<PAGE> 1
================================================================================
SCHEDULE 14A
(RULE 14a)
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
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:
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
[ ] 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 sec.240.14a-11(c) or sec.240.14a-12
</TABLE>
AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC.
(NAME OF REGISTRANT AS SPECIFIED IN ITS CHARTER)
XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX
(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)(4) 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> 2
AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC.
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD
JUNE 3, 1998
AND
PROXY STATEMENT
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
IMPORTANT
Please mark, sign and date your proxy and
promptly return it in the enclosed envelope.
No postage is necessary if mailed in the United States.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE> 3
AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC.
150 Thorn Hill Drive
Warrendale, Pennsylvania 15086-7528
724-776-4857
---------------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
TO BE HELD JUNE 3, 1998
--------------------
May 1, 1998
To the Shareholders of
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.:
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN that the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of
American Eagle Outfitters, Inc., an Ohio corporation (the "Company"), will be
held at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, 801 Park Avenue, New York, New York, on June
3, 1998, at 10:00 a.m., local time, for the following purposes:
1. To elect twelve directors, each for a term of one year and
until their successors are duly elected and qualified.
2. To approve the Company's Management Incentive Plan; and
3. To transact such other business as may properly come before
the meeting or any adjournment thereof.
Whether or not you plan to attend the meeting, please date, sign and
mail the enclosed proxy in the envelope provided. If you attend the meeting, you
may vote in person and your proxy will not be used.
By Order of the Board of Directors
William P. Tait
Vice President, Secretary and Treasurer
Page 2
<PAGE> 4
AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC.
May 1, 1998
-------------------------
PROXY STATEMENT
ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
JUNE 3, 1998
-------------------------
This Proxy Statement is furnished to the shareholders of American Eagle
Outfitters, Inc., an Ohio corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the
solicitation by the Board of Directors of the Company of proxies to be used at
the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on June 3, 1998, at 10:00 a.m.,
local time, at the Waldorf Astoria Hotel, 801 Park Avenue, New York, New York
and at any adjournment thereof. It is being mailed to the shareholders on or
about May 4, 1998.
All shares represented by properly executed proxies received by the
Company prior to the meeting will be voted in accordance with the shareholder's
directions. A proxy may be revoked, without affecting any vote previously taken,
by written notice mailed to the Company (Attention: William P. Tait, Vice
President, Secretary and Treasurer) or delivered in person at the meeting, by
filing a duly executed, later dated proxy or by attending the meeting and voting
in person.
Shareholders of record at the close of business on April 24, 1998, are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournment or
adjournments thereof. At April 24, 1998, the Company had outstanding 15,108,378
shares of Common Stock, without par value, entitled to vote at the Annual
Meeting. Each Common Share entitles the holder thereof to one vote upon each
matter to be voted upon by shareholders at the Annual Meeting.
The presence, in person or by proxy, of a majority of the outstanding
shares of Common Stock of the Company is necessary to constitute a quorum for
the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions and broker
non-votes are counted for purposes of determining the presence or absence of a
quorum. Broker non-votes occur when brokers, who hold their customers' shares in
street name, sign and submit proxies for such shares and vote such shares on
some matters, but not others. This would occur when brokers have not received
any instructions from their customers, in which case the brokers, as the holders
of record, are permitted to vote on "routine" matters, which include the
election of directors, but not on non-routine matters.
The election of each director nominee requires the favorable vote of a
plurality of all votes cast by the holders of Common Stock at a meeting at which
a quorum is present. Proxies that are marked "Withhold Authority" and broker
non-votes will not be counted toward such nominee's achievement of a plurality
and thus will have no effect. Each other matter to be submitted to the
shareholders for approval at the Annual Meeting requires the affirmative vote of
the holders of a majority of the Common Stock voting on the matter. For purposes
of determining the number of shares of Common Stock voting on the matter,
abstentions will be counted and will have the effect of a negative vote; broker
non-votes will not be counted and thus will have no effect.
Page 3
<PAGE> 5
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS AND MANAGEMENT
OWNERSHIP OF COMMON STOCK
The following table sets forth, as of April 1, 1998, certain
information with regard to the beneficial ownership of the Company's Common
Stock by: (i) each person known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5%
of the outstanding shares of Common Stock; (ii) each of the Company's directors;
(iii) each executive officer named in the summary compensation table below; and
(iv) all directors and executive officers as a group.
