ALLOU HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE INC
10-K, 1996-06-28
DRUGS, PROPRIETARIES & DRUGGISTS' SUNDRIES
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-K

|X|        Annual  report  pursuant  to  Section  13 or 15(d) of the  Securities
           Exchange Act of 1934 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1996

|_|        Transition  report  pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
           Exchange Act of 1934 for the transition period from _____ to  _____

Commission file number 1-10340
                       --------

                        ALLOU HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE, INC.
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
           Delaware                                         11-2953972
- ------------------------------                           -------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                          (I.R.S. Employer
 incorporation or organization)                          Identification No.)

50 Emjay Boulevard, Brentwood, New York                       11717
- ---------------------------------------                       -----
(Address of principal executive offices)                    (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:  (516) 273-4000
                                                    ------------------
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:


                                                          Name Of Each Exchange
Title Of Each Class                                       On Which Registered
- -------------------                                       -------------------

Class A Common Stock, $.001 par value                    American Stock Exchange

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:  None

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

           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 the 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. [X]

           On June 27, 1996,  the aggregate  market value of the voting stock of
Allou Health & Beauty  Care,  Inc.,  held by  non-affiliates  of the  Registrant
(consisting  of  Class A  Common  Stock,  $.001  par  value)  was  approximately
$31,865.575  based upon the closing  sales  price for such Common  Stock on said
date  as  reported  by  the  American  Stock  Exchange.  For  purposes  of  this
calculation,  the Registrant has excluded the Class B Common Stock which is held
only by affiliates.

           As of June 27, 1996, the  Registrant had 4,552,225  shares of Class A
Common Stock and 1,200,000 shares of Class B Common Stock outstanding.

                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE:

Certain  portions of the  Registrant's  definitive  Proxy Statement for the 1996
Annual Meeting of Stockholders are incorporated by reference in Part III of this
Form 10-K.

        
<PAGE>


                                     PART I


ITEM 1.    BUSINESS

           Allou Health & Beauty Care, Inc., was incorporated  under the laws of
the State of Delaware in January 1989 as the  successor  to Allou  Distributors,
Inc. As used herein,  unless the context otherwise requires,  the term "Company"
refers to Allou Health & Beauty Care,  Inc.  and its  wholly-owned  subsidiaries
Allou Distributors, Inc., M. Sobol, Inc. ("Sobol") and Allou Personal Care Corp.
("Allou Personal Care")

           The  Company  distributes  national  brand name health and beauty aid
("HBA") products,  fragrances and cosmetics,  non-perishable packaged food items
and prescription  pharmaceuticals  primarily to independent retailers in the New
York,  New  Jersey,  Connecticut,  Philadelphia  and  Miami  area.  The  Company
purchases  approximately 8,000 HBA products from such manufacturers as Procter &
Gamble Co.,  Johnson & Johnson and Gillette Co. and 7,000 fragrance and cosmetic
products directly from manufacturers  such as Revlon,  Inc. and Coty (a Division
of Pfizer  Inc.) and from  secondary  sources for sale to more than 4,200 retail
outlets including small discount chains,  individual HBA suppliers and non-chain
supermarkets.  Fragrance and cosmetic  products are also marketed  nationally to
discount chain stores such as Wal-Mart  Stores,  Inc. and Sears,  Roebuck & Co.,
independent retail stores and pharmacies directly or through Company catalogues.
The Company also  distributes  approximately 50 HBA products under the trademark
"Allou Brands." Although this activity has accounted for only a small percentage
of revenues to date,  the Company is  expanding  its  marketing  efforts in this
area.

           In addition, the Company,  through its wholly-owned subsidiary Sobol,
serves  as  a  direct   manufacturers'   distributor  of  branded   prescription
pharmaceuticals.  Sobol is  positioned  to bolster  its  market  share and gross
profit margins by diversifying  its product mix to include generic  prescription
pharmaceuticals and HBA products to an expanded customer base.

           In  October  1995,  the  Company  purchased  selected  assets of Russ
Kalvin's, Inc. ("Russ Kalvin's").  The Russ Kalvin's acquisition has enabled the
Company to manufacture and distribute  salon quality hair and skin care products
through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Allou Personal Care.

PRODUCTS

           The Company  distributes  five general  categories of products:  name
brand health and beauty aids, fragrances and cosmetics,  Allou Brands health and
beauty aids, food and prescription pharmaceuticals.


        
                                       -2-

<PAGE>



             Name Brand HBA Products
             -----------------------

           The Company  distributes  approximately 8,000 national name brand HBA
products.  Set  forth  below  are some of the 76  different  types  of  products
available from the Company in the national HBA line. However,  specific products
may vary depending upon the merchandise  which the Company is able to acquire at
a given time:

Allergy Relief                                 Insecticides
Adhesive Strips and Bandages                   Liniments and Rubs
Antacids                                       Lip Balms and Medication
Baby Needs                                     Nail Care
Bath Preps, Talcs, Colognes                    Nasal Sprays, Drops & Vapors
Batteries and Flashlights                      Oral Antiseptics and Sprays
Candy, Gum, Mints & Food                       Oral Hygiene
Cotton Products and Swabs                      Pain Relief
Cough and Cold Remedies                        Razor and Blades
Denture Products                               Rubber Products and Gloves
Deodorants                                     Sedatives and Awakeners
Depilatories, Ladies Shave Preparations        Shampoos
Feminine Hygiene Products                      Shave Creams
Film, Cameras, Flashbulbs                      Shave Lotions and Colognes
First Aid Needs                                Shoe Care
Foot Care                                      Skin Care Products
Hair Accessories                               Soaps
Hair Coloring                                  Stationery and School Supplies
Hair Sprays                                    Toothbrushes
Hosiery                                        Toothpaste and Powders
Household Light Bulbs                          Vitamins and Tonics
Household Paper Products

           The sales of these products  accounted for approximately 36%, 34% and
33% of the Company's revenues, respectively, during the fiscal years ended March
31, 1994, 1995 and 1996.

           Fragrances and Cosmetics
           ------------------------

           Fragrances  distributed  by the  Company  include  those  produced by
Faberge,  Inc.,  Chanel,  Inc. and Revlon,  Inc. Among the cosmetic products are
eyeshadows, lipsticks, mascaras and skin care products produced by Revlon, Inc.,
Coty (a Division  of Pfizer  Inc.),  Lancome (a  Division of Cosmair,  Inc.) and
Estee Lauder,  Inc. See  "Manufacturers  and Suppliers." During the fiscal years
ended March 31, 1994,  1995 and 1996 fragrance and cosmetic sales  accounted for
approximately  34%, 32% and 32% of the  Company's  revenues,  respectively.  The
profit  margins on such  sales are  typically  greater  than those on name brand
health and beauty aids, and accordingly, the Company has

        
                                       -3-

<PAGE>


sought  to  increase  its  sales  and  marketing   efforts  in  this  area.  See
"Management's  Discussion  and  Analysis of Financial  Condition  and Results of
Operations."

           Allou Brands
           ------------

           The Company currently markets  approximately 50 health and beauty aid
products under the "Allou Brands"  tradename.  Sales of its own products account
for  only  a  small   percentage   of  the  Company's   business,   representing
approximately  2%, 1% and 1% of revenues during the fiscal years ended March 31,
1994,  1995 and  1996,  respectively.  The  Company  believes  that  many of its
customers   want  the   opportunity  to  purchase  a  portion  of  their  supply
requirements at a substantial savings which they can pass on to their customers.
Such  savings are afforded by the more  "generic"  Allou  Brands  products.  The
Company has found that sales of Allou Brands  products are more  profitable than
those of name  brand  products,  and  accordingly,  is  expanding  its sales and
marketing  efforts in this area by adding new items to its  product  line and by
increasing advertising activities.

FOOD

           The Company added the sale of  non-perishable  packaged food items to
its product line in fiscal 1991.  These food items,  which are purchased  almost
exclusively  at  discount  prices  from the major  food  companies,  are sold to
existing customers. This product line requires little additional operating costs
to the Company since sales of food are pre-sold and drop-shipped directly to the
customers from the vendors.  During the fiscal years ended March 31, 1994,  1995
and 1996, food items accounted for approximately 20%, 18% and 17%, respectively,
of the Company's revenues.

PRESCRIPTION PHARMACEUTICALS

           During fiscal 1994, the Company  acquired the capital stock of Sobol,
a manufacturers' distributor of branded prescription pharmaceuticals.  Sobol was
founded in 1928 and currently  distributes  pharmaceuticals to approximately 700
independent  pharmacies in the Northeast.  The Company intends to expand Sobol's
customer base to include many of the Company's  pharmacy  accounts as well as to
develop a national  mail-order  business  to include  both  generic  and branded
pharmaceutical  products.  The  Company  also plans to offer  Sobol's  customers
health and beauty  aids and  fragrances,  which  should  serve to boost  Sobol's
profitability. The Company purchases approximately 4,000 branded pharmaceuticals
from such  manufacturers  as Eli  Lilly  and  Company,  Glaxo  Holdings  p.l.c.,
Burroughs Wellcome Co. and Merck Sharp and Dohme, Inc. Additionally, the Company
distributes  3,000  generic  prescription   pharmaceutical  products  which  are
purchased  from  manufacturers  such  as  Schein  Pharmaceuticals,  Inc.,  Barre
National,  Inc., and Sidmak Laboratories,  Inc. For the fiscal years ended March
31, 1994, 1995 and 1996, pharmaceuticals accounted for approximately 8%, 15% and
18%, respectively, of the Company's revenues.


        
                                       -4-

<PAGE>


HAIR AND SKIN CARE PRODUCTS

           During fiscal 1996, the Company purchased the selected assets of Russ
Kalvin's,  which assets included accounts receivable,  inventory,  equipment and
intellectual property (patents,  trademarks, etc.). This acquisition has enabled
the Company to  manufacture  and  distribute  salon  quality  hair and skin care
products to  convenience  stores,  pharmacies  and national mass  merchandisers.
Revenues  generated  from the sales of such  products  were not material  during
fiscal 1996.

MANUFACTURERS AND SUPPLIERS

           The products the Company distributes are manufactured and supplied by
independent foreign and domestic  companies,  many of which also manufacture and
supply  HBA  products,  fragrances  and  cosmetics  for  many  of the  Company's
competitors.  The Company purchases  approximately  8,000 HBA products from such
manufacturers  as Procter & Gamble Co.,  Johnson & Johnson and  Gillette Co. and
approximately  7,000 fragrance and cosmetic products directly from manufacturers
such as Coty (a division of Pfizer  Inc.) and Revlon,  Inc.  and from  secondary
sources with access to close-out purchases from retailers. The Company contracts
with  manufacturers  to produce the Allou Brands  products and  manufactures  it
proprietary  line of Russ  Kalvin's  generic  brand hair and skin care  products
through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Allou Personal Care.

           The Company  typically  purchases  goods from  manufacturers  on open
accounts which are payable in 30 days and may receive  discounts of up to 2% for
early payments.

           As is  customary  in the  industry,  the  Company  does  not have any
licensing  or other  supply  agreements  with its  manufacturers  or  suppliers.
Therefore,  any of these companies could terminate their  relationship  with the
Company at any time.  Management believes the absence of such agreements between
the Company and its  suppliers  does not have a material  adverse  impact on the
Company,  since the Company has  experienced  no difficulty to date in obtaining
products  as needed  and  believes  there are a number of  alternate  sources of
supply for virtually all of the products that it sells. However, there can be no
assurance  the  Company  will  not  experience  difficulties  with  its  present
manufacturers or suppliers,  such as delays in obtaining  products,  which could
materially adversely affect its operations or relationship with customers.

MARKETING AND SALES

           The  Company  markets  national  brand and Allou  Brand HBA  products
primarily to retail  outlets  including  small discount  chains,  individual HBA
suppliers  and  non-chain  supermarkets  in  the  New  York  metropolitan  area,
Philadelphia,  Pennsylvania and Miami, Florida. In addition, the Company markets
fragrances  and  cosmetics to these  customers  and  nationally  to  independent
retailers,  pharmacies and chain stores,  including  Wal-Mart  Stores,  Inc. and
Sears,  Roebuck & Co. The  Company  currently  has  approximately  4,200  active
accounts.  No single  customer  accounted for 10% or more of the Company's sales
during the last two fiscal years.

        
                                       -5-

<PAGE>



           Sales are made by the Company's in-house sales staff of telemarketing
professionals.  In-house  sales persons are paid a base salary plus a commission
based on sales.

           The Company  publishes  an HBA and a fragrance  catalogue  each month
containing order forms, descriptions of all products carried by the Company, the
manufacturer's  suggested  retail price and net cost per unit or per dozen which
are mailed to each of the Company's active  customers.  The catalogues also help
serve the advertising needs of the manufacturers  which provide the Company with
rebates to pay for the cost of preparing,  printing and mailing the  catalogues.
In addition to the monthly  catalogues,  the  Company  frequently  supplies  its
customers with flyers advising them of items being sold at a discount.  The sale
of fragrances  nationally to independent  stores is handled  exclusively by mail
order through the catalogues.

           The Company holds an annual exclusive trade show in New York City for
HBA  retailers  which is subsidized  by  manufacturers  who display their wares,
introduce  products  and meet with  customers.  The Company also  coordinates  a
program  sponsored by approximately  80 HBA retailers  whereby the retailers are
provided with circulars to send to their  customers,  point-of-sale  promotional
materials and product samples supplied by the manufacturers.

OPERATIONS

           The Company  maintains a 143,894 square foot warehouse  facility with
sales and administrative offices in Brentwood,  New York. The warehouse contains
inventory for  approximately  three months of  distribution  to  customers.  The
Company uses a computerized data base system which enables management to monitor
sales,  purchases and inventory status. The Company has not experienced problems
with product  shelf lives,  as most  products it sells are not  perishable.  HBA
products that are perishable  generally can be returned to the  manufacturer  if
they are not sold by the expiration date.

           The  Company's  trucking  agent has a trailer  which makes  bi-weekly
deliveries  to Florida as well as delivers  certain  fragrances to the Company's
Brentwood,  New York  warehouse on return trips from Florida,  as many fragrance
vendors are located in southeast Florida. All other deliveries are made daily by
trucks subleased from the Company by an entity which is paid on a per load basis
and  delivers  exclusively  for the  Company.  From  the  time it is  placed,  a
customer's  order will be delivered  within 48 hours if within the  metropolitan
New York City area, and within five days if out-of-state.

           Work in the  warehouse is cyclical and workers are trained in several
tasks so that they can be rotated to fill the jobs where they are most needed.

           Since the  acquisition  of the  selected  assets of Russ  Kalvin's in
October  1995,  the Company has been  engaged in  consolidating  operations  and
reducing  overhead at Russ  Kalvin's,  as well as  positioning  itself to market
nationally the Russ Kalvin's  generic brand hair and skin care products  through
its wholly-owned subsidiary, Allou Personal Care. The Company has consolidated

        
                                       -6-

<PAGE>


all administrative  functions of Russ Kalvin's at the Company's  Brentwood,  New
York  facility.  In  addition,  the  Company is  currently  negotiating  a lease
regarding  80,000 square feet of space in Saugus,  California,  which is used to
manufacture and distribute its proprietary  line of Russ Kalvin's  generic brand
hair and skin care products.

MANAGEMENT INFORMATION AND CONTROL SYSTEM

           The Company utilizes a proprietary, computerized data base management
system which  collects,  integrates and analyzes data  concerning  sales,  order
processing, shipping, purchases, receiving, inventories and financial reporting.
At any given time, the Company is able to determine the quantity of each item in
inventory by brand, style, cost, list price and other characteristics.

           The system enables the Company to better manage its inventories.  The
system keeps a running  inventory of goods on hand for each item it distributes.
When the  inventory  of any item drops to a certain  pre-set  level,  a purchase
order for a set number of additional units of the item is automatically  written
and after being reviewed by  management,  is sent to the  manufacturer  with the
weekly orders.

           By eliminating  much of the paper flow and  dispensing  comprehensive
information,   this   system   has   enabled   the   Company   to   reduce   its
receipt-of-order-to-shipment time capability for New York City metropolitan area
customers to less than 48 hours,  substantially  reducing such customers need to
stock inventory, thereby saving the customer the cost of financing its inventory
requirements.

COMPETITION

           The  distribution  of HBA  products  is  extremely  competitive.  The
Company competes with  pharmaceutical  wholesalers that carry HBA products as an
accommodation  for  their  customers.  Many of such  distributors  have  greater
financial  and other  resources  than the  Company.  However,  to the  Company's
knowledge,  there is no significant competitor which distributes to its customer
base of  independent  retail  stores the  assortment  of HBA  products  that the
Company distributes.  The Com pany believes it competes on the basis of services
rendered  to its  customer,  including  quick  delivery  and low  minimum  order
requirements.

           The  distribution of fragrance and high priced cosmetic items is very
competitive.  The Company  competes to obtain its  fragrances and cosmetics from
manufacturers  and middlemen  who also supply  competing  distributors  and sell
directly to retailers.  It competes on the basis of price and services  rendered
to its customers, including quick delivery and low minimum order requirements.

           In addition,  the Company faces intensive competition with respect to
marketing its own brand of HBA products and the Russ  Kalvin's  generic brand of
hair and skin care products.  The Company competes with major HBA companies,  as
well as hair and skin care companies, with well-established product lines, which
spend large sums for advertising and marketing and have far greater

        
                                       -7-

<PAGE>


financial and other  resources than the Company.  The Company also competes with
these  companies  for shelf space and product  placement  in the various  retail
outlets.  Additionally, the Company competes for the manufacture of its products
from suppliers who also supply these and other  companies.  The Company believes
that it can offer customers substantial savings on its generic products.

EMPLOYEES

           As of March 31, 1996, the Company employed  approximately 250 persons
on a full time basis, including 5 in executive positions,  22 in purchasing,  65
in marketing and sales, 40 in administration and accounting,  118 in warehousing
and receiving. Certain of the sales personnel are partially paid on a commission
basis. During peak selling seasons the Company also employs part time personnel.

           The Company is a party to a collective  bargaining agreement expiring
December  14, 1997 with the National  Organization  of  Industrial  Trade Unions
covering all warehouse and receiving employees.  The Company has not experienced
any work  stoppages.  The Company  believes its relations with its employees are
satisfactory.

TRADENAMES AND TRADEMARKS

           The Company uses the unregistered  tradename "Allou Brand" on generic
products  that it  distributes.  With the  introduction  of  additional  generic
products,  the Company may adopt other  unregistered  tradenames and trademarks.
During fiscal 1996, the Company  acquired the patents,  trademarks and all other
intellectual  property of Russ  Kalvin's.  The Company  believes  that no single
trademark,  tradename or servicemark is material to the Company's  business as a
whole.

GOVERNMENT REGULATION

           The United States Food,  Drug and Cosmetic Act and the Fair Packaging
and Labelling Act regulate,  among other things, the purity and packaging of HBA
products and fragrances and cosmetic products. Similar statutes are in effect in
various states.  Manufacturers and distributors of HBA products are also subject
to the jurisdiction of the Federal Trade Commission with respect to such matters
as advertising content and other trade practices. To the Company's knowledge, it
only  deals with  manufacturers  and  manufactured  products  in a manner  which
complies with such  regulations  and who  periodically  submit their products to
independent  laboratories  for testing.  However,  the failure by the  Company's
manufacturers  or suppliers  to comply with  applicable  government  regulations
could  result in product  recalls  that  could  adversely  affect the  Company's
relationships with its customers. In addition, the extent of potentially adverse
government   regulations   which  might  arise  from   future   legislation   or
administrative action cannot be predicted.


        
                                       -8-

<PAGE>


ITEM 2.    PROPERTIES

           The Company leases approximately 143,894 square feet of space for its
principal  executive  offices,  warehouse and distribution  facilities and sales
headquarters in the Brentwood  Industrial Park, 50 Emjay  Boulevard,  Brentwood,
New York  11717,  under a ten-year  lease  which  expires on May 31,  2005,  and
includes a five-year option for renewal, at a base annual rental of $546,797.20,
with additional  charges for insurance,  fuel and taxes and increases during the
initial term of the lease.

           The Company is currently  negotiating a lease regarding 80,000 square
feet of space in Saugus, California, which is used to manufacture and distribute
hair and skin care products. The proposed term of the lease is five years with a
five-year option for renewal at a base annual rental of $300,000 with additional
charges for insurance,  fuel, taxes and increases during the initial term of the
lease.


ITEM 3.    LEGAL PROCEEDINGS

           (a) The Company is a party to a number of legal proceedings as either
plaintiff  or defendant in  connection  with claims made for goods sold,  all of
which are  considered  routine  litigation  incidental  to the  business  of the
Company.

           (b) No legal  proceedings  were terminated  during the fiscal quarter
ended March 31, 1996 (other than routine  litigation  incidental to the business
of the Company).


ITEM 4.    SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS

           During the fourth  quarter of the fiscal year covered by this Report,
no matters were submitted to a vote of security holders through the solicitation
of proxies or otherwise.

        
                                       -9-

<PAGE>


                                     PART II


ITEM 5.    MARKET FOR  REGISTRANT'S  COMMON  EQUITY AND  RELATED  STOCKHOLDER
           MATTERS

Market Information
- ------------------

           The  Company's  Class A Common Stock is listed on the American  Stock
Exchange under the symbol "ALU".  There is no established  public trading market
for the Company's Class B Common Stock.

           The  following  table  sets  forth the  quarterly  high and low sales
prices of the Class A Common Stock during the Company's last two fiscal years:

CLASS A
COMMON STOCK                                                High       Low
- ------------                                                ----       ---

FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1995

Quarter ending June 30, 1994.............................  10-1/4      8-1/2
Quarter ending September 30, 1994........................    9         7-7/8
Quarter ending December 31, 1994.........................    8-7/8     7
Quarter ending March 31, 1995............................    9-1/4     7-1/2


FISCAL YEAR ENDED MARCH 31, 1996

Quarter ending June 30, 1995.............................    8-15/16    8-1/16
Quarter ending September 30, 1995........................    8-1/4      5-1/4
Quarter ending December 31, 1995.........................    6-5/8      5-3/4
Quarter ending March 31, 1996............................    7-1/4      5-15/16


Holders
- -------

           As of June  27,  1996,  there  were  143  holders  of  record  of the
Company's  Class A Common Stock and 4 holders of record of the Company's Class B
Common Stock. Based upon conversations  with brokers,  Management  believes that
there are in excess of 1,000 beneficial owners of the Class A Common Stock.


        
                                      -10-

<PAGE>


Dividends
- ---------

           The  Company  has not paid a dividend on its shares of Class A Common
Stock or Class B Common Stock and has no present  expectation of doing so in the
foreseeable future.


        
                                      -11-

<PAGE>



ITEM 6.    SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

           ALLOU HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE, INC.

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Income Statement Data:
                                                               Year Ended March 31,
                                      1996              1995             1994          1993            1992
                                      ----              ----             ----          ----            ----
                                                (in thousands, except for share and per share data)

<S>                                   <C>              <C>             <C>            <C>            <C>     
Revenues                              $273,322         $237,542        $205,520       $161,914       $124,940

Costs of revenues                      241,734          208,906         181,372        142,533        108,698
                                       -------          -------        --------       --------       --------

Gross profit                           31,588            28,636          24,148         19,381         16,242

Warehouse and delivery expense          8,063             6,864           5,391          4,417          4,393

Selling, general and
 administrative expense                 11,894           10,250          10,226          8,055          6,296
                                        ------           ------        --------       --------       --------

Income from operations                  11,631           11,522           8,531          6,909          5,553
Interest and other expense               5,513            3,956           2,609          1,943          2,352
                                         -----            -----        --------       --------       --------

Income before income taxes               6,118            7,566           5,922          4,966          3,201
                                         -----            -----        --------       --------       --------

Net income                           $   3,757        $   4,681        $  3,738       $  3,015      $   1,875
                                     =========        =========        ========       ========      =========

Net income per share               $       .65      $       .80      $      .73     $      .60     $      .50
                                   ===========      ===========      ==========     ==========     ==========

Dividends                          $    -0-         $    -0-         $  - 0 -       $  - 0 -       $  - 0 -
                                   ===========      ===========      ==========     ==========     ==========
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Balance Sheet Data:
                                                                  As of March 31,
                                     1996              1995                 1994          1993               1992
                                     ----              ----                 ----          ----               ----
                                                                                   (in thousands)
<S>                               <C>                <C>                 <C>             <C>              <C>     
Working capital                   $ 37,557           $ 36,193            $ 32,094        $ 19,732         $ 11,784
Total assets                       126,185            106,214              84,770          63,777           47,452
Total long-term liabilities            560                814                 895             410              422
Total liabilities                   82,016             66,038              50,743          43,311           34,191
Stockholder's equity                44,168             40,176              34,027          20,465           13,260

</TABLE>
                                      -12-

<PAGE>



ITEM 7.    MANAGEMENT'S  DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL  CONDITION AND
           RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

           Fiscal 1996 as Compared To Fiscal 1995
           --------------------------------------

           Revenues  for the fiscal year ended March 31,  1996  ("fiscal  1996")
were $273,322,102, representing a 15% increase over revenues of $237,542,426 for
the fiscal  year ended  March 31,  1995  ("fiscal  1995),  which  resulted  from
increased  revenues from each segment of the Company's  business.  The increased
demand for the  Company's  products  resulted  from an expanded  customer  base,
increases in same store sales and the addition of  prescription  pharmaceuticals
distributed  through its subsidiary,  Sobol, which was acquired on April 1, 1993
and has resulted in an increase in the volume of products sold.

           Contributions  to this increase in revenues by product  segment is as
follows: Health and beauty aids increased 10% in fiscal 1996, compared to fiscal
1995, due to increases in same store sales.  Prestige  designer  fragrances grew
12% in fiscal  1996,  compared  to the same  period in  fiscal  1995,  due to an
increase in same store sales and an expanded  customer base, thus increasing the
volume of products  sold.  Nationally  advertised  branded  non-perishable  food
products  grew 10% in fiscal 1996,  compared to fiscal 1995,  due to an expanded
customer  base  and  increases  in  the  volume  of  products  sold.   Sales  of
prescription  pharmaceuticals  grew 37% in  fiscal  1996,  compared  to the same
period in fiscal  1995,  due to an increase in the volume of products  sold.  In
each segment of the Company's  businesses,  revenues are  recognized at the time
merchandise is shipped to the customer,  either  directly by the Company,  or in
the case of food  products,  drop-shipped  by third  parties  on  behalf  of the
Company.

           Cost of goods sold increased as a percentage of revenues to 88.4% for
fiscal 1996 from 88% for fiscal  1995.  This  increase in the cost of goods sold
results  from   increased   revenues   contributed   by  the   distribution   of
non-perishable  food products and prescription  pharmaceuticals and lower profit
margins  associated with the  distribution of fragrance  products.  The food and
drug  distribution  industries  have lower gross profit margins when compared to
the Company's other business segments and, therefore,  the Company expects gross
profit margins to contract in the foreseeable  future as the market share of its
grocery and prescription businesses continue to expand.

           Toward the end of fiscal 1996,  certain  opportunities  arose for the
purchase  of  fragrance  products  which are only  available  to the  Company at
unpredictable intervals. Fragrance products are purchased from secondary sources
of supply.  This method of purchasing  requires the Company to pre-pay for these
products in advance of delivery in order to ensure product  delivery.  Since the
merchandise  corresponding  to the  pre-payments  was not received during fiscal
1996,  neither  inventory  valuation nor cost of goods sold was affected for the
period.


        
                                      -13-

<PAGE>


           Warehouse   and   delivery   expenses,   selling   and   general  and
administrative expenses increased as a percentage of revenues to 7.3% for fiscal
1996 from 7.2% for fiscal 1995,  which increase was due, in part, to lower gross
profit  margins  resulting  from increased  competition  within  segments of the
Company's business.

           Inventories  increased  approximately  $14.4  million for fiscal 1996
when  compared  to  fiscal  1995.   This  increase  in  inventory  is  primarily
attributable to merchandise purchased in anticipation of increased sales.

           Interest  expense as a  percentage  of revenues  increased  to 2% for
fiscal 1996 from 1.7% for fiscal 1995 due to increased borrowings.

           Net income for fiscal 1996 was  $3,756,686,  which is a 20%  increase
over the net income for fiscal 1995 of $4,681,301,  due primarily to the factors
discussed above.

           Fiscal 1995 as Compared To Fiscal 1994
           --------------------------------------

           Revenues for the fiscal year 1995 were  $237,542,426,  representing a
16% increase over revenues of  $205,519,590  for the fiscal year ended March 31,
1994 ("fiscal 1994"),  which resulted from increased  revenues from each segment
of the  Company's  business.  The increased  demand for the  Company's  products
resulted from an expanded  customer base which sells the Company's  prescription
pharmaceutical medications, thereby, increasing the volume of products sold.

           Contributions  to this increase in revenues by product  segment is as
follows:  Health and beauty aids increased 5% in fiscal 1995, compared to fiscal
1994 due to increases in same store sales. Prestige designer fragrances grew 11%
in fiscal 1995, compared to fiscal 1994, due to an increase in same store sales.
Nationally  advertised branded  non-perishable food products grew 1.8% in fiscal
1995,  compared  to fiscal  1994,  due to an  increase in the volume of products
sold. Sales of prescription  pharmaceuticals  grew 127% in fiscal 1995, compared
to the  same  period  in  fiscal  1994,  due to an  expanded  customer  base and
increases  in  products  sold.  In each  segment  of the  Company's  businesses,
revenues are  recognized  at the time  merchandise  is shipped to the  customer,
either directly by the Company or, in the case of food products, drop-shipped by
third parties on behalf of the Company.

           Cost of goods sold  decreased as a percentage  of revenues to 88% for
fiscal 1995 from 88.3% for fiscal 1994.  This  decrease  reflects the  Company's
continued  commitment  toward  improving  profit  margins.  The  food  and  drug
distribution  industries  have lower gross profit  margins when  compared to the
Company's  other business  segments and,  therefore,  the Company  expects gross
profit margins to contract in the foreseeable  future as the market share of its
grocery and prescription businesses continue to expand.

           Toward the end of fiscal 1995,  certain  opportunities  arose for the
purchase  of  fragrance  products  which are only  available  to the  Company at
unpredictable intervals. Fragrance

        
                                      -14-

<PAGE>


products  are  purchased  from  secondary  sources  of  supply.  This  method of
purchasing  requires  the  Company to pre-pay  for these  products in advance of
delivery  in  order  to  ensure   product   delivery.   Since  the   merchandise
corresponding to the  pre-payments was not received during fiscal 1995,  neither
inventories nor cost of goods sold was affected for the period.

           Warehouse   and   delivery   expenses,   selling   and   general  and
administrative expenses decreased as a percentage of revenues to 7.2% for fiscal
1995 from 7.6% for fiscal 1994. This decrease is due, in part, to three officers
of the Company waiving their rights to receive,  during fiscal 1995, bonuses, in
the aggregate amount of $1,354,606 as provided in their  employment  agreements,
while Selling,  General and  Administrative  expense during fiscal 1994 included
$994,062 for bonuses paid to such  officers.  The Company  also  benefited  from
increased  revenues  during  this  period  with out a  proportional  increase in
operating  expenses.  This is attributable  to cost cuts and improved  operating
efficiencies  that have enabled the food business to impact  favorably on income
from  operations  despite the lower gross  profit  margins  contributed  by this
segment of the business.  Because the Company  pre-sells  food products and then
combines the food products with orders for the Company's other products which is
then delivered as one shipment, the Company incurs minimum overhead expenses and
realizes  operating profit margins comparable to other segments of its business.
Operating  efficiencies are further aided by a computerized data base management
system  which  enables the  Company to better  manage its  inventories  and more
closely align inventory purchases to sale of its products.

           Inventories increased by approximately $10.3 million from $57,270,710
in fiscal 1995 when  compared to  $46,941,210  in fiscal 1994.  This increase in
inventory is attributable to merchandise  purchased in anticipation of increased
sales.

           Although gross profit  margins are generally  higher in the fragrance
distribution business, the effect of higher gross profit margins is mitigated by
higher  financing  and  warehousing  costs  due to  the  seasonability  of  this
business.  The Allou Brands of generic  health and beauty aids offer high profit
margins as compared to other segments of the business; however, the Company does
not consider revenues generated from the sales of these products to be material.

           Interest  expense as a percentage  of revenues  increased to 1.7% for
fiscal 1995 from 1.3% for fiscal 1994 due to higher borrowing costs.

           Net  income  for  fiscal  1995  was  $4,681,301,  representing  a 25%
increase  over  the  net  income  for  fiscal  1994 of  $3,738,289,  and was due
primarily to the factors discussed above.


        
                                      -15-

<PAGE>


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

           The Company meets its working  capital  requirements  from internally
generated funds and from a financing arrangement with The First National Bank of
Boston, Bank Hapoalim,  B.M., IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company,  Sanwa Business
Credit  Corporation,  LaSalle Business Credit,  Inc. and The Bank of Tokyo Trust
Company for financing the Company's  accounts  receivable and  inventory.  As of
March 31, 1996, the Company had  $70,809,101  outstanding  under its $85,000,000
bank line of credit.  The loan is collateralized by the Company's  inventory and
accounts  receivable.  Interest on the loan  balance is payable  monthly at 3/8%
above the prime rate or 2-1/8% above the  Eurodollar  rate, at the option of the
Company.  The  effective  interest rate charged to the Company at March 31, 1996
was 7.55%,  which was based on a combination of 2-1/8% above the Eurodollar rate
and 3/8%  above the  prime  rate.  The  Company  utilizes  cash  generated  from
operations to reduce short term  borrowings  which in turn acts to increase loan
availability consistent with the Company's financing agreement.

           On June 6, 1996,  the Company  and its  subsidiaries  entered  into a
Second  Restated and Amended  Revolving  Credit and Security  Agreement with The
First National Bank of Boston, IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company, Sanwa Business
Credit  Corporation,  Lasalle  Business  Credit,  Inc.  and The  Bank of Tokyo -
Mitsubishi  Trust  Company,  which  restated  and  amended  the  Company's  bank
financing  arrangement  to, among other things,  increase the maximum  available
under the facility from  $85,000,000  to  $105,000,000,  provide for interest at
 .375% above the prime rate or 2.00% above the Eurodollar  rate, at the Company's
option,  permit its wholly-owned  subsidiary Allou  Distributors,  Inc. to enter
into the Lease  Financing  Facility (as defined  below) and release any security
interest of the banks in the property  conveyed  pursuant to the Lease Financing
Facility.

           Allou Distributors,  Inc., a wholly-owned  subsidiary of the Company,
entered into a Master Lease Finance  Agreement  dated April 24, 1996 (the "Lease
Financing  Facility") with BancBoston  Leasing Inc. (the "Lessor").  Pursuant to
the Lease Financing Facility,  each of the Company and Allou Distributors,  Inc.
conveyed  its title in and to certain  equipment  to the Lessor and leased  such
equipment back from the Lessor.  The Lease Financing Facility closed on June 14,
1996.

           The Company's accounts receivable increased to $33,963,380 for fiscal
1996 from $28,473,020 for fiscal 1995  representing an increase of 19% due to an
increase in sales and due to customers  which had previously paid the Company in
an  average  of 46 days at March 31,  1995 have been  paying  the  Company in an
average of 49 days at March 31,  1996.  The  Company  believes  the  slowness in
collection  of accounts  receivable  is primarily a symptom of the poor regional
economy.  The Company does not  anticipate  this trend to continue once economic
conditions improve.

           The Company  has  minimal  capital  investment  requirements  and any
significant capital expenditures are financed through long-term lease agreements
and  would not  adversely  impact  cash  flow.  The  Company  believes  that its
internally  generated  funds and bank line of credit will be  sufficient to meet
its currently  anticipated cash and capital needs through the fiscal year ending
March 31, 1997.

        
                                      -16-

<PAGE>


INFLATION AND SEASONALITY

           Inflation  has  not  had  any  significant  adverse  effects  on  the
Company's business and the Company does not believe it will have any significant
effect on its future  business.  The Company's  fragrance  business is seasonal,
with  greater  sales  during the  Christmas  season than in other  seasons.  The
Company's other product lines are not seasonal.


        
                                      -17-

<PAGE>


ITEM 8.    FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA

           The  Financial   Statements  of  the  Company  identified  below  are
contained in this Report on the pages indicated:

                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----

Report of Independent Auditor                                               F-1

Consolidated Balance Sheet -
March 31, 1996 and 1995                                                     F-2

Consolidated Statement of Operations -
Years ended March 31, 1996,
1995 and 1994                                                               F-3

Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity -
Years ended March 31, 1996,
1995 and 1994                                                               F-4

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - Years
ended March 31, 1996, 1995
and 1994                                                                    F-5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                                  F-6



        
                                                                 -18-

<PAGE>



ITEM 9.    CHANGES IN AND  DISAGREEMENTS  WITH  ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
           FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE

           None.


        
                                      -19-

<PAGE>



                                    PART III


           The  information  called for by Part III (Items  10,11,12  and 13) is
incorporated  by  reference  to such  information  as it will be included in the
Registrant's  definitive Proxy Statement with respect to the  Registrant's  1996
Annual Meeting of  Stockholders to be filed pursuant to Regulation 14A under the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.


        
                                      -20-

<PAGE>


                                     PART IV

ITEM 14.   EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K.


           (a) Documents filed as part of this Report:


                      1.         Financial Statements
                                 --------------------

           The  following  financial  statements of the Company are contained in
Item 8 of this Report on the pages indicated:

                                                                         Page
                                                                         ----

Report of Independent Auditors                                            F-1

Consolidated Balance Sheet -
March 31, 1996 and 1995                                                   F-2

Consolidated Statement of Operations -
Years ended March 31, 1996,
1995 and 1994                                                             F-3

Consolidated Statement of Shareholders' Equity -
Years ended March 31, 1996,
1995 and 1994                                                             F-4

Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows - Years
ended March 31, 1996, 1995
and 1994                                                                  F-5

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements                                F-6




        
                                                                 -21-


<PAGE>

                        ALLOU HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE, INC.

                              FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                                 MARCH 31, 1996







                                                                        

<PAGE>



                   [MAYER RISPLER & COMPANY, P.C. LETTERHEAD]





                          INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
                          ----------------------------


Board of Directors:

Allou Health & Beauty Care, Inc.

Brentwood, New York

           We have audited the accompanying  consolidated balance sheet of Allou
Health  &  Beauty  Care,  Inc.  as of March  31,  1996 and 1995 and the  related
consolidated  statements of operations,  shareholders' equity and cash flows for
each of the years in the three-year period ended March 31, 1996. 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  generally  accepted
auditing  standards.  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,  such financial  statements  present  fairly,  in all
material respects,  the financial position of Allou Health and Beauty Care, Inc.
at March 31, 1996 and 1995, and the results of its operations and cash flows for
each of the years in the  three-year  period ended March 31, 1996, in conformity
with generally accepted accounting principles.

                                            Respectfully submitted,


                                             /s/ MAYER RISPLER & COMPANY, P.C.
                                            -------------------------------

                                            Mayer Rispler & Company, P.C.
                                            Certified Public Accountants

June 17, 1996
New York, New York


<PAGE>


                        ALLOU HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE, INC.

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                     ASSETS
                                     ------
                                                                            March 31,      March 31,
                                                                              1996           1995
                                                                              ----           ----
<S>                                                                      <C>            <C>         
Current Assets
- --------------
   Cash                                                                  $    144,118   $    126,237
   Accounts Receivables (less allowance for
      doubtful accounts of $373,890 at March 31,
      1996 and $286,165 at March 31, 1995 (Note 5)                         33,963,830     28,473,020
   Inventories (Notes 1 & 5)                                               71,690,321     57,270,710
   Other Current Assets (Note 2)                                           13,215,004     15,546,524
                                                                         ------------   ------------
         Total Current Assets                                            $119,013,273   $101,416,491

   Fixed Assets, Less Accumulated Depreciation
      (Notes 1 & 3)                                                         3,625,147      2,186,968
   Other Assets (Note 4)                                                    3,546,285      2,610,504
                                                                         ------------   ------------
         TOTAL ASSETS                                                    $126,184,705   $106,213,963
                                                                         ============   ============

                       LIABILITIES & STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
                       ----------------------------------
Current Liabilities
- -------------------
   Amounts Due Bank (Note 5)                                             $ 70,809,101   $ 54,128,480
   Current Portion of Long-Term Debt (Note 6)                                 222,393        245,116
   Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses (Note 7)                          10,425,003     10,326,065
   Income Taxes Payable (Note 10)                                                   0        524,187
                                                                         ------------   ------------
         Total Current Liabilities                                       $ 81,456,497   $ 65,223,848
                                                                         ------------   ------------

Long Term Liabilities
- ---------------------
   Long-Term Debt, Less Current Portion (Note 6)                              529,390        751,783
   Deferred Income Taxes (Note 1)                                              30,422         62,122
                                                                         ------------   ------------
         Total Long Term Liabilities                                          559,812        813,905
                                                                         ------------   ------------
            TOTAL LIABILITIES                                            $ 82,016,309   $ 66,037,753
                                                                         ------------   ------------
Commitments & Contingencies (Note 8)

Stockholders' Equity (Notes 1 & 9)
- --------------------
   Preferred Stock, $.001 par value, 1,000,000
      shares authorized, none issued and outstanding 

   Class A Common  Stock, $.001
      par value;  10,000,000 shares authorized and
      4,552,225 and 4,461,725 issued and outstanding at
      March 31, 1996 and 1995, respectively                              $      4,552   $      4,462
   Class B Common Stock, $.001 par value; 1,700,000
      authorized, 1,200,000 issued and outstanding at
      March 31, 1996 and 1995                                                   1,200          1,200
   Additional Paid-In Capital                                              23,476,508     23,241,098
   Retained Earnings                                                       20,686,136     16,929,450
                                                                         ------------   ------------
            TOTAL STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY                                     44,168,396     40,176,210
                                                                         ------------   ------------
            TOTAL LIABILITIES & SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY                     $126,184,705   $106,213,963
                                                                         ============   ============
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this financial statement.

<PAGE>


                        ALLOU HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE, INC.

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  For the years ended March 31,
                                              1996           1995           1994
                                              ----           ----           ----
<S>                                       <C>            <C>            <C>         
Revenues                                  $273,322,102   $237,542,426   $205,519,590

Costs of Revenues                          241,734,316    208,906,041    181,372,370
                                          ------------   ------------   ------------

      Gross Profit                          31,587,786     28,636,385     24,147,220
                                          ------------   ------------   ------------

Operating Expenses
- ------------------
   Warehouse & Delivery                      8,062,827      6,864,463      5,390,953
   Selling, General & Administrative        11,893,687     10,250,475     10,225,695
                                          ------------   ------------   ------------

      Total Operating Expenses              19,956,514     17,114,938     15,616,648
                                          ------------   ------------   ------------

      Income From Operations                11,631,272     11,521,447      8,530,572
                                          ------------   ------------   ------------

Other Charges (Credits)
    Interest Expense                         5,524,543      3,978,453      2,633,014
   Other                                       (11,204)       (22,454)       (23,927)
                                          ------------   ------------   ------------

      Total                                  5,513,339      3,955,999      2,609,087
                                          ------------   ------------   ------------

      Income Before Income Taxes             6,117,933      7,565,448      5,921,485

   Provision for Income Taxes (Note 10)      2,361,247      2,884,147      2,183,196
                                          ------------   ------------   ------------

            NET INCOME                    $  3,756,686   $  4,681,301   $  3,738,289
                                          ------------   ------------   ------------

Net Income Per Common Share (Note 1):

Primary & Fully Diluted                        $   .65        $   .80        $   .73
                                               =======        =======        =======
</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this financial statement.

<PAGE>


                         ALLOU HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE INC.

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                              For the years ended March 31,
                                                          1996            1995            1994
                                                          ----            ----            ----
<S>                                                  <C>             <C>             <C>         
Cash Flows From Operating Activities
- ------------------------------------
   Net Income                                        $  3,756,686    $  4,681,301    $  3,738,289

Adjustments to Reconcile Net Income to Net Cash
   Used in Operating Activities:

   Depreciation and Amortization                          524,665         412,532         371,113

Decrease (Increase) In Assets:

   Accounts Receivable                                 (5,490,810)     (4,525,406)      1,917,115
   Inventory                                          (14,419,611)    (10,329,500)    (13,365,182)
   Other Assets                                         1,380,739      (5,774,910)     (5,519,602)

Increase (Decrease) In Liabilities:

   Accounts Payable & Accrued Expenses                     98,938         803,184       1,982,332
   Income Taxes Payable                                  (555,887)        363,187        (636,532)
                                                    -------------   -------------   -------------

      Net Cash Used In Operating Activities           (14,705,280)    (14,369,612)    (11,512,467)
                                                    -------------   -------------   -------------

Cash Flows From Investing Activities
- ------------------------------------
   Acquisition of Fixed Assets                         (1,947,844)     (1,451,966)       (446,880)
                                                    -------------   -------------   -------------

Cash Flows From Financing Activities
- ------------------------------------
   Net Increase In Amounts Due Bank                    16,680,621      14,044,169       1,869,320
   Borrowings                                                   0         211,284       1,371,546
   Repayment of Debt                                    (245,116)        (126,683)       (868,382)
   Net Proceeds from Exercise of
      Warrants & Options                                  235,500       1,467,998       9,823,158
                                                    -------------   -------------   -------------
         Net Cash Provided by Financing Activities     16,671,005      15,596,768      12,195,642
                                                    -------------   -------------   -------------

            NET INCREASE (DECREASE) IN CASH                17,881        (224,810)        236,295

            CASH AT BEGINNING OF YEAR                     126,337         351,047         114,752
                                                    -------------   -------------   -------------

            CASH AT END OF YEAR                      $    144,118    $    126,237    $    351,047
                                                    =============   =============   =============

Supplemental Disclosures of Cash Flow Information:

   Cash Paid for:
   Interest                                          $  5,464,832    $  3,844,593    $  2,580,779
   Income Taxes                                      $  3,243,631    $  2,520,960    $  3,389,496

</TABLE>

The Company issued  equipment notes for $211,284 during the year ended March 31,
1995.


The accompanying notes are an integral part of this financial statement.


