WOOLWORTH CORPORATION
10-Q, 1997-09-04
VARIETY STORES
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<PAGE> 1

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                 F O R M 10 - Q


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




For the quarterly period ended July 26, 1997


Commission file no. 1-10299


                              WOOLWORTH CORPORATION
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


         New York                                        13-3513936

(State or other jurisdiction of             (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
incorporation or organization)


233 Broadway,    New York,  New York                                 10279-0003
(Address of principal executive offices)                             (Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number:  (212) 553-2000


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
     ---         ---

Number of shares of Common Stock outstanding at August 29, 1997:134,914,082
<PAGE> 2



                              WOOLWORTH CORPORATION

                                      INDEX



                                                                        Page No.
                                                                        --------
Part I.  Financial Information

          Item 1.  Financial Statements

                   Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets                     3

                   Condensed Consolidated Statements
                   of Operations                                             4

                   Condensed Consolidated Statements
                   of Retained Earnings                                      5

                   Condensed Consolidated Statements
                   of Cash Flows                                             6

                   Notes to Condensed Consolidated
                   Financial Statements                                    7-9

          Item 2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                   Financial Condition and Results of Operations          9-13



Part II.  Other Information

          Item 1.  Legal Proceedings                                        13

          Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders   13-14

          Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                         14

                   Signature                                                15

                   Index to Exhibits                                     16-18

                                       -2-
<PAGE> 3

                         PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

Item 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

                              WOOLWORTH CORPORATION

                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                                  (in millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                             July 26,            July 27,          January 25,
                                                              1997                1996                1997
                                                              ----                ----                ----
                                                           (Unaudited)         (Unaudited)          (Audited)

                                     ASSETS

<S>                                                          <C>                 <C>                 <C>    
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents                                    $    69             $    97             $   328
Merchandise inventories                                        1,216               1,259               1,066
Net assets of discontinued operations                            209                 268                 236
Other current assets                                             174                 205                 202
                                                             -------             -------             -------
                                                               1,668               1,829               1,832
Property and equipment, net                                      903               1,032                 983
Deferred charges and other assets                                737                 592                 524
                                                             -------             -------             -------
                                                             $ 3,308             $ 3,453             $ 3,339
                                                             =======             =======             =======

                      LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current Liabilities:
Short-term debt                                              $    38             $   137             $  --
Accounts payable                                                 352                 360                 286
Accrued liabilities                                              526                 350                 427
Current portion of long-term debt and obligations
  under capital leases                                            14                  17                  15
                                                             -------             -------             -------
                                                                 930                 864                 728
Long-term debt and obligations
  under capital leases                                           568                 605                 575
Deferred taxes and other liabilities                             721                 779                 702
Shareholders' Equity:
  Preferred stock                                               --                  --                  --
  Common stock and paid-in capital                               311                 297                 299
  Retained earnings                                              870                 891               1,050
  Foreign currency translation adjustment                        (55)                 52                  22
  Minimum pension liability adjustment                           (37)                (35)                (37)
                                                             -------             -------             -------
    Total shareholders' equity                                 1,089               1,205               1,334
Commitments
                                                             -------             -------             -------
                                                             $ 3,308             $ 3,453             $ 3,339
                                                             =======             =======             =======
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                       -3-
<PAGE> 4



                              WOOLWORTH CORPORATION

                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                                   (Unaudited)
                     (in millions, except per share amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Thirteen weeks ended                    Twenty-six weeks ended
                                                             ----------------------------            ----------------------------
                                                             July 26,            July 27,            July 26,            July 27,
                                                              1997                1996                1997                1996
                                                              ----                ----                ----                ----

<S>                                                          <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>    
Sales                                                        $ 1,500             $ 1,607             $ 3,039             $ 3,177

Cost and Expenses:
Cost of sales                                                  1,037               1,095               2,111               2,214
Selling, general and administrative expenses                     370                 416                 758                 831
Depreciation and amortization                                     43                  44                  84                  89
Interest expense                                                  11                  15                  22                  32
Other income                                                      (2)                 (6)                 (6)                 (7)
                                                             -------             -------             -------             -------
                                                               1,459               1,564               2,969               3,159
                                                             -------             -------             -------             -------

Income from continuing operations
     before income taxes                                          41                  43                  70                  18
Income tax expense                                                15                  17                  27                   7
                                                             -------             -------             -------             -------
Income from continuing operations                                 26                  26                  43                  11

Loss from discontinued operations, net of income
     taxes of $8, $2, $19 and $7, respectively                   (12)                 (4)                (28)                (11)

Loss on disposal of discontinued operations,
     net of income taxes of $115                                (195)               --                  (195)               --

Net income (loss)                                            $  (181)            $    22             $  (180)            $  --
                                                             =======             =======             =======             =======

Per common share:
Income from continuing operations                            $  0.19             $  0.19             $  0.32             $  0.08
Loss from discontinued operations                            $ (1.54)            $ (0.02)            $ (1.66)            $ (0.08)
                                                             -------             -------             -------             -------
Net income (loss)                                            $ (1.35)            $  0.17             $ (1.34)            $  --
                                                             =======             =======             =======             =======

Weighted-average common shares outstanding                     134.5               133.3               134.3               133.2
</TABLE>

See accompanying notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                       -4-
<PAGE> 5



                              WOOLWORTH CORPORATION

             CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF RETAINED EARNINGS
                                   (Unaudited)
                                  (in millions)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   Twenty-six weeks ended
                                                                                   ----------------------
                                                                                 July 26,            July 27,
                                                                                  1997                1996
                                                                                  ----                ----


<S>                                                                              <C>                 <C>    
Retained earnings at beginning of year                                           $ 1,050             $   891
Net income (loss)                                                                   (180)               --
Cash dividends declared:
  Preferred stock (1996 - $1.10 per share)                                          --                  --
                                                                                 -------             -------

Retained earnings at end of interim period                                       $   870             $   891
                                                                                 =======             =======
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.


                                       -5-
<PAGE> 6



                              WOOLWORTH CORPORATION

                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Unaudited)
                                  (in millions)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                   Twenty-six weeks ended
                                                                                 ----------------------------
                                                                                 July 26,            July 27,
                                                                                  1997                1996
                                                                                  ----                ----
<S>                                                                              <C>                 <C>  
From Operating Activities:
   Net income (loss)                                                             $  (180)            $  --
   Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by
     (used in) operating activities:
       Non-cash charge for discontinued operations                                   310                --
       Discontinued operations activities                                            (11)               --
       Depreciation and amortization                                                  84                  92
       Net gain on sales of real estate                                               (4)                (13)
       Deferred income taxes                                                        (138)                (16)
   Change in assets and liabilities, net of acquisition:
       Merchandise inventories                                                      (153)                (91)
       Accounts payable                                                               63                 121
       Change in net assets of discontinued operations                                27                  44
       Other, net                                                                   (111)               (121)
                                                                                 -------             -------
   Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities                              (113)                 16
                                                                                 -------             -------

From Investing Activities:
   Proceeds from sales of real estate                                                 19                  21
   Capital expenditures                                                              (56)                (36)
   Payments for business acquired, net of cash acquired                             (140)               --
   Proceeds from sales of assets and investments                                    --                    19
                                                                                 -------             -------
     Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities                            (177)                  4
                                                                                 -------             -------

From Financing Activities:
   Increase in short-term debt                                                        38                  69
   Reduction in long-term debt and capital lease obligations                          (1)                 (9)
   Issuance of common stock                                                           11                   6
   Dividends paid                                                                   --                  --
                                                                                 -------             -------
     Net cash provided by financing activities                                        48                  66
                                                                                 -------             -------

Effect of exchange rate fluctuations
   on Cash and Cash Equivalents                                                      (17)                 (3)
                                                                                 -------             -------

Net change in Cash and Cash Equivalents                                             (259)                 83
Cash and Cash Equivalents at beginning of year                                       328                  14
                                                                                 -------             -------
Cash and Cash Equivalents at end of interim period                               $    69             $    97
                                                                                 =======             =======

Cash paid during the period:
   Interest                                                                      $    22             $    32
   Income taxes                                                                  $    46             $     9
</TABLE>


See accompanying notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

                                       -6-
<PAGE> 7



                              WOOLWORTH CORPORATION

              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

Basis of Presentation

         The accompanying  unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements
should  be  read  in  conjunction  with  the  Notes  to  Consolidated  Financial
Statements  contained  in the 1996 Annual  Report to  Shareholders  of Woolworth
Corporation (the "Registrant"), portions of which Annual Report are incorporated
by reference in the  Registrant's  Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended
January 25, 1997,  as filed with the  Securities  and Exchange  Commission  (the
"SEC").  Certain items included in these  statements  are based on  management's
estimates. In the opinion of management, all material adjustments,  which are of
a normal recurring nature,  necessary for a fair presentation of the results for
the interim  period have been  included.  The results for the  twenty-six  weeks
ended July 26, 1997 are not necessarily  indicative of the results  expected for
the year.

Discontinued Operations

         On July 17,  1997,  the  Registrant  announced  that it is exiting  its
domestic  Woolworth  general  merchandise  business.  The Registrant  expects to
convert  approximately 100 of its prime locations to Foot Locker, Champs Sports,
and other athletic or specialty  formats.  The  Registrant  expects to close its
remaining  stores  as well as the  division's  distribution  center  in  Denver,
Pennsylvania by November 1997.

         The results of operations  for all periods  presented for this business
have been  classified as discontinued  operations in the Condensed  Consolidated
Statements of  Operations.  Sales from  discontinued  operations  for the second
quarters  of 1997 and 1996 were $198  million  and $249  million,  respectively.
Sales from discontinued  operations for the year-to-date  periods ended July 26,
1997 and July 27, 1996 were $427 million and $499 million, respectively.

         The Condensed  Consolidated  Balance Sheets and Condensed  Consolidated
Statements of Cash Flows have been  restated for  discontinued  operations.  The
following is a summary of the net assets of discontinued operations:

                                         July 26,     July 27,     Jan. 25,
                                           1997         1996         1997
                                           ----         ----         ----
Assets                                     $358         $400         $373
Liabilities                                 149          132          137
                                           ----         ----         ----
Net assets of discontinued operations      $209         $268         $236
                                           ====         ====         ====

         The assets consist primarily of inventory and fixed assets. Liabilities
consist primarily of amounts due to vendors.

         Disposition activity related to the discontinued operations reserve for
the period of July 17, 1997 to July 26,  1997 was a reduction  of the reserve of
approximately $11 million.

Reclassifications

         Certain  balances in prior  periods have been  reclassified  to conform
with the presentation adopted in the current
period.



                                       -7-
<PAGE> 8



Legal Proceedings

         Between March 30, 1994 and April 18, 1994,  the  Registrant and certain
of its present and former  directors  and officers  were named as  defendants in
lawsuits  brought by  certain  shareholders  claiming  to  represent  classes of
shareholders  that  purchased  shares of the  Registrant's  common  stock during
different periods between January 1992 and March 1994.

         These  class  action  complaints  purport to present  claims  under the
federal securities and other laws and seek unspecified  damages based on alleged
misleading disclosures during the class periods.

         On April 29, 1994,  United  States Senior  District  Judge Richard Owen
entered an order consolidating 25 actions, purportedly brought as class actions,
commenced  against the  Registrant  and certain  officers  and  directors of the
Registrant in the United States District Court for the Southern  District of New
York,  under the caption In re  Woolworth  Corporation  Securities  Class Action
Litigation.   Plaintiffs  served  an  Amended  and  Consolidated   Class  Action
Complaint,  to which the defendants responded.  On February 17, 1995, Judge Owen
entered an order for  certification of the action as a class action on behalf of
all  persons  who  purchased  the  Registrant's  common  stock or options on the
Registrant's  common  stock  from May 12,  1993 to  March  29,  1994  inclusive,
pursuant to a  stipulation  among the parties.  On March 13, 1997,  the parties'
representatives  engaged in a mediation  proceeding  with a view toward settling
the issues in dispute.  On June 23,  1997,  a proposed  settlement  of the class
action was reached by the parties that  provides for the payment to the class of
$20 million.  The settlement is subject to final approval of the court which has
scheduled  a  settlement  hearing  for  September  29,  1997.  The amount of the
settlement,  net of  amounts to be paid by  insurance  carriers  under  relevant
insurance  policies,  has been  reserved  by the  Registrant.  In the opinion of
management,  the settlement, if approved by the court, would not have a material
adverse  effect on the  financial  position  or  results  of  operations  of the
Registrant.

         Five separate  state-court  derivative actions filed in April 1994 were
consolidated under the caption In re Woolworth Corporation Derivative Litigation
and are now pending in the Supreme Court of the State of New York, County of New
York. Plaintiffs served a Consolidated  Complaint on behalf of the plaintiffs in
these five actions together with the plaintiff in the former federal  derivative
action Sternberg v. Woolworth Corp., which has been dismissed.  Defendants moved
to dismiss the Consolidated Complaint,  and on April 27, 1995, the court granted
defendants'  motion,  with leave to the plaintiffs to replead.  On June 7, 1995,
plaintiffs served a Consolidated Amended Derivative Complaint. On June 27, 1995,
defendants moved to dismiss the Consolidated  Amended Derivative  Complaint with
prejudice.  On April  10,  1996,  the  court  granted  defendants'  motion  with
prejudice.  Plaintiffs  filed a  notice  of  appeal  from the  dismissal  to the
Appellate  Division,  First Department.  On June 5, 1997, the court affirmed the
dismissal of this action.  Plantiffs'  time to appeal the  dismissal has expired
and there  have been no further  proceedings.  There is one  federal  derivative
action pending in the United States District Court for the Southern  District of
New York under the caption Rosenbaum v. Sells et al. There have been no material
developments in this action.  In the opinion of management,  the results of this
action would not have a material  adverse  effect on the  financial  position or
results of operations of the Registrant.

         During 1994, the staff of the SEC initiated an inquiry  relating to the
matters that were reviewed by the Special Committee of the Board of Directors as
well as in  connection  with trading in the  Registrant's  securities by certain
directors  and  officers of the  Registrant.  The SEC staff has advised that its
inquiry  should not be construed as an  indication  by the SEC or its staff that
any violations of law have occurred. In the opinion of management, the result of
the inquiry will not have a material adverse effect on the financial position or
results of operations of the Registrant.

The information in this section on Legal  Proceedings is current as of September
4, 1997.

                                       -8-
<PAGE> 9



Recent Accounting Pronouncements

         In February 1997,  the Financial  Accounting  Standards  Board ("FASB")
issued Statement of Financial  Accounting  Standard ("SFAS") No. 128,  "Earnings
per Share",  which is  effective  for  financial  statements  issued for periods
ending after December 15, 1997 and  therefore,  effective for the Registrant for
the fiscal year ending  January 31, 1998.  SFAS No. 128 simplifies the standards
for computing earnings per share previously found in Accounting Principles Board
Opinion No. 15 and  establishes  new  standards  for  computing  and  presenting
earnings  per  share.  Application  of SFAS No.  128 is not  expected  to have a
significant impact on the Registrant's earnings per share.

         In June 1997,  the FASB issued SFAS No. 130,  "Reporting  Comprehensive
Income",  which is effective  for financial  statements  issued for fiscal years
beginning  after December 15, 1997 and  therefore,  effective for the Registrant
for the  fiscal  year  beginning  February  1, 1998.  SFAS No.  130  establishes
standards for reporting and display of  comprehensive  income and its components
in the financial statements. A revised presentation of information on the income
statement is required for comparative purposes.

         In June 1997, the FASB issued SFAS No. 131, "Disclosures about Segments
of an  Enterprise  and Related  Information",  which is effective  for financial
statements  issued  for fiscal  years  beginning  after  December  15,  1997 and
therefore,  effective for the Registrant for the fiscal year beginning  February
1, 1998. SFAS No. 131 supersedes previously  established standards for reporting
operating  segments  in  the  financial   statements  and  requires  disclosures
regarding  selected  information  about operating  segments in interim financial
reports.

Item 2. Management's  Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
of Operations

         As discussed more fully in the footnotes to the Condensed  Consolidated
Financial  Statements,  the Registrant announced that it is exiting its domestic
Woolworth general merchandise business.  Accordingly,  the results of operations
for all periods presented for this business have been classified as discontinued
operations and all financial statements have been restated.

         Total sales for the 1997 second quarter decreased 6.7 percent to $1,500
million compared with $1,607 million for the 1996 second quarter principally due
to 423 fewer stores.  Excluding the effect of foreign currency  fluctuations and
sales  from  disposed   operations,   sales  remained  level  for  the  quarter.
Comparable-store  sales  decreased 2.5 percent.  Total  Specialty  segment sales
increased 1.8 percent in the second quarter and comparable-store sales decreased
1.5 percent.  International  General  Merchandise  segment sales  decreased 17.4
percent for the second  quarter of 1997 as compared  with the second  quarter of
1996.  Comparable-store  sales in the International  General Merchandise segment
decreased  5.3  percent  during  the  period.  Excluding  the  impact of foreign
currency  fluctuations,  sales  decreased by 6.6 percent,  as compared  with the
second quarter of 1996.

         Year-to-date  1997 sales  decreased  4.3  percent to $3,039  million as
compared with $3,177 million for 1996.  Excluding the effect of foreign currency
fluctuations and sales from disposed operations,  sales increased 2.5 percent as
compared  with 1996.  Comparable-store  sales  decreased 1.4 percent as compared
with corresponding year-earlier period.

         Second quarter  operating  profit from  continuing  operations  (before
corporate expense, interest expense and income taxes) of $74 million improved as
compared  with $72  million in the  second  quarter  of 1996.  This  improvement
relates to the disposition of unprofitable formats and reduced selling,  general
and administrative expenses, ("SG&A") partially offset by an increase in cost of
sales. The improvement in SG&A of $46 million and $73 million for the thirteen

                                       -9-
<PAGE> 10



and  twenty-six  weeks ended July 26, 1997,  respectively,  as compared with the
corresponding  prior year periods  reflects  management's  continuing  effort to
implement  cost  reduction  initiatives.  Cost of sales as a percentage of sales
increased as a result of inventory markdowns taken to keep inventory current.

         The  Registrant  reported  income from  continuing  operations  for the
thirteen weeks ended July 26, 1997 of $26 million, or $0.19 per share, unchanged
from the restated  year-earlier  period. For the twenty-six weeks ended July 26,
1997 income  from  continuing  operations  was $43  million,  an increase of $32
million from the restated prior year period. The Registrant  reported a net loss
for the quarter of $181 million or $1.35 per share,  which includes an after-tax
charge of $207  million  or $1.54 per share for  discontinued  operations.  This
compares to net income of $22 million,  or $0.17 per share for the corresponding
year-earlier  period.  The  Registrant  reported a net loss of $180 million,  or
$1.34 per share,  for the  twenty-six  weeks ended July 26, 1997  compared  with
break-even results for the corresponding year-earlier period.

