SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
(Amendment No. ___)
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement
[ ] Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule
14a-6(e)(2))
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to ss.240.14a-11(c) or ss.240.14a-12
SHOE CARNIVAL, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(1) and 0-11.
1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies:
2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies:
3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction
computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the
amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it
was determined):
4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
5) Total fee paid:
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid
previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement
number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing.
1) Amount Previously Paid:
2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
3) Filing Party:
4) Date Filed:
<PAGE>
SHOE CARNIVAL, INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF COMMON SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD ON JUNE 15, 1999
The annual meeting of common shareholders of Shoe Carnival, Inc. will be
held at the Holiday Inn Airport, 4101 North U.S. Route 41, Evansville, Indiana,
on Tuesday, June 15, 1999, at 10:00 a.m., C.D.T., for the following purposes:
(1) To elect two Directors to serve until the 2002 annual meeting of
shareholders and until their successors are elected and have qualified, as
set forth in the accompanying Proxy Statement;
(2) To approve or disapprove the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP,
as auditors for the Company for fiscal year 1999; and
(3) To transact such other business as may properly come before the
meeting.
All common shareholders of record at the close of business on April
16, 1999 will be eligible to vote.
It is important that your stock be represented at this meeting.
Whether or not you expect to be present, please fill in, date, sign and
return the enclosed proxy form in the accompanying addressed,
postage-prepaid envelope. If you attend the meeting, your proxy will be
canceled at your request.
David A. Kapp, Secretary
<PAGE>
SHOE CARNIVAL, INC.
8233 Baumgart Road
Evansville, Indiana 47711
PROXY STATEMENT
Annual Meeting of Common Shareholders
June 15, 1999
This statement is being furnished to common shareholders on or about May
14, 1999, in connection with a solicitation by the Board of Directors of Shoe
Carnival, Inc. (the "Company") of proxies to be voted at the annual meeting of
common shareholders to be held at 10:00 a.m., C.D.T., Tuesday, June 15, 1999, at
the Holiday Inn Airport, 4101 North U.S. Route 41, Evansville, Indiana, for the
purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice.
At the close of business on April 16, 1999, the record date for the
meeting, there were 13,236,642 shares of Common Stock of the Company outstanding
and entitled to vote at the meeting. On all matters, including the election of
Directors, each common shareholder will have one vote for each share held.
If the enclosed form of proxy is executed and returned, it may nevertheless
be revoked at any time insofar as it has not been exercised. The proxy may be
revoked by giving written notice of revocation to the Company, executing a
subsequently dated proxy that is delivered to the Company, or attending the
annual meeting and voting in person. Unless revoked, a proxy will be voted at
the meeting in accordance with the instructions of the shareholder in the proxy,
or, if no instructions are given, for the election as Directors of the nominees
listed under Proposal 1 and for the proposal shown as Proposal 2. Election of
the Directors will be determined by the vote of the holders of a plurality of
the shares voting on such election. Approval of Proposal 2 will be subject to
the vote of the holders of a greater number of shares favoring approval than
those opposing it. A proxy may indicate that all or a portion of the shares
represented by such proxy are not being voted with respect to a specific
proposal. This could occur, for example, when a broker is not permitted to vote
shares held in street name on certain proposals in the absence of instructions
from the beneficial owner. Shares that are not voted with respect to a specific
proposal will be considered as not present and entitled to vote on such
proposal, even though such shares will be considered present for purposes of
determining a quorum and voting on other proposals. Abstentions on a specific
proposal will be considered as present, but not as voting in favor of such
proposal. Neither broker non-votes nor abstentions will have any effect on the
vote required to approve any of the proposals.
The Board of Directors knows of no matters, other than those reported
below, which are to be brought before the meeting. However, if other matters
properly come before the meeting, it is the intention of the persons named in
the enclosed form of proxy to vote such proxy in accordance with their judgment
on such matters.
The cost of this solicitation of proxies will be borne by the Company.
Proxies may also be solicited personally or by telephone by Company employees
acting without additional compensation.
<PAGE>
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Nominees
The Company's bylaws currently provide for five Directors divided into
three classes. Two classes contain two Directors each, with the remaining class
containing one Director. The term of one class expires each year. Generally,
each Director serves until the annual meeting of common shareholders held in the
year that is three years after such Director's election and thereafter until
such Director's successor is elected and has qualified. The Director's position
whose term would expire at the 2000 annual meeting of shareholders has been
vacant since December 8, 1997. Although the Company intends to fill this vacancy
when a suitable candidate is located, the Company does not currently have a
nominee and, accordingly, this vacancy will not be filled at the annual meeting.
