PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORP/DE/
PRES14A, 1997-08-18
VARIETY STORES
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     Schedule 14A Information

     Proxy  Statement  Pursuant  to Section  14(a)  of the  Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934.

Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]

Check the appropriate box:
[X] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential,  for  Use  of  the  Commission  Only  (as  permitted  by  Rule
    14a-6(e)(2))
[ ] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11 (c) or Section 240.14a-12

                          PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION
                (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

                                      N/A
    (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required
[ ] Fee Computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6 (i) (l) and 0-11.
     (1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
     ...................................................................
     (2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
     ...................................................................
     (3) Per Unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed
         pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11:
     ...................................................................
     (4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
     ...................................................................
     (5) Total fee paid:
     ...................................................................
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act  Rule
    0-11(a)(2) and identify  the filing  for which the  offsetting fee  was paid
    previously.  Identify the previous filing by registration statement  number,
    or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
     (1) Amount Previously Paid:
     ...................................................................
     (2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
     ...................................................................
     (3) Filing Party:
     ...................................................................
     (4) Date Filed:
     ...................................................................
     



                           PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION

                    NOTICE OF SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

                                ___________, 1997

     A Special  Meeting  of  Stockholders  of  Pamida  Holdings  Corporation,  a
Delaware  corporation  (the  "Corporation"),  will be held on  ________________,
1997,  at  8:30  a.m.  at  ________________________  Omaha,  Nebraska,  for  the
following purposes:

1. To approve the Note Amendment Agreement No. 3 between the Corporation and 399
Venture  Partners,  Inc.,  a  wholly  owned  subsidiary  of  Citicorp,  and  the
transactions  contemplated  thereby,  including the issuance of shares of Common
Stock  and  Nonvoting  Common  Stock  of  the  Corporation  in  payment  of  the
outstanding 13.5% Senior Promissory Notes, 14% Subordinated Promissory Notes and
14.25% Junior  Subordinated  Promissory  Notes of the Corporation at the rate of
one share for each $9.00 of  outstanding  principal  of and accrued  interest on
such notes and the  issuance of shares of Common  Stock upon the  conversion  of
shares of  Nonvoting  Common  Stock into  shares of Common  Stock at the rate of
one-to-one.

2. To  consider  and vote  upon an  amendment  to the  Restated  Certificate  of
Incorporation of the Corporation to change and reclassify all of the outstanding
shares of 16.25% Senior  Cumulative  Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share,
and 14.25% Junior Cumulative  Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share, of the
Corporation into shares of Common Stock at the rate of one share of Common Stock
for each $9.00 of liquidation value and accrued dividends.

3.  To  consider  and  vote  upon  amendments  to the  Restated  Certificate  of
Incorporation of the Corporation to increase the number of authorized  shares of
Common Stock and  Nonvoting  Common  Stock,  amend the  conversion  terms of the
Nonvoting  Common  Stock and reduce the  number of  authorized  shares of 14.25%
Junior Cumulative Preferred Stock.

     The stock transfer books of the Corporation  will not be closed.  The Board
of Directors of the Corporation has fixed the close of business on ____________,
1997, as  the record  date for  determining  the stockholders of the Corporation
entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting.


Dated ___________, 1997                 BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,     

                                        FRANK A. WASHBURN, Secretary

- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
PLEASE MARK, SIGN AND DATE THE ACCOMPANYING  PROXY AND RETURN IT PROMPTLY IN THE
ENVELOPE  ENCLOSED  FOR YOUR USE.  THE PROXY  WILL NOT BE USED IF YOU ATTEND THE
MEETING IN PERSON AND SO REQUEST.
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------




                           PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION
                                 PROXY STATEMENT

                         SPECIAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS

                                 ________, 1997

     This Proxy  Statement is furnished in connection  with the  solicitation by
the Board of Directors (the "Board of Directors") of Pamida Holdings Corporation
(the  "Corporation") of proxies from holders of the Corporation's $.01 par value
Common Stock ("Common  Stock") for use at the special meeting of stockholders of
the   Corporation   to  be  held  on   _________,   1997,   at  8:30   a.m.   at
__________________________,  Omaha,  Nebraska,  and at any adjournments  thereof
(the  "Special  Meeting"),   for  the  purposes  set  forth  below  and  in  the
accompanying  Notice of Special Meeting of Stockholders.  Stockholders of record
at the close of business on _____________,  1997 will be entitled to vote at the
Special Meeting.

     The mailing address of the principal  executive  offices of the Corporation
is 8800  "F"  Street,  Omaha,  Nebraska  68127.  This  Proxy  Statement  and the
accompanying  form of Proxy are first being sent to the holders of Common  Stock
on or about ___________, 1997.


                             PURPOSES OF THE MEETING

    The Special Meeting will be held for the following purposes:

1.  To  approve  the  Note  Amendment  Agreement  No.  3  (the  "Note  Amendment
Agreement")  between the  Corporation and 399 Venture  Partners,  Inc., a wholly
owned  subsidiary of Citicorp  ("399 Venture  Partners"),  and the  transactions
contemplated thereby,  including the issuance of shares of Common Stock ("Common
Stock") and Nonvoting Common Stock ("Nonvoting Common Stock") of the Corporation
in payment of the outstanding  13.5% Senior  Promissory  Notes, 14% Subordinated
Promissory  Notes  and  14.25%  Junior  Subordinated  Promissory  Notes  of  the
Corporation (collectively,  the "Notes") at the rate of one share for each $9.00
of outstanding  principal of and accrued interest on such Notes and the issuance
of shares of Common  Stock upon the  conversion  of shares of  Nonvoting  Common
Stock into shares of Common Stock at the rate of  one-to-one  (the "Note Payment
Proposal").

2. To  consider  and vote  upon an  amendment  to the  Restated  Certificate  of
Incorporation  of the  Corporation,  as amended (the "Restated  Certificate") to
change and reclassify all of the outstanding  shares of 16.25% Senior Cumulative
Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Senior Preferred"),  and 14.25%
Junior  Cumulative  Preferred  Stock,  par value  $1.00 per share  (the  "Junior
Preferred"),  of the Corporation  into shares of Common Stock at the rate of one
share of Common Stock for each $9.00 of liquidation  value and accrued dividends
(the "Reclassification Proposal").

3. To consider and vote upon amendments to the Restated  Certificate to increase
the number of  authorized  shares of Common Stock and  Nonvoting  Common  Stock,
amend the conversion  terms of the Nonvoting  Common Stock and reduce the number
of authorized shares of Junior Preferred (the "Charter Amendment Proposal").

     THE  FAILURE  OF  THE  CORPORATION'S  STOCKHOLDERS  TO  APPROVE  ALL OF THE
FOREGOING PROPOSALS WILL PRECLUDE IMPLEMENTATION OF ANY OF THE PROPOSALS AND THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY, EXCEPT THAT THE NOTE PAYMENT PROPOSAL AND THE
CHARTER AMENDMENT PROPOSAL MAY BE EFFECTED EVEN IF THE RECLASSIFICATION PROPOSAL
IS NOT APPROVED BY THE  STOCKHOLDERS  OF THE  CORPORATION IF THE CORPORATION AND
399  VENTURE  PARTNERS  WAIVE THE  CHANGE  AND  RECLASSIFICATION  OF THE  SENIOR
PREFERRED AND JUNIOR  PREFERRED AS A CONDITION TO THE  EFFECTIVENESS OF THE NOTE
PAYMENT  PROPOSAL.  THE SENIOR  PREFERRED  AND JUNIOR  PREFERRED ARE REFERRED TO
COLLECTIVELY IN THIS PROXY STATEMENT AS THE "PREFERRED STOCK".


                    OUTSTANDING SECURITIES AND VOTING RIGHTS

     The Board of Directors of the  Corporation  has fixed the close of business
on ___________  1997, as the record date for determining the stockholders of the
Corporation  entitled  to notice of and to vote at the Special  Meeting.  At the
close of business on that date, the Corporation had outstanding 5,004,942 shares
of Common Stock,  each such share  entitling the holder thereof to one vote upon
each matter to be voted upon at the Special Meeting.

     The  accompanying  Proxy may be revoked by the person giving it at any time
prior to its being voted; such revocation may be accomplished by a letter, or by
a duly  executed  Proxy  bearing a later date,  filed with the  Secretary of the
Corporation prior to the Special Meeting. If a stockholder who has given a Proxy
is present at the Special Meeting and wishes to vote in person, such stockholder
may withdraw the Proxy at that time. The mere presence at the Special Meeting of
the stockholder appointing the proxy will not revoke the appointment.

     If not revoked, a properly executed and returned Proxy will be voted at the
Special  Meeting in accordance with the  instructions  indicated on the Proxy by
the stockholder or, if no instructions are indicated, will be voted FOR the Note
Payment  Proposal,  FOR  the  Reclassification  Proposal  and  FOR  the  Charter
Amendment Proposal.

     The cost of soliciting  proxies in the  accompanying  form will be borne by
the Corporation. Officers and directors of the Corporation, without compensation
other than their regular compensation,  also may solicit proxies either by mail,
personal conversation,  telephone or other means of communication. Upon request,
the Corporation will reimburse  brokerage  firms,  nominees and others for their
reasonable expenses of forwarding solicitation material to the beneficial owners
of Common  Stock.  The  Corporation  has  engaged  _________________  to solicit
proxies on behalf of the Corporation for a fee of approximately $_______________
plus reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.

     The presence in person or by proxy at the Special Meeting of the holders of
a majority of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock shall constitute
a quorum.  Assuming  that a quorum is  present  at the  Special  Meeting,  under
Delaware  law the  affirmative  vote of a majority of the shares of Common Stock
represented  at the  Special  Meeting  and  entitled  to vote on the  matter  is
required for approval of the Note Payment Proposal,  and the affirmative vote of
a majority of the issued and outstanding  shares of Common Stock is required for
approval of the  Reclassification  Proposal and the Charter Amendment  Proposal.
Under the Restated Certificate,  with certain exceptions, the Corporation cannot
issue any Common Stock to any person who would be,  after giving  effect to such
issuance,  the beneficial  owner of more than 5% of the Common Stock without the
affirmative  vote of the  holders of Common  Stock which  represents  at least a
majority  of the  aggregate  voting  power of all  outstanding  shares of Common
Stock,  excluding  the  shares  of Common  Stock  owned by such  person,  voting
together  as a  single  class.  Accordingly,  based  on the  current  beneficial
ownership of Common  Stock,  Notes and Preferred  Stock derived from  statements
filed under  Section 13(d) or 13(g) of the  Securities  and Exchange Act of 1934
(the "Exchange Act") and the Corporation's  stock and note records,  approval of
the Note Payment  Proposal also requires the affirmative  vote of the holders of
Common Stock which  represents at least a majority of the outstanding  shares of
Common Stock, excluding shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by 399 Venture
Partners  (which,  based on a Schedule  13G filed by Citicorp as of December 31,
1996,  and  additional  information  obtained  by the  Corporation,  is  907,387
shares),  voting  together as a single class.  William T.  Comfort,  a holder of
Junior Preferred,  may be deemed to be the beneficial owner of 574,000 shares of
Common Stock of which his wife is the beneficial owner (see Natasha  Partnership
in the first table below). Therefore, so as to assure compliance with the voting
requirements of the Restated  Certificate  described above, the Corporation will
deem the  Reclassification  Proposal to be approved  only if such  proposal also
receives the affirmative vote of the holders of Common Stock which represents at
least a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock,  excluding shares of
Common Stock  beneficially  owned by Natasha  Partnership,  voting together as a
single class.

     The   Reclassification   Proposal   also  requires  for  its  approval  the
affirmative  vote or written  consent of the holders of a majority of the issued
and  outstanding  shares of Preferred  Stock;  and holders of  Preferred  Stock,
voting  as a  single  class,  have  the  right  to vote on the  Reclassification
Proposal.  There is an  aggregate  of  2,140.81955  shares  of  Preferred  Stock
outstanding,  and each  share is  entitled  to one vote on the  Reclassification
Proposal.  However, holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Preferred
Stock  have  given  their  written  consent  to the  Reclassification  Proposal.
Accordingly,  assuming  that such written  consents are not withdrawn or revoked
prior to the Special  Meeting,  such  requirement  for Preferred  Stock approval
already has been  satisfied,  and the  Corporation  therefore does not intend to
submit the  Reclassification  Proposal to the holders of  Preferred  Stock for a
vote at the Special Meeting.

     Abstentions  and broker  "non-votes"  are not deemed to be "votes cast" for
any purpose but will be included for purposes of determining whether a quorum is
present  at the  Special  Meeting.  A broker  "non-vote"  occurs  when a nominee
holding  shares  for a  beneficial  owner does not vote on a  particular  matter
because the nominee does not have discretionary authority to vote on such matter
and has not received voting instructions from the beneficial owner of the shares
involved.

     No  dissenters'  or  appraisal  rights are  available  to holders of Notes,
Preferred  Stock or Common Stock in  connection  with any of the  proposals  set
forth in this Proxy Statement.

     The Corporation expects that a representative of Deloitte & Touche LLP will
be present at the Special  Meeting,  with the opportunity to make a statement if
he or she desires to do so, and that such  representative  will be  available to
respond to appropriate questions.

     The Restated  Certificate  provides  that all proxies,  ballots,  votes and
tabulations  that identify the particular  vote of holders of Common Stock shall
be confidential  and shall not be disclosed  except (i) to independent  election
inspectors appointed by the Corporation who shall not be directors,  officers or
employees of the  Corporation,  (ii) as required by law or (iii) when  expressly
requested by the voting stockholder.

     The following table sets forth  information as to the beneficial  ownership
of  Common  Stock of each  person  or group  who,  as of July 31,  1997,  to the
knowledge  of the  Corporation,  beneficially  owned  more than 5% of the Common
Stock:

                                             Number of
              Name and                       Shares of
             Address of                     Common Stock           Percent
             Beneficial                     Beneficially             of
               Owner                           Owned                CLASS
- ------------------------------            ----------------        --------
399 Venture Partners, Inc. (1)                  907,387             18.13%
399 Park Avenue
New York, NY  10043
Natasha Partnership (2)                         574,000             11.47%
Nathalie P. Comfort
63 South Beach Road
Hobe Sound, FL  33475


(1)  399  Venture  Partners,  Inc. is a wholly  owned  subsidiary  of  Citicorp.
     Information relating to the stockholdings of 399 Venture Partners,  Inc. is
     based upon a Schedule  13G filed by Citicorp as of December  31,  1996.  M.
     Saleem Muqaddam, a director of the Corporation,  is a Vice President of 399
     Venture  Partners,  Inc.  Citibank,  N.A.,  an  affiliate  of  399  Venture
     Partners,  as a fiduciary,  beneficially owns an additional 6,300 shares of
     Common Stock.


(2)  According to a Schedule 13D,  amended  through  January 21, 1994,  filed on
     behalf of Natasha Partnership ("Natasha"),  Nathalie P. Comfort is the sole
     general partner of Natasha with sole voting and sole dispositive power over
     the shares of Common  Stock  owned by  Natasha  and  therefore  also may be
     deemed to be the beneficial owner of such shares.  William T. Comfort,  the
     husband of Nathalie P. Comfort,  owns 175.26266  shares of Junior Preferred
     and is a limited partner in Natasha. Mr. Comfort is Chairman of 399 Venture
     Partners.  Stuyvesant P. Comfort, a director of the Corporation, is the son
     of William T. Comfort and Nathalie P. Comfort.

     The  following  table  sets  forth  information  as to each class of equity
securities of the  Corporation  beneficially  owned as of July 31, 1997, by each
director of the Corporation, by the executive officers of the Corporation and by
all directors and executive officers of the Corporation as a group:


                                             Number of
                                             Shares of
                                           Common Stock            Percent
        Beneficial                         Beneficially              of
          Owner                              Owned (1)              Class
- -------------------------                  -------------           --------
L. David Callaway, III                        16,500(2)              0.33%
Stuyvesant P. Comfort                        204,067                 4.08%
Steven S. Fishman                            142,122(3)              2.79%
George R. Mihalko                             10,775(4)              0.22%
M. Saleem Muqaddam                            20,000                 0.40%
Peter J. Sodini                                1,000                 0.02%
Frank A. Washburn                             22,233(5)              0.44%
All directors and
  executive officers as a
  group (7 persons)                          416,697(2)(3)
                                                    (4)(5)           8.16%


(1)  Each  person  named in the  table  above  has sole  voting  power  and sole
     investment  power with  respect  to the  shares  set forth  after his name,
     except for the shares  referred  to in notes (2) and (3) as being  owned or
     held by the person's spouse.
(2)  Mr.  Callaway  disclaims  beneficial  ownership of these shares,  which are
     owned by his wife.
(3)  Mr. Fishman disclaims beneficial ownership of 40,000 of these shares, which
     are  held  by him  (15,500)  or his  wife  (24,500)  as  custodian  for his
     children.  Mr.  Fishman has the right to acquire  beneficial  ownership  of
     92,122 of these shares pursuant to currently exercisable options.
(4)  Mr. Mihalko has the right to acquire beneficial ownership of 2,600 of these
     shares pursuant to currently exercisable options.
(5)  Mr.  Washburn  has the right to acquire  beneficial  ownership  of 9,133 of
     these shares pursuant to currently exercisable options.

     Assuming  all of the  proposals  set  forth  in this  Proxy  Statement  are
approved by the stockholders of the Corporation and a November 2, 1997 effective
date for the Note Payment  Proposal and  Reclassification  Proposal,  a total of
approximately  3,989,848 shares of Common Stock and Nonvoting Common Stock would
be  issued  in  payment  of the  Notes and in  connection  with the  change  and
reclassification   of  the  Preferred   Stock.   See   "Background-The   Notes,"
"Background-The  Preferred  Stock,"  and  "Certain  Effects of the Note  Payment
Proposal and Reclassification Proposal."


                                   BACKGROUND

     THE NOTES

     At June 1, 1997, the Corporation had  outstanding  $5,315,118.09  principal
amount of 13.5% Senior  Promissory  Notes (the "Senior  Notes"),  $14,551,384.79
principal amount of 14% Subordinated Promissory Notes (the "Subordinated Notes")
and  $10,974,758.55  principal amount of 14.25% Junior  Subordinated  Promissory
Notes (the "Junior Subordinated  Notes").  The Senior Notes,  Subordinated Notes
and  Junior  Subordinated  Notes  are  collectively  referred  to  herein as the
"Notes". At June 1, 1997, the aggregate principal amount of all of the Notes was
$30,841,261.  The Senior Notes and Subordinated  Notes originally were issued in
July 1986  in the  aggregate  principal  amount  of  $3,500,000  and $8,000,000,
respectively.  The Junior  Subordinated Notes originally were issued in December
1990 in the aggregate  principal  amount of $5,359,180.45 in exchange for shares
of Junior  Preferred.  In December  1992 the Notes were  amended to provide that
until the  obligations  of the  Corporation  and its  wholly  owned  subsidiary,
Pamida,  Inc. (the "Subsidiary") under certain loan agreements have been paid in
full, the quarterly  interest payments on the Notes will be paid in kind (rather
than in cash) by increasing the principal  amount of each Note on the applicable
quarterly  payment  date by the  amount of accrued  interest  then being paid in
kind.  Such amendment of the Notes became  necessary as a result of restrictions
imposed  by  certain  of the  Subsidiary's  lenders  upon cash  payments  by the
Subsidiary to the Corporation;  such cash payments were the  Corporation's  only
source of funds to pay interest in cash on the Notes,  and the  Corporation  did
not want to cause a default under the Notes as a result of its nonpayment of the
required quarterly interest payments. Interest on the Notes paid in kind accrues
at a rate  which,  in each  case,  is two  percentage  points  higher  than  the
applicable cash interest rate. Accordingly, the Notes currently bear interest at
rates ranging from 15.5% to 16.25% per annum payable quarterly by increasing the
principal  amount of each Note.  The Notes  originally  matured in 2001 but were
further  amended in March 1993 to change the  maturity  dates to August 31, 2003
for the Senior Notes,  September 30, 2003 for the Junior Notes, and December 31,
2003 for the  Junior  Subordinated  Notes  and to  subordinate  the Notes to the
Corporation's guaranty of the Subsidiary's 11 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due
March 15, 2003; such amendments were required as a condition of the Subsidiary's
issuance  and  sale of such  Senior  Subordinated  Notes.  If the  Notes  remain
outstanding  and interest is paid in kind through the respective  maturity dates
in  2003,  then the  aggregate  outstanding  principal  amount  of the  Notes at
maturity will be $84,386,629. Upon maturity, the Notes are payable in cash.

     The  Senior  Notes,  Subordinated  Notes  and  Junior  Subordinated  Notes,
respectively,  may be amended with the written  consent of the holder or holders
of the particular series of such notes with an aggregate principal balance equal
to over 50% of the aggregate  principal  balance of all the notes of such series
then  outstanding.  399 Venture  Partners is the owner of  $3,915,677.52  of the
aggregate  outstanding  principal amount of the Senior Notes,  $10,629,263.60 of
the  aggregate  outstanding  principal  amount  of the  Subordinated  Notes  and
$10,974,758.55  of the  aggregate  outstanding  principal  amount of the  Junior
Subordinated Notes as of June 1, 1997.  Accordingly,  399 Venture Partners holds
more than 50% of the aggregate  outstanding  principal  amount of each series of
the Notes;  and, under the terms of the Notes,  the Corporation with the consent
of 399 Venture Partners has the power to amend the Notes.

     THE PREFERRED STOCK

     The Corporation has outstanding  513.95939  shares of Senior  Preferred and
1,626.86016  shares of Junior  Preferred.  The Senior  Preferred  and the Junior
Preferred are collectively referred to in this Proxy Statement as the "Preferred
Stock".  The Preferred  Stock was issued on July 29, 1986 in connection with the
Corporation's acquisition of the Subsidiary.

     The  Corporation  is obligated to redeem all  outstanding  shares of Senior
Preferred  and Junior  Preferred on December 31, 2001 at a price per share equal
to 25% of the book value of the  Corporation's  Preferred Stock and Common Stock
immediately  before the redemption  divided by the number of shares of Preferred
Stock then outstanding;  provided,  that the redemption price may not exceed the
liquidation  value of the  Preferred  Stock (the  "Liquidation  Value") which is
$1,000 per share plus (i) any unpaid dividends added to such  liquidation  value
as of a quarterly  dividend  payment date and not  thereafter  paid and (ii) any
accrued  dividends not previously  added to such liquidation  value.  Subject to
certain loan  restrictions,  the Corporation may, at any time, redeem all or any
portion of the Preferred  Stock  outstanding at a price equal to the Liquidation
Value;  however,  any optional  redemption of fewer than all shares of Preferred
Stock must be made pro rata among all of the holders of Preferred Stock.

     Each share of Senior Preferred and Junior Preferred  entitles its holder to
receive a quarterly  dividend of 16.25% and 14.25% per annum,  respectively,  of
the  Liquidation  Value from the date of  issuance  until  redeemed.  Any unpaid
dividends  are added to and become part of the  Liquidation  Value until paid in
cash.

     The  General  Corporation  Law of the State of  Delaware,  under  which the
Corporation is  incorporated,  allows a corporation to declare or pay a dividend
only from its surplus or from the current or prior  year's  earnings.  Due to an
accumulated deficit, the Corporation has not declared or paid any cash dividends
since the  quarterly  dividend  payable on  November  30,  1995 and may pay cash
dividends in the future only to the extent that the  Corporation  satisfies  the
applicable  statutory  standards  which include the  Corporation's  having a net
worth equal to at least the  aggregate  par value of the  outstanding  Preferred
Stock. Pursuant to the Restated Certificate,  the dividend rate on the Preferred
Stock  increases  cumulatively  by 0.5% per quarter  (with a maximum  cumulative
increase of 5%) on each quarterly  dividend  payment date on which the Preferred
Stock dividends are not paid currently on a cumulative basis.  Accordingly,  for
the  quarterly  dividend  period  ended May 31, 1997,  dividends  accrued on the
Senior  Preferred at the rate of 19.25% per annum and on the Junior Preferred at
the rate of  17.25%  per  annum.  At May 31,  1997,  the total  Preferred  Stock
dividend arrearage was $586,952, representing six quarterly dividend payments at
the applicable dividend rates.

     At May 31, 1997, the Liquidation Value (including accrued dividends) of the
Preferred Stock was  $2,727,771.  If none of the Preferred Stock is redeemed and
no  dividends  are paid on the  Preferred  Stock prior to the  December 31, 2001
mandatory  redemption date, the Liquidation Value of the Preferred Stock at such
date including accrued dividends will be $6,559,873.

     REASONS FOR NOTE PAYMENT PROPOSAL AND RECLASSIFICATION PROPOSAL

     The  outstanding  Notes are part of a highly  leveraged  capital  structure
which restricts the Corporation's  access to equity and other financial markets.
The   Corporation's   highly  leveraged   capital  structure  also  reduces  the
Subsidiary's  ability to obtain  competitive  interest rates and favorable lease
terms in real  estate  transactions  which are  critical  to the  financing  and
leasing of the new store  locations  required to enable the Subsidiary to pursue
its store expansion program.  Payment of the Notes in Common Stock and Nonvoting
Common Stock as  contemplated by the Note Payment  Proposal would  significantly
improve  the  Corporation's   capital   structure.   See  "Unaudited  Pro  Forma
Consolidated Financial Data."

     In  addition,  the payment of the  outstanding  Notes with shares of Common
Stock and Nonvoting Common Stock would relieve the Corporation of the obligation
to repay the Notes in 2003 as discussed  above.  See  "Background  - The Notes."
Similarly,  the change and  reclassification  of the Preferred Stock into Common
Stock pursuant to the Reclassification Proposal would relieve the Corporation of
the obligation to redeem the Preferred  Stock  (including the payment of accrued
dividends) in December 2001.

     The  transactions  would relieve the Corporation of substantial  amounts of
compounding  non-cash  interest expense on the Notes and from earnings per share
dilution   caused  both  by  the  Preferred  Stock  dividends  and  by  discount
amortization on the Subordinated Notes and the Junior  Subordinated Notes and on
the Junior  Preferred.  Assuming a November 2, 1997  effective date for the Note
Payment Proposal and the Reclassification Proposal,  approximately $1,526,000 of
interest expense,  Preferred Stock dividends and discount  amortization would be
eliminated for the remainder of the current fiscal year.  Scheduled interest and
discount amortization on the Notes is $5,981,000,  $6,958,000 and $8,119,000 for
the fiscal  years ending in 1999,  2000 and 2001,  respectively.  The  scheduled
provision  for  dividends and discount  amortization  on the Preferred  Stock is
$705,000,  $845,000 and $1,016,000 for the fiscal years ending in 1999, 2000 and
2001, respectively. Based on the foregoing, the combined benefit of the Note and
Preferred  Stock  transactions on net income  available to common  stockholders,
assuming  a  continued  effective  tax  rate of  38.29%,  would  be  $4,462,000,
$5,207,000 and  $6,097,000  for the fiscal years ending in 1999,  2000 and 2001,
respectively.

     Finally,  under  the  terms  of  the  Note  Proposal  and  Reclassification
Proposal,  the  Corporation  would  convert the Notes and  Preferred  Stock into
Common Stock and Nonvoting Common Stock at a rate which  effectively  ascribes a
value to the Common Stock and  Nonvoting  Common Stock above the market price of
the Common Stock at the time the  Corporation and 399 Venture  Partners  entered
into the Note  Amendment  Agreement  and  prior to  public  announcement  of the
proposals set forth in this Proxy  Statement  and above the  currently  negative
book value of the Common  Stock.  The closing  price of the Common  Stock on the
American Stock Exchange was $2.75 per share on July 21, 1997, the day before the
Corporation and 399 Venture Partners  entered into the Note Amendment  Agreement
and publicly  announced  the proposals  set forth in this Proxy  Statement.  The
closing price of the Common Stock was $4.125 per share on July 22, 1997, the day
the  Corporation  and 399  Venture  Partners  entered  into the  Note  Amendment
Agreement and publicly announced the proposals.  At the end of the Corporation's
first fiscal quarter (May 4, 1997), the book value per share of the Common Stock
was a deficit of $18.56.  Accordingly, if the proposals  set forth in this Proxy
Statement are approved by the stockholders and effected,  the Corporation  would
convert the Notes and  Preferred  Stock at a rate which  represents a premium of
$6.25 per share over the closing price of the Common Stock on the day before the
public  announcement  of the  proposals  and which is $27.56  per share over the
negative book value of the Common Stock on May 4, 1997.

     APPOINTMENT  OF SPECIAL  COMMITTEE  AND  NEGOTIATIONS  WITH 399  VENTURE
     PARTNERS

     M. Saleem Muqaddam, a Vice President of 399 Venture Partners, has served on
the Board of  Directors  of the  Corporation  since May  1993,  and 399  Venture
Partners and certain of its affiliates  from time to time have been  substantial
holders of Notes and various  equity  interests in the  Corporation  since 1986.
Management  and  the  Board  of  Directors  of the  Corporation,  including  Mr.
Muqaddam,  have been discussing for several years the need to address the highly
leveraged capital structure of the Corporation (see "Background-Reasons for Note
Payment Proposal and  Reclassification  Proposal" above),  and the Corporation's
finance  staff has  analyzed  possible  alternative  means for dealing  with the
capital  structure  issue.   Independent   investment   bankers  with  whom  the
Corporation's  finance  staff has  informally  consulted  over the last  several
years,  as well as  financial  analysts  and  stockholders  of the  Corporation,
similarly  have  encouraged  the  Corporation  to  seek a  means  by  which  the
Corporation's capital structure could be improved.

     On  January  5,  1996,  upon  the   recommendation  of  management  of  the
Corporation,  the Board of Directors  appointed a special committee of the Board
of Directors (the "Special Committee"),  composed of L. David Callaway,  III and
Peter J.  Sodini,  to oversee  negotiations  by  management  of the  Corporation
relating to an exchange of newly issued  shares of Common Stock for  outstanding
Notes and to recommend  to the Board of Directors  the action to be taken by the
Board of Directors  with respect to any such  exchange that may be negotiated by
management of the Corporation. The Special Committee was authorized on behalf of
the  Corporation  to engage an  independent  financial  advisor to provide  such
analysis of a proposed  exchange as the Special  Committee may deem necessary or
appropriate and, if requested by the Special Committee, to provide an opinion as
to the fairness of any such  exchange  which may be  negotiated by management of
the  Corporation.  Mr. Callaway  serves part time as Chief Executive  Officer of
Express Messenger Service,  Inc., a company in which an affiliate of 399 Venture
Partners is a substantial stockholder.

     However, at the end of fiscal 1996, the Subsidiary announced the closing of
40 stores and proceeded to implement such store closing program during the first
part of fiscal 1997.  Because  management's  attention was devoted to such store
closing  program  and other  extraordinary  operational  matters  involving  the
Subsidiary  throughout much of fiscal 1997 and because management  believed that
the  Corporation's  financial  performance  and stock price during the first two
quarters of fiscal 1997 were not conducive to the  negotiation  of a transaction
relating to the Notes that would be in the best interests of the Corporation and
its Common  stockholders,  management of the Corporation did not actively pursue
such a transaction  during such time frame although the concept was periodically
discussed by the Board of Directors on an informal basis.

     The  Corporation  completed  fiscal  1997  with  an  improved  second  half
performance  and  negotiated an increase in the  Subsidiary's  operating line of
credit and an extension of the maturity date of such credit facility.  After the
close of the fiscal  year,  at a meeting of the Board of  Directors  on March 6,
1997,  Mr.  Muqaddam  indicated  to the  Board of  Directors  that,  in light of
improved  conditions  in the retail  industry  generally  as  compared  with the
preceding several years and the equity market's currently more favorable view of
retail  stocks in  general,  it  appeared  appropriate  for the  Corporation  to
actively pursue a plan for the elimination of the Notes and Preferred Stock as a
first step in the possible  further  recapitalization  of the  Corporation.  Mr.
Muqaddam  further  indicated to the Board of Directors his expectation  that 399
Venture  Partners would be receptive to an appropriate  proposal with respect to
its Notes, although no specific terms were discussed.  The Board then instructed
management of the Corporation,  in coordination with the Special  Committee,  to
investigate  further the possible  exchange of the Notes and Preferred Stock for
common equity in the Corporation.

     After  consultation  with  the  members  of  the  Special  Committee,   the
Corporation  in April  1997  engaged  Alex.  Brown & Sons  Incorporated  ("Alex.
Brown") to render financial advisory services to the Corporation relating to the
possible  restructuring of the Notes and Preferred Stock. Alex. Brown's services
were to include,  among other things, as necessary, a review and analysis of the
Corporation's  business,  operations and financial projections,  general capital
restructuring advice, assistance in determining an appropriate capital structure
for the Corporation,  financial  advice and advice as to the timing,  nature and
terms of any new  securities,  other  consideration  or other  inducements to be
offered  in  connection  with the Note and  Preferred  Stock  restructuring.  In
addition, Alex. Brown also agreed, if requested by the Board of Directors or the
Special  Committee,  to render its  opinion as to the  fairness  of the Note and
Preferred  Stock  restructuring,  from a financial point of view, to the current
holders of Common Stock.

     Alex.  Brown  submitted a report to the Special  Committee in mid-May 1997,
and the  report  was  made  available  to all of the  members  of the  Board  of
Directors. The Board of Directors discussed the report by a conference telephone
call with  representatives of Alex. Brown at a meeting of the Board of Directors
on May 22, 1997.  The Board then  discussed the possible terms of a proposal for
the  payment  of the Notes  with  shares  of newly  issued  Common  Stock and by
consensus   proposed  to  Mr.  Muqaddam  the  payment  terms  which   ultimately
constituted the Note Payment Proposal.  Mr. Muqaddam advised the Board that such
proposal would require consideration by a committee that oversees investments by
399 Venture  Partners and a review of certain  legal  matters by counsel for 399
Venture Partners.

