PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORP/DE/
10-K, 1997-05-01
VARIETY STORES
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                       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






                           PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION
                          FORM 10-K -- FEBRUARY 2, 1997
                                  EXHIBIT INDEX

 Exhibit
  Number                            Description
 --------           ------------------------------------------------
 (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 Steven 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.



                 AMENDMENT NO. 4 TO LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

                                  PAMIDA, INC.
                                  8800 F Street
                              Omaha, Nebraska 68127

                            SEAWAY IMPORTING COMPANY
                                  8800 F Street
                              Omaha, Nebraska 68127

                                January 31, 1997

Congress Financial Corporation (Southwest)
1201 Main Street
Dallas, Texas  75250

BankAmerica Business Credit, Inc.
40 East 52nd Street
New York, New York  10017

Gentlemen:

     Congress  Financial  Corporation  (Southwest),  a Texas  corporation in its
individual capacity  ("Congress"),  BankAmerica  Business Credit, Inc., formerly
known as BA Business Credit Inc., a Delaware  corporation ("BABC," together with
Congress each  individually  a "Lender" and  collectively,  "Lenders"),  Pamida,
Inc., a Delaware  corporation  ("Pamida"),  Seaway Importing Company, a Nebraska
corporation  ("Seaway,"  together with Pamida,  collectively,  "Borrowers")  and
Congress Financial Corporation  (Southwest),  a Texas corporation,  as Agent for
Lenders  (in  such  capacity,  "Agent")  have  entered  into  certain  financing
arrangements pursuant to the Loan and Security Agreement,  dated March 30, 1993,
by and among Agent, Lenders and Borrowers (as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Loan
and Security Agreement dated as of January 23, 1995, and Amendment No. 2 to Loan
and Security  Agreement dated as of January 28, 1996 and Amendment No. 3 to Loan
and Security Agreement dated as of September 16, 1996 and as amended hereby, the
"Loan Agreement", and together with all agreements, documents and instruments at
any time executed and/or  delivered in connection  therewith or related thereto,
as the same now  exist or may  hereafter  be  amended,  modified,  supplemented,
extended,   renewed,   restated  or  replaced,   collectively,   the  "Financing
Agreements").

     Borrowers have requested that the advance rate  provisions of the Financing
Agreement be amended, and Agent and Lenders are willing to amend such provisions
of the  Financing  Agreements,  subject  to the terms and  conditions  contained
herein.  By this Amendment,  Agent,  Lenders and Borrowers  desire and intend to
evidence such amendments.

     In  consideration  of  the  foregoing  and  the  agreements  and  covenants
contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:




     1.  Definitions.  All capitalized terms used herein shall have the meanings
assigned thereto in the other Financing  Agreements,  unless  otherwise  defined
herein.

     2. Revolving Loans;  Advance Rate.  Section 2.1(a) of the Loan Agreement is
hereby deleted in its entirety and the following substituted therefor:

(a)  Subject to, and upon the terms and conditions  contained  herein and in the
     other Financing  Agreements,  at the request of Borrowers,  each of Lenders
     severally,  but not jointly, agrees to lend to Borrowers and authorizes and
     appoints Agent to make Revolving Loans to Borrowers, for the account of and
     as Agent for  Lenders,  in such  amounts  from time to time as Agent  shall
     determine,  in its  discretion,  at Borrowers'  request  during the periods
     indicated below of up to the percent of the value of Eligible  Inventory of
     Borrowers  indicated for such period (or such greater or lesser  percentage
     thereof as Agent may determine from time to time), in any year:

                     Period                         Percent
     ----------------------------------             -------
     (i)    from February 1 through and               45%
              including April 30

     (ii)   from October 1 through and                45%
              including November 30

     (iii)  at all other times                        40%

     3. Representations, Warranties and Covenants. In addition to the continuing
representations,  warranties  and  covenants  heretofore  or  hereafter  made by
Borrowers to Agent and Lenders pursuant to the Financing  Agreements,  Borrowers
hereby represent,  warrant and covenant with and to Agent and Lenders as follows
(which representations, warranties and covenant are continuing and shall survive
the execution and delivery hereof and shall be incorporated into and made a part
of the Financing Agreements):

(a)  No Event of  Default  exists on the date of this  Amendment  (after  giving
     effect  to  the  amendments  to  the  Financing  Agreements  made  by  this
     Amendment).

(b)  This Amendment and the other amendment  agreements  delivered in connection
     herewith,  have been duly  authorized,  executed  and  delivered by each of
     Borrowers  and are in full force and effect as of the date hereof,  and the
     agreements  and  obligations  of each of  Borrowers  contained  herein  and
     therein  constitute  legal,  valid  and  binding  obligations  of  each  of
     Borrowers  enforceable  against each of Borrowers in accordance  with their
     respective terms.

                                     - 2 -
<PAGE>

(c)  All required  consents or  approvals of any persons  other than Lenders and
     Agent to the  authorization,  execution and delivery of this  Amendment and
     the other amendment  agreements  delivered in connection herewith have been
     obtained  by each  of  Borrowers  and  Guarantors,  and the  authorization,
     execution  and delivery  hereof does not violate or breach any provision of
     or constitute a default  under any material  indenture,  mortgage,  deed of
     trust,  agreement or  instrument to which any of Borrowers or Guarantors is
     or may be bound, including, without limitation, the Note Indenture.

     4. Conditions  Precedent.  The  effectiveness  of the amendments  contained
herein shall be subject to the satisfaction of each of the following  conditions
precedent in a manner satisfactory to Agent on behalf of Lenders:

(a)  Agent shall have received, in form and substance  satisfactory to Agent, an
     executed  original  of  this  Amendment,  duly  authorized,   executed  and
     delivered by each of Borrowers and Guarantors; and

(b)  no Event of Default  shall have  occurred  and be  continuing  and no event
     shall have  occurred or condition be existing and  continuing  which,  with
     notice or passage of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

     5. Effect of this  Amendment.Except  as modified  pursuant hereto, no other
changes or modifications to the Financing Agreements are intended or implied and
in all other respects the Financing Agreements are hereby specifically ratified,
restated and confirmed by all parties hereto as of the effective date hereof. To
the extent of any  conflict  between the terms of this  Amendment  and the other
Financing Agreements, the terms of this Amendment shall control.

     6. Further  Assurances.  The parties  hereto shall execute and deliver such
additional  documents  and take such  additional  action as may be  necessary or
desirable to effectuate the provisions and purposes of this Amendment.

     7.  Governing  Law.  The rights and  obligations  hereunder  of each of the
parties hereto shall be governed by and interpreted and determined in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York.

     8.  Binding  Effect.This  Amendment  shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit  of each of the  parties  hereto  and their  respective  successors  and
assigns.

     9.  Counterparts.   This  Amendment  may  be  executed  in  any  number  of
counterparts, but all of such counterparts shall together constitute but one and
the same agreement. In making proof of this Amendment, it shall not be necessary
to produce or account for more than one  counterpart  thereof  signed by each of
the parties hereto.

                                     - 3 -
<PAGE>

     Please  sign  the  enclosed  counterpart  of this  Amendment  in the  space
provided below,  whereupon this Amendment,  as so accepted by Agent and Lenders,
shall become a binding agreement among Borrowers, Agent and Lenders.

                                       Very truly yours,

                                       PAMIDA, INC.

                                       By:    /s/ George R. Mihalko
                                       Title:     Sr. V.P.

                                       SEAWAY IMPORTING COMPANY

                                       By:    /s/ George R. Mihalko
                                       Title:     Sr. V.P.

AGREED:

CONGRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION
  (SOUTHWEST), individually and as Agent

By:    /s/ Edward Franco
Title:     Sr. Vice President

BANKAMERICA BUSINESS CREDIT, INC., formerly known as BA Business Credit Inc.

By:    /s/ Patrick J. Wilson
Title:     Vice President

ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED:

PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION

By:    /s/ George R. Mihalko
Title:     Sr. V.P.

PAMIDA TRANSPORTATION COMPANY

By:    /s/ George R. Mihalko
Title:     Sr. V.P.

                                     - 4 -


                 AMENDMENT NO. 5 TO LOAN AND SECURITY AGREEMENT

                                  PAMIDA, INC.
                                  8800 F Street
                              Omaha, Nebraska 68127

                            SEAWAY IMPORTING COMPANY
                                  8800 F Street
                              Omaha, Nebraska 68127

                                 March 17, 1997

Congress Financial Corporation (Southwest)
1201 Main Street
Dallas, Texas  75250

BankAmerica Business Credit, Inc.
40 East 52nd Street
New York, New York  10017

Gentlemen:

     Congress  Financial  Corporation  (Southwest),  a Texas  corporation in its
individual capacity  ("Congress"),  BankAmerica  Business Credit, Inc., formerly
known as BA Business Credit Inc., a Delaware  corporation ("BABC," together with
Congress each  individually  a "Lender" and  collectively,  "Lenders"),  Pamida,
Inc., a Delaware  corporation  ("Pamida"),  Seaway Importing Company, a Nebraska
corporation  ("Seaway,"  together with Pamida,  collectively,  "Borrowers")  and
Congress Financial Corporation  (Southwest),  a Texas corporation,  as Agent for
Lenders  (in  such  capacity,  "Agent")  have  entered  into  certain  financing
arrangements pursuant to the Loan and Security Agreement,  dated March 30, 1993,
by and among Agent, Lenders and Borrowers (as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Loan
and Security Agreement dated as of January 23, 1995, Amendment No. 2 to Loan and
Security  Agreement  dated as of January 28, 1996,  Amendment  No. 3 to Loan and
Security  Agreement  dated as of September  16, 1996 and Amendment No. 4 to Loan
and Security  Agreement dated as of January 31, 1997 and as amended hereby,  the
"Loan Agreement", and together with all agreements, documents and instruments at
any time executed and/or  delivered in connection  therewith or related thereto,
as the same now  exist or may  hereafter  be  amended,  modified,  supplemented,
extended,   renewed,   restated  or  replaced,   collectively,   the  "Financing
Agreements").

     Borrowers  have  requested  that the "Maximum  Credit"  provided for in the
Financing  Agreements  be  increased,  that the term of the  Loan  Agreement  be
extended  and that certain  other  provisions  of the  Financing  Agreements  be
amended,  and Agent and  Lenders are  willing to  increase  the Maximum  Credit,
extend the Loan Agreement term and amend such other  provisions of the Financing
Agreements,  subject  to the  terms and  conditions  contained  herein.  By this
Amendment,  Agent,  Lenders and  Borrowers  desire and intend to  evidence  such
amendments.

                                     - 1 -
<PAGE>

     In  consideration  of  the  foregoing  and  the  agreements  and  covenants
contained herein, the parties hereto agree as follows:

     1.     Amendments to Definitions.

(a)  All  references  to the  term  "Maximum  Credit"  in  any of the  Financing
     Agreements shall be deemed,  and each such reference is hereby amended,  to
     mean $95,000,000.

(b)  All  references  to the  term  "Renewal  Date"  in  any  of  the  Financing
     Agreements shall be deemed,  and each such reference is hereby amended,  to
     mean March 31, 2000.

(c)  All  references  to the  term  "Interest  Rate"  in  any  of the  Financing
     Agreements shall be deemed,  and each such reference is hereby amended,  to
     mean, as to Prime Rate Loans,  a rate of one half of one (1/2%) percent per
     annum in excess of the Prime Rate and, as to Eurodollar  Rate Loans, a rate
     of three  and  one-quarter  (3 1/4%)  percent  per  annum in  excess of the
     Adjusted  Eurodollar  Rate (based on the Eurodollar Rate applicable for the
     Interest  Period selected by Borrowers as in effect three (3) Business Days
     after the date of receipt by Agent of the  request  of  Borrowers  for such
     Eurodollar  Rate Loans in accordance  with the terms  hereof,  whether such
     rate is  higher or lower  than any rate  previously  quoted to  Borrowers),
     provided, that:

     (i)  as to  Eurodollar  Rate  Loans,  the rate  shall be  reduced to or, if
          previously  reduced,  continued  at three  (3%)  percent  per annum in
          excess of the  Adjusted  Eurodollar  Rate  during any Rate  Adjustment
          Period,  effective as of the first day of such Rate Adjustment Period,
          if the average of the Excess  Availability as of the close of business
          on each of the Fridays in the  immediately  preceding Rate  Adjustment
          Period or, in the case of the initial Rate Adjustment  Period,  in the
          immediately  preceding  period from the date hereof  through April 30,
          1997 shall have been greater than  $10,000,000,  provided,  that,  the
          rate shall  increase to or continue at three and  one-quarter (3 1/4%)
          percent per annum in excess of the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate during any
          subsequent  Rate Adjustment  Period,  effective as of the first day of
          such Rate Adjustment Period, if the average of the Excess Availability
          as of the close of business on each of the Fridays in the  immediately
          preceding Rate  Adjustment  Period or, in the case of the initial Rate
          Adjustment  Period, in the immediately  preceding period from the date
          hereof  through  April  30,  1997  shall not have  been  greater  than
          $10,000,000; and

     (ii) notwithstanding  anything to the  contrary  contained  in this Section
          1(c) or otherwise,  at Agent's option,  without notice, the rate shall
          be, as to Prime  Rate  Loans,  two and one half (2 1/2%)  percent  per
          annum in excess of the Prime Rate and,  as to  Eurodollar  Rate Loans,
          five and  one-quarter  (5 1/4%)  percent  per  annum in  excess of the
          Adjusted Eurodollar Rate, (A) for the period on and after (1) the date
          of  termination  or  non-renewal  hereof  and  until  such time as all
          obligations are indefeasibly paid in full  (nothwithstanding  entry of
          any judgment  against  Borrowers) or (2) the date of the occurrence of
          any  Event of  Default  and for so long as such  Event of  Default  is
          continuing

                                      - 2 -
<PAGE>

          as  determined  by Agent  and (B) on the  Revolving  Loans at any time
          outstanding  in excess of the amounts  available  to  Borrowers  under
          Section 2 of the Loan Agreement  (whether or not such excess(es) arise
          or are made with or without  Agent's  knowledge or consent and whether
          made before or after an Event of Default).

     2. Additional Definitions.  As used herein and in the Financing Agreements,
the following terms shall have the following definitions, and the Loan Agreement
is hereby amended to include these defined terms and definitions:

               "Adjusted  Eurodollar  Rate"  shall  mean,  with  respect to each
          Interest   Period  for  any   Eurodollar   Rate  Loan,  the  rate  per
          annum(rounded upwards, if necessary,  to the next one-sixteenth (1/16)
          of one (1%) percent)  determined by dividing (A) the  Eurodollar  Rate
          for such  Interest  Period by (B) a  percentage  equal to: (i) one (1)
          minus (ii) the  Reserve  Percentage.  For  purposes  hereof,  "Reserve
          Percentage" shall mean the maximum reserve percentage,  expressed as a
          decimal  (rounded  upwards,  if necessary,  to the next  one-sixteenth
          (1/16)  of one (1%)  percent),  prescribed  by any  United  States  or
          foreign  banking  authority for  determining  the reserve  requirement
          which is or would be applicable  to deposits of United States  dollars
          in a non-United States or an international banking office of Reference
          Bank (or,  if  greater,  in a  non-United  States or an  international
          banking office of any Lender, provided, that Agent shall have received
          from  such  Lender  prior  written  notice  of  such  greater  reserve
          percentage) used to fund a Eurodollar Rate Loan or any Eurodollar Rate
          Loan  made  with the  proceeds  of such  deposit,  whether  or not the
          Reference  Bank (or such other Lender)  actually holds or has made any
          such deposits or loans. The Adjusted Eurodollar Rate shall be adjusted
          on and as of the effective day of any change in the Reserve Percentage
          (or, if later,  upon the  receipt by Agent of written  notice from any
          Lender of such greater reserve percentage).

               "Business Day" shall mean any day other than a Saturday,  Sunday,
          or other day on which  commercial  banks are authorized or required to
          close under the laws of the State of New York or the  Commonwealth  of
          Pennsylvania, and a day on which the Reference Bank, Agent and Lenders
          are  open  for  the   transaction  of  business,   except  that  if  a
          determination  of a Business Day shall relate to any  Eurodollar  Rate
          Loans, the term Business Day shall also exclude any day on which banks
          are closed for  dealings in dollar  deposits  in the London  interbank
          market or other applicable Eurodollar Rate market.

               "Eurodollar Rate" shall mean, with respect to the Interest Period
          for a Eurodollar  Rate Loan,  the interest rate per annum equal to the
          arithmetic  average  of the  rates  of  interest  per  annum  (rounded
          upwards,  if necessary,  to the next one-sixteenth  (1/16) of one (1%)
          percent) at which Reference Bank is offered  deposits of United States
          dollars in the London interbank market on or about 9:00 a.m. (New York
          time) two (2) Business Days prior to the commencement of such Interest
          Period in amounts substantially

                                      - 3 -
<PAGE>

               equal  to the  principal  amount  of the  Eurodollar  Rate  Loans
               requested by and available to Borrowers in  accordance  with this
               Agreement, with a maturity of comparable duration to the Interest
               Period selected by Borrowers.

                    "Eurodollar  Rate  Loans"  shall  mean any Loans or  portion
               thereof  on which  interest  is  payable  based  on the  Adjusted
               Eurodollar Rate in accordance with the terms hereof.

                    "Interest Period" shall mean for any Eurodollar Rate Loan, a
               period of  approximately  one (1) or two (2) months  duration  as
               Borrowers  may elect,  the exact  duration  to be  determined  in
               accordance   with  the  customary   practice  in  the  applicable
               Eurodollar Rate market;  provided,  that, Borrowers may not elect
               an  Interest  Period  which  will end  after  the last day of the
               then-current term of this Agreement.

                    "Loans"  shall mean any Revolving  Loans and shall,  without
               limitation,  include  any  Revolving  Loans that may from time to
               time have been made as or  converted  to  Eurodollar  Rate  Loans
               pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

                    "Prime Rate Loans"  shall mean any Loans or portion  thereof
               on  which  interest  is  payable  based  on  the  Prime  Rate  in
               accordance with the terms thereof.

                    "Rate  Adjustment  Period" shall mean any consecutive  three
               (3) calendar month period ending on April 30, July 31, October 31
               or January 31 of any calendar year,  commencing  with such period
               commencing on May 1, 1997 and ending on July 31, 1997.

                    "Reference  Bank" Shall mean CoreStates  Bank, N.A., or such
               other bank as Agent may from time to time designate.

     3. Other Defined Terms. All other  capitalized terms used herein shall have
the  meanings  assigned  thereto  in  the  other  Financing  Agreements,  unless
otherwise defined herein.

     4. Loans.  Section  2.1(a) of the Loan  Agreement is hereby  deleted in its
entirety and the following substituted therefor:

(a)  Subject to, and upon the terms and conditions  contained  herein and in the
     other Financing  Agreements,  at the request of Borrowers,  each of Lenders
     severally,  but not jointly, agrees to lend to Borrowers and authorizes and
     appoints Agent to make Revolving Loans to Borrowers, for the account of and
     as Agent for  Lenders,  in such  amounts  from time to time as Agent  shall
     determine, in its discretion,  at Borrowers' request up to fifty-five (55%)
     percent  of the Value of  Eligible  Inventory  (or such  greater  or lesser
     percentage thereof as Agent may determine from time to time)."

     5.  Facility  Fee. In addition to any other fees  provided  for herein,  in
Section 2.5 of the Loan Agreement or otherwise in the

                                      - 4 -
<PAGE>

Financing Agreements, while the Loan Agreement is in effect, Borrowers shall pay
to Agent for the  account  of Lenders  an annual  facility  fee in the amount of
$50,000,  which  amount  shall be fully  earned and  payable on March 31 of each
calendar year, commencing with March 31, 1998.

     6.  Interest.  Section 2.6 of the Loan  Agreement is hereby  deleted in its
entirety and the following substituted therefor:

          2.6 Interest.

(a)  Borrowers  shall pay to Agent for the  account of Lenders  interest  on the
     outstanding   principal   amount   of   Revolving   Loans   and  other  the
     non-contingent  Obligations  at the Interest  Rate.  All interest  accruing
     hereunder on and after the date of any Event of Default or  termination  or
     non-renewal hereof shall be payable on demand.

(b)  Borrowers  may from time to time request that Prime Rate Loans be converted
     to  Eurodollar  Rate  Loans  or that any  existing  Eurodollar  Rate  Loans
     continue for an additional  Interest  Period.  Such request from  Borrowers
     shall  specify  the  amount  of the Prime  Rate  Loans to be  converted  to
     Eurodollar  Rate Loans  (subject  to the  limits  set forth  below) and the
     Interest Period to be applicable to such Eurodollar Rate Loans.  Subject to
     the terms and conditions  contained  herein,  three (3) Business Days after
     receipt by Agent of such a request  from  Borrowers,  such Prime Rate Loans
     shall be converted to Eurodollar  Rate Loans or such  Eurodollar Rate Loans
     shall  continue,  as the  case  may be,  provided,  that,  (i) no  Event of
     Default,  or event  which  with  notice or  passage  of time or both  would
     constitute  an Event of Default  exists or has occurred and is  continuing,
     (ii) no  party  hereto  shall  have  sent  any  notice  of  termination  or
     non-renewal of this  Agreement,  (iii)  Borrowers  shall have complied with
     such  customary  procedures  as are  established  by Agent and specified by
     Agent  to  Borrowers  from  time to time  for  requests  by  Borrowers  for
     Eurodollar  Rate  Loans  (that  are not  inconsistent  with the  procedures
     otherwise set forth herein for such  requests),  (iv) no more than four (4)
     Interest Periods may be in effect at any one time, (v) the aggregate amount
     of the Eurodollar  Rate Loans must be in an amount not less than $5,000,000
     or an integral multiple of $1,000,000 in excess thereof,  (vi) after giving
     effect to the requested  conversion(s) and/or  continuance(s),  the maximum
     principal  amount  of the  Eurodollar  Rate  Loans at any time  outstanding
     during the applicable  Interest Period shall not exceed the amount equal to
     the lesser of (A) the principal  amount of $35,000,000  and (B) fifty (50%)
     percent of the daily average of the principal  amount of all Loans which it
     is  anticipated  will be  outstanding  at any time  during  the  applicable
     Interest  Period,  in  each  case  as  determined  by  Agent  (but  with no
     obligation  of Agent or  Lenders  to make any such  Loans)  and  (vii)  the
     Interest  Period and Adjusted  Eurodollar  Rate are  available to Agent and
     Lenders and can be readily determined as of the Business Date immediately

                                      - 5 -
<PAGE>

     following  the  date  of the  request  for  such  Eurodollar  Rate  Loan by
     Borrowers,  provided,  that, in the event such Interest Period and Adjusted
     Eurodollar  Rate are not  available  to any Lender,  such Lender shall give
     Agent two (2) Business Days prior written notice, and Agent shall so notify
     Borrowers,  and Agent and Lenders  shall not be  required  to provide  such
     requested  Eurodollar  Rate Loan. Any request by Borrowers to convert Prime
     Rate Loans to Eurodollar Rate Loans or to continue any existing  Eurodollar
     Rate Loans shall be irrevocable.  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary
     contained herein Agent, Lenders and Reference Bank shall not be required to
     purchase  United States Dollar deposits in the London  interbank  market or
     other applicable  Eurodollar rate market to fund any Eurodollar Rate Loans,
     but the provisions hereof shall be deemed to apply as if Agent, Lenders and
     Reference  Bank had  purchased  such deposits to fund the  Eurodollar  Rate
     Loans.

(c)  Any Eurodollar Rate Loans shall  automatically  convert to Prime Rate Loans
     upon the last day of the  applicable  Interest  Period,  unless Agent shall
     have received and approved a request to continue such  Eurodollar Rate Loan
     at least three (3) Business Days prior to such last day in accordance  with
     the terms hereof. Any Eurodollar Rate Loans shall, at Agent's option,  upon
     notice by Agent to Borrowers, convert to Prime Rate Loans in the event that
     (i) an Event of Default  or event  which with the notice or passage of time
     or both  would  constitute  an Event of  Default,  shall  exist,  (ii) this
     Agreement  shall  terminate  or not be  renewed,  or  (iii)  the  aggregate
     principal  amount  of the Prime  Rate  Loans  which  have  previously  been
     converted  to  Eurodollar  Rate  Loans or  existing  Eurodollar  Rate Loans
     continued, as the case may be, at the beginning of an Interest Period shall
     at any time  during  such  Interest  Period  exceed  either (A) fifty (50%)
     percent of the aggregate principal amount of the Loans then outstanding, or
     (B) the  principal  amount of the Loans then  available to Borrowers  under
     Section 2 hereof. Borrowers shall pay to Agent for the accounts of Lenders,
     upon demand by Agent (or Agent may, at its option,  charge any loan account
     of  Borrowers)  any amounts  required to  compensate  Agent,  Lenders,  the
     Reference Bank or any participant  with any Lenders for any loss (including
     loss of anticipated profits), cost or expense incurred by such person, as a
     result of the  conversion  of  Eurodollar  Rate  Loans to Prime  Rate Loans
     pursuant to any of the foregoing.

