<PAGE> 1
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-K/A
AMENDMENT NO. 1 TO
ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 30, 1999
COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 1-10299
VENATOR GROUP, INC.
(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, INCLUDING AREA CODE: (212) 553-2000
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(b) OF THE ACT:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TITLE OF EACH CLASS NAME OF EACH EXCHANGE ON WHICH REGISTERED
<S> <C>
COMMON STOCK, PAR VALUE $.01 NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE
PREFERRED STOCK PURCHASE RIGHTS NEW YORK STOCK EXCHANGE
</TABLE>
SECURITIES REGISTERED PURSUANT TO SECTION 12(g) OF THE ACT: NONE
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
Registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES X NO
Indicate by check mark if disclosure of delinquent filers pursuant to
Item 405 of Regulation S-K is not contained herein, and will not be contained,
to the best of Registrant's knowledge, in definitive proxy or information
statements incorporated by reference in Part III of this Form 10-K or any
amendment to this Form 10-K. X
<PAGE> 2
THIS FORM 10-K/A IS BEING FILED TO AMEND THE COVER PAGE TO THE
REGISTRANT'S FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 30, 1999, TO DELETE THE
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE TO THE REGISTRANT'S DEFINITIVE PROXY STATEMENT TO BE
FILED IN CONNECTION WITH THE 1999 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS, (THE "PROXY
STATEMENT") IN PART III AND TO PROVIDE THE INFORMATION REQUIRED BY PART III THAT
HAD PREVIOUSLY BEEN INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE TO THE PROXY STATEMENT.
PART III
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT
(a) DIRECTORS OF THE REGISTRANT
Biographical information follows for each of the directors of the
Registrant. Any reference to a person's tenure as a director of the Registrant
includes service as a director of Venator Group Specialty, Inc. (formerly named
F.W. Woolworth Co.) for the period prior to the 1989 share exchange between the
Registrant and Venator Group Specialty, Inc. There are no family relationships
among the directors or executive officers of the Registrant.
J. CARTER BACOT. Age 66. Director since 1993.
Chairman of the Board of The Bank of New York Company, Inc. (bank holding
company) and of The Bank of New York, its wholly owned subsidiary, from 1982 to
February 7, 1998; Chief Executive Officer of The Bank of New York Company, Inc.
and of The Bank of New York from 1982 to July 1, 1997. He is a Trustee of
Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company and a director of its subsidiaries, Atlantic
Specialty Insurance Company and Centennial Insurance Company; and a director of
The Bank of New York Company, Inc., Time Warner, Inc., Associates First Capital
Corporation, Phoenix Home Life Insurance Company and United Way of New York
City. He is also a Trustee of Hamilton College.
PURDY CRAWFORD. Age 67. Director since 1995.
Chairman of the Board of Imasco Limited (Canada) (consumer products and
services) since 1987 and its Chief Executive Officer from 1987 to 1995. He is
also Chairman of the Board of CT Financial Services Inc. and Canada Trustco
Mortgage Company, both of which are financial services companies and
subsidiaries of Imasco Limited. Mr. Crawford is a director of Camco Inc.,
Canadian National Railway Company, Inco Limited, Maple Leaf Foods Ltd.,
Petro-Canada and Nova Scotia Power Inc. He is Governor Emeritus of McGill
University; Chancellor of Mount Allison University; a member of the Advisory
Board of Oxford Frozen Foods Limited; and Honorary Counsel to the Canadian law
firm of Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt.
ROGER N. FARAH. Age 46. Director since 1994.
The Registrant's Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer since
December 1994. Mr. Farah was President and Chief Operating Officer of R. H.
Macy & Co., Inc. (retail merchants) from July 1994 to October 1994. He was
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Federated Merchandising
Services, a division of Federated Department Stores, Inc. (retail merchants),
from July 1991 to July 1994. He is a director of Liz Claiborne, Inc. and a
member of the Undergraduate Executive Board of the Wharton School of the
University of Pennsylvania.
PHILIP H. GEIER JR. Age 64. Director since 1994.
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Interpublic Group of
Companies, Inc. (advertising agencies and other marketing communication
services) since 1980. He is a director of Fiduciary Trust Company International,
AEA Investors, Inc. and the International Tennis Hall of Fame. He is also a
member of the Board of Overseers and Managers of Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer
Center, the Board of Overseers of Columbia Business School, and of the Board of
Trustees of the Whitney Museum of American Art.
1
<PAGE> 3
JAROBIN GILBERT JR. Age 52. Director since 1981.
President and Chief Executive Officer of DBSS Group, Inc. (management, planning
and trade consulting services) since 1992. He is a director of Whitman Corp. and
Midas, Inc. He is a trustee of Atlantic Mutual Insurance Company and a director
of its subsidiaries, Atlantic Specialty Insurance Company and Centennial
Insurance Company. Mr. Gilbert is also a director of Valley Agency for Youth,
and a permanent member of the Council on Foreign Relations.
DALE W. HILPERT. Age 56. Director since 1995.
The Registrant's President and Chief Operating Officer since May 15, 1995. Mr.
Hilpert was Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Payless Shoe Source
division of The May Department Stores Company (retail merchants) from 1985 to
April 1995.
ALLAN Z. LOREN. Age 61. Director since 1998.
Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer of American Express
Company (travel and financial services) since May 1994. He was President and
Chief Executive Officer of Galileo International (global computer reservation
system company) from 1991 to 1994. He is a director of Reynolds & Reynolds
Company and Hershey Foods Corp.
MARGARET P. MACKIMM. Age 65. Director since 1977.
Senior Vice President-Communications of Kraft Foods, Inc. (multinational
marketer and processor of food products) and its predecessor, Kraft, Inc., from
1986 to 1989.
JOHN J. MACKOWSKI. Age 73. Director since 1986.
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Atlantic Mutual Insurance
Company and its subsidiary, Centennial Insurance Company (property, liability
and marine insurance) from 1985 to 1988; and Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of Atlantic Specialty Insurance Company (formerly Atlantic
Reinsurance Company) (issuer of reinsurance contracts), a subsidiary of Atlantic
Mutual Insurance Company, from 1986 to 1988. He is a director of Northern Trust
Company of Connecticut, and of Transatlantic Holdings, Inc.
JAMES E. PRESTON. Age 66. Director since 1983.
Chairman of the Board of Avon Products, Inc. (manufacture and sale of beauty and
related products) from 1989 to May 6, 1999, and Chief Executive Officer of Avon
Products, Inc. from 1989 to June 1998. He is a director of ARAMARK Corporation,
Reader's Digest Association, the Cosmetic, Toiletry and Fragrance Association,
and Project Hope; and a member of the Advisory Board of the Salvation Army of
Greater New York.
CHRISTOPHER A. SINCLAIR. Age 48. Director since 1995.
President and Chief Executive Officer of Caribiner International (business
communications) from December 22, 1998 to present. He was President and Chief
Executive Officer of Quality Food Centers, Inc. (supermarket chain) from
September 12, 1996 to March 1998. Mr. Sinclair was Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Pepsi-Cola Company, a division of PepsiCo, Inc. ("PepsiCo")
(beverages, snack foods and restaurants) from April 1996 to July 1996; and
President and Chief Executive Officer of PepsiCo Foods and Beverages
International, a division of PepsiCo, from 1993 to April 1996. He is a director
of Caribiner International, Mattel, Inc. and the Amos Tuck School of Business
Administration at Dartmouth College.
