determined  under Section 8.1 hereof,
which the Agent on behalf of the Lenders shall be entitled to charge the Company
on all  Obligations due the Agent on behalf of the Lenders by the Company to the
extent provided in Section 10.2 of this Financing Agreement.  Agent on behalf of
Lenders  acknowledges  that no "breakage fee" will be charged to Borrower in the
event  that  Agent  converts  the  interest  rate on a  Libor  Loan to a rate of
interest based on the Chase Manhattan Rate as the result of an Event of Default.

                  Depository  Accounts  shall  have  the  meaning  specified  in
Section 3.4 hereof.

                                      -4-

<PAGE>

                  Documentation   Fee  shall  mean  the  Agent's  standard  fees
relating  to  any  and  all  modifications,  waivers,  releases,  amendments  or
additional  collateral with respect to this Financing Agreement,  the Collateral
and/or the Obligations.

                  Documents of Title shall mean all present and future documents
(as defined in the U.C.C.) including, without limitation all warehouse receipts,
bills of lading,  shipping  documents,  chattel paper,  instruments  and similar
documents,  all whether  negotiable or not and all goods and Inventory  relating
thereto and all cash and non-cash proceeds of the foregoing.

                  Early  Termination  Date  shall mean any date  (other  than an
Anniversary  Date) on  which  this  Financing  Agreement  or the Line of  Credit
(including the Letter of Credit Sub-Line) is terminated.

                  Early  Termination  Fee  shall:  (a) mean the fee the Agent is
entitled  to charge the Company in the event the Line of Credit  (including  the
Letter of Credit  Sub-Line) or this Financing  Agreement is terminated on a date
prior to an Anniversary  Date; and (b) be determined by multiplying  the Line of
Credit  (including  the Letter of Credit  Sub-Line) by (i) one percent (1.0%) if
the Early  Termination Date occurs on or prior to one (1) year after the Closing
Date,  and (ii) one-half  percent  (0.5%) if the Early  Termination  Date occurs
after one (1) year after the  Closing  Date but prior to two (2) years after the
Closing Date.

                  EBITDA shall mean,  for any period,  all  earnings  before all
interest,  tax  obligations,  depreciation  and  amortization  expense  for said
period,  all determined in accordance  with GAAP on a basis  consistent with the
latest audited  financial  statements of the Company but excluding noncash stock
option compensation charges and the effect of extraordinary and/or non-recurring
gains or losses for such period.

                  Eligible  Accounts  Receivable  shall mean the gross amount of
the  Company's  Credit  Card  Receivables  that are  subject  to a valid,  first
priority and fully perfected  security  interest in favor of the Agent on behalf
of  the  Lenders,  less,  without  duplication,  the  sum of  (a)  any  returns,
discounts,  claims, credits and allowances of any nature (whether issued, owing,
granted or outstanding),  (b) accounts that remain unpaid for more than ten (10)
days  from  the  date of the  transaction,  and  (c)  reserves  for (i)  amounts
representing historic returns,  discounts,  claims, credits and allowances,  and
(ii)  amounts as deemed  necessary  by the Agent in the  exercise of  reasonable
business judgment and which are customary in the commercial finance industry.

                  Eligible  In-Transit  Inventory shall mean the gross amount of
the  Company's  Eligible  Inventory  which is in  transit  to and/or  from third
parties  with  respect to which the  Company  has title and that is subject to a
valid,  first  priority and fully  perfected  security  interest in favor of the
Agent on behalf of the Lenders and which  conforms to the  warranties  contained
herein and which at all times  continues  to

                                      -5-


<PAGE>

 be  acceptable  to the Agent in the
exercise of its reasonable  business judgment,  less, without  duplication,  (a)
goods in transit to and from third parties  (other than the Company's  agents or
warehouses)  with  respect  to which  there  exists  no  proof of the  Company's
ownership  thereof  reasonably  acceptable  to  the  Agent  in  conformity  with
commercial  finance  industry  standards,  (b)  Inventory  in  possession  of  a
warehouseman,  bailee or other third party unless such  warehouseman,  bailee or
third party has executed a notice of security  interest  agreement  (in form and
substance  satisfactory  to the Agent) and the Agent has taken all other  action
required to perfect its security  interest in such  Inventory,  (c) Inventory in
transit in excess of thirty (30) days, and (d) Inventory at vendors.

                  Eligible   Inventory  shall  mean  the  gross  amount  of  the
Company's  Inventory  that is  subject  to a valid,  first  priority  and  fully
perfected  security  interest in favor of the Agent on behalf of the Lenders and
which  conforms  to the  warranties  contained  herein  and  which at all  times
continues  to be  acceptable  to the  Agent in the  exercise  of its  reasonable
business judgment,  including the Eligible In-Transit  Inventory,  less, without
duplication, any (a) work-in-process, (b) supplies, (c) goods not present in the
United  States of America,  (d) goods  returned  or  rejected  by the  Company's
customers  other than  goods that are  undamaged  and  resaleable  in the normal
course of business,  (e) goods to be returned to the  Company's  suppliers,  (f)
goods in transit to and from third parties  (other than the Company's  agents or
warehouses)  with  respect  to which  there  exists  no  proof of the  Company's
ownership  thereof  reasonably  acceptable  to  the  Agent  in  conformity  with
commercial  finance  industry  standards,  (g)  Inventory  in  possession  of  a
warehouseman,  bailee or other third party unless such  warehouseman,  bailee or
third party has executed a notice of security  interest  agreement  (in form and
substance  satisfactory  to the Agent) and the Agent has taken all other  action
required  to  perfect  its  security  interest  in such  Inventory,  and (h) any
reserves  required by the Agent in its  reasonable  discretion for special order
goods, market value declines, shrinkage, slow-moving, damaged or obsolete goods,
and bill and hold (deferred  shipment) or  consignment  sales to the extent that
Company has not already taken reserves for such in its reports to Agent.

                  Equipment  shall  mean  all  present  and  hereafter  acquired
equipment  (as  defined  in  the  U.C.C.)  including,  without  limitation,  all
machinery, equipment, furnishings and fixtures, and all additions, substitutions
and  replacements  thereof,  wherever  located,  together with all  attachments,
components,  parts,  equipment  and  accessories  installed  thereon  or affixed
thereto and all proceeds of whatever sort.

                  ERISA shall mean the Employee  Retirement  Income Security Act
of 1974, as amended from time to time and the rules and regulations  promulgated
thereunder from time to time.


                                      -6-


<PAGE>

                  Event(s)  of  Default  shall  have the  meaning  provided  for
in  Section 10  of this  Financing Agreement.

                  Executive Officers shall mean the Chairman,  President,  Chief
Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer,  Chief Financial Officer,  Executive
Vice President(s), Senior Vice President(s), Treasurer, Controller and Secretary
of the Company.

                  Financing Agreement,  hereof,  hereto,  hereunder and words of
similar  meaning shall mean this Financing  Agreement  including any exhibits or
schedules,  as such  Financing  Agreement  may  from  time  to time be  amended,
modified or supplemented.

                  GAAP shall mean generally  accepted  accounting  principles in
the United  States of America as in effect  from time to time and for the period
as to which such accounting principles are to apply.

                  General  Intangibles  shall have the  meaning set forth in the
U.C.C.  and shall  include,  without  limitation,  all present and future right,
title and  interest in and to all trade  names,  Trademarks  (together  with the
goodwill associated therewith),  Patents, licenses, customer lists, distribution
agreements, supply agreements,  indemnification rights and tax refunds, together
with all  monies and claims  for  monies  now or  hereafter  due and  payable in
connection  with any of the  foregoing or  otherwise,  and all cash and non-cash
proceeds thereof.

                  Indebtedness shall mean, without duplication, all liabilities,
contingent or otherwise,  which are any of the  following:  (a)  obligations  in
respect of money  (borrowed or otherwise) or for the deferred  purchase price of
property,  services or assets,  other than Inventory,  or (b) lease  obligations
which, in accordance with GAAP, have been, or which should be capitalized.

                  Inventory  shall  mean  all  of  the  Company's   present  and
hereafter  acquired  inventory  (as defined in the U.C.C.),  and all  additions,
substitutions  and replacements  thereof,  wherever  located,  together with all
General  Intangibles  and materials used or usable in  processing,  packaging or
shipping same and all cash and noncash proceeds thereof.

                  Inventory  Advance  Percentage  shall  mean the  lesser of (a)
seventy percent (70%) of the aggregate value of Eligible Inventory or (b) ninety
percent  (90%)  of the Net  Orderly  Liquidation  Value  of the  Inventory  as a
percentage of the total  Inventory as  determined  by the most recent  Inventory
appraisal, as provided for in Section 7.13 hereof.


                                      -7-

<PAGE>

                  Investment  Property  shall mean all of the Company's  present
and hereafter acquired securities, securities entitlements,  securities accounts
and other investment property (as such terms are defined in the U.C.C.).

                  Issuing Bank shall mean the bank issuing Letters of Credit for
the account of the Company.

                  Letters  of Credit  shall mean all  letters  of credit  issued
hereunder  with the  assistance  of the Agent on behalf  of the  Lenders  by the
Issuing Bank for or on behalf of the Company.

                  Letter of Credit Guaranty shall mean the guaranty delivered by
the  Agent  on  behalf  of the  Lenders  to the  Issuing  Bank of the  Company's
reimbursement  obligation  under the  Issuing  Bank's  reimbursement  agreement,
application for letter of credit or other like document.

                  Letter of Credit  Guaranty Fee shall mean the fee the Agent on
behalf of the Lenders may charge the Company under Section 8.3 of this Financing
Agreement for: (a) issuing the Letter of Credit Guaranty or (b) otherwise aiding
the Company in obtaining Letters of Credit.

                  Letter  of  Credit  Sub-Line  shall  mean  $5,000,000  in  the
aggregate.

                  Libor shall mean at any time of determination,  and subject to
availability,  for each  Libor  Period,  the  highest of the  applicable  London
Interbank  Offered rate paid in London on dollar  deposits  from other banks for
such Libor Period as (a) quoted by The Chase Manhattan Bank, (b) published under
"Money  Rates" in the New York City  edition  of the Wall  Street  Journal or if
there is no such  publication  or  statement  therein  as to  Libor  then in any
publication  used in the New York City financial  community or (c) determined by
the Agent based upon  information  presented on Telerate Systems at Page 3750 as
of 11:00 a.m. (London Time).

                  Libor Loan shall mean that portion of the Revolving  Loans for
which the Company has elected to use Libor for interest rate computations.

                  Libor  Period  shall mean the Libor for one month,  two month,
three month or six month U.S. dollar deposits, as selected by the Company.

                  Line of Credit  shall mean the  commitment  of the  Lenders to
make Revolving  Loans  pursuant to Section 3 of this Financing  Agreement and to
assist the  Company in opening  Letters of Credit  pursuant to Section 5 of this
Financing Agreement, in the aggregate amount of up to $50,000,000.

                                      -8-


<PAGE>


                  Line of Credit  Fee  shall  mean the fee due the Agent for the
benefit  of the  Lenders  at the  end of each  month  for  the  Line of  Credit,
determined by multiplying the difference  between (a) the Line of Credit and (b)
the sum of (i) the average daily  balance of the  Revolving  Loans plus (ii) the
average daily balance of Letters of Credit for said month by one-eighth  percent
(0.125%) per annum for the number of days in said month.

                  Loan  Facility Fee shall mean the fee payable to the Agent for
the benefit of the Lenders in accordance  with,  and pursuant to, the provisions
of Section 8.7 of this Financing Agreement.

                  Maximum  Legal  Rate  shall mean the  highest  maximum  lawful
interest rate which may be contracted for, charged,  taken, received or reserved
under this  Financing  Agreement by the Agent  and/or the Lenders in  accordance
with applicable  state or federal law, taking into account all items  contracted
for,  charged or received in connection  with the Obligations  evidenced  hereby
which are treated as interest under the applicable state or federal law, as such
rate may change from time to time.

                  Net   Orderly   Liquidation   Value  shall  mean  the  orderly
liquidation  value,  as  determined  pursuant  to  Section  7.13  hereof,  after
deduction of associated costs, fees and liquidation expenses.

                  Obligations  shall mean all loans and  advances  made or to be
made by the Agent  and/or  the  Lenders  to the  Company  or to  others  for the
Company's  account  (including,  without  limitation,  all  Revolving  Loans and
Letters of Credit);  any and all indebtedness  and obligations  which may at any
time be owing by the  Company  to the Agent  and/or the  Lenders  and that arise
under this Financing Agreement, as it may be amended,  renewed,  supplemented or
otherwise  modified  from time to time,  whether now in existence or incurred by
the Company from time to time hereafter; whether secured by pledge, lien upon or
security  interest in any of the  Company's  assets or property or the assets or
property  of any  other  person,  firm,  entity  or  corporation;  whether  such
indebtedness is absolute or contingent,  joint or several, matured or unmatured,
direct or indirect  and  whether  the Company is liable to the Agent  and/or the
Lenders for such  indebtedness  as  principal,  surety,  endorser,  guarantor or
otherwise. Obligations shall also include indebtedness owing to the Agent and/or
the Lenders by the Company  under this  Financing  Agreement  or under any other
agreement or arrangement  now or hereafter  entered into between the Company and
the Agent and/or the Lenders relating to this Financing Agreement;  indebtedness
or  obligations  incurred  by, or imposed on, the Agent  and/or the Lenders as a
result of  environmental  claims (other than as a result of actions of the Agent
and/or the Lenders)  arising out of the Company's  operation,  premises or waste
disposal  practices or sites;  the  Company's  liability to the Agent and/or the
Lenders as maker or endorser on any promissory note or other  instrument for the
payment of money; the Company's


                                      -9-

<PAGE>

  liability to the Agent and/or the Lenders under
any  instrument  of  guaranty  or  indemnity,  or  arising  under any  guaranty,
endorsement or undertaking  which the Agent and/or the Lenders may make or issue
to others for the Company's account,  including any accommodation  extended with
respect to  applications  for  Letters of Credit,  the Agent's (on behalf of the
Lenders)  acceptance  of  drafts  or the  Agent's  (on  behalf  of the  Lenders)
endorsement of notes or other instruments for the Company's account and benefit.

                  Other  Collateral  shall mean (a) all now owned and  hereafter
acquired  deposit  accounts  maintained  by or on behalf of the Company with any
bank or financial institution in which any proceeds of the Accounts or Inventory
are  deposited;  (b) all of the Company's  cash and other monies and property in
the  possession  or control  of the Agent  and/or  the  Lenders;  (c) all of the
Company's  books,  records,  ledger  cards,  disks and related  data  processing
software at any time evidencing or containing information relating to any of the
Collateral  or  otherwise  necessary  or  helpful in the  collection  thereof or
realization thereon; and (d) all cash and non-cash proceeds of the foregoing.

                  Out-of-Pocket  Expenses shall mean all of the Agent's  present
and future  expenses  incurred  relative to this  Financing  Agreement,  whether
incurred  heretofore or hereafter,  which expenses shall include,  without being
limited to, the cost of record  searches,  all appraisal fees, third party field
examination  fees, all costs and expenses  incurred by the Agent in opening bank
accounts,  depositing checks,  receiving and transferring funds, and any charges
imposed on the Agent and/or the Lenders due to "insufficient funds" of deposited
checks and the Agent's and/or the Lenders'  standard fee relating  thereto,  any
amounts  paid by the Agent on behalf of the  Lenders,  incurred by or charged to
the Agent on behalf of the  Lenders  by the  Issuing  Bank  under the  Letter of
Credit Guaranty or the Company's reimbursement agreement, application for letter
of credit or other like document which pertain either  directly or indirectly to
such Letters of Credit, and the Agent's standard fees relating to the Letters of
Credit and any drafts  thereunder,  travel,  lodging and similar expenses of the
Agent's  personnel  inspecting and  monitoring the Collateral  from time to time
hereunder,  local  counsel  fees,  fees and  taxes  relative  to the  filing  of
financing  statements,  and all attorneys'  fees,  expenses,  costs and fees set
forth in Section 10.3 of this Financing Agreement.

                  Patents shall mean all present and hereafter  acquired patents
and/or patent rights of the Company and all cash and non-cash proceeds thereof.

                  Permitted  Encumbrances  shall mean: (a) liens existing on the
date hereof on specific  items of Equipment and listed on Schedule 1 hereto (but
only to the extent such liens do not  encumber the  Collateral)  and other liens
expressly permitted, or consented to, by the Agent; (b) Permitted Purchase Money
Liens;  (c) Customarily  Permitted  Liens;  (d) liens created in connection with
sale  leasebacks or loans secured

                                      -10-


<PAGE>

 by the Company's  equipment to the extent that
such transactions constitute Permitted Indebtedness hereunder; (e) liens granted
the Agent by the Company; (f) liens of judgment creditors provided such liens do
not exceed, in the aggregate,  at any time, $200,000 (other than liens bonded or
insured to the reasonable  satisfaction  of the Agent);  and (g) liens for taxes
not yet due and payable or which are being diligently contested in good faith by
the Company by appropriate  proceedings  for which the Company has posted a bond
in the  required  amount  or  otherwise  has  taken  action  necessary  to  stay
enforcement  of such  lien.  In no event  shall any  Collateral  be  subject  to
foreclosure  proceedings or, in the Agent's  discretion,  subject to any loss of
perfection or priority in favor of the Agent and/or the Lenders.

                  Permitted  Indebtedness  shall mean (a)  current  indebtedness
maturing in less than one year and incurred in the  ordinary  course of business
for raw  materials,  supplies,  equipment,  services,  taxes or  labor;  (b) the
indebtedness  secured by the Permitted  Purchase Money Liens;  (c)  indebtedness
arising under the Letters of Credit and this Financing  Agreement;  (d) deferred
taxes and other  expenses  incurred  in the  ordinary  course of  business;  (e)
Subordinated Debt, if unsecured and subject to a subordination agreement in form
and substance  satisfactory  to the Agent;  (f)  indebtedness  arising from sale
leaseback transactions or loans secured by the Company's equipment,  but only if
(i)  the  Company  gives  prior  written  notice  to  the  Agent  of  each  such
transaction,  (ii) an Event of Default has not occurred and is continuing at the
time any such  transaction  is entered into,  (iii) such  indebtedness  does not
exceed the cost of the Company's  equipment  being given as collateral  for such
indebtedness, and (iv) the transaction does not involve the Company's intangible
assets  (including,  but not  limited  to,  trademarks,  trade  names  and trade
styles);  and (g) other  indebtedness  existing on the date of execution of this
Financing  Agreement and listed in the most recent financial statement delivered
to the Agent and the Lenders or otherwise disclosed to the Agent in writing; and
(h) indebtedness secured by liens on real estate acquired after the date of this
Financing  Agreement,  provided that (i) each such lien shall attach only to the
real estate  acquired,  (ii) the aggregate amount of such real estate debt shall
not, at any time,  exceed  $10,000,000,  (iii) the Company  shall give the Agent
prior written  notice before  incurring any such real estate  indebtedness,  and
(iv) no Event of Default  shall have  occurred and be continuing at the time the
Company incurs any such indebtedness.

                  Permitted Purchase Money Liens shall mean liens on any item of
equipment acquired after the date of this Financing  Agreement provided that (a)
each such lien shall attach only to the item(s) of equipment to be acquired, (b)
the Company shall give the Agent prior written notice before  incurring any such
indebtedness,  and (c) no Event of Default shall have occurred and be continuing
at the time the Company incurs any such indebtedness.

                                      -11-

<PAGE>


                  Required  Lenders  shall mean Lenders  holding more than fifty
percent  (50%) of the  outstanding  loans,  advances,  extensions  of credit and
commitments to the Company hereunder.

                  Revolving  Loans shall mean the loans and advances made,  from
time to time, to or for the account of the Company by the Agent on behalf of the
Lenders pursuant to Section 3 of this Financing Agreement.

                  Revolving  Loan  Account  shall have the meaning  specified in
Section 3.6 hereof.

                  Revolving Loan  Promissory Note shall mean the promissory note
in the  form of  Exhibit  A hereto  executed  by the  Company  to  evidence  the
Revolving  Loans  made by the  Agent on  behalf of the  Lenders  to the  Company
pursuant to Section 3 hereof.

                  Settlement  Date  shall  mean  the  date,   weekly,  and  more
frequently,  at the discretion of the Agent,  upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default or a  continuing  decline or  increase of the  Revolving  Loans that the
Agent and the Lenders  shall  settle  amongst  themselves  so that (a) the Agent
shall not have, as Agent,  any money at risk and (b) on such Settlement Date the
Lenders  shall have a pro rata  amount of all  outstanding  Revolving  Loans and
Letters of Credit,  provided that each  Settlement  Date for a Lender shall be a
Business Day on which such Lender and its bank are open for business.

                  Subordinated Debt shall mean unsecured debt due (and the notes
evidencing such) which has been subordinated,  by a Subordination  Agreement (in
form and substance  reasonably  satisfactory to the Agent), to the prior payment
and  satisfaction  of the  Obligations  of the  Company to the Agent  and/or the
Lenders,  including  without  limitation  the debt of the  Company  to  American
Endeavour Fund Ltd. and Landmark Secondary Partners IX, L.P., or their permitted
assigns.

                  Subordination  Agreement  shall mean the  agreement  among the
Company,  the then holder of  Subordinated  Debt and the Agent pursuant to which
Subordinated  Debt of such  holder  is  subordinated  to the prior  payment  and
satisfaction of the Company's  Obligations to the Agent and the Lenders (in form
and substance reasonably satisfactory to the Agent).

                  Tangible Net Worth shall mean,  as  determined  in  accordance
with GAAP, the difference  between (i) the assets of the Company after deducting
adequate  reserves  in each  case  where,  a  reserve  is  proper  and  (ii) all
Indebtedness of the Company other than  Subordinated  Debt;  provided,  however,
that  notwithstanding  the foregoing in no event shall there be included as such
assets:  intangibles,  goodwill, patents,  trademarks,  trade names, copyrights,
licenses,  goodwill,   receivables  from


                                      -12-

<PAGE>


 affiliates,   directors,  officers  or
employees,  deferred charges or treasury stock or any securities or Indebtedness
of the Company or any other securities unless the same are readily marketable in
the United States of America or entitled to be used as a credit against  federal
income tax liabilities, and any other assets designated from time to time by the
Agent, in its reasonable credit judgment.