(d)  Interest shall be payable by Borrowers to Agent for the accounts of Lenders
     monthly in arrears not later than the first day of each calendar  month and
     shall be  calculated  on the basis of a three  hundred sixty (360) day year
     and actual days  elapsed.  The interest rate on  noncontingent  Obligations
     (other than  Eurodollar Rate Loans) shall increase or decrease by an amount
     equal to each increase or decrease in the Prime Rate effective on the first
     day of the month after any change in such Prime Rate is announced  based on
     the  Prime  Rate in  effect  on the last day of the month in which any such
     change occurs. In no

                                      - 6 -
<PAGE>

     event shall  charges  constituting  interest  payable by Borrowers to Agent
     exceed the maximum amount or the rate permitted under any applicable law or
     regulation,  and if any such  part or  provision  of this  Agreement  is in
     contravention  of any such law or regulation,  such part or provision shall
     be deemed amended to conform thereto.

     7. Changes in Laws and Increased  Costs of Loans. A new Section 2.10 to the
Loan Agreement is hereby added, as follows:


          2.10  Changes in Laws and Increased Costs of Loans.

(a)  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary  contained herein, all Eurodollar
     Rate Loans shall, upon notice by Agent to Borrowers,  convert to Prime Rate
     Loans in the event that (i) any change in applicable  law or regulation (or
     the  interpretation or  administration  thereof) (A) shall make it unlawful
     for Agent,  any of Lenders,  Reference  Bank or any  participant to make or
     maintain  Eurodollar  Rate  Loans or to  comply  with the  terms  hereof in
     connection  with the  Eurodollar  Rate  Loans or (B)  shall  result  in the
     increase  in the  costs to Agent,  any of  Lenders,  Reference  Bank or any
     participant of making or maintaining any Eurodollar Rate Loans or (C) shall
     reduce  the  amounts  received  or  receivable  by Agent,  any of  Lenders,
     Reference Bank or any participants in respect thereof,  by an amount deemed
     by Agent or such Lender to be material, provided, that, in the event of any
     such change of law, regulation, interpretation or administration applicable
     to any Lender, such Lender shall have notified Agent and Borrowers, or (ii)
     the cost to Agent,  any of Lenders,  Reference  Bank or any  participant of
     making or maintaining any Eurodollar Rate Loans shall otherwise increase by
     an amount  deemed by Agent or any Lender to be material to it,  other than,
     with  respect to any  Eurodollar  Rate Loan,  an increase  of cost  arising
     solely as the result of an increase in the rate at which Reference Bank (or
     any other bank used by any  Lender) is offered  deposits  of United  States
     dollars  in the  London  interbank  market  after  the date that is two (2)
     Business Days prior to the  commencement of the Interest Period  applicable
     to such  Eurodollar  Rate Loan,  provided,  that,  in the event of any such
     increase in cost applicable to any Lender,  such Lender shall have notified
     Agent and Borrower.  Borrowers shall pay to Agent, upon demand by Agent (or
     Agent may, at its option, charge any loan account of Borrowers) any amounts
     required to compensate  Agent,  any of Lenders,  the Reference  Bank or any
     participant  with  Lenders  for any  loss  (including  loss of  anticipated
     profits),  cost or  expense  incurred  by such  person  as a result  of the
     foregoing,  including,  without limitation,  any such loss, cost or expense
     incurred by reason of the  liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other
     funds acquired by such person to make or maintain the Eurodollar Rate Loans
     or any portion thereof.  A certificate of Agent setting forth the basis for
     the  determination  of such amount  necessary to compensate  Agent,  any of
     Lenders,  Reference Bank of any participant with Lenders as aforesaid shall
     be delivered to Borrowers and shall be conclusive, absent manifest error.

                                      - 7 -
<PAGE>

(b)  If any payments or prepayments in respect of the Eurodollar  Rate Loans are
     received  by Agent  other than on the last day of the  applicable  Interest
     Period  (whether  pursuant to  acceleration,  upon maturity or  otherwise),
     including any payments  pursuant to the  application of  collections  under
     Section  8 or any other  payments  made with the  proceeds  of  Collateral,
     Borrowers  shall pay to Agent upon  demand by Agent (or Agent  may,  at its
     option,  charge any loan  account of  Borrowers)  any  amounts  required to
     compensate  Agent,  and of Lenders,  the Reference Bank or any  participant
     with any of Lenders for any additional  loss (including loss of anticipated
     profits),  cost or  expense  incurred  by such  person  as a result of such
     prepayment or payment,  including,  without  limitation,  any loss, cost or
     expense  incurred by reason of the  liquidation or reemployment of deposits
     or other funds acquired by such person to make or maintain such  Eurodollar
     Rate Loans or any portion thereof."

     8.  Consolidated  Working  Capital.  Section 6.18 of the Loan  Agreement is
hereby deleted in its entirety and the following substituted therefor:

          6.18 Consolidated  Working Capital.  Pamida and its Subsidiaries shall
have Consolidated  Working Capital of not less than the following amounts at the
end of each fiscal quarter during the period indicated below:

                 Period                               Amount
     -------------------------------                -----------
     (a)  From the date of Amendment
            No. 5 to this Agreement
            through May 3, 1998                     $22,500,000

     (b)  From May 4, 1998 through
            May 2, 1999                             $27,500,000

     (c)  From May 3, 1999 and at
            all times thereafter                    $32,500,000

     9. Consolidated  Tangible Net Worth.  Section 6.19 of the Loan Agreement is
hereby deleted in its entirety and the following substituted therefor:

          "6.19  Consolidated  Tangible Net Worth.  Pamida and its  Subsidiaries
     shall have  Consolidated  Tangible Net Worth of not less than the following
     amounts at the end of each  fiscal  quarter  during  the  period  indicated
     below:

                Period                                Amount
     -------------------------------                -----------
     (a)  From the date of Amendment
            No. 5 to this Agreement
            through May 3, 1998                     $70,000,000

     (b)  From May 4, 1998 through
            May 2, 1999                             $75,000,000

     (c)  From May 3, 1999 and at
            all times thereafter                    $80,000,000

                                      - 8 -
<PAGE>

     10. Consolidated  Adjusted Cash Flow. Section 6.21 of the Loan Agreement is
hereby deleted in its entirety and the following substituted therefor:

          "6.21  Consolidated  Adjusted Cash Flow.  Pamida and its  Subsidiaries
     shall not permit Consolidated Adjusted Cash Flow to be less than the amount
     indicated for the following periods of any fiscal year ending on the Sunday
     nearest January 31 of each calendar year:



                    Date                             Amount
     -------------------------------------        -------------
     (i)  The fiscal quarter ending
            on or about April 30                  ($10,000,000)

     (ii) The two (2) fiscal quarters,
            cumulatively, ending on or
            about July 31                         ($ 8,500,000)

     (iii)The three (3) fiscal quarters,
            cumulatively, ending on or
            about October 31                      ($ 5,000,000)

     (iv) The four (4) fiscal quarters,
            cumulatively, ending on or
            about January 31                       $ 5,000,000

     11.   Calculation of Financial Covenants.

(a)  Section 2 of Amendment  No. 2 to Loan  Agreement  is hereby  deleted in its
     entirety  and the  effects of the  one-time  special  charges  referred  to
     therein  shall not be excluded from any  calculations  required by Sections
     6.18, 6.19, 6.20 or 6.21 of the Loan Agreement.

(b)  Notwithstanding  anything to the contrary  contained in Section 1.28 of the
     Loan Agreement, for purposes of any calculations required by Sections 6.18,
     6.19, 6.20 or 6.21 of the Loan Agreement, GAAP shall be determined, in each
     case,  on the basis of  generally  accepted  accounting  principles  in the
     United States of America as in effect on the date of this Amendment, as set
     forth in the  applicable  opinions  and  pronouncements  of the  Accounting
     Principles Board and the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants
     and statements and  pronouncements  of the Financial  Accounting  Standards
     Board issued on or prior to the date of this Amendment, and consistent with
     those  used  in  the  preparation  of the  most  recent  audited  financial
     statements  delivered  to  Agent  and  Lenders  prior  to the  date of this
     Amendment and the debt  compliance  calculation  sheet  attached  hereto as
     Exhibit A, and Section 1.28 of the Loan Agreement  shall be deemed,  and is
     hereby so amended.

                                      - 9 -
<PAGE>

(c)  For purposes of calculating  Consolidated  Working Capital, as provided for
     in Section 1.19 of the Loan Agreement,  and notwithstanding anything to the
     contrary stated therein,  all Indebtedness of Borrowers under the Financing
     Agreements  shall at all  times be  deemed  to be  classified  as  "current
     liabilities" as that term is used in Section 1.19(b), and shall be included
     as such in such Section 1.19(b) notwithstanding any other classification or
     the  reclassification  of such  Indebtedness  for any  other  purpose,  and
     Section  1.19(b) of the Loan Agreement shall be deemed,  and is hereby,  so
     amended.

     12.  Termination  Fee.  Sections  9.2(e)  (i),  (ii) and  (iii) of the Loan
Agreement are hereby  deleted in their  entirety and the  following  substituted
therefor:

(i)  three (3%) percent of the Maximum  Credit if such  termination is effective
     after the fourth anniversary of this Agreement but on or prior to the fifth
     anniversary of this Agreement; or

(ii) two (2%)  percent of the Maximum  Credit if such  termination  is effective
     after the fifth  anniversary of this Agreement but on or prior to the sixth
     anniversary of this Agreement; or

(iii)one-half  (1/2%)  percent  of the  Maximum  Credit if such  termination  is
     effective  after the sixth  anniversary  of this Agreement but prior to the
     Renewal Date then in effect."

     13.   Representations,   Warranties  and  Covenants.  In  addition  to  the
continuing  representations,  warranties  and covenants  heretofore or hereafter
made by Borrowers  to Agent and Lenders  pursuant to the  Financing  Agreements,
Borrowers hereby  represent,  warrant and covenant with and to Agent and Lenders
as follows  (which  representations,  warranties and covenant are continuing and
shall survive the execution and delivery hereof and shall be  incorporated  into
and made a part of the Financing Agreements):

(a)  No Event of  Default  exists on the date of this  Amendment  (after  giving
     effect  to  the  amendments  to  the  Financing  Agreements  made  by  this
     Amendment).

(b)  This Amendment and the other amendment  agreements  delivered in connection
     herewith,  have been duly  authorized,  executed  and  delivered by each of
     Borrowers  and are in full force and effect as of the date hereof,  and the
     agreements  and  obligations  of each of  Borrowers  contained  herein  and
     therein  constitute  legal,  valid  and  binding  obligations  of  each  of
     Borrowers  enforceable  against each of Borrowers in accordance  with their
     respective terms.

(c)  All required  consents or  approvals of any persons  other than Lenders and
     Agent to the  authorization,  execution and delivery of this  Amendment and
     the other amendment  agreements  delivered in connection herewith have been
     obtained  by each  of  Borrowers  and  Guarantors,  and the  authorization,
     execution  and delivery  hereof does not violate or breach any provision of
     or constitute a default  under any material  indenture,  mortgage,  deed of
     trust,
                                     - 10 -
<PAGE>

     agreement or  instrument  to which any of Borrowers or Guarantors is or may
     be bound, including, without limitation, the Note Indenture.

     14. Conditions  Precedent.  The  effectiveness of the amendments  contained
herein shall be subject to the satisfaction of each of the following  conditions
precedent in a manner satisfactory to Agent on behalf of Lenders:

(a)  Agent shall have received, in form and substance  satisfactory to Agent, an
     executed  original  of  this  Amendment,  duly  authorized,   executed  and
     delivered by each of Borrowers, Guarantors and BABC;

(b)  Agent shall have received, in form and substance  satisfactory to Agent, an
     executed original of Amendment No. 4 to Deed of Trust,  Security  Agreement
     and  Assignment  of Leases  and  Rents by  Pamida in favor of Old  Republic
     National Title Insurance Company, as trustee,  for the benefit of Agent and
     Lenders, duly authorized, executed and delivered by the parties thereto;

(c)  Agent shall have received, in form and substance  satisfactory to Agent, an
     executed  original of Amendment No. 4 to Leasehold Deed of Trust,  Security
     Agreement  and  Assignment  of  Leases  and Rents by Pamida in favor of Old
     Republic National Title Insurance Company,  as trustee,  for the benefit of
     Agent and Lenders,  duly authorized,  executed and delivered by the parties
     thereto;

(d)  Agent shall have received, in form and substance  satisfactory to Agent, an
     executed  original of Amendment No. 4 to Co-Lending  and Agency  Agreement,
     duly authorized, executed and delivered by each of Agent and Lenders;

(e)  Agent shall have received,  in form and substance  satisfactory to Agent, a
     secretary's  certificates for each of Borrowers and Guarantors with respect
     to  directors'  resolutions,  incumbency  and  other  matters  as Agent may
     require; and

(f)  no Event of Default  shall have  occurred  and be  continuing  and no event
     shall have  occurred or condition be existing and  continuing  which,  with
     notice or passage of time or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

     15.  Amendment and Line Increase Fee.  Borrowers shall pay to Agent for the
account of Lenders an amendment  fee in an amount  equal to $200,000,  which fee
shall be fully earned and payable as of the date hereof, shall be in addition to
all other amounts payable under the Financing Agreements,  shall constitute part
of the  Obligations  and may,  at Agent's  option,  be charged  directly  to any
account(s) of Borrowers maintained with Agent or Lenders.

     16. Effect of this Amendment.  Except as modified pursuant hereto, no other
changes or modifications to the Financing Agreements are intended or implied and
in all other respects the Financing Agreements are hereby specifically ratified,
restated and confirmed by all parties hereto as of the effective date hereof. To
the extent of any  conflict  between the terms of this  Amendment  and the other
Financing Agreements, the terms of this Amendment shall control.

                                     - 11 -
<PAGE>

     17. Further  Assurances.  The parties hereto shall execute and deliver such
additional  documents  and take such  additional  action as may be  necessary or
desirable to effectuate the provisions and purposes of this Amendment.

     18.  Governing  Law.  The rights and  obligations  hereunder of each of the
parties hereto shall be governed by and interpreted and determined in accordance
with the laws of the State of New York.

     19. Binding  Effect.  This Amendment shall be binding upon and inure to the
benefit  of each of the  parties  hereto  and their  respective  successors  and
assigns.

     20.  Counterparts.  This  Amendment  may  be  executed  in  any  number  of
counterparts, but all of such counterparts shall together constitute but one and
the same agreement. In making proof of this Amendment, it shall not be necessary
to produce or account for more than one  counterpart  thereof  signed by each of
the parties hereto.

                                     - 12 -
<PAGE>

     Please  sign  the  enclosed  counterpart  of this  Amendment  in the  space
provided below,  whereupon this Amendment,  as so accepted by Agent and Lenders,
shall become a binding agreement among Borrowers, Agent and Lenders.

                                        Very truly yours,

                                        PAMIDA, INC.

                                        By:     /s/ George R. Mihalko
                                        Title:      Senior Vice President & CFO


                                        SEAWAY IMPORTING COMPANY

                                        By:     /s/ George R. Mihalko
                                        Title:      Senior Vice President & CFO

AGREED:

CONGRESS FINANCIAL CORPORATION
   (SOUTHWEST), individually and as Agent

By:     /s/ Edward Franco
Title:      Senior Vice President


BANKAMERICA BUSINESS CREDIT, INC., formerly known as BA Business Credit Inc.

By:     /s/ Walter T. Shellman
Title:      Vice President


ACKNOWLEDGED AND AGREED:

PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION

By:     /s/ George R. Mihalko
Title:      Senior Vice President & CFO


PAMIDA TRANSPORTATION COMPANY

By:     /s/ George R. Mihalko
Title:      Senior Vice President & CFO



                                     - 13 -
<PAGE>

                                  Pamida, Inc.
                                    Exhibit A
                          Debt Compliance Calculations
                                  Per Amendment
                               No. 5 Requirements
                              Fiscal Year End 1997

                                                         -----------
                                                         Preliminary
                                                           FYE 1997
                                                           Actuals
                                                         -----------
Section 6.18    Cash flow requirement

                Net income (loss) after taxes:           $     3,696

                Depr & amort                                  11,319
                Amort of def finance costs                       676
                Provision for LIFO                               874
                Post employment health                          (125)
                Stock incentive benefit                            0
                                                         -----------
                Sub total                                     16,440
                Capital expenditures                          (4,947)
                Principal payments non-revolver debt          (1,334)
                Principal payments captial leases             (2,637)
                                                         -----------
                Adjusted cash flow as defined                  7,522
                Adjusted cumulative cash flow as defined       7,522
                Proposed minimum                               3,500
                                                         -----------
                Excess (deficit)                         $     4,022
                                                         ===========

Section 6.19    Consolidated working capital requirement

                Total current assets                     $   176,139
                LIFO reserve                                   6,574
                                                         -----------
                Current assets as adjusted                   182,713
                Total current liabilities                    148,309
                                                         -----------
                Working capital as defined                    34,404
                Proposed minimum                              22,500
                                                         -----------
                Excess (deficit)                         $    11,904
                                                         ===========


Section 6.21    Consolidated tangible net worth
                requirement

                SH equity                                $   (57,531)
                LIFO reserve                                   6,574
                                                         -----------
                Adjusted shareholders' equity                (50,957)

                Subordinated indebtedness                    140,000
                Deferred finance costs                        (3,124)
                                                         -----------
                                                              85,919
                Minimum required/proposed                     70,000
                                                         -----------
                Excess (deficit)                         $    15,919
                                                         ===========

                                     - 14 -


                     AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     This  Amendment No. 2 to  Employment  Agreement is made and entered into on
the 6th day of March , 1997, among PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION  ("Holdings"),  a
Delaware  corporation,  PAMIDA, INC.  ("Pamida"),  a Delaware  corporation,  and
STEVEN S.  FISHMAN  (the  "Executive").  Holdings  and Pamida  collectively  are
referred to in this Amendment No. 2 as the "Companies".

                              *  *  *

     WHEREAS,  the  Companies  and the  Executive  are parties to an  Employment
Agreement dated September 22, 1995 (the "Employment Agreement"); and

     WHEREAS, the Companies and the Executive now desire to amend the Employment
Agreement as more particularly set forth below;

     NOW, THEREFORE, the Companies and the Executive agree as follows:

     1. Pursuant to Paragraph 6 of the Employment  Agreement,  the Companies and
the Executive agree that the Executive's  incentive bonus program for the fiscal
year of Holdings ending February 1, 1998 ("Fiscal 1998") shall be the following:

(a)  If the  consolidated  earnings  of  Holdings  and  its  subsidiaries  (on a
     first-in,  first-out basis with respect to merchandise  inventories) before
     interest,  taxes,  depreciation,  and  amortization  for  Fiscal  1998 (the
     "EBITDA")  is less  than  $42,000,000  or the  percentage  increase  in the
     comparable  store sales of Pamida for Fiscal 1998  compared with the fiscal
     year ended February 2, 1997, is less than 3%, then the Executive  shall not
     be entitled to any incentive bonus for Fiscal 1998.

(b)  If the EBITDA equals or exceeds $42,000,000, then the Executive's incentive
     bonus  for  Fiscal  1998  shall  be  determined  as  a  percentage  of  the
     Executive's  base salary from the matrix  attached to this  Amendment No. 2
     taking into account (i) the EBITDA and (ii) the percentage  increase in the
     comparable  store sales of Pamida for Fiscal 1998  compared with the fiscal
     year ended February 2, 1997.  Comparable store sales  percentage  increases
     shall be determined in accordance with Pamida's historical practices.

(c)  For purposes of such matrix, comparable store sales percentage increases of
     more than 9% shall be treated as  increases  of 9%, and EBITDA of more than
     $52,000,000 shall be treated as EBITDA of $52,000,000.

(d)  For purposes of applying such matrix,  the Executive's base salary shall be
     the Executive's base salary in effect on February 1, 1998.

                                 2
<PAGE>

(e)  The maximum  incentive  bonus that the Executive shall have the opportunity
     to earn for Fiscal 1998 is 110% of the Executive's applicable base salary.

(f)  EBITDA amounts between whole millions of dollars and comparable store sales
     percentage  increases  between whole percentages shall be interpolated on a
     straight-line basis for purposes of applying such matrix.

(g)  Solely by way of  illustration  of the  application of such matrix,  if the
     EBITDA is $44,250,000 and the comparable  store sales  percentage  increase
     for Fiscal 1998 is 4.6%,  then the  Executive's  incentive bonus for Fiscal
     1998 would be 45.66875% of the Executive's applicable base salary.

The  Executive's  incentive  bonus for Fiscal 1998 (if any) shall be paid to the
Executive  as soon as  practicable  after  Holdings has received the final audit
report with respect to Fiscal 1998 from its independent accountants.

     2. The  provisions  of this  Amendment  No. 2 are  intended  to satisfy the
requirements  of Paragraph 6 of the Employment  Agreement for the fiscal year of
Holdings ending in 1998.

     3. This Amendment No. 2 shall be effective as of February 3, 1997.

     4. As hereby amended,  the Employment  Agreement shall remain in full force
and effect.

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the Companies  and the  Executive  have executed this
Amendment No. 2 to Employment Agreement on the day and year first above written.

                                        PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION,
                                        a Delaware corporation

                                   By:  /s/ Frank A. Washburn
                                        Frank A. Washburn, Executive
                                        Vice President



                                        PAMIDA, INC., a Delaware corporation

                                   By:  /s/ Frank A. Washburn
                                        Frank A. Washburn, Executive
                                        Vice President

                                   By:  /s/ Steven S. Fishman
                                        Steven S. Fishman
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>

             Attachment to Exhibit 10.28 - Executive Bonus Matrix

                  Bonus as % of Pay - FYE98 - Fishman

              Comp store sales increase
<S>           <C>     <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>
EBITDA       <3%      3.0%      4.0%      5.0%      6.0%       7.0%       8.0%      9.0%
=========================================================================================
   <42        0         0         0         0         0          0          0          0
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    42   29.750%   42.500%   43.250%   44.000%   44.750%    49.750%    54.750%    59.750%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    43   30.625%   43.375%   44.125%   44.875%   45.625%    50.625%    55.625%    60.625%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    44   31.500%   44.250%   45.000%   45.750%   46.500%    51.500%    56.500%    61.500%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    45   32.375%   45.125%   45.875%   46.625%   47.375%    52.375%    57.375%    62.375%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    46   33.250%   46.000%   46.750%   47.500%   48.250%    53.250%    58.250%    63.250%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    47   34.125%   46.875%   47.625%   48.375%   49.125%    54.125%    59.125%    64.125%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    48  35.000%    47.750%   48.500%   49.250%   50.000%    55.000%    60.000%    65.000%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    49   40.000%   52.750%   53.500%   54.250%   55.000%    60.000%    65.000%    70.000%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    50   50.000%   62.750%   63.500%   64.250%   65.000%    70.000%    75.000%    80.000%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    51   65.000%   77.750%   78.500%   79.250%   80.000%    85.000%    90.000%    95.000%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    52   80.000%   92.750%   93.500%   94.250%   95.000%   100.000%   105.000%   110.000%
=========================================================================================

</TABLE>

                                    EXHIBIT A

                          "OTHER BENEFITS" RELATED TO
                     AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT
              DATED MARCH 6, 1997 AMONG PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION
                           AND STEVEN S. FISHMAN, CEO



          Company paid Exec-U-Care insurance

          Company paid life insurance - $600,000

          Financial, legal counseling services - up to $15,000 annually

          Company car - up to $20,000 allowance

          Annual physical examination

          Car phone

          Use of company plane

          Interest free loans - up to $50,000 approved by Board of Directors

          Spousal travel - where appropriate

          Minimum vacation accrual  - 5 weeks

          Athletic/Recreational membership

          Supplemental disability insurance

          Deferred compensation






                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

      This  Employment  Agreement  is made and entered into as of the 6th day of
March,  1997,  among  PAMIDA  HOLDINGS  CORPORATION  ("Holdings"),   a  Delaware
corporation,  PAMIDA,  INC.  ("Pamida"),  a Delaware  corporation,  and FRANK A.
WASHBURN (the "Executive").  Holdings and Pamida collectively are referred to in
this Employment Agreement as the "Companies".