(c) SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange
Act") requires that the Registrant's directors, executive officers and
beneficial owners of more than 10 percent of the Registrant's common stock file
with the SEC and the New York Stock Exchange reports of ownership and changes in
ownership of Common Stock and other equity securities of the Registrant. These
persons are required by SEC rules to furnish the Registrant with copies of all
Section 16(a) forms they file. Based solely on a review of the copies of those
reports furnished to the Registrant or written representations that no other
reports were required, the Registrant believes that during the 1998 fiscal year,
the directors, executive officers and beneficial owners of more than 10 percent
of the Registrant's common stock complied with all applicable SEC filing
requirements.
2
<PAGE> 4
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following Summary Compensation Table provides certain compensation
information for the Registrant's Chief Executive Officer during 1998 and the
four other most highly compensated executive officers of the Registrant at
January 30, 1999, for services rendered in all capacities during the fiscal
years ended January 30, 1999 ("1998"), January 31, 1998 ("1997") and January 25,
1997 ("1996").
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
LONG-TERM COMPENSATION
ANNUAL COMPENSATION -------------------------
------------------------------------------------ AWARDS PAYOUTS
SECURITIES
OTHER ANNUAL UNDERLYING ALL OTHER
SALARY BONUS COMPENSATION OPTION/SARS COMPENSATION
NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR ($) ($) ($) (#) ($) ($)
- --------------------------- ---- --- --- --- --- --- ---
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Roger N. Farah(a) 1998 1,500,000 0 3,884(b) 0 1,671,670(m) 6,032(c)
Chairman of the Board and 1997 1,500,000 702,150 3,886(b) 0 0 5,610(c)
Chief Executive Officer 1996 1,500,000 780,900 3,372(b) 0 5,688(c)
0
Dale W. Hilpert 1998 825,000 0 0 100,000 835,835(m) 10,860(c)
President and Chief 1997 806,250 377,406 0 100,000 0 9,718(c)
Operating Officer 1996 750,000 390,450 0 100,000 8,506(c)
0
M. Jeffrey Branman(d) 1998 435,000 200,000(e) 0 150,000 431,158(m) 2,595(c)
Senior Vice President- 1997 415,000 394,262(e) 0 75,000 0 3,113(c)
Corporate Development 1996 365,079 390,060(e) 0 75,000 1,513(f)
0
Reid Johnson(g) 1998 434,000 0 9,191(h) 43,000 179,570(n) 14,561(i)
Former Senior Vice President 1997 169,034 200,000(j) 21,445(h) 50,000 0 126,664(k)
And Chief Financial Officer
John E. DeWolf III(d) 1998 406,250 0 0 50,000 374,805(m) 2,959(f)
Senior Vice President 1997 361,250 169,101 0 30,000 0 1,343(f)
Real Estate 1996 319,444 166,303 28,242(h) 30,000 254,620(l)
</TABLE>
- -------------
(a) On January 9, 1995, the Registrant granted to Mr. Farah 200,000 shares
of Common Stock (the "Restricted Stock"), which are subject to a
Restricted Stock Agreement. The shares vest over a five-year period
beginning January 31, 1996 through January 31, 2000, in increments of
40,000 shares on each vesting date. Mr. Farah has the right to vote the
Restricted Stock and to receive and retain all regular cash dividends
payable after January 1995 to holders of Common Stock of record. At
January 30, 1999, Mr. Farah held 80,000 shares of Restricted Stock
(120,000 shares having previously vested), having a value of $410,000,
based upon a $5.125 closing price of the Registrant's Common Stock as
reported on the New York Stock Exchange on January 29, 1999, the last
business day prior to the end of the fiscal year.
(b) Tax gross-up payment related to commuting use of Company car.
3
<PAGE> 5
(c) Includes the dollar value of the premium paid by the Registrant for a
term life insurance policy for the benefit of the named executive and
the dollar value of the Registrant's matching contribution under the
401(k) Plan made to the named executive's account in shares of Common
Stock. The dollar values of amounts reported for 1998 are stated below.
The shares of Common Stock for the matching contribution were valued at
$6.50 per share, which represents the closing price of a share of
Common Stock on December 31, 1998, the last day of the plan year.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
EMPLOYER
MATCHING
CONTRIBUTION
UNDER
NAME LIFE INSURANCE PREMIUM 401(k) PLAN
---- ---------------------- -----------
<S> <C> <C>
R. N. Farah $ 5,012 $1,020
D. W. Hilpert $ 9,840 $1,020
M. J. Branman. $ 1,575 $1,020
</TABLE>
(d) Elected to this position in March 1996.
(e) Includes $200,000 paid as a discretionary bonus under the terms of Mr.
Branman's employment.
(f) Dollar value of premium paid by the Registrant for term life insurance
policy for the benefit of the named executive.
(g) Held this position from September 8, 1997 until his resignation,
effective February 26, 1999.
(h) Tax gross-up payment related to relocation.
(i) Amount includes reimbursement for relocation expenses of $11,149 and
payment of premium of $3,412 for term life insurance policy for the
benefit of named executive.
(j) Guaranteed bonus paid pursuant to terms of employment.
(k) Amount includes a sign-on bonus of $100,000 and reimbursement for
relocation expenses of $26,664.
(l) Amount includes a sign-on bonus of $200,000 and reimbursement for
relocation expenses of $54,620.
(m) This payout was made for the 1996-1998 Performance Period. Fifty
percent of the total payout listed was made in cash and fifty percent
was made in shares of Registrant's Common Stock. The amounts shown in
the table reflect the total of the cash payment and the value of the
shares received on the payment date. In accordance with the provisions
of the Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan, the average of the daily
closing prices of a share of the Registrant's Common Stock in the
60-day period immediately preceding the payment date of April 16, 1999
($5.91228 per share) was used to determine the stock portion of the
payout. If the payouts had been made fully in cash, the cash payment
would have been $1,365,000 for Mr. Farah; $682,800 for Mr. Hilpert;
$352,216 for Mr. Branman; and $306,181 for Mr. DeWolf.
(n) Represents prorated cash payout for the 1996-1998 Performance Period.
4
<PAGE> 6
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLAN -- AWARDS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR (a)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERFORMANCE ESTIMATED FUTURE PAYOUTS UNDER
NUMBER OF PERIOD NON-STOCK PRICE-BASED PLAN
SHARES, UNITS UNTIL --------------------------------------
NAME OR OTHER RIGHTS PAYOUT THRESHOLD TARGET MAXIMUM
---- --------------- ------ --------- ------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
R. N. Farah 1,500,000 1998-00 $ 337,500 $ 1,350,000 $ 2,490,000
D. W. Hilpert 825,000 1998-00 185,625 742,500 1,369,500
M. J. Branman 435,000 1998-00 97,875 391,500 722,100
J. E. DeWolf III 406,250 1998-00 91,406 365,625 674,375
R. Johnson(b) 434,000 1998-00 N/A N/A N/A
</TABLE>
- ----------
(a) The named executive officers, excluding Mr. Johnson, and eight other
executive officers and key employees of the Registrant participate in
the Long-Term Incentive Compensation Plan ("Long-Term Plan"). Mr.
Johnson participated in this plan prior to his resignation. Under the
Long-Term Plan, individual target awards are expressed as a percentage
of the participant's annual base salary. The amounts shown in the table
above under the column headed "Number of Shares, Units or Other Rights"
represent the annual rate of base salary for 1998 for each of the named
executive officers. The amounts shown in the columns headed
"Threshold," "Target" and "Maximum" represent 22.5 percent, 90 percent
and 166 percent, respectively, of the named executive officer's annual
base salary in the first year of the Performance Period and represent
the amount that would be paid to him at the end of the Performance
Period if the established performance goals are attained.