                  Trademarks  shall  mean all  present  and  hereafter  acquired
trademarks  and/or  trademark  rights  (together  with the  goodwill  associated
therewith) and all cash and non-cash proceeds thereof.

                  U.C.C.  shall mean the  Uniform  Commercial  Code as in effect
from time to time in the State of  California.  Terms  defined by reference to
the U.C.C.  in this  Financing  Agreement  shall be deemed  amended  without
any action of the parties hereto when the U.C.C.  is amended,  including
without  limitation when revised Division 9 of the U.C.C. becomes
effective on July 1, 2001.

SECTION 2      Conditions Precedent

2.1 The  obligation  of the Agent and the  Lenders  to make loans  hereunder  is
subject  to  the  satisfaction  of,  or  waiver  of,  immediately  prior  to  or
concurrently with the making of such loans, the following conditions precedent:

     (a) Lien Searches - The Agent shall have received tax, judgment and Uniform
Commercial Code searches  satisfactory to the Agent for all locations  presently
occupied or used by the Company.

     (b)  Casualty  Insurance - The Company  shall have  delivered  to the Agent
evidence  reasonably  satisfactory to the Agent that casualty insurance policies
listing the Agent,  for the benefit of the Lenders,  as loss payee or mortgagee,
as the case may be,  are in full force and  effect,  all as set forth in Section
7.5 of this Financing Agreement.

     (c) UCC Filings - Any documents  (including without  limitation,  financing
statements)  required to be filed in order to create,  in favor of the Agent for
the benefit of the Lenders a first and exclusive  perfected security interest in
the  Collateral  (subject to  Permitted  Encumbrances)  with  respect to which a
security interest may be perfected by a filing under the U.C.C.  shall have been
properly filed in each office in each  jurisdiction  required in order to create
in favor of the Agent for the  benefit of the  Lenders a  perfected  lien on the
Collateral.  The Agent  shall have  received  acknowledgment  copies of all such
filings  (or, in lieu  thereof,  the Agent shall have  received  other  evidence
satisfactory  to the Agent that all such filings have been made);  and the Agent
shall have received  evidence  that all  necessary  filing fees and all taxes or
other expenses related to such filings have been paid in full.

                                      -13-

<PAGE>

     (d) Opinion - Counsel for the Company shall have  delivered to the Agent an
opinion satisfactory to counsel for the Agent opining, inter alia, that, subject
to the (i) filing,  priority and remedies  provisions of the Uniform  Commercial
Code, (ii) the provisions of the Bankruptcy Code,  insolvency  statutes or other
like laws, (iii) the equity powers of a court of law and (iv) such other matters
as may be agreed upon with the Agent: (A) this Financing Agreement and all other
loan documents of the Company are (1) valid,  binding and enforceable  according
to their  terms,  (2) are duly  authorized  and (3) do not  violate  any  terms,
provisions,  representations  or  covenants  in the  charter  or  by-laws of the
Company  or,  to the best  knowledge  of such  counsel,  of any loan  agreement,
mortgage,  deed of trust,  note,  security or pledge  agreement  or indenture to
which the  Company  is a  signatory  or by which the  Company  or its assets are
bound;  and (B) the provisions of all federal and state  securities laws and the
Hart-Scott-Rodino  Anti-Trust  Improvements Act have been fully complied with or
that compliance is not legally required.

     (e) Additional Documents - The Company shall have executed and delivered to
the Agent all loan  documents  necessary to consummate  the lending  arrangement
contemplated hereunder.

     (f)  Subordination  Agreements  - American  Endeavour  Fund Ltd.,  Landmark
Secondary Partners IX, L.P. and any other holder of Subordinated Debt shall have
executed  and  delivered  to the Agent a  Subordination  Agreement,  in form and
substance satisfactory to the Agent,  subordinating the debt due to each of them
by the Company to the prior payment and  satisfaction  of the Obligations of the
Company to the Agent and/or the Lenders.

     (g) Landlord Waivers - The Agent shall have received  satisfactory landlord
waivers from Ruffin San Diego Corporation and Pacific Gulf Properties.

     (h) Bailee Agreements - The Agent shall have received  satisfactory  bailee
agreements from FMI International and Streamline Shippers Association.

     (i)  Board  Resolution  - The  Agent  shall  have  received  a copy  of the
resolutions of the Board of Directors of the Company  authorizing the execution,
delivery and performance of this Financing Agreement any related agreements,  in
each case  certified by the Secretary or Assistant  Secretary of the Company (as
the case may be) as of the  date  hereof,  together  with a  certificate  of the
Secretary  or  Assistant  Secretary  of the  Company  as to the  incumbency  and
signature  of the  officers of the Company  executing  such  agreements  and any
certificate or other documents to be delivered by them pursuant hereto, together
with evidence of the incumbency of such Secretary or Assistant Secretary.

                                      -14-

<PAGE>

     (j)  Corporate  Organization  - The Agent shall have received (i) a copy of
the Certificate of  Incorporation  of the Company  certified by the Secretary of
State of its  incorporation,  and (ii) a copy of the By-Laws (as amended through
the  date  hereof)  of the  Company  certified  by the  Secretary  or  Assistant
Secretary of the Company.

     (k)  Officer's  Certificate  - The Agent  shall have  received  an executed
Officer's Certificate of the Company,  satisfactory in form and substance to the
Agent,  certifying that (i) the representations and warranties  contained herein
are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof; (ii)
the  Company is in  compliance  with all of the terms and  provisions  set forth
herein; and (iii) no Default or Event of Default has occurred.

     (l) Absence of Default and Material  Adverse Change - No Default,  Event of
Default  or  material  adverse  change  in the  financial  condition,  business,
prospects, profits, operations or assets of the Company shall have occurred.

     (m)  Legal  Restraints/Litigation  - At  the  date  of  execution  of  this
Financing  Agreement,  there  shall  be  no  (i)  litigation,  investigation  or
proceeding  (judicial  or  administrative)  pending or  threatened  against  the
Company or its assets,  by any agency,  division  or  department  of any county,
city, state or federal government arising out of this Financing Agreement,  (ii)
injunction,   writ  or  restraining   order   restraining  or  prohibiting   the
consummation  of the financing  arrangements  contemplated  under this Financing
Agreement  or  (iii)  to the  best  knowledge  of  the  Company,  suit,  action,
investigation or proceeding  (judicial or administrative)  pending or threatened
against  the  Company  or its  assets,  which,  in the  opinion  of the Agent if
adversely  determined  could have a  material  adverse  effect on the  business,
operation, assets, financial condition or Collateral of the Company.

     (n)  Disbursement  Authorization  - The Company shall have delivered to the
Agent  all   information   necessary  for  the  Agent  to  issue  wire  transfer
instructions  on behalf of the  Company for the  initial  and  subsequent  loans
and/or  advances to be made under this Financing  Agreement  including,  but not
limited to, disbursement authorizations in form acceptable to the Agent.

     (o)  Examination  &  Verification  - The Agent shall have  completed to the
satisfaction  of the Agent an  examination  and  verification  of the  Accounts,
Inventory, and books and records of the Company which examination shall indicate
that, after giving effect to all loans,  advances and extensions of credit to be
made at closing,  the Company shall have an opening  additional  Availability of
not less than  $10,000,000  all as more fully  required by the Agent  Commitment
Letter.  It is understood  that such  requirement  contemplates  that all debts,
obligations and payables are current.


                                      -15-

<PAGE>

     (p) Cash Budget  Projections - The Agent shall have received,  reviewed and
be satisfied with a 12 month cash budget  projection  prepared by the Company in
the form provided by the Agent.

     (q)  Depository  Accounts - The Company shall have  established a system of
bank  accounts  with  respect to the  collection  of Accounts and the deposit of
proceeds of Inventory  and other  Collateral as shall be acceptable to the Agent
in all respects. In addition,  the Company, the applicable financial institution
holding  the  Depositary  Account,  and the  Agent  shall  (and any such  future
financial  institution shall in the future) enter into such blockage and control
agreements as may be acceptable to Agent.

     (r) Existing Revolving Credit Agreement - (i) The Company's existing credit
agreement with FINOVA Capital  Corporation  shall be terminated,  (ii) all loans
and  obligations  of the Company  thereunder  shall be paid or satisfied in full
utilizing  the  proceeds  of the initial  Revolving  Loans to be made under this
Financing  Agreement,  and (iii) all liens upon or security interest in favor of
FINOVA Capital  Corporation in connection  therewith shall be terminated  and/or
released upon such payment.

     (s) The Agent Commitment Letter - The Company shall have fully complied, to
the satisfaction of the Agent, with all of the terms and conditions of the Agent
Commitment Letter.

     (t) Credit  Card  Acknowledgments  and Credit Card  Agreements  - The Agent
shall have  received,  in form and  content  acceptable  to it, the Credit  Card
Acknowledgments and the Credit Card Agreements.

2.2 Upon the execution of this Financing Agreement and the initial  disbursement
of loans hereunder,  all of the above Conditions  Precedent set forth in Section
2.1 shall have been deemed  satisfied  except as the Company and the Agent shall
otherwise agree in a separate writing.

SECTION 3      Revolving Loans

3.1 The Lenders  agree,  subject to the terms and  conditions of this  Financing
Agreement  from time to time,  and within the  Availability,  but subject to the
Lenders' right to make "overadvances", to make loans and advances to the Company
on a revolving  basis (i.e.  subject to the  limitations  set forth herein,  the
Company may borrow,  repay and re-borrow  Revolving  Loans).  Each request shall
constitute, unless otherwise disclosed in writing to the Agent and the Lenders a
representation  and  warranty by the  Company  that after  giving  effect to the
requested  advance,  no  Default  or  Event of  Default  has  occurred  and such
requested Revolving Loan is within the Availability.  All requests for loans and
advances  must be  received  by an officer of the

                                      -16-


<PAGE>

 Agent no later than 1:00 p.m.,
New York  time,  of the  Business  Day on which  such  loans  and  advances  are
required.  Should the Agent for any reason honor requests for advances in excess
of  the  limitations  set  forth  herein,  such  advances  shall  be  considered
"overadvances" and shall be made in the Agent's sole discretion,  subject to any
additional terms the Agent deems necessary.

3.2 In  furtherance of the  continuing  assignment and security  interest in the
Company's Accounts, the Company will, upon the creation of Accounts, execute and
deliver  to the  Agent in such  form and  manner  as the  Agent  may  reasonably
require,   solely  for  the  Agent's   convenience  in  maintaining  records  of
Collateral,  such confirmatory schedules of Accounts as the Agent may reasonably
request,  and  such  other  appropriate  reports  designating,  identifying  and
describing the Accounts as the Agent may reasonably require.  In addition,  upon
the  Agent's  request  the  Company  shall  provide  the  Agent  with  copies of
agreements  (including Credit Card Agreements) and such other  documentation and
information  relating to said  Accounts  and other  Collateral  as the Agent may
reasonably require. Failure to provide the Agent with any of the foregoing shall
in no way affect,  diminish,  modify or otherwise  limit the security  interests
granted herein.  The Company hereby authorizes the Agent to regard the Company's
printed name or rubber stamp  signature on  assignment  schedules or invoices as
the equivalent of a manual signature by one of the Company's authorized officers
or agents.

3.3 The  Company  hereby  represents  and  warrants  that:  (a) each Credit Card
Receivable  is based on an actual  and bona fide sale and  delivery  of goods or
rendition of services to customers,  made by the Company in the ordinary  course
of its business;  (b) the Inventory  being sold and the Credit Card  Receivables
created are the  exclusive  property of the Company and are not and shall not be
subject to any lien, consignment arrangement,  encumbrance, security interest or
financing statement whatsoever,  other than the Permitted Encumbrances;  (c) the
invoices evidencing such Credit Card Receivables are in the name of the Company;
and (d) the  customers of the Company have  accepted the goods or services,  owe
and are  obligated to pay the full amounts  stated in the invoices  according to
their terms, without dispute,  offset,  defense,  counterclaim or contra, except
for disputes and other matters arising in the ordinary  course of business.  The
Company  confirms  to the Agent that any and all taxes or fees  relating  to its
business,  its sales,  the  Accounts  or goods  relating  thereto,  are its sole
responsibility  and that same will be paid by the Company when due and that none
of said taxes or fees  represent a lien on or claim  against the  Accounts.  The
Company also  warrants  and  represents  that it is a duly and validly  existing
corporation and is qualified in all states where the failure to so qualify would
have a adverse  effect on the  business  of the  Company  or the  ability of the
Company to enforce  collection of Accounts due from  customers  residing in that
state. The Company agrees to maintain such books and records regarding  Accounts
as the Agent may reasonably require and agrees that the books and records of the
Company will reflect the Agent's interest in

                                      -17-

<PAGE>


the Accounts.  All of the books and
records of the Company will be available  to the Agent upon  reasonable  advance
notice during normal business hours (except that no advance notice need be given
if an Event of Default or Default  has  occurred  and has not been waived by the
Agent  or  cured  as  allowed  hereunder),  including  any  records  handled  or
maintained for the Company by any other company or entity.

3.4 All checks,  cash,  notes or other  instruments or property  received by the
Companies from collections on Accounts or from the sale or other  disposition of
Inventory  and Other  Collateral  shall be held by the  Company in trust for the
benefit of the Agent and Lenders, separate from the Company's other property and
funds and shall  immediately  be  deposited  in the  Depository  Accounts.  Such
Depository  Accounts  shall  be  subject  to  blockage  and  control  agreements
satisfactory to Agent.

         The Company may and will enforce, collect and receive all amounts owing
on the Accounts and/or received from sales or other dispositions of Inventory at
the  Company's  expense,  and may manage and  direct  its  Depository  Accounts;
however, such privilege shall terminate automatically upon the institution by or
against the Company of any proceeding under any bankruptcy or insolvency law or,
at the  election of the Agent in its sole  discretion:  (x) if the  Availability
(computed without regard to the $50,000,000 Line of Credit maximum Availability)
is at any time less than $10,000,000 and at all times thereafter until such time
the Company  maintains  minimum  Availability  (computed  without  regard to the
$50,000,000 Line of Credit maximum  Availability) of $10,000,000 for a period of
ninety (90) days,  or (y) upon the  occurrence of any other Event of Default and
until  such  Event of  Default is waived in writing by the Agent or cured to the
Agent's satisfaction.

         Upon the  occurrence  of an event under (x) or (y)  immediately  above,
Agent shall have the right, at its option, to notify the financial  institutions
where such  Depository  Accounts  are located and  institute  its  blockage  and
control  rights  with  respect  to  such  Depository  Accounts.  If the  Company
thereafter  maintains an Availability  of more than  $10,000,000 for a period of
not less than  ninety (90)  consecutive  days or, if  applicable,  such Event of
default  has been  waived  in  writing  by the  Agent  or  cured to the  Agent's
satisfaction,  upon the Company's  request,  Agent will authorize the Company to
manage and direct such Depository Accounts.

         All   amounts   received   by  the  Agent  in   payment   of   Accounts
("Collections")  will be  credited  to the  Company's  account  upon the Agent's
receipt of "good funds" at the Agent's bank account in New York, New York on the
Business  Day of receipt  if  received  no later  than 1:00 p.m.  or on the next
succeeding  Business Day if received after 1:00 p.m. No checks,  drafts or other
instrument  received by the Agent shall  constitute  final  payment to the Agent
unless and until such instruments have actually been collected.

                                      -18-


<PAGE>

3.5 The Company  agrees to notify the Agent  promptly of any matters  materially
affecting the value,  enforceability or collectibility of any Account and of all
material  customer  disputes,   offsets,   defenses,   counterclaims,   returns,
rejections  and all reclaimed or repossessed  merchandise or goods.  The Company
agrees to issue credit  memoranda  promptly  (with  duplicates to the Agent upon
request after the occurrence of an Event of Default) upon  accepting  returns or
granting allowances,  and may continue to do so until the Agent has notified the
Company  that an Event of Default has  occurred  and that all future  credits or
allowances are to be made only after the Agent's prior written approval.

3.6 The Agent shall  maintain a separate  account on its books in the  Company's
name (the  "Revolving  Loan  Account") in which the Company will be charged with
loans  and  advances  made by the Agent to it or for its  account,  and with any
other  Obligations,  including  any  and  all  costs,  expenses  and  reasonable
attorney's  fees which the Agent may incur in connection with the exercise by or
for the Agent of any of the rights or powers herein conferred upon the Agent, or
in the  prosecution or defense of any action or proceeding to enforce or protect
any  rights of the Agent in  connection  with this  Financing  Agreement  or the
Collateral  assigned  hereunder,  or any Obligations  owing to the Agent and the
Lenders by the Company.  The Company will be credited with all amounts  received
by the  Agent  and/or  the  Lenders  from the  Company  or from  others  for the
Company's  account,  including,  as set forth above, all amounts received by the
Agent in  payment  of  assigned  Accounts  and such  amounts  will be applied to
payment of the Obligations.  In no event shall prior recourse to any Accounts or
other  security  granted to or by the Company be a  prerequisite  to the Agent's
right to demand payment of any  Obligation.  Further,  it is understood that the
Agent and/or the Lenders shall have no  obligation  whatsoever to perform in any
respect any of the Company's contracts or obligations relating to the Accounts.

3.7 After the end of each  month,  the Agent shall  promptly  send the Company a
statement  showing in reasonable  detail the accounting for the charges,  loans,
advances  and other  transactions  occurring  between  the Agent and the Company
during that month.  The monthly  statements  shall be deemed correct and binding
upon the Company and shall  constitute an account stated between the Company and
the Agent unless the Agent receives a written statement of the exceptions within
thirty (30) days of the date of the monthly statement.

3.8 In the event that the sum of (a) the outstanding  balance of Revolving Loans
and (b) the outstanding  balance of Letters of Credit exceeds the maximum amount
thereof  available  under Sections 3 and 5 hereof (herein the amount of any such
excess  shall be  referred  to as the  "Excess")  such  Excess  shall be due and
payable to the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders immediately upon the Agent's
demand therefor.

                                      -19-

<PAGE>

SECTION 4      Intentionally Left Blank



SECTION 5      Letters of Credit

                  In order to assist  the  Company  in  establishing  or opening
documentary  and/or standby  Letters of Credit with an Issuing Bank to cover the
purchase of Inventory and for other purposes  approved by the Agent, the Company
has requested the Agent on behalf of the Lenders to join in the applications for
such Letters of Credit,  and/or guarantee payment or performance of such Letters
of Credit and any drafts or  acceptances  thereunder  through the  issuance of a
Letter of Credit  Guaranty,  thereby lending the Agent's and the Lenders' credit
to the  Company  and the  Agent and the  Lenders  have  agreed  to do so.  These
arrangements  shall be handled by the Agent subject to the terms and  conditions
set forth below.

5.1 Within the Line of Credit and Availability,  the Agent and the Lenders shall
assist the  Company in  obtaining  Letter(s)  of Credit in an  aggregate  amount
outstanding at any one time equal to or less than the Letter of Credit Sub-Line.
The Agent's and the Lenders'  assistance for amounts in excess of the limitation
set forth  herein  shall at all times and in all respects be in the Agent's sole
discretion. It is understood that the form and purpose of each Letter of Credit,
and any modifications thereof, must be acceptable to the Agent in its reasonable
business judgment. Any and all outstanding Letters of Credit shall be treated as
a Revolving Loan for Availability purposes.  Notwithstanding  anything herein to
the  contrary,  upon the  occurrence of a Default  and/or Event of Default,  the
Agent's and Lenders' assistance in connection with any Letter of Credit Guaranty
shall be in the Agent's  sole  discretion  unless such  Default  and/or Event of
Default is cured to the Agent's satisfaction or waived by the Agent in writing.

5.2 The Agent shall have the right, without notice to the Company, to charge the
Company's Revolving Loan Account on the Agent's books with the amount of any and
all  indebtedness,  liability or  obligation  of any kind  incurred by the Agent
under any Letter of Credit  Guaranty  at the earlier of (a) payment by the Agent
under  such  Letter of Credit  Guaranty,  or (b) the  occurrence  of an Event of
Default that has not been waived in writing by the Agent or cured to the Agent's
satisfaction.  Any amount  charged to Company's  Revolving Loan Account shall be
deemed a Revolving  Loan hereunder and shall incur interest at the rate provided
in Section 8.1 of this Financing Agreement.

5.3 The Company unconditionally  indemnifies the Agent and the Lenders and holds
the Agent and the Lenders  harmless  from any and all loss,  claim or  liability
incurred  by the Agent  and/or the  Lenders  arising  from any  transactions  or
occurrences  relating  to  Letters  of  Credit  established  or  opened  for the
Company's

                                      -20-


<PAGE>

 account, the collateral relating thereto and any drafts or acceptances
thereunder, and all Obligations thereunder, including any such loss or claim due
to any action taken by any Issuing Bank,  other than for any such loss, claim or
liability arising out of the gross negligence or willful misconduct by the Agent
and/or the Lenders  under the Letters of Credit  Guaranty.  The Company  further
agrees to hold the Agent and the Lenders  harmless  from any errors or omission,
negligence  or  misconduct  by the Issuing  Bank.  The  Company's  unconditional
obligation  to the Agent and the  Lenders  hereunder  shall not be  modified  or
diminished for any reason or in any manner whatsoever, other than as a result of
the Agent's and/or the Lenders' gross negligence or willful misconduct.  Subject
to this Section 5.3, the Company  agrees that any charges  incurred by the Agent
and/or  the  Lenders  for the  Company's  account by the  Issuing  Bank shall be
conclusive  on the Company,  the Agent and the Lenders and may be charged to the
Company's Revolving Loan Account.