                                                                        

<PAGE>


                         ALLOU HEATH & BEAUTY CARE, INC.

                 CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                               Common     Additional       Retained
                                Stock    Paid In Capital   Earnings       Total
                             -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------
<S>                          <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>        
Balance March 31, 1993       $     3,952   $11,951,652   $ 8,509,860   $20,465,464

Net Proceeds from Exercise
   of Warrants & Options           1,391     9,669,892             0     9,671,283

Common Stock Issued                   15       151,860             0       151,875

Net Income                             0             0     3,738,289     3,738,289
                             -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------

Balance March 31, 1994       $     5,358   $21,773,404   $12,248,149   $34,026,911
                             -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------

Net Proceeds from Exercise
   of Warrants and Options           304     1,467,694             0     1,467,998

Net Income                             0             0     4,681,301     4,681,301
                             -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------

Balance March 31, 1995       $     5,662   $23,241,098   $16,929,450   $40,176,210

Net Proceeds from Exercise
   of Options                         90       235,410                     235,500

Net Income                                                 3,756,686     3,756,686
                             -----------   -----------   -----------   -----------

Balance March 31, 1996       $     5,752   $23,476,508   $20,686,136   $44,168,396
                             ===========   ===========   ===========   ===========

</TABLE>

The accompanying notes are an integral part of this financial statement.


<PAGE>



                        ALLOU HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE, INC.
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

1.         SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES:

           A. Organization

           Allou Health & Beauty Care, Inc. (the "Company") was  incorporated on
January  20,  1989  under the laws of the state of  Delaware,  on which  date it
acquired all of the outstanding shares of Allou  Distributors,  Inc. in exchange
for 2,400,000  shares of (1,200,000  post-split) its Class B common stock,  thus
making it a wholly-owned subsidiary.

           Effective April 1, 1993, the Company  acquired all of the outstanding
shares  of  M.  Sobol,  Inc.,  a  wholesaler  of  pharmaceutical  products  in a
transaction  accounted for under the purchase  method.  The  price for the stock
was $1,472,382.

           On October 2, 1995,  the  Company  purchased  certain  assets of Russ
Kalvin Inc., a manufacturer of hair care products located in southern California
for $2,254,150. These assets included accounts receivable,  inventory, equipment
and intangibles.  The Company has  incorporated  wholly-owned subsidiaries which
manufacture and distribute these products.

           These financial statements include the consolidated operations of the
Company  and  its   subsidiaries.   All  intercompany   transactions  have  been
eliminated.

           B. Description of Operations:

           The  Company is engaged in the  business of  distributing  brand name
health  and  beauty   aids,   cosmetics,   fragrances,   grocery   products  and
pharmaceuticals.  The Company also  distributes  generic brand health and beauty
aids and hair care  products.  The  Company  sells these  products to  retailers
throughout the United States.

           C. Revenue Recognition

           The Company recognizes revenue on its entire product line at the time
the products are shipped to the customer.

           D. Concentration of Credit Risk:

           The Company  extends  credit based on an evaluation of the customer's
financial condition, generally without requiring collateral.  Exposure to losses
on receivables is principally  dependent on each customer's financial condition.
The Company monitors its exposure for credit losses and maintains allowances for
anticipated losses.

           E. Inventories:

           Inventories, which consist of finished goods, are stated at the lower
of average cost or market.


           F. Fixed Assets:

           Property and equipment are stated at cost.  Depreciation  is provided
for over the estimated  useful lives of the assets by use of  straight-line  and
accelerated methods.
                                                                        

<PAGE>


                        ALLOU HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE, INC.

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)


           G. Deferred Taxes:

           Deferred taxes  represent the amount due on the cumulative  effect of
change of inventory  valuation from LIFO to Average Cost Method. As permitted by
applicable  tax  regulations,  this  amount  can be  included  in income for tax
purposes ratably over six years.

           H. Earnings Per Share:

           Primary and fully diluted earnings per share are computed on weighted
average  number of shares  actually  outstanding,  plus the shares that would be
outstanding  assuming the exercise of the Company's  outstanding  stock warrants
and stock  options,  which are  considered  to be common stock  equivalents,  in
accordance with the treasury stock method for the years ended March 31, 1996 and
1995 and the modified treasury stock method for the year ended March 31, 1994.

           I. Estimates:

           The preparation of financial  statements in conformity with generally
accepted  accounting  principles  requires  management  to  make  estimates  and
assumptions  that  affect the  reported  amounts of assets and  liabilities  and
disclosure of  contingent  assets and  liabilities  at the date of the financial
statements  and the reported  amounts of the  revenues  and expenses  during the
reported period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

2.         OTHER CURRENT ASSETS:

           Included in other current assets at March 31, 1996 are $11,251,093 of
prepayments on merchandise and $700,000 of interest bearing officers' loans.

3.         PROPERTY AND EQUIPMENT:



                                        March 31,       March 31,     Estimated
                                           1996           1995      Useful Lives
                                           ----           ----      ------------

Machinery & Equipment                  $1,639,480    $   954,380         5 years
Furniture, Fixtures &
   Office Equipment                     2,015,415      1,782,192      5-10 years
Transportation Equipment                   96,750         96,750       3-5 years
Leasehold Improvements                  2,358,799      1,370,095     10-33 years
                                      -----------    -----------
                                        6,110,444      4,203,417
Less:  Accumulated Depreciation         2,485,297      2,016,449
                                      -----------    -----------
                                       $3,625,147     $2,186,968
                                      ===========    ===========

           Depreciation  expense for the years ended  March 31,  1996,  1995 and
1994 amounted to $509,665, 412,532 and $371,113, respectively.

4.         OTHER ASSETS:

           Included  in  other  assets  is  $1,686,007   of  goodwill,   net  of
amortization,  created  upon the  purchase of the shares of M. Sobol  Inc.,  the
Company's  wholly-owned  subsidiary and the purchase of selected  assets of Russ
Kalvin Inc. (see note 1-A), and $1,487,572 of interest bearing  officers' loans.
The goodwill is being amortized over forty years and ten years respectively.


                                                                        

<PAGE>


                        ALLOU HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE, INC.

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)


5.         AMOUNTS DUE BANK:

           The Company has a secured line of credit with a consortium  of banks.
The  financing  agreement  provides  for  advances  of up  to  85%  of  eligible
receivables and 60% of eligible  inventory with aggregate maximum advances which
have  been  increased  as of June 7,  1996  from  $85,000,000  to  $105,000,000,
including a $6,500,000  sublimit for overadvances.  Interest on the loan balance
which was  payable  monthly  at 3/8%  above the prime  rate or 2 1/8%  above the
Eurodollar rate, at the option of the Company has been reduced by 1/8%. The loan
is  collateralized  by the Company's  accounts  receivable and inventory and the
overadvances  are  guaranteed  by  the  Company's  principal  stockholders.   In
addition,  the Company is required to abide by certain financial covenants.  The
effective  interest  rate  charged to the  Company at March 31,  1996 was 7.55%,
which was based on a combination  of 2 1/8% above the  Eurodollar  rate and 3/8%
above the prime rate.

6.         LONG-TERM DEBT:

           Long-term debt consists of:

           (a) notes  collateralized  by  certain  of the  Company's  equipment,
payable in  aggregate  monthly  installments  of  approximately  $11,000,  which
include  interest at rates  varying  from 1% above the prime rate to 3.36% above
the treasury bill rate.

           (b) a loan payable to the previous stockholder of M. Sobol, Inc. (see
note  1-A).  Interest  payable  on the  declining  principal  balance  has  been
calculated at 5.45% per annum, through April 1, 2000.

           The aggregate long-term debt is payable as follows:

           Year Ended
             March 31,
               1997                                $222,393
               1998                                 154,230
               1999                                 140,333
               2000                                 125,786
               2001                                 109,041
                                                  ---------
                                                   $751,783
                                                  =========


7.         ACCOUNTS PAYABLE AND ACCRUED EXPENSES:

                                                       March 31,       March 31,
                                                         1996            1995
                                                         ----            ----
           Cost of Revenues                          $ 8,471,396      $9,016,485
           Selling, General & Administrative           1,236,841         621,734
           Interest - Bank                               374,229         313,525
           Payroll                                       333,537         374,321
                                                  --------------  --------------
                                                     $10,416,003     $10,326,065
                                                  ==============  ==============


                                                                        

<PAGE>


                        ALLOU HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE, INC.

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)


8.         COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES:

           A. Operating Leases:

           Effective April 1995, the Company's lease was renegotiated to include
additional  space and the lease term was  extended  to May 2005.  Commencing  on
October 2, 1995, in connection with the operations of its wholly-owned hair care
products  subsidiaries,  the  Company  entered  into a five year  real  property
operating  lease for space located in  California.  As of March 31, 1996,  total
minimum annual rentals,  excluding additional payments for real estate taxes and
certain expenses, are as follows:

           Year Ended
            March 31,
            ---------
               1997                         $864,797
               1998                          846,797
               1999                          852,797
               2000                          858,797
               2001                          768,749
               2002-2006                   2,608,078

           Rent  expense  for the  years  ended  March 31,  1996,  1995 and 1994
amounted to $744,505, $490,052 and $308,252, respectively.

           B. The Company uses an entity for its deliveries  using the Company's
leased trucks and is charged on a per load basis. The Company assigned the truck
lease to this non-affiliated entity, however, the Company has guaranteed payment
and performance on all terms of the lease through its expiration in 1997.

           The Company owns a trailer truck which has been assigned to an entity
in exchange  for such entity  assuming the loan  payments for such truck,  which
remain an obligation of the Company.

           C. Union:

           The  Company  has an  agreement  with the  National  Organization  of
Industrial  Trade Unions which  terminates  on December 14, 1997.  The agreement
covers all warehouse and receiving employees, excluding supervisory personnel.

           D. Stock Option Plans:

           The Company  has adopted  Stock  Option  Plans which  provide for the
granting of stock options to certain key employees and  directors.  An aggregate
of 1,300,000  shares of common stock are reserved for issuance  under the Plans.
Incentive  stock  options are  granted at no less than fair market  value of the
shares on the date of grant. Options granted to individuals owning more than 10%
of the voting power of the  Company's  capital  stock are granted at 110% of the
fair market value at the date of grant.

                                                                        

<PAGE>


                        ALLOU HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE, INC.

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)


           Option activity for the years ended March 31, 1996, 1995 and 1994 was
as follows:


                                 1996             1995             1994
                                 ----             ----             ----

Options outstanding
  at beginning of year       1,176,950          790,000          714,000
Granted                        136,550          415,450           80,000
Exercised                      (90,500)         (21,000)          (4,000)
Cancelled                      (38,500)          (7,500)               0
                            ----------       ----------       ----------

Outstanding at
  end of year                1,184,500        1,176,950          790,000
                            ==========       ==========       ==========

Option price range     $5.75 to $10.00  $2.50 to $10.00  $2.50 to $10.00
  at end of year       ===============  ===============  ===============

           E. The Company's three year  employment  agreements with  four of its
officers,  which  expired on August 1, 1995,  provided  for annual  salaries  of
$150,000  each  for  three of the  officers  and  $225,000  for the  fourth.  In
addition, three of the officers received bonuses based on the Company's earnings
before  interest and taxes.  For the year ended March 31, 1994,  officers' bonus
expense amounted to $1,054,774.  For the year ended March 31, 1995, three of the
officers  waived their rights to a bonus of  $1,354,606  and the fourth  officer
received a bonus of $40,000.

           Effective  August 1,  1995,  the  Company  entered  into  three  year
employment  agreements with three of its officers.  These agreements provide for
each to  receive  annual  salaries  of  $300,000  and a bonus of 3% of the first
$2,000,000,  2% on the next $1,000,000 and 1% on the remaining increase over the
Company's  prior year  earnings  before  interest and taxes.  For the year ended
March 31, 1996, these three officers received no bonus.

           F. Letter of Credit:

           The Company has irrevocable  standby letters of credits in the sum of
$475,000 expiring thru February 28, 1997.

9.         STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:

           During the year ended March 31, 1994, the stockholders of the Company
voted to reduce the  number of shares of  authorized  Class A common  stock from
15,000,000  to 10,000,000  shares and increase the number of authorized  Class B
common stock from 1,200,000 to 1,700,000 shares, both $.001 par value per share.
The Company is also  authorized to issue  1,000,000  shares of preferred  stock.
Holders  of Class A and Class B common  stock  share  pro rata in all  dividends
declared  by the Board of  Directors.  The holders of Class A and Class B common
stock are  entitled  to one and five  votes per share,  respectively,  for every
matter on which the stockholders of the Company are entitled to vote. Each share
of Class B common  stock is  convertible  at the option of the  holder  into one
share of Class A common stock. Additionally,  each share of Class B common stock
shall be automatically converted into one share of Class A common stock upon its
sale or transfer  (including its transfer upon the death of the holder thereof),
except if such  sale or  transfer  is to one or more  other  holders  of Class B
common stock,  certain  family members of the holders of Class B common stock or
certain trusts for their benefit.


                                                                        

<PAGE>


                        ALLOU HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE, INC.

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)


           During the year ended March 31, 1990, the Company's  public  offering
became effective,  whereby 460,000 units, each consisting of three shares of the
Company's Class A common stock and three  redeemable Class A warrants were sold.
Additionally,  the underwriters were granted 40,000 units of purchase  warrants,
each consisting of three shares Class A common stock and three  redeemable Class
A and Class B warrants.

           During the years ended March 31, 1992, 1993 and 1994, 1,367,726 Class
A warrants and  1,355,516  Class B warrants were  exercised,  and 12,274 Class A
warrants and 12,200 Class B warrants were redeemed and cancelled.

           The Company also issued  36,000  warrants  which were  exercised  for
36,000  shares of Class A common stock.  In connection  with the purchase of its
wholly-owned  subsidiary  M. Sobol,  Inc.,  the Company  issued 15,000 shares of
Class A common stock.

           During the year ended  March 31,  1995,  the  underwriters  exercised
their 40,000 unit purchase warrants which consisted of 120,000 shares of Class A
common  stock,  120,000  Class A  warrants  and  42,483  Class B  warrants.  The
remaining  77,517 of unexercised  Class B warrants expired and were cancelled on
July 11, 1994.

10.        PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES:

                                                        March 31,
                                             1996          1995          1994
                                             ----          ----          ----

Income Before Income Taxes                $6,117,933    $7,565,448    $5,921,485
                                          ==========    ==========    ==========
Federal Income Tax                        $1,959,880    $2,372,572    $1,848,055
State Income Taxes                           401,367       511,575       335,141
                                          ----------    ----------    ----------

Total Provision for Income Taxes          $2,361,247    $2,884,147    $2,183,196
                                          ==========    ==========    ==========

           The following is a reconciliation of the statutory income tax rate to
the total effective tax rates:

                                                                March 31,
                                                         1996     1995     1994
                                                         ----     ----     ----
Federal Statutory Income Tax Rate                         34%      34%      34%

Increase in Tax Rates Resulting from:
 State Income Taxes, Net of Federal Tax
  Benefits                                                6.0%     5.6%     4.7%
Net Operating Loss Carryforward from subsidiary          (1.4%)   (1.5%)    -0-
(Over) Under Accrual of Prior Year Tax Provision          -0-      -0-    (1.8%)
                                                        -----    -----    -----
     Total Effective Tax Rates                          38.6%    38.1%    36.9%
                                                        =====    =====    =====


                                                                        

<PAGE>


                        ALLOU HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE, INC.

             NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)


           At March 31, 1996, net operating loss  carryforwards of approximately
$289,000 are available to offset future earnings. These losses were generated by
the Company's subsidiary M. Sobol Inc., prior to its acquisition by the Company,
and as such are  limited to $85,000  per year as per  Internal  Revenue  Service
regulations.

11.        RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:

           The  Company  purchases  from,  and on  occasion,  sells to,  various
entities that are controlled by some of the Company's officers.

           For the years ended March 31, 1996, and 1995,  there were no sales to
related  parties  during or  outstanding  receivables  at the end of the period.
Purchases   from  related   parties   amounted  to  $1,735,661   and  $1,357,687
respectively, with no outstanding amounts payable at the end of each period.

12.        SELECTED QUARTERLY FINANCIAL DATA (UNAUDITED):


                                           Gross           Net      Earnings Per
 Quarters Ended            Revenues        Profit         Income    Common Share
 --------------            --------        ------         ------    ------------

June 30, 1995            $64,432,369    $ 7,225,913    $ 1,156,829    $.20
June 30, 1994            $55,345,135    $ 6,408,157    $   972,551    $.17

September 30, 1995       $66,913,389    $ 7,219,879    $   676,572    $.12
September 30, 1994       $57,469,223    $ 7,221,893    $   983,274    $.17

December 31, 1995        $76,715,466    $ 9,157,762    $ 1,198,267    $.21
December 41, 1994        $68,984,920    $ 8,384,852    $ 1,431,914    $.24

March 31, 1996           $65,260,878    $ 7,984,232    $   725,008    $.12
March 31, 1995           $55,743,148    $ 6,621,483    $ 1,293,562    $.22


                                                                        

<PAGE>



                                                                   SCHEDULE VIII


                        ALLOU HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE, INC.

                 VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS AND RESERVES


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                 Column A                   Column B      Column C        Column D       Column E
                 --------                   --------      Additions      Deductions      --------
                                                          ---------      ----------

                                           Balance at    Charged to     Write off of      Balance
                                            Beginning     costs and     uncollectible     at end
         Description                        of period     expenses        accounts       of period
         -----------                        ---------     --------        --------       ---------
<S>                                         <C>           <C>             <C>            <C>     
March 31, 1994
   Allowance for Doubtful Accounts          $240,955      $446,221        $325,923       $361,253

March 31, 1995
   Allowance for Doubtful Accounts          $361,253      $294,000        $369,088       $286,165

March 31, 1996                              $286,165      $412,000        $324,275       $373,890
   Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

</TABLE>

                                                                        

<PAGE>

                                                                     SCHEDULE IX


                        ALLOU HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE, INC.

                              SHORT-TERM BORROWINGS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

  Column A                             Column B                Column C           Column D          Column E            Column F(a)
  --------                             --------                --------           --------          --------            -----------

                                                                                   Maximum           Average              Weighted
 Category of                                                   Weighted            amount            amount               average
  aggregate                           Balance at                average          outstanding       outstanding         interest rate
 short-term                              end                   interest            during            during                during
 borrowings                           of period                  rate            the period        the period            the period
 ----------                           ---------                  ----            ----------        ----------            ----------
                                                                (Daily                                                     (Daily
                                                                Basis)                                                     Basis)
<S>                                  <C>                        <C>             <C>                 <C>                    <C>   
March 31, 1992                                                                                                             
  Bank Loan                          $26,362,880                6.875%          $29,524,536         $26,820,253            8.535%

March 31, 1993                                                   
  Bank Loan                          $36,114,991                5.55%           $35,079,883         $32,569,571            5.864%

March 31, 1994                                                                                 
  Bank Loan                          $40,084,311                5.82%           $50,060,899         $45,141,816            5.53%

March 31, 1995                                                                                                               
  Bank Loan                          $54,128,480                8.45%           $60,387,121         $52,642,369            7.23%

March 31, 1996                       $70,809,101                8.50%           $73,365,424         $67,206,057            8.14%
  Bank Loan

</TABLE>

                                                

<PAGE>



           ITEM 6.       SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA

                         ALLOU HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE INC.

               (In thousands, except for share and per share data)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Income Statement Data:
                                                 Year Ended March 31,
                                   1996       1995       1994       1993       1992
                                   ----       ----       ----       ----       ----
<S>                              <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>     
Revenues                         $273,322   $237,542   $205,520   $161,914   $124,940
Costs of revenues                 241,734    208,906    181,372    142,533    108,698
                                 --------   --------   --------   --------   --------

Gross profit                       31,588     28,636     24,148     19,381     16,242

Warehouse and delivery expense      8,063      6,864      5,391      4,417      4,393
Selling, general and     
   administrative expense          11,894     10,250     10,226      8,055      6,296
                                 --------   --------   --------   --------   --------

Income from operations             11,631     11,522      8,531      6,909      5,553
Interest and other                  5,513      3,956      2,609      1,943      2,352
                                 --------   --------   --------   --------   --------
Income before income taxes          6,118      7,566      5,922      4,966      3,201
                                 --------   --------   --------   --------   --------

Net income (1)                   $  3,757   $  4,681   $  3,738   $  3,015   $  1,875
                                 ========   ========   ========   ========   ========

Net income per common share
   primary & fully diluted       $    .65   $    .80   $    .73   $    .60   $    .50
                                 ========   ========   ========   ========   ========

Dividends                        $      0   $      0   $      0   $      0   $      0
                                 ========   ========   ========   ========   ========
</TABLE>


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

Balance Sheet Data:
                                                  As of March 31,
                                 1996       1995       1994       1993        1992
                                 ----       ----       ----       ----        ----
<S>                           <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>     
Working capital               $ 37,557   $ 36,193   $ 32,094   $ 19,732   $ 11,784
Total assets                   126,185    106,214     84,770     63,777     47,452
Total long-term liabilities        560        814        895        410        422
Total liabilities               82,016     66,038     50,743     43,311     34,191
Stockholders' equity            44,168     40,176     34,027     20,465     13,260

</TABLE>



<PAGE>



                        2. Financial Statement Schedules

           The  following  financial  statement  schedules are contained in this
Report on the pages indicated:

                                                                         Page
                                                                         ----

Schedule VIII-   Valuation and Qualifying Accounts and Reserve            S-1

Schedule IX -    Short-Term Borrowings                                    S-2

           Schedules other than those listed above have been omitted as they are
either not required, are not applicable,  or the information called for is shown
in the financial statements or notes thereto.


         3. Exhibits: The following Exhibits are filed as a part of this
Report:

Exhibit No.                               Description

3.1            Certificate of Incorporation of the Registrant  (filed as Exhibit
               3a  to   Registration   Statement   No.   33-26981  on  Form  S-1
               ("Registrant's Form S-1"), and incorporated herein by reference).

3.1.1          Certificate  of  Amendment to  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of
               Registrant  dated  July 7, 1989  (filed  as  Exhibit  3(a)(1)  to
               Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
               March 31,  1990 ("1990  Form  10-K") and  incorporated  herein by
               reference).

3.1.2          Certificate  of  Amendment to  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of
               Registrant  dated  September 9, 1993 (filed as Exhibit 3(a)(2) to
               Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended
               March 31,  1994 ("1994  Form  10-K") and  incorporated  herein by
               reference).

3.2            By-Laws of the  Registrant  (filed as Exhibit 3b to  Registrant's
               Form S-1, and incorporated herein by reference).

*10.1          Employment  Contract  dated as of  August  1,  1995  between  the
               Registrant and Victor Jacobs.

*10.2          Employment Contract dated as of August 1, 1995 between Registrant
               and Herman Jacobs.


        
                                      -22-

<PAGE>


*10.3          Employment  Contract  dated as of  August  1,  1995  between  the
               Registrant and Jack Jacobs.

10.4           Amended and Restated 1989  Incentive  Stock Option Plan (filed as
               Exhibit  10(e) to  Registrant's  1990 Form 10-K and  incorporated
               herein by reference).

10.5           1991 Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 10(e)(1) to Registrant's
               Post-Effective  Amendment  No.  1 to  Registrant's  Form  S-1 and
               incorporated herein by reference).

10.6           1992 Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit 10(e)(2) to Registrant's
               1993 Form 10-K and incorporated herein by reference).

10.7           Lease   Agreement   dated   December   8,  1993   between   Allou
               Distributors,  Inc.  and  Brentwood  Distribution  Co.  (filed as
               Exhibit 10(f) to Registrant's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
               fiscal   year  ended  March  31,  1995  ("1995  Form  10-K")  and
               incorporated herein by reference).

10.8           Lease Agreement dated March 4, 1980 between Registrant and Pueblo
               Supermarkets, Inc. (filed as Exhibit 10g to Registrant's Form S-1
               and incorporated herein by reference).

10.9           Lease Agreement dated January 1, 1993 between M. Sobol,  Inc. and
               Simon  and  Barbara  J.  Mandell   (filed  as  Exhibit  10(g)  to
               Registrant's   1993   Form  10-K  and   incorporated   herein  by
               reference).

10.10          Agreement  dated  December 13, 1994 between  Allou  Distributors,
               Inc. and the National  Organization  of  Industrial  Trade Unions
               (filed as Exhibit  10(i) to the  Registrant's  1995 Form 10-K and
               incorporated herein by reference).

10.11          Restated  and Amended  Revolving  Credit and  Security  Agreement
               among the First  National Bank of Boston,  Bank Hapoalim  B.M., v
               dated as of May 9, 1994 (filed as Exhibit  10(n) to  Registrant's
               1994 Form 10-K and incorporated herein by reference).

10.12          First  Amendment  to Restated  and Amended  Revolving  Credit and
               Security Agreement among the First National Bank of Boston,  Bank
               Hapoalim B.M., IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company,  Sanwa Business
               Credit  Corporation,  LaSalle Business Credit,  Inc., The Bank of
               Tokyo Trust Company, the Registrant and Allou Distributors,  Inc.
               dated August 24, 1994 (filed as Exhibit 10(l) to

        
                                      -23-

<PAGE>


               the  Registrant's  1995  Form  10-K and  incorporated  herein  by
               reference).

*10.13         Second  Restated  and  Amended   Revolving  Credit  and  Security
               Agreement  dated as of June __, 1996 among Allou  Health & Beauty
               Care, Inc., Allou Distributors,  Inc., The First National Bank of
               Boston, IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company,  Sanwa Business Credit
               Corporation,  LaSalle Business Credit, Inc. and The Bank of Tokyo
               - Mitsubishi Trust Company.

*10.14         Master Lease Finance Agreement dated as of April 24, 1996 between
               BancBoston Leasing Inc. and Allou Distributors, Inc.

*11            Computation of Earnings Per Common Stock.

*21            Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

*23            Consent of Mayer Rispler & Co.

*27            Financial Data Schedule

- ----------------
* Filed herewith


               (b)       Reports on Form 8-K

                         No reports on Form 8-K were filed  during the last
                         quarter of the period covered by this Report.



        
                                      -24-

<PAGE>



                                   SIGNATURES

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

                                  ALLOU HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE, INC.


                                  By:         /s/ VICTOR JACOBS
                                      ----------------------------------
                                             Victor Jacobs,
                                             Chairman of the Board and
                                             Chief Executive Officer

Dated:  June 28, 1996


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

<TABLE>

Signatures                                   Title                              Date
- ----------                                   -----                              ----
<S>                                                                          <C> <C> 
   /s/ VICTOR JACOBS                 Chairman of the Board and Chief    June 28, 1996
- ----------------------------         Executive Officer
      Victor Jacobs    


  /s/ HERMAN JACOBS                  President and Director             June 28, 1996
- ----------------------------
      Herman Jacobs


   /s/ DAVID SHAMILZADEH             Chief Financial Officer, Chief     June 28, 1996
- ----------------------------         Accounting Officer and Director
      David Shamilzadeh          


   /s/ JACK JACOBS                   Director                           June 28, 1996
- ----------------------------
       Jack Jacobs


   /s/ RAMON MONTES                  Director                           June 28, 1996
- ----------------------------
       Ramon Montes


   /s/ SOL NAIMARK                   Director                           June 28, 1996
- ----------------------------
       Sol Naimark    


   /s/ JEFFREY BERG                  Director                           June 28, 1996
- ----------------------------
       Jeffrey Berg

</TABLE>

                                      -25-

<PAGE>

                                Index to Exhibits


Exhibit No.                Description                                   Page
- -----------                -----------                                   ----

3.1            Certificate  of  Incorporation  of the  Registrant
               (filed as Exhibit 3a to Registration Statement No.
               33-26981 on Form S-1 ("Reg  istrant's  Form S-1"),
               and incorporated herein by reference).

3.1.1          Certificate   of  Amendment  to   Certificate   of
               Incorporation  of  Registrant  dated  July 7, 1989
               (filed as Exhibit 3(a)(1) to  Registrant's  Annual
               Report  on Form  10-K for the  fiscal  year  ended
               March 31, 1990 ("1990 Form 10-K") and incorporated
               herein by reference).

3.1.2          Certificate   of  Amendment  to   Certificate   of
               Incorporation  of  Registrant  dated  September 9,
               1993  (filed as Exhibit  3(a)(2)  to  Registrant's
               Annual  Report  on Form 10-K for the  fiscal  year
               ended  March  31,  1994  ("1994  Form  10-K")  and
               incorporated herein by reference).

3.2            By-Laws of the Registrant  (filed as Exhibit 3b to
               Registrant's Form S-1, and incorporated  herein by
               reference).

*10.1          Employment  Contract  dated as of  August  1, 1995
               between the Registrant and Victor Jacobs.

*10.2          Employment  Contract  dated as of  August  1, 1995
               between Registrant and Herman Jacobs.

*10.3          Employment  Contract  dated as of  August  1, 1995
               between the Registrant and Jack Jacobs.

10.4           Amended and Restated 1989  Incentive  Stock Option
               Plan (filed as Exhibit 10(e) to Registrant's  1990
               Form 10-K and incorporated herein by reference).

10.5           1991 Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit  10(e)(1)
               to Registrant's  Post-Effective Amendment No. 1 to
               Registrant's  Form S-1 and incorporated  herein by
               reference).

10.6           1992 Stock Option Plan (filed as Exhibit  10(e)(2)
               to  Registrants  1993 Form  10-K and  incorporated
               herein by reference).

10.7           Lease  Agreement  dated  December 8, 1993  between
               Allou    Distributors,    Inc.    and    Brentwood
               Distributors   Co.  (filed  as  Exhibit  10(f)  to
               Registrant's  Annual  Report  on Form 10-K for the
               fiscal  year  ended  March 31,  1995  ("1995  Form
               10-K") and incorporated herein by reference).




                                      -26-

<PAGE>


Exhibit No.                Description                                   Page
- -----------                -----------                                   ----

10.8           Lease   Agreement  dated  March  4,  1980  between
               Registrant and Pueblo Supermarkets, Inc. (filed as
               Exhibit   10g  to   Registrant's   Form   S-1  and
               incorporated herein by reference).

10.9           Lease  Agreement  dated January 1, 1993 between M.
               Sobol,  Inc.  and Simon and  Barbara  J.  Mandell.
               (Filed as Exhibit 10(g) to Registrant's  1993 Form
               10-K and incorporated herein by reference).

10.10          Agreement  dated  December 13, 1994 between  Allou
               Distributors,  Inc. and the National  Organization
               of Industrial Trade Unions (filed as Exhibit 10(i)
               to  Registrant's  1995 Form 10-K and  incorporated
               herein by reference.

10.11          Restated and Amended Revolving Credit and Security
               Agreement among the First National Bank of Boston,
               Bank  Hapoalim  B.M.,  IBJ  Schroder  Bank & Trust
               Company,   Sarwa  Business   Credit   Corporation,
               LaSalle Business  Credit,  Inc., The Bank of Tokyo
               Trust   Company,    the   Registrant   and   Allou
               Distributors,  Inc. dated as of May 9, 1994 (filed
               as Exhibit  10(n) to  Registrant's  1994 Form 10-K
               and incorporated herein by reference).

10.12          First Amendment to Restated and Amended  Revolving
               Credit  and  Security  Agreement  among  the First
               National Bank of Boston,  Bank Hapoalim  B.M., IBJ
               Schroder  Bank &  Trust  Company,  Sanwa  Business
               Credit Corporation, LaSalle Business Credit, Inc.,
               The Bank of Tokyo Trust  Company,  the  Registrant
               and Allou Distributors, Inc. dated August 24, 1994
               (filed as Exhibit 10(l) to Registrant's  1995 Form
               10-K and incorporated herein by reference).

*10.13         Second Restated and Amended  Revolving  Credit and
               Security Agreement dated as of June __, 1996 among
               Allou   Health  &   Beauty   Care,   Inc.,   Allou
               Distributors,  Inc.,  The First  National  Bank of
               Boston,  IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company,  Sanwa
               Business  Credit  Corporation,   LaSalle  Business
               Credit,  Inc.  and The Bank of Tokyo -  Mitsubishi
               Trust Company.

*10.14         Master Lease Finance  Agreement  dated as of April
               24, 1996 between BancBoston Leasing Inc. and Allou
               Distributors, Inc.

*11            Computation of Earnings Per Common Share.

*21            Subsidiaries of the Registrant.

*23            Consent of Mayer Rispler & Co.

*27            Financial Data Schedule



- ----------------
* Filed herewith


        
                                      -27-


                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT



                  AGREEMENT  made as of August 1, 1995  between  ALLOU  HEALTH &
BEAUTY CARE,  INC., a Delaware  corporation  with offices at 50 Emjay Boulevard,
Brentwood,  New York 11717 ("Company"),  and VICTOR JACOBS, residing at 176 Penn
Street, Brooklyn, New York 11211 ("Employee").

                              W I T N E S S E T H :
                  WHEREAS, Employee  has been employed  by the  Company  and has
rendered substantial services to the Company; and
                  WHEREAS, the Company believes that the contributions that have
been made and can  continue  to be made by  Employee  toward the  success of the
business  of the  Company  are  valuable  and wishes to retain the  services  of
Employee for its benefit; and
                  WHEREAS,  the  Company  desires  to  continue  to  retain  the
services of Employee as its Chairman of the Board and Chief  Executive  Officer;
and
                 WHEREAS, Employee is willing to continue as such upon the terms
and conditions herein set forth;
                  NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  premises  and the
mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the Company and Employee agree
as follows:
                  1. TERM.  The Company hereby  employs  Employee,  and Employee
hereby accepts  employment by the Company,  on the terms and  conditions  herein
contained for a term  commencing  August 1, 1995 (the  "Commencement  Date") and
terminating  on July 31, 1998  ("Original  Term")  unless  sooner  terminated as
herein provided (the "Term").

                                                         
                                      

<PAGE>



                  2. EMPLOYMENT DUTIES.
                           (a)      During the Term, Employee shall serve as the
Chairman of the Board and Chief  Executive  Officer of the Company and  Employee
shall  have  such  responsibilities,  powers  and  duties  as are  substantially
consistent with his present responsibilities,  powers and duties. Employee shall
be subject to the reasonable direction of the Board of Directors of the Company.
Employee  agrees that during the Term he will devote his full time and attention
during regular  business hours to the business and affairs of the Company except
during  vacation  periods and periods of illness or incapacity.  Notwithstanding
the  foregoing  and  so  long  as  his  activities  do not  interfere  with  the
performance of his duties hereunder,  Employee will be permitted to acquire, own
or deal in  securities  or other  investments  except  that,  without  the prior
written consent of the Company's Board of Directors,  Employee may not invest in
any business which has business relations or competes with the Company or any of
its subsidiaries or affiliates unless the securities of such business are listed
on a national securities exchange or traded in the  over-the-counter  market and
the  interest of Employee  does not exceed one (1%)  percent of the  outstanding
securities of any class of that business. In addition,  nothing contained herein
shall prevent  Employee from serving as a director or trustee of any corporation
or  other  organization,  and in any  other  capacity  with  any  non-commercial
enterprise,  provided that such service does not  materially  interfere with the
performance of his duties  hereunder and such business or organization  does not
compete with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.
                           (b)      It is  understood that,  except for  limited
business  travel which shall be only such as is  reasonably  required for him to
perform  his duties  hereunder,  Employee's  duties  under this  paragraph 2 are
performed at the Company's principal executive office in Brentwood, New York.

                                                         
                                      - 2 -

<PAGE>



                  3. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS.
                           (a)     For the full, prompt and faithful performance
of all of the duties and  services to be performed  by Employee  hereunder,  the
Company  agrees to pay  Employee a salary  ("Base  Salary") at the rate of Three
Hundred  Thousand  Dollars  ($300,000) per year,  payable in equal  semi-monthly
installments or in such other manner as shall be mutually  agreeable to Employee
and the Company. The Company's Board of Directors may, in its discretion, at any
time and from time to time,  increase  such Base Salary for  Employee  and grant
Employee other compensation, including bonuses, in addition to that provided for
hereunder.  Employee's  compensation  shall be reviewed at least once each year.
Any  increase  in Base  Salary  or other  compensation  shall in no way limit or
reduce any other obligation of the Company under this Agreement.
                           (b)      As additional  compensation,  Employee shall
receive a sum equal to: (i) three  percent (3%) of the amount of any increase in
the  Company's  earnings  before  interest and taxes  ("EBIT")  (as  hereinafter
defined) at the end of each fiscal  year  during the term of this  Agreement  as
compared to the EBIT for the prior  fiscal year (an  "Increase")  for amounts of
such  Increase  up to  $2,000,000;  (ii) two  percent  (2%) of the amount of any
Increase that is greater than  $2,000,000  but less than or equal to $3,000,000;
and (iii) one percent (1%) of the amount of any Increase  exceeding  $3,000,000.
For the purposes of this  Agreement,  "EBIT" shall be the annual earnings of the
Company for the fiscal year computed before any charges for interest expense and
any federal, state or other taxes relating to income, and shall be determined in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles by the certified public
accountants  regularly  employed by the  Company  whose  determination  shall be
binding on the parties.
                  The computation of "EBIT" shall be made as soon as practicable
after the end of each  fiscal year and may be paid in full after the end of each
fiscal year. If at the end of any fiscal year, the

                                                         
                                      - 3 -

<PAGE>



Company's  EBIT does not exceed  the EBIT for the prior  fiscal  year,  Employee
shall not receive any additional compensation as set forth in this section 3(b).
                           (c)      In addition to the compensation provided for
herein,  Employee  shall be  entitled  to  participate  in any bonus,  incentive
compensation, retirement, profit-sharing, medical payment, disability, health or
life insurance and other benefit  arrangements  which may be or become available
to executives of the Company.
                           (d)      The Company  agrees to grant to  Employee as
of the Commencement Date, an option to purchase,  for a period of ten (10) years
from the date of grant, an aggregate of One Hundred Thousand (100,000) shares of
the  Company's  authorized  Class B Common  Stock  pursuant  to the terms of the
Company's  1995  Stock  Option  Plan  (the  "Plan"),  a copy of  which  shall be
delivered to Employee  contemporaneously  with the execution of this  Agreement,
and any related stock option agreements  required to be executed by optionees in
connection therewith. Such grant shall be subject to approval of the Plan by the
shareholders of the Company.  All of such options shall become exercisable as to
one  hundred  percent  (100%)  of such  shares  on the  earlier  of the  seventh
anniversary  of the date  hereof  or as of end of any  fiscal  year in which the
Company's EBIT increases at least fifteen  percent (15%) over the Company's EBIT
for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1995. Employee shall also be entitled to any
additional  stock options or stock related rights or similar  benefits which may
be granted to Employee by the Company.
                           (e)      Throughout  the Original Term,  the  Company
shall  continue to provide  Employee with life  insurance  with the  beneficiary
thereof to be  designated  by Employee in an amount not less than that in effect
for Employee at the date hereof and shall pay all premiums due thereunder.
                           (f)      Employee shall be entitled to reimbursement,
not less frequently  than monthly,  for expenses  reasonably  incurred by him in
furtherance of the business of the Company and
                                                         
                                      - 4 -

<PAGE>



in the performance of his duties  hereunder,  on an accountable  basis with such
substantiation  as the Company may at the time require from its senior executive
officers.
                           (g)      During the Term, Employee  shall be entitled
to continue to receive the fringe  benefits and perquisites  presently  provided
for him by the Company.  In order to enable Employee to most effectively perform
his duties  hereunder,  the Company  will  provide  Employee  with the use of an
automobile to be comparable  and  equivalent to the price category car presently
used by  Employee,  under a two-year  replacement  program,  and  payment of all
expenses associated therewith.
                           (h)      Employee shall be entitled to four (4) weeks
of vacation in each twelve  (12) month  period  during the Term,  to be taken at
such times as may be  mutually  and  reasonably  agreed  upon by the Company and
Employee.

                  4.  TERMINATION  UPON DEATH.  The Term shall  terminate on the
date of Employee's  death,  except that  Employee's Base Salary shall be paid to
his estate for a period of one (1) year after the date of his death. If Employee
was entitled to receive any bonus,  incentive  or similar  form of  compensation
under any  arrangement  with the  Company  which  was to be based  upon a period
extending  beyond the date of Employee's  death,  payment of a portion  thereof,
equal to the amount  which would have been  payable for the full period in which
death occurs,  multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of
days in such period  through the date of death and the  denominator  of which is
the total number of days in the full period,  shall be made at the time it would
have been made in accordance with such arrangement.

                  5. Disability. If, during the Term, Employee shall, because of
physical or mental illness or incapacity,  become totally unable to perform,  or
in the judgment of the Company  evidenced by a resolution  adopted in good faith
by a majority of its Board of Directors unable adequately to perform, the duties
and services required of him pursuant to paragraph 2(a) for a period of one

                                                         
                                                       - 5 -

<PAGE>



hundred  eighty (180)  consecutive  days,  the Company may, upon at least ninety
(90) days prior  written  notice given at any time after the  expiration of such
one  hundred  eighty  (180) day period to Employee  of its  intention  to do so,
accelerate  the end of the Term to such date as may be set forth in such notice;
provided,  however,  that the end of the Term shall not be  accelerated  and the
Term shall  remain in full force and effect if Employee  shall have  resumed the
full-time  performance  of his duties  hereunder  prior to the effective date of
such proposed  termination of the Term. In case of such  acceleration of the end
of the Term,  Employee  shall be entitled to receive,  and the Company agrees to
pay,  his  Base  Salary  for a  period  of one (1)  year  after  the date of his
termination due to disability and a pro rata portion of the amount of any bonus,
incentive or similar form of  compensation  which he would have  otherwise  been
entitled  to for the  period  in which the  acceleration  of the end of the Term
occurs.

                  6. CONFIDENTIAL  INFORMATION.  All  confidential  information
which  Employee  may now know or  which  hereby  may  become  known to  Employee
relating  to the  business  of the  Company or any  customer  or supplier of the
Company  shall not be disclosed by Employee to any other person or entity either
during the Term or thereafter.  Such confidential  information shall be returned
to the Company upon termination of Employee's employment.

                  7. NON-COMPETITION.
                           (a)      Employee agrees that during the Term and for
a period  of one (1) year  after  the  termination  of his  employment  with the
Company,  he will not (i) engage in or have any interest in any person,  firm or
corporation  which  engages,  directly or indirectly,  in  competition  with the
Company or its  subsidiaries or affiliates in the United States,  in the sale of
products or services of the type in which  Employee has been  directly  involved
during the Term in or have any  interest  in any person,  firm or company  which
engages, directly or indirectly, in competition with the Company

                                                         
                                      - 6 -

<PAGE>



or its  subsidiaries  or affiliates in the United States for the business of any
entity which was a customer of the Company or its  subsidiaries or affiliates at
any time during the Term or (ii) solicit any  employees of the Company or any of
its parents, subsidiaries or affiliates to leave their employ.
                           (b)    For the purposes of this paragraph 7, Employee
will be deemed  directly or indirectly  engaged in a business if he participates
in  such  business  as  a  proprietor,  partner,  joint  venturer,  shareholder,
director, officer, lender, manager, employee, consultant, adviser or agent or if
he in any way controls such  business.  Employee  shall not for purposes of this
paragraph 7 be deemed a shareholder  or lender if he holds less than one (1%) of
the  outstanding  securities  of any class of any  publicly- or  privately-owned
corporation  engaged in the same or similar  business  to that of the Company or
its subsidiaries or affiliates, provided that Employee shall not be in a control
position (individually or as part of a group) with regard to such corporation.
                           (c)     In the event of a breach or threatened breach
by Employee of any of the  provisions of this  paragraph 7, the Company shall be
entitled,  upon establishing the existence of such breach or threatened  breach,
to an  injunction  to be issued by any  tribunal of  competent  jurisdiction  to
restrain  Employee  from  committing or continuing  any such  violation.  In any
proceeding  for an  injunction  and upon any motion for  temporary  or permanent
injunction, Employee agrees that his ability to answer in damages shall not be a
bar or be interposed as a defense to the granting of such temporary or permanent
injunction against him. Employee  acknowledges that the Company will not have an
adequate  remedy at law in the event of any breach by him as aforesaid  and that
the  Company  may  suffer  irreparable  damage and injury in the event of such a
breach by him.  Nothing  contained  herein shall be construed as prohibiting the
Company from  pursuing  any other  remedy or remedies  available to the Company,
including, without limitation, the recovery of damages from Employee.

                                                         
                                      - 7 -

<PAGE>



                 8. REPRESENTATION BY EMPLOYEE. Employee represents and warrants
that he has not  entered  into any other  agreement  or  understanding  which is
inconsistent  with  the  execution  of this  Agreement  or which in any way will
prevent full compliance by him with the terms of this Agreement.

                  9.  ASSIGNABILITY.  This  Agreement  may  not be  assigned  by
Employee and all of its terms and conditions  shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of Employee and his heirs and legal  representatives and the Company
and its successors and assigns. Successors of the Company shall include, without
limitation, any corporation or corporations acquiring directly or indirectly all
or  substantially   all  of  the  assets  of  the  Company  whether  by  merger,
consolidation,  purchase, lease or otherwise and such successor shall thereafter
be deemed the "Company" for purposes hereof.

                10.  NOTICES.   All  notices,   requests,   demands  and  other
communications  provided  for hereby  shall be in writing and shall be deemed to
have been duly given when delivered personally,  sent by facsimile  transmission
(with receipt confirmed) or two days after being sent by registered or certified
mail,  return receipt  requested,  to the party entitled  thereto at the address
first above  written or to such changed  address as the addressee may have given
by a similar notice.

                11.  MODIFICATION.   This Agreement may be  modified or  amended
only by an  instrument  in writing  signed by  Employee  and the Company and any
provision  hereof may be waived only by an instrument  in writing  signed by the
party hereto against whom any such waiver is sought to be enforced.

                12.  SEVERABILITY.   The invalidity or  unenforceability  of any
provision  hereof shall in no way affect the validity or  enforceability  of any
other provision contained herein.

                13.  GOVERNING LAW.  This  Agreement  shall be  governed  by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

                                                         
                                      - 8 -

<PAGE>


                14.  CAPTIONS.   The  captioned  headings  here  convenience  of
reference  only and are not  intended to be  construed  to have any  substantive
effect.
                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have this Agreement as
of the date first above written.