Any payout under the Long-Term Plan is calculated based upon the
Registrant's performance in the Performance Period and measured against
the performance criteria set for the participant at the beginning of
the Performance Period by the Compensation Committee. These performance
goals are based on one or more of the following criteria: (i) the
attainment of certain target levels of, or percentage increase in,
consolidated net income; or (ii) the attainment of certain levels of,
or a specified increase in, return on invested capital. In addition, to
the extent permitted by Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of
1986, as amended (the "Internal Revenue Code") (if applicable), the
Compensation Committee has the authority to incorporate provisions in
the performance goals allowing for adjustments in recognition of
unusual or non-recurring events affecting the Registrant or the
Registrant's financial statements, or in response to changes in
applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles. Unless otherwise
determined by the Compensation Committee, payment in connection with
such awards shall be made only if and to the extent performance goals
for the Performance Period are attained and generally only if the
participant remains employed by the Registrant throughout the
Performance Period. The Compensation Committee may award, after
completion of the Performance Period, a pro-rata payment to any
participant whose employment terminated during the Performance Period.
Upon a Change in Control, as defined in the Long-Term Plan, the
Compensation Committee may, to the extent permitted under Section
162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (if applicable), pay out an amount
equal to or less than a pro-rata portion (through the date of the
Change in Control) of the individual target award based on the actual
performance results achieved from the beginning of the Performance
Period to the date of the Change in Control and the performance results
that would have been achieved had the performance goals been met for
the balance of the Performance Period.
Payment to a participant under the Long-Term Plan for each Performance
Period will be made, at the discretion of the Compensation Committee,
either in cash or in shares of Common Stock. If payment is made in
shares of Common Stock, the number of shares to be paid to the
participant will be determined by dividing the achieved percentage of a
participant's annual base salary by the fair market value, as defined
in the Long-Term Plan, of the Common Stock on the date of payment. The
amount of any payout for the performance period may not exceed the
lesser of 300 percent of the participant's annual base salary or
$5,000,000.
(b) Although Mr. Johnson was granted an award under the Long-Term Plan for
the 1998-2000 Performance Period, he is not entitled to receive any
payment under this plan as a result of his resignation.
5
<PAGE> 7
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS(a)
------------------------------------------------------------
NUMBER OF PERCENT OF
SECURITIES TOTAL OPTIONS
UNDERLYING GRANTED TO EXERCISE GRANT DATE
OPTIONS EMPLOYEES PRICE EXPIRATION PRESENT
NAME GRANTED(#) IN FISCAL YEAR ($/SHARE) DATE VALUE($)(b)
---- ---------- -------------- --------- ---- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
R. N. Farah 0 N/A N/A N/A N/A
D. W. Hilpert 100,000 3.9 25.2813 04/08/08 896,065
M. J. Branman 50,000 2.0 25.2813 04/08/08 448,033
100,000 3.9 13.50 08/12/08 443,685
R. Johnson (c) 43,000 1.7 25.2813 02/26/99 N/A
J. E. DeWolf III 50,000 2.0 25.2813 04/08/08 448,033
</TABLE>
- ----------
(a) During 1998, stock options were granted to the named executive
officers, except Mr. Farah, on April 8, 1998 under the 1998 Stock
Option and Award Plan (the "1998 Award Plan") and the 1995 Stock Option
and Award Plan (the "1995 Award Plan"). In addition, a stock option was
granted to Mr. Branman on August 12, 1998. The per-share exercise price
of each stock option may not be less than the fair market value of a
share of Common Stock on the date of grant. In general, no portion of
any stock option may be exercised until the first anniversary of its
date of grant. The options granted on April 8, 1998 will become
exercisable in three equal annual installments, beginning April 8,
1999. The option granted on August 12, 1998 will become exercisable in
two equal installments on April 12, 2000 and August 12, 2000. If an
option holder retires, becomes disabled, or dies while employed by the
Registrant or one of its subsidiaries, all unexercised options that are
then immediately exercisable, plus those options that would have become
exercisable on the next succeeding anniversary of the date of grant of
each option, will remain (or become) immediately exercisable as of that
date. Moreover, upon the occurrence of a "Change in Control," as
defined in the 1995 Award Plan and the 1998 Award Plan, all outstanding
options will become immediately exercisable as of that date.
Options may remain exercisable for up to three years following an
option holder's retirement or termination due to disability, and for up
to one year for any other termination of employment for reasons other
than cause. However, under no circumstances may an option remain
outstanding for more than ten years from its date of grant.
(b) Values were calculated as of the date of grant using a Black-Scholes
option pricing model. The values shown in the table are theoretical and
do not necessarily reflect the actual values that the named executive
officers may ultimately realize. Any actual value to the officer will
depend on the extent to which the market value of the Registrant's
Common Stock at a future date exceeds the option exercise price. In
addition to the fair market value of the Common Stock on the date of
grant and the exercise price, which are identical, the following
assumptions were used to calculate the values shown in the table: a
weighted-average risk-free interest rate of 4.57 percent; a stock price
volatility factor of 35 percent; a two year weighted-average expected
award life and a zero dividend yield. The assumptions and calculations
used for the model are consistent with the assumptions for reporting
stock option valuations in the Registrant's 1998 Annual Report.
(c) Mr. Johnson resigned from the Registrant on February 26, 1999. In
accordance with the terms of the 1995 Award Plan and the 1998 Award
Plan, the entire option granted to him on April 8, 1998 was cancelled
as of his resignation date.
6
<PAGE> 8
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR AND
FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
NUMBER OF SECURITIES IN-THE-MONEY
UNDERLYING UNEXERCISED OPTIONS AT
SHARES OPTIONS AT FY-END(#) FY-END($)(a)
ACQUIRED ON VALUE ---------------------------- ----------------------------
NAME EXERCISE(#) REALIZED EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE EXERCISABLE UNEXERCISABLE
---- ----------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
R. N. Farah 0 N/A 800,000 0 0 0
D. W. Hilpert 0 N/A 399,999 200,001 0 0
M. J. Branman 0 N/A 75,000 225,000 0 0
J. E. DeWolf III 0 N/A 30,000 80,000 0 0
R. Johnson 0 N/A 16,666 76,334 0 0
</TABLE>
- ----------
(a) The fair market value (the average of the high and low prices of the
Registrant's Common Stock) on Friday, January 29, 1999, the last
business day of 1998, was $4.8438. No unexercised options were
in-the-money on that date.
RETIREMENT PLANS
The Registrant maintains the Venator Group Retirement Plan (the
"Retirement Plan"), a defined benefit plan with a cash balance formula, which
covers associates of the Registrant and substantially all of its United States
subsidiaries. All qualified associates at least 21 years of age are covered by
the Retirement Plan, and plan participants become fully vested in their benefits
under this plan upon completion of five years of service or upon attainment of
age 65 while actively employed.
Under the cash balance formula, each participant has an account, for
record keeping purposes only, to which credits are allocated annually based upon
a percentage of the participant's W-2 Compensation, as defined in the Retirement
Plan. This percentage is determined by the participant's years of service with
the Registrant as of the beginning of each calendar year. The following table
shows the percentage used to determine credits at the years of service
indicated.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
PERCENT OF W-2
PERCENT OF ALL COMPENSATION
YEARS OF SERVICE W-2 COMPENSATION + OVER $22,000
---------------- ---------------- ------------
<S> <C> <C>
Less than 6 1.10 0.55
6-10 1.50 0.75
11-15 2.00 1.00
16-20 2.70 1.35
21-25 3.70 1.85
26-30 4.90 2.45
31-35 6.60 3.30
More than 35 8.90 4.45
</TABLE>
In addition, all balances in the participants' accounts earn interest
at the fixed rate of 6 percent, which is credited annually. At retirement or
other termination of employment, an amount equal to the vested balance then
credited to the account under the Retirement Plan is payable to the participant
in the form of a qualified joint and survivor annuity (if the participant is
married) or a life annuity (if the participant is not married). The participant
may elect to waive the annuity form of benefit described above and receive
benefits under the Retirement Plan in an optional annuity form or an immediate
or deferred lump sum. Participants may elect one of the optional forms of
benefit with respect to the accrued benefit as of December 31, 1995 if the
individual participated in the Retirement Plan as of that date.