5.4 In connection  with the issuance of Letters of Credit,  the Agent and/or the
Lenders shall not be  responsible  for: (a) the existence,  character,  quality,
quantity,  condition,  packing,  value or delivery of the goods purporting to be
represented by any documents;  (b) any difference or variation in the character,
quality, quantity,  condition, packing, value or delivery of the goods from that
expressed in the Letter of Credit  documents;  (c) the validity,  sufficiency or
genuineness  of any  documents  or of any  endorsements  thereon,  even  if such
documents  should  in  fact  prove  to  be  in  any  or  all  respects  invalid,
insufficient,  fraudulent  or forged;  (d) the time,  place,  manner or order in
which  shipment  is made;  (e)  partial or  incomplete  shipment,  or failure or
omission to ship any or all of the goods referred to in the Letters of Credit or
documents; (f) any deviation from instructions;  (g) delay, default, or fraud by
the shipper and/or anyone else in connection with the Collateral or the shipping
thereof;  or (h) any breach of  contract  between the shipper or vendors and the
Company.  Furthermore,  without being limited by the foregoing, the Agent and/or
the Lenders shall not be responsible  for any act or omission in connection with
the issuance of any Letter of Credit with respect to or in  connection  with any
Collateral.

5.5 Except as  otherwise  provided  herein,  the Company  agrees that any action
taken by the Agent  and/or the  Lenders,  if taken in good faith,  or any action
taken by any Issuing Bank,  under or in  connection  with the Letters of Credit,
the guarantees, the drafts or acceptances,  or the Collateral,  shall be binding
on the Company and shall not put the Agent  and/or the Lenders in any  resulting
liability to the Company.  In furtherance  thereof,  but subject to Section 5.6,
the Agent  shall  have the full right and  authority  to clear and  resolve  any
questions  of  non-compliance  of  Letter  of  Credit  documents;  to  give  any
instructions as to acceptance or rejection of any Letter of Credit  documents or
goods; to execute any and all steamship or airways  guaranties (and applications
therefor),  indemnities  or  delivery  orders;  to grant any  extensions  of the
maturity  of,  time of payment  for,  or time of  presentation  of, any  drafts,
acceptances, or documents; and with the consent of the Company (such consent


                                      -21-

<PAGE>

 not
to be  unreasonably  withheld  and being  needed only if no Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing) to agree to any  amendments,  renewals,  extensions,
modifications, changes or cancellations of any of the terms or conditions of any
of the applications,  Letters of Credit, drafts or acceptances. Such actions may
be taken in the Agent's  sole name,  and the  Issuing  Bank shall be entitled to
comply with and honor any and all such documents or  instruments  executed by or
received solely from the Agent.

5.6 Without the Agent's express consent and endorsement in writing,  the Company
agrees:  (a) not to execute any applications for steamship or airway guaranties,
indemnities or delivery orders; to grant any extensions of the maturity of, time
of  payment  for,  or  time of  presentation  of,  any  drafts,  acceptances  or
documents; or to agree to any amendments,  renewals, extensions,  modifications,
changes  or  cancellations  of any  of the  terms  or  conditions  of any of the
applications,  Letters  of  Credit,  drafts  or  acceptances;  and (b) after the
occurrence of an Event of Default which is not cured within any applicable grace
period,  if any,  or waived by the  Agent,  not to (i)  clear  and  resolve  any
questions  of  non-compliance  of Letter of Credit  documents,  or (ii) give any
instructions as to acceptances or rejection of any Letter of Credit documents or
goods.

5.7 The Company  agrees that any necessary  import,  export or other licenses or
certificates  for the  import  or  handling  of the  Collateral  will  have been
promptly procured; all foreign and domestic governmental laws and regulations in
regard to the shipment  and  importation  of the  Collateral,  or the  financing
thereof will have been promptly and fully complied with; and any certificates in
that regard that the Agent may at any time request  will be promptly  furnished.
In this connection,  the Company warrants and represents that all shipments made
under any such Letters of Credit are in accordance with the laws and regulations
of the countries in which the shipments  originate  and  terminate,  and are not
prohibited  by any such laws and  regulations.  The  Company  assumes  all risk,
liability and responsibility  for, and agrees to pay and discharge,  all present
and future  local,  state,  federal or foreign  taxes,  duties,  or levies.  Any
embargo, restriction,  laws, customs or regulations of any country, state, city,
or other political  subdivision,  where the Collateral is or may be located,  or
wherein  payments are to be made,  or wherein  drafts may be drawn,  negotiated,
accepted,   or  paid,  shall  be  solely  the  Company's  risk,   liability  and
responsibility.

5.8 Upon any  payments  made to the  Issuing  Bank  under  the  Letter of Credit
Guaranty, the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders shall acquire by subrogation,
any rights, remedies, duties or obligations granted or undertaken by the Company
to the  Issuing  Bank in any  application  for Letters of Credit,  any  standing
agreement  relating  to Letters of Credit or  otherwise,  all of which  shall be
deemed to have been  granted  to the Agent for the  benefit of the  Lenders  and
apply in all  respects  to the

                                      -22-


<PAGE>

 Agent for the benefit of the Lenders and shall be
in addition to any rights, remedies, duties or obligations contained herein.

SECTION 6      Collateral

6.1 As security for the prompt  payment in full of all loans and  advances  made
and to be made to the Company  from time to time by the Agent and/or the Lenders
pursuant  hereto,  as well  as to  secure  the  payment  in  full  of any  other
Obligations,  the Company hereby pledges and grants to the Agent for the benefit
of the Lenders a continuing  general  lien upon and security  interest in all of
its:

     (a)      present and hereafter acquired Inventory;

     (b)      present and future Accounts; and

     (c)      present and future Other Collateral.

6.2      The security interests granted hereunder shall extend and attach to:

     (a) All  Collateral  which is presently in existence  and which is owned by
the  Company  or in which the  Company  has any  interest,  whether  held by the
Company or others for its account; and

     (b) All Inventory and any portion thereof which may be returned,  rejected,
reclaimed or  repossessed  by either the Agent or the Company from the Company's
customers, as well as to all supplies, incidentals, packaging materials, labels,
trademarks and any other items which contribute to the finished goods, including
the sale, promotion or shipment thereof.

6.3 The Company  agrees to  safeguard,  protect and hold all  Inventory  for the
Agent's account and make no disposition  thereof except in the regular course of
the  business of the Company as herein  provided.  Until the Agent has given the
Company notice to the contrary, as provided for below, any Inventory may be sold
and  shipped  by the  Company to its  customers  in the  ordinary  course of the
Company's business, on open account and on terms currently being extended by the
Company to its  customers,  provided  that,  if  required by Section 3.4 of this
Financing  Agreement,  all  proceeds  of all  sales  (including  cash,  accounts
receivable, checks, notes, Credit Card Receivables,  instruments for the payment
of money and similar  proceeds) shall be forthwith  transferred,  endorsed,  and
turned over and delivered to the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders. The Agent
shall have the right to withdraw this permission at any time upon the occurrence
of an Event of Default and until such time as such Event of Default is waived or
cured to the Agent's  satisfaction,  in which event no further disposition shall
be made of the  Inventory  by the  Company  without the  Agent's  prior

                                      -23-
<PAGE>

  written
approval.  Upon the sale, exchange, or other disposition of Inventory, as herein
provided,  the security interest in the Company's  Inventory provided for herein
shall,  without  break in  continuity  and  without  further  formality  or act,
continue in, and attach to, all  proceeds,  including  any  instruments  for the
payment of money,  accounts  receivable,  contract  rights,  documents of title,
shipping  documents,  chattel paper and all other cash and non-cash  proceeds of
such sale,  exchange  or  disposition.  As to any such sale,  exchange  or other
disposition,  the  Agent  shall  have all of the  rights  of an  unpaid  seller,
including stoppage in transit, replevin, rescission and reclamation.

6.4 The Company  agrees at its own cost and expense to keep its  Equipment in as
good and  substantial  repair and condition,  reasonable wear and tear excepted,
making any and all  repairs and  replacements  when and where  necessary.  If an
Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, the Company also agrees to make
no disposition  of Equipment  unless the Company first obtains the prior written
approval of the Agent.

6.5 The rights and  security  interests  granted to the Agent for the benefit of
the Lenders hereunder are to continue in full force and effect,  notwithstanding
the  termination  of this  Financing  Agreement  or the fact  that  the  account
maintained in the Company's name on the books of the Agent may from time to time
be  temporarily  in a credit  position,  until the final  payment in full to the
Agent and the Lenders of all  Obligations  and the termination of this Financing
Agreement.  Any delay,  or omission by the Agent  and/or the Lenders to exercise
any right hereunder, shall not be deemed a waiver thereof, or be deemed a waiver
of any other right,  unless such waiver be in writing and signed by the Agent. A
waiver on any one  occasion  shall not be construed as a bar to or waiver of any
right or remedy on any future occasion.

6.6 To the extent that the  Obligations  are hereafter  secured by any assets or
property other than the Collateral or by the guarantee,  endorsement,  assets or
property  of any other  person,  then the Agent shall have the right in its sole
discretion to determine which rights,  security,  liens,  security  interests or
remedies  the  Agent  shall  at any time  pursue,  foreclose  upon,  relinquish,
subordinate, modify or take any other action with respect to, without in any way
modifying or affecting any of them, or any of the Agent's or the Lenders' rights
hereunder.

6.7 Any reserves or balances to the credit of the Company and any other property
or assets of the Company in the  possession  of the Agent and/or the Lenders may
be held by the Agent as  security  for any  Obligations  and applied in whole or
partial  satisfaction  of such  Obligations  when due.  The  liens and  security
interests  granted herein and any other lien or security  interest the Agent may
have in any other assets of the Company shall secure payment and  performance of
all now

                                      -24-

<PAGE>

 existing and future Obligations.  The Agent may in its discretion charge
any or all of the Obligations to the Revolving Loan Account when due.

SECTION 7      Representations, Warranties and Covenants

7.1 The Company hereby  warrants and represents  and/or  covenants that: (a) the
fair value of the  Company's  assets  exceeds  the book  value of the  Company's
liabilities;  (b) the Company is generally  able to pay its debts as they become
due and payable;  (c) the Company does not have  unreasonably  small  capital to
carry on its  business as it is currently  conducted  absent  extraordinary  and
unforeseen  circumstances;  (d) Schedule 2 hereto  correctly and completely sets
forth the Company's  chief  executive  office,  all of the Company's  Collateral
locations  and all trade  names of the  Company;  (e) except  for the  Permitted
Encumbrances,  the security interests granted herein constitute and shall at all
times  constitute  the first and only  liens on the assets of the  Company;  (f)
except for the  Permitted  Encumbrances,  the  Company is or will be at the time
additional  Collateral is acquired by it, the absolute  owner of the  Collateral
with full  right to  pledge,  sell,  consign,  transfer  and  create a  security
interest  therein,  free and  clear of any and all  claims  or liens in favor of
others;  (g) the Company will at its expense forever warrant and, at the Agent's
request, defend the same from any and all claims and demands of any other person
other  than the  Permitted  Encumbrances;  and (h) the  Company  will not grant,
create or permit to exist, any lien upon or security interest in the Collateral,
or any  proceeds  thereof,  or in any  other  assets of the  Company,  including
without limitation the Equipment,  General  Intangibles,  Investment Property or
real estate,  or any proceeds  thereof,  in favor of any other person other than
the holders of the Permitted Encumbrances.

7.2  The  Company  agrees  to  maintain  books  and  records  pertaining  to the
Collateral in such detail, form and scope as the Agent shall reasonably require.
The  Company  agrees  that the Agent or its agents may enter upon the  Company's
premises with  reasonable  notice (such notice not being required if an Event of
Default has  occurred  and is  continuing)  at any time during  normal  business
hours, and from time to time, for the purpose of inspecting the Collateral,  and
any and all records pertaining  thereto.  The Company agrees to afford the Agent
prior written notice of any change in the location of any Collateral, other than
to  locations,  that as of the date hereof,  are known to the Agent and at which
the Agent has filed financing statements and otherwise fully perfected its liens
thereon. The Company is also to advise the Agent promptly, in sufficient detail,
of any material adverse change relating to the type,  quantity or quality of the
Collateral or the security interests granted to the Agent therein.

7.3 The Company agrees to: execute and deliver to the Agent,  from time to time,
solely for the Agent's  convenience in  maintaining a record of the  Collateral,
the loans, the Borrowing Base, Accounts and Inventory,  such written

                                      -25-

<PAGE>

 statements,
accounting  reports,  schedules and other  information and  documentation in the
form  and  with  such   frequency   as  the  Agent   may   reasonably   require.
Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the Company shall deliver to Agent, on a weekly
basis (by  Wednesday  of the  following  week)  during the  months of  November,
December and January, and on a monthly basis during the other months of the year
(by the fifteenth  (15th) day of the  following  month),  the reports  described
below for the preceding week or month, as the case may be:

     (a)      a borrowing base report;

     (b)      a retail stock ledger report; and

     (c)      a report of Credit Card Receivables and Accounts.

Upon demand by the Agent,  the Company  shall provide the report listed above as
(c) on a weekly basis.  At any time the Company's  Availability is less than ten
million dollars  ($10,000,000)  (computed without regard to the $50,000,000 Line
of  Credit  maximum   Availability)  or  upon  the  occurrence  and  during  the
continuance of any Event of Default,  the Company  shall,  upon demand by Agent,
provide the reports listed above as (a) and (b) on a weekly basis.

7.4 The Company agrees to comply with the  requirements of all state and federal
laws in order to grant to the Agent valid and perfected  first and only security
interests in the Collateral  except as expressly  provided herein.  The Agent is
hereby authorized by the Company,  to the extent permitted by applicable law, to
file  any  financing  statements  covering  the  Collateral  whether  or not the
Company's signature appears thereon. The Company agrees to do whatever the Agent
may  reasonably  request,  from time to time,  by way of: (a) filing  notices of
liens, financing statements, amendments, renewals and continuations thereof; (b)
cooperating with the Agent's  custodians;  (c) keeping Collateral  records;  (d)
transferring  proceeds  of  Collateral  to  the  Agent's  possession;   and  (e)
performing  such  further acts as the Agent may  reasonably  require in order to
effect the purposes of this Financing Agreement.

7.5  (a)  The  Company  agrees to  maintain  insurance  on the assets of the
Company,  including the Inventory,  under such policies of insurance,  with such
insurance  companies,  in such  reasonable  amounts and covering such  insurable
risks as are at all times  reasonably  satisfactory  to the Agent.  All policies
covering the  Inventory  are,  subject to the rights of any holders of Permitted
Encumbrances holding claims senior to the Agent, to be made payable to the Agent
for  the  benefit  of  the   Lenders,   in  case  of  loss,   under  a  standard
non-contributory  "mortgagee",  "lender"  or "secured  party"  clause and are to
contain  such other  provisions  as the Agent may  require to fully  protect the
Agent's interest in the Inventory and to any payments to be

                                      -26-

<PAGE>


made under such policies. All original policies or true copies thereof are to be
delivered  to the  Agent,  with the loss  payable  endorsement  with  respect to
Inventory in the Agent's favor for the benefit of the Lenders, and shall provide
for not less than  thirty  (30) days  prior  written  notice to the Agent of the
exercise  of any right of  cancellation.  At the  Company's  request,  or if the
Company  fails to  maintain  such  insurance,  the  Agent may  arrange  for such
insurance,  but at the Company's  expense and without any  responsibility on the
Agent's  part for:  obtaining  the  insurance,  the  solvency  of the  insurance
companies,  the adequacy of the coverage,  or the collection of claims. Upon the
occurrence  of an Event of Default  which is not waived or cured to the  Agent's
satisfaction, the Agent shall, subject to the rights of any holders of Permitted
Encumbrances  holding  claims senior to the Agent,  have the sole right,  in the
name of the Agent or the Company,  to file claims under any insurance  policies,
to receive,  receipt and give  acquittance  for any payments that may be payable
thereunder,  and to  execute  any  and  all  endorsements,  receipts,  releases,
assignments,  reassignments  or other  documents that may be necessary to effect
the collection,  compromise or settlement of any claims under any such insurance
policies.

     (b)      (i)     In the  event  of any  loss  or  damage  by  fire  or
 other  casualty, insurance proceeds relating to Inventory shall reduce
the Revolving Loans.

              (ii)    The  Company  agrees  to pay any  reasonable  costs,
fees or  expenses which the Agent may reasonably incur in connection with this
Section 7.5.


7.6 The Company  agrees to pay,  when due,  all taxes,  assessments,  claims and
other charges (herein  "taxes")  lawfully levied or assessed upon the Company or
the Company's assets, including the Collateral,  and if such taxes remain unpaid
after  the date  fixed  for the  payment  thereof  unless  such  taxes are being
diligently contested in good faith by the Company by appropriate  proceedings or
if any lien shall be claimed  thereunder  (a) for taxes due the United States of
America or (b) which in the  Agent's  opinion  might  create a valid  obligation
having priority over the rights granted to the Agent herein, then the Agent may,
on the  Company's  behalf,  pay such taxes,  and the amount  thereof shall be an
Obligation secured hereby and due to the Agent on demand.

7.7 The  Company:  (a) agrees to comply with all acts,  rules,  regulations  and
orders of any legislative,  administrative  or judicial body or official,  which
the  failure to comply  with would have a  material  and  adverse  impact on the
Collateral,  or any material part thereof,  or on the operation of the Company's
business;  provided that the Company may contest any acts,  rules,  regulations,
orders and directions of such bodies or officials in any reasonable manner which
will not, in the Agent's reasonable opinion, materially and adversely effect the
Agent's rights or priority in the Collateral;  and (b) agrees to comply with all
environmental statutes,

                                      -27-


<PAGE>

 acts, rules, regulations or orders as presently existing
or as adopted or amended in the future,  applicable to the ownership  and/or use
of its real property and operation of its business,  which the failure to comply
with would have a material and adverse impact on the Collateral, or any material
part thereof,  or on the  operation of the business of the Company.  The Company
hereby  indemnifies  the Agent and the Lenders and agrees to defend and hold the
Agent and the Lenders harmless from and against any and all loss, damage, claim,
liability,  injury or expense  which the Agent and/or the Lenders may sustain or
incur  (other  than as a result of actions of the Agent  and/or the  Lenders) in
connection  with:  any claim or expense  asserted  against the Agent  and/or the
Lenders  as a result  of any  environmental  pollution,  hazardous  material  or
environmental  clean-up of the Company's real property;  or any claim or expense
which results from the Company's operations (including,  but not limited to, the
Company's off-site disposal  practices) and the Company further agrees that this
indemnification shall survive termination of this Financing Agreement as well as
the payment of all Obligations or amounts payable  hereunder.  The Company shall
not be deemed to have  breached  any  provision  of this  Section 7.7 if (x) the
failure to comply with the  requirements  of this Section 7.7 resulted from good
faith  error or  innocent  omission,  (y) the  Company  promptly  commences  and
diligently  pursues a cure of such breach and (z) such  failure is cured  within
thirty (30) days following the Company's receipt of notice of such failure.

7.8 Until termination of the Financing Agreement and payment and satisfaction of
all Obligations due hereunder,  the Company agrees that,  unless the Agent shall
have otherwise  consented in writing,  the Company will furnish to the Agent and
each  Lender,  within  ninety (90) days after the end of each fiscal year of the
Company,  an audited  Consolidated  Balance Sheet as at the close of such fiscal
year, and statements of profit and loss, cash flow and reconciliation of surplus
the Company for such fiscal  year,  audited by  independent  public  accountants
selected by the  Company and  satisfactory  to the Agent (the  current  auditor,
Arthur Andersen, is deemed  satisfactory);  within sixty (60) days after the end
of each fiscal quarter of the Company a Consolidated Balance Sheet as at the end
of such period and  statements of profit and loss,  cash flow and surplus of the
Company,  certified  by an  authorized  financial or  accounting  officer of the
Company;  and within thirty (30) days after the end of each month a Consolidated
Balance  Sheet as at the end of such period and  statements  of profit and loss,
cash flow and  surplus of the  Company  and all  subsidiaries  for such  period,
certified by an authorized  financial or accounting officer of the Company;  and
from time to time, such further  information  regarding the business affairs and
financial  condition  of  the  Company  as the  Agent  may  reasonably  request,
including without limitation (a) the accountant's management practice letter and
(b)  annual  cash flow  projections  in form  satisfactory  to the  Agent.  Each
financial  statement  which the Company is required to submit  hereunder must be
accompanied  by  an  officer's  certificate,   signed  by  the  President,  Vice
President,  Controller,  or Treasurer of the Company,  pursuant to which any one
such  officer must  certify  that:

                                      -28-

<PAGE>

 (x) the  financial  statement(s)  fairly and
accurately  represent(s)  the  Company's  financial  condition at the end of the
particular  accounting period, as well as the Company's operating results during
such accounting period,  subject to year-end audit  adjustments;  (y) during the
particular  accounting period: (i) there has been no Default or Event of Default
under this Financing Agreement,  provided, however, that if any such officer has
knowledge  that any such  Default or Event of Default has  occurred  during such
period,  the existence of and a detailed  description of same shall be set forth
in such officer's certificate;  and (ii) the Company has not received any notice
of cancellation  with respect to its property  insurance  policies;  and (z) the
exhibits   attached  to  such   financial   statement(s)   constitute   detailed
calculations  showing compliance with all financial  covenants contained in this
Financing Agreement.