The accompanying form of proxy cannot be voted for a greater number of persons
than the two nominees listed below.
The shareholders will be asked to elect two Directors. The Directors whose
terms expire this year are J. Wayne Weaver and Gerald W. Schoor. Messrs. Weaver
and Schoor have been nominated by the Board of Directors for reelection as
Directors for a term to expire at the 2002 annual meeting of shareholders and
until their successors are elected and have qualified. It is the intention of
the persons named in the accompanying form of proxy, absent contrary
instructions therein, to vote such proxy for the election to the Board of
Directors of Messrs. Weaver and Schoor.
Unless otherwise indicated in a footnote to the following table, the
principal occupation of each Director has been the same for the last five years,
and each Director possesses sole voting and investment power with respect to the
shares of Common Stock indicated as beneficially owned by him.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares
Beneficially
Present Owned on
Principal Director March 31, Percent of
Name Age Occupation Since 1999(1) Class
- ------------------------ --- ----------------------------------- -------- --------------- -----------
NOMINEES FOR DIRECTOR
(Nominees for three-year term to expire at the annual meeting of shareholders in 2002)
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
J. Wayne Weaver 64 Chairman of the Board of the 1988 4,833,230 (2) 36.6%
Company, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of Jacksonville
Jaguars, LTD (professional football
franchise), and Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of LC Footwear, LLC.
(footwear distributor) (3)
Gerald W. Schoor 64 Merchant Banker 1993 3,000 (4) *
(self-employed) (5)
DIRECTORS CONTINUING IN OFFICE
(Term expiring at the annual meeting of shareholders in 2001)
Mark L. Lemond 44 President and Chief Executive 1988 378,370 (6) 2.8%
Officer of the Company (7)
William E. Bindley 58 Chairman of the Board and 1993 1,000 *
Chief Executive Officer of
Bindley Western Industries, Inc.
(pharmaceutical wholesale
distribution company) (8)
* Less than 1%
-2-
<PAGE>
<FN>
(1) Does not include shares subject to options that are not presently
exercisable (i.e., within 60 days after March 31, 1999).
(2) Includes 2,000,000 shares directly owned by Mr. Weaver's spouse, 333,230
shares owned jointly with Mr. Weaver's spouse and 500,000 shares held in a
trust of which Mr. Weaver is a trustee.
(3) From 1978 until February 2, 1993, Mr. Weaver's principal occupation was as
president and chief executive officer of Nine West Group, Inc. ("Nine
West"), a designer, developer and marketer of women's footwear.
(4) Represents 3,000 shares held as co-trustee for the benefit of his spouse.
(5) Prior to January 1997 and for at least the past five years, Mr. Schoor was
employed as president of Corporate Finance Associates, St. Louis (financial
intermediary) and as executive vice president of National Industrial
Services, Inc. (industrial asset management company).
(6) Includes 1,500 shares directly owned by Mr. Lemond's spouse and 118,333
shares issuable upon the exercise of presently exercisable options granted
under the Company's 1993 Stock Option and Incentive Plan ("1993 Stock
Option Plan").
(7) Mr. Lemond became the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company
on September 19, 1996. Prior to that time and for at least the past five
years, Mr. Lemond served as the Company's Chief Operating Officer and/or
Chief Financial Officer.
(8) Mr. Bindley also serves on the Board of Directors of Priority Healthcare
Corporation, a distributor and provider to the alternate site healthcare
market.
</FN>
</TABLE>
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the nominees listed above.
Meetings and Committees
During the 1998 fiscal year, the Board of Directors of the Company held
four meetings. All of the Directors were present at the meetings.
The Company has an Audit Committee, a Compensation Committee and a Stock
Option Committee. The Compensation Committee, which met once during fiscal year
1998, consists of Messrs. Bindley and Schoor. The Stock Option Committee, which
met once in fiscal year 1998, consists of Messrs. Bindley and Schoor. The Audit
Committee, which met two times during fiscal year 1998, consists of Messrs.
Bindley, Schoor and Lemond. The Audit Committee is responsible for recommending
independent auditors, reviewing with the independent auditors the scope and
results of the audit engagement, establishing and monitoring the Company's
financial policies and control procedures, reviewing and monitoring the
provision of non-audit services by the Company's auditors and reviewing all
potential conflict of interest situations, including the Company's relationships
with Weaver International Footwear, Inc., LC Footwear, LLC and PL Footwear, Inc.