     Pending  consideration  by  such  investment  committee,  counsel  for  the
Corporation  prepared drafts of a proposed Note Amendment  Agreement No. 3 which
were  submitted to the Board of Directors  and counsel for 399 Venture  Partners
for review. On July 21, 1997, Mr. Muqaddam advised management of the Corporation
that 399 Venture Partners had obtained the necessary  approvals of the financial
terms reflected in the Note Payment Proposal but would require as a condition of
the consummation of the transaction the concurrent  change and  reclassification
of the  Corporation's  Preferred  Stock  as  reflected  in the  Reclassification
Proposal.  Revised  versions  of the  Note  Amendment  Agreement  No.  3 and the
requisite  amendments of the Restated  Certificate  reflecting  such  additional
condition  then were prepared and submitted to counsel for 399 Venture  Partners
and the Corporation's  Board of Directors  (including the members of the Special
Committee) for their review and consideration.

     DETERMINATIONS OF THE SPECIAL COMMITTEE AND BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     At a meeting on July 22, 1997, the Special  Committee  determined  that the
Note Payment Proposal,  Reclassification Proposal and Charter Amendment Proposal
taken  together  would  be in the  best  interests  of the  Corporation  and its
stockholders  and  recommended  that the Board of Directors take such actions as
may be necessary to authorize and consummate the  transactions  contemplated  by
such  proposals as soon as  practicable.  At the same  meeting,  following  such
recommendation,  the Board of Directors of the  Corporation  (with Mr.  Muqaddam
abstaining  because of his affiliation with 399 Venture  Partners)  approved the
Note Payment Proposal,  the Reclassification  Proposal and the Charter Amendment
Proposal and the transactions  contemplated  thereunder and determined that such
proposals, if consummated, would be in the best interests of the Corporation and
its  stockholders and should be submitted to the stockholders of the Corporation
for approval.  In reaching these  determinations,  the Board  considered,  among
other things, the following:

     (i) The May 1997 report of Alex. Brown with respect to the valuation of the
Corporation  and certain  strategic  alternatives  potentially  available to the
Corporation  (as further  described  below) and the July 1997 supplement to such
report.

     (ii)  Information   provided  by  the  Corporation's   management  and  the
Corporation's financial, tax and legal advisors.

     (iii)   The   reasons   for   the   proposals    described    above.    See
"Background-Reasons for Note Payment Proposal and Reclassification Proposal."

     (iv) The oral opinion of Alex. Brown (subsequently confirmed in writing) as
to the fairness of the  transactions  contemplated by the Note Payment  Proposal
and Reclassification Proposal to the holders of the presently outstanding Common
Stock of the Corporation, together with a report to the Board of Directors as of
July 17, 1997, in which Alex. Brown  summarized  certain  pertinent  information
prepared by Alex. Brown in reaching its conclusions.

     (v) Draft copies of the various transaction documents.

     (vi) The recommendation of the Special Committee.

     Prior to its  approval of the Note Payment  Proposal  and  Reclassification
Proposal,  the Board of Directors  also  informally  considered and rejected the
following other strategic alternatives identified by Alex. Brown in its May 1997
report:  (1) obtain new equity capital for the  Corporation  through the sale of
newly issued Common  Stock,  (2) obtain new equity  capital for the  Corporation
through the sale of a new issue of convertible  preferred  stock, (3) obtain new
capital for the Corporation in the form of privately  placed or publicly offered
debt  securities,  (4) sell the  Corporation  to an independent  purchaser,  (5)
effect a buy-out of the  Corporation's  stockholders  through an alliance with a
financial  partner,  and (6)  take no  action  with  respect  to the  Notes  and
Preferred Stock.  Alex. Brown indicated in its report that, if market conditions
were  appropriate and the Corporation were able to de-leverage its balance sheet
without significant dilution, the optimal alternative would be the sale of newly
issued Common Stock of the  Corporation as a means of raising new equity capital
to allow the  Subsidiary  to pursue a growth  strategy and  potentially  to also
reduce its debt.  However,  this  alternative  did not  currently  appear viable
either to Alex. Brown or the Board of Directors because of the dilutive effect a
stock sale would have at the then current price of the  Corporation's  stock and
because of the  Corporation's  present  capital  structure and recent  financial
performance.  Alex. Brown therefore  recommended that the Corporation's  initial
action  with  respect  to a  capital  restructuring  be a  de-leveraging  of the
Corporation  through a transaction of the type  contemplated by the Note Payment
Proposal and the Reclassification Proposal.


     FAIRNESS OPINION

     Alex.  Brown has  delivered to the Board of Directors of the  Corporation a
written  opinion  (the  "Fairness  Opinion")  as to the  fairness to the present
holders of Common Stock of the Corporation from a financial point of view of the
Note  Payment  Proposal  and  Reclassification  Proposal.  The full  text of the
Fairness Opinion is attached hereto as Exhibit A. Stockholders are urged to read
the Fairness  Opinion in its entirety.  The summary of the Fairness  Opinion set
forth in this Proxy  Statement  is qualified in its entirety by reference to the
full text of the opinion attached hereto. Alex. Brown's opinion was prepared for
the use of the Board of Directors and does not  constitute a  recommendation  to
any stockholders as to how such stockholder should vote.

     In connection with its opinion,  Alex. Brown, among other things,  reviewed
(i)  the  Note  Amendment   Agreement,   (ii)  the  proposed  amendment  to  the
Corporation's   Restated   Certificate   that   would   effect  the  change  and
reclassification  of the outstanding  Preferred  Stock into Common Stock,  (iii)
certain publicly  available  financial  information  concerning the Corporation,
(iv) certain non-public information,  including financial forecasts,  concerning
the  Corporation,  (v) the  reported  price and trading  activity for the Common
Stock,  and  (vi)  certain  financial  and  stock  market  information  for  the
Corporation  and similar  information  for certain  other public  companies.  In
addition,  Alex. Brown held discussions with members of the senior management of
the  Corporation  regarding its business and prospects and performed  such other
studies and analyses and  considered  such other  factors as Alex.  Brown deemed
appropriate.

     Alex. Brown did not independently  verify any of the foregoing  information
and  assumed  the  accuracy,   completeness   and  fair   presentation  of  such
information.  With respect to financial forecasts and other information relating
to the prospects of the Corporation, Alex. Brown assumed that such forecasts and
other  information  were  reasonably  prepared  and reflect  the best  currently
available   estimates  and  good  faith  judgments  of  the  management  of  the
Corporation as to the likely future financial performance of the Corporation. In
addition, Alex. Brown did not conduct a physical inspection of the properties or
facilities or make an  independent  evaluation or appraisal of the assets of the
Corporation,  nor was it  furnished  with  any  such  evaluation  or  appraisal.
Further,  Alex.  Brown's  opinion was based on  financial,  economic,  monetary,
market and other conditions as of the date of the Fairness Opinion.

     Alex.  Brown  did not  express  any  opinion  as to the  price at which the
Corporation's  Common Stock would trade  subsequent to the  effectiveness of the
Note  Payment  Proposal  and  Reclassification  Proposal.  Alex.  Brown  made no
independent  investigation  of any legal matters  affecting the  Corporation and
assumed the  correctness  of all legal advice given to the  Corporation  and the
Board of Directors.

     Management  of  the  Corporation,   after  consultation  with  the  Special
Committee,  selected Alex.  Brown to act as its financial  advisor in connection
with  transactions  of the type  contemplated  by the Note Payment  Proposal and
Reclassification  Proposal  and to render the  Fairness  Opinion on the basis of
Alex.  Brown's  expertise in such matters and its familiarity  with the industry
and business of the Corporation. The Corporation agreed to pay Alex. Brown a fee
of $100,000 for rendering such financial advisory services and an additional fee
of $150,000 for rendering the Fairness  Opinion.  The Corporation also agreed to
reimburse Alex.  Brown for its reasonable  out-of-pocket  expenses in connection
with its services to the  Corporation.  The  Corporation has agreed to indemnify
Alex.  Brown and its  directors,  officers,  agents,  employees and  controlling
persons against any losses, claims, damages, liabilities or expenses relating to
Alex.   Brown's   engagement  to  render  financial  advisory  services  to  the
Corporation;  provided  that the  Corporation  will not be  liable  for  losses,
claims, damages,  liabilities or expenses that a court of competent jurisdiction
shall  have  found  in a  final  judgment  to have  arisen  primarily  from  the
negligence,  willful or reckless misconduct,  or bad faith of the person seeking
indemnification.


                                   PROPOSAL 1

                    APPROVAL OF THE NOTE AMENDMENT AGREEMENT

     The Corporation  entered into the Note Amendment Agreement with 399 Venture
Partners on July 22, 1997.  Under the terms of the Note Amendment  Agreement,  a
copy of which is attached to this Proxy Statement as Exhibit B, shares of Common
Stock and  Nonvoting  Common Stock would be issued in full payment of the Notes.
The number of shares of Common Stock or Nonvoting Common Stock to be issued to a
holder of a Note will be equal to the sum of the principal and accrued  interest
on such  Note as of the  effective  date of  payment,  divided  by nine  (9) and
rounded up to the next whole number.

     If the payment of the Notes in shares of Common Stock would have the effect
of causing any registered  holder (or a group acting in concert as a partnership
or other group of which the holder is a member) to become the  beneficial  owner
(within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended)  of  securities  of the  Corporation  representing  30% or  more of the
combined  voting  power  of  the  outstanding   securities  of  the  Corporation
ordinarily  (and apart from rights arising under special  circumstances)  having
the right to vote in the election of directors  (hereinafter,  a "30%  Holder"),
then any Notes held by such holder will be payable in shares of Nonvoting Common
Stock in lieu of Common Stock. The Notes of all other holders will be payable in
Common Stock.  The Note Amendment  Agreement  provides that any person who would
become a 30% Holder  through the Note Payment  Proposal  will receive  Nonvoting
Common  Stock in lieu of Common Stock to avoid  triggering a possible  mandatory
redemption  of  certain  debt  issued  by  the  Subsidiary.   Specifically,  the
Subsidiary  has  outstanding  $140,000,000  principal  amount of 11 3/4%  Senior
Subordinated Notes due in 2003 (the "Subsidiary  Debt").  Under the terms of the
Subsidiary  Debt,  Pamida is obligated to make an offer to redeem the Subsidiary
Debt if a person or group of persons becomes a 30% Holder. Issuance of Nonvoting
Common  Stock in lieu of Common  Stock in  payment  of Notes  held by any holder
which  would  otherwise  become a 30% Holder  avoids  triggering  such  possible
mandatory  redemption of the Subsidiary  Debt.  Based on the current  beneficial
ownership of Common  Stock,  Notes and Preferred  Stock derived from  statements
filed under  Section  13(d) or 13(g) of the Exchange  Act and the  Corporation's
stock and note records,  the  Corporation  expects that the only holder of Notes
which will  receive  Nonvoting  Common  Stock in payment of Notes is 399 Venture
Partners.  399  Venture  Partners  has  expressed  a  preference  for  receiving
Nonvoting  Common  Stock with the right to convert  into Common  Stock,  and the
terms of the  Nonvoting  Common Stock to be issued in  connection  with the Note
Payment Proposal have been structured to allow for such conversion under certain
conditions.  See "Proposal 3 - Approval of Charter Amendments - Conversion Terms
of Nonvoting Common Stock." The Subsidiary Debt will not be paid or converted in
connection with or otherwise  affected by the  transactions  contemplated by the
Note Payment Proposal or Reclassification Proposal.

     Except  for the right to vote,  shares of  Nonvoting  Common  Stock will be
equal in all respects to the Common Stock and will be convertible  into the same
number of shares of Common  Stock  under  certain  conditions.  See  "Proposal 3
Approval of Charter Amendments - Conversion Terms of Nonvoting Common Stock."

     Under the terms of the Note  Amendment  Agreement,  issuance  of the Common
Stock and Nonvoting Common Stock in payment of the Notes is conditioned upon the
approval of the Note Payment Proposal and the Charter Amendment  Proposal by the
Corporation's   stockholders  and  the  effectiveness  of  the  Reclassification
Proposal.

     Upon  satisfaction  of  these  conditions,  the  amendments  to  the  Notes
contemplated  by the Note Amendment  Agreement will be effective,  and the Notes
will be automatically  converted solely into the right to receive the applicable
number of shares of Common Stock or Nonvoting  Common Stock.  Upon the surrender
of the Notes by the  holders  thereof and the  issuance of the Common  Stock and
Nonvoting Common Stock in payment of the Notes pursuant to the terms of the Note
Amendment  Agreement,  the Notes will be cancelled and the  Corporation  will be
released from all its obligations and liabilities under the Notes.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS  RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE NOTE PAYMENT  PROPOSAL AND THE
TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY.


                                   PROPOSAL 2

                        APPROVAL OF THE RECLASSIFICATION

     The Board of Directors  of the  Corporation  has adopted a resolution  that
submits for  stockholder  approval at the Special  Meeting an  amendment  to the
Restated Certificate to change and reclassify the outstanding Preferred Stock of
the Corporation into Common Stock.  Under the terms of the proposed amendment to
the Restated Certificate,  the number of shares of Common Stock to be issued for
the  outstanding  shares of Senior  Preferred and Junior  Preferred held by each
holder thereof will be equal to the liquidation value of such holder's shares of
Senior  Preferred and Junior Preferred plus any unpaid Preferred Stock dividends
not included in the liquidation value accrued as of the close of business on the
effective  date of the  change  and  reclassification,  divided  by nine (9) and
rounded up to the next whole  number.  A copy of the  proposed  amendment to the
Corporation's   Restated   Certificate   that  would   effect  such  change  and
reclassification  is  attached  hereto  as  Exhibit  C.  See  "Background  - The
Preferred Stock."

     The   effective   date   (the   "Effective   Date")  of  the   change   and
reclassification  of the  Preferred  Stock into Common  Stock will be the date a
Certificate  of Amendment to the Restated  Certificate  reflecting the amendment
set forth in Exhibit C hereto is filed with the  Secretary of State of Delaware.
The Corporation  intends to file such a Certificate of Amendment to the Restated
Charter with the Delaware Secretary of State promptly after stockholder approval
of all of the proposals set forth in this Proxy Statement.

     At and after the Effective Date of the change and reclassification, holders
of shares of Preferred  Stock,  upon surrender of a certificate or  certificates
for such shares to the  Corporation,  will be entitled to receive in replacement
thereof a  certificate  representing  the number of shares of Common  Stock into
which the  aggregate  number of shares of  Preferred  Stock  represented  by the
certificate  or  certificates   so  surrendered   will  have  been  changed  and
reclassified.  After the Effective  Date, no holder of shares of Preferred Stock
will have the right to vote on any matter  submitted to a vote of the holders of
Common Stock until the  Corporation  has issued to such holder a certificate for
the shares of Common Stock into which such shares of  Preferred  Stock will have
been changed and reclassified.  Unless and until the certificate or certificates
representing shares of Preferred Stock have been surrendered to the Corporation,
no dividends or other  distributions  payable to holders of Common Stock as of a
record  date at or after the  Effective  Date will be paid to any holder of such
certificate or certificates. Subject to the effect of applicable laws, after the
surrender of any such certificate for shares of Preferred  Stock,  there will be
paid to the record holder of the shares of Common Stock issued in replacement of
such  certificate,  without  interest,  (i) the  amount  of  dividends  or other
distributions  with a record  date at or after the  Effective  Date but prior to
such surrender  theretofore paid with respect to such shares of Common Stock and
(ii)  on the  appropriate  payment  date,  the  amount  of  dividends  or  other
distributions  with a record  date at or after the  Effective  Date but prior to
such  surrender  and a payment date  subsequent to such  surrender  payable with
respect to such shares of Common Stock.  From and after the Effective  Date, the
stock transfer books of the Corporation with respect to the Preferred Stock will
be closed,  and no transfer of any of such shares  thereafter  will be made. If,
after  the  Effective  Date,  certificates  for  shares of  Preferred  Stock are
presented  to the  Corporation  for  transfer,  then such  certificates  will be
cancelled  and  replaced by  certificates  issued in the name of the  transferee
representing the appropriate number of shares of Common Stock.

     If the change and reclassification of the Preferred Stock into Common Stock
is effected,  the Common Stock issued to current holders of Preferred Stock will
not  have  the  rights,  preferences  and  privileges  of the  Preferred  Stock,
including (i) the right to receive preferential  cumulative dividends,  (ii) the
right,  upon any liquidation,  dissolution or winding up of the Corporation,  to
receive the liquidation  value of the Preferred Stock before any distribution or
other  payment is made with respect to the Common Stock or (iii) the  redemption
rights described above. See "Background - The Preferred Stock." However,  if the
reclassification is effected,  the Common Stock issued to the current holders of
Preferred Stock will entitle the holder thereof to vote on all matters submitted
to a vote of stockholders. See "Description of Common Stock and Nonvoting Common
Stock." The Preferred Stock currently has no voting rights, except in connection
with an  amendment  or waiver of the  rights of the  Preferred  Stock  under the
Restated Certificate or as provided by law.

     Implementation  of  the  Reclassification   Proposal  is  conditioned  upon
stockholder  approval of all of the proposals set forth in this Proxy Statement.
Accordingly,   even  if  the  Reclassification   Proposal  is  approved  by  the
stockholders,  if the Note Payment Proposal and the Charter  Amendment  Proposal
are not approved by the stockholders,  then the  Reclassification  Proposal will
not be effected.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE RECLASSIFICATION PROPOSAL.



                                   PROPOSAL 3

                         APPROVAL OF CHARTER AMENDMENTS

     The Board of Directors  of the  Corporation  has adopted a resolution  that
submits  for  stockholder  approval  at the Special  Meeting  amendments  to the
Restated  Certificate that would (i) increase the number of authorized shares of
Common Stock from  10,000,000 to 25,000,000 and the authorized  number of shares
of Nonvoting Common Stock from 2,000,000 to 4,000,000, (ii) amend the conversion
terms of the  Nonvoting  Common Stock and (iii) reduce the number of  authorized
shares of Junior Preferred to 1,627.

     INCREASE  NUMBER OF  AUTHORIZED  SHARES OF  COMMON  STOCK AND  NONVOTING
     COMMON STOCK

     The Restated Certificate  currently authorizes 12,007,501 shares of capital
stock,  consisting  of 514 shares of Senior  Preferred,  6,987  shares of Junior
Preferred,  10,000,000  shares of Common Stock and 2,000,000 shares of Nonvoting
Common Stock. If the proposed amendment to the Restated Certificate is approved,
the number of authorized  shares of Common Stock will be increased to 25,000,000
and the number of authorized  shares of Nonvoting Common Stock will be increased
to 4,000,000. The proposed amendment to the Restated Certificate does not change
the number of  authorized  shares of Senior  Preferred but reduces the number of
authorized  shares  of  Junior  Preferred  to the  number  of  shares  of Junior
Preferred  currently  outstanding;  if  the  Reclassification  Proposal  becomes
effective,  the Corporation will have no shares of Preferred Stock  outstanding,
and the  authorization  of  shares  of  Preferred  Stock  will  have no  further
relevance  because the Restated  Certificate will contain no provisions  setting
forth  the  terms  of  the  Preferred  Stock  or  otherwise  providing  for  the
establishment  of any such  terms.  The text of the  proposed  amendment  to the
Corporation's  Restated Certificate that would effect the increase in the number
of authorized  shares of Common Stock and Nonvoting  Common Stock and reduce the
number of authorized shares of Junior Preferred is attached hereto as Exhibit D.

     As of July 31,  1997,  5,004,942  shares of Common  Stock  were  issued and
outstanding,   and  no  shares  of  Nonvoting   Common  Stock  were  issued  and
outstanding.  In  addition,  345,042  shares of Common  Stock are  reserved  for
issuance  under the Pamida  Holdings  Corporation  1992 Stock  Option  Plan.  As
described  below  in  "Certain   Effects  of  the  Note  Payment   Proposal  and
Reclassification  Proposal," assuming the transactions  contemplated by the Note
Payment Proposal and Reclassification  Proposal are approved by the stockholders
and effected on November 2, 1997,  a total of  3,989,848  shares of Common Stock
and  Nonvoting  Common  Stock would be issued.  Based on the current  beneficial
ownership of Common Stock, Notes and Preferred Stock of the Corporation  derived
from  statements  filed under  Section  13(d) or 13(g) of the Exchange  Act, the
Corporation's  stock and note records and other  sources  which the  Corporation
considers reliable, approximately 5,963,800 shares of Common Stock and 3,030,990
shares of  Nonvoting  Common Stock would be issued and  outstanding  immediately
after the Note Payment Proposal and Reclassification  Proposal become effective,
and  approximately  3,030,990  shares  of Common  Stock  would be  reserved  for
issuance upon conversion of the Nonvoting Common Stock.

     Accordingly, the proposed amendment to the Restated Certificate is required
to  provide   sufficient   shares  of  Nonvoting  Common  Stock  to  effect  the
transactions contemplated by the Note Payment Proposal. Although the Corporation
currently  has  enough  authorized  shares  of Common  Stock to effect  the Note
Payment Proposal and  Reclassification  Proposal,  the issuance of the number of
shares  of Common  Stock  required  to effect  such  proposals  would  leave the
Corporation with only  approximately  660,000  unreserved shares of Common Stock
authorized and available for issuance in the future for other purposes.

     The Board of  Directors of the  Corporation  believes  that the  authorized
number of shares of Common  Stock  should be  increased  to  provide  sufficient
shares for such  appropriate  purposes as may be determined from time to time by
the Board of Directors.  The Board of Directors  believes that having additional
shares  authorized  and  available  for  issuance or  reservation  will give the
Corporation  greater   flexibility  in  considering   potential  future  actions
involving the issuance of stock,  including without  limitation  capital raising
transactions, additional employee stock options or awards, acquisitions of other
businesses in exchange for stock and stock dividends or splits.  The Corporation
has no  current  plans to  effect  any such  potential  actions  and no  pending
arrangements to issue any of the additional shares of Common Stock that would be
authorized  as a result of the proposed  amendment to the Restated  Certificate.
The Board of  Directors  does not intend to seek  further  stockholder  approval
prior to the issuance of any of the newly  authorized  shares of Common Stock or
Nonvoting Common Stock, unless required by law, the Restated  Certificate or the
rules of any stock  exchange  upon  which the  stock  may be  listed.  Under the
Restated Certificate,  with certain exceptions, the Corporation cannot issue any
Common Stock to any person who would be, after giving  effect to such  issuance,
the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Common Stock without the affirmative
vote of the holders of Common  Stock which  represent at least a majority of the
aggregate voting power of all outstanding shares of Common Stock,  excluding the
shares of Common Stock owned by such person, voting together as a single class.

     The newly  authorized  shares of Common  Stock  will have  voting and other
rights  identical to those of the currently  authorized  shares of Common Stock.
The newly authorized shares of Nonvoting Common Stock will have rights identical
to those of the currently  authorized  shares of Nonvoting Common Stock,  except
that the conversion  terms  described  below will replace the  conversion  terms
presently contained in the Restated Certificate. Under the Restated Certificate,
the holders of Common  Stock or Nonvoting  Common  Stock do not have  preemptive
rights.  Any issuance of additional  shares of Common Stock or Nonvoting  Common
Stock could have a dilutive effect on existing holders of Common Stock.

     The additional authorized shares of Common Stock and Nonvoting Common Stock
could, under certain circumstances,  have the effect of rendering more difficult
or discouraging an attempt to acquire control of the Corporation.  However,  the
Board of Directors is not aware of any such attempt and has no present intention
to  authorize  the  issuance  of  Common  Stock or  Nonvoting  Common  Stock for
anti-takeover purposes.

     CONVERSION TERMS OF NONVOTING COMMON STOCK

     No shares of Nonvoting Common Stock are currently outstanding.  However, as
described  above,  shares  of  Nonvoting  Common  Stock  may  be  issued  if the
transactions  contemplated  by the Note  Payment  Proposal  are  approved by the
stockholders and effected.  Specifically,  if the payment of the Notes in shares
of Common Stock would have the effect of causing any holder (or a group of which
such  holder is a member)  to become a 30%  Holder,  then any Notes held by such
holder  will be payable in shares of  Nonvoting  Common  Stock in lieu of Common
Stock. The Note Amendment  Agreement provides that any person who would become a
30% Holder through the Note Payment Proposal will receive Nonvoting Common Stock
in lieu of Common Stock to avoid  triggering  the  mandatory  redemption  of the
Subsidiary Debt. Under the terms of the Subsidiary Debt,  Pamida is obligated to
make an offer to redeem  the  Subsidiary  Debt if a person  or group of  persons
becomes a 30% Holder. Issuance of Nonvoting Common Stock in lieu of Common Stock
in payment of Notes held by any holder which otherwise would become a 30% Holder
avoids triggering the possible mandatory  redemption of the Subsidiary Debt. See
"Proposal 1 - Approval of Note Amendment Agreement."

     Under the  terms of the  proposed  amendment  to the  Restated  Certificate
approved  by the Board of  Directors,  the text of which is  attached  hereto as
Exhibit E, each holder of shares of  Nonvoting  Common Stock will be entitled to
convert  into the same  number  of  shares  of  Common  Stock any or all of such
holder's shares of Nonvoting  Common Stock if (i) such conversion would not have
the effect of causing  such holder (or a group of which such holder is a member)
to  become a 30%  Holder;  provided,  however,  that if  immediately  prior to a
transfer  of  shares of  Nonvoting  Common  Stock to a  transferee  holder,  the
transferor  of such  shares  would  have been a 30%  Holder if its  holdings  of
Nonvoting Common Stock were deemed  converted into shares of Common Stock,  then
the transferee holder of such shares of Nonvoting Common Stock will not have the
right to convert  such shares of  Nonvoting  Common  Stock into shares of Common
Stock  until the  sixty-first  day after the date of the  transfer,  or (ii) the
Subsidiary  Debt is not  outstanding and has not been replaced with a debt issue
with  comparable   provisions   requiring   redemption  or  otherwise   imposing
requirements   or  restrictions  on  the  Corporation  or  the  issuer  of  such
replacement  debt  issue in the  event a person or group  becomes a 30%  Holder.
Accordingly,  the proposed  amendment to the Restated  Certificate  would permit
conversion of the Nonvoting  Common Stock into Common Stock when such conversion
would not trigger the possible mandatory redemption of Pamida's Subsidiary Debt.

     The Restated  Certificate  presently  permits the  conversion  of shares of
Nonvoting Common Stock (of which none currently are  outstanding)  into the same
number of shares of Common Stock upon the occurrence or expected occurrence of a
Conversion  Event.  A  Conversion  Event  presently  is defined in the  Restated
Certificate to mean (a) any public  offering or public sale of securities of the
Corporation  (including a public offering registered under the Securities Act of
1933, as amended,  and a public sale pursuant to Rule 144 of the  Securities and
Exchange  Commission  or any  similar  rule  then in  force),  (b)  any  sale of
securities  of the  Corporation  to a person  or group of  persons  (within  the
meaning  of the  Exchange  Act) if,  after such  sale,  such  person or group of
persons in the aggregate  would own or control  securities  which possess in the
aggregate  the ordinary  voting  power to elect a majority of the  Corporation's
directors (provided, that such sale has been approved by the Corporation's Board
of  Directors  or a  committee  thereof),  (c)  any  sale of  securities  of the
Corporation to a person or group of persons  (within the meaning of the Exchange
Act) if, after such sale, such person or group of persons in the aggregate would
own or control  securities of the  Corporation  (excluding any Nonvoting  Common
Stock being converted and disposed of in connection with such Conversion  Event)
which possess in the aggregate the ordinary  voting power to elect a majority of
the Corporation's  directors, (d) any sale of securities of the Corporation to a
person or group of persons  (within the meaning of the  Exchange  Act) if, after
such sale,  such person or group of persons  would not, in the  aggregate,  own,
control,  or have the right to acquire more than two percent of the  outstanding
securities  of any  class of voting  securities  of the  Corporation,  and (e) a
merger,  consolidation,  or similar  transaction  involving the  Corporation if,
after such transaction,  a person or group of persons (within the meaning of the
Exchange Act) in the aggregate would own or control  securities which possess in
the  aggregate  the ordinary  voting power to elect a majority of the  surviving
corporation's directors (provided, that the transaction has been approved by the
Corporation's Board of Directors or a committee  thereof).  For purposes of such
definition,   "person"   includes  any  natural  person  and  any   corporation,
partnership,  joint venture, trust, unincorporated organization and other entity
or  organization.  If the Charter  Amendment  Proposal  becomes  effective,  the
conversion terms of the Restated Certificate described in this paragraph will be
replaced by the conversion  terms  discussed in the preceding  paragraph and set
forth in Exhibit E to this Proxy Statement.

     Implementation  of the  Charter  Amendment  Proposal  is  conditioned  upon
stockholder  approval of all of the proposals set forth in this Proxy Statement,
except  that  the  Charter  Amendment  Proposal  may  be  effected  even  if the
Reclassification Proposal is not approved by the stockholders if the Corporation
and 399 Venture Partners waive the change and  reclassification of the Preferred
Stock as a condition  to the  effectiveness  of the Note Payment  Proposal.  The
failure of the  stockholders  to approve the  Charter  Amendment  Proposal  will
preclude  implementation  of the  Note  Payment  Proposal  and  Reclassification
Proposal.

THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR THE CHARTER AMENDMENT PROPOSAL.


                       CERTAIN EFFECTS OF THE NOTE PAYMENT
                     PROPOSAL AND RECLASSIFICATION PROPOSAL

     Assuming  all of the  proposals  set  forth  in this  Proxy  Statement  are
approved by the stockholders of the Corporation and a November 2, 1997 effective
date for the Note Payment  Proposal and  Reclassification  Proposal,  a total of
approximately  3,989,848 shares of Common Stock and Nonvoting Common Stock would
be  issued  in  payment  of the  Notes and in  connection  with the  change  and
reclassification  of  the  Preferred  Stock.  Based  on the  current  beneficial
ownership of Common Stock, Notes and Preferred Stock of the Corporation  derived
from  statements  filed under  Section  13(d) or 13(g) of the Exchange  Act, the
Corporation's  stock and note records and other  sources  which the  Corporation
considers reliable, approximately 5,963,800 shares of Common Stock and 3,030,990
shares of  Nonvoting  Common Stock would be issued and  outstanding  immediately
after the Note Payment Proposal and Reclassification  Proposal become effective,
and  approximately  3,030,990  shares  of Common  Stock  would be  reserved  for
issuance upon conversion of the Nonvoting Common Stock.

     If the Note Payment  Proposal and  Reclassification  Proposal are effected,
the  Corporation's  annual interest  expense will be reduced  substantially  and
Preferred  Stock  dividend  accruals  will be  eliminated.  If the Note  Payment
Proposal and  Reclassification  Proposal are effected on November 2, 1997,  then
the benefit to net income  available  for common  stockholders  for fiscal 1998,
assuming an effective  tax rate of 38.29%,  would be an increase of  $1,017,000.
See  "Background  -  Reasons  for Note  Payment  Proposal  and  Reclassification
Proposal" above.

     Based on a Schedule  13G filed by  Citicorp  as of  December  31,  1996 and
additional  information  obtained by the Corporation,  399 Venture Partners owns
907,387 or 18.13% of the  issued and  outstanding  shares of Common  Stock.  399
Venture  Partners owns no shares of Preferred Stock. 399 Venture Partners is the
owner of  $3,915,677.52  of the aggregate  outstanding  principal  amount of the
Senior Notes,  $10,629,263.60 of the aggregate  outstanding  principal amount of
the Subordinated Notes and $10,974,758.55 of the aggregate outstanding principal
amount of the Junior  Subordinated Notes. Based on this information and assuming
a November 2, 1997  effective  date for the Note Payment  Proposal,  399 Venture
Partners would receive  3,030,990 shares of Nonvoting Common Stock in payment of
the Notes held by 399 Venture Partners. Combining the shares of Nonvoting Common
Stock which would be issued to 399 Venture Partners in payment of its Notes with
the shares of Common Stock currently owned by 399 Venture Partners,  399 Venture
Partners  would  beneficially  own  approximately  43.79% of the total number of
shares of Common Stock and  Nonvoting  Common Stock  expected to be  outstanding
after the  consummation  of the  transactions  contemplated  by the Note Payment
Proposal and  Reclassification  Proposal.  The shares of Nonvoting  Common Stock
received  by 399 Venture  Partners  would be  convertible  into shares of Common
Stock  under the terms  described  above in  "Proposal  3 - Approval  of Charter
Amendments - Conversion Terms of Nonvoting Common Stock."

     The issuance of shares of Common Stock as  contemplated by the Note Payment
Proposal  and  Reclassification  Proposal  would have a  dilutive  effect on the
voting power of the currently  outstanding shares of Common Stock. The shares of
Common Stock currently  outstanding would represent (i) approximately  83.92% of
the total number of shares of Common Stock which would be outstanding assuming a
November 2, 1997  effective  date and assuming 399 Venture  Partners is the only
person  receiving  Nonvoting  Common Stock pursuant to either  proposal and (ii)
approximately  55.64% of the total  number of shares of Common Stock which would
be  outstanding  assuming such  effective  date and  conversion of all Nonvoting
Common Stock issued to 399 Venture Partners.


FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES AND ACCOUNTING TREATMENT OF THE RECLASSIFICATION
      PROPOSAL AND NOTE PAYMENT PROPOSAL

     FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES

     Reclassification  Proposal. The Reclassification  Proposal, if consummated,
will be a tax-free  reorganization  for the  Corporation and will have no direct
tax impact on the Corporation.

     Note Payment Proposal.  The difference,  if any, between the recorded value
of the Notes and the fair market value of the Common Stock and Nonvoting  Common
Stock  issued in  payment  of the Notes,  as of the  effective  date of the Note
Payment  Proposal,  as contemplated  by the Note Payment  Proposal would cause a
taxable gain on extinguishment of indebtedness for the Corporation which will be
taxed as ordinary income for federal income tax purposes. As of May 4, 1997, the
Corporation had net operating loss carryforwards (NOLs) approximating $9,500,000
and tax  credit  carryforwards  approximating  $1,973,000.  The amount of income
taxes attributable to the taxable income created by the consummation of the Note
Payment  Proposal  would be reduced by  existing  net  operating  losses and tax
credit carryforwards.