                                     * * *

     WHEREAS, Pamida is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings; and

     WHEREAS,  the  Executive  currently  is  employed  by Pamida  and serves as
Executive  Vice  President  and Chief  Operating  Officer of both  Holdings  and
Pamida; and

     WHEREAS,  the  Executive  is  actively  involved  in  all  aspects  of  the
management and operations of the Companies; and

     WHEREAS,  the Companies desire to provide for the continued services of the
Executive; and

     WHEREAS,  the  Companies  desire  concurrently  to retain  and  employ  the
Executive  as  Executive  Vice  President  and Chief  Operating  Officer  for an
extended period of time; and

     WHEREAS,  the  Executive  desires to accept such  concurrent  and  extended
employment;

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of  the  foregoing  recitals  and  the
respective  covenants and agreements of the parties  contained in this document,
the Companies and the Executive agree as follows:

     1.  EMPLOYMENT  AND  DUTIES.  Each  of the  Companies  hereby  employs  the
Executive as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer throughout the
term of this agreement and agrees to cause the Executive from time to time to be
elected or  appointed  to such  corporate  offices  (or such  other more  senior
corporate  offices as the Boards of Directors of the  Companies  may specify) or
positions.  The duties and  responsibilities  of the Executive shall include the
duties and  responsibilities of the Executive's  corporate offices and positions
referred to above which are set forth in the respective  bylaws of the Companies
from time to time,  responsibility for the day-to-day business operations of the
Companies  (subject  to the  direction  of the Chief  Executive  Officer  of the
Companies),  and such other  duties  and  responsibilities  consistent  with the
Executive's corporate offices and positions referred to above and this agreement
which the Board of Directors of Holdings  (the  "Board") or the Chief  Executive
Officer of the Companies from time to time may assign to the  Executive.  If the
Executive  is elected or  appointed as a director of Pamida or Holdings or as an
officer or  director  of any of the  respective  subsidiaries  of the  Companies
during the term of this agreement,  then he also shall serve in such capacity or
capacities but without additional compensation.

     2.  TERM.  The  term of this  agreement  shall  begin  on the  date of this
agreement and shall  continue  thereafter  through March 5, 2000,  unless sooner
terminated in accordance with this agreement.

     3. PLACE OF  EMPLOYMENT.  The executive  offices of the Companies  shall be
located in Omaha, Nebraska, during the term of this agreement, and the Executive
will not be required to relocate or transfer his  principal  residence  from the
immediate vicinity of Omaha, Nebraska.

     4. BASE SALARY.  For all services to be rendered by the Executive  pursuant
to this agreement,  the Companies agree to pay the Executive a base salary at an
annual rate of Two Hundred  Seventy-Five  Thousand Dollars  ($275,000.00) during
the term of this agreement (the "Base Salary"). The Base Salary shall be paid in
periodic   installments  in  accordance  with  the  Companies'  regular  payroll
practices. The Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board shall review the
Base Salary at least  annually as of the payroll  payment  date nearest to May 1
(beginning in 1998);  and the Companies agree to make such increases in the Base
Salary  as the Board  may  approve  from  time to time.  Once  established  at a
specific increased annual rate, the Base Salary thereafter may not be reduced by
the Companies without the Executive's written consent.

     5.  INCENTIVE  BONUS FOR FISCAL 1998. In addition to the  Executive's  Base
Salary and any other  benefits to which the  Executive  is  entitled  under this
agreement but subject to all of the provisions of this paragraph,  the Executive
also shall be entitled to receive an  incentive  bonus (the  "Incentive  Bonus")
from the  Companies  for the fiscal  year of  Holdings  ending  February 1, 1998
("Fiscal 1998"), in accordance with the following provisions of this paragraph:

(a)  If the  consolidated  earnings  of  Holdings  and  its  subsidiaries  (on a
     first-in,  first-out basis with respect to merchandise  inventories) before
     interest,  taxes,  depreciation,  and  amortization  for  Fiscal  1998 (the
     "EBITDA")  are less  than  $42,000,000,  then the  Executive  shall  not be
     entitled to any incentive bonus for Fiscal 1998.

(b)  If the EBITDA equals or exceeds $42,000,000, then the Executive's incentive
     bonus  for  Fiscal  1998  shall  be  determined  as  a  percentage  of  the
     Executive's  base salary from the matrix attached to this agreement  taking
     into  account  (i) the  EBITDA  and (ii)  the  percentage  increase  in the
     comparable  store sales of Pamida for Fiscal 1998  compared with the fiscal
     year ended February 2, 1997.  Comparable store sales  percentage  increases
     shall be determined in accordance with Pamida's historical practices.

(c)  For purposes of such matrix, comparable store sales percentage increases of
     more than 9% shall be treated as  increases  of 9%, and EBITDA of more than
     $52,000,000 shall be treated as EBITDA of $52,000,000.

(d)  For purposes of applying such matrix,  the Executive's base salary shall be
     the Executive's base salary in effect on February 1, 1998.

(e)  The maximum  incentive  bonus that the Executive shall have the opportunity
     to earn for Fiscal 1998 is 110% of the Executive's applicable base salary.

(f)  EBITDA amounts between whole millions of dollars and comparable store sales
     percentage  increases  between whole percentages shall be interpolated on a
     straight-line basis for purposes of applying such matrix.

(g)  Solely by way of  illustration  of the  application of such matrix,  if the
     EBITDA is $44,250,000 and the comparable  store sales  percentage  increase
     for Fiscal 1998 is 4.6%,  then the  Executive's  incentive bonus for Fiscal
     1998 would be 45.66875% of the Executive's applicable base salary.

The  Executive's  incentive  bonus for Fiscal 1998 (if any) shall be paid to the
Executive  as soon as  practicable  after  Holdings has received the final audit
report with respect to Fiscal 1998 from its independent accountants.

     6. INCENTIVE  BONUS FOR LATER FISCAL YEARS.  In addition to the Executive's
Base Salary and any other benefits to which the Executive is entitled under this
agreement but subject to all of the provisions of this paragraph,  the Executive
also shall be entitled to earn an  incentive  bonus from the  Companies  for the
fiscal years of Holdings  ending in 1999,  2000, and 2001. On or before December
31,  1997,  1998,  and 1999,  the  Executive  and the Board  shall agree upon an
incentive  bonus  program  for the  Executive  for the fiscal  years of Holdings
ending in 1999, 2000, and 2001, respectively.  Each such incentive bonus program
shall be reflected in a written  amendment to this agreement.  The Executive and
the Companies  understand and acknowledge that, among other things,  such annual
incentive  bonus  programs  will  involve the  achievement  by the  Companies of
various financial objectives, which may include but are not limited to sales and
earnings,  and also may  include the  achievement  by the  Companies  of various
non-financial  objectives.  Each such incentive  bonus program shall provide the
Executive  with an  opportunity  to earn (but no guarantee that he will earn) an
incentive  bonus at least equal to the  Incentive  Bonus which the Executive has
the  opportunity  to earn under the incentive  bonus program for fiscal 1998 set
forth in Paragraph 5.

     7.  EXPENSES.  During the term of this  agreement,  the Executive  shall be
entitled to prompt reimbursement by the Companies of all reasonable ordinary and
necessary  travel,  entertainment,  and other expenses incurred by the Executive
(in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the Companies for
their respective senior executive officers) in the performance of his duties and
responsibilities  under  this  agreement;  provided,  that the  Executive  shall
properly  account  for  such  expenses  in  accordance  with  the  policies  and
procedures of the Companies.

     8. OTHER BENEFITS.  During the term of this agreement,  the Executive shall
be entitled  to receive  from the  Companies  all of the fringe  benefits  which
Pamida was providing or was obligated to provide to the Executive as of the date
of this agreement,  including but not limited to (i) medical,  hospital, dental,
disability,  and life insurance plans and coverages,  (ii) unreimbursed  medical
expense reimbursement plans (Exec-U-Care),  (iii) a cash automobile allowance up
to the annual amount set forth in Exhibit A to this agreement, (iv) professional
financial,  tax, and estate planning  services up to the annual amount set forth
in Exhibit A to this  agreement,  and (v) such other  fringe  benefits as may be
reflected  in  Exhibit A  attached  to this  agreement.  During the term of this
agreement,  the Executive  also shall be entitled to  participate  in such other
benefit  plans  or  programs  which  the  Companies  from  time to time may make
available  either to their respective  employees  generally or to some or all of
their respective senior executive officers,  such as but not limited to Pamida's
401(k) plan and Pamida's 1995 Deferred Compensation Plan.

     9.  VACATIONS  AND  HOLIDAYS.  The  Executive  shall  be  entitled  to paid
vacations  and  holidays in  accordance  with the  policies of the  Companies in
effect from time to time for their respective senior executive officers, but not
less than four (4) weeks of vacation during each fiscal year.

     10. OTHER ACTIVITIES.  The Executive shall devote  substantially all of his
working time and efforts  during the normal  business  hours of the Companies to
the  business  and affairs of the  Companies  and to the  diligent  and faithful
performance of the duties and responsibilities  assigned to him pursuant to this
agreement, except for vacations, holidays, and sick days. However, the Executive
may devote a reasonable  amount of his time to civic,  community,  or charitable
activities,   to  service  on  the  governing  bodies  or  committees  of  trade
associations of which either or both of the Companies are members, and, with the
prior approval of the Chief Executive Officer of the Companies,  to service as a
director of other  corporations  and to other types of activities  not expressly
mentioned  in this  paragraph,  so long as the  activities  referred  to in this
sentence  do  not  materially  interfere  with  the  proper  performance  of the
Executive's duties and responsibilities under this agreement. The Executive also
shall be free to manage and invest his assets in such manner as will not require
any  substantial  services by the Executive in the conduct of the  businesses or
affairs of the entities or in the  management  of the  properties  in which such
investments  are made, so long as such  activities do not  materially  interfere
with the proper performance of the Executive's duties and responsibilities under
this agreement.

     11. TERMINATION.

     (a)  TERMINATION  BECAUSE  OF  DEATH.  The  Executive's  employment  by the
Companies   under  this  agreement  shall  terminate  upon  his  death.  If  the
Executive's  employment  under this agreement  terminates  because of his death,
then the Executive's  estate or his  beneficiaries (as the case may be) shall be
entitled to receive the following compensation and benefits from the Companies:

          (i)  The Base Salary (as then may be  applicable)  through the date of
               the Executive's death;

          (ii) Continued  payment of the Base Salary (as then may be applicable)
               for  a  period  of  ninety  (90)  days  after  the  date  of  the
               Executive's death;

          (iii)A pro rata portion of the Executive's  annual incentive bonus for
               the fiscal  year in which his death  occurs  (computed  as if the
               Executive were employed by the Companies  throughout  such fiscal
               year),  based upon the number of days in such fiscal year elapsed
               through the date of the Executive's  death as a proportion of the
               total number of days in such fiscal year,  to be paid at the same
               time  that  such  incentive  bonus  would  have been paid had the
               Executive's death not occurred;

          (iv) Any other amounts earned, accrued, or owed to the Executive under
               this  agreement  but not paid as of the  date of the  Executive's
               death; and

          (v)  Any other  benefits  payable by reason of the  Executive's  death
               under any benefit plans or programs of the Companies in effect on
               the date of the Executive's death.

     (b) TERMINATION  BECAUSE OF DISABILITY.  If the Executive becomes incapable
by reason of  physical  injury,  disease,  or mental  illness  of  substantially
performing his duties and responsibilities under this agreement for a continuous
period of six (6)  months  or more,  then at any time  after the  elapse of such
six-month period and while such disability is continuing  Holdings may terminate
the  Executive's  employment  by the  Companies  under  this  agreement.  If the
Executive's employment under this agreement is terminated by Holdings because of
such  disability  on the  part of the  Executive,  then the  Executive  shall be
entitled to receive the following compensation and benefits from the Companies:

          (i)  The Base Salary (as then may be applicable) through the effective
               date of such termination;

          (ii) A pro rata portion of the Executive's  annual incentive bonus for
               the fiscal year of the Companies in which such termination occurs
               (computed  as if the  Executive  were  employed by the  Companies
               throughout  such fiscal  year),  based upon the number of days in
               such  fiscal year  elapsed  through  the  effective  date of such
               termination  as a proportion  of the total number of days in such
               fiscal  year,  to be paid at the same time  that  such  incentive
               bonus would have been paid if such termination had not occurred;

          (iii)Any other amounts earned, accrued, or owed to the Executive under
               this  agreement  but not  paid as of the  effective  date of such
               termination;

          (iv) Continued   participation  in  the  following  benefit  plans  or
               programs  of the  Companies  which may be in effect  from time to
               time,  to the extent  that such  continued  participation  by the
               Executive is  permitted  under the terms and  conditions  of such
               plans  (unless such  continued  participation  is  restricted  or
               prohibited by applicable governmental  regulations governing such
               plans),  until  the  first  to  occur  of the  cessation  of such
               disability,  the Executive's death, the Executive's attainment of
               age  sixty-five   (65),  or  (separately   with  respect  to  the
               termination  of each  benefit) the  provision of a  substantially
               equivalent  benefit to the  Executive by another  employer of the
               Executive:

               (1) Group medical/hospital insurance, (2) Group dental insurance,
               (3) Group life insurance, (4) Executive life insurance, (5) Group
               long-term   disability   insurance,   (6)   Executive   long-term
               disability    insurance,    (7)   Exec-U-Care   medical   expense
               reimbursement  insurance,  (8) Professional  financial,  tax, and
               estate planning services,  (9) Automobile allowance,  (10) Annual
               physical examination, (11) Business club membership; and

          (v)  Any  other  benefits   payable  by  reason  of  the   Executive's
               disability  under any benefit  plans or programs of the Companies
               in effect on the effective date of such termination.

     (c)  TERMINATION   FOR  CAUSE.   Holdings  may  terminate  the  Executive's
employment  by the  Companies  under  this  agreement  for cause;  however,  for
purposes  of  this  agreement  "cause"  shall  mean  only  (i)  the  Executive's
confession  or  conviction  of theft,  fraud,  embezzlement,  or any other crime
involving dishonesty with respect to the Companies or any parent, subsidiary, or
affiliate of the Companies,  (ii) the Executive's  excessive  absenteeism (other
than  by  reason  of  physical  injury,  disease,  or  mental  illness)  without
reasonable cause, (iii) material violation by the Executive of the provisions of
Paragraph  13, (iv)  habitual and material  negligence  by the  Executive in the
performance  of his  duties  and  responsibilities  under  or  pursuant  to this
agreement and failure to cure such negligence  within thirty (30) days after his
receipt of a written  notice from the Board setting  forth in reasonable  detail
the particulars of such negligence, (v) material non-compliance by the Executive
with  his   obligations   under   Paragraph  10  and  failure  to  correct  such
non-compliance  within  thirty (30) days after his  receipt of a written  notice
from the Board  setting  forth in  reasonable  detail  the  particulars  of such
non-compliance,  or (vi)  material  failure by the  Executive  to comply  with a
lawful  directive  of the Board and failure to cure such  non-compliance  within
thirty  (30) days after his receipt of a written  notice from the Board  setting
forth in reasonable detail the particulars of such  non-compliance.  In no event
shall the results of the Companies'  operations or any business judgment made in
good faith by the Executive  constitute an independent basis for termination for
cause of the Executive's employment under this agreement. Any termination of the
Executive's  employment  for cause must be  authorized by a majority vote of the
Board taken not later than twelve (12) months after a majority of the members of
the Board (other than the Executive) have actual  knowledge of the occurrence of
the  event or  conduct  constituting  the  cause  for such  termination.  If the
Executive's employment under this agreement is terminated by Holdings for cause,
then the Executive shall be entitled to receive the following  compensation  and
benefits from the Companies:

          (i)  The Base Salary (as then may be applicable) through the effective
               date of such termination;

          (ii) A pro rata portion of the Executive's  annual incentive bonus for
               the fiscal year of the Companies in which such termination occurs
               (computed  as if the  Executive  were  employed by the  Companies
               throughout  such fiscal  year),  based upon the number of days in
               such  fiscal year  elapsed  through  the  effective  date of such
               termination  as a proportion  of the total number of days in such
               fiscal  year,  to be paid at the same time  that  such  incentive
               bonus would have been paid if such termination had not occurred;

          (iii)Any other amounts earned, accrued, or owed to the Executive under
               this  agreement  but not  paid as of the  effective  date of such
               termination; and

          (iv) Any other benefits  payable to the Executive upon his termination
               for cause under any benefit plans or programs of the Companies in
               effect on the effective date of such termination.

     (d) TERMINATION  WITHOUT CAUSE PRIOR TO A SIGNIFICANT  CORPORATE EVENT. If,
prior to the  occurrence of a Significant  Corporate  Event,  Holdings or Pamida
terminates the Executive's  employment under this agreement for any reason other
than cause or the Executive's  death or disability,  then (without  limiting any
other rights or claims which the Executive may have for breach of this agreement
by the  Companies or otherwise)  the Executive  shall be entitled to receive the
following compensation, benefits, and other payments from the Companies:

          (i)  The Base  Salary  (as then may be  applicable)  through  March 5,
               2000,  to be paid at the same times that the Base Salary (as then
               may be applicable)  would have been paid if such  termination had
               not  occurred;   provided,   that  if  the  Executive   commences
               employment with another employer,  whether as an employee or as a
               consultant,  prior  to  March  5,  2000  (for  purposes  of  this
               subparagraph (d), the "Other Employment"),  then such payments of
               the  Base  Salary  shall  be  reduced  from  time  to time by the
               aggregate  amount  of  salary  or  consulting  fees  received  or
               receivable  by  the  Executive  from  the  Other  Employment  for
               services performed by him during the period from the commencement
               of the Other  Employment  through March 5, 2000,  but in no event
               shall the  Executive  be required to repay to the  Companies  any
               portion of any payments  made to the  Executive  pursuant to this
               subparagraph  (i) for any  periods  prior to the  periods  during
               which the Executive  earned such salary or  consulting  fees from
               the Other Employment;

          (ii) A pro rata portion of the Executive's  annual incentive bonus for
               the fiscal year of the Companies in which such termination occurs
               (computed  as if the  Executive  were  employed by the  Companies
               throughout  such fiscal  year),  based upon the number of days in
               such  fiscal year  elapsed  through  the  effective  date of such
               termination  as a proportion  of the total number of days in such
               fiscal  year,  to be paid at the same time  that  such  incentive
               bonus would have been paid if such termination had not occurred;

          (iii)Any other amounts earned, accrued, or owed to the Executive under
               this  agreement  but not  paid as of the  effective  date of such
               termination;

          (iv) Continued   participation  in  the  following  benefit  plans  or
               programs  of the  Companies  which may be in effect  from time to
               time,  to the extent  that such  continued  participation  by the
               Executive is  permitted  under the terms and  conditions  of such
               plans  (unless such  continued  participation  is  restricted  or
               prohibited by applicable governmental  regulations governing such
               plans), until the first to occur of March 5, 2000, or (separately
               with respect to the termination of each benefit) the provision of
               a  substantially  equivalent  benefit to the Executive by another
               employer of the Executive:

               (1) Group medical/hospital insurance, (2) Group dental insurance,
               (3) Group life insurance, (4) Executive life insurance, (5) Group
               long-term   disability   insurance,   (6)   Executive   long-term
               disability    insurance,    (7)   Exec-U-Care   medical   expense
               reimbursement  insurance,  (8) Professional  financial,  tax, and
               estate planning services,  (9) Automobile allowance,  (10) Annual
               physical examination, (11) Business club membership;

               however,  if continued  participation  by the Executive in any of
               the  foregoing  benefit plans or programs of the Companies is not
               permitted  under the terms and conditions of any of such plans or
               programs, then in lieu of continued participation in such plan or
               program  the  Companies  shall  pay to the  Executive  in cash an
               amount equal to the cost that the  Companies  would have incurred
               with respect to the Executive if the Executive  were permitted to
               continue  as a  participant  in such plan or  program  during the
               applicable  period;  and the Companies  agree not to unilaterally
               take any action which would prevent the Executive from continuing
               to  participate  in any of such  plans or  programs  unless  such
               action similarly affects all other  participants in such plans or
               programs;

          (v)  An amount equal to the non-vested  Employer  Credits and Earnings
               Credits under the Pamida,  Inc. 1995 Deferred  Compensation  Plan
               (the  "Deferred  Compensation  Plan") which are  forfeited by the
               Executive  as a result of such  termination  and which  would not
               have been  forfeited by the Executive as of March 5, 2000, if his
               employment  by the  Companies  had not been  terminated  prior to
               March 5, 2000, such amount to be paid on March 5, 2000;

          (vi) An amount  equal to the  Employer  Credits and  Earnings  Credits
               under  the  Deferred  Compensation  Plan  that  would  have  been
               credited to the Executive's  Deferral Account under such Plan for
               the period from the effective  date of such  termination  through
               March 5,  2000,  and become  vested as of March 5,  2000,  if the
               Executive's  employment by the Companies had not been  terminated
               prior to March 5, 2000,  and the  Executive had deferred the same
               percentage  of his  Base  Salary  during  such  period  as he was
               deferring  pursuant  to such Plan on the  effective  date of such
               termination, such amount to be paid on March 5, 2000;

          (vii)An amount  equal to the  Matching  Contributions  that would have
               been made by the Companies  under the Pamida,  Inc.  Savings Plus
               Plan (401(k) plan) for the benefit of the Executive in respect of
               the Basic Contributions to such Plan that would have been made by
               the Companies on behalf of the  Executive  during the period from
               the effective date of such termination  through March 5, 2000, if
               the  Executive's   employment  by  the  Companies  had  not  been
               terminated  prior  to  March  5,  2000,  and  the  Companies  had
               contributed  to such Plan on behalf of the Executive  during such
               period (pursuant to a compensation  reduction  agreement with the
               Executive) the maximum Basic  Contribution  then permitted  under
               such Plan, such amount to be paid on March 5, 2000; and

          (viii)Any other benefits payable to the Executive upon his termination
               without  cause  under  any  benefit  plans  or  programs  of  the
               Companies in effect on the  effective  date of such  termination,
               except that the Executive  shall not be entitled to any severance
               pay or severance  benefits unless such  termination  occurs after
               March 5, 1999,  in which  latter case the  effective  date of the
               Executive's  termination  shall be deemed to be the date on which
               he received a Notice pursuant to Paragraph 12, and the provisions
               of Paragraph 12 shall apply.

The  Companies  agree that they will not terminate  the  Executive's  employment
under this  agreement  without  cause  solely for the  purpose of  avoiding  the
obligations  of the Companies to pay or provide any bonus or other  compensation
or benefits to the  Executive  the payment or provision of which is  conditioned
upon the Executive's  continuing in the employ of the Companies for a particular
period of time.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing  provisions of this subparagraph
(d), in the event of the Executive's  death subsequent to the termination of his
employment for a reason other than cause or the Executive's disability and prior
to March 5, 2000,  then (1) the  compensation,  benefits,  and other payments to
which the  Executive is entitled  under this  subparagraph  (d) shall  terminate
(and, when applicable,  be computed) as of the date of the Executive's death and
(2) the  Executive's  estate  or  beneficiaries  (as the case  may be)  shall be
entitled  to receive  any other  benefits  payable by reason of the  Executive's
death under any benefit  plans or  programs  of the  Companies  in effect and in
which the Executive was participating on the date of his death.

     (e)  CONSTRUCTIVE  TERMINATION.  If at any  time  during  the  term of this
agreement the Board  materially  alters the duties and  responsibilities  of the
Executive  provided for in Paragraph 1 without the Executive's  written consent,
then,  at the  election of the  Executive  (such  election to be made by written
notice  from the  Executive  to the  Board),  (i) such action by the Board shall
constitute a  constructive  termination  of the  Executive's  employment  by the
Companies  without  cause,  (ii) the  Executive  may resign from his offices and
positions  with the  Companies and shall not be obligated to perform any further
services of any kind to or for the Companies,  and (iii) the Executive  shall be
entitled to receive from the Companies all of the  compensation,  benefits,  and
other  payments  described in  subparagraph  (d) of this Paragraph 11 (as if the
effective  date of the  Executive's  resignation  were the effective date of his
termination for purposes of determining such compensation,  benefits,  and other
payments),  subject to all of the provisions and conditions of such subparagraph
(d).