The Compensation Committee is responsible for reviewing, determining and
establishing the salaries, bonuses and other compensation of the executive
officers of the Company. The Stock Option Committee is responsible for
administering the Company's 1993 Stock Option Plan and Employee Stock Purchase
Plan. The Board of Directors does not have a nominating committee. All of the
Directors attended all of the meetings of the committees on which they served
during the 1998 fiscal year.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's
executive officers and Directors, and persons who own more than 10% of Common
Stock, to file initial reports of ownership and reports of changes in ownership
with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such persons are required by
Securities and Exchange Commission regulations to furnish the Company with
copies of all Section 16(a) forms they file.
-3-
<PAGE>
Based solely on a review of the copies of such forms furnished to the
Company and written representations from certain reporting persons, the Company
believes that during fiscal 1998 all filing requirements applicable to its
executive officers, Directors and greater than 10% shareholders were timely
satisfied.
Summary Compensation Table
The following table sets forth a summary of the compensation paid by the
Company for services rendered in all capacities to the Company during each of
the three most recent fiscal years, to the Company's Chief Executive Officer,
and to each of the Company's four other most highly compensated executive
officers, based on salary and bonuses earned during fiscal 1998 (the "Named
Executive Officers").
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Summary Compensation Table
Long-Term
Compensation
------------
Annual Compensation (1) Awards
----------------------- ------------
Securities
Fiscal Underlying All Other
Name and Principal Position Year Salary Bonus(2) Options (3) Compensation (4)
- --------------------------- ----- ---------- --------- ----------- ----------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Mark L. Lemond, 1998 $ 390,385 $ 75,000 25,000 $ 3,785 (5)
President and Chief 1997 350,000 225,000 0 4,181 (6)
Executive Officer (7) 1996 293,462 0 85,000 (8) 3,831 (9)
J. Wayne Weaver, 1998 $ 300,000 $ 0 0 $ 0
Chairman of the Board 1997 300,000 0 0 0
1996 300,000 0 0 0
Timothy T. Baker, 1998 $ 175,192 $ 50,000 15,000 $ 3,911 (5)
Senior Vice President-- 1997 155,000 30,857 0 2,616 (6)
Store Operations 1996 145,243 0 15,000 981 (9)
Clifton E. Sifford, 1998 $ 162,116 $ 50,000 10,000 $ 2,935 (5)
Senior Vice President-- 1997 112,510 22,275 30,000 23,896 (10)
General Merchandise Manager 1996 0 0 0 0
(11)
Larry L. Linville, 1998 $ 141,154 $ 22,000 7,500 $ 4,771 (5)
Vice President-- Management 1997 123,077 19,000 0 4,142 (6)
Information Systems 1996 112,692 0 9,000 3,391 (9)
- ---------------
<FN>
(1) The column for Other Annual Compensation is not included (as permitted
under applicable regulations) because the perquisites and other personal
benefits awarded, earned or paid to the Named Executive Officers did not
exceed the lesser of $50,000 or 10% of the total of annual salary and bonus
for each Named Executive Officer for any of the years listed.
(2) Represents bonuses earned during the fiscal year indicated, which bonuses
at times have been paid in the subsequent fiscal year.
(3) All of the amounts reflect option shares. The Company has never granted
SARs.
(4) Except as otherwise indicated, all amounts are compensation related to life
and disability insurance premiums.
(5) Of the amounts shown, $2,779 for Mr. Lemond, $2,993 for Mr. Baker, $1,972
for Mr. Sifford and $2,933 for Mr. Linville represent the Company's
matching contribution under the Company's 401(k) plan.
(6) Of the amounts shown, $3,048 for Mr. Lemond, $1,669 for Mr. Baker and
$2,565 for Mr. Linville represent the Company's matching contribution under
the Company's 401(k) plan.
(7) Prior to becoming the Company's President and Chief Executive Officer on
September 19, 1996, Mr. Lemond served as the Company's Executive Vice
President -- Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer.
(8) Includes option for 35,000 shares granted on September 19, 1996, to replace
option for an identical number of shares granted on February 3, 1994.
(9) Of the amounts shown, $3,002 for Mr. Lemond, $430 for Mr. Baker and $2,331
for Mr. Linville represent the Company's matching contribution under the
Company's 401(k) plan.
(10) Of the amount shown, $23,370 represents reimbursement for relocation
expenses.
(11) Mr. Sifford joined the Company in April 1997.
</FN>
</TABLE>
-4-
<PAGE>
Employment, Noncompetition and Consulting Agreements
On April 14, 1997, The Company entered into a two-year employment agreement
with Clifton E. Sifford. Under the terms of the agreement, Mr. Sifford will
receive a base annual salary of $150,000 during the term of the agreement,
subject to increases at the discretion of the Board of Directors, plus certain
other employee benefits. The employment agreement contains noncompetition
provisions which prohibit Mr. Sifford from competing with the Company during the
term of the agreement. Upon termination, if such termination is at the request
of the employee or is for cause, the employee will be entitled to compensation
only through the date of termination. If the Company terminates Mr. Sifford
without cause prior to the expiration of the employment agreement, Mr. Sifford
will be entitled to receive his then current base salary through the term of the
agreement. The employment agreement expired April 14, 1999.