7.9 Until termination of the Financing Agreement and payment and satisfaction of
all Obligations due hereunder, the Company agrees that unless the Agent provides
its prior written consent, (which shall not be unreasonably withheld), or except
as otherwise herein provided, the Company will not:

     (a)  Mortgage,  assign,  pledge,  transfer  or  otherwise  permit any lien,
charge,  security interest,  encumbrance or judgment,  (whether as a result of a
purchase money or title retention  transaction,  or other security interest,  or
otherwise)  to exist on any of its assets or goods,  whether  real,  personal or
mixed, whether now owned or hereafter acquired, including without limitation the
Equipment,  General  Intangibles,  the  Documents  of  Title  and/or  Investment
Property, except for the Permitted Encumbrances;

     (b) Incur or create any Indebtedness other than the Permitted  Indebtedness
or Indebtedness incurred hereunder;

     (c) Borrow  any money on the  security  of the  Company's  Collateral  from
sources other than the Agent and the Lenders;

     (d) Sell, lease,  assign,  transfer or otherwise dispose of (i) Collateral,
except  in  the  ordinary  course  of  business,   pursuant  to  sale  leaseback
transactions meeting the requirements of Permitted  Indebtedness or as otherwise
specifically  permitted  by this  Financing  Agreement,  or (ii)  either  all or
substantially all of the Company's assets, which do not constitute Collateral;

     (e) Merge or consolidate or otherwise  alter or modify its corporate  name,
principal place of business,  structure,  status or existence,  or enter into or
engage in any operation or activity  materially  different  from that  presently
being conducted by the Company, except that the Company may change its corporate
name or address;  provided that (i) the Company shall give the Agent thirty (30)
days prior written notice thereof and (ii) the Company shall execute and deliver
prior to or  simultaneously  with  any such  action  any and all  documents  and
agreements  requested

                                      -29-

<PAGE>

 by the Agent (including,  without limitation,  any and all
U.C.C. financing statements) to confirm the continuation and preservation of all
security interests and liens granted to the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders
hereunder;

     (f)  Assume,  guarantee,  endorse,  or  otherwise  become  liable  upon the
obligations  of  any  person,  firm,  entity  or  corporation,   except  by  the
endorsement  of  negotiable  instruments  for deposit or  collection  or similar
transactions in the ordinary course of business;

     (g)  Declare  or pay any  dividend  of any kind on, or  purchase,  acquire,
redeem or retire,  any of the  capital  stock or equity  interest,  of any class
whatsoever,  whether now or hereafter outstanding,  other than dividends paid in
capital stock of the Company;

     (h) Make any advance or loan to, or any  investment  in, any firm,  entity,
person or  corporation,  provided,  however,  that the Company may make  noncash
Company  stock  loans to  employees  secured by such stock or other  advances to
employees for expenses, travel and the like in the ordinary course of business;

     (i)  Prepay  any  Subordinated  Debt,  except to the  following  extent and
provided no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing:  (1) if the Company
issues additional equity, the Company may prepay Subordinated Debt to the extent
of the net cash  proceeds the Company  receives from such  issuance;  (2) if the
Company issues  additional  Subordinated  Debt, the Company may prepay  existing
Subordinated  Debt to the extent of the net cash  proceeds the Company  receives
from such  issuance,  provided such new  Subordinated  Debt is on more favorable
terms to the Company (in the opinion of Agent) than such  existing  Subordinated
Debt; and (3) notwithstanding  clauses (1) and (2) above, the Company may prepay
Subordinated  Debt to the extent  Availability  (computed  without regard to the
$50,000,000  Line of Credit  maximum  Availability)  after giving effect to such
prepayment exceeds  $15,000,000,  provided that (a) the Company has maintained a
trailing  twelve  (12)  month  EBITDA of not less than  thirty  million  dollars
($30,000,000)  and (b) the Company is in compliance  with the Tangible Net Worth
requirements set forth in Section 7.10 below; or

     (j) Amend,  modify or otherwise  alter the terms of any  Subordinated  Debt
without the prior written approval of the Agent.

7.10 Until  termination of the Financing  Agreement and payment and satisfaction
in  full  of all  Obligations  hereunder,  at any  time  that  the  Availability
(computed without regard to the $50,000,000 Line of Credit maximum Availability)
is less than  $7,500,000,  the  Company  shall  maintain at such time during the
periods below a Tangible Net Worth greater than:

                                      -30-
<PAGE>




Period                                      Tangible Net Worth
- --------------------------------        ----------------------------------------

March 3, 2000 (Closing Date) until      $22,000,000 (at January 29, 2000)
April 3, 2000


April 4, 2000 until February 3, 2001    $22,000,000000 plus 80% of the Company's
                                         cumulative income after January 29,
                                         2000 computed on a monthly basis based
                                         upon the most recent monthly financial
                                         statements delivered pursuant
                                         to Section 7.8 (in the event of a loss,
                                         this amount shall not be decreased
                                         below $22,000,000)

                                        (such amount at February 3, 2001, the
                                         "February 3, 2001 Amount")




February 4, 2001 until May 5, 2001      February 3, 2001 Amount plus $400,000



May 6, 2001 until August 4, 2001        February 3, 2001 Amount plus $1,400,000



August 5, 2001 until November 3, 2001   February 3, 2001 Amount plus $3,500,000




November 4, 2001 until                  February 3, 2001 Amount plus $10,000,000
 February 2, 2002



February 3, 2002 until May 4, 2002      February 3, 2001 Amount plus $10,400,000



May 5, 2002 until August 3, 2002        February 3, 2001 Amount plus $11,400,000



August 4, 2002 until November 2, 2002   February 3, 2001 Amount plus $13,500,000


November 3, 2002 and thereafter         February 3, 2001 Amount plus $20,000,000




7.11 The Company agrees to advise the Agent in writing of: (a) any  expenditures
(actual  or  anticipated),  or  series  of  related  expenditures,  in excess of
$150,000 for (i) environmental  clean-up,  (ii)  environmental  compliance,  and
(iii) environmental  testing;  and (b) any notices the Company receives from any
local,  state or federal  authority  advising  the Company of any  environmental
liability  (real or  potential)  stemming  from the  Company's  operations,  its
premises,  its waste  disposal  practices,  or waste  disposal sites used by the
Company and to provide the Agent with copies of all such notices if so required,
to the extent permitted by applicable law.

7.12 Without the prior written consent of the Agent,  the Company agrees that it
will  not  enter  into  any  transaction,  including,  without  limitation,  any
purchase,  sale,  lease,  loan or exchange of property  with any  subsidiary  or
affiliate of the Company;  provided that the Company may pay an aggregate amount
of not more

                                      -31-
<PAGE>

 than $250,000 in any fiscal year to Three Cities Research,  Inc. and
its  affiliates  for payment or  reimbursement  of management  fees and expenses
incurred in the Company's ordinary course of business.

7.13 The Company has  provided to the Agent,  and agrees to provide to the Agent
on an annual basis commencing with the first anniversary of the Closing Date, an
appraisal  indicating  the  Net  Orderly  Liquidation  Value  of the  Inventory,
provided,  however,  that  if  Availability  (computed  without  regard  to  the
$50,000,000 Line of Credit maximum  Availability) is less than $20,000,000 for a
period of sixty (60) days,  such  appraisals  will be conducted on a semi-annual
basis. Such appraisals shall be performed by an appraiser reasonably  acceptable
to and engaged by the Agent, but shall be paid for by the Company.

7.14 The  Company  has taken and shall  continue  to take all action  reasonably
necessary  to assure that its  computer-based  systems  are able to  effectively
process date-sensitive data functions.  The Company represents and warrants that
the "Year 2000" problem (that is, the inability of certain computer applications
to recognize and properly perform  date-sensitive  functions  involving  certain
dates on or about or  subsequent  to December  31,  1999) has not  resulted in a
material  adverse effect on the Company's  business,  assets or operations.  The
Company  represents  and  warrants  that all  computer  applications  which  are
material to its business were and shall be, on a timely basis,  able to properly
perform  date-sensitive  functions  for all dates on and after  January 1, 2000.
Upon the Agent's  request from time to time,  the Company  shall  provide to the
Agent assurances that the Company's computer systems and software are or will be
Year 2000  compliant on a timely  basis,  all in form and  substance  reasonably
satisfactory to the Agent.

SECTION 8      Interest, Fees and Expenses

8.1  Interest on the  outstanding  balance of  Revolving  Loans shall be payable
monthly  as of the end of each  month and  shall  accrue at a rate per annum set
forth below,  based on the  Company's  EBITDA,  as  determined on a rolling four
fiscal  quarter  basis  for the  most  recent  fiscal  quarter  of the  Company;
provided,  however,  that Level III shall apply throughout the first ninety (90)
days following the Closing Date.  Except for the change on the ninetieth  (90th)
day after the Closing Date, which shall become effective on such day, any change
in the interest  rate will be effective on the first day of the month  following
the Agent's receipt of the quarterly financial  statements delivered pursuant to
Section  7.8,  on the  average of the net  balances  owing by the Company to the
Agent and/or the Lenders in the Company's Revolving Loan Account at the close of
each day during  such month.  Failure of the  Company to deliver  the  financial
statements  pursuant to Section  7.8,  shall  result in the  highest  applicable
interest rate being charged on all Revolving  Loans,  provided,  as of the first


                                      -32-
<PAGE>

day of the month after which such failure is cured or waived,  the interest rate
set forth below will be charged:

<TABLE>

<CAPTION>


Level          EBITDA                                  Libor Rate plus          Or        Chase Manhattan Rate plus
- ------         -----------------------------------     -----------------        -----     --------------------------
<S>            <C>                                     <C>                      <C>       <C>

I              Greater than $28,000,000                1.50%                    or        0.00%


II             Greater than $20,000,000 but less
               than or equal to $28,000,000            1.75%                    or        0.00%



III            Greater than $15,000,000, but less
               than or equal to $20,000,000            2.00%                    or        0.00%



IV             Greater than $10,000,000, but less
               than or equal to $15,000,000            2.25%                    or        0.25%



V              Less than $10,000,000                   2.50%                    or        0.50%

</TABLE>

                  In the event of any change in said Chase  Manhattan  Rate, the
rate provided for in the first sentence  above shall change,  as of the first of
the month following any change.  The rate hereunder shall be calculated based on
a 360-day  year.  The Agent and the  Lenders  shall be  entitled  to charge  the
Company's  Revolving Loan Account for all interest  provided for herein when due
until all Obligations  have been paid in full.  Notwithstanding  anything to the
contrary  contained  herein,  in no event  shall the  interest  rate  applicable
hereunder decrease by more than one-quarter percent (0.25%) within any six-month
period, except for the six-month period following the Closing Date, during which
the interest rate applicable  hereunder shall not decrease in excess of one-half
percent (0.50%).

8.2 The Company  may elect to use Libor as to any  outstanding  Revolving  Loans
provided  that there then  exists no Default or Event of Default and the Company
has so  advised  the Agent of its  election  to use  Libor and the Libor  Period
selected  no later than three (3)  Business  Days  preceding  the first day of a
Libor  Period.  The  election of Libor shall be  effective  provided  there then
exists no Default or Event of Default, on the fourth Business Day following said
notice.  The Libor elections must be for $1,000,000 or whole  multiples  thereof
and there shall be no more than three (3) Libor Loans  outstanding  at one time.
If no such  election is timely made or can be made, or if the Libor rate can not
be  determined,  then the Agent  shall use the Chase  Manhattan  Rate,  plus the
applicable  margin as  determined  pursuant to Section  8.1  hereof,  to compute
interest. In the event the Company requests any Libor election the Company shall
pay to the  Agent a $500  processing  fee upon the  effective  date of each such
Libor election  hereunder.  In addition,  the Company shall pay to the Agent for
the benefit of the Lenders, upon the request of the Agent such amount or amounts
as shall compensate the Agent and/or the Lenders for any loss, costs or expenses
incurred by the Agent and/or the Lenders (as reasonably  determined by the Agent
and the Lenders) as a result of: (a) any payment or  prepayment  on a date other
than the last day of a Libor  Period for such Libor Loan,  or (b) any failure of

                                      -33-

<PAGE>

the Company to borrow a Libor Loan on the date for such  borrowing  specified in
the relevant notice; such compensation to include, without limitation, an amount
equal to any loss or expense suffered by the Agent and/or the Lenders during the
period  from the date of receipt of such  payment or  prepayment  or the date of
such  failure  to  borrow  to the last day of such  Libor  Period if the rate of
interest  obtained by the Agent and/or the Lenders upon the  reemployment  of an
amount of funds equal to the amount of such  payment,  prepayment  or failure to
borrow is less than the rate of interest  applicable to such Libor Loan for such
Libor Period. The determination by the Agent and/or the Lenders of the amount of
any such loss or  expense,  when set forth in a written  notice to the  Company,
containing  the Agent's and/or the Lenders'  calculations  thereof in reasonable
detail,  shall be conclusive on the Company,  in the absence of manifest  error.
Calculation  of all amounts  payable to the Agent and/or the Lenders  under this
Section 8.2 with regard to Libor Loans shall be made as though the Agent and the
Lenders had actually  funded the Libor Loans through the purchase of deposits in
the relevant  market and currency,  as the case may be, bearing  interest at the
rate  applicable  to such  Libor  Loans in an amount  equal to the amount of the
Libor Loans and having a maturity  comparable to the relevant  interest  period;
provided,  however,  that the Agent and the  Lenders  may fund each of the Libor
Loans  in any  manner  the  Agent  and the  Lenders  see  fit and the  foregoing
assumption  shall be used only for  calculation  of amounts  payable  under this
Section 8.2. In  addition,  notwithstanding  anything to the contrary  contained
herein,  the Agent and the  Lenders  shall  apply all  proceeds  of  Collateral,
including the Accounts,  and all other amounts  received by it from or on behalf
of the Company,  initially to the loans accruing interest at the Chase Manhattan
Rate  and  subsequently  to  Libor  Loans;  provided,  however,  that  upon  the
occurrence  of an Event of  Default  or in the  event  the  aggregate  amount of
outstanding  Libor Loans exceeds  Availability or the applicable  maximum levels
set  forth  therefor,  the  Agent and the  Lenders  may  apply all such  amounts
received by them to the payment of  Obligations in such manner and in such order
as the Agent may elect in its reasonable business judgment.

8.3 In  consideration of the Letter of Credit Guaranty of the Agent, the Company
shall pay the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders the Letter of Credit Guaranty
Fee which  shall be an amount  equal to one and  one-half  percent  (1.50%)  per
annum,  payable monthly in arrears,  on the face amount of each Letter of Credit
less the  amount of any and all  amounts  previously  drawn  under the Letter of
Credit.

8.4 Any charges,  fees,  commissions,  costs and  expenses  charged to the Agent
and/or the Lenders for the  Company's  account by any Issuing Bank in connection
with or arising  out of  Letters of Credit  issued  pursuant  to this  Financing
Agreement  or out of  transactions  relating  thereto  will  be  charged  to the
Company's  account in full when charged to or paid by the Agent and when made by
any such Issuing Bank shall be conclusive on the Agent.

                                      -34-

<PAGE>

8.5 The Company  shall  reimburse or pay the Agent,  as the case may be, for all
Out-of-Pocket  Expenses,  which shall be invoiced in reasonable  detail, and any
applicable Documentation Fee.

8.6 Upon the last  Business Day of each month,  commencing  with the last day of
the month in which this Financing  Agreement is executed,  the Company shall pay
the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders the Line of Credit Fee.

8.7 To induce the Agent and the Lenders to enter into this  Financing  Agreement
and to extend to the  Company  the  Revolving  Loan and  Letters of Credit,  the
Company  shall pay to the Agent for the benefit of the  Lenders a Loan  Facility
Fee in the amount $125,000, fully earned and payable upon the Closing Date.

8.8 On the dates and in the amounts set forth  below,  the Company  shall pay to
the Agent the  Collateral  Management Fee for the initial term of this Financing
Agreement, which shall be fully earned on the Closing Date and not refundable or
rebateable:


          Date of Payment                         Amount of Payment
          -------------------                     -----------------------------

          On the Closing Date                     $25,000

          On the first and second
           anniversaries of the Closing Date      $40,000


Any unpaid balance of the Collateral Management Fee shall be immediately due and
payable upon a termination hereof or a Default hereunder and acceleration of the
balance owing hereunder. Following the initial term of this Financing Agreement,
an annual Collateral  Management Fee shall be established in an amount as agreed
between the Agent and the Company.

8.9 In no event shall the rates of interest  hereunder  exceed the Maximum Legal
Rate. In the event that the Contract  Rate  computed  under this Section 8 would
exceed the  Maximum  Legal  Rate,  the rates of  interest  under this  Financing
Agreement  for any such period shall be limited to the Maximum  Legal Rate,  but
any  subsequent  reductions  in the Contract  Rate shall not reduce the rates of
interest  under the Financing  Agreement  below the Maximum Legal Rate until the
total amount of interest  charged  hereunder  equals the amount of interest that
would have been charged had the Contract Rate been charged at all times.

8.10 After the  occurrence and during the  continuation  of an Event of Default,
the  Company  shall  pay the  Agent's  standard  charges  for,  and the fees and
expenses of, the Agent's personnel used by the Agent for reviewing the books and

                                      -35-

<PAGE>

records of the Company and for  verifying,  testing,  protecting,  safeguarding,
preserving or disposing of all or any part of the Collateral,  which shall be in
addition to the Collateral Management Fee.

8.11 The Company hereby  authorizes the Agent to charge the Company's  Revolving
Loan Account  with the Agent with the amount of all  payments  due  hereunder as
such payments become due. The Company  confirms that any charges which the Agent
may so make to the Company's  Revolving Loan Account as herein  provided will be
made as an accommodation to the Company and solely at the Agent's discretion.

SECTION 9      Powers

9.1 The  Company  hereby  constitutes  the Agent on behalf of the Lenders or any
person  or  agent  the  Agent  may  designate  as its  attorney-in-fact,  at the
Company's cost and expense, to exercise all of the following powers, which being
coupled  with an  interest,  shall be  irrevocable  until  all of the  Company's
Obligations to the Agent and the Lenders have been paid in full:

     (a) To receive, take, endorse, sign, assign and deliver, all in the name of
the Agent or the Company, any and all checks, notes, drafts, and other documents
or instruments relating to the Collateral;

     (b) To receive, open and dispose of all mail addressed to the Company which
Agent reasonably believes may represent payment of Accounts and to notify postal
authorities  to change the address for  delivery  thereof to such address as the
Agent may designate;

     (c) To request from customers indebted on Accounts at any time, in the name
of the  Agent  or the  Company  or that  of the  Agent's  designee,  information
concerning the amounts owing on the Accounts;

     (d) To transmit  to  customers  indebted on Accounts  notice of the Agent's
interest  therein and to notify  customers  indebted on Accounts to make payment
directly to the Agent for the Company's account;

     (e) To take or bring,  in the name of the Agent or the Company,  all steps,
actions,  suits or  proceedings  deemed by the Agent  necessary  or desirable to
enforce or effect collection of the Accounts; and

     (f)  To  execute  financing  statements  in the  name  of  the  Company  as
attorney-in-fact  at any time as the Agent may deem  necessary  to  establish or
maintain perfection of the security interest in the Collateral.

                                      -36-

<PAGE>

9.2 Notwithstanding  anything hereinabove contained to the contrary,  the powers
set  forth in  Section  9.1(b),  (d) and (e) may  only be  exercised  after  the
occurrence  of an Event of Default  and until such time as such Event of Default
is  waived in  writing  by the Agent or cured to the  Agent's  satisfaction.  In
addition, the powers set forth in Section 9.1(c) above will only be exercised in
the name of the Company or a certified public accountant designated by the Agent
prior to the occurrence of such Event of Default.

SECTION 10     Events of Default and Remedies

10.1 Notwithstanding  anything  hereinabove to the contrary,  the Lenders acting
through the Agent may terminate this Financing  Agreement  immediately  upon the
occurrence of any of the following (herein "Events of Default"):

     (a)  failure of the Company to pay any of the  Obligations  within five (5)
Business Days of the due date thereof,  provided that nothing  contained  herein
shall  prohibit the Agent from charging such amounts to the Company's  Revolving
Loan Account on the due date thereof;

     (b) cessation of the business of the Company or the calling of a meeting of
the  creditors  of the  Company  for  purposes  of  compromising  the  debts and
obligations of the Company;

     (c) the failure of the Company to generally meet debts as they mature;

     (d)  the  commencement  by  or  against  the  Company  of  any  bankruptcy,
insolvency,  arrangement,  reorganization,  receivership or similar  proceedings
under any federal or state law,  provided  that in the event of any  involuntary
proceeding  commenced  against the Company such  proceeding  is not dismissed or
discharged within thirty (30) days after commencement thereof;

     (e)  breach by the  Company of any  warranty,  representation  or  covenant
contained herein (other than those referred to in sub-paragraph (f) below) or in
any other written agreement  between the Company and the Lenders,  provided that
such  breach  by  the  Company  of any of  the  warranties,  representations  or
covenants  referred  in this  sub-paragraph  (e)  shall  not,  unless  otherwise
provided  herein,  be deemed to be an Event of  Default  unless  and until  such
breach  shall  remain  unremedied  to the Agent's  satisfaction  for a period of
twenty (20) days from the date of such breach;

     (f) breach by the Company of any  warranty,  representation  or covenant of
Section 3.3 (other than the third sentence of Section 3.3), Section 3.4,

                                      -37-
<PAGE>

Section6.3, Section 7.1, Section 7.5, Section 7.6, and Section 7.9 through
Section 7.10 inclusive;

     (g) the Company shall (i) engage in any "prohibited transaction" as defined
in ERISA,  (ii) have any "accumulated  funding  deficiency" as defined in ERISA,
(iii) have any Reportable Event as defined in ERISA, (iv) terminate any Plan, as
defined in ERISA or (v) engage in any  proceeding  in which the Pension  Benefit
Guaranty  Corporation  shall seek  appointment,  or is appointed,  as trustee or
administrator  of any Plan,  as  defined  in  ERISA,  and with  respect  to this
sub-paragraph  (h), such event or condition (x) remains  uncured for a period of
thirty  (30) days from  date of  occurrence  and (y)  could,  in the  reasonable
opinion of the Agent, subject the Company to any tax, penalty or other liability
material to the business, operations or financial condition of the Company;

     (h) without the prior written  consent of the Agent,  the Company shall (i)
amend or modify the  Subordinated  Debt  existing on the date of this  Financing
Agreement,  or (ii) make any payment on account of the Subordinated  Debt except
as  permitted  herein  or in  the  Subordination  Agreements  relating  to  such
Subordinated Debt; or

     (i) any default or event of default  (after giving effect to any applicable
grace  or cure  periods)  under  any  instrument  or  agreement  evidencing  any
Indebtedness of the Company having a principal amount in excess of $750,000.