                                          ALLOU HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE, INC.



                                          By:  /s/  DAVID SHAMILZADEH
                                              ----------------------------
                                             Name:  David Shamilzadeh
                                             Title: SVP of Finance & CFO



                                               /s/  VICTOR JACOBS
                                              ----------------------------
                                                    VICTOR JACOBS


                                                    


                                                         
                                      - 9 -

                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT


                  AGREEMENT  made as of August 1, 1995  between  ALLOU  HEALTH &
BEAUTY CARE,  INC., a Delaware  corporation  with offices at 50 Emjay Boulevard,
Brentwood,  New York 11717  ("Company"),  and  HERMAN  JACOBS,  residing  at 116
Rutledge Street, Brooklyn, New York 11211 ("Employee").

                              W I T N E S S E T H :
                 WHEREAS, Employee  has  been  employed by  the Company  and has
rendered substantial services to the Company; and
                 WHEREAS, the Company believes  that the contributions that have
been made and can  continue  to be made by  Employee  toward the  success of the
business  of the  Company  are  valuable  and wishes to retain the  services  of
Employee for its benefit; and
                 WHEREAS, the Company desires to  continue to retain the service
of Employee as its President and Chief Operating Officer; and
                 WHEREAS, Employee is willing to continue as such upon the terms
and conditions herein set forth;
                 NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of  the  premises  and the
mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the Company and Employee agree
as follows:
                  1. TERM.  The Company hereby  employs  Employee,  and Employee
hereby accepts  employment by the Company,  on the terms and  conditions  herein
contained for a term  commencing  August 1, 1995 (the  "Commencement  Date") and
terminating  on July 31, 1998  ("Original  Term")  unless  sooner  terminated as
herein provided (the "Term").



<PAGE>



                  2. EMPLOYMENT DUTIES.
                           (a)      During the Term, Employee shall serve as the
President  and Chief  Operating  Officer of the Company and Employee  shall have
such  responsibilities,  powers and duties as are substantially  consistent with
his present  responsibilities,  powers and duties.  Employee shall be subject to
the  reasonable  direction of the Board of  Directors  of the Company.  Employee
agrees that during the Term he will  devote his full time and  attention  during
regular  business hours to the business and affairs of the Company except during
vacation  periods  and  periods of illness or  incapacity.  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing and so long as his activities do not interfere with the performance of
his duties  hereunder,  Employee  will be permitted  to acquire,  own or deal in
securities or other investments  except that,  without the prior written consent
of the  Company's  Board of  Directors,  Employee may not invest in any business
which  has  business  relations  or  competes  with  the  Company  or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates  unless the securities of such business are listed on
a national securities exchange or traded in the over-the-counter  market and the
interest  of  Employee  does not  exceed  one (1%)  percent  of the  outstanding
securities of any class of that business. In addition,  nothing contained herein
shall prevent  Employee from serving as a director or trustee of any corporation
or  other  organization,  and in any  other  capacity  with  any  non-commercial
enterprise,  provided that such service does not  materially  interfere with the
performance of his duties  hereunder and such business or organization  does not
compete with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.
                           (b)      It is  understood  that, except for  limited
business  travel which shall be only such as is  reasonably  required for him to
perform  his duties  hereunder,  Employee's  duties  under this  paragraph 2 are
performed at the Company's principal executive office in Brentwood, New York.

39409-2
                                      - 2 -

<PAGE>



                  3. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS.
                           (a)     For the full, prompt and faithful performance
of all of the duties and  services to be performed  by Employee  hereunder,  the
Company  agrees to pay  Employee a salary  ("Base  Salary") at the rate of Three
Hundred  Thousand  Dollars  ($300,000) per year,  payable in equal  semi-monthly
installments or in such other manner as shall be mutually  agreeable to Employee
and the Company. The Company's Board of Directors may, in its discretion, at any
time and from time to time,  increase  such Base Salary for  Employee  and grant
Employee other compensation, including bonuses, in addition to that provided for
hereunder.  Employee's  compensation  shall be reviewed at least once each year.
Any  increase  in Base  Salary  or other  compensation  shall in no way limit or
reduce any other obligation of the Company under this Agreement.
                           (b)      As additional  compensation,  Employee shall
receive a sum equal to: (i) three  percent (3%) of the amount of any increase in
the  Company's  earnings  before  interest and taxes  ("EBIT")  (as  hereinafter
defined) at the end of each fiscal  year  during the term of this  Agreement  as
compared to the EBIT for the prior  fiscal year (an  "Increase")  for amounts of
such  Increase  up to  $2,000,000;  (ii) two  percent  (2%) of the amount of any
Increase that is greater than  $2,000,000  but less than or equal to $3,000,000;
and (iii) one percent (1%) of the amount of any Increase  exceeding  $3,000,000.
For the purposes of this  Agreement,  "EBIT" shall be the annual earnings of the
Company for the fiscal year computed before any charges for interest expense and
any federal, state or other taxes relating to income, and shall be determined in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles by the certified public
accountants  regularly  employed by the  Company  whose  determination  shall be
binding on the parties.
                  The computation of "EBIT" shall be made as soon as practicable
after the end of each  fiscal year and may be paid in full after the end of each
fiscal year. If at the end of any fiscal year, the

39409-2
                                      - 3 -

<PAGE>



Company's  EBIT does not exceed  the EBIT for the prior  fiscal  year,  Employee
shall not receive any additional compensation as set forth in this section 3(b).
                           (c)      In addition to the compensation provided for
herein,  Employee  shall be  entitled  to  participate  in any bonus,  incentive
compensation, retirement, profit-sharing, medical payment, disability, health or
life insurance and other benefit  arrangements  which may be or become available
to executives of the Company.
                           (d)      The Company  agrees to grant  to Employee as
of the Commencement Date, an option to purchase,  for a period of ten (10) years
from the date of grant, an aggregate of One Hundred Thousand (100,000) shares of
the  Company's  authorized  Class B Common  Stock  pursuant  to the terms of the
Company's  1995  Stock  Option  Plan  (the  "Plan"),  a copy of  which  shall be
delivered to Employee  contemporaneously  with the execution of this  Agreement,
and any related stock option agreements  required to be executed by optionees in
connection therewith. Such grant shall be subject to approval of the Plan by the
shareholders of the Company.  All of such options shall become exercisable as to
one  hundred  percent  (100%)  of such  shares  on the  earlier  of the  seventh
anniversary  of the date  hereof  or as of end of any  fiscal  year in which the
Company's EBIT increases at least fifteen  percent (15%) over the Company's EBIT
for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1995. Employee shall also be entitled to any
additional  stock options or stock related rights or similar  benefits which may
be granted to Employee by the Company.
                           (e)      Throughout  the  Original Term, the  Company
shall  continue to provide  Employee with life  insurance  with the  beneficiary
thereof to be  designated  by Employee in an amount not less than that in effect
for Employee at the date hereof and shall pay all premiums due thereunder.
                           (f)      Employee shall be entitled to reimbursement,
not less frequently  than monthly,  for expenses  reasonably  incurred by him in
furtherance of the business of the Company and

                                      -4-

<PAGE>


in the performance of his duties  hereunder,  on an accountable  basis with such
substantiation  as the Company may at the time require from its senior executive
officers.
                           (g)      During the Term, Employee  shall be entitled
to continue to receive the fringe  benefits and perquisites  presently  provided
for him by the Company.  In order to enable Employee to most effectively perform
his duties  hereunder,  the Company  will  provide  Employee  with the use of an
automobile to be comparable  and  equivalent to the price category car presently
used by  Employee,  under a two-year  replacement  program,  and  payment of all
expenses associated therewith.
                           (h)      Employee shall be entitled to four (4) weeks
of vacation in each twelve  (12) month  period  during the Term,  to be taken at
such times as may be  mutually  and  reasonably  agreed  upon by the Company and
Employee.

                  4.  TERMINATION  UPON DEATH.  The Term shall  terminate on the
date of Employee's  death,  except that  Employee's Base Salary shall be paid to
his estate for a period of one (1) year after the date of his death. If Employee
was entitled to receive any bonus,  incentive  or similar  form of  compensation
under any  arrangement  with the  Company  which  was to be based  upon a period
extending  beyond the date of Employee's  death,  payment of a portion  thereof,
equal to the amount  which would have been  payable for the full period in which
death occurs,  multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of
days in such period  through the date of death and the  denominator  of which is
the total number of days in the full period,  shall be made at the time it would
have been made in accordance with such arrangement.

                  5.  DISABILITY.   If, during the Term, Employee shall, because
of physical or mental illness or  incapacity,  become totally unable to perform,
or in the  judgment of the Company  evidenced  by a  resolution  adopted in good
faith by a majority of its Board of Directors unable adequately to perform,  the
duties and services  required of him pursuant to paragraph  2(a) for a period of
one

                                      -5-

<PAGE>



hundred  eighty (180)  consecutive  days,  the Company may, upon at least ninety
(90) days prior  written  notice given at any time after the  expiration of such
one  hundred  eighty  (180) day period to Employee  of its  intention  to do so,
accelerate  the end of the Term to such date as may be set forth in such notice;
provided,  however,  that the end of the Term shall not be  accelerated  and the
Term shall  remain in full force and effect if Employee  shall have  resumed the
full-time  performance  of his duties  hereunder  prior to the effective date of
such proposed  termination of the Term. In case of such  acceleration of the end
of the Term,  Employee  shall be entitled to receive,  and the Company agrees to
pay,  his  Base  Salary  for a  period  of one (1)  year  after  the date of his
termination due to disability and a pro rata portion of the amount of any bonus,
incentive or similar form of  compensation  which he would have  otherwise  been
entitled  to for the  period  in which the  acceleration  of the end of the Term
occurs.

                  6.  CONFIDENTIAL  INFORMATION.  All  confidential  information
which  Employee  may now know or  which  hereby  may  become  known to  Employee
relating  to the  business  of the  Company or any  customer  or supplier of the
Company  shall not be disclosed by Employee to any other person or entity either
during the Term or thereafter.  Such confidential  information shall be returned
to the Company upon termination of Employee's employment.

                  7.  NON-COMPETITION.
                           (a)      Employee agrees that during the Term and for
a period  of one (1) year  after  the  termination  of his  employment  with the
Company,  he will not (i) engage in or have any interest in any person,  firm or
corporation  which  engages,  directly or indirectly,  in  competition  with the
Company or its  subsidiaries or affiliates in the United States,  in the sale of
products or services of the type in which  Employee has been  directly  involved
during the Term in or have any  interest  in any person,  firm or company  which
engages, directly or indirectly, in competition with the Company


                                      - 6 -

<PAGE>



or its  subsidiaries  or affiliates in the United States for the business of any
entity which was a customer of the Company or its  subsidiaries or affiliates at
any time during the Term or (ii) solicit any  employees of the Company or any of
its parents, subsidiaries or affiliates to leave their employ.
                           (b)    For the purposes of this paragraph 7, Employee
will be deemed  directly or indirectly  engaged in a business if he participates
in  such  business  as  a  proprietor,  partner,  joint  venturer,  shareholder,
director, officer, lender, manager, employee, consultant, adviser or agent or if
he in any way controls such  business.  Employee  shall not for purposes of this
paragraph 7 be deemed a shareholder  or lender if he holds less than one (1%) of
the  outstanding  securities  of any class of any  publicly- or  privately-owned
corporation  engaged in the same or similar  business  to that of the Company or
its subsidiaries or affiliates, provided that Employee shall not be in a control
position (individually or as part of a group) with regard to such corporation.
                           (c)     In the event of a breach or threatened breach
by Employee of any of the  provisions of this  paragraph 7, the Company shall be
entitled,  upon establishing the existence of such breach or threatened  breach,
to an  injunction  to be issued by any  tribunal of  competent  jurisdiction  to
restrain  Employee  from  committing or continuing  any such  violation.  In any
proceeding  for an  injunction  and upon any motion for  temporary  or permanent
injunction, Employee agrees that his ability to answer in damages shall not be a
bar or be interposed as a defense to the granting of such temporary or permanent
injunction against him. Employee  acknowledges that the Company will not have an
adequate  remedy at law in the event of any breach by him as aforesaid  and that
the  Company  may  suffer  irreparable  damage and injury in the event of such a
breach by him.  Nothing  contained  herein shall be construed as prohibiting the
Company from  pursuing  any other  remedy or remedies  available to the Company,
including, without limitation, the recovery of damages from Employee.


                                      - 7 -

<PAGE>



                  8.   REPRESENTATION  BY  EMPLOYEE.   Employee  represents  and
warrants that he has not entered into any other agreement or understanding which
is inconsistent with the execution of this Agreement or which in any way will
prevent full compliance by him with the terms of this Agreement.

                  9.  ASSIGNABILITY.  This  Agreement  may  not be  assigned  by
Employee and all of its terms and conditions  shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of Employee and his heirs and legal  representatives and the Company
and its successors and assigns. Successors of the Company shall include, without
limitation, any corporation or corporations acquiring directly or indirectly all
or  substantially   all  of  the  assets  of  the  Company  whether  by  merger,
consolidation,  purchase, lease or otherwise and such successor shall thereafter
be deemed the "Company" for purposes hereof.

                  10.  NOTICES.  All  notices,   requests,   demands  and  other
communications  provided  for hereby  shall be in writing and shall be deemed to
have been duly given when delivered personally,  sent by facsimile  transmission
(with receipt confirmed) or two days after being sent by registered or certified
mail,  return receipt  requested,  to the party entitled  thereto at the address
first above  written or to such changed  address as the addressee may have given
by a similar notice.

                  11. MODIFICATION.  This  Agreement may be  modified or amended
only by an  instrument  in writing  signed by  Employee  and the Company and any
provision  hereof may be waived only by an instrument  in writing  signed by the
party hereto against whom any such waiver is sought to be enforced.

                  12. SEVERABILITY.  The invalidity or  unenforceability  of any
provision  hereof shall in no way affect the validity or  enforceability  of any
other provision contained herein.

                  13. GOVERNING LAW.   This Agreement  shall be  governed by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

                                      - 8 -

<PAGE>


                  14. CAPTIONS.   The  captioned  headings  here  convenience of
reference  only and are not  intended to be  construed  to have any  substantive
effect.
                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have this Agreement as
of the date first above written.

                                         ALLOU HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE, INC.


                                          By:  /s/  DAVID SHAMILZADEH
                                              ----------------------------
                                             Name:  David Shamilzadeh
                                             Title: SVP of Finance & CFO



                                               /s/ HERMAN JACOBS
                                             ------------------------------
                                                   HERMAN JACOBS


                                               




                                      - 9 -


                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT



                  AGREEMENT  made as of August 1, 1995  between  ALLOU  HEALTH &
BEAUTY CARE,  INC., a Delaware  corporation  with offices at 50 Emjay Boulevard,
Brentwood, New York 11717 ("Company"),  and JACK JACOBS, residing at 562 Bedford
Avenue, Brooklyn, New York 11211 ("Employee").

                              W I T N E S S E T H :
                  WHEREAS,  Employee has  been  employed by  the Company and has
rendered substantial services to the Company; and
                  WHEREAS, the Company believes that the contributions that have
been made and can  continue  to be made by  Employee  toward the  success of the
business  of the  Company  are  valuable  and wishes to retain the  services  of
Employee for its benefit; and
                 WHEREAS, the Company desires to continue to retain the services
of Employee as its Vice President of Purchasing and Secretary; and
                 WHEREAS, Employee is willing to continue as such upon the terms
and conditions herein set forth;
                  NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of the  premises  and the
mutual covenants and agreements herein contained, the Company and Employee agree
as follows:
                  1. TERM.  The Company hereby  employs  Employee,  and Employee
hereby accepts  employment by the Company,  on the terms and  conditions  herein
contained for a term  commencing  August 1, 1995 (the  "Commencement  Date") and
terminating  on July 31, 1998  ("Original  Term")  unless  sooner  terminated as
herein provided (the "Term").


                                                     
<PAGE>



                  2. EMPLOYMENT DUTIES.
                           (a)      During the Term, Employee shall serve as the
Vice  President of Purchasing  and  Secretary of the Company and Employee  shall
have such  responsibilities,  powers and duties as are substantially  consistent
with his present responsibilities,  powers and duties. Employee shall be subject
to the reasonable  direction of the Board of Directors of the Company.  Employee
agrees that during the Term he will  devote his full time and  attention  during
regular  business hours to the business and affairs of the Company except during
vacation  periods  and  periods of illness or  incapacity.  Notwithstanding  the
foregoing and so long as his activities do not interfere with the performance of
his duties  hereunder,  Employee  will be permitted  to acquire,  own or deal in
securities or other investments  except that,  without the prior written consent
of the  Company's  Board of  Directors,  Employee may not invest in any business
which  has  business  relations  or  competes  with  the  Company  or any of its
subsidiaries or affiliates  unless the securities of such business are listed on
a national securities exchange or traded in the over-the-counter  market and the
interest  of  Employee  does not  exceed  one (1%)  percent  of the  outstanding
securities of any class of that business. In addition,  nothing contained herein
shall prevent  Employee from serving as a director or trustee of any corporation
or  other  organization,  and in any  other  capacity  with  any  non-commercial
enterprise,  provided that such service does not  materially  interfere with the
performance of his duties  hereunder and such business or organization  does not
compete with the Company or any of its subsidiaries or affiliates.
                           (b)      It is  understood that,  except for  limited
business  travel which shall be only such as is  reasonably  required for him to
perform  his duties  hereunder,  Employee's  duties  under this  paragraph 2 are
performed at the Company's principal executive office in Brentwood, New York.


                                      - 2 -

<PAGE>



                  3. COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS.
                           (a)     For the full, prompt and faithful performance
of all of the duties and  services to be performed  by Employee  hereunder,  the
Company  agrees to pay  Employee a salary  ("Base  Salary") at the rate of Three
Hundred  Thousand  Dollars  ($300,000) per year,  payable in equal  semi-monthly
installments or in such other manner as shall be mutually  agreeable to Employee
and the Company. The Company's Board of Directors may, in its discretion, at any
time and from time to time,  increase  such Base Salary for  Employee  and grant
Employee other compensation, including bonuses, in addition to that provided for
hereunder.  Employee's  compensation  shall be reviewed at least once each year.
Any  increase  in Base  Salary  or other  compensation  shall in no way limit or
reduce any other obligation of the Company under this Agreement.
                           (b)      As additional  compensation, Employee  shall
receive a sum equal to: (i) three  percent (3%) of the amount of any increase in
the  Company's  earnings  before  interest and taxes  ("EBIT")  (as  hereinafter
defined) at the end of each fiscal  year  during the term of this  Agreement  as
compared to the EBIT for the prior  fiscal year (an  "Increase")  for amounts of
such  Increase  up to  $2,000,000;  (ii) two  percent  (2%) of the amount of any
Increase that is greater than  $2,000,000  but less than or equal to $3,000,000;
and (iii) one percent (1%) of the amount of any Increase  exceeding  $3,000,000.
For the purposes of this  Agreement,  "EBIT" shall be the annual earnings of the
Company for the fiscal year computed before any charges for interest expense and
any federal, state or other taxes relating to income, and shall be determined in
accordance with generally accepted accounting principles by the certified public
accountants  regularly  employed by the  Company  whose  determination  shall be
binding on the parties.
                  The computation of "EBIT" shall be made as soon as practicable
after the end of each  fiscal year and may be paid in full after the end of each
fiscal year. If at the end of any fiscal year, the


                                      - 3 -

<PAGE>



Company's  EBIT does not exceed  the EBIT for the prior  fiscal  year,  Employee
shall not receive any additional compensation as set forth in this section 3(b).
                           (c)      In addition to the compensation provided for
herein,  Employee  shall be  entitled  to  participate  in any bonus,  incentive
compensation, retirement, profit-sharing, medical payment, disability, health or
life insurance and other benefit  arrangements  which may be or become available
to executives of the Company.
                           (d)     The Company agrees to grant to Employee as of
the  Commencement  Date,  an option to purchase,  for a period of ten (10) years
from the date of grant, an aggregate of One Hundred Thousand (100,000) shares of
the  Company's  authorized  Class B Common  Stock  pursuant  to the terms of the
Company's  1995  Stock  Option  Plan  (the  "Plan"),  a copy of  which  shall be
delivered to Employee  contemporaneously  with the execution of this  Agreement,
and any related stock option agreements  required to be executed by optionees in
connection therewith. Such grant shall be subject to approval of the Plan by the
shareholders of the Company.  All of such options shall become exercisable as to
one  hundred  percent  (100%)  of such  shares  on the  earlier  of the  seventh
anniversary  of the date  hereof  or as of end of any  fiscal  year in which the
Company's EBIT increases at least fifteen  percent (15%) over the Company's EBIT
for the fiscal year ended March 31, 1995. Employee shall also be entitled to any
additional  stock options or stock related rights or similar  benefits which may
be granted to Employee by the Company.
                           (e)      Throughout the  Original Term,  the  Company
shall  continue to provide  Employee with life  insurance  with the  beneficiary
thereof to be  designated  by Employee in an amount not less than that in effect
for Employee at the date hereof and shall pay all premiums due thereunder.
                           (f)      Employee shall be entitled to reimbursement,
not less frequently  than monthly,  for expenses  reasonably  incurred by him in
furtherance of the business of the Company and

                                      - 4 -

<PAGE>



in the performance of his duties  hereunder,  on an accountable  basis with such
substantiation  as the Company may at the time require from its senior executive
officers.
                           (g)      During the Term,  Employee shall be entitled
to continue to receive the fringe  benefits and perquisites  presently  provided
for him by the Company.  In order to enable Employee to most effectively perform
his duties  hereunder,  the Company  will  provide  Employee  with the use of an
automobile to be comparable  and  equivalent to the price category car presently
used by  Employee,  under a two-year  replacement  program,  and  payment of all
expenses associated therewith.
                           (h)      Employee shall be entitled to four (4) weeks
of vacation in each twelve  (12) month  period  during the Term,  to be taken at
such times as may be  mutually  and  reasonably  agreed  upon by the Company and
Employee.

                  4. TERMINATION  UPON DEATH.   The Term shall  terminate on the
date of Employee's  death,  except that  Employee's Base Salary shall be paid to
his estate for a period of one (1) year after the date of his death. If Employee
was entitled to receive any bonus,  incentive  or similar  form of  compensation
under any  arrangement  with the  Company  which  was to be based  upon a period
extending  beyond the date of Employee's  death,  payment of a portion  thereof,
equal to the amount  which would have been  payable for the full period in which
death occurs,  multiplied by a fraction, the numerator of which is the number of
days in such period  through the date of death and the  denominator  of which is
the total number of days in the full period,  shall be made at the time it would
have been made in accordance with such arrangement.

                  5. DISABILITY.  If, during the Term, Employee  shall,  because
of physical or mental illness or  incapacity,  become totally unable to perform,
or in the  judgment of the Company  evidenced  by a  resolution  adopted in good
faith by a majority of its Board of Directors unable adequately to perform,  the
duties and services  required of him pursuant to paragraph  2(a) for a period of
one


                                      - 5 -

<PAGE>



hundred  eighty (180)  consecutive  days,  the Company may, upon at least ninety
(90) days prior  written  notice given at any time after the  expiration of such
one  hundred  eighty  (180) day period to Employee  of its  intention  to do so,
accelerate  the end of the Term to such date as may be set forth in such notice;
provided,  however,  that the end of the Term shall not be  accelerated  and the
Term shall  remain in full force and effect if Employee  shall have  resumed the
full-time  performance  of his duties  hereunder  prior to the effective date of
such proposed  termination of the Term. In case of such  acceleration of the end
of the Term,  Employee  shall be entitled to receive,  and the Company agrees to
pay,  his  Base  Salary  for a  period  of one (1)  year  after  the date of his
termination due to disability and a pro rata portion of the amount of any bonus,
incentive or similar form of  compensation  which he would have  otherwise  been
entitled  to for the  period  in which the  acceleration  of the end of the Term
occurs.

                  6.  CONFIDENTIAL  INFORMATION.  All  confidential  information
which  Employee  may now know or  which  hereby  may  become  known to  Employee
relating  to the  business  of the  Company or any  customer  or supplier of the
Company  shall not be disclosed by Employee to any other person or entity either
during the Term or thereafter.  Such confidential  information shall be returned
to the Company upon termination of Employee's employment.

                  7. NON-COMPETITION.
                           (a)      Employee agrees that during the Term and for
a period  of one (1) year  after  the  termination  of his  employment  with the
Company,  he will not (i) engage in or have any interest in any person,  firm or
corporation  which  engages,  directly or indirectly,  in  competition  with the
Company or its  subsidiaries or affiliates in the United States,  in the sale of
products or services of the type in which  Employee has been  directly  involved
during the Term in or have any  interest  in any person,  firm or company  which
engages, directly or indirectly, in competition with the Company


                                     - 6 -

<PAGE>



or its  subsidiaries  or affiliates in the United States for the business of any
entity which was a customer of the Company or its  subsidiaries or affiliates at
any time during the Term or (ii) solicit any  employees of the Company or any of
its parents, subsidiaries or affiliates to leave their employ.
                           (b)    For the purposes of this paragraph 7, Employee
will be deemed  directly or indirectly  engaged in a business if he participates
in  such  business  as  a  proprietor,  partner,  joint  venturer,  shareholder,
director, officer, lender, manager, employee, consultant, adviser or agent or if
he in any way controls such  business.  Employee  shall not for purposes of this
paragraph 7 be deemed a shareholder  or lender if he holds less than one (1%) of
the  outstanding  securities  of any class of any  publicly- or  privately-owned
corporation  engaged in the same or similar  business  to that of the Company or
its subsidiaries or affiliates, provided that Employee shall not be in a control
position (individually or as part of a group) with regard to such corporation.
                           (c)     In the event of a breach or threatened breach
by Employee of any of the  provisions of this  paragraph 7, the Company shall be
entitled,  upon establishing the existence of such breach or threatened  breach,
to an  injunction  to be issued by any  tribunal of  competent  jurisdiction  to
restrain  Employee  from  committing or continuing  any such  violation.  In any
proceeding  for an  injunction  and upon any motion for  temporary  or permanent
injunction, Employee agrees that his ability to answer in damages shall not be a
bar or be interposed as a defense to the granting of such temporary or permanent
injunction against him. Employee  acknowledges that the Company will not have an
adequate  remedy at law in the event of any breach by him as aforesaid  and that
the  Company  may  suffer  irreparable  damage and injury in the event of such a
breach by him.  Nothing  contained  herein shall be construed as prohibiting the
Company from  pursuing  any other  remedy or remedies  available to the Company,
including, without limitation, the recovery of damages from Employee.


                                      - 7 -

<PAGE>



                 8. REPRESENTATION BY EMPLOYEE. Employee represents and warrants
that he has not  entered  into any other  agreement  or  understanding  which is
inconsistent  with  the  execution  of this  Agreement  or which in any way will
prevent full compliance by him with the terms of this Agreement.

                  9.  ASSIGNABILITY.  This  Agreement  may  not be  assigned  by
Employee and all of its terms and conditions  shall be binding upon and inure to
the benefit of Employee and his heirs and legal  representatives and the Company
and its successors and assigns. Successors of the Company shall include, without
limitation, any corporation or corporations acquiring directly or indirectly all
or  substantially   all  of  the  assets  of  the  Company  whether  by  merger,
consolidation,  purchase, lease or otherwise and such successor shall thereafter
be deemed the "Company" for purposes hereof.

                10.  NOTICES.  All  notices,   requests,    demands   and  other
communications  provided  for hereby  shall be in writing and shall be deemed to
have been duly given when delivered personally,  sent by facsimile  transmission
(with receipt confirmed) or two days after being sent by registered or certified
mail,  return receipt  requested,  to the party entitled  thereto at the address
first above  written or to such changed  address as the addressee may have given
by a similar notice.

               11.   MODIFICATION.  This Agreement  may be  modified  or amended
only by an  instrument  in writing  signed by  Employee  and the Company and any
provision  hereof may be waived only by an instrument  in writing  signed by the
party hereto against whom any such waiver is sought to be enforced.

               12.   SEVERABILITY.   The invalidity  or unenforceability  of any
provision  hereof shall in no way affect the validity or  enforceability  of any
other provision contained herein.

               13.   GOVERNING LAW.   This Agreement  shall be  governed  by and
construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.


                                      - 8 -

<PAGE>


                14.  CAPTIONS.   The  captioned  headings  here  convenience  of
reference  only and are not  intended to be  construed  to have any  substantive
effect.
                  IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the parties hereto have this Agreement as
of the date first above written.

                                            ALLOU HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE, INC.

                                            By:  /s/  DAVID SHAMILZADEH
                                                ----------------------------
                                               Name:  David Shamilzadeh
                                               Title: SVP of Finance & CFO


                                                /s/  JACK JACOBS
                                               ------------------------
                                                     JACK JACOBS






                                                       



                                      - 9 -


                           SECOND RESTATED AND AMENDED
                     REVOLVING CREDIT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

                                      AMONG

                       THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON,

                       IBJ SCHRODER BANK & TRUST COMPANY,

                       SANWA BUSINESS CREDIT CORPORATION,

                         LASALLE BUSINESS CREDIT, INC.,

                  THE BANK OF TOKYO - MITSUBISHI TRUST COMPANY,

                        ALLOU HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE, INC.

                                       AND

                            ALLOU DISTRIBUTORS, INC.




                              Dated: June __, 1996



<PAGE>





                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


SECTION              1.        DEFINITIONS,

SECTION              2.        BORROWER'S LOAN ACCOUNT; REVOLVING LOANS.

                     2.1       LOANS
                     2.2       LOAN ACCOUNT
                     2.3       PAYMENT
                     2.4       LETTERS OF CREDIT
                     2.5       INTEREST ON REVOLVING LOANS
                     2.6       EURODOLLAR INTEREST RATE OPTION
                     2.7       OVERADVANCES
                     2.8       FEES

SECTION              3.        REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

                     3.1       ORGANIZATION AND QUALIFICATION
                     3.2       CORPORATE AUTHORITY
                     3.3       VALID OBLIGATIONS
                     3.4       APPROVALS
                     3.5       TITLE TO PROPERTIES; ABSENCE OF LIENS
                     3.6       COMPLIANCE
                     3.7       FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                     3.8       SOLVENCY
                     3.9       EVENTS OF DEFAULT
                     3.10      TAXES
                     3.11      LITIGATION
                     3.12      MARGIN RULES
                     3.13      RESTRICTIONS ON THE BORROWERS
                     3.14      ERISA
                     3.15      INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY; TRADENAMES
                     3.16      ENVIRONMENTAL AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE
                     3.17      EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS

SECTION              4.        CONDITIONS OF LOANS

                     4.1       CONDITIONS OF INITIAL LOANS
                     4.2       CONDITIONS TO ALL REVOLVING LOANS
                     4.3       CONDITIONS TO RESTATEMENT AND AMENDMENT
                     4.4       EVIDENCE OF TAX GOOD STANDING

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SECTION              5.        COVENANTS.

                     5.1       FINANCIAL REPORTING
                     5.2       CONDUCT OF BUSINESS
                     5.3       MAINTENANCE AND INSURANCE
                     5.4       TAXES
                     5.5       LIMITATION OF INDEBTEDNESS
                     5.6       GUARANTIES
                     5.7       RESTRICTIONS ON LIENS
                     5.8       MERGER, ACQUISITIONS AND PURCHASE AND SALE OF
                               ASSETS
                     5.9       INVESTMENTS AND LOANS
                     5.10      CAPITAL EXPENDITURES
                     5.11      SALE OF NOTES
                     5.12      DIVIDENDS, ETC.
                     5.13      ERISA COMPLIANCE
                     5.14      PENSION PLANS
                     5.15      NOTIFICATION OF DEFAULT
                     5.16      NOTIFICATION OF MATERIAL LITIGATION
                     5.17      NOTIFICATION OF MATERIAL ADVERSE CHANGE
                     5.18      INSPECTION BY THE AGENT
                     5.19      MAINTENANCE OF BOOKS AND RECORDS
                     5.20      USE OF PROCEEDS
                     5.21      TRANSACTIONS WITH AFFILIATES
                     5.22      ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS
                     5.23      FISCAL YEAR
                     5.24      LOSS OR DEPRECIATION OF COLLATERAL
                     5.25      CONSOLIDATED TANGIBLE NET WORTH
                     5.26      INTEREST COVERAGE
                     5.27      QUICK RATIO
                     5.28      LEVERAGE
                     5.29      JOINT AND SEVERAL LIABILITY
                     5.30      INTEREST RATE PROTECTION

SECTION              6         SECURITY.

                     6.1       SECURITY INTEREST
                     6.2       NO OTHER LIENS
                     6.3       LOCATION OF RECORDS AND COLLATERAL
                     6.4       STATUS OF COLLATERAL
                     6.5       NAME CHANGE
                     6.6       COLLECTION OF ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE

SECTION              7.        EVENTS OF DEFAULT; ACCELERATION

SECTION              8.        SET OFF; PARTICIPATIONS


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SECTION              9.        CONCERNING THE AGENT AND THE BANKS

                     9.1       APPOINTMENT AND AUTHORIZATION
                               -----------------------------
                     9.2       AGENT AND AFFILIATES
                               --------------------
                     9.3       FUTURE ADVANCES
                               ---------------
                     9.4       PAYMENTS
                               --------
                     9.5       INTEREST, FEES AND OTHER PAYMENTS
                               ---------------------------------
                     9.6       ACTION BY AGENT
                               ---------------
                     9.7       CONSULTATION WITH EXPERTS
                               -------------------------
                     9.8       LIABILITY OF AGENT
                               ------------------
                     9.9       INDEMNIFICATION
                               ---------------
                     9.10      INDEPENDENT CREDIT DECISION
                               ---------------------------
                     9.11      CONSENTS OF ALL LENDERS
                               -----------------------
                     9.12      SUCCESSOR AGENT
                               ---------------
                     9.13      AGENT'S MINIMUM REVOLVING CREDIT COMMITMENT
                               -------------------------------------------

SECTION              10.       MISCELLANEOUS
                               -------------
                     10.1      WRITTEN NOTICES
                               ---------------
                     10.2      TERM OF AGREEMENT
                               -----------------
                     10.3      NO WAIVERS
                               ----------
                     10.4      FURTHER ASSURANCES
                               ------------------
                     10.5      GOVERNING LAW
                               -------------
                     10.6      PAYMENTS IN IMMEDIATELY AVAILABLE FUNDS
                               ---------------------------------------
                     10.7      EXPENSES, TAXES AND INDEMNIFICATION
                               -----------------------------------
                     10.8      AMENDMENTS, WAIVERS, ETC.
                               ------------------------
                     10.9      BINDING EFFECT OF AGREEMENT
                               ---------------------------
                     10.10                COMPUTATION OF INTEREST AND FEES
                                          --------------------------------
                     10.11                ENTIRE AGREEMENT
                                          ----------------
                     10.12                WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL
                                          --------------------
                     10.13                CAPTIONS
                                          --------
                     10.14                COUNTERPARTS
                                          ------------
                     10.15                SEVERABILITY
                                          ------------

EXHIBIT A                      SECOND RESTATED AND AMENDED REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE

EXHIBIT B                      DISCLOSURE

EXHIBIT C                      EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS

EXHIBIT D                      CLOSING CERTIFICATE

EXHIBIT E                      CERTIFICATE OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICERS


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                           SECOND RESTATED AND AMENDED
                     REVOLVING CREDIT AND SECURITY AGREEMENT


           THIS  SECOND  RESTATED  AND  AMENDED  REVOLVING  CREDIT AND  SECURITY
AGREEMENT  is made as of June __, 1996,  among ALLOU HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE,  INC.
(the "Parent"),  a Delaware  corporation  having its principal place of business
and a chief executive office at 50 Emjay Boulevard,  Brentwood,  New York 11717;
ALLOU  DISTRIBUTORS,  INC.  ("Distributors"),  a New York corporation having its
principal  place of business and chief executive  office at 50 Emjay  Boulevard,
Brentwood, New York 11717; THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON ("BKB"), a national
bank with its head office at 100 Federal Street,  Boston,  Massachusetts  02110;
IBJ SCHRODER BANK & TRUST COMPANY ("IBJS"), One State Street, Attention:  Middle
Market  Division,  New York, New York 10004;  SANWA BUSINESS CREDIT  CORPORATION
("SBC"),  500 Glenpointe Center W., Teaneck, NJ 07666;  LASALLE BUSINESS CREDIT,
INC. ("LBC"), 477 Madison Avenue, 20th Floor, New York, New York 10022; THE BANK
OF TOKYO - MITSUBISHI TRUST COMPANY ("BOT"), Metropolitan Banking Division, 1251
Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10116-3138;  and BKB as agent for the
Lenders (the "Agent"). The Parent and
Distributors  are  hereafter  referred  to  individually  as  a  "Borrower"  and
collectively  (also with  Subsidiaries  executing and  delivering the Subsidiary
Tie-In Agreement from time to time) as the "Borrowers".  BKB, IBJS, SBC, LBC and
BOT are hereafter referred to collectively as the "Lenders".

           Reference is made to the following facts:

           A. The Borrowers and certain of the Lenders have previously  executed
and  delivered  that  certain  Revolving  Credit and Security  Agreement,  dated
December 10, 1991, as amended and restated by the Restated and Amended Revolving
Credit and Security  Agreement,  dated as May 9, 1994, as further  amended as of
August 24, 1994, March 23, 1995, August 7, 1995,  October 2, 1995,  February 27,
1996 and March 12, 1996 (as so amended, the "Prior Loan Agreement");

           B. The  Borrowers  have  requested  that the Prior Loan  Agreement be
further  amended to increase the Maximum Amount  hereunder to  $105,000,000,  to
reflect the  withdrawal of Bank  Hapoalim B.M. as one of the Lenders,  to extend
the  Maturity  Date,  and to  make  certain  other  changes  to the  Prior  Loan
Agreement; and

           C.  The  Borrowers  and the  Lenders  have  deemed  it  advisable  to
consolidate  all of the prior  amendments to the Prior Loan  Agreement,  and the
amendments to be effected  hereby,  by restating and amending the Loan Agreement
as set forth in this Second Restated and Amended  Revolving  Credit and Security
Agreement (hereinafter,  as previously amended, and as amended hereby, the "Loan
Agreement").




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SECTION 1. DEFINITIONS.  As used herein, the following terms shall have the
following meanings:

           1.1 "Account" and "Account  Receivable" include all rights to payment
for goods sold or leased or for  services  rendered,  all sums of money or other
proceeds due or becoming due thereon,  all instruments  pertaining thereto,  all
guaranties  and  security  therefor,  and all goods  giving rise thereto and the
rights pertaining to such goods, including the right of stoppage in transit, and
all related insurance.

           1.2  "Affiliate"  means,  with  reference  to  any  Person,  (i)  any
director, officer or employee of that Person, (ii) any other Person controlling,
controlled by or under direct or indirect  common control of that Person,  (iii)
any other Person  directly or indirectly  holding 5% or more of any class of the
capital  stock  or  other  equity  interests   (including   options,   warrants,
convertible  securities  and  similar  rights) of that Person and (iv) any other
Person 5% or more of any class of whose capital stock or other equity  interests
(including options, warrants, convertible securities and similar rights) is held
directly or indirectly by that Person.  For purposes of Sections 3.14,  5.13 and
5.14 hereof,  "Affiliate" shall mean, within the meaning of Section 414(b), (c),
(m) or (o) of the Code,  (i) any member of a  controlled  group of  corporations
which includes any of the Borrowers, (ii) any trade or business,  whether or not
incorporated,  under common control with any of the Borrowers,  (iii) any member
of an affiliated service group which includes any of the Borrowers, and (iv) any
member of a group including any of the Borrowers treated as a single employer by
regulation.

           1.3  "Agent"  shall mean BKB acting in the  capacity of agent for the
Lenders  under this  Agreement,  and includes  (where the context so admits) any
other Person or Persons succeeding to the functions of the Agent hereunder.

           1.4 "Base Accounts" shall mean the aggregate  Accounts  Receivable of
the Borrowers as to which the Agent has a perfected  first security  interest as
agent for and on behalf of the Lenders and the Borrowers  have  furnished to the
Agent information as required by Section 5.1 (viii) and (ix). If and when a Base
Account  exists  by virtue  of  constituting  proceeds  of Base  Inventory,  the
Inventory giving rise to the Base Account automatically loses its status as Base
Inventory.

           1.5 "Base  Inventory"  shall mean Inventory  (other than  "California
Base  Inventory"  as defined  below)  consisting  solely of national  brand name
products,  as to which any of the  Borrowers has acquired  title,  the Agent has
acquired a perfected  first security  interest as agent for and on behalf of the
Lenders and the Borrowers have furnished to the Agent information as required by
Section 5.1 (viii) and (ix),  but shall not include any Inventory  consisting of
Allou label goods, or any goods, merchandise or other personal property owned by
any other Person and held by any of the Borrowers on  consignment  or otherwise.
Inventory  immediately loses the status of Base Inventory if and when one of the
Borrowers sells it,  otherwise  passes title thereto or consumes it or the Agent
releases or transfers its security interest therein.



                                                           -2-
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           1.6 "Base  Rate"  shall mean the greater of (i) that rate of interest
announced from time to time by BKB at its head office as its Base Rate, and (ii)
the rate of interest  equal to the sum of (A) 150 basis  points and (B) the rate
of  interest  equal to the  average  of the  rates on  overnight  federal  funds
transactions  with  members of the Federal  Reserve  System  arranged by federal
funds brokers (the "Overnight  Rates"), as published by the Federal Reserve Bank
of New York or, if the  overnight  Rates are not so  published  for any day, the
average of the  quotations  for the Overnight  Rates  received by the Agent from
three federal funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the Agent, as the
same may be changed from time to time.

           1.7 "Borrowers" or "Borrower"  shall mean the Parent and Distributors
jointly and severally, and on a consolidated and individual basis as the context
may  require in the sole  judgment  of the  Agent,  with any  Subsidiary  either
executing  and  delivering  to the  Lenders  and the Agent a  Subsidiary  Tie-In
Agreement  pursuant to the terms of Section 4.1.1 hereof or hereafter becoming a
party to such Subsidiary Tie-In Agreement.

           1.8 "Borrowers'  Accountants" shall mean independent certified public
accountants  reasonably  acceptable to the Agent. The Agent hereby  acknowledges
that the Borrowers' Accountants currently may include Mayer Rispler and Company.

           1.9 "Borrowing Base" shall mean an amount equal to the sum of (x) the
Borrowing Base  Percentage of the Net Outstanding  Amount of Base Accounts,  and
(y) the Borrowing  Base  Percentage of the Net Security  Value of Base Inventory
(provided  that for purposes of this clause (y), the amount  determined  by such
percentage shall not exceed $47,500,000). Whenever the Borrowing Base is used as
a measure of loans it shall be computed  as of, and the loans  referred to shall
be those reflected in the Loan Account at, the time in question.

           1.10 "Borrowing Base Percentage of the Net Outstanding Amount of Base
Accounts" shall mean (i) 85% of the Net Outstanding Amount of Base Accounts with
respect to Base Accounts other than  California  Base Accounts,  and (ii) 75% of
the Net  Outstanding  Amount of Base Accounts  with respect to  California  Base
Accounts;  provided,  however,  in the  event  that,  and  for so long  as,  the
percentage  of the  Borrowers'  Base Accounts  remaining  past due for more than
thirty (30) days from their  original due date  exceeds  fifteen (15) percent of
the  Borrowers'  Base  Accounts,  the  Borrowing  Base  Percentage  of  the  Net
Outstanding  Amount of Base Accounts  with respect to Base  Accounts  other than
California Base Accounts shall be reduced from 85% to 80%.

           1.11  "Borrowing  Base  Percentage of the Net Security  Value of Base
Inventory"  shall mean (i) 60% of the Net Security  Value of Base Inventory with
respect  to Base  Inventory,  and  (ii)  50% of the Net  Security  Value of Base
Inventory with respect to California Base Inventory;  provided,  however, in the
event that, and for so long as, the Borrowers' collective Inventory Turn Average
equals  or is less  than 3.0 as  reflected  in  quarterly  financial  statements
provided by the Borrowers to the Lenders in accordance



                                                           -3-
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with the terms of Section 5.1 of this  Agreement,  the Borrowing Base Percentage
of the Net Security Value of Base Inventory with respect to Base Inventory shall
be reduced from 60% to 50%.

           1.12  "Business"  shall mean the assets of and the existing  business
now operated by the Borrowers as wholesale distributor of brand name and private
label health and beauty aid  products,  cosmetics and  fragrances,  non-narcotic
prescription drugs, nonperishable sundries consisting of items typically sold in
pharmacies or convenience stores, and non-perishable packaged food items.

           1.13 "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday,  Sunday
or  Jewish  holiday,  on  which  the  head  office  of the  Agent  is  open  for
transactions of all of its
normal and customary business,  it being recognized that a Business Day relating
to interest  calculated  or a portion of the Loan  payable by  reference  to the
Eurodollar  Rate shall be any such day, other than a Saturday,  Sunday or Jewish
Holiday, on which dealings are carried on in the Eurodollar interbank market and
dollar settlements of such dealings may be effected in New York, New York.

           1.14  "California  Base Accounts"  shall mean Base Accounts of any of
the Borrowers  who have informed the Agent that its principal  place of business
is located in Saugus,  California.  California  Base Accounts  shall exclude any
Accounts that do not constitute typical trade accounts in the ordinary course of
the  Borrowers'  business,  including  among  such  Accounts  to be so  excluded
Accounts due from "Foothill Capital" and "Byron Moldo."

           1.15  "California  Base  Inventory"  shall mean Inventory  consisting
solely of raw materials,  generic  chemicals and finished goods, as to which any
of the  Borrowers,  who have  informed  the Agent  that its  principal  place of
business is in Saugus,  California, has acquired title which are located at such
Borrowers'  facilities  in  Saugus,  California,  and as to which  the Agent has
acquired a perfected  first security  interest as Agent for and on behalf of the
Lenders and the Borrowers have furnished to the Agent information as required by
Section  5.1(viii) and (ix),  but shall not include any Inventory  consisting of
work-in-process,  bottles,  packaging  and  discontinued  goods,  or any  goods,
merchandise  or other  personal  property owned by any other Persons and held by
any of such Borrowers on consignment or otherwise.  Inventory  immediately loses
the status of California  Base Inventory if and when one of the Borrowers  sells
it, or otherwise  passes title  thereto or consumes it or the Agent  releases or
transfers its security interests therein.