On January 15, 1993, the Company entered into a noncompetition agreement
with J. Wayne Weaver. As long as Mr. Weaver is an executive officer or Director
of the Company he may not engage directly or indirectly through any other
company or entity in the retail shoe business without the prior approval of the
Company's Audit Committee. The Audit Committee has approved Mr. Weaver's
association with LC Footwear, LLC. and PL Footwear, Inc. Effective February 1,
1993, Mr. Weaver became an employee of the Company at an annual salary of
$300,000. Although Mr. Weaver will continue to be involved in other business
activities and will not devote full time to the Company, he will devote such
time to the Company as he deems necessary or appropriate to perform his duties
as Chairman of the Board.
The Company does not have employment or noncompetition agreements with any
other officers.
Compensation of Directors
During 1998, the Company paid non-officer Directors an annual retainer of
$15,000 per year and a fee of $1,000 for each meeting of the Board or a
committee thereof attended. All Directors receive reimbursement of reasonable
out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with meetings of the Board. No
Director who is an officer or employee of the Company receives compensation for
services rendered as a Director.
On March 4, 1999, the Board of Directors approved the Outside Directors
Stock Option Plan. The plan calls for each non-employee director to be granted
on April 1 of each year an option to purchase 1,000 shares of the Company's
common stock at the market value on the date of the grant. The options will vest
six months from the date of grant and expire ten years from the date of grant.
Stock Options
From August 1989 through February 1992, the Company granted options to
purchase an aggregate of 1,500,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock to 14
officers, Directors and key employees of the Company under its 1989 Stock Option
Plan. The exercise price for each option was $.18 per share. Effective November
1, 1992, all such options were exercised by the holders. At that time, the
Company loaned an aggregate of $632,800 to the 14 officers, Directors and key
employees to permit them to pay the taxes due as a result of the stock option
exercise. The loans bear interest at the rate of 6% per annum and were payable
in four equal annual installments commencing December 31, 1993. The principal
amounts of the loans made to the Named Executive Officers in the Summary
Compensation Table above were as follows: Mr. Lemond--$126,580 and Mr.
Baker--$6,320. In 1996, Mr. Baker paid the remaining amount of principal and
interest due pursuant to his loan from the Company. Mr. Lemond paid the first
two principal installments relating to his loans with the final two payments
being extended. All remaining loan balances, including Mr. Lemond's, were paid
in March 1998.
-5-
<PAGE>
The Company's Board of Directors and shareholders approved the 1993 Stock
Option Plan, effective January 15, 1993, and amended it at the 1997 annual
meeting of shareholders. The 1993 Stock Option Plan reserves for issuance
1,500,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock (subject to adjustment for
subsequent stock splits, stock dividends and certain other changes in the Common
Stock) pursuant to incentive awards granted by the Stock Option Committee of the
Board of Directors which administers the 1993 Stock Option Plan. The 1993 Stock
Option Plan provides for the grant to officers and other key employees of the
Company of incentive awards in the form of stock options or restricted stock.
Stock options granted under the plan may be either options intended to qualify
for federal income tax purposes as "incentive stock options" or options not
qualifying for favorable tax treatment ("nonqualified stock options").
The following table sets forth information with respect to options granted
by the Company under the 1993 Stock Option Plan to the Named Executive Officers
during the fiscal year ended January 30, 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year
Individual Grants (1)
---------------------------------------------------------
% of Total
Number of Options Potential Realizable Value at Assumed
Securities Granted to Annual Rates of Stock Price
Underlying Employees in Exercise or Appreciation for Option Term (2)
Options Fiscal Base Price Expiration -------------------------------------
Name Granted (#) Year ($/Sh) Date (3) 5%($) 10%($)
- ------------------ ----------- ------------ ----------- ---------- -------- --------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Mark L. Lemond 25,000 11.8% 11.00 04/09/08 172,946 438,279
J. Wayne Weaver --- --- --- --- --- ---
Timothy T. Baker 15,000 7.1% 11.00 04/09/08 103,768 262,968
Clifton E. Sifford 10,000 4.7% 11.00 04/09/08 69,178 175,312
Larry L. Linville 7,500 3.5% 11.00 04/09/08 51,884 131,484
- ---------------
<FN>
(1) During fiscal 1998, options to purchase an aggregate of 212,500 shares were
granted to 124 employees at exercise prices equal to or above the market
price on the respective grant dates. Such options have a term of ten years,
subject to earlier expiration at or following termination of employment in
certain circumstances.