     (f)  TERMINATION  WITHOUT CAUSE AFTER A SIGNIFICANT  CORPORATE  EVENT.  If,
after the occurrence of a Significant Corporate Event, Holdings,  Pamida, or any
Permitted   Assignee  of  this  agreement  under  Paragraph  16  terminates  the
Executive's  employment  under this agreement for any reason other than cause or
the  Executive's  death or disability,  then the Executive  shall be entitled to
receive  the  following  compensation,  benefits,  and other  payments  (without
duplication) from the Companies and the Permitted Assignee,  if any (all of whom
shall be jointly and severally liable therefor):

          (i)  All of the  compensation,  benefits,  and other payments from the
               Companies  which  are  described  in  subparagraph  (d)  of  this
               Paragraph 11, subject to the final sentence of such  subparagraph
               (d); and

          (ii) An  annual  incentive  bonus  for each of the two (2)  successive
               twelve-month   periods  following  the  effective  date  of  such
               termination  in an  amount  equal to the  average  amount  of the
               incentive  bonuses  received by the Executive  from the Companies
               for the three fiscal years of the  Companies  ending prior to the
               fiscal  year  in  which  such  termination  occurs,  such  annual
               incentive   bonuses   to  be  paid  on  the  first   and   second
               anniversaries   of  the  effective  date  of  such   termination;
               provided,  that (1) if such  termination  occurs  after  March 5,
               1998,  and before  March 6, 1999,  then the annual  bonus for the
               second of such two  twelve-month  periods shall be prorated based
               upon  the  number  of days  from  the  first  anniversary  of the
               effective  date of such  termination  through March 5, 2000, as a
               proportion of 365, (2) if such termination  occurs after March 5,
               1999,  and before  March 6, 2000,  then the annual  bonus for the
               first of such two  twelve-month  periods shall be prorated  based
               upon  the  number  of days  from  the  first  anniversary  of the
               effective  date of such  termination  through March 6, 2000, as a
               proportion  of 365,  and no annual bonus shall be payable for the
               second of such two  twelve-month  periods,  (3) each such  annual
               bonus shall be reduced by any bonuses  received or  receivable by
               the Executive  from the Other  Employment (if any) referred to in
               subparagraph  (d)(i) of this Paragraph 11 for services  performed
               by  him  during  the  twelve-month  period   corresponding  to  a
               twelve-month  period referred to in this  subparagraph  (ii); and
               (4) in the event of the  Executive's  death during either of such
               two  twelve-month  periods,  any  incentive  bonus to  which  the
               Executive would be entitled for the twelve-month  period in which
               his death occurred shall be prorated and paid to the  Executive's
               estate or  beneficiaries  (as the case may be) in the  manner set
               forth in  subparagraph  (a)(iii)  of this  Paragraph  11,  and no
               incentive bonus shall be payable for the subsequent  twelve-month
               period (if any).

The Executive agrees to accept the  compensation,  benefits,  and other payments
provided for in this  subparagraph (f) as full and complete  liquidated  damages
for  any  breach  of  this  agreement  resulting  from  the  termination  of the
Executive's  employment  under  this  agreement,   after  the  occurrence  of  a
Significant  Corporate  Event,  for a reason other than cause or the Executive's
death or disability; and the Executive shall not have any other rights or claims
in respect of such breach.

     (g) NOTICE OF OTHER  EMPLOYMENT  AND OF BENEFITS.  The  Executive  promptly
shall  notify  the  Companies  in  writing  of (i) his  acceptance  of the Other
Employment  referred  to in  subparagraph  (d) of this  Paragraph  11,  (ii) the
effective  date of such  Other  Employment,  and (iii)  the  amount of salary or
consulting fees and the amount of any bonuses which the Executive receives or is
entitled to receive  from the Other  Employment  for  services  performed by him
during the period from the commencement of the Other Employment through March 5,
2000.  Whenever  relevant for purposes of this  Paragraph 11, the Executive also
promptly shall notify the Companies of his receipt from another  employer of any
benefits of the types referred to in  subparagraphs  (b)(iv) and (d)(iv) of this
Paragraph  11.  Such  information  shall be  updated by the  Executive  whenever
necessary to keep the Companies informed on a current basis.

     12. NOTICE OF  NONRENEWAL.  If the Companies  determine not to continue the
employment of the Executive  after the  expiration of the term of this agreement
at a base salary at least equal to the Base Salary  which is in effect as of the
last day of the term of this agreement and with fringe benefits and an incentive
bonus program reasonably comparable to those in effect as of the last day of the
term of this  agreement,  then the  Companies  shall so notify the  Executive in
writing (the "Notice")  promptly after such  determination has been made. If the
Executive  receives  the Notice at a time when there are less than  twelve  (12)
months left in the term of this  agreement and if the Executive  does not remain
in the  employ  of the  Companies  after  the  expiration  of the  term  of this
agreement, then after the expiration of the term of this agreement the Executive
shall be  entitled to receive  the  following  payments  and  benefits  from the
Companies:

(a)  Continued  payment of the  Executive's  Base Salary,  at the annual rate in
     effect on the last day of the term of this agreement,  until that date (the
     "Extended  Payment  Date")  which is twelve (12)  months  after the date on
     which the Executive received the Notice; provided, that such payments shall
     be reduced by the aggregate  amount of salary or consulting  fees which the
     Executive  derives from employment  with another  employer (for purposes of
     this Paragraph 12, the "Other Employment"),  whether as an employee or as a
     consultant,  during the period  from March 6, 2000,  through  the  Extended
     Payment Date (the "Extended Payment Period"). In no event,  however,  shall
     the  Executive  be  required to repay to the  Companies  any portion of any
     payments made to the Executive  pursuant to this subparagraph 12(a) for any
     periods prior to the periods during which the Executive  earned such salary
     or consulting fees from the Other Employment.

(b)  An  incentive  bonus in an amount  equal to (i) the  average  amount of the
     incentive  bonuses  received by the  Executive  from the  Companies for the
     three  fiscal  years  of the  Companies  ended  prior  to  March  5,  2000,
     multiplied by (ii) a fraction whose  numerator is the number of days in the
     Extended Payment Period and whose  denominator is 365, such incentive bonus
     to be paid on the last day of the Extended Payment Period;  provided,  that
     such incentive bonus shall be reduced by any bonuses received or receivable
     by the Executive from the Other Employment (if any) for services  performed
     by him during the Extended Payment Period.

(c)  Continued  participation in the following  benefit plans or programs of the
     Companies  which may be in effect  from time to time,  to the  extent  that
     continued  participation  by the Executive is permitted under the terms and
     conditions of such plans or programs  (unless such continued  participation
     is  restricted  or  prohibited  by  applicable   governmental   regulations
     governing  such  plans  or  programs),  until  the  first  to  occur of the
     expiration of the Extended  Payment Period or  (separately  with respect to
     the   termination  of  each  benefit)  the  provision  of  a  substantially
     equivalent benefit to the Executive by another employer of the Executive:

               (1) Group medical/hospital insurance, (2) Group dental insurance,
               (3) Group life insurance, (4) Executive life insurance, (5) Group
               long-term   disability   insurance,   (6)   Executive   long-term
               disability    insurance,    (7)   Exec-U-Care   medical   expense
               reimbursement  insurance,  (8) Professional  financial,  tax, and
               estate planning services,  (9) Automobile allowance,  (10) Annual
               physical examination, (11) Business club membership.

If continued  participation  by the  Executive in any of the  foregoing  benefit
plans or  programs  of the  Companies  is not  permitted  under  the  terms  and
conditions  of any of  such  plans  or  programs,  then  in  lieu  of  continued
participation  in such plan or program the Companies  shall pay to the Executive
in cash an amount equal to the cost that the Companies  would have incurred with
respect to the  Executive  if the  Executive  were  permitted  to  continue as a
participant in such plan or program during the applicable  period. The Companies
agree not to unilaterally take any action which would prevent the Executive from
continuing to  participate  in any of such plans or programs  unless such action
similarly affects all other participants in such plans or programs.

The Executive promptly shall notify the Companies of his acceptance of the Other
Employment  and of the amount of  compensation  and benefits which the Executive
receives or is entitled to receive from the Other Employment during the Extended
Payment Period.  In the event of the  Executive's  death prior to the end of the
Extended  Payment  Period,  the  payments  and  benefits  provided  for in  this
Paragraph 12 shall cease and terminate as of the date of the Executive's  death,
except as otherwise required by applicable law.

     13.  NONDISCLOSURE.  During the term of this agreement and thereafter,  the
Executive shall not,  without the prior written consent of the Board or a person
(other than the  Executive) so authorized by the Board,  disclose or use for any
purpose  (except in the course of his  employment  under this  agreement  and in
furtherance  of the  business  of the  Companies  or  any  of  their  respective
subsidiaries) any confidential  information or proprietary data of the Companies
or any of their respective  subsidiaries;  provided,  however, that confidential
information shall not include any information then known generally to the public
or ascertainable from public or published information (other than as a result of
unauthorized  disclosure  by the  Executive)  or any  information  of a type not
otherwise  considered  confidential by persons engaged in the same business or a
business  similar  to  that  conducted  by the  Companies  or  their  respective
subsidiaries, as the case may be.

     14.  SUCCESSORS  AND  ASSIGNS.  This  agreement  and all rights  under this
agreement shall be binding upon,  inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by
the  parties  hereto and their  respective  personal  or legal  representatives,
executors, administrators,  heirs, distributees, devisees, legatees, successors,
and assigns.  This  agreement is personal in nature,  and none of the parties to
this  agreement  shall,  without  the written  consent of the others,  assign or
transfer this  agreement or any right or obligation  under this agreement to any
other person or entity, except as permitted by Paragraph 16.

     15.   NOTICES.   For  purposes  of  this   agreement,   notices  and  other
communications  provided  for in this  agreement  shall be deemed to be properly
given if delivered  personally or sent by United States  certified mail,  return
receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

     If to the Executive:               Frank A. Washburn
                                        c/o Pamida, Inc.
                                        8800 "F" Street
                                        Omaha, Nebraska  68127

     If to the Companies:               Pamida, Inc. and Pamida
                                        Holdings Corporation
                                        Post Office Box 3856
                                        Omaha, Nebraska  68103
                                        Attn:  Chief Executive Officer

or to such other  address as either party may have  furnished to the other party
in  writing  in  accordance   with  this   paragraph.   Such  notices  or  other
communications shall be effective only upon receipt.

     16. MERGER, CONSOLIDATION,  SALE OF ASSETS. In the event of (a) a merger of
Pamida with  another  corporation  in a  transaction  in which Pamida is not the
surviving  corporation,  (b) the  consolidation of Pamida into a new corporation
resulting from such  consolidation,  (c) the sale or other disposition of all or
substantially  all of the  assets of  Pamida,  the  Companies  may  assign  this
agreement  and all of the rights and  obligations  of the  Companies  under this
agreement  to the  surviving,  resulting,  or  acquiring  entity  (a  "Permitted
Assignee");  provided, that such surviving, resulting, or acquiring entity shall
in writing  assume and agree to perform all of the  obligations of the Companies
under this  agreement;  and provided  further,  that the Companies  shall remain
jointly and severally liable for the performance of their obligations under this
agreement  in the event of a failure of the  Permitted  Assignee  to perform its
obligations under this agreement.

     17.  SIGNIFICANT  CORPORATE  EVENT.  For  purposes  of  this  agreement,  a
"Significant  Corporate Event" shall be deemed to have occurred upon the earlier
of (i) the  happening  of any of the  following  events or (ii) the first public
announcement of the anticipated  happening of any of the following  events:  (a)
Holdings  ceases to own a majority of the  outstanding  Voting  Shares of Pamida
(unless  such event  results  from the merger of Pamida into  Holdings,  with no
change in the ownership of the Voting Shares of Holdings),  (b) Pamida is merged
or consolidated  into a corporation  other than Holdings,  and at any time after
such merger or consolidation  becomes effective Holdings does not own a majority
of the  outstanding  Voting Shares of the surviving or resulting  corporation in
such  merger or  consolidation,  (c)  Holdings  is merged or  consolidated  into
another corporation,  and immediately after such merger or consolidation becomes
effective the holders of a majority of the outstanding Voting Shares of Holdings
immediately  prior to the  effectiveness  of such merger or consolidation do not
own a majority of the  outstanding  Voting  Shares of the surviving or resulting
corporation in such merger,  (d) any person,  entity, or group of persons within
the meaning of Sections  13(d) or 14(d) of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934
(the "1934 Act") and the rules  promulgated  thereunder,  other than 399 Venture
Partners, Inc. or any of its affiliates (as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the 1934
Act), becomes the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the 1934
Act) of  thirty  percent  (30%)  or more of the  outstanding  Voting  Shares  of
Holdings,  or (e) the stockholders of Pamida vote (or act by written consent) to
dissolve Pamida or to sell or otherwise  dispose of all or substantially  all of
the property and assets of Pamida.  For purposes of this  Paragraph 17,  "Voting
Shares" of a corporation  means the outstanding  shares of capital stock of such
corporation  entitled to vote  generally  in the  election of  directors of such
corporation.

     18. MISCELLANEOUS.  No provision of this agreement may be modified, waived,
or  discharged  unless such waiver,  modification,  or discharge is agreed to in
writing and is signed by the  Executive  and an officer of Holdings  (other than
the Executive) so authorized by the Board of Directors of Holdings. No waiver by
any party to this  agreement at any time of any breach by any other party of, or
compliance by any other party with, any condition or provision of this agreement
to be performed by such other party shall be deemed to be a waiver of similar or
dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or any prior or subsequent time.
No agreements or representations,  oral or otherwise,  express or implied,  with
respect to the subject matter of this agreement have been made by any party that
are not expressly set forth in this agreement.

     19.  REPRESENTATIONS OF COMPANIES.  The Companies  severally  represent and
warrant to the Executive  that they have full legal power and authority to enter
into this  agreement and that the  performance of their  respective  obligations
under this  agreement will not violate any agreement  between the Companies,  or
either of them, and any other person, firm, or organization.

     20.  NON-SOLICITATION  OF  EMPLOYEES.  Until the later of (i)  twelve  (12)
months after the effective date of the termination of the Executive's employment
under this  agreement  or (ii) twelve (12) months after the last payment of Base
Salary to the  Executive  pursuant to  Paragraph 11 or Paragraph 12 (as the case
may be), without the prior written consent of Holdings, the Executive agrees not
to employ,  solicit for  employment,  assist any other  person in  employing  or
soliciting for employment,  or advise or recommend to any other person that such
other person employ or solicit for  employment any person who then is, or during
any portion of the twelve (12) months prior to such  employment or  solicitation
for  employment  was, an employee of the Companies (or either of them) or any of
the Companies' respective subsidiaries.

     21. JOINT AND SEVERAL OBLIGATIONS.  All of the obligations of the Companies
under  this  agreement  are joint  and  several;  and  neither  the  bankruptcy,
insolvency, dissolution, merger, consolidation, reorganization, nor cessation of
business or corporate existence of one of the Companies shall affect, impair, or
diminish the obligations under this agreement of the other of the Companies. The
compensation  and  benefits  to which  the  Executive  is  entitled  under  this
agreement  are  aggregate  compensation  and  benefits,  and the payment of such
compensation  or the provision of such benefits by one of the Companies shall to
the extent of such payment or provision  satisfy the obligations of the other of
the  Companies.  The Companies may agree between  themselves as to which of them
will be responsible for some or all of the Executive's compensation and benefits
under this  agreement,  but any such agreement  between the Companies  shall not
diminish to any extent the joint and several  liability of the  Companies to the
Executive for all of such compensation and benefits.

     22.  TERMINATION  OF PRIOR  AGREEMENT.  The Retention  and  Confidentiality
Agreement dated January 12, 1995,  between the Executive and Pamida,  as amended
on February 21,  1996,  hereby is  terminated,  effective as of the date of this
agreement.

     23.  VALIDITY.  The  invalidity  or  unenforceability  of any  provision or
provisions of this agreement shall not affect the validity or  enforceability of
any other  provision of this  agreement,  which other  provision shall remain in
full force and effect; nor shall the invalidity or unenforceability of a portion
of any provision of this agreement affect the validity or  enforceability of the
balance of such provision.

     24.   COUNTERPARTS.   This   document  may  be  executed  in  one  or  more
counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed to be an original  and all of which
together shall constitute a single agreement.

     25. HEADINGS. The headings of the paragraphs contained in this document are
for  reference  purposes  only and shall not in any way  affect  the  meaning or
interpretation of any provision of this agreement.

     26.  APPLICABLE  LAW. This agreement  shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal  substantive laws, and not the choice of law rules,
of the State of Nebraska.

      IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the Companies  and the Executive  have executed this
agreement on the day and year first above written.


                                        PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION, a
                                        Delaware corporation

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

                                        PAMIDA, INC., a Delaware corporation

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

                                        /S/ FRANK A. WASHBURN
                                        Frank A. Washburn
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
              Attachment to Exhibit 10.30 - Executive Bonus Matrix

                  Bonus as % of Pay - FYE98 - Washburn

              Comp store sales increase
<S>           <C>     <C>       <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>
EBITDA       <3%      3.0%      4.0%      5.0%      6.0%       7.0%       8.0%      9.0%
=========================================================================================
   <42        0         0         0         0         0          0          0          0
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    42   29.750%   42.500%   43.250%   44.000%   44.750%    49.750%    54.750%    59.750%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    43   30.625%   43.375%   44.125%   44.875%   45.625%    50.625%    55.625%    60.625%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    44   31.500%   44.250%   45.000%   45.750%   46.500%    51.500%    56.500%    61.500%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    45   32.375%   45.125%   45.875%   46.625%   47.375%    52.375%    57.375%    62.375%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    46   33.250%   46.000%   46.750%   47.500%   48.250%    53.250%    58.250%    63.250%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    47   34.125%   46.875%   47.625%   48.375%   49.125%    54.125%    59.125%    64.125%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    48   35.000%   47.750%   48.500%   49.250%   50.000%    55.000%    60.000%    65.000%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    49   40.000%   52.750%   53.500%   54.250%   55.000%    60.000%    65.000%    70.000%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    50   50.000%   62.750%   63.500%   64.250%   65.000%    70.000%    75.000%    80.000%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    51   65.000%   77.750%   78.500%   79.250%   80.000%    85.000%    90.000%    95.000%
- -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    52   80.000%   92.750%   93.500%   94.250%   95.000%   100.000%   105.000%   110.000%
=========================================================================================

</TABLE>

                                    EXHIBIT A

                          "OTHER BENEFITS" RELATED TO
                    EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT DATED MARCH 6, 1997
                        AMONG PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION
                 AND FRANK A. WASHBURN, EXECUTIVE VICE PRESIDENT


          Company paid Exec-U-Care insurance

          Company paid life insurance - $500,000

          Financial, legal counseling services - up to $10,000 annually

          Company car - up to $12,000 allowance

          Annual physical examination

          Car phone

          Use of company plane

          Interest free loans - up to $50,000 approved by Chairman

          Spousal travel - where appropriate and approved

          Minimum vacation accrual * - 4 weeks

          Athletic/Recreational membership

          Supplemental disability insurance

          Deferred compensation


*The greater of general employee vacation schedule or this list will be granted



                              EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     This  Employment  Agreement  is made and entered  into as of the 6th day of
March,  1997,  among  PAMIDA  HOLDINGS  CORPORATION  ("Holdings"),   a  Delaware
corporation,  PAMIDA, INC.  ("Pamida"),  a Delaware  corporation,  and GEORGE R.
MIHALKO (the "Executive").  Holdings and Pamida  collectively are referred to in
this Employment Agreement as the "Companies".

                                     * * *

     WHEREAS, Pamida is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Holdings; and

     WHEREAS, the Executive currently is employed by Pamida and serves as Senior
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of both Holdings and Pamida; and

     WHEREAS, the Executive is actively involved in all aspects of the financial
management of the Companies; and

     WHEREAS,  the Companies desire to provide for the continued services of the
Executive; and

     WHEREAS,  the  Companies  desire  concurrently  to retain  and  employ  the
Executive as Senior Vice President and Chief  Financial  Officer for an extended
period of time; and

     WHEREAS,  the  Executive  desires to accept such  concurrent  and  extended
employment;

     NOW,  THEREFORE,  in  consideration  of  the  foregoing  recitals  and  the
respective  covenants and agreements of the parties  contained in this document,
the Companies and the Executive agree as follows:

     1.  EMPLOYMENT  AND  DUTIES.  Each  of the  Companies  hereby  employs  the
Executive as Senior Vice President and Chief  Financial  Officer  throughout the
term of this agreement and agrees to cause the Executive from time to time to be
elected or  appointed  to such  corporate  offices  (or such  other more  senior
corporate  offices as the Boards of Directors of the  Companies  may specify) or
positions.  The duties and  responsibilities  of the Executive shall include the
duties and  responsibilities of the Executive's  corporate offices and positions
referred to above which are set forth in the respective  bylaws of the Companies
from time to time,  responsibility for the financial management of the Companies
(subject to the direction of the Chief Executive Officer of the Companies),  and
such other duties and responsibilities consistent with the Executive's corporate
offices and positions  referred to above and this  agreement  which the Board of
Directors  of  Holdings  (the  "Board")  or the Chief  Executive  Officer of the
Companies  from time to time may assign to the  Executive.  If the  Executive is
elected or  appointed  as a director  of Pamida or  Holdings or as an officer or
director of any of the respective  subsidiaries of the Companies during the term
of this  agreement,  then he also shall serve in such capacity or capacities but
without additional compensation.

     2.  TERM.  The  term of this  agreement  shall  begin  on the  date of this
agreement and shall  continue  thereafter  through March 5, 2000,  unless sooner
terminated in accordance with this agreement.

     3. PLACE OF  EMPLOYMENT.  The executive  offices of the Companies  shall be
located in Omaha, Nebraska, during the term of this agreement, and the Executive
will not be required to relocate or transfer his  principal  residence  from the
immediate vicinity of Omaha, Nebraska.

     4. BASE SALARY.  For all services to be rendered by the Executive  pursuant
to this agreement,  the Companies agree to pay the Executive a base salary at an
annual rate of Two Hundred Ten Thousand Dollars ($210,000.00) during the term of
this  agreement (the "Base  Salary").  The Base Salary shall be paid in periodic
installments in accordance with the Companies'  regular payroll  practices.  The
Board or the Compensation Committee of the Board shall review the Base Salary at
least  annually as of the payroll  payment date  nearest to May 1 (beginning  in
1998);  and the Companies agree to make such increases in the Base Salary as the
Board may approve from time to time.  Once  established at a specific  increased
annual  rate,  the Base Salary  thereafter  may not be reduced by the  Companies
without the Executive's written consent.

     5.  INCENTIVE  BONUS FOR FISCAL 1998. In addition to the  Executive's  Base
Salary and any other  benefits to which the  Executive  is  entitled  under this
agreement but subject to all of the provisions of this paragraph,  the Executive
also shall be entitled to receive an  incentive  bonus (the  "Incentive  Bonus")
from the  Companies  for the fiscal  year of  Holdings  ending  February 1, 1998
("Fiscal 1998"), in accordance with the following provisions of this paragraph:

(a)  If the  consolidated  earnings  of  Holdings  and  its  subsidiaries  (on a
     first-in,  first-out basis with respect to merchandise  inventories) before
     interest,  taxes,  depreciation,  and  amortization  for  Fiscal  1998 (the
     "EBITDA")  are less  than  $42,000,000,  then the  Executive  shall  not be
     entitled to any incentive bonus for Fiscal 1998.

(b)  If the EBITDA equals or exceeds $42,000,000, then the Executive's incentive
     bonus  for  Fiscal  1998  shall  be  determined  as  a  percentage  of  the
     Executive's  base salary from the matrix attached to this agreement  taking
     into  account  (i) the  EBITDA  and (ii)  the  percentage  increase  in the
     comparable  store sales of Pamida for Fiscal 1998  compared with the fiscal
     year ended February 2, 1997.  Comparable store sales  percentage  increases
     shall be determined in accordance with Pamida's historical practices.

(c)  For purposes of such matrix, comparable store sales percentage increases of
     more than 9% shall be treated as  increases  of 9%, and EBITDA of more than
     $52,000,000 shall be treated as EBITDA of $52,000,000.

(d)  For purposes of applying such matrix,  the Executive's base salary shall be
     the Executive's base salary in effect on February 1, 1998.

(e)  The maximum  incentive  bonus that the Executive shall have the opportunity
     to earn for Fiscal 1998 is 57.5% of the Executive's applicable base salary.