           1.16  "Capital  Expenditures"  shall mean any  expenditure  for fixed
assets, leasehold improvements, capital leases under GAAP, installment purchases
of  machinery  and  equipment,  acquisitions  of real  estate and other  similar
expenditures  including  expenditures in the construction in progress account of
the Borrowers.




                                       -4-
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1.17 "Cash Equivalents" shall mean for the Borrowers on a consolidated basis the
aggregate amount of cash and cash equivalents,  as determined in accordance with
GAAP, plus the then Net Outstanding Amount of Base Accounts.

           1.18 "Code" shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

           1.19  "Collateral"  shall mean any and all real and personal property
of the Borrowers, whether tangible or intangible, in which the Agent now has, is
granted  by this  Agreement  or  otherwise,  or  hereafter  acquires  a security
interest or any other lien (including,  without limitation,  by way of mortgage,
pledge or assignment) to secure the Obligations.

           1.20  "Commitment  Percentage"  shall mean in relation to each Lender
the percentage set forth opposite its name below:

           LENDER                                         PERCENTAGE

           BKB                                           33.3333333%
           SBC                                           25.7142857%
           IBJS                                          13.3333333%
           LBC                                           19.0476191%
           BOT                                            8.5714285%
                                                        ------------

                                                             100%

           1.21 "Consolidated Tangible Net Worth" shall mean the amount which is
equal to the  consolidated  net worth of the  Borrowers,  computed in accordance
with GAAP and with  Inventory  and cost of goods sold  determined on the average
cost  basis  consistent  with the  method  of  inventory  valuation  used in the
preparation  of the  Initial  Financial  Statement,  minus (i) to the extent not
otherwise  approved in advance by the Agent,  any  write-up in the book value of
any asset of the Borrowers or any Subsidiary  resulting from revaluation thereof
after the date of the Initial Financial  Statement,  (ii) the book value, net of
applicable  reserves,  of  all  intangible  assets  of  the  Borrowers  and  any
Subsidiaries,  including, without limitation, goodwill, trademarks, trade names,
copyrights,  patents and any similar rights,  and unamortized  debt discount and
expense,  (iii) the value,  if any,  attributable  to any  capital  stock of the
Borrowers  or  any  Subsidiary  held  in  treasury,  (iv)  the  value,  if  any,
attributable to any notes or subscriptions  receivable due from  stockholders in
respect of capital stock,  and (v) intercompany  accounts with  Subsidiaries and
Affiliates (including receivables due from any Subsidiaries and Affiliates).

           1.22 "Credit  Notes" shall have the meanings set forth in Section 2.1
hereof.

           1.23 "Current  Assets" shall mean the current assets of the Borrowers
as determined in accordance with GAAP.




                                       -5-
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           1.24  "Current  Liabilities"  shall  mean  the  aggregate  amount  of
Indebtedness  of the  Borrowers  which may  properly  be  classified  as current
liabilities  in  accordance  with  GAAP  and in  any  event  including,  without
limitation,  the  portion  of any  direct  or  indirect  Indebtedness  and other
liabilities of the Borrowers  which are payable on demand,  within one year from
the  creation  thereof  or  within  one year  from the date as of which any such
calculation of Current Liabilities is made.

           1.25 "Disclosure  Letter" shall mean that certain letter of even date
herewith from the Borrowers to the Agent and the Lenders disclosing  information
as contemplated by the terms of this Agreement.

           1.26 "EBIT" for any period  shall mean an amount  equal to Net Income
for such period,  (a) plus the  following,  to the extent  deducted in computing
such Net Income: (i) interest on Indebtedness for borrowed money and (ii) taxes;
and  (b)  minus,  to  the  extent  added  in  computing  such  Net  Income,  all
extraordinary  items net of any tax  effect  caused by such items (to the extent
not already reflected in clause (a)(ii) above).

           1.27  "Encumbrances"  shall have the meaning set forth in Section 5.7
hereof.

           1.28 "ERISA" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.14 hereof.

           1.29 "Eurodollar Rate" means, with respect to any Interest Period, in
the case of any Euroloan Rate Amount, the annual rate of interest  determined by
the Agent,  at or before  11:00 a.m.  (Boston  time) (or as soon  thereafter  as
practicable)  on the second Business Day prior to the first day of such Interest
Period,  to be the annual rate of interest at which deposits of U.S. dollars are
offered to the Agent by prime banks in whatever Eurodollar  interbank market may
be selected  by the Agent in its sole  discretion,  acting in good faith,  at or
about the time of  determination  and in accordance  with the usual  practice in
such market for delivery on the first day of such Interest Period in immediately
available funds and having a maturity equal to such Interest Period in an amount
equal  (as  nearly  as  may  be)  to  such  Euroloan  Rate  Amount.   Each  such
determination  by the Agent shall be conclusive  absent  manifest  computational
error.

           1.30  "Euroloan  Rate" shall have the meaning  set.  forth in Section
2.6(i) hereof.

           1.31  "Euroloan  Rate  Amount"  means,  in relation  to any  Interest
Period, any portions of the principal amount of any Revolving Loans on which the
Borrowers  elect  pursuant to Section  2.6(i)  hereof to pay  interest at a rate
determined by reference to the Euroloan Rate.

           1.32 "Event of  Default"  shall have the meaning set forth in Section
7.1 hereof.

           1.33  "GAAP"  shall mean  generally  accepted  accounting  principles
consistently applied.




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1.34       "Guarantors" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4.3 hereof.

           1.35  "Indebtedness"  with  respect  to any  Person  shall  mean  and
include,  without  duplication,  (i) all items which,  in accordance  with GAAP,
would be included  as a  liability  on the  balance  sheet of such  Person,  but
excluding anything in the nature of capital stock,  surplus capital and retained
earnings, (ii) the face amount of all banker's acceptances and of all letters of
credit  issued by any bank for the account of such  Person and all drafts  drawn
thereunder,   (iii)  the  total  amount  of  all  indebtedness  secured  by  any
Encumbrances  to which any property or asset of such Person is subject,  whether
or not the  indebtedness  secured thereby shall have been assumed,  and (iv) the
total amount of all indebtedness and obligations of others which such Person has
directly or indirectly  guaranteed,  endorsed  (otherwise than for collection or
deposit in the ordinary course of business),  discounted with recourse or agreed
(contingently  or otherwise)  to purchase or  repurchase  or otherwise  acquire,
including,  without limitation,  any agreement (a) to advance or supply funds to
such other Person to maintain  working  capital,  equity  capital,  net worth or
solvency,  or (b) otherwise to assure or hold harmless such other Person against
loss in respect of its obligations.

           1.36 "Initial  Financial  Statement" shall have the meaning set forth
in Section 3.7 hereof.

           1.37  "Insolvent"  or  "Insolvency"  shall mean that there shall have
occurred  one  or  more  of the  following  events  with  respect  to a  Person:
dissolution;  termination  of  existence;  insolvency  within the meaning of the
United  States  Bankruptcy  Code or  other  applicable  statute;  such  Person's
inability  to pay its debts as they come due;  appointment  of a receiver of any
part of the property of,  execution of a trust mortgage or an assignment for the
benefit  of  creditors  by, or the  filing of a petition  in  bankruptcy  or the
commencement of any proceedings  under any bankruptcy or insolvency laws, or any
laws  relating  to the  relief  of  debtors,  readjustment  of  indebtedness  or
reorganization  of  debtors,  or  the  offering  of  a  plan  to  creditors  for
composition or extension,  except for any such involuntary  proceeding commenced
against  such Person which is  dismissed  within 60 days after the  commencement
thereof  without  the  entry of an order  for  relief  or the  appointment  of a
trustee.

           1.38 "Interest  Period" means, any period relating to a Euroloan Rate
Amount, the commencement and duration of which shall be determined in accordance
with Section 2.6 hereof.

           1.39  "Inventory"  shall mean goods,  merchandise  and other personal
property,  now owned or hereafter  acquired by any of the  Borrowers,  which are
held for sale or lease
or are  furnished  or to be  furnished  under a  contract  of service or are raw
materials,  work in  process  or  materials  used or  consumed  or to be used or
consumed in the business of any of the Borrowers.




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1.40 "Inventory Turn Average" shall mean the Borrowers'  aggregate cost of goods
sold on a  consolidated  basis for the 12 month  period  ending at a  particular
point in time divided by the value of the  Borrowers'  aggregate  Inventory on a
consolidated basis as reflected on the Borrowers'  consolidated balance sheet as
at such point in time, all determined in accordance with GAAP.

           1.41 "Jewish Holiday" shall mean any of the Jewish holidays specified
on EXHIBIT B.

           1.42 "Leases" shall mean any agreement  granting any of the Borrowers
the right to occupy  space in a structure  or real estate for any period of time
or any capital  lease or other lease of or agreement  to use  personal  property
including,  but not limited to,  machinery,  equipment,  furniture and fixtures,
whether evidenced by written or oral lease,  contract,  sales agreement or other
agreement no matter how characterized.

           1.43 "Lease  Financing  Facility" shall mean the Master Lease Finance
Agreement  dated as of April 24,  1996,  and  Equipment  Schedule No. 1 thereto,
between  Distributors and BancBoston  Leasing Inc.,  related lease documents and
the transactions contemplated thereby.

           1.44 "Letters of Credit" shall mean letters of credit issued at sight
or at time (including  documentary bankers  acceptances) in the form customarily
issued by the Agent as standby or documentary  or commercial  letters of credit,
issued by the Agent at the request of any of the  Borrowers  and for the account
of any of the Borrowers.

           1.45 "Loan" and "Loans" shall mean the Revolving Loans, as defined in
Section
2.1.

           1.46 "Loan  Account" shall mean the account on the books of the Agent
in which will be recorded Revolving Loans and overadvances, if any, made by each
of the Lenders to the  Borrowers  pursuant to this  Agreement,  payments made on
such Loans and Overadvances, if any, and other appropriate debits and credits as
provided by this Agreement.

           1.47  "Machinery  and  Equipment"  shall mean any  tangible  personal
property
which is not Inventory.

           1.48  "Maturity  Date"  shall mean the earlier of (a)  September  30,
1999,  or in the event that such date is not a Business  Day, the Maturity  Date
shall mean the first Business Day immediately  following  September 30, 1999, or
(b) as such  Maturity  Date may be  otherwise  accelerated  under  the  terms of
Section 7.1 hereof.

           1.49      "Maximum Amount" shall mean $105,000,000.00.




                                                           -8-
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<PAGE>





           1.50 "Net Income" shall mean the  consolidated  gross revenues of the
Borrowers,  for the  period in  question,  less all  expenses  and other  proper
charges (including taxes on income), all determined in accordance with GAAP, and
with  inventory  and cost of goods sold  determined  on the  average  cost basis
consistent with the method of inventory valuation used in the preparation of the
Initial Financial  Statement,  but in any event , excluding from Net Income: (i)
any  gain or loss  arising  from any  write-up  of  assets,  except  the  extent
inclusion  thereof  shall be approved in writing by the Agent;  (ii) earnings of
any Subsidiary (other than a Borrower),  or of any business entity (other than a
Subsidiary) in which any of the Borrowers has an ownership  interest,  except to
the extent such net earnings  shall have actually been received by the Borrowers
in the form of cash  distributions;  (iii)  any  gains or  losses on the sale or
other  disposition of investments or fixed or capital  assets,  any taxes on any
such  excluded  gains,  and tax  deductions  or  credits  on account of any such
excluded losses (iv) the proceeds of any life insurance policy; (v) any deferred
or other credit  representing  any excess of the equity of any Subsidiary at the
date of acquisition  thereof over the amount  invested in such  Subsidiary;  and
(vi)  any  reversal  of any  contingency  reserve,  except  to the  extent  that
provision for such contingency  reserve shall be made from income arising during
such period; and (vii) except to the extent already deducted from gross revenues
in the calculation of Net Income, all salaries,  bonuses, dividends or any other
payments or compensation of any kind paid or distributed to any employees and/or
Affiliates of the Borrowers.

           1.51 "Net  Outstanding  Amount of Base  Accounts"  shall mean the net
amount of Base Accounts (including without limitation  California Base Accounts)
outstanding  after (a) eliminating from the aggregate amount of outstanding Base
Accounts such Accounts, past due under the original terms of sale or unpaid more
than 60 days after original due date or, if subject to specific  dating programs
approved by the Agent, eliminating from the aggregate amount of outstanding Base
Accounts such Accounts more than 150 days after the original  invoice date;  and
(b) deducting  from the aggregate face amount of the remaining Base Accounts (i)
Accounts owing from Affiliates;  (ii) all Accounts owing from any account debtor
in the event that 20% or more of the Accounts  due from such  account  debtor to
any of the  Borrower are more than 30 days past due after the original due date,
if subject to specific dating programs approved by the Agent, more than 120 days
after the  original  invoice  date;  and (iii) all  payments,  adjustments,  and
credits  applicable  thereto and all amounts due thereon considered by the Agent
to be  difficult  to collect or  uncollectible  by reason of return,  rejection,
repossession,  loss or damage of or to the  merchandise  giving rise thereto,  a
merchandise  or other  dispute,  insolvency  of the account  debtor or any other
reason;  all as determined by the Agent in its discretion,  which  determination
shall be final and binding upon the Borrowers absent manifest error.

           1.52 "Net Security Value of Base Inventory"  shall mean the net value
of Base Inventory and  California  Base  Inventory,  calculated at the lesser of
fair market value or cost  determined on the average cost basis  consistent with
the  method  of  inventory  valuation  used in the  preparation  of the  Initial
Financial  Statement,  after  subtracting  the value of any Base  Inventory  and
California  Base  Inventory  which is damaged or defective and after taking into
account charges and liens, other than those of the Agent, of all kinds



                                                           -9-
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<PAGE>





against the Base Inventory and California Base Inventory,  changes in the market
value  thereof,  and  transportation,  processing  and  other  handling  charges
affecting  the value  thereof,  all as  determined  by the Agent in its sole and
unrestricted discretion, which determination shall be final and binding upon the
Borrowers absent manifest computational error.

           1.53  "Obligations"  shall mean any and all obligations of any of the
Borrowers  to the Agent or to any of the Lenders of every kind and  description,
direct or indirect,  absolute or  contingent,  primary or  secondary,  due or to
become due, now existing or hereafter  arising,  regardless of how they arise or
by what  agreement or instrument  they may be evidenced or whether  evidenced by
any agreement or  instrument,  and includes  obligations  to perform acts and to
refrain from acting as well as obligations to pay money.

           1.54 "Operating Cash Flow" shall mean for any fiscal period an amount
equal to (i) Net  Income  for such  period,  (ii) plus  interest,  taxes and all
depreciation,  amortization  and other non-cash charges taken in accordance with
GAAP and deducted in computing  Net Income for such  periods,  (iii) minus taxes
actually paid during such periods,  and,  (iv) minus Capital  Expenditures  made
during such period.

           1.55  "Overadvance"  and  "Overadvances"  shall have the meanings set
forth in
Section 2.7 hereof.

           1.56  "Overadvance  Guaranty"  shall  have the  meaning  set forth in
Section 4.1.1 hereof.

           1.57 "Parent" shall mean Allou Health & Beauty Care, Inc., a Delaware
corporation of which Distributors is a wholly-owned subsidiary.

           1.58 "Pension  Plan" and "Pension  Plans" shall have the meanings set
forth in Section 3.14 hereof.

           1.59 "Person" includes an individual,  a company,  a corporation,  an
association,  a  partnership,  a joint  venture,  and  unincorporated  trade  or
business enterprise, a trust, and estate, or a government (national, regional or
local) or an agency, instrumentality or official thereof.

           1.60 "PBGC" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 3.14 hereof.

           1.61 "Plan" and "Plans" shall in Section 3.14 hereof.

           1.62  "Prohibited  Transactions"  shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 3.14 hereof.

           1.63 "Reserve  Charge" means, for each day on which any Euroloan Rate
Amount is outstanding, a reserve charge in an amount equal to the product of:



                                                           -10-
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<PAGE>



                      (i) the outstanding  principal amount of the Euroloan Rate
                      Amount, multiplied by

                      (ii) (a) the  Eurodollar  Rate  (expressed  as a  decimal)
                      divided  by one  minus  the  Reserve  Rate,  minus (b) the
                      Eurodollar Rate (expressed as a decimal),

                      multiplied by

                     (iii)                1/360.

           1.64  "Reserve  Rate"  means  the rate in  effect  from time to time,
expressed  as a decimal,  at which each  Lender  would be  required  to maintain
reserves  under  Regulation D of the Board of  Governors of the Federal  Reserve
System  (or any  successor  or  similar  regulation  relating  to  such  reserve
requirements)  against its  respective  Commitment  Percentage of  "Eurocurrency
Liabilities"  (as such term is used in such Regulation Date) if such liabilities
were outstanding.

           1.65 "Revolving Credit Commitment" shall mean, in relation to each of
the Lenders,  the maximum  amount of  Revolving  Loans that such Lender shall be
committed to make to the Borrowers  upon the terms and subject to the conditions
contained in this  Agreement,  which amount shall be equal to the product of the
Maximum  Amount  times  such  Lender's  Commitment  Percentage  (i.e.  for  BKB:
$105,000,000   x   33.3333333%   =   $35,000,000;   for  SBC:   $105,000,000   x
25.7142857%=$27,000,000; for IBJS:
$105,000,000 x 13.3333333% = $14,000,000; for LBC
$105,000,000  x 19.0476191% = $20,000,000 and for BOT: $105,000,000 x
8.5714285% = $9,000,000.

           1.66 "Revolving Loan" shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1
hereof.

           1.67  "Subsidiary"  shall mean,  with  reference  to any Person,  any
corporation,  association,  joint stock company, business trust or other similar
organization  of whose total capital stock or voting stock such Person  directly
or indirectly owns or controls more than 50% thereof or any partnership or other
entity in which such Person  directly or indirectly has more than a 50% interest
or which is controlled directly or indirectly by such Person.

           1.68 "Subsidiary  Tie-In  Agreement" shall mean the Subsidiary Tie-In
Agreement,  as  originally  executed  and  delivered on December 10, 1991 and as
amended from time to time,  referred to in Section 4.1.1 hereof. Such Subsidiary
Tie-In Agreement may be amended from time to time to add additional Borrowers or
otherwise.

           1.69 "Total  Interest"  shall mean for any fiscal period an aggregate
amount equal to all expenses  incurred,  accrued or actually  paid by any of the
Borrowers constituting



                                      -11-
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<PAGE>





interest expense,  as determined in accordance with GAAP, plus payments included
in any rental payments under equipment  leases  constituting  implicit  interest
payments not otherwise included in such interest expense under GAAP.

           1.70 "Total  Liabilities"  shall mean all of the  liabilities  of the
Borrowers as determined in accordance with GAAP.

           1.71  "Working  Capital"  shall  mean an  amount  for the  Borrowers,
determined in accordance  with GAAP,  equal to the excess of Current Assets over
Current Liabilities.

           For  purposes  of  this  Agreement,  except  as  otherwise  expressly
provided herein or unless the context otherwise requires:

           (i)  references to any Person defined in this Section 1 refer to such
Person  and its  successor  in  title  and  assigns  or (as the case may be) his
successors,   assigns,   heirs,   executors,   administrators  and  other  legal
representatives;

           (ii)   references  to  this  Agreement  refer  to  such  document  as
originally  executed,  or if subsequently  varied or  supplemented  from time to
time,  as so varied or  supplemented  and in  effect  at that  relevant  time of
reference thereof;

           (iii) words  importing the singular only shall include the plural and
vice versa,  and words importing the masculine gender shall include the feminine
gender and vice versa,  and all  references to dollars shall be to United States
Dollars; and

           (iv) accounting terms not otherwise  defined in this Agreement or any
of the other  documents,  instruments  or  agreements  executed and delivered in
connection  herewith or contemplated  hereby shall have the meanings assigned to
them in accordance with GAAP.

           SECTION 2. BORROWERS' LOAN ACCOUNT; REVOLVING LOANS.

           2.1  LOANS.  Upon the terms and  subject  to the  conditions  of this
Agreement, and in reliance upon the representations, warranties and covenants of
the Borrowers made herein,  each of the Lenders  severally  agrees to make loans
(excluding Overadvances)  ("Revolving Loans") to the Borrowers at the Borrowers'
request  from  time to time,  from and after  the date  hereof  and prior to the
Maturity Date up to a maximum  aggregate  principal  amount  outstanding  (after
giving  effect to all amounts  requested) at any one time equal to such Lender's
Revolving  Credit  Commitment;  PROVIDED that the aggregate  principal amount of
Revolving  Loans  outstanding  at any time  plus the  aggregate  face  amount of
Letters  of Credit  outstanding  at such time shall not exceed the lesser of (i)
the  Maximum  Amount and (ii) the  Borrowing  Base at such time,  and  PROVIDED,
further,  that at the time the  Borrowers  request  a  Revolving  Loan and after
giving effect to the making thereof there has not occurred and is not continuing
an Event of Default or any event which, with the giving of notice or the passage
of time, or both, would constitute an Event



                                      -12-
GS1

<PAGE>


of Default.  The Revolving  Loans shall be made pro rata in accordance with each
Lender's  Commitment  Percentage in accordance with the terms of this Agreement,
including,  without limitation Section 9 hereof.  Except as otherwise  permitted
under Section 2.7 hereof for certain  Overadvances,  the  Borrowers  jointly and
severally agree that it shall be a payment Event of Default under Section 7.1(i)
hereof, without notice or demand of any kind, if at any time the aggregate debit
balance of the Loan Account plus the aggregate  face amount of Letters of Credit
outstanding  at such time shall exceed the lesser of (i) the Maximum  Amount and
(ii) the Borrowing Base,  unless the Borrowers shall,  upon demand by the Agent,
promptly pay cash to the Agent to be credited to the Loan Account in such amount
as shall be necessary to eliminate the excess.  All requests for Revolving Loans
shall be in such form and shall be made in such manner as is consistent with the
Agent's  customary  practices.  The Revolving Loans shall be evidenced by Second
Restated And Amended Revolving Credit Notes  (collectively,  the "Credit Notes")
in the form of EXHIBIT A attached hereto.

           2.2  LOAN  ACCOUNT.   The  Agent  shall  enter  Revolving  Loans  and
Overadvances  as debits in the Loan Account for each of the  Lenders.  The Agent
shall also record in the Loan  Account all  payments  made by the  Borrowers  on
account of Revolving Loans and  Overadvances,  and may also record  therein,  in
accordance  with  customary  accounting  practices,  other  debits and  credits,
including customary banking charges and all interest, fees, charges and expenses
chargeable to the Borrowers under this Agreement.  The debit balance of the Loan
Account shall reflect the aggregate amount of the Borrowers'  Obligations to the
Lenders  from time to time by reason of  Revolving  Loans and  Overadvances  and
other appropriate  charges  hereunder.  At least once each month the Agent shall
render a statement  of account  showing as of its date the debit  balance of the
Loan Account for each of the Lenders and in the aggregate  which,  unless within
thirty  (30) days of such date  notice to the  contrary is received by the Agent
from the Borrowers or any Lender,  shall be  considered  correct and accepted by
the Borrowers and the Lenders and conclusively binding upon them absent manifest
error.

           2.3 PAYMENT. Subject to the terms of Section 2.6 and 2.8.3 hereof the
Borrowers  may  prepay  outstanding   Revolving  Loans,   Overadvances  and  the
Obligations  evidenced  by the  Credit  Notes  in  whole  or in part at any time
without  premium or penalty.  Amounts so paid and other  amounts may be borrowed
and  reborrowed  from time to time as provided in Section  2.1. On the  Maturity
Date, the Borrowers  shall repay to the Agent all outstanding  Revolving  Loans,
Overadvances and the Credit Notes, together with all unpaid interest thereon and
all  fees  and  other  amounts  due  hereunder.  All of the  other  indebtedness
evidenced by the Credit Notes, shall, if not sooner paid, also be absolutely due
and payable on the  Maturity  Date.  In the case of any  partial  payment of the
Credit Notes,  the total amount of such partial payment shall be allocable among
the Credit Notes,  subject to adjustment as provided in Section 9.4 hereof,  pro
rata in accordance with the Commitment Percentage of each of the Lenders.

           2.4 LETTERS OF CREDIT.  Upon the terms and subject to the  conditions
of this  Agreement,  and in reliance upon the  representations,  warranties  and
covenants of the



                                      -13-
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<PAGE>


Borrowers  made herein,  the Agent  agrees to issue,  as agent for and under the
joint  responsibilities  of the Lenders,  to the extent  permitted by law or the
Uniform Customs  Practices of the  International  Chamber of Commerce  governing
Letters of Credit  (Publication  No. 400 or any successor  thereto),  Letters of
Credit upon the  application  of the  Borrowers  during the period from the date
hereof to the Maturity  Date;  provide that the  aggregate  principal  amount of
Letters of Credit outstanding for the account of the Borrowers at any time shall
not (i) exceed $7,500,000, or (ii) cause the aggregate debit balance in the Loan
Account at such time plus the  aggregate  face  amount of Letters of Credit then
outstanding  to exceed the lesser of the Maximum  Amount or the  Borrowing  Base
(subject to the terms of Section 2.7 hereof); and provided,  further that at the
time the  Borrowers  request the issuance of a Letter of Credit and after giving
effect to the issuance thereof, there has not occurred and is not continuing any
Event of Default or any event which, with the giving of notice or the passage of
time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default. All Letters of Credit shall
expire not later than the Maturity Date. Without limiting the foregoing,  if any
Letter of  Credit  would by its  terms  expire  after  the  Maturity  Date,  the
Borrowers  shall, on the Maturity Date, cause another letter of credit issued by
another bank to be substituted  therefor or cause another bank  satisfactory  to
the  Agent  to  indemnify  the  Agent  for the  benefit  of the  Lenders  to its
satisfaction  against any and all liabilities and obligations in respect to such
Letter of Credit and, in such event, this Agreement shall continue in full force
and effect  until all of the  Obligations  under any such Letters of Credit have
been paid in full to the Agent for the account of the Lenders.

           Amounts  drawn under the Letters of Credit shall  become  immediately
due and payable,  jointly and  severally,  by the Borrowers to the Agent and, if
not paid in  accordance  with the terms of any such  Letter of Credit,  shall be
added to the Loan Account as  Revolving  Loans as of the date funds are advanced
under such Letter of Credit and shall be  immediately  due and payable  upon the
maturity of the Credit Notes.

           In order to evidence  such Letters of Credit,  each of the  Borrowers
shall enter into, with the Agent,  such agreements and execute such  instruments
and document as the Agent customarily requires in like transactions,  including,
but not limited to, a letter of credit application and agreement.  The Borrowers
hereby acknowledge and agree that each of their presidents,  vice presidents and
chief financial  officers is authorized to sign applications for the issuance of
Letters of Credit and that the execution and submission  thereof to the Agent by
any  such  officer  for the  account  of any of the  Borrowers  shall be for the
benefit and liability hereunder of each of the Borrowers.

           2.5 INTEREST ON REVOLVING LOANS.  Subject to the terms of Section 2.6
hereof,  the  Revolving  Loans shall bear  interest at a rate per annum equal to
 .375% above the Base Rate in effect from time to time; PROVIDED that if any Loan
or any  portion  thereof  is not paid when due,  so long as any  overdue  amount
remains  unpaid,  then the unpaid balance of such Loan shall bear  interest,  in
lieu of interest otherwise payable,  to the extent permitted by law,  compounded
monthly at an interest  rate equal to 4% above the Base Rate in effect from time
to time after such Loan or any  portion  thereof  becomes  overdue.  Interest on
Loans based on the Base Rate shall be payable, jointly and severally, by the



                                      -14-
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<PAGE>



Borrowers  to the Agent  monthly in arrears  on the first  Business  Day of each
month.  Any change in the Base Rate shall  result in a change on the same day in
the rate of interest to accrue from and after such day on the unpaid  balance of
principal of the Loans.  Interest  accruing on the unpaid  balance of Loans from
time to time shall be  calculated  an the basis of a 360-day year for the actual
number of days elapsed.

           2.6       EURODOLLAR INTEREST RATE OPTION.

           (i) At the  option of the  Borrowers,  so long as no Event of Default
has  occurred  and is then  continuing  and no event  which,  with the giving of
notice or the passage of time, or both, would constitute an Event of Default has
occurred and is then continuing, the Borrowers may elect from time to time prior
to three months  before the Maturity Date to have all or a portion of the unpaid
principal  amount of any  Revolving  Loan bear  interest  during any  particular
Interest  Period at the Euroloan Rate (as hereinafter  defined);  PROVIDED that:
(i) the number of any such  portions  with respect to which such an election has
been made remaining  outstanding at any point in time does not exceed three, and
(ii) any such  portion of any  Revolving  Credit  Loan shall be in an amount not
less than $5,000,000 or some greater integral  multiple of $500,000 with respect
to any single  Interest  Period.  Any election by the Borrowers to have interest
calculated  at the  Euroloan  Rate  shall  be made by  notice  (which  shall  be
irrevocable)  to the Agent at least three (3)  Business  Days prior to the first
day of the proposed Interest Period, specifying the Euroloan Rate Amount and the
duration of the proposed  Interest  Period  (which must be for one, two or three
full months). Any such election of a Euroloan Rate shall lapse at the end of the
expiring  Interest  Period  unless  extended  by a  further  election  notice as
hereinbefore provided. Each Euroloan Rate Amount shall bear interest during each
Interest Period relating  thereto at an annual rate (the "Euroloan  Rate") equal
to the Eurodollar  Rate plus 2.00%.  Interest on each Euroloan Rate Amount shall
be payable on the last day of each Interest Period relating thereto.

           (ii) The  Borrowers  shall jointly and severally pay to the Agent the
Reserve  Charge,  if any, with respect to Euroloan Rate Amounts of the Revolving
Loans  outstanding  from time to time on the dates  interest  is payable on such
Euroloan Rate Amounts.

           (iii) The Agent shall  forthwith upon  determining  any Euroloan Rate
provide notice  thereof to the  Borrowers.  Each such notice shall be conclusive
and binding upon the Borrowers absent manifest computational error.

           (iv) If, with respect to any Interest Period,  the Agent is unable to
determine the Euroloan Rate relating thereto,  or adverse or unusual  conditions
in or changes in applicable law relating to the applicable  Eurodollar interbank
market  make  it  illegal  or,  in  the   reasonable   judgment  of  the  Agent,
impracticable,  to fund therein the Euroloan  Rate Amount or make the  projected
Euroloan Rate  unreflective  of the actual costs of funds therefor to the Agent,
or if it shall become unlawful for the Agent to charge interest on the Loan on a
Euroloan Rate basis, then in any of the foregoing events the Agent shall so



                                      -15-
GS1

<PAGE>


notify the Borrowers  and interest will be calculated  and payable in respect of
such  projected  Interest  Period (and  thereafter for so long as the conditions
referred to in this  sentence  shall  continue) by reference to the Base Rate in
accordance with Section 2.5 hereof.

           (v) No  Interest  Period may be  selected  by the  Borrowers  for any
Euroloan Rate Amount which ends beyond the Maturity Date. If any Interest Period
would  otherwise  end on a day which is not a  Business  Day for  Euroloan  Rate
purposes,  that Interest  Period shall end on the Business Day next preceding or
next succeeding such day as determined by the Agent in accordance with its usual
practices  and  notified to the  Borrowers  at the  beginning  of such  Interest
Period.

           (vi) If for any reason any payment or  prepayment  of  principal of a
Euroloan  Rate  Amount is made on any day  prior to the last day of an  Interest
Period,  then the  Borrowers  shall  reimburse  the Agent for the loss,  if any,
computed pursuant to the following formula:

                     L  =      (R-T) X P X  D                           + RC
                               360

                     L  =      amount of loss to be reimbursed to the Agent.

                     R  =      the Euroloan Rate at the time of the payment.

                     T         = effective  interest rate in which United States
                               Treasury  bills  maturing  on the last day of the
                               then  current  Interest  Period  and in the  same
                               amount as the unpaid principal amount of the Loan
                               can be  purchased by the Agent on the day of such
                               payment of principal.

                     D         = the number of days  remaining  in the  Interest
                               Period as of the date of such payment.

                     P  =      the amount of principal paid.

                     RC = the Reserve Charge due through the date of payment.

The Borrowers shall pay to the Agent the amount of loss,  computed in accordance
with the  foregoing  formula,  upon  presentation  by the  Agent of a  statement
setting forth the Agent's  calculation of the amount of such loss,  which notice
shall be conclusive and binding upon the Borrowers absent manifest computational
error.

           2.7       OVERADVANCES.

           (i) The  Borrowers  may request of the Agent in writing  from time to
time that the Lenders make loans to the  Borrowers  at a time,  or the Agent may
permit loans, when



                                      -16-
GS1

<PAGE>



the debit balance in the Loan Account plus the aggregate  face amount of Letters
of Credit  outstanding  exceeds the Borrowing Base or which loans will cause the
debit balance in the Loan Account plus the  aggregate  face amount of Letters of
Credit  outstanding  to exceed the  Borrowing  Base  under any of the  following
circumstances:  (a) the  Borrowers  have  identified  an  opportunity  to make a
special one-time  purchase of inventory in bulk in the Borrowers'  existing line
of business;  (b) the Borrowers will be closed for business on account of one of
the Jewish  Holidays;  or (c) the Agent  permits  such loans to be incurred  for
purposes  of  administrative  convenience.  Any  such  written  notice  from the
Borrowers to the Agent as contemplated by clauses (a) and (b) of the immediately
preceding  sentence  shall  set  forth the  dollar  amount of such  contemplated
overadvance,  and (y) in the case of such a notice for an overadvance  described
in such clause (a), such notice shall be provided to the Agent at least five (5)
Business  Days  prior  to  the  Borrower's   intended   borrowing  creating  the
overadvances,  and (z) in the case of such a notice for an overadvance described
in such clause (b),  such notice  shall be provided to the Agent at least thirty
(30) days prior to the commencement of such Jewish Holiday.  The Agent, as agent
for and on behalf of the Lenders,  shall  consider any such request  pursuant to
such clauses (a) and (b) and may  determine to make such loan or loans  pursuant
to  such  clauses  (a) or (b),  or  clause  (c) of the  first  sentence  of this
paragraph, in its sole and unrestricted discretion.  Any such overadvances shall
be made for the debit  account  of each of the  Lenders  and the  Lenders  shall
reimburse  the Agent for the making of any such loan as though  such loan were a
Loan duly made in accordance  with the terms of this Agreement (any such loan or
loans being herein referred to individually as an "Overadvance" and collectively
as  "Overadvances").  The Agent  shall enter such  Overadvances,  along with all
interest,  expenses and charges relating thereto, as debits in the Loan Account.
All  Overadvances  shall bear  interest at a rate per annum equal to 1.50% above
the Base Rate in effect from time to time  provided that if any  Overadvance  or
any  portion  thereof  is not paid when due,  then the  unpaid  balance  of such
overadvance shall bear interest,  in lieu of interest otherwise payable,  to the
extent  permitted  by law,  compounded  monthly at an interest  rate equal to 4%
above the Base Rate in effect  from time to time after such  overadvance  or any
portion thereof becomes  overdue.  Interest on Overadvances  shall be payable by
the  Borrowers,  to the Agent for the account of the Lenders at such time as the
Overadvance  becomes due and payable in full.  Any change in the Base Rate shall
result in a change on the same day in the rate of  interest  to accrue  from and
after such date on the unpaid balance of principal of any Overadvance.  Interest
accruing  on the  unpaid  balance  of  overadvances  from time to time  shall be
calculated on the basis of a 360-day year for the actual number of days elapsed.

           (ii)  Although  it will be  within  the  discretion  of the  Agent to
approve  or reject  requests  from the  Borrowers  for  Overadvances  under this
Agreement,  and  Overadvances  shall otherwise only be permitted as contemplated
hereby, in no event shall: (a) the aggregate amount of Overadvances  pursuant to
clauses (a), (b) and (c) of Section  2.7(i) at any one time  outstanding  exceed
the  maximum  aggregated  amount of  $6,500,000;  (b)  Overadvances  pursuant to
Section  2.7(i)(a)  at any one time  outstanding  exceed the maximum  aggregated
amount of $6,500,000;  (c) Overadvances pursuant to Section 2.7(i)(b) at any one
time outstanding exceed $2,500,000; (d) Overadvances pursuant to



                                      -17-
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<PAGE>



Section 2.7(i)(c) at any one time outstanding exceed  $1,000,000;  (e) the debit
balance in the Loan  Account  at any one time  outstanding  exceed  the  Maximum
Amount minus the aggregate face amount of Letters of Credit outstanding; (f) any
Overadvance  made pursuant to Sections  2.7(i)(a) and (b) remain unpaid in whole
or in  part  thirty  (30)  Business  Days  following  the  date  on  which  such
Overadvance  is made;  (g) any  Overadvance  made pursuant to Section  2.7(i)(c)
remain unpaid in whole or in part greater than two Business  Days  following the
date  on  which  such  Overadvance  is  made  or  occurs;  (h)  Overadvances  be
outstanding  for more than 120 days during any 12 consecutive  calendar  months;
and (i) any Overadvance be made at such time as there exists an Event of Default
or an event that with the passage of time, the giving of notice,  or both,  will
become an Event of Default.  Failure of the  Borrowers  to  maintain  any of the
foregoing  conditions  shall  constitute a payment Event of Default  pursuant to
Section  7.1(i),  and shall be deemed to be a failure to  perform an  obligation
hereunder.

           2.8       FEES.

           2.8.1 The  Borrowers  shall pay to the Agent for the  benefit  of the
Lenders pro rata in  proportion  to their  respective  Commitment  Percentages a
commitment fee,  computed on the average daily debit balance in the Loan Account
for the prior month and payable  monthly in arrears on the first Business Day of
each month,  equal to 1/48 of 1% of the excess of (i) the Maximum  Amount at the
time over (ii) the principal amount of Revolving Loans  outstanding from time to
time.

           2.8.2 The  Borrowers  shall pay to the Agent for the  benefit  of the
Lenders in proportion to their respective Commitment Percentages for issuance of
Letters of Credit a fee  quarterly  in arrears that is either (i) a fee equal to
the  greater of 1 1/2% per annum of the face  amount of each  standby  Letter of
Credit or such minimum fee for each such Letter of Credit as may be generally in
effect from time to time, or (ii) a fee equal to the greater of 1/4% of the face
amount of each sight  documentary  Letter of Credit or such minimum fee for each
such Letter of Credit as may be generally in effect from time to time,  or (iii)
a fee equal to the  greater of 1 1/2% per annum of the face  amount of each time
documentary  Letter of Credit or such minimum fee for each such Letter of Credit
as may be generally  in effect from time to time;  plus such fees and charges as
are customarily charged by the Agent.

           2.8.3 If  prepayment  and  termination  of the Revolving  Loans,  the
Credit  Notes  and  this  Agreement  are  made,  utilizing  any  funds  for such
prepayment  other  than  funds  internally  generated  by the  operation  of the
Business prior to such prepayment and  termination  (and other than in the event
the Agent  requests  that the Borrowers  make any such  prepayment to any of the
Lenders),  on or prior to (i) September 30, 1997, the Borrowers shall pay to the
Agent for the account of the Lenders (pro rata in proportion to their respective
Commitment  Percentages) 3/4 of 1% of the Maximum Amount; and (ii) September 30,
1998, and after September 30, 1997, the Borrowers shall pay to the Agent for the
account of the Lenders (pro rata in  proportion to their  respective  Commitment
Percentages) 1/2 of 1% of the Maximum Amount.



                                      -18-
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<PAGE>






           2.8.4  The  Borrowers  shall  pay to the  Agent  any and all  charges
customarily made by the Agent against Borrowers.

           2.8.5 If after the date hereof, the Agent or any of the Lenders shall
have  determined  that the adoption of any  applicable  law,  rule,  regulation,
guideline,  directive  or  request  (whether  or not  having  the  force of law)
regarding  capital  requirements  for banks or bank  holding  companies,  or any
change therein, or any change in the interpretation or administration thereof by
any governmental  authority,  central bank or comparable agency charged with the
interpretation or administration  thereof,  or compliance by the Agent or any of
the Lenders with any of the foregoing  effective after the date hereof,  imposes
or  increases  a  requirement  by the Agent or any of the  Lenders  to  allocate
capital resources to the Lenders' commitment to make Loans or issue and maintain
Letters of Credit  hereunder  which has or would have the effect of reducing the
return on the Agent's or such  Lender's  capital to a level below that which the
Agent or such Lender could have achieved (taking into  consideration the Agent's
or such  Lender's then  existing  policies with respect to capital  adequacy and
assuming full utilization of the Agent's or such Lender's  capital) but for such
adoption, change or compliance by any amount deemed by the Agent to be material,
then: (i) the Agent shall promptly after its  determination  of such  occurrence
give notice  thereof to the Borrowers;  and (ii) the Borrowers  shall pay to the
Agent,  for the  benefit  of such  Lender  bearing  such  reduced  return  as an
additional  fee from time to time within  thirty  (30) days after the  Borrowers
receive written notice thereof such amount as the Agent or such Lender certifies
to be the amount that will  compensate it for such  reduction.  A certificate of
the Agent or such  Lender  claiming  compensation  under this  Section  shall be
conclusive absent manifest computational error. Such certificate shall set forth
in  reasonable  detail  the  nature  of  the  occurrence  giving  rise  to  such
compensation,  the  additional  amount or amounts to be paid to it hereunder and
the method by which such amounts were  determined.  In determining  such amount,
the Agent and each  Lender  may use any  reasonable  averaging  and  attribution
methods.  In lieu of the payments  provided for in clause (ii) of this  Section,
the Borrowers may,  within 120 days of the Agent's notice pursuant to clause (i)
of this Section, prepay such Lender all Obligations then accruing to such Lender
and  terminate  all of such  Lender's  rights and  obligations  pursuant to this
Agreement  without  payment of any fee  pursuant  to Section  2.8.3  hereof,  if
applicable,  on account of such prepayment. In the event of any such prepayment,
the Maximum  Amount  shall be reduced by the amount of such  Lender's  Revolving
Credit  Commitment or an additional  bank  satisfactory to the Borrowers and the
Agents may be included as a Lender hereunder.

           2.8.6 Anything hereinbefore to the contrary  notwithstanding,  if any
future  applicable  law or any future  amendment to any present  applicable  law
(which  expression,  as used in this Agreement,  includes statutes and rules and
regulations thereunder and interpretations  thereof by any competent court or by
any  governmental  or  other  regulatory  body  or  official  charged  with  the
administration  or  the   interpretation   thereof  and  requests,   directives,
instructions  and  notices  at any  time or from  time  to  time  heretofore  or
hereafter  made  upon or  otherwise  issued  to the  Agent or any  Lender by any
central bank or other



                                      -19-
GS1

<PAGE>


fiscal,  monetary  or other  authority,  whether or not having the force of law)
becoming  effective  after the date  hereof  shall (i)  subject the Agent or any
Lender to any tax, levy, impost,  duty, charge, fee, deduction or withholding of
any nature with respect to this  Agreement,  the Maximum Amount of the Revolving
Loans or the  payment  to the  Agent or such  Lender  of any  amounts  due to it
hereunder,  or (ii)  materially  change the basis of taxation of payments to the
Agent or such Lender of the  principal or the  interest on or any other  amounts
payable to the Agent or such Lender  hereunder,  or (iii)  impose or increase or
render  applicable  any special or  supplemental  special  deposit or reserve or
similar requirements or assessment against assets held by, or deposits in or for
the account of, or any liabilities of, or loans by an office of the Agent or any
Lender in respect of the transactions contemplated herein, or (iv) impose on the
Agent or any Lender any other  conditions or  requirements  with respect to this
Agreement,  the  Maximum  Amount  or any  Loan,  and  the  result  of any of the
foregoing  is (A) to  increase  the cost to the Agent or such  Lender of making,
funding or maintaining all or any part of the Loans, or (B) to reduce the amount
of  principal,  interest  or other  amount  payable to the Agent or such  Lender
hereunder,  or (C) to require the Agent or such Lender to make any payment or to
forego any interest or other sum payable hereunder,  the amount of which payment
or  foregoing  interest or other sum is  calculated  by  reference  to the gross
amount of any sum receivable or deemed received by the Asset or such Lender from
the Borrowers hereunder,  then, and in each such case not otherwise provided for
hereunder,  the Borrowers will, within thirty (30) days after receipt of written
notice from the Agent accompanied by calculations  thereof in reasonable detail,
pay to the Agent or such Lender such additional amounts as will be sufficient to
compensate the Agent or such Lender for such additional cost, reduction, payment
or foregoing  interest or other sum,  provided that the foregoing  provisions of
this sentence  shall not apply in the case of any  additional  cost,  reduction,
payment or foregoing interest or other sum resulting from any taxes charged upon
or by reference to the overall net income,  profits or gains of the Agent or any
Lender.

           2.8.7 The Borrowers authorize the Agent to charge to the Loan Account
or to any deposit account which any of the Borrowers may maintain with the Agent
or any Lender the interest,  fees,  charges,  taxes and expenses provided for in
this  Agreement  or any other  document  executed  or  delivered  in  connection
herewith and any payments due to the Agent in respect of Letters of Credit.

           SECTION 3. REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES.

           Each of the Borrowers jointly and severally represents,  warrants and
covenants, as to itself and as to each of the other Borrowers,  individually and
on a consolidated basis as the context may require, to the Agent and the Lenders
as follows:

           3.1  ORGANIZATION AND  QUALIFICATION.  Each of the Borrowers (i) is a
corporation duly organized, validly existing and in good standing under the laws
of the State of its  incorporation  as indicated  on EXHIBIT B attached  hereto;
(ii) has all  requisite  corporate  power and  authority to own its property and
conduct its business as now  conducted and as presently  contemplated;  (iii) is
duly qualified and in good standing in each jurisdiction



                                      -20-
GS1

<PAGE>


(which  jurisdictions  are listed on EXHIBIT B attached hereto) where the nature
of  its  properties  or  its  business  (present  or  proposed)   requires  such
qualification,  except  where the  failure to do so would not have a  materially
adverse effect on the business, properties or condition (financial or otherwise)
of such Borrower individually or all of the Borrowers taken as a whole; and (iv)
has no Subsidiaries other than those listed in the Disclosure Letter.