(2) The dollar amounts under these columns are the result of calculations at
the 5% and 10% rates set by the Securities and Exchange Commission and,
therefore, are not intended to forecast possible future appreciation, if
any, of the Company's stock price. The Company did not use an alternative
formula for a grant date valuation, as the Company is not aware of any
formula which will determine with reasonable accuracy a present value based
on future unknown or volatile factors.
(3) These options become exercisable in thirds on April 10, 1999, April 10,
2000 and April 10, 2001.
</FN>
</TABLE>
-6-
<PAGE>
The following table sets forth information with respect to the exercise of
options held by the Named Executive Officers during fiscal year 1998 and
unexercised stock options held by such individuals at the end of the fiscal year
ended January 30, 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Aggregated Option Exercises in Last Fiscal Year and Fiscal Year-End Option Values
Number of Securities Underlying
Unexercised Options at Fiscal Value of Unexercised In-the-Money
Year-End (#) Options at Fiscal Year-End ($)(1)
------------------------------- ----------------------------------
Shares Acquired Value
Name on Exercise Realized(2) Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
- ------------------ --------------- ----------- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Mark L. Lemond 0 0 81,666 53,334 347,434 115,121
J. Wayne Weaver 0 0 0 0 0 0
Timothy T. Baker 10,000 86,250 16,500 20,000 42,072 20,315
Clifton E. Sifford 0 0 7,500 32,500 25,785 77,355
Larry L. Linville 0 0 12,000 10,500 45,756 12,189
- ---------------
<FN>
(1) The closing price for the Company's Common Stock as reported by The Nasdaq
Stock Market on January 29, 1999 was $9.438. The value is calculated on the
basis of the difference between the Common Stock option exercise price and
$9.438, multiplied by the number of "in-the-money" shares of Common Stock
underlying the options.
(2) The value is calculated based on the difference between the option exercise
price and the closing market price of the Common Stock on the date of
exercise, multiplied by the number of shares to which the exercise relates.
</FN>
</TABLE>
Compensation Report of Compensation and Stock Option Committees
Executive Compensation Policy. In evaluating the performance of the
Company, the Compensation Committee focuses primarily on attained increases in
store growth, sales, operating income and net earnings as compared to the
Company's internal financial plan for the year approved by the Board of
Directors. In making compensation decisions, the Compensation Committee also
reviews executive compensation practices within the retail and footwear
industries with consideration given to, among other factors, differences in
sales, growth rates and total market capitalization.
The Company designs compensation programs to attract, retain and motivate
the finest talent possible for all levels of the organization. In addition, the
programs are designed to treat all employees fairly, to be cost-effective and to
assure that all compensation will continue to be tax deductible. To that end,
all programs, including those for executive officers, have the following
characteristics.
- Compensation is based on the level of job responsibility, the
individual's level of performance and Company performance. Members of management
have a greater portion of their pay based on Company performance than do
non-management employees.
- Compensation also takes into consideration the value of the job in the
marketplace. To retain its highly skilled work force, the Company strives to
remain competitive with the pay of employers of a similar stature who compete
with the Company for talent.
- The Company's 1993 Stock Option Plan is intended to provide a long-term
incentive for executives and other key employees to maximize growth and
profitability to create shareholder value.
The basic components of executive compensation, including that of the
Chief Executive Officer, consist of salary, bonus, stock options and
participation in the Company's 401(k) Savings Plan, Employee Stock Purchase Plan
and Executive Medical Plan. The Company does not currently provide for a
deferred compensation plan or any defined benefit pension plan.
-7-
<PAGE>
Cash Compensation. The Compensation Committee reviews and approves
salaries for the Chief Executive Officer and other executive officers on an
annual basis or at other times as necessary to accommodate the hiring of new
employees, promotions or other considerations. Recommended base salaries are
reviewed and set based on a number of factors, including job responsibilities,
individual industry experience, individual performance, Company performance,
industry data for comparable positions and recommendations by senior executive
officers. No predetermined weight is given to any of the above factors.
Salary increases for the Company's executive officers have averaged
approximately 10% annually for the past three years. Certain executive officers
have received greater salary increases corresponding to expanded
responsibilities as a result of the continued growth of the Company.