(f)  EBITDA amounts between whole millions of dollars and comparable store sales
     percentage  increases  between whole percentages shall be interpolated on a
     straight-line basis for purposes of applying such matrix.

(g)  Solely by way of  illustration  of the  application of such matrix,  if the
     EBITDA is $44,250,000 and the comparable  store sales  percentage  increase
     for Fiscal 1998 is 4.6%,  then the  Executive's  incentive bonus for Fiscal
     1998 would be 19.5% of the Executive's applicable base salary.

The  Executive's  incentive  bonus for Fiscal 1998 (if any) shall be paid to the
Executive  as soon as  practicable  after  Holdings has received the final audit
report with respect to Fiscal 1998 from its independent accountants.

     6. INCENTIVE  BONUS FOR LATER FISCAL YEARS.  In addition to the Executive's
Base Salary and any other benefits to which the Executive is entitled under this
agreement but subject to all of the provisions of this paragraph,  the Executive
also shall be entitled to earn an  incentive  bonus from the  Companies  for the
fiscal years of Holdings  ending in 1999,  2000, and 2001. On or before December
31,  1997,  1998,  and 1999,  the  Executive  and the Board  shall agree upon an
incentive  bonus  program  for the  Executive  for the fiscal  years of Holdings
ending in 1999, 2000, and 2001, respectively.  Each such incentive bonus program
shall be reflected in a written  amendment to this agreement.  The Executive and
the Companies  understand and acknowledge that, among other things,  such annual
incentive  bonus  programs  will  involve the  achievement  by the  Companies of
various financial objectives, which may include but are not limited to sales and
earnings,  and also may  include the  achievement  by the  Companies  of various
non-financial objectives.

     7.  EXPENSES.  During the term of this  agreement,  the Executive  shall be
entitled to prompt reimbursement by the Companies of all reasonable ordinary and
necessary  travel,  entertainment,  and other expenses incurred by the Executive
(in accordance with the policies and procedures established by the Companies for
their respective senior executive officers) in the performance of his duties and
responsibilities  under  this  agreement;  provided,  that the  Executive  shall
properly  account  for  such  expenses  in  accordance  with  the  policies  and
procedures of the Companies.

     8. OTHER BENEFITS.  During the term of this agreement,  the Executive shall
be entitled  to receive  from the  Companies  all of the fringe  benefits  which
Pamida was providing or was obligated to provide to the Executive as of the date
of this agreement,  including but not limited to (i) medical,  hospital, dental,
disability,  and life insurance plans and coverages,  (ii) unreimbursed  medical
expense reimbursement plans (Exec-U-Care),  (iii) a cash automobile allowance up
to the annual amount set forth in Exhibit A to this agreement, (iv) professional
financial,  tax, and estate planning  services up to the annual amount set forth
in Exhibit A to this  agreement,  and (v) such other  fringe  benefits as may be
reflected  in  Exhibit A  attached  to this  agreement.  During the term of this
agreement,  the Executive  also shall be entitled to  participate  in such other
benefit  plans  or  programs  which  the  Companies  from  time to time may make
available  either to their respective  employees  generally or to some or all of
their respective senior executive officers,  such as but not limited to Pamida's
401(k) plan and Pamida's 1995 Deferred Compensation Plan.

     9.  VACATIONS  AND  HOLIDAYS.  The  Executive  shall  be  entitled  to paid
vacations  and  holidays in  accordance  with the  policies of the  Companies in
effect from time to time for their respective senior executive officers, but not
less than four (4) weeks of vacation during each fiscal year.

     10. OTHER ACTIVITIES.  The Executive shall devote  substantially all of his
working time and efforts  during the normal  business  hours of the Companies to
the  business  and affairs of the  Companies  and to the  diligent  and faithful
performance of the duties and responsibilities  assigned to him pursuant to this
agreement, except for vacations, holidays, and sick days. However, the Executive
may devote a reasonable  amount of his time to civic,  community,  or charitable
activities,   to  service  on  the  governing  bodies  or  committees  of  trade
associations of which either or both of the Companies are members, and, with the
prior approval of the Chief Executive Officer of the Companies,  to service as a
director of other  corporations  and to other types of activities  not expressly
mentioned  in this  paragraph,  so long as the  activities  referred  to in this
sentence  do  not  materially  interfere  with  the  proper  performance  of the
Executive's duties and responsibilities under this agreement. The Executive also
shall be free to manage and invest his assets in such manner as will not require
any  substantial  services by the Executive in the conduct of the  businesses or
affairs of the entities or in the  management  of the  properties  in which such
investments  are made, so long as such  activities do not  materially  interfere
with the proper performance of the Executive's duties and responsibilities under
this agreement.

     11. TERMINATION.

     (a)  TERMINATION  BECAUSE  OF  DEATH.  The  Executive's  employment  by the
Companies   under  this  agreement  shall  terminate  upon  his  death.  If  the
Executive's  employment  under this agreement  terminates  because of his death,
then the Executive's  estate or his  beneficiaries (as the case may be) shall be
entitled to receive the following compensation and benefits from the Companies:

          (i)  The Base Salary (as then may be  applicable)  through the date of
               the Executive's death;

          (ii) A pro rata portion of the Executive's  annual incentive bonus for
               the fiscal  year in which his death  occurs  (computed  as if the
               Executive were employed by the Companies  throughout  such fiscal
               year),  based upon the number of days in such fiscal year elapsed
               through the date of the Executive's  death as a proportion of the
               total number of days in such fiscal year,  to be paid at the same
               time  that  such  incentive  bonus  would  have been paid had the
               Executive's death not occurred;

          (iii)Any other amounts earned, accrued, or owed to the Executive under
               this  agreement  but not paid as of the  date of the  Executive's
               death; and

          (iv) Any other  benefits  payable by reason of the  Executive's  death
               under any benefit plans or programs of the Companies in effect on
               the date of the Executive's death.

     (b) TERMINATION  BECAUSE OF DISABILITY.  If the Executive becomes incapable
by reason of  physical  injury,  disease,  or mental  illness  of  substantially
performing his duties and responsibilities under this agreement for a continuous
period of six (6)  months  or more,  then at any time  after the  elapse of such
six-month period and while such disability is continuing  Holdings may terminate
the  Executive's  employment  by the  Companies  under  this  agreement.  If the
Executive's employment under this agreement is terminated by Holdings because of
such  disability  on the  part of the  Executive,  then the  Executive  shall be
entitled to receive the following compensation and benefits from the Companies:

          (i)  The Base Salary (as then may be applicable) through the effective
               date of such termination;

          (ii) A pro rata portion of the Executive's  annual incentive bonus for
               the fiscal year of the Companies in which such termination occurs
               (computed  as if the  Executive  were  employed by the  Companies
               throughout  such fiscal  year),  based upon the number of days in
               such  fiscal year  elapsed  through  the  effective  date of such
               termination  as a proportion  of the total number of days in such
               fiscal  year,  to be paid at the same time  that  such  incentive
               bonus would have been paid if such termination had not occurred;

          (iii)Any other amounts earned, accrued, or owed to the Executive under
               this  agreement  but not  paid as of the  effective  date of such
               termination; and

          (iv) Any  other  benefits   payable  by  reason  of  the   Executive's
               disability  under any benefit  plans or programs of the Companies
               in effect on the effective date of such termination.

     (c)  TERMINATION   FOR  CAUSE.   Holdings  may  terminate  the  Executive's
employment  by the  Companies  under  this  agreement  for cause;  however,  for
purposes  of  this  agreement  "cause"  shall  mean  only  (i)  the  Executive's
confession  or  conviction  of theft,  fraud,  embezzlement,  or any other crime
involving dishonesty with respect to the Companies or any parent, subsidiary, or
affiliate of the Companies,  (ii) the Executive's  excessive  absenteeism (other
than  by  reason  of  physical  injury,  disease,  or  mental  illness)  without
reasonable cause, (iii) material violation by the Executive of the provisions of
Paragraph  13, (iv)  habitual and material  negligence  by the  Executive in the
performance  of his  duties  and  responsibilities  under  or  pursuant  to this
agreement and failure to cure such negligence  within thirty (30) days after his
receipt of a written  notice from the Board setting  forth in reasonable  detail
the particulars of such negligence, (v) material non-compliance by the Executive
with  his   obligations   under   Paragraph  10  and  failure  to  correct  such
non-compliance  within  thirty (30) days after his  receipt of a written  notice
from the Board  setting  forth in  reasonable  detail  the  particulars  of such
non-compliance,  or (vi)  material  failure by the  Executive  to comply  with a
lawful  directive  of the Board and failure to cure such  non-compliance  within
thirty  (30) days after his receipt of a written  notice from the Board  setting
forth in reasonable detail the particulars of such  non-compliance.  In no event
shall the results of the Companies'  operations or any business judgment made in
good faith by the Executive  constitute an independent basis for termination for
cause of the Executive's employment under this agreement. Any termination of the
Executive's  employment  for cause must be  authorized by a majority vote of the
Board taken not later than twelve (12) months after a majority of the members of
the Board (other than the Executive) have actual  knowledge of the occurrence of
the  event or  conduct  constituting  the  cause  for such  termination.  If the
Executive's employment under this agreement is terminated by Holdings for cause,
then the Executive shall be entitled to receive the following  compensation  and
benefits from the Companies:

          (i)  The Base Salary (as then may be applicable) through the effective
               date of such termination;

          (ii) Any other amounts earned, accrued, or owed to the Executive under
               this  agreement  but not  paid as of the  effective  date of such
               termination; and

          (iii)Any other benefits  payable to the Executive upon his termination
               for cause under any benefit plans or programs of the Companies in
               effect on the effective date of such termination.

     (d) TERMINATION  WITHOUT CAUSE PRIOR TO A SIGNIFICANT  CORPORATE Event. If,
prior to the  occurrence of a Significant  Corporate  Event,  Holdings or Pamida
terminates the Executive's  employment under this agreement for any reason other
than cause or the Executive's  death or disability,  then (without  limiting any
other rights or claims which the Executive may have for breach of this agreement
by the  Companies or otherwise)  the Executive  shall be entitled to receive the
following compensation, benefits, and other payments from the Companies:

          (i)  The Base  Salary  (as then may be  applicable)  through  March 5,
               2000,  to be paid at the same times that the Base Salary (as then
               may be applicable)  would have been paid if such  termination had
               not  occurred;   provided,   that  if  the  Executive   commences
               employment with another employer,  whether as an employee or as a
               consultant,  prior  to  March  5,  2000  (for  purposes  of  this
               subparagraph (d), the "Other Employment"),  then such payments of
               the  Base  Salary  shall  be  reduced  from  time  to time by the
               aggregate  amount  of  salary  or  consulting  fees  received  or
               receivable  by  the  Executive  from  the  Other  Employment  for
               services performed by him during the period from the commencement
               of the Other  Employment  through March 5, 2000,  but in no event
               shall the  Executive  be required to repay to the  Companies  any
               portion of any payments  made to the  Executive  pursuant to this
               subparagraph  (i) for any  periods  prior to the  periods  during
               which the Executive  earned such salary or  consulting  fees from
               the Other Employment;

          (ii) A pro rata portion of the Executive's  annual incentive bonus for
               the fiscal year of the Companies in which such termination occurs
               (computed  as if the  Executive  were  employed by the  Companies
               throughout  such fiscal  year),  based upon the number of days in
               such  fiscal year  elapsed  through  the  effective  date of such
               termination  as a proportion  of the total number of days in such
               fiscal  year,  to be paid at the same time  that  such  incentive
               bonus would have been paid if such termination had not occurred;

          (iii)Any other amounts earned, accrued, or owed to the Executive under
               this  agreement  but not  paid as of the  effective  date of such
               termination;

          (iv) Continued   participation  in  the  following  benefit  plans  or
               programs  of the  Companies  which may be in effect  from time to
               time,  to the extent  that such  continued  participation  by the
               Executive is  permitted  under the terms and  conditions  of such
               plans  (unless such  continued  participation  is  restricted  or
               prohibited by applicable governmental  regulations governing such
               plans), until the first to occur of March 5, 2000, or (separately
               with respect to the termination of each benefit) the provision of
               a  substantially  equivalent  benefit to the Executive by another
               employer of the Executive:

               (1) Group medical/hospital insurance, (2) Group dental insurance,
               (3) Group life insurance, (4) Executive life insurance, (5) Group
               long-term disability  insurance,  (6) Exec-U-Care medical expense
               reimbursement  insurance,  (7) Professional  financial,  tax, and
               estate planning services,  (8) Automobile  allowance,  (9) Annual
               physical examination;

               however,  if continued  participation  by the Executive in any of
               the  foregoing  benefit plans or programs of the Companies is not
               permitted  under the terms and conditions of any of such plans or
               programs, then in lieu of continued participation in such plan or
               program  the  Companies  shall  pay to the  Executive  in cash an
               amount equal to the cost that the  Companies  would have incurred
               with respect to the Executive if the Executive  were permitted to
               continue  as a  participant  in such plan or  program  during the
               applicable  period;  and the Companies  agree not to unilaterally
               take any action which would prevent the Executive from continuing
               to  participate  in any of such  plans or  programs  unless  such
               action similarly affects all other  participants in such plans or
               programs; and

          (v)  Any other benefits  payable to the Executive upon his termination
               without  cause  under  any  benefit  plans  or  programs  of  the
               Companies in effect on the  effective  date of such  termination,
               except that the Executive  shall not be entitled to any severance
               pay or severance  benefits unless such  termination  occurs after
               March 5, 1999,  in which  latter case the  effective  date of the
               Executive's  termination  shall be deemed to be the date on which
               he received a Notice pursuant to Paragraph 12, and the provisions
               of Paragraph 12 shall apply.

The  Companies  agree that they will not terminate  the  Executive's  employment
under this  agreement  without  cause  solely for the  purpose of  avoiding  the
obligations  of the Companies to pay or provide any bonus or other  compensation
or benefits to the  Executive  the payment or provision of which is  conditioned
upon the Executive's  continuing in the employ of the Companies for a particular
period of time.  Notwithstanding  the foregoing  provisions of this subparagraph
(d), in the event of the Executive's  death subsequent to the termination of his
employment for a reason other than cause or the Executive's disability and prior
to March 5, 2000,  then (1) the  compensation,  benefits,  and other payments to
which the  Executive is entitled  under this  subparagraph  (d) shall  terminate
(and, when applicable,  be computed) as of the date of the Executive's death and
(2) the  Executive's  estate  or  beneficiaries  (as the case  may be)  shall be
entitled  to receive  any other  benefits  payable by reason of the  Executive's
death under any benefit  plans or  programs  of the  Companies  in effect and in
which the Executive was participating on the date of his death.

     (e)  CONSTRUCTIVE  TERMINATION.  If at any  time  during  the  term of this
agreement the Board  materially  alters the duties and  responsibilities  of the
Executive  provided for in Paragraph 1 without the Executive's  written consent,
then,  at the  election of the  Executive  (such  election to be made by written
notice  from the  Executive  to the  Board),  (i) such action by the Board shall
constitute a  constructive  termination  of the  Executive's  employment  by the
Companies  without  cause,  (ii) the  Executive  may resign from his offices and
positions  with the  Companies and shall not be obligated to perform any further
services of any kind to or for the Companies,  and (iii) the Executive  shall be
entitled to receive from the Companies all of the  compensation,  benefits,  and
other  payments  described in  subparagraph  (d) of this Paragraph 11 (as if the
effective  date of the  Executive's  resignation  were the effective date of his
termination for purposes of determining such compensation,  benefits,  and other
payments),  subject to all of the provisions and conditions of such subparagraph
(d).

     (f)  TERMINATION  WITHOUT CAUSE AFTER A SIGNIFICANT  CORPORATE  EVENT.  If,
after the occurrence of a Significant Corporate Event, Holdings,  Pamida, or any
Permitted   Assignee  of  this  agreement  under  Paragraph  16  terminates  the
Executive's  employment  under this agreement for any reason other than cause or
the  Executive's  death or disability,  then the Executive  shall be entitled to
receive  the  following  compensation,  benefits,  and other  payments  (without
duplication) from the Companies and the Permitted Assignee,  if any (all of whom
shall be jointly and severally liable therefor):

          (i)  All of the  compensation,  benefits,  and other payments from the
               Companies  which  are  described  in  subparagraph  (d)  of  this
               Paragraph 11, subject to the final sentence of such  subparagraph
               (d); and

          (ii) An  annual  incentive  bonus  for each of the two (2)  successive
               twelve-month   periods  following  the  effective  date  of  such
               termination  in an  amount  equal to the  average  amount  of the
               incentive  bonuses  received by the Executive  from the Companies
               for the three fiscal years of the  Companies  ending prior to the
               fiscal  year  in  which  such  termination  occurs,  such  annual
               incentive   bonuses   to  be  paid  on  the  first   and   second
               anniversaries   of  the  effective  date  of  such   termination;
               provided,  that (1) if such  termination  occurs  after  March 5,
               1998,  and before  March 6, 1999,  then the annual  bonus for the
               second of such two  twelve-month  periods shall be prorated based
               upon  the  number  of days  from  the  first  anniversary  of the
               effective  date of such  termination  through March 5, 2000, as a
               proportion of 365, (2) if such termination  occurs after March 5,
               1999,  and before  March 6, 2000,  then the annual  bonus for the
               first of such two  twelve-month  periods shall be prorated  based
               upon  the  number  of days  from  the  first  anniversary  of the
               effective  date of such  termination  through March 6, 2000, as a
               proportion  of 365,  and no annual bonus shall be payable for the
               second of such two  twelve-month  periods,  (3) each such  annual
               bonus shall be reduced by any bonuses  received or  receivable by
               the Executive  from the Other  Employment (if any) referred to in
               subparagraph  (d)(i) of this Paragraph 11 for services  performed
               by  him  during  the  twelve-month  period   corresponding  to  a
               twelve-month  period referred to in this  subparagraph  (ii); and
               (4) in the event of the  Executive's  death during either of such
               two  twelve-month  periods,  any  incentive  bonus to  which  the
               Executive would be entitled for the twelve-month  period in which
               his death occurred shall be prorated and paid to the  Executive's
               estate or  beneficiaries  (as the case may be) in the  manner set
               forth in  subparagraph  (a)(iii)  of this  Paragraph  11,  and no
               incentive bonus shall be payable for the subsequent  twelve-month
               period (if any).

The Executive agrees to accept the  compensation,  benefits,  and other payments
provided for in this  subparagraph (f) as full and complete  liquidated  damages
for  any  breach  of  this  agreement  resulting  from  the  termination  of the
Executive's  employment  under  this  agreement,   after  the  occurrence  of  a
Significant  Corporate  Event,  for a reason other than cause or the Executive's
death or disability; and the Executive shall not have any other rights or claims
in respect of such breach.

     (g) NOTICE OF OTHER  EMPLOYMENT  AND OF BENEFITS.  The  Executive  promptly
shall  notify  the  Companies  in  writing  of (i) his  acceptance  of the Other
Employment  referred  to in  subparagraph  (d) of this  Paragraph  11,  (ii) the
effective  date of such  Other  Employment,  and (iii)  the  amount of salary or
consulting fees and the amount of any bonuses which the Executive receives or is
entitled to receive  from the Other  Employment  for  services  performed by him
during the period from the commencement of the Other Employment through March 5,
2000.  Whenever  relevant for purposes of this  Paragraph 11, the Executive also
promptly shall notify the Companies of his receipt from another  employer of any
benefits of the types referred to in subparagraph  (d)(iv) of this Paragraph 11.
Such information  shall be updated by the Executive  whenever  necessary to keep
the Companies informed on a current basis.

     12. NOTICE OF  NONRENEWAL.  If the Companies  determine not to continue the
employment of the Executive  after the  expiration of the term of this agreement
at a base salary at least equal to the Base Salary  which is in effect as of the
last day of the term of this agreement and with fringe benefits and an incentive
bonus program reasonably comparable to those in effect as of the last day of the
term of this  agreement,  then the  Companies  shall so notify the  Executive in
writing (the "Notice")  promptly after such  determination has been made. If the
Executive  receives  the Notice at a time when there are less than  twelve  (12)
months left in the term of this  agreement and if the Executive  does not remain
in the  employ  of the  Companies  after  the  expiration  of the  term  of this
agreement, then after the expiration of the term of this agreement the Executive
shall be  entitled to receive  the  following  payments  and  benefits  from the
Companies:

(a)  Continued  payment of the  Executive's  Base Salary,  at the annual rate in
     effect on the last day of the term of this agreement,  until that date (the
     "Extended  Payment  Date")  which is twelve (12)  months  after the date on
     which the Executive received the Notice; provided, that such payments shall
     be reduced by the aggregate  amount of salary or consulting  fees which the
     Executive  derives from employment  with another  employer (for purposes of
     this Paragraph 12, the "Other Employment"),  whether as an employee or as a
     consultant,  during the period  from March 6, 2000,  through  the  Extended
     Payment Date (the "Extended Payment Period"). In no event,  however,  shall
     the  Executive  be  required to repay to the  Companies  any portion of any
     payments made to the Executive  pursuant to this subparagraph 12(a) for any
     periods prior to the periods during which the Executive  earned such salary
     or consulting fees from the Other Employment.

(b)  Continued  participation in the following  benefit plans or programs of the
     Companies  which may be in effect  from time to time,  to the  extent  that
     continued  participation  by the Executive is permitted under the terms and
     conditions of such plans or programs  (unless such continued  participation
     is  restricted  or  prohibited  by  applicable   governmental   regulations
     governing  such  plans  or  programs),  until  the  first  to  occur of the
     expiration of the Extended  Payment Period or  (separately  with respect to
     the   termination  of  each  benefit)  the  provision  of  a  substantially
     equivalent benefit to the Executive by another employer of the Executive:

               (1) Group medical/hospital insurance, (2) Group dental insurance,
               (3) Group life insurance, (4) Executive life insurance, (5) Group
               long-term disability  insurance,  (6) Exec-U-Care medical expense
               reimbursement  insurance,  (7) Professional  financial,  tax, and
               estate planning services,  (8) Automobile  allowance,  (9) Annual
               physical examination.

               If  continued  participation  by  the  Executive  in  any  of the
               foregoing  benefit  plans or  programs  of the  Companies  is not
               permitted  under the terms and conditions of any of such plans or
               programs, then in lieu of continued participation in such plan or
               program  the  Companies  shall  pay to the  Executive  in cash an
               amount equal to the cost that the  Companies  would have incurred
               with respect to the Executive if the Executive  were permitted to
               continue  as a  participant  in such plan or  program  during the
               applicable  period.  The Companies agree not to unilaterally take
               any action which would prevent the Executive  from  continuing to
               participate  in any of such plans or programs  unless such action
               similarly  affects  all  other  participants  in  such  plans  or
               programs.

The Executive promptly shall notify the Companies of his acceptance of the Other
Employment  and of the amount of  compensation  and benefits which the Executive
receives or is entitled to receive from the Other Employment during the Extended
Payment Period.  In the event of the  Executive's  death prior to the end of the
Extended  Payment  Period,  the  payments  and  benefits  provided  for in  this
Paragraph 12 shall cease and terminate as of the date of the Executive's  death,
except as otherwise required by applicable law.

     13.  NONDISCLOSURE.  During the term of this agreement and thereafter,  the
Executive shall not,  without the prior written consent of the Board or a person
(other than the  Executive) so authorized by the Board,  disclose or use for any
purpose  (except in the course of his  employment  under this  agreement  and in
furtherance  of the  business  of the  Companies  or  any  of  their  respective
subsidiaries) any confidential  information or proprietary data of the Companies
or any of their respective  subsidiaries;  provided,  however, that confidential
information shall not include any information then known generally to the public
or ascertainable from public or published information (other than as a result of
unauthorized  disclosure  by the  Executive)  or any  information  of a type not
otherwise  considered  confidential by persons engaged in the same business or a
business  similar  to  that  conducted  by the  Companies  or  their  respective
subsidiaries, as the case may be.

     14.  SUCCESSORS  AND  ASSIGNS.  This  agreement  and all rights  under this
agreement shall be binding upon,  inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by
the  parties  hereto and their  respective  personal  or legal  representatives,
executors, administrators,  heirs, distributees, devisees, legatees, successors,
and assigns.  This  agreement is personal in nature,  and none of the parties to
this  agreement  shall,  without  the written  consent of the others,  assign or
transfer this  agreement or any right or obligation  under this agreement to any
other person or entity, except as permitted by Paragraph 16.