10.2 Upon the occurrence of a Default and/or an Event of Default,  the Agent may
(at its option) and shall at the direction of the Required  Lenders declare that
all loans, advances and extensions of credit provided for in Sections 3 and 5 of
this Financing  Agreement shall be thereafter in the Agent's sole discretion and
the  obligation of the Agent and/or the Lenders to make  Revolving  Loans and/or
arrange for the issuance of Letters of Credit shall cease unless such Default or
Event of Default  is waived in writing by the Agent on behalf of the  Lenders or
cured  to the  Agent's  satisfaction,  and upon  the  occurrence  of an Event of
Default the Agent may (at its option) and shall at the direction of the Required
Lenders  declare that:  (a) all  Obligations  shall become  immediately  due and
payable;  (b)  the  Default  Rate of  Interest  shall  be  charged  on all  then
outstanding or thereafter incurred  Obligations in lieu of the interest provided
for in Section 8 of this Financing  Agreement provided that with respect to this
clause (b): (i) the Agent has given the Company  written  notice of the Event of
Default,  provided,  however, that no notice is required if the Event of Default
is the Event listed in Section 10.1(d);  (ii) the Company has failed to cure the
Event of Default within ten (10) days after (A) the Agent  deposited such notice
in the United States mail or (B) the  occurrence of the Event of Default  listed
in  Section  10.1(d);  and (iii)  this  Financing  Agreement  shall  immediately
terminate  upon  notice to the  Company,  provided,  however,  that no notice of
termination  is required if

                                      -38-

<PAGE>

 the Event of Default is the Event  listed in Section
10.1(d).  The exercise of any option is not  exclusive of any other option which
may be exercised at any time by the Agent and/or the Lenders.

10.3 Immediately upon the occurrence of any Event of Default,  the Agent may and
at the direction of the Required  Lenders shall to the extent  permitted by law:
(a) remove from any  premises  where same may be located any and all  documents,
instruments, files and records, and any receptacles or cabinets containing same,
relating to the Accounts,  or the Agent may use, at the Company's expense,  such
of the  Company's  personnel,  supplies  or space  at the  Company's  places  of
business or otherwise,  as may be necessary to properly  administer  and control
the Accounts or the handling of collections and realizations  thereon; (b) bring
suit,  in the name of the  Company  or the Agent on behalf of the  Lenders,  and
generally  shall  have all other  rights  respecting  said  Accounts,  including
without  limitation  the right to:  accelerate  or extend  the time of  payment,
settle,  compromise,  release  in  whole  or in part  any  amounts  owing on any
Accounts  and issue  credits in the name of the Company or the Agent;  (c) sell,
assign and deliver the  Collateral  and any returned,  reclaimed or  repossessed
merchandise, with or without advertisement, at public or private sale, for cash,
on credit or otherwise, at the Agent's sole option and discretion, and the Agent
may bid or  become  a  purchaser  at any  such  sale,  free  from  any  right of
redemption, which right is hereby expressly waived by the Company; (d) foreclose
the  security  interests  in the  Collateral  created  herein  by any  available
judicial procedure,  or to take possession of any or all of the Inventory and/or
Other Collateral  without judicial process,  and to enter any premises where any
Inventory  and/or  Other  Collateral  may be located  for the  purpose of taking
possession  of or  removing  the same and (e)  exercise  any  other  rights  and
remedies provided in law, in equity,  by contract or otherwise.  The Agent shall
have the right,  without notice or  advertisement,  to sell, lease, or otherwise
dispose of all or any part of the  Collateral,  whether in its then condition or
after  further  preparation  or  processing,  in the name of the  Company or the
Agent, or in the name of such other party as the Agent may designate,  either at
public or private sale or at any broker's board, in lots or in bulk, for cash or
for credit, with or without warranties or  representations,  and upon such other
terms and conditions as the Agent in its sole discretion may deem advisable, and
the Agent shall have the right to purchase  at any such sale.  If any  Inventory
shall require rebuilding, repairing, maintenance or preparation, the Agent shall
have the right, at its option, to do such of the aforesaid as is necessary,  for
the purpose of putting the  Inventory in such  saleable  form as the Agent shall
deem  appropriate.  The Company agrees, at the request of the Agent, to assemble
the  Inventory  and to make it available to the Agent at premises of the Company
or elsewhere and to make  available to the Agent the premises and  facilities of
the Company for the purpose of the Agent's  taking  possession  of,  removing or
putting  the  Inventory  in  saleable  form.  However,  if  notice  of  intended
disposition  of any  Collateral  is  required by law, it is agreed that ten (10)
days notice shall  constitute  reasonable  notification and full compliance with
the law. The net cash

                                      -39-

<PAGE>

 proceeds resulting from the Agent's exercise of any of the
foregoing  rights (after  deducting all charges,  costs and expenses,  including
reasonable  attorneys' fees) shall be applied by the Agent to the payment of the
Company's Obligations,  whether due or to become due, in such order as the Agent
may elect,  and the Company shall remain liable to the Agent and the Lenders for
any  deficiencies,  and the Agent in turn  agrees to remit to the Company or its
successors or assigns, any surplus resulting  therefrom.  The enumeration of the
foregoing  rights is not intended to be exhaustive and the exercise of any right
shall not  preclude  the  exercise  of any other  rights,  all of which shall be
cumulative.

SECTION 11     Term and Termination

11.1 This Financing Agreement shall become effective as of the date set forth on
the first  page  hereof  and shall  continue  in full  force and  effect for the
initial  term  ending  three (3) years from the Closing  Date (the  "Anniversary
Date"), and from year to year thereafter (each, an "Anniversary  Date"),  unless
sooner terminated pursuant to the terms hereof.

11.2 Except as  otherwise  permitted  herein,  the Company or any Lender  acting
through the Agent may terminate this Financing  Agreement and the Line of Credit
only as of the  initial  or any  subsequent  Anniversary  Date and then  only by
giving the other at least sixty (60) days prior written  notice of  termination.
Notwithstanding the foregoing the Lenders acting through the Agent may terminate
the Financing Agreement  immediately upon the occurrence of an Event of Default,
provided,  however,  that if the Event of Default is an event  listed in Section
10.1(d) of this  Financing  Agreement,  the Agent and the Lenders may regard the
Financing  Agreement as  terminated  and notice to that effect is not  required.
This  Financing   Agreement,   unless  terminated  as  herein  provided,   shall
automatically    continue   from   Anniversary   Date   to   Anniversary   Date.
Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,   the  Company  may  terminate  this  Financing
Agreement and the Line of Credit prior to any applicable  Anniversary  Date upon
sixty (60) days' prior  written  notice to the Agent and the  Lenders,  provided
that the Company pays to the Agent for the benefit of the Lenders immediately on
demand,  the Early Termination Fee, if applicable.  Notwithstanding  anything to
the contrary  contained  herein:  (x) there shall be no Early Termination Fee if
the Early Termination Date occurs two (2) years after the Closing Date or at any
time  thereafter,  and (y)  there  shall  be no  Early  Termination  Fee if this
Financing Agreement  terminates because a controlling interest in the Company is
acquired by some entity (the  "purchaser") and CITBC  participates in the credit
facility  such  purchaser  enters  into  with  another  lender.  This  Financing
Agreement,  unless terminated as herein provided,  shall automatically  continue
from Anniversary Date to Anniversary  Date. All Obligations shall become due and
payable as of any termination  hereunder or under Section 10 hereof and, pending
a final  accounting,  the Agent and the Lenders may withhold any balances in the
Company's loan account

                                      -40-


<PAGE>

 (unless  supplied with an indemnity  satisfactory to the
Agent)  to  cover  all  of  the  Company's  Obligations,   whether  absolute  or
contingent. All of the Agent's and Lenders' rights, liens and security interests
shall continue after any termination  until all  Obligations  have been paid and
satisfied in full.

SECTION 12     Miscellaneous

12.1 The Company hereby waives  diligence,  demand,  presentment and protest and
any notices thereof as well as notice of nonpayment,  notice of dishonor, notice
of intent to accelerate and notice of acceleration.  No delay or omission of the
Agent or the Lenders or the Company to exercise  any right or remedy  hereunder,
whether before or after the happening of any Event of Default,  shall impair any
such right or shall operate as a waiver thereof or as a waiver of any such Event
of  Default.  No single or partial  exercise  by the Agent or the Lenders of any
right or remedy  precludes any other or further exercise  thereof,  or precludes
any other right or remedy.

12.2  THIS  WRITTEN  AGREEMENT  AND THE  OTHER  DOCUMENTS  REFERENCED  HEREIN OR
CONTEMPLATED  HEREBY REPRESENT THE FINAL AGREEMENT AMONG THE PARTIES AND MAY NOT
BE  CONTRADICTED  BY  EVIDENCE  OF PRIOR,  CONTEMPORANEOUS  OR  SUBSEQUENT  ORAL
AGREEMENTS OF THE PARTIES HERETO.  THERE ARE NO UNWRITTEN ORAL AGREEMENTS  AMONG
THE PARTIES.

12.3 It is the intent of the Company, the Agent and the Lenders to
conform  strictly to all applicable state and federal usury laws. All agreements
between the Company, the Agent and the Lenders whether now existing or hereafter
arising and whether written or oral, are hereby expressly  limited so that in no
contingency  or event  whatsoever,  whether  by  reason of  acceleration  of the
maturity  hereof or  otherwise,  shall the  amount  contracted  for,  charged or
received by the Agent and/or the Lenders for the use, forbearance,  or detention
of the money loaned hereunder or otherwise, or for the payment or performance of
any covenant or obligation contained herein or in any other document evidencing,
securing or pertaining to the Obligations  evidenced hereby which may be legally
deemed to be for the use,  forbearance or detention of money, exceed the maximum
amount which the Company is legally  entitled to contract for, charge or collect
under  applicable  state or federal  law. If from any  circumstances  whatsoever
fulfillment  of any  provision  hereof or of such other  documents,  at the time
performance of such provision shall be due, shall involve transcending the limit
of validity  prescribed  by law, then the  obligation  to be fulfilled  shall be
automatically  reduced  to the  limit  of such  validity,  and if from  any such
circumstance  the Agent  and/or the  Lenders  shall ever  receive as interest or
otherwise an amount in excess of the maximum that can be legally collected, then
such amount which would be excessive  interest shall be applied to the reduction
of the principal

                                      -41-

<PAGE>

indebtedness  hereof and any other amounts due with respect to
the Obligations evidenced hereby, but not to the payment of interest and if such
amount which would be excess interest  exceeds the Obligations and all other non
interest  indebtedness  described  above,  then such additional  amount shall be
refunded to the Company.  In determining  whether or not all sums paid or agreed
to be  paid  by the  Company  for  the  use,  forbearance  or  detention  of the
Obligations  of the Company to the Agent and/or the Lenders,  under any specific
contingency,  exceeds  the maximum  amount  permitted  by  applicable  law,  the
Company,  the Agent and the Lenders shall to the maximum extent  permitted under
applicable law, (a) treat all  Obligations as but a single  extension of credit,
(b) characterize any nonprincipal  payment as an expense,  fee or premium rather
than as sums paid or agreed to be paid by the Company  for the use,  forbearance
or detention of the  Obligations of the Company to the Agent and/or the Lenders,
(c) exclude  voluntary  prepayments  and the effect  thereof,  and (d) amortize,
prorate,  allocate and spread in equal parts, the total amount of such sums paid
or agreed to be paid by the Company for the use, forbearance or detention of the
Obligations  of the Company to the Agent and the Lenders  throughout  the entire
contemplated  term of the  Obligations  so that  the  interest  rate is  uniform
through the entire term of the  Obligations.  The terms and  provisions  of this
Section 12.3 shall control and supersede  every other  provision  hereof and all
other agreements between the Company, the Agent and the Lenders.

12.4 If any  provision  hereof  or of any  other  agreement  made in  connection
herewith is held to be illegal or  unenforceable,  such provision shall be fully
severable, and the remaining provisions of the applicable agreement shall remain
in full  force  and  effect  and  shall  not be  affected  by  such  provision's
severance.  Furthermore,  in lieu of any such  provision,  there  shall be added
automatically  as a part of the  applicable  agreement  a legal and  enforceable
provision as similar in terms to the severed provision as may be possible.

12.5 TO THE EXTENT  PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, THE COMPANY,  THE AGENT AND THE
LENDERS  EACH  HEREBY  WAIVE  ANY  RIGHT  TO A TRIAL  BY JURY IN ANY  ACTION  OR
PROCEEDING  ARISING  OUT  OF  THIS  FINANCING  AGREEMENT.   THE  COMPANY  HEREBY
IRREVOCABLY  WAIVES  PERSONAL  SERVICE OF  PROCESS  AND  CONSENTS  TO SERVICE OF
PROCESS BY CERTIFIED OR REGISTERED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED.

12.6 Except as  otherwise  herein  provided,  any notice or other  communication
required hereunder shall be in writing, and shall be deemed to have been validly
served,  given or delivered when hand  delivered or sent by facsimile,  or three
Business  Days after  deposit in the United State mail,  with proper first class
postage prepaid and addressed to the party to be notified as follows:

                                      -42-

<PAGE>

          (a)      if to the Agent, at:

                                    The CIT Group/Business Credit, Inc.
                                    300 South Grand Avenue, Third Floor
                                    Los Angeles, California 90071
                                    Attn:  Regional Credit Manager
                                    Fax No.:  (213) 613-2566

          (b)      if to any other  party  becoming a Lender  hereunder,
at the  address  specified  in the  Assignment  and Transfer Agreement

          (c)      if to the Company, at:

                                    FACTORY 2-U STORES, INC.
                                    4000 Ruffin Road
                                    San Diego, California 92123
                                    Attn:  Chief Financial Officer
                                    Fax No.:  (858) 637-4180

                                    copies of any notices of an Event of Default
                                    shall also be provided to:

                                    HUGHES HUBBARD & REED LLP
                                    350 South Grand Avenue
                                    Los Angeles, California  90071-3442
                                    Attention:  Theodore Latty, Esquire
                                    Fax No.:  (213) 613-2950;
                                    provided that Agent's failure to send a
                                    notice of an Event of Default shall not
                                    result in any such notice to the Company not
                                    being fully effective

or to such other address as any party may designate for itself by like notice.

12.7     THE VALIDITY,  INTERPRETATION  AND  ENFORCEMENT OF THIS FINANCING
AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

12.8 This  Financing  Agreement  can be amended,  modified or changed  only by a
writing signed by the Company,  the Agent and the Required  Lenders  (unless the
consent of all Lenders is required pursuant to Section 14.10 hereof).

SECTION 13     Agreement between the Lenders

13.1  (a) The  Agent,  for the account of the Lenders,  shall  disburse all
loans and advances to the Company and shall handle all collections of Collateral
and repayment of Obligations.  It is understood that for purposes of advances to


                                      -43-
<PAGE>

the Company and for  purposes of this Section 13 the Agent is using the funds of
the Agent.  The Company agrees that the Agent may allow up to two (2) Lenders to
participate as Lenders under this Financing  Agreement without the prior consent
of the Company and that one (1) additional Lender may participate with the prior
consent  of the  Company  which  consent  shall  not be  unreasonably  withheld;
provided,  however, that Agent shall, at all times, hold a greater percentage of
outstanding loans than any other Lender.

     (b) Unless  the Agent  shall  have been  notified  in writing by any Lender
prior to any  advance to the  Company  that such Lender will not make the amount
which would  constitute its share of the borrowing on such date available to the
Agent, the Agent may assume that such Lender shall make such amount available to
the  Agent on a  Settlement  Date,  and the Agent  may,  in  reliance  upon such
assumption,  make available to the Company a corresponding amount. A certificate
of the Agent submitted to any Lender with respect to any amount owing under this
subsection shall be conclusive, absent manifest error. If such Lender's share of
such  borrowing is not in fact made available to the Agent by such Lender on the
Settlement  Date,  the Agent  shall be  entitled  to recover  such  amount  with
interest  thereon at the rate per annum applicable to Revolving Loans hereunder,
on demand,  from the Company without prejudice to any rights which the Agent may
have against such Lender  hereunder.  Nothing contained in this subsection shall
relieve any Lender which has failed to make available its ratable portion of any
borrowing  hereunder from its  obligation to do so in accordance  with the terms
hereof.  Nothing  contained herein shall be deemed to obligate the Agent to make
available  to the Company the full amount of a requested  advance when the Agent
has any notice  (written or otherwise)  that any of the Lenders will not advance
its ratable portion thereof.

13.2 On the  Settlement  Date, the Agent and the Lenders shall each remit to the
other, in immediately  available  funds,  all amounts  necessary so as to ensure
that, as of the  Settlement  Date,  the Lenders  shall have their  proportionate
share of all outstanding Obligations.

13.3 The Agent shall forward to each Lender, at the end of each month, a copy of
the account statement rendered by the Agent to the Company.

13.4 The Agent shall,  after  receipt of any interest and fees earned under this
Financing  Agreement,  promptly remit to the Lenders: (a) their pro rata portion
of all fees, provided,  however,  that the Lenders (other than CITBC in its role
as  the  Agent)  shall  (i)  not  share  in  the  Collateral  Management  Fee or
Documentation  Fees or the fees provided for in Section  8.10;  and (ii) receive
their  share  of the Loan  Facility  Fee in  accordance  with  their  respective
agreements with the Agent; and (b) interest computed at the rate and as provided
for in Section 8 of this Financing Agreement on all outstanding amounts advanced
by the Lenders on each Settlement

                                      -44-

<PAGE>

 Date, prior to adjustment, that are subsequent
to the last remittance by the Agent to the Lenders of the Company's interest.

13.5 The  Company  acknowledges  that each of the  Lenders  may sell one or more
participations  in the loans and extensions of credit made and to be made to the
Company hereunder to participants  without the Company's prior consent,  so long
as such participants are not granted rights that would require the participant's
consent to waivers,  amendments and other actions with respect to the provisions
of this Financing  Agreement.  The Company authorizes each Lender to disclose to
any participant or purchasing  lender (each, a "Transferee") and any prospective
Transferee  any and  all  financial  information  in  such  Lender's  possession
concerning  the Company and their  affiliates  which has been  delivered to such
Lender by or on behalf of the Company  pursuant to this  Financing  Agreement or
which has been  delivered  to such  Lender by or on  behalf  of the  Company  in
connection  with  such  Lender's  credit  evaluation  of  the  Company  and  its
affiliates prior to entering into this Financing Agreement.

13.6 The Company  hereby agrees that each Lender is solely  responsible  for its
portion of the Line of Credit and that neither the Agent nor any Lender shall be
responsible  for,  nor assume any  obligations  for the failure of any Lender to
make  available  its portion of the Line of Credit.  Further,  should any Lender
refuse to make  available  its  portion  of the Line of  Credit,  then the other
Lender may, but without obligation to do so, increase, unilaterally, its portion
of the Line of Credit in which event the Company is so  obligated  to that other
Lender.

13.7 In the event  that the  Agent,  the  Lenders  or any one of them is sued or
threatened with suit by the Company,  or by any receiver,  trustee,  creditor or
any committee of creditors on account of any  preference,  voidable  transfer or
lender  liability  issue,  alleged to have occurred or been received as a result
of, or during the transactions contemplated under this Financing Agreement, then
in such event any money paid in satisfaction or compromise of such suit, action,
claim or demand and any expenses,  costs and attorneys' fees paid or incurred in
connection  therewith,  whether  by the Agent,  the  Lenders or any one of them,
shall  be  shared  proportionately  by the  Lenders.  In  addition,  any  costs,
expenses,  fees or  disbursements  incurred  by outside  agencies  or  attorneys
retained by the Agent to effect  collection or  enforcement of any rights in the
Collateral,  including  enforcing,  preserving or maintaining  rights under this
Financing  Agreement  shall be  shared  proportionately  between  and  among the
Lenders to the extent not  reimbursed  by the  Company or from the  proceeds  of
Collateral.  The  provisions  of this  paragraph  shall not apply to any  suits,
actions,  proceedings  or claims  that (a)  predate  the date of this  Financing
Agreement or (b) are based on  transactions,  actions or omissions  that predate
the date of this Financing Agreement.


                                      -45-

<PAGE>

13.8 Each of the Lenders  agrees with each other Lender that any money or assets
of the Company held or received by such Lender,  no matter how or when received,
shall be applied to the reduction of the  Obligations  (to the extent  permitted
hereunder)  after (a) the occurrence of an Event of Default and (b) the election
by the Required Lenders to accelerate the Obligations.  In addition, the Company
authorizes,  and the  Lenders  shall have the right,  without  notice,  upon any
amount becoming due and payable hereunder,  to set-off and apply against any and
all property held by, or in the  possession of such Lender the  Obligations  due
such Lenders.

13.9 CITBC shall have the right at any time to assign to one or more  commercial
banks,  commercial  finance  lenders or other  financial  institutions  all or a
portion of its rights and obligations under this Financing Agreement (including,
without  limitation,  its  obligations  under the Line of Credit,  the Revolving
Loans and its rights and  obligations  with respect to Letters of Credit).  Upon
execution of an Assignment and Transfer  Agreement,  (a) the assignee thereunder
shall be a party hereto and, to the extent that rights and obligations hereunder
have been  assigned  to it  pursuant  to such  assignment,  have the  rights and
obligations  of CITBC as the case may be hereunder  and (b) CITBC shall,  to the
extent that rights and  obligations  hereunder have been assigned by it pursuant
to such  assignment,  relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations
under this Financing  Agreement.  The Company shall,  if necessary,  execute any
documents reasonably required to effectuate the assignments. No other Lender may
assign its interest in the loans and advances and extensions of credit hereunder
without the prior written consent of the Agent. In the event of an assignment in
violation of this Section 13.9,  the Company may, upon notice given to the Agent
within ten (10) days after the Company  receives  notice of such  assignment and
within sixty (60) days of such notice,  terminate this  Financing  Agreement and
the Line of  Credit by  payment  in full of all  Obligations,  but  without  any
obligation to pay an Early Termination Fee.