         As of July 26, 1997,  the  Registrant  operated a total of 7,117 stores
consisting of 6,555 Specialty stores and 562 International  General  Merchandise
stores.  This  compares  to 7,540  stores,  excluding  discontinued  operations,
consisting of 6,933 Specialty stores and 607 International  General  Merchandise
stores operated at July 27, 1996.

SALES

The following table summarizes sales for continuing operations by segment and by
geographic area:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Thirteen weeks ended                    Twenty-six weeks ended
                                                             ----------------------------            ----------------------------
(in millions)                                                July 26,            July 27,            July 26,            July 27,
                                                              1997                1996                1997                1996
                                                              ----                ----                ----                ----
<S>                                                          <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>    
By segment:
Specialty:
     Athletic Group                                          $   859             $   838             $ 1,766             $ 1,676
     Northern Group                                               86                  79                 160                 145
     Specialty Footwear                                          129                 132                 250                 254
     Other Specialty                                              85                  89                 161                 168
                                                             -------             -------             -------             -------
Specialty total                                                1,159               1,138               2,337               2,243
                                                             -------             -------             -------             -------

International General Merchandise:
     Germany                                                     305                 369                 631                 739
     Other                                                        36                  44                  69                  81
                                                             -------             -------             -------             -------
International General Merchandise total                          341                 413                 700                 820
                                                             -------             -------             -------             -------

Disposed operations                                             --                    56                   2                 114
                                                             -------             -------             -------             -------
                                                             $ 1,500             $ 1,607             $ 3,039             $ 3,177
                                                             =======             =======             =======             =======
By geographic area:
     Domestic                                                $   940             $   912             $ 1,928             $ 1,835
     International                                               560                 639               1,109               1,228
     Disposed operations                                        --                    56                   2                 114
                                                             -------             -------             -------             -------
                                                             $ 1,500             $ 1,607             $ 3,039             $ 3,177
                                                             =======             =======             =======             =======
</TABLE>



                                      -10-
<PAGE> 11



Specialty

         Athletic  Group sales  increased by 2.5 percent and 5.4 percent for the
second quarter and  year-to-date  periods,  respectively.  These  increases were
primarily  due to 145 store  openings  as well as sales  from the first  quarter
acquisition of Eastbay,  Inc. ("Eastbay").  Comparable-store  sales decreased by
2.6  percent  for the second  quarter and  remained  level for the  year-to-date
period.  Northern Group sales  increased by 8.9 percent and 10.3 percent for the
second quarter and year-to-date periods,  respectively.  Comparable-store  sales
increased for both the quarter and the  year-to-date  periods by 4.6 percent and
5.1 percent,  respectively.  Store openings in Northern  Reflections,  a women's
casual sportswear store, and Northern Getaway,  a children's  apparel store also
contributed to the sales increase.

         The 2.3 percent decline in Specialty  Footwear's  second quarter sales,
which resulted from closing 115 stores, was offset by a  comparable-store  sales
increase of 2.0 percent.  Sales declines in the Kinney format,  particularly  in
Canada, were mitigated by favorable comparable-store sales increases achieved by
store formats in Australia.  For the  year-to-date  period,  Specialty  Footwear
sales  decreased by 1.6 percent,  while  comparable-store  sales  increased  1.9
percent.  Other Specialty  sales,  adjusted for  dispositions,  decreased by 4.5
percent and 4.2 percent for the quarter and year-to-date periods,  respectively.
Comparable-store  sales  declined by 0.9 percent and 1.7 percent,  respectively.
The  decline  in Other  Specialty  sales were  mainly  due to the  closure of 98
under-performing stores related to ongoing formats.

International General Merchandise

         German  general  merchandise  sales  decreased by 17.3 percent and 14.6
percent for the second quarter and year-to-date periods, respectively. Excluding
the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, sales decreased 5.2 percent and 2.2
percent  for  the  second  quarter  and  year-to-date   periods,   respectively.
Comparable-store  sales  decreased by 4.5 percent and 4.8 percent for the second
quarter and year-to-date periods, respectively.

OPERATING RESULTS

Operating results from continuing operations (before corporate expense, interest
expense, and income taxes) are as follows:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Thirteen weeks ended                    Twenty-six weeks ended
                                                             ----------------------------            ----------------------------
(in millions)                                                July 26,            July 27,            July 26,            July 27,
                                                              1997                1996                1997                1996
                                                              ----                ----                ----                ----
<S>                                                          <C>                 <C>                 <C>                 <C>    
By Segment:
     Specialty                                               $    83             $    96             $   141             $   135
     International General Merchandise                            (9)                (18)                (12)                (30)
     Net gain on sales of real estate                           --                     6                   4                   6
     Disposed operations                                        --                   (12)                 (2)                (31)
                                                             -------             -------             -------             -------
                                                             $    74             $    72             $   131             $    80
                                                             =======             =======             =======             =======

By geographic area:
     Domestic                                                $    74             $    81             $   141             $   132
     International                                              --                    (3)                (12)                (27)
     Net gain on sales of real estate                           --                     6                   4                   6
     Disposed operations                                        --                   (12)                 (2)                (31)
                                                             -------             -------             -------             -------
                                                             $    74             $    72             $   131             $    80
                                                             =======             =======             =======             =======
</TABLE>

                                      -11-
<PAGE> 12



Specialty

         Specialty  segment's operating profit decreased by $13 million, or 13.5
percent as compared with the 1996 second quarter. The decrease was primarily due
to changes in merchandise mix and increased markdowns within the Athletic Group.
A shift in consumer  preferences  has contributed to the decisions to take those
markdowns and to reposition  the  Registrant's  merchandise  assortment  for the
fourth  quarter.  Year-to-date  operating  profits  increased  $6 million or 4.4
percent as compared with the  corresponding  period of 1996,  which is primarily
due to sales and gross margin  increases  achieved by the Athletic  Group in the
first quarter of 1997.

         The Specialty  Footwear  segment  improved  operating  results  through
continuing expense reduction initiatives.  The Northern Group improved operating
results, predominately through increased sales and higher margins.

International General Merchandise

         The International General Merchandise segment's operating loss improved
by $9 million  and $18  million  for the  quarter  and  year-to-date  periods as
compared with the second quarter and year-to-date periods of 1996, respectively.
The Registrant's German operations have significantly lowered its operating loss
through reduced expenses by operating with a more flexible, smaller workforce.

SEASONALITY

         The   Registrant's   businesses   are   highly   seasonal   in  nature.
Historically,  the greatest  proportion  of sales and net income is generated in
the  fourth  quarter  and the  lowest  proportion  of sales  and net  income  is
generated in the first quarter, reflecting seasonal buying patterns.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

         Net  cash  used  in  operating  activities  was  $113  million  for the
twenty-six  weeks ended July 26,  1997,  as compared  with cash  provided of $16
million in the comparable  prior-year period. The increase in cash used resulted
from the timing of inventory purchases. The Condensed Consolidated Statements of
Cash Flows have been restated for discontinued operations for the prior period.

         Net cash used in investing  activities amounted to $177 million for the
twenty-six  weeks  ended July 26,  1997,  as compared  with cash  provided of $4
million during the  corresponding  period in 1996. The increase in cash used for
investing  was due to the  January  30,  1997 cash  acquisition  of Eastbay  and
increased  new  store  development   spending  for  existing  formats.   Capital
expenditures  increased  by $20  million as compared  to the  prior-year  second
quarter;  approximately $285 million of capital expenditures are planned for the
1997 fiscal year as compared with $134 million in 1996.

         Inventories  decreased  $43  million  to $1,216  million as of July 26,
1997,  from a restated $1,259 million as of July 27, 1996. The decrease from the
second quarter of 1996 reflects the Registrant's merchandise improvement efforts
as well as the sale of Silk & Satin,  Lady Plus,  Rubin and Moderna chains.  The
$150 million  increase in  inventory  levels from January 25, 1997 is a seasonal
increase, as inventory levels are at their lowest in the fourth quarter.




                                      -12-
<PAGE> 13



         Accounts  payable at July 26, 1997  decreased by $8 million as compared
with the 1996 second  quarter and  increased  by $66 million to $352  million as
compared with the year-end  level.  The increase from January 25, 1997 coincides
with the seasonal increase in inventory.

         Short-term  debt  decreased  $99 million as compared with July 27, 1996
due to repayment using cash generated from operations. Short-term debt increased
by $38 million from the year-end level attributable to the financing of seasonal
working capital needs.

         Interest expense for the thirteen weeks ended July 26, 1997,  decreased
$4  million  over  the  comparable  1996  period.   Interest   expense  for  the
year-to-date  period decreased $10 million.  These declines were attributable to
the  reduction in total debt levels of $139  million as well as lower  financing
costs resulting from renegotiation of the Registrant's credit agreement.

         Shareholders'  equity at July 26, 1997  decreased $245 million from the
level at January 25, 1997.  This  decrease  was  primarily  attributable  to the
after-tax  charge for  discontinued  operations  of $195  million and changes in
foreign currency exchange rates.

                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1. Legal Proceedings

         This information is incorporated by reference to the Legal  Proceedings
section of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements on page 8 of
Part I, Item 1.

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

         (a) The  Registrant's  annual meeting of shareholders  was held on June
12, 1997,  in New York,  New York.  Proxies were  solicited by management of the
Registrant pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934;
there was no solicitation  in opposition to  management's  nominees as listed in
the Notice of 1997 Annual Meeting and Proxy Statement, both dated May 5, 1997.

         (b) Each of  Jarobin  Gilbert  Jr.,  Margaret  P.  MacKimm  and John J.
Mackowski  were elected as a director in Class III for a three-year  term ending
at the annual  meeting of  shareholders  of the  Registrant in 2000. All of such
individuals  previously served as directors of the Registrant.  J. Carter Bacot,
Purdy Crawford,  Roger N. Farah, Philip H. Geier Jr., Dale W. Hilpert,  James E.
Preston and Christopher A. Sinclair, having previously been elected directors of
the  Registrant  for  terms  continuing   beyond  the  1997  annual  meeting  of
shareholders,  continue  in office as  directors.  Helen  Galland  retired  as a
director  at the  1997  annual  meeting  of  shareholders,  having  reached  the
mandatory retirement age for directors.

         (c) The  matters  voted  upon and the  results  of the  voting  were as
follows:

(1)      Election of Directors:
                                                               Abstentions and
Name                       Votes For       Votes Withheld      Broker Non-Votes
- ---------------------    -------------     --------------      ----------------
Jarobin Gilbert Jr.       109,756,782         2,357,330               0
Margaret P. MacKimm       109,788,879         2,325,233               0
John J. Mackowski         109,759,371         2,354,741               0

                                      -13-
<PAGE> 14




(2)      Amendments to the Certificate of Incorporation and By-laws:

Votes For                Votes Against       Abstentions     Broker Non-Votes
- ---------------------    -------------     --------------    ----------------
110,678,945                   880,980           554,187               0

(3)      Ratification of the appointment of KPMG Peat Marwick LLP as independent
 accountants for the fiscal year beginning January 26, 1997:

Votes For                Votes Against       Abstentions     Broker Non-Votes
- ---------------------    -------------     --------------    ----------------
111,585,116                   209,116           319,880               0

(4)      Shareholder Proposal on reinstatement of the dividend:

Votes For                Votes Against       Abstentions     Broker Non-Votes
- ---------------------    -------------     --------------    ----------------
13,000,515                 85,662,822           975,725       12,475,050

                                      
         At the close of business on the record  date of April 30,  1997,  there
were issued and outstanding 134,209,670 shares of the Registrant's Common Stock,
par  value  $.01 per share  ("Common  Stock").  There  were  represented  at the
meeting, in person or by proxy,  112,114,112 shares of Common Stock. Such shares
represented  83.54  percent of the total number of shares of such class of stock
issued and outstanding on the record date.

Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

         (a)  Exhibits

         An index of the exhibits that are required by this item,  and which are
furnished in  accordance  with Item 601 of Regulation  S-K,  appears on pages 16
through 18. The exhibits which are in this report immediately follow the index.

         (b)  Reports on Form 8-K

         The Registrant  filed a report on Form 8-K dated July 17, 1997 (date of
earliest event reported)  reporting that the Registrant was exiting its domestic
Woolworth general merchandise business.

                                      -14-
<PAGE> 15



                                    SIGNATURE

         Pursuant to the  requirements  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.




                                                WOOLWORTH CORPORATION
                                                (Registrant)





Date: September 4, 1997                         /s/ Bruce L. Hartman
                                                --------------------
                                                BRUCE L. HARTMAN
                                                Vice President and Controller
                                                (Principal Accounting Officer)

                                      -15-
<PAGE> 16




                              WOOLWORTH CORPORATION
              INDEX OF EXHIBITS REQUIRED BY ITEM 6(a) OF FORM 10-Q
           AND FURNISHED IN ACCORDANCE WITH ITEM 601 OF REGULATION S-K

Exhibit No. in Item 601
   of Regulation S-K                               Description
   -----------------                               -----------

         1                                              *
         2                                              *

         3(i)(a)                   Certificate   of    Incorporation    of   the
                                   Registrant,  as  filed by the  Department  of
                                   State  of the  State  of New York on April 7,
                                   1989.

         3(i)(b)                   Certificates  of Amendment of the Certificate
                                   of Incorporation of the Registrant,  as filed
                                   by the  Department  of State of the  State of
                                   New York on (a)  July  20,  1989 (b) July 24,
                                   1990 and (c) July 9, 1997.

         3(ii)                     By-laws of the Registrant, as amended.

         4(a)                      The  rights of  holders  of the  Registrant's
                                   equity   securities   are   defined   in  the
                                   Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation, as
                                   amended (incorporated herein by reference to:
                                   (a)  Exhibits 3 (i) (a) and 3 (i) (b) to this
                                   Form 10-Q.

         4(b)                      Rights  Agreement  dated as of April 4, 1988,
                                   as amended  January 11,  1989,  between  F.W.
                                   Woolworth Co. ("FWW") and Morgan  Shareholder
                                   Services  Trust Company  (now,  First Chicago
                                   Trust  Company of New York),  as Rights Agent
                                   (incorporated  herein  by  reference  to  (a)
                                   Exhibit 1 to the  Registration  Statement  on
                                   Form 8-A filed by FWW with the Securities and
                                   Exchange Commission ("SEC") on April 12, 1988
                                   (Registration  No.  1-238) and (b) the Form 8
                                   Amendment  to such Form 8-A filed by FWW with
                                   the SEC on January 13, 1989).  The rights and
                                   obligations   of  FWW   under   said   Rights
                                   Agreement  were  assumed  by  the  Registrant
                                   pursuant  to an  Agreement  and Plan of Share
                                   Exchange  dated  as of  May 4,  1989,  by and
                                   between FWW and the Registrant  (incorporated
                                   herein  by  reference  to  Exhibit  2 to  the
                                   Registration  Statement  on Form S-4 filed by
                                   the  Registrant  with the SEC on May 9,  1989
                                   (Registration No. 33-28469)).

         4(c)                      Indenture   dated  as  of  October  10,  1991
                                   (incorporated  herein by reference to Exhibit
                                   4.1 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3
                                   (Registration No. 33-43334)  previously filed
                                   with the SEC).

         4(d)                      Forms of  Medium-Term  Notes  (Fixed Rate and
                                   Floating Rate).

                                      -16-
<PAGE> 17



                                   (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibits
                                   4.4 and 4.5 to the Registration  Statement on
                                   Form   S-3    (Registration   No.   33-43334)
                                   previously filed with the SEC).

         4(e)                      Form   of   8-1/2%    Debentures   due   2022
                                   (incorporated  herein by reference to Exhibit
                                   4 to Registrant's  Form 8-K dated January 16,
                                   1992).

         4(f)                      Purchase  Agreement  dated  June 1,  1995 and
                                   Form  of  7%  Notes  due  2000  (incorporated
                                   herein  by  reference  to  Exhibits  1 and 4,
                                   respectively,  to Registrant's Form 8-K dated
                                   June 7, 1995).

         4(g)                      Distribution  Agreement  dated July 13,  1995
                                   and  Forms of Fixed  Rate and  Floating  Rate
                                   Notes  (incorporated  herein by  reference to
                                   Exhibits  1,  4.1 and 4.2,  respectively,  to
                                   Registrant's Form 8-K dated July 13, 1995).

         5                                              *
         8                                              *
         9                                              *

         10                        Amendment  No. 1 dated as of July 16, 1997 to
                                   the Credit Agreement dated April 9, 1997.

         11                        Computation  of Net Income  (Loss) Per Common
                                   Share.

         12                        Computation  of  Ratio of  Earnings  to Fixed
                                   Charges.

         13                                             *

         15                        Letter  re:   Unaudited   Interim   Financial
                                   Statements.

         16                                             *
         17                                             *
         18                                             *
         19                                             *
         20                                             *
         21                                             *
         22                                             *
         23                                             *
         24                                             *
         25                                             *
         26                                             *

         27                        Financial Data  Schedule,  which is submitted
                                   electronically  to the  SEC  for  information
                                   only and not filed.


                                      -17-
<PAGE> 18



         99                        Independent Accountants' Review Report.



 --------------------
  *  Not applicable


                                      -18-
<PAGE> 19



Exhibits filed with this Form 10-Q:


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

     3 (i)(a)                Certificate of  Incorporation  of the Registrant,
                             as filed by the  Department  of State of State of
                             New York on April 7, 1989.

     3 (i)(b)                Certificates  of Amendment of the  Certificate of
                             Incorporation of the Registrant.
              
     3 (ii)                  By-laws of the Registrant, as amended.

     10                      Amendment No. 1 dated as of July 16, 1997 to the
                             Credit Agreement, dated April 9, 1997.

     11                      Computation of Net Income (Loss) Per Common Share.

     12                      Computation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges.

     15                      Letter re:  Unaudited Interim Financial Statements.

     27                      Financial Data Schedule.

     99                      Independent Accountants' Review Report.


<PAGE> 1
                                                                EXHIBIT 3(i)(a)


                     [AS FILED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE OF
                    THE STATE OF NEW YORK ON APRIL 7, 1989.]

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

                          CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                       of
                              WOOLWORTH CORPORATION

                            Under Section 402 of the
                            Business Corporation Law

      The undersigned, being a natural person of at least 18 years of age and
acting as the incorporator of the corporation hereby being formed under the
Business Corporation Law of the State of New York, hereby certifies that:

      FIRST. - The name of the corporation is "Woolworth Corporation"
(hereinafter called the "Corporation").