7
<PAGE> 9
The Internal Revenue Code limits annual retirement benefits that may be
paid to, and compensation that may be taken into account in the determination of
benefits for, any person under a qualified retirement plan such as the
Retirement Plan. Accordingly, for any person covered by the Retirement Plan
whose annual retirement benefit, calculated in accordance with the terms of this
plan, exceeds the limitations of the Internal Revenue Code, the Registrant has
adopted the Venator Group Excess Cash Balance Plan (the "Excess Plan"). The
Excess Plan is an unfunded, nonqualified benefit plan, under which the
individual is paid the difference between the Internal Revenue Code limitations
and the retirement benefit to which he or she would otherwise be entitled under
the Retirement Plan.
In addition, the Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (the "SERP"),
which is an unfunded, nonqualified benefit plan, provides for payment by the
Registrant of supplemental retirement, death and disability benefits to certain
executive officers and certain other key employees of the Registrant and its
subsidiaries. The named executive officers and five of the other executive
officers of the Registrant are participants in the SERP. Under the SERP, the
Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors sets an annual targeted
incentive award for each participant consisting of a percentage of salary and
bonus based on the Registrant's performance against target. Achievement of
target causes an eight percent credit to a participant's account. The applicable
percentage decreases proportionately to the percentage of the Registrant's
performance below target, but not below 4 percent, and increases proportionately
to the percentage of the Registrant's performance above target, but not above 12
percent. Participants' accounts accrue simple interest at the rate of 6 percent
annually.
The table below provides the estimated annual benefit for each of the
named executive officers stated as a single life annuity under the Retirement
Plan, the Excess Plan, and the SERP. Except for R. Johnson, the projections
contained in the table assume each person's continued employment with the
Registrant to his normal retirement date and that compensation earned during
each year after 1998 to the individual's normal retirement date remains the same
as compensation earned by him during 1998. The projections in the table below
are based upon the greater of the accrued benefit as of December 31, 1995 or a
single life annuity determined by converting the account balance projected to
normal retirement date using a 6 percent interest rate at normal retirement age
based on the average rate as published in Federal statistical release H.15 (519)
for 30-year U.S. Treasury Bills for December 1998. The applicable interest rate
is the rate specified in Section 417(e)(3)(A)(ii)(II) of the Internal Revenue
Code.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
TOTAL ANNUAL BENEFIT TOTAL ANNUAL BENEFIT
FOR YEARS 1-3 FOR YEARS 4 AND SUBSEQUENT
NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER FOLLOWING RETIREMENT(a) FOLLOWING RETIREMENT(a)
----------------------- ----------------------- -----------------------
<S> <C> <C>
R. N. Farah $2,025,362 $ 222,816
D.W. Hilpert $ 422,520 $ 34,336
M.J. Branman $ 756,118 $ 92,484
J.E. DeWolf III $ 613,743 $ 60,692
R. Johnson (b) N/A N/A
</TABLE>
- ----------
(a) The amounts stated for years 1-3 following retirement include the SERP
benefits, payable as a lump sum spread over a three-year period. The
SERP projections include a 4 percent credit to the participants'
accounts for 1998 and assume an annual 8 percent credit going forward.
Beginning with the fourth year following retirement, the individuals'
annual benefits will not include any SERP payments and, therefore,
their annual benefits for those years will be reduced accordingly.
(b) As a result of Mr. Johnson's resignation on February 26, 1999, he is
ineligible to receive a benefit under the Retirement Plan.
8
<PAGE> 10
EMPLOYMENT CONTRACTS AND TERMINATION OF EMPLOYMENT AND CHANGE-IN-CONTROL
ARRANGEMENTS
The Registrant presently has employment agreements with R. Farah and D.
Hilpert. In addition, the Registrant has severance agreements with M. J. Branman
and J. E. DeWolf III.
R. N. FARAH
The Registrant has entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Farah
as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer for a term ending on
January 31, 2003. This agreement supersedes the agreement entered into with Mr.
Farah in 1994 (the "1994 Agreement"). The new compensation arrangements reflect
a decision by the Registrant and Mr. Farah to reconfigure his compensation
package to reduce significantly his base salary and to increase the amount of
his compensation that is tied to the performance of the Registrant and the price
of the Registrant's Common Stock. During the contract term, Mr. Farah will
receive a base salary of not less than $1 million per year, which is a reduction
of $500,000 per year from the base salary he was paid under the 1994 Agreement.
In addition, Mr. Farah participates in the Annual Incentive Compensation Plan
(the "Annual Plan") and the Long-Term Plan. His payout at budget under the
Annual Plan is 100 percent of base salary.
Under his new employment agreement, Mr. Farah will receive an annual
stock option grant to purchase that number of shares of Common Stock having a
market value of $5,000,000 on the date of grant. He will also receive a one-time
grant of 275,000 shares of restricted stock under the 1998 Award Plan. The
shares of restricted stock will be subject to a restriction related to Mr.
Farah's continued employment with the Registrant, and will vest in three equal
annual installments beginning January 31, 2000.
In the event Mr. Farah's employment is terminated by him for good
reason or by the Registrant without cause, then Mr. Farah would be entitled to
payments of any unpaid base salary for the period prior to termination, any
declared but unpaid bonuses, and amounts due under any employee benefit or
incentive plan. Also, to the extent any shares of restricted stock which were
granted to Mr. Farah are unvested, these shares will immediately vest.
Thereafter, for a period ending on the earliest of (a) the later of January 31,
2003 or two years from the date of termination, (b) his death, or (c) the
violation of any post-employment contract requirements, Mr. Farah would be
entitled to receive payments equal to his annual base salary immediately prior
to termination. If the sum of the foregoing payments is less than the guaranteed
severance amount provided for under the agreement, the Registrant will pay the
difference to Mr. Farah. The guaranteed severance amounts are as follows: (i) if
Mr. Farah's employment is terminated earlier than January 31, 2000, his
guaranteed severance amount is $4,500,000; (ii) if his termination date is from
February 1, 2000 to January 31, 2001, his guaranteed severance amount is
$4,000,000; and (iii) if his termination date is after January 31, 2001, his
guaranteed severance amount is $3,000,000.
In the event Mr. Farah's employment is terminated, whether by the
Registrant or by Mr. Farah, following a Change in Control, as defined in the
agreement, Mr. Farah would receive the same payments he would have received as
if he had terminated his employment for good reason. Also, all of Mr. Farah's
unvested shares of restricted stock and all of his unvested stock options would
immediately vest. If the sum of the payments to be made to Mr. Farah in the
event of his termination following a Change in Control is less than three times
his then current base salary plus annual bonus at target in the year of
termination, then the Registrant will pay the difference to Mr. Farah. In the
event he becomes entitled to the payments in this paragraph and the payments are
determined to constitute payments under Section 280G(b)(2) of the Internal
Revenue Code and subject to an excise tax under Section 4999 of the Internal
Revenue Code, the Registrant will provide him with a gross-up payment for the
excise and related income taxes incurred in connection with the gross-up
payment.