     ACCOUNTING TREATMENT

     For financial statement  purposes,  any gain on extinguishment of the Notes
and  Preferred  Stock held by persons other than 399 Venture  Partners  would be
reflected on the Corporation's  Statement of Operations as an extraordinary item
(net of related taxes),  separate from the operating results of the Corporation.
Any gain  related to the  payment of Notes owned by 399  Venture  Partners  with
Nonvoting  Common  Stock  would  be  considered  to  be a  capital  transaction;
accordingly  such, gain, net of taxes,  would be recorded directly to additional
paid-in  capital  on the  Corporation's  financial  statements.  The gain on the
Preferred  Stock  exchange for common Stock would be accounted  for as a capital
transaction.


     DESCRIPTION OF COMMON STOCK AND NONVOTING COMMON STOCK

     COMMON STOCK

     The  holders  of Common  Stock are  entitled  to one vote for each share of
Common  Stock  on all  matters  submitted  to a vote of  stockholders  and  have
cumulative  voting  rights in the election of  directors.  The holders of Common
Stock are entitled to receive ratably such dividends, if any, as may be declared
by the Board of Directors  out of legally  available  funds.  Upon  liquidation,
dissolution  or winding up of the  Corporation,  the holders of Common Stock are
entitled  to share  ratably in all assets of the  Corporation  which are legally
available for distribution to its  stockholders,  after payment of all debts and
other  liabilities  of the  Corporation  and subject to the prior  rights of the
holders of any Senior  Preferred  and Junior  Preferred  then  outstanding.  The
holders  of  Common  Stock  have  no  preemptive,  subscription,  redemption  or
conversion  rights.  The rights of holders  of Common  Stock are  subject to the
rights and preferences of the Senior Preferred and the Junior Preferred.

     If all of the proposals presented in this Proxy Statement are effected,  no
Senior  Preferred  or  Junior  Preferred  will  remain   outstanding,   and  the
Corporation  does not intend to reissue any shares of Senior Preferred or Junior
Preferred.

     NONVOTING COMMON STOCK

     The  Nonvoting  Common Stock  generally is identical in all respects to the
Common Stock;  however,  the holders of Nonvoting  Common Stock have no right to
vote on any matters to be voted on by the Corporation's stockholders except that
such  holders  have  the  right  in  certain  cases  specified  in the  Restated
Certificate  to vote as a separate class on any merger or  consolidation  of the
Corporation with or into another entity or entities,  or any recapitalization or
reorganization,  in which shares of Nonvoting  Common Stock would  receive or be
exchanged   for   consideration   different  on  a  per  share  basis  from  the
consideration received with respect to or in exchange for shares of Common Stock
or would  otherwise be treated  differently  from shares of Common Stock.  Under
Delaware  law, the Nonvoting  Common Stock has voting rights in certain  special
circumstances but generally has no right to vote in the election of directors of
the Corporation.

     If the Charter  Amendment  Proposal is approved at the Special  Meeting and
effected,  shares of Nonvoting  Common Stock will be  convertible  into the same
number of shares of Common Stock under the terms  described above in "Proposal 3
- - Approval of Charter Amendments - Conversion Terms of Nonvoting Common Stock."


                          INTERESTS OF CERTAIN PERSONS

     As  described  above,  based on a  Schedule  13G  filed by  Citicorp  as of
December 31, 1996 and additional  information  obtained by the Corporation,  399
Venture  Partners  owns  18.13% of the issued and  outstanding  shares of Common
Stock  and,  as of June 1, 1997,  $25,519,699.67  of the  aggregate  outstanding
principal amount of the Notes. Based on this information and assuming a November
2, 1997 effective date for the Note Payment Proposal, 399 Venture Partners would
beneficially  own  approximately  43.79% of the total number of shares of Common
Stock  and  Nonvoting  Common  Stock  expected  to  be  outstanding   after  the
consummation of the  transactions  contemplated by the Note Payment Proposal and
Reclassification Proposal. See "Certain Effects of the Note Payment Proposal and
Reclassification  Proposal."  M.  Saleem  Muqaddam,  a  member  of the  Board of
Directors of the Corporation, is a Vice President of 399 Venture Partners.

     According  to a Schedule  13D amended  through  January 21,  1994,  Natasha
Partnership,  of which  Nathalie P.  Comfort is the sole general  partner,  owns
11.47% of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock. William T. Comfort,
the husband of Nathalie P. Comfort and a limited partner in Natasha Partnership,
is the  Chairman of 399 Venture  Partners  and owns  175.26266  shares of Junior
Preferred.  Stuyvesant P. Comfort, a director of the Corporation,  is the son of
William T. Comfort and Nathalie P.  Comfort.  See  "Outstanding  Securities  and
Voting Rights."


                                 OTHER BUSINESS

     As of the date of this Proxy Statement,  the Board of Directors knows of no
other business which will be presented for consideration at the Special Meeting.
As to other business, if any, that properly may come before the Special Meeting,
the Board of Directors  intends that  Proxies in the  accompanying  form will be
voted in respect thereof in accordance with the judgment of the person or person
voting the Proxies.


                              STOCKHOLDER PROPOSALS

     As stated in the Corporation's  Proxy Statement for the 1997 annual meeting
of its stockholders,  stockholder proposals intended to be presented at the 1998
annual  meeting of  stockholders  of the  Corporation  must be  received  by the
Corporation not later than November 26, 1997, for inclusion in the Corporation's
proxy statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting.


                 UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA

     The following  Unaudited Pro Forma  Consolidated  Financial  Data (the "Pro
Forma  Financial  Data") reflects (1) the issuance of shares of Common Stock and
Nonvoting Common Stock in payment of the Notes at the rate of one share for each
$9.00 of  outstanding  principal of and accrued  interest on the Notes (the Note
Payment  Proposal) and (2) the effect of changing and  reclassifying  all of the
Preferred  Stock into  shares of Common  Stock at the rate of one share for each
$9.00  of  liquidation  value  and  accrued   dividends  (the   Reclassification
Proposal).   The  following  Unaudited  Pro  Forma  Consolidated   Statement  of
Operations for the year ended February 2, 1997 and the quarter ended May 4, 1997
gives  effect  to  the  Note  Payment  Proposal  and  Reclassification  Proposal
(collectively,  the  "Transactions") as if they had occurred on January 29, 1996
and excludes the one-time  extraordinary  gain to be recognized on the effective
date of the Transactions.  The Unaudited Pro Forma Balance Sheet gives effect to
the  Transactions  as if they  had  occurred  on May 4,  1997 and  includes  the
one-time  extraordinary  gain  to be  recognized  on the  effective  date of the
Transactions.

     If the Transactions are consummated,  the actual number of shares of Common
Stock and Nonvoting  Common Stock which will be issued will differ somewhat from
the shares  assumed in the Pro Forma  Financial  Data. The effective date of the
Transactions,  if consummated, will occur at a date later than the dates assumed
for the Pro Forma Financial  Data, and the principal of and accrued  interest on
the Notes and the  liquidation  value of and accrued  dividends on the Preferred
Stock will be greater than the amounts assumed because of the additional accrual
of interest and dividends to the  effective  date of the  Transactions.  The Pro
Forma Financial Data do not purport to represent what the Corporation's  results
of operations  actually would have been if the  Transactions  had occurred as of
the dates indicated or what such results will be for any future periods.

     The Pro Forma Financial Data is based upon assumptions that the Corporation
believes are reasonable and should be read in conjunction  with the Consolidated
Financial Statements of the Corporation and the accompanying notes thereto which
are incorporated by reference in this document.


                       Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Data
                     (In thousands, except per share data)

                            Statement of Operations
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>



                                             Year Ended, February 2, 1997                  Quarter Ended May 4, 1997
                                          ------------------------------------     ------------------------------------
                                                         Pro Forma                                    Pro Forma
                                          Historical     Adjustments     Pro Forma     Historical     Adjustments     Pro Forma
                                          ----------     -----------     ---------     ----------     -----------     ---------
<S>                                        <C>           <C>             <C>            <C>           <C>             <C>      
Sales                                      $ 633,189                     $ 633,189      $ 144,564                     $ 144,564
Cost of goods sold                           479,099                       479,099        111,296                       111,296
                                          ----------     -----------     ---------     ----------     -----------     ---------

Expenses:
Selling, general and administrative          125,105                       125,105         30,974                        30,974
Interest                                      29,781          (4,473) (1)   25,308          7,753          (1,209) (1)    6,544
                                          ----------     -----------     ---------     ----------     -----------     ---------
                                             154,886          (4,473)      150,413         38,727          (1,209)       37,518
                                          ----------     -----------     ---------     ----------     -----------     ---------

(Loss) income before provision for
 income taxes                                   (796)          4,473         3,677         (5,459)          1,209        (4,250)
Income tax (provision) benefit                     -          (1,408) (2)   (1,408)             -           1,627 (2)     1,627
                                          ----------     -----------     ---------     ----------     -----------     ---------
Less provision for preferred dividends
 and discount amortization                       391            (391) (1)        -            105            (105) (1)        -
                                          ----------     -----------     ---------     ----------     -----------     ---------
Net (loss) income available for
 common shares                             $  (1,187)      $   3,456     $   2,269      $  (5,564)      $   2,941     $  (2,623)
                                          ==========     ===========     =========     ==========     ===========     =========

Net (loss) earnings per common share:         ($0.24)                        $0.26         ($1.11)                       ($0.30)
                                          ==========     ===========     =========     ==========     ===========     =========

Weighted average shares outstanding        5,004,942       3,674,314 (3) 8,679,256      5,004,942       3,674,314 (3) 8,679,256
                                          ==========     ===========     =========     ==========     ===========     =========
</TABLE>

(1)  To reflect the  reduction  of interest  expense,  preferred  dividends  and
     discount amortization resulting from the Transactions.

(2)  To reflect pro forma income tax expense at the expected  effective rate. No
     income tax benefit on losses was  recorded  for the year ended  February 2,
     1997 and the quarter  ended May 4, 1997 due to  uncertainty  regarding  the
     potential   utilization  of  certain  tax  loss   carryforwards.   Had  the
     Transactions  occurred on January 29,  1996, a  substantial  portion of the
     Company's net operating loss and tax credit  carryforwards  would have been
     utilized  at  that  time.  Therefore,  on a pro  forma  basis,  income  tax
     (provision) benefit is shown at the expected effective rate.

(3)  To reflect  the  issuance of Common  Stock and  Nonvoting  Common  Stock in
     payment of the Notes and from  reclassification  of the Preferred  Stock at
     face or liquidation value and including accrued interest and dividends.

                                           Notes     Preferred Stock     Total
                                         ----------  ---------------   ---------
      Book value as of May 4, 1997       $   28,818      $ 1,887
      Accrued interest and dividends            838          435
      Unamortized discount                      837          253
                                         ----------      -------
      Redemption value as of May 4, 1997     30,493        2,575
      Transaction value per common share        /$9          /$9
                                         ----------      -------
      Common shares to be issued          3,388,164      286,150       3,674,314



                       Unaudited Pro Forma Financial Data
                                 (In thousands)

                                 Balance Sheet
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>




                                                   May 4,     Pro Forma
                                                   1997      Adjustments (1) Pro Forma
                                                 --------    -----------     ---------
<S>                                              <C>            <C>           <C>
Assets
 Current assets:
  Cash                                           $  9,003       ($  500) (2)  $  8,503
  Accounts receivable, less allowance
   for doubtful accounts of $50 in both years       8,694                        8,694
  Merchandise inventories                         159,294                      159,294
  Prepaid expense                                   3,163                        3,163
                                                 --------      --------       --------
   Total current assets                           180,154          (500)       179,654
  Property, buildings and equipment, net           42,764                       42,764
  Leased property under capital leases, net        27,065                       27,065
  Deferred financing costs                          3,248                        3,248
  Other assets                                     20,854                       20,854
                                                 --------      --------       --------
                                                 $274,085         ($500)      $273,585
                                                 ========      ========       ========

Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity
 Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable                                 60,113                       60,113
  Loan and security agreement                      66,157                       66,157
  Accrued compensation                              3,824                        3,824
  Accrued interest                                  3,153          (838)         2,315
  Store closing reserve                             3,422                        3,422
  Other accrued expenses                           10,390                       10,390
  Income taxes - deferred and current payable       8,078                        8,078
  Current maturities of long-term debt                 47                           47
  Current obligations under capital lease           1,765                        1,765
                                                 --------      --------       --------
   Total current liabilities                      156,967          (838)       156,129

  Long-term debt, less current maturities         169,170       (28,818)       140,352
  Obligations under capital leases,
   less current obligations                        33,570                       33,570
  Other long-term liabilities                       4,923                        4,923
  Commitments and contingencies                         -                            -
  Preferred stock subject to mandatory redemption
   and reserve for dividends payable                2,322        (2,322)             -
  Common shareholders' equity:
   Common stock, $.01 par value;                       50            37             87
   Additional paid-in capital                         968        29,454         29,922
                                                                   (500) (2)
   Accumulated deficit                            (93,885)        2,487        (91,398)
                                                 --------      --------       --------
    Total common shareholders' deficit            (92,867)       31,478        (61,389)
                                                 --------      --------       --------
                                                 $274,085         ($500)      $273,585
                                                 ========      ========       ========
</TABLE>


(1)  To reflect  the  issuance of Common  Stock and  Nonvoting  Common  Stock in
     payment of the Notes and from  reclassification  of the Preferred  Stock at
     face or liquidation value and including accrued interest and dividends, and
     the  extraordinary  gain on the  extinguishment of debt, net of the related
     income tax effect.  The  extraordinary  gain is based upon the recent stock
     market  value  of  the  Corporation's  Common  Stock,  whereas  the  actual
     extraordinary  gain will be  based on  the fair  market value of the Common
     Stock and Nonvoting Common Stock upon issuance.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                           Notes   Preferred Stock    Total
                                                           -----   ---------------   -------

<S>                                                       <C>          <C>           <C>    
          Carrying value at May 4, 1997                   $29,656      $2,322        $31,978

          Fair value of common stock exchanged assuming
            a current market value of $4.50 per share     15,247       1,287         16,534
                                                          -------      ------        -------

          Pre-tax gain                                     14,409       1,035         15,444
          Less:  Income taxes                                   -           -              -
                                                          -------      ------        -------

          Net gain                                         14,409       1,035         15,444
          Less:  Capital transaction                       11,922       1,035         12,957
                                                          -------      ------        -------

          Extraordinary gain                              $ 2,487           -        $ 2,487
                                                          =======      ======        =======
</TABLE>

     A majority of the Notes is held by an entity (399 Venture  Partners) having
     a significant  equity interest in the  Corporation.  In accordance with APB
     No.  26,  "Early  Extinquishment  of Debt" the gain on such  portion of the
     transactions  is  considered  a capital  transaction  recorded  directly to
     Additional  Paid-In Capital, net of  tax. The income tax effect of the note
     payment  transaction is calculated assuming  the  utilization  of  the  net
     operating   loss   and   tax  credit  carryforwards.  The  reclassification
     of the Preferred Stock is a tax-free reorganization.

(2)  Reflects estimated transaction costs of $500.






                          INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

     The  Corporation's  Annual  Report on Form 10-K for the  fiscal  year ended
February 2, 1997  accompanies this Proxy  Statement.  The following  sections of
such Form 10-K are incorporated in this Proxy Statement by reference:

     1.  Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
     2.  Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results
         of Operations.

     The  Corporation's  Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended May
4, 1997 also  accompanies  this Proxy  Statement and is  incorporated  herein by
reference.

Dated _________, 1997                   BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,


                                        FRANK A. WASHBURN, SECRETARY




                                                                       EXHIBIT A



                         ALEX. BROWN & SONS INCORPORATED
                           1290 Avenue of the Americas
                                   10th Floor
                            New York, New York 10104




                           Dated as of August 18, 1997




Board of Directors of Pamida Holdings Corporation
8800 "F" Street
Omaha, Nebraska  68127

Dears Sirs:

     Pamida Holdings  Corporation  (the "Company") has entered into that certain
Note  Amendment  Agreement  No. 3, dated as of July 22,  1997 (the  "Amendment")
between the Company and 399 Venture Partners, Inc. ("Venture"), which amends the
"Notes" (as defined in the  Amendment).  Pursuant to the Amendment,  each of the
Notes shall be amended to be payable  solely in shares of the  Company's  stock,
with one share of either  Common Stock or Nonvoting  Common Stock of the Company
to be issued for each $9.00 of outstanding principal and accrued interest on the
Notes.  Such  issuance  will be  effected  as is  provided  in the  "Allonge  to
Promissory  Note",  the form of which is attached as Exhibit A to the Amendment.
Pursuant to the Amendment, the Allonge to Promissory Note shall become effective
upon,  and  shall be  dated  as of,  the  date of  stockholder  approval  of the
transactions  contemplated  by the Allonge to Promissory  Note and the requisite
number of  shares  and  amendment  to the terms of the  Nonvoting  Common  Stock
(substantially  in the form of  Exhibit  B to the  Amendment)  to be  issued  in
connection  with  transactions  contemplated by the Amendment and the Allonge to
Promissory Note.

     Further,  the holders (the "Preferred Holders") of a majority of the issued
and  outstanding  shares of the  Company's  16.25% Senior  Cumulative  Preferred
Stock, par value $1.00 per share, and 14.25% Junior Cumulative  Preferred Stock,
par value $1.00 per share (collectively the "Preferred Stock"), have voted their
shares of  Preferred  Stock by written  consents  (the  "Written  Consents")  to
approve the amendment of Section 4.2 of ARTICLE FOURTH of the Company's Restated
Certificate of Incorporation (the "Amended Section") so that such Section 4.2 of
ARTICLE FOURTH shall read in its entirety as set forth in the Written  Consents.
Pursuant  to  the  Amended  Section,   upon  the  effectiveness   thereof,  each
outstanding  share of Preferred Stock shall be changed and reclassified into the
number of shares of Common Stock equal to the  Liquidation  Value (as defined in
the  Amended  Section)  of such shares of  Preferred  Stock  divided by nine and
rounded  up to the next  whole  number.  The  transactions  contemplated  by the
Allonge to  Promissory  Note are  subject to the  effectiveness  of the  Amended
Section.

     The transactions  contemplated by the Amendment and the Amended Section are
referred  to  herein  as  the  "Transaction".   The  holders  of  the  Company's
outstanding  Common Stock are  referred to herein as the "Common  Stockholders".
You have  requested our opinion as to whether the  Transaction  is fair,  from a
financial point of view, to the Common Stockholders, in their capacity as such.

     Alex.  Brown & Sons  Incorporated,  as a customary  part of its  investment
banking business, is engaged in the valuation of businesses and their securities
in  connection  with  recapitalizations,  mergers and  acquisitions,  negotiated
underwritings, private placements and valuations for estate, corporate and other
purposes.  We are  rendering  the  opinion  set  forth  herein  to the  Board of
Directors of the Company in connection  with the  Transaction and will receive a
fee for such  services and have  received  fees for  rendering  other  financial
advisory services to the Company.

     In connection with our opinion, we have reviewed the Amendment, the Amended
Section  and the  documents  referred  to therein,  certain  publicly  available
financial information  concerning the Company,  certain non-public  information,
including financial  forecasts,  furnished to us concerning the Company, and the
Preliminary Proxy Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange commission on
August  18,  1997  (the  "Preliminary   Proxy  Statement")   pertaining  to  the
Transaction. We have also held discussions with members of the senior management
of the Company  regarding its business and prospects.  In addition,  we have (i)
reviewed  the  reported  price and trading  activity for the common stock of the
Company,  (ii) reviewed certain  financial and stock market  information for the
Company,  and similar  information for certain other companies whose  securities
are publicly  traded,  and (iii) performed such other studies and analyses,  and
considered such other factors, as we deemed appropriate.

     We have not independently verified the information described above, and for
purposes of this  opinion,  and with your  consent,  have assumed the  accuracy,
completeness and fair presentation  thereof. With respect to financial forecasts
and other information  relating to the prospects of the Company, we have assumed
that such forecasts and other  information were reasonably  prepared and reflect
the  best  currently  available  estimates  and  good  faith  judgments  of  the
management of the Company as to the likely future  financial  performance of the
Company.  In  addition,  we have not  conducted  a  physical  inspection  of the
properties or facilities or made an  independent  evaluation or appraisal of the
assets of the Company,  nor have we been furnished  with any such  evaluation or
appraisal. Our opinion is based on financial,  economic,  monetary,  market, and
other  conditions  as they  exist  and can be  evaluated  as of the date of this
letter. We are not expressing any opinion as to the price at which the Company's
Common  Stock  will  trade  subsequent  to the  Transaction.  We  have  made  no
independent  investigation  of any legal matters  affecting the Company and have
assumed the  correctness  of all legal advice given to the Company and the Board
of Directors of the Company.

     Alex.  Brown & Sons  Incorporated  did not  participate in negotiating  the
terms of the  Transaction  and received no instruction  to, and did not, seek or
solicit alternative transactions.

     Our  opinion  expressed  herein  was  prepared  for the use of the Board of
Directors  of the  Company  and  does not  constitute  a  recommendation  to any
stockholders  as to how such  stockholder  should vote. We hereby consent to the
inclusion of this  opinion in its entirety as an exhibit to any proxy  statement
distributed in connection with the Transaction.

     Based upon and subject to the  foregoing,  it is our opinion that as of the
date of this letter, the Transaction is fair, from a financial point of view, to
the Common Stockholders.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        ALEX. BROWN & SONS INCORPORATED



                                                                 EXHIBIT B


                         NOTE AMENDMENT AGREEMENT NO. 3

     THIS NOTE AMENDMENT  AGREEMENT NO. 3, dated as of July 22, 1997, is between
PAMIDA HOLDINGS  CORPORATION,  a Delaware  corporation (the "Company"),  and 399
VENTURE PARTNERS, INC., a Delaware corporation ("Venture").

                                      * * *

     As of the date of this Agreement, the Company has outstanding $5,315,118.09
principal  amount  of  13.5%  Senior  Promissory  Notes  (the  "Senior  Notes"),
$14,551,384.79  principal  amount  of 14%  Subordinated  Promissory  Notes  (the
"Subordinated  Notes")  and  $10,974,758.55  principal  amount of 14.25%  Junior
Subordinated  Promissory  Notes (the "Junior  Subordinated  Notes").  The Senior
Notes,  Subordinated  Notes  and  Junior  Subordinated  Notes  are  collectively
referred to herein as the "Notes".  Venture holds more than 50% of the aggregate
outstanding principal amount of the Senior Notes, more than 50% of the aggregate
outstanding  principal amount of the Subordinated Notes and more than 50% of the
aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Junior Subordinated Notes. Venture
and the Company  have the power to amend the Notes  pursuant  to  paragraph 6 of
each of the Notes.  Venture and the  Company now desire to further  amend all of
the Notes, as previously amended pursuant to a Note Amendment Agreement dated as
of December 18, 1992, between the Company and Court Square Capital Limited,  and
a Note  Amendment  Agreement No. 2 dated as of March 1, 1993 between the Company
and Venture  (formerly  known as Citicorp  Investments  Inc.),  pursuant to this
Agreement.

     THEREFORE, the parties hereto agree as follows:

     SECTION 1.  AMENDMENT  OF NOTES.  Each of the Notes  shall be amended to be
payable  solely  in  shares  of the  Company's  stock  in  accordance  with  the
provisions  of the  following  sentence  of this  Section 1. One share of either
Common Stock of the Company  ("Common  Stock") or Nonvoting  Common Stock of the
Company ("Nonvoting Common Stock") shall be issued for each $9.00 of outstanding
principal and accrued  interest as provided in the "Allonge to Promissory  Note"
in the form of Exhibit A hereto (the  "Allonge")  which shall  become  effective
upon satisfaction of certain conditions as provided in Section 4 hereof.

     SECTION 2.  REPRESENTATIONS  AND  WARRANTIES  OF THE  COMPANY.  The Company
hereby  represents  and  warrants  to Venture  that,  subject to approval by the
Company's stockholders as provided in Section 4 hereof, the execution,  delivery
and performance of this Agreement and the transactions  contemplated hereby have
been duly  authorized  by the Company;  and that  execution  and delivery by the
Company  of this  Agreement  and the  issuance  of  shares  of  Common  Stock or
Nonvoting  Common Stock as  contemplated  by the Allonge do not and will not (i)
conflict with or result in a breach of the terms,  conditions or provisions  of,
(ii)  constitute  a default  under,  (iii)  result in the  creation of any lien,
security  interest,  charge or encumbrances  upon the Company's capital stock or
assets  pursuant  to,  (iv) give any third  party  the right to  accelerate  any
obligation   under,   (v)  result  in  a  violation  of,  or  (vi)  require  any
authorization,  consent, approval, exemption or other action by or notice to any
court or  administrative  or  governmental  body (other than in connection  with
certain state and federal  securities  laws) pursuant to the Company's  Restated
Certificate of  Incorporation,  as amended,  or the Company's Revised Bylaws, as
amended, or any law, statute, rule, regulation,  instrument,  order, judgment or
decree  to  which  the  Company  or  any  of its  subsidiaries  or any of  their
respective  properties  is subject,  or any agreement or instrument to which the
Company  or  any of its  subsidiaries  is a  party  or any of  their  respective
properties is subject.  The Company  further  represents and warrants to Venture
that the authorized equity capital of the Company as of the date hereof consists
of  10,000,000  shares  of Common  Stock,  par value  $.01 per  share,  of which
5,004,942  shares  are  issued  and  outstanding,  514  shares of 16.25%  Senior
Cumulative  Preferred Stock, par value $1.00 per share (the "Senior Preferred"),
of which  513.95939  shares are issued and  outstanding,  6,987 shares of 14.25%
Junior  Cumulative  Preferred  Stock,  par value  $1.00 per share  (the  "Junior
Preferred"),  of which  1,626.86016  shares  are  issued  and  outstanding,  and
2,000,000  shares of Nonvoting Common Stock, par value $.01 per share, no shares
of which are issued and outstanding;  that,  except for 345,042 shares of Common
Stock reserved for issuance  under the Pamida  Holdings  Corporation  1992 Stock
Option Plan and except as contemplated  hereby,  there are no outstanding rights
to acquire shares of the Company through options, warrants, conversion rights or
otherwise;  that the liquidation  value (as determined  pursuant to the terms of
the Restated  Certificate of Incorporation of the Company as in effect as of the
date hereof) for the Senior  Preferred and the Junior  Preferred,  respectively,
was $669,300.42 and  $2,058,471.04  as of May 31, 1997; and that, as of the date
hereof,  the Company has outstanding  $5,315,118.09  principal  amount of Senior
Notes,  $14,551,384.79 principal amount of Subordinated Notes and $10,974,758.55
principal amount of Junior  Subordinated  Notes. The Company further  represents
and agrees that it shall not issue any additional  shares of capital stock prior
to the effective  date of the amendments to the Notes effected by the Allonge as
determined  pursuant to Section 4 hereof,  other than  issuances of shares under
the Pamida  Holdings  Corporation  1992 Stock  Option  Plan,  without  the prior
written consent of Venture.

     SECTION 3.  REPRESENTATIONS  AND  WARRANTIES  OF  VENTURE.  Venture  hereby
represents  and  warrants to the Company that it is the sole and lawful owner of
$3,915,677.52 of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Senior Notes,
$10,629,263.60 of the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Subordinated
Notes and  $10,974,758.55 of the aggregate  outstanding  principal amount of the
Junior  Subordinated  Notes as of the date  hereof;  that it has full  right and
lawful  authority,  without  the  consent of anyone  whose  consent has not been
given,  to enter into,  execute and deliver this Agreement and to consummate the
transactions  contemplated  hereby; and that M. Saleem Muqaddam has authority to
execute  and  deliver  this  Agreement  and to carry  out its terms on behalf of
Venture.

     SECTION 4. CONDITIONS TO EFFECTIVENESS OF AMENDMENT.  The amendments to the
Notes effected by the Allonge shall become  effective upon the  satisfaction  of
all of the following  conditions:  (i) the  requisite  approval by the Company's
stockholders  pursuant to the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
the transactions contemplated by the Allonge and the concurrent authorization by
the Company's  stockholders pursuant to the General Corporation law of the State
of  Delaware  of the  requisite  number of shares  of the  Common  Stock and the
requisite  number of shares and amendment to the terms of the  Nonvoting  Common
Stock (substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto) to be issued in connection
with such transactions, (ii) the change and reclassification of each outstanding
share of  Senior  Preferred  and each  outstanding  share  of  Junior  Preferred
(collectively,  the "Preferred Stock") into the number of shares of Common Stock
of the  Company  equal to the  liquidation  value  of the  Preferred  Stock  (as
determined pursuant to the terms of the Restated Certificate of Incorporation of
the Company as in effect as of the date hereof) plus any unpaid  Preferred Stock
dividends  not  included  in the  liquidation  value  accrued as of the close of
business on the  effective  date of the change and  reclassification  divided by
nine and,  on an  individual  shareholder  basis,  rounded  up to the next whole
number,  and (iii) the receipt by the Company of a favorable  opinion from Alex.
Brown & Sons,  Incorporated as to the fairness of the transactions  contemplated
by the Allonge and the change and reclassification of the Preferred Stock to the
present  holders  of  Common  Stock  of the  Company.  If all of the  conditions
referred to in the preceding  sentence are not satisfied on or prior to December
31, 1997,  then this Agreement shall be null and void and of no further force or
effect.

     SECTION  5. NO  COMMISSIONS.  Each  party  represents  and  agrees  that no
commission or other  remuneration  has been or will be paid or given directly or
indirectly  for  soliciting  the execution or delivery of this  Amendment or the
transactions contemplated hereby.

     SECTION 6.  SECURITIES  LAW  RESTRICTIONS.  The shares of Nonvoting  Common
Stock  or  Common  Stock  to be  issued  to  Venture  either  initially  or upon
conversion of Nonvoting Common Stock shall be restricted  securities  within the
meaning  of  Rule  144  under  the  Securities  Act of  1933,  as  amended  (the
"Securities  Act"),  and shall bear an appropriate  legend.  Venture agrees that
such shares may be  transferred  only pursuant to Rule 144 under the  Securities
Act or another available  exemption from  registration  under the Securities Act
if, in the opinion of counsel to the Company, such other exemption is available.
All other  holders of Notes will  receive  unrestricted  shares of Common  Stock
provided  that  they  have  continually  held the  Notes  for at least two years
(calculated  in  accordance  with Rule 144) and have not been  affiliates of the
Company for at least three months as of the effective date of the Allonge.

     SECTION 7. COUNTERPARTS.  This Agreement may be executed  simultaneously in
two or more  counterparts,  any one of which need not contain the  signatures of
more than one party,  but all such  counterparts  taken together will constitute
one and the same Agreement.

     SECTION 8. DESCRIPTIVE HEADINGS. The descriptive headings of this Agreement
are  inserted  for  convenience  only  and do not  constitute  a  part  of  this
Agreement.

     SECTION 9.  GOVERNING  LAW.  All  questions  concerning  the  construction,
validity and  interpretation  of this Agreement will be governed by the internal
law, and not the law of conflicts, of Delaware.

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


                                        PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION


                                        By:/s/ Steven S. Fishman
                                           Steven S. Fishman, Chairman of
                                           the Board and Chief Executive Officer


                                       399 VENTURE PARTNERS, INC.


                                        By:/s/ M. Saleem Muqaddam
                                           M. Saleem Muqaddam, Vice President



                                  EXHIBIT A


                           ALLONGE TO PROMISSORY NOTE

     The Promissory Note ("Promissory Note") of Pamida Holdings Corporation (the
"Company")  described below is hereby amended by this Allonge to Promissory Note
which shall form part of the Promissory  Note and shall  supersede the terms and
conditions of the Promissory Note to the extent inconsistent herewith.

     1. PAYMENT.  The entire  outstanding  principal  balance of this Promissory
Note as of the date hereof (including  amounts previously added to the principal
balance in payment of interest)  ("Principal")  and interest  accrued under this
Promissory  Note from the most recent  Quarterly  Payment  Date through the date
immediately  preceding the date hereof as set forth below  ("Interest") shall be
due and payable on the date  hereof in the number of shares of Common  Stock (or
Nonvoting  Common  Stock if  Section  2 hereof  is  applicable)  of the  Company
calculated as follows:  The number of shares to be issued in full payment of all
of the Company's  obligations  under this Promissory Note shall equal the sum of
the Principal and Interest  divided by nine (9) and rounded up to the next whole
number.

     2.  NONVOTING  COMMON STOCK.  Notwithstanding  the  provisions of Section 1
hereof,  if the  payment  of this  Promissory  Note in shares  of  Common  Stock
together  with the  contemporaneous  payment in shares of Common  Stock of other
presently outstanding promissory notes of the Company held by the holder of this
Promissory  Note would have the effect of causing  the  registered  holder (or a
group acting in concert as a partnership or other group of which the holder is a
member) to become the  beneficial  owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 under
the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,  as amended) of securities of the Company
representing  30% or  more  of the  combined  voting  power  of the  outstanding
securities  of the  Company  ordinarily  (and apart from  rights  arising  under
special  circumstances)  having the right to vote in the election of  directors,
then this Promissory  Note shall be payable in shares of Nonvoting  Common Stock
(as  constituted  as of the close of  business  on the date  hereof)  in lieu of
Common Stock.  Except for such right to vote,  shares of Nonvoting  Common Stock
shall be equal in all respects to the Common Stock and shall be convertible into
the same number of shares of Common Stock under certain conditions.

     3. AUTOMATIC CONVERSION. Effective on the date hereof, this Promissory Note
automatically  and  without  further  action  being  required  shall  be  deemed
converted  solely into the right to receive the  applicable  number of shares of
Common Stock or Nonvoting  Common  Stock,  as the case may be, as  calculated in
accordance  with this Allonge to Promissory  Note; and the registered  holder of
this Promissory Note thereafter  shall have no rights under this Promissory Note
except to receive such number of shares.