A portion of the cash compensation of executive officers and most other
salaried employees consists of bonus payments. Under the Company's Executive
Incentive Compensation Plan, most salaried employees, including all executive
officers, are eligible to receive a cash bonus equal to a specified percentage
of the participant's base salary if certain financial objectives are met. The
financial objectives for executive officers relate to the attainment of sales
and operating income goals established in advance by the Company's management
and approved by its Board of Directors. The Company's financial objectives for
1998 were not met and no bonuses were paid to the Named Executive Officers under
this quantitative plan for fiscal 1998. The determination of the Compensation
Committee to award discretionary cash bonuses (i.e., bonuses not pursuant to the
Incentive Compensation Plan) is based upon the objective and subjective
assessment of individual achievements and the evaluations and recommendations of
the Company's Chairman. Additionally, consideration is given to each
individual's aggregate cash compensation relative to the individual's position
and job requirements and the individual's impact on the Company's performance
over a number of years. Based on the Company's 1998 financial performance and
individual achievements, discretionary bonuses were awarded to all executive
officers. These bonuses were paid in March 1999.
Stock Options. The Company considers equity compensation, in the form of
stock options, to be an important element in the overall compensation of its
executive officers and other key employees. The grant of stock options continues
the Company's practice of increasing management's equity ownership in order to
ensure that the interests of management remain closely aligned with those of the
Company's shareholders. Stock options also create an incentive for the Company's
key employees to remain with the Company for the long term because the options
are typically not immediately exercisable and, if not exercised, are forfeited
immediately if the employee is terminated for cause or voluntarily terminates
his employment (other than by reason of death, disability or retirement) or
within three months if employment is terminated for any other reason except
death, disability or retirement.
Options are granted pursuant to the Company's 1993 Stock Option Plan at
the discretion of the Company's Stock Option Committee. The Stock Option
Committee relies in large part on the recommendation of the Chairman in
determining the number of option shares to be granted to executive officers,
based upon the Chairman's assessment of individual performance and the Company's
performance. With the exception of new employees, options are typically granted
on an annual basis. Based on the Company's record performance in 1997, most
field and administrative managers and all executive officers were granted
options in 1998 with an exercise price equal to the market price on the grant
date. See "Stock Options - Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year."
-8-
<PAGE>
Chief Executive Officer Compensation. The Chief Executive Officer's total
compensation is based upon the same factors as the compensation of other
executive officers, including his individual performance and the Company's
short-term and long-term performance, as measured principally by increases in
store growth, sales, operating income and net earnings. In addition, the
Compensation Committee reviews the level of chief executives' compensation
within the retail and footwear industries with consideration given to, among
other factors, differences in sales, growth rates and total market
capitalization.
In establishing Mr. Lemond's cash compensation for 1998, the Compensation
Committee noted that since Mr. Lemond was elected to the offices of President
and Chief Executive Officer in September 1996, the Company has made substantial
progress towards the completion of certain strategic initiatives aimed at
bringing consistent profits and growth. In 1997, the Company achieved record
levels of sales and net income, completed a major store remodeling program,
enhanced the management team with the addition of key personnel and, most
importantly, positioned the Company for an aggressive store expansion program
for 1998 and subsequent years. Based on the aforementioned achievements and that
Mr. Lemond did not receive a salary increase in 1997, Mr. Lemond's salary was
increased 14% to $400,000 effective April 5, 1998. He was also granted an option
to purchase 25,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock on April 10, 1998. Based
on the 1998 financial results, Mr. Lemond was awarded a bonus of $75,000 payable
in March 1999.
Compensation Committee Stock Option Committee
William E. Bindley William E. Bindley
Gerald W. Schoor Gerald W. Schoor
-9-
<PAGE>
Performance Graph
The performance graph set forth below compares the cumulative total
shareholder return on the Company's Common Stock with the Nasdaq Market Index
and the Nasdaq Index for Retail Trade Stocks for the period from December 31,
1993 through January 29, 1999.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Comparison of Cumulative Total Return Among The Company,
Nasdaq Market Index and Nasdaq Index for Retail Trade Stocks
- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
December 31, December 30, February 2, January 31, January 30, January 29,
1993 1994 1996 1997 1998 1999
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<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
The Nasdaq Stock Market (U.S.) 100 98 140 182 215 336
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Nasdaq Retail Trade Stocks 100 91 100 122 143 174
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Shoe Carnival, Inc. 100 40 28 42 70 79
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</TABLE>
[PERFORMANCE GRAPH APPEARS HERE]
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation
During fiscal 1998, the Compensation Committee consisted of Messrs.
Bindley and Schoor. Neither of the Compensation Committee members were involved
in a relationship requiring disclosure as an interlocking executive
officer/director or under Item 404 of Regulation S-K or as a former officer or
employee of the Company.