           3.2 CORPORATE AUTHORITY.  The execution,  delivery and performance of
this  Agreement and the Credit Notes and the  transactions  and other  documents
contemplated hereby and thereby (including the granting of the security interest
hereunder) are within each Borrower's corporate authority,  have been authorized
by all necessary corporate proceedings on the part of each Borrower,  and do not
and  will  not  contravene  any  provision  of  law,  or any  provision  of each
Borrower's charter document or its by-laws,  or contravene any provisions of, or
constitute an Event of Default  hereunder or a default under,  or an event which
with the lapse of time or the giving of notice,  or both,  would  constitute  an
Event of Default  hereunder  or a default  under any other  material  agreement,
instrument, judgment, order, decree, permit, license or undertaking binding upon
or  applicable  to the  Borrowers or any of their  properties,  or result in the
creation,  other than in favor of the Agent, of any mortgage,  pledge,  security
interest,  lien,  encumbrance  or charge upon any of the properties or assets of
the Borrowers.

           3.3  VALID  OBLIGATIONS.  This  Agreement  and all of its  terms  and
provisions  (including the security  interest  granted  hereunder)  are, and the
Obligations  of the Borrowers  under each of the Credit Notes,  when each Credit
Note is duly executed and delivered for value, will be, legal, valid and binding
Obligations of each of the Borrowers enforceable in accordance with their terms,
subject to bankruptcy,  insolvency and similar laws affecting  creditors' rights
in general and the availability of equitable remedies.

           3.4  APPROVALS.  The  execution,  delivery  and  performance  of this
Agreement  and  the  Credit  Notes  and the  transactions  and  other  documents
contemplated  hereby and thereby do not  require any  approval or consent of, or
filing or  registration  with, any  governmental or other agency or authority or
any other Person, except as disclosed on EXHIBIT B attached hereto.

           3.5 TITLE TO  PROPERTIES;  ABSENCE  OF LIENS.  As of the date of this
Agreement,  the  Borrowers  have  good  and  marketable  title  to all of  their
respective properties,  assets and rights of every name and nature now purported
to be owned by it, including without limitation the Collateral, the Business and
the properties,  assets and rights reflected in the Initial Financial Statement,
in each case free from all liens, charges and encumbrances  whatsoever except as
set forth in the  Disclosure  Letter.  All real property  owned or leased by the
Borrowers is described in EXHIBIT B.

           3.6 COMPLIANCE. The Borrowers have all necessary permits,  approvals,
authorizations,  consents, licenses, franchises,  registrations and other rights
and privileges  (including patents,  trademarks,  trade names and copyrights) to
allow it to own and operate



                                      -21-
GS1

<PAGE>


their  business  without any  violation of law or the rights of others;  and the
Borrowers are duly  authorized,  qualified and licensed  under and in compliance
with all  applicable  laws,  regulations,  authorizations  and  orders of public
authorities.

           3.7 FINANCIAL  STATEMENTS.  The Borrowers have furnished to the Agent
the audited consolidated and unaudited consolidating balance sheet and statement
of income of the Business as at March 31, 1995 and December 31, 1995 and for the
12 month periods then ended  separating out the Parent and its  Subsidiaries  on
the one hand from  Distributors  and its  Subsidiaries  on the  other  hand (the
"Initial  Financial  Statement"),  which was prepared in  accordance  with GAAP,
certified (as to the audited statements) by Mayer Rispler and Company and fairly
presents the  financial  position of the Business with respect to its assets and
liabilities  as at the  close  of  business  on such  date  and the  results  of
operations for the 12 month period then ended. The Borrowers have also furnished
to the Agent projections, dated on or about February 19, 1996, of the Borrowers'
future  results of  operations  on a  consolidated  basis for five fiscal years,
which  represent the Borrowers'  good faith estimates as of the date thereof and
as of the date hereof based upon the assumptions stated therein which assumption
the  Borrowers  believe were and continue to be fair,  reasonable  and proper in
light of current and reasonably  foreseeable  business  conditions.  At the date
hereof, none of the Borrowers have any Indebtedness or other liabilities,  debts
or obligations,  whether accrued, absolute, contingent or otherwise, and whether
due or to become due, including,  but not limited to, liabilities or obligations
on account  of taxes or other  governmental  charges,  that are not set forth on
EXHIBIT C attached hereto. Since the Initial Financial Statement there have been
no changes in the assets,  liabilities,  financial  condition or business of the
Borrowers  or the  Business  the  effect of which  has,  individually  or in the
aggregate,  been materially  adverse,  except as set forth on EXHIBIT B attached
hereto.

           3.8 SOLVENCY.  Each of the Borrowers has and,  after giving effect to
the Loans,  will have,  assets  (both  tangible  and  intangible)  having a fair
saleable value in excess of the amount required to pay the probable liability on
its   then-existing   debts  (whether   matured  or  unmatured,   liquidated  or
unliquidated,  fixed or  contingent);  each of the  Borrowers  has and will have
access to adequate  capital for the conduct of its business and the discharge of
its debts  incurred in connection  therewith as such debts  mature;  none of the
Borrowers was Insolvent  immediately  prior to the consummation of the Loans and
immediately after giving effect thereto none of the Borrowers will be Insolvent.

           3.9 EVENTS OF DEFAULT. As of the date of this Agreement,  no Event of
Default exists,  and no event or condition exists which with the passage of time
or the giving of notice, or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

           3.10 TAXES. Each of the Borrowers and their respective  Subsidiaries,
if any,  have filed all  federal,  state and other tax  returns  required  to be
filed, and all taxes,  assessments and other such governmental  charges due from
such Person have been fully paid,  except  those being  contested  in good faith
legal  proceedings  and  with  respect  to which  adequate  reserves  have  been
established, are being maintained and are fully



                                      -22-
GS1

<PAGE>


reflected in such Person's  financial  statements.  Neither any Borrower nor any
Subsidiary  has executed any waiver that would have the effect of extending  the
applicable  statute of  limitations in respect of tax  liabilities.  Each of the
Borrower's and their respective Subsidiaries,  if any, have established on their
books  reserves  adequate  for the payment of all  federal,  state and other tax
liabilities.

           3.11  LITIGATION.  Except as set forth on EXHIBIT B attached  hereto,
there is no litigation, proceeding or governmental investigation, administrative
or judicial, pending or threatened against, the Borrowers, any Subsidiary or the
Business which, if decided  adversely to any of Borrowers or a Subsidiary  might
have a  materially  adverse  effect on the  business,  properties  or  condition
(whether  financial or  otherwise)  of such Person  individually,  the Borrowers
taken as a whole,  Subsidiaries or the Business or on the ability of such Person
or Persons to perform its or their obligations hereunder, under the Credit Notes
or under any other agreement or document contemplated hereby.

           3.12  MARGIN  RULES.  No  portion  of any  Loan is to be used for the
purpose of  purchasing  or carrying any "margin  security" or "margin  stock" as
such terms are used in Regulations G, T, U or X of the Board of Governors of the
Federal Reserve System.

           3.13 RESTRICTIONS ON THE BORROWERS. None of the Borrowers is party to
or bound by any contract,  agreement or instrument, or subject to any charter or
other corporate  restriction,  materially and adversely  affecting its business,
property, assets, operations or conditions, financial or otherwise.

           3.14 ERISA. (i) Each "Employee Pension Benefit Plan" (as such term is
defined in Section 3 of the Employee  Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended, and the rules and regulations  thereunder  ("ERISA")) now or heretofore
maintained by any of the Borrowers or any Affiliate  (individually  the "Pension
Plan" and collectively  the "Pension  Plans") and any "Employee  Welfare Benefit
Plan"  (as such  term is  defined  in  Section  3 of  ERISA)  now or  heretofore
maintained by any of the Borrowers or any Affiliate (individually the "Plan" and
collectively  the  "Plans")  is listed on  EXHIBIT B  attached  hereto and is in
substantial compliance with ERISA (to the extent that ERISA is applicable); (ii)
except as set forth on EXHIBIT B attached  hereto,  there are no benefits vested
under any Pension Plan; (iii) no Pension Plan, Plan or trust created thereunder,
no trustee thereof, no administrator or fiduciary (other than an unrelated third
party administrator or fiduciary) thereof,  and neither any of the Borrowers nor
any Affiliate has engaged in a "Prohibited Transaction" (as such term is defined
in Section 406 of ERISA and Section 4975 of the Code ("Prohibited Transaction"))
which would  subject any such Pension  Plan,  Plan,  trust  created  thereunder,
trustee,  administrator  or  fiduciary  thereof or any of the  Borrowers  or any
Affiliate or any party  dealing with any such Pension  Plan,  Plan or trust to a
material tax or penalty on a "Prohibited Transaction" imposed under Section 4975
of the Code or  Section  502 of ERISA;  (iv) no  Pension  Plan or trust  created
thereunder  has been the subject of a Reportable  Event (as such term is defined
in Section 4043 of ERISA), including, without limitation, the termination of any
Pension Plan or trust, (v) if and to the extent that either any of the Borrowers
or any Affiliate is a party to



                                      -23-
GS1

<PAGE>


a  multi-employer  Plan (as defined in Section 4001 of ERISA),  then neither any
such Borrower nor any Affiliate has incurred  withdrawal  liability,  within the
meaning of Section 4201 of ERISA, with respect to any such  multi-employer  Plan
and neither any of the Borrowers  nor any  Affiliate has any knowledge  that any
such  multi-employer  plan to which such  Borrower or any  Affiliate  thereof is
required to contribute is in reorganization or is insolvent  pursuant to Section
4241 or 4245 of ERISA;  (vi) no Pension Plan which is not a multi-employer  Plan
is insolvent or in  reorganization;  (vii)  neither any of the Borrowers nor any
Affiliate has ceased operations at a facility with the result that such Borrower
or any Affiliate thereof is to be treated as a substantial  employer as provided
in Section  4062(e) of ERISA,  or has withdrawn from a Pension Plan with respect
to which it was a  "substantial  employer";  (viii) neither any of the Borrowers
nor any Affiliate and no Pension Plan or trust created  thereunder  has incurred
any "accumulated  funding deficiency" (as such term is defined in Section 412 of
the Code and Section 302 of ERISA)  whether or not waived,  since the  effective
date of ERISA; (ix) no condition exists which presents a material risk to any of
the  Borrowers  or any  Affiliate of incurring a liability to or on account of a
Pension Plan or Plan pursuant to any of the  foregoing  sections of the Code and
ERISA; (x) the aggregate  current value of all assets of each Pension Plan which
is a  single-employer  plan (i.e., a plan which is not referred to in clause (v)
hereof), based upon actuarial  assumptions,  each of which is reasonable (taking
into
account the  experience of the plans and reasonable  expectations),  is at least
equal to the aggregate  current value of all accrued benefits under such Pension
Plan,  and each such Pension Plan is fully funded on a  termination  basis;  and
(xi) no Pension  Plan and neither any of the  Borrowers  nor any  Affiliate  has
incurred  any  liability  to the Pension  Benefit  Guaranty  Corporation  or any
governmental  authority  succeeding  to any  and  all of the  functions  of said
corporation (the "PBGC") over and above premiums required by law.

           3.15  INTELLECTUAL  PROPERTY;  TRADENAMES.  All (i) patent and patent
applications  in any country or  jurisdiction  and (ii)  trademarks  and service
marks  and  United  States,   state  and  foreign   registrations   thereof  and
applications  therefor in which any of the Borrowers  has an ownership  interest
are listed on EXHIBIT B attached  hereto.  All  tradenames  of the Borrowers are
listed in the Disclosure Letter.

           3.16 ENVIRONMENTAL AND REGULATORY COMPLIANCE.  As to each of the real
properties owned or leased by any of the Borrowers,  all as described on EXHIBIT
B, each such property is presently in  compliance in all material  respects with
and has in full force and effect all material  permits or approvals  required by
all applicable building, zoning, anti-pollution,  hazardous substance, hazardous
material,  oil,  environmental,  health,  safety or other  laws,  ordinances  or
regulations  and the Borrowers  have not received  notification  that any of the
foregoing properties is in violation of any of the foregoing provisions,  except
for any  non-compliance  with respect to or lack of  possession of the foregoing
which does not have or will not have a material  adverse  effect on the business
or  properties of the  Borrowers.  Except as set forth on EXHIBIT B, none of the
Borrowers has ever generated,  stored, or disposed of any hazardous  substances,
hazardous materials, or oil on any of such properties or any portion thereof and
none of the Borrowers is aware of the presence,  generation, storage or disposal
of such substances on any of such properties



                                      -24-
GS1

<PAGE>


or any  portion  thereof  by any of the  Borrowers  or any prior  owner or prior
occupant or prior user  thereof or by anyone else,  nor is any of the  Borrowers
aware of any spill or  release  of a  hazardous  or toxic  waste,  substance  or
constituent,  or other  substance,  into the environment on or, from any of such
properties.  Except as set forth on EXHIBIT B, no  inquiry,  notice or threat to
give  notice  by any  governmental  authority  has been  received  by any of the
Borrowers  with  respect to the  generation,  storage or  disposal or release or
threat of release  thereof,  or with  respect to any  violation  of any federal,
state or local environmental,  health or safety statute or regulation. Except as
set forth on EXHIBIT B, no underground storage tanks or surface impoundments are
on any of the  properties  owned  or  leased  by any of the  Borrowers.  For the
purposes of this  Section,  (i)  "hazardous  substances"  shall mean  "hazardous
substances" as defined in the Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation
and Liability  Act, as amended,  42 U.S.C.  ss.9601,  ET SEQ.,  and  regulations
thereunder or under the  provisions  of any other  applicable  state,  county or
municipal law,  ordinance,  rule or regulation,  (ii)  "hazardous  material" and
"oil" shall mean "hazardous material" and "oil", respectively, as defined in the
Massachusetts Oil and Hazardous Material Release Prevention and Response Act, as
amended,  M.G.L. Chapter 21E, and regulations thereunder or under the provisions
of any other  applicable  state,  county or municipal  law,  ordinance,  rule or
regulation,  and (iii)  release" or "threat of release" shall mean such terms as
they are defined in any of the foregoing laws, ordinances, rules or regulations,
as applicable.

           3.17  EMPLOYMENT  CONTRACTS.  Set forth on EXHIBIT B is a list of all
written and oral employment and similar contracts, agreements and understandings
between  any of the  Borrowers  and any of  their  employees  and/or  Affiliates
currently  binding upon any of the Borrowers,  copies or summaries of which have
been  provided  to the Agent prior to the date  hereof  (other  than  contracts,
agreements and understandings between any of the Borrowers and its employees who
are not Affiliates,  whose employment was entered into in the ordinary course of
business,  whose employment is terminable at will by either party and who is not
entitled to any special bonus or other compensation measured or determined by or
directly contingent upon the economic performance of the Borrowers  individually
or taken as a whole).

           SECTION 4. CONDITIONS OF LOANS.

           4.1  CONDITIONS OF INITIAL LOANS,  The  obligations of the Lenders to
make the initial  Revolving  Loan under the original Loan Agreement were subject
to the  fulfillment on or prior to the date thereof of the following  conditions
precedent:

           4.1.1 Receipt by the Agent of the following  documents,  certificates
and opinions in form and substance  satisfactory  to the Agent and duly executed
and delivered by the parties thereto:

                      (a)        This Agreement;




                                      -25-
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                      (b)        The Credit Notes,  substantially in the form of
                                 EXHIBITS A-1 AND A-2 hereto;

                      (c)        Subsidiary  Tie-In Agreement from  Subsidiaries
                                 of Distributors listed on the Disclosure Letter
                                 ("Subsidiary Tie-In Agreement");

                      (d)        Joint  and  Several   Guaranties   from  Victor
                                 Jacobs,   Herman   Jacobs  and  Jacob   Jacobs,
                                 guarantying  the  Obligations  incurred  by the
                                 Borrowers  with  respect  to  any  Overadvances
                                 pursuant    to   Section    2.7   hereof   (the
                                 "Overadvance Guaranty");

                      (e)        Pledge from the Parent of all of the issued and
                                 outstanding  capital stock of  Distributors  to
                                 secure the Obligations hereunder;

                      (f)        Pledge from  Distributors  of all of the issued
                                 and   outstanding    capital   stock   of   the
                                 Subsidiaries  of  Distributors   executing  and
                                 delivering the Subsidiary  Tie-In  Agreement to
                                 secure the Obligations;

                      (g)        UCC-11 Search Reports;

                      (h)        UCC-1 Financing Statements;

                      (i)        Personal financial statements of Victor Jacobs,
                                 Herman  Jacobs and Jacob  Jacobs (also known as
                                 Victor Jacobowitz,  Herman Jacobowitz and Jacob
                                 Jacobowitz);

                      (j)        A certified  copy of resolutions of each of the
                                 Borrowers'  Boards of Directors  evidencing the
                                 due  authorization,  execution  and delivery of
                                 this  Agreement,   the  documents  referred  to
                                 herein and the transactions contemplated hereby
                                 to which each is a party;

                      (k)        Certificates  as of the date  hereof  signed by
                                 the   Secretary   of  each  of  the   Borrowers
                                 regarding the  incumbency and true signature of
                                 the officers  authorized  to sign the documents
                                 referred to in this Section 4.1.1 and all other
                                 documents and instruments  related to the Loans
                                 and the transactions contemplated hereby;

                      (1)        Certificates of insurance or insurance  binders
                                 evidencing compliance with Section 5.3 hereof;



                                      -26-
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<PAGE>


                      (m)        A  favorable  legal  opinion  addressed  to the
                                 Agent  and  each  of the  Lenders  from  Parker
                                 Chapin Flattau and Klimpl,  LLP, counsel to the
                                 Borrowers,  Victor  Jacobs,  Herman  Jacobs and
                                 Jacob Jacobs;

                      (n)        Certifications   from  governmental   officials
                                 evidencing  the legal  existence  and corporate
                                 and tax good  standing of each of the Borrowers
                                 as of the most recent practicable date;

                      (o)        Certified  copies  of  each  of the  Borrowers'
                                 Certificate of Incorporation and Bylaws;

                      (p)        Closing  Certificate   executed  by  the  chief
                                 financial  officer  of  each  of the  Borrowers
                                 substantially in the form of EXHIBIT D hereto;

                      (q)        Waiver from each of the Borrowers' landlords in
                                 form satisfactory to the Agent;

                      (r)        Payout  Letters  from  The Bank of New York and
                                 any  other  financial   institutions  currently
                                 lending  to the  Borrowers  which are listed on
                                 EXHIBIT B, and delivery of discharges, releases
                                 and  terminations  of all existing liens of any
                                 nature on the Collateral,  except such liens as
                                 are  expressly  permitted  by the terms of this
                                 Agreement; and

                      (s)        Borrowing Base Certificate.

           4.1.2 The representations and warranties contained in Section 3 shall
be true  and  accurate  in all  material  respects  on and as of the date of the
initial  Revolving  Loan, the Borrowers shall have performed and complied in all
material  respects with all covenants and conditions  required in this Agreement
to be performed or complied  with by them prior to the making of such Loan,  and
no event shall have occurred and be continuing and no condition  shall exist, or
would  result from the Loans to be made on the date  hereof or the  transactions
contemplated hereby, which would constitute,  or with the passage of time or the
giving of notice, or both, would constitute, an Event of Default.

           4.1.3  The  Borrowers   shall  have  provided  the  Agent  with  such
additional instruments,  certificates, opinions and other documents as the Agent
or its counsel shall reasonably request.

           4.1.4 There shall not have been any material adverse change in any of
the Borrowers' business, properties or condition (financial or otherwise).




                                      -27-
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<PAGE>


           4.1.5 The Borrowers  shall have  reimbursed  the Agent for all of the
fees and disbursements of Messrs. Goulston & Storrs, counsel to the Agent, which
shall  have been  incurred  by the  Agent in  connection  with the  preparation,
negotiation,  execution  and delivery of this  Agreement  and the closing of the
transactions contemplated hereby.

           4.2 CONDITIONS TO ALL REVOLVING  LOANS. The obligation of the Lenders
to make any Revolving Loan is subject to the fulfillment to the  satisfaction of
the Agent immediately prior to or contemporaneously  with such Revolving Loan of
each of the following conditions:

           4.2.1 The representations and warranties  contained in this Agreement
or otherwise made in writing by or on behalf of the Borrowers pursuant hereto or
in  Connection  with  the  transactions  contemplated  hereby  shall be true and
correct in all material respects at the time of each such Revolving Loan (except
for  representations  and  warranties  limited  as to time or with  respect to a
specific  event,  which  representations  and  warranties  shall  continue to be
limited to such time or event) with and without  giving  effect to the Revolving
Loans to be made at such time and the application of the proceeds  thereof.  The
Agent  may  without  waiving  this  condition  consider  it  fulfilled,   and  a
representation  by each of the  Borrowers  to such  effect  made,  if no written
notice to the contrary,  dated the date of such Revolving Loan, is received from
the  Borrowers.  In the event  that the  Borrowers  submit a  written  notice as
contemplated by the preceding sentence, the conditions set forth in this Section
4.2.1 will be considered fulfilled if such notice specifies in reasonable detail
the  exceptions  to the  representations  and  warranties as of the date of such
Revolving Loan, the exceptions as stated in such notice are  satisfactory to the
Agent and the Agent so notifies the Borrowers.

           4.2.2 At the time of each such Revolving Loan:

                      (a)        the Borrowers shall have performed and complied
                                 in all material  respects  with all  agreements
                                 and  conditions  contained  in  this  Agreement
                                 required to be performed or complied with by it
                                 prior to or at such time;

                      (b)        no condition or event that constitutes an Event
                                 of  Default or that,  after  notice or lapse of
                                 time or  both,  would  constitute  an  Event of
                                 Default shall have occurred and be  continuing;
                                 and

                      (c)        there  shall  have  been  no  material  adverse
                                 change   in   the   condition   (financial   or
                                 otherwise),  business or  properties  of any of
                                 the Borrowers since December 31, 1995.

           4.3 CONDITIONS TO RESTATEMENT  AND AMENDMENT.  The willingness of the
Lenders to enter into this Loan Agreement is subject to the receipt by the Agent
and certain of the Lenders,  as specified  below,  of the  following in form and
substance satisfactory to the Agent and such Lenders:



                                      -28-
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<PAGE>



           (a)  Each  of  the  Lenders   shall  have   received   Credit   Notes
substantially  in  the  form  of  Exhibit  A to  this  Agreement  signed  by the
Borrowers;

           (b) The Agent shall have  received an  Acknowledgment,  Agreement and
Amendment regarding: (i) this restatement of and amendment to the Loan Agreement
from all Subsidiaries of Distributors  and the Guarantors in sufficient  numbers
for itself and each of the Lenders; and (ii) amendments to the Subsidiary Tie-In
Agreement and to the Overadvance Guaranties.

           (c) The Agent shall have received  certified copies of resolutions of
the Borrowers' respective Boards of Directors,  in sufficient numbers for itself
and each of the Lenders,  evidencing the due authorization of this Agreement and
the entering into of the transactions contemplated hereby;

           (d) The Agent shall have received a favorable legal opinion addressed
to the Agent and each of the Lenders from Parker Chapin  Flattau & Klimpl,  LLP,
counsel to the  Borrowers,  in sufficient  quantities for itself and each of the
other Lenders;

           (e) The Agent shall have received  certifications  from  governmental
officials  evidencing the legal existence and corporate good standing of each of
the Borrowers as of the most recent practicable date;

           (f) The Agent  shall have  received  a Second  Restated  and  Amended
Closing  Certificate  executed  by the Chief  Financial  Officer  of each of the
Borrowers  substantially in the form of Exhibit D hereto, in sufficient  numbers
for itself and each of the other Lenders; and

           (g) The Borrowers  shall have provided the Agent with such additional
instruments,  certificates  and other  documents  as the Agent shall  reasonably
request.

           4.4 EVIDENCE OF TAX GOOD STANDING.  As soon as practicable  following
the date  hereof,  the  Agent  shall  receive  certification  from  governmental
officials evidencing the tax good standing of each of the Borrowers in the State
of New York and, to the extent qualified to do business therein, California.

           SECTION 5. COVENANTS.

           During the term of this Agreement and so long as any  Indebtedness of
the Borrowers in respect of any Loan or overadvance remains outstanding:

           5.1 FINANCIAL REPORTING.  The Borrowers shall furnish to the Agent in
sufficient copies for distribution to each of the Lenders:




                                      -29-
GS1

<PAGE>



                      (i) as  soon as  available  to the  Borrowers,  but in any
           event  within 90 days after each fiscal  year-end,  consolidated  and
           consolidating  balance  sheets of the  Borrowers  separating  out the
           Parent and its Subsidiaries on the one hand from Distributors and its
           Subsidiaries  on the  other  hand,  as at the  end  of,  and  related
           consolidated  and  consolidating   statements  of  income,   retained
           earnings and cash flow for,  such year  prepared in  accordance  with
           GAAP and, in the case of such consolidated  statements,  certified by
           the  Borrowers'  Accountants;  and  concurrently  with such financial
           statements,  a written statement by the Borrowers'  Accountants that,
           in the making of the audit  necessary  for their  report and  opinion
           upon such  financial  statements,  they have obtained no knowledge of
           any Event of  Default,  or  knowledge  of any event  which,  with the
           passage of time, the giving of notice,  or both, will constitute such
           Event of Default, or, if in the opinion of such accountant such Event
           of  Default or event  exists,  they shall  disclose  in such  written
           statement the nature and status thereof;

                      (ii) as soon as  available  to the  Borrowers,  but in any
           event  within 45 days  after the end of each  fiscal  quarter  of the
           Borrowers  consolidated  and  consolidating  balance  sheets  of  the
           Borrowers  separating out the Parent and its  Subsidiaries on the one
           hand from  Distributors and its Subsidiaries on the other hand, as at
           the end of, and related consolidated and consolidating  statements of
           income,  retained earnings and cash flow for, the portion of the year
           then  ended,  for the  fiscal  quarter  then ended and for the twelve
           months then ended,  prepared in accordance with GAAP and, in the case
           of such consolidated statements, certified by the principal financial
           officer of each of the Borrowers;

                      (iii)  promptly as they become  available,  a copy of each
           report (including any so-called  management letters) submitted to any
           of the Borrowers or any  Subsidiary by independent  certified  public
           accountants in connection with each annual audit of the books of such
           Borrower or such Subsidiary by such accountants or in connection with
           any interim audit thereof  pertaining to any phase of the business of
           the Borrowers or any Subsidiary;

                      (iv) promptly as they become available, copies of all such
           financial  statements,  proxy  material  and  reports  as  any of the
           Borrowers  or any  Subsidiaries  shall send to or make  available  to
           stockholders  or holders of any  Indebtedness of any of the Borrowers
           or any  Subsidiaries or shall file with the United States  Securities
           and Exchange Commission,  or announcements made to the general public
           by any of the Borrowers or any Subsidiary;

                      (v)  from  time to time,  such  other  financial  data and
           information  about any of the  Borrowers,  any  Subsidiaries  and the
           Collateral as the Agent may reasonably request;

                      (vi)   concurrently   with  each   delivery  of  financial
           statements  pursuant  to clause (i) and clause  (ii) of this  Section
           5.1, a report in substantially the form of



                                                           -30-
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           EXHIBIT  E hereto  signed on  behalf  of the  Borrowers  by the chief
           financial officer of each of the Borrowers;

                      (vii) within 60 days prior to the beginning of each fiscal
           year,  consolidated and  consolidating  projections for the Borrowers
           separating out the Parent and its  Subsidiaries  on the one hand from
           Distributors  and its  Subsidiaries  on the other hand,  for the next
           three  fiscal  years  beginning  with  such  fiscal  year,  including
           projected balance sheets, income statements, cash flow statements and
           such other statements as the Agent may reasonably request and in form
           and  substance  satisfactory  to the Agent,  all  prepared on a basis
           consistent with the financial statements required by clause (i);

                      (viii) as soon as available to the Borrowers,  reports (in
           form  satisfactory  to the Agent) of the value of the Borrowing  Base
           including  without  limitation (a) Account  Receivable  reports daily
           within one Business Day; (b) Inventory  reports  monthly within three
           (3)  Business  Days  of the  end of each  calendar  month  (provided,
           however, such reports shall be provided semimonthly as of the lst and
           15th of each month  within  three  days of each such date  during any
           period  commencing  with the notice of a  projected  Overadvance  and
           ending  with the  final  elimination  of such  Overadvance);  and (c)
           Account  Receivable  aging reports monthly within three Business Days
           of the end of each month; and

                      (ix) for the purposes of  computing  the  Borrowing  Base,
           information adequate to identify Inventory and Accounts Receivable at
           times and in form and substance as may be requested by the Agent, and
           if requested by the Agent,  accompanied by pledges or designations of
           Inventory and agings or assignments of Accounts in form and substance
           satisfactory to the Agent,  which  assignments  shall give Agent full
           power to collect,  compromise  or  otherwise  deal with the  assigned
           Accounts as the sole owner thereof on behalf of the Lenders.

           5.2 CONDUCT OF BUSINESS.  Each of the Borrowers  hereby covenants and
agrees,  jointly and severally,  for itself individually and on behalf of all of
the Borrowers individually and taken as a whole, that it and they will:

                      (i) duly observe and comply in all material  respects with
           all  applicable  laws  and  all   requirements  of  any  governmental
           authorities   relative  to  its  corporate   existence,   rights  and
           franchises,  to the conduct of its  business  and to its property and
           assets;  and will  maintain  and keep in full  force and  effect  all
           licenses and permits necessary to the proper conduct of its business,
           except  where the failure to do so would not have a material  adverse
           effect  on  the  business,  properties  or  condition  (financial  or
           otherwise)  of the Borrowers and any  Subsidiaries,  individually  or
           taken as a whole;

                      (ii)  maintain  its  and  their  corporate  existence  and
           existing corporate  structure,  and remain or engage in substantially
           the same business as the Business



                                      -31-
GS1

<PAGE>


           and in no unrelated  business,  except that the  Borrowers  may, upon
           notice to the Agent,  withdraw from any business activity which their
           respective Boards of Directors deem unprofitable or unsound.

           5.3 MAINTENANCE  AND INSURANCE.  The Borrowers will maintain and keep
their properties in good repair,  working order and condition,  and from time to
time make all needful and proper repairs, renewals, replacements,  additions and
improvements  thereto so that their business may be properly and  advantageously
conducted at all time.  The Borrowers at all times will maintain  insurance,  in
such amounts (including,  without limitation,  so-called  "all-risk" coverage at
replacement value and "broad form" liability coverage), against such hazards and
liabilities  and for such purposes as the Agent shall determine is reasonable to
insure the value of the  Collateral  and as is  customary  in the  industry  for
companies of established  reputation  engaged in the same or similar  businesses
and owning or  operating  similar  properties.  The  Agent,  as agent for and on
behalf of the Lenders,  shall be named as loss payee and additional  insured and
shall be given 30 days advance notice of any cancellation of or failure to renew
insurance.  If the  Borrowers  fail to  provide  or  cause to be  provided  such
insurance,  the Agent,  in its sole  discretion,  may provide such insurance and
charge the cost to the Loan Account or to any of the Borrowers' deposit accounts
with any of the Lenders. Any payment not recovered from the Borrowers shall bear
interest at the then rate of interest  under the Credit  Notes from such time as
the Agent incurs such expense.  Neither the Agent nor the Lenders shall,  by the
fact of the Agent's approving, disapproving,  accepting, obtaining or failing to
obtain any such insurance, incur any liability for the form or legal sufficiency
of insurance contracts,  solvency of insurance companies or payment of lawsuits,
and the Borrowers hereby expressly assume full joint and several  responsibility
therefor and liability if any, thereunder.

           5.4  TAXES.  The  Borrowers  will pay or cause to be paid all  taxes,
assessments  or  governmental  charges  on or  against  any of  them,  or  their
properties  prior  to such  taxes  becoming  delinquent;  except  for  any  tax,
assessment  or charge  (other than any charge for  environmental  cleanup  costs
referred to in Section  5.22) which is being  contested  in good faith by proper
legal  proceedings  and  with  respect  to which  adequate  reserves  have  been
established and are being maintained.

           5.5 LIMITATION OF INDEBTEDNESS. Except with the prior written consent
of the Agent,  none of the  Borrowers  will create,  incur,  assume or suffer to
exist,  or in any manner become or be liable directly or indirectly with respect
to, any Indebtedness except: (i) the Obligations;  (ii) Indebtedness existing on
the date of this Agreement and set forth on EXHIBIT C hereto; (iii) Indebtedness
for the purchase  price of capital  assets  incurred in the  ordinary  course of
business,  to the  extent  such  purchase  is  permitted  by Section  5.10,  and
Indebtedness  arising as a result of the  Borrowers'  guaranty of obligations of
Radash  Trucking  Corporation's  leasing of up to seven trucks having a purchase
price in the aggregate not to exceed $350,000 to replace  existing trucks leased
by Radash Trucking  Corporation;  (iv)  Indebtedness  for taxes,  assessments or
governmental  charges to the extent that payment  therefor shall at the time not
be required to be made in accordance



                                      -32-
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<PAGE>





with Section 5.4; and (v) Indebtedness on open account for the purchase price of
services,  materials  and  supplies  incurred  by any of  the  Borrowers  in the
ordinary  course of business (not as a result of  borrowing),  so long as all of
such open account Indebtedness shall be promptly paid and discharged when due or
in conformity with customary trade terms and practices, except for any such open
account Indebtedness which is being contested in good faith by the Borrowers, as
to which adequate  reserves required by GAAP have been established and are being
maintained and as to which no encumbrance has been placed on any property of any
of the Borrowers.

           5.6  GUARANTIES.  None of the Borrowers  shall become or be liable by
way of guaranty, surety or other arrangement for the Indebtedness or obligations
of any nature or kind of any other Person (including any Subsidiary), except for
endorsement of instruments for collection in the ordinary course of business.

           5.7 RESTRICTIONS ON LIENS. None of the Borrowers will create,  incur,
assume or suffer to exist any mortgage, pledge, security interest, lien or other
charge  or  encumbrance  including  the  lien or  retained  security  title of a
conditional  vendor  ("Encumbrances")  upon or with  respect to any  property or
assets, real or personal, of any such Persons, or assign or otherwise convey any
right to receive income, except:

                      (i)  Encumbrances  existing on the date of this  Agreement
           and set forth in the Disclosure Letter, including liens in connection
           with the Lease Financing Facility; or

                      (ii)  Liens  for  taxes,   fees,   assessments  and  other
           governmental  charges to the extent  that  payment of the same is not
           required in accordance with the provisions of Section 5.4; or

                      (iii) Encumbrances in favor of the Agent; or

                      (iv) Encumbrances  securing  Indebtedness for the purchase
           price of capital assets to the extent such  Indebtedness is permitted
           by Section  5.5 (iii),  provided  that (a) each such  Encumbrance  is
           given solely to secure the purchase price of such property,  does not
           extend to any other  property and is given at the time of acquisition
           of the property,  and (b) the  Indebtedness  secured thereby does not
           exceed the  lesser of the cost of such  property  or its fair  market
           value at the time of acquisition; or

                      (v) Liens of mechanics,  laborers,  materialmen,  carriers
           and  warehousemen  arising by operation of law to secure  payment for
           labor,  materials,  supplies  or services  incurred  in the  ordinary
           course of the Borrowers' business, but only if the payment thereof is
           not at the time  required and such liens do not,  individually  or in
           the aggregate,  materially detract from the value or limit the use of
           any property subject thereto; or




                                      -33-
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<PAGE>





                      (vi)  Deposits   made  in  the  ordinary   course  of  the
           Borrowers'  business  in  connection  with  workmen's   compensation,
           unemployment insurance, social security and other similar laws.

           5.8 MERGER, ACQUISITIONS AND PURCHASE AND SALE OF ASSETS. None of the
Borrowers will consolidate or merge with or into any other  corporation or other
entity,  will  acquire  the assets or stock of any entity nor will sell,  lease,
transfer or  otherwise  dispose of any  portion of its assets  other than in the
ordinary course of business.

           5.9  INVESTMENTS  AND LOANS.  None of the Borrowers will make or have
outstanding  at any  time  any  investments  in or  loans  to any  other  Person
(including any Subsidiary  other than one of the  Borrowers),  whether by way of
advance,  guaranty,  extension  of credit,  capital  contribution,  purchase  of
stocks,  notes,  bonds or other  securities  or  evidences of  Indebtedness,  or
acquisition  of limited or general  partnership  interests,  other than:  (i) in
direct obligations of the United States of America,  maturing within one year of
their issuance;  (ii) in time certificates of deposit or repurchase  agreements,
maturing  within one year of their  issuance,  from  banks in the United  States
having capital,  surplus and undivided profits in excess of $200,000,000;  (iii)
in short term  commercial  paper with the highest  rating by Moody's or Standard
and Poor's  rating  services  and issued by  corporations  headquartered  in the
United  States,  in  currency  of the United  States of  America;  (iv) stock of
Subsidiaries owned on the date hereof as set forth in the Disclosure Letter; and
(v) other short term loans to any other Person  (subject to the terms of Section
5.21 hereof) in aggregate  principal amount not in excess of $250,000 at any one
time outstanding.

           5.10      CAPITAL EXPENDITURES.

           (a) The Borrowers  shall not make any Capital  Expenditures in excess
of $1,500,000  in the  aggregate  during any fiscal year period of the Borrowers
from and after the date hereof, commencing with the fiscal year period beginning
on April 1, 1996:  (i) except with the prior written  consent of the Agent,  and
(ii) other than up to $2,010,500.00 in Capital Expenditures  contemplated by the
Lease Financing Facility.

           (b) Notwithstanding any other provisions in connection with the Lease
Financing  Facility,  the Agent and the Lenders  acknowledge and agree that both
the Agent and the Lenders  have no  security  interest,  and hereby  release any
security  interest  that may have been held,  in the  property  described in the
Lease Financing Facility

           5.11 SALE OF NOTES. The Borrowers shall not sell, discount or dispose
of any note,  instrument,  account,  or other obligation owing to the Borrowers,
except to the Agent.




                                      -34-
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<PAGE>





           5.12 DIVIDENDS, ETC.

           (a) None of the  Borrowers  shall pay,  make or  declare  any cash or
property  dividend or distribution to any Person who holds an equity interest in
any of the  Borrowers,  whether  evidenced by a security or not,  other than (i)
regular  compensation  and bonuses  paid to  employees  of the  Borrowers in the
ordinary course of business  consistent with past practices,  and (ii) dividends
payable solely in common stock of any of the Borrowers.

           (b) None of the Borrowers will purchase,  redeem, retire or otherwise
acquire  for  value  any of  their  capital  stock,  whether  now  or  hereafter
outstanding,  or any options,  warrants or similar rights to purchase such stock
or any  security  convertible  into or  exchangeable  for such stock;  provided,
however,  the Borrowers may redeem from time to time for an aggregate  price not
to exceed $69,000 warrants outstanding on the date hereof at a price per warrant
not to exceed $.05.

           5.13 ERISA COMPLIANCE. None of the Borrowers and their Affiliates, if
any,  no  Pension  Plan,  Plan or  trust  created  thereunder,  and no  trustee,
administrator or fiduciary  thereof shall engage in any Prohibited  Transaction;
none of the Borrowers and their  Affiliates and no Pension Plan or trust created
thereunder  shall  incur any  "accumulated  funding  deficiency"  (as defined in
Section  412 of the Code and Section  302 of ERISA)  whether or not  waived,  or
shall fail to satisfy any additional  funding  requirements set forth in Section
412 of the Code and  Section  302 of  ERISA;  none of the  Borrowers  and  their
Affiliates,  no trustee thereof and no administrator or fiduciary  thereof shall
terminate any Pension Plan in a manner which could result in the imposition of a
lien on any  property of any of the  Borrowers or any of their  Affiliates;  and
each Plan and Pension Plan shall comply in all material respects with ERISA.

           5.14      PENSION PLANS.

                      (a) With respect to any Pension Plan, the Borrowers shall,
           or shall cause their Affiliates to:

                                 (i) fund on a timely basis each Pension Plan as
                      required by the  provisions of Section 412 of the Code and
                      Section 302 of ERISA;

                                 (ii)  cause  each   Pension  Plan  to  pay  all
                      benefits when due in accordance with applicable law; and

                                 (iii)  furnish to the Agent (A) written  notice
                      of the  occurrence of a Reportable  Event (as such term is
                      defined in Section  4043 of ERISA),  given  within  thirty
                      (30) days  after  any of the  Borrowers  or any  Affiliate
                      knows or has  reason to know that a  Reportable  Event has
                      occurred with respect to a Pension Plan; (B) a copy of any
                      request or waiver of the funding standards or an extension
                      of the amortization periods required



                                                           -35-
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                      under  Section  412 of the Code and  Section 302 of ERISA,
                      such  copy to be  furnished  no  later  than  the  date of
                      submission of the request to the Department of Labor or to
                      the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS"),  as the case may
                      be;  (C) a copy of any notice of intent to  terminate  any
                      Pension  Plan such copy to be  furnished no later than the
                      date of submission to the PBGC or, if earlier, the date on
                      which those participating in the Pension Plan are notified
                      of the  intended  termination;  and (D) notice that any of
                      the  Borrowers  or any  Affiliate,  will or may  incur any
                      liability to or on account of a Pension Plan under Section
                      4062, 4063, 4064, 4201 or 4204 of ERISA, such notice to be
                      given  within ten (10) days after any of the  Borrowers or
                      any  Affiliate  knows or has reason to know  thereof.  Any
                      notice to be  provided  to the Agent  under  this  Section
                      shall include a certificate of the chief financial officer
                      of the Borrower  giving such notice  setting forth details
                      as to such  occurrence and the action,  if any, which such
                      Borrower or the Affiliate is required or proposes to take,
                      together with any notices required or proposed to be filed
                      with or by such  Borrower,  any  Affiliate,  the PBGC, the
                      IRS,  the trustee or the plan  administrator  with respect
                      hereto.

                      (b) The  Borrowers  shall  furnish to the Agent,  no later
           than fifteen (15) days after the date of filing, a copy of the annual
           report of each  Pension Plan or Plan (Form 5500 or  comparable  form)
           required to be filed with the IRS and/or the Department of Labor.

                     (c) Promptly after the adoption of any Plan or Pension Plan
           subject  to ERISA,  or of any  amendment  to any  Pension  Plan which
           results in a significant  underfunding  within the meaning of Section
           401(a)(29) of the Code and Section 307 of ERISA,  the Borrowers shall
           notify the Agent of such  adoption  and of the  vesting  and  funding
           schedules and other principal provisions thereof.

           5.15 NOTIFICATION OF DEFAULT. Upon becoming aware of the existence of
any  condition or event which would cause an Event of Default,  or any condition
or event  which  would upon notice or passage of time,  or both,  constitute  an
Event of Default,  the Borrowers  shall  promptly give the Agent written  notice
thereof  specifying  the nature and  duration  thereof  and the action  being or
proposed to be taken with respect thereto.

           5.16 NOTIFICATION OF MATERIAL LITIGATION, The Borrowers will promptly
notify  the  Agent  in  writing  of  any  litigation  or  of  any  investigative
proceedings  of a  governmental  agency or  authority  commenced  or  threatened
against  it or any of  their  respective  Subsidiaries  which  would or might be
materially  adverse to the  business or the  financial  condition  of any of the
Borrowers or the Business.

           5.17  NOTIFICATION  OF MATERIAL  ADVERSE  CHANGE.  The Borrowers will
notify the Agent of any  occurrence,  condition  or event  affecting  any of the
Borrower or any Subsidiary  which might  constitute a material adverse change in
or which might have a



                                      -36-
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<PAGE>





material  adverse  effect  on the  Collateral,  the  Business  or the  business,
properties or condition (financial or otherwise) of any of the Borrowers.

           5.18 INSPECTION BY THE AGENT.  The Borrowers will permit the Agent or
its designees, at any reasonable time during normal business hours and from time
to time,  to visit  and  inspect  the  properties  of the  Borrowers  and  their
Subsidiaries,  if any, to examine and make copies of and take abstracts from the
books and  records of the  Borrowers  and any  Subsidiaries  and to discuss  the
affairs,  finances  and  accounts of the  Borrowers  and any  Subsidiaries  with
appropriate officers.  Without in any way limiting the foregoing,  the Borrowers
understand  that the Agent  intends to conduct  field audits of the Borrowers at
least  three (3) times per year.  The  Borrowers  shall also permit the Agent to
arrange for verification of Accounts  Receivable,  under reasonable  procedures,
directly with account debtors or by other methods.

           5.19  MAINTENANCE  OF BOOKS  AND  RECORDS.  The  Borrowers  and their
Subsidiaries,  if any, will keep adequate  books and records of account in which
true and complete  entries  will be made  reflecting  all of their  business and
financial  transactions,  and such entries will be made in accordance  with GAAP
and  applicable  law  including,   without  limitation,  laws  with  respect  to
questionable, improper or corrupt payments.

           5.20 USE OF  PROCEEDS.  The  Borrowers  will use the  proceeds of the
Loans solely for the working capital needs of the Borrowers.

           5.21 TRANSACTIONS  WITH AFFILIATES.  The Borrowers will not, and will
not permit their Subsidiaries, if any, to, directly or indirectly enter into any
purchase,  sale,  lease or other  transaction  with any Affiliate  except in the
ordinary course of business on terms that are no less favorable to the Borrowers
than those  which might be obtained  at the time in a  comparable  arm's  length
transaction  with  any  Person  who is not an  Affiliate,  other  than  loans to
employees  of the  Borrowers  (other  than  the  Guarantors)  not  exceeding  in
aggregate principal amount $200,000 at any one time outstanding.