SECTION 14     Agency

14.1 Each Lender hereby  irrevocably  designates and appoints CITBC as the Agent
for the Lenders under this Financing  Agreement and any ancillary loan documents
and irrevocably  authorizes CITBC as Agent for such Lender,  to take such action
on its behalf under the provisions of the Financing  Agreement and all ancillary
documents  and to exercise  such powers and perform such duties as are expressly
delegated  to the  Agent  by the  terms  of  this  Financing  Agreement  and all
ancillary documents together with such other powers as are reasonably incidental
thereto.  Notwithstanding  any  provision  to the  contrary  elsewhere  in  this
Financing  Agreement,  the Agent shall not have any duties or  responsibilities,
except those expressly set forth herein, or any fiduciary  relationship with any
Lender  and  no  implied   covenants,   functions,   responsibilities,   duties,
obligations or liabilities  shall be read into this

                                      -46-


<PAGE>

 Financing  Agreement and the
ancillary documents or otherwise exist against the Agent.

14.2 The Agent may execute any of its duties under this Financing  Agreement and
all ancillary documents by or through agents or  attorneys-in-fact  and shall be
entitled  to the advice of counsel  concerning  all matters  pertaining  to such
duties.

14.3 Neither the Agent nor any of its officers, directors, employees, agents, or
attorneys-in-fact  shall be (a) liable to any  Lender  for any  action  lawfully
taken or omitted to be taken by it or such person  under or in  connection  with
the  Financing  Agreement and all  ancillary  documents  (except for its or such
person's own gross negligence or willful misconduct),  or (b) responsible in any
manner to any of the Lenders for any recitals,  statements,  representations  or
warranties  made  by the  Company  or any  officer  thereof  contained  in  this
Financing Agreement and all ancillary  documents or in any certificate,  report,
statement or other  document  referred to or provided for in, or received by the
Agent under or in connection  with,  this Financing  Agreement and all ancillary
documents or for the value, validity, effectiveness, genuineness, enforceability
or sufficiency of this  Financing  Agreement and all ancillary  documents or for
any  failure of the  Company to perform its  obligations  thereunder.  The Agent
shall not be under any obligation to any Lender to ascertain or to inquire as to
the  observance  or  performance  of any  of the  agreements  contained  in,  or
conditions  of, this  Financing  Agreement  and all  ancillary  documents  or to
inspect the properties, books or records of the Company.

14.4 The  Agent  shall be  entitled  to rely,  and shall be fully  protected  in
relying,  upon any note,  writing,  resolution,  notice,  consent,  certificate,
affidavit,  letter,  cablegram,  telegram,  telecopy, telex or teletype message,
statement,  order or other document or conversation believed by it to be genuine
and  correct  and to have  been  signed,  sent or made by the  proper  person or
persons and upon advice and  statements  of legal  counsel  (including,  without
limitation,  counsel to the Company),  independent accountants and other experts
selected by the Agent. The Agent shall be fully justified in failing or refusing
to take any action under this  Financing  Agreement and all ancillary  documents
unless it shall first receive such advice or concurrence of the Lenders,  or the
Required Lenders,  as the case may be, as it deems appropriate or it shall first
be indemnified to its  satisfaction by the Lenders against any and all liability
and expense  which may be incurred  by it by reason of taking or  continuing  to
take any such action. The Agent shall in all cases be fully protected in acting,
or in refraining from acting,  under this Financing  Agreement and all ancillary
documents in accordance with a request of the Lenders,  or the Required Lenders,
as the case may be,  and such  request  and any  action  taken or failure to act
pursuant thereto shall be binding upon all the Lenders.

                                      -47-

<PAGE>


14.5 The Agent shall not be deemed to have knowledge or notice of the occurrence
of any  Default or Event of  Default  hereunder  unless  the Agent has  received
notice from a Lender or the Company describing such Default or Event of Default.
In the event that the Agent  receives  such a notice,  the Agent shall  promptly
give  notice  thereof to the  Lenders.  The Agent  shall take such  action  with
respect to such Default or Event of Default as shall be  reasonably  directed by
the Lenders,  or Required Lenders,  as the case may be; provided that unless and
until the Agent shall have received such direction, the Agent may in the interim
(but shall not be obligated  to) take such  action,  or refrain from taking such
action,  with  respect  to such  Default  or Event of  Default  as it shall deem
advisable and in the best interests of the Lenders.

14.6 Each Lender  expressly  acknowledges  that neither the Agent nor any of its
officers,  directors,  employees,  agents  or  attorneys-in-fact  has  made  any
representations  or  warranties  to it and that no act by the Agent  hereinafter
taken,  including  any review of the affairs of the  Company  shall be deemed to
constitute  any  representation  or warranty  by the Agent to any  Lender.  Each
Lender  represents to the Agent that it has,  independently and without reliance
upon the Agent or any other Lender and based on such  documents and  information
as it has deemed  appropriate,  made its own appraisal of and investigation into
the  business,   operations,   property,   financial  and  other  condition  and
creditworthiness  of the  Company  and made its own  decision to enter into this
Financing Agreement. Each Lender also represents that it will, independently and
without  reliance upon the Agent or any other Lender and based on such documents
and information as it shall deem  appropriate at the time,  continue to make its
own credit  analysis,  appraisals  and  decisions in taking or not taking action
under  the  Financing  Agreement  and to make  such  investigation  as it  deems
necessary to inform itself as to the business,  operations,  property, financial
and other  condition or  creditworthiness  of the Company.  The Agent,  however,
shall provide the Lenders with copies of all financial  statements,  projections
and  business  plans which come into the  possession  of the Agent or any of its
officers, employees, agents or attorneys-in-fact.

14.7 The Lenders  agree to  indemnify  the Agent in its capacity as such (to the
extent not reimbursed by the Company and without  limiting the obligation of the
Company  to do so),  from  and  against  any and all  liabilities,  obligations,
losses,  damages,  penalties,  actions,  judgments,  suits,  costs,  expenses or
disbursements  of any kind whatsoever  (including  negligence on the part of the
agent) which may at any time be imposed on, incurred by or asserted  against the
Agent in anyway  relating to or arising out of this  Financing  Agreement or any
ancillary  documents or any documents  contemplated  by or referred to herein or
the transactions contemplated hereby or any action taken or omitted by the Agent
under or in connection with any of the foregoing;  provided that no Lender shall
be liable for the  payment  of any  portion  of such  liabilities,  obligations,
losses,  damages,  penalties,  actions,  judgments,  suits,  costs,  expenses or
disbursements  resulting  solely from the Agent's  gross  negligence  or

                                      -48-
<PAGE>

 willful misconduct.  The agreements in this  paragraph  shall survive the
payment of the obligations.

14.8 The Agent may make loans to, and  generally  engage in any kind of business
with the Company as though the Agent were not the Agent hereunder.  With respect
to its loans made or renewed by it or loan obligations  hereunder as Lender, the
Agent shall have the same rights and powers,  duties and liabilities  under this
Financing Agreement as any Lender and may exercise the same as though it was not
the Agent and the terms  "Lender" and  "Lenders"  shall include the Agent in its
individual capacities.

14.9 The Agent may resign as the Agent upon 30 days'  notice to the  Lenders and
such  resignation  shall be effective upon the appointment of a successor Agent.
If the Agent shall resign as Agent,  then the Lenders  shall appoint a successor
Agent for the  Lenders  whereupon  such  successor  Agent  shall  succeed to the
rights,  powers  and  duties of the Agent and the term  "Agent"  shall mean such
successor Agent effective upon its  appointment,  and the former Agent's rights,
powers and duties as Agent shall be terminated, without any other or further act
or deed on the part of such former Agent or any of the parties to this Financing
Agreement.  After any retiring  Agent's  resignation  hereunder as the Agent the
provisions of this Section 14 shall inure to its benefit as to any actions taken
or omitted to be taken by it while it was the Agent.  If CITBC resigns as Agent,
the Company  may,  upon notice given to the Agent within ten (10) days after the
Company receives notice of such appointment,  terminate this Financing Agreement
and the Line of Credit by payment in full of all  Obligations  but  without  any
obligation to pay an Early  Termination  Fee, unless the Company consents to the
successor Agent, such consent not to be unreasonably withheld.

14.10  Notwithstanding  anything  contained in this  Financing  Agreement to the
contrary,  the Agent will not, without the prior written consent of all Lenders:
(a) amend the  Financing  Agreement  to (i)  increase  the Line of Credit;  (ii)
reduce  the  interest  rates;  (iii)  reduce  or waive (A) any fees in which the
Lenders  share  hereunder;  or (B)  the  repayment  of any  Obligations  due the
Lenders; (b) extend the maturity of the Obligations; (c) alter or amend (i) this
Section  14.10 or (ii) the  definitions  of Borrowing  Base,  Eligible  Accounts
Receivable,  Eligible Inventory,  Eligible In-Transit  Inventory,  Collateral or
Required Lenders,  or the Agent's criteria for determining  compliance with such
definitions  of   eligibility;   (d)  release   Collateral  in  bulk  without  a
corresponding  reduction in the Obligations to the Lenders, or (e) intentionally
make any Revolving  Loan or assist in opening any Letter of Credit  hereunder if
after giving effect  thereto the total of Revolving  Loans and Letters of Credit
hereunder for the Company would exceed one hundred and ten percent (110%) of the
maximum amount available under Section 3 hereof. In all other respects the Agent
is authorized to take such actions or fail to take such actions if the Agent, in
its reasonable  discretion,  deems such to be advisable and in the best interest
of the Lenders,  including,  but not

                                      -49-
<PAGE>

 limited to, the making of an overadvance or
the  termination  of the Financing  Agreement upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default  unless it is  specifically  instructed  to the contrary by the Required
Lenders.

14.11 In the event any Lender's  consent is required  pursuant to the provisions
of this  Financing  Agreement and such Lender does not respond to any request by
the Agent for such  consent  within 10 days after  such  request is made to such
Lender, such failure to respond shall be deemed a consent.  In addition,  in the
event that any Lender  declines to give its consent to any such  request,  it is
hereby  mutually  agreed that the Agent  and/or any other  Lender shall have the
right (but not the  obligation) to purchase such Lender's share of the Loans for
the full amount thereof  together with accrued  interest  thereon to the date of
such purchase.

14.12 Each Lender agrees that  notwithstanding  the  provisions of Section 11 of
this Financing  Agreement any Lender may terminate this Financing  Agreement and
the Line of Credit only as of the initial or any subsequent Anniversary Date and
then only by giving the Agent 90 days prior written  notice  thereof.  Within 30
days after  receipt of any such  termination  notice,  the Agent  shall,  at its
option,  either (a) give notice of termination  to the Company  hereunder or (b)
purchase the Lender's  share of the  Obligations  hereunder  for the full amount
thereof plus accrued  interest  thereon.  Unless so  terminated  this  Financing
Agreement  and  the  Line  of  Credit  shall  be  automatically   extended  from
Anniversary Date to Anniversary Date.

                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  have  caused  this
Financing  Agreement to be executed,  agreed to, accepted and delivered by their
proper and duly authorized officers as of the date set forth above.


                              FACTORY 2-U STORES, INC.,
                              a Delaware corporation



                              By:  /s/ Douglas C. Felderman
                              Name:Douglas C. Felderman
                              Title:     EVP - CFO

                                      -50-
<PAGE>

Executed and Accepted at
Los Angeles, California,
March 3, 2000

THE CIT GROUP/BUSINESS CREDIT, INC., as Agent
and Lender



By:   /s/ Frank Brown
Name: Frank Brown
Title: Vice President

                                      -51-

<PAGE>




                                    EXHIBIT A

                         REVOLVING LOAN PROMISSORY NOTE


$50,000,000.00                                                     March 3, 2000


                  FOR VALUE RECEIVED, the undersigned, FACTORY 2-U STORES, INC.,
a Delaware corporation (the "Company"),  promises to pay to the order of THE CIT
GROUP/BUSINESS  CREDIT, INC. (herein "CITBC"),  as Agent for the Lenders under a
certain  Financing  Agreement of even date  herewith  between CITBC as Agent and
Lender,  other Lenders  parties  thereto and the Company  (herein the "Financing
Agreement")  at its office located at 300 South Grand Avenue,  Third Floor,  Los
Angeles,  California  90071, in lawful money of the United States of America and
in immediately  available  funds,  the principal amount of Fifty Million Dollars
($50,000,000.00),  or such other principal  amount advanced  pursuant to Section
3.1 of the  Financing  Agreement.  The  balance  of  such  Revolving  Loan  will
fluctuate as a result of the daily application of the proceeds of collections of
the  Accounts  and the making of  additional  Revolving  Loans as  described  in
Section 3. The  Revolving  Loans may be borrowed,  repaid and  reborrowed by the
Company. A final payment in an amount equal to the outstanding aggregate balance
of principal and interest  remaining  unpaid,  if any, under this Revolving Loan
Promissory  Note as shown on the books and records of the Agent shall be due and
payable upon any termination of the Financing Agreement.

                  All  capitalized  terms used  herein  shall  have the  meaning
provided therefor in the Financing Agreement, unless otherwise defined herein.

                  The Company  further  promises to pay interest at such office,
in like money, on the unpaid  principal amount owing hereunder from time to time
from the date hereof on the dates and at the rates  specified  in Section 8.1 of
the Financing Agreement.

                  If any payment on this Revolving Loan  Promissory Note becomes
due and payable on a day other than a Business  Day, the maturity  thereof shall
be extended to the next succeeding Business Day, and with respect to payments of
principal,  interest thereon shall be payable at the then applicable rate during
such extension.

                  This  Revolving  Loan  Promissory  Note is the Revolving  Loan
Promissory Note referred to in the Financing  Agreement,  and is subject to, and
entitled to, all provisions and benefits  thereof and is subject to optional and
mandatory prepayment, in whole or in part, as provided therein.

                                      -52-
<PAGE>

                  The date and amount of the  advance(s)  made  hereunder may be
recorded on the schedule  which is attached  hereto and hereby made part of this
Revolving Loan Promissory Note or the separate ledgers  maintained by the Agent,
provided that any failure to record any such  information on such schedule shall
not in any manner  affect the  obligation  of the  Company to make  payments  of
principal  and  interest in  accordance  with the terms of this  Revolving  Loan
Promissory  Note.  The aggregate  unpaid  principal  amount of all advances made
pursuant  hereto may be set forth in the balance column on said schedule or such
ledgers maintained by the Agent. All such advances,  whether or not so recorded,
shall be due as part of this Revolving Loan Promissory Note.

                  The Company  confirms  that any amount  received by or paid to
the  Agent in  connection  with the  Financing  Agreement  and/or  any  balances
standing to its credit on any of its  accounts  on the  Agent's  books under the
Financing  Agreement may in accordance with the terms of the Financing Agreement
be applied in reduction of this Revolving Loan  Promissory  Note, but no balance
or  amounts  shall  be  deemed  to  effect  payment  in whole or in part of this
Revolving Loan Promissory Note unless the Agent shall have actually charged such
account  or  accounts  for the  purposes  of such  reduction  or payment of this
Revolving Loan Promissory Note.

                  Upon  the  occurrence  of any  one or more  of the  Events  of
Default  specified  in  the  Financing  Agreement  or  upon  termination  of the
Financing  Agreement,  all amounts then remaining  unpaid on this Revolving Loan
Promissory Note may become, or be declared to be, immediately due and payable as
provided in the Financing Agreement.

                  The Company and any and all guarantors,  sureties and endorses
jointly and severally waive grace,  demand,  presentment for payment,  notice of
dishonor or default,  notice of intent to  accelerate,  notice of  acceleration,
protest and diligence in collecting.

                  This Revolving Loan  Promissory Note shall be governed by, and
construed  in  accordance  with,  the laws of the  state of  California  and the
applicable federal laws of the United States.

                              FACTORY 2-U STORES, INC.,
                              a Delaware corporation



                              By:
                              Name:
                              Title:


                                      -53-

<PAGE>

Attest:




Secretary

                                      -54-


<PAGE>






                                SCHEDULE TO GRID



Date           Loan                          Payment                     Balance







                                      -55-

<PAGE>




                                   EXHIBIT B

                        ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER AGREEMENT

                           Dated: _____________, 20__


                  Reference is made to the Financing Agreement dated as of March
3, 2000 (as amended, modified, supplemented and in effect from time to time, the
"Financing  Agreement"),  among Factory 2-U Stores, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the "Company"),  the Lenders named therein, and The CIT Group/Business  Credit,
Inc., as Agent (the  "Agent").  Capitalized  terms used herein and not otherwise
defined  shall  have  the  meanings  assigned  to such  terms  in the  Financing
Agreement.  This  Assignment  and Transfer  Agreement,  between the Assignor (as
defined  and set forth on  Schedule  1 hereto  and made a part  hereof)  and the
Assignee  (as defined and set forth on Schedule 1 hereto and made a part hereof)
is dated as of the Effective  Date (as set forth on Schedule 1 hereto and made a
part hereof).

1. The Assignor  hereby  irrevocably  sells and assigns to the Assignee  without
recourse to the  Assignor,  and the Assignee  hereby  irrevocably  purchases and
assumes from the Assignor without recourse to the Assignor,  as of the Effective
Date,  an  undivided  interest  (the  "Assigned  Interest")  in and  to all  the
Assignor's  rights and  obligations  under the  Financing  Agreement  respecting
those, and only those, financing facilities contained in the Financing Agreement
as are set forth on Schedule 1  (collectively,  the  "Assigned  Facilities"  and
individually,  an "Assigned Facility"),  in a principal amount for each Assigned
Facility as set forth on Schedule 1.

2.  The  Assignor  (a)  makes no  representation  or  warranty  and  assumes  no
responsibility  with respect to any  statements,  warranties or  representations
made in or in connection with the Financing  Agreement or any other  instrument,
document  or  agreement  executed in  conjunction  therewith  (collectively  the
"Ancillary  Documents") or the execution,  legality,  validity,  enforceability,
genuiness,  sufficiency  or value of the  Financing  Agreement,  any  Collateral
thereunder or any of the Ancillary Documents  furnished pursuant thereto,  other
than that it is the legal and beneficial owner of the interest being assigned by
it hereunder  and that such  interest is free and clear of any adverse claim and
(b) makes no  representation  or  warranty  and assumes no  responsibility  with
respect  to the  financial  condition  of the  Company or any  guarantor  or the
performance  or  observance  by  the  Company  or  any  guarantor  of any of its
respective  obligations  under the  Financing  Agreement or any of the Ancillary
Documents furnished pursuant thereto.

3. The Assignee (a)  represents  and warrants  that it is legally  authorized to
enter into this  Assignment  and Transfer  Agreement;  (b) confirms  that it has
received a copy of the Financing Agreement, together with the copies of the most

                                      -56-

<PAGE>

recent  financial  statements  of the  Company,  and such  other  documents  and
information as it has deemed  appropriate to make its own credit  analysis;  (c)
agrees that it will,  independently  and without  reliance  upon the Agent,  the
Assignor or any other Lender and based on such  documents and  information as it
shall deem appropriate at the time, continue to make its own credit decisions in
taking or not taking  action  under the  Financing  Agreement;  (d) appoints and
authorizes  the Agent to take such action as agent on its behalf and to exercise
such powers under the  Financing  Agreement as are delegated to the Agent by the
terms thereof,  together with such powers as are reasonably  incidental thereto;
(e) agrees that it will be bound by the  provisions of the  Financing  Agreement
and will perform in accordance with its terms all the  obligations  which by the
terms of the  Financing  Agreement are required to be performed by it as Lender;
and (f) if the Assignee is organized  under the laws of a  jurisdiction  outside
the United States, attaches the forms prescribed by the Internal Revenue Service
of the United  States  certifying  as to the  Assignee's  exemption  from United
States withholding taxes with respect to all payments to be made to the Assignee
under the  Financing  Agreement  or such other  documents  as are  necessary  to
indicate  that all such payments are subject to such tax at a rate reduced by an
applicable tax treaty.

4.  Following  the execution of this  Assignment  and Transfer  Agreement,  such
agreement  will be delivered to the Agent for  acceptance by it and the Company,
effective as of the Effective Date.

5. Upon such acceptance, from and after the Effective Date, the Agent shall make
all  payments  in  respect  of the  assigned  interest  (including  payments  of
principal,  interest,  fees and other  amounts) to the  Assignee,  whether  such
amounts have accrued  prior to the  Effective  Date or accrue  subsequent to the
Effective Date. The Assignor and Assignee shall make all appropriate adjustments
in payments for periods  prior to the  Effective  Date made by the Agent or with
respect to the making of this assignment directly between themselves.

6. From and after the Effective  Date,  (a) the Assignee shall be a party to the
Financing  Agreement and, to the extent provided in this Assignment and Transfer
Agreement,  have the rights and obligations of a Lender thereunder,  and (b) the
Assignor  shall,  to  the  extent  provided  in  this  Assignment  and  Transfer
Agreement,  relinquish its rights and be released from its obligations under the
Financing Agreement.

7. THIS ASSIGNMENT AND TRANSFER  AGREEMENT  SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND CONSTRUED
 IN ACCORDANCE  WITH, THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA.

                                      -57-
<PAGE>

                  IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  have  caused  this
Assignment and  Acceptance to be executed by their  respective  duly  authorized
officers on Schedule 1 hereto.