      SECOND. - The purpose for which the Corporation is formed is to engage in
any lawful act or activity for which corporations may be formed under the
Business Corporation Law of the State of New York; provided, however, that the
Corporation is not formed to engage in any act or activity requiring the consent
or approval of any state official, department, board, agency or other body,
without such consent or approval first being obtained.

      THIRD. - The office of the Corporation is located in The City of New York,
County of New York, State of New York.

      FOURTH. - A.  The aggregate number of shares which the Corporation has
authority to issue is 257,000,000 shares, consisting of:

      1.    250,000,000 shares of Common Stock of the par value of $.01 each;
            and

      2.    7,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock of the par value of $1.00 each.

      B. No holder of shares of the Corporation of any class shall be entitled,
as such, as a matter of right, to subscribe for, purchase or receive any shares
of the Corporation of any class, or any securities convertible into,
exchangeable for, or carrying a right or option to purchase, shares of any
class, whether now or hereafter authorized and whether issued, sold or offered
for sale by the Corporation for cash or other consideration or by way of
dividend, split of shares or otherwise.

      C. The Board of Directors is authorized, subject to limitations prescribed
by law and the provisions of this Article FOURTH, to provide for the issuance of
shares of Preferred Stock in series and by filing a certificate pursuant to the
Business Corporation Law, to establish the number of shares to be included in
each such series, and to fix the designation, relative rights, preferences and
limitations of the shares of each such series. The authority of the Board of
Directors with respect to each series shall include, but not be limited to,
determination of the following:
<PAGE> 2




            1.  The number of shares constituting that series and the
      distinctive designation of that series;

            2.  The dividend rate on the shares of that series, whether
      dividends shall be cumulative, and, if so, from which date or dates;

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

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

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

            6.  The rights of the shares of that series in the event of
      voluntary or involuntary liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the
      Corporation; and

            7.  Any other relative rights, preferences and limitations of that
      series.

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

      D. There is hereby established a series of the Corporation's authorized
shares of Preferred Stock of the par value of $ 1.00 each, and the authorized
number of shares of that series, the designation, relative rights, preferences
and limitations thereof are as follows:

            1. Designation and Amount. The series shall be designated as "$2.20
Series A Convertible Preferred Stock" (hereinafter called the "Series A
Preferred Stock") and shall consist initially of a maximum of 180,000 shares,
which number, from time to time, may be increased or decreased (but not
decreased below the number of shares of the series then outstanding) by the
Board of Directors. All shares of the series shall be identical with each other
in all respects except as to the date from and after which dividends thereon
shall be cumulative.

            2.    Dividends.  The holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock
shall be entitled to receive, when and as declared by the Board of Directors out
of funds legally available therefor, cumulative cash dividends at the rate of
$2.20 per share per annum, and no more, payable in equal quarterly installments
on the first day of March, June, September and December in each year.  Dividends

                                        2
<PAGE> 3



on each share of Series A Preferred Stock issued on or before the first dividend
date following June 1, 1989, (herein called the "Effective Date"), shall be
cumulative from the Effective Date. Dividends on each share of Series A
Preferred Stock issued after such first dividend date shall be cumulative from
the first day of the dividend period during which such share was issued. As long
as any shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall remain outstanding, no dividend
(other than a dividend payable solely in shares of Common Stock) shall be
declared, nor other distribution made on Common Stock, nor shall any Common
Stock be redeemed, purchased or otherwise acquired for any consideration by the
Corporation (except solely by conversion into, or exchange for, Common Stock) or
any subsidiary thereof, unless all accrued dividends on all outstanding shares
of Series A Preferred Stock have been fully paid and the full dividend for the
current quarterly period has been paid or declared and funds set apart therefor.
Holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall not be entitled to any
dividends other than full cumulative dividends in cash at the above rate, and
shall be entitled to no interest on unpaid cumulative dividends. For the
purposes of this Subsection 2, the term "Common Stock" shall mean the $.01 par
value Common Stock of the Corporation and any other stock ranking as to
dividends or assets junior to the Series A Preferred Stock in respect of the
payment of dividends or payment in liquidation, or both.

      No dividend shall be paid upon, or declared or set apart for, any shares
of Preferred Stock of any series for any dividend period unless at the same time
a like proportionate dividend for the same dividend period, ratably in
proportion to the respective annual dividend rates fixed therefor, shall be paid
upon, or declared and set apart for, all shares of Series A Preferred Stock then
issued and outstanding and entitled to receive dividends.

            3. Voting Rights. Each holder of shares of Series A Preferred Stock
shall be entitled to one vote for each share held. Shares of Series A Preferred
Stock, shares of all other series of Preferred Stock and shares of Common Stock
shall vote together, as a single class, upon all matters upon which shareholders
are entitled to vote, (a) except as may be otherwise provided in this
Certificate of Incorporation, (b) provided that the Board of Directors may
afford additional voting rights with respect to any other series of Preferred
Stock in fixing the designations, relative rights, preferences and limitations
of shares of such series, and (c) provided that as long as shares of Series A
Preferred Stock shall be entitled to elect two additional directors as
hereinafter provided in this Subsection 3, such shares shall not be entitled to
participate in the election of any other directors.

      In the event of non-payment of the equivalent of six quarterly dividends
(whether or not consecutive), holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock
shall be entitled to elect two additional directors of the Corporation until all
accrued dividends have been paid, for terms of office expiring on the date of
the annual meeting. In the event that the shares of Series A Preferred Stock
shall become entitled to elect two additional directors of the Corporation, a
meeting of the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock for the election of
such directors shall be held at the request in writing of any holder of shares
of Series A Preferred Stock, addressed to the Secretary of the Corporation, as
soon as practicable after the receipt of such request and after notice similar
to that provided in the By-laws for an annual meeting.


                                        3
<PAGE> 4



      The affirmative vote of the holders of at least two-thirds of the shares
of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding, voting together as a single class,
shall be required (a) to effect any amendment to this Certificate of
Incorporation or the By-laws of the Corporation which adversely alters any
existing provision of the Series A Preferred Stock, (b) to authorize the
issuance of any shares of any class or series, or any security convertible into
shares of any class or series, ranking as to dividends or assets prior to the
Series A Preferred Stock, (c) to effect the sale, lease or conveyance by the
Corporation of all or substantially all of its assets, or (d) to effect the
consolidation or merger of the Corporation into any other corporation, unless
such consolidation or merger would not adversely affect or subordinate the
rights of the holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock, and the corporation
resulting therefrom would, after such consolidation or merger, have no class of
stock and no other securities either authorized or outstanding ranking, as to
dividends or assets, prior to, or on a parity with, the Series A Preferred Stock
or the stock of the resulting corporation issued in exchange therefor.

      4. Conversion Rights. The holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock
shall have the right, at their option, to convert such shares into shares of
Common Stock at any time on the following terms and conditions:

      a. Shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be convertible at the office
of the Transfer Agent of the Corporation for such series into fully paid and
non-assessable shares (calculated as to each conversion to the nearest 1/100th
of a share) of Common Stock at the conversion rate in effect at the time of
conversion. The rate at which such shares of Common Stock shall be delivered
upon conversion shall be initially 2.84 shares of such Common Stock for each
share of Series A Preferred Stock, provided, however, that such Conversion Rate
shall be subject to adjustment from time to time in certain instances as
hereinafter provided. The conversion rate in effect at any time is herein called
the "Conversion Rate." The Corporation shall make no payment or adjustment on
account of any dividends accrued on the shares of Series A Preferred Stock
surrendered for conversion or on account of any dividends accrued on the Common
Stock. In case any shares of Series A Preferred Stock are called for redemption,
such right of conversion shall cease and terminate, as to the shares designated
for redemption, at the close of business on the fifth day, preceding the date
fixed for redemption unless default shall be made in the payment of the
redemption price. If the last day for the exercise of the conversion right shall
be a Sunday, or shall be in the City of New York a legal holiday or a day on
which banking institutions are authorized by law to close, then such conversion
right may be exercised on the next succeeding day not a Sunday or in said City a
legal holiday or a day on which banking institutions are authorized by law to
close.

      b. Before any shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be converted, the
holder thereof shall surrender the certificate or certificates therefor, duly
endorsed, at the office of the Transfer Agent, and shall give written notice to
the Corporation at said office that he elects to convert the same or part
thereof and shall state in writing therein the name or names which he wishes the
certificate or certificates for Common Stock to be issued. The Corporation will,
as soon as practicable thereafter, issue and deliver at said office to such
holder of shares of Series A Preferred Stock, or to his nominee or nominees,
certificates for the number of full shares of such Common Stock to which he
shall

                                        4
<PAGE> 5



be entitled as aforesaid, together with cash in lieu of any fraction of a share
as hereinafter provided. Shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be deemed to
have been converted as of the date of the surrender of such shares for
conversion as provided above, and the person or persons entitled to receive the
Common Stock issuable upon such conversion shall be treated for all purposes as
the record holder or holders of such Common Stock on such date.

      c. The number of shares of Common Stock and the number of shares of other
classes of stock of the Corporation, if any, into which each share of Series A
Preferred Stock is convertible shall be subject to adjustment from time to time
only as follows:

            (i) in case the Corporation shall (a) take a record of the holders
      of Common Stock for the purpose of determining the holders entitled to
      receive a dividend declared payable in shares of Common Stock, (b)
      subdivide the outstanding shares of Common Stock, (c) combine the
      outstanding shares of Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, or (d)
      issue by reclassification of the Common Stock any shares of stock of the
      Corporation, each holder of Series A Preferred Stock shall thereafter be
      entitled upon the conversion of each share thereof held by him to receive
      for each such share the number of shares of stock of the Corporation which
      he would have owned or have been entitled to receive after the happening
      of that one of the events described above which shall have happened had
      such share of Series A Preferred Stock been converted immediately prior to
      the happening of such event, the adjustment to become effective
      immediately after the opening of business on the day next following (x)
      the record date or (y) the day upon which such subdivision, combination or
      reclassification shall become effective.

            (ii) in case the Corporation shall issue rights or warrants to all
      holders of shares of Common Stock entitling them, for a period expiring
      within 60 days after the record date for the determination of shareholders
      entitled to receive such rights or warrants, to subscribe for, or purchase
      shares of, Common Stock at a price per share less than the market value
      per share of Common Stock (as defined in Subparagraph (iv) below) as of
      such record date, then in each case the number of shares of Common Stock
      into which each share of Series A Preferred Stock shall thereafter be
      convertible shall be determined by multiplying the number of shares of
      Common Stock into which such share of Series A Preferred Stock was
      theretofore convertible by a fraction, of which the numerator shall be the
      number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on the date of issuance of
      such rights or warrants plus the number of additional shares of Common
      Stock offered for subscription or purchase, and of which the denominator
      shall be the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding on the date of
      issuance of such rights or warrants plus the number of shares which the
      aggregate offering price of the total number of shares so offered would
      purchase at such market value, such adjustment to become effective
      retroactively immediately after the opening of business on the day
      following the rights record date.

            (iii) In case the Corporation shall take a record of the holders of
      Common Stock for the purpose of determining the holders entitled to
      receive any distribution of evidences of its indebtedness or assets

                                        5
<PAGE> 6



      (excluding cash dividends out of assets available for dividends under
      applicable law) or rights or warrants to subscribe (excluding those
      referred to in Subparagraph (ii) above), then in each such case the number
      of shares of Common Stock into which each share of Series A Preferred
      Stock shall thereafter be convertible shall be determined by multiplying
      the number of shares of Common Stock into which such share of Series A
      Preferred Stock was theretofore convertible by a fraction, of which the
      numerator shall be the market value per share of Common Stock (as defined
      in Subparagraph (iv) below) on the date of such distribution, and of which
      the denominator shall be such market value per share of Common Stock less
      the then fair market value (as determined by the Board of Directors, whose
      determination shall be conclusive) of the portion of the assets or
      evidences of indebtedness so distributed, or of such subscription rights
      or warrants, applicable to one share of Common Stock. An adjustment made
      pursuant to this subparagraph shall become effective retroactively
      immediately after the record date for the determination of shareholders
      entitled to receive such distribution.

            (iv) For purposes of the preceding subparagraphs, the market value
      of a share of Common Stock on any day shall be deemed to be the average of
      the daily closing prices per share of Common Stock for the 30 consecutive
      business days commencing 45 business days before the day in question. The
      closing price per share of Common Stock for each day shall be the last
      reported sales price, regular way, or, in case no such reported sale takes
      place on such day, the average of the reported closing bid and asked
      prices, regular way, in either case, on the New York Stock Exchange. The
      term "business day" as used in this subparagraph means any day on which
      said Exchange shall be open for trading.

            d. Anything in this Subsection 4 to the contrary notwithstanding,
      the Corporation shall not be required to give effect to any adjustment in
      the Conversion Rate unless and until the net effect of one or more
      adjustments, determined as above provided, shall have resulted in a change
      of the Conversion Rate by at least 1/100 of a share of Common Stock, and
      when the cumulative net effect of more than one adjustment so determined
      shall be to change the Conversion Rate by at least 1/100 of a share of
      Common Stock, such change in the Conversion Rate shall thereupon be given
      effect. Any adjustments which by reason of this paragraph are not required
      to be made shall be carried forward and taken into account in any
      subsequent adjustment.

            e. In case of the consolidation or merger of the Corporation with or
      into another corporation or the conveyance of all or substantially all of
      the assets of the Corporation to another corporation, each share of Series
      A Preferred Stock, or the stock of the resulting corporation issued in
      exchange therefor, shall thereafter be convertible into the kind and
      number of shares of stock or other securities or property receivable upon
      such consolidation, merger or conveyance by a holder of the number of
      shares of Common Stock into which such share of Series A Preferred Stock
      might have been converted immediately prior to such consolidation, merger
      or conveyance; and, in any such case, appropriate adjustment (as
      determined bv the Board of Directors) shall be made in the application of
      the provisions herein set forth with respect to the rights and interests

                                        6
<PAGE> 7



      thereafter of the holders of such Series A Preferred Stock, to the end
      that the provisions set forth herein (including provisions with respect to
      changes in, and other adjustments of, the Conversion Rate) shall
      thereafter be applicable, as nearly as reasonably may be, in relation to
      any shares of stock or other property thereafter deliverable upon the
      conversion of the shares of such series.

            f. Whenever the Conversion Rate is adjusted as herein provided, the
      Treasurer of the Corporation shall compute the adjusted Conversion Rate in
      accordance with the provisions of this Subsection 4 and shall prepare a
      certificate setting forth such new Conversion Rate and describing in
      reasonable detail the facts upon which such adjustment is based. Such
      certificate shall forthwith be filed with the Transfer Agent for the
      Series A Preferred Stock and a notice thereof mailed to the holders of
      record of the outstanding shares of such series.

            g. The Corporation shall at all times reserve and keep available,
      out of its authorized but unissued Common Stock or out of shares of Common
      Stock held in its treasury, solely for the purpose of effecting the
      conversion of the shares of Series A Preferred Stock, the full number of
      shares of Common Stock deliverable upon the conversion of all shares of
      Series A Preferred Stock from time to time outstanding.

            h. No fractional shares of Common Stock are to be issued upon
      conversion, but the Corporation shall pay a cash adjustment in respect of
      any fraction of a share which would otherwise be issuable in an amount
      equal to the same fraction of the market price (determined as provided in
      this Paragraph (h)) per share of Common Stock on the day of conversion.
      For the purpose of this Paragraph (h), such market price shall be the last
      reported sales price, regular way, or, in case no such reported sale takes
      place on such day, the average of the reported closing bid and asked
      prices, regular way, in either case on the New York Stock Exchange.

            i. The Corporation will pay any and all documentary and other taxes
      that may be payable in respect of any issue or delivery of shares of
      Common Stock on conversion of shares of Series A Preferred Stock pursuant
      hereto. The Corporation shall not, however, be required to pay any tax
      which may be payable in respect of any transfer involved in the issue and
      delivery of shares of Common Stock in a name other than that in which the
      shares of Series A Preferred Stock so converted were registered, and no
      such issue or delivery shall be made unless and until the person
      requesting such issue has paid to the Corporation the amount of any such
      tax, or has established, to the satisfaction of the Corporation, that such
      tax has been paid.

            j. For the purposes of this Subsection 4, the term "Common Stock"
      shall mean (i) $.Ol par value Common Stock of the Corporation existing as
      of the Effective Date, or (ii) any other class of stock resulting from
      successive changes or reclassifications of such $.Ol par value Common
      Stock consisting of changes solely in par value, or from par value to no
      par value, or from no par value to par value. In the event that at any
      time, as a result of an adjustment made pursuant to Subparagraph D (4) (c)
      (i) of this Article FOURTH, the holder of any share of Series A Preferred

                                        7
<PAGE> 8



      Stock thereafter surrendered for conversion shall become entitled to
      receive any shares of the Corporation other than shares of its Common
      Stock, thereafter the number of such other shares so receivable upon
      conversion of any share of Series A Preferred Stock shall be subject to
      adjustment from time to time in a manner and on terms as nearly equivalent
      as practicable to the provisions with respect to the Common Stock set
      forth above, and the provisions of this Subsection 4 with respect to the
      Common Stock shall apply on like terms to any such other shares.

      5.    Redemption.  Shares of Series A Preferred Stock shall be subject to
redemption at the election of the Corporation at the redemption price of $45.00
per share of such stock, plus an amount equal to all unpaid dividends thereon
accrued to the date of redemption.

      Notice of any such redemption shall be given bv mailing to the holders of
Series A Preferred Stock a notice of such redemption, first class postage
prepaid, not later than the 30th day and not earlier than the 60th day before
the date fixed for redemption, at their last address as they shall appear upon
the books of the Corporation. Any notice which is mailed in the manner herein
provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly given, whether or not
the shareholder received such notice, and failure duly to give such notice by
mail, or any defect in such notice, to any holder of Series A Preferred Stock
shall not affect the validity of the proceedings for the redemption of such
Series A Preferred Stock. If less than all of the outstanding shares of Series A
Preferred Stock are to be redeemed, the redemption shall be made by lot as
determined by the Board of Directors.

      The notice of redemption to each holder of Series A Preferred Stock shall
specify (a) the number of shares of Series A Preferred Stock of such holder to
be redeemed, (b) the date fixed for redemption, (c) the redemption price, (d)
the place of payment of the redemption price, (e) the conversion price then in
effect, (f) the number of shares of Common Stock into which each share of Series
A Preferred Stock is then convertible, and (g) the date on which the right to
convert such shares shall cease and terminate.