           5.22      ENVIRONMENTAL REGULATIONS.

           (a) The Borrowers  will, and will cause their  Subsidiaries,  if any,
to, comply in all material  respects with all  applicable  laws and  regulations
relating to pollution control,  hazardous  materials and hazardous wastes in all
jurisdictions  in  which  any of them  operates  now or in the  future,  and the
Borrowers  will,  and will cause their  Subsidiaries,  if any, to, comply in all
material  respects with all such laws and regulations  that may in the future be
applicable to the Business, the Borrowers, the Subsidiaries and their properties
and assets.

           (b) If any of  the  Borrowers  shall  (i)  receive  notice  that  any
violation of any federal,  state or local  environmental  law or regulation  may
have been  committed  or is about to be  committed  by a Borrower,  (ii) receive
notice that any  administrative or judicial complaint or order has been filed or
is about to be filed against a Borrower alleging a



                                      -37-
GS1

<PAGE>


violation of any federal,  state or local  environmental  law or  regulation  or
requiring a Borrower to take any action in connection  with the release of toxic
or  hazardous  wastes or materials  into the  environment  or (iii)  receive any
notice from a federal,  state,  or local  governmental  agency or private  party
alleging that a Borrower may be liable or responsible  for any costs  associated
with a response to or cleanup of a release of hazardous wastes or materials into
the environment or any damages caused  thereby,  the Borrowers shall provide the
Agent  with a copy  of  such  notice  within  five  (5)  business  days  after a
Borrower's  receipt thereof.  Within fifteen (15) business days after a Borrower
has learned of the  enactment or  promulgation  of any  federal,  state or local
environmental  law/or regulation which may result in any material adverse change
in the business,  properties or condition (financial or otherwise) of any of the
Borrowers, the Borrowers shall provide the Agent with notice thereof.

           (c) From and after the  Agent's  request,  not later than thirty (30)
days following the end of each calendar quarter,  the Borrowers shall deliver to
the  Agent  a  written  report,  in a  form  and  with  such  specificity  as is
satisfactory to the Agent,  describing the Borrowers'  actions taken during such
calendar quarter to assure their compliance with this Section and all applicable
environmental laws and regulations (including the receipt of any notice that any
administrative  or judicial  complaint or order has been filed or is about to be
filed  against  any of the  Borrowers,  regardless  of  whether  such  notice is
required to be delivered by the Borrowers pursuant to subparagraph (b) above) as
well as the status of any pending  environmental  matters described in EXHIBIT B
attached hereto.

           5.23 FISCAL YEAR. The Borrower and their Subsidiaries,  if any, shall
have  fiscal  years  ending on March 31 of each year and shall not  change  such
fiscal years without the prior written consent of the Agent.

           5.24 LOSS OR DEPRECIATION OF COLLATERAL. In the event that any of the
following  events  alone  or in the  aggregate  has  an  adverse  impact  on the
Borrowers  in  excess  of  $100,000,   the  Borrowers  shall  notify  the  Agent
immediately  of the  occurrence  of each of the  following  events:  (i) loss or
depreciation  in  value  of  Base  Inventory  and  the  amount  of the  loss  or
depreciation;  (ii) rejection,  return  repossession or loss of any goods giving
rise to any Base Account; (iii) damage to any such goods; (iv) any request by an
account debtor for credit or adjustment of an Account; (v) any adjustment by any
of the  Borrowers on the amount  owing on an account;  (vi) any  merchandise  or
other dispute;  (vii) any other event  affecting Base Inventory or Base Accounts
or the  value  or  amount  thereof.  All loss or  depreciation  in value of Base
Inventory  shall be  immediately  reflected  in the Net  Security  value of Base
Inventory,  and all payments on Base  Accounts and all  adjustments  and credits
with respect  hereto,  whether  unilateral,  negotiated or  otherwise,  shall be
immediately reflected in the Net Outstanding Amount of Base Accounts.

           5.25  CONSOLIDATED  TANGIBLE NET WORTH.  The Borrowers  will maintain
Consolidated  Tangible Net Worth of not less than  $32,700,000  plus one-half of
the Net Income  (greater than zero) of the  Borrowers for each calendar  quarter
ending after



                                      -38-
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<PAGE>



December 31, 1995,  plus 75% of all additional  capital paid into the Borrowers,
on account of any sale of capital stock or the exercise of any option or warrant
or otherwise.

           5.26  INTEREST   COVERAGE.   The  Borrowers  will  not  permit  their
respective ratios of Operating Cash Flow divided by Total Interest at the end of
each  calendar  quarter  following  the  date  hereof  for  the  period  of four
consecutive calendar quarters then ending to be less than 1.50 to 1.

           5.27  QUICK  RATIO.  The  Borrower  will not permit the ratio of Cash
Equivalents  divided  by the sum of  Current  Liabilities  plus the  then  debit
balance in the Loan Account as of the end of each fiscal quarter to be less than
 .40 to 1.

           5.28  LEVERAGE.  The  Borrowers  will not  permit  the ratio of Total
Liabilities  divided by  Consolidated  Tangible  Net Worth as of the end of each
fiscal quarter to be more than 2.75 to 1.

           5.29 JOINT AND  SEVERAL  LIABILITY.  Each of the  Borrowers  shall be
jointly and  severally  liable for all  obligations  and any other  liability or
obligations  of any of the  Borrowers  to the Agent or the  Lenders  under  this
agreement.  The Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders,  pursue any remedies at law
or in equity,  or exercise or enforce  any rights  hereunder  against any of the
Borrowers or any group of the Borrowers in its unrestricted  discretion  without
any  obligation to pursue any other  remedies or rights against any of the other
Borrowers.

           5.30  INTEREST  RATE  PROTECTION.  The  Borrowers at their option may
maintain  in  effect  interest  rate  protection  arrangements,  in form  and in
substance satisfactory to the Agent and with a counterparty  satisfactory to the
Agent,  at all times from the date hereof to the Maturity  Date, or such earlier
date upon which the Loan and this Agreement are terminated.  The Borrowers shall
not,  without  approval  from the Agent,  modify,  terminate  or  transfer  such
arrangements during such period.

           SECTION 6. SECURITY.

           6.1 SECURITY INTEREST. As security for the payment and performance of
all  Obligations  (including  without  limitation the Loans,  other advances and
Letters of Credit),  the Agent, as agent for and on behalf of the Lender,  shall
have and each of the Borrowers  hereby grants to the Agent,  as agent for and on
behalf of the Lenders,  a continuing  security interest in all personal property
and  fixtures  of the  Borrowers  of every  kind and  description,  tangible  or
intangible,  whether now or hereafter  existing,  whether now owned or hereafter
acquired, and wherever located, including, but not limited to the following: all
Inventory of the Borrowers; all furniture,  fixtures and similar property of the
Borrowers;  all Machinery and  Equipment of the  Borrowers;  all accounts of the
Borrowers;  all  contract  rights  of the  Borrowers;  all  other  rights of the
Borrowers to the payment of money, including without limitation amounts due from
Affiliates,  tax refunds, and insurance proceeds;  all interest of the Borrowers
in goods as to which an Account shall have arisen;



                                      -39-
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<PAGE>


all files,  records (including without limitation  computer programs,  tapes and
related electronic data processing software) and writings of the Borrowers or in
which any of the  Borrowers has an interest in any way relating to the foregoing
property; all goods, instruments,  documents of title, policies and certificates
of insurance,  securities, chattel paper, deposits, cash or other property owned
by any of the Borrowers or in which any of the  Borrowers has an interest  which
are now or may hereafter be in the possession of the Agent or any of the Lenders
or as to which  the Agent or any of the  Lenders  may now or  hereafter  control
possession by documents of title or otherwise;  all general  intangibles  of the
Borrower  (including  without limitation all patents,  trademarks,  trade names,
service marks, copyrights and applications for any of the foregoing;  all rights
to use patents,  trademarks,  trade names,  service marks and  copyrights of any
Person;  and any rights of the  Borrowers  to  retrieval  from third  parties of
electronically processed and recorded information pertaining to any of the types
of  collateral  referred  to in this  Section  6.1);  any other  property of the
Borrowers,  real or personal,  tangible or intangible, in which the Agent or any
of the Lenders now has or hereafter acquires a security interest or which is now
or may hereafter be in the  possession  of the Agent or any of the Lenders;  any
sums at any time  credited by or due from the Agent or any of the Lenders to any
of  the  Borrowers,  including  deposits;  and  proceeds  and  products  of  and
accessions to all of the foregoing.

           6.2 NO  OTHER  LIENS.  None  of the  Borrowers  shall  sell,  assign,
transfer,  set over  to,  or  grant a  security  interest  to any  Person  in or
otherwise encumber the property and sums described in Section 6.1, except (i) in
favor of the Agent or as otherwise specifically permitted in Section 5.7 of this
Agreement,  and (ii) the sale of Inventory and obsolete  machinery and equipment
in the ordinary course of business consistent with past practices.

           6.3 LOCATION OF RECORDS AND COLLATERAL.  The Borrowers shall give the
Agent written  notice of each  location at which  Collateral is now or hereafter
kept and of each office of the  Borrowers at which the records of the  Borrowers
pertaining to Accounts  Receivable and contract rights are kept.  Except as such
notice is given or as is otherwise set forth on EXHIBIT B, all Collateral is and
shall  be  kept,  and  all  records  of the  Borrowers  pertaining  to  Accounts
Receivable  and  contract  rights  are and  shall  be  kept,  at the  Borrowers'
addresses as they appear at the beginning of this Agreement.

           6.4 STATUS OF COLLATERAL. At the time any Account, Inventory or other
property of the Borrowers becomes subject to a security interest in favor of the
Agent  hereunder,  one of the  Borrowers  shall be the lawful owner  thereof and
shall have good  right to pledge,  sell,  assign,  transfer  or grant a security
interest in the same to the Agent.  Each such Account  shall be a valid  Account
representing  indebtedness incurred by the account debtor for goods held subject
to delivery  instructions  or  theretofore  shipped or  delivered  pursuant to a
contract  of sale or for  services  theretofore  performed  by a Borrower in the
ordinary  course  of the  Borrowers'  business;  there  shall be no  setoffs  or
counterclaims  against the account;  no  agreement  under which any goods may be
returned  shall have been made with the account  debtor  except in the  ordinary
course of business and consistent  with the Borrowers'  past  practices;  and no
agreement under which any discount may be



                                      -40-
GS1

<PAGE>


claimed shall have been made with the account  debtor unless  written notice has
theretofore been or is concurrently given to the Agent.

           6.5 NAME CHANGE.  The Borrowers shall give the Agent thirty (30) days
prior written  notice of any change in the name or corporate  form of any of the
Borrowers or in the name under which the Business is transacted.

           6.6 COLLECTION OF ACCOUNTS RECEIVABLE.

           (a)        Subject  to the terms of Section  6.6(b),  until the Agent
                      requests  that debtors on Accounts  Receivable be notified
                      of the  Agent's  security  interest,  the  Borrower  shall
                      continue to collect them.  Subject to the terms of Section
                      6.6(b) until the making of such a request,  the  Borrowers
                      shall hold proceeds  received  from  collection as trustee
                      for the Agent and the Lenders without commingling the same
                      with other funds of the  Borrowers and shall turn the same
                      over to the  Agent,  as  agent  for and on  behalf  of the
                      Lenders,  or to such bank as may be approved by the Agent,
                      immediately  upon receipt in the identical  form received.
                      The  Borrowers   shall,   at  the  request  of  the  Agent
                      (following the occurrence and during the  continuation  of
                      an Event of  Default),  notify the Account  debtors of the
                      security  interest  of the Agent in any  Account  and that
                      payment  thereof is to be made directly to the Agent,  and
                      the Agent may itself at anytime  (following the occurrence
                      and  during  the  continuation  of an Event  of  Default),
                      without notice to or demand upon the Borrowers,  so notify
                      account  debtors.  The  making  of such a  request  or the
                      giving  of any such  notification  shall  not  affect  the
                      duties  of the  Borrowers  described  above or in  Section
                      6.6(b) with respect to proceeds of  collection of Accounts
                      Receivable received by the Borrowers.

           (b)        The  Borrowers  hereby  acknowledge  that  the  Agent  has
                      requested  and  hereby   Borrowers  notify  their  account
                      debtors  to pay all  Accounts  directly  into a so  called
                      "lock box"  maintained  with the Agent for  application as
                      provided in Section 6.6(c). This request and the giving of
                      any such  notification  shall not affect the duties of the
                      Borrowers  described  above  in  Section  6.6(a)  or  this
                      Section  6.6(b) with respect to proceeds of  collection of
                      Accounts Receivable received by the Borrowers.

           (c)        The Agent  shall  credit the  proceeds  of  collection  of
                      Accounts  Receivable  received  by the  Agent  to the Loan
                      Account in respect of outstanding  loans and other amounts
                      due, such credits to be entered as of the second  Business
                      Day after receipt thereof by the Agent. Such credits shall
                      be  conditional  upon  final  payment  in cash or  solvent
                      credits of the items  giving rise to them.  If any item is
                      not so paid, the Agent, in its discretion,  whether or not
                      the item is returned,  may either reverse any credit given
                      for the item or charge the amount of the item  against the
                      deposits or other sums which



                                      -41-
GS1

<PAGE>





                      may be due to the Borrowers  from the Agent or any Lender.
                      Upon elimination of any debit balance of the Loan Account,
                      proceeds of collection and other receipts may then, except
                      as  otherwise  provided in Section 7.3, be credited to any
                      deposit  account  which any of the  Borrowers may maintain
                      with the  Agent  or,  if there  is no such  account,  held
                      pending instructions from the Borrowers.

           SECTION 7. EVENTS OF DEFAULT; ACCELERATION.

           7.1 Any or all of the  obligations  of the Borrowers to the Agent and
the Lenders shall, at the option of those Lenders whose  Commitment  Percentages
equal in the aggregate 60% or more of the Commitment Percentages held by all the
Lenders,  and  notwithstanding  the  provisions of an  instrument  evidencing an
obligation,  be  immediately  due and payable  without notice or demand upon the
occurrence  and   continuation  of  any  of  the  following  events  of  default
(individually,   an  "Event  of  Default"):   (i)  default  in  the  payment  or
performance,  when due or payable, of any obligation (other than obligations for
which notice and an opportunity to cure are provided in Section  7.1(iv) hereof)
by the Borrowers or by any endorser,  guarantor or surety for any Obligation, or
of any payment  obligation  under any Letter of Credit  application or Letter of
Credit  issued  by  the  Agent;   (ii)  the  making  by  the  Borrowers  of  any
misrepresentation  to the Agent and the Lenders  contained in this  Agreement or
otherwise, whether or not for the purpose of obtaining credit or an extension of
credit;  (iii)  failure by the Borrower to comply in every  material  respect or
maintain  material  compliance  with any  covenant set forth in Section 5 hereof
(other than Sections 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 (other than the failure to maintain insurance
as required by Section 5.3 or unless any  insurance  policy  required by Section
5.3 will lapse,  terminate or expire  during any grace  period),  5.4, 5.5, 5.6,
5.9, 5.13, 5.14,  5.15,  5.16,  5.17, 5.19, 5.21 and 5.22);  (iv) the Borrowers'
failure to comply in every material respect or maintain material compliance with
any one or more of the covenants set forth in Sections 5.1, 5.2, 5.3 (other than
the  failure to  maintain  insurance  as  required  by Section 5.3 or unless any
insurance policy required by Section 5.3 will lapse,  terminate or expire during
any grace period),  5.4, 5.5, 5.6, 5.9, 5.13, 5.14, 5.15, 5.16, 5.17, 5.19, 5.21
and 5.22 which failure to comply shall continue  uncured ten Business Days after
the officers of any of the Borrowers  have  knowledge or the  Borrowers  receive
written notice from the Agent of such failure;  (v) issuance of an injunction or
attachment for an aggregate  amount in excess of $250,000,  against  property of
any of the  Borrowers or any  endorser,  guarantor or surety for any  obligation
which is not dismissed or bonded, to the satisfaction of the Agent, within sixty
(60) days after issuance; (vi) calling of a meeting of creditors, appointment of
a committee of creditors or  liquidating  agents or offering of a composition or
extension to creditors by, for or with the consent or acquiescence of any of the
Borrowers  or  any  endorser,  guarantor  or  surety  for an  Obligation;  (vii)
Insolvency of any of the Borrowers or any endorser,  guarantor or surety for any
Obligation;  (viii) the occurrence of any material  default under any agreement,
note or other instrument  evidencing or relating to any obligation of any of the
Borrowers  to any other  Person or entity for the payment of money;  or (ix) any
money  judgment  or  judgments  aggregating  in excess of  $250,000  are entered
against any of the Borrowers or any endorser, guarantor



                                      -42-
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<PAGE>





or surety of any Obligation  which is not dismissed  within sixty (60) days; (x)
Victor Jacobs,  Herman Jacobs and Jacob Jacobs no longer owning in the aggregate
on a fully  diluted basis  capital  stock of the Parent  entitling  them to vote
greater than 50% of the votes  attributable to the issued and outstanding voting
securities of the Parent,  or any two of them no longer being actively  involved
in the  management  of the Borrowers  because of death,  disability or any other
reason;  or (xi) the  occurrence  of any  material  change in the  condition  or
affairs (financial or otherwise) of the Borrowers or any endorser,  guarantor or
surety for any Obligation  which causes the Agent in its reasonable  judgment to
deem itself and the Lenders insecure.

           7.2 The term  "obligation of any of the Borrowers to any other Person
or entity" as used in Section 7.1 includes the  liabilities  and  obligations of
the  Borrowers  to any  other  Person  or  entity  to the same  extent as if the
definition of "Obligations" set forth in Section 1 were recited here with "Agent
and the Lenders" changed to "any other Person or entity."

           7.3 Upon the  occurrence  of any  Event  of  Default  and at any time
thereafter (such default not having been cured),  the Agent shall have the right
to take immediate  possession of the Collateral,  and for that purpose the agent
may, so far as the Borrowers can give authority therefor enter upon any premises
on which Collateral may be situated and remove the same therefrom. The Borrowers
waive  demand and notice  with  respect  to and  assent to any  repossession  of
Collateral.  The Agent may dispose of  Collateral in any order and in any manner
it  chooses  and may  refrain  from  the  sale  of any  real  property,  held as
Collateral,  until the sale of personal property. Except for Collateral which is
perishable  or  threatens  to  decline  speedily  in value or which is of a type
customarily sold on a recognized  market,  the Agent shall give to the Borrowers
at least ten (10) Business  Days' prior written  notice of the time and place of
any public sale of Collateral or of the time after which any private sale or any
other  intended  disposition  is to be made.  The  residue  of any  proceeds  of
collection or sale, after satisfying all Obligations in such order of preference
as the  Agent  may  determine  and  making  proper  allowance  for  interest  on
obligations  not then due, shall be credited to any deposit account which any of
the Borrowers may maintain with the Agent, or, if there is no such account, held
pending  instructions from the Borrowers.  The Borrowers shall remain liable for
any deficiency.

           7.4 The Agent may at any time in its sole discretion  (whether or not
an Event of Default has  occurred)  transfer any  securities  or other  property
constituting Collateral into its own name or that of its nominee and receive the
income  thereon and hold the same as  security  for  Obligations  or apply it on
principal or interest due on obligations. Insofar as Collateral shall consist of
Accounts  or  instruments,  the Agent  may,  without  notice to or demand on the
Borrowers,  demand  and  collect  such  Collateral  as the Agent may  determine,
whether or not  Obligations  are then due and whether or not an Event of Default
has  occurred,  and for the purpose of realizing the Agent's  rights  therein as
agent for and on behalf of the Lenders, the Agent may receive,  open and dispose
of mail addressed to a Borrower and endorse notes, checks, drafts, money orders,
documents  of title or other  evidences  of payment,  shipment or storage or any
form of Collateral on



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behalf of and in the name of any of the Borrowers.  The powers  conferred on the
Agent by this  Section are solely to protect  the  interest of the Agent and the
Lenders and shall not impose any duties on the Agent to exercise any powers.

           7.5 In addition to all other rights and remedies  provided  hereunder
or by law,  the Agent  and the  Lenders  shall  have in any  jurisdiction  where
enforcement  hereof is sought the rights and  remedies of a secured  party under
the Uniform Commercial Code of Massachusetts.

           SECTION 8.  SET OFF; PARTICIPATIONS.  Regardless of the adequacy of
Collateral:

           8.1 Any  deposits  or other sums at any time  credited by or due from
the Agent or any Lender to any of the Borrowers may at any time be applied to or
set off against  obligation on which any Borrower is primarily liable and may at
or after the maturity  thereof be applied to or set off against  Obligations  on
which a Borrower is secondarily liable.

           8.2 The  Borrowers  invite  any bank or other  financing  institution
which may consider  investing or participating in the Loans (each such financing
institution  being referred to in this Section as a "Participant")  to rely upon
all of the  representations,  warranties,  covenant and other provisions of this
Agreement,  the Credit Note and the other agreements,  instruments and documents
referred  to  herein  or  contemplated  hereby  in  making  such  investment  or
participation  and agree that its  becoming  a  Participant  in the Loans  shall
constitute an acceptance of such offer and shall make the Participant a creditor
of the Borrowers. Any bank or other financing institution investing in the Loans
so as to become one of the Lenders shall be required to have a Revolving  Credit
Commitment of at least $5,000,000.

           8.3 Any  deposits  or other sums which at any time may be credited to
any of the  Borrowers  by or due to it from any  Participant  may at any time be
applied  to or  set  off  by  such  Participant  against  the  then  outstanding
indebtedness of the Borrowers hereunder.

           SECTION 9.                     CONCERNING THE AGENT AND THE BANKS.

           9.1  APPOINTMENT  AND  AUTHORIZATION.  Each  of  the  Lenders  hereby
appoints  BKB,  acting  through  its head  office,  to serve as Agent under this
Agreement  and to other  documents,  instruments  and  agreements  executed  and
delivered in connection with the transactions contemplated by this Agreement and
irrevocably  authorizes  the Agent to take such action as agent on such Lender's
behalf under this Agreement and such other documents,  instruments and agreement
and to exercise such powers and to perform such duties under this  Agreement and
such other  documents,  instruments and agreements as are delegated to the Agent
by the terms hereof or thereof,  together with all such powers as are reasonably
incidental thereto.




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9.2 AGENT AND  AFFILIATES.  BKB shall have the same rights and powers under this
Agreement and documents,  instruments  and agreements  executed and delivered in
connection  with the  transactions  contemplated by this Agreement as each other
Lender and may  exercise or refrain from  exercising  the same as though it were
not the Agent,  and BKB and its Affiliates may accept  deposits from, lend money
to, and generally engage in
any kind of business  with the Borrowers or any Affiliate of the Borrowers as if
it were not the Agent hereunder and under such other  documents,  instruments or
agreements. Except as otherwise provided by the terms of this Agreement, nothing
herein shall prohibit any of the Lenders from accepting  deposits from,  lending
money to or generally engaging in any kind of business with the Borrowers or any
Affiliate of the Borrowers.

           9.3       FUTURE ADVANCES.

           (a)        In order to more  conveniently  administer the Loans, each
                      Lender does hereby authorize the Agent and BKB to make all
                      Loans and advances, subject to the terms and conditions of
                      this  Agreement and not to exceed in the aggregate the sum
                      of all of the Lenders'  Revolving Credit  Commitments,  to
                      the Borrowers, which are requested by the Borrowers during
                      any  Business  Day.   Each  Lender  does  hereby   further
                      irrevocably agree, subject to the terms of Section 9.3(b),
                      whether  or not this  Agreement  has been  terminated,  an
                      Event of Default has occurred,  the Agent has  accelerated
                      the  Obligations  or the Agent is  proceeding to liquidate
                      the  Collateral,  to transfer to the Agent by 2:00 p.m. on
                      the last  Business Day of each  calendar  week  sufficient
                      immediately  available  federal funds to reimburse BKB for
                      its  respective  Commitment  Percentage  of all  Loans and
                      other  advances  (not to exceed  each  Lender's  Revolving
                      Credit  Commitment)  made through the close of business on
                      the  last  Business  Day  of  the  immediately   preceding
                      calendar week after taking into account payments  received
                      by the Agent and applied to the Loan Account under Section
                      9.4 hereof.

           (b)        Notwithstanding  the terms of Section 9.3(a), at such time
                      as (i) the Lenders have exercised their option pursuant to
                      Section  7.1  to  cause  all  of  the  obligations  to  be
                      immediately   due  and   payable  and  there  is  then  no
                      irrevocable  prior commitment to fund any additional Loans
                      or other  advances  hereunder,  or (ii) there has occurred
                      and is  continuing  the  occurrence of an Event of Default
                      with respect to any of the  Borrowers  under clause (i) or
                      (vii)  of  Section  7.1,  each  of the  Lenders  shall  be
                      obligated  to fund  additional  Loans  or  other  advances
                      hereunder in accordance  with the terms of Section  9.3(a)
                      solely  upon the  written  consent  or  approval  of those
                      Lenders  whose   Commitment   Percentages   equal  in  the
                      aggregate 60% or more of the Commitment  Percentages  held
                      by all the Lenders. In no event shall a Lender be required
                      to  advance  any  amount  in  excess  of  its   Commitment
                      Percentage of the Maximum Amount.




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                     (c) Funds  provided by the Agent as payment upon a sight or
                     time draft  presented to the Agent under a Letter of Credit
                     issued pursuant to the terms of Section 2.4 hereof, and any
                     payments  made by the  Agent on  behalf  of the  Borrowers,
                     including,  without  limitation,  pursuant  to the terms of
                     Section  5.3  hereof,   shall  constitute  Loans  or  other
                     advances  initially  made by the Agent at such time as such
                     funds are actually provided,  or such payments are made, by
                     the Agent.  All Loans and other  advances made by the Agent
                     on behalf of any Lender  shall be, for purposes of interest
                     income and other charges, considered loans from such Lender
                     to the  Borrowers and reflected in the Loan Account at such
                     time as the  Agent  receives  from  such  Lender  funds  as
                     provided in this  Section  9.3, and prior to such time such
                     Loans and  advances  shall be  considered,  for purposes of
                     interest  income and other  charges,  loans from BKB and so
                     reflected in the Loan Account. In addition,  any collection
                     of   Collateral,   including,   but  not  limited  to,  any
                     collections  of  Accounts  shall be  applied  to reduce any
                     debit balance in the Loan Account so that the debit balance
                     of  the  Loan  Account  equals  each  Lender's   respective
                     Commitment  Percentages.  The  Agent  may at any time  upon
                     notice to any Lender (i) refuse to make Loans and  advances
                     on behalf of such  Lender  unless  such  Lender  shall have
                     provided to the Agent  immediately  available federal funds
                     sufficient  to cause to Loan  Account to equal and  reflect
                     such  Lender's  respective  Commitment   Percentage;   (ii)
                     require such Lender to fund such Loans and advances  before
                     making such Loans and advances to the Borrowers  requesting
                     the same;  or (iii)  require  that such Lender  immediately
                     transfer  to the Agent  prior to the time such funds  would
                     otherwise  be  required  hereunder   immediately  available
                     federal funds sufficient to cause the Loan Account to equal
                     each Lender's  respective  Commitment  Percentage (it being
                     acknowledged,  however,  that the  Agent  will  attempt  to
                     require any Lender to fund its share of any Loan or advance
                     prior to the time such funding would  otherwise be required
                     hereunder  to  the  extent  such  share  exceeds  $100,000,
                     PROVIDED  that the  foregoing  shall in no way diminish the
                     Agent's rights under clauses (i) through (iii),  inclusive,
                     of this sentence,  which rights it may exercise in its sole
                     discretion).  Notwithstanding  the provisions  hereof,  the
                     obligations  to make Loans and advances  under the terms of
                     this   Agreement   shall  be  the  several  and  not  joint
                     obligation  of each Lender,  and any  advances  made by the
                     Agent  on  behalf  of  a  Lender  are   strictly   for  the
                     administrative  convenience  of the parties and shall in no
                     way diminish such Lender's liability to the Agent,  subject
                     to the terms of Section 9.3(b), to repay the Agent for such
                     Loans and advances.

           9.4 PAYMENTS.  All payments and  prepayments of principal of Loans or
other  advances  received  by the Agent  shall be paid  promptly  to each of the
Lenders pro rata in accordance with their respective Commitment Percentages. All
such payments  from the  Borrowers or as proceeds of Collateral  received by the
Agent  shall be held in trust  for the  benefit  of the  Lenders.  As each  such
payment is received by the Agent, the Agent shall



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promptly charge or credit each of the Lenders to the extent  necessary to ensure
that as  between  them,  each of the  Lenders  holds its  respective  Commitment
Percentage  of  outstanding  Loans or other  advances,  based on the then unpaid
aggregate principal amounts of the Loans or other advances outstanding.

           9.5 INTEREST,  FEES AND OTHER PAYMENTS.  (i) All payments of interest
received by the Agent in respect of Loans or other advances, except as otherwise
provided  by the  terms of this  Agreement,  and all  other  fees  and  premiums
received by the Agent  hereunder or in respect of Loans or other  advances shall
be shared by the Lenders pro rata in accordance with their respective Commitment
Percentages. (ii) All payments received by
the Agent  pursuant to Section  10.7 of this  Agreement  shall be applied by the
Agent to  reimburse  each  Lender,  on account of the tax,  charge or expense in
respect of which such payment is made.

           9.6       ACTION BY AGENT.

                     (i) The  obligations of the Agent  hereunder are only those
           expressly set forth herein.  The Agent shall have no duty to exercise
           any right,  power or remedy  hereunder  or under any other  document,
           instrument or agreement  executed and delivered in connection with or
           as contemplated  by this Agreement or to take any affirmative  action
           hereunder or thereunder.

                     (ii)  The  Agent  shall  keep the Loan  Account  and  other
           records of the Loans,  other  advances  and payments  hereunder,  and
           shall give and receive notices and other  communications  to be given
           or received by the Agent hereunder on behalf of the Banks.

                     (iii) Upon the occurrence and during the continuation of an
           Event of  Default,  the  Agent  and those  Lenders  whose  Commitment
           Percentages  equal  in the  aggregate  60% or more of the  Commitment
           Percentages  held by all the Lenders  may  exercise  their  option on
           behalf of the  Lenders  pursuant to Section 7.1 hereof to declare all
           Obligations  immediately due and payable,  and the Agent may exercise
           its option to take such action as may appear  necessary  or desirable
           to collect the Obligations and enforce the rights and remedies of the
           Agent or the Lenders with respect to the Collateral.

                     (iv)  Whether  or  not  an  Event  of  Default  shall  have
           occurred,  the Agent may from time to time exercise the rights of the
           Agent and Lenders hereunder or under the other documents,  instrument
           or  agreements  executed  or  delivered  in  connection  with  or  as
           contemplated  by this Agreement as it may deem necessary or desirable
           to protect  the  Collateral  and the  interests  of the Agent and the
           Lenders therein.

           9.7 CONSULTATION WITH EXPERTS.  The Agent shall be entitled to retain
and consult with legal counsel, independent public accountants and other experts
selected by it



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and shall not be liable to the Lenders for any action taken, omitted to be taken
or suffered in good faith by it in  accordance  with the advice of such counsel,
accountants or experts.  The Agent may employ agents and  attorneys-in-fact  and
shall not be liable to the  Lenders for the  default or  misconduct  of any such
agents or attorneys.

           9.8  LIABILITY  OF AGENT.  The Agent shall  exercise the same care to
protect the interests of each Lender as it does to protect its own interests, so
that so  long as the  Agent  exercises  such  care it  shall  not be  under  any
liability  to any Lender,  except for the Agent's  gross  negligence  or willful
misconduct with respect to anything it may do or refrain from doing.  Subject to
the immediately proceeding sentence, neither the Agent nor any of its directors,
officers,  agents or employees shall be liable for any action taken or not taken
by it in  connection  herewith in its  capacity as Agent.  Without  limiting the
generality  of the  foregoing,  neither  the  Agent  nor  any of its  directors,
officers,  agents  or  employees  shall be  responsible  for or have any duty to
ascertain,  inquire into or verify: (i) any statement,  warranty  representation
made in  connection  with this  Agreement or any other  document,  instrument or
agreement   executed  and   delivered  in  connection   with  the   transactions
contemplated by this Agreement; (ii) the performance or observance of any of the
covenants  or  agreements  of  the  Borrowers;  (iii)  the  satisfaction  of any
condition specified in Sections 4.1, 4.2 or 4.3 hereof,  except receipt of items
required  to be  delivered  to the  Agent;  (iv)  the  validity,  effectiveness,
enforceability  or genuineness of this Agreement,  the Credit Notes or any other
document,  instrument or agreement  executed and delivered in connection with or
as contemplated by this Agreement; or (v) the existence,  value,  collectibility
or  adequacy  of  the   Collateral   or  any  part  thereof  or  the   validity,
effectiveness,  perfection  or  relative  priority  of the  liens  and  security
interests of the Lenders (through the Agent) therein.  The Agent shall not incur
any  liability  by acting in  reliance  upon any notice,  consent,  certificate,
statement or other writing (which may be a bank wire,  telex or similar writing)
believed by it to be genuine or to be signed by the proper party or parties.

           9.9  INDEMNIFICATION.  Each Lender  agrees to indemnify the Agent (to
the extent the Agent is not reimbursed by the Borrowers),  ratably in accordance
with its Commitment  Percentage,  from and against any cost,  expense (including
attorneys' fees and  disbursements),  claim,  demand,  action, loss or liability
which the Agent may suffer or incur in  connection  with this  Agreement  or any
document,  instrument or agreement  executed and delivered in connection with or
as contemplated  by this Agreement,  or any action taken or omitted by the Agent
hereunder  or  thereunder,  or  the  Agent's  relationship  with  the  Borrowers
hereunder,  including,  without limitation,  the costs and expenses of defending
itself  against  any claim or  liability  in  connection  with the  exercise  or
performance  of any  of its  powers  and  duties  hereunder  and  of  taking  or
refraining from taking any action hereunder,  except for any such cost, expense,
claim,  demand,  action,  loss or  liability  arising out of the  Agent's  gross
negligence  or willful  misconduct.  No payment by any Lender under this Section
shall in any way relieve the Borrowers of their obligations under this Agreement
with  respect to the  amounts so paid by any Lender,  and the  Lenders  shall be
subrogated to the rights of the Agent, if any, in respect thereto.




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9.10 INDEPENDENT CREDIT DECISION. Each of the Lenders represents and warrants to
the Agent that it has,  independently and without reliance upon the Agent or any
other Lender and based on the  financial  statements  referred to in Section 3.7
and such other documents and information as it has deemed appropriate,  made its
own independent credit analysis and decision to enter into this Agreement.  Each
of the Lenders  acknowledges  that it has not relied upon any  representation by
the Agent and that the Agent shall not be  responsible  for any statements in or
omissions  from any documents or  information  concerning  the  Borrowers,  this
Agreement,  the Credit Notes or any other  document or  instrument  executed and
delivered  in  connection  with  or as  contemplated  by this  Agreement  or the
Original  Loan  Agreement.  Each  of the  Lenders  acknowledges  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  decision in taking or not taking  action  under
this Agreement.

           9.11  CONSENTS  OF ALL  LENDERS.  Under any  circumstances  where the
consent,  waiver,  approval or similar  decision  of all of the Lenders  must be
requested by the Borrowers under the terms of this Agreement,  in the event that
BKB,  acting on its own  account and not as Agent,  has given any such  consent,
waiver, approval or otherwise, each of the other Lenders hereby agrees with BKB,
and the  Borrowers,  for the benefit of the  Borrowers,  that any such  consent,
waiver,  approval or otherwise will not be  unreasonably  withheld or delayed by
such Lender.

           9.12  SUCCESSOR  AGENT.  BKB, or any successor  Agent,  may resign as
Agent at any time by  giving  written  notice  thereof  to the  Lenders  and the
Borrowers,  or may be removed with or without  cause upon at least 30 days prior
written  notice by and from Lenders whose  Commitment  Percentages  equal in the
aggregate  at least  67% of the  Commitment  Percentages  of all of the  Lenders
(including  the Agent).  Upon any such  resignation,  the Lenders shall have the
right to appoint a successor  Agent,  and upon any such  removal,  such  removal
shall be of no force or effect  until a successor  Agent has been  appointed  by
Lenders  other than the Agent then being removed  whose  Commitment  Percentages
equal in the aggregate  greater than 50% of the Commitment  Percentages  held by
all Lenders other than the Agent then being removed,  and such  successor  Agent
has  accepted  such  appointment.  In the  event  of such a  resignation,  if no
successor  Agent shall have been so  appointed  by the  Lenders,  and shall have
accepted such  appointment,  within 30 days after the retiring Agent's giving of
notice of  resignation,  then the retiring  Agent may, on behalf of the Lenders,
appoint a  successor  Agent,  which  shall be a  commercial  bank (or  Affiliate
thereof) or savings and loan association  organized under the laws of the United
States of  America or any State  thereof  or under the laws of  another  country
which is doing business in the United States of America or any State thereof and
having  a  combined   capital,   surplus  and  undivided  profits  of  at  least
$200,000,000.  Upon the acceptance of any  appointment  as Agent  hereunder by a
successor  Agent,  such successor  Agent shall  thereupon  succeed to and become
vested with all the rights, powers, privileges and duties of the retiring Agent,
and the  retiring  Agent  shall  be  discharged  from  all  further  duties  and
obligations under this Agreement. After any retiring Agent's resignation or



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removal  hereunder as Agent, the provisions of this Section 9 shall inure to its
benefit as to any actions  taken or omitted to be taken by it while it was Agent
under this Agreement.

           9.13 AGENT'S MINIMUM  REVOLVING CREDIT  COMMITMENT.  BKB agrees with,
and solely for the benefit of, the Lenders  that for so long as it  continues as
Agent hereunder it shall maintain a Revolving Credit Commitment  hereunder of at
least $10,000,000.

           SECTION 10.                    MISCELLANEOUS.

           10.1  WRITTEN  NOTICES.  Any  notices,  expressly  required  by  this
Agreement  to be in writing,  to any party  hereto  shall be deemed to have been
given  when  delivered  by hand,  when  sent by  confirmed  telecopier,  one (1)
Business Day after it is delivered to any  overnight  delivery  service  freight
pre-paid or five (5) Business  Days after  deposit in the United  States  mails,
postage prepaid,  certified mail, return receipt requested and addressed to such
party at its address  given at the  beginning of this  Agreement or at any other
address specified in writing.  Written notices to the Borrowers shall be sent to
the attention of David Shamilzadeh,  Director and Chief Financial Officer, or to
such other officer as may be designated by the  Borrowers,  with a courtesy copy
to Henry I. Rothman,  Esquire,  Parker Chapin Flattau & Klimpl, LLP, 1211 Avenue
of the Americas,  New York, New York 10036.  Written notices to the Agent or the
Lenders shall be sent to them as follows:

           (i)        if to BKB  or the  Agent,  to it at  100  Federal  Street,
                      Boston, Massachusetts 02110 Attn: Brent E. Shay, Director

           (ii)       if to IBJS, to it at One State Street, 9th Floor New York,
                      New York 10004 Attn: Merily McLaughlin, Vice President

           (iii)      if to SBC, to it at 500 Glenpointe Center W. Teaneck,  New
                      Jersey 07666 Attn: Mr. Philip Carfora

           (iv)       if to LBC,  to it at 477  Madison  Avenue,  20th Floor New
                      York, New York 10022 Attn: Mr. Lawrence P. Garni

           (v)        if to BOT, to it at Metropolitan  Banking  Division,  1251
                      Avenue of the Americas New York, New York 10116-3138 Attn:
                      Christopher Young, Vice President

or such other  officer as may be  designated  by the Agent or the  Lenders.  Any
notice, unless otherwise specified, may be given orally or in writing.




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10.2 TERM OF AGREEMENT.  This  Agreement  shall  continue in force and effect so
long as any  commitment,  any  portion  of the  Loans or any  Obligation  of the
Borrowers for any interest, fee, charge or expense shall be outstanding.

           10.3 NO  WAIVERS.  No  failure or delay by the Agent or any Lender in
exercising  any right,  power or privilege  hereunder  shall operate as a waiver
thereof;  nor shall any single or partial exercise thereof preclude any other or
further exercise thereof or the exercise of any other right, power or privilege.
The rights and remedies  herein provided are cumulative and not exclusive of any
rights or remedies otherwise provided by law.

           10.4 FURTHER  ASSURANCES.  The Borrowers shall do, make,  execute and
deliver  all  such  additional  and  further  acts,  things,   assurances,   and
instruments as the Agent or any Lender may reasonably require more completely to
vest in and assure to the Agent and the Lenders their rights hereunder and under
the Credit Notes,  in the Collateral and to carry into effect the provisions and
intent of this Agreement and the Credit Notes.

           10.5  GOVERNING  LAW.  This  Agreement  and the Credit Notes shall be
deemed to be contracts made under seal and shall be construed in accordance with
and governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (without regard to
conflicts  of laws  rules).  Any legal  action or  proceeding  arising out of or
relating to this  Agreement or any Obligation may be instituted in the courts of
the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or of
the  United  States  of  America  for the  District  of  Massachusetts,  and the
Borrowers  hereby  irrevocably  submit to the jurisdiction of each such court in
any such action or proceeding;  provided,  however, that the foregoing shall not
limit the Agent's or any Lender's rights to bring any legal action or proceeding
in  any  other  appropriate   jurisdiction  in  which  event  the  laws  of  the
Commonwealth of Massachusetts  shall apply  notwithstanding  any rules regarding
conflicts of laws to the contrary.

           10.6 PAYMENTS IN IMMEDIATELY  AVAILABLE FUNDS. All payments  required
of the  Borrowers  hereunder  or under the Credit  Notes shall be made in lawful
money of the United  States of America  in  federal or other  funds  immediately
available to the recipient thereof at the prescribed place of payment.

           10.7      EXPENSES, TAXES AND INDEMNIFICATION.

           (a) The Borrowers  will pay all taxes (other than taxes on the income
of the Agent or any Lender),  charges and expenses of every kind or description,
including without limitation reasonable  attorneys' fees and expenses,  and fees
and expenses  related to commercial  finance  examinations  (consistent with the
Agent's  current  practices  from time to time of passing  such  expenses  on to
borrowers),  reasonably  incurred  or  expended  by the  Agent or any  Lender in
connection  with  or in  any  way  related  to  the  Agent's  or  such  Lender's
relationship  with the  Borrowers,  whether  hereunder or otherwise,  including,
without   limitation,   those  incurred  or  expended  in  connection  with  the
preparation, execution, delivery, interpretation or amendment of this Agreement,
the Credit Note and any related agreement, instrument or document, the making of
the Loans, the supervision,



                                                           -51-
GS1

<PAGE>





protection  and  collection  of and  realization  upon any  Collateral,  and the
protection or enforcement of the Agent's and such Lender's rights hereunder. The
Borrowers  authorize the Agent to charge the Loan Account or any deposit account
which  any  of the  Borrowers  may  maintain  with  any  Lender  for  any of the
foregoing.

           (b)  The  Borrowers  shall  jointly  and  severally   absolutely  and
unconditionally  indemnify and hold the Agent and each Lender  harmless  against
any and all claims, demands, suits, actions, causes of action, damages,  losses,
settlement  payments,  obligations,  costs,  expenses and all other  liabilities
whatsoever  which  shall at any time or times be incurred  or  sustained  by the
Agent or such  Lender  or by any of  their  shareholders,  directors,  officers,
employees, subsidiaries,  affiliates or agents on account of, or in relation to,
or in any  way in  connection  with,  any of the  arrangements  or  transactions
contemplated by, associated with or ancillary to either this Agreement or any of
the other documents executed or delivered in connection herewith, whether or not
all or any of the transactions  contemplated by, associated with or ancillary to
this Agreement or any of such documents are ultimately consummated, except those
resulting  from the gross  negligence or willful  misconduct of the Agent or any
Lender.

           10.8 AMENDMENTS, WAIVERS, ETC. Except as otherwise expressly provided
in this  Agreement  or any of the other  documents,  instruments  or  agreements
executed and delivered in connection  with or as contemplated by this Agreement:
(i) each of this Agreement or such  documents,  instruments or agreements may be
modified,  amended or supplemented  in any respect  whatever only with the prior
written consent or approval of Distributors and the Agent;  (ii) the performance
or  observance  by the  Borrowers  of  any of  their  covenants,  agreements  or
obligations  under  any of this  Agreement  or such  documents,  instruments  or
agreements (other than those arising pursuant to Sections 5.5, 5.25, 5.26, 5.27,
5.28 and 7.1(x) hereof) may be waived and the dollar amount set forth in Section
1.9 may be  increased  (to the  extent  such  dollar  amount  would  not  exceed
$55,000,000)  only with the written consent of the Agent;  (iii) the performance
or  observance  by the  Borrowers  of  any of  their  covenants,  agreements  or
obligations  arising pursuant to Sections 5.5, 5.25, 5.26, 5.27, 5.28 and 7.1(x)
hereof may be waived, and any of the Overadvance  Guarantees may be released, in
each  case only with the  written  consent  of those  Lenders  whose  Commitment
Percentages  equal in the  aggregate 60% or more of the  Commitment  Percentages
held by all of the  Lenders;  and  (iv)(x)  the  percentage  "75%"  set forth in
Section 1.10  relating to  California  Base  Accounts may be increased up to the
then  applicable  percentage  applicable to the Net  Outstanding  Amount of Base
Accounts with respect to Base Accounts other than California Base Accounts,  and
the  percentage  50% set forth in  Section  1.11  relating  to  California  Base
Inventory may be increased up to the then  applicable  percentage  applicable to
Base  Inventory,  in each case only with the  written  consent of those  Lenders
whose  Commitment  Percentages  equal  in  the  aggregate  60%  or  more  of the
Commitment  Percentages held by all of the Lenders, and (y) the percentage "75%"
set forth in Section 1.10 relating to California  Base Accounts may be increased
above the then applicable percentage applicable to the Net Outstanding Amount of
Base Accounts with respect to Base Accounts other than California Base Accounts,
and the percentage 50% set forth in Section 1.11 relating to



                                                           -52-
GS1

<PAGE>





California Base Inventory may be increased above the then applicable  percentage
applicable  to Base  Inventory,  in each case only with the  written  consent of
those Lenders whose  Commitment  Percentages  equal in the aggregate 100% of the
Commitment Percentages held by all of the Lenders;  PROVIDED,  HOWEVER, that the
following  changes shall require the written  consent,  agreement or approval of
all of the  Lenders:  (A) any other  increase  in the  percentages  set forth in
Sections 1.10 and 1.11 not specifically addressed above in this Section, (B) any
change in the amount or the due date of the  Obligations;  (C) any change in the
interest  rates  prescribed  in this  Agreement or the Credit Notes and the fees
prescribed in Sections 2.8.1 and 2.8.3 hereof;  (D) any change in the Commitment
Percentage  of any of the Lenders  (other than as a result of any  assignment or
participation of a Lender's  interest  hereunder  permitted by the terms of this
Agreement);  (E) any release of Collateral with a fair liquidation value of more
than $1,000,000;  and (F) any increase in the dollar amount set forth in Section
1.9 (to the extent such dollar  amount  would exceed  $55,000,000);  and (G) any
change in the  terms of this  Section  10.8.  The Agent  shall,  solely  for the
benefit of the Lenders,  provide  promptly to each of the Lenders a copy of each
such written consent or approval arising in accordance with the terms of clauses
(i) and (ii) of this Section 10.8.  Notwithstanding the foregoing,  the terms of
Section  9  (other  than  Section  9.13)  hereof  may be  modified,  amended  or
supplemented  without the consent or approval of any of the  Borrowers  upon the
prior written consent or approval of Lenders whose Commitment  Percentages equal
in the  aggregate  67% or more,  and the terms of  Section  9.13  hereof  may be
modified, amended or supplemented without the (consent or approval of any of the
Borrowers  upon the prior  written  consent  or  approval  of BKB and of Lenders
(including BKB) whose Commitment Percentages equal in the aggregate 67% or more.