A three-for-two stock split was distributed on January 5, 1998, and
another three-for-two split will be distributed on May 8, 1998. All share
amounts and per share data included in this proxy statement have been restated
to reflect the January 1998 stock split, but do not reflect the May 1998 stock
split.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shareholder Shares Beneficially Owned (1)
- ----------- -----------------------------
Number Percent
------ -------
<S> <C> <C>
Retail Ventures, Inc. (2) 3,516,916 23.3%
Natco Industries, Inc. (2) 4,660,783 31.4%
S.H.D. Investments LLC (3) 1,393,500 9.4%
Jay L. Schottenstein (4)(5) 3,696,939 24.9%
Geraldine Schottenstein (5) 4,660,783 31.4%
Saul Schottenstein (6) 15,000 *
George Kolber (7) 125,250 *
Ari Deshe -- *
Jon P. Diamond 375 *
Martin P. Doolan(7) 9,750 *
Gilbert W. Harrison 150 *
Michael G. Jesselson 3,000 *
Thomas R. Ketteler(7) 10,500 *
John L. Marakas (7) 8,250 *
David W. Thompson(7) 47,250 *
Gerald E. Wedren -- *
Joseph E. Kerin (7) 11,453 *
Roger S. Markfield (7) 219,435 1.5%
Laura A. Weil (7) 9,750 *
All directors and executive officers as a group 4,161,602 41.9%
</TABLE>
* Represents less than 1% of the outstanding Common Stock.
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, each of the shareholders has sole voting
and investment power with respect to the shares of Common Stock
beneficially owned. The percent is based upon the 15,076,033 shares
outstanding at April 1, 1998 and the number of shares, if any, as to
which the named person has the right to acquire beneficial ownership
upon the exercise of stock options exercisable within 60 days of April
1, 1998.
(2) The address for Retail Ventures, Inc. ("RVI") and Natco Industries,
Inc. ("Natco") is 1800 Moler Road, Columbus, Ohio 43207-1698.
(3) The address for S.H.D. Investments LLC is 5804 E. Slauson, City of
Commerce, California, 90040-3018.
(4) Includes 3,516,916 shares of Common Stock owned by RVI and 22.5 shares
of Common Stock held as custodian for a family member and 135,000
shares subject to exercisable options. Jay L. Schottenstein serves as
Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of RVI and Natco. Jay L.
Schottenstein is the beneficial owner of 69.9% of the outstanding
voting securities of RVI. Accordingly, he may be deemed to be the
beneficial owner of the Common Stock of the Company held by RVI.
(5) Geraldine Schottenstein is the mother of Jay L. Schottenstein.
Geraldine Schottenstein is the beneficial owner of 78.8% of the
outstanding voting securities of Natco. Accordingly, she may be deemed
to be the beneficial owner of the shares of Common Stock of the Company
held by Natco.
Page 4
<PAGE> 6
(6) Includes 7,500 shares subject to exercisable options held by Saul
Schottenstein. Saul Schottenstein is the uncle of Jay L. Schottenstein
and is a director of RVI and Natco. For a description of Saul
Schottenstein's beneficial ownership of the outstanding voting
securities of RVI and Natco, see "Ownership of RVI and Natco."
(7) Includes the following number of shares subject to exercisable options:
Mr. Kolber, 16,500 shares; Mr. Doolan, 9,750 shares; Mr. Ketteler,
3,000 shares; Mr. Marakas, 3,750 shares; Mr. Thompson, 12,000 shares;
Mr. Kerin, 3,000 shares; Mr. Markfield, 18,000 shares; and Ms. Weil,
6,000 shares.
OWNERSHIP OF RVI AND NATCO
The following table shows the shares of RVI and Natco common stock
owned beneficially by each person owning more than 5% of the shares, each
director or executive officer owning any shares, and by all directors and
executive officers of the Company as a group, as of April 1, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Shares of Shares of
RVI Natco
Common Percent of Stock Percent of
Shareholder Stock Class Common Class
- ----------- ----- ----- ------ -----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Jay L. Schottenstein (1) 349.5 69.9% 7,372.3 40.4%
Saul Schottenstein (2) 51.0 10.2% 361.4 2.0%
Geraldine Schottenstein (3) 153.0 30.6% 14,383.2 78.8%
Ann Schottenstein Deshe (4) 97.0 19.4% 7,010.9 38.4%
Susan Schottenstein Diamond (5) 48.5 9.7% 3,505.5 19.2%
All directors and executive officers as a group 354.5 70.9% 7,733.7 42.4%
</TABLE>
(1) Represents sole and/or shared voting and investment power over shares
held in trust for family members as to which Jay L. Schottenstein is
either Trustee or a Trust Advisor.
(2) Represents sole and or shared voting and investment power over 46 RVI
shares held in trust for family members as to which Saul Schottenstein
is Trustee and 5 RVI shares owned directly.
(3) Represents sole and/or shared voting and investment power over shares
held in trust for family members as to which Geraldine Schottenstein is
Trustee.
(4) Ann Schottenstein Deshe is the spouse of Ari Deshe and the sister of
Jay L. Schottenstein. Represents sole and/or shared voting and
investment power over shares held in trust for family members as to
which Ann Schottenstein Deshe is either Trustee or a Trust Advisor.
(5) Susan Schottenstein Diamond is the spouse of Jon P. Diamond and the
sister of Jay L. Schottenstein. Represents sole and/or shared voting
and investment power over shares held in trust for family members as to
which Susan Schottenstein Diamond is either Trustee or a Trust Advisor.
PROPOSAL ONE: ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
The members of the Board of Directors of the Company are elected at the
Annual Meeting. The number of Directors has been fixed at twelve by action of
the Board pursuant to the Code of Regulations (By-laws) of the Company. Board
members serve until the annual meeting following their election or until their
successors are duly elected and qualified.