Finally, if the Registrant does not offer to extend his employment
agreement for at least one year beyond January 31, 2003 under the same terms and
conditions then existing, then the Registrant will pay Mr. Farah the sum of
$1,500,000.
9
<PAGE> 11
D. W. HILPERT
The Registrant has entered into a new employment agreement with Mr.
Hilpert as President and Chief Operating Officer for a term ending on January
31, 2002. This agreement supersedes the agreement entered into with Mr. Hilpert
in 1997. During the contract term, Mr. Hilpert will receive a base salary of not
less than $825,000 per year. In addition, Mr. Hilpert participates in the Annual
Plan and the Long-Term Plan. His payout at budget under the Annual Plan is 75
percent of base salary.
In the event Mr. Hilpert's employment is terminated by him for good
reason or by the Registrant without cause (or if the Registrant does not extend
the term of the employment agreement for at least one year beyond January 31,
2002 under substantially similar terms and conditions), Mr. Hilpert would be
entitled to payments of any unpaid base salary for the period prior to
termination, any declared but unpaid bonuses, and amounts due under any employee
benefit or incentive plan. Thereafter, for a period ending on the earliest of
(a) the later of January 31, 2002 or one year from his termination date (b) his
death, or (c) the violation of any post-employment contract requirements, Mr.
Hilpert would be entitled to receive payments equal to his annual base salary
immediately prior to termination.
Mr. Hilpert would receive the payments described in the paragraph above
(a) in the event of the termination of his employment within one year following
a Change in Control, as defined in the agreement, or (b) if within one year
following a Change in Control the Registrant's Chief Executive Officer
immediately prior to a Change in Control ceases to hold this position and Mr.
Hilpert terminates his employment within 90 days of this change in the
Registrant's Chief Executive Officer. If the sum of the payments to be made to
Mr. Hilpert in the event of his termination following a Change in Control if the
payments continued until the later of January 31, 2002 or one year following
termination is less than three times his then current base salary plus annual
bonus at target in the year of termination, then the Registrant will pay the
difference to Mr. Hilpert. In the event he becomes entitled to the payments in
this paragraph and the payments are determined to constitute payments under
Section 280G(b)(2) of the Internal Revenue Code and subject to an excise tax
under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code, the Registrant will provide him
with a gross-up payment for the excise and related income taxes incurred in
connection with the gross-up payment.
Finally, if Mr. Hilpert's employment is terminated by him for good
reason or by the Registrant without cause, or following a Change in Control, or
if his employment with the Registrant is not extended beyond January 31, 2002,
and the amount of retirement benefits Mr. Hilpert is then entitled to under the
Retirement Plan, the Excess Plan, and the SERP is less than $1,300,000, the
Registrant will increase the amount in his SERP account so that this total is
reached. This provision compensates Mr. Hilpert for the benefit he would have
received under his previous employer's supplementary plan.
M. J. BRANMAN AND J. E. DEWOLF III
The Registrant has entered into Senior Executive Severance Agreements
with M. J. Branman, J. E. DeWolf III and five other executive officers, which
provide for severance payments if their employment is terminated by the
Registrant without cause or by them for good reason. In the event such officer's
employment is terminated within 24 months following a Change in Control, he will
receive 2 weeks' salary plus prorated annual bonus for each year of service,
with a minimum of 104 weeks. If such termination does not occur within 24 months
following a Change in Control, he will be entitled to receive 2 weeks' salary
plus prorated annual bonus for each year of service, with a minimum of 26 weeks.
The severance benefit payable to the executive under this agreement may not be
less than 12 months' salary. With respect to Mr. Branman, if the total severance
benefit he would be entitled to is less than the sum of the following amounts in
the year of termination: (i) his annual base salary, (ii) his expected annual
bonus at target and (iii) $200,000, then he would be entitled to receive
additional payments from the Registrant in the amount of the difference.
The Registrant also had a Senior Executive Severance Agreement with R.
Johnson providing for severance payments upon his termination by the Registrant
or by him for good reason. As a result of Mr. Johnson's resignation, however,
this agreement is of no further force and effect, and no payments were made to
Mr. Johnson under the agreement.
10
<PAGE> 12
The Registrant has established a trust (the "Trust") in connection with
certain of its benefit plans, arrangements, and agreements, including certain of
those described above, and other benefit plans, agreements or arrangements that
may, at the request of the Registrant, hereafter be covered (collectively, the
"Benefit Obligations"). Under the Trust agreement, in the event of a Change in
Control of the Registrant (as defined in the Trust Agreement), the trustee would
pay to the persons entitled to the Benefit Obligations, out of funds held in the
Trust, the amounts to which such persons may become entitled under the Benefit
Obligations. Upon the occurrence of a Potential Change in Control of the
Registrant (as defined in the Trust agreement), the Registrant is required to
fund the Trust with an amount sufficient to pay the total amount of the Benefit
Obligations. Following the occurrence, and during the pendency, of a Potential
Change in Control, the trustee is required to make payments of Benefit
Obligations, to the extent such payments are not made by the Registrant.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
During 1998, the following individuals (none of whom had been an
officer or employee of the Registrant or any of its subsidiaries) served on the
Compensation Committee: Philip H. Geier Jr., Margaret P. MacKimm and James E.
Preston. There were no interlocks with other companies within the meaning of the
SEC's proxy rules.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE'S REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the "Committee"),
composed of the directors listed below, has responsibility for all compensation
matters involving the Registrant's executive officers and for significant
elements of the compensation of the chief executive officers of its operating
units. None of the members of the Committee are officers or employees of the
Registrant or any of its subsidiaries. This is our report on the Registrant's
executive compensation in 1998.
Compensation Policy. It is the policy of the Committee to design and
maintain a compensation policy that will enable the Registrant to attract,
motivate, and retain executive officers and the chief executive officers of its
operating units by providing a fully competitive total compensation opportunity.
This policy provides for (i) competitive base salaries, which reflect the
responsibilities of the position held and performance in the position; (ii)
annual incentive opportunities payable in cash, which are based on the
Registrant's achievement of previously specified performance goals; (iii)
long-term incentive opportunities, payable in stock or cash, which are based on
the Registrant's achievement of previously specified performance goals; and (iv)
long-term stock-based incentive opportunities, which are designed to strengthen
the mutuality of interest between participating associates and the shareholders.
The Committee strives to balance short- and long-term incentive objectives and
to employ prudent judgment in establishing performance criteria, evaluating
performance, and determining actual incentive payment levels. For senior level
management associates the compensation policy provides that a greater percentage
of total compensation will be at risk, dependent upon the Registrant's
performance in relation to targets established under incentive compensation
plans, or, in the case of stock options, increases in the price of the
Registrant's Common Stock.
Compensation Program. The Committee has established a total
compensation program for senior executive officers (the Chairman of the Board
and Chief Executive Officer, President and Chief Operating Officer, and Senior
Vice Presidents) and the chief executive officers of its operating businesses
consisting of five components: base salary, participation in the Annual Plan,
participation in the Long-Term Plan, grants under the 1995 and 1998 Award Plans,
and the opportunity to participate in the employee stock purchase program. We
note that the Registrant's shareholders, at annual meetings in prior years, have
approved the Annual Plan, the Long-Term Plan, the 1995 Award Plan, the 1998
Award Plan, and the 1994 Employees Stock Purchase Plan (the "Stock Purchase
Plan"). The Registrant has a substantially similar compensation program for its
other officers and senior management employees.
A performance evaluation of each management associate is conducted at
the beginning of each year, based upon goals, responsibilities, and other
performance criteria established at the beginning of the prior year. Salary
recommendations are then made based upon the results of this performance review.