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<PAGE>
Certain Transactions
Mr. Weaver, along with Bradley W. Weaver, his son and the owner of 4.7% of
the outstanding shares of the Company's Common Stock, are the principal
shareholders of LC Footwear, LLC. and PL Footwear, Inc. Mr. J. Wayne Weaver is
also Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of LC Footwear, LLC and
PL Footwear, Inc. Bradley W. Weaver also owns and operates Weaver International
Footwear, Inc. ("Weaver International").
The Company purchases women's footwear from LC Footwear, LLC in the
ordinary course of business. During 1998, the Company purchased approximately
$138,000 of merchandise from LC Footwear, LLC. Management of the Company
believes that purchases from LC Footwear, LLC are on terms that are not less
favorable to the Company than could be obtained from unrelated third parties for
comparable merchandise.
Weaver International and PL Footwear, Inc., along with others, serve as
import agents for the Company. Import agents represent the Company on a
commission basis in dealings with shoe factories primarily in mainland China
where most of the Company's private label shoes are manufactured. As agents for
the Company, Weaver International and PL Footwear, Inc. visit shoe
manufacturers, collect shoe samples, submit these samples to the Company and
advise the Company of market conditions and availability of merchandise. They
also help select leather, assist in detailing and quality control and coordinate
the production and delivery schedule of a portion of the Company's private label
merchandise. The Company pays Weaver International and PL Footwear, Inc. 10% of
the gross purchase price of shoes bought through each company. In 1998, there
were no commissions paid by the Company to Weaver International. Commissions
paid to PL Footwear, Inc. were approximately $912,000 in 1998. Management of the
Company believes that the arrangements with Weaver International and PL
Footwear, Inc. are on terms that are not less favorable to the Company than
could be obtained from unrelated parties.
On November 1, 1992, the Company made loans bearing interest at the rate of
6% per annum to certain officers, Directors and key employees in connection with
their exercise of stock options. See "Stock Options." During fiscal year 1998
the largest amount outstanding in connection with such loan to Mr. Lemond was
$63,290. In March 1998, Mr. Lemond's note was paid in full.
APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS
The appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP as auditors for the Company for
fiscal year 1999 is recommended by the Board of Directors and will be submitted
to the meeting in order to permit the shareholders to express their approval or
disapproval. In the event of a negative vote, a selection of other auditors will
be made by the Board. A representative of Deloitte & Touche LLP is expected to
be present at the meeting, will be given an opportunity to make a statement if
he desires and will respond to appropriate questions. Notwithstanding approval
by the shareholders, the Board of Directors reserves the right to replace the
auditors at any time upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee of the Board
of Directors.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the appointment of Deloitte &
Touche LLP as auditors for 1999.
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<PAGE>
PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS
The following table sets forth, as of March 31, 1999, certain information
with respect to beneficial ownership of the Company's Common Stock by each
person (or group of affiliated persons) who is known by management to own
beneficially more than 5% of the Common Stock, by each Named Executive Officer
who is not a Director, and by all Directors and current executive officers as a
group. Except as otherwise noted, the persons named in the table have sole
voting and investment power with respect to all shares of Common Stock shown as
beneficially owned by them.
Number of Shares Percent of
Name Beneficially Owned Class
---- ------------------ ----------
J. Wayne Weaver (1)................ 4,833,230 (2) 36.6%
Delores B. Weaver (1).............. 4,833,230 (3) 36.6%
Timothy T. Baker................... 25,053 (4) *
Clifton E. Sifford................. 10,833 (5) *
Larry L. Linville.................. 18,500 (6) *
Dimensional Fund Advisors, Inc.
1299 Ocean Ave, 11th Floor
Santa Monica, CA 90401**.......... 669,800 (7) 5.1%
All current executive officers
and Directors as a group
(9 persons)...................... 5,318,410 (8) 39.6%
- ----------
* Less than 1%
** Information is based solely on reports filed by such shareholder under
Section 13(d) or Section 13(g) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.
(1) J. Wayne Weaver and Delores B. Weaver are husband and wife. Their address
is 8233 Baumgart Road, Evansville, Indiana 47711.
(2) Includes 2,000,000 shares directly owned by Mr. Weaver's spouse, Delores B.
Weaver, 333,230 shares owned jointly with his spouse and 500,000 shares
held in a trust of which Mr. Weaver is a trustee.
(3) Includes 2,000,000 shares directly owned by Mrs. Weaver's spouse, J. Wayne
Weaver, 333,230 shares owned jointly with her spouse and 500,000 shares
held in a trust of which Mrs. Weaver is a trustee.
(4) Includes 19,000 shares issuable upon the exercise of options.
(5) Represents shares issuable upon the exercise of options.
(6) Includes 1,000 shares owned jointly with Mr. Linville's spouse and 17,500
shares issuable upon the exercise of options.