      If any such notice of redemption shall have been duly given or if the
Corporation shall have given to the bank or trust company, hereinafter referred
to, irrevocable written authorization promptly to give or complete such notice,
and if on or before the redemption date specified therein the funds necessary
for such redemption shall have been deposited by the Corporation with the bank
or trust company designated in such notice, doing business in the Borough of
Manhattan, the City of New York, State of New York, and having a capital,
surplus and undivided profits aggregating at least $25,000,000 according to its
last published statement of condition, in trust for the benefit of the holders
of shares of Series A Preferred Stock called for redemption, then,
notwithstanding that any certificate for such shares so called for redemption
shall not have been surrendered for cancellation, from and after the time of
such deposit all such shares called for redemption shall no longer be deemed
outstanding and all rights with respect to such shares shall forthwith cease and
terminate, except the right of the holders thereof to receive from such bank or
trust company at any time after the time of such deposit the funds so deposited,
without interest, and the right to exercise, up to the close of business on the
fifth day before the date fixed for redemption, all privileges of conversion or
exchange if any. In case

                                        8
<PAGE> 9



less than all the shares represented by any surrendered certificate are
redeemed, a new certificate shall be issued representing the unredeemed shares.
Any interest accrued on such funds shall be paid to the Corporation from time to
time. Any funds so deposited and unclaimed at the end of six years from such
redemption date shall be repaid to the Corporation, after which the holders of
shares of Series A Preferred Stock called for redemption shall look only to the
Corporation for payment thereof; provided that any funds so deposited which
shall not be required for redemption because of the exercise of any privilege of
conversion or exchange subsequent to the date of deposit shall be repaid to the
Corporation forthwith.

      If, and so long as, all cumulative dividends on the outstanding shares of
Series A Preferred Stock for all past dividend periods shall not have been paid
or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart, the
Corporation shall not redeem less than all of the Series A Preferred Stock at
the time outstanding, and neither the Corporation nor any subsidiary shall
purchase or otherwise acquire for value (except solely by conversion into, or
exchange for, Common Stock) any outstanding shares of Series A Preferred Stock
unless such purchase or other acquisition shall be pursuant to tenders, notice
of which has been mailed to all the holders of record of shares of Series A
Preferred Stock at their respective addresses as the same shall appear on the
books of the Corporation at least 20 days before the date fixed for tenders, and
the shares so purchased or otherwise acquired shall be those tendered at the
lowest prices pursuant to such call for tenders; provided, however, that if
some, but less than all, of the shares tendered at a particular price are to be
purchased or otherwise acquired pursuant to such call for tenders, the number of
shares to be purchased or acquired from each holder who has tendered shares at
such price shall be in the proportion to the total number of shares so to be
purchased or acquired at such price which the number of shares he has so
tendered at such price bears to the total number of shares tendered at such
price.

      If, and so long as, all cumulative dividends on all outstanding shares of
Series A Preferred Stock for all past dividend periods shall not have been paid,
or declared and a sum sufficient for the payment thereof set apart, the
Corporation shall not redeem any shares of Preferred Stock of any other series
at the time outstanding, and neither the Corporation nor any subsidiary shall
purchase or otherwise acquire for any consideration (except solely by conversion
into, or exchange for, Common Stock) any shares of Preferred Stock of any other
series at the time outstanding, unless all of the Series A Preferred Stock at
the time outstanding shall have been called for redemption as herein provided.

      6.    Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up.

      a. In the event of any liquidation, dissolution, or winding up of the
affairs of the Corporation, the holders of shares of A Preferred Stock then
outstanding shall be entitled to be paid out of the assets of the Corporation
before any distribution or payment shall be made to the holders of Common Stock
or any stock ranking junior to the Series A Preferred Stock, an amount equal to
$45.00 per share, plus any accrued dividends to the date that payment is made
available to such holders.

      b.    If, upon any liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs
of the Corporation, the assets available for distribution shall be insufficient

                                        9
<PAGE> 10



to pay the holders of all shares of Series A Preferred Stock then outstanding
and the holders of all shares of Preferred Stock of any other series then
outstanding the full amounts to which they respectively shall be entitled, the
holders of shares of Series A Preferred Stock and the holders of shares of
Preferred Stock of such other series shall share ratably in any such
distribution of assets in accordance with the amounts which would be payable if
all such amounts were paid in full. Neither the consolidation or merger of the
Corporation with or into any other corporation, nor any sale, lease or
conveyance of all or any part of the property or business of the Corporation,
shall be deemed to be a liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the affairs of
the Corporation within the meaning of this Paragraph (b).

      7. Reacquired Shares. Shares of Series A Preferred Stock which have been
issued and reacquired in any manner (excluding, until the Corporation elects to
retire them, shares which are held as treasury shares, but including shares
redeemed, shares purchased and retired and shares which have been converted into
shares of Common Stock) shall (upon compliance with any applicable provisions of
the laws of the State of New York) have the status of authorized and unissued
shares of the class of Preferred Stock undesignated as to series and may be
redesignated and reissued as part of any series of the Preferred Stock other
than the series designated as Series A Preferred Stock.

      8. Preemptive and Other Rights. The shares of the Series A Preferred Stock
shall not have any relative, participating, optional, preemptive or other
special rights and powers other than as set forth in this Certificate of
Incorporation.

      E. There is hereby established a series of the Corporation's authorized
shares of Preferred Stock of the par value of $1.00 each, and the authorized
number of shares of that series, the designation, relative rights, preferences,
and limitations thereof are as follows:

      1. Designation and Amount. The shares of such series shall be designated
as "Series B Participating Preferred Stock" and the number of shares
constituting such series shall be 1,000,000. Such number may, from time to time,
be increased or decreased (but not decreased below the number of shares of the
series then outstanding) by the Board of Directors.

      2.    Dividends and Distributions.

            a. The holders of shares of Series B Participating Preferred Stock
shall be entitled to receive, when, as and if declared by the Board of Directors
out of funds legally available for the purpose, quarterly dividends payable in
cash on the first day of March, June, September, and December in each year (each
such date being referred to herein as a "Quarterly Dividend Payment Date"),
commencing on the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date after the first issuance
of a share or fraction of a share of Series B Participating Preferred Stock, in
an amount per share (rounded to the nearest cent) equal to the greater of (i)
$5.00 or (ii) subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, 100
times the aggregate per share amount of all cash dividends, and 100 times the
aggregate per share amount (payable in kind) of all non-cash dividends or other
distributions other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock or a
subdivision of the outstanding shares of Common Stock (by reclassification or

                                       10
<PAGE> 11



otherwise), declared on the Common Stock since the immediately preceding
Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, or, with respect to the first Quarterly
Dividend Payment Date, since the first issuance of any share or fraction of a
share of Series B Participating Preferred Stock. In the event the Corporation
shall at any time (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of
Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii) combine the
outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case
the amount to which holders of shares of Series B Participating Preferred Stock
were entitled immediately prior to such event under clause (ii) of the preceding
sentence shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction, the
numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
immediately after such event, and the denominator of which is the number of
shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

            b. The Corporation shall declare a dividend or distribution on the
Series B Participating Preferred Stock as provided in Paragraph (a) above
immediately after it declares a dividend or distribution on the Common Stock
(other than a dividend payable in shares of Common Stock); provided that, in the
event no dividend or distribution shall have been declared on the Common Stock
during the period between any Quarterly Dividend Payment Date and the next
subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, a dividend of $5.00 per share on the
Series B Participating Preferred Stock shall nevertheless be payable on such
subsequent Quarterly Dividend Payment Date.

            c. Dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative on outstanding
shares of Series B Participating Preferred Stock from the Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date next preceding the date of issue of such shares of Series B
Participating Preferred Stock, unless the date of issue of such shares is prior
to the record date for the first Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in which case
dividends on such shares shall begin to accrue from the date of issue of such
shares, or unless the date of issue is a Quarterly Dividend Payment Date or is a
date after the record date for the determination of holders of shares of Series
B Participating Preferred Stock entitled to receive a quarterly dividend and
before such Quarterly Dividend Payment Date, in either of which events such
dividends shall begin to accrue and be cumulative from such Quarterly Dividend
Payment Date. Accrued but unpaid dividends shall not bear interest. Dividends
paid on the shares of Series B Participating Preferred Stock in an amount less
than the total amount of such dividends at the time accrued and payable on such
shares shall be allocated pro rata on a share-by-share basis among all such
shares at the time outstanding. The Board of Directors may fix a record date for
the determination of holders of shares of Series B Participating Preferred Stock
entitled to receive payment of a dividend or distribution declared thereon,
which record date shall be no more than 45 days prior to the date fixed for the
payment thereof.

      3.    Voting Rights.  The holders of shares of Series B Participating
Preferred Stock shall have the following voting rights:

            a. Subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth,
      each share of Series B Participating Preferred Stock shall entitle the
      holder thereof to 100 votes on all matters submitted to a vote of the
      stockholders of the Corporation. In the event the Corporation shall at any
      time (i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of

                                       11
<PAGE> 12



      Common Stock, (ii) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii)
      combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then
      in each such case the number of votes per share to which holders of shares
      of Series B Participating Preferred Stock were entitled immediately prior
      to such event shall be adjusted by multiplying such number by a fraction,
      the numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
      immediately after such event, and the denominator of which is the number
      of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such
      event.

            b. Except as otherwise provided herein or by law, the holders of
      shares of Series B Participating Preferred Stock and the holders of shares
      of Common Stock shall vote together, as one class, on all matters
      submitted to a vote of shareholders of the Corporation.

            c. (i) If at any time dividends on any Series B Participating
      Preferred Stock shall be in arrears in an amount equal to six quarterly
      dividends thereon, the occurrence of such contingency shall mark the
      beginning of a period (herein called a "default period") which shall
      extend until such time when all accrued and unpaid dividends for all
      previous quarterly dividend periods and for the current quarterly dividend
      period on all shares of Series B Participating Preferred Stock then
      outstanding shall have been declared and paid or set apart for payment.
      During each default period, all holders of shares of Series B
      Participating Preferred Stock, voting, as a class, with the holders of
      other series of Preferred Stock (other than the Series A Preferred Stock)
      so entitled to vote by its terms, shall have the right to elect two
      additional directors of the Corporation until all accrued dividends have
      been paid, for terms of office expiring on the date of the annual meeting.
      In the event that the shares of Series B Participating Preferred Stock
      shall become entitled to elect two additional directors of the
      Corporation, a meeting of the holders of shares of Series B Participating
      Preferred Stock and other series of Preferred Stock so entitled to vote
      for the election of such directors shall be held at the request in writing
      of the holders of 10 percent of the outstanding shares of Preferred Stock
      so entitled to vote, addressed to the Secretary of the Corporation, as
      soon as practicable after the receipt of such request and after notice
      similar to that provided in the By-laws for an annual meeting.

                  (ii) Immediately upon the expiration of a default period, (a)
      the right of the holders of shares of Series B Participating Preferred
      Stock, voting together with any other series of Preferred Stock so
      entitled to vote, to elect directors shall cease, (b) the term of any
      directors elected by the holders of shares of Series B Participating
      Preferred Stock, voting together with any other series of Preferred Stock
      so entitled to vote, shall terminate, and (c) the number of directors
      shall be such number as may be provided for in the Certificate of
      Incorporation or By-laws irrespective of any increase made pursuant to the
      provisions of Paragraph (c)(i) of this Subsection 3 (such number being
      subject, however, to change thereafter in any manner provided by law or in
      the Certificate of Incorporation or By-laws). Any vacancies in the Board
      of Directors effected by the provisions of clauses (b) and (c) in the
      preceding sentence may be filled by a majority of the remaining directors.

                                       12
<PAGE> 13



            d. Except as set forth herein, holders of shares of Series B
      Participating Preferred Stock shall have no special voting rights and
      their consent shall not be required (except to the extent they are
      entitled to vote with holders of shares of Common Stock as set forth
      herein) for taking any corporate action.

      4. Certain Restrictions. If, and so long as, all cumulative dividends on
all outstanding shares of Series B Participating Preferred Stock for all past
dividend periods shall not have been paid, or declared and a sum sufficient for
the payment thereof set apart, the Corporation shall not redeem any shares of
Preferred Stock of any other series at the time outstanding, and neither the
Corporation nor any subsidiary shall purchase or otherwise acquire for any
consideration (except solely by conversion into, or exchange for, Common Stock)
any shares of Preferred Stock of any other series at the time outstanding,
unless all of the Series B Participating Preferred Stock at the time outstanding
shall have been called for redemption as herein provided.

      5. Reacquired Shares. Any shares of Series B Participating Preferred Stock
purchased or otherwise acquired by the Corporation in any manner whatsoever
shall be retired and cancelled promptly after the acquisition thereof. All such
shares shall, upon their cancellation (and upon compliance with any applicable
provisions of the laws of the State of New York), become authorized but unissued
shares of Preferred Stock and may be reissued as part of a new series of
Preferred Stock to be created by resolution or resolutions of the Board of
Directors, subject to the conditions and restrictions on issuance set forth
herein.


      6.    Liquidation, Dissolution or Winding Up.

      a. Upon any liquidation (voluntary or otherwise), dissolution or winding
      up of the Corporation, no distribution shall be made to the holders of
      shares of stock ranking junior (either as to dividends or upon
      liquidation, dissolution or winding up) to the Series B Participating
      Preferred Stock unless, prior thereto, the holders of shares of Series B
      Participating Preferred Stock shall have received $100 per share, plus an
      amount equal to accrued and unpaid dividends and distributions thereon,
      whether or not declared, to the date of such payment (the "Series B
      Liquidation Preference"). Following the payment of the full amount of the
      Series B Liquidation Preference, no additional distributions shall be made
      to the holders of shares of Series B Participating Preferred Stock unless,
      prior thereto, the holders of shares of Common Stock shall have received
      an amount per share (the "Common Adjustment") equal to the quotient
      obtained by dividing (i) the Series B Liquidation Preference by (ii) 100
      (as appropriately adjusted as set forth in Paragraph (c) below to reflect
      such events as stock splits, stock dividends and recapitalizations with
      respect to the Common Stock) (such number in clause (ii), the "Adjustment
      Number"). Following the payment of the full amount of the Series B
      Liquidation Preference and the Common Adjustment in respect of all
      outstanding shares of Series B Participating Preferred Stock and Common
      Stock, respectively, holders of shares of Series B Participating Preferred
      Stock and holders of shares of Common Stock shall receive their ratable
      and proportionate share of the remaining assets to be distributed in the

                                       13
<PAGE> 14



      ratio of the Adjustment Number to 1 with respect to such Preferred Stock
      and Common Stock, on a per share basis, respectively.

            b. In the event, however, that there are not sufficient assets
      available to permit payment in full of the Series B Liquidation Preference
      and the liquidation preferences of all other series of Preferred Stock, if
      any, which rank on a parity with the Series B Participating Preferred
      Stock, then such remaining assets shall be distributed ratably to the
      holders of such parity shares in proportion to their respective
      liquidation preferences. In the event, however, that there are not
      sufficient assets available to permit payment in full of the Common
      Adjustment, then such remaining assets shall be distributed ratably to the
      holders of shares of Common Stock.

            c. In the event the Corporation shall at any time (i) declare any
      dividends on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, (ii)
      subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding
      Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case the
      Adjustment Number in effect immediately prior to such event shall be
      adjusted by multiplying such Adjustment Number by a fraction, the
      numerator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding
      immediately after such event, and the denominator of which is the number
      of shares of Common Stock that were outstanding immediately prior to such
      event.


      7. Consolidation, Merger. In case the Corporation shall enter into any
consolidation, merger, combination or other transaction in which the shares of
Common Stock are exchanged for, or changed into, other stock or securities, cash
and/or any other property, then in any such case the shares of Series B
Participating Preferred Stock shall at the same time be similarly exchanged or
changed in an amount per share (subject to the provision for adjustment hereinaf
ter set forth) equal to 100 times the aggregate amount of stock, securities,
cash and/or any other property (payable in kind), as the case may be, into
which, or for which, each share of Common Stock is changed or exchanged. In the
event the Corporation shall at any time (a) declare any dividend on Common Stock
payable in shares of Common Stock, (b) subdivide the outstanding Common Stock,
or (c) combine the outstanding Common Stock into a smaller number of shares,
then in each such case the amount set forth in the preceding sentence with
respect to the exchange or change of shares of Series B Participating Preferred
Stock shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction, the numerator
of which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after
such event, and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock
that were outstanding immediately prior to such event.