With regard to executive officers and the chief executive officers of the
Registrant's operating units, management makes these salary recommendations to
the Committee. The Committee then reviews the base salaries of these individuals
and determines the changes, if any, that should be made to those base salaries
based upon the officer's performance and to maintain a competitive position with
other national retail companies.
11
<PAGE> 13
At the beginning of each year, the Committee also establishes the
performance goals under the Annual Plan for that year and under the Long-Term
Plan for the performance period then beginning. The performance goals under the
Annual Plan for 1998 were based on a combination of pre-tax earnings and
percentage return on invested capital of the Registrant in relation to targets
established by the Committee. In 1998, these targets for executive officers were
equal to the pre-tax earnings and percentage return on invested capital set in
the Registrant's operating budget for the year. Approximately 800 key management
employees, including executive officers, are participants in the Annual Plan.
The chief executive officers of the operating units participate in annual bonus
plans with goals tied to operating results of their respective units. Payments
under the Long-Term Plan have been based on a combination of cumulative net
income and percentage return on invested capital of the Registrant during the
performance period, in relation to targets established by the Committee.
Each year the Committee considers granting options to purchase Common
Stock to key employees, including executive officers. Stock option grants are
intended to provide additional incentive for superior performance by officers
and key employees who have the most impact on the management and success of the
Registrant's businesses. Stock options granted by the Committee in 1998
generally vest in three equal annual installments beginning on the first
anniversary of the date of grant. Approximately 450 employees participate. Also,
qualified executive officers and other employees may purchase shares of Common
Stock under the Stock Purchase Plan.
In determining the number of options to be granted to executive
officers, the Committee considered a number of factors, including the position
held by the individual, his or her performance, the number of options granted in
previous years, the financial results of the Registrant for the prior year, the
price of a share of Common Stock, and the fact that management was implementing
a turn-around plan for the Registrant. In 1998, the Committee granted to the
named executive officers the stock options shown in the table on page 6. In
January 1999 the Committee approved grants of restricted stock to a group of 35
senior managers and key employees of the Registrant, not including the Chief
Executive Officer. The size of the individual grants ranged from 5,000 shares to
100,000 shares, with the average grant being for 24,000 shares. Restrictions on
the shares lapse for each individual if that individual continues to be employed
by the Registrant on the fifth anniversary of the grant date. The restrictions
will lapse on the third anniversary of the grant date if certain performance
targets, set by the Committee, are met. In the view of the Committee, the
granting of this restricted stock was to the benefit of the Registrant and its
shareholders by providing a means of retaining key managers, many of whom had
been recruited to the Registrant in the past several years, and by motivating
key managers to achieve performance goals.
The performance of the Registrant's continuing operations in 1998 did
not meet the performance targets established by the Committee under the Annual
Plan, and therefore no payments were made to the executive officers under that
plan. Principally as a result of the Registrant's performance in 1996 and 1997,
the performance of the Registrant's continuing operations in the 1996-1998
performance period under the Long-Term Plan was above the threshold levels
established by the Committee for cumulative net income and percentage return on
invested capital for the performance period, and therefore, below-target
payments were made to the participants in that plan, including the named
executive officers shown in the table on page 3.
Chief Executive Officer's Compensation. Mr. Farah's compensation
arrangements in 1998 were unchanged from those negotiated by the Registrant and
Mr. Farah at the time he joined the Registrant in 1994, which were embodied in
an employment agreement entered into at that time (the "1994 Agreement"). In
1998, Mr. Farah was paid a base salary of $1,500,000, and was eligible to earn a
bonus at target under the Annual Plan of 50 percent of his base salary. Options
to purchase 800,000 shares of Common Stock and 200,000 shares of restricted
stock were issued to him in 1994, and no additional stock options were granted
to him in 1998. The shares of restricted stock are subject to a restriction
related to Mr. Farah's continued employment, and vest at 20 percent per year at
the end of the first through fifth years of employment. As of January 31, 1999,
the restrictions have lapsed on 160,000 of these shares and the restrictions on
the remaining shares lapse in January 2000. Also, in 1998 Mr. Farah purchased
1,046 shares of Common Stock at $16.58 per share under the Stock Purchase Plan,
which was the maximum number of shares he was permitted to purchase under the
terms of that plan.
12
<PAGE> 14
Based upon the Registrant's performance in 1998 compared to targets
established under the Annual Plan, as discussed above, no payment was made to
Mr. Farah under the Annual Plan for 1998. The target payout under the Long-Term
Plan for the 1996-98 performance period was 163 percent of base salary. Because
the performance of the Registrant in 1998 was significantly below plan,
following two years of essentially on-plan performance in 1996 and 1997, the
Registrant's performance did not meet the targets established by the Committee
for the 1996-98 performance period. Consequently, the Long-Term Plan payout to
Mr. Farah for the performance period was 91.04 percent of his base salary, which
would translate to a cash amount of $1,365,600. This compares to the 163 percent
of base salary that he would have earned had the performance targets been
achieved. Fifty percent of this bonus was paid to Mr. Farah in cash and 50
percent in shares of Common Stock.
As noted, Mr. Farah's compensation arrangements in 1998 were unchanged
from those negotiated by the Registrant and Mr. Farah at the time he joined the
Registrant in 1994. In approving these compensation arrangements at that time,
the Committee considered that the elements of Mr. Farah's compensation package
were the result of negotiation between the Registrant and Mr. Farah, following a
search that identified Mr. Farah as the best candidate for the Chief Executive
Officer's position.
It has been the Registrant's practice, with regard to its senior
executives, to negotiate new employment agreements approximately one year prior
to the end of the then-current agreement, so as to be assured of securing, on an
ongoing basis, the services of its key executives. Consequently, the Registrant
and Mr. Farah have entered into a new employment agreement, the terms of which
are summarized on page 9, for a term ending January 31, 2003 (the "1999
Agreement"). In the 1999 Agreement, the Registrant and Mr. Farah have agreed to
reconfigure his compensation package to reduce significantly his base salary and
to increase the amount of his compensation that is "at risk" based upon the
performance of the Registrant (through increased "at target" payouts under the
Annual Plan and the Long-Term Plan) and the price of the Registrant's shares
(through a restricted stock grant and ongoing stock option grants). It was the
view of the Committee that it was in the best interests of the Registrant and
its shareholders to enter into a new employment agreement with Mr. Farah in
order to secure his services for a reasonable future period and, after
consulting with independent compensation consultants, to reconfigure the
components of his compensation to provide greater incentives tied to the
performance of the Registrant and its share price. In approving the compensation
arrangements for Mr. Farah contained in the 1999 Agreement, the Committee
considered the compensation arrangements with Mr. Farah reflected in the 1994
Agreement, the importance to the Registrant of retaining Mr. Farah's services
for a reasonable period in the future, compensation arrangements of chief
executive officers of other companies in the retail and athletic footwear and
apparel industries, and the benefits to the Registrant and its shareholders that
it expected to result from providing Mr. Farah with a meaningful incentive
compensation opportunity tied to the performance of the Registrant and the price
of its Common Stock.
One Million Dollar Pay Deductibility Cap. Under Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code, public companies are precluded from receiving a federal
tax deduction on compensation paid to certain executive officers in excess of $1
million per year unless certain requirements are met. It is generally the
Committee's view that the compensation plans and programs of the Registrant
should be designed and administered in a manner that ensures the tax
deductibility by the Registrant of compensation paid to its executives. As a
consequence, the Annual Plan, the Long-Term Plan, and the 1995 and 1998 Award
Plans are structured so that cash compensation paid and stock options granted
under those plans qualify for an exemption from the $1 million pay deductibility
limit. The Committee recognizes, however, that situations may arise when it is
in the best interests of the Registrant and its shareholders to pay compensation
to an executive that cannot be deducted for tax purposes. Most of the
compensation related to the restricted stock grants made to Mr. Farah, and
potentially some portion of the restricted stock grants made to certain other
officers, is not expected to be deductible. It was the view of the Committee
that the benefits of securing the services of Mr. Farah and these officers
outweighs the Registrant's inability to obtain a tax deduction for those
elements of compensation.