(7) The shareholder is a registered investment advisor and has sole voting and
dispositive power with respect to the shares. All of the indicated shares
are owned by advisory clients of the shareholder, and the shareholder
disclaims beneficial ownership of such shares.
(8) Includes 200,382 shares issuable upon the exercise of options.
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<PAGE>
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR 2000 ANNUAL MEETING
The date by which shareholder proposals must be received by the Company
for inclusion in proxy materials relating to the 2000 Annual Meeting of Common
Shareholders is January 14, 2000.
In order to be considered at the 2000 Annual Meeting, shareholder
proposals must comply with the advance notice and eligibility requirements
contained in the Company's By-Laws. The Company's By-Laws provide that
shareholders are required to give advance notice to the Company of any
nomination by a shareholder of candidates for election as directors and of any
business to be brought by a shareholder before an annual shareholders' meeting.
Specifically, the By-Laws provide that for a shareholder to nominate a person
for election to the Company's Board of Directors, the shareholder must be
entitled to vote the election of directors at the meeting and must give timely
written notice of the nomination to the Secretary of the Company. The By-Laws
also provide that for business to be properly brought before an annual meeting
by a shareholder, the shareholder must have the legal right and authority to
make the proposal for consideration at the meeting and the shareholder must give
timely written notice thereof to the Secretary of the Company. In order to be
timely, a shareholder's notice must be delivered to or mailed and received at
the principal executive offices of the Company not less than 30 days nor more
than 60 days prior to the meeting. In the event that less than 40 days' notice
or prior public disclosure of the date of the meeting is given or made to
shareholders, notice by the shareholder must be received not later than the
close of business on the tenth day following the day on which notice of the date
of the meeting was mailed or public disclosure was made. The notice must contain
specified information about each nominee or the proposed business and the
shareholder making the nomination or proposal.
The specific requirements of these advance notice and eligibility
provisions are set forth in Article II and Article III of the Company By-Laws, a
copy of which is available upon request. Such request and any shareholder
proposals should be sent to the Secretary of the Company at the principal
executive offices of the Company.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in any of the Company's
previous filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, that may incorporate future filings (including
this proxy statement, in whole or in part), the Compensation Report of the
Compensation and Stock Option Committees and the Performance Graph shall not be
incorporated by reference in any such filings.
ANNUAL REPORTS
The Annual Report to Shareholders for the 1998 fiscal year accompanies
this Proxy Statement. The Annual Report is not used as part of this solicitation
material and no action will be taken with respect to it at the Annual meeting.
In addition, a copy of the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 1998
fiscal year as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including
financial statements but excluding exhibits, may be obtained without charge upon
written request to David A. Kapp, Secretary, Shoe Carnival, Inc., 8233 Baumgart
Road, Evansville, Indiana 47711.
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<PAGE>
PROXY SHOE CARNIVAL, INC. PROXY
Proxy Solicited on Behalf of The Board of Directors
For The Annual Meeting of Shareholders -- June 15, 1999
The undersigned appoints Mark L. Lemond and J. Wayne Weaver, and each of
them, as proxies, with full power of substitution and revocation, to vote, as
designated on the reverse side hereof, all the Common Stock of Shoe Carnival,
Inc. which the undersigned has power to vote, with all powers which the
undersigned would possess if personally present, at the annual meeting of
shareholders thereof to be held at the Holiday Inn Airport, 4101 North U.S.
Route 41, Evansville, Indiana on June 15, 1999, or at any adjournment thereof.
This proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed
herein by the undersigned shareholder. Unless otherwise marked, this proxy will
be voted FOR the election as Directors of the nominees listed under Proposal 1
and FOR Proposal 2.
PLEASE VOTE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY
USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
(Continued and to be signed on reverse side.)
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<PAGE>
SHOE CARNIVAL, INC.
PLEASE MARK VOTE IN OVAL IN THE FOLLOWING MANNER USING DARK INK ONLY. [X]
For Withhold For All (except
Nominee(s)
written below)
1. Election of Directors -- [] [] []
Nominees: J. Wayne Weaver
Gerald W. Schoor
_____________________
For Against Abstain
2. Proposal to approve the [] [] []
appointment of Deloitte &
Touche LLP, as auditors for
the Company for 1999.
3. In their discretion, any other
matters that may properly
come before the meeting.
Dated: , 1999
Signature(s)
NOTE: When signing as attorney, executor, administrator,
trustee or guardian, please give full title. If more than
one trustee, all should sign. All joint owners must sign.
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FOLD AND DETACH HERE
YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT!
PLEASE VOTE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY
USING THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE.
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<PAGE>