           10.9 BINDING  EFFECT OF AGREEMENT.  This  Agreement  shall be binding
upon and inure to the  benefit of the  Borrowers,  the Agent and the Lenders and
their respective  successors and assigns.  The Agent and each of the Lenders may
sell,  assign or otherwise  transfer all or any portion of its right,  title and
interest in, and its Obligations under, this Agreement and the Loans made and to
be made  hereunder,  or grant  participations  in its right,  title and interest
herein and therein.  The  Borrowers  may not assign or transfer  their rights or
obligations hereunder.

           10.10  COMPUTATION OF INTEREST AND FEES.  Interest,  fees and charges
shall  be  computed  daily  on the  basis of a year of 360 days and paid for the
actual  number  of days  for  which  due.  If the due date  for any  payment  of
principal is extended by operation  of law,  interest  shall be payable for such
extended time. If any payment  required by this  Agreement  becomes due on a day
that is not a Business  Day,  such  payment  may be made on the next  succeeding
Business  Day, and such  extension  shall be included in  computing  interest in
connection with such payment.

           10.11  ENTIRE  AGREEMENT.  This  Agreement,  including  the  exhibits
hereto,  sets forth the entire agreement and understanding of the parties hereto
in respect of the subject  matter  contained  herein,  and  supercedes all prior
agreements, promises, covenants,



                                      -53-
GS1

<PAGE>





arrangements,  communications,  representations,  warranties,  whether  oral  or
written, by any officer, employee or representative of any party hereto.

           10.12 WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. EACH OF THE BORROWERS HEREBY  IRREVOCABLY
WAIVES  TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY  JURISDICTION  AND IN ANY COURT WITH RESPECT TO, IN
CONNECTION  WITH,  OR ARISING OUT OF THIS  AGREEMENT,  THE  OBLIGATIONS,  OR ANY
INSTRUMENT OR DOCUMENT  DELIVERED  PURSUANT  HERETO OR THERETO,  OR ANY CLAIM OR
DISPUTE HOWSOEVER  ARISING,  BETWEEN ANY OF THE BORROWERS,  THE AGENT AND ANY OF
THE  LENDERS.  THIS WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL SHALL BE  EFFECTIVE  FOR EACH AND EVERY
DOCUMENT  EXECUTED BY ANY OF THE BORROWERS,  THE AGENT OR ANY OF THE LENDERS AND
DELIVERED TO THE AGENT, ANY LENDER OR ANY OF THE BORROWERS,  AS THE CASE MAY BE,
WHETHER OR NOT SUCH DOCUMENT  SHALL CONTAIN A WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL.  EACH OF THE
BORROWERS FURTHER  ACKNOWLEDGES  THAT ALL DOCUMENTS  DELIVERED BY THE AGENT, ANY
LENDER OR ANY OF THE  BORROWERS  ARE  SUBJECT TO THIS WAVIER OF JURY TRIAL AS TO
ANY  ACTION  THAT MAY BE  BROUGHT AS TO ANY OF SUCH  DOCUMENTS,  INSTRUMENTS  OR
LETTERS OR THE LIKE. EACH OF THE BORROWERS  FURTHER  CONFIRMS THAT THE FOREGOING
WAIVERS ARE INFORMED AND FREELY MADE.

           10.13  CAPTIONS.  The captions for the sections of this Agreement are
for ease of reference only and are not an integral part of this Agreement.

           10.14  COUNTERPARTS.  This  Agreement  may be signed in any number of
counterparts  with the same effect as if the signatures  hereto and thereto were
upon the same instrument.

           10.15  SEVERABILITY.  The provisions of this Agreement are severable,
and if any of  these  provisions  shall  be  held  by  any  court  of  competent
jurisdiction to be  unenforceable,  such holdings shall not affect or impair any
other provision hereof.



                                      -54-
GS1

<PAGE>





           WITNESS  the  execution  hereof  under seal on the day and year first
above written.

                            ALLOU HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE, INC.

                            By:       __________________________________
                                 Title:

                            ALLOU DISTRIBUTORS, INC.

                            By:       ___________________________________
                                 Title:

                            THE FIRST NATIONAL BANK OF BOSTON

                            By:____________________________________
                                 Title:

                            IBJ SCHRODER BANK & TRUST COMPANY

                            By:       _____________________________________
                                 Title

                            SANWA BUSINESS CREDIT CORPORATION

                            By:       __________________________________
                                 Title:

                            LASALLE BUSINESS CREDIT, INC.

                            By:       __________________________________
                                 Title:

                            THE BANK OF TOKYO - MITSUBISHI TRUST
                            COMPANY

                            By:       __________________________________
                                 Title:



                                       -55
GS1

<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT A


                SECOND RESTATED AND AMENDED REVOLVING CREDIT NOTE


$[Maximum Amount x Lender's                               Boston,  Massachusetts
           Commitment Percentage]                         June __, 1996


           FOR  VALUE   RECEIVED,   the   undersigned   hereby   absolutely  and
unconditionally,  jointly  and  severally,  promise  to pay to [a  Lender]  (the
"Lender"),  or order,  on the Maturity  Date,  the principal  amount of (Maximum
Amount x Lender's  Commitment  Percentage]  Dollars  ($________________)  or, if
less, the aggregate  unpaid  principal  amount of all Revolving  Loans and other
advances  made by the Lender to the  Borrowers  pursuant  to the  Agreement  (as
hereinafter  defined) and noted on the records of the Agent in  accordance  with
the terms of the Agreement, together with interest (computed on the basis of the
actual  number of days  elapsed  over a 360-day  year) on the  unpaid  principal
amount  hereof  until  paid in full at the  times  and  rates  set  forth in the
Agreement referred to below.

           All payments  under this Note shall be made at the head office of the
Agent at 100 Federal Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02110 (or at such other place
as the Agent may designate  from time to time in writing) in lawful money of the
United States of America in federal or other  immediately  available  funds. The
Borrowers  may prepay  this Note in whole or in part at any time  subject to the
terms and  conditions  set  forth in the  Agreement.  Amounts  so paid and other
amounts may be borrowed and  reborrowed by the Borrowers  hereunder from time to
time as provided in the Agreement.

           This Note is issued  pursuant to, is entitled to the benefits of, and
is subject to the provisions of a certain Second Restated and Amended  Revolving
Credit and Security  Agreement of even date herewith among the undersigned,  the
Lender,  [additional  Lenders]  and The First  National  Bank of Boston as Agent
(herein,  as the same may from tine to time be amended or extended,  referred to
as the  "Agreement"),  but  neither  this  reference  to the  Agreement  nor any
provision  thereof shall affect or impair the absolute and  unconditional  joint
and several obligation of each of the undersigned makers of this Note to pay the
principal of and interest on this Note as herein provided. All capitalized terms
used herein shall have the meanings set forth herein or in the Agreement.

           Upon an Event of Default,  the aggregate  unpaid balance of principal
plus accrued interest may become or may be declared to be due and payable in the
manner and with the effect provided in the Agreement.

           Except as may  otherwise  be provided in the  Agreement,  each of the
undersigned makers of this Note, hereby waives  presentment,  demand,  notice of
dishonor, protest and



<PAGE>


all other  demands  and notices in  connection  with the  delivery,  acceptance,
performance and enforcement of this Note.

           WITNESS  the  execution  of this Note under seal on the date  written
above.

                                         ALLOU DISTRIBUTORS, INC.


                                         By:       ___________________________
                                              Title:


                                         ALLOU HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE, INC.


                                         By:       ___________________________
                                              Title:



<PAGE>



                                    EXHIBIT B


                               DISCLOSURE SCHEDULE


           This Disclosure Schedule amends and supplements the information which
has been previously disclosed to the Lenders under the Loan Agreement.

           1. Schedule 3.5(b) of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended to read in
its entirety as follows:

           REAL PROPERTY OWNED OR LEASED BY BORROWER:

           OWNERSHIP OF REAL ESTATE:

                     The Borrowers do not own any real property.

           LEASEHOLD INTEREST IN REAL PROPERTY:

           A.  Distributors is obligated  under a real property  operating lease
           agreement  dated  March  4,  1980  between  Distributors  and  Pueblo
           Supermarkets,   Inc.,   which  lease  has  been  assigned  by  Pueblo
           Supermarkets  Inc. to  Brentwood  Distribution  Co. and by  amendment
           dated December 8, 1993 is expiring in 2005,  relating to certain real
           property  constituting  a warehouse and offices  located in Brentwood
           New York. As of June __, 1996, the minimum annual rentals,  including
           additional  payments for real estate taxes and certain expenses,  are
           as follows:

                               1996                                     $577,500
                               1997                                     $577,500
                               1998                                     $577,500
                               1999                                     $577,500
                               2000                                     $577,500
                               2001                                     $630,000
                               2002                                     $630,000
                               2003                                     $630,000
                               2004                                     $630,000
                               2005                                     $630,000

<PAGE>





           B. Lease dated as of ___,  1996  between  TMC  Properties,  Inc.,  as
           lessor,  and Allou Personal Care Corporation,  as lessee. The minimum
           monthly rentals are as follows:

                                [TO BE PROVIDED]

           2. Schedule 3.11 of the Loan  Agreement is hereby  amended to read in
its entirety as follows:

                                  SCHEDULE 3.11

                PENDING OR THREATENED LITIGATION OR PROCEEDINGS:

                                      None

           3. Schedule 3.17 of the Loan  Agreement is hereby  amended to read in
its entirety as follows:

                              EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS:

                      1.  Employment  Contract,  dated as of January  24,  1989,
           between Allou Health & Beauty Care, Inc. and Victor Jacobs.

                      2.  Employment  Contract,  dated as of January  24,  1989,
           between Allou Health & Beauty Care, Inc. and Herman Jacobs.

                      3.  Employment  Contract,  dated as of January  24,  1989,
           between Allou Health & Beauty Care, Inc. and Jack Jacobs.

                      4. Employment Contract, dated as of April 1, 1994, between
           Allou Health & Beauty Care, Inc. and Robert Crivell.

                      5. Employment Contract,  dated as of April 1, 1994 between
           Allou Health & Beauty Care, Inc. and Steven Friedman.

                      6 Oral "at will"  employment  agreements  in the  ordinary
           course of business.






<PAGE>





           4. Schedule  4.1.1(r) of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended to read
in its entirety as follows:

                                SCHEDULE 4.1.1(R)

           FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS CURRENTLY LENDING TO BORROWERS:

           1.        The First National Bank of Boston
           2.        IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company
           3.        Sanwa Business Credit Corporation
           4.        Lasalle Business Credit, Inc.
           5.        The Bank of Tokyo - Mitsubishi Trust Company

           6.        Schedule 6.3 of the Loan Agreement is hereby amended to
                      read in its entirety as follows:

                                  SCHEDULE 6.3

                         ADDITIONAL COLLATERAL LOCATION:



           1.         Sole  Collateral  Location  of  Collateral  owned  by Russ
                      Kalvin  Personal  Care Corp.  and Stanford  Personal  Care
                      Manufacturing, Inc.:

                     25644 Springbook Avenue, No. 6
                     Saugus, California  91350

           2.         Sole Collateral Location of Collateral owned by all of the
                      other Borrowers:

                     50 Emjay Boulevard
                     Brentwood, NY 11717





<PAGE>





                                    EXHIBIT C

                              EXISTING INDEBTEDNESS

                 [To be revised by Borrowers and their Counsel]

INDEBTEDNESS OR OTHER LIABILITIES, DEBTS OR OBLIGATIONS:

           Distributors  is  obligated  under a real  property  operating  lease
agreement  expiring in 2005. As of June __, 1996,  the minimum  annual  rentals,
including additional payments for real estate taxes and certain expenses, are as
follows:

           1996                                      $577,500
           1997                                      $577,500
           1998                                      $577,500
           1999                                      $577,500
           2000                                      $577,500
           2001                                      $630,000
           2002                                      $630,000
           2003                                      $630,000
           2004                                      $630,000
           2005                                      $630,000

           During the current period, Distributors hired a non-affiliated entity
to do its deliveries using the Distributors' trucks and is charged on a per load
basis, less the Distributors'  delivery  equipment lease and insurance costs. On
June 1,  1990,  Distributors  assigned  its  delivery  equipment  lease  to this
non-affiliated  entity,   however,  the  Borrower  has  guaranteed  payment  and
performance on all terms of the lease.

           In  connection  with the  acquisition  of M. Sobol,  Inc. on April 1,
1993, the Parent owes Simon Mandell $750,000 as of April 1, 1994, with a balance
outstanding of $480,000 as of April 1, 1996:

1.         Schedule 3.5(b) of the Subsidiary  Tie-In Agreement is hereby amended
           to read in its entirety as follows: SCHEDULE 3.5(B)

REAL PROPERTY OWNED OR LEASED BY BORROWERS:

OWNERSHIP OF REAL ESTATE:
           The Borrowers do not own any real property.

LEASEHOLD INTEREST IN REAL PROPERTY:

                                      None



<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT D



                 SECOND RESTATED AND AMENDED CLOSING CERTIFICATE


           This Closing  Certificate is delivered pursuant to Section 4.3 of the
Second Restated and Amended Revolving Credit and Security Agreement of even date
herewith  (the   "Agreement")   among  the  undersigned  and  certain  of  their
Affiliates,  (collectively, the "Borrowers"), IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company,
Sanwa  Business  Credit,  LaSalle  Business  Credit,  Inc.,  The Bank of Tokyo -
Mitsubishi Trust Company, The First National Bank of Boston  (collectively,  the
"Lenders") and The First  National Bank of Boston as Agent for the Lenders.  All
capitalized terms shall have the meanings set forth in the Agreement.

           The undersigned does hereby certify as follows:

           1. I am the officer in charge of financial affairs of the undersigned
on behalf of whom I have executed this Certificate below.

           2. I have  reviewed  the  Agreement,  and to the best of my knowledge
each  representation  contained  in the  Agreement  is true and  correct  in all
material respects as of the date hereof.

           3.  To the  best  of my  knowledge,  the  Borrowers  have  performed,
satisfied,  or complied in all material respects with all covenants,  warranties
and representations  and conditions to be performed,  satisfied or complied with
by it under the  Agreement on or before the date  hereof,  and to the best of my
knowledge no event has occurred and is continuing and no condition  exists which
constitutes, or with the passage of time or the giving of notice, or both, would
constitute an Event of Default.

           4. I have  reviewed the books and records of the  Borrowers and their
business and the financial statements and projections of the Borrowers' business
furnished to the Agent;  and I have  consulted with counsel for the Borrowers as
to the meaning of terms used in this Certificate.  Based upon the foregoing, the
Borrowers have and, after giving effect to any borrowings under the Agreement on
the date hereof,  will have tangible and intangible assets having a present fair
saleable value in excess of the amount required to pay the probable liability on
their  then-existing   debts  (whether  matured  or  unmatured,   liquidated  or
unliquidated,  fixed or contingent);  the Borrowers have and will have access to
adequate  capital for the conduct of their  business and the  discharge of their
debts  incurred  in  connection  therewith  as such  debts  mature;  none of the
Borrowers is Insolvent;  and,  immediately after giving effect to the borrowings
under the Agreement on the date hereof, none of the Borrowers will be Insolvent.





<PAGE>


           5. There has not been any material  adverse chance in the business of
the  Borrowers  since the date of the Initial  Financial  Statement,  including,
without  limitation,  any material  adverse change from the business plan of the
Borrowers as previously presented to the Agent.

           WITNESS  the  execution  of this  Certificate  as of this __th day of
June, 1996.


                                           [EACH BORROWER]


                                           By:_____________________________
                                                 Title:



<PAGE>

                                    EXHIBIT E



                     CERTIFICATE OF CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICERS

           (Pursuant  to  Section  5.1(vi) of the Second  Restated  and  Amended
Revolving Credit and Security Agreement dated June __, 1996.)

           [Certificate  for each Borrower] (the  "Borrower")  HEREBY  CERTIFIES
THAT:

           This Report is  furnished  pursuant to Section  5.1(vi) of the Second
Restated and Amended Revolving Credit and Security Agreement dated June __, 1996
among the Borrowers,  IBJ Schroder Bank & Trust Company,  Sanwa Business Credit,
LaSalle Business Credit, Inc., The Bank of Tokyo - Mitsubishi Trust Company, The
First  National  Bank of  Boston  (collectively,  the  "Lenders")  and The First
National  Bank of Boston  as Agent for the  Lenders  (the  "Agreement").  Unless
otherwise  defined  herein,  the terms used in this Report and Schedule 1 hereto
have the meanings described in the Agreement.

           As required  by Section  5.1(i) or (ii) of the  Agreement,  financial
statements of the Borrowers and any  Subsidiaries for the (year) (quarter) ended
_________,  19__ (the "Financial  Statements")  prepared in accordance with GAAP
(subject,  in the case of quarterly  statements,  to year-end audit adjustments)
accompany this Report. The Financial  Statements present fairly the consolidated
financial  position of the Borrowers and any Subsidiaries as at the date thereof
and the consolidated results of operations of the Borrowers and any Subsidiaries
for the period covered thereby.

           Schedule 1 attached hereto sets forth financial data and computations
evidencing  the  Borrowers'  compliance  with the covenants of the Agreement set
forth  in  Sections  5.25  through  5.28,  inclusive,  all  of  which  data  and
computations,  to the best of the  knowledge  and belief of the chief  financial
officers ("Chief  Financial  Officers")  executing and delivering this Report on
behalf of the Borrowers, are true, complete and correct.

           The  activities  of the  Borrowers  and any  Subsidiaries  during the
period  covered by the  Financial  Statements  have been  reviewed  by the Chief
Financial Officers and by employees or agents under their immediate supervision.
Based on such review,  to the best  knowledge and belief of the Chief  Financial
Officers,  during the period covered by the Financial Statements,  and as of the
date of this  Report,  (a) the  Borrowers  have,  or have caused to have,  kept,
observed,  performed  and  fulfilled  in all  material  respects  each and every
covenant and  condition  of the  Agreement  (except to the extent  waived by the
Agent or the  Lenders,  as the case may be,  and noted on  Schedule  1  attached
hereto)  and the Credit  Notes,  and (b) no Event of Default  and no event which
with notice or lapse of time,  or both,  would  become an Event of Default,  has
occurred or is occurring.





                                                           -72-
GS1

<PAGE>




           Witness my hand this ______ day of _____________199__.

                                      [Each Borrower]


                                      By:_____________________________
                                            Title:





[BANCBOSTON LEASING LOGO]


                         MASTER LEASE FINANCE AGREEMENT

               This MASTER LEASE FINANCE AGREEMENT,  dated as of the 24th day of
April, 1996, ("Lease Agreement") is made at Boston, Massachusetts by and between
BancBoston  Leasing  Inc.  ("Lessor"),  a  Massachusetts  corporation  with  its
principal place of business at 100 Federal Street,  Boston,  Massachusetts 02110
and  Allou  Distributors,  Inc.  ("Lessee"),  a New  York  corporation  with its
principal place of business at 50 Emjay Boulevard, Brentwood, NY 11717.

               IN CONSIDERATION  OF the mutual promises and covenants  contained
herein, Lessor and Lessee hereby agree as follows:

               1. Property  Leased.  At the request of Lessee and subject to the
terms and conditions of this Lease  Agreement,  Lessor shall lease to Lessee and
Lessee shall lease from Lessor such personal  property  ("Equipment")  as may be
mutually agreed upon by Lessor and Lessee. The Equipment shall be selected by or
ordered at the request of Lessee,  identified in one or more equipment schedules
substantially  in the form of Exhibit A attached hereto  ("Equipment  Schedule")
and accepted by Lessee in one or more  certificates of acceptance  ("Certificate
of  Acceptance")  in the form of  Exhibit  B  attached  hereto.  Each  Equipment
Schedule  executed  by Lessor  and  Lessee and each  Certificate  of  Acceptance
executed by Lessee shall constitute a part of this Lease Agreement.

               2. Certain Definitions.

               2.1 The  "Commencement  Date"  shall  mean the date on which  the
Equipment  identified in the applicable Equipment Schedule is accepted by Lessee
under this Lease  Agreement.  Each  Commencement  Date shall be evidenced by the
Certificate of Acceptance applicable to such Equipment Schedule.

               2.2 The "Rent  Start Date" shall mean either (i) the first day of
the month following the month in which the Commencement  Date occurs or (ii) the
Commencement  Date,  if the  Commencement  Date  occurs  on the first day of the
month.

               2.3 The  "Monthly  Rent"  shall  mean the amount set forth in the
applicable  Equipment  Schedule as Monthly Rent for the Equipment  identified on
such Equipment Schedule.

               2.4 The  "Daily  Rent"  shall  mean  one-thirtieth  (1/30) of the
Monthly Rent.

               2.5 The words "herein",  "hereof", and "hereunder" shall refer to
this Lease  Agreement as a whole and not to any  particular  section.  All other
capitalized  terms  defined in this  Lease  Agreement  shall  have the  meanings
assigned thereto.

               3. Term of Lease; Payment of Rent.

               3.1 The term of lease  for the  Equipment  ("Lease  Term")  shall
begin on the  Commencement  Date  set  forth in the  applicable  Certificate  of
Acceptance and shall  continue  during and until the expiration of the number of
full calendar months set forth in the applicable  Equipment  Schedule,  measured
from the Rent Start  Date.  The Lease Term may not be  cancelled  or  terminated
except as set forth in Section 10.2 below.

               3.2  Aggregate  Daily Rent shall be due and  payable by Lessee on
the Rent  Start  Date in an amount  equal to the Daily  Rent  multiplied  by the
actual number of days elapsed from, and including, the Commencement Date to, but
excluding, the Rent Start Date. The Monthly Rent shall be due and payable on the
Rent  Start  Date and,  thereafter  on the first day of each  month of the Lease
Term. All Daily Rents and Monthly Rents shall be paid to Lessor at its office in
Boston, Massachusetts.

               4. Acceptance of Equipment; Exclusion of Warranties.

               4.1  Lessee  shall  signify  its   acceptance  of  the  Equipment
identified  in the  applicable  Equipment  Schedule  by promptly  executing  and
delivering to Lessor a Certificate of Acceptance.  Lessee  acknowledges that its
execution  and delivery of the  Certificate  of  Acceptance  shall  conclusively
establish,  as between Lessor and Lessee,  that the Equipment has been inspected
by Lessee,  is in good repair and working order,  is of the design,  manufacture
and  capacity  selected by Lessee,  and is  accepted by Lessee  under this Lease
Agreement.

               4.2 In the event  the  Equipment  is  ordered  by  Lessor  from a
manufacturer or supplier at the request of Lessee,  Lessor shall not be required
to pay the purchase  price for such  Equipment  unless and until the  applicable
Certificate of Acceptance  has been received by Lessor.  Lessee hereby agrees to
indemnify,   defend  and  hold  Lessor   harmless  from  any  liability  to  any
manufacturer  or  supplier  arising  from the  failure  of  Lessee  to lease any
Equipment  which is  ordered  by  Lessor at the  request  of Lessee or for which
Lessor has assumed an obligation to purchase.

               4.3 Lessor  leases the  Equipment to Lessee and Lessee leases the
Equipment from Lessor "AS IS" and "WITH ALL FAULTS".  Lessee hereby acknowledges
that (i) Lessor is not a manufacturer,  supplier or dealer of such Equipment nor
an agent  thereof;  and (ii)  LESSOR  HAS NOT MADE,  DOES NOT MAKE,  AND  HEREBY
DISCLAIMS ANY REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY  WHATSOEVER,  EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,  WITH
RESPECT TO THE EQUIPMENT  INCLUDING,  BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ITS DESIGN,  CAPACITY,
CONDITION,  MERCHANTABILITY,  OR FITNESS FOR USE OR FOR ANY PARTICULAR  PURPOSE.
Lessee  further  acknowledges  that Lessor is not  responsible  for any repairs,
maintenance,  service,  latent  or  other  defects  in the  Equipment  or in the
operation  thereof,  or for compliance of any Equipment with requirements of any
laws, ordinances,  governmental rules or regulations including,  but not limited
to, laws with respect to environmental matters, patent, trademark,  copyright or
trade secret  infringement,  or for any direct or consequential  damages arising
out of the use of or inability to use the Equipment.

               4.4 Provided no Event of Default, as defined in Section 15 below,
has occurred and is continuing,  Lessor agrees to cooperate with Lessee,  at the


<PAGE>



sole cost and expense of Lessee,  in making any claim against a manufacturer  or
supplier  of the  Equipment  arising  from a defect  in such  Equipment.  At the
request of Lessee, Lessor shall assign to Lessee all warranties on the Equipment
available from any  manufacturer or supplier to the full extent permitted by the
terms of such warranties and by applicable law.

               5. Ownership; Inspection; Maintenance and Use.

               5.1 Title to the  Equipment  shall at all times be in the name of
Lessor.  Any Equipment  subject to titling and registration laws shall be titled
and registered by Lessee on behalf of and in the name of Lessor at the sole cost
and expense of Lessee.  Lessee shall  cooperate with and provide Lessor with any
information  or  documents   necessary  for  titling  and  registration  of  the
Equipment.  Upon the request of Lessor,  Lessee shall  execute any  documents or
instruments  which may be necessary or appropriate  to confirm,  to record or to
give  notice  of the  interest  of Lessor in the  Equipment  including,  but not
limited to, financing  statements under the Uniform  Commercial Code. Lessee, at
the request of Lessor, shall affix to the Equipment, in a conspicuous place, any
label,  plaque or other insignia supplied by Lessor  designating the interest of
Lessor in the Equipment.

               5.2 The  Equipment  shall be located at the address  specified in
the applicable Equipment Schedule and shall not be removed therefrom without the
prior written consent of Lessor.  Lessor, its agents or employees shall have the
right to enter the premises of Lessee,  upon reasonable notice and during normal
business hours, for the purpose of inspecting the Equipment.

               5.3  Lessee  shall  pay all  costs,  expenses,  fees and  charges
whatsoever  incurred in connection  with the use and operation of the Equipment.
Lessee  shall,  at all times and at its own expense,  keep the Equipment in good
repair and working order,  reasonable  wear and tear excepted.  Any  maintenance
contract  required by a manufacturer  or supplier for the care and upkeep of the
Equipment  shall be entered into by Lessee at its sole cost and expense.  Lessee
shall permit the use and operation of the Equipment only by personnel authorized
by Lessee and shall comply with all laws,  ordinances or governmental  rules and
regulations relating to the use and operation of the Equipment.

               6. Alterations and Modifications. Lessee may make, or cause to be
made on its behalf,  any improvement,  modification or addition to the Equipment
with  the  prior  written  consent  of  Lessor,  provided,  however,  that  such
improvement,  modification  or addition  is readily  removable  without  causing
damage to or impairment of the functional effectiveness of the Equipment. To the
extent that such improvement,  modification or addition is not so removable,  it
shall  immediately  become  the  property  of  Lessor  and  thereupon  shall  be
considered Equipment for all purposes of this Lease Agreement.

               7. Equipment Use; No Defense, Set-Offs or Counterclaims.

               7.1 Provided no Event of Default, as defined in Section 15 below,
has occurred and is  continuing,  Lessee shall have the use of the  Equipment in
the ordinary course of its business  during the Lease Term without  interruption
by Lessor or any person or entity claiming through or under Lessor.

               7.2 Lessee  acknowledges  and agrees  that ANY DAMAGE TO OR LOSS,
DESTRUCTION,  OR UNFITNESS OF, OR DEFECT IN THE  EQUIPMENT,  OR THE INABILITY OF
LESSEE TO USE THE EQUIPMENT FOR ANY REASON  WHATSOEVER,  SHALL NOT (i) GIVE RISE
TO ANY DEFENSE, COUNTERCLAIM, OR RIGHT OF SET-OFF AGAINST LESSOR, OR (ii) PERMIT
ANY ABATEMENT OR RECOUPMENT  OF, OR REDUCTION IN DAILY OR MONTHLY RENT, OR (iii)
RELIEVE LESSEE OF THE PERFORMANCE OF ITS OBLIGATIONS  UNDER THIS LEASE AGREEMENT
INCLUDING,  BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ITS  OBLIGATION  TO PAY THE FULL AMOUNT OF DAILY
RENT AND MONTHLY RENT, WHICH OBLIGATIONS ARE ABSOLUTE AND UNCONDITIONAL,  unless
and until this Lease  Agreement is terminated  with respect to such Equipment in
accordance with the provisions of Section 10.2 below.  Any claim that Lessee may
have which  arises  from a defect in or  deficiency  of the  Equipment  shall be
brought solely against the  manufacturer or supplier of the Equipment and Lessee
shall,  notwithstanding  any such claim,  continue to pay Lessor all amounts due
and to become due under this Lease Agreement.

               8. Adverse Claims and Interests.

               8.1   Except   for  any  liens,   claims,   mortgages,   pledges,
encumbrances  or security  interests  created by Lessor,  Lessee  shall keep the
Equipment,  at all  times,  free and clear from all  liens,  claims,  mortgages,
pledges,  encumbrances and security interests and from all levies,  seizures and
attachments.  Without  limitation of the covenants and obligations of Lessee set
forth in the  preceding  sentence,  Lessee shall  immediately  notify  Lessor in
writing of the imposition of any prohibited lien,  claim,  levy or attachment on
or seizure of the Equipment at which time Lessee shall  provide  Lessor with all
relevant information in connection therewith.

               8.2 Lessee  agrees that the  Equipment  shall be and at all times
shall remain personal property. Accordingly, Lessee shall take such steps as may
be  necessary  to prevent any person from  acquiring,  having or  retaining  any
rights in or to the Equipment by reason of its being affixed or attached to real
property.

               9. Indemnities; Payment of Taxes.

               9.1 Lessee hereby  agrees to indemnify,  defend and hold harmless
Lessor, its agents,  employees,  successors and assigns from and against any and
all  claims,  actions,  suits,   proceedings,   costs,  expenses,   damages  and
liabilities  whatsoever  arising out of or in connection  with the  manufacture,
ordering,   selection,   specifications,    availability,   delivery,   titling,
registration, rejection, installation,  possession, maintenance, ownership, use,
leasing, operation or return of the Equipment including, but not limited to, any
claim or demand based upon any STRICT OR ABSOLUTE LIABILITY IN TORT and upon any
infringement  or alleged  infringement of any patent,  trademark,  trade secret,
license,  copyright or otherwise.  All costs and expenses  incurred by Lessor in
connection with any of the foregoing  including,  but not limited to, reasonable
legal fees, shall be paid by Lessee on demand.

               9.2 Lessee  hereby  agrees to  indemnify,  defend and hold Lessor
harmless  against all  Federal,  state and local taxes,  assessments,  licenses,
withholdings,  levies, imposts, duties, assessments,  excise taxes, registration
fees and other  governmental  fees and charges  whatsoever,  which are  imposed,
assessed or levied on or with respect to the  Equipment or its use or related in
any way to this  Lease  Agreement  ("Tax  Assessments"),  except for taxes on or
measured by the net income of Lessor determined substantially in the same manner
as under the Internal  Revenue Code of 1986,  as amended.  Lessee shall file all
returns,  reports or other such  documents  required in connection  with the Tax
Assessments and shall provide Lessor with copies thereof. If, under local law or
custom,  Lessee  is not  authorized  to make the  filings  required  by a taxing
authority,  Lessee  shall notify  Lessor in writing and Lessor  shall  thereupon
undertake to file such returns,  reports or documents.  Without  limiting any of
the foregoing,  Lessee shall indemnify, defend and hold Lessor harmless from all
penalties,  fines,  interest payments,  claims and expenses  including,  but not
limited to, reasonable legal fees,  arising from any failure of Lessee to comply
with the requirements of this Section 9.2.

               9.3 The  obligations and indemnities of Lessee under this Section
9 for events  occurring or arising  during the Lease Term shall continue in full
force and effect,  notwithstanding  the expiration or other  termination of this
Lease Agreement.


<PAGE>


               10. Risk of Loss; Loss of Equipment.

               10.1 Lessee hereby assumes and shall bear the entire risk of loss
for theft, damage, seizure, condemnation, destruction or other injury whatsoever
to the Equipment from any and every cause whatsoever. Such risk of loss shall be
deemed to have been  assumed by Lessee  from and after such risk passes from the
manufacturer or supplier by agreement or pursuant to applicable law.

               10.2  In  the  event  of  any  loss,  seizure,   condemnation  or
destruction of the Equipment or damage to the Equipment which cannot be repaired
by Lessee, Lessee shall immediately notify Lessor in writing. Within thirty (30)
days of such  notice,  during  which time Lessee  shall  continue to pay Monthly
Rent,  Lessee shall,  at the option of Lessor,  either (i) replace the Equipment
with equipment of the same type and  manufacture  and in good repair,  condition
and working order,  transfer title to such equipment to Lessor free and clear of
all liens,  claims and  encumbrances,  whereupon such equipment  shall be deemed
Equipment  for all  purposes of this Lease  Agreement,  or (ii) pay to Lessor an
amount  equal to the present  value of the  aggregate  of the  remaining  unpaid
Monthly  Rents plus any other costs  actually  incurred  by Lessor.  The present
value shall be determined by discounting  the aggregate of the remaining  unpaid
Monthly  Rents to the date of payment by Lessee at the rate of five (5)  percent
per annum.  Any insurance or condemnation  proceeds  received by Lessor shall be
credited to the  obligation  of Lessee under this Section 10.2 and the remainder
of such proceeds, if any, shall be paid to Lessee by Lessor in full compensation
for the loss of the leasehold interest in the Equipment by Lessee.

               10.3 Upon any  replacement  of or payment  for the  Equipment  as
provided in Section 10.2 above,  this Lease  Agreement shall terminate only with
respect to the  Equipment so replaced or paid for, and Lessor shall  transfer to
Lessee title only to such  Equipment  "AS IS",  "WITH ALL  FAULTS",  and WITH NO
WARRANTIES WHATSOEVER, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING, WITHOUT LIMITATION,
ANY  WARRANTIES  OF  MERCHANTABILITY  OR FITNESS  FOR USE OR FOR ANY  PARTICULAR
PURPOSE. Lessee shall pay any sales or use taxes due on such transfer.

               11. Insurance.

               11.1 Lessee shall keep the Equipment insured against all risks of
loss or damage from every cause whatsoever  occurring during the Lease Term, for
an  amount  not  less  than the  higher  of the  full  replacement  value of the
Equipment or the aggregate of unpaid Daily Rent and Monthly Rent for the balance
of the Lease Term.  Lessee shall also carry  public  liability  insurance,  both
personal injury and property damage, covering the Equipment, and Lessee shall be
liable for any deductible portions of all required insurance.

               11.2 All  insurance  required  under  this  Section 11 shall name
Lessor as additional  insured and loss payee.  Such insurance shall also be with
such  insurers  and shall be in such forms and  amounts as are  satisfactory  to
Lessor. All applicable policies shall provide that no act, omission or breach of
warranty  by  Lessee  shall  give rise to any  defense  against  payment  of the
insurance  proceeds to Lessor.  Lessee shall pay the premiums for such insurance
and, at the request of Lessor,  deliver to Lessor duplicates of such policies or
other evidence  satisfactory to Lessor of such insurance coverage. In any event,
Lessee shall provide Lessor with  endorsements  upon the policies  issued by the
insurers  which  evidence the existence of insurance  coverage  required by this
Section 11 and by which the  insurers  agree to give  Lessor  written  notice at
least  twenty  (20)  days  prior  to  the  effective  date  of  any  expiration,
modification, reduction, termination or cancellation of any such policies.

               11.3 The proceeds of insurance required under this Section 11 and
payable as a result of loss or damage to the  Equipment  shall be applied as set
forth in  Section  10.2  above.  Upon the  occurrence  of an Event of Default as
defined in Section 15 below,  Lessee hereby  irrevocably  appoints Lessor as its
attorney-in-fact,  which power shall be deemed coupled with an interest, to make
claim for,  receive  payment of,  execute and endorse all  documents,  checks or
drafts  received  in payment  for loss or damage  under any  insurance  policies
required by this Section 11.

               11.4 Notwithstanding  anything herein,  Lessor shall not be under
any duty to  examine  any  evidence  of  insurance  furnished  hereunder,  or to
ascertain  the  existence of any policy or coverage,  or to advise Lessee of any
failure to comply with the provisions of this Section 11.

               12.  Surrender to Lessee.  Upon the  expiration of the Lease Term
and  provided  that no Event of  Default,  as defined  in Section 15 below,  has
occurred and is  continuing,  Lessor shall  transfer  title to the  Equipment to
Lessee "AS IS",  "WITH ALL FAULTS".  and WITH NO WARRANTIES  WHATSOEVER,  EITHER
EXPRESS  OR  IMPLIED,   INCLUDING,   WITHOUT   LIMITATION,   ANY  WARRANTIES  OF
MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR USE OR FOR PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

               13. Financial  Statements.  Lessee shall annually,  within ninety
(90) days  after the close of the  fiscal  year for  Lessee,  furnish  to Lessor
financial  statements  of Lessee,  including a balance  sheet as of the close of
such year and statements of income and retained earnings for such year, prepared
in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting  principles,  consistently
applied from year to year, and certified by independent  public  accountants for
Lessee. If requested by Lessor,  Lessee shall also provide  quarterly  financial
statements of Lessee, similarly prepared for each of the first three quarters of
each fiscal year,  certified  (subject to normal year-end audit  adjustments) by
the chief financial  officer of Lessee and furnished to Lessor within sixty (60)
days following the end of the quarter,  and such other financial  information as
may be reasonably requested by Lessor.

               14. Delayed Payment  Charge.  Lessee shall pay to Lessor interest
upon the amount of any Daily Rent, Monthly Rent or other sums not paid by Lessee
when due and owing under this Lease  Agreement,  from the due date thereof until
paid,  at the rate of one and one half  (1-1/2)  percent per month,  but if such
rate violates  applicable law, then the maximum rate of interest allowed by such
law.

               15. Default.

               15.1  The  occurrence  of  any  of  the  following  events  shall
constitute an event of default ("Event of Default") under this Lease Agreement.

                              (a)  Lessee  fails  to pay any  Daily  Rent or any
               Monthly Rent when due and such failure to pay  continues  for ten
               (10) consecutive days; or

                              (b)  Lessee  fails to pay any other  sum  required
               hereunder,  and such failure  continues  for a period of ten (10)
               days following written notice from Lessor; or

                              (c) Lessee  fails to  maintain  the  insurance  as
               required by Section 11 above and such failure  continues  for ten
               (10) days after written notice from Lessor; or

                              (d) Lessee  violates or fails to perform any other
               term,  covenant or condition of this Lease Agreement or any other
               document,  agreement or instrument executed pursuant hereto or in
               connection  herewith,  which  failure is not cured within  thirty
               (30) days after written notice from Lessor; or

                              (e)  Lessee  ceases  to  exist or  terminates  its
               independent   operations   by  reason   of  any   discontinuance,
               dissolution,  liquidation,  merger,  sale of substantially all of
               its  assets,  or  otherwise  ceases  doing  business  as a  going
               concern; or


<PAGE>



                              (f)  Lessee (i)  applies  for or  consents  to the
               appointment  of, or the  taking  of  possession  by, a  receiver,
               custodian,  trustee, liquidator or similar official for itself or
               for all or a substantial part of its property,  (ii) is generally
               not paying  its debts as such debts  become  due,  (iii)  makes a
               general  assignment  for  the  benefit  of  its  creditors,  (iv)
               commences a  voluntary  case under the United  States  Bankruptcy
               Code,  as  now  or  hereafter  in  effect,  seeking  liquidation,
               reorganization  or other  relief  with  respect  to itself or its
               debts,  (v) files a  petition  seeking to take  advantage  of any
               other law  providing  for the relief of  debtors,  (vi) takes any
               action under the laws of its  jurisdiction  of  incorporation  or
               organization similar to any of the foregoing,  or (vii) takes any
               corporate  action  for  the  purpose  of  effecting  any  of  the
               foregoing; or

                              (g) A proceeding or case is commenced, without the
               application  or  consent  of  Lessee,  in any court of  competent
               jurisdiction,   seeking  (i)  the  liquidation,   reorganization,
               dissolution,  winding up of Lessee or composition or readjustment
               of the  debts of  Lessee,  (ii)  the  appointment  of a  trustee,
               receiver, custodian, liquidator or similar official for Lessee or
               for all or any substantial  part of its assets,  or (iii) similar
               relief with respect to Lessee,  under any law  providing  for the
               relief of debtors; or an order for relief is entered with respect
               to  Lessee  in  an  involuntary  case  under  the  United  States
               Bankruptcy  Code,  as now or  hereafter  in effect;  or an action
               under  the  laws  of  the   jurisdiction  of   incorporation   or
               organization of Lessee, similar to any of the foregoing, is taken
               with respect to Lessee without its application or consent; or

                              (h) Lessee  makes any  representation  or warranty
               herein or in any  statement or  certificate  at any time given in
               writing  pursuant to or in connection with this Lease  Agreement,
               which is false or misleading in any material respect; or

                             (i)  Lessee  defaults  under any  promissory  note,
               credit  agreement,  loan agreement,  conditional  sales contract,
               guaranty,  lease,  indenture,  bond,  debenture or other material
               obligation whatsoever, and a party thereto or a holder thereof is
               entitled to accelerate the obligations of Lessee  thereunder;  or
               Lessee defaults in meeting any of its trade, tax or other current
               obligations  as they mature,  unless such  obligations  are being
               contested diligently and in good faith; or

                              (j) Any party to any  guaranty,  letter of credit,
               subordination or credit agreement or other undertaking, given for
               the benefit of Lessor and obtained in connection  with this Lease
               Agreement,  breaches, fails to continue, contests, or purports to
               terminate  or  to  disclaim  such  guaranty,  letter  of  credit,
               subordination or credit agreement or other  undertaking;  or such
               guaranty,  letter of  credit,  subordination  agreement  or other
               undertaking becomes  unenforceable;  or a guarantor of this Lease
               Agreement  shall die, cease to exist or terminate its independent
               operations.

               15.2 No waiver by Lessor of any Event of Default shall constitute
a waiver of any other  Event of  Default  or of the same Event of Default at any
other time.

               16. Remedies.

               16.1 Upon the  occurrence  of an Event of Default  and while such
Event  of  Default  is  continuing,   Lessor,  at  its  sole  option,  upon  its
declaration,  and to the  extent  not  inconsistent  with  applicable  law,  may
exercise any one or more of the following remedies:

                              (a) Lessor  may  terminate  this  Lease  Agreement
               whereupon all rights of Lessee to the use of the Equipment  shall
               cease;

                              (b)  Whether  or  not  this  Lease   Agreement  is
               terminated, Lessor may cause Lessee, at the sole cost and expense
               of Lessee, to return any or all of the Equipment  promptly to the
               possession of Lessor in good repair and working order, reasonable
               wear and tear  excepted.  Lessor,  at its sole option and through
               its employees,  agents or  contractors,  may peaceably enter upon
               the premises  where the  Equipment is located and take  immediate
               possession of and remove the Equipment,  all without liability to
               Lessor,  its  employees,  agents or  contractors  for such entry.
               LESSEE HEREBY WAIVES,  TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW,
               ANY  AND  ALL  RIGHTS  TO  NOTICE  AND/OR  HEARING  PRIOR  TO THE
               REPOSSESSION  OR  REPLEVIN  OF  THE  EQUIPMENT  BY  LESSOR,   ITS
               EMPLOYEES, AGENTS OR CONTRACTORS;

                              (c) Lessor may proceed by court  action to enforce
               performance by Lessee of this Lease Agreement or pursue any other
               remedy Lessor may have hereunder,  at law, in equity or under any
               applicable statute including,  without limitation, the rights and
               remedies of a secured party under the Uniform  Commercial Code of
               The Commonwealth of  Massachusetts or of any other  jurisdiction,
               and  recover  such other  actual  damages as may be  incurred  by
               Lessor;

                              (d) Lessor may recover from Lessee damages, not as
               a  penalty  but as  liquidation  for  all  purposes  and  without
               limitation  of any other amounts due from Lessee under this Lease
               Agreement,  in an amount equal to the sum of (i) any unpaid Daily
               Rents and/or  Monthly  Rents due and payable for periods prior to
               the repossession of the Equipment by Lessor plus any interest due
               thereon  pursuant to Section 14 above,  (ii) the present value of
               all future  Monthly Rents  required to be paid over the remaining
               Lease  Term  after  repossession  of  the  Equipment  by  Lessor,
               determined by  discounting  such future Monthly Rents to the date
               of payment by Lessee at a rate of five (5) percent per annum, and
               (iii) all costs and expenses  incurred in searching for,  taking,
               removing, storing, repairing, restoring, refurbishing and leasing
               or selling such Equipment; or

                              (e) Lessor may sell, lease or otherwise dispose of
               any or all of the Equipment,  whether or not in the possession of
               Lessor,  at public or private sale and with or without  notice to
               Lessee, which notice is hereby expressly waived by Lessee, to the
               extent  permitted by and not  inconsistent  with  applicable law.
               Lessor may sell,  lease or dispose of the Equipment in such order
               and  manner as Lessor  may  determine.  Lessor  shall  then apply
               against the  obligations of Lessee  hereunder the net proceeds of
               such sale, lease or other disposition,  after deducting all costs
               incurred by Lessor in connection  with such sale,  lease or other
               disposition   including,   but   not   limited   to,   costs   of
               transportation,  repossession, storage, refurbishing, advertising
               or other fees and Lessee shall remain liable for any  deficiency.
               Lessor  shall  account for any excess of such  proceeds  over the
               total   obligations  owed  by  Lessee,   which  excess  shall  be
               immediately paid over to Lessee.  Unless the Equipment  threatens
               to decline  speedily in value or is of the type  customarily sold
               on a recognized market, Lessor shall give to Lessee at least five
               (5) days prior written notice of the time and place of any public
               sale of the Equipment or of the time after which any private sale
               or other disposition of the Equipment is to be made.