     15.   NOTICES.   For  purposes  of  this   agreement,   notices  and  other
communications  provided  for in this  agreement  shall be deemed to be properly
given if delivered  personally or sent by United States  certified mail,  return
receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

     If to the Executive:               George R. Mihalko
                                        c/o Pamida, Inc.
                                        8800 "F" Street
                                        Omaha, Nebraska  68127

     If to the Companies:               Pamida, Inc. and Pamida
                                        Holdings Corporation
                                        Post Office Box 3856
                                        Omaha, Nebraska  68103
                                        Attn:  Chief Executive Officer

or to such other  address as either party may have  furnished to the other party
in  writing  in  accordance   with  this   paragraph.   Such  notices  or  other
communications shall be effective only upon receipt.

     16. MERGER, CONSOLIDATION,  SALE OF ASSETS. In the event of (a) a merger of
Pamida with  another  corporation  in a  transaction  in which Pamida is not the
surviving  corporation,  (b) the  consolidation of Pamida into a new corporation
resulting from such  consolidation,  (c) the sale or other disposition of all or
substantially  all of the  assets of  Pamida,  the  Companies  may  assign  this
agreement  and all of the rights and  obligations  of the  Companies  under this
agreement  to the  surviving,  resulting,  or  acquiring  entity  (a  "Permitted
Assignee");  provided, that such surviving, resulting, or acquiring entity shall
in writing  assume and agree to perform all of the  obligations of the Companies
under this  agreement;  and provided  further,  that the Companies  shall remain
jointly and severally liable for the performance of their obligations under this
agreement  in the event of a failure of the  Permitted  Assignee  to perform its
obligations under this agreement.

     17.  SIGNIFICANT  CORPORATE  EVENT.  For  purposes  of  this  agreement,  a
"Significant  Corporate Event" shall be deemed to have occurred upon the earlier
of (i) the  happening  of any of the  following  events or (ii) the first public
announcement of the anticipated  happening of any of the following  events:  (a)
Holdings  ceases to own a majority of the  outstanding  Voting  Shares of Pamida
(unless  such event  results  from the merger of Pamida into  Holdings,  with no
change in the ownership of the Voting Shares of Holdings),  (b) Pamida is merged
or consolidated  into a corporation  other than Holdings,  and at any time after
such merger or consolidation  becomes effective Holdings does not own a majority
of the  outstanding  Voting Shares of the surviving or resulting  corporation in
such  merger or  consolidation,  (c)  Holdings  is merged or  consolidated  into
another corporation,  and immediately after such merger or consolidation becomes
effective the holders of a majority of the outstanding Voting Shares of Holdings
immediately  prior to the  effectiveness  of such merger or consolidation do not
own a majority of the  outstanding  Voting  Shares of the surviving or resulting
corporation in such merger,  (d) any person,  entity, or group of persons within
the meaning of Sections  13(d) or 14(d) of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934
(the "1934 Act") and the rules  promulgated  thereunder,  other than 399 Venture
Partners, Inc. or any of its affiliates (as defined in Rule 12b-2 under the 1934
Act), becomes the beneficial owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the 1934
Act) of  thirty  percent  (30%)  or more of the  outstanding  Voting  Shares  of
Holdings,  or (e) the stockholders of Pamida vote (or act by written consent) to
dissolve Pamida or to sell or otherwise  dispose of all or substantially  all of
the property and assets of Pamida.  For purposes of this  Paragraph 17,  "Voting
Shares" of a corporation  means the outstanding  shares of capital stock of such
corporation  entitled to vote  generally  in the  election of  directors of such
corporation.

     18. MISCELLANEOUS.  No provision of this agreement may be modified, waived,
or  discharged  unless such waiver,  modification,  or discharge is agreed to in
writing and is signed by the  Executive  and an officer of Holdings  (other than
the Executive) so authorized by the Board of Directors of Holdings. No waiver by
any party to this  agreement at any time of any breach by any other party of, or
compliance by any other party with, any condition or provision of this agreement
to be performed by such other party shall be deemed to be a waiver of similar or
dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same or any prior or subsequent time.
No agreements or representations,  oral or otherwise,  express or implied,  with
respect to the subject matter of this agreement have been made by any party that
are not expressly set forth in this agreement.

     19.  REPRESENTATIONS OF COMPANIES.  The Companies  severally  represent and
warrant to the Executive  that they have full legal power and authority to enter
into this  agreement and that the  performance of their  respective  obligations
under this  agreement will not violate any agreement  between the Companies,  or
either of them, and any other person, firm, or organization.

     20.  NON-SOLICITATION  OF  EMPLOYEES.  Until the later of (i)  twelve  (12)
months after the effective date of the termination of the Executive's employment
under this  agreement  or (ii) twelve (12) months after the last payment of Base
Salary to the  Executive  pursuant to  Paragraph 11 or Paragraph 12 (as the case
may be), without the prior written consent of Holdings, the Executive agrees not
to employ,  solicit for  employment,  assist any other  person in  employing  or
soliciting for employment,  or advise or recommend to any other person that such
other person employ or solicit for  employment any person who then is, or during
any portion of the twelve (12) months prior to such  employment or  solicitation
for  employment  was, an employee of the Companies (or either of them) or any of
the Companies' respective subsidiaries.

     21. JOINT AND SEVERAL OBLIGATIONS.  All of the obligations of the Companies
under  this  agreement  are joint  and  several;  and  neither  the  bankruptcy,
insolvency, dissolution, merger, consolidation, reorganization, nor cessation of
business or corporate existence of one of the Companies shall affect, impair, or
diminish the obligations under this agreement of the other of the Companies. The
compensation  and  benefits  to which  the  Executive  is  entitled  under  this
agreement  are  aggregate  compensation  and  benefits,  and the payment of such
compensation  or the provision of such benefits by one of the Companies shall to
the extent of such payment or provision  satisfy the obligations of the other of
the  Companies.  The Companies may agree between  themselves as to which of them
will be responsible for some or all of the Executive's compensation and benefits
under this  agreement,  but any such agreement  between the Companies  shall not
diminish to any extent the joint and several  liability of the  Companies to the
Executive for all of such compensation and benefits.

     22.  TERMINATION  OF PRIOR  AGREEMENT.  The Retention  and  Confidentiality
Agreement  dated  February 21, 1996,  between the Executive and Pamida hereby is
terminated, effective as of the date of this agreement.

     23.  VALIDITY.  The  invalidity  or  unenforceability  of any  provision or
provisions of this agreement shall not affect the validity or  enforceability of
any other  provision of this  agreement,  which other  provision shall remain in
full force and effect; nor shall the invalidity or unenforceability of a portion
of any provision of this agreement affect the validity or  enforceability of the
balance of such provision.

     24.   COUNTERPARTS.   This   document  may  be  executed  in  one  or  more
counterparts,  each of which shall be deemed to be an original  and all of which
together shall constitute a single agreement.

     25. HEADINGS. The headings of the paragraphs contained in this document are
for  reference  purposes  only and shall not in any way  affect  the  meaning or
interpretation of any provision of this agreement.

     26.  APPLICABLE  LAW. This agreement  shall be governed by and construed in
accordance with the internal  substantive laws, and not the choice of law rules,
of the State of Nebraska.

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the Companies  and the  Executive  have executed this
agreement on the day and year first above written.


                                        PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION, a
                                        Delaware corporation

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

                                        PAMIDA, INC., a Delaware corporation

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

                                        /S/ GEORGE R. MIHALKO
                                        George R. Mihalko

             Attachment to Exhibit 10.31 - Executive Bonus Matrix

            Bonus as % of Pay - FYE98 Bonus Plan - George R. Mihalko

            Comp store sales increase
EBITDA       <3%     3.0%     4.0%     5.0%     6.0%     7.0%     8.0%     9.0%
===============================================================================
   <42        0        0        0        0        0        0        0        0
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    42      9.8%    11.9%    12.6%    13.3%    14.0%    14.7%    15.4%    16.1%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    43     11.2%    13.6%    14.4%    15.2%    16.0%    16.8%    17.6%    18.4%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    44     14.0%    17.0%    18.0%    19.0%    20.0%    21.0%    22.0%    23.0%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    45     16.8%    20.4%    21.6%    22.8%    24.0%    25.2%    26.4%    27.6%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    46     20.3%    24.7%    26.1%    27.6%    29.0%    30.5%    31.9%    33.4%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    47     23.8%    28.9%    30.6%    32.3%    34.0%    35.7%    37.4%    39.1%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    48     28.0%    34.0%    36.0%    38.0%    40.0%    42.0%    44.0%    46.0%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    49     31.5%    38.3%    40.5%    42.8%    45.0%    47.3%    49.5%    51.8%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    50     35.0%    42.5%    45.0%    47.5%    50.0%    52.5%    55.0%    57.5%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    51     35.0%    42.5%    45.0%    47.5%    50.0%    52.5%    55.0%    57.5%
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
    52     35.0%    42.5%    45.0%    47.5%    50.0%    52.5%    55.0%    57.5%
===============================================================================

                                   EXHIBIT A

                          "OTHER BENEFITS" RELATED TO
                    EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT DATED MARCH 6, 1997
                        AMONG PAMIDA HOLDINGS CORPORATION
                  AND GEORGE R. MIHALKO, SENIOR VICE PRESIDENT



          Company paid Exec-U-Care insurance

          Company paid life insurance - $200,000

          Financial, legal counseling services - up to $10,000 annually

          Company car - combined with financial services maximum

          Annual physical examination

          Car phone - as needed

          Interest free loans - up to $50,000 approved by Chairman

          Spousal travel - where appropriate and approved

          Minimum vacation accrual * - 3 weeks

          Deferred compensation



*The greater of general employee vacation schedule or this list will be granted




                       LONG-TERM INCENTIVE AWARD AGREEMENT

     This Long-Term Incentive Award Agreement is made and entered into as of the
6th day of March,  1997,  between  PAMIDA,  INC.  (the  "Company"),  a  Delaware
corporation, and STEVEN S. FISHMAN (the "Executive").

                                   *  *  *

     WHEREAS,  the  Company  is a wholly  owned  subsidiary  of Pamida  Holdings
Corporation ("Holdings"), a Delaware corporation; and

     WHEREAS, the Executive is employed by the Company in an executive capacity;
and

     WHEREAS,  the Company  desires to provide an incentive to the  Executive to
remain in the employ of the Company and to put forth his best  efforts on behalf
of the Company; and

     WHEREAS,  the Company  desires to align the interests of the Executive with
the  interests of the  stockholders  of Holdings by basing such  incentive  upon
possible  future  appreciation  in the  market  price  of the  Common  Stock  of
Holdings;

     NOW, THEREFORE, the Company and the Executive agree as follows:

     1. GRANT OF LONG-TERM  INCENTIVE  AWARD.  The Company  hereby grants to the
Executive a Long-Term Incentive Award consisting of 125,000  Appreciation Units.
The Company makes no representation or warranty to the Executive with respect to
the possible future value of the Long-Term Incentive Award.

     2.  LONG-TERM  INCENTIVE  AWARD  PAYMENT.  If the  Executive  is a  regular
full-time employee of the Company at the close of business on March 5, 2000, and
at the close of  business  on that date has been  continuously  employed  by the
Company on a regular full-time basis since the date of this agreement,  then the
Company  agrees to pay to the  Executive in cash or before  April 15,  2000,  an
amount equal to the product of (a) the number of Appreciation Units set forth in
Paragraph 1 multiplied by (b) the positive  difference,  if any,  resulting from
the  subtraction of (I) $3.0625 from (II) the lesser of (i) the Average Price or
(ii) $9.0625. If there is no positive difference  resulting from the subtraction
referred to in the preceding  sentence,  then no payment shall be due or made to
the Executive under this Paragraph 2. For purposes of this Paragraph 2, "Average
Price" means the arithmetic average of the closing prices of the Common Stock of
Holdings on the  American  Stock  Exchange on the first twenty (20) trading days
subsequent  to March 5, 2000, on which the Common Stock of Holdings is traded on
such  Exchange.  If the Common  Stock of Holdings is not listed on the  American
Stock Exchange during the relevant period subsequent to March 5, 2000, then such
closing  prices shall be  determined  by reference  to the  principal  market or
exchange  in or on which the  Common  Stock of  Holdings  is traded  during  the
relevant  period.  If the Executive is not a regular  full-time  employee of the
Company at the close of business on March 5, 2000,  or if the  Executive has not
been  continuously  employed by the Company on a regular  full-time basis during
the period from March 6, 1997,  through March 5, 2000,  then the Executive shall
not be entitled to receive any Long-Term  Incentive  Award  payment  pursuant to
this Paragraph 2.

     3. DEATH OR DISABILITY OF THE EXECUTIVE. If the Executive dies prior to the
close of business on March 5, 2000, or if the  Executive  ceases to be a regular
full-time  employee of the Company prior to such time by reason of a Disability,
then the Board of Directors of Holdings shall have the authority, exercisable in
its sole and absolute discretion, to approve the payment to the Executive (or to
the Executive's  estate,  in the event of the  Executive's  death) of all or any
portion of the Long-Term  Incentive Award payment which the Executive would have
received  on March  6,  2000,  pursuant  to  Paragraph  2 if the  Executive  had
satisfied  the  conditions  set forth in  Paragraph  2 for the  receipt  of such
payment; but the Executive shall have no right to receive any amount pursuant to
this Paragraph 3 unless a  discretionary  payment is so approved by the Board of
Directors of Holdings.  If a discretionary  payment pursuant to this Paragraph 3
is approved by the Board of Directors of  Holdings,  then such payment  shall be
made at such  time as the  Board of  Directors  of  Holdings  may  specify.  For
purposes of this agreement,  "Disability"  means a physical or mental illness or
incapacity  of the  Executive  which has  resulted in a  determination  that the
Executive  is entitled  to receive  benefits  (a) under a  long-term  disability
insurance  policy  maintained by the Company for the Executive or (b) if no such
insurance  policy  is then in  existence,  under  the  federal  social  security
disability insurance program.

     4. CHANGE OF CONTROL OF HOLDINGS.  If,  after a Holdings  Change of Control
but prior to March 6, 2000, (a) the Executive  ceases to be a regular  full-time
employee of the Company (a  "Termination"),  (b) on the date of the  Termination
(the  "Termination  Date") the Executive had been  continuously  employed by the
Company on a regular  full-time basis since the date of this agreement,  (c) the
Termination occurred other than as a result of the Executive's death,  voluntary
resignation or retirement,  or Disability,  and (d) on the Termination  Date (i)
Holdings owned at least a majority of the then outstanding  voting capital stock
of the Company and (ii) the Common Stock of Holdings was publicly  traded on the
American Stock Exchange or another  recognized United States securities  market,
then the Company  agrees to pay to the Executive in cash within twenty (20) days
after the  Termination  Date an amount equal to the product of (a) the number of
Appreciation  Units set forth in  Paragraph  1  multiplied  by (b) the  positive
difference,  if any, resulting from the subtraction of (I) $3.0625 from (II) the
lesser  of (i) the  Average  Price or (ii)  $9.0625.  If  there  is no  positive
difference resulting from the subtraction referred to in the preceding sentence,
then no payment  shall be due or made to the Executive  under this  Paragraph 4.
For purposes of this Paragraph 4, "Average  Price" means the arithmetic  average
of the closing  prices of the Common  Stock of Holdings  on the  American  Stock
Exchange on the twenty (20) most recent  trading  days prior to the  Termination
Date on which the Common Stock of Holdings was traded on such  Exchange.  If the
Common Stock of Holdings is not listed on the American Stock Exchange during the
relevant period prior to the Termination Date, then such closing prices shall be
determined by reference to the  principal  market or exchange in or on which the
Common Stock of Holdings is traded during the relevant  period.  For purposes of
this Paragraph 4, "Holdings  Change of Control" means the happening of either of
the following events:

(a)  Any  person,  entity,  or group of persons  within the  meaning of Sections
     13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act") and
     the rules promulgated thereunder,  other than 399 Venture Partners, Inc. or
     any of its  affiliates  (as  defined  in Rule  12b-2  under the 1934  Act),
     becomes the beneficial  owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the 1934
     Act) of thirty  percent  (30%) or more of the  outstanding  voting  capital
     stock of Holdings, or

(b)  during any period of two consecutive years or less,  individuals who at the
     beginning  of such period  constituted  the Board of  Directors of Holdings
     cease,  for any reason,  to  constitute at least a majority of the Board of
     Directors of Holdings,  unless the election or  nomination  for election of
     each new  director  of  Holdings  who took  office  during  such period was
     approved  by a vote of at least  two-thirds  of the  directors  of Holdings
     still in office at the time of such election or nomination for election who
     were directors of Holdings at the beginning of such period.

     5. CHANGE OF CONTROL OF THE COMPANY. If, prior to March 6, 2000, there is a
Company  Change of Control and on the effective  date of such Company  Change of
Control (the "Effective Date") the Executive is a regular full-time  employee of
the  Company  (and  has been so  employed  continuously  since  the date of this
agreement),  then the Company shall pay to the Executive within twenty (20) days
after the  Effective  Date an amount  equal to the  product of (a) the number of
Appreciation  Units set forth in  Paragraph  1  multiplied  by (b) the  positive
difference,  if any, resulting from the subtraction of (I) $3.0625 from (II) the
lesser  of (i) the  Average  Price or (ii)  $9.0625.  If  there  is no  positive
difference resulting from the subtraction referred to in the preceding sentence,
then no payment  shall be due or made to the Executive  under this  Paragraph 5.
For purposes of this Paragraph 5, "Average  Price" means the arithmetic  average
of the closing  prices of the Common  Stock of Holdings  on the  American  Stock
Exchange on the twenty (20) most recent trading days prior to the Effective Date
on which the Common  Stock of Holdings  was traded on such  Exchange;  provided,
that if there are fewer than twenty (20)  trading  days  between the date of the
first  public  announcement  of  a  proposed  Company  Change  of  Control  (the
"Announcement  Date")  and the  Effective  Date,  then  only  the  trading  days
following  the  Announcement  Date shall be taken into  account for  purposes of
determining  the Average Price;  provided,  further,  that if the Effective Date
occurs on or before the  Announcement  Date, then the Average Price shall be the
fair market value of the consideration received or to be received by Holdings or
the  stockholders  of  Holdings,  as the case may be, in  connection  with or by
reason of the  transaction  resulting or which will result in the Company Change
of Control,  in either case  determined on a per share basis with respect to the
shares of Common Stock of Holdings then  outstanding  (including,  to the extent
applicable,  shares of Common Stock  issuable  upon the exercise of  outstanding
options  to  purchase  shares of the Common  Stock of  Holdings);  and  provided
further,  that if the company Change of Control  involves an issuer tender offer
or other "going private" transaction, then the Average Price shall be the amount
per  outstanding  share of Common  Stock of  Holdings  paid or to be paid by the
purchaser in such issuer tender offer or other "going private"  transaction.  If
the Common Stock of Holdings is not listed on the American Stock Exchange during
the relevant  period prior to the Effective Date, then such closing prices shall
be determined  by reference to the  principal  market or exchange in or on which
the Common Stock of Holdings is traded during the relevant period.  For purposes
of this  Paragraph 5, "Company  Change of Control" means the happening of any of
the following events:

(a)  Holdings  is  merged  or  consolidated   into  another   corporation,   and
     immediately  after  such  merger or  consolidation  becomes  effective  the
     holders of a majority of the outstanding  shares of voting capital stock of
     Holdings   immediately  prior  to  the  effectiveness  of  such  merger  or
     consolidation  do not own a majority  of the  outstanding  shares of voting
     capital stock of the surviving or resulting corporation in such merger,

(b)  Holdings  ceases  to own a  majority  of the  outstanding  shares of voting
     capital stock of the Company  (unless such event results from the merger of
     the Company into  Holdings,  with no change in the  ownership of the voting
     capital stock of Holdings),

(c)  the  Company  is merged  or  consolidated  into a  corporation  other  than
     Holdings,  and at any time  after  such  merger  or  consolidation  becomes
     effective  Holdings  does not own a majority of the  outstanding  shares of
     voting  capital  stock of the  surviving or resulting  corporation  in such
     merger or consolidation,

(d)  the  stockholders  of the  Company  vote  (or act by  written  consent)  to
     dissolve  the  Company  or  to  sell  or   otherwise   dispose  of  all  or
     substantially all of the property and assets of the Company, or

(e)  the Common  Stock of Holdings  ceases to be publicly  traded  because of an
     issuer tender offer or other "going private" transaction.

     6. TERMINATION  WITHOUT CAUSE. If (a) the Company terminates the employment
of the Executive  without Cause (a "Discharge"),  including but not limited to a
constructive  Discharge  arising from a material  reduction  in the  Executive's
duties or a material  reduction in the Executive's  rank or base salary,  (b) on
the effective  date of the Discharge  (the  "Discharge  Date") the Executive had
been continuously employed by the Company on a regular full-time basis since the
date of this agreement, and (c) the Discharge occurred other than as a result of
the Executive's death, voluntary resignation or retirement, or Disability,  then
the Company agrees to pay to the Executive in cash within twenty (20) days after
the  Discharge  Date  an  amount  equal  to the  product  of (a) the  number  of
Appreciation  Units set forth in  Paragraph  1  multiplied  by (b) the  positive
difference,  if any, resulting from the subtraction of (I) $3.0625 from (II) the
lesser  of (i) the  Average  Price or (ii)  $9.0625.  If  there  is no  positive
difference resulting from the subtraction referred to in the preceding sentence,
then no payment  shall be due or made to the Executive  under this  Paragraph 6.
For purposes of this Paragraph 6, "Average  Price" means the arithmetic  average
of the closing  prices of the Common  Stock of Holdings  on the  American  Stock
Exchange on the twenty (20) most recent trading days prior to the Discharge Date
on which the Common Stock of Holdings was traded on such Exchange. If the Common
Stock of  Holdings  is not  listed on the  American  Stock  Exchange  during the
relevant  period prior to the Discharge  Date, then such closing prices shall be
determined by reference to the  principal  market or exchange in or on which the
Common Stock of Holdings is traded during the relevant  period.  For purposes of
this  Paragraph 6, "Cause"  shall mean only (i) the  Executive's  confession  or
conviction  of  theft,  fraud,  embezzlement,   or  any  other  crime  involving
dishonesty with respect to the Company or any parent,  subsidiary,  or affiliate
of the Company, (ii) the Executive's excessive absenteeism (other than by reason
of physical injury,  disease, or mental illness) without reasonable cause, (iii)
habitual and material  negligence  by the  Executive in the  performance  of his
duties and  responsibilities  as an  executive of the Company and his failure to
cure such  negligence  within  thirty  (30) days after his  receipt of a written
notice from the Company  setting forth in reasonable  detail the  particulars of
such  negligence,  or (iv)  material  failure by the  Executive to comply with a
lawful  directive  of the Company  and his  failure to cure such  non-compliance
within  thirty (30) days after his receipt of a written  notice from the Company
setting forth in reasonable detail the particulars of such non-compliance.

     7. NATURE OF INCENTIVE AWARD.  Although the value, if any, of the Long-Term
Incentive  Award will be derived  from the market  price of the Common  Stock of
Holdings,  neither the  Long-Term  Incentive  Award nor the  Appreciation  Units
constitute  or shall be deemed for any purpose to be or represent  capital stock
of or equity interests of any kind in Holdings or the Company. Nothing contained
in this agreement shall be construed for any purpose to constitute the Executive
a  stockholder  of Holdings or the Company at any time or to give the  Executive
any of the rights of a stockholder of Holdings or the Company at any time.

     8.  NONASSIGNABILITY.   Neither  the  Long-Term  Incentive  Award  nor  the
Appreciation  Units nor any  interest in the  Long-Term  Incentive  Award or the
Appreciation  Units nor any of the  Executive's  rights and interests under this
agreement  may be assigned or  transferred  by the Executive in whole or in part
either  directly or by operation of law or otherwise;  and neither the Long-Term
Incentive  Award nor the  Appreciation  Units nor any interest in the  Long-Term
Incentive Award or the Appreciation  Units nor any of the Executive's rights and
interests  under  this  agreement  may  be  pledged,  encumbered,  or  otherwise
subjected to any obligation or liability of the Executive. However, in the event
of the death of the Executive after the applicable preconditions to his right to
receive a payment under this  agreement  have been fully  satisfied but prior to
his receipt of such payment,  the Executive's estate shall succeed to such right
and shall be entitled to receive such payment.