      8. Optional Redemption.

      a. The Corporation shall have the option to redeem the whole or any part
of the Series B Participating Preferred Stock at any time at a redemption price
equal to, subject to the provision for adjustment hereinafter set forth, 100
times the "current per share market price" of the Common Stock on the date of
the mailing of the notice of redemption, together with unpaid accumulated
dividends to the date of such redemption. In the event the Corporation shall at
any time

                                       14
<PAGE> 15



(i) declare any dividend on Common Stock payable in shares of Common Stock, or
(ii)subdivide the outstanding Common Stock, or (iii) combine the outstanding
Common Stock into a smaller number of shares, then in each such case the amount
to which holders of shares of Series B Participating Preferred Stock were
otherwise entitled immediately prior to such event under the preceding sentence
shall be adjusted by multiplying such amount by a fraction, the numerator of
which is the number of shares of Common Stock outstanding immediately after such
event, and the denominator of which is the number of shares of Common Stock that
were outstanding immediately prior to such event. The "current per share market
price" on any date shall be deemed to be the average of the closing price per
share of Common Stock for the 10 consecutive Trading Days (as such term is
hereinafter defined) immediately prior to such date. The closing price for each
day shall be the last sale price, regular way, or, in case no such sale takes
place on such day, the average of the closing bid and asked prices, regular way,
in either case as reported in the principal consolidated transaction reporting
system with respect to securities listed or admitted to trading on the New York
Stock Exchange or, if the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on
the New York Stock Exchange, as reported in the principal consolidated
transaction reporting system with respect to securities listed or admitted to
trading on the principal national securities exchange on which the Common Stock
is listed or admitted to trading or, if the Common Stock is not listed or
admitted to trading on any national securities exchange, the last quoted price
or, if not so quoted, the average of the high bid and low asked prices in the
over-the-counter market, as reported by the National Association of Securities
Dealers, Inc. Automated Quotations System or such other system then in use or,
if on any such date the Common Stock is not quoted by any such organization, the
average of the closing bid and asked prices as furnished by a professional
market maker making a market in the Common Stock selected by the Board of
Directors. If on such date no such market maker is making a market in the Common
Stock, the fair value of the Common Stock on such date as determined in good
faith by the Board of Directors shall be used. The term "Trading Day" shall mean
a day on which the principal national securities exchange on which the Common
Stock is listed or admitted to trading is open for the transaction of business
or, if the Common Stock is not listed or admitted to trading on any national
securities exchange, a Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday or Friday on which
banking institutions in the State of New York are not authorized or obligated by
law or executive order to close.

      b. Notice of any such redemption shall be given by mailing to the holders
of shares of Series B Participating Preferred Stock a notice of such redemption,
first class postage prepaid, not later than the 30th day and not earlier than
the 60th day before the date fixed for redemption, at their last address as they
shall appear upon the books of the Corporation. Any notice which is mailed in
the manner herein provided shall be conclusively presumed to have been duly
given, whether or not the shareholder received such notice, and failure duly to
give such notice bv mail, or any defect in such notice, to any holder of shares
of Series B Participating Preferred Stock shall not affect the validity of the
proceedings for the redemption of such Series B Participating Preferred Stock.
If less than all of the outstanding shares of Series B Participating Preferred
Stock are to be redeemed, the redemption shall be made by lot as determined by
the Board of Directors.

      c. The notice of redemption to each holder of shares of Series B

                                       15
<PAGE> 16



Participating Preferred Stock shall specify (i) the number of shares of Series B
Participating Preferred Stock of such holder to be redeemed, (ii) the date fixed
for redemption, (iii) the redemption price and, (iv) the place of payment of the
redemption price.

      d. If any such notice of redemption shall have been duly given or if the
Corporation shall have given to the bank or trust company, hereinafter referred
to, irrevocable written authorization promptly to give or complete such notice,
and if on or before the redemption date specified therein the funds necessary
for such redemption shall have been deposited by the Corporation with the bank
or trust company designated in such notice, doing business in the Borough of
Manhattan, the City of New York, State of New York, and having a capital,
surplus and undivided profits aggregating at least $25,000,000 according to its
last published statement of condition, in trust for the benefit of the holders
of shares of Series B Participating Preferred Stock called for redemption, then,
notwithstanding that any certificate for such shares so called for redemption
shall not have been surrendered for cancellation, from and after the time of
such deposit all such shares called for redemption shall no longer be deemed
outstanding and all rights with respect to such shares shall forthwith cease and
terminate, except the right of the holders thereof to receive from such bank or
trust company at an time after the time of such deposit the funds so deposited,
without interest, and the right to exercise, up to the close of business on the
fifth day before the date fixed for redemption, all privileges of conversion or
exchange, if any. In case less than all the shares represented by any
surrendered certificate are redeemed, a new certificate shall be issued
representing the unredeemed shares. Any interest accrued on such funds shall be
paid to the Corporation from time to time. Any funds so deposited and unclaimed
at the end of six years from such redemption date shall be repaid to the
Corporation, after which the holders of shares of Series B Participating
Preferred Stock called for redemption shall look only to the Corporation for
payment thereof; provided, that any funds so deposited which shall not be
required for redemption because of the exercise of any privilege of conversion
or exchange subsequent to the date of deposit shall be repaid to the Corporation
forthwith.

      9. Amendment. So long as any shares of Series B Participating Preferred
Stock are outstanding, this Certificate of Incorporation shall not be further
amended in any manner which would materially alter or change the powers,
preferences or special rights of the Series B Participating Preferred Stock so
as to affect them adversely without the affirmative vote of the holders of a
majority or more of the outstanding shares of Series B Participating Preferred
Stock, voting separately as a class.

      10. Fractional Shares. Series B Participating Preferred Stock may be
issued in fractions of a share which shall entitle the holder, in proportion to
such holder's fractional shares, to exercise voting rights, receive dividends,
participate in distributions and to have the benefit of all other rights of
holders of shares of Series B Participating Preferred Stock.

      FIFTH. - The Secretary of State is designated as agent of the Corporation
upon whom process against it may be served, and the post office address to which
the Secretary of State shall mail a copy of any process against the Corporation
served upon him is:

                                       16
<PAGE> 17



                              Woolworth Corporation
                               Woolworth Building
                                  233 Broadway
                          New York, New York 10279-0001
                              Attention: Secretary

      SIXTH. - Subject always to the By-laws adopted bv the shareholders, the
Board of Directors may amend or repeal any By-law or adopt any new By-law; but
any By-law adopted bv the Board of Directors may be amended or repealed by the
shareholders at any annual meeting or at any special meeting, provided notice of
the proposed amendment or repeal be included in the notice of any such special
meeting.

      SEVENTH. -- The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be managed
by, or under the direction of, a Board of Directors consisting of not less than
3 or more than 19 directors, the exact number of directors to be determined from
time to time by resolution adopted by a majority of the Board of Directors. The
directors shall be divided into three classes, designated Class I, Class II and
Class III. Each class shall consist, as nearly as may be possible, of one-third
of the total number of directors constituting the entire Board of Directors.

      If the number of directors is changed, any increase or decrease shall be
apportioned among the classes of directors so as to maintain the number of
directors in each class as nearly equal as possible, but in no case will a
decrease in the number of directors shorten the term of any incumbent director.
When the number of directors is increased by the Board of Directors and any
newly created directorships are filled by the Board, there shall be no
classification of the additional directors until the next annual meeting of
shareholders.

      A director shall hold office until the annual meeting for the year in
which his or her term expires and until his or her successor shall be elected
and shall qualify, subject, however, to prior death, resignation, retirement,
disqualification or removal from office. Newly created directorships resulting
from an increase in the number of directors and any vacancy on the Board of
Directors may be filled by a vote of the Board of Directors. If the number of
directors then in office is less than a quorum, such newly created directorships
and vacancies may be filled by a majority of the directors then in office. A
director elected by the Board of Directors to fill a vacancy shall hold office
until the next meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors and
until his or her successor shall be elected and shall qualify. A director or the
entire Board of Directors may be removed only for cause.

      Notwithstanding the foregoing, whenever the holders of shares of any one
or more classes or series of stock (other than Common Stock) issued by the
Corporation shall have the right, voting separately by class or series, to elect
directors at an annual or special meeting of shareholders, the election, term of
office, filling of vacancies and other features of such directorships shall be
governed by the terms of this Certificate of Incorporation applicable thereto,
and such directors so elected shall not be divided into classes pursuant to this
Article SEVENTH unless expressly provided by such terms.

      EIGHTH. - A. In addition to any affirmative vote required by law, this
Certificate of Incorporation, the By-laws, or otherwise, and except as otherwise

                                       17
<PAGE> 18



expressly provided in Sections B or C of this Article EIGHTH, a Business
Transaction or a Stock Repurchase with, or proposed by or on behalf of, an
Interested Shareholder or an Affiliate or Associate of an Interested
Shareholder, or a person who thereafter would be an Affiliate or Associate of an
Interested Shareholder, shall require the affirmative vote of not less than a
majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of all the then
outstanding shares of Voting Stock, voting together as a single class, excluding
Voting Stock beneficially owned by such Interested Shareholder. Such affirmative
vote shall be required notwithstanding the fact that no vote may be required, or
that a lesser percentage or separate class vote may be required, by law, any
other provision of this Certificate of Incorporation, the By-laws, or otherwise.

      B. The provisions of Section A of this Article EIGHTH shall not be
applicable to any particular Business Transaction, and such Business Transaction
shall require only such affirmative vote, if any, as is required by law, any
other provision of this Certificate of Incorporation or the By-laws, or
otherwise, if the Business Transaction shall have been approved, either
specifically or as a transaction which is within an approved category of
transactions, by the Board of Directors at a time when the Disinterested
Directors constitute a majority of the entire Board of Directors (irrespective
of whether such approval is made prior to, or subsequent to, the acquisition of,
or announcement or public disclosure of the intention to acquire, beneficial
ownership of the Voting Stock that caused the Interested Shareholder to become
an Interested Shareholder).

      C. The provisions of Section A of this Article EIGHTH shall not be
applicable to any particular Stock Repurchase with, or proposed by or on behalf
of, an Interested Shareholder or an Affiliate or Associate of an Interested
Shareholder, and such Stock Repurchase shall require only such affirmative vote,
if any, as is required by, law, any other provision of this Certificate of
Incorporation, the Bylaws, or otherwise, if the conditions specified in either
of the following Subsections 1 or 2 are met:

      1. The Stock Repurchase is made pursuant to a tender offer or exchange
      offer for a class of Capital Stock made available on the same basis to all
      holders of shares of such class of Capital Stock.

      2. The Stock Repurchase is made pursuant to an open market purchase
      program approved by the Board of Directors at a time when Disinterested
      Directors constitute a majority of the entire Board of Directors, provided
      that such repurchase is effected on the open market and is not the result
      of a privately negotiated transaction.

      D.    The following definitions shall apply with respect to this Article
EIGHTH:

      1.    The term "Business Transaction" shall mean:

                  a. Any merger or consolidation of the Corporation or any
      Subsidiary with (i) any Interested Shareholder or (ii) any other company
      (whether or not itself an Interested Shareholder) which is, or after such
      merger or consolidation would be, an Affiliate or Associate of an
      Interested Shareholder; or

                                       18
<PAGE> 19



                  b. Other than a Stock Repurchase, any sale, lease, exchange,
      mortgage, pledge, transfer or other disposition or security arrangement,
      investment, loan, advance, guarantee, agreement to purchase, agreement to
      pay, extension of credit, joint venture participation or other arrangement
      (in one transaction or a series of transactions) with, or for the benefit
      of, any Interested Shareholder or any Affiliate or Associate of any
      Interested Shareholder, involving any assets, securities or commitments of
      the Corporation, any Subsidiary or any Interested Shareholder or any
      Affiliate or Associate of any Interested Shareholder which, together with
      all other such arrangements (including all contemplated future events),
      has an aggregate Fair Market Value and/or involves aggregate commitments
      of $10,000,000 or more, or constitutes more than 5 percent of the book
      value of the total assets (in the case of transactions involving assets or
      commitments other than in capital stock), or 5 percent of the
      stockholders' equity (in the case of transactions in capital stock) of the
      entity in question (the "Substantial Part"), as reflected in the most
      recent fiscal year-end consolidated balance sheet of such entity existing
      at the time the shareholders of the Corporation would be required to
      approve or authorize the Business Transaction involving the assets,
      securities and/or commitments constituting any Substantial Part; provided,
      however, that the term "Business Transaction" shall include, without
      regard to the value tests set forth above, any arrangement, whether as
      employee, consultant, or otherwise, other than as a director, pursuant to
      which any Interested Shareholder or any Affiliate or Associate thereof
      shall, directly or indirectly, have any control over, or responsibility
      for, the management of any aspect of the business or affairs of the
      Corporation; or

                  c. The adoption of any plan or proposal for the liquidation or
dissolution of the Corporation or for any amendment to the By-laws; or

                  d. Any reclassification of securities (including any reverse
      stock split), or recapitalization of the Corporation, or any merger or
      consolidation of the Corporation with any of its Subsidiaries or any other
      transaction (whether or not with, or otherwise involving, an Interested
      Shareholder) that has the effect, directly or indirectly, of increasing
      the proportionate share of any class or series of Capital Stock, or any
      securities convertible into Capital Stock or into equity securities of any
      Subsidiary, that is beneficially owned by any Interested Shareholder; or

                  e. Any tender offer or exchange offer made by the Corporation
      for shares of Capital Stock which may have the effect of increasing an
      Interested Shareholder's beneficial ownership percentage so that following
      the completion of the tender offer or exchange offer the Interested
      Shareholder's beneficial ownership percentage of the outstanding Voting
      Stock may exceed 110 percent of the interested Shareholder's beneficial
      ownership percentage immediately, prior to the commencement of such tender
      offer or exchange offer; or

                  f.    Any agreement, contract, or other arrangement providing
      for any one or more of the actions specified in the foregoing Paragraphs
      (a) through (e).

                                       19
<PAGE> 20



            2. The term "Stock Repurchase" shall mean any repurchase by the
      Corporation or any Subsidiary of any shares of Capital Stock, at a price
      greater than the then Fair Market Value of such shares, from an Interested
      Shareholder or an Affiliate or Associate of an Interested Shareholder if
      beneficial ownership of any shares of Capital Stock beneficially owned by
      such Interested Shareholder were acquired (disregarding shares acquired as
      part of a pro rata stock dividend or stock split) within a period of less
      than two years prior to the date of such repurchase (or an agreement in
      respect thereof).

            3. The term "Capital Stock" shall mean all capital stock of the
      Corporation authorized to be issued from time to time under Article FOURTH
      of this Certificate of Incorporation; and the term "Voting Stock" shall
      mean all Capital Stock which, by its terms, may be voted on all matters
      submitted to shareholders of the Corporation generally.

            4. The term "person" shall mean any individual, firm, corporation,
      or other entity and shall include any group comprised of any person and
      any other person with whom such person or any Affiliate or Associate of
      such person has any agreement, arrangement, or understanding, directly or
      indirectly, for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting, or disposing of
      Capital Stock.

            5. The term "Interested Shareholder" shall mean any person (other
      than the Corporation or any Subsidiary and other than any profit-sharing,
      employee stock ownership, or other employee benefit plan of the
      Corporation or any Subsidiary, or any trustee of, or fiduciary with
      respect to, any such plan when acting in such capacity), who (a) is, or
      has announced or publicly disclosed a plan or intention to become, the
      beneficial owner of Voting Stock representing 5 percent or more of the
      votes entitled to be cast by the holders of all then outstanding shares of
      Voting Stock; or (b) is an Affiliate or Associate of the Corporation and
      at any time within the two-year period immediately prior to the date in
      question was the beneficial owner of Voting Stock representing 5 percent
      or more of the votes entitled to be cast by the holders of all then
      outstanding shares of Voting Stock.

            6. A person shall be a "beneficial owner" of any Capital Stock (a)
      which such person or any of its Affiliates or Associates beneficially
      owns, directly or indirectly; (b) which such person or any of its
      Affiliates or Associates has, directly or indirectly, (i) the right to
      acquire (whether such right is exercisable immediately or subject only to
      the passage of time), pursuant to any agreement, arrangement, or
      understanding, or upon the exercise of conversion rights, exchange rights,
      warrants, or options, or otherwise, or (ii) the right to vote pursuant to
      any agreement, arrangement, or understanding; or (c) which is beneficially
      owned, directly or indirectly, by any other person with which such person
      or any of its Affiliates or Associates has any agreement, arrangement, or
      understanding for the purpose of acquiring, holding, voting, or disposing
      of any shares of Capital Stock. For the purposes of determining whether a
      person is an Interested Shareholder pursuant to Subsection 5 of this
      Section D, the number of shares of Capital Stock deemed to be outstanding
      shall include shares deemed beneficially owned by such person through

                                       20
<PAGE> 21



      application of this Subsection 6, but shall not include any other shares
      of Capital Stock that may be issuable pursuant to any agreement,
      arrangement, or understanding, or upon exercise of conversion rights,
      warrants, or options, or otherwise.

      7. The terms "Affiliate" and "Associate" shall have the respective
meanings ascribed to such terms in Rule 12b-2 under the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934 as in effect on March 1, 1989 (the term "registrant" in said Rule 12b-2
meaning in this case the Corporation) (the "Act").

      8. The term "Subsidiary" means any company of which a majority of any
class of equity security is beneficially owned by the Corporation; provided,
however, that for the purposes of the definition of Interested Shareholder set
forth in Subsection 5 of this Section D, the term "Subsidiary," shall mean only
a company of which a majority of each class of equity security is beneficially
owned by the Corporation.

      9. The term "Disinterested Director" means any member of the Board of
Directors (the "Board"), while such person is a member of the Board, who is not
an Affiliate or Associate or representative of the Interested Shareholder and
was a member of the Board prior to the time that the Interested Shareholder
became an Interested Shareholder, and any successor of a Disinterested Director,
while such successor is a member of the Board, who is not an Affiliate or
Associate or representative of the Interested Shareholder and is recommended or
elected to succeed the Disinterested Director by a majority of the Disinterested
Directors then on the Board.

      10. The term "Fair Market Value" means (a) in the case of cash, the amount
of such cash;(b)in the case of stock, the closing sale price, on the trading day
immediately preceding the date in question, of a share of such stock on the
Composite Tape for New York Stock Exchange listed Stocks, or, if such stock is
not quoted on the Composite Tape, on the New York Stock Exchange, or, if such
stock is not listed on such Exchange, on the principal United States securities
exchange registered under the Act on which such stock is listed, or, if such
stock is not listed on any such exchange, the closing bid quotation with respect
to a share of such stock on the trading day immediately preceding the date in
question on the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. Automated
Quotations System or any similar system then in use, or if no such quotations
are available, the fair market value on the date in question of a share of such
stock as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors; and (c) in the case
of property other than cash or stock, the fair market value of such property on
the date in question as determined in good faith by the Board of Directors.

      E. The Board of Directors shall have the power and duty to determine in
good faith for the purposes of this Article EIGHTH, on the basis of information
known to them after reasonable inquiry, all questions arising under this Article
EIGHTH, including without limitation, (1) whether a person is an Interested
Shareholder, (2) the number of shares of Capital Stock or other securities
beneficially owned by any person, (3) whether a person is an Affiliate or
Associate of another, (4) whether the consideration to be received in any Stock
Repurchase by the Corporation or any Subsidiary exceeds the then Fair Market
Value of the shares of Capital Stock being repurchased, (5) whether the assets

                                       21
<PAGE> 22



that are the subject of any Business Transaction have, or the consideration to
be received for the issuance or transfer of securities by the Corporation or any
Subsidiary in any Business Transaction has, an aggregate Fair Market Value of
$10,000,000 or more, and (6) whether the assets or securities that are the
subject of any Business Transaction constitute a Substantial Part. Any such
determination made in good faith shall be binding and conclusive on all parties.

      F. Nothing  contained in this Article EIGHTH shall be construed to relieve
any Interested Shareholder from any, fiduciary obligation imposed by law.

      G. For the purposes of this Article EIGHTH, a Business Transaction, a
Stock Repurchase, or any proposal to amend, repeal, or adopt any provision of
this Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Article EIGHTH
(collectively, "Proposed Action") is presumed to have been proposed by, or on
behalf of, an Interested Shareholder or an Affiliate or Associate of an
Interested Shareholder or a person who thereafter would become such if (1) after
the Interested Shareholder became such, the Proposed Action is proposed
following the election of any director of the Corporation who, with respect to
such Interested Shareholder, would not qualify, to serve as a Disinterested
Director, or (2) such Interested Shareholder, Affiliate, Associate, or person
votes for, or consents to, the adoption of any such Proposed Action, unless as
to such Interested Shareholder, Affiliate, Associate, or person the Board of
Directors, at a time when Disinterested Directors constitute a majority of the
entire Board of directors, makes a good faith determination that such Proposed
Action is not proposed by, or on behalf of, such Interested Shareholder,
Affiliate, Associate, or person, based on information known to the Board of
Directors after reasonable inquiry.