     4. DISCHARGE AND CANCELLATION.  This Promissory Note is hereby  discharged,
and  the  Company  shall  be  forever  released  from  all its  obligations  and
liabilities under this Promissory Note,  subject only to issuance of such shares
of Common Stock or Nonvoting  Common  Stock,  as the case may be, which shall be
delivered  to the  registered  holder upon  surrender  of this  Promissory  Note
(including this Allonge to Promissory  Note) to the Company for cancellation and
will not be reissued.

     5. NO STOCKHOLDER  RIGHTS.  Nothing contained in this Promissory Note shall
be construed as conferring  upon the  registered  holder or any other person the
right to vote or to consent or to receive  notice as a stockholder in respect of
meetings of  stockholders  for the  election of directors of the Company or with
respect to any other matters or any rights  whatsoever  as a stockholder  of the
Company;  and no dividends or interest shall  hereafter be payable or accrued in
respect of this Note or the interest represented hereby or the shares obtainable
hereunder  until,  and only to the extent that,  this Promissory Note shall have
been  surrendered and shares shall have been issued to the registered  holder in
accordance with the terms of this Allonge to Promissory Note.

     6. PLACE OF TENDER.  Tender of this Promissory Note (including this Allonge
to Promissory Note) is to be made at the offices of the Company, Pamida Holdings
Corporation,  8800 "F" Street,  Omaha,  Nebraska  68127-1574,  Attention:  Chief
Financial  Officer or to such other address as specified by prior written notice
from the Company to the registered  holder of this  Promissory  Note.  Shares of
Common Stock will be  delivered  to the  registered  holder  promptly  upon such
tender at such holder's address as set forth on the records of the Company.

     7. GOVERNING LAW. This  Promissory  Note shall be governed by and construed
in accordance with the laws of Delaware,  excluding that body of law relating to
conflict of laws.

     8. HEADINGS;  REFERENCES. All headings used herein are used for convenience
only and shall not be used to construe or interpret this Promissory Note. Except
where otherwise  indicated,  all references herein to sections refer to sections
hereof.

     9.  DEFINITIONS.  For purposes of this Allonge to Promissory Note,  "Common
Stock" means Common Stock of the Company,  and  "Nonvoting  Common  Stock" means
Nonvoting Common Stock of the Company.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF,  the Company has executed and delivered this Allonge to
Promissory Note on _________________, 1997.


                                        PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION


                                        By: ___________________
                                            Steven S. Fishman, Chairman of the
                                            Board and Chief Executive Officer





This Allonge to Promissory Note amends the Promissory Note described below:

Series:
Date:
Registered Holder:
Principal (including amounts
added in payment of interest):
Interest:
Total Principal and Interest:
Shares to be issued in full payment of this Promissory Note Number of shares:
      Class:



Endorsed and Tendered
for Exchange in Accordance
with this Allonge to Promissory Note


_________________________________________
Registered Holder

By:_______________________________________

Its:______________________________________

Date:_____________________________________


                               EXHIBIT B

                         NONVOTING COMMON STOCK

     Part 4 of Section  4.3 of Article  Fourth of the  Restated  Certificate  of
Incorporation  of the  Corporation  shall be amended to read in its  entirety as
follows:

     Part 4. CONVERSION.

     4A. CONVERSION OF NONVOTING COMMON STOCK.

          Each holder of shares of  Nonvoting  Common Stock shall be entitled to
     convert  into the same number of shares of Common  Stock any or all of such
     holder's shares of Nonvoting  Common Stock if (i) such conversion would not
     have the effect of causing  such holder (or a group  acting in concert as a
     partnership  or other group of which such holder is a member) to become the
     beneficial  owner  (within the  meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the  Securities
     Exchange  Act of  1934,  as  amended)  of  securities  of  the  Corporation
     representing  30% or more of the combined  voting power of the  outstanding
     securities of the  Corporation  ordinarily  (and apart from rights  arising
     under  special  circumstances)  having the right to vote in the election of
     directors  (hereinafter,   a  "30%  Holder");   provided,   however,  that,
     notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this clause (i), if immediately
     prior to a transfer of shares of  Nonvoting  Common  Stock to a  transferee
     holder,  the  transferor of such shares would have been a 30% Holder if its
     holdings of  Nonvoting  Common Stock were deemed  converted  into shares of
     Common Stock, then the transferee holder of such shares of Nonvoting Common
     Stock shall not have the right to convert such shares of  Nonvoting  Common
     Stock into shares of Common Stock until the  sixty-first day after the date
     of the transfer,  or (ii) the 11 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2003 of
     Pamida,  Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Senior Subordinated Notes") are
     not  outstanding  and  have  not  been  replaced  with  a debt  issue  with
     comparable   provisions   requiring   redemption   or  otherwise   imposing
     requirements  or  restrictions  on the  Corporation  or the  issuer of such
     replacement debt issue in the event a person or group becomes a 30% Holder.
     For purposes of this Part 4, a "person"  shall  include any natural  person
     and any  corporation,  partnership,  joint venture,  trust,  unincorporated
     organization, or other entity or organization.

     4B. CONVERSION PROCEDURE.

          (i) Each conversion of shares of Nonvoting Common Stock into shares of
     Common Stock  pursuant to Part 4A above shall be effected by the  surrender
     of the certificate or certificates  representing the shares to be converted
     at the  principal  office  of the  Corporation  at any time  during  normal
     business hours, together with a written notice by the holder of such shares
     of Nonvoting  Common Stock stating that such holder  desires to convert the
     shares,  or a stated  number  of the  shares,  of  Nonvoting  Common  Stock
     represented  by such  certificate  or  certificates  into  shares of Common
     Stock.  Each  conversion  shall be deemed to have been  effected  as of the
     close of business  on the date on which such  certificate  or  certificates
     have been  surrendered and such notice has been received,  and at such time
     the rights of the holder of the converted  shares of Nonvoting Common Stock
     as such holder shall cease and the person or persons in whose name or names
     the certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock are to be issued
     upon such  conversion  shall be deemed to have become the holder or holders
     of record of the shares of Common Stock represented thereby.

          (ii) Promptly after the surrender of such certificates and the receipt
     of such  written  notice,  the  Corporation  shall  issue  and  deliver  in
     accordance with the surrendering  holder's instructions (a) the certificate
     or  certificates  for  the  shares  of  Common  Stock  issuable  upon  such
     conversion  and (b) a  certificate  representing  any  shares of  Nonvoting
     Common Stock which were  represented  by the  certificate  or  certificates
     surrendered to the Corporation in connection with such conversion but which
     were not converted.

          (iii) The  issuance of  certificates  for shares of Common  Stock upon
     conversion of shares of Nonvoting  Common Stock will be made without charge
     to the holders of such shares for any  issuance  tax in respect  thereof or
     other cost incurred by the  Corporation in connection  with such conversion
     and the related issuance of shares of Common Stock.

          (iv) The Corporation at all times shall reserve and keep available out
     of its  authorized  but  unissued  shares of Common  Stock,  solely for the
     purpose of  issuance  upon the  conversion  of shares of  Nonvoting  Common
     Stock,  such number of shares of Common  Stock as may be issuable  upon the
     conversion of all outstanding  shares of Nonvoting Common Stock. All shares
     of Common  Stock  which are so issuable  shall,  when  issued,  be duly and
     validly  issued,  fully  paid and  nonassessable,  and free from all taxes,
     liens, and charges.  The Corporation  shall take all such actions as may be
     necessary  to assure that all such shares of Common  Stock may be so issued
     without  violation of any applicable law or governmental  regulation or any
     requirements  of any  domestic  securities  exchange  upon which  shares of
     Common Stock may be listed  (except for official  notice of issuance  which
     will be immediately transmitted by the Corporation upon issuance).

          (v) The Corporation  shall not close its books against the transfer of
     shares of  Nonvoting  Common  Stock or shares  of  Common  Stock  issued or
     issuable upon conversion of shares of Nonvoting  Common Stock in any manner
     which would  interfere  with the timely  conversion  of shares of Nonvoting
     Common Stock.

          (vi) If the  Corporation  in any manner  subdivides  or  combines  the
     outstanding  shares of Common Stock or  Nonvoting  Common  Stock,  then the
     outstanding  shares  of the  other  of  such  classes  of  stock  shall  be
     proportionately subdivided or combined in a similar manner.


                                                               EXHIBIT C


Text  of  Proposed   Amendment  to  Section  4.2  of  Restated   Certificate  of
Incorporation of Pamida Holdings Corporation.



                     4.2 RECLASSIFICATION OF PREFERRED STOCK

          Upon  the  effectiveness  of  this  Certificate  of  Amendment  of the
     Restated  Certificate of  Incorporation  of the Corporation (the "Effective
     Date"),  each  outstanding  share of Senior  Preferred and each outstanding
     share of Junior  Preferred shall be changed and  reclassified,  without any
     other action being required on the part of the respective  holders thereof,
     into the number of shares of Common Stock of the Corporation  calculated as
     follows:  The  number  of  shares  of  Common  Stock to be  issued  for the
     outstanding  shares of Senior  Preferred and Junior  Preferred held by each
     holder  thereof  shall be equal to the  Liquidation  Value of such holder's
     shares of Senior  Preferred  and Junior  Preferred  divided by nine (9) and
     rounded up to the next whole number. The "Liquidation  Value" of each share
     of Senior Preferred or Junior Preferred shall mean the Liquidation Value as
     determined  pursuant to the terms of Section  4.2 of Article  Fourth of the
     Restated  Certificate  of  Incorporation  of the  Corporation  as in effect
     immediately  prior to the  Effective  Date plus any  unpaid  dividends  not
     included in the  Liquidation  Value  accrued from the most recent  Dividend
     Reference  Date (as such term is defined  in the  Restated  Certificate  of
     Incorporation  of the  Corporation  as in effect  immediately  prior to the
     Effective Date) to the close of business on the Effective Date.

          At and after the Effective Date, holders of shares of Senior Preferred
     and Junior  Preferred,  upon surrender of a certificate or certificates for
     such shares to the Corporation, shall be entitled to receive in replacement
     thereof a certificate  representing the number of shares of Common Stock of
     the  Corporation  into  which  the  aggregate  number  of  shares of Senior
     Preferred  or  Junior   Preferred   represented   by  the   certificate  or
     certificates  so  surrendered  shall  have been  changed  and  reclassified
     pursuant to the preceding paragraph of this Section 4.2. From and after the
     Effective  Date,  until  surrendered  and replaced in accordance  with this
     paragraph, each such certificate representing shares of Senior Preferred or
     Junior  Preferred  shall be deemed for all corporate  purposes to represent
     the  number of shares of Common  Stock of the  Corporation  into which such
     shares of Senior  Preferred or Junior Preferred shall have been changed and
     reclassified  pursuant to the  preceding  paragraph  of this  Section  4.2;
     provided,  however,  that the rights of the  holders  of such  certificates
     representing shares of Senior Preferred or Junior Preferred (i) to vote and
     (ii) to receive dividends and distributions,  if any, payable to holders of
     Common  Stock  of the  Corporation  shall  be  governed  by  the  following
     provisions of this paragraph. After the Effective Date, no holder of shares
     of Senior Preferred or Junior Preferred shall have the right to vote on any
     matter  submitted  to a  vote  of  the  holders  of  Common  Stock  of  the
     Corporation  until the  Corporation,  in accordance  with the provisions of
     this  paragraph,  has issued to such holder a certificate for the shares of
     Common Stock of the Corporation  into which such shares of Senior Preferred
     or Junior  Preferred shall have been changed and  reclassified  pursuant to
     the  preceding  paragraph  of  this  Section  4.2.  Unless  and  until  the
     certificate  or  certificates  representing  shares of Senior  Preferred or
     Junior  Preferred have been  surrendered to the Corporation as contemplated
     in this paragraph,  no dividends or other distributions  payable to holders
     of  Common  Stock of the  Corporation  as of a record  date at or after the
     Effective  Date  shall  be  paid  to any  holder  of  such  certificate  or
     certificates.  Subject to the effect of unclaimed  property,  escheat,  and
     other  applicable  laws,  after the surrender of any such  certificate  for
     shares of Senior Preferred or Junior Preferred,  there shall be paid to the
     record  holder of the shares of Common Stock of the  Corporation  issued in
     replacement  of such  certificate,  without  interest,  (i) the  amount  of
     dividends  or  other  distributions  with a  record  date at or  after  the
     Effective Date but prior to such surrender theretofore paid with respect to
     such shares of Common Stock of the  Corporation and (ii) on the appropriate
     payment date, the amount of dividends or other  distributions with a record
     date at or after  the  Effective  Date but  prior to such  surrender  and a
     payment  date  subsequent  to such  surrender  payable with respect to such
     shares of Common  Stock of the  Corporation.  From and after the  Effective
     Date,  the stock  transfer  books of the  Corporation  with  respect to the
     Senior Preferred and the Junior Preferred shall be closed,  and no transfer
     of any of such shares  thereafter  shall be made.  If, after the  Effective
     Date,  certificates  for shares of Senior Preferred or Junior Preferred are
     presented to the Corporation for transfer,  then such certificates shall be
     cancelled and replaced by certificates issued in the name of the transferee
     representing  the  appropriate  number of  shares  of  Common  Stock of the
     Corporation as provided in this paragraph.

                                                               EXHIBIT D


Text  of  Proposed   Amendment  to  Section  4.1  of  Restated   Certificate  of
Incorporation of Pamida Holdings Corporation.



                                  4.1 GENERAL

          The  total  number  of  shares  of stock  which  the  Corporation  has
     authority to issue is 29,002,141 consisting of:

          (i)  514 shares of 16.25% Senior Cumulative Preferred Stock, par value
               $1.00 per share (the "Senior Preferred");

          (ii) 1,627 shares of 14.25% Junior  Cumulative  Preferred  Stock,  par
               value $1.00 per share (the "Junior Preferred");

          (iii)25,000,000  shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share (the
               "Common Stock"); and

          (iv) 4,000,000  shares of Nonvoting  Common Stock,  par value $.01 per
               share (the "Nonvoting Common Stock").


                                                               EXHIBIT E


Text  of  Proposed   Amendment  to  Section  4.3  of  Restated   Certificate  of
Incorporation of Pamida Holdings Corporation.



                   4.3 COMMON STOCK AND NONVOTING COMMON STOCK

          Except as  otherwise  provided  in this  Section  4.3 or as  otherwise
     required by applicable law, all shares of Common Stock and Nonvoting Common
     Stock shall be  identical  in all  respects  and shall  entitle the holders
     thereof  to  the  same   rights  and   privileges,   subject  to  the  same
     qualifications, limitations, and restrictions.

          Part 1. VOTING RIGHTS.

          Except  as  otherwise  provided  in  this  Section  4.3 or in  ARTICLE
     ELEVENTH or as otherwise  required by applicable law, the holders of Common
     Stock shall be entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted on
     by the  Corporation's  stockholders,  and the holders of  Nonvoting  Common
     Stock  shall  have no  right to vote on any  matters  to be voted on by the
     Corporation's stockholders;  provided, that the holders of Nonvoting Common
     Stock  shall  have the right to vote as a  separate  class on any merger or
     consolidation  of the Corporation  with or into another entity or entities,
     or any  recapitalization  or  reorganization,  in which shares of Nonvoting
     Common Stock would receive or be exchanged for consideration different on a
     per share  basis  from the  consideration  received  with  respect to or in
     exchange  for  shares  of  Common  Stock  or  would  otherwise  be  treated
     differently  from shares of Common  Stock,  except that shares of Nonvoting
     Common  Stock  may,  without  such a  separate  class  vote,  receive or be
     exchanged for non-voting  securities which are otherwise identical on a per
     share  basis in amount  and form to the  voting  securities  received  with
     respect  to or in  exchange  for the  Common  Stock  so  long  as (i)  such
     non-voting  securities are convertible  into voting  securities on the same
     terms as Nonvoting Common Stock is convertible into Common Stock under Part
     4 of this  Section 4.3 and (ii) all other  consideration  is equal on a per
     share basis.

          Part 2. DIVIDENDS

          As and when  dividends are declared or paid thereon,  whether in cash,
     property, or securities of the Corporation, the holders of Common Stock and
     the holders of Nonvoting  Common Stock shall be entitled to  participate in
     such  dividends  ratably  on a per  share  basis;  provided,  that  (i)  if
     dividends  are  declared  which are  payable  in shares of Common  Stock or
     Nonvoting Common Stock,  then dividends shall be declared which are payable
     at the same rate on both classes of stock, the dividends  payable in shares
     of Common  Stock  shall be  payable to  holders  of Common  Stock,  and the
     dividends  payable in shares of Nonvoting  Common Stock shall be payable to
     holders of  Nonvoting  Common  Stock and (ii) if the  dividends  consist of
     other voting  securities of the  Corporation,  the  Corporation  shall make
     available  to each  holder of  Nonvoting  Common  Stock,  at such  holder's
     request,  dividends consisting of non-voting  securities of the Corporation
     which are  otherwise  identical  to such  voting  securities  and which are
     convertible  into or  exchangeable  for such voting  securities on the same
     terms as Nonvoting Common Stock is convertible into Common Stock under Part
     4 of this Section 4.3.

          Part 3. LIQUIDATION.

          Except as  otherwise  provided by  applicable  law or by the  Restated
     Certificate of Incorporation of the Corporation or any amendments  thereto,
     in  the  event  of  any  liquidation,  dissolution,  or  winding  up of the
     Corporation,  whether voluntary or involuntary, the holders of Common Stock
     and the  holders of  Nonvoting  Common  Stock  shall be  entitled to share,
     ratably  according  to the number of shares of Common  Stock and  Nonvoting
     Common  Stock  held by them,  in all  remaining  assets of the  Corporation
     available for distribution to its stockholders.

          Part 4. CONVERSION.

     4A. Conversion of Nonvoting Common Stock.

          Each holder of shares of  Nonvoting  Common Stock shall be entitled to
     convert  into the same number of shares of Common  Stock any or all of such
     holder's shares of Nonvoting  Common Stock if (i) such conversion would not
     have the effect of causing  such holder (or a group  acting in concert as a
     partnership  or other group of which such holder is a member) to become the
     beneficial  owner  (within the  meaning of Rule 13d-3 under the  Securities
     Exchange  Act of  1934,  as  amended)  of  securities  of  the  Corporation
     representing  30% or more of the combined  voting power of the  outstanding
     securities of the  Corporation  ordinarily  (and apart from rights  arising
     under  special  circumstances)  having the right to vote in the election of
     directors  (hereinafter,   a  "30%  Holder");   provided,   however,  that,
     notwithstanding the foregoing provisions of this clause (i), if immediately
     prior to a transfer of shares of  Nonvoting  Common  Stock to a  transferee
     holder,  the  transferor of such shares would have been a 30% Holder if its
     holdings of  Nonvoting  Common Stock were deemed  converted  into shares of
     Common Stock, then the transferee holder of such shares of Nonvoting Common
     Stock shall not have the right to convert such shares of  Nonvoting  Common
     Stock into shares of Common Stock until the  sixty-first day after the date
     of the transfer,  or (ii) the 11 3/4% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2003 of
     Pamida,  Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Senior Subordinated Notes") are
     not  outstanding  and  have  not  been  replaced  with  a debt  issue  with
     comparable   provisions   requiring   redemption   or  otherwise   imposing
     requirements  or  restrictions  on the  Corporation  or the  issuer of such
     replacement debt issue in the event a person or group becomes a 30% Holder.
     For purposes of this Part 4, a "person"  shall  include any natural  person
     and any  corporation,  partnership,  joint venture,  trust,  unincorporated
     organization, or other entity or organization.

     4B. CONVERSION PROCEDURE.

          (i) Each conversion of shares of Nonvoting Common Stock into shares of
     Common Stock  pursuant to Part 4A above shall be effected by the  surrender
     of the certificate or certificates  representing the shares to be converted
     at the  principal  office  of the  Corporation  at any time  during  normal
     business hours, together with a written notice by the holder of such shares
     of Nonvoting  Common Stock stating that such holder  desires to convert the
     shares,  or a stated  number  of the  shares,  of  Nonvoting  Common  Stock
     represented  by such  certificate  or  certificates  into  shares of Common
     Stock.  Each  conversion  shall be deemed to have been  effected  as of the
     close of business  on the date on which such  certificate  or  certificates
     have been  surrendered and such notice has been received,  and at such time
     the rights of the holder of the converted  shares of Nonvoting Common Stock
     as such holder shall cease and the person or persons in whose name or names
     the certificate or certificates for shares of Common Stock are to be issued
     upon such  conversion  shall be deemed to have become the holder or holders
     of record of the shares of Common Stock represented thereby.

          (ii) Promptly after the surrender of such certificates and the receipt
     of such  written  notice,  the  Corporation  shall  issue  and  deliver  in
     accordance with the surrendering  holder's instructions (a) the certificate
     or  certificates  for  the  shares  of  Common  Stock  issuable  upon  such
     conversion  and (b) a  certificate  representing  any  shares of  Nonvoting
     Common Stock which were  represented  by the  certificate  or  certificates
     surrendered to the Corporation in connection with such conversion but which
     were not converted.

          (iii) The  issuance of  certificates  for shares of Common  Stock upon
     conversion of shares of Nonvoting  Common Stock will be made without charge
     to the holders of such shares for any  issuance  tax in respect  thereof or
     other cost incurred by the  Corporation in connection  with such conversion
     and the related issuance of shares of Common Stock.

          (iv) The Corporation at all times shall reserve and keep available out
     of its  authorized  but  unissued  shares of Common  Stock,  solely for the
     purpose of  issuance  upon the  conversion  of shares of  Nonvoting  Common
     Stock,  such number of shares of Common  Stock as may be issuable  upon the
     conversion of all outstanding  shares of Nonvoting Common Stock. All shares
     of Common  Stock  which are so issuable  shall,  when  issued,  be duly and
     validly  issued,  fully  paid and  nonassessable,  and free from all taxes,
     liens, and charges.  The Corporation  shall take all such actions as may be
     necessary  to assure that all such shares of Common  Stock may be so issued
     without  violation of any applicable law or governmental  regulation or any
     requirements  of any  domestic  securities  exchange  upon which  shares of
     Common Stock may be listed  (except for official  notice of issuance  which
     will be immediately transmitted by the Corporation upon issuance).

          (v) The Corporation  shall not close its books against the transfer of
     shares of  Nonvoting  Common  Stock or shares  of  Common  Stock  issued or
     issuable upon conversion of shares of Nonvoting  Common Stock in any manner
     which would  interfere  with the timely  conversion  of shares of Nonvoting
     Common Stock.

          (vi) If the  Corporation  in any manner  subdivides  or  combines  the
     outstanding  shares of Common Stock or  Nonvoting  Common  Stock,  then the
     outstanding  shares  of the  other  of  such  classes  of  stock  shall  be
     proportionately subdivided or combined in a similar manner.

          Part 5. AMENDMENT AND WAIVER.

          No amendment  or waiver of any  provision of this Section 4.3 shall be
     effective  without  the prior  approval of the holders of a majority of the
     then  outstanding  shares of  Nonvoting  Common  Stock voting as a separate
     class."

                                      PROXY


                           PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION

Proxy for Special Meeting of Stockholders to be held _____________, 1997


           THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS


     The undersigned hereby constitutes and appoints Steven S. Fishman, Frank A.
Washburn,  and George R. Mihalko, and each or any of them, attorneys and proxies
of the undersigned, with full power of substitution to each of them, to vote all
stock of Pamida Holdings Corporation (the "Corporation") standing in the name of
the  undersigned at the special meeting of stockholders of the Corporation to be
held at ______________,  _______________________,  Omaha, Nebraska, at 8:30 a.m.
on ________________,  1997, and at any adjournments  thereof, on the matters set
forth on the reverse side hereof and on any other matters that properly may come
before the meeting or any adjournments thereof.

     This  Proxy,  when  properly  signed,  will be  voted as  specified.  If no
specification  is given,  this  Proxy will be voted FOR all of the  matters  set
forth on the reverse side hereof.

     The undersigned hereby ratifies and confirms all that any of such attorneys
and proxies, or their substitutes,  may due or cause to be done by virtue hereof
and acknowledges receipt of the Notice of Special Meeting of Stockholders of the
Corporation  to be held on  _____________,  1997,  the  Proxy  Statement  of the
Corporation  for such Special  Meeting,  and copies of the Annual  Report of the
Corporation  on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended  February  2, 1997,  and the
Quarterly  Report of the Corporation on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended
August 3, 1997.


(To be signed on reverse side)
                                                              (See reverse side)

<PAGE>



1.   Approval of Note Amendment  Agreement No. 3 between the Corporation and 399
     Venture Partners, Inc. and the transactions contemplated thereby.
            FOR                     AGAINST                 ABSTAIN
            [ ]                       [ ]                     [ ]


2.   Approval of an amendment to the Restated  Certificate of  Incorporation  of
     the Corporation to change and reclassify all of the  outstanding  shares of
     Preferred  Stock of the  Corporation  into  shares of  Common  Stock of the
     Corporation.

            FOR                     AGAINST                 ABSTAIN
            [ ]                       [ ]                     [ ]


3.   Approval of amendments to the Restated  Certificate of Incorporation of the
     Corporation to increase the number of authorized shares of Common Stock and
     Nonvoting  Common Stock of the  Corporation,  amend the conversion terms of
     the  Nonvoting  Common Stock of the  Corporation,  and reduce the number of
     authorized shares of Junior Cumulative Preferred Stock of the Corporation.

            FOR                     AGAINST                 ABSTAIN
            [ ]                       [ ]                     [ ]





- ------------------------       -------------------------         ----------
Signature of Shareholder       Signature if Held Jointly            Date


Note:  Please sign exactly as name appears above.  When shares are held by joint
       tenants,   both  should  sign.   When  signing  as  attorney,   executor,
       administrator,  trustee,  or  guardian,  please  give full title as such.
       Corporations,  partnerships,  and limited liability companies should sign
       in their names by an authorized officer, partner, member, or manager.

<PAGE>



                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549
                                    FORM 10-K

              Annual Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
                        Securities Exchange Act of 1934

                   For the fiscal year ended February 2, 1997
                         Commission File Number 1-10619

                           PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                 Delaware                           47-0696125
     (State or other jurisdiction of       (IRS Employer Identification
      incorporation or organization)        Number)

         8800 "F" Street, Omaha, Nebraska                    68127
     (Address of principal executive offices)              (Zip Code)

Registrant's telephone number, including area code: (402) 339-2400

Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:

          Title of Each                   Name of Each Exchange
              Class                        on Which Registered
          -------------                  -----------------------
          Common Stock                   American Stock Exchange

 Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:

                                      NONE

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

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

     The aggregate  market value of the voting stock held by  non-affiliates  of
the  registrant  as of April 15, 1997,  was  $10,899,162  based upon the closing
price for such stock on the American Stock Exchange on such date.

     Indicate  the  number of  shares  outstanding  of each of the  registrant's
classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

                                                 Outstanding at
             Class of Stock                      April 15, 1997
             --------------                     ----------------
              Common Stock                      5,004,942 shares

     Documents  Incorporated by Reference:  Portions of the  registrant's  proxy
statement  dated  March 26,  1997,  for the annual  meeting of the  registrant's
stockholders to be held on May 22, 1997, are incorporated by reference into Part
III.
                                     PART I

Item 1. BUSINESS.

      FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     This 10-K contains certain forward-looking statements within the meaning of
the Private  Securities  Litigation  Reform Act of 1995 (the "1995  Act").  Such
statements  are made in good faith by the Company  pursuant  to the  safe-harbor
provisions of the 1995 Act. In  connection  with these  safe-harbor  provisions,
this 10-K contains certain forward-looking statements which reflect management's
current  views  and  estimates  of  future  economic   circumstances,   industry
conditions,  Company performance and financial results. The statements are based
on many  assumptions  and  factors  including  sales  results,  expense  levels,
competition and interest rates as well as other risks and uncertainties inherent
in the Company's business, capital structure and the retail industry in general.
Any changes in these factors could result in  significantly  different  results.
The Company  further  cautions that the  forward-looking  information  contained
herein is not exhaustive or exclusive.  The Company does not undertake to update
any  forward-looking  statements  which  may be made  from time to time by or on
behalf of the Company.

      GENERAL.

     Pamida Holdings  Corporation  conducts its mass merchandise retail business
through its wholly  owned  subsidiary,  Pamida,  Inc.,  a Delaware  corporation.
Unless the context indicates  otherwise,  the terms "Pamida" and "Company" refer
collectively   to  Pamida   Holdings   Corporation,   its  direct  and  indirect
subsidiaries  and  their  predecessors,  and  "Holdings"  refers  only to Pamida
Holdings Corporation.

     Holdings is a Delaware  corporation  incorporated in 1986 to acquire all of
the  capital  stock of Pamida,  Inc.  which,  directly  since 1981 and through a
predecessor  prior to 1981,  had been  engaged  in the mass  merchandise  retail
business since 1963. The capital stock of Pamida,  Inc. is the only  significant
asset of Holdings, and Holdings has no material operations of its own.

     On January 19, 1996, the Company announced its intention to close 40 stores
located in unprofitable or highly competitive markets. Store closing sales began
on January 29, 1996, and the Company completed all of such store closings during
the second quarter of the fiscal year ended February 2, 1997. References in this
Form 10-K to the "40 Closed Stores" mean such 40 stores.


      STORES.

     At February 2, 1997,  Pamida  operated 148 mass  merchandise  retail stores
located in 148 small towns (having an average population of approximately 5,500)
in 15 Midwestern,  North Central and Rocky Mountain states.  Pamida's  strategic
objective is to be the dominant mass merchandise  retailer in the communities it
serves.  The Company  believes that it holds the leading market position in over
80% of the communities in which its stores are located.

     Pamida stores generally are located in small towns,  normally county seats,
where  there  often  is  little  or  no  competition  from  another  major  mass
merchandise  retailer and which the Company  considers to be either too small to
support  more than one major  mass  merchandise  retailer  (thereby  creating  a
potential  barrier  to  entry by a major  competitor)  or too  small to  attract
competitors whose stores generally are designed to serve larger populations.  At
February  2,  1997,  119 of the  Company's  148  stores  faced no  direct  local
competition from other major mass merchandise retailers.

     The Company's stores average approximately 29,000 square feet of sales area
and range in size from approximately  6,000 to 51,000 square feet of sales area.
At  February  2,  1997,   Pamida's   stores  had  an  aggregate  sales  area  of
approximately 4,348,000 square feet.

     The  following  table  indicates the states in which  Pamida's  stores were
located as of February 2, 1997:

     STATE                                                        TOTAL
     -----                                                        -----
     Minnesota.....................................................  29
     Iowa..........................................................  26
     Nebraska......................................................  15
     Wisconsin.....................................................  14
     Michigan.....................................................   12
     Ohio.........................................................   10
     Wyoming.......................................................   9
     North Dakota..................................................   7
     South Dakota..................................................   7
     Montana.......................................................   7
     Indiana.......................................................   4
     Kansas........................................................   3
     Kentucky .....................................................   2
     Illinois......................................................   2
     Missouri .....................................................   1
                                                                    ---
                                                                    148
                                                                    ===

     The  following  tables  show the number of the  Company's  store  openings,
relocations  and closings and the aggregate  year-end store sales area by fiscal
year since fiscal 1993:

                                   Fiscal Year Ended
                        1997    1996    1995    1994    1993

Beginning of year ...    144     184     173     178     178
  Stores opened in
    new markets .....      6       7      17       8       9
  Stores relocated in
    existing markets       2       3      --      --      --
  Stores closed .....     (4)    (10)     (6)    (13)     (9)
                         ---     ---     ---     ---     ---
End of year .........    148     184     184     173     178
Less 40 Closed Stores    ===     (40)    ===     ===     ===
                                 ---
                                 144
                                 ===

                                  Fiscal Year Ended
                        1997    1996    1995    1994    1993

Square feet of
  store sales area
  at year-end (in
  millions)             4.35    5.22    5.09    4.68    4.75
Less 40 Closed Stores          (1.09)
                               ------
                                4.13

     Pamida  regularly  evaluates all of its stores and from time to time closes
stores which no longer meet its standards for sales, profitability, selling area
or other applicable criteria.

      STORE EXPANSION PROGRAM.

     Pamida's  store  expansion  program is subject to the Company's  ability to
negotiate satisfactory leases, to the ability of prospective landlords to obtain
financing  for new store  buildings  and to various  zoning,  site  acquisition,
environmental,  traffic, construction and other contingencies. Three new stores,
two of which are replacement  stores,  are expected to commence  operations this
year.

     Pamida has identified  numerous  communities  which are potential sites for
the  Company's  prototype  stores and in which Pamida  believes it can achieve a
leading  market  position,  although there is no assurance that Pamida will open
stores in such communities or on any particular time schedule.

     In October  1996 the  Company  agreed to lease a new  200,000  square  foot
distribution  facility to be located in Lebanon,  Indiana.  Construction of this
new  facility is  underway,  and the  facility is expected to be  completed  and
operational during the second quarter of the current year.


     Pamida believes that its existing  distribution  facilities  (including the
new Lebanon, Indiana facility), senior and middle management staff and corporate
infrastructure are sufficient to accommodate the Company's anticipated growth.

     The Company typically invests  approximately  $1,450,000 to $1,750,000 in a
new  prototype  store.  Such  expenditures  consist  primarily of  approximately
$1,000,000 to $1,200,000 for the initial store inventory,  a portion of which is
financed by vendor  trade  credit,  and  approximately  $450,000 to $550,000 for
store fixtures and equipment.  Because of the redeployment of store fixtures and
equipment  from the 40 Closed  Stores to new stores,  the Company  expects store
fixture and equipment  expense to be limited to  approximately  $250,000 per new
store for fiscal 1998. In most cases,  building and land costs of  approximately
$1,450,000 to $1,750,000 per store are financed by  unaffiliated  developers who
lease the real estate to Pamida.  To expedite the construction  process,  Pamida
occasionally  may  construct  stores  on  sites  which  it  acquires,  with  the
expectation  that it subsequently  will enter into  sale-leaseback  transactions
with respect to such stores with unaffiliated investors.