     9. RIGHT OF DISCHARGE  RESERVED.  This  agreement is not, and shall not for
any purpose be deemed to constitute, an employment agreement between the Company
and the  Executive.  Nothing  contained  in this  agreement,  including  but not
limited to the grant of a Long-Term  Incentive  Award to the Executive,  confers
upon the  Executive  the right to  continue  in the employ of the Company or any
parent or subsidiary of the Company for any particular  period of time or in any
particular  capacity  or affects  any right  which the  Company or any parent or
subsidiary of the Company may have to terminate the employment of the Executive.

     10. CAPITAL STOCK  ADJUSTMENT.  In the event that the number of outstanding
shares of Common Stock of Holdings is increased by reason of a stock dividend or
a stock split,  the number of  Appreciation  Units  granted to the  Executive in
Paragraph 1 shall be proportionately  increased and the dollar amounts set forth
in clauses (b)(I) and (II) of Paragraphs 2, 4, 5, and 6 shall be proportionately
decreased  for the  purpose of  computing  the  amount,  if any,  payable to the
Executive  pursuant  to  this  agreement.  In  the  event  that  the  number  of
outstanding shares of Common Stock of Holdings is reduced by reason of a reverse
stock split or a  combination  of shares of the Common  Stock of  Holdings,  the
number of  Appreciation  Units  granted to the Executive in Paragraph 1 shall be
proportionately decreased and the dollar amounts set forth in clauses (b)(I) and
(II) of  Paragraphs  2, 4, 5, and 6 shall be  proportionately  increased for the
purpose of computing the amount,  if any,  payable to the Executive  pursuant to
this  agreement.  The  purpose  of this  Paragraph  10 is to  maintain  the same
economic position for the Executive and the Company immediately after such stock
dividend,  stock split,  reverse stock split,  or  combination  of shares as the
Executive  and the Company had  immediately  before such stock  dividend,  stock
split,  reverse stock split,  or  combination  of shares;  and this Paragraph 10
shall be construed and applied so as to achieve such objective.  Any adjustments
required  pursuant to this  Paragraph 10 shall be made and  communicated  to the
Executive and the Company by the Board of Directors of Holdings  promptly  after
the occurrence of the event that  necessitates such adjustment (or in advance of
such event, effective upon the occurrence of such event).

     11. CAPTIONS.  The captions of the various paragraphs of this agreement are
for the purpose of convenient  reference  only and are not intended to define or
limit the contents of such paragraphs.

     12. CREDITOR STATUS. The Executive shall have no legal or equitable rights,
interests,  or claims in or to any particular property or assets of the Company,
all of which shall be and remain the general unrestricted assets of the Company.
If any amount becomes payable to the Executive  under this agreement,  including
but not  limited to a  discretionary  payment to the  Executive's  estate in the
event of the Executive's death, the Executive or his estate, as the case may be,
shall be and have the status of a general unsecured creditor of the Company; and
this agreement  constitutes a mere unfunded and unsecured  contingent promise of
the Company to make a certain payment in the future if all of the  preconditions
to such payment are fully satisfied.

     13.  WITHHOLDING;  PAYROLL TAXES. To the extent required by applicable laws
in effect at the time a  payment,  if any,  is made under  this  agreement,  the
Company shall withhold from such payment any taxes or other obligations required
to be withheld from such payment by federal, state, or local laws.

     14. UNFUNDED PLAN. This agreement and any similar  agreements  concurrently
being entered into with other  executives of the Company  together are and shall
be an  unfunded  plan  within the  meaning  of the  Employee  Retirement  Income
Security Act of 1974  ("ERISA")  for purposes of Title I of ERISA and for income
tax purposes.

     15. GOVERNING LAW. All rights and obligations under this agreement shall be
construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Delaware.

     16.BINDING  EFFECT.  This agreement shall be binding upon the Company,  the
Executive, and their respective heirs, personal representatives, successors, and
assigns.  However,  nothing  contained in this  paragraph  shall be construed to
allow the Executive to make any assignment which is otherwise prohibited by this
agreement.

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the Company and the Executive have duly executed this
agreement as of the date first above written.

                                        PAMIDA, INC., a Delaware corporation

                                    By: /S/ FRANK A. WASHBURN
                                        Frank A. Washburn, Executive
                                        Vice President

                                        /S/ STEVEN S. FISHMAN
                                        Steven S. Fishman





                       LONG-TERM INCENTIVE AWARD AGREEMENT

     This Long-Term Incentive Award Agreement is made and entered into as of the
6th day of March,  1997,  between  PAMIDA,  INC.  (the  "Company"),  a  Delaware
corporation, and FRANK A. WASHBURN (the "Executive").

                                   *  *  *

     WHEREAS,  the  Company  is a wholly  owned  subsidiary  of Pamida  Holdings
Corporation ("Holdings"), a Delaware corporation; and

     WHEREAS, the Executive is employed by the Company in an executive capacity;
and

     WHEREAS,  the Company  desires to provide an incentive to the  Executive to
remain in the employ of the Company and to put forth his best  efforts on behalf
of the Company; and

     WHEREAS,  the Company  desires to align the interests of the Executive with
the  interests of the  stockholders  of Holdings by basing such  incentive  upon
possible  future  appreciation  in the  market  price  of the  Common  Stock  of
Holdings;

     NOW, THEREFORE, the Company and the Executive agree as follows:

     1. GRANT OF LONG-TERM  INCENTIVE  AWARD.  The Company  hereby grants to the
Executive a Long-Term  Incentive Award consisting of 68,750  Appreciation Units.
The Company makes no representation or warranty to the Executive with respect to
the possible future value of the Long-Term Incentive Award.

     2.  LONG-TERM  INCENTIVE  AWARD  PAYMENT.  If the  Executive  is a  regular
full-time employee of the Company at the close of business on March 5, 2000, and
at the close of  business  on that date has been  continuously  employed  by the
Company on a regular full-time basis since the date of this agreement,  then the
Company  agrees to pay to the  Executive in cash or before  April 15,  2000,  an
amount equal to the product of (a) the number of Appreciation Units set forth in
Paragraph 1 multiplied by (b) the positive  difference,  if any,  resulting from
the  subtraction of (I) $3.0625 from (II) the lesser of (i) the Average Price or
(ii) $9.0625. If there is no positive difference  resulting from the subtraction
referred to in the preceding  sentence,  then no payment shall be due or made to
the Executive under this Paragraph 2. For purposes of this Paragraph 2, "Average
Price" means the arithmetic average of the closing prices of the Common Stock of
Holdings on the  American  Stock  Exchange on the first twenty (20) trading days
subsequent  to March 5, 2000, on which the Common Stock of Holdings is traded on
such  Exchange.  If the Common  Stock of Holdings is not listed on the  American
Stock Exchange during the relevant period subsequent to March 5, 2000, then such
closing  prices shall be  determined  by reference  to the  principal  market or
exchange  in or on which the  Common  Stock of  Holdings  is traded  during  the
relevant  period.  If the Executive is not a regular  full-time  employee of the
Company at the close of business on March 5, 2000,  or if the  Executive has not
been  continuously  employed by the Company on a regular  full-time basis during
the period from March 6, 1997,  through March 5, 2000,  then the Executive shall
not be entitled to receive any Long-Term  Incentive  Award  payment  pursuant to
this Paragraph 2.

     3. DEATH OR DISABILITY OF THE EXECUTIVE. If the Executive dies prior to the
close of business on March 5, 2000, or if the  Executive  ceases to be a regular
full-time  employee of the Company prior to such time by reason of a Disability,
then the Board of Directors of Holdings shall have the authority, exercisable in
its sole and absolute discretion, to approve the payment to the Executive (or to
the Executive's  estate,  in the event of the  Executive's  death) of all or any
portion of the Long-Term  Incentive Award payment which the Executive would have
received  on March  6,  2000,  pursuant  to  Paragraph  2 if the  Executive  had
satisfied  the  conditions  set forth in  Paragraph  2 for the  receipt  of such
payment; but the Executive shall have no right to receive any amount pursuant to
this Paragraph 3 unless a  discretionary  payment is so approved by the Board of
Directors of Holdings.  If a discretionary  payment pursuant to this Paragraph 3
is approved by the Board of Directors of  Holdings,  then such payment  shall be
made at such  time as the  Board of  Directors  of  Holdings  may  specify.  For
purposes of this agreement,  "Disability"  means a physical or mental illness or
incapacity  of the  Executive  which has  resulted in a  determination  that the
Executive  is entitled  to receive  benefits  (a) under a  long-term  disability
insurance  policy  maintained by the Company for the Executive or (b) if no such
insurance  policy  is then in  existence,  under  the  federal  social  security
disability insurance program.

     4. CHANGE OF CONTROL OF HOLDINGS.  If,  after a Holdings  Change of Control
but prior to March 6, 2000, (a) the Executive  ceases to be a regular  full-time
employee of the Company (a  "Termination"),  (b) on the date of the  Termination
(the  "Termination  Date") the Executive had been  continuously  employed by the
Company on a regular  full-time basis since the date of this agreement,  (c) the
Termination occurred other than as a result of the Executive's death,  voluntary
resignation or retirement,  or Disability,  and (d) on the Termination  Date (i)
Holdings owned at least a majority of the then outstanding  voting capital stock
of the Company and (ii) the Common Stock of Holdings was publicly  traded on the
American Stock Exchange or another  recognized United States securities  market,
then the Company  agrees to pay to the Executive in cash within twenty (20) days
after the  Termination  Date an amount equal to the product of (a) the number of
Appreciation  Units set forth in  Paragraph  1  multiplied  by (b) the  positive
difference,  if any, resulting from the subtraction of (I) $3.0625 from (II) the
lesser  of (i) the  Average  Price or (ii)  $9.0625.  If  there  is no  positive
difference resulting from the subtraction referred to in the preceding sentence,
then no payment  shall be due or made to the Executive  under this  Paragraph 4.
For purposes of this Paragraph 4, "Average  Price" means the arithmetic  average
of the closing  prices of the Common  Stock of Holdings  on the  American  Stock
Exchange on the twenty (20) most recent  trading  days prior to the  Termination
Date on which the Common Stock of Holdings was traded on such  Exchange.  If the
Common Stock of Holdings is not listed on the American Stock Exchange during the
relevant period prior to the Termination Date, then such closing prices shall be
determined by reference to the  principal  market or exchange in or on which the
Common Stock of Holdings is traded during the relevant  period.  For purposes of
this Paragraph 4, "Holdings  Change of Control" means the happening of either of
the following events:

(a)  Any  person,  entity,  or group of persons  within the  meaning of Sections
     13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act") and
     the rules promulgated thereunder,  other than 399 Venture Partners, Inc. or
     any of its  affiliates  (as  defined  in Rule  12b-2  under the 1934  Act),
     becomes the beneficial  owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the 1934
     Act) of thirty  percent  (30%) or more of the  outstanding  voting  capital
     stock of Holdings, or

(b)  during any period of two consecutive years or less,  individuals who at the
     beginning  of such period  constituted  the Board of  Directors of Holdings
     cease,  for any reason,  to  constitute at least a majority of the Board of
     Directors of Holdings,  unless the election or  nomination  for election of
     each new  director  of  Holdings  who took  office  during  such period was
     approved  by a vote of at least  two-thirds  of the  directors  of Holdings
     still in office at the time of such election or nomination for election who
     were directors of Holdings at the beginning of such period.

     5. CHANGE OF CONTROL OF THE COMPANY. If, prior to March 6, 2000, there is a
Company  Change of Control and on the effective  date of such Company  Change of
Control (the "Effective Date") the Executive is a regular full-time  employee of
the  Company  (and  has been so  employed  continuously  since  the date of this
agreement),  then the Company shall pay to the Executive within twenty (20) days
after the  Effective  Date an amount  equal to the  product of (a) the number of
Appreciation  Units set forth in  Paragraph  1  multiplied  by (b) the  positive
difference,  if any, resulting from the subtraction of (I) $3.0625 from (II) the
lesser  of (i) the  Average  Price or (ii)  $9.0625.  If  there  is no  positive
difference resulting from the subtraction referred to in the preceding sentence,
then no payment  shall be due or made to the Executive  under this  Paragraph 5.
For purposes of this Paragraph 5, "Average  Price" means the arithmetic  average
of the closing  prices of the Common  Stock of Holdings  on the  American  Stock
Exchange on the twenty (20) most recent trading days prior to the Effective Date
on which the Common  Stock of Holdings  was traded on such  Exchange;  provided,
that if there are fewer than twenty (20)  trading  days  between the date of the
first  public  announcement  of  a  proposed  Company  Change  of  Control  (the
"Announcement  Date")  and the  Effective  Date,  then  only  the  trading  days
following  the  Announcement  Date shall be taken into  account for  purposes of
determining  the Average Price;  provided,  further,  that if the Effective Date
occurs on or before the  Announcement  Date, then the Average Price shall be the
fair market value of the consideration received or to be received by Holdings or
the  stockholders  of  Holdings,  as the case may be, in  connection  with or by
reason of the  transaction  resulting or which will result in the Company Change
of Control,  in either case  determined on a per share basis with respect to the
shares of Common Stock of Holdings then  outstanding  (including,  to the extent
applicable,  shares of Common Stock  issuable  upon the exercise of  outstanding
options  to  purchase  shares of the Common  Stock of  Holdings);  and  provided
further,  that if the company Change of Control  involves an issuer tender offer
or other "going private" transaction, then the Average Price shall be the amount
per  outstanding  share of Common  Stock of  Holdings  paid or to be paid by the
purchaser in such issuer tender offer or other "going private"  transaction.  If
the Common Stock of Holdings is not listed on the American Stock Exchange during
the relevant  period prior to the Effective Date, then such closing prices shall
be determined  by reference to the  principal  market or exchange in or on which
the Common Stock of Holdings is traded during the relevant period.  For purposes
of this  Paragraph 5, "Company  Change of Control" means the happening of any of
the following events:

(a)  Holdings  is  merged  or  consolidated   into  another   corporation,   and
     immediately  after  such  merger or  consolidation  becomes  effective  the
     holders of a majority of the outstanding  shares of voting capital stock of
     Holdings   immediately  prior  to  the  effectiveness  of  such  merger  or
     consolidation  do not own a majority  of the  outstanding  shares of voting
     capital stock of the surviving or resulting corporation in such merger,

(b)  Holdings  ceases  to own a  majority  of the  outstanding  shares of voting
     capital stock of the Company  (unless such event results from the merger of
     the Company into  Holdings,  with no change in the  ownership of the voting
     capital stock of Holdings),

(c)  the  Company  is merged  or  consolidated  into a  corporation  other  than
     Holdings,  and at any time  after  such  merger  or  consolidation  becomes
     effective  Holdings  does not own a majority of the  outstanding  shares of
     voting  capital  stock of the  surviving or resulting  corporation  in such
     merger or consolidation,

(d)  the  stockholders  of the  Company  vote  (or act by  written  consent)  to
     dissolve  the  Company  or  to  sell  or   otherwise   dispose  of  all  or
     substantially all of the property and assets of the Company, or

(e)  the Common  Stock of Holdings  ceases to be publicly  traded  because of an
     issuer tender offer or other "going private" transaction.

     6. TERMINATION  WITHOUT CAUSE. If (a) the Company terminates the employment
of the Executive  without Cause (a "Discharge"),  including but not limited to a
constructive  Discharge  arising from a material  reduction  in the  Executive's
duties or a material  reduction in the Executive's  rank or base salary,  (b) on
the effective  date of the Discharge  (the  "Discharge  Date") the Executive had
been continuously employed by the Company on a regular full-time basis since the
date of this agreement, and (c) the Discharge occurred other than as a result of
the Executive's death, voluntary resignation or retirement, or Disability,  then
the Company agrees to pay to the Executive in cash within twenty (20) days after
the  Discharge  Date  an  amount  equal  to the  product  of (a) the  number  of
Appreciation  Units set forth in  Paragraph  1  multiplied  by (b) the  positive
difference,  if any, resulting from the subtraction of (I) $3.0625 from (II) the
lesser  of (i) the  Average  Price or (ii)  $9.0625.  If  there  is no  positive
difference resulting from the subtraction referred to in the preceding sentence,
then no payment  shall be due or made to the Executive  under this  Paragraph 6.
For purposes of this Paragraph 6, "Average  Price" means the arithmetic  average
of the closing  prices of the Common  Stock of Holdings  on the  American  Stock
Exchange on the twenty (20) most recent trading days prior to the Discharge Date
on which the Common Stock of Holdings was traded on such Exchange. If the Common
Stock of  Holdings  is not  listed on the  American  Stock  Exchange  during the
relevant  period prior to the Discharge  Date, then such closing prices shall be
determined by reference to the  principal  market or exchange in or on which the
Common Stock of Holdings is traded during the relevant  period.  For purposes of
this  Paragraph 6, "Cause"  shall mean only (i) the  Executive's  confession  or
conviction  of  theft,  fraud,  embezzlement,   or  any  other  crime  involving
dishonesty with respect to the Company or any parent,  subsidiary,  or affiliate
of the Company, (ii) the Executive's excessive absenteeism (other than by reason
of physical injury,  disease, or mental illness) without reasonable cause, (iii)
habitual and material  negligence  by the  Executive in the  performance  of his
duties and  responsibilities  as an  executive of the Company and his failure to
cure such  negligence  within  thirty  (30) days after his  receipt of a written
notice from the Company  setting forth in reasonable  detail the  particulars of
such  negligence,  or (iv)  material  failure by the  Executive to comply with a
lawful  directive  of the Company  and his  failure to cure such  non-compliance
within  thirty (30) days after his receipt of a written  notice from the Company
setting forth in reasonable detail the particulars of such non-compliance.

     7. NATURE OF INCENTIVE AWARD.  Although the value, if any, of the Long-Term
Incentive  Award will be derived  from the market  price of the Common  Stock of
Holdings,  neither the  Long-Term  Incentive  Award nor the  Appreciation  Units
constitute  or shall be deemed for any purpose to be or represent  capital stock
of or equity interests of any kind in Holdings or the Company. Nothing contained
in this agreement shall be construed for any purpose to constitute the Executive
a  stockholder  of Holdings or the Company at any time or to give the  Executive
any of the rights of a stockholder of Holdings or the Company at any time.

     8.  NONASSIGNABILITY.   Neither  the  Long-Term  Incentive  Award  nor  the
Appreciation  Units nor any  interest in the  Long-Term  Incentive  Award or the
Appreciation  Units nor any of the  Executive's  rights and interests under this
agreement  may be assigned or  transferred  by the Executive in whole or in part
either  directly or by operation of law or otherwise;  and neither the Long-Term
Incentive  Award nor the  Appreciation  Units nor any interest in the  Long-Term
Incentive Award or the Appreciation  Units nor any of the Executive's rights and
interests  under  this  agreement  may  be  pledged,  encumbered,  or  otherwise
subjected to any obligation or liability of the Executive. However, in the event
of the death of the Executive after the applicable preconditions to his right to
receive a payment under this  agreement  have been fully  satisfied but prior to
his receipt of such payment,  the Executive's estate shall succeed to such right
and shall be entitled to receive such payment.

     9. RIGHT OF DISCHARGE  RESERVED.  This  agreement is not, and shall not for
any purpose be deemed to constitute, an employment agreement between the Company
and the  Executive.  Nothing  contained  in this  agreement,  including  but not
limited to the grant of a Long-Term  Incentive  Award to the Executive,  confers
upon the  Executive  the right to  continue  in the employ of the Company or any
parent or subsidiary of the Company for any particular  period of time or in any
particular  capacity  or affects  any right  which the  Company or any parent or
subsidiary of the Company may have to terminate the employment of the Executive.

     10. CAPITAL STOCK  ADJUSTMENT.  In the event that the number of outstanding
shares of Common Stock of Holdings is increased by reason of a stock dividend or
a stock split,  the number of  Appreciation  Units  granted to the  Executive in
Paragraph 1 shall be proportionately  increased and the dollar amounts set forth
in clauses (b)(I) and (II) of Paragraphs 2, 4, 5, and 6 shall be proportionately
decreased  for the  purpose of  computing  the  amount,  if any,  payable to the
Executive  pursuant  to  this  agreement.  In  the  event  that  the  number  of
outstanding shares of Common Stock of Holdings is reduced by reason of a reverse
stock split or a  combination  of shares of the Common  Stock of  Holdings,  the
number of  Appreciation  Units  granted to the Executive in Paragraph 1 shall be
proportionately decreased and the dollar amounts set forth in clauses (b)(I) and
(II) of  Paragraphs  2, 4, 5, and 6 shall be  proportionately  increased for the
purpose of computing the amount,  if any,  payable to the Executive  pursuant to
this  agreement.  The  purpose  of this  Paragraph  10 is to  maintain  the same
economic position for the Executive and the Company immediately after such stock
dividend,  stock split,  reverse stock split,  or  combination  of shares as the
Executive  and the Company had  immediately  before such stock  dividend,  stock
split,  reverse stock split,  or  combination  of shares;  and this Paragraph 10
shall be construed and applied so as to achieve such objective.  Any adjustments
required  pursuant to this  Paragraph 10 shall be made and  communicated  to the
Executive and the Company by the Board of Directors of Holdings  promptly  after
the occurrence of the event that  necessitates such adjustment (or in advance of
such event, effective upon the occurrence of such event).

     11. CAPTIONS.  The captions of the various paragraphs of this agreement are
for the purpose of convenient  reference  only and are not intended to define or
limit the contents of such paragraphs.

     12. CREDITOR STATUS. The Executive shall have no legal or equitable rights,
interests,  or claims in or to any particular property or assets of the Company,
all of which shall be and remain the general unrestricted assets of the Company.
If any amount becomes payable to the Executive  under this agreement,  including
but not  limited to a  discretionary  payment to the  Executive's  estate in the
event of the Executive's death, the Executive or his estate, as the case may be,
shall be and have the status of a general unsecured creditor of the Company; and
this agreement  constitutes a mere unfunded and unsecured  contingent promise of
the Company to make a certain payment in the future if all of the  preconditions
to such payment are fully satisfied.

     13.  WITHHOLDING;  PAYROLL TAXES. To the extent required by applicable laws
in effect at the time a  payment,  if any,  is made under  this  agreement,  the
Company shall withhold from such payment any taxes or other obligations required
to be withheld from such payment by federal, state, or local laws.

     14. UNFUNDED PLAN. This agreement and any similar  agreements  concurrently
being entered into with other  executives of the Company  together are and shall
be an  unfunded  plan  within the  meaning  of the  Employee  Retirement  Income
Security Act of 1974  ("ERISA")  for purposes of Title I of ERISA and for income
tax purposes.

     15. GOVERNING LAW. All rights and obligations under this agreement shall be
construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Delaware.

     16. BINDING EFFECT.  This agreement shall be binding upon the Company,  the
Executive, and their respective heirs, personal representatives, successors, and
assigns.  However,  nothing  contained in this  paragraph  shall be construed to
allow the Executive to make any assignment which is otherwise prohibited by this
agreement.

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the Company and the Executive have duly executed this
agreement as of the date first above written.

                                        PAMIDA, INC., a Delaware corporation

                                    By: /S/ STEVEN S. FISHMAN
                                        Chairman of the Board and
                                        Chief Executive Officer


                                        /S/ FRANK A. WASHBURN
                                        Frank A. Washburn




                       LONG-TERM INCENTIVE AWARD AGREEMENT

     This Long-Term Incentive Award Agreement is made and entered into as of the
6th day of March,  1997,  between  PAMIDA,  INC.  (the  "Company"),  a  Delaware
corporation, and GEORGE R. MIHALKO (the "Executive").

                                   *  *  *

     WHEREAS,  the  Company  is a wholly  owned  subsidiary  of Pamida  Holdings
Corporation ("Holdings"), a Delaware corporation; and

     WHEREAS, the Executive is employed by the Company in an executive capacity;
and

     WHEREAS,  the Company  desires to provide an incentive to the  Executive to
remain in the employ of the Company and to put forth his best  efforts on behalf
of the Company; and

     WHEREAS,  the Company  desires to align the interests of the Executive with
the  interests of the  stockholders  of Holdings by basing such  incentive  upon
possible  future  appreciation  in the  market  price  of the  Common  Stock  of
Holdings;

     NOW, THEREFORE, the Company and the Executive agree as follows:

     1. GRANT OF LONG-TERM  INCENTIVE  AWARD.  The Company  hereby grants to the
Executive a Long-Term  Incentive Award consisting of 42,000  Appreciation Units.
The Company makes no representation or warranty to the Executive with respect to
the possible future value of the Long-Term Incentive Award.