      H. Notwithstanding any other provisions of this Certificate of
Incorporation or the By-laws (and notwithstanding the fact that a lesser
percentage or separate class vote may be specified by law, this Certificate of
Incorporation, or the By-laws), and in addition to any other vote required by
law or otherwise, any proposal to amend, repeal, or adopt any provision of this
Certificate of Incorporation inconsistent with this Article EIGHTH, which is
proposed by, or on behalf of, an Interested Shareholder or an Affiliate or
Associate of an Interested Shareholder, shall require the affirmative vote of
the holders of not less than a majority of the votes entitled to be cast by the
holders of all the then outstanding shares of Voting Stock, voting together as a
single class, excluding Voting Stock beneficially owned by such Interested
Shareholder; provided, however, that this Section H shall not apply to, and such
a majority vote shall not be required for, any amendment, repeal, or adoption
which does not affect the provisions of this Article EIGHTH relating to Stock
Repurchases and which is recommended by the Board of Directors at a time when
Disinterested Directors constitute a majority of the entire Board of Directors.

      NINTH. - The Board of Directors shall have power, by resolution adopted by
a majority of the entire Board, to designate from among its members an executive
committee and other committees, each consisting of three or more directors, and
each of which, to the extent provided in the resolution or in the By-laws, shall
have all the authority of the Board, except as otherwise provided in the
Business Corporation Law.

      TENTH. - The Corporation shall, to the fullest extent now or hereafter

                                       22
<PAGE> 23



authorized or permitted by applicable law, indemnify any person who is or was
made, or threatened to be made, a party to, or is involved in, any threatened,
pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil, criminal,
administrative or investigative, whether involving any actual or alleged breach
of duty, neglect or error, any accountability, or any actual or alleged
misstatement, misleading statement or other act or omission and whether brought
or threatened in any court or administrative or legislative body or agency,
including an action by, or in the right of, the Corporation to procure a
judgment in its favor and an action by, or in the right of, any other
corporation of any type or kind, domestic or foreign, or any partnership, joint
venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other enterprise, which any director or
officer of the Corporation is serving, has served or has agreed to serve in any
capacity at the request of the Corporation, by reason of the fact that he, his
testator or intestate, is or was or has agreed to become a director or officer
of the Corporation, or is or was serving or has agreed to serve such other
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other
enterprise in any capacity, against judgments, fines, amounts paid or to be paid
in settlement, and expenses (including attorneys' fees, costs and charges)
incurred as a result of such action, suit or proceeding, or appeal therein. The
Corporation may indemnify any person (including a person entitled to
indemnification pursuant to the previous sentence) to whom the Corporation is
permitted to provide indemnification or the advancement of expenses to the
fullest extent now or hereafter permitted by applicable law, whether pursuant to
rights granted pursuant to, or provided by, the New York Business Corporation
Law, or any other law, or other rights created by (A) a resolution of
shareholders, (B) a resolution of directors, or (C) an agreement providing for
such indemnification, it being expressly intended that this Article TENTH
authorizes the creation of other rights in any such manner. The rights to
indemnification set forth in this Article TENTH shall not be exclusive of any
other rights to which any person may now or hereafter be entitled under any
statute, provision of this Certificate of Incorporation, By-law, agreement,
contract, resolution, vote of shareholders or otherwise.

      ELEVENTH. - No director shall be personally liable to the Corporation or
any of its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a
director, except for liability if a judgment or other final adjudication adverse
to such director establishes that such director's acts or omissions were in bad
faith or involved intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law or that
such director personally gained in fact a financial profit or other advantage to
which such director was not legally entitled or that such director's acts
violated Section 719 of the New York Business Corporation Law. Any repeal or
modification of this Article ELEVENTH by the shareholders of the Corporation
shall not adversely affect any right or protection of a director of the
Corporation existing at the time of such repeal or modification with respect to
acts or omissions occurring prior to such repeal or modification.


                                       23
<PAGE> 24



      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have made, subscribed and acknowledged this
Certificate of Incorporation this 5th day of April 1989.


                                           /s/  William B. Thomson
                                           -----------------------
                                                William B. Thomson
                                                Woolworth Building
                                                   233 Broadway
                                          New York, New York 10279-0001



STATE OF NEW YORK   )
                    )SS.:
COUNTY OF NEW YORK  )

      On this 5th dav of April 1989, personally appeared before me, William B.
Thomson, to me known, and known to me to be the same person described in and who
executed the foregoing instrument, and he duly acknowledged to me that he
executed the same.

                                                   /s/ Phyllis Slavin
                                                   ------------------
                                                       Notary Public


                                                     PHYLLIS SLAVIN
                                           Notary Public, State of New York
                                                     No. 24-4910527
                                                Qualified in Kings County
                                          Certificate Filed in New York County
                                              Commission Expires Nov. 9, 1989


                                       24

<PAGE> 1

                                                                 EXHIBIT 3(i)(b)

[AS FILED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK ON JULY 9, 1997.]

                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
                                     of the
                          CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                       of
                              WOOLWORTH CORPORATION

                Under Section 805 of the Business Corporation Law



      We, the undersigned, Gary M. Bahler and Sheilagh M. Clarke, being,
respectively, the Vice President and Secretary and the Assistant Secretary of
Woolworth Corporation, a corporation organized under the laws of the State of
New York (the "Corporation"), do hereby state and certify that:

      1.    The name of the Corporation is Woolworth Corporation.

      2.    The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was
filed by the Department of State on April 7, 1989.

      3. The Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended, as authorized by
Section 801 of the Business Corporation Law of the State of New York, to
eliminate the provision (in Article SEVENTH of such Certificate of
Incorporation) stating a minimum and maximum number of directors. To effect such
amendment, the first sentence of Article SEVENTH of the Certificate of
Incorporation is hereby amended to read, in its entirety, as follows:

            "SEVENTH  -- The business and affairs of the Corporation shall
      be managed by, or under the direction of, a Board of Directors."

      4. The amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation set forth above was
authorized by vote of the Board of Directors at a meeting duly called and held
on March 12, 1997, a quorum being present, followed by the required vote of the
holders of a majority of all outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to
vote thereon at the annual meeting of shareholders of the Corporation which was
duly called and held on June 12, 1997, a quorum being present.

      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have executed and subscribed this Certificate of
Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation and do affirm
the foregoing as true under the penalties of perjury this 7th day of
July 1997.


/s/ Gary M. Bahler                        /s/ Sheilagh M. Clarke
- ----------------------------              ----------------------------
Gary M. Bahler                            Sheilagh M. Clarke
Vice President and Secretary              Assistant Secretary

<PAGE> 2




[AS FILED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK ON JULY 24, 1990]

                          CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
                                   of the
                        CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                     of
                           WOOLWORTH CORPORATION

             Under Section 805 of the Business Corporation Law



      We, the undersigned, Harold E. Sells and Gary M. Bahler, being,
respectively, the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and the
Secretary of Woolworth Corporation, a corporation organized under the laws of
the State of New York, do hereby state and certify that:

      1.    The name of the corporation is Woolworth Corporation (hereinafter
called the "Company").

      2.    The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed by
the Department of State on April 7, 1989.

      3. The Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended, as authorized by
Section 801 of the Business Corporation Law of the State of New York, to
increase the number of authorized shares of the Company's Common Stock, of the
par value of $.01 per share, from 250,000,000 shares to 500,000,000 shares. To
effect such amendment, the first sentence of Article Fourth of the Certificate
of Incorporation is hereby amended to read, in its entirety, as follows:

            "FOURTH. - A.  The aggregate number of shares which the Company
            has authority to issue is 507,000,000 shares, consisting of:

            1. 500,000,000 shares of Common Stock of the par value of $.01 each;
            and

            2. 7,000,000 shares of Preferred Stock of the par value of $1.00
            each."

      4. The amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company set
forth above was authorized by vote of the board of directors at a meeting duly
called and held on March 14, 1990, a quorum being present, followed by the
required vote of the holders of a majority of all outstanding shares of the
Company entitled to vote thereon at the annual meeting of shareholders of the
Company which was duly called and held on June 21, 1990, a quorum being present.

<PAGE> 3




      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have executed and subscribed this Certificate of
Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation and do affirm
the foregoing as true under the penalties of perjury this 19th day
of July 1990.


/s/ Gary M. Bahler                        /s/ Harold E. Sells
- ----------------------------              ----------------------------
Gary M. Bahler                                   Harold E. Sells
Secretary                                 Chairman of the Board and
                                          Chief Executive Officer

<PAGE> 4



                                                                
                     [AS FILED BY THE DEPARTMENT OF STATE OF
                     THE STATE OF NEW YORK ON JULY 20, 1989]


                            CERTIFICATE OF AMENDMENT
                                     of the
                          CERTIFICATE OF INCORPORATION
                                       of
                              WOOLWORTH CORPORATION

                            Under Section 805 of the
                            Business Corporation Law


      We, the undersigned, Harold E. Sells and William B. Thomson, being,
respectively, the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer and the
Secretary of Woolworth Corporation, a corporation organized under the laws of
the State of New York (herein called the "Corporation"), do hereby state and
certify that:

      1. The name of the corporation is Woolworth Corporation.

      2. The Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation was filed by the
Department of State on April 7, 1989.

      3. The Certificate of Incorporation is hereby amended, as authorized by
Section 801 of the Business Corporation Law of the State of New York, to change
(in Article SEVENTH of such Certificate of Incorporation) the number of
directors constituting the entire Board of Directors from not less than 3 or
more than 19 directors to not less than 11 or more than 19 directors. To effect
such amendment, the first sentence of Article SEVENTH of the Certificate of
Incorporation is hereby amended to read, in its entirety, as follows:

            "SEVENTH -- The business and affairs of the Corporation shall be
managed by, or under the direction of, a Board of Directors consisting of not
less than 11 or more than 19 directors, the exact number of directors to be
determined from time to time by resolution adopted by a majority of the Board of
Directors."

      4. The amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation set forth above was
duly authorized, on and as of June 26, 1989, by the unanimous written consent of
all of the directors of the Corporation, followed by the unanimous written
consent of the holders of all outstanding shares of the Corporation entitled to
vote on such amendment.

<PAGE> 5



      IN WITNESS WHEREOF, we have made and subscribed this Certificate of
Amendment of the Certificate of Incorporation this 14th day of July
1989.


     /s/ William B. Thomson                  /s/ Harold E. Sells
- ----------------------------             ----------------------------
     William B. Thomson                        Harold E. Sells
          Secretary                        Chairman of the Board and
                                            Chief Executive Officer


<PAGE> 1
                                                                  EXHIBIT 3(ii)














                                     BY-LAWS

                                       of

                              WOOLWORTH CORPORATION

































                                                As of June 12, 1997
<PAGE> 2





                                      INDEX


                                                             Page
                                                             ----

ARTICLE I ..................................................  1
     Meetings of Shareholders ..............................  1
ARTICLE II .................................................  3
     Board of Directors ....................................  3
ARTICLE III ................................................  5
     Committees ............................................  5
ARTICLE IV .................................................  7
     Officers ..............................................  7
     Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer .....  7
     Vice Chairmen of the Board ............................  8
     President and Chief Operating Officer .................  8
     Senior Executive Vice Presidents, Executive Vice
          Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents and Other
          Vice Presidents ..................................  8
     Controller ............................................  9
     Treasurer .............................................  9
     Secretary .............................................  9
     Powers of Officers Regulated ..........................  9
ARTICLE V .................................................. 10
     Execution of Contracts ................................ 10
ARTICLE VI ................................................. 10
     Capital Stock ......................................... 10
ARTICLE VII ................................................ 11
     Corporate Seal ........................................ 11
ARTICLE VIII ............................................... 11
     Fiscal Year ........................................... 11
ARTICLE IX ................................................. 11
     Indemnification of Directors, Officers and Others ..... 11
ARTICLE X .................................................. 13
     Amendments ............................................ 13

<PAGE> 3






                                     BY-LAWS

                                       OF

                              WOOLWORTH CORPORATION


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


                                    ARTICLE I

                            MEETINGS OF SHAREHOLDERS


     SECTION 1. Any meeting of the shareholders may be held at such place within
or without the United States, and at such hour, as shall be fixed by the Board
of Directors and stated in the notice of meeting, or, if not so fixed, at the
office of the Corporation in the State of New York at 10:00 A.M.

     SECTION 2. The annual meeting of shareholders shall be held on such day and
at such time as may be fixed by the Board of Directors, for the election of
directors and the transaction of other business.

     SECTION 3. A special meeting of the shareholders may be held whenever
called in writing by the Secretary upon the direction of the Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive Officer, a Vice Chairman of the Board, the President
and Chief Operating Officer or a majority of the entire Board of Directors. At
any such special meeting only such business may be transacted which is related
to the purpose or purposes set forth in the notice required by Section 5 of
Article I.

          A special meeting may be cancelled by resolution of the Board of
Directors.

     SECTION 4. For the purpose of determining the shareholders entitled to
notice of, or to vote at, any meeting of shareholders or any adjournment
thereof, the Board of Directors may fix, in advance, a date as the record date
for such determination of shareholders. Such date shall not be more than 50 nor
less than 10 days before the date of such meeting. When a determination of
shareholders of record entitled to notice of, or to vote at, any meeting of
shareholders has been made as provided in this section, such determination shall
apply to any adjournment thereof, unless the Board of Directors fixes a new
record date for the adjourned meeting.

     SECTION 5. Written notice shall state the place, date and hour of any
meeting of shareholders and, unless it is the annual meeting, shall indicate
that it is being issued by, or at the direction of, the person or persons
calling the meeting. Notice of a special meeting shall also state the purpose or
purposes for which the meeting is

                                        1
<PAGE> 4



called. If, at any meeting, action is proposed to be taken which would, if
taken, entitle shareholders to demand payment for their shares, the notice of
such meeting shall include a statement of that purpose and to that effect. A
copy of the notice of any meeting shall be given, personally or by mail, not
more than 50 nor less than 10 days before the date of the meeting, to each
shareholder entitled to vote at such meeting. If mailed, such notice is given
when deposited in the United States mail, with postage thereon prepaid, directed
to the shareholder at his or her address as it appears on the record of
shareholders, or, if he or she shall have filed with the Secretary a written
request that notices be mailed to some other address, then such notice shall be
directed to him or her at such other address. An affidavit of the Secretary or
other person giving the notice or of a transfer agent of the Corporation that
the notice required by this section has been given shall, in the absence of
fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts therein stated.

          When a meeting is adjourned to another time or place, it shall not be
necessary to give any notice of the adjourned meeting if the time and place to
which the meeting is adjourned are announced at the meeting at which the
adjournment is taken, and at the adjourned meeting any business may be
transacted that might have been transacted on the original date of the meeting.
However, if after the adjournment the Board of Directors fixes a new record date
for the adjourned meeting, a notice of the adjourned meeting shall be given to
each shareholder of record on the new record date.

     SECTION 6. A list of shareholders as of the record date, certified by the
officer of the Corporation responsible for its preparation or by a transfer
agent of the Corporation, shall be produced at any meeting of shareholders upon
the request thereat or prior thereto of any shareholder. If the right to vote at
any meeting is challenged, the inspectors, or person presiding thereat, shall
require such list of shareholders to be produced as evidence of the right of the
persons challenged to vote at such meeting, and all persons who appear from such
list to be shareholders entitled to vote thereat may vote at such meeting.

     SECTION 7. The holders of a majority of the shares entitled to vote thereat
shall constitute a quorum at a meeting of shareholders for the transaction of
any business. When a quorum is once present to organize a meeting, it is not
broken by the subsequent withdrawal of any shareholder. The shareholders present
may adjourn the meeting despite the absence of a quorum.

     SECTION 8. Every shareholder entitled to vote at a meeting of shareholders
may authorize another person or persons to act for him or her by proxy. Every
proxy must be signed by the shareholder or his or her attorney-in-fact. No proxy
shall be valid after the expiration of 11 months from the date thereof, unless
otherwise provided in the proxy. Every proxy shall be revocable at the pleasure
of the shareholder executing it, except as otherwise provided by the New York
Business Corporation Law.

                                        2
<PAGE> 5



     SECTION 9. At all meetings of shareholders the Chairman of the Board and
Chief Executive Officer shall preside; and in his or her absence a Vice Chairman
of the Board, the President and Chief Operating Officer or such other officer or
director as may be appointed by the Board of Directors shall preside; and in the
absence of any such officer, a chairman appointed by the shareholders present
shall preside. The Secretary or an Assistant Secretary shall act as secretary at
all meetings of the shareholders, but in the absence of the Secretary or an
Assistant Secretary the presiding officer may appoint any person to act as
secretary of such meeting.

     SECTION 10. The Board of Directors, in advance of any meeting of
shareholders, may appoint one or more inspectors to act at the meeting or at any
adjournment thereof. If inspectors are not so appointed, the person presiding at
the meeting may, and on the request of any shareholders entitled to vote thereat
shall, appoint one or more inspectors. In case any person appointed fails to
appear or act, the vacancy may be filled by appointment made by the Board of
Directors in advance of the meeting or at the meeting by the person presiding
thereat. Each inspector, before entering upon the discharge of his or her
duties, shall take and sign an oath faithfully to execute the duties of
inspector at such meeting with strict impartiality and according to the best of
his or her ability.

     SECTION 11. The inspectors shall determine the number of shares outstanding
and the voting power of each, the shares represented at the meeting, the
existence of a quorum, the validity and effect of proxies, and shall receive
votes, ballots or consents, hear and determine all challenges and questions
arising in connection with the right to vote, count and tabulate all votes,
ballots or consents, determine the result, and do such acts as are proper to
conduct the election or vote with fairness to all shareholders. On request of
the person presiding at the meeting or any shareholder entitled to vote thereat,
the inspectors shall make a report, in writing, of any challenge, question or
matter determined by them and execute a certificate of any fact found by them.
Any report or certificate made by them shall be prima facie evidence of the
facts stated and of the vote as certified by them.

     SECTION 12. Every shareholder of record shall be entitled at every meeting
of shareholders to one vote for every share standing in his or her name on the
record date on the record of shareholders.