      SALES AND MERCHANDISING.

     Pamida's  merchandising policy is to provide customers with one-stop family
shopping convenience and to feature nationally advertised brand-name products as
well as some private-label merchandise at attractive prices. Pamida operates its
stores  on a  self-service,  primarily  cash-and-carry  basis  and  runs  weekly
advertised  promotions  throughout the year. All of Pamida's  stores accept bank
credit cards,  which  accounted for 14.2% of total store sales during the fiscal
year ended February 2, 1997.

     Pamida's typical customers are  price-conscious  families across the income
spectrum.  To effectively  serve such customers,  the Company's  stores are open
seven days a week for an average of at least 75 hours per week.

     Pamida's two basic merchandise  divisions are softlines and hardlines.  The
softlines  division includes men's,  women's,  children's and infants' clothing,
footwear,  accessories and jewelry.  The hardlines division includes  categories
such as health and beauty aids,  automotive  accessories,  housewares,  cleaning
supplies,  hardware,  paint, sporting goods, toys, stationery,  small appliances
and electronic items, videos, compact discs and tapes, lawn and garden supplies,
linens and other domestics,  cameras and accessories, pet supplies and some food
and candy items.

     The Company  currently  owns and  operates  pharmacies  in 41 of its larger
stores,  and eight of Pamida's  other  stores  contain  prescription  pharmacies
leased to and operated by independent pharmacists. The pharmacies have proved to
be effective  in building  customer  loyalty and  attracting  customers  who are
likely to  purchase  other  items in  addition  to  prescription  drugs.  Pamida
intends,  whenever feasible in light of regulatory and personnel  considerations
and where  space  permits,  to include a pharmacy  in each of its new  prototype
stores and to add pharmacies to existing stores.

     During the fiscal  year ended  February  2, 1997,  the  hardlines  division
accounted  for  approximately  72% of Pamida's  total  sales,  while the apparel
division and the pharmacies accounted for 23% and 5%, respectively,  of Pamida's
total sales.

     Among the methods that the Company  employs to build  customer  loyalty and
satisfaction are weekly  advertised  specials,  competitive  pricing,  clean and
orderly stores,  friendly well-trained  personnel, a liberal return policy and a
wide variety of special  customer  services (such as wheelchairs for the elderly
and  handicapped,  restroom  facilities and water  fountains,  seating  benches,
speedy  check-out  lanes and  expedited  check cashing and raincheck and layaway
processing) offered under various customer-oriented themes such as "We Care" and
"We're  Listening".  Pamida  places  special  emphasis on  maintaining  a strong
in-stock  position in all merchandise  categories,  particularly with respect to
sale items.

     Pamida's business,  like that of most other mass merchandise retailers,  is
seasonal.  First quarter  sales  (February  through  April) are lower than sales
during the other three fiscal  quarters,  while fourth  quarter sales  (November
through January) in recent years have increased to approximately 30% of the full
year's  sales  and  normally  involve  a greater  proportion  of  higher  margin
merchandise.


      ADVERTISING AND PROMOTION.

     The Company's  extensive  advertising  primarily  utilizes  colorful weekly
circulars  developed  by  a  centralized   advertising  department  at  Pamida's
headquarters.  Such  circulars  advertise  brand-name  and other  merchandise at
significant  price  reductions and are inserted into local  newspapers or mailed
directly to customers.  Pamida also uses local shoppers  publications and coupon
books.  During  fiscal 1997,  Pamida  spent  approximately  $11,618,000  (net of
promotional  allowances  provided by vendors) on advertising,  which represented
approximately 1.8% of fiscal 1997 sales.


      PURCHASING AND DISTRIBUTION.

     Pamida  maintains a centralized  buying,  merchandising  and store planning
staff at its  executive  offices.  The  merchandising  department  includes  two
general merchandise managers, five hardlines divisional merchandise managers and
three  apparel  divisional   merchandise   managers.   Each  of  the  divisional
merchandise  managers  supervises  from  five to seven  buyers.  Members  of the
Company's  experienced  buying staff regularly  attend major trade shows,  visit
both domestic and overseas markets and meet with vendor  representatives  at the
Company's headquarters.

     The  merchandise  in the  Company's  stores is  purchased  from over  3,000
primary  manufacturers  and suppliers and numerous  other  vendors.  Centralized
purchasing enables Pamida to more effectively control inventory shrinkage and to
take advantage of promotional  programs and volume discounts  offered by certain
vendors. The Company continuously seeks to optimize merchandise costs, including
promotional allowances offered by its suppliers. Pamida also has centralized the
management  of  returned   merchandise,   which  enables  the  Company  to  most
effectively secure vendor credits and refunds with respect to such merchandise.

     The Company's  point-of-sale  data capture  equipment located in its stores
provides  current  information  to  Pamida's  buyers to assist  them in managing
inventories,   effecting   prompt   reorders  of  popular   items,   eliminating
slow-selling merchandise and reducing markdowns.

     Seaway  Importing  Company,  a wholly  owned  subsidiary  of Pamida,  Inc.,
imports a wide variety of merchandise,  including  sporting goods, pet supplies,
toys, electronic items, apparel, hair care items, painting supplies,  automotive
items and hardware, for sale in Pamida's stores.

     During fiscal 1997,  approximately 76% of Pamida's merchandise was supplied
to the stores through  Pamida's own  distribution  centers,  while the remaining
merchandise   was  supplied   directly  to  the  stores  by   manufacturers   or
distributors.

      COMPETITION.

     The mass merchandise retail business is highly  competitive.  The Company's
stores generally  compete with  supermarkets,  drug and specialty  stores,  mail
order and catalog  merchants  and, in some  communities,  department  stores and
other mass merchandise retailers. Competitors consist both of independent stores
and of regional and national chains,  some of which have  substantially  greater
resources than the Company. The type and degree of competition and the number of
competitors which Pamida's stores face vary significantly by market.

     Pamida  believes  that  the  principal  areas  of  competition  in the mass
merchandise retail industry are store location,  price,  merchandise variety and
quality and customer  service,  although  numerous other factors also affect the
competitive position of any particular store. Among the methods that the Company
employs  to build  customer  loyalty  and  satisfaction  are  weekly  advertised
specials,  competitive pricing, clean and orderly stores,  friendly well-trained
personnel,  a liberal  return  policy and a wide  variety  of  special  customer
services offered under themes such as "We Care" and "We're Listening".

     Pamida stores generally are located in small towns,  normally county seats,
where  there  often  is  little  or  no  competition  from  another  major  mass
merchandise  retailer and which may be either too small to support more than one
major mass merchandise  retailer  (thereby creating a potential barrier to entry
by a  major  competitor)  or too  small  to  attract  competitors  whose  stores
generally are designed to serve larger  populations.  The Company believes that,
in terms of sales,  it is the leading mass  merchandise  retailer in over 80% of
the communities in which its stores are located.

     At February 2, 1997, 119 of Pamida's 148 stores were located in communities
in which there was no direct local competition from other major mass merchandise
retailers. As of that date, Kmart, Alco, Wal-Mart,  Target and ShopKo had stores
in 16,  11,  6, 2 and 1  communities,  respectively,  where  Pamida  stores  are
located;  however,  because some of these communities have more than one of such
competitors,  only 29 Pamida  stores face  direct  local  competition  from such
retail chains. In recent years the Company's business strategy has been to focus
its store expansion  program on communities with less likelihood of the entry of
a new major  competitor,  but there can be no assurance that in the future major
competitors will not open additional stores in the Company's markets.

     Merchandise  prices  generally are  established on a zone basis at Pamida's
executive offices, although store managers are given discretion to adjust prices
of key items to meet local  competition  and to match a competitor's  advertised
prices.  Zone pricing allows the Company to establish prices at different levels
in different trade territories, based primarily on competitive conditions within
such territories,  rather than having a uniform pricing structure throughout the
entire  chain.   Pamida  conducts  a  continuous  program  of  competitor  price
comparisons that enables the Company to make merchandise price adjustments, when
necessary, to assure that the Company maintains a competitive position.

      EMPLOYEES.

     As of February 2, 1997, Pamida had approximately  5,700 employees,  of whom
approximately  2,800  were  full-time  and 2,900 were  part-time.  The number of
employees varies on a seasonal basis. None of Pamida's employees are represented
by a labor union, and the Company believes that its relations with its employees
are good.

     At  February  2, 1997,  the  average  length of  service  of the  Company's
management staff was as follows:

                                     Average
                                      Years
                                             Number     of Service
                                             ------     ----------
Top Management                                  2          15.3
Senior Vice Presidents and Vice Presidents     16           5.7
District Managers                              12          20.3
Pharmacy District Supervisors                   3           4.9
Store Managers                                148          10.7
Pharmacy Managers                              41           3.1


     Pamida's human resources  department is responsible for company-wide salary
and wage administration,  as well as all benefit-plan administration.  The human
resources  department works closely with store operations in the development and
administration of Pamida's store-level employee training programs.  In addition,
Pamida has an ongoing  program for the  development  of management  personnel to
fill  positions in all facets of the Company's  operations and makes a concerted
effort to identify and train potential  successors for all of its key middle and
senior managers.

Item 2.  PROPERTIES.

     At February 2, 1997, the Company owned 20 of its 148 store buildings, while
its remaining 128 stores operated in leased premises.  A substantial majority of
the Company's leases have renewal options,  with approximately 49% of the leases
having  unexpired  current  terms of five  years or more.  The  following  table
provides  information  relating to the  remaining  lease terms for the Company's
leased stores at February 2, 1997:


          Lease Expiring             Number of Leased Stores
       During the Period (1)                 2/02/97


          1/97 to 12/98                         5
          1/99 to 12/00                         5
          1/01 to 12/02                        10
          1/03 to 12/04                         8
            After 12/04                       100
                                              ---
               Total                          128
                                              ===
- ---------------
(1) Includes renewal options.


     Pamida's  management  believes that the physical condition of the Company's
stores  generally is very good.  All of the  Company's  stores are  continuously
updated to conform to Pamida's operating and merchandising standards.

     The Company's  general offices and one of its two distribution  centers are
located in a 215,000  square  foot  building  in Omaha,  Nebraska,  owned by the
Company.  This facility contains  approximately 135,000 square feet of warehouse
space and approximately 80,000 square feet of office space.

     Pamida's   primary   distribution   center   is  a  336,000   square   foot
"flow-through"   facility   situated  on  a  22-acre  tract  of  land  in  Omaha
approximately  one mile  from the  distribution  center  described  above.  This
facility,  which is owned by Pamida, serves primarily as a redistribution center
for bulk  shipments  and  promotional  merchandise  on which cost savings can be
realized through  quantity  purchasing.  Pamida also owns an additional  10-acre
tract of land  adjacent to such  distribution  center  which  would  permit that
facility to be further expanded by almost 60%.

     In October  1996,  the Company  agreed to lease a new  200,000  square foot
distribution  facility to be located in Lebanon,  Indiana.  Construction of this
new  facility,  currently  is  underway,  and the  facility  is  expected  to be
operational  during the second  quarter of the current year.  This  distribution
facility  will replace the 100,000  square foot  warehouse  facility  previously
operated by the Company in the Milwaukee,  Wisconsin area,  which was closed and
the lease  terminated in December 1996 due to eminent  domain action by the City
of Glendale,  Wisconsin.  Under the Wisconsin administrative code, Pamida has up
to two years to file a claim for  "Actual and  Reasonable  Moving  Expenses"  in
connection  with the  Company's  relocation  to  Lebanon,  Indiana.  The Lebanon
facility  also will be used as a  redistribution  center for bulk  shipments and
promotional merchandise.

     Pamida also has a warehouse facility in Omaha which contains  approximately
41,000 square feet of space and is located immediately adjacent to the Company's
general  offices.  This  warehouse,  which is owned by  Pamida,  is used for the
processing  of  merchandise  to be returned  to vendors  and by the  advertising
department in connection with its printing operations.

     In  addition  to its retail  stores,  distribution  centers  and  warehouse
facility,  Pamida's  tangible  assets include  inventories,  warehouse and store
fixtures  and  equipment,   merchandise  handling  equipment,  office  and  data
processing equipment, motor vehicles and an airplane.

Item 3.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.

     Pamida is a party to a number of lawsuits  incidental to its business,  the
outcome of which,  both  individually  and in the aggregate,  is not expected to
have  a  material  adverse  effect  on the  Company's  operations  or  financial
condition.

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

         None.

                                      * * *

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.

     The present executive  officers of Holdings are Steven S. Fishman (Chairman
of  the  Board,  President  and  Chief  Executive  Officer)  Frank  A.  Washburn
(Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer and Secretary), and George R.
Mihalko (Senior Vice President, Chief Financial Officer, Treasurer and Assistant
Secretary).  Information  concerning  such  executive  officers  appears  in the
following paragraphs:

     Mr. Fishman, age 46, has served as President and Chief Executive Officer of
Holdings  and  Pamida,  Inc.  since  April 1993 and as  Chairman of the Board of
Holdings  and Pamida,  Inc.  since  August  1993.  From 1988 to March 1993,  Mr.
Fishman was  employed  by Caldor,  Inc.  as Senior  Vice  President  and General
Merchandise Manager-Homelines. Mr. Fishman has been a director of Holdings since
1993 and also is a director of Pamida, Inc.

     Mr. Washburn, age 48, has served as Chief Operating Officer of Holdings and
Pamida,  Inc.  since March 1997,  Executive  Vice  President  of Holdings  since
September 1995 and Executive Vice President of Pamida, Inc. since February 1995.
Mr.  Washburn  previously  served as Senior Vice President - Human  Resources of
Pamida,  Inc.  from  1993 to 1995 and as Vice  President  - Human  Resources  of
Pamida,  Inc.  from 1987 to 1993.  Mr.  Washburn  also  serves as  Secretary  of
Holdings and Pamida Inc. Mr. Washburn  joined Pamida's  predecessor in 1965. Mr.
Washburn  has been a director of  Holdings  since 1995 and also is a director of
Pamida, Inc.

     Mr. Mihalko,  age 42, has served as Senior Vice President,  Chief Financial
Officer,  Treasurer and Assistant  Secretary of Holdings and Pamida,  Inc. since
September 1995.  From February 1993 to September 1995,  Mr. Mihalko was employed
by Pier 1 Imports,  Inc.  as Vice  President  and  Treasurer.  From July 1990 to
February  1993,  Mr.  Mihalko was employed by  Burlington  Northern  Railroad as
Assistant Treasurer.

     The  executive  officers of Holdings may be removed  from their  respective
positions  as such  officers at any time by the Board of  Directors of Holdings,
subject to any rights which they may have under  employment  agreements with the
Company.

                                     PART II

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

     The Common  Stock of Holdings  has been  listed and traded on the  American
Stock Exchange since  September 18, 1990.  Prior to that date, no market existed
for such Common Stock.

     The high and low sales  prices  for the  Common  Stock of  Holdings  on the
American Stock Exchange for fiscal 1997 and fiscal 1996 are as follows:

      Fiscal 1997:                  High          Low

     4th Quarter                  2 5/16        1 1/2
     3rd Quarter                  2 3/8         1 5/8
     2nd Quarter                  3 1/4         2 1/8
     1st Quarter                  3 1/4         2 1/8


      Fiscal 1996:                  High          Low

      4th Quarter                 4 3/16        2 1/2
      3rd Quarter                 4 5/8         2 1/4
      2nd Quarter                 6             4
      1st Quarter                 7 3/4         6

     As of March 24, 1997 there were 297 record  holders of the Common  Stock of
Holdings.

     Holdings has never  declared or paid any cash dividends on its Common Stock
and does not intend to pay any such  dividends in the  foreseeable  future.  The
obligations  of Pamida,  Inc.  under certain of its financing  arrangements  are
guaranteed  by Holdings.  Such  financing  arrangements  presently  prohibit the
payment of  dividends  by  Holdings on its Common  Stock and also  significantly
restrict  the  ability  of  Pamida,   Inc.  to  pay   dividends  or  make  other
distributions to Holdings.

Item 6.  SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.

                   PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                      SELECTED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA
         (Dollar amounts in thousands - except per share and other data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                 Fiscal Years Ended
                                            ----------------------------------------------------------------
                                            February 2,   January 28,   January 29,  January 30,  January 31,
                                               1997 (1)     1996          1995         1994         1993
                                            -----------   -----------   -----------  -----------  -----------
<S>                                         <C>           <C>           <C>          <C>          <C>
INCOME STATEMENT DATA:
Sales ...................................   $ 633,189     $ 736,315     $ 711,019    $ 656,910    $ 622,941

Gross profit ............................     154,090       177,688       177,367      158,906      154,695
Selling, general and
   administrative expenses ..............     125,105       151,096       143,585      133,921      124,225
                                            ---------     ---------     ---------    ---------    ---------
Operating income ........................      28,985        26,592        33,782       24,985       30,470
Interest expense ........................      29,781        29,526        27,367       26,588       25,147
Long-lived asset write-off ..............          --        78,551            --           --           --
Store closing costs .....................          --        21,397            --           --           --
                                            ---------     ---------     ---------    ---------    ---------
(Loss) income before provision for income
   taxes and extraordinary item .........        (796)     (102,882)        6,415       (1,603)       5,323
Income tax (benefit) provision ..........          --        (7,863)        3,500          427        3,061
                                            ---------     ---------     ---------    ---------    ---------

(Loss) income before extraordinary item .        (796)      (95,019)        2,915       (2,030)       2,262
Extraordinary item ......................          --           371            --       (4,943)          --
                                            ---------     ---------     ---------    ---------    ---------

Net (loss) income .......................        (796)      (94,648)        2,915       (6,973)       2,262
Less preferred dividends
   and discount amortization ............         391           362           361          359          357
                                            ---------     ---------     ---------    ---------    ---------

Net (loss) income available
   for common shares ....................   $  (1,187)    $ (95,010)    $   2,554    $  (7,332)   $   1,905
                                            =========     =========     =========    =========    =========

Weighted average number of common and
   common equivalent shares outstanding     5,004,942     5,034,536     5,024,745    4,999,984    4,999,984
                                            =========     =========     =========    =========    =========

Net (loss) earnings per common share:
   (Loss) earnings before extraordinary
     item .............................     $    (.24)    $  (18.94)    $     .51    $    (.48)   $     .38
   Extraordinary item .................            --     $     .07            --         (.99)          --
                                            ---------     ---------     ---------    ---------    ---------

   Net (loss) earnings per common share     $    (.24)    $  (18.87)    $     .51    $   (1.47)   $     .38
                                            =========     =========     =========    =========    =========

BALANCE SHEET DATA:
    Working capital .....................   $  28,673     $  34,082     $  46,725    $  41,323    $  16,515
    Total assets ........................     269,188       258,525       354,367      314,621      309,629
    Long-term debt ......................     168,000       163,746       162,505      160,315      132,006
    Obligations under capital leases ....      33,999        36,559        43,050       35,618       37,164
    Redeemable preferred stock ..........       1,875         1,826         1,779        1,734        1,690
    Common shareholders' (deficit) equity     (87,303)      (86,116)        8,876        6,322       13,654

OTHER DATA:
    Team Members ........................       5,700         7,200         7,200        6,100        5,900
    Number of stores ....................         148           184           184          173          178
    Retail square feet (in millions) ....        4.35          5.22          5.09         4.68         4.75

(1)  Represents a 53 week year.

</TABLE>

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


                   PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                      MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
                          (Dollar amounts in thousands)


       YEAR ENDED FEBRUARY 2, 1997 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED JANUARY 28, 1996

     SALES - As discussed  in Note O to the  financial  statements,  the Company
closed  forty  stores  at the end of  fiscal  1996  in  unprofitable  or  highly
competitive  markets  which did not fit the  Company's  niche  market  strategy.
Consequently,  the  Company  experienced  a planned  decrease in total sales for
fiscal 1997 of $103,126 or 14.0%  compared to fiscal 1996 due  primarily  to the
reduced  number of stores.  During  fiscal  1997 the  Company  opened  eight new
prototype  stores,  of  which  six are  located  in new  markets  and  two  were
relocations;  the Company also closed two stores, resulting in a net increase in
selling area during the fiscal year of  approximately  216,000  square feet (not
including  changes  relating  to the forty  stores  closed as of fiscal year end
1996) to a total of 4,348,000 square feet. As of February 2, 1997, the Company's
store base  included 35 of the  Company's  most recent  store  prototype,  which
represented 28.7% of the Company's total selling square feet.

     Comparable  store sales during the 53-week fiscal 1997 period  decreased by
$8,893 or 1.5% from the 52-week fiscal 1996 period.  Comparable store sales on a
53-week to 53-week basis  decreased by 2.6%.  Sales were  affected  primarily by
slowed warehouse  distributions to stores as a result of the implementation of a
new  warehouse  inventory  management  system  initiated in the first quarter of
fiscal 1997.  The slowed  distributions  caused a  deterioration  of merchandise
in-stock  positions in most of the  Company's  stores,  resulting in lost sales.
While  implementation  of the warehouse  system was largely  completed by August
1996, and in-stock positions at the stores improved  thereafter,  sales remained
below management  expectations due to reduced customer traffic continuing in the
third and fourth  quarters.  Comparable  sales also were affected during much of
the year by low-margin  clearance  sales in fiscal 1996 which were not necessary
at the  same  level in  fiscal  1997.  However,  beginning  late in the  holiday
shopping  season and  continuing  through fiscal year end, sales improved as the
Company  demonstrated to customers its improved in-stock position in all product
categories.

     The Company  experienced  substantial  comparable  store sales increases in
fiscal 1997 in several merchandise  categories,  the most dramatic of which were
in the pharmacy prescription,  junior apparel,  grocery and ready-to-wear areas.
Comparable  store sales gains also were  generated in the hosiery,  team sports,
camera,  stationery,  health aids and bath categories.  The Company  experienced
comparable  store sales  decreases  in several  categories.  The largest  dollar
decreases  on a  comparable  store  basis were in the  electronics,  automotive,
misses bottoms, men's shoes, electrical and appliance areas. Management believes
that subtle  adjustments made to the Company's  softlines strategy at the end of
fiscal 1996 to meet customer demand for a deeper  selection of basic apparel had
a positive impact on sales and margins in softlines during fiscal 1997.

     GROSS PROFIT - Gross profit  dollars were affected by the reduced number of
stores in operation during fiscal 1997 as compared to fiscal 1996. The Company's
merchandise  gross profit as a percentage  of sales  improved to 27.8% in fiscal
1997 from  26.8% in fiscal  1996.  However,  this  improvement  was  diluted  by
additional costs related to the  implementation  of the new warehouse  inventory
management  system  discussed  above.  Warehouse costs increased to $13,457 from
$11,066  last year and  increased  as a percent  of sales to 2.1% from 1.5% last
year.  Delivery  costs  decreased to $7,637 in fiscal 1997 from $8,845 last year
and amounted to 1.2% of sales in both years. Accordingly, gross profit decreased
by $23,598,  or 13.3%,  to $154,090 in fiscal 1997 from  $177,688 in fiscal 1996
but, as a percentage  of sales,  increased to 24.3% in fiscal 1997 from 24.1% in
fiscal 1996.

     SELLING, GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE expense decreased $25,991, or 17.2%, to
$125,105 in fiscal 1997 from  $151,096 in fiscal 1996. As a percentage of sales,
selling,  general and administrative  expense decreased to 19.8% from 20.5% last
year.  This  reduction  was largely  attributable  to  reductions in store level
expenses. Store payroll, controllable and occupancy expenses accounted for 64.2%
of the total  decrease  in  selling,  general  and  administrative  expense  and
decreased  by  14.5%,  17.5%  and  13.9%,  respectively.  Selling,  general  and
administrative  expense  also was  positively  impacted by a 28.9%  reduction in
advertising  costs which  accounted for 18.2% of the gross  decrease in selling,
general and administrative  expense. All of these areas of expense were impacted
by the  elimination of costs related to the forty stores which were closed as of
the end of fiscal 1996.  Selling,  general and  administrative  expense also was
impacted by an 11.0%  decrease in  corporate  general and  administrative  costs
which  accounted  for 11.3% of the  gross  decreases  in  selling,  general  and
administrative  expense. The major components of this decrease were decreases in
the net costs of insurance,  professional  fees,  management bonuses and related
fringe benefits.

     Selling, general and administrative expense also was positively impacted by
the elimination of amortization  of goodwill and favorable  leasehold  interests
resulting  from the  write-off  of these  items in the fourth  quarter of fiscal
1996. The decreases in selling,  general and administrative  expense were offset
by a $1,246 reduction in other income which was attributable largely to one-time
gains realized in fiscal 1996,  primarily  from the sale of idle  transportation
company assets.

     The Company is  continuing  to focus on  controlling  selling,  general and
administrative  expenses.  Store  operating  expenses  as a percent of sales are
anticipated  to remain  relatively  constant  in fiscal  1998.  Certain  expense
categories  are  anticipated  to increase  somewhat as a percent of sales due to
more normal  clearance  activity  and expected  increases  in interest  expense,
information  systems costs,  store payroll  expenses (due to federally  mandated
minimum wage increases) and incentive compensation. The Company expects to begin
to realize operating efficiencies from systems enhancements in the warehouse and
distribution  areas in fiscal 1998 and in the  merchandising  areas beginning in
the second half of fiscal 1999. Further expense leveraging is expected in future
years through internal growth as well as the addition of new stores.

     INTEREST  expense  increased  marginally  by $255 or 0.9% for  fiscal  1997
compared to fiscal 1996.  The  increase in interest  expense for fiscal 1997 was
attributable  primarily to higher usage of the  revolving  line of credit and to
the  outstanding  promissory  notes  of  the  Company  which  require  quarterly
compounding  interest  payments to be paid in kind. These increases were largely
offset by decreased  interest related to lower average  outstanding  capitalized
lease obligations in fiscal 1997 compared to fiscal 1996.

     INCOME TAX PROVISION - No income tax benefit on losses for fiscal 1997 will
be  recorded  until  the  Company  can  establish  with a  reasonable  degree of
certainty  the  potential  utilization  of certain tax loss carry  forwards from
prior year store closing charges. The effective tax rate in fiscal 1996 was 7.6%
and was impacted by the  non-deductible  amortization  and write-off of goodwill
and the reserves recorded to offset the deferred tax assets.


      YEAR ENDED JANUARY 28, 1996 COMPARED TO YEAR ENDED JANUARY 29, 1995


WRITE-OFF OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS AND STORE CLOSING CHARGE.

     During  fiscal  1996,  weak  trends in the retail  industry  combined  with
increasing  competition  lowered the  operating  results of the  Company.  While
operating  results in the first three  quarters  of the year were  behind  plan,
management focused on strategies to achieve its plan during the important fourth
quarter season.

     During the fourth quarter,  management  reviewed its expectations for near-
and long-term  performance of the Company,  revised its earnings projections and
reassessed the recoverability of the Company's long-lived assets.

     As explained in Note N to the financial  statements,  in the fourth quarter
of fiscal 1996, the Company adopted Statement of Financial  Accounting Standards
No.121 "Accounting For the Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and Long-Lived Assets
to Be Disposed Of" (SFAS 121). This financial  accounting  standard requires the
Company to perform an  analysis of the  recoverability  of the net book value of
long-lived  assets. The Company analyzed cash flows on an individual store basis
to assess  recoverability of store level long-lived  assets including  allocated
goodwill. As a result of this analysis, impairment totaling $27,228 on a pre-tax
basis was indicated at certain stores.

     The Company also analyzed the value of its remaining goodwill and favorable
leasehold  interests not impaired under the store-level  SFAS 121 analysis using
its historical method under Accounting  Principles Board Opinion No. 17 (APB 17)
and  determined  that such  remaining  amounts  also were  impaired.  The APB 17
analysis  projected  a  fifteen-year  forecast  period  and  produced  $5,186 of
aggregate  undiscounted  adjusted net income,  including  projected adjusted net
losses for fiscal 1997 of $4,522,  which  included  interest  expense of $26,242
paid in cash and interest payable `in kind' (PIK) of $4,453, and for fiscal 1998
of $2,863,  which included cash interest  expense of $26,581 and PIK interest of
$5,121.   For  fiscal  1999,  the  Company  projected  adjusted  net  income  of
approximately  $967,  which  included  cash  interest  expense of  approximately
$26,581 and PIK interest of $5,889. Due to the uncertainty of projections beyond
1999,  this level of adjusted net income was assumed to continue for each of the
remaining fiscal years in the projection period. Accordingly, a non-cash pre-tax
charge  totaling  $51,323 was recorded as  indicated in Note N to the  financial
statements.

     Also,  management's  fourth quarter review of individual stores' operations
and  cash  flows  resulted  in  the  identification  of  forty  unprofitable  or
competitive market stores which did not fit the Company's niche market strategy.
Consequently, a pre-tax charge totaling $21,397 was recorded at January 28, 1996
to cover the costs necessary to close these stores as indicated in Note O to the
financial statements.

     SALES for fiscal 1996  increased  $25,300 or 3.6%  compared to fiscal 1995.
Comparable  store sales  decreased  $4,160 or 0.7%.  Excluding  the forty stores
closed as of the end of fiscal 1996,  comparable  store sales increased by 0.1%.
During fiscal 1996 the Company  opened ten new  prototype  stores of which seven
were located in new markets and three were relocations.  The Company also closed
ten stores (excluding the 40 stores identified to be closed as discussed above),
resulting  in a net  increase in selling area of  approximately  126,000  square
feet.  The  openings  and  closings of stores over the last two fiscal years has
resulted in a net increase in sales of $33,662.

     The modest overall sales  increases  were affected by weak consumer  demand
which was  generally  experienced  throughout  the retail  industry.  Management
believes that the Company's  geographical niche market positioning combined with
its ability to distribute  quality  merchandise  on a more timely basis tempered
these generally weak retail trends.  The Company  experienced  substantial sales
increases in several merchandise categories,  the most dramatic of which were in
the  housewares,  prescriptions,  junior  apparel  and  bath  and  floor  areas.
Substantial  sales gains also were  generated  in paper,  cleaning  and seasonal
categories.   The  Company  experienced  sales  declines  in  several  softlines
categories, primarily women's apparel.

     The initial  operating  results of the seven new prototype stores and three
relocated  prototype  stores  opened  during  fiscal 1996 exceeded the Company's
original  sales  projections  and reflected  the success of the Company's  niche
market  positioning  and  merchandising  strategies.  At  fiscal  year end 1996,
twenty-seven  new format  stores were in  operation,  representing  14.7% of all
stores and 18.3% of total Company selling square feet.

     GROSS PROFIT  increased $321 or 0.2% in fiscal 1996 compared to fiscal 1995
and, as a percentage of sales,  decreased  from 24.9% in fiscal 1995 to 24.1% in
fiscal  1996.  The decline in gross  profit  percent in fiscal 1996  compared to
fiscal 1995 was attributable  primarily to the increased markdown activity which
was necessary to counter sluggish customer demand during most of the year and to
meet customers' pricing expectations during this difficult period for the retail
industry.  Markdown expense increased by 23.8% over such expense in fiscal 1995.
During  fiscal 1996,  the Company  experienced  margin  dollar  increases due to
higher  sales  in  several  merchandise  categories,  most  notably  stationery,
prescriptions, bath and floor and seasonal. While the Company experienced margin
dollar  decreases  in  several  softlines  categories,  they  were  concentrated
primarily in the women's apparel and fashion areas.

     SELLING,  GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE  expense increased $7,511 or 5.2% from
fiscal  1995.  As a percentage  of sales,  selling,  general and  administrative
expense   increased  from  20.2%  in  fiscal  1995  to  20.5%  in  fiscal  1996.
Approximately  40%  of  the  total  gross  increase  in  selling,   general  and
administrative  expense was  attributable  to  increases  in  corporate  general
administrative   costs.   Payroll  and  fringe   benefits  costs   increased  by
approximately   13%  due  to  the  effect  of  a  full  year's  salary  for  the
merchandising, real estate and other corporate personnel added in fiscal 1995 as
well as the costs related to information  systems  personnel added during fiscal
1996 to support  the new  systems  implementations  to enhance  efficiencies  in
warehouse,  distribution  and  merchandising.  In  addition,  professional  fees
increased  approximately 54% due primarily to information  systems and strategic
planning  consulting  costs as well as  increases  in legal fees  related to new
store construction and financing.

     In  addition to the  corporate  general and  administrative  cost  changes,
advertising  expenses as a percent of sales  increased  from 2.0% to 2.2% due to
increases in the costs of paper and postage.  This  accounted for  approximately
25% of the gross increase in selling,  general and administrative expense. Store
controllable  expenses  increased by 8%, which also accounted for  approximately
25% of the gross increase in selling,  general and administrative  expense.  The
change in store controllable expense was due primarily to increases in the costs
of security  equipment  rentals,  charge card  processing fees (due to increased
credit card sales  volume),  utilities  and  inventory  counting (as a result of
changes  in  procedures  to  allow  for  detailed  SKU  level   counts).   Store
controllable  costs were partially reduced by decreases in supplies,  travel and
entertainment costs. Store fixed costs as a percent of sales increased from 2.8%
to 3.0% due primarily to increases in rent expense.  These increases in selling,
general and  administrative  expense were offset in part by an increase in other
income resulting primarily from the sale of idle transportation assets.

     INTEREST  expense  increased  $2,159 or 7.9% for fiscal  1996  compared  to
fiscal 1995. The increase in interest  expense for fiscal 1996 was  attributable
primarily to higher usage of the revolving  line of credit in fiscal 1996 and to
the  outstanding  promissory  notes  of  the  Company  which  require  quarterly
compounding  interest  payments to be paid in kind.  The Company also had higher
average  outstanding  capitalized  lease  obligations in fiscal 1996 compared to
fiscal 1995.

     INCOME  TAX  PROVISION  - The  effective  tax rate was 7.6% in fiscal  1996
compared to 54.6% in fiscal  1995.  The  effective  tax rate for fiscal 1996 was
impacted by the  non-deductible  amortization  and write-off of goodwill and the
reserve  recorded  to offset  the  deferred  tax  assets.  In fiscal  1995,  the
effective  tax rate was higher than the normal  statutory  rates  primarily as a
result of non-deductible goodwill amortization.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

     The  Company's  business is seasonal  with first  quarter  sales  (February
through  April)  being lower than sales during the other three  quarters,  while
fourth quarter sales (November  through January) have represented  approximately
30% of the full  year's  retail  sales in recent  years and  normally  involve a
greater proportion of higher margin sales.