                                      -58-




<PAGE>



                 Schedule 1 to Assignment and Transfer Agreement


Name of Assignor:

Name of Assignee:

Effective Date of Assignment:   ____________________, 20__


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                Percentage Assigned of each facility (Shown as
                                Principal Amount (or, with       a percentage of aggregate principal amount or,
                                respect to Letters of Credit     with respect to Letters of Credit, fact amount
Assigned Facilities             face amount Assigned             of all Lenders)
<S>                             <C>                              <C>


Revolving Loans                 $______________                  ______________%


Letter of Credit
participation interest          $______________                  ______________%



                      Total:    $______________                  ______________%

</TABLE>


THE CIT GROUP/BUSINESS CREDIT, INC., As Agent
                                                    As Assignee


By:
Name:                                               By:
      -----------------------------
Title:                                              Name:
      -----------------------------
                                                    Title:
Factory 2-U Stores, Inc.
(the "Company")



By:
Name:
Title:


                                      -59-
<PAGE>



                                  Schedule 1

                                 Existing Liens

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

ARIZONA

- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
DEBTOR                                FILING NUMBER            FILING DATE        SECURED PARTY
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>                      <C>                <C>

Factory 2-U Stores, Inc.              995040                   11/28/97           Sensormatic Electronics Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
Factory 2-U, Inc.                     718725                   09/21/92           Metlife Capital Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
Factory 2-U, Inc.                     769305                   12/21/93           Metlife Capital Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
Factory 2-U, Inc.                     946305                   12/04/96           EUA Cogenex Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
Factory 2-U, Inc.                     980552                   08/12/97           GTE Leasing Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
Family Bargain Center                 504538                   10/16/87           Easton Sports, Inc.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
Family Bargain Center                 790999                   06/20/94           Southern Pacific Thrift & Loan Assn.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
Family Bargain Center                 790000                   06/20/94           Southern Pacific Thrift & Loan Assn.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
General Textiles                      930441                   08/12/96           Sensormatic Electronics Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
General Textiles                      930442                   08/12/96           Sensormatic Electronics Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
General Textiles                      941038                   10/25/96           Sensormatic Electronics Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
General Textiles                      995041                   11/28/97           Sensormatic Electronics Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
General Textiles                      1011591                  04/08/98           Sensormatic Electronics Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------

</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


CALIFORNIA

- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
DEBTOR                                FILING NUMBER            FILING DATE        SECURED PARTY
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>                      <C>                <C>

Factory 2-U Stores, Inc.              0004060398               02/03/00           Crown Credit Company
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
Factory 2-U, Inc.                     9610660915               04/16/96           Metlife Capital Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
Family Bargain Corp.                  9521661048               08/03/95           Megabank of Arapahoe
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
Family Bargain Corp.                  9803660143               01/30/98           IBM Credit Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
Family Bargain Corp.                  9805860694               02/24/98           IBM Credit Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
Family Bargain Corp.                  9809060907               03/30/98           IBM Credit Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
Family Bargain Center                 9533560109               11/28/95           Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Co.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
Family Bargain Center                 9612360424               05/01/96           EUA Cogenex Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
General Textiles, Inc.                9516060024               06/07/95           IBM Credit Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
General Textiles, Inc.                9621860629               08/02/96           EUA Cogenex Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
General Textiles, Inc.                9702860482               01/27/97           EUA Cogenex Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
General Textiles, Inc.                9706961264               03/10/97           EUA Cogenex Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
General Textiles, Inc.                9724860177               09/04/97           EUA Cogenex Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
General Textiles                      9515260139               05/31/95           Graybar Financial Services
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
General Textiles                      9524060630               08/25/95           Leasetec Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
General Textiles                      9622260426               08/08/96           Sensormatic Electronics Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
General Textiles                      9630360291               10/28/96           Sensormatic Electronics Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
General Textiles                      9723061059               08/15/97           Sensormatic Electronics Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
General Textiles                      9725160339               09/04/97           Sensormatic Electronics Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
General Textiles                      9733560592               11/26/97           Sensormatic Electronics Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
General Textiles                      9810060294               04/09/98           Sensormatic Electronics Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
General Textiles                      9925060787               09/01/99           Sensormatic Electronics Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
General Textiles                      9928860025               10/12/99           Sensormatic Electronics Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



NEVADA

- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
DEBTOR                                FILING NUMBER            FILING DATE        SECURED PARTY
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>                      <C>                <C>

General Textiles                      96-12999                 08/15/96           Sensormatic Electronics Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
General Textiles                      97-19857                 12/01/97           Sensormatic Electronics Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------

</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


NEW MEXICO

- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
DEBTOR                                FILING NUMBER            FILING DATE        SECURED PARTY
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>                      <C>                <C>

Factory 2-U Stores, Inc.              971201074                12/01/97           Sensormatic Electronics Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
General Textiles                      960812011                08/12/96           Sensormatic Electronics Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
General Textiles                      960812012                08/12/96           Sensormatic Electronics Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
General Textiles                      971201073                12/01/97           Sensormatic Electronics Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
</TABLE>


                                      -61-


<PAGE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

OREGON

- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
DEBTOR                                FILING NUMBER            FILING DATE        SECURED PARTY
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>                      <C>                <C>

General Textiles                      418473                   04/16/98           Sensormatic Electronics Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
General Textiles                      419356                   04/22/98           Sensormatic Electronics Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------

</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


SAN DIEGO COUNTY, CA

- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
DEBTOR                                FILING NUMBER            FILING DATE        SECURED PARTY
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>                      <C>                <C>

Family Bargain Corp.                  1995-0409158             09/14/95           Megabank of Arapahoe
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------

</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


TEXAS

- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
DEBTOR                                FILING NUMBER            FILING DATE        SECURED PARTY
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>                      <C>                <C>

Factory 2-U Stores, Inc.              242622                   11/26/97           Sensormatic Electronics Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
General Textiles                      242623                   11/26/97           Sensormatic Electronics Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------

</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

WASHINGTON

- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
DEBTOR                                FILING NUMBER            FILING DATE        SECURED PARTY
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>                      <C>                <C>

General Textiles                      96-222-0093              08/09/96           Sensormatic Electronics Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
General Textiles                      96-317-0185              11/12/96           Sensormatic Electronics Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
General Textiles                      97-335-0893              12/01/97           Sensormatic Electronics Corp.
- ------------------------------------- ------------------------ ------------------ ----------------------------------------
</TABLE>

                                      -62-

<PAGE>





                                   Schedule 2

                 Collateral Locations, Chief Executive Office and Trade Names


                             Chief Executive Office

                                4000 Ruffin Road

                        San Diego, California 92123-1866





                              Collateral Locations

                                  See Attached





                                   Trade Names

                                   Factory 2-U
                             Family Bargain Centers




                                      -63-





                                                    NYB 1069844.3
EXHIBIT 10.3


                          AMENDED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

         THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT, dated as of March 30, 1998 and amended as of
August 31, 1999, by and between  Factory 2-U Stores,  Inc.  ("Factory  2-U"),  a
Delaware corporation,  the name of which formerly was Family Bargain Corporation
and which is the successor by merger to General  Textiles,  and Michael Searles,
who currently resides in Rancho Santa Fe, California ("Executive").

                              W I T N E S S E T H


         WHEREAS, on March 30, 1998, General Textiles, Factory 2-U and Executive
entered into an agreement  setting forth the terms of Executive's  employment by
General Textiles for a term beginning on March 30, 1998 (the "Effective  Date");
and

         WHEREAS,  Factory  2-U and  Executive  desire  to amend  the  agreement
entered  into  on  March  30,  1998  (that  agreement,  as  amended,  being  the
"Agreement") so the Agreement will be as set forth below.

         NOW,  THEREFORE,  in consideration of the promises and mutual covenants
contained  herein and for other good and  valuable  consideration,  the  parties
agree as follows:

     1. Term of  Employment.  Except  upon  earlier  termination  as provided in
Section 9 hereof,  Executive's  employment  under this Agreement  shall be for a
five year term  commencing on the Effective  Date and  terminating  on March 29,
2003 (the "Employment Term").

     2.  Positions.  (a) Executive  shall serve as President and Chief Executive
Officer of Factory  2-U.  Executive  shall  report to the Board of  Directors of
Factory 2-U (the "Board") and shall have such duties and  authority,  consistent
with his  position  as the Chief  Executive  Officer of Factory  2-U as shall be
assigned to him from time to time by the Board.

     (b)  During  the  Employment  Term,  Executive  shall,  without  additional
compensation,  also (i) serve on the Board of  Directors  of, and  perform  such
executive and  consulting  services for, or on behalf of, such  subsidiaries  or
affiliates of Factory 2-U as the Board may, from time to time, request.  Factory
2-U  and  such   subsidiaries  and  affiliates  are  hereinafter   referred  to,
collectively,   as  the  "Company"   and,   individually,   as  a   "Constituent
Corporation."  For purposes of this Agreement,  the term "Affiliate"  shall have
the meaning ascribed thereto in the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
(the "Act").

     (c) During the Employment Term, Executive shall devote substantially all of
his  business  time and  efforts to the  performance  of his  duties  hereunder;
provided,  however,  that Executive shall be permitted,  to the extent that such
activities do not materially  interfere  with the  performance of his duties and
responsibilities  hereunder,  to manage his personal financial and legal affairs
and  to  serve  on  corporate,   civic,  or  charitable  boards  or  committees.
Notwithstanding  the foregoing,  the Executive  shall not serve on any corporate
board of directors or similar body if such service  would be  inconsistent  with
his fiduciary  responsibilities  to any

                                       1

<PAGE>

Constituent  Corporation  and in no event shall Executive serve on any such
board or other body unless  approved by the Board,  which  approval shall not be
unreasonably withheld.

     3. Base Salary.  During the Employment  Term,  Factory 2-U shall pay to the
Executive a base salary at the annual rate of not less than six hundred thousand
dollars  ($600,000).  Base salary shall be payable in accordance  with the usual
payroll  practices of Factory 2-U.  Executive's  base salary shall be subject to
annual  review  by the  Board  or its  designee  and may be  increased,  but not
decreased,  from time to time. The base salary,  as determined as aforesaid from
time to time, shall constitute "Base Salary" for purposes of this Agreement.

     4. Annual  Bonus.  Executive's  annual bonus will be targeted at 50% of the
Base Salary.  The Board and the  Executive  will agree on annual  targets,  with
final discretion residing with the Board. If the targets are exceeded, the Board
may  increase  the bonus.  If the targets  are not met,  the Board may reduce or
withhold the bonus  entirely.  The Board will  annually  review  whether a merit
increase of the annual bonus is warranted.

     5. Equity  Compensation.  (a) Factory 2-U has granted to Executive  options
under its  incentive  stock  option plan ("ISO  Plan")  entitling  Executive  to
acquire a total of 76,520  shares of Factory  2-U's  common  stock at $6.534 per
share (which is equal to the closing  market price of such common stock on March
30,  1998,  the date on which the  Executive  became an employee of the Company,
adjusted  to take  account of the  recapitalization  which  caused each share of
common stock to become .30133 shares of common  stock).  Those  incentive  stock
options  vest  in  increments  of  15,304  shares  on  each  of the  first  five
anniversaries  of the Effective  Date.  In addition,  Factory 2-U has granted to
Executive  nonqualified  stock  options to  acquire a total of 13,880  shares of
Factory  2-U's  common  stock at $5.2733  per share.  Those  nonqualified  stock
options  vest  in  increments  of  2,776  shares  on  each  of  the  first  five
anniversaries of the Effective Date.

     (b) Promptly  following the Effective  Date,  the Executive  purchased from
Factory 2-U, at a purchase price of $1,000 per share,  one thousand four hundred
(1,400) shares of Factory 2-U's Series B preferred stock.  Those shares have now
become  242,662  shares of Factory  2-U common  stock (the  "Executive  Stock").
Factory 2-U loaned to  Executive,  upon the terms and subject to the  conditions
set forth in  Exhibit A hereto,  an  amount  equal to the cost  incurred  by the
Executive for the acquisition of the Executive Stock.  Whenever  interest is due
with regard to that loan, Factory 2-U shall pay to the Executive,  as additional
compensation, the amount which, after payment of taxes, is equal to the interest
payment minus any resulting tax deductions.

     (c)  Executive  granted to Factory  2-U an option (the  "Buy-back  Option")
entitling Factory 2-U to acquire the Executive Stock from Executive in the event
that Executive's

                                       2

<PAGE>


employment under this Agreement is terminated for any reason other than pursuant
to Section 9(a)(i), (ii) or (iii) hereof. The price at which Factory 2-U will be
entitled to exercise the Buy-back Option shall be determined by reference to the
following table:



<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


    Number of years elapsed from the              1              2              3              4              5
             Effective Date
- ------------------------------------------   -------------- ------------   ------------   -------------  ---------------
<S>                                          <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>            <C>


Percentage of Executive  Stock subject to    80%            60%            40%            20%            0%
the Buy-back Option



Exercise Price of the Buy-back Option        $5.808         $6.637         $7.467         $8.297         --


</TABLE>

The number of shares of Executive  Stock subject to the Buy-Back  Option and the
exercise price of the Buy-Back  Option shall be determined by  interpolation  in
the event of any  exercise  of the  Buy-Back  Option on any date  other  than an
anniversary of the Effective Date.

     (d) Factory 2-U granted to Executive,  effective as of the Effective  Date,
further options (the "Further Options")  entitling  Executive to acquire a total
of 271,197  shares of Factory 2-U's common stock at a price of $6.637 per share.
The Executive will be entitled to exercise the Further  Options (i) prior to the
sixth  anniversary of the Effective Date and (ii) during the period which begins
on the day which is 60 days before the ninth  anniversary  of the Effective Date
and ends on (and  includes) the ninth  anniversary  of the  Effective  Date (the
"Fully Vested  Period"),  and the Further  Options will expire at 5:00 p.m., San
Diego, California time, on the ninth anniversary of the Effective Date, provided
that:

     (i) except  during the Fully  Vested  Period,  the  Executive  shall not be
entitled to exercise any of the Further  Options until the closing  market price
of Factory  2-U's common stock equals or exceeds  $19.91 per share on sixty (60)
trading  days during any twelve (12) month period  commencing  at any time after
the Effective Date and terminating prior to the termination,  for any reason, of
Executive's employment by the Company;

     (ii) except during the Fully Vested Period, the Executive shall be entitled
to exercise not more than 135,599 of the Further  Options if the closing  market
price of Factory  2-U's  shares  shall equal or exceed  $19.91 per share on, but
shall fail to exceed  $24.89 per share,  on sixty (60)  trading  days during any
twelve (12) month period  commencing  at any time after the  Effective  Date and
terminating prior to the termination,  for any reason, of Executive's employment
by the Company; and

     (iii) the  Executive  shall be  entitled  to  exercise  all of the  Further
Options if the  closing  market  price of Factory  2-U's  shares  shall equal or
exceed $24.89 per share for sixty (60) trading days during any twelve (12) month
period commencing at any time after

                                       3
<PAGE>

the  Effective  Date and  terminating  prior to the termination, for any reason,
of Executive's employment by the Company.

     (e) If the  Executive  is still  employed by the  Company  during the Fully
Vested Period, during the Fully Vested Period, the Executive will be entitled to
exercise  all the Further  Options,  without  regard to what the closing  market
price of Factory 2-U's common stock is or has been.

     6.  Employment  Benefits  and  Vacation.  (a) During the  Employment  Term,
Executive shall be entitled to participate in all pension, retirement,  savings,
welfare and other pension and welfare  employee  benefit plans and  arrangements
and fringe  benefits and  perquisites  generally  maintained by the Company from
time to time for the benefit of senior executives of the Company,  in accordance
with  their  respective  terms as in effect  from time to time  (other  than any
special arrangement entered into by contract with an executive).

     (b) During the  Employment  Term,  Executive  shall be entitled to vacation
each year in accordance with the Company's policies in effect from time to time,
but in no event less than four (4) weeks paid  vacation per calendar  year.  The
Executive  shall also be entitled to such sick leave as is customarily  provided
by the Company for its senior executive employees.

     7. Moving  Expenses.  The  Executive has been  reimbursed,  on an after-tax
basis, for expenses incurred by the Executive in the relocation of his family to
San Diego for the purpose of commencing  Executive's employment pursuant to this
Agreement.

     8. Business  Expenses.  The Executive  shall be reimbursed  for the travel,
entertainment   and  other  business  expenses  incurred  by  Executive  in  the
performance  of his duties  hereunder,  in accordance  with  policies  generally
applicable to senior executives of the Company as in effect from time to time.

     9. Termination.  (a) The employment of Executive under this Agreement shall
terminate upon the occurrence of any of the following events:

          (i)      the death of Executive;

          (ii)     the termination by Factory 2-U of Executive's employment due
 to Executive's Disability pursuant to Section 9(b) hereof;

          (iii)    the termination by Executive of Executive's employment for
Good Reason pursuant to Section 9(c) hereof;

          (iv)     the termination by Factory 2-U of Executive's employment
 without Cause;

          (v)      the termination by Executive of Executive's employment
without Good Reason upon sixty (60) days prior written notice; or

          (vi)     the termination by Factory 2-U of Executive's employment for
Cause pursuant to Section 9(e) hereof.

                                       4
<PAGE>

     (b)  Disability.  If, by reason of the same or related  physical  or mental
reasons,  Executive is unable to carry out his material  duties pursuant to this
Agreement  for more than six (6) months in any  twelve  (12)  consecutive  month
period,  Factory 2-U may terminate  Executive's  employment for Disability  upon
thirty (30) days prior written notice, by a Notice of Disability Termination.

     (c)  Termination  for Good Reason.  A  Termination  for Good Reason means a
termination  by Executive by written  notice given within ninety (90) days after
the occurrence of the Good Reason event.  For purposes of this Agreement,  "Good
Reason"  shall mean the  occurrence or failure to cause the  occurrence,  as the
case  may  be,  without  Executive's  express  written  consent,  of  any of the
following circumstances,  unless such circumstances are fully corrected prior to
the date of termination  specified in the Notice of Termination  for Good Reason
(as defined in Section 9(d) hereof):  (i) the material  branch by the Company of
any of its  obligations  to  Executive  under this  Agreement  or the failure of
Factory 2-U to make timely payments of compensation or reimbursement pursuant to
Section 3, 4, 7 or 8 hereof; (ii) any material  diminution,  after the Effective
Date, of Executive's positions,  duties or responsibilities hereunder, as of the
Effective  Date  (except  in each case in  connection  with the  termination  of
Executive's  employment  for Cause or Disability  or as a result of  Executive's
death,  or temporarily  as a result of Executive's  illness or other absence and
provided  that a  reduction  in the size or  number of the  units  reporting  to
Executive as a result of dispositions,  shall not be a material diminution),  or
the assignment to Executive of duties or responsibilities  that are inconsistent
with Executive's  position as the Chief Executive  Officer of Factory 2-U; (iii)
removal of, or the  nonreelection  of, the  Executive  from his  position as the
Chief  Executive  Officer of Factory 2-U; or (iv) a relocation  of the principal
executive  offices of Factory 2-U to a location more than twenty-five (25) miles
from San Diego, California or a relocation of Executive away from such principal
executive office.

     (d) Notice of Termination of Good Reason.  A Notice of Termination for Good
Reason  shall  mean a  notice  that  shall  indicate  the  specific  termination
provision in Section 9(c) relied upon and shall set forth in  reasonable  detail
the facts and circumstances  claimed to provide a basis for Termination for Good
Reason.  The failure by Executive to set forth in the Notice of Termination  for
Good Reason any fact or  circumstance  which  contributes  to the  showing  Good
Reason  shall not waive any right of Executive  hereunder or preclude  Executive
from asserting such fact or circumstance in enforcing his rights hereunder.  The
Notice of  Termination  for Good Reason shall provide for a date of  termination
not less than ten (10) nor more than sixty (60) days after the date such  Notice
of Termination for Good Reason is given, provided that in the case of the events
set forth in  Section  9(c)(ii)  or (iii) the date may be two (2) days after the
giving of such notice.

     (e) Cause.  Subject to the  notification  provisions of Section 9(f) below,
Executive's employment hereunder may be terminated by Factory 2-U for Cause. For
purposes of this  Agreement,  the term  "Cause"  shall be limited to (i) willful
misconduct  by  Executive  with  regard  to the  Company;  (ii) the  refusal  of
Executive  to follow  the  proper  written  direction  of the  Board;  provided,
however,  that the  foregoing  refusal shall not be "Cause" if Executive in good
faith believes that such direction is illegal, unethical or immoral and promptly
so notifies the entity or person giving the  direction;  (iii)  Executive  being
convicted of a felony;  (iv) the willful  breach by  Executive of any  fiduciary
duty owed by Executive to any Constituent Corporation

                                       5

<PAGE>

which has a material  adverse  effect on the  Company;  or (v)  Executive's
material fraud with regard to any Constituent Corporation.

     (f) Notice of  Termination  for Cause.  A Notice of  Termination  for Cause
shall mean a notice that shall  indicate the specific  termination  provision in
Section 9(e) relied upon and shall set forth in reasonable  detail the facts and
circumstances  which  provide a basis for  Termination  for  Cause.  Further,  a
Notification  for Cause shall include a copy of a resolution  duty adopted by at
least a majority of the entire membership of the Board at a meeting of the Board
which was  called for the  purpose of  considering  such  termination  and which
Executive and his  representative had the right to attend and address the Board,
finding  that,  in the good faith  opinion of the  Board,  Executive  engaged in
conduct  set  forth  in the  definition  of  Cause  herein  and  specifying  the
particulars  thereof  in  reasonable  detail.  The  date  of  termination  for a
Termination  for Cause shall be the date indicated in the Notice of Termination.
Any  purported  Termination  for Cause which is held by a court not to have been
based on the grounds set forth in this  Agreement  or not to have  followed  the
procedures  set forth in this  Agreement  shall be deemed a Termination  without
Cause.

     10.  Consequences  of Termination of Employment.  (a) Death. If Executive's
employment is terminated  during the  Employment  Term by reason of  Executive's
death,  the  employment  period under this  Agreement  shall  terminate  without
further  obligations  to  the  Executive's  legal   representatives  under  this
Agreement except for (i) any compensation earned but not yet paid, including and
without limitation,  any declared but unpaid bonus, any amount of Base Salary or
deferred  compensation  accrued or earned but unpaid,  any accrued  vacation pay
payable pursuant to the Company's policies and any reimbursed  business expenses
payable  pursuant to Section 8, which  amounts  shall be promptly paid in a lump
sum to Executive's  estate;  (ii) the product of (x) the target annual bonus for
the  fiscal  year  of  Executive's  death,  multiplied  by (y) a  fraction,  the
numerator of which is the number of days of the current fiscal year during which
Executive  was  employed by Factory 2-U,  and the  denominator  of which is 365,
which  bonus  shall be paid when  bonuses  for such period are paid to the other
executives;  (iii) full  accelerated  vesting,  with a waiver of all performance
based targets, under all outstanding  equity-based and long-term incentive plans
(with options  remaining  outstanding  as provided  under the  applicable  stock
option plan and a pro rata payment under any long term incentive  plans based on
actual  coverage  under such plans at the time payments  normally  would be made
under such  plans);  (iv)  subject to  Section 11 hereof,  any other  amounts or
benefits owing to Executive under the then applicable  employee benefit plans or
policies of the Company,  which shall be paid in  accordance  with such plans or
policies;  (v) payment on a monthly  basis of twelve (12) months of Base Salary,
which shall be paid to Executive's  spouse, or if she shall predecease him, then
to Executive's children (or their guardian if one is appointed) in equal shares;
and (vi) payment of the spouse's and dependent's  COBRA coverage premiums to the
extent, and as long as, they remain eligible for COBRA coverage, but in no event
more than three (3) years.