                                   ARTICLE II

                               BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     SECTION 1. The number of directors constituting the entire Board of
Directors shall be not less than 9 or more than 17, the exact number of
directors to be determined from time to time by resolution adopted by a majority
of the entire Board of Directors. At each annual meeting of shareholders,
directors shall be elected to hold office by a plurality of the votes cast.

                                        3
<PAGE> 6



     SECTION 2. Nominations for election to the Board of Directors of the
Corporation at a meeting of shareholders may be made by the Board of Directors,
on behalf of the Board of Directors by any nominating committee appointed by
such Board, or by any shareholder of the Corporation entitled to vote for the
election of directors at such meeting. Such nominations, other than those made
by or on behalf of the Board of Directors, shall be made by notice in writing
delivered or mailed by first class United States mail, postage prepaid, to the
Secretary of the Corporation, and received by the Secretary at least 75 days
prior to any meeting of shareholders called for the election of directors. Each
such notice shall set forth: (a) name and address of the shareholder who intends
to make the nomination, (b) the name, age, business address and, if known,
residence address of each nominee proposed in such notice, (c) the principal
occupation or employment of each nominee, (d) the number of shares of stock of
the Corporation which are beneficially owned by each such nominee and by the
nominating shareholder, (e) any other information concerning the nominee that
must be disclosed of nominees in proxy solicitations pursuant to Rule 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and (f) the executed consent of each
nominee to serve as director of the Corporation if so elected.

          The chairman of the meeting of shareholders may, if the facts warrant,
determine that a nomination was not made in compliance with the foregoing
procedures, and if the chairman should so determine, the chairman shall so
declare to the meeting and the defective nomination
shall be disregarded.

     SECTION 3. The Board of Directors or any committee thereof may hold its
meetings in such place or places within or without the State of New York as the
Board of Directors may, from time to time, determine. Any one or more or all of
the members of the Board of Directors, or any committee thereof, may participate
in any meeting of the Board or of any committee thereof by means of a conference
telephone or similar communications equipment allowing all persons participating
in the meeting to hear each other at the same time. Participation by such means
shall constitute presence in person at a meeting.

     SECTION 4. Regular meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held in
accordance with the schedule adopted each year by the Board of Directors, or on
such other day or at such other time or place as the Board of Directors may,
from time to time, determine. No notice shall be required for any such regular
meeting of the Board of Directors; provided, however, that the Secretary shall
forthwith give notice of any change in the place, day or time for holding
regular meetings of the Board of Directors by mailing a notice thereof to each
director.

     SECTION 5. At the first meeting of the Board of Directors held after each
annual meeting of shareholders, the Board shall (a) elect the executive officers
of the Corporation, such executive officers to hold office until the first
meeting of the Board of Directors following the next annual meeting of the
shareholders, and (b) designate an Executive Committee and such other committees
as the Board of Directors deems appropriate.

                                        4
<PAGE> 7



     SECTION 6. Special meetings of the Board of Directors shall be held
whenever called by direction of the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer, a Vice Chairman of the Board, the President and Chief Operating Officer
or a majority of the entire Board. Notice of each special meeting shall be
mailed to each director at least two days before the day on which such meeting
is to be held, or shall be sent by telegraph, telex, cable, wireless or
telecopy, or be delivered personally or by telephone, at least 24 hours before
the time at which such meeting is to be held. Notice need not be given to any
director who submits a signed waiver of notice, whether before or after the
meeting, or who attends the meeting without protesting, prior thereto or at its
commencement, the lack of notice.

     SECTION 7. A notice, or waiver of notice, need not specify the purpose
(other than to amend these By-laws) of any regular or special meeting of the
Board of Directors.

     SECTION 8. At all meetings of the Board of Directors the Chairman of the
Board and Chief Executive Officer, a Vice Chairman of the Board, the President
and Chief Operating Officer, or such other officer or director as may be
appointed by the Board, shall preside.

     SECTION 9. One-third of the entire Board of Directors shall constitute a
quorum for the transaction of business. Except as otherwise provided in these
By-laws, the vote of a majority of the directors present at the time of the
vote, if a quorum is present at such time, shall be the act of the Board of
Directors. A majority of the directors present, whether or not a quorum is
present, may adjourn any meeting to another time and place. Notice of any
adjournment of any meeting of the Board of Directors to another time or place
shall be given to the directors who were not present at the time of the
adjournment and, unless such time and place are announced at the meeting, to the
other directors.


                                   ARTICLE III

                                   COMMITTEES

     SECTION 1. The Board of Directors, by resolution adopted by a majority of
the entire Board, shall designate not less than five of its members who, with
the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, shall constitute an
Executive Committee. During intervals between meetings of the Board of
Directors, the Executive Committee shall possess, and may exercise, all of the
powers of the Board (except as otherwise provided in this Article III) in the
management of the business of the Corporation, in all cases in which specific
directions shall not have been given by the Board of Directors. The Executive
Committee shall recommend to the Board the declaration of such dividends as such
committee deems appropriate.

     SECTION 2. The Chairman of the Board and Chief  Executive  Officer shall be
the chairman of the Executive Committee, and the

                                        5
<PAGE> 8



Secretary of the Corporation shall be the secretary of such committee, or in his
or her absence any Assistant Secretary who shall have been designated by the
Board of Directors to perform the duties of the Secretary. All acts and
resolutions of the Executive Committee shall be recorded in the minute book and
reported to the Board of Directors at its next succeeding regular meeting and
shall be subject to the approval of, or revision by, the Board, but no acts or
rights of third parties shall be affected by any such revision. The presence of
four members of the Executive Committee shall be necessary to constitute a
quorum. The affirmative vote of four members of the Executive Committee shall be
necessary for the adoption of any resolution, unless more than seven members
shall be present, in which case the affirmative vote of a majority of the
members present shall be necessary. The members of the Executive Committee who
are not full-time employees of the Corporation shall receive such compensation
for their services as shall, from time to time, be fixed by the Board.

     SECTION 3. The Board of Directors, by resolution adopted by a majority of
the entire Board, may appoint a Compensation Committee consisting of three or
more directors who are not full-time employees of the Corporation. All
compensation paid or payable to officers of the Corporation shall be fixed by
the Compensation Committee.

     SECTION 4. From time to time the Board of Directors, by resolution adopted
by a majority of the entire Board, may appoint any other committee or
committees, each consisting of three or more directors or officers, with such
powers as shall be specified in the resolution of appointment.

     SECTION 5. The Board of Directors may designate one or more directors as
alternate members of any committee, who may replace any absent member or members
at any meeting of such committee.

     SECTION 6. Each committee shall serve at the pleasure of the Board of
Directors. The designation of any such committee and the delegation thereto of
authority shall not alone relieve any director of his or her duty to the
Corporation under the New York Business Corporation Law.

     SECTION 7. No committee shall have authority as to the following matters:

          (a) The submission to shareholders of any action that needs
shareholders' authorization under the New York Business Corporation Law;

          (b)  The filling of vacancies in the Board of Directors or in
any committee;

          (c)  The fixing of compensation of the directors for serving
on the Board of Directors or on any committee;

          (d) The amendment or repeal of any By-law,  or the adoption of any new
By-law; or

                                        6
<PAGE> 9



          (e) The amendment or repeal of any resolution of the Board of
Directors which, by the terms of such resolution, shall not be so amendable or
repealable.

     SECTION 8. Subject to any requirements of these By-laws, each committee
shall establish its own organization, fix its own rules of procedure and meet as
ordered by the Board of Directors.


                                   ARTICLE IV

                                    OFFICERS

     SECTION 1. The executive officers of the Corporation shall be a Chairman of
the Board and Chief Executive Officer, a President and Chief Operating Officer,
one or more Senior Executive Vice Presidents, one or more Executive Vice
Presidents, one or more Senior Vice Presidents, one or more other Vice
Presidents, a Controller, a Treasurer and a Secretary, all of whom shall be
elected by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors may also elect, as an
executive officer of the Corporation, one or more Vice Chairmen of the Board.
The Board of Directors may appoint one or more Assistant Controllers, Assistant
Treasurers or Assistant Secretaries and such other officers as shall be deemed
necessary, who shall perform such duties as may, from time to time, be
prescribed by the Board of Directors. Any two or more offices may be held by the
same person, except the offices of President and Chief Operating Officer and
Secretary, and no officer, except the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer, the Vice Chairmen of the Board and the President and Chief Operating
Officer, need be a director.

          All officers elected or appointed by the Board of Directors may be
removed at any time, with or without cause, by the affirmative vote of a
majority of the entire Board. All other officers, agents and employees shall
hold office at the discretion of the committee or of the officer appointing
them. The removal of an officer without cause shall be without prejudice to his
or her contract rights, if any. The election or appointment of an officer shall
not, of itself, create contract rights.

          The Board of Directors may require any officer to give security for
the faithful performance of his or her duties.


                            CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND
                             CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

     SECTION 2. The Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer shall be
the chief executive officer of the Corporation and shall perform all duties and
hold all positions prescribed by these By- laws and shall perform all other
duties incidental to such office. He or she shall keep the Board of Directors
fully informed and shall freely consult with it concerning the business of the
Corporation. The

                                        7
<PAGE> 10



Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer shall have full power and
authority, unless otherwise ordered by the Board of Directors, in behalf of the
Corporation to attend, to act and to vote at all meetings of the shareholders of
any corporation in which the Corporation may hold stock. He or she may delegate
such power and authority to any proxy or proxies whom he or she shall appoint.

                           VICE CHAIRMEN OF THE BOARD

     SECTION 3. Vice Chairmen of the Board shall perform all duties and hold all
positions prescribed by these By-laws and shall have such other powers and shall
perform such other duties as may be assigned them by the Board. In case of the
absence or disability of the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer,
the duties of the office of Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
shall be performed by a Vice Chairman of the Board, unless and until the Board
of Directors shall otherwise direct.


                      PRESIDENT AND CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER

     SECTION 4. The President and Chief Operating Officer shall be the chief
operating officer of the Corporation, shall perform all duties and hold all
positions prescribed by these By-laws and shall have such other powers and shall
perform such other duties as may be assigned to him or her by the Board. In case
of the absence or disability of the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive
Officer and the Vice Chairman of the Board, the duties of the office of Chairman
of the Board and Chief Executive Officer shall be performed by the President and
Chief Operating Officer, unless and until the Board of Directors shall otherwise
direct.


                        SENIOR EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENTS,
                           EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENTS,
                             SENIOR VICE PRESIDENTS
                                       AND
                              OTHER VICE PRESIDENTS

     SECTION 5. Each Senior Executive Vice President, each Executive Vice
President, each Senior Vice President and each other Vice President shall have
such powers and shall perform such duties as may be assigned to him or her by
the Board of Directors. In case of the absence or disability of the President
and Chief Operating Officer, the duties of the office of the President and Chief
Operating Officer shall be performed by a Vice Chairman of the Board, a Senior
Executive Vice President or an Executive Vice President in the order or priority
established by the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, unless and
until the Board of Directors shall otherwise direct.




                                        8
<PAGE> 11



                                   CONTROLLER

     SECTION 6. The Controller shall be the principal accounting officer of the
Corporation. He or she shall be responsible for the systems of financial
control, the maintenance of accounting records and the preparation of the
financial statements of the Corporation. He or she shall prepare and submit
regular reports to the Board of Directors when and as desired. He or she shall
perform all duties incident to the office of Controller and such additional
duties as may be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors, the Chairman
of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, a Vice Chairman of the Board or the
President and Chief Operating Officer.


                                    TREASURER

     SECTION 7. The Treasurer shall have the custody of all the funds and
securities of the Corporation; and he or she may endorse on behalf of the
Corporation for collection all checks, notes and other obligations and shall
deposit the same to the credit of the Corporation in such banks or depositories
as the Board of Directors may designate. He or she may sign vouchers, receipts,
checks, drafts, notes and orders for the payment of money and may pay out and
dispose of the same under the direction of the Board of Directors, the Chairman
of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, a Vice Chairman of the Board or the
President and Chief Operating Officer. The Treasurer shall perform all the
duties incident to the office of Treasurer and shall perform such additional
duties as may be assigned to him or her by the Board of Directors, the Chairman
of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, a Vice Chairman of the Board or the
President and Chief Operating Officer. He or she shall give such security for
the faithful performance of his or her duties as the Board of Directors may
determine.


                                    SECRETARY

     SECTION 8. The Secretary shall keep the minutes of all meetings of the
Board of Directors, the minutes of all meetings of the shareholders, and the
minutes of the proceedings of all committees of which he or she shall act as
secretary, in books provided for such purpose. He or she shall have charge of
the certificate books, transfer books and stock ledgers and such other books and
papers as the Board of Directors may direct, all of which shall, at all
reasonable times during business hours, be open to the examination of any
director. The Secretary shall, in general, perform all duties incident to the
office of Secretary, subject to the control of the Board of Directors.


                          POWERS OF OFFICERS REGULATED

     SECTION 9. The Board of Directors may, from time to time, extend or
restrict the powers and duties of any officer.


                                        9
<PAGE> 12



                                    ARTICLE V

                             EXECUTION OF CONTRACTS

     All contracts of the Corporation shall be executed on behalf of the
Corporation by the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, a Vice
Chairman of the Board, the President and Chief Operating Officer, a Senior
Executive Vice President, an Executive Vice President, a Senior Vice President,
another Vice President or such other person as may be authorized by the Board of
Directors, and, if required, the seal of the Corporation shall be thereto
affixed and attested by the Secretary or an Assistant Secretary.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                                  CAPITAL STOCK

     SECTION 1. The certificates for shares of the capital stock of the
Corporation shall be in such form, in conformity with the Business Corporation
Law, as shall be approved by the Board of Directors. All stock certificates
shall be signed by the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, a Vice
Chairman of the Board, the President and Chief Operating Officer, a Senior
Executive Vice President, an Executive Vice President, a Senior Vice President
or another Vice President, and also by the Secretary or the Treasurer, and
sealed with the seal of the Corporation or a facsimile thereof; provided,
however, that upon certificates countersigned by a transfer agent or registered
by a registrar, the signatures of such officers of the Corporation may be
facsimiles. In case any officer who has signed or whose facsimile signature has
been placed upon a certificate has ceased to be such officer before such
certificate is issued, such certificate may be issued by the Corporation with
the same effect as if such person were such officer at the date of issuance of
such certificate.

     SECTION 2. Shares of the capital stock of the Corporation shall be
transferable only on the books of the Corporation by the holder thereof in
person, or by his attorney, upon surrender and cancellation of certificates for
a like number of shares. The Board of Directors may, from time to time, make
proper provisions for the issuance of new certificates in place of lost or
destroyed certificates.

     SECTION 3. The Board of Directors shall have power and authority to make
all such rules and regulations as may be deemed expedient concerning the issue,
transfer and registration of certificates for shares of the capital stock of the
Corporation; and the Board of Directors may appoint one or more transfer agents
and one or more registrars and may require all stock certificates to bear the
signatures of a transfer agent and of a registrar.

     SECTION 4. For the  purpose of  determining  the  shareholders  entitled to
receive  payment of any dividend or the  allotment  of any rights,  the Board of
Directors may fix, in advance, a date as the record

                                       10
<PAGE> 13



date for such determination of shareholders. Such date shall not be more than 50
days prior to the date of any such payment or allotment.

     SECTION 5. When any dividend is paid or any other distribution is made, in
whole or in part, from sources other than earned surplus, such dividend or
distribution shall be accompanied by a written notice (a) disclosing the amounts
by which such dividend or distribution affects stated capital, capital surplus
and earned surplus or (b) if such amounts are not determinable at the time of
such notice, disclosing the approximate effect of such dividend or distribution
upon stated capital, capital surplus and earned surplus and stating that such
amounts are not yet determinable.


                                   ARTICLE VII

                                 CORPORATE SEAL

     The Board of Directors shall provide a suitable seal containing the name of
the Corporation and the year of incorporation, which seal shall
be in the charge of the Secretary.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                   FISCAL YEAR

     The fiscal year of the Corporation shall begin on the day following the
last Saturday in January and shall end on the last Saturday of the
following January.


                                   ARTICLE IX

                          INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS,
                               OFFICERS AND OTHERS

     SECTION 1. The Corporation shall, to the fullest extent permitted by
applicable law, indemnify any person who is or was made, or threatened to be
made, a party to any action or proceeding, whether civil or criminal, whether
involving any actual or alleged breach of duty, neglect or error, any
accountability, or any actual or alleged misstatement, misleading statement or
other act or omission and whether brought or threatened in any court or
administrative or legislative body or agency, including an action by, or in the
right of, the Corporation to procure a judgment in its favor and an action by or
in the right of any other corporation of any type or kind, domestic or foreign,
or any partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit plan or other
enterprise, which any director or officer of the Corporation is serving or
served in any capacity at the request of the Corporation, by reason of the fact
that he or she, his or her testator or intestate, is or was a director or
officer of the Corporation, or is serving or served such other corporation,
partnership, joint venture, trust, employee benefit

                                       11
<PAGE> 14



plan or other enterprise in any capacity, against judgments, fines, amounts paid
in settlement, and expenses (including attorneys' fees, costs and charges)
incurred as a result of such action or proceeding, or appeal therein; provided,
however, that no indemnification shall be provided to any such person who is a
director or officer of the Corporation if a judgment or other final adjudication
adverse to such director or officer establishes that (a) his or her acts were
committed in bad faith or were the result of active and deliberate dishonesty
and, in either case, were material to the cause of action so adjudicated, or (b)
he or she personally gained in fact a financial profit or other advantage to
which he or she was not legally entitled.

     SECTION 2. The Corporation may indemnify any person (including a person
entitled to indemnification pursuant to Section 1) to whom the Corporation is
permitted to provide indemnification or the advancement of expenses to the
fullest extent permitted by applicable law, whether pursuant to rights granted
pursuant to, or provided by, the New York Business Corporation Law or other
rights created by (a) a resolution of shareholders, (b) a resolution of
directors, or (c) an agreement providing for such indemnification, it being
expressly intended that this Article IX authorizes the creation of other rights
in any such manner.

     SECTION 3. The Corporation shall, from time to time, reimburse or advance
to any person referred to in Section 1 the funds necessary for payment of
expenses incurred in connection with any action or proceeding referred to in
Section 1, upon receipt of a written undertaking by or on behalf of such person
to repay such amount(s) if a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to the
director or officer establishes that (a) his or her acts were committed in bad
faith or were the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and, in either
case, were material to the cause of action so adjudicated, or (b) he or she
personally gained in fact a financial profit or other advantage to which he or
she was not legally entitled.