     2.  LONG-TERM  INCENTIVE  AWARD  PAYMENT.  If the  Executive  is a  regular
full-time employee of the Company at the close of business on March 5, 2000, and
at the close of  business  on that date has been  continuously  employed  by the
Company on a regular full-time basis since the date of this agreement,  then the
Company  agrees to pay to the  Executive in cash or before  April 15,  2000,  an
amount equal to the product of (a) the number of Appreciation Units set forth in
Paragraph 1 multiplied by (b) the positive  difference,  if any,  resulting from
the  subtraction of (I) $3.0625 from (II) the lesser of (i) the Average Price or
(ii) $9.0625. If there is no positive difference  resulting from the subtraction
referred to in the preceding  sentence,  then no payment shall be due or made to
the Executive under this Paragraph 2. For purposes of this Paragraph 2, "Average
Price" means the arithmetic average of the closing prices of the Common Stock of
Holdings on the  American  Stock  Exchange on the first twenty (20) trading days
subsequent  to March 5, 2000, on which the Common Stock of Holdings is traded on
such  Exchange.  If the Common  Stock of Holdings is not listed on the  American
Stock Exchange during the relevant period subsequent to March 5, 2000, then such
closing  prices shall be  determined  by reference  to the  principal  market or
exchange  in or on which the  Common  Stock of  Holdings  is traded  during  the
relevant  period.  If the Executive is not a regular  full-time  employee of the
Company at the close of business on March 5, 2000,  or if the  Executive has not
been  continuously  employed by the Company on a regular  full-time basis during
the period from March 6, 1997,  through March 5, 2000,  then the Executive shall
not be entitled to receive any Long-Term  Incentive  Award  payment  pursuant to
this Paragraph 2.

     3. DEATH OR DISABILITY OF THE EXECUTIVE. If the Executive dies prior to the
close of business on March 5, 2000, or if the  Executive  ceases to be a regular
full-time  employee of the Company prior to such time by reason of a Disability,
then the Board of Directors of Holdings shall have the authority, exercisable in
its sole and absolute discretion, to approve the payment to the Executive (or to
the Executive's  estate,  in the event of the  Executive's  death) of all or any
portion of the Long-Term  Incentive Award payment which the Executive would have
received  on March  6,  2000,  pursuant  to  Paragraph  2 if the  Executive  had
satisfied  the  conditions  set forth in  Paragraph  2 for the  receipt  of such
payment; but the Executive shall have no right to receive any amount pursuant to
this Paragraph 3 unless a  discretionary  payment is so approved by the Board of
Directors of Holdings.  If a discretionary  payment pursuant to this Paragraph 3
is approved by the Board of Directors of  Holdings,  then such payment  shall be
made at such  time as the  Board of  Directors  of  Holdings  may  specify.  For
purposes of this agreement,  "Disability"  means a physical or mental illness or
incapacity  of the  Executive  which has  resulted in a  determination  that the
Executive  is entitled  to receive  benefits  (a) under a  long-term  disability
insurance  policy  maintained by the Company for the Executive or (b) if no such
insurance  policy  is then in  existence,  under  the  federal  social  security
disability insurance program.

     4. CHANGE OF CONTROL OF HOLDINGS.  If,  after a Holdings  Change of Control
but prior to March 6, 2000, (a) the Executive  ceases to be a regular  full-time
employee of the Company (a  "Termination"),  (b) on the date of the  Termination
(the  "Termination  Date") the Executive had been  continuously  employed by the
Company on a regular  full-time basis since the date of this agreement,  (c) the
Termination occurred other than as a result of the Executive's death,  voluntary
resignation or retirement,  or Disability,  and (d) on the Termination  Date (i)
Holdings owned at least a majority of the then outstanding  voting capital stock
of the Company and (ii) the Common Stock of Holdings was publicly  traded on the
American Stock Exchange or another  recognized United States securities  market,
then the Company  agrees to pay to the Executive in cash within twenty (20) days
after the  Termination  Date an amount equal to the product of (a) the number of
Appreciation  Units set forth in  Paragraph  1  multiplied  by (b) the  positive
difference,  if any, resulting from the subtraction of (I) $3.0625 from (II) the
lesser  of (i) the  Average  Price or (ii)  $9.0625.  If  there  is no  positive
difference resulting from the subtraction referred to in the preceding sentence,
then no payment  shall be due or made to the Executive  under this  Paragraph 4.
For purposes of this Paragraph 4, "Average  Price" means the arithmetic  average
of the closing  prices of the Common  Stock of Holdings  on the  American  Stock
Exchange on the twenty (20) most recent  trading  days prior to the  Termination
Date on which the Common Stock of Holdings was traded on such  Exchange.  If the
Common Stock of Holdings is not listed on the American Stock Exchange during the
relevant period prior to the Termination Date, then such closing prices shall be
determined by reference to the  principal  market or exchange in or on which the
Common Stock of Holdings is traded during the relevant  period.  For purposes of
this Paragraph 4, "Holdings  Change of Control" means the happening of either of
the following events:

(a)  Any  person,  entity,  or group of persons  within the  meaning of Sections
     13(d) or 14(d) of the Securities  Exchange Act of 1934 (the "1934 Act") and
     the rules promulgated thereunder,  other than 399 Venture Partners, Inc. or
     any of its  affiliates  (as  defined  in Rule  12b-2  under the 1934  Act),
     becomes the beneficial  owner (within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the 1934
     Act) of thirty  percent  (30%) or more of the  outstanding  voting  capital
     stock of Holdings, or

(b)  during any period of two consecutive years or less,  individuals who at the
     beginning  of such period  constituted  the Board of  Directors of Holdings
     cease,  for any reason,  to  constitute at least a majority of the Board of
     Directors of Holdings,  unless the election or  nomination  for election of
     each new  director  of  Holdings  who took  office  during  such period was
     approved  by a vote of at least  two-thirds  of the  directors  of Holdings
     still in office at the time of such election or nomination for election who
     were directors of Holdings at the beginning of such period.

     5. CHANGE OF CONTROL OF THE COMPANY. If, prior to March 6, 2000, there is a
Company  Change of Control and on the effective  date of such Company  Change of
Control (the "Effective Date") the Executive is a regular full-time  employee of
the  Company  (and  has been so  employed  continuously  since  the date of this
agreement),  then the Company shall pay to the Executive within twenty (20) days
after the  Effective  Date an amount  equal to the  product of (a) the number of
Appreciation  Units set forth in  Paragraph  1  multiplied  by (b) the  positive
difference,  if any, resulting from the subtraction of (I) $3.0625 from (II) the
lesser  of (i) the  Average  Price or (ii)  $9.0625.  If  there  is no  positive
difference resulting from the subtraction referred to in the preceding sentence,
then no payment  shall be due or made to the Executive  under this  Paragraph 5.
For purposes of this Paragraph 5, "Average  Price" means the arithmetic  average
of the closing  prices of the Common  Stock of Holdings  on the  American  Stock
Exchange on the twenty (20) most recent trading days prior to the Effective Date
on which the Common  Stock of Holdings  was traded on such  Exchange;  provided,
that if there are fewer than twenty (20)  trading  days  between the date of the
first  public  announcement  of  a  proposed  Company  Change  of  Control  (the
"Announcement  Date")  and the  Effective  Date,  then  only  the  trading  days
following  the  Announcement  Date shall be taken into  account for  purposes of
determining  the Average Price;  provided,  further,  that if the Effective Date
occurs on or before the  Announcement  Date, then the Average Price shall be the
fair market value of the consideration received or to be received by Holdings or
the  stockholders  of  Holdings,  as the case may be, in  connection  with or by
reason of the  transaction  resulting or which will result in the Company Change
of Control,  in either case  determined on a per share basis with respect to the
shares of Common Stock of Holdings then  outstanding  (including,  to the extent
applicable,  shares of Common Stock  issuable  upon the exercise of  outstanding
options  to  purchase  shares of the Common  Stock of  Holdings);  and  provided
further,  that if the company Change of Control  involves an issuer tender offer
or other "going private" transaction, then the Average Price shall be the amount
per  outstanding  share of Common  Stock of  Holdings  paid or to be paid by the
purchaser in such issuer tender offer or other "going private"  transaction.  If
the Common Stock of Holdings is not listed on the American Stock Exchange during
the relevant  period prior to the Effective Date, then such closing prices shall
be determined  by reference to the  principal  market or exchange in or on which
the Common Stock of Holdings is traded during the relevant period.  For purposes
of this  Paragraph 5, "Company  Change of Control" means the happening of any of
the following events:

(a)  Holdings  is  merged  or  consolidated   into  another   corporation,   and
     immediately  after  such  merger or  consolidation  becomes  effective  the
     holders of a majority of the outstanding  shares of voting capital stock of
     Holdings   immediately  prior  to  the  effectiveness  of  such  merger  or
     consolidation  do not own a majority  of the  outstanding  shares of voting
     capital stock of the surviving or resulting corporation in such merger,

(b)  Holdings  ceases  to own a  majority  of the  outstanding  shares of voting
     capital stock of the Company  (unless such event results from the merger of
     the Company into  Holdings,  with no change in the  ownership of the voting
     capital stock of Holdings),

(c)  the  Company  is merged  or  consolidated  into a  corporation  other  than
     Holdings,  and at any time  after  such  merger  or  consolidation  becomes
     effective  Holdings  does not own a majority of the  outstanding  shares of
     voting  capital  stock of the  surviving or resulting  corporation  in such
     merger or consolidation,

(d)  the  stockholders  of the  Company  vote  (or act by  written  consent)  to
     dissolve  the  Company  or  to  sell  or   otherwise   dispose  of  all  or
     substantially all of the property and assets of the Company, or

(e)  the Common  Stock of Holdings  ceases to be publicly  traded  because of an
     issuer tender offer or other "going private" transaction.

     6. TERMINATION  WITHOUT CAUSE. If (a) the Company terminates the employment
of the Executive  without Cause (a "Discharge"),  including but not limited to a
constructive  Discharge  arising from a material  reduction  in the  Executive's
duties or a material  reduction in the Executive's  rank or base salary,  (b) on
the effective  date of the Discharge  (the  "Discharge  Date") the Executive had
been continuously employed by the Company on a regular full-time basis since the
date of this agreement, and (c) the Discharge occurred other than as a result of
the Executive's death, voluntary resignation or retirement, or Disability,  then
the Company agrees to pay to the Executive in cash within twenty (20) days after
the  Discharge  Date  an  amount  equal  to the  product  of (a) the  number  of
Appreciation  Units set forth in  Paragraph  1  multiplied  by (b) the  positive
difference,  if any, resulting from the subtraction of (I) $3.0625 from (II) the
lesser  of (i) the  Average  Price or (ii)  $9.0625.  If  there  is no  positive
difference resulting from the subtraction referred to in the preceding sentence,
then no payment  shall be due or made to the Executive  under this  Paragraph 6.
For purposes of this Paragraph 6, "Average  Price" means the arithmetic  average
of the closing  prices of the Common  Stock of Holdings  on the  American  Stock
Exchange on the twenty (20) most recent trading days prior to the Discharge Date
on which the Common Stock of Holdings was traded on such Exchange. If the Common
Stock of  Holdings  is not  listed on the  American  Stock  Exchange  during the
relevant  period prior to the Discharge  Date, then such closing prices shall be
determined by reference to the  principal  market or exchange in or on which the
Common Stock of Holdings is traded during the relevant  period.  For purposes of
this  Paragraph 6, "Cause"  shall mean only (i) the  Executive's  confession  or
conviction  of  theft,  fraud,  embezzlement,   or  any  other  crime  involving
dishonesty with respect to the Company or any parent,  subsidiary,  or affiliate
of the Company, (ii) the Executive's excessive absenteeism (other than by reason
of physical injury,  disease, or mental illness) without reasonable cause, (iii)
habitual and material  negligence  by the  Executive in the  performance  of his
duties and  responsibilities  as an  executive of the Company and his failure to
cure such  negligence  within  thirty  (30) days after his  receipt of a written
notice from the Company  setting forth in reasonable  detail the  particulars of
such  negligence,  or (iv)  material  failure by the  Executive to comply with a
lawful  directive  of the Company  and his  failure to cure such  non-compliance
within  thirty (30) days after his receipt of a written  notice from the Company
setting forth in reasonable detail the particulars of such non-compliance.

     7. NATURE OF INCENTIVE AWARD.  Although the value, if any, of the Long-Term
Incentive  Award will be derived  from the market  price of the Common  Stock of
Holdings,  neither the  Long-Term  Incentive  Award nor the  Appreciation  Units
constitute  or shall be deemed for any purpose to be or represent  capital stock
of or equity interests of any kind in Holdings or the Company. Nothing contained
in this agreement shall be construed for any purpose to constitute the Executive
a  stockholder  of Holdings or the Company at any time or to give the  Executive
any of the rights of a stockholder of Holdings or the Company at any time.

     8.  NONASSIGNABILITY.   Neither  the  Long-Term  Incentive  Award  nor  the
Appreciation  Units nor any  interest in the  Long-Term  Incentive  Award or the
Appreciation  Units nor any of the  Executive's  rights and interests under this
agreement  may be assigned or  transferred  by the Executive in whole or in part
either  directly or by operation of law or otherwise;  and neither the Long-Term
Incentive  Award nor the  Appreciation  Units nor any interest in the  Long-Term
Incentive Award or the Appreciation  Units nor any of the Executive's rights and
interests  under  this  agreement  may  be  pledged,  encumbered,  or  otherwise
subjected to any obligation or liability of the Executive. However, in the event
of the death of the Executive after the applicable preconditions to his right to
receive a payment under this  agreement  have been fully  satisfied but prior to
his receipt of such payment,  the Executive's estate shall succeed to such right
and shall be entitled to receive such payment.

     9. RIGHT OF DISCHARGE  RESERVED.  This  agreement is not, and shall not for
any purpose be deemed to constitute, an employment agreement between the Company
and the  Executive.  Nothing  contained  in this  agreement,  including  but not
limited to the grant of a Long-Term  Incentive  Award to the Executive,  confers
upon the  Executive  the right to  continue  in the employ of the Company or any
parent or subsidiary of the Company for any particular  period of time or in any
particular  capacity  or affects  any right  which the  Company or any parent or
subsidiary of the Company may have to terminate the employment of the Executive.

     10. CAPITAL STOCK  ADJUSTMENT.  In the event that the number of outstanding
shares of Common Stock of Holdings is increased by reason of a stock dividend or
a stock split,  the number of  Appreciation  Units  granted to the  Executive in
Paragraph 1 shall be proportionately  increased and the dollar amounts set forth
in clauses (b)(I) and (II) of Paragraphs 2, 4, 5, and 6 shall be proportionately
decreased  for the  purpose of  computing  the  amount,  if any,  payable to the
Executive  pursuant  to  this  agreement.  In  the  event  that  the  number  of
outstanding shares of Common Stock of Holdings is reduced by reason of a reverse
stock split or a  combination  of shares of the Common  Stock of  Holdings,  the
number of  Appreciation  Units  granted to the Executive in Paragraph 1 shall be
proportionately decreased and the dollar amounts set forth in clauses (b)(I) and
(II) of  Paragraphs  2, 4, 5, and 6 shall be  proportionately  increased for the
purpose of computing the amount,  if any,  payable to the Executive  pursuant to
this  agreement.  The  purpose  of this  Paragraph  10 is to  maintain  the same
economic position for the Executive and the Company immediately after such stock
dividend,  stock split,  reverse stock split,  or  combination  of shares as the
Executive  and the Company had  immediately  before such stock  dividend,  stock
split,  reverse stock split,  or  combination  of shares;  and this Paragraph 10
shall be construed and applied so as to achieve such objective.  Any adjustments
required  pursuant to this  Paragraph 10 shall be made and  communicated  to the
Executive and the Company by the Board of Directors of Holdings  promptly  after
the occurrence of the event that  necessitates such adjustment (or in advance of
such event, effective upon the occurrence of such event).

     11. CAPTIONS.  The captions of the various paragraphs of this agreement are
for the purpose of convenient  reference  only and are not intended to define or
limit the contents of such paragraphs.

     12. CREDITOR STATUS. The Executive shall have no legal or equitable rights,
interests,  or claims in or to any particular property or assets of the Company,
all of which shall be and remain the general unrestricted assets of the Company.
If any amount becomes payable to the Executive  under this agreement,  including
but not  limited to a  discretionary  payment to the  Executive's  estate in the
event of the Executive's death, the Executive or his estate, as the case may be,
shall be and have the status of a general unsecured creditor of the Company; and
this agreement  constitutes a mere unfunded and unsecured  contingent promise of
the Company to make a certain payment in the future if all of the  preconditions
to such payment are fully satisfied.

     13.  WITHHOLDING;  PAYROLL TAXES. To the extent required by applicable laws
in effect at the time a  payment,  if any,  is made under  this  agreement,  the
Company shall withhold from such payment any taxes or other obligations required
to be withheld from such payment by federal, state, or local laws.

     14. UNFUNDED PLAN. This agreement and any similar  agreements  concurrently
being entered into with other  executives of the Company  together are and shall
be an  unfunded  plan  within the  meaning  of the  Employee  Retirement  Income
Security Act of 1974  ("ERISA")  for purposes of Title I of ERISA and for income
tax purposes.

     15. GOVERNING LAW. All rights and obligations under this agreement shall be
construed and interpreted in accordance with the laws of Delaware.

     16. BINDING EFFECT.  This agreement shall be binding upon the Company,  the
Executive, and their respective heirs, personal representatives, successors, and
assigns.  However,  nothing  contained in this  paragraph  shall be construed to
allow the Executive to make any assignment which is otherwise prohibited by this
agreement.

     IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the Company and the Executive have duly executed this
agreement as of the date first above written.

                                        PAMIDA, INC., a Delaware corporation

                                    By: /S/ STEVEN S. FISHMAN
                                        Chairman of the Board and
                                        Chief Executive Officer


                                        /S/ GEORGE R. MIHALKO
                                        George R. Mihalko




INDEPENDENT AUDITORS' CONSENT


We consent to the  incorporation  by reference  in  Registration  Statement  No.
33-83708 of Pamida  Holdings  Corporation on Form S-8 of our reports dated March
7, 1997 (March 17, 1997 as to Note E)  appearing  in this Annual  Report on Form
10-K of Pamida Holdings Corporation for the year ended February 2, 1997.




/s/ DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP

Omaha, Nebraska
April 29, 1997




CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS


We consent to the  incorporation by reference in the  registration  statement of
Pamida Holdings  Corporation  and Subsidiary on Form S-8 (File No.  33-83708) of
our report  dated March 26, 1996,  on our audit of the fiscal 1996  consolidated
financial  statements  and  financial  statement  schedule  of  Pamida  Holdings
Corporation  and  Subsidiary as of January 28, 1996 and for the year then ended,
which report is included in this Annual Report on Form 10-K.




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

Chicago, Illinois
April 29, 1997



                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

      KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE  PRESENTS,  that I do hereby  constitute and appoint
Steven S. Fishman,  Frank A. Washburn,  and George R. Mihalko,  and each of them
individually,  as my true and lawful  attorneys-in-fact  and  agents,  with full
power of substitution  and  resubstitution,  for me and in my name,  place,  and
stead in my capacity as a director of Pamida  Holdings  Corporation  to sign the
Annual Report on Form 10-K of Pamida  Holdings  Corporation  for the fiscal year
ended  February  2, 1997,  and to file such  Annual  Report,  with all  exhibits
thereto and other  documents in connection  therewith,  with the  Securities and
Exchange Commission,  granting unto such  attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each
of them individually and their  substitutes,  full power and authority to do and
perform each and every act and thing  requisite  and necessary to be done in and
about the premises in connection with such Annual Report as fully to all intents
and purposes as I might or could do in person,  hereby  ratifying and confirming
all that  such  attorneys-in-fact  and  agents  or any of them,  or their or his
substitutes or substitute, lawfully may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

      IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have executed this Power of Attorney this 23rd day
of March, 1997.


                                        /s/ L. David Callaway, III
                                        L. David Callaway, III


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

      KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE  PRESENTS,  that I do hereby  constitute and appoint
Steven S. Fishman,  Frank A. Washburn,  and George R. Mihalko,  and each of them
individually,  as my true and lawful  attorneys-in-fact  and  agents,  with full
power of substitution  and  resubstitution,  for me and in my name,  place,  and
stead in my capacity as a director of Pamida  Holdings  Corporation  to sign the
Annual Report on Form 10-K of Pamida  Holdings  Corporation  for the fiscal year
ended  February  2, 1997,  and to file such  Annual  Report,  with all  exhibits
thereto and other  documents in connection  therewith,  with the  Securities and
Exchange Commission,  granting unto such  attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each
of them individually and their  substitutes,  full power and authority to do and
perform each and every act and thing  requisite  and necessary to be done in and
about the premises in connection with such Annual Report as fully to all intents
and purposes as I might or could do in person,  hereby  ratifying and confirming
all that  such  attorneys-in-fact  and  agents  or any of them,  or their or his
substitutes or substitute, lawfully may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

      IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have executed this Power of Attorney this 24th day
of March, 1997.


                                        /s/ Stuyvesant P. Comfort
                                        Stuyvesant P. Comfort


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

      KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE  PRESENTS,  that I do hereby  constitute and appoint
Steven S. Fishman,  Frank A. Washburn,  and George R. Mihalko,  and each of them
individually,  as my true and lawful  attorneys-in-fact  and  agents,  with full
power of substitution  and  resubstitution,  for me and in my name,  place,  and
stead in my capacity as a director of Pamida  Holdings  Corporation  to sign the
Annual Report on Form 10-K of Pamida  Holdings  Corporation  for the fiscal year
ended  February  2, 1997,  and to file such  Annual  Report,  with all  exhibits
thereto and other  documents in connection  therewith,  with the  Securities and
Exchange Commission,  granting unto such  attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each
of them individually and their  substitutes,  full power and authority to do and
perform each and every act and thing  requisite  and necessary to be done in and
about the premises in connection with such Annual Report as fully to all intents
and purposes as I might or could do in person,  hereby  ratifying and confirming
all that  such  attorneys-in-fact  and  agents  or any of them,  or their or his
substitutes or substitute, lawfully may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

      IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have executed this Power of Attorney this 11th day
of April, 1997.


                                        /s/ M. Saleem Muqaddam
                                        M. Saleem Muqaddam


                                POWER OF ATTORNEY

      KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE  PRESENTS,  that I do hereby  constitute and appoint
Steven S. Fishman,  Frank A. Washburn,  and George R. Mihalko,  and each of them
individually,  as my true and lawful  attorneys-in-fact  and  agents,  with full
power of substitution  and  resubstitution,  for me and in my name,  place,  and
stead in my capacity as a director of Pamida  Holdings  Corporation  to sign the
Annual Report on Form 10-K of Pamida  Holdings  Corporation  for the fiscal year
ended  February  2, 1997,  and to file such  Annual  Report,  with all  exhibits
thereto and other  documents in connection  therewith,  with the  Securities and
Exchange Commission,  granting unto such  attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each
of them individually and their  substitutes,  full power and authority to do and
perform each and every act and thing  requisite  and necessary to be done in and
about the premises in connection with such Annual Report as fully to all intents
and purposes as I might or could do in person,  hereby  ratifying and confirming
all that  such  attorneys-in-fact  and  agents  or any of them,  or their or his
substitutes or substitute, lawfully may do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.

      IN WITNESS  WHEREOF,  I have executed this Power of Attorney this 21st day
of March, 1997.


                                        /s/ Peter J. Sodine
                                        Peter J. Sodini


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
The  schedule  contains  summary  financial   information   extracted  from  the
Consolidated  Balance Sheet of Pamida Holdings  Corporation and Subsidiary as of
February 2, 1997 and the related Consolidated Statement of Operations for the 53
weeks then ended and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such financial
statements.
</LEGEND>
<CIK>                         0000864760
<NAME>                        Pamida Holdings Corporation
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              FEB-02-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   FEB-02-1997
<CASH>                                         6,973
<SECURITIES>                                   0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  6,969
<ALLOWANCES>                                   50
<INVENTORY>                                    157,490
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               176,123
<PP&E>                                         42,403
<DEPRECIATION>                                 0
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 269,188
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          147,450
<BONDS>                                        201,999
                          1,875
                                    0
<COMMON>                                       50
<OTHER-SE>                                     (87,353)
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   269,188
<SALES>                                        633,189
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               633,189
<CGS>                                          479,099
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  604,204
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                               0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                             29,781
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                (796)
<INCOME-TAX>                                   0
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                            (796)
<DISCONTINUED>                                 0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                0
<CHANGES>                                      0
<NET-INCOME>                                   (1,187)
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                  (.24)
<EPS-DILUTED>                                  (.24)
        

</TABLE>


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