     The Company has satisfied  its seasonal  liquidity  requirements  primarily
through a combination  of funds  provided from  operations  and from a revolving
credit facility.  Funds used by operating  activities  totaled $11,577 in fiscal
1997,  and funds  provided  from  operations  totaled  $4,967 in fiscal 1996 and
$3,816 in fiscal 1995.  The change in cash flow from operating  activities  from
fiscal 1996 to fiscal 1997 was  primarily the result of planned net increases in
inventory and other operating assets and decreases in accounts payable and other
operating  liabilities.  These  decreases  in cash flow  were  offset in part by
changes  in  deferred  income  taxes.  The  positive  change  in cash  flow from
operating activities from fiscal 1995 to fiscal 1996 was primarily the result of
net decreases in inventory and accounts  payable.  These  increases in cash flow
were offset in part by current and deferred tax payable changes,  principally as
a result of the store  closing  charge,  the  changes  in  profitability  of the
continuing operations and changes in other operating assets and liabilities.

     Effective  March 17, 1997, the term of Pamida,  Inc.'s  (Pamida)  committed
Loan and Security  Agreement (the  Agreement) was extended to March 2000 and the
maximum  borrowing  limit of the facility was increased to $95,000 from $70,000,
which had been the  limit  throughout  fiscal  1997.  Prior to March  17,  1997,
borrowings under the Agreement bore interest at a rate which was 0.75% per annum
greater than the applicable  prime rate.  Effective  March 17, 1997,  borrowings
under the  Agreement  bear  interest  at a rate which is tied to the  applicable
prime rate or the London Interbank  Offered Rate (LIBOR),  generally at Pamida's
discretion.  The  amounts  Pamida is  permitted  to borrow are  determined  by a
formula based upon the amount of Pamida's eligible  inventory from time to time.
Such  borrowings are secured by security  interests in all of the current assets
(including  inventory)  of Pamida and by liens on certain real estate  interests
and other property of Pamida.  The Company and two  subsidiaries  of Pamida have
guaranteed the payment and  performance of Pamida's  obligations  under the Loan
and Security  Agreement and have pledged some or all of their respective assets,
including the stock of Pamida owned by the Company, to secure such guarantees.

     The  Agreement  contains   provisions   imposing  operating  and  financial
restrictions  on the Company.  Certain  provisions of the Agreement  require the
maintenance of specified  amounts of tangible net worth (as defined) and working
capital (as defined) and the  achievement of specified  minimum  amounts of cash
flow (as defined).  Other restrictions in the Agreement and those provided under
the Indenture relating to the Senior Subordinated Notes will affect, among other
things, the ability of Pamida to incur additional  indebtedness,  pay dividends,
repay  indebtedness  prior to its  stated  maturity,  create  liens,  enter into
leases,  sell  assets  or  engage  in  mergers  or  acquisitions,  make  capital
expenditures  and make  investments.  These covenants  currently have not had an
impact on the Company's  ability to fully utilize the revolving credit facility.
However,  certain of the covenants,  such as those which restrict the ability of
the Company to incur  indebtedness  or  encumber  its  property or which  impose
restrictions  on  or  otherwise  limit  the  Company's   ability  to  engage  in
sale-leaseback  transactions,  may at some future time  prevent the Company from
pursuing its store expansion program at the rate that the Company desires.

     Obligations  under the  Agreement  were  $57,115  at  February  2, 1997 and
$31,588 at January 28, 1996.  As noted  above,  this  facility  expires in March
2000, and the Company intends to refinance any outstanding balance by such date.
Borrowings  under the Agreement are senior to the Senior  Subordinated  Notes of
the Company. The Company had long-term debt and obligations under capital leases
of $201,999 at February 2, 1997 and $200,305 at January 28, 1996.  The Company's
ability  to  satisfy  scheduled  principal  and  interest  payments  under  such
obligations in the ordinary  course of business is dependent  primarily upon the
sufficiency  of the  Company's  operating  cash flow.  At February 2, 1997,  the
Company was in compliance with all covenants  contained in its various financing
agreements.

     On December  18,  1992,  the  promissory  notes of the Company were amended
effective  as of  December 1, 1992 to provide  that,  until the  obligations  of
Pamida and the Company under  certain of Pamida's  credit  agreements  have been
repaid,  the quarterly  interest payments on the promissory notes of the Company
will be paid in kind.  Pamida  paid the  Company  $315 in  fiscal  1996  under a
tax-sharing  agreement to enable the Company to pay  quarterly  dividends to its
preferred  stockholders.  During  fiscal 1996,  the Company  received  $967 from
Pamida under a tax-sharing agreement as a reimbursement for certain tax benefits
derived by Pamida. Such remittance,  along with $18 from the exercise of certain
stock options,  was used by the Company to redeem Subordinated  Promissory Notes
as  described  in Note L to the  financial  statements,  to  repay  intercompany
balances totaling $29, and to pay quarterly  dividends on preferred stock. Since
the Company  conducts no operations of its own, the only cash requirement of the
Company relates to preferred  stock dividends in the aggregate  annual amount of
approximately  $316; and Pamida is expressly permitted under its existing credit
facilities  to pay  dividends  to the  Company  to  fund  such  preferred  stock
dividends.  However, the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, under
which the Company and Pamida are  incorporated,  allows a corporation to declare
or pay a dividend  only from its surplus or from the current or the prior year's
earnings.  Due to the  accumulated  deficit  resulting  primarily from the store
closings and the write-off of goodwill and other long-lived assets recognized in
the fourth quarter of fiscal 1996, the Company and Pamida did not declare or pay
any cash  dividends in fiscal 1997 and may pay cash  dividends in ensuing  years
only to the extent that the Company and Pamida satisfy the applicable  statutory
standards  which include the Company's  having a net worth equal to at least the
aggregate par value of the preferred  stock which amounts to $2. The  cumulative
dividend  rate on the  preferred  stock  increases  by 0.5% per quarter  (with a
maximum  aggregate  increase of 5%) on each quarterly  dividend  payment date on
which the  preferred  stock  dividends  are not paid  currently  on a cumulative
basis.  Any unpaid  dividends are added to the  liquidation  value until paid in
cash.  Such  nonpayment of preferred  stock  dividends  does not  accelerate the
redemption rights of the preferred stockholders.

     The Company made capital  expenditures of $4,947 in fiscal 1997 compared to
$9,265 during fiscal 1996.  The Company plans to open three new stores in fiscal
1998 and will consider additional  opportunities for new store locations as they
arise.  Total capital  expenditures are expected to be  approximately  $9,500 in
fiscal 1998. The Company expects to fund these  expenditures from cash flow from
its  operations.  The costs of buildings  and land for new store  locations  are
expected  to be  financed  by  operating  or capital  leases  with  unaffiliated
landlords.  The  Company's  expansion  program  also will  require  inventory of
approximately  $1,000 to $1,200 for each new  market  store,  which the  Company
expects to finance through trade credit, borrowings under the Agreement and cash
flow from operations.

     The recent changes to the Agreement,  along with expected  improvements  in
the Company's cash flow from operations,  should provide  adequate  resources to
meet the Company's near term liquidity  requirements.  On a long-term basis, the
Company's  expansion  will require  continued  investments  in store  locations,
working capital and distribution and  infrastructure  enhancements.  The Company
expects to continue to finance  some of these  investments  through  leases from
unaffiliated  landlords,  trade credit,  borrowings under the Agreement and cash
flow from operations but ultimately will need to explore  additional  sources of
funds which may include capital structure changes. Currently, it is not possible
for the  Company  to  predict  with  any  certainty  either  the  timing  or the
availability of such additional financing.

INFLATION

     The Company  uses the LIFO method of inventory  valuation in its  financial
statements;  as a result,  the cost of  merchandise  sold  approximates  current
costs.  The Company's  rental expense is generally  fixed and,  except for small
amounts of percentage  rents and rentals  adjusted by  cost-of-living  increases
tied to the Consumer  Price Index or interest  rates,  has not been  affected by
inflation.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

     This management's  discussion and analysis contains certain forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995 (the "1995  Act").  Such  statements  are made in good faith by the Company
pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of the 1995 Act. In connection with these
safe-harbor  provisions,  this  management's  discussion  and analysis  contains
certain forward-looking  statements which reflect management's current views and
estimates  of  future  economic  circumstances,   industry  conditions,  company
performance and financial results.  The statements are based on many assumptions
and factors  including sales results,  expense levels,  competition and interest
rates  as well as  other  risks  and  uncertainties  inherent  in the  Company's
business,  capital structure and the retail industry in general.  Any changes in
these  factors  could result in  significantly  different  results.  The Company
further cautions that the  forward-looking  information  contained herein is not
exhaustive  or  exclusive.   The  Company  does  not  undertake  to  update  any
forward-looking  statements  which may be made from time to time by or on behalf
of the Company.

Item 8.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.


                  PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                         INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT





INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
Board of Directors
Pamida Holdings Corporation
Omaha, Nebraska



     We  have  audited  the  consolidated   balance  sheet  of  Pamida  Holdings
Corporation and subsidiary as of February 2, 1997, and the related  consolidated
statements of operations, common stockholders' equity and cash flows for each of
the  years  ended  February  2,  1997 and  January  29,  1995.  These  financial
statements   are  the   responsibility   of  the   Company's   management.   Our
responsibility  is to express an opinion on these financial  statements based on
our audits.  The consolidated  balance sheet of Pamida Holdings  Corporation and
subsidiary as of January 28, 1996,  and the related  consolidated  statements of
operations,  common  stockholders'  equity  and cash  flows  for the year  ended
January 28, 1996, were audited by other auditors,  whose report, dated March 26,
1996,  expressed  an  unqualified  opinion on those  statements  and included an
explanatory  paragraph  that  described  the  adoption of Statement of Financial
Accounting  Standards  No. 121,  "Accounting  for the  Impairment  of Long-Lived
Assets and for Long-Lived Assets to Be Disposed Of."

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

     In our opinion,  the consolidated  financial  statements  referred to above
present  fairly,  in all material  respects,  the  financial  position of Pamida
Holdings  Corporation  and subsidiary as of February 2, 1997, and the results of
their  operations  and their cash flows for each of the years ended  February 2,
1997 and January 29,  1995 in  conformity  with  generally  accepted  accounting
principles.





/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

    Omaha, Nebraska
    March 7, 1997
    (March 17, 1997 as to Note E)

                                       16
<PAGE>

                       REPORT OF INDENPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS



Board of Directors
Pamida Holdings Corporation
Omaha, Nebraska

We have audited the accompanying  consolidated  balance sheet of Pamida Holdings
Corporation and Subsidiary as of January 28, 1996, and the related  consolidated
statements of  operations,  common  stockholders'  equity and cash flows for the
year then  ended.  These  financial  statements  are the  responsibility  of the
Company's  management.  Our  responsibility  is to  express  an opinion on these
financial statements based on our audit.

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

In our opinion, the consolidated  financial statements referred to above present
fairly,  in all material  respects,  the financial  position of Pamida  Holdings
Corporation  and  Subsidiary  as of January 28,  1996,  and the results of their
operations  and their cash flows for the year then  ended,  in  conformity  with
generally accepted accounting principles.

As discussed in Note N to the  consolidated  financial  statements,  the Company
adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 121, "Accounting for the
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets and for Long-Lived Assets To Be Disposed Of."



/s/ Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.

Chicago, Illinois
March 26, 1996



                   PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
              (Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                Years Ended
                                                  -----------------------------------------
                                                  February 2,    January 28,    January 29,
                                                     1997            1996           1995
                                                  (53 Weeks)      (52 Weeks)     (52 Weeks)
                                                  -----------    -----------    -----------

<S>                                               <C>            <C>            <C>
Sales .........................................   $   633,189    $   736,315    $   711,019
Cost of goods sold ............................       479,099        558,627        533,652
                                                  -----------    -----------    -----------
Gross profit ..................................       154,090        177,688        177,367
                                                  -----------    -----------    -----------
Expenses:
    Selling, general and administrative .......       125,105        151,096        143,585
    Interest ..................................        29,781         29,526         27,367
    Long-lived asset write-off ................            --         78,551             --
    Store closing costs .......................            --         21,397             --
                                                  -----------    -----------    -----------
                                                      154,886        280,570        170,952
                                                  -----------    -----------    -----------
(Loss) income before provision for income
    taxes and extraordinary item ..............          (796)      (102,882)         6,415
Income tax (benefit) provision ................            --         (7,863)         3,500
                                                  -----------    -----------    -----------
(Loss) income before extraordinary item .......          (796)       (95,019)         2,915
Extraordinary item ............................            --            371             --
                                                  -----------    -----------    -----------
Net (loss) income .............................          (796)       (94,648)         2,915
Less provision for preferred dividends and
    discount amortization .....................           391            362            361
                                                  -----------    -----------    -----------
Net (loss) income available for
    common shares .............................   $    (1,187)   $   (95,010)   $     2,554
                                                  ===========    ===========    ===========
Net (loss) earnings per common share:
    (Loss) earnings before extraordinary item.    $      (.24)   $    (18.94)   $      0.51
    Extraordinary item.........................            --            .07             --
                                                  -----------    -----------    -----------
    Net (loss) earnings per common share.......   $      (.24)   $    (18.87)   $      0.51
                                                  -----------    -----------    -----------

</TABLE>

                                       17
<PAGE>

                   PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
              (Dollar amounts in thousands, except per share data)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                     February 2,    January 28,
ASSETS                                                                                 1997            1996
                                                                                     ----------     -----------
<S>                                                                                  <C>            <C>
Current assets:
    Cash .........................................................................   $     6,973    $     7,298
    Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts of $50 in both years         6,919          9,049
    Merchandise inventories ......................................................       157,490        150,837
    Prepaid expenses .............................................................         2,993          2,953
    Property held for sale .......................................................         1,748          2,218
                                                                                     -----------    -----------
       Total current assets ......................................................   $   176,123    $   172,355

Property, buildings and equipment, (net) .........................................        42,403         44,153
Leased property under capital leases, less accumulated
    amortization of $14,604 and $13,496, respectively ............................        27,713         30,977
Deferred financing costs .........................................................         3,176          3,809
Other assets .....................................................................        19,773          7,231
                                                                                     -----------    -----------
                                                                                     $   269,188    $   258,525
                                                                                     ===========    ===========
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
    Accounts payable .............................................................   $    54,245    $    63,087
    Loan and security agreement ..................................................        57,115         31,588
    Accrued compensation .........................................................         3,860          5,923
    Accrued interest .............................................................         7,668          6,992
    Store closing reserve ........................................................         4,521          7,818
    Other accrued expenses .......................................................        10,112         10,823
    Income taxes - deferred and current payable ..................................         8,101          8,861
    Current maturities of long-term debt .........................................            47          1,334
    Current obligations under capital leases .....................................         1,781          1,847
                                                                                     -----------    -----------
       Total current liabilities .................................................       147,450        138,273

Long-term debt, less current maturities ..........................................       168,000        163,746
Obligations under capital leases, less current obligations .......................        33,999         36,559
Reserve for dividends ............................................................           342             --
Other long-term liabilities ......................................................         4,825          4,237
Commitments and contingencies ....................................................            --             --
Preferred stock subject to mandatory redemption:
    16-1/4% senior cumulative preferred stock, $1 par value;
       514 shares authorized, issued and outstanding .............................           514            514
    14-1/4% junior cumulative preferred stock, $1 par value;
       6,986 shares authorized; 1,627 shares issued and outstanding;
       redemption amount of $1,627, less unamortized discount ....................         1,361          1,312
Common shareholders' equity:
    Common stock, $.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized; 5,004,942
       shares issued and outstanding in both years ...............................            50             50
    Additional paid-in capital ...................................................           968            968
    Accumulated deficit ..........................................................       (88,321)       (87,134)
                                                                                     -----------    -----------
       Total common shareholders' deficit ........................................       (87,303)       (86,116)
                                                                                     -----------    -----------
                                                                                     $   269,188    $   258,525
                                                                                     ===========    ===========

</TABLE>

                                       18
<PAGE>

                   PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
             CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMMON SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
                          (Dollar amounts in thousands)

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                                            Retained
                                                                Nonvoting    Additional     Earnings
                                                    Common       Common       Paid-in     (Accumulated
                                                    Shares        Stock       Capital       Deficit)
                                                   ----------   ----------   ----------    ----------
<S>                                                <C>          <C>          <C>           <C>
Balance at January 30, 1994 ...........            $       41   $        9   $      950    $   15,322
    Net income ........................                    --           --           --         2,915
    Amortization of discount on 14-1/4%
       junior cumulative preferred ....                    --           --           --           (45)
    Cash dividends to preferred
       stockholders ...................                    --           --           --          (316)
    Conversion of nonvoting common
       stock to common shares .........                     9           (9)          --            --
                                                   ----------   ----------   ----------    ----------

Balance at January 29, 1995 ...........                    50           --          950         7,876
    Net loss ..........................                    --           --           --       (94,648)
    Amortization of discount on 14-1/4%
       junior cumulative preferred ....                    --           --           --           (47)
    Cash dividends to preferred
       stockholders ...................                    --           --           --          (315)
    Stock sold under incentive stock
       option plan ....................                    --           --           18            --
                                                   ----------   -----------   ---------    ----------

Balance at January 28, 1996 ...........                    50           --          968       (87,134)
    Net loss ..........................                    --           --           --          (796)
    Amortization of discount on 14-1/4%
       junior cumulative preferred ....                    --           --           --           (49)
    Accrued dividends for preferred
       stockholders ...................                    --           --           --          (342)
                                                   ----------   ----------   ----------    ----------

Balance at February 2, 1997 ...........            $       50   $       --   $      968    $  (88,321)
                                                   ==========   ==========   ==========    ==========

</TABLE>

                                       19
<PAGE>

                   PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                          (Dollar amounts in thousands)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                                                                     Years Ended
                                                                      -----------------------------------------
                                                                      February 2,    January 28,    January 29,
                                                                         1997            1996           1995
                                                                      (53 Weeks)      (52 Weeks)     (52 Weeks)
                                                                      -----------    -----------    -----------
<S>                                                                   <C>            <C>            <C>
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net (loss) income .................................................   $      (796)   $   (94,648)   $     2,915
       Adjustments to  reconcile  net (loss)  income to net cash from  operating
         activities:
           Depreciation and amortization ..........................        11,658         15,345         14,962
           Provision (credit) for LIFO inventory valuation ........           874           (585)          (675)
           Provision (credit) for deferred income taxes ...........         3,305         (6,647)        (1,555)
           Noncash interest expense ...............................         4,313          3,756          3,315
           Accretion of original issue debt discount ..............           160            154            149
           Gain on disposal of assets .............................           (56)          (982)           (58)
           Stock incentive benefits ...............................            --             --             84
           Deferred retirement benefits ...........................          (125)            13             37
           Extraordinary item .....................................            --           (371)            --
           Long-lived assets write-off ............................            --         78,551             --
           Store closing costs ....................................        (3,726)        21,397             --
           (Increase) decrease in merchandise inventories .........        (7,527)         4,532        (30,951)
           Increase in other operating assets .....................        (5,622)        (3,847)          (486)
           Increase (decrease) in accounts payable ................        (8,842)        (6,749)         8,153
           Increase (decrease) in income taxes payable ............        (3,250)        (4,607)         3,942
           Increase (decrease) in other operating liabilities......        (1,943)          (345)         3,984
                                                                      -----------    -----------    -----------
       Total adjustments ..........................................       (10,781)        99,615            901
                                                                      -----------    -----------    -----------
       Net cash from operating activities .........................       (11,577)         4,967          3,816

Cash flows from investing activities:
    Proceeds from disposal of assets ..............................           917          1,163            980
    Principal payments received on notes receivable ...............            16             15             14
    Assets acquired for sale ......................................          (391)            --             --
    Capital expenditures ..........................................        (4,947)        (9,265)       (12,888)
    Construction notes receivable .................................        (5,845)        (4,412)            --
                                                                      -----------    -----------    -----------
       Net cash from investing activities .........................       (10,250)       (12,499)       (11,894)
                                                                      -----------    -----------    -----------
Cash flows from financing activities:
    Borrowings under loan and security agreement net ..............        25,527         10,986         12,417
    Principal payments on other long-term debt ....................        (1,335)          (193)          (177)
    Dividends paid on preferred stock .............................            --           (315)          (316)
    Principal payments on promissory notes ........................            --           (641)        (1,029)
    Payments for deferred finance costs ...........................           (54)           (13)          (200)
    Principal payments on capital lease obligations ...............        (2,636)        (2,071)        (1,894)
    Proceeds from sale of stock ...................................            --             18             --
                                                                      -----------    -----------    -----------
           Net cash from financing activities .....................        21,502          7,771          8,801
                                                                      -----------    -----------    -----------
    Net (decrease) increase in cash ...............................          (325)           239            723
    Cash at beginning of year .....................................         7,298          7,059          6,336
                                                                      -----------    -----------    -----------
    Cash at end of year ...........................................   $     6,973    $     7,298    $     7,059
                                                                      ===========    ===========    ===========

                                       20
<PAGE>

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
    Cash paid (received) during the year for:
       Interest.....................................................  $    24,804    $    25,691    $    24,021
       Income taxes:
           Payments to taxing authorities...........................          386          3,622          1,785
           Refunds received from taxing authorities.................         (442)          (231)          (672)
SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NONCASH INVESTING
AND FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
    Capital lease obligations incurred when the Company entered
       into lease agreements for new store facilities and equipment.  $        11    $       620    $     9,721
    Capital lease obligations terminated............................           --            154             --
    Amortization of discount on junior cumulative preferred stock
       recorded as a direct charge to retained earnings.............           49             47             45
    Payment of interest in kind by increasing the
       principal amount of the notes................................        4,313          3,702          3,263
    Provision for dividends payable.................................          342             --             --
    Conversion of 919,587 shares of nonvoting common
       stock, $.01 par value, to common stock
           Common stock.............................................           --             --              9
           Nonvoting common stock...................................           --             --             (9)


</TABLE>

                                       21
<PAGE>

                   PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
              (Dollar amounts in thousands - except per share data)



A.  SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     Pamida Holdings Corporation (the "Company") was formed for the sole purpose
of acquiring  Pamida,  Inc.  ("Pamida")  through a merger in a leveraged buy-out
transaction which was consummated on July 29, 1986.

     CONSOLIDATION - The consolidated  financial  statements include the results
of  operations,  account  balances  and  cash  flows  of  the  Company  and  its
wholly-owned subsidiary,  Pamida, and of Seaway Importing Company ("Seaway") and
Pamida Transportation Company, wholly-owned subsidiaries of Pamida. All material
intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

     FISCAL YEAR - All references in these financial  statements to fiscal years
are to the calendar year in which the fiscal year ends.

     LINE OF BUSINESS - Through Pamida,  the Company is engaged in the operation
of retail discount stores in a fifteen-state Midwestern, North Central and Rocky
Mountain area. Seaway imports primarily seasonal merchandise for sale to Pamida.
Pamida  Transportation  Company  operated as a contract carrier for Pamida until
July 1995,  at which time  independent  contractors  were engaged to provide all
transportation  needs of the  Company.  Due to the  similarity  in nature of the
Company's  businesses,  the  Company  considers  itself to be a single  business
segment.

     CASH FLOW  REPORTING - For  purposes of the  statement  of cash flows,  the
Company  considers all temporary cash  investments  purchased with a maturity of
three months or less to be cash equivalents. There were no temporary investments
at February 2, 1997 and January 28, 1996.

     MERCHANDISE  INVENTORIES - Substantially all of the Company's  inventory is
stated at the lower of cost (last-in, first-out) or market.

     PROPERTY,  BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT - Property,  buildings and equipment are
stated at cost and  depreciated on the  straight-line  method over the estimated
useful lives. Buildings and building improvements are generally depreciated over
8-40 years, while store,  warehouse and office equipment,  vehicles and aircraft
equipment are generally depreciated over 3-10 years.  Leasehold improvements are
depreciated  over the  life of the  lease or the  estimated  life of the  asset,
whichever is shorter.

     LEASED PROPERTY UNDER CAPITAL LEASES - Noncancellable  financing leases are
capitalized  at the  estimated  fair  value of the  leasehold  interest  and are
amortized on the straight-line method over the terms of the leases.

     LONG-LIVED  ASSETS  - When  facts  and  circumstances  indicated  potential
impairment,  the Company evaluates the recoverability of assets carrying values,
including  goodwill,  using estimates of future cash flows over remaining assets
lives.  When  impairment is indicated,  any  impairment  loss in measured by the
excess of carrying values over fair values.

     DEFERRED  FINANCING  COSTS AND  ORIGINAL  ISSUE  DEBT  DISCOUNT  - Deferred
financing  costs are being  amortized  using the  straight-line  method over the
terms of the issues which approximates the effective  interest method.  Original
issue debt discount is being amortized using the effective  interest method over
the terms of the issues.

     PRE-OPENING  EXPENSES - Costs related to opening new stores are expensed as
incurred.

     EARNINGS PER SHARE - Earnings per share were calculated  using the weighted
average common shares and dilutive common share equivalents  outstanding  during
the year using the treasury stock method.

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

     STOCK-BASED  COMPENSATION  -  The  Company  accounts  for  its  stock-based
compensation  under the  provisions of Accounting  Principles  Board Opinion 25,
"Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees" (APB 25).

     RECLASSIFICATIONS  -  Certain  reclassifications  have  been  made to prior
years' financial statements to conform to the current year presentation.

                                       22
<PAGE>

B.  MERCHANDISE INVENTORIES

     Total  inventories  would have been  higher at February 2, 1997 and January
28, 1996 by $6,574 and $5,700, respectively, had the FIFO (first-in,  first-out)
method been used to determine the cost of all inventories.  On a FIFO basis, net
income  (loss)  before  extraordinary  item would have been $78,  $(95,604)  and
$2,666, respectively, for fiscal years 1997, 1996, and 1995. During fiscal years
1997, 1996, and 1995,  certain inventory  quantities were reduced resulting in a
liquidation  of certain  LIFO layers  carried at costs which were lower than the
cost of current  purchases,  the effect of which  increased  net income by $116,
$125, and $102, respectively.

C.  PROPERTY, BUILDINGS AND EQUIPMENT

     Property, buildings and equipment consists of:

                                 Feb. 2,   Jan. 28,
                                  1997       1996
                                --------   --------
Land and land improvements ..   $  4,013   $  3,943
Buildings and building
  improvements...............     22,076     21,578
Store, warehouse and office
  equipment..................     59,668     55,638
Vehicles and aircraft
  equipment..................      1,513      1,578
Leasehold improvements ......     16,497     15,362
                                 103,767     98,099
Less accumulated depreciation
  and amortization ..........     61,364     53,946
                                --------   --------
                                $ 42,403   $ 44,153
                                ========   ========

D.  OTHER ASSETS

     Other assets consist of:
                                 Feb. 2,   Jan. 28,
                                  1997       1996
                                --------   --------
Construction notes receivable.  $ 10,257   $  2,767
Unamortized software
  costs, net .................     7,541      3,357
Other ........................     1,975      1,107
                                --------   --------
                                $ 19,773   $  7,231
                                ========   ========


E.  FINANCING AGREEMENTS

     Effective March 17, 1997, the term of Pamida's  committed Loan and Security
Agreement (the  Agreement) was extended to March 2000 and the maximum  borrowing
limit of the facility was increased to $95,000 from $70,000,  which had been the
limit  throughout  fiscal 1997.  Prior to March 17, 1997,  borrowings  under the
Agreement  bore  interest at a rate which was 0.75% per annum  greater  than the
applicable prime rate. Effective March 17, 1997,  borrowings under the Agreement
bear interest at a rate which is tied to the applicable prime rate or the London
Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR),  generally at Pamida's  discretion.  The amounts
Pamida is permitted to borrow under the  Agreement  are  determined by a formula
based upon the amount of Pamida's  eligible  inventory  from time to time.  Such
borrowings of Pamida under the  Agreement  are secured by security  interests in
substantially all of the current assets  (including  inventory) of Pamida and by
liens on certain real estate interests and other property of Pamida. The Company
and two  subsidiaries  of Pamida  have  guaranteed  payment and  performance  of
Pamida's  obligations  under the Agreement and have pledged some or all of their
respective assets, including the stock of Pamida owned by the Company, to secure
such guarantees.

     The  Agreement  contains   provisions   imposing  operating  and  financial
restrictions  on the Company.  Certain  provisions of the Agreement  require the
maintenance of specified  amounts of tangible net worth (as defined) and working
capital (as defined) and the  achievement of specified  minimum  amounts of cash
flow (as defined).  Other restrictions in the Agreement and those provided under
the Indenture relating to the Senior Subordinated Notes will affect, among other
things, the ability of Pamida to incur additional  indebtedness,  pay dividends,
repay  indebtedness  prior to its  stated  maturity,  create  liens,  enter into
leases,  sell  assets  or  engage  in  mergers  or  acquisitions,  make  capital
expenditures and make investments.

     The maximum amount of borrowings under the Agreement during fiscal 1997 and
1996 was $69,256 and  $63,884,  respectively.  The weighted  average  amounts of
borrowings  under  the  Agreement  for  fiscal  1997 and 1996 were  $43,002  and
$35,544,  respectively;  and the weighted  average interest rates were 10.0% and
10.4%, respectively.

                                       23
<PAGE>

Long-term debt consists of:

                                   Feb. 2,   Jan. 28,
                                     1997      1996
                                   -------   --------
Senior Subordinated Notes,
  11.75%, due March 2003 ......   $140,000   $140,000
Industrial development bonds,
  8.5%, due in monthly install-
  ments through 2005 ..........        411      1,745
Senior promissory notes, 15.5%,
  due in 2003, interest paid
  in kind quarterly ...........      4,926      4,231
Subordinated promissory notes,
  16%, due in 2003, interest
  paid in kind quarterly ......     13,454     11,500
Junior subordinated  promissory
  notes,  16.25%,  net of
  unamortized  discount of $878
  and $1,038, due in 2003,
  interest paid in kind quarterly    9,256      7,604
                                  --------    -------
                                   168,047    165,080
Less current maturities .......         47      1,334
                                  --------   --------
                                  $168,000   $163,746
                                  ========   ========

     As of  February  2, 1997,  the fair value of  long-term  debt was  $153,900
compared to its recorded value of $168,000. The fair value of long-term debt was
estimated  based on quoted  market values for the same or similar debt issues or
rates currently available for debt with similar terms. The aggregate  maturities
of long-term  debt in each of the next five fiscal years are as follows:  1998 -
$47; 1999 - $47; 2000 - $47; 2001 - $47; and 2002 - $47.

     The Senior  Subordinated  Notes and the promissory  notes are unsecured and
are  subordinate  borrowings  under  the  Agreement.  Presently,  under the most
restrictive debt covenants, the Company is not permitted to pay dividends on its
common stock.

     The senior  subordinated  and junior  subordinated  promissory notes of the
Company were amended to provide  that until the  obligations  of the Company and
Pamida  under  certain loan  agreements  have been paid in full,  the  quarterly
interest  payments on the notes will be paid in kind by increasing the principal
amount of each note on the  applicable  quarterly  payment date by the amount of
accrued  interest  then being paid in kind.  Interest  on the notes paid in kind
accrues at a rate which, in each case, is two percentage  points higher than the
applicable cash interest rate.

F.  INCOME TAXES

     Components of the income tax provision (benefit) are as follows:

                          Years Ended
                  --------------------------------

                  Feb. 2,    Jan. 28,     Jan. 29,
                   1997        1996         1995
                  --------    --------    --------
Current:
   Federal ....   $ (3,155)   $   (993)   $  4,048
   State ......       (150)       (223)      1,007
                  --------    --------    --------
                    (3,305)     (1,216)      5,055
                  --------    --------    --------

Deferred:
  Federal .....      3,189      (5,865)       (679)
  State .......        116        (782)       (876)
                  --------    --------    --------
                     3,305      (6,647)     (1,555)
                  --------    --------    --------
Total (benefit)
  provision ...   $     --    $ (7,863)   $  3,500
                  ========    ========    ========

     The  differences  between  the  U.S.  Federal  statutory  tax  rate and the
Company's effective tax rate are as follows:

                                        Years Ended
                               ---------------------------
                               Feb. 2,   Jan. 28,  Jan. 29,
                                1997     1996       1995
                               --------  --------  --------
   Statutory rate .........     (34.0)%   (34.0)%     34.0%
   State income tax effect.      (2.8)     (1.3)       5.5
 Amortization of the excess
   of cost over net assets
     acquired .............        --      23.9       12.2
Valuation allowance .......      25.1       3.6        0.1
Accretion of discount on
  junior subordinated debt        6.8       0.1        0.8
Other .....................       4.9       0.1        2.0
                               --------  --------  --------
                                  0.0%    (7.6)%       54.6%
                               ========  ========  ========

                                       24
<PAGE>

     Significant  temporary  differences  between  reported and taxable earnings
that give rise to deferred tax assets and liabilities were as follows:

                                          Feb. 2,      Jan. 28,
                                            1997        1996
                                          ---------    --------
Net current deferred tax liabilities:
  Inventories .........................   $  15,302    $  13,681
  Valuation allowance .................          --        3,869
  Prepaid insurance ...................         210          514
  Other ...............................         453          366
  Supplier allowances .................         (41)          --
  Post employment health costs ........        (189)        (237)
  Accrued expenses ....................        (941)      (1,300)
  Store closing costs .................      (2,570)      (7,159)
                                          ---------    ---------
     Net current deferred
       tax liabilities ................      12,224        9,734
                                          ---------    ---------
Net long-term deferred tax liabilities:
    Property, buildings and
       equipment ......................       2,862        3,109
    Other .............................       1,436          438
    Valuation allowance ...............       4,069            5
    Capital loss carryforward .........          --           (5)
    Capital leases ....................      (3,089)      (2,602)
    Tax benefit carryforward ..........      (3,518)          --
                                          ---------    ---------
Net long-term deferred
  tax liabilities .....................       1,760          945
                                          ---------    ---------
Net total deferred tax
     liabilities ......................   $  13,984    $  10,679
                                          =========    =========

     Net long-term  deferred tax liabilities are classified with other long-term
liabilities in the consolidated balance sheets of the Company. As of February 2,
1997 the Company had net  operating  loss  carryforwards  totaling  $4,034 which
expire in 2012 and the  Company  had tax credit  carryforwards  totaling  $1,973
which expire in 2006 through 2011.