     (b)  Disability.  If  Executive's  employment  is  terminated  by reason of
Executive's Disability,  Executive shall be entitled to receive the payments and
benefits  to which  his  representatives  would be  entitled  in the  event of a
termination  of employment by reason of his death;  provided that the payment of
Base Salary shall be reduced by the projected  amount he would receive under any
long-term  disability  policy or program  maintained  by the Company  during the
twelve (12) month period during which Base Salary is being paid.

                                       6
<PAGE>

     (c)  Termination by Executive for Good Reason or for Change in Control.  If
(i) Executive  terminates  his  employment  hereunder for Good Reason during the
Employment  Term,  or  (ii) a  Change  in  Control  occurs  and  within  90 days
thereafter Executive  terminates his employment for any reason,  Executive shall
be entitled to receive the payments  and  benefits to which his  representatives
would be entitled in the event of a  termination  of employment by reason of his
death.

     (d) Termination with Cause or Voluntary Resignation without Good Reason. If
Executive's  employment  hereunder is terminated (i) by Factory 2-U for Cause or
(ii) by Executive  without Good Reason except within 90 days  following a Change
in Control,  the  Executive  shall be  entitled to receive  only his Base Salary
through  the  date  of  termination,  any  earned  but  unpaid  bonus,  and  any
unreimbursed business expenses payable pursuant to Section 8. All other benefits
(including  without  limitation  rights to retain restricted stock and rights to
exercise  options)  due  Executive  shall  terminate  upon such  termination  of
employment.

     (e) Termination by the Company Without Cause. If Executive's  employment is
terminated  by the  Factory 2-U without  cause,  Executive  shall be entitled to
receive the payment and benefits to which his representatives  would be entitled
in the event of a termination  of  employment by reason of his death;  provided,
however,  that Executive  shall not be entitled to receive the benefit set forth
in clause (iii) of Paragraph 10(a) hereof.

     11.  No  Mitigation;  No  Set-Off.  In  the  event  of any  termination  of
employment under Section 9, Executive shall be under no obligation to seek other
employment and there shall be no offset against any amounts due Executive  under
this  Agreement on account of any  remuneration  attributable  to any subsequent
employment  that  Executive may obtain.  Any amounts due under Section 10 are in
the nature of severance payments, or liquidated damages, or both, and are not in
the nature of a penalty.  Such amounts are  inclusive and in lieu of any amounts
payable under any other salary  continuation  or cash  severance  arrangement of
Factory 2-U or any  affiliate  thereof and to the extent paid or provided  under
any other such arrangement shall be offset from the amount due hereunder.

     12.  Change in Control.  (a)  Subject to the  provisions  of Section  12(b)
hereof, for purposes of this Agreement,  the term "Change in Control" shall mean
(a) the sale of all or  substantially  all of the  assets of the  Company in the
aggregate,  whether pursuant to a single  transaction or pursuant to a series of
transactions  and whether through an asset sale or stock sale,  other than to an
affiliate;  (b) any "person" (as defined in the Act) not an affiliate of Factory
2-U on the  Effective  Date becomes the  "beneficial  owner" (as defined in Rule
13d-3  under the Act),  directly or  indirectly,  of  securities  of Factory 2-U
representing  fifty (50%) or more of the combined  voting power of Factory 2-U's
then  outstanding  securities;  (c) during any period of two consecutive  years,
individuals  who at the  beginning  of  such  period  constitute  the  Board  of
Directors,  and any new director  (other than a director  designated by a person
who has entered  into an  agreement  with  Factory  2-U to effect a  transaction
described in this paragraph) whose election by the Board of Directors of Factory
2-U or nomination for election by Factory 2-U's  stockholders  was approved by a
vote of at least  two-thirds  of the  directors  then still in office who either
were  directors at the  beginning of the  two-year  period or whose  election or
nomination  for election  was  previously  so approved,  cease for any reason to
constitute at least a majority of the Board of Directors;  (d) the  stockholders
of Factory 2-U approve a merger or consolidation of

                                       7
<PAGE>

Factory   2-U  with  any  other   corporation,   other  than  a  merger  or
consolidation  which  would  result in the  voting  securities  of  Factory  2-U
outstanding  immediately  prior  thereto  continuing  to  represent  (either  by
remaining  outstanding  or by being  converted  into  voting  securities  of the
surviving  entity) more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of
the  voting  securities  of Factory  2-U or such  surviving  entity  outstanding
immediately  after such  merger or  consolidation;  or (e) the  stockholders  of
Factory  2-U  approve  a plan  of  complete  liquidation  of  Factory  2-U or an
agreement for the sale or disposition by Factory 2-U of all or substantially all
of Factory 2-U's assets other than the sale of all or  substantially  all of the
assets of Factory 2-U to a person or persons who beneficially  own,  directly or
indirectly, at least fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of
the outstanding voting securities of Factory 2-U at the time of the sale.

     (b)  Factory  2-U and  Searles  acknowledge  that  Factory  2-U and General
Textiles effected a restructuring of such corporations. Notwithstanding anything
to  the  contrary  set  forth  herein,  it  is  agreed  that  no  restructuring,
recapitalization,  reorganization,  merger, consolidation or similar transaction
involving  General  Textiles,  Factory  2-U or any  affiliate  thereof  (but not
involving any  unaffiliated  third party) shall be deemed to have constituted or
to constitute a Change of Control hereunder.

     13. Confidential  Information,  Non-Competition and Non-Solicitation of the
Company.  (a) (i) Executive  acknowledges  that,  as a result of his  employment
hereunder,  Executive  will obtain secret and  confidential  information  of the
Company and the Company will suffer substantial damage, which would be difficult
to ascertain and in an amount which would be difficult to compute,  if Executive
should use any of such  confidential  information and that because of the nature
of the  information  that will be known to  Executive  it is  necessary  for the
Company to be  protected by the  prohibition  against  Competition  as set forth
herein, as well as the Confidentiality restrictions set forth herein.

     (ii) Executive  acknowledges that the retention of nonclerical employees of
the Company, in which the Company has invested training and on which the Company
depends for the operation of its business, is important to the businesses of the
Company;  Executive  will obtain unique  information  as to such employees as an
executive  of the  Company  and will  develop  a unique  relationship  with such
persons as a result of being an executive of the Company; and, therefore,  it is
necessary for the Company to be protected from Executive's  Solicitation of such
employees as set forth below.

     (iii)  Executive  acknowledges  that the  provisions of this  Agreement are
reasonable  and necessary for the  protection of the business of the Company and
that part of the compensation paid under this Agreement and the agreement to pay
severance in certain  instances is in  consideration  for the agreements in this
Section 13.

     (b) As used herein,  "Competition" shall mean:  participating,  directly or
indirectly,  as  an  individual  proprietor,   partner,  stockholder,   officer,
employee,  director,  joint  venturer,  investor,  lender,  consultant or in any
capacity  whatsoever  (within  the  United  States of  America,  or in any other
country  where any  Constituent  Corporation  does  business)  in a business  in
competition  with  any  business  conducted  by  any  Constituent   Corporation;
provided,  however,  that such participation shall not include (i) the ownership
of not more than one percent (1%) of

                                       8
<PAGE>

the  total  outstanding  stock  of a publicly-held  company;  or any  activity
engaged  in with  the  prior  written approval of the Board.

     (c) As used herein,  "Solicitation"  shall mean  recruiting,  soliciting or
inducing any nonclerical  employee of any  Constituent  Corporation to terminate
his or her employment  with, or otherwise  cease his or her  relationship  with,
such Constituent Corporation or hiring, or assisting another person or entity to
hire, any nonclerical employee of any Constituent Corporation or any person who,
within  six  (6)  months  before,  had  been  a  nonclerical  employees  of  any
Constituent  Corporation,  unless the employment of such person by a Constituent
Corporation was terminated involuntarily and without cause.

     (d) If any restriction set forth with regard to Competition or Solicitation
is found  by any  court  of  competent  jurisdiction,  or an  arbitrator,  to be
unenforceable because it extends for too long a period of time or over too great
a range  of  activities  or in too  broad  a  geographical  area,  it  shall  be
interpreted  to extend over the maximum  period of time,  range of activities or
geographic  area as to which it may be  enforceable.  If any  provision  of this
Section 13 shall be declared to be invalid or enforceable,  in whole or in part,
as a result of the  foregoing,  as a result  of  public  policy or for any other
reason,  such  invalidity  shall not affect  the  remaining  provisions  of this
Section, which shall remain in full force and effect.

     (e)  During  and after  the  Employment  Term,  Executive  shall  hold in a
fiduciary  capacity  for the benefit of the  Company all secret or  confidential
information,  knowledge  or data  relating  to the  Company  and  its  business,
including any confidential information as to suppliers (i) obtained by Executive
during  his  employment  by the  Company  and (ii) not  otherwise  in the public
domain.  Executive  shall not,  without  prior  written  consent of the Company,
unless  compelled  pursuant to the order of a court or other government or legal
body  having  jurisdiction  over such  matter,  communicate  or divulge any such
information,  knowledge  or data to anyone  other  than the  Company,  and those
designated  by it. In the event  Executive  is  compelled by order of a court or
other governmental or legal body to communicate or divulge any such information,
knowledge or data to anyone other than the foregoing,  he shall promptly  notify
the Company of any such order and he shall  cooperate  fully with the Company in
protecting such information to the full extent possible under applicable law.

     (f) Upon  termination  of his employment  with the Company,  or at any time
Factory 2-U may  request,  Executive  will  promptly  deliver to Factory 2-U, as
requested, all documents (whether prepared by the Company,  Executive or a third
party)  relating to the company or any of its business or property  which he may
possess  or have  under  his  direction  or  control,  other  than his  personal
employment and personnel records.

     (g) During the Employment Term and for one (1) year  thereafter,  Executive
will not enter into Competition with the Company.  Furthermore,  in the event of
any termination of Executive's employment for any reason whatsoever,  whether by
the Company or by the  Executive  and  whether or not for Cause,  Good Reason or
expiration of the Employment Term, the Executive will not engage in Solicitation
for three (3) years thereafter.

(h) Executive acknowledges that in the event of a breach of this Section 13, the
Company  will be  cause  irreparable  injury  and  money  damages  may not be an
adequate

                                       9

<PAGE>

remedy.  Consequently,  Executive  agrees  that the  Company  shall be
entitled to injunctive relief (in addition to its other remedies at law) to have
the provisions of this Section 13 enforced.

     14.  Indemnification.  (a) The Company  agrees that if  Executive is made a
party to or  threatened  to be made a party to any action,  suit or  proceeding,
whether civil,  criminal,  administrative or investigative (a "Proceeding"),  by
reason of the fact that he is or was a director  or  officer of any  Constituent
Corporation or is or was serving at the request of any  Constituent  Corporation
as a  director,  officer,  member,  employee,  fiduciary  or  agent  of  another
corporation  or of a  partnership,  joint  venture,  trust or other  enterprise,
including,  without limitation,  service with respect to employee benefit plans,
whether or not the basis of such  Proceeding  is alleged  action in an  official
capacity as a director,  officer,  member,  employee,  fiduciary  or agent while
serving as a  director,  officer,  member,  employee,  fiduciary  or agent while
serving as a director,  officer, member, employee,  fiduciary or agent, he shall
be indemnified and held harmless by the applicable company to the fullest extent
authorized  by  applicable  law  against  all  Expenses  incurred or suffered by
Executive in connection therewith, and such indemnification shall continue as to
Executive  even if  Executive  has ceased to be an  officer,  director,  member,
fiduciary or agent, or is no longer employed by such company, and shall inure to
the benefit of his heirs, executors and administrators.

     (b) As used in this Agreement,  the term "Expenses" shall include,  without
limitation,  damages, losses, judgments,  liabilities,  fines, penalties, excise
taxes,   settlements  and  costs,   attorneys'  fees,   accountants'  fees,  and
disbursements and costs of attachment or similar bonds, investigations,  and any
expenses of establishing a right to indemnification under this Agreement.

     (c) Expenses  incurred by Executive in connection with any Proceeding shall
be paid in advance upon request of Executive  and the giving by the Executive of
any undertakings required by applicable law.

     (d) Executive  shall give the Company  notice of any claim made against him
for which indemnity will or could be sought under this  Agreement.  In addition,
Executive  shall give the Company such  information  and  cooperation  as it may
reasonably  require and as shall be within  Executive's  power and at such times
and places as are reasonably convenient for Executive.

     (e) With  respect to any  Proceeding  as to which  Executive  notifies  the
Company of the commencement thereof:

          (i)      The Company will be entitled to participate therein at its
 own expense; and

          (ii) Except as otherwise  provided  below,  to the extent that it may
 wish,  the Company will be entitled to assume the defense thereof,  with
counsel reasonably satisfactory to Executive,  in which case Executive also
shall have the right to employ his own counsel in such action,  suit or
proceeding,  but only at his own cost and expense,  provided  that the Company
shall only be permitted to assume defense of a Proceeding if (1) the Proceeding
could not result in imposition of criminal penalties against Executive and
(2) the Company acknowledges that it

                                       10
<PAGE>

is liable to indemnify  Executive  with respect to al Expenses with respect to
such Proceedings,  except  as  provided  earlier  in this  sentence  with
regard to Executive's own counsel.

     (f) The  Company  shall not be liable to  indemnify  Executive  under  this
Agreement  for any amounts paid in  settlement  of any action or claim  effected
without its written consent. The Company shall not settle any action or claim in
any manner  which  would  impose any penalty on  Executive  (except a penalty in
respect of which Executive is fully indemnified  hereunder) without  Executive's
written consent. Neither the Company nor Executive will unreasonably withhold or
delay consent to any proposed settlement.

     (g) The right to  indemnification  and the payment of expenses  incurred in
defending a  Proceeding  in advance of its final  disposition  conferred in this
Section 14 shall not be exclusive of any other right which Executive may have or
hereafter  may  acquire  under any  statute,  provision  of the  certificate  of
incorporation or by-laws of the any company, agreements, vote of stockholders or
disinterested directors or otherwise.

     (h) The Company  shall  obtain  officer and  director  liability  insurance
policies  covering  Executive  in the same  aggregate  amount and under the same
terms as are maintained by the Company for senior officers and directors.

     15. Miscellaneous.


     (a)  Entire  Arrangement/Amendments.  This  Agreement  and the  instruments
contemplated  herein,  contain  the entire  understanding  of the  parties  with
respect  to  the   employment  of  Executive  by  the  Company.   There  are  no
restrictions,   agreements,  promises,  warranties,  covenants  or  undertakings
between the parties with respect to the subject  matter  hereof other than those
expressly  set forth  herein and  therein.  This  Agreement  may not be altered,
modified, or amended except by written instrument signed by the parties hereto.

     (b) No Waiver.  The failure of a party to insist upon strict  adherence  to
any term of this  Agreement on any occasion  shall not be considered a waiver of
such party's rights or deprive such party of the right thereafter to insist upon
strict  adherence  to that term or any other  term of this  Agreement.  Any such
waiver must be in writing and signed by  Executive or an  authorized  officer of
Factory 2-U, as the case may be.

     (c) Assignment.  This Agreement shall not be assignable by Executive.  This
Agreement  shall be assignable  by Factory 2-U, but only to another  Constituent
Corporation and only if such Constituent Corporation promptly assumes all of the
obligations hereunder of Factory 2-U in a writing delivered to the Executive and
otherwise  complies with the provisions  hereof with regard to such  assumption.
Upon such assignment and assumption, all obligations of Factory 2-U herein shall
be the obligations of the assignee  entity or acquiror,  as the case may be, but
Factory 2-U shall remain secondarily liable for the obligations hereunder.

     (d)  Successors;  Binding  Agreement.  This  Agreement  shall  inure to the
benefit or and be binding upon the personal or legal representatives, executors,
administrators,  successor, heirs, distributees, devisees legatees and permitted
assignees of the parties hereto.

                                       11

<PAGE>

     (e)  Communications.  For the  purpose of this  Agreement,  notices and all
other  communications  provided  for in this  Agreement  shall be in writing and
shall be deemed to have been duly given (i) when faxed or delivered, or (ii) two
business days after mailed by United States registered or certified mail, return
receipt requested,  postage prepaid,  addressed to the respective  addresses set
forth on the  initial  page of this  Agreement,  provided  that all  notices  to
Factory  2-U shall be  directed to the  Chairman  of the Board of  Directors  of
Factory  2-U or to such  other  address as any party may have  furnished  to the
other in writing in  accordance  herewith.  Notice of change of address shall be
effective only upon receipt.

     (f)  Withholding  Taxes.  The Company may withhold from any and all amounts
payable under this Agreement to Executive such Federal, state and local taxes as
may be required to be withheld pursuant to any applicable law or regulation.

     (g)  Survival.  The  respective  rights  and  obligations  of  the  parties
hereunder shall survive any termination of Executive's  employment to the extent
necessary to the agreed preservation of such rights and obligations.

     (h)  Counterparts.  This Agreement may be signed in  counterparts,  each of
which shall be an original,  with the same effect as if the  signatures  thereto
and hereto were upon the same instrument.

     (i) Headings.  The headings of the sections contained in this Agreement are
for convenience only and shall not be deemed to control or affect the meaning or
construction of any provisions of this Agreement.

              IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this
Agreement as of the day and year first above written,



                                    FACTORY 2-U STORES, INC.



                                    By:  /S/ H. Whitney Wagner
                                          H. Whitney Wagner
                                          Compensation Committee, Chairman





                                     /s/ Michael M. Searles
                                     Michael M. Searles



                                       12
<PAGE>


                                                  EXHIBIT A

                                  Terms of Loan


Principal Amount:                  $1,400,000

Interest Rate:                     8%, to accrue and be paid at maturity.

Principal Amortization:            Annual  repayments of principal in an amount
                                   equal to 16.25%  of the  annual  bonus  paid
                                   to the  borrower by Factory 2-U.

Maturity:                          Five years from the date of the loan.

Security and Recourse:             The loan will be secured by a pledge of the
                                   shares purchased  with  the proceeds of the
                                   loan.  Personal recourse against the borrower
                                   will be limited to the amount of $600,000.




                                       13




EXHIBIT 11.1

                            FACTORY 2-U STORES, INC.
                    COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS (LOSS) PER SHARE
                      (in thousands, except per share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                                Fiscal Year Ended
                                                                   January 29,     January 30,      January 31,
                                                                      2000             1999             1998
                                                                 ---------------- --------------- -----------------
<S>                                                              <C>              <C>              <C>
The computation of net income (loss) available and
   adjusted shares outstanding follows:

Income (loss) before extraordinary item                               $   12,442       $   5,019       $     (129)
Extraordinary item, net of income tax benefit
                                                                               -           2,750                -
                                                                          ------           -----             -----
Net income (loss)                                                         12,442           2,269             (129)
                                                                          ------           -----             -----
Less:
 Inducement to convert preferred stock to common stock                         -           2,804                 -
 Series A preferred stock dividends                                            -           2,593             3,456
 Series B preferred stock dividends                                            -           2,210             2,661
                                                                          ------           -----             -----
Net income (loss) applicable to common stock                          $   12,442       $ (5,338)         $  (6,246)
                                                                          ======          ======             =====

Weighted average number of common shares outstanding *                    12,214           3,381             1,477

Add assumed exercise of:
     Warrants that are common stock equivalents                               18               -                 -
     Options that are common stock equivalents                               632               -                 -
                                                                          ------           -----             -----
Adjusted shares outstanding, used for diluted computation                 12,864           3,381             1,477
                                                                          ======          ======             =====
Earnings (loss) per share:
  Basic:
          Income (loss) before extraordinary item                        $  1.02         $ (0.77)          $ (4.23)
          Extraordinary item                                             $     -         $ (0.81)          $     -
          Net income (loss)                                              $  1.02         $ (1.58)          $ (4.23)


  Diluted:
          Income (loss) before extraordinary item                        $  0.97         $ (0.77)          $ (4.23)
          Extraordinary item                                             $     -         $ (0.81)          $     -
          Net income (loss)                                              $  0.97         $ (1.58)          $ (4.23)
</TABLE>


* The weighted  average  number of common shares  outstanding  for prior periods
have been  restated for the reverse  stock split  (factor is .30133)  which took
place on November 23, 1998.



EXHIBIT 23.1


         CONSENT OF ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP, INDEPENDENT PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS


As independent public accountants, we hereby consent to the incorporation of our
report  included  in  this  Form  10-K,  into  the  Company's  previously  filed
Registration Statement File Nos. 333-76011, 333-89267 and 333-94123.


                               ARTHUR ANDERSEN LLP


San Diego, California
  April 21, 2000


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE>                     5

<LEGEND>
     This schedule  contains summary  financial  information  extracted from the
Balance  Sheet and  Statement  of  Operations  as of and for the 52 weeks  ended
January 29, 2000 and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements  as included in the Company's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                                          0000813775
<NAME>                                         FACTORY 2-U STORES, INC.
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000

<S>                                            <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                  12-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              Jan-29-2000
<PERIOD-START>                                 Jan-31-1999
<PERIOD-END>                                   Jan-29-2000
<CASH>                                         9,473
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  0
<ALLOWANCES>                                   0
<INVENTORY>                                    35,048
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               48,996
<PP&E>                                         45,295
<DEPRECIATION>                                 17,870
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 108,466
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          47,755
<BONDS>                                        0
                          0
                                    0
<COMMON>                                       124
<OTHER-SE>                                     46,306
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   108,466
<SALES>                                        421,391
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               421,391
<CGS>                                          270,962
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  270,962
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               127,676
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             2,272
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                20,481
<INCOME-TAX>                                   8,039
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            12,442
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   12,442
<EPS-BASIC>                                    1.02
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  0.97




</TABLE>


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