               16.2 No failure on the part of Lessor to  exercise,  and no delay
in exercising,  any right or remedy hereunder shall operate as a waiver thereof.
No single or partial  exercise of any right or remedy  hereunder  shall preclude
any other or further  exercise  thereof or the  exercise  of any other  right or
remedy. Each right and remedy provided hereunder is cumulative and not exclusive
of any other right or remedy including,  without limitation, any right or remedy
available to Lessor at law, by statute or in equity.

               16.3 Lessee shall pay all costs and expenses  including,  but not
limited  to,  reasonable  legal fees  incurred  by Lessor  arising  out of or in
connection with any Event of Default or this Lease Agreement.  Lessee shall also
be liable for any amounts due and payable to Lessor under any other provision of
this Lease Agreement.



<PAGE>


               17. Assignment; Sublease.

               17.1 Lessor may sell,  assign or  otherwise  transfer  all or any
part of its right,  title and interest in and to the Equipment and/or this Lease
Agreement to a third-party assignee, subject to the terms and conditions of this
Lease  Agreement  including,  but not  limited  to,  the right to the use of the
Equipment  by Lessee as set forth in Section  7.1  above.  Such  assignee  shall
assume all of the rights and  obligations  of Lessor under this Lease  Agreement
and shall relieve Lessor therefrom.  Thereafter, all references to Lessor herein
shall mean such assignee. Notwithstanding any such sale, assignment or transfer,
the obligations of Lessee  hereunder shall remain absolute and  unconditional as
set forth in Section 7.2 above.

               17.2  Lessor  may also,  to the extent of its  interest  therein,
pledge,  mortgage or grant a security  interest in the Equipment and assign this
Lease  Agreement as  collateral.  Each such  pledgee,  mortgagee,  lienholder or
assignee  shall have any and all rights as may be assigned by Lessor but none of
the obligations of Lessor hereunder.  Any pledge,  mortgage or grant of security
interest in the Equipment or assignment of this Lease Agreement shall be subject
to the terms and conditions hereof  including,  but not limited to, the right to
the use of the Equipment by Lessee as set forth in Section 7.1 above. Lessor, by
reason of such  pledge,  mortgage,  grant of  security  interest  or  collateral
assignment,  shall not be relieved  of any of its  obligations  hereunder  which
shall remain absolute and  unconditional as set forth in Section 7.2 above. Upon
the written request of Lessor,  Lessee shall acknowledge such obligations to the
pledgee, mortgagee, lienholder or assignee.

               17.3 LESSEE SHALL NOT SELL, TRANSFER, ASSIGN, SUBLEASE, CONVEY OR
PLEDGE ANY OF ITS  INTEREST  IN THIS LEASE  AGREEMENT  OR ANY OF THE  EQUIPMENT,
WITHOUT  THE  PRIOR  WRITTEN  CONSENT  OF  LESSOR.  Any  such  sale,   transfer,
assignment,  sublease,  conveyance  or pledge,  whether by  operation  of law or
otherwise, without the prior written consent of Lessor, shall be void.

               18.  Compliance  and Approvals.  Lessee  warrants and agrees that
this Lease  Agreement and the  performance  by Lessee of all of its  obligations
hereunder  have  been duly  authorized,  do not and will not  conflict  with any
provision  of the  charter or bylaws of Lessee or of any  agreement,  indenture,
lease or other  instrument  to which Lessee is a party or by which Lessee or any
of its property is or may be bound.  Lessee  warrants and agrees that this Lease
Agreement  does  -not and  will  not  require  any  governmental  authorization,
approval, license or consent except those which have been duly obtained and will
remain in effect during the entire Lease Term.

               19. Miscellaneous.

               19.1 The section  headings are inserted herein for convenience of
reference and are not part of and shall not affect the meaning or interpretation
of this Lease Agreement.

               19.2 Any provision of this Lease Agreement which is unenforceable
in whole  or in part in any  jurisdiction  shall,  as to such  jurisdiction,  be
ineffective only to the extent of such unenforceability without invalidating any
remaining part or other provision hereof and shall not be affected in any manner
by reason of such  enforceability  in any other  jurisdiction.  The validity and
interpretation  of this Lease  Agreement and the rights and  obligations  of the
parties hereto shall be governed in all respects by the laws of The Commonwealth
of  Massachusetts  without  giving  effect to the  conflicts of laws  provisions
thereof.

               19.3 This Lease Agreement,  including all Equipment Schedules and
Certificates of Acceptance,  constitutes the entire agreement between Lessor and
Lessee.  Lessor and Lessee agree that this Lease Agreement shall not be amended,
altered or changed except by a written  agreement  signed by the parties hereto.
LESSEE ACKNOWLEDGES THAT THERE HAVE BEEN NO REPRESENTATIONS, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
BY LESSOR OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH HEREIN AND LESSEE  EXPRESSLY  CONFIRMS THAT IT
HAS NOT  RELIED  UPON ANY  REPRESENTATIONS  BY  LESSOR,  EXCEPT  THOSE SET FORTH
HEREIN, AS A BASIS FOR ENTERING INTO THIS LEASE AGREEMENT.

               19.4  Any  notice  required  to be  given  by  Lessee  or  Lessor
hereunder  shall be deemed  adequately  given if sent by registered or certified
mail, return receipt requested, to the other party at their respective addresses
stated herein or at such other place as either party may designate in writing to
the other.

               19.5  Lessee  agrees  to  execute  and  deliver  such  additional
documents  and to perform such further  acts as may be  reasonably  requested by
Lessor  in  order  to  carry  out and  effectuate  the  purposes  of this  Lease
Agreement.  Upon the written request of Lessor, Lessee further agrees to execute
any  instrument  necessary  for filing or recording  this Lease  Agreement or to
confirm the interest of Lessor in the Equipment.  Lessor is hereby authorized to
insert in any Equipment  Schedule the serial  numbers of the Equipment and other
identifying marks or similar  information and to sign, on behalf of Lessee,  any
Uniform Commercial Code financing statements.

               19.6 This  Lease  Agreement  cannot be  cancelled  or  terminated
except as expressly provided herein.

               19.7 Whenever the context of this Lease Agreement  requires,  the
singular includes the plural and the plural includes the singular.  Whenever the
word Lessor is used herein, it includes all assignees and successors in interest
of  Lessor.  If more than one  Lessee  are named in this  Lease  Agreement,  the
liability of each shall be joint and several.

               19.8 All agreements, indemnities,  representations and warranties
of Lessee made herein and all rights and  remedies of Lessor  shall  survive the
expiration  or  other  termination  of  this  Lease  Agreement,  whether  or not
expressly provided herein.

               19.9 Any  waiver of any  power,  right,  remedy or  privilege  of
Lessor hereunder shall not be effective unless in writing signed by Lessor.

               19.10  This  Lease  Agreement  may be  executed  in  one or  more
counterparts,  each of  which  shall be  deemed  an  original,  but all of which
together shall constitute one and the same instrument.


<PAGE>


               IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,   Lessor  and  Lessee,  each  by  its  duly
authorized  officer  or agent,  have duly  executed  and  delivered  this  Lease
Agreement,  which is intended to take effect as a sealed  instrument,  as of the
day and year first written above.


                                                 ALLOU DISTRIBUTORS, INC.

                                                 By: /s/ DAVID SHAMILZADEH
                                                    -------------------------
                                                 Title:      SR VP CFO

Accepted at Boston, Massachusetts

BANCBOSTON LEASING INC.

By:    /s/ SUSAN SINTROS
   --------------------------------
Title:   Assistant Vice President

                                        

<PAGE>


                                   RIDER No. 1
                                       To
                         MASTER LEASE FINANCE AGREEMENT

               This Rider No.1 (the "Rider") is entered into between  BancBoston
Leasing  Inc.  ("Lessor")  and  Allou  Distributors,  Inc.  ("Lessee"),  and  is
contemporaneous  with and amends the Master Lease Finance  Agreement dated as of
April 24 1996 (the  "Lease  Agreement")  between  Lessor and  Lessee.  It is the
intention of Lessor and Lessee that, upon execution, this Rider shall constitute
a part of the Lease Agreement.

               IN   CONSIDERATION  OF  the  mutual  covenants  and  promises  as
hereinafter set forth, Lessor and Lessee hereby agree as follows:

               1.  All  capitalized  terms  used in  this  Rider  shall,  unless
otherwise defined, have the meanings set forth in the Lease Agreement.

               2. Following section 19 of the Lease Agreement,  a new section 20
is inserted as follows:

               "20. LESSOR OPTION TO TERMINATE. If (a) that certain Restated and
Amended Revolving Credit Security  Agreement (the "Revolver") dated as of May 9,
1994, and as it may be further amended from time to time, by and among Lessee as
borrower,  and The First  National  Bank of Boston  ("FNBB"),  and certain other
banks set forth as parties, from time to time, as lenders, should cease to be in
effect,  or (b) Lessee  should  refinance its existing debt to FNBB with another
lender,  and if there should not be in effect any  successor  agreement  for the
extension of credit by FNBB to Lessee  taking the place of such  Revolver,  then
Lessor,  at its  option,  upon thirty (30) days  written  notice to Lessee,  may
terminate  the  Lease  Agreement  with  respect  to all  Equipment  ("Terminated
Equipment")  set forth on any or all Equipment  Schedules of the Lease Agreement
(in each case,  a  "Terminated  Equipment  Schedule"),  and Lessee  shall pay to
Lessor (i) all Monthly Rent and other amounts due from Lessee, including without
limitation,  any Return Fee (if  applicable)  under the Lease  Agreement and any
Terminated  Equipment  Schedule and (ii) the present value of an future  Monthly
Rents  required  to  be  paid  over  the  remaining  Lease  Term  determined  by
discounting  such future  Monthly  Rents to the date of payment by Lessee at the
rate set forth on the applicable Equipment  Schedule(s) as the "Lease Rate"; and
take title to such Terminated  Equipment on the first day of the month following
the expiration of such notice period (the "Termination Date").

               After the  Termination  Date,  and  provided  that the  foregoing
conditions  have been met,  Lessee  shall be released  and  discharged  from all
obligations  with  respect to a  Terminated  Equipment  Schedule  except for any
obligations  which have  accrued  prior to the  Termination  Date.  Any  amounts
received by Lessor as a  Termination  Value  under this  Section 20 shall not be
available  to Lessee for the leasing of  additional  Equipment  under such lease
line.  If either of the events  referred  to in (a) or (b) above  should  occur,
Lessee  agrees  to give  Lessor  written  notice  thereof  within  ten (10) days
following such occurrence."



<PAGE>


               The terms and  conditions of this Rider shall prevail where there
may be conflicts or  inconsistencies  with the terms and conditions of the Lease
Agreement.

               IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,   Lessor  and  Lessee,  each  by  its  duly
authorized  officer or agent,  have duly executed and delivered this Rider which
is intended to take  effect as a sealed  instrument  as of the date of the Lease
Agreement.

                                        

<PAGE>




                                                     ALLOU DISTRIBUTORS, INC.

                                                     By:  /s/ DAVID SHAMILZADEH
                                                        ------------------------
                                                     Title:      SR VP CFO

Accepted at Boston, Massachusetts

BANCBOSTON LEASING INC.

By:      /s/ SUSAN SINTROS
   ------------------------------
Title:   Assistant Vice President

                                        

<PAGE>


[BANCBOSTON LEASING LOGO]

                                                              Lease Rate = 8.67%
                                                                       EXHIBIT A

                            EQUIPMENT SCHEDULE NO. 1

               This Equipment Schedule No. 1 is hereby made a part of the MASTER
LEASE FINANCE  AGREEMENT dated as of April 24, 1996 between  BancBoston  Leasing
Inc., as Lessor, and Allou Distributors, Inc., as Lessee.

               1.  EQUIPMENT  DESCRIPTION  (including  quantity,  model/feature,
identification and/or serial number):

                       Warehouse Equipment and Leaseholds

            For further description - please see attached Exhibit A.


2.FINANCE CHARGES:       $456,355.27
3.LEASE TERM:            60 months
4.ACQUISITION COST:      $2,010,376.13
5.MONTHLY RENT:          $41,112.19       [X] in advance        [_]in arrears
6.INSTALLATION SITE:     25655 Springbrook Ave., Units #6, #7 & #8
                         Address

                         Saugus       Los Angeles    California   91350
                         ----------------------------------------------
                         City         County         State        Zip Code

LESSOR:

BancBoston Leasing Inc.

By: ___________________________

Title: __________________________



LESSEE:

Allou Distributors, Inc.

By: ___________________________

Title: __________________________




<PAGE>


                            Allou Distributors, Inc.
                            Equipment Schedule No. 1
                                    Exhibit A


(1)            Keyboard Assembly
(1)            Jet-A-Mark Linx
(1)            Cabinet Yello 120 Gal Safe-T-Dr
(1)            Hazard Rating Pocket Guide
(1)            Fire Protection Guide/Haz Mat
(1)            Haz Chemicals Desk Reference
(1)            Bulk Cold Packs 5 /12" X 10"
(1)            Standard Refill Pack
(2)            Coated Palm Knit Gloves
(1)            Refill Kit for #10430
(11)           Support Belt, Large Black
(3)            Cabinet Yello 120 Gal Safe-T-Dr
(175)          Allsafe Prism  Uni-Lens Spec  Black/Hot  Pink Brow Temple Clr 
(24)           Allsafe Clear  Replacement  Lens for the Prism Spec
(1)            Speakman  Saf-T-Zone  Shower and Eyewash 
(175)          Allsafe Prism  Uni-Lens Spec  Black/Hot  Pink Brow Temple Clr 
(24)           Allsafe Clear  Replacement  Lens for the Prism Spec 
(109)          Allsafe Prism Uni-Lens Spec Black/Hot Pink Brow Temple Clr 
(24)           Allsafe Clear  Replacement Lens for the Prism Spec 
(3)            National MSDS Training  Posters,  English and Spanish 
(2)            Pacsafe Clear Vinyl Apron 30" X 36" X 012" 
(1)            Kishigo  Non-Hemmed Vinyl Apron 36" X 45" .012" 
(2)            North Large First Aid Kit (24) Allsafe  Replacement Lens 
(3)            Nat'l See Sign 7" X 17" 
(2)            Nat'l See Sign 7" X 7" 
(3)            Nat'l Rigid  Safety First 
(10)           OK-1 Nylon Back Support Belt 
(10)           Protexall Super Hairnet 
(1)            Speakman Open Valve 
(1)            Nat'l See Sign 7" X 17" 
(1)            Speakman  Open Valve 
(2)            7" X 17"See Sign
66 Lin Ft. of 8' 4-7/8" Cornile High Plush Aluma-Wall Partitions Including
              (1) 3'0" X 6'8" Door Frame and Jamb and 6 PN297 Ceiling Supports
(1)            Sweeper BG 80,  Serial #1696 
(1)            Window & Door 96 X 88 Aluminum  Bracket 4MM Hex  Tri-Handle 
Spin  Fixture & Nose  Assembly For Air Mist Bottle 
2 Lot Vacuum Bottles Cradles 
2 Lots Bottle Rotators 
(1)         Screening Machine Serial #595785:
               (1)           2 Color Cylinder Only Base Machine
               (2)            Suction Hold Down System 
               (1)            Adjustable  Infeed Conveyor  
               (1)            Pick and Place  Load  W/Orientor  
               (1)            Universal   Flame  Treat  System  
               (1)            Flame  Treat Turning  Station  Cylinders

                                        
                                  Page 1 of 10

<PAGE>


               (2)            Pre  Registration Station
               (2)            Print Registration Station 
               (2)            Four Way Micro  Adjust  Screen Mount 
               (2)            UV Light Mount With Exhaust  and Auto Lift 
               (2)            Fusion  450 UV Unit 460 Volt 
               (2)            Pick  and  Place  Unload  
               (1)            Adjustbale Unload  Conveyor  
               (2)            UV Turning  Station  
               (1)            12OZ Cylinder Tooling Kit
(1)            American Ultraviolet curing tunnel
(1)            Advance Model 4-41705 screen washer with solvent filler
(1)            Advance Ultraviolet curing tunnel
(1)            Folder inserter
(1)            Lawson Nova 3046 photographic enlarger
(1)            Nuarc P1400 processor
(1)            Convert 48" accumulation
(1)            Lid for small piston filler
(1)            Belt conveyor for piston filler to convert side plate
(1)            4" tandem shear pipeline mixer complete with swivel casters
(1)            Autoroll  A-10  modular  automatic  screen  printing  system  for
               cylinders SN: 585693  complete with suction  holddown  system for
               highspeed operation,  adjustable infeed conveyor,  pick and place
               load with neck/base  orienter,  universal flame treating  system,
               flame   treating   turning   station  for   cylinders,   cylinder
               preregistration station,  cylinder registration station, four way
               micro  adjust  screen  mount,  UV light  mount with  exhause  and
               automatic  lift,  UV light  (fusion  systems  F450  standard)  UV
               turning  station,  adjustable  unload  conveyor,  bottle cleaning
               station
(1)            Two ink jet bottom coders mount on side, belt carriers
(1)            Nordenmatic  Model 700 Hot Air  Filling & Sealing  Machine  W/One
               Additional Set of Tooilng, S/N# 52140
(1)            Model   P-3-15,    "Steel   It"   Explosion-Proof    Motors   and
               Explosion-Proof On/Off at Machine
               (1) Set of Change Parts Included for 16 Oz. @ 120 CPM
(1)            Model  2D-3-4  W/(2) 15  Cubic  Foot  Hoppers,  76"  Square  Base
               Assembly/Hardcoat Anodized Aluminum Top Plate
                             - Drive Chain-Heavy Gearing
                             - Allen-Bradley PLC-SLC 500
                             - Discharge Conveyor to the Edge of Base Frame
                             - Platform Decking and Ladder
                             (1) Set of Change Parts 8 Oz.
                             (2) Additional Sets of Change Parts for 12 Oz. 
                                 and 16 Oz.
(1)            Model P-4-15, "Steel It"
                             (1) Set of Change Parts for 16 Oz. at 90 CPM
                             (1) Machine Direction L To R, Extended Chutes Built
                                 to Send Bottles, Laying Down, Base
                                 First Down Stream, 36" Conveyor Height
                             (2) Additional Sets of Change Parts for 2 Oz. and
                                 32 Oz.  Extended 
(1)            Model P-4-15, "Steel It"
                             (1) Set of Change Parts for 3 Oz. at 120 CPM
                               -    Machine Direction L To R Extended Chute
                                    Built to Send Bottles, Laying Down, Base
                                    First Down Stream, 36"Conveyor Height

(1)            Great Lakes Model TS-37 inline automatic  horizontal wrapper with
               NEMA 12 U.L. approved main control box, including but not limited
               to the following standard features:
                               -    Continuous motion operation;
                               -    Programmable logic controller;
                               -    Precision temperature control - hot knife
                                    cross seal;

                                        
                                  Page 2 of 10

<PAGE>


                               -    Low voltage ribbon side sealer;
                               -    Central lubrication;
                               -    10' Flighted infeed;
                               -    Vertical drop tee-lugs;
                               -    Rapid handwheel change over;
                               -    Film mizer wheel;
                               -    8" Seal jaw with seal jaw bridge;
                               -    Varible Speed Discharge
                               -    2 1/2" high Z-shaped paper guide

(1)            Shrink Wrap Machine Model TS37 with Special 10 Ft. Infeed, T Lugs
               Variable Speed Discharge Seal
(1)            Belco ST 1608 High Speed Great Lakes 737-2  Bundler and  HVP4-448
               Tunnel
(1)            Newbridge 3624 Mainstreet Channel Bank with Internal CSU
(1)            Hydraulic Blow Molding System For Bottles
(1)            Meg VLB Video Controller 1280 X 1024 S/N# 001079/AL1029-E
(1)            Platinum  Payroll  Software System  Manager-Single  User X-Trieve
               with Platinum Integration Implementation, System Set-Up
(1)            486DX-33MHZ at VLB System  486DX-33MHZ  W/256K  Writeback  Cache,
               S/N# VLB 421832, Intel Processor;UMC  Chipset; AMI Bios Mid Tower
               Chassis  W/230  Watt UL  Power  Supply  FCC  Class B  Approved  &
               JCE-PAM-4-VAT Dos 6.0, S/N# 1B-210050, 4 Meg Ram 200 Meg Ide Hard
               Drive  S/N#  Bl19CZKS,  Orchid VLB HD/FD at 1/O  Controller  S/N#
               57213,  1.2/5/25" Teac Floppy S/N# N166064, 101 Enhanced Keyboard
               S/N# 930504062, 14" VLB SVGA 1280 X 1024NI .28MM Monitor
(1)            Omso  Model  RS37/UV  Single  Color  Bottle   Printer-Auto-Screen
               Printing  Machine Complete with Fusion F450 UV Curing System S/N#
               G1470 Including (2) Sets of 160z. Tooling
(1)            Counter Rotating Two Speed Agitator  Assembly For 1360 Gallon Mix
               Tank T-304 Stainless Steel
(1)            Willett  Labeljet  Inc.  Model 2300-45  Automatic  Microprocessor
               Controlled Airjet Pressure Sensitive Applicator
(2)            Photo-Electric Product Detector With Mounting Hardware
(2)            U-Arm to Mount Applicator to Existing T-Base Stand
(2)            3820 Mek Final Assy-Demo
(2)            KID III
(2)            Photocell Assembly 38XX
(1)            6500 Gallon Vert Tank
(2)            Batch Controller
(2)            Installation Tee
(2)            Paddle Wbeel Flo Sensor
(3)            6500 Gallon Vert Tank
(1)            50 Ft.  Kuritek Clear Suction Hose
(1)            60 Ft.  Wht FDA Suction Hose
(1)            Omso RS37 Two Colr Incline Automatic Silk Screening Machine
(3)            Semi Auto Silk Screening Machines
(7)            Evaporative Coolers
(1)            15' Ft. Drying Chamber For Semi Auto Screen Printers
(1)            25' Conveyor System
(2)            Jacketed Mixing Tanks, Stainless Steel
(2)            Variable Speed Mixers For Mixing Tanks
(4)            Carton Coder
(1)            Wastewater  Discharge Control System Including Pumps, Filters and
               Controls(l)
(1)            High Speed Capper S/N: C-8-C-LC-LR-0340
(1)            Capper Elevator for Rotary Shampoo Line S/N: C.E.0343

                                        
                                  Page 3 of 10

<PAGE>


(1)            Rebuild  U.S.  Rotary  Filler - change  from  vacuum to  pressure
               system 480 transformer
(1)            Wiring
(1)            Post Surge Optics
(1)            Level Control
(1)            Allowance for 10% Window
(1)            Set of 12 Ounce Container Parts
(15)           Conveyor
(1)            Infeed End Bracket
(1)            Variable Speed Conveyer Drive
(1)            Conveyer Support Legs
(1)            Supports and Chain for Conveyor
(1)            Set of 8 Ounce Change Parts for Rotary Filler
(7)            Cavity Injection Blow Molds for a Jomar 85 Ton,  Comprised of Two
               Molding Stations
(1)            1,400 Gallon SS Single Wall Tank (Alcohol) S/N 36112706
(1)            5,000 Gallon Steel Tank W/Frame S/N 145148463
(1)            Cooling Tower S/N 87-200444
(1)            Clark Forklift S/N 355-726-4161
(1)            45 KVA Transaformer S/N 29-1/87-185609
(2)            Ron Unger Single Head Filling Machine S/N 128874 & 018760
(1)            Ron Unger 12 Head Filling Machine S/N 118724
(1)            Pack West 6 Head Piston Filler S/N PF-6-0030
(1)            Pack West Capper S/N C-6-0031
(1)            E.L.F. 6 Hd Filler S/N ELF771
(2)            Pack West Unscrambler S/N U-6-0032
(2)            Wilton Carton Sealers S/N 113862 & 113863
(1)            Alesco Piston Filler S/N 55773
(3)            Waukeshau SS Pumps S/N D06754455, 1338855 & 891725
(1)            Wilden M-8 SS S/N 31655
(2)            5,000 Gallon SS Single Wall Tank S/N 3911017
(1)            750 Gallon Jacketed SS Tank With Dual Motion Agitator S/N 49304
(1)            1,400 Gallon Jacketed Tank With Agitator S/N 49305
(1)            3,000 Gallon SS Tank W/Cooling Jacket S/N 3760852
(1)            1,400 Gallon SS Single Wall Tank (Alcohol) S/N 31728-9
(2)            1,900 Gallon Poly Tanks S/N 5T-1900
(1)            850 Gal SS Single Wall Tank S/N 5KS826GN239PE
(2)            60 Gal Legion Stm Jacketed Kettles S/N 5OZ-9E-03
(1)            120 Gal Jacketed Mix Tank S/N 49313
(1)            5,000 Gallon Steel Tank W/Frame S/N 7060
(2)            SS Inline Filters S/N 060499
(1)            Batch Controller For D.I. Water S/N CGT34FK38A
(3)            Aro Drum Pump S/N A, B & C
(1)            Parker Boiler 40 HP S/N 33454
(1)            Parker Boiler 25 HP S/N 37118
(1)            Cooling Tower S/N .89-200444
(1)            Dalemark Coder S/N 874-137
(1)            Toledo Digital Scale S/N N06016049
(1)            Curtis 25 HP Compressor S/N C-17470
(1)            Pallet Racks S/N 4431011889
(2)            Pallet Jacks S/N 7006898319
(1)            Clark Forklift S/N 356-116-514S
(1)            Toyota Forklift S/N 355-726-4161
(2)            ARC Welder S/N JG138740
(1)            45 KVA Transformer S/N 29-10/86-181793

                                        
                                  Page 4 of 10

<PAGE>


(1)            Telephone System S/N RJ21 X
(1)            Alarm System S/N 87C0l62
(1)            Willett 2610 Printer Applicator System S/N 9226-0037
                    Lighting  Fixtures  Glass  Display - Front  Window Neon Sign
                    Modular   Racks    Free-Standing   Aisle   Shelving   -   8'
                    Free-Standing   Aisle  Shelving  -  6'  Free-Standing  Aisle
                    Shelving  -  64  Wire   Dividers  &  Hardware  For  Shelving
                    Free-Standing  Swivel Racks - 4 Sided  Free-Standing  Swivel
                    Racks - 2 Sided  Display  Cabinets  Service  Counters  Glass
                    Shelving Modular Peg Boards and Hardware Mirrors - Back Wall
                    4x8 Sections  Counter  Displays - Glass  Counter  Displays -
                    Plastic  Cash  Registers  and  Calculators  Wire and Plastic
                    Display Baskets HAVC
(19)           Savin Fax I
(1)            Savin Fax IV
(1)            AT System, Amdex 1280 Monitor, AST Keyboard,  Microsoft Mouse and
               Printer Switch
(1)            Desktop Publishing
(1)            PC System With 60Meg NB, 640K, All Ports
(2)            PC Systems With One Disk and One Port
(1)            Order Entry System - Data General Mini-Computer SW
(1)            Computer Equipment for Third Watson System
(1)            Pallet Racks
(1)            Wilden Pump M-8
(1)            Manchester 200 Gal Receiver
(1)            Rl00A Air Drive
(1)            AH 125 Air Cooled After Coller
(1)            F420BF00 5 Micron Air Filter W/Auto Drain 1 1/2"
(1)            R40 OBOO 1 1/2" Regulator
(1)            Tank Stand For Perm
(1)            B/S Mixer
(1)            Curtis 25HP Used Compressor
(2)            2 x l 1/2" SS Bushing
(1)            1 1/2" x Close
(2)            1 1/2" Type A
(1)            Air Fittings
(1)            1 1/2 x 6"
(1)            1 1 /2" x 1 1 /4" SS Bushing
(1)            1 1/2" Type A Camlock
(1)            1 1/2" Type F Camlock
(1)            6" x l 1/2" SS Nipple
(1)            1 1/2" x 90 DEG SS EL
(1)            Lot Brass Fittings
(150 Ft.) 3/4" Raided Nylon Hose (Alcohol Filler)

                                        
                                  Page 5 of 10

<PAGE>


(1)            Belts & Shives For Speed Increase on Cond Mix
(1)            Belt For Cooling Tower
(1)            Voltage Regulator
(2)            Brass Needle Valves
(1)            5 Gal Dod Ink
(1)            Pressure Switch (Cooling Tower)
(1)            5 Gal Dod Ink
(12)           C.I.J. Solvent
(1)            Fabricate SS Bridge For 40 Gal Kettle
(1)            1 1/2" Type C 90 Deg SS
(8)            1 1/2" Type C SS
(1)            Mixer Stand
(20)           Hose Clamp
(4)            1 1/2" Dust Cap SS
               SS-12 Chain
               2" Butterfly Valve With 1 1/2" Welded Kamlock
               P/N 2001603012 Willett CIJ Nozzle
(10)           Viton Crepaco 0 Rings
(10)           Viton Crepaco Lipseals
               OMSO RS37/UV One Color Screen Printing Machine With:
               -    Flaming Unit
               -    Pre-Register and Register Device
               - 1 Print  Station  with One  Cylinder  Device  Inflation  and No
               Bottle, No Print Device - 1 UV Walking Beam and Cabinet Including
               Fusion  F-450 Lamp Syst.  - 360 Degree Wrap  Around UV  Shielding
               with Safety Disconnects - Electrics 220v, 3 Phase, 60c
(1)            Everex/Lasermaster Image Processing System Including:
               Everex Step/AGI 486/33 33mhz PC/AT Compatible
               Tower Case With 220W Power Supply
               128K High Speed 25NS System  Static  Cache 16MB System  Memory on
               Board 160MB ESDI Winchester Disk With Controller 101 Key Enhanced
               Keyboard  1.2MB 5.25"  Floppy Disk Drive  1.44MB 3.5" Floppy Disk
               Drive 1 Serial  Port/l  Parallel  Port 60MB QIC-50 1/4"  lnternal
               Tape Drive  Evervision  VGA Color  Monitor VGA Video Card,  256KB
               Memory  Microsoft   Compatible  Bus  Mouse  Lasermaster  Turbores
               Typeshop  Which  Includes:   Turboview  19"  Gray  Scale  Monitor
               Turbosetter 1000 Laser Image Setter Including: 6MB Raster Imaging
               Processor  Card 2MB Video  Controller  Daughter  Board  Real Time
               Panning and Zooming High  Resolution  Drivers 135 Vector Scalable
               Fonts Postscript Interpreter All Required Cables, Paper and Toner
               Cartridge
               MS Windows V3.0 Menu Utility "PC Image", Correl Draw Syquest 44MB
               Removable Hard Disk Drive,  With  Interface and Cables,  Place of
               60MB QIC-60 Tape Backup.  Includes Appropriate Software,  Cables,
               SCSI Interface Adapter, (1) 44MB Removable Cartridge

                                        
                                  Page 6 of 10

<PAGE>


(4)            L Shaped Desks W/ Chair
(4)            Lateral Files
(2)            Folding Tables
(1)            Sharp Copier W/Stand #SS8600
(2)            Wood Finish Desk W/Chair
(1)            Model 148 Latter Heat Shrink Tunnel S/N 867385
(1)            Arenco Twin Tube Filler S/N 43680
(1)            CPC Model M400 Bottom Coder W/Dennison Accuprint
(1)            U.S. Bottlers Model VC-30LS Filling Line
(1)            Fillamatic Model AB-5 Vial Filler
(1)            3000 Gal SS Jacketed Tank With Agitator
(1)            Sullivan Lab Size Colloid Mill
(1)            Victory Dbl Sided Commercial Refrig
(1)            Paramount Fitness Trainer W/Rowing Machine
(1)            Spincure  UV Dryer With  Fusion UV Curing  System  With 10"D Bulb
               220V, 60C, 3 Phase
(1)            4S/131 Screen Printing Machine With:  Speed  Inverter/Cylindrical
               Attachment/Tooling   For   4   Oz.   Cylindrical   Bottle,   With
               Registration/Machine Base
(1)            OMSO Orientmatic Unscrambler
(1)            Palace Bottle Unscrambler
(1)            Palace Bottle  Unscrambler  w/exp motors and remote mtd.  control
               panel
(1)            Willet 3150 DOD Systems including carton feeder
(1)            Motorola RISC System 8408 Including the Following:
               Processor With 8 Megabyte of Memory
               Master Terminal
               60 Megabyte Disk Drive 150 Megabyte  Streamer  Tape  Sussystem 32
               Serial Ports (Users) 1 Printer Ports  Uninteruptible Power Supply
               Unix and Cdos License (For 32 Users) 1200 Baud Modem  Application
               Programs and Data Conversion
(2)            Printronix 6040 Printers S/N A305243 & A305242
(1)            Warehouse Demand Printer Facit S/N 562813
(1)            Pack West FullynAutomatic Four Barrel Piston Filler#4BPFQSWRFG022
(1)            Pack West  Inline Auto 120 Capper S/N  C6LRRC0225  
(1)            Pack West Model 48 Inch Rotary Unscrambler  
(1)            Pack West Model 48 Inch  Rotary  Accumulator  (1 Lot)  Connecting
               Stainless Steel Conveyor
(1)            Willet Model #3840 Small Character Ink Jet Printer #90060466105
(1)            Pack West Bottom Coder Conveyor
(8)            525 Gallon Polyethelene Storage Tanks W/Ball Valves
(1)            Willet  Model #3150 Large Char.  Ink Jet Printer  W/Conveyor  S/N
               88370416001
(1)            Carbon  Steel  Storage Tank 8200  Gallons  (Including  Stand) S/N
               KTP12889
(1)            Mixer Part #FGV075
(1)            2" Batch  Controller  (Meter) For Standapol  (Includes PC100) S/N
               122189

                                        
                                  Page 7 of 10

<PAGE>


Construction and Leaseholds:
- ----------------------------

*              Walls type I - Fire rated walls
               Framing to be done with 3 5/8" x 1 5/8"  steel  studs 16 gage 30'
               high with sound  insulation with four ply 5/8" fire treated sheet
               rock and laminated 12' high fire treated plywood

*              Walls type II
               Framing to be done with 3 5/8" x 1 5/8"  steel  studs 16 gage 12'
               high with sound insulation two sided 5/8" x 10' sheet rock

*              Walls type III
               Framing to be done with 3 5/8' x 1 5/8' steel  studs 20 gage 1 2'
               high with sound insulation two sided 5/8" x 10' sheet rock

*              Plumbing
               Demolish  and cap  off 19  points.  Furnish  and  install  19 new
               fixtures  in place of the old points.  Prepare  piping for 14 new
               additional points.  Furnish and install new fixtures with all new
               piping.

*              Sprinklers
               Furnish and install new sprinkler heads  throughout the following
               areas: New offices, mezzanine/R/x department,  inventory control,
               traffic,  warehouse management area, main entrance,  receptionist
               and waiting  area,  corridors,  and warehouse  lunch rooms.  Also
               install a new temper valve and shut off switch to main system.

*              HVAC
               Furnish and install new heating and cooling  systems  including a
               supply and direct  return  ducts,  fire dampers and diffusers and
               all related hardware including  necessary piping for condinsating
               line and new  high-pressure  gas line for new heat  pump for HVAC
               system.

*              Electrical
               Remove all hazardous wiring and all receptacles and fixtures from
               the warehouse due to frayed wiring,  hazardous  conditions and/or
               inefficient lighting conditions.

*              Warehouse
               Install new 200 amp line and two new 75 kva  transformers  480 to
               277  volts.  Relocate  one  transformer  from  loading  doc  into
               warehouse  #5.  Reloacte   battery  charges  for  high-lows  from
               warehouse #1 to warehouse #5 opposite load doc wall.  Furnish and
               install new outlets for security  alarm  system in warehouse  #5.
               Furnish and install new wiring for exit lights in  warehouse  #5.
               Furnish and install new circuit  breakers for  lighting  systems.
               Furnish and install new lights at a height of 28' f.f. Floor. 277
               volts  400-watts   mercury  model  ar22  prisms  covered  by  22'
               reflected  lenses to increase  illumination  to  increase  energy
               efficiency ard decrease energy cost.

*              Office
               Furnish and install new 2' x 4' lay-in  light  fixtures 277 volts
               with electronic  ballasts and chrome reflectors.  Outlets,  light
               switches emergency battery operated lights, lighted exit

                                        
                                  Page 8 of 10

<PAGE>



               signs above all exits and wherever  necessary  throughout all the
               offices. Furnish and install two new panel boxes 200 amps each.

*              Ceilings type I
               Furnish  and install new 2' x 2'  revealed  tiles  soundproof  in
               executive offices.

*              Ceilings type II
               Furnish  and  install  new 2' x 4' revealed 32 score tiles in the
               office areas.

*              Ceilings type III
               Furnish  and  install  new 2' x 4'  fire-rated  revealed 32 score
               tiles in the office areas beneath R/x department.

*              Ceilings type IV
               Furnish and install new 2' x 4' lay-in standard  ceiling tiles in
               all other common areas.

*              Doors & Hardware
               Includes doors, frames,  hinges, locks,  automatic door closures,
               and door stoppers. Doors and frames are to be steel and will meet
               fire-standard ratings.

*              Doors type I
               Entry doors with welded frames into masonry walls.

*              Doors type II
               Interior  doors  with k/d  frames to be  installed  in  sheetrock
               walls.

*              Doors type III
               Interior double doors single frame active and inactive doors with
               built-in safety latches.

*              Painting
               Prepare all walls with plaster and/or compound to fill all holes,
               cracks or voids in preparation for painting.

*              Type I
               All interior office walls to be Benjamin Moore semi-gloss.

*              Type II
               All doors and frames to be painted with Benjamin Moore semi-gloss
               oil paint.

*              Type III
               Warehouse  walls where needed to be painted with  Benjamin  Moore
               industrial oil paint.

*              Floors
               All floors throughout the construction area are to be skim coated
               and leveled with levellastic cement and 100% latex binder.

*              Type I
               Office  area to be carpet  tile 18" x 18" 40 oz.  wt.  with vinyl
               backing  manufactured  by Interface  Carpet Mills with releasavle
               adhesive.

*              Type II
               Vinyl tile 12" x 12" x 1/8" thickness manufactured by Ezrock Tile
               Mfg.  4"  rubber  cove  base  to  be  instaled   throughout   the
               installation. Cove base manufactured by V.P.I. Rubber Products.


                                        
                                  Page 9 of 10

<PAGE>


*              Mezzanine
               Furnish  and  install  200  beams  1 5/8"  x 12" x 18" 10  gauge.
               Furnish and install  2,100' of 20 gauge  corrugated  steel decks.
               Furnish  and  install two layers half inch sound board two layers
               of treated plywood.

*              Renovation of old existing office space
               Renovation  Includes  the  following:  removal of some old walls,
               removal of old and shabby and  stained  ceilings,  removal of old
               light   fixtures,   removal  of  some  old  VAC  ducts  including
               registers,   removal  of  all  old  flooring  and  all  data  and
               communication  lines and jacks.  Reinstall some new walls and new
               ceilings,  new electrical  wiring and  recepticals  and fixtures.
               Painting and flooring for all of the above.  Install  eight new 1
               1/2 hour fire rated  doors with new  frames.  Reinstall  new HVAC
               ducts. The following  departments are included in the above scope
               of  work;  executive  offices,  accounting,   bookkeeping,   data
               processing, purchasing and adjustments.








BancBoston Leasing Inc.

By: ___________________________

Title: __________________________




Allou Distributors, Inc.

By: ___________________________

Title: __________________________


                                        
                                  Page 10 of 10

<PAGE>


[BANCBOSTON LEASING LOGO]


                                                                       EXHIBIT B


                            CERTIFICATE OF ACCEPTANCE

To:            BancBoston Leasing Inc.
               100 Federal Street
               Boston, Massachusetts 02110

               Pursuant to the MASTER LEASE FINANCE  AGREEMENT dated as of April
24, 1996 (the "Lease Agreement")  between BancBoston Leasing Inc. (the "Lessor")
and the  undersigned  (the  "Lessee"),  the  equipment  described  on  Equipment
Schedule No. 1 (the "Equipment") has been delivered to the location set forth in
such Equipment  Schedule,  has been tested and inspected by Lessee, and has been
found to be in good repair and working order.

               The  Equipment  has been accepted and placed in service by Lessee
for all purposes under the Lease on __________ 19___ (the "Commencement Date").

               The execution of this  Certificate  of Acceptance by Lessee shall
not be  construed,  in any way,  to relieve or to waive the  obligations  of any
manufacturer or supplier for any warranties with respect to the Equipment

               This Certificate of Acceptance  applicable to Equipment  Schedule
No. 1 shall constitute a part of the Lease Agreement.

               IN WITNESS  WHEREOF  Lessee,  by its duly  authorized  officer or
agent,  has duly executed and delivered this  Certificate of Acceptance which is
intended to take effect as a sealed instrument.

                             Allou Distributors, Inc.
                             By: ____________________________
                             Title: __________________________




                                                                      

                        ALLOU HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE, INC.

                    COMPUTATION OF EARNINGS PER COMMON SHARE

                FOR THE YEARS ENDED MARCH 31, 1996, 1995 AND 1994


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                 Primary & Fully
                                           Diluted Earnings Per Share
                                                        1996         1995         1994
<S>                                                  <C>          <C>          <C>       
Reconciliation of net income per 
consolidated  statement of operations 
to amount used in earnings per 
share calculation:

   Net Income                                        $3,756,675   $4,681,301   $3,738,289
   (B) Add: Reduction of interest on short
       term debt,  net of tax  effect,  on
       application  of  assumed   proceeds
       from   exercise   of  options   and
       warrants in excess of 20% limitation                   0            0      191,134
                                                     ----------   ----------   ----------
   Net income as adjusted                            $3,756,675   $4,681,301   $3,929,423
                                                     ==========   ==========   ==========

Reconciliation  of weighted average 
number of shares  outstanding to amount 
used in earnings per share calculation:

   Weighted average number of
      shares outstanding                              5,669,907    5,582,128    3,997,703
   Add: Shares    issuable   from   assumed
        exercise of options and warrants
        in excess of 20% limitation                      94,864      286,004    1,402,143
                                                     ----------   ----------   ----------

    Total Common Stock And Equivalents                5,764,771    5,868,132    5,399,846
                                                     ==========   ==========   ==========

    Earnings per common share                            $  .65       $  .80       $  .73
                                                         ======       ======       ======
</TABLE>

(A)            For the year ended March 31,  1994,  fully  diluted  earnings per
               share were  antidulutive.  For the year ended March 31, 1995, and
               1996 fully diluted  earnings per share equaled  primary  earnings
               per share.


(B)            For the year ended March 31, 1995,  common stock equivalents have
               been reduced to below 20% of outstanding shares.





                                 SUBSIDIARIES OF
                        ALLOU HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE, INC.




NAME                                 STATE OF INCORPORATION          % OWNED
- -----                                ----------------------          --------
Allou Distributors, Inc.                    New York                   100%
M. Sobol, Inc.                              New York                   100%
Allou Personal Care Corporation             New York                   100%






                   [MAYER RISPLER & COMPANY, P.C. LETTERHEAD]






               CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS



Allou Health & Beauty Care, Inc.
Brentwood, New York

               We  hereby   consent  to  the   incorporation   by  reference  in
Registration Statements on Form S-8, Registration Numbers 33-65020 and 33-65022,
both as filed with the Securities  and Exchange  Commission on June 25, 1993 and
to the inclusion in the Allou Health & Beauty Care, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form
10-K for the year  ended  March  31,  1996 of our  report  dated  June 17,  1996
relating to the consolidated  financial statements and schedules of Allou Health
& Beauty Care, Inc. and subsidiaries.


                                     /s/ MAYER RISPLER & COMPANY, P.C.
                                     Mayer Rispler & Company, P.C.
                                     Certified Public Accountants


June 27, 1996
New York, New York


<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<CIK>                         0000846538
<NAME>                        ALLOU HEALTH & BEAUTY CARE, INC.
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                             MAR-31-1996
<PERIOD-START>                                APR-01-1995
<PERIOD-END>                                  MAR-31-1996
<CASH>                                              144,118
<SECURITIES>                                              0
<RECEIVABLES>                                    34,337,720
<ALLOWANCES>                                        373,890
<INVENTORY>                                      71,690,321
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                119,013,273
<PP&E>                                            6,110,444
<DEPRECIATION>                                    2,485,297
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                  126,184,705
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                            81,456,497
<BONDS>                                                   0
                                     0
                                               0
<COMMON>                                              5,752
<OTHER-SE>                                                0
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                    126,184,705
<SALES>                                         273,322,102
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                273,322,102
<CGS>                                           241,734,316
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                             0
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 19,945,310
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                          0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                5,524,543
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                   6,117,933
<INCOME-TAX>                                      2,361,247
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                               3,756,686
<DISCONTINUED>                                            0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                           0
<CHANGES>                                                 0
<NET-INCOME>                                      3,756,686
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                           .65
<EPS-DILUTED>                                           .65
        


</TABLE>


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