G.  LEASES

     The majority of store  facilities  are leased under  noncancelable  leases.
Substantially  all of the leases are net leases  which  require  the  payment of
property taxes,  insurance and maintenance costs in addition to rental payments.
Certain leases provide for additional rentals based on a percentage of sales and
have renewal options for one or more periods  totaling from one to twenty years.
Leases have been  categorized as capital or operating  leases in conformity with
the definition in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 13, Accounting
for Leases.

     At February 2, 1997 the future  minimum  lease  payments  under capital and
operating leases with rental terms of more than one year amounted to:

     Fiscal Year Ending        Capital    Operating
                               Leases      Leases
                              ---------   ---------
1998.....................     $   5,802   $  10,010
1999.....................         5,659       8,800
2000.....................         5,442       6,879
2001.....................         5,352       5,639
2002.....................         5,267       5,103
Later years..............        41,384      46,069
                              ---------   ---------
Total minimum obligations     $  68,906   $  82,500
                              ---------   ---------
Less amount representing
  interest................       33,126
                              ---------
Present value of net minimum
  lease payments..........       35,780
 Less current portion.....        1,781
                              ---------
Long-term obligations.....    $  33,999
                              =========

     The minimum rentals under operating leases have not been reduced by minimum
sublease rentals of $191 due in the future under noncancelable subleases.

     Total rental expense related to all operating leases  (including those with
terms less than one year) is as follows:

                                  Years Ended
                        -------------------------------
                        Feb. 2,     Jan. 28,    Jan. 29,
                          1997        1996       1995
                        --------    --------    --------
Minimum rentals .....   $ 10,938    $ 11,715    $  9,585
Contingent rentals ..        258         399         477
Less sublease rentals       (735)       (852)       (918)
                        --------    --------    --------
                        $ 10,461    $ 11,262    $  9,144
                        ========    ========    ========

H.  SAVINGS AND OTHER POSTEMPLOYMENT BENEFIT PLANS

     Pamida has adopted a 401(k)  savings plan that covers all employees who are
21 years of age with one or more years of service.  Participants  can contribute
from 1% to 15% of their pre-tax  compensation.  Pamida has currently  elected to
match 50% of the participant's  contribution up to 5% of compensation.  Pamida's
savings plan  contribution  expenses for fiscal years 1997,  1996, and 1995 were
$770, $749, and $716, respectively.

     Prior to  December  1993,  the  Company  had agreed to  continue to provide
health  insurance  coverage and pay a portion of the health  insurance  premiums
until age 65 for  individuals  who  retire if the  individual  was  eligible  to
participate  in the  plan,  had  attained  age  55,  had  completed  ten or more
consecutive years of service and

                                       25
<PAGE>

elected to continue on the Company plan.  The plan is unfunded,  and the Company
had the right to modify or  terminate  these  benefits.  In December  1993,  the
Company amended the Plan to no longer offer  postretirement  health benefits for
employees retiring after February 1, 1994.

     The components of periodic  expense for  postretirement  benefits in fiscal
1997, 1996 and 1995 were as follows:

                                               Feb. 2,    Jan. 28,   Jan. 29,
                                                 1997      1996       1995
                                               --------   --------   --------
      Annual postretirement benefit expense:
        Interest cost .......................        16         32         42
     Amortization of
       unrecognized
       net obligations ......................       (44)        (6)        --
                                               --------   --------   --------
     Annual postretirement
       benefit expense ......................  $    (28)  $     26   $     42
                                               ========   ========   ========

     The accumulated postretirement benefit obligation consists of:

                                            Feb. 2,    Jan. 28,
                                             1997       1996
                                            --------   --------
          Accumulated postretirement
            benefit obligation .........    $    194   $    395
          Unrecognized gain ............         299        223
                                            --------   --------
          Accrued expense ..............    $    493   $    618
                                            ========   ========

     A 5% and a 10%  increase in the cost of covered  health care  benefits  was
assumed  for  fiscal  1997  and  1996,  respectively.  The rate of 5% used as of
February 2, 1997 is assumed to remain level after  fiscal  1997.  At January 28,
1996, the 10% was assumed to decrease  incrementally  to 5% after five years and
remain level  thereafter.  Assuming a 1% increase in the health care trend rate,
the annual postretirement  benefit expense would remain the same for fiscal 1997
and increase by $1 for fiscal 1996, and the unfunded accumulated  postretirement
benefit  obligation  would  increase  by $4 and $13 for  fiscal  1997 and  1996,
respectively.  The  weighted  average  discount  rate  used in  determining  the
accumulated  postretirement benefit obligation was 7.0% for both fiscal 1997 and
1996.

I.  PREFERRED STOCK SUBJECT TO MANDATORY REDEMPTION

     The  Company  is  obligated  to  redeem  all  outstanding  shares of senior
cumulative  and junior  cumulative  preferred  stock on December 31, 2001,  at a
price not to exceed  the  liquidation  value  which is $1,000 per share plus any
accrued dividends. Subject to certain loan restrictions, the Company may, at any
time,  redeem all or any portion of the preferred shares  outstanding at a price
of $1,000 per share plus any accrued dividends.

     Each share of senior  cumulative  and  junior  cumulative  preferred  stock
entitles  its holder to receive a  quarterly  dividend  of 16.25% and 14.25% per
annum,  respectively,  of the liquidation  value from the date of issuance until
redeemed.  Both  series  of  preferred  stock  are  non-voting,  and any  unpaid
dividends are added to the liquidation value until paid.

     The  General  Corporation  Law of the State of  Delaware,  under  which the
Company and Pamida are  incorporated,  allows a corporation  to declare or pay a
dividend only from its surplus or from the current or the prior year's earnings.
Due to the accumulated  deficit resulting  primarily from the store closings and
the write-off of goodwill and other long-lived  assets  recognized in the fourth
quarter of fiscal  1996,  the Company and Pamida did not declare or pay any cash
dividends in fiscal 1997 and may pay cash dividends in ensuing years only to the
extent that the Company and Pamida  satisfy the applicable  statutory  standards
which include the  Company's  having a net worth equal to at least the aggregate
par value of the preferred  stock which amounts to $2. A liability and provision
for preferred  stock  dividends  have been recorded in the fiscal 1997 financial
statements.  The cumulative  dividend rate on the preferred  stock  increases by
0.5% per quarter  (with a maximum  aggregate  increase of 5%) on each  quarterly
dividend  payment  date on which  the  preferred  stock  dividends  are not paid
currently on a cumulative basis.

     The difference  between the fair value of the junior  cumulative  preferred
stock at issuance and the mandatory  redemption  value is being recorded through
periodic  accretions,  using the effective interest method with a related charge
to retained earnings.

J.  STOCK OPTIONS

     On November  24, 1992,  the Board of  Directors of the Company  adopted the
Pamida  Holdings  Corporation  1992 Stock  Option Plan (the  "Plan"),  which was
approved by the Company's stockholders in May 1993. The Plan,  administered by a
Committee of the Board of

                                       26
<PAGE>

Directors,  provides for the granting of options to key employees of the Company
and its  subsidiaries to purchase up to an aggregate of 350,000 shares of Common
Stock of the Company.  Options  granted  under the Plan may be either  incentive
stock options,  within the meaning of Section 422 of the Internal  Revenue Code,
or  non-qualified  options.  Options  granted under the Plan will be exercisable
during the period fixed by the Committee for each option;  however,  in general,
no option will be exercisable earlier than one year after the date of its grant,
and no incentive stock option will be exercisable  more than ten years after the
date of its grant.  The option  exercise price must be at least 100% of the fair
market  value  of  the  Common  Stock  on  the  date  of the  option  grant.  No
compensation  expense  related to stock options was recorded during fiscal 1997,
1996 or 1995.

     The Company accounts for its stock-based  compensation under the provisions
of Accounting  Principles Board Opinion No. 25,  "Accounting for Stock Issued to
Employees" (APB Opinion No. 25), which utilizes the intrinsic value method.  The
effect on 1997 and 1996 net  income and  earnings  per share of  accounting  for
stock-based  compensation  using the fair value method  required by Statement of
Financial Accounting Standards No. 123, Accounting for Stock-Based  Compensation
(SFAS 123) is immaterial.

     The  weighted  average  fair value of options  granted  during the year was
$0.70 and $2.86 per  option  for fiscal  1997 and 1996,  respectively.  The fair
value of options granted under the Plan was estimated at the date of grant using
a binomial options pricing model with the following assumptions:

                                              Feb. 2,        Jan. 28,
                                               1997            1996
                                              --------       --------
      Risk-free interest rate...............       6.0%           7.0%
      Dividend yield........................       0.0%           0.0%
      Expected Volatility...................       8.1%           8.1%
      Expected life (years) ................       6.6 years      6.7 years

     A summary of the Company's  stock-based  compensation  activity  related to
stock options for the last three fiscal years is as follows:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                   February 2, 1997       January 28, 1996         January 29, 1995
                                 --------------------    --------------------    --------------------
                                             Weighted                Weighted               Weighted
                                             Average                 Average                 Average
                                             Exercise                Exercise                Exercise
                                 Number       Price      Number       Price      Number       Price
                                 -------     -------     -------     -------     -------     -------
<S>                              <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>         <C>
Outstanding-beginning of year    296,546     $  5.05     227,545     $  4.33     171,750     $  3.63
Granted .....................     86,800        2.37     122,205        6.80      75,000        5.75
Expired/terminated ..........    (80,530)       4.66     (48,246)       6.22     (19,205)       3.63
Exercised ...................       --            --      (4,958)       3.63          --          --
Outstanding-end of year .....    302,816     $  4.39     296,546     $  5.05     227,545     $  4.33
</TABLE>

     There were 123,616,  85,474 and 61,681  options  exercisable at February 2,
1997, January 28, 1996 and Janaury 29, 1995, respectively.

     The following table summarizes  information about stock options outstanding
as at February 2, 1997:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                    Options Outstanding                                Options Exercisable
- ------------------------------------------------------     -------------------------------------------
                                            Weighted
                                             Average        Weighted                        Weighted
            Range of                        Remaining       Average                         Average
            Excercise       Number         Contractual      Exercise         Number         Exercise
             Prices       Outstanding         Life            Price        Exercisable        Price
           -----------    -----------      -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
<S>        <C>            <C>              <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
           $1.94-$2.78          83,800       9.5 Years     $      2.36              --     $        --
             3.63-5.75         171,016       7.3 Years            4.60         114,016            4.20
                  7.19          48,000       8.1 Years            7.19           9,600            7.19
           -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
Totals     $1.94-$7.19         302,816       8.0 Years     $      4.39         123,616     $      4.43
</TABLE>

                                       27
<PAGE>

K.  CAPITAL STOCK

     In October 1994,  919,587  shares of nonvoting  common stock of the Company
were  converted  into the same number of shares of common  stock.  After  giving
effect to such conversion,  the Company had 5,004,942 shares of common stock and
no shares of nonvoting  common stock  outstanding  at the end of fiscal 1997 and
1996.

L.  EXTRAORDINARY ITEMS

     On July 31,  1995,  the Company made an offer to purchase for cash 39.5% of
the aggregate outstanding principal amount of 14% Subordinated  Promissory Notes
(Notes) of Pamida Holdings  Corporation.  The offered  purchase price was 50% of
the principal  amount to be purchased.  In the third quarter of fiscal 1996, the
Company redeemed Notes tendered in the aggregate  principal amount of $1,281 and
made cash payments of $641, resulting in an after-tax gain of $371.

M.  COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

     Pamida has employment  agreements  with three key executive  officers which
expire in 2000 and 2001. In addition to a base salary,  the  agreements  provide
for a bonus to be paid if certain Company performance goals are achieved.  Also,
in  March  1997,  the  Board  of  Directors   approved  a  long-term   incentive
compensation  program in order to enhance  retention  of certain  key members of
management.  Payout is tied to continued  employment  and future  Company common
stock price appreciation.

     The  terms  of the  senior  and  junior  preferred  stock  and the  senior,
subordinated  and junior  subordinated  promissory  notes provide that, upon the
occurrence of an event of  noncompliance  with respect to the preferred stock or
event of default with respect to the promissory  notes,  the Company is required
to pay higher  dividend  and  interest  rates  with the  amount of the  increase
depending on the nature of the event of noncompliance or default.

     During   fiscal  1996,   the  Company   received  $967  from  Pamida  as  a
reimbursement for certain tax benefits derived by Pamida. Such remittance, along
with $18 from the exercise of certain stock options,  was used by the Company to
redeem Subordinated  Promissory Notes as described in Note L, to repay to Pamida
intercompany  balances totaling $29, and to pay quarterly dividends on preferred
stock totaling $315.

     In June 1994, the Company  received  $1,316 from Pamida as a  reimbursement
for certain tax  benefits  derived by Pamida.  Such  remittance  was used by the
Company to make a  principal  payment  on its  outstanding  promissory  notes of
$1,029 and to repay Pamida certain intercompany advances aggregating $287.

     In  connection  with the  Company's  self  insured  retention  of  worker's
compensation  liabilities and future rental payments on a warehouse, on February
2,  1997,  the  Company  had  standby  letters  of credit  outstanding  totaling
approximately $1,188.

N.  IMPAIRMENT OF LONG-LIVED ASSETS RECORDED IN FISCAL 1996

     During  fiscal  1996,  weak  trends in the retail  industry  combined  with
increasing competition lowered the operating results of the Company.

     Therefore,  during the fourth quarter of fiscal 1996,  management  reviewed
its expectations for near- and long-term  performance of the Company and revised
its earnings  projections to reflect developing and projected trends,  primarily
in comparable-store-sales growth, gross margins, operating expenses and interest
expenses.  Consequently,  the recoverability of the Company's  long-lived assets
was also reassessed.

     In the fourth  quarter of fiscal  1996,  the Company  adopted  Statement of
Financial  Accounting  Standards  No.  121  "Accounting  For the  Impairment  of
Long-Lived  Assets and  Long-Lived  Assets to Be Disposed  Of" (SFAS 121).  This
financial accounting standard requires the Company to perform an analysis of the
recoverability of the net book value of long-lived  assets. The Company analyzed
cash flows on an individual store basis to assess  recoverability of store level
long-lived assets including allocated goodwill.

     As a result of this analysis,  impairment was indicated at certain  stores,
and a noncash pre-tax charge was recorded as illustrated in the table below. The
impairment  losses  were  based  on fair  value  which  was  determined  through
discounted cash flows for the particular  stores  utilizing a rate  commensurate
with the associated  risks. The effect of this accounting change was to increase
the net loss for the year by $24,693 or $4.90 per common share.

     The Company also analyzed the value of its remaining goodwill and favorable
leasehold  interests not impaired

                                       28
<PAGE>

under the  store-level  SFAS 121  analysis  using its  historical  method  under
Accounting  Principles  Board Opinion No. 17 (APB 17) and  determined  that such
remaining  amounts  also  were  impaired.  For this  analysis  the  value of the
goodwill  and  favorable   leasehold  interests  was  determined  by  projecting
aggregate net income and adjusting it by adding back  amortization of intangible
assets.  With  respect  to  the  projections  of net  income  used  to  evaluate
intangible assets impairment,  management made several assumptions in projecting
their best estimate of the results of future operations of the Company. The most
significant  assumptions were an estimated  remaining useful life of goodwill of
fifteen years,  modest annual comparable store sales growth,  gross margin rates
consistent  with those  experienced  over the past fiscal year in the stores not
being closed,  an annual expense  escalation  consistent  with recent  inflation
trends and the ability to refinance debt maturities as they come due.

     These assumptions  resulted in aggregate  undiscounted  adjusted net income
for the  fifteen-year  forecast period of approximately  $5,186,  which reflects
aggregate pre-tax interest expense of approximately $398,000 payable in cash and
$86,000 payable "in kind" (PIK). The $5,186 of aggregate adjusted net income for
the fifteen-year  forecast period also reflected  projected  adjusted net losses
for fiscal 1997 of $4,522,  which included cash interest  expense of $26,242 and
PIK  interest of $4,453,  and for fiscal  1998 of $2,863,  which  included  cash
interest  expense of $26,581 and PIK interest of $5,121.  For fiscal  1999,  the
Company projected adjusted net income of approximately $967, which included cash
interest expense of approximately $26,581 and PIK interest of $5,889. Due to the
uncertainty  of projections  beyond 1999,  this level of adjusted net income was
assumed to continue for each of the  remaining  fiscal  years in the  projection
period. As a result of this evaluation in fiscal 1996, management concluded that
the remaining goodwill and favorable leasehold interests were fully impaired.

     Pre-Tax  Components  of  Long-Lived  Asset  Write-Off  As  Reflected in the
Statement of Operations for the year ended January 28, 1996:

                                   SFAS          APB
                                    121           17         Total
                                 --------     --------     --------
          Goodwill               $ 20,607     $ 49,406     $ 70,013
          Favorable leasehold
            interests               4,245        1,917        6,162
          Property, buildings
            and equipment           2,376           --        2,376

                                 --------     --------     --------
          Total                  $ 27,228     $ 51,323     $ 78,551
                                 ========     ========     ========

     The  goodwill  was  originally  recorded in July 1986 when Pamida  Holdings
Corporation  acquired Pamida,  Inc. through a leveraged  buy-out and represented
the excess of the purchase price over the fair value of the net assets acquired.
Goodwill had been amortized on a  straight-line  basis over a forty-year  period
but, due to the trends  cited above,  its  estimated  remaining  useful life was
adjusted to fifteen years during the fourth quarter of fiscal 1996.

                                       29
<PAGE>

O.  STORE CLOSINGS IN FISCAL 1996

     As discussed in Note N above, the Company's  operating  performance  during
fiscal  1996  was  below  plan.  Management's  analysis  of  individual  stores'
operations and cash flows resulted in the  identification of forty  unprofitable
or  competitive  market  stores  which did not fit the  Company's  niche  market
strategy.  Consequently,  a charge was recorded at January 28, 1996 as indicated
below to cover the costs necessary to close these stores.  The Company  received
positive  net cash flow from closing the stores due to cash  generated  from the
disposition  of related  inventories.  The amounts the Company  will  ultimately
realize from the disposal of assets or pay on the resolution of liabilities  may
differ from the estimated  amounts  utilized in arriving at the income statement
effect.

          Pre-Tax                                   Income
          Components of fiscal 1996               Statement
          Store Closing Costs                       Effect
                                                   --------
          Real estate exit costs and
            write-off of property,
            buildings, and equipment ...........   $ 11,455
          Inventory liquidation ................      9,080
          Professional charges .................        314
          Severance and other costs and fees ...        548
                                                   --------
          Totals ...............................   $ 21,397
                                                   ========

     The store closing reserve  balance as of January 28, 1996 included  amounts
related to real estate, inventory, severance,  professional fees and other costs
of closing the forty stores. The liquidation of the closing stores inventory was
completed in the second quarter of fiscal 1997. All known ancillary costs of the
store closings have been paid except those related to the remaining real estate.
During fiscal 1997,  the Company  negotiated  settlements on twenty closed store
properties which had been leased,  two which have been subleased,  and sold four
closed  store  properties  which had been owned.  As of  February  2, 1997,  the
Company remains liable for lease  obligations on twelve closed store  properties
and owns four  closed  store  properties.  The  Company  anticipates  that final
disposition of the remaining  obligations  and  properties  will be completed in
fiscal  1999.  There were no  adjustments  made during  fiscal 1997 to the store
closing  reserve  other  than cash  inflows  and  outflows  related to the store
closings.

     The store closing reserve is presented in the balance sheets as follows:

                                        Feb. 2,      Jan. 28,
                                          1997         1996
                                        --------     --------
          Store closing reserve
            (short-term)                $  4,521     $  7,818
          Amount included in other
            long-term liabilities          2,190        2,619
                                        --------     --------

          Total                         $  6,711     $ 10,437
                                        ========     ========

                                       30
<PAGE>

P.  QUARTERLY RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (UNAUDITED)

     The following is a summary of the quarterly  results of operations  for the
years ended February 2, 1997 and January 28, 1996:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                           April 28,       July 28,       October 27,     February 2,
Fiscal 1997                                  1996            1996            1996            1997            Year
                                          -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
<S>                                       <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Sales .................................   $   131,786     $   155,817     $   151,980     $   193,606     $   633,189
Gross profit ..........................        31,575          37,096          36,446          48,973         154,090

Net (loss) income .....................        (4,742)         (1,294)            189           5,051            (796)
Less provision for preferred
     dividends and discount
     amortization .....................            93              97              99             102             391
                                          -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
Net (loss) income available
     for common shares ................   $    (4,835)    $    (1,391)    $        90     $     4,949     $    (1,187)
                                          ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========

Net (loss) earnings
    per common share ..................   $      (.97)    $      (.28)    $       .02     $       .99     $      (.24)
                                          ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========
</TABLE>

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                                           April 30,       July 30,       October 29,     January 28,
Fiscal 1996                                   1995           1995            1995            1996           Year
                                          -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
<S>                                       <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>             <C>
Sales...................................  $   153,961     $   186,953     $   176,206     $   219,195     $   736,315
Gross profit............................       36,813          44,638          42,802          53,435         177,688

Net (loss) income before
    Extraordinary item..................       (2,179)            608             130         (93,578)        (95,019)
Extraordinary item......................           --              --             371              --             371
                                          -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------

Net (loss) income.......................       (2,179)            608             501         (93,578)        (94,648)
Less preferred dividends and
    discount amortization...............           91              90              90              91             362
                                          -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------     -----------
Net (loss) income available
    for common shares...................  $    (2,270)    $       518     $       411     $   (93,669)    $   (95,010)
                                          ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========

Net (loss) earnings
    per common share                      $      (.45)    $       .10     $       .08     $    (18.60)    $    (18.87)
                                          ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========     ===========
</TABLE>

                   PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                    INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT ON SCHEDULE



INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' REPORT
Board of Directors
Pamida Holdings Corporation
Omaha, Nebraska



We have audited the  consolidated  balance sheet of Pamida Holdings  Corporation
and subsidiary as of February 2, 1997, and the related  consolidated  statements
of operations,  stockholders'  equity and cash flows for each of the years ended
February 2, 1997 and January 29, 1995 and have issued our report  thereon  dated
March 7, 1997  (March 17,  1997 as to Note E).  Such  financial  statements  and
report are included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K. Our audits also included
the financial  statement schedule of Pamida Holdings  Corporation and subsidiary
as of  February 2, 1997,  and for each of the years  ended  February 2, 1997 and
January 29, 1995 listed in Item 14(a)2. This financial statement schedule is the
responsibility of the Company's management.  Our responsibility is to express an
opinion based on our audits. In our opinion,  such financial statement schedule,
when considered in relation to the basic financial  statements taken as a whole,
presents fairly in all material respects the information set forth therein.



/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Omaha, Nebraska
March 7, 1997


                          PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION
                             (Parent Company Only)
                         (Dollar amounts in thousands)

           SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
             BALANCE SHEETS - FEBRUARY 2, 1997 AND JANUARY 28, 1996



ASSETS                                                      1997          1996
Current assets:                                           --------     --------
  Refundable income taxes ............................    $    855     $    855
  Investment in subsidiary ...........................     (57,531)     (61,226)
  Deferred financing costs ...........................          52           63
                                                          --------     --------

                                                          $(56,624)    $(60,308)
                                                          ========     ========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable ...................................    $     --     $      8
  Accrued interest ...................................         811          639
  Payable to Pamida, Inc. ............................          16           --
                                                          --------     --------
      Total current liabilities ......................         827          647

Long-term debt .......................................      27,636       23,335
Dividends payable ....................................         342           --
Preferred stock subject to mandatory redemption:
  16-1/4% senior cumulative preferred stock, $1
    par value; 514 shares authorized, issued and
    outstanding ......................................         514          514
  14-1/4% junior cumulative preferred stock, $1
    par value; 6,986 shares authorized;
    1,627 shares issued and outstanding;
    redemption amount of $1,627 less
    unamortized discount .............................       1,360        1,312

Common stockholders' equity:
  Common stock, $.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares
    authorized; 5,004,942 shares issued and
    outstanding, in both years .......................          50           50
  Additional paid-in capital .........................         968          968
  Accumulated deficit ................................     (88,321)     (87,134)
                                                          --------     --------
      Total common stockholders' equity ..............     (87,303)     (86,116)
                                                          --------     --------
                                                          $(56,624)    $(60,308)
                                                          ========     ========


                          PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION
                             (Parent Company Only)
             (Dollar amount in thousands except for per share data)

           SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
            STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS AND RETAINED (DEFICIT) EARNINGS
      YEARS ENDED FEBRUARY 2, 1997, JANUARY 28, 1996 AND JANUARY 29, 1995


                                                 1997        1996        1995
                                               --------    --------    --------
Equity in earnings (loss) of subsidiary ....   $  3,696    $(92,527)   $  5,130
Expenses:
  General and administrative ...............         19          33          34
  Interest .................................      4,473       3,910       3,463
                                               --------    --------    --------
                                                  4,492       3,943       3,497
                                               --------    --------    --------

(Loss) income before income tax benefit
  and extraordinary item ...................       (796)    (96,470)      1,633

Extraordinary item .........................         --         371          --
                                               --------    --------    --------
(Loss) income before income tax benefit ....       (796)    (96,099)      1,633
Income tax benefit .........................         --       1,451       1,282
                                               --------    --------    --------
Net (loss) income ..........................       (796)    (94,648)      2,915
Amortization of discount on 14-1/4%
  junior cumulative preferred ..............        (49)        (47)        (45)
Cash dividends paid to preferred
  stockholders .............................         --        (315)       (316)
Accrued dividends for
   preferred stockholders ..................       (342)         --          --
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) -
   beginning of year .......................    (87,134)      7,876       5,322
                                               --------    --------    --------
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) -
   end of year .............................   $(88,321)   $(87,134)   $  7,876
                                               ========    ========    ========

(Loss) earnings per common share ...........   $   (.24)   $ (18.87)   $    .51
                                               ========    ========    ========

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

                          PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION
                             (Parent Company Only)
                         (Dollar amounts in thousands)

           SCHEDULE I - CONDENSED FINANCIAL INFORMATION OF REGISTRANT
                            STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
      YEARS ENDED FEBRUARY 2, 1997, JANUARY 28, 1996 AND JANUARY 29, 1995

                                                                 1997        1996        1995
Cash flows from operating activities:                          --------    --------    --------
<S>                                                            <C>         <C>         <C>
  Net (loss) income ........................................   $   (796)   $(94,648)   $  2,915
                                                               --------    --------    --------
  Adjustments to reconcile  net income  (loss) to net cash provided by (used in)
    operating activities:
      Equity in (earnings) loss of subsidiary ..............     (3,696)     92,527      (5,130)
      Noncash interest expense .............................      4,313       3,756       3,315
      Accretion of original issue debt discount ............        160         154         149
      Amortization of intangible assets ....................         11          10          11
      Extraordinary item related to retirement of debt .....         --        (371)         --
      (Increase) decrease in refundable income tax .........         --        (483)        349
      Increase (decrease) in operating liabilities .........          8          (7)       (264)
                                                               --------    --------    --------
           Total adjustments ...............................        796      95,586      (1,570)
                                                               --------    --------    --------
           Net cash provided by operating activities .......         --         938       1,345
                                                               --------    --------    --------

Cash flows from investing activities:
  Dividends received from subsidiary .......................         --          --          --

Cash flows from financing activities:
  Proceeds from sale of stock ..............................         --          18          --
  Principal payments on promissory notes ...................         --          --      (1,029)
  Payments to redeem subordinated notes ....................         --        (641)         --
  Dividends paid to preferred stockholders .................         --        (315)       (316)
                                                               --------    --------    --------
           Net cash used in financing activities ...........         --        (938)     (1,345)
                                                               --------    --------    --------

Net change in cash .........................................         --          --          --

Cash at beginning of year ..................................         --          --          --
                                                               --------    --------    --------

Cash at end of year ........................................   $     --    $     --    $     --
                                                               ========    ========    ========

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURE OF CASH FLOW
  INFORMATION:
    Cash paid during the year for interest .................   $     --    $     --    $     --

SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NONCASH FINANCING
  ACTIVITY:
    Amortization of discount on junior cumulative preferred
      stock recorded as a direct charge to retained earnings   $     49    $     47    $     45

    Payment of interest in kind by increasing the
      principal amount of the notes ........................      4,141       3,702       3,263

    Conversion on nonvoting common stock to common stock:
      Common stock .........................................         --          --           9
      Nonvoting stock ......................................         --          --          (9)
</TABLE>


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

     The information  required by this item has been previously  reported in the
Form 8-K Current Report of the registrant dated October 16, 1996.


                                    PART III

     The information required by this Part III is incorporated by reference from
the  registrant's  definitive proxy statement for the 1997 annual meeting of the
registrant's  stockholders  to be held  on May  22,  1997,  which  involves  the
election of directors.  Such  definitive  proxy statement will be filed with the
Securities and Exchange  Commission not later than 120 days after the end of the
fiscal  year  covered by this Form 10-K.  However,  information  concerning  the
registrant's executive officers will be omitted from such proxy statement and is
furnished in a separate item captioned  "Executive  Officers of the  Registrant"
included in Part I of this Form 10-K.


                                     PART IV

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

          (a) The following documents are filed as a part of this report in Item
              8 of Part II:

     1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

       Pamida Holdings Corporation and Subsidiary

         -  Independent Auditors' Report

         -  Consolidated  Statements of Operations  for the Years Ended February
            2, 1997, January 28, 1996 and January 29, 1995

         -  Consolidated Balance Sheets at February 2, 1997 and January 28, 1996

         -  Consolidated Statements of Common Stockholders' Equity for the Years
            Ended February 2, 1997, January 28, 1996 and January 29, 1995

         -  Consolidated  Statements of Cash Flows for the Years Ended  February
            2, 1997, January 28, 1996 and January 29, 1995

         -  Notes to  Consolidated  Financial  Statements  for the  Years  Ended
            February 2, 1997, January 28, 1996 and January 29, 1995

     2. FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

         -  Independent Auditors' Report on Schedule

         -  Schedule I - Condensed Financial Information of Registrant


All  other  schedules  of the  registrant  for  which  provision  is made in the
applicable accounting  regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission are
not  required  under the related  instructions,  are  inapplicable  or have been
disclosed in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements and, therefore, have
been omitted.

     3. EXHIBITS.

(1)  3.1   -   Restated   Certificate   of  Incorporation   of  Pamida  Holdings
                 Corporation, as amended.

(2)  3.2   -   Revised By-Laws of Pamida Holdings Corporation.

(1)  3.3   -   Certificate   of   Amendment   of   Certificate  of Incorporation
                 of Pamida  Holdings  Corporation (amends Exhibit 3.1).

(9)  3.4   -   Certificate   of   Amendment   of   Certificate  of Incorporation
                 of Pamida  Holdings Corporation (amends Exhibit 3.1).

(2)  4.1   -   Form  of  certificate  representing  shares  of  the Common Stock
                 of Pamida Holdings Corporation.

(6)  4.2   -   Indenture dated  as  of  March  15, 1993,  among Pamida, Inc.  as
                 Issuer, Pamida  Holdings  Corporation  as Guarantor,  and State
                 Street Bank  and Trust  Company as Trustee  relating to 11 3/4%
                 Senior  Subordinated  Notes due 2003 of Pamida, Inc.

(6)  4.3   -   Specimen form  of 11 3/4%  Senior  Subordinated  Note due 2003 of
                 Pamida, Inc.

(3)  10.1  -   Stock and  Note Purchase Agreement  dated  as  of July  29, 1986,
                 among  Pamida  Holdings  Corporation, Citicorp Venture Capital,
                 Ltd.,  Citicorp  Capital  Investors,  Ltd.,  and the individual
                 purchasers who are parties thereto.

(1)  10.2  -   Amendment  to Stock  and  Note Purchase Agreement, dated July 31,
                 1990 (amends Exhibit 10.1).


(1)  10.3  -   Second Amendment  to  Stock  and  Note  Purchase Agreement, dated
                 August 10, 1990  (amends  Exhibit 10.1).

(1)  10.4  -   Third  Amendment  to  Stock  and  Note  Purchase Agreement, dated
                 September 13, 1990 (amends Exhibit 10.1).

(1)  10.5  -   Registration Agreement dated July 29, 1986, among Pamida Holdings
                 Corporation  and  the persons  listed  on the  signature  pages
                 thereof.

(1)  10.6  -   Amendment No.1 to Registration Agreement, dated August 10,  1990,
                 among Pamida Holdings Corporation,  Citicorp  Venture  Capital,
                 Ltd. and C. Clayton Burkstrand (amends Exhibit 10.5).

(1)  10.7  -   Exchange  Agreement dated August 10, 1990, among Pamida  Holdings
                 Corporation, Citicorp Venture  Capital, Ltd. and  Court  Square
                 Capital Limited.

(1)  10.8  -   Agreement   dated  September  13,  1990,  among  Pamida  Holdings
                 Corporation,  Citicorp  Venture  Capital, Ltd. and Court Square
                 Capital Limited.

(2)  10.9  -   Agreement   dated  September  20,  1990,  among  Pamida  Holdings
                 Corporation,  Citicorp  Venture  Capital, Ltd. and Court Square
                 Capital Limited.

(4)  10.10 -   Exchange Agreement dated  as of  December 1,  1990 between Pamida
                 Holdings  Corporation,   Citicorp  Venture  Capital,  Ltd.  and
                 Court Square Capital Limited.