James E. Preston, Chairman
Philip H. Geier Jr.
Margaret P. MacKimm
13
<PAGE> 15
DIRECTORS COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
Non-employee directors of the Registrant receive an annual retainer of
$40,000. The committee chairmen receive an additional annual retainer of $3,000.
No separate fees are paid for attendance at Board or committee meetings.
One-half of the annual retainer is required to be paid in shares of the
Registrant's Common Stock under the Directors' Stock Plan, with the balance
payable in cash. Directors may elect to receive up to 100 percent of their
annual retainer in shares of stock. The number of shares received under the plan
is determined by dividing the applicable retainer amount by the average price of
a share of stock on the last business day preceding July 1 of each year. In
addition, directors are reimbursed for their reasonable expenses in attending
meetings of the Board and committees, including travel expenses to and from
meetings.
The Directors' Retirement Plan was frozen as of December 31, 1995.
Consequently, only four of the current directors are entitled to receive a
retirement benefit under this plan because they had completed at least five
years of service as a director on the date the plan was frozen and they are not
entitled to receive a retirement benefit under any of the Registrant's other
retirement plans or programs. Under the Directors' Retirement Plan, an annual
retirement benefit of $24,000 will be paid to a qualified director for the
lesser of the number of years of his or her service as a director or 10 years.
Payment of benefits under this plan generally begins on the later of the
director's termination of service as a director or the attainment of age 65.
Directors with less than five years of service at December 31, 1995 and
directors who are elected after this date are not eligible to participate in the
Directors' Retirement Plan.
At the Registrant's request, during 1998 Jarobin Gilbert Jr. served on
the Supervisory Board of F.W. Woolworth Co. GmbH ("FWW Germany"), a former
subsidiary of the Registrant. In connection with this service, Mr. Gilbert
received a fee of DM 11,250 (approximately U.S. $6,325) and reimbursement for
reasonable expenses in attending meetings of the Supervisory Board. The
Registrant sold FWW Germany in October 1998, and Mr. Gilbert's membership on the
Supervisory Board ended at that time. Pursuant to a consulting arrangement with
DBSS Group, Inc. ("DBSS"), of which Mr. Gilbert is the President and Chief
Executive Officer, the Registrant paid a fee of $15,000 to DBSS for consulting
services rendered by Mr. Gilbert during 1998 related to the Registrant's
businesses in Germany. The Registrant and DBSS terminated this consulting
arrangement following the Registrant's sale of FWW Germany in October 1998.
DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS INDEMNIFICATION AND INSURANCE
The Registrant has purchased directors and officers liability and
corporation reimbursement insurance from National Union Fire Insurance Company
of Pittsburgh, Pa., The Great American Insurance Companies, The Chubb Group of
Insurance Companies and Executive Risk Indemnity, Inc. These policies insure the
Registrant and all of the Registrant's wholly owned subsidiaries. They also
insure all of the directors and officers of the Registrant and the covered
subsidiaries. The policies were written for a term of 36 months, from September
12, 1998 until September 12, 2001. The total annual premium for these policies
is $419,903. Directors and officers of the Registrant, as well as all other
employees with fiduciary responsibilities under the Employee Retirement Income
Security Act of 1974, as amended, are insured under policies issued by Federal
Insurance Company and National Union Fire Insurance Company, which have a total
premium of $104,249 for the 12-month period ending September 12, 1999.
In accordance with the indemnification provisions of the Registrant's
By-laws, the Registrant paid legal fees and expenses totaling approximately
$58,265 during 1998 on behalf of certain of the Registrant's former officers who
were named as individual defendants in the litigation captioned In re Woolworth
Corporation Securities Class Action Litigation, which had been settled during
1998. The amounts paid in 1998 were covered under the Registrant's directors and
officers liability insurance policies in effect during the applicable period.
The Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with its
directors and executive officers, as approved by shareholders at the 1987 annual
meeting.
14
<PAGE> 16
PERFORMANCE GRAPHS
The following performance graph compares the cumulative total
shareholder return on the Registrant's Common Stock against the cumulative total
return of the S&P 500 Index and the S&P Retail Stores Composite Index from
January 31, 1994 through January 31, 1999. The graph assumes an investment of
$100 in the Registrant's Common Stock and in each index on January 31, 1994, and
that all dividends were reinvested.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Base
Period
Company/Index Name Jan. 94 Jan. 95 Jan. 96 Jan. 97 Jan. 98 Jan. 99
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Venator Group $100 $ 60.87 $ 43.48 $ 78.74 $ 84.06 $ 19.81
S & P 500 100 97.68 132.06 163.24 203.54 265.70
S & P Retail 100 91.13 96.72 114.05 167.35 272.34
</TABLE>
The next graph compares the cumulative total shareholder return on the
Registrant's Common Stock against the Russell 2000 Index and a selected peer
group from September 27, 1996 through January 31, 1999, which reflects the point
at which all peer group members were publicly held. The peer group consists of
the Registrant, The Finish Line, Inc., Footstar, Inc., Just For Feet, Inc., and
The Sports Authority, Inc. The Registrant believes that this selected group
reflects the Registrant's peers as retailers in the athletic footwear and
apparel industry.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Base
Period
Company/Index Name Sept. 96 Jan. 97 Jan. 98 Jan. 99
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Venator Group $100 $ 98.79 $105.45 $ 24.85
Russell 2000 100 106.93 124.46 123.65
Peer 100 86.27 61.30 49.21
</TABLE>
ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following table sets forth, as reported to the Registrant, the
number of shares of Common Stock beneficially owned as of May 5, 1999, by each
of the directors and named executive officers. The table also shows the
beneficial ownership of the Registrant's stock by all directors, named executive
officers and executive officers as a group on that date, including shares of
Common Stock that they have a right to acquire within 60 days after May 5, 1999
by the exercise of options that have been granted under the Registrant's stock
option plans.
Excluding Roger N. Farah, no director, named executive officer or
executive officer beneficially owned one percent or more of the total number of
outstanding shares of Common Stock as of May 5, 1999. Mr. Farah owned 1.01
percent of the outstanding shares of Common Stock as of this date.
15
<PAGE> 17
Except as otherwise noted in a footnote below, each person has sole
voting and investment power with respect to the number of shares shown.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND
NATURE
NAME OF
BENEFICIAL
OWNERSHIP
---------
<S> <C>
J. Carter Bacot 4,490
M. Jeffrey Branman 226,773(a)
Purdy Crawford 11,782
John E. DeWolf III 106,666(b)
Roger N. Farah 1,379,697(c)
Philip H. Geier Jr 11,782
Jarobin Gilbert Jr 2,008
Dale W. Hilpert 667,351(d)
Reid Johnson 21,666(e)
Allan Z. Loren 888
Margaret P. MacKimm 5,990
John J. Mackowski 6,855
James E. Preston 25,915(f)
Christopher A. Sinclair 3,882
All 21 directors and executive officers as a group,
including the named executive officers 2,993,901(g)
</TABLE>
- ----------
(a) Includes 40,000 shares of restricted stock granted on February 1, 1999;
141,666 shares that may be acquired by the exercise of stock options;
29,786 shares issued on April 16, 1999 in payment of 50 percent of his
long-term bonus for 1996-1998; and 275 shares held in the Registrant's
401(k) Plan.