     SECTION 4. Without limitation of any indemnification provided by Section 1,
any director or officer of the Corporation serving (a) another corporation,
partnership, joint venture or trust of which 20 percent or more of the voting
power or residual economic interest is held, directly or indirectly, by the
Corporation, or (b) any employee benefit plan of the Corporation or any entity
referred to in clause (a), in any capacity shall be deemed to be doing so at the
request of the Corporation.

     SECTION 5. Any person entitled to be indemnified or to the reimbursement or
advancement of expenses as a matter of right pursuant to this Article IX may
elect to have the right to indemnification (or advancement of expenses)
interpreted on the basis of the applicable law in effect at the time of the
occurrence of the event or events giving rise to the action or proceeding, to
the extent permitted by law, or on the basis of the applicable law in effect at
the time indemnification is sought.


                                       12
<PAGE> 15



     SECTION 6. The right to be indemnified or to the reimbursement or
advancement of expenses pursuant to Sections 1 or 3 of this Article IX or a
resolution authorized pursuant to Section 2 of this Article IX (a) is a contract
right pursuant to which the person entitled thereto may bring suit as if the
provisions hereof (or of any such resolution) were set forth in a separate
written contract between the Corporation and such person, (b) is intended to be
retroactive and shall, to the extent permitted by law, be available with respect
to events occurring prior to the adoption hereof, and (c) shall continue to
exist after the rescission or restrictive modification hereof with respect to
events occurring prior thereto. The Corporation shall not be obligated under
this Article IX (including any resolution or agreement authorized by Section 2
of this Article IX) to make any payment hereunder (or under any such resolution
or agreement) to the extent the person seeking indemnification hereunder (or
under any such resolution or agreement) has actually received payment (under any
insurance policy, resolution, agreement or otherwise) of the amounts otherwise
indemnifiable hereunder (or under any such resolution or agreement).

     SECTION 7. If a request to be indemnified or for the reimbursement or
advancement of expenses pursuant to Sections 1 or 3 of this Article IX is not
paid in full by the Corporation within 30 days after a written claim has been
received by the Corporation, the claimant may at any time thereafter bring suit
against the Corporation to recover the unpaid amount of the claim and, if
successful in whole or in part, the claimant shall be entitled also to be paid
the expenses of prosecuting such claim. Neither the failure of the Corporation
(including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or shareholders) to
have made a determination prior to the commencement of such action that
indemnification of, or reimbursement or advancement of expenses to, the claimant
is proper in the circumstances, nor an actual determination by the Corporation
(including its Board of Directors, independent legal counsel or shareholders)
that the claimant is not entitled to indemnification or to the reimbursement or
advancement of expenses, shall be a defense to the action or create a
presumption that the claimant is not so entitled.


                                    ARTICLE X

                                   AMENDMENTS

     SECTION 1. These By-laws may be amended or repealed, and any new By-law may
be adopted, by vote of a majority of the entire Board of Directors at any
meeting, provided written notice of the proposed amendment or repeal, or new
By-law, shall have been given to each director personally or by mail at least
three days before the meeting; but any By-law adopted by the Board of Directors
may be amended or repealed by the shareholders at any annual meeting or at any
special meeting, provided notice of the proposed amendment or repeal be included
in the notice of meeting.


                                       13
<PAGE> 16



     SECTION 2. If any By-law regulating an impending election of directors is
adopted, amended or repealed by the Board of Directors, there shall be set forth
in the notice of the next meeting of shareholders for the election of directors
the By-law so adopted, amended or repealed, together with a concise statement of
the changes made.


                                       14

<PAGE> 1



                    AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO CREDIT AGREEMENT


           AMENDMENT No. 1 dated as of July 16, 1997 to the Credit
     Agreement dated as of April 9, 1997 (the "Credit Agreement") among
     WOOLWORTH CORPORATION, the BANKS party thereto, the CO-AGENTS party
     thereto, NATIONSBANK, N.A., as Documentation Agent, and THE BANK OF
     NEW YORK, as LC Agent, Administrative Agent and Swingline Bank.

                           W I T N E S S E T H :

           WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to amend Sections 5.07 and
     5.08 of the Credit Agreement;

           NOW, THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

           SECTION 1. Defined Terms; References. Unless otherwise
     specifically defined herein, each term used herein which is defined in
     the Credit Agreement has the meaning assigned to such term in the
     Credit Agreement. Each reference to "hereof", "hereunder", "herein"
     and "hereby" and each other similar reference and each reference to
     "this Agreement" and each other similar reference contained in the
     Credit Agreement shall, after this Amendment becomes effective, refer
     to the Credit Agreement as amended hereby.

           SECTION 2. Amendments. (a) The figure "$1,000,000,000" in
     Section 5.07 is changed to "$800,000,000."

           (b) Section 5.08 is amended to read in its entirety as follows:

           SECTION 5.08. Leverage Ratio. Total Borrowed Funds will not
     exceed (i) 77% of Total Capitalization at any time from the Effective
     Date through the end of Fiscal Year 1997, (ii) 75% of Total
     Capitalization at any time thereafter through the end of Fiscal Year
     1998 or (iii) 70% of Total Capitalization at any time thereafter.

           SECTION 3. Governing Law. This Amendment shall be governed by
     and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of New York.

<PAGE> 2



           SECTION 4. Counterparts. This Amendment may be signed in any
     number of counterparts, each of which shall be an original, with the
     same effect as if the signatures thereto and hereto were upon the same
     instrument.

           SECTION 5. Effectiveness. This Amendment shall become effective
     as of the date hereof when the Administrative Agent shall have
     received from each of the Borrower and the Required Banks a
     counterpart hereof signed by such party or facsimile or other written
     confirmation (in form satisfactory to the Administrative Agent) that
     such party has signed a counterpart hereof.

<PAGE> 3



          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this
       Amendment to be duly executed as of the date first above written.



                                      WOOLWORTH CORPORATION



                                      By: /s/ John H. Cannon
                                          ----------------------------------
                                          Title: Vice President - Treasurer



                                      MORGAN GUARANTY TRUST
                                        COMPANY OF NEW YORK



                                      By: /s/ Penelope J. B. Cox
                                          ----------------------------------
                                          Title: Vice President



                                      NATIONSBANK, N.A.



                                      By: /s/ Marcus A. Boyer
                                          ----------------------------------
                                          Title: Senior Vice President



                                      THE BANK OF NEW YORK



                                      By: /s/ Howard F. Bascom, Jr.
                                          ----------------------------------
                                          Title: Vice President

<PAGE> 4



                                      THE BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA



                                      By: /s/ J. Alan Edwards
                                          ----------------------------------
                                          Title: Authorized Signatory




                                      BANK OF TOKYO-MITSUBISHI TRUST
                                       COMPANY



                                      By: /s/ G. Stewart
                                          ----------------------------------
                                          Title: Senior Vice President & Manager




                                      TORONTO DOMINION (NEW YORK),
                                        INC.



                                      By: /s/ David G. Parker
                                          ----------------------------------
                                          Title: Vice President




                                      BANK OF AMERICA NATIONAL
                                        TRUST AND SAVINGS
                                        ASSOCIATION



                                      By: /s/ Jody A. Pritchard
                                          ----------------------------------
                                          Title: Assistant Vice President

<PAGE> 5



                                      COMMERZANK AG, NEW YORK
                                        AND/OR GRAND CAYMAN
                                        BRANCHES



                                      By: /s/ Subash R. Viswanathan
                                          ----------------------------------
                                          Title: Vice President



                                      By: /s/ A. Oliver Welsch-Lehmann
                                          ----------------------------------
                                          Title: Assistant Treasurer



                                      CREDIT LYONNAIS NEW YORK
                                        BRANCH



                                      By: /s/ Vladimir Labun
                                          ----------------------------------
                                          Title: First Vice President - Manager



                                      DEUTSCHE BANK AG, NEW YORK
                                        AND/OR CAYMAN ISLAND
                                        BRANCH


                                      By: /s/ Susan M. O'Connor
                                          ----------------------------------
                                          Title: Director




                                      By: /s/ Joel D. Makowsky
                                          ----------------------------------
                                          Title: Assistant Vice President

<PAGE> 6


                                      KEYBANK NATIONAL ASSOCIATION



                                      By: /s/ Karen A. Lee
                                          ----------------------------------
                                          Title: Vice President




                                      WELLS FARGO BANK, N.A.



                                      By: /s/ Edith R. Lim
                                          ----------------------------------
                                          Title: Vice President


                                      By: /s/ Gene Fuentes
                                          ----------------------------------
                                          Title: Assistant Vice President




                                      UNION BANK OF CALIFORNIA, N.A.



                                      By: /s/ Cecilia M. Valente
                                          ----------------------------------
                                          Title: Senior Vice President

<PAGE> 1


                                                                     EXHIBIT 11

                              WOOLWORTH CORPORATION

                COMPUTATION OF NET INCOME (LOSS) PER COMMON SHARE
                                   (Unaudited)
                     (in millions, except per share amounts)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                       Thirteen weeks ended           Twenty-six weeks ended
                                                                     ------------------------        ------------------------
                                                                     July 26,        July 27,        July 27,        July 27,
                                                                       1997            1996            1997            1996
                                                                       ----            ----            ----            ----

<S>                                                                  <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>  
FINANCIAL STATEMENT PRESENTATION

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding                   134.5           133.3           134.3           133.2
                                                                     =======         =======         =======         =======

Income (loss) from continuing operations                                  26              26              43              11
Less: Preferred dividends                                               --              --              --              --
                                                                     -------         -------         -------         -------
Income from continuing operations applicable to common shares             26              26              43              11
Loss from discontinued operations                                       (207)             (4)           (223)            (11)
                                                                     -------         -------         -------         -------
Net income (loss)                                                    $  (181)        $    22         $  (180)        $  --
                                                                     =======         =======         =======         =======

Per Common Share:
Income from continuing operations                                    $  0.19         $  0.19         $  0.32         $  0.08
Loss from discontinued operations                                      (1.54)          (0.02)          (1.66)          (0.08)
                                                                     -------         -------         -------         -------
Net income (loss) per share of common stock                          $ (1.35)        $  0.17         $ (1.34)        $  --
                                                                     =======         =======         =======         =======

PRIMARY(1)

Weighted-average number of common shares
  outstanding and common share equivalents                             134.5           134.3           134.3           133.7
                                                                     =======         =======         =======         =======

Income from continuing operations applicable to common shares             26              26              43              11
Loss from discontinued operations                                       (207)             (4)           (223)            (11)
                                                                     -------         -------         -------         -------
Net income (loss)                                                    $  (181)        $    22         $  (180)        $  --
                                                                     =======         =======         =======         =======

Primary:
Income from continuing operations                                    $  0.19         $  0.19         $  0.32         $  0.08
Loss from discontinued operations                                      (1.54)          (0.02)          (1.66)          (0.08)
                                                                     -------         -------         -------         -------
Net income (loss) per share of common stock                          $ (1.35)        $  0.17         $ (1.34)        $  --
                                                                     =======         =======         =======         =======

FULLY DILUTED (1) (2)

Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding
  and fully diluted common share equivalents                           136.5           134.3           135.8           133.9
Assumed conversion of preferred stock                                   --               0.6            --               0.6
                                                                     -------         -------         -------         -------
Adjusted weighted-average number of common
  shares and common share equivalents                                  136.5           134.9           135.8           134.5
                                                                     =======         =======         =======         =======

Income from continuing operations applicable to common shares             26              26              43              11
Loss from discontinued operations                                       (207)             (4)           (223)            (11)
                                                                     -------         -------         -------         -------
Net income (loss)                                                    $  (181)        $    22         $  (180)        $  --
                                                                     =======         =======         =======         =======

Fully Diluted:
Income from continuing operations                                    $  0.19         $  0.19         $  0.32         $  0.08
Loss from discontinued operations                                      (1.52)          (0.02)          (1.64)          (0.08)
                                                                     -------         -------         -------         -------
Net income (loss) per share of common stock                          $ (1.33)        $  0.17         $ (1.32)        $  --
                                                                     =======         =======         =======         =======
</TABLE>


(1)     This calculation is submitted in accordance with Securities Exchange Act
        of 1934  Release  No.  9083  although  not  required  by  footnote  2 to
        paragraph  14 of APB  Opinion  No. 15 because it results in  dilution of
        less than 3%.

(2)     This  calculation  is  submitted  for the 1997 loss in  accordance  with
        Regulation S-K, Item 601(b)(11)  although it is contrary to paragraph 40
        of APB Opinion No. 15 because it produces an anti-dilutive result.

<PAGE> 1


                                                                     EXHIBIT 12


                              WOOLWORTH CORPORATION

                COMPUTATION OF RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
                                   (Unaudited)
                              (dollars in millions)


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                            Fiscal        Fiscal      Fiscal        Fiscal        Fiscal
                                            26 weeks      Year        Year          Year          Year          Year
                                            ended         ended       ended         ended         ended         ended
                                            July 26,      Jan. 25,    Jan. 27,      Jan. 28,      Jan. 29,      Jan. 30,
                                            1997          1997        1996          1995          1994          1993
                                            --------      --------    --------      --------      --------      --------
<S>                                            <C>           <C>         <C>           <C>           <C>           <C>  
NET EARNINGS
Net income (loss)                              $(180)        $ 169       $(164)        $  47         $(495)        $ 280

Income tax expense (benefit)                    (107)          111         (69)           49          (303)          157

Interest expense, excluding capitalized
  interest                                        25            77         124           110            86            94

Portion of rents deemed representative
 of the interest factor (1/3)                     57           230         224           211           210           199
                                               -----         -----       -----         -----         -----         -----

                                               $(205)        $ 587       $ 115         $ 417         $(502)        $ 730
                                               =====         =====       =====         =====         =====         =====



FIXED CHARGES
Gross interest expense                         $  25         $  77       $ 124         $ 111         $  86         $  94

Portion of rents deemed representative
 of the interest factor (1/3)                     57           230         224           211           210           199
                                               -----         -----       -----         -----         -----         -----
                                               $  82         $ 307       $ 348         $ 322         $ 296         $ 293
                                               =====         =====       =====         =====         =====         =====

RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED
  CHARGES                                       --             1.9          .3           1.3          --             2.5
                                               =====         =====       =====         =====         =====         =====
</TABLE>






Earnings were not adequate to cover fixed charges by $287 million, $233 million
and $798 million for the quarter ended July 26, 1997 and for the fiscal years
ended January 27, 1996 and January 29, 1994, respectively.


<PAGE> 1


                                                                     EXHIBIT 15


                           Accountants' Acknowledgment
                           ---------------------------



Woolworth Corporation
New York, New York

Board of Directors:

Re:  Registration  Statements Numbers 33-10783,  33-91888,  33-91886,  33-97832,
     333- 07215 and  333-21131 on Form S-8 and Numbers  33-43334 and 33-86300 on
     Form S-3

With  respect  to  the  subject  registration  statements,  we  acknowledge  our
awareness  of the use therein of our report dated August 14, 1997 related to our
review of interim financial information.

Pursuant to Rule 436(c)  under the  Securities  Act of 1933,  such report is not
considered  a part of a  registration  statement  prepared  or  certified  by an
accountant or a report prepared or certified by an accountant within the meaning
of Sections 7 and 11 of the Act.




/s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
- -------------------------
New York, New York
September 4, 1997


<PAGE> 1


                                                                     EXHIBIT 99






                     Independent Accountants' Review Report
                     --------------------------------------


The Board of Directors and Shareholders
Woolworth Corporation:


We  have  reviewed  the  condensed  consolidated  balance  sheets  of  Woolworth
Corporation  and  subsidiaries  as of July 26, 1997 and July 27,  1996,  and the
related condensed consolidated statements of operations,  retained earnings, and
cash flows for the thirteen and twenty-six  week periods ended July 26, 1997 and
July  27,  1996.  These  condensed  consolidated  financial  statements  are the
responsibility of Woolworth Corporation's management.

We conducted our review in accordance with standards established by the American
Institute  of  Certified  Public  Accountants.  A review  of  interim  financial
information consists principally of applying analytical  procedures to financial
data and making  inquiries of persons  responsible  for financial and accounting
matters. It is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance
with  generally  accepted  auditing  standards,  the  objective  of which is the
expression of an opinion  regarding the financial  statements  taken as a whole.
Accordingly, we do not express such an opinion.

Based on our review, we are not aware of any material  modifications that should
be made to the condensed consolidated financial statements referred to above for
them to be in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles.

We have  previously  audited,  in accordance  with generally  accepted  auditing
standards,   the  consolidated  balance  sheet  of  Woolworth   Corporation  and
subsidiaries as of January 25, 1997, and the related consolidated  statements of
operations,  changes in shareholders'  equity,  and cash flows for the year then
ended  (not  presented  herein);  and in our  report  dated  March  11,  1997 we
expressed an unqualified opinion on those consolidated financial statements.  In
our  opinion,   the  information  set  forth  in  the   accompanying   condensed
consolidated  balance  sheet as of January 25, 1997,  is fairly  stated,  in all
material respects,  in relation to the consolidated  balance sheet from which it
has been derived.

Our report,  referred to above,  contains an  explanatory  paragraph that states
that  Woolworth  Corporation,  in 1995,  adopted the  position of the  Financial
Accounting   Standards  Board's  Statement  of  Accounting  Standards  No.  121,
"Accounting for the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to
Be Disposed Of."

/s/ KPMG Peat Marwick LLP
New York, New York
August 14, 1997


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS  SCHEDULE  CONTAINS  SUMMARY  FINANCIAL   INFORMATION  EXTRACTED  FROM  THE
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED July 26, 1997 AND THE
CONSOLIDATED  BALANCE SHEET AS OF July 26, 1997 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS ENTIRETY
BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000,000
       
<S>                                           <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                                 6-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                                          JAN-31-1998
<PERIOD-START>                                             JAN-26-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                               JUL-26-1997
<CASH>                                                              69
<SECURITIES>                                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                                        0
<ALLOWANCES>                                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                                      1,216
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                                 1,668
<PP&E>                                                               0
<DEPRECIATION>                                                       0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                                   3,308
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                                              930
<BONDS>                                                            568
                                                0
                                                          0
<COMMON>                                                             0
<OTHER-SE>                                                       1,089
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                                     3,308
<SALES>                                                          3,039
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                                 3,039
<CGS>                                                            2,111
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                                    2,111
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                                    78
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                                  22
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                                     70
<INCOME-TAX>                                                        27
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                                 43
<DISCONTINUED>                                                    (223)
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                                      0
<CHANGES>                                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                                      (180)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                                    (1.34)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                                    (1.34)
        

</TABLE>


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