(4)  10.11 -   Form of 14.25% Junior  Subordinated  Promissory  Note  of  Pamida
                 Holdings Corporation.

(4)  10.12 -   Form  of  Indemnification  Agreement  between   Pamida   Holdings
                 Corporation and its officers and directors.

(5)  10.13 -   Note Amendment  Agreement  dated as of December 18, 1992, between
                 Pamida Holdings  Corporation and Court Square Capital Limited.

(5)  10.14 -   Note Amendment Agreement No. 2 dated as of March 1, 1993, between
                 Pamida  Holdings Corporation  and Citicorp Investments Inc.

(5)  10.15 -   Tax-Sharing  Agreement dated as of February 2, 1992, among Pamida
                 Holdings Corporation, Pamida,  Inc.,  Seaway Importing company,
                 and Pamida  Transportation Company.

(6)  10.16 -   Loan  and Security Agreement  dated March 30, 1993, by  and among
                 Congress Financial  Corporation (Southwest)   and  BA  Business
                 Credit,  Inc.  as  Lenders,   Congress  Financial   Corporation
                 (Southwest)as Agent  for the  Lenders,  and  Pamida,  Inc.  and
                 Seaway Importing Company as Borrowers.

(12) 10.17 -   Amendment No. 1 to Loan and Security Agreement, dated January 23,
                 1995,  among  Pamida, Inc.  and  Seaway  Importing  Company  as
                 Borrowers,  Congress  Financial  Corporation  (Southwest)  as a
                 Lender and Agent,  and BA  Business  Credit  Inc.  as a  Lender
                 (amends Exhibit 10.16).

(13) 10.18 -   Amendment No. 2 to Loan and Security Agreement, dated January 28,
                 1996,  among  Pamida,  Inc.  and Seaway  Importing  Company  as
                 Borrowers,  Congress  Financial  Corporation  (Southwest)  as a
                 Lender and Agent,  and BankAmerica  Business Credit as a Lender
                 (amends Exhibit 10.16).

(14) 10.19 -   Amendment  No. 3 to  Loan  and  Security  Agreement among Pamida,
                 Inc.  and  Seaway  Importing  Company,  as  Borrowers, Congress
                 Financial  Corporation  (Southwest)  and  BankAmerica  Business
                 Credit, Inc., as  Lenders, and Congress Financial   Corporation
                 (Southwest),  as  Agent,  dated   September  16,  1996  (amends
                 Exhibit 10.16).

     10.20 -   Amendment No. 4 to  Loan  and  Security  Agreement  among Pamida,
                 Inc.  and Seaway  Importing  Company,  as   Borrowers, Congress
                 Financial  Corporation  (Southwest)  and  BankAmerica  Business
                 Credit, Inc.,  as  Lenders, and Congress  Financial Corporation
                 (Southwest),  as   Agent,   dated   January  31,  1997  (amends
                 Exhibit 10.16).

     10.21 -   Amendment No.  5 to  Loan  and  Security  Agreement among Pamida,
                 Inc. and Seaway  Importing  Company, as   Borrowers,   Congress
                 Financial Corporation   (Southwest)  and BankAmerica   Business
                 Credit, Inc.,  as Lenders, and  Congress Financial  Corporation
                 (Southwest),   as   Agent,  dated   March   17,  1997   (amends
                 Exhibit 10.16).

(8)  10.22 -   Pamida Holdings Corporation 1992 Stock Option Plan.

(7)  10.23 -   Employment  Agreement dated April 19, 1993,  between
                 Pamida, Inc. and Steven S. Fishman.

(10) 10.24 -   Amendment  No.  1 to Employment Agreement, dated January 3, 1994,
                 between  Pamida, Inc.  and  Steven  S. Fishman  (amends Exhibit
                 10.23).

(11) 10.25 -   Amendment No. 2 to Employment Agreement, dated January  23, 1995,
                 between  Pamida,  Inc.  and Steven  S. Fishman  (amends Exhibit
                 10.23).

(12) 10.26 -   Employment   Agreement  dated  September  22,  1995, among Pamida
                 Holdings Corporation,  Pamida, Inc. and  Steven S. Fishman.

(14) 10.27 -   Amendment  No.  1 to Employment  Agreement among Pamida  Holdings
                 Corporation,  Pamida,  Inc., and  Steve S. Fishman dated August
                 29,  1996  (amends Exhibit 10.26).

     10.28 -   Amendment  No.  2 to Employment Agreement among  Pamida  Holdings
                 Corporation, Pamida, Inc., and Steven S. Fishman dated March 6,
                 1997 (amends Exhibit 10.26).

(11) 10.29 -   Pamida, Inc. 1995 Deferred Compensation Plan.

     10.30 -   Employment  Agreement  dated as  of March 6,  1997, among  Pamida
                 Holdings Corporation, Pamida, Inc., and Frank A. Washburn.

     10.31 -   Employment  Agreement  dated as  of March 6,  1997, among  Pamida
                 Holdings Corporation, Pamida, Inc., and George R. Mihalko.

     10.32 -   Long-Term  Incentive Award Agreement  dated as  of March 6, 1997,
                 between Pamida, Inc. and, Steven S. Fishman.

     10.33 -   Long-Term Incentive  Award  Agreement dated  as of March 6, 1997,
                 between Pamida, Inc., and Frank A. Washburn.

     10.34 -   Long-Term Incentive  Award  Agreement dated  as of March 6, 1997,
                 between Pamida, Inc., and George R. Mihalko.

(1)  22.1  -   Subsidiaries of Pamida Holdings Corporation.

     23.1  -   Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP.

     23.2  -   Consent of Coopers & Lybrand L.L.P.

     24.1  -   Power of Attorney

     27.1  -   Financial Data Schedule (EDGAR filing only)

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

(1)  Previously filed as an exhibit to Registration Statement of Pamida Holdings
     Corporation on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-35324) and incorporated herein
     by this reference.

(2)  Previously  filed as an  exhibit  to Form 10-Q  Quarterly  Report of Pamida
     Holdings   Corporation   for  the  period  ended  October  28,  1990,   and
     incorporated herein by this reference.

(3)  Previously filed as an exhibit to Registration Statement of Pamida, Inc. on
     Form S-l  (Registration  No.  33-10980)  and  incorporated  herein  by this
     reference.

(4)  Previously  filed as an  exhibit  to Form  10-K  Annual  Report  of  Pamida
     Holdings  Corporation  for the fiscal  year  ended  February  3, 1991,  and
     incorporated herein by this reference.

(5)  Previously  filed as an exhibit to Registration  Statement of Pamida,  Inc.
     and Pamida Holdings Corporation on Form S-1 (Registration No. 33-57990) and
     incorporated herein by this reference.

(6)  Previously  filed as an  exhibit  to Form 10-Q  Quarterly  Report of Pamida
     Holdings  Corporation  for the period ended May 2, 1993,  and  incorporated
     herein by this reference.

(7)  Previously  filed as an  exhibit to Form 10-Q  Quarterly  Report of Pamida,
     Inc.  (File  No.  33-57990)  for the  period  ended  August  1,  1993,  and
     incorporated herein by this reference.

(8)  Previously  filed as an  exhibit  to Form 10-Q  Quarterly  Report of Pamida
     Holdings  Corporation for the period ended August 1, 1993, and incorporated
     herein by this reference.

(9)  Previously  filed as an  exhibit  to Form 10-Q  Quarterly  Report of Pamida
     Holdings  Corporation for the period ended July 31, 1994, and  incorporated
     herein by this reference.

(10) Previously  filed as an  exhibit  to Form  10-K  Annual  Report  of  Pamida
     Holdings  Corporation  for the fiscal  year ended  January  30,  1994,  and
     incorporated herein by this reference.

(11) Previously  filed as an  exhibit  to Form  10-K  Annual  Report  of  Pamida
     Holdings  Corporation  for the fiscal  year ended  January  29,  1995,  and
     incorporated herein by this reference.

(12) Previously  filed as an  exhibit  to Form 10-Q  Quarterly  Report of Pamida
     Holdings   Corporation   for  the  period  ended  October  29,  1995,   and
     incorporated herein by this reference.

(13) Previously  filed as an  exhibit  to Form  10-K  Annual  Report  of  Pamida
     Holdings  Corporation  for the fiscal  year ended  January  28,  1996,  and
     incorporated herein by this reference.

(14) Previously  filed as an  exhibit  to Form 10-Q  Quarterly  Report of Pamida
     Holdings   Corporation   for  the  period  ended  October  27,  1996,   and
     incorporated herein by this reference.

                                      * * *

(b)  No reports on Form 8-K were filed by the registrant during the last quarter
     of the period covered by this report.

                                   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.

Date:  April 15, 1997                   PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION

                                By:/s/  Steven S. Fishman
                                        Steven S. Fishman, Chairman
                                        of the Board, President and
                                        Chief Executive Officer

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


    /s/ Steven S. Fishman               Chairman of the Board,    April 15, 1997
    Steven S. Fishman                   President, Chief Executive
                                        Officer and Director


    /s/ George R. Mihalko               Senior Vice President,    April 15, 1997
    George R. Mihalko                   Chief Financial Officer
                                        and Treasurer


    /s/ Todd D. Weyhrich                Principal Accounting      April 15, 1997
    Todd D. Weyhrich                    Officer


    /s/ Frank A. Washburn               Director                  April 15, 1997
    Frank A. Washburn

            *                           Director                  April 15, 1997
    L. David Callaway, III

            *                           Director                  April 15, 1997
    Stuyvesant P. Comfort

            *                           Director                  April 15, 1997
    M. Saleem Muqaddam


            *                           Director                  April 15, 1997
    Peter J. Sodini

* By:  /s/ George R. Mihalko
       George R. Mihalko,
       Attorney-in-Fact




                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 10-Q

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


For the quarterly period ended May 4, 1997

Commission File Number 1-10619


                          PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


           DELAWARE                                   47-0696125
- -------------------------------                ----------------------
(State or other jurisdiction of                    (IRS Employer
 incorporation or organization)                Identification Number)


     8800 "F" STREET, OMAHA, NEBRASKA                    68127
- ----------------------------------------              ----------
(Address of principal executive offices)              (Zip Code)


                                 (402) 339-2400
              ----------------------------------------------------
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


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 the number of shares  outstanding  of each of the  issuer's  classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date:

         CLASS OF COMMON STOCK          OUTSTANDING AT JUNE 2, 1997
         ---------------------          ---------------------------
             Common Stock                     5,004,942 Shares


                         PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                          ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
                             (Dollars in Thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)

ASSETS:                                                               May 4,     February 2,
  Current assets:                                                     1997           1997
                                                                  -----------    -----------
<S>                                                               <C>            <C>
    Cash ......................................................   $     9,003    $     6,973
    Accounts receivable, less allowance for
      doubtful accounts of $50 ................................         8,694          6,919
    Merchandise inventories ...................................       159,294        157,490
    Prepaid expenses ..........................................         3,163          2,993
    Property held for sale ....................................            --          1,748
                                                                  -----------    -----------
       Total current assets ...................................       180,154        176,123
                                                                  -----------    -----------

  Property, buildings and equipment, less accumulated
    depreciation and amortization of $62,955 and $61,364 ......        42,764         42,403
  Leased property under capital leases, less accumulated
    amortization of $15,272 and $14,604 .......................        27,065         27,713
  Deferred financing costs ....................................         3,248          3,176
  Other assets ................................................        20,854         19,773
                                                                  -----------    -----------
                                                                  $   274,085    $   269,188
                                                                  ===========    ===========
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY:
  Current liabilities:
    Accounts payable ..........................................   $    60,113    $    54,245
    Loan and security agreement ...............................        66,157         57,115
    Accrued compensation ......................................         3,842          3,860
    Accrued interest ..........................................         3,153          7,668
    Store closing reserve .....................................         3,422          4,521
    Other accrued expenses ....................................        10,390         10,112
    Income taxes - deferred and current payable ...............         8,078          8,101
    Current maturities of long-term debt ......................            47             47
    Current obligations under capital leases ..................         1,765          1,781
                                                                  -----------    -----------
       Total current liabilities ..............................       156,967        147,450

  Long-term debt, less current maturities .....................       169,170        168,000
  Obligations under capital leases, less current obligations ..        33,570         33,999
  Other long-term liabilities .................................         4,923          4,825
  Commitments and contingencies ...............................            --             --
  Preferred stock subject to mandatory redemption
    and reserve for dividends payable .........................         2,322          2,217
  Common stockholders' equity:
    Common stock, $.01 par value; 10,000,000 shares authorized;
      5,004,942 shares issued and outstanding, ................            50             50
    Additional paid-in capital ................................           968            968
    Accumulated deficit .......................................       (93,885)       (88,321)
                                                                  -----------    -----------
      Total common stockholders' deficit ......................       (92,867)       (87,303)
                                                                  -----------    -----------
                                                                  $   274,085    $   269,188
                                                                  ===========    ===========
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements.


                   PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
                (Dollars in Thousands, Except Per Share Amounts)
                                   (Unaudited)


                                               Three Months Ended
                                             ----------------------
                                               May 4,     April 28,
                                               1997          1996
                                             ---------    ---------
Sales ....................................   $ 144,564    $ 131,786
Cost of goods sold .......................     111,296      100,211
                                             ---------    ---------
Gross profit .............................      33,268       31,575
                                             ---------    ---------
Expenses:
  Selling, general and administrative ....      30,974       29,211
  Interest ...............................       7,753        7,106
                                             ---------    ---------
                                                38,727       36,317
                                             ---------    ---------
Loss before income tax benefit ...........      (5,459)      (4,742)
Income tax benefit .......................          --           --
                                             ---------    ---------
Net loss .................................      (5,459)      (4,742)
Less provision for preferred dividends and
  discount amortization ..................         105           93
                                             ---------    ---------
Net loss available for common stock ......   $  (5,564)   $  (4,835)
                                             =========    =========
Loss per common share ....................   $   (1.11)   $    (.97)
                                             =========    =========

See notes to consolidated financial statements.


<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                   PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                             (Dollars in Thousands)
                                   (Unaudited)

                                                             THREE MONTHS ENDED
                                                             May 4,     April 28,
                                                              1997         1996
                                                           ---------    ---------
CASH FLOWS FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES:
<S>                                                        <C>          <C>
  Net loss .............................................   $  (5,459)   $  (4,742)
                                                           ---------    ---------
  Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash from operations:
      Depreciation and amortization of fixed assets
        and intangibles ................................       2,905        2,674
      Provision for LIFO inventory valuation ...........         150          150
      Noncash interest expense .........................       1,167          987
      Accretion of original issue debt discount ........          41           39
      (Gain) loss on disposal of assets ................          11          (26)
      Decrease in store closing reserve ................      (1,099)      (2,003)
      (Increase) decrease in merchandise inventories ...      (1,954)       8,985
      Increase in other operating assets ...............      (3,486)      (3,107)
      Increase in accounts payable .....................       5,868        5,675
      Decrease in interest payable .....................      (4,542)      (4,078)
      Decrease in income taxes payable .................         (23)         (10)
      Increase (decrease) in other operating liabilities         358       (4,368)
                                                           ---------    ---------
         Total adjustments .............................        (604)       4,918
                                                           ---------    ---------
           Net cash from operating activities ..........      (6,063)         176
                                                           ---------    ---------

CASH FLOWS FROM INVESTING ACTIVITIES:
   Proceeds from disposal of assets ....................       1,810           26
   Construction notes receivable .......................         140         (565)
     Principal payments received on notes receivable ...           4            4
   Assets acquired for sale ............................          --         (353)
   Capital expenditures ................................      (2,222)        (508)
                                                           ---------    ---------
           Net cash from investing activities ..........        (268)      (1,396)
                                                           ---------    ---------

CASH FLOWS FROM FINANCING ACTIVITIES:
  Borrowings under loan and security agreement .........       9,042        2,614
  Principal payments on capital lease obligations ......        (445)        (401)
  Payments for deferred finance costs ..................        (225)          --
  Principal payments on other long-term debt ...........         (11)         (52)
                                                           ---------    ---------
 Net cash from financing activities ....................       8,361        2,161
                                                           ---------    ---------

Net increase in cash ...................................       2,030          941
Cash at beginning of year ..............................       6,973        7,298
                                                           ---------    ---------
Cash at end of period ..................................   $   9,003    $   8,239
                                                           =========    =========

SUPPLEMENTAL DISCLOSURES OF CASH FLOW INFORMATION:
(1)  Cash paid (received) during the period for:
       Interest                                            $  11,087    $  10,158
       Income taxes:
         Payments to taxing authorities                           32          180
         Refunds received from taxing authorities                 (9)        (170)

SUPPLEMENTAL SCHEDULE OF NONCASH INVESTING AND
  FINANCING ACTIVITY:
(1)  Amortization of discount on junior cumulative
     preferred stock recorded as a direct charge to
     retained earnings                                            13           12
(2)  Provision for dividends payable                              92           81
(3)  In-kind payment of accrued interest on
       promissory notes:
       Promissory notes                                        1,140          975
       Accrued interest                                       (1,140)        (975)
</TABLE>
See notes to consolidated financial statements.


                   PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARY
                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                THREE MONTHS ENDED MAY 4, 1997 AND APRIL 28, 1996
                                   (Unaudited)
                             (Dollars in Thousands)


1.   MANAGEMENT REPRESENTATION

The accompanying  unaudited consolidated financial statements have been prepared
in  accordance  with  generally  accepted  accounting   principles  for  interim
financial information.  In the opinion of management,  all adjustments necessary
for a fair  presentation  of the results of operations  for the interim  periods
have been  included.  All such  adjustments  are of a normal  recurring  nature.
Because of the seasonal nature of the business,  results for interim periods are
not necessarily indicative of a full year's operations.  The accounting policies
followed by Pamida Holdings Corporation (the "Company") and additional footnotes
are reflected in the  consolidated  financial  statements  contained in the Form
10-K Annual Report of the Company for the fiscal year ended February 2, 1997.

2.   INVENTORIES

Substantially  all  inventories  are  stated  at the  lower  of  cost  (last-in,
first-out) or market.  Total  inventories  would have been higher at May 4, 1997
and February 2, 1997 by $6,724 and $6,574 respectively,  had the FIFO (first-in,
first-out) method been used to determine the cost of all inventories.  Quarterly
LIFO inventory  determinations  reflect  assumptions  regarding  fiscal year-end
inventory levels and the estimated impact of annual inflation.  Actual inventory
levels and annual inflation could vary from estimates made on a quarterly basis.


3.   RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

No payments have been made to the Company by Pamida,  Inc., and no related party
transactions have occurred between such companies during fiscal 1998 and 1997.

4.   LOSS PER COMMON SHARE

Loss per common share was  calculated  using the weighted  average common shares
and dilutive common share  equivalents  outstanding  during the period using the
treasury stock method.


5.   RECENTLY ISSUED ACCOUNTING STANDARDS

In February 1997, the Financial  Accounting Standards Board issued SFAS No. 128,
"Earnings  Per  Share"  which  specifies  the   computation,   presentation  and
disclosure  requirements  for earnings per share. The objective of the statement
is to  simplify  the  computation  of  earnings  per  share.  The  impact on the
Company's earnings per share is not materially different than earnings per share
determined in accordance with current  guidance.  SFAS No. 128 is applicable for
fiscal years ending after December 15, 1997.

6.   RECLASSIFICATIONS

Certain   reclassifications  have  been  made  to  the  prior  year's  financial
statements to conform to the current year's presentation.


                ITEM 2 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                  FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
                             (Dollars in Thousands)


The following is  management's  discussion  and analysis of certain  significant
factors which have affected the  Company's  results of operations  and financial
condition for the periods  included in the accompanying  consolidated  financial
statements.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The  following  table  sets  forth an  analysis  of  various  components  of the
Consolidated  Statements  of  Operations  as a percentage of sales for the three
months ended May 4, 1997 and April 28, 1996:

                               Three Months Ended
                                               ---------------------
                                                May 4,     April 28,
                                                1997          1996
                                               -------      -------
Sales .......................................    100.0%       100.0%
Cost of goods sold ..........................     77.0         76.0
                                               -------      -------
Gross profit ................................     23.0         24.0
Selling, general and administrative expenses.     21.4         22.2
                                               -------      -------
Operating income ............................      1.6          1.8
Interest expense ............................      5.4          5.4
                                               -------      -------
Loss before income tax benefit ..............     (3.8)        (3.6)
Income tax benefit ..........................       -          ( - )
                                               -------      -------
Net loss ....................................     (3.8)        (3.6)
                                               =======      =======

SALES for the first  quarter of fiscal  1998  increased  by $12,778 or 9.7% from
sales for the first quarter of fiscal 1997.  The Company  operated 149 stores at
the end of the first  quarter of fiscal 1998 as compared  with 144 stores during
the first  quarter of fiscal  1997.  Since April 28, 1996 the Company has opened
eight stores in new markets,  relocated two stores and closed three stores.  The
increase in total sales was primarily  attributable  to  comparable  store sales
increases  and the  effects  of the net  increase  in the  number  of  stores in
operation  during the first  quarter of fiscal 1998 as compared  with last year.
Comparable store sales for the first quarter  increased by 6.6% compared to last
year.

The Company  experienced  sales increases in most  merchandise  categories.  The
largest  increases  were in the  pharmacy  prescriptions,  housewares,  lawn and
garden,  sporting goods, men's denim,  women's shoes, women's plus size apparel,
misses tops and grocery areas. The Company  experienced sales declines in only a
few areas,  with men's  fashions,  automotive and beauty aids having the largest
decreases.

Gross  profit  increased  $1,693 or 5.4% for the first  quarter  of fiscal  1998
compared  to the first  quarter  of last year as a result  of the  increases  in
sales. As a percentage of sales,  gross profit  decreased to 23.0% for the first
quarter of fiscal  1998 as compared  to 24.0% for the first  quarter  last year.
This was caused  primarily by a normal level of clearance and markdown  activity
this year as compared with a lower level of clearance  and markdown  activity in
the first quarter of last year.

SELLING,  GENERAL AND ADMINISTRATIVE (SG&A) Expense increased $1,763 or 6.0% for
the first quarter of fiscal 1998,  compared to the first quarter of fiscal 1997.
As a percentage of sales,  SG&A expense decreased to 21.4% for the first quarter
of fiscal 1998 as compared  to 22.2% last year.  Approximately  53.7% of the net
increase in SG&A expense was  attributable to planned higher  corporate  general
and administrative  expenses,  primarily due to increases in payroll,  incentive
compensation  expenses and professional  fees. Store  controllable,  payroll and
occupancy  costs also  increased  over last year as planned to  accommodate  the
higher sales activity.

INTEREST  expense  increased  $647 or 9.1% for the first  quarter of fiscal 1998
compared to the same period of fiscal 1997.  The  increase was due  primarily to
increased  revolver  borrowings to support higher investments in basic inventory
and the  Company's  seasonal  operating  pattern.  There was also an increase in
interest expense  attributable to the promissory  notes which require  quarterly
interest to be paid in kind.

INCOME TAX BENEFIT - No income tax benefit on losses will be recorded  until the
Company can  establish  with a  reasonable  degree of  certainty  the  potential
utilization  of certain tax loss carry  forwards  from prior year store  closing
charges.  The  Company  does not expect to record any  income  tax  expenses  or
benefits during fiscal 1998. No income tax benefits or expenses were recorded in
fiscal 1997.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

The Company's  business is seasonal with first quarter sales  (February  through
April) lower than sales during the other three  quarters;  fourth  quarter sales
(November through January) have represented approximately 30% of the full year's
sales in recent years and normally involve a greater proportion of higher margin
sales.

The Company has satisfied its seasonal liquidity  requirements primarily through
a combination  of funds  provided from  operations  and from a revolving  credit
facility.  Funds  used by  operating  activities  totaled  $6,063  for the first
quarter of fiscal 1998, and funds provided from  operations  totaled $176 in the
first quarter of fiscal 1997. The change in cash flow from operating  activities
from  fiscal  1997 to fiscal  1998 was  primarily  the  result of the  inventory
liquidation  associated  with the forty  stores  closed in the first  quarter of
fiscal 1997.

Effective March 17, 1997, the term of Pamida, Inc.'s (Pamida) committed Loan and
Security  Agreement  (the  Agreement) was extended to March 2000 and the maximum
borrowing  limit of the  facility was  increased to $95,000.  Prior to March 17,
1997,  borrowings under the Agreement bore interest at a rate of 0.75% per annum
greater than the applicable  prime rate.  Effective  March 17, 1997,  borrowings
under the  Agreement  bear  interest  at a rate which is tied to the  applicable
prime rate or the London Interbank  Offered Rate (LIBOR),  generally at Pamida's
discretion.  The  amounts  Pamida is  permitted  to borrow are  determined  by a
formula based upon the amount of Pamida's  eligible  inventory.  Such borrowings
are  secured by  security  interests  in all of the  current  assets  (including
inventory)  of Pamida and by liens on certain  real estate  interests  and other
property of Pamida.  The Company and two  subsidiaries of Pamida have guaranteed
the payment and performance of Pamida's  obligations under the Loan and Security
Agreement and have pledged some or all of their respective assets, including the
stock of Pamida owned by the Company, to secure such guarantees.

The Agreement contains provisions imposing operating and financial  restrictions
on the Company.  Certain  provisions of the Agreement require the maintenance of
specified  amounts of tangible net worth (as  defined)  and working  capital (as
defined)  and the  achievement  of  specified  minimum  amounts of cash flow (as
defined).  Other  restrictions  in the  Agreement and those  provided  under the
Indenture  relating to the Senior  Subordinated  Notes will affect,  among other
things, the ability of Pamida to incur additional  indebtedness,  pay dividends,
repay  indebtedness  prior to its  stated  maturity,  create  liens,  enter into
leases,  sell  assets  or  engage  in  mergers  or  acquisitions,  make  capital
expenditures  and make  investments.  These covenants  currently have not had an
impact on the Company's  ability to fully utilize the revolving credit facility.
However,  certain of the covenants,  such as those which restrict the ability of
the Company to incur  indebtedness  or  encumber  its  property or which  impose
restrictions  on  or  otherwise  limit  the  Company's   ability  to  engage  in
sale-leaseback  transactions,  may at some future time  prevent the Company from
pursuing  its store  expansion  program  at the rate that the  Company  desires.
Obligations under the Agreement were $66,157 at May 4, 1997 and $34,202 at April
28, 1996. As noted above,  this facility  expires in March 2000, and the Company
intends to refinance any outstanding balance by such date.  Borrowings under the
Agreement  are  senior to the  Senior  Subordinated  Notes of the  Company.  The
Company had long-term debt and  obligations  under capital leases of $202,740 at
May 4, 1997 and $201,147 at April 28,  1996.  The  Company's  ability to satisfy
scheduled principal and interest payments under such obligations in the ordinary
course of business is dependent  primarily upon the sufficiency of the Company's
operating cash flow and continued access to financial  markets.  At May 4, 1997,
the  Company  was in  compliance  with all  covenants  contained  in its various
financing agreements.

On December 18, 1992, the promissory notes of the Company were amended effective
as of December 1, 1992 to provide that,  until the obligations of Pamida and the
Company  under  certain of Pamida's  credit  agreements  have been  repaid,  the
quarterly  interest payments on the promissory notes of the Company will be paid
in kind.  Since the Company  conducts no  operations  of its own,  the only cash
requirement of the Company relates to preferred stock dividends in the aggregate
annual  amount  for  fiscal  1998  totaling  approximately  $385;  and Pamida is
expressly permitted under its existing credit facilities to pay dividends to the
Company to fund such preferred stock dividends. However, the General Corporation
Law  of  the  State  of  Delaware,  under  which  the  Company  and  Pamida  are
incorporated,  allows a  corporation  to declare or pay a dividend only from its
surplus or from the current or the prior year's earnings. Due to the accumulated
deficit  resulting  primarily  from the  store  closings  and the  write-off  of
goodwill and other long-lived  assets recognized in the fourth quarter of fiscal
1996, the Company and Pamida did not declare or pay any cash dividends in fiscal
1997 or the first  quarter of fiscal 1998 and may pay cash  dividends  in future
periods  only to the extent that the Company and Pamida  satisfy the  applicable
statutory  standards which include the Company's  having a net worth equal to at
least the aggregate  par value of the  preferred  stock which amounts to $2. The
cumulative  dividend rate on the preferred  stock  increases by 0.5% per quarter
(with a maximum  aggregate  increase of 5%) on each quarterly  dividend  payment
date on  which  the  preferred  stock  dividends  are not  paid  currently  on a
cumulative  basis. Any unpaid dividends are added to the liquidation value until
paid in cash.  Such  nonpayment of preferred stock dividends does not accelerate
the redemption rights of the preferred stockholders.

The Company made capital  expenditures  of $2,222 in the first quarter of fiscal
1998 compared to $508 during the first quarter of fiscal 1997. The Company plans
to  open  three  new  stores  in  fiscal  1998  and  will  consider   additional
opportunities for new store locations as they arise. Total capital  expenditures
are expected to total  approximately  $9,500 in fiscal 1998. The Company expects
to fund  these  expenditures  from cash flow from its  operations.  The costs of
buildings  and land for new store  locations  are  expected  to be  financed  by
operating or capital leases with unaffiliated landlords. The Company's expansion
program also will require  inventory of approximately  $1,000 to $1,200 for each
new market  store,  which the Company  expects to finance  through trade credit,
borrowings under the Agreement and cash flow from operations. The recent changes
to the Agreement,  along with expected  improvements  in the Company's cash flow
from  operations,  should  provide  adequate  resources  to meet  the  Company's
near-term liquidity requirements.  On a long-term basis, the Company's expansion
will require  continued  investments  in store  locations,  working  capital and
distribution and infrastructure enhancements. The Company expects to continue to
finance some of these investments  through leases from  unaffiliated  landlords,
trade credit,  borrowings  under the Agreement and cash flow from operations but
ultimately  will need to explore  additional  sources of funds which may include
capital  structure  changes.  Currently,  it is not  possible for the Company to
predict  with any  certainty  either  the  timing  or the  availability  of such
additional financing.


INFLATION

The  Company  uses the LIFO  method  of  inventory  valuation  in its  financial
statements;  as a result,  the cost of  merchandise  sold  approximates  current
costs.  The Company's  rental expense is generally  fixed and,  except for small
amounts of percentage  rents and rentals  adjusted by  cost-of-living  increases
tied to the Consumer  Price Index or interest  rates,  has not been  affected by
inflation.


FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This  management's  discussion  and analysis  contains  certain  forward-looking
statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995 (the "1995  Act").  Such  statements  are made in good faith by the Company
pursuant to the safe-harbor provisions of the 1995 Act. In connection with these
safe-harbor  provisions,  this  management's  discussion  and analysis  contains
certain forward-looking  statements which reflect management's current views and
estimates  of  future  economic  circumstances,   industry  conditions,  company
performance and financial results.  The statements are based on many assumptions
and factors  including sales results,  expense levels,  competition and interest
rates  as well as  other  risks  and  uncertainties  inherent  in the  Company's
business,  capital structure and the retail industry in general.  Any changes in
these factors could result in significantly  different  results for the Company.
The Company  further  cautions that the  forward-looking  information  contained
herein is not exhaustive or exclusive.  The Company does not undertake to update
any  forward-looking  statements  which  may be made  from time to time by or on
behalf of the Company.


                           PART II - OTHER INFORMATION


ITEMS 1-2.

None

ITEM 3.

The  General  Corporation  Law  of  Delaware,  under  which  the  registrant  is
incorporated,  allows a  corporation  to declare or pay a dividend only from its
surplus or from the current or the prior  year's  earnings.  Due to the retained
deficit  resulting  primarily  from store closings and the write-off of goodwill
and other long-lived assets in the fourth quarter of fiscal 1996, the registrant
was not  permitted  to pay  dividends  in fiscal 1997 and may pay  dividends  in
fiscal 1998 and ensuing years only to the extent that the  registrant  satisfies
the applicable statutory standards,  which include the registrant's having a net
worth equal to at least the  aggregate  par value of its  outstanding  preferred
stock,  which amounts to $2.  Accordingly,  the registrant  was restricted  from
declaring or paying the quarterly  dividends  payable  during fiscal 1997 and on
February 28, 1997,  with respect to the  outstanding  16.25%  Senior  Cumulative
Preferred Stock and 14.25% Junior  Cumulative  Preferred Stock of the registrant
and does not anticipate paying dividends on the registrant's  preferred stock in
the  foreseeable  future.  Pursuant to the Certificate of  Incorporation  of the
registrant,  the dividend rate on the  registrant's  preferred  stock  increases
cumulatively by 0.5% per quarter (with a maximum  cumulative  increase of 5%) on
each quarterly  dividend payment date on which the preferred stock dividends are
not paid  currently on a cumulative  basis.  As of the date of this report,  the
total preferred stock dividend  arrearage was $434,  representing five quarterly
dividend  payments at the applicable  dividend rates.  Any unpaid  dividends are
added to the  liquidation  value of the preferred stock until paid in cash. Such
nonpayment of preferred  stock  dividends  does not  accelerate  the  redemption
rights of the preferred stockholders.

ITEMS 4-5:

None

ITEM 6:

(a)  Exhibits.

     - 10.1 Amendment No. 6 to Loan and Security  Agreement  among Pamida,  Inc.
            and  Seaway  Importing  Company, as  Borrowers,  Congress  Financial
            Corporation (Southwest)  and BankAmerica  Business Credit,  Inc., as
            Lenders,  and Congress Financial  Corporation (Southwest), as Agent,
            dated May 8, 1997

     - 27.1 Financial Data Schedule

(b)  Reports on Form 8-K.

     No reports on Form 8-K have been filed  during the  quarter  for which this
     report is filed.

                                   SIGNATURES
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.

                                        PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION
                                        ---------------------------
                                               (Registrant)

Date:  June 4, 1997                 By: /s/ Steven S. Fishman
                                        Steven S. Fishman,
                                        Chairman, President and
                                        Chief Executive Officer

Date:  June 4, 1997                 By: /s/  Todd D. Weyhrich
                                        Todd D. Weyhrich,
                                        Chief Accounting Officer


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