(b) Includes 40,000 shares of restricted stock granted on February 1, 1999,
and 66,666 shares that may be acquired by the exercise of stock
options.
(c) Includes 275,000 shares of restricted stock granted on April 26, 1999;
115,488 shares issued on April 16, 1999 in payment of 50 percent of his
long-term bonus for 1996-1998; 800,000 shares that may be acquired by
the exercise of stock options and 314 shares held in the Registrant's
401(k) Plan.
(d) Includes 100,000 shares of restricted stock granted on February 1,
1999; 57,744 shares issued on April 16, 1999 in payment of 50 percent
of his long-term bonus for 1996-1998; 499,999 shares that may be
acquired by the exercise of stock options and 2,239 shares held in the
Registrant's 401(k) Plan.
(e) Includes 16,666 shares that may be acquired by the exercise of stock
options. The options expire on May 26, 1999.
(f) Excludes 50 shares of Common Stock owned by Mr. Preston's stepchildren,
with respect to which Mr. Preston disclaims beneficial ownership.
(g) This figure represents approximately 2.18 percent of the shares of
Common Stock outstanding at the close of business on May 5, 1999. It
includes all of the shares referred to in footnotes (a) through (f)
above, a total of 316,961 shares that may be acquired within 60 days
after May 5 1999 by executive officers of the Registrant (excluding the
named executive officers) by the exercise of stock options, and 2,991
shares held by executive officers (excluding the named executive
officers) in the Registrant's 401(k) Plan.
16
<PAGE> 18
PERSONS OWNING MORE THAN FIVE PERCENT OF THE REGISTRANT'S STOCK
Following is information with respect to shareholders who beneficially
own more than five percent of the Registrant's Common Stock. This information is
derived from documents filed by those shareholders with the SEC. To the best
knowledge of the Registrant, there are no other shareholders who beneficially
own more than five percent of a class of the Registrant's voting securities.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMOUNT AND
NAME AND ADDRESS NATURE OF BENEFICIAL PERCENT
OF BENEFICIAL OWNER OWNERSHIP OF CLASS
------------------- --------- --------
<S> <C> <C>
Greenway Partners, L.P. 19,649,612(a) 14.4%
Greentree Partners, L.P.
Greenhut, L.L.C., Greenbelt Corp.,
Greenhouse Partners, L.P.,
Greenhut Overseas, L.L.C.
Alfred D. Kingsley
Gary K. Duberstein, and
Howard Stein
277 Park Avenue
New York, NY 10172
Andrew P. Hines (a)
100 Sea Horse Drive
Waukegan, IL 60085
AXA Assurance I.A.R.D. Mutuelle 13,684,101(b) 10.4%
and AXA Assurances Vie Mutuelle
21, rue de Chateaudin
75009 Paris, France
AXA Conseil Vie Assurance Mutuelle (b)
100-101 Terasse Boieldieu
92042 Paris La Defense France
AXA Courtage Assurance Mutuelle (b)
26, rue Louis le Grand
75002 Paris, France
The Equitable Companies Incorporated (b)
1290 Avenue of the Americas
New York, New York 10104
(b)
AXA
9 Place Vendome
75001 Paris, France
Mellon Bank Corporation 7,795,653(d) 5.74%
One Mellon Bank Center
Pittsburgh, PA 15258
Sasco Capital, Inc. 6,940,213(e) 5.1%
10 Sasco Hill Road
Fairfield, CT 06430
</TABLE>
17
<PAGE> 19
- -------
(a) Reflects shares beneficially owned as of April 30, 1999, according to a
preliminary proxy statement dated April 30, 1999 filed by Greenway
Partners, L.P. with the SEC. As reported, Greenway Partners, L.P. holds
sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 2,350,000 shares;
Greentree Partners, L.P. holds sole voting and dispositive power with
respect to 1,500,900 shares; Greenhouse Partners, L.P. holds shared
voting and dispositive power with respect to 2,350,000 shares;
Greenhut, L.L.C. holds shared voting and dispositive power with respect
to 1,500,900 shares; Greenbelt Corp. holds sole voting and dispositive
power with respect to 12,886,322 shares; Greensea Offshore, L.P. holds
sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 2,250,000 shares;
Greenhut Overseas, L.L.C. holds shared voting and dispositive power
with respect to 2,250,000 shares; Alfred D. Kingsley holds sole voting
and dispositive power with respect to 541,800 shares, and Alfred D.
Kingsley and Gary K. Duberstein hold shared voting and dispositive
power with respect to 18,987,222 shares; Andrew P. Hines holds sole
voting and dispositive power with respect to 590 shares, and Howard
Stein holds sole voting and dispositive power with respect to 120,000
shares.
(b) Reflects shares beneficially owned as of January 31, 1999 according to
a statement on Schedule 13G filed with the SEC. As reported in the 13G,
the parent holding companies -- AXA Assurances I.A.R.D. Mutuelle, AXA
Assurances Vie Mutuelle, AXA Conseil Vie Assurance Mutuelle, AXA
Courtage Assurance Mutuelle and AXA -- hold sole voting power with
respect to 1,020,101 shares; sole dispositive power with respect to
13,257,001 shares; shared voting power with respect to 12,632,900
shares and shared dispositive power with respect to 427,100 shares. The
Equitable Companies Incorporated, a parent holding company, holds sole
voting power with respect to 590,001 shares; sole dispositive power
with respect to 13,254,001 shares and shared voting power with respect
to 12,632,900 shares.
(c) Reflects shares beneficially owned as of December 31, 1998, according
to a statement on Schedule 13G filed with the SEC. Mellon Bank
Corporation, a parent holding company, reported that it holds sole
voting power with respect to 6,138,212 shares; sole dispositive power
with respect to 7,501,655 shares; shared voting power with respect to
841 shares and shared dispositive power with respect to 107,243 shares.
All of the shares are held by Mellon Bank Corporation and its direct or
indirect subsidiaries in their various fiduciary capacities.
(d) Reflects shares beneficially owned as of February 22, 1999 according to
a statement on Schedule 13G filed with the SEC. Sasco Capital, Inc.
reported that it has beneficial ownership to direct the disposition of
6,940,213 shares and has the sole power to vote 4,294,621 shares.
ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
Transactions with Management and Others
The Registrant and its subsidiaries have had transactions in the normal
course of business with various other corporations, including certain
corporations whose directors or officers are also directors of the Registrant.
The amounts involved in these transactions have not been material in relation to
the businesses of the Registrant or its subsidiaries, and it is believed that
these amounts have not been material in relation to the businesses of the other
corporations. In addition, it is believed that these transactions have been on
terms no less favorable to the Registrant than if they had been entered into
with disinterested parties. It is anticipated that transactions with such other
corporations will continue in the future.
The Registrant had a consulting arrangement with DBSS, of which Jarobin
Gilbert Jr. is the President and Chief Executive Officer. Under this
arrangement, Mr. Gilbert provided consulting services to the Registrant related
to the Registrant's businesses in Germany. The Registrant and DBSS terminated
this arrangement following the sale of FWW Germany in October 1998. During 1998,
the Registrant paid fees of $15,000 to DBSS.
Purdy Crawford is Honorary Counsel to the Canadian law firm of Osler,
Hoskin & Harcourt, which provided legal services to the Registrant in 1998. Mr.
Crawford received no remuneration from the firm in 1998.
18
<PAGE> 20
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its
behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
VENATOR GROUP, INC.
Date: May 28, 1999 By: /s/ BRUCE L. HARTMAN
---------------------
Bruce L. Hartman
Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer