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS
The enclosed proxy, if returned duly executed and not revoked, will be
voted as specified thereon, or if no instructions are given, will be voted FOR
the nominees listed below. In the event that any nominee should become
unavailable, the Board of Directors may decrease the number of directors
pursuant to the Code of Regulations, or may designate a substitute nominee, in
which event the proxy will be voted for such substitute nominee. The Board has
no reason to believe that any nominee will be unavailable or, if re-elected,
unable to serve. The following table sets forth certain information with respect
to each nominee. A description of each nominee's principal occupation for the
past five years follows the table.
Page 5
<PAGE> 7
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
NAME AGE POSITION WITH THE COMPANY
---- --- -------------------------
<S> <C> <C>
Jay L. Schottenstein 43 Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Saul Schottenstein 76 Vice Chairman
George Kolber 47 Vice Chairman and Chief Operating Officer
Ari Deshe 47 Director
Jon P. Diamond 40 Director
Martin P. Doolan 58 Director
Gilbert W. Harrison 57 Director
Michael G. Jesselson 46 Director
Thomas R. Ketteler 55 Director
John L. Marakas 71 Director
David W. Thompson 45 Director
Gerald E. Wedren 61 Director
</TABLE>
Jay L. Schottenstein has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer
of the Company and its predecessors since March 1992 and prior to that time he
served as a Vice President and Director of the Company's predecessors since
1980. He has also served since March 1992 as Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer of Schottenstein Stores Corporation ("SSC"), a privately-held company
with interests in retailing, real estate and manufacturing. He has also served
as Chairman since March 1992 and as Chief Executive Officer, from April 1991
through July 1997, of Value City Department Stores, Inc. ("VCD"), a company that
operates a chain of off-price department stores and is 62% owned by SSC, with
the remaining shares publicly-held and traded on the New York Stock Exchange.
Mr. Schottenstein served as Vice Chairman of SSC since 1986 and as a director of
SSC since 1982. He has also served as an officer and director of various other
corporations owned or controlled by members of his family (the "Schottenstein
Family") since 1976. Jay L. Schottenstein is the nephew of Saul Schottenstein
and the brother-in-law of Ari Deshe and Jon P. Diamond.
Saul Schottenstein has been a director of the Company and its
predecessors since 1980. He has served as President of SSC since 1984, and as a
director of SSC since 1982. He served as Executive Vice President of SSC from
1982 to 1984. Prior to that time he served in various executive capacities with
SSC since 1946. He is also an officer and director of various other corporations
owned or controlled by the Schottenstein Family, including VCD.
George Kolber has served as Vice Chairman of the Company's Board of
Directors and Chief Operating Officer since December 1995. Prior to joining the
Company, he served as Vice President of SSC since 1979 and as Vice President,
Administration of VCD from 1990 until 1993. Prior to that time, Mr. Kolber
served as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Strauss Stores and R&S
Strauss, Associates. He has also served as Chairman of the Board of Directors of
Penn Jersey Auto Stores and on the Board of Directors of Wieboldts Department
Stores.
Ari Deshe has been a director of the Company since November 1997. Since
1996, Mr. Deshe has served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Safe Auto
Insurance Company, a property and casualty insurance company and he served as
President and Chief Executive Officer from 1993 to 1996. Prior to that, Mr.
Deshe served as President of Safe Auto Insurance Agency from 1992 to 1993 and
President of Employee Benefit Systems, Inc. from 1982 to 1992. He also serves on
the Board of Directors of VCD.
Jon P. Diamond has been a director of the Company since November 1997.
Since 1996, Mr. Diamond has served as President and Chief Operating Officer of
Safe Auto Insurance Company, a property and casualty insurance company and he
served as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer from 1993 to
1996. Mr. Diamond served as Vice President of SSC from March 1987 to March 1993
and served in various management positions of SSC since 1983. He also serves on
the Board of Directors of VCD.
Page 6
<PAGE> 8
Martin P. Doolan has been a director of the Company since August 1995.
Mr. Doolan has serve as President and Chief Executive Officer and as a director
of VCD since July 1997. Prior to joining VCD, Mr. Doolan served as Chairman,
President and Chief Executive Officer of U.S. Netting, Inc., a manufacturer of
plastic extruded filtration netting headquartered in Austin, Texas. He served as
Chairman of Bestop, Inc., an automotive convertible top manufacturer from 1988
to June 1995. He has also served as Chief Executive Officer of a number of other
companies including Walt's Radiator and Muffler, Inc., an automotive retail
service and distribution chain where he continues to serve as Chairman; Sun
Engine, a remanufacturer of domestic automobile engines; Pilliod Cabinet Corp.,
a furniture manufacturer; and Sunwest International, a brass door and hardware
manufacturer.
Gilbert W. Harrison has served as a director of the Company since July
1997. Mr. Harrison is Chairman of Financo, Inc., an investment banking firm
founded in 1971. Financo, which is headquartered in New York, provides financial
advisory services to retail, apparel and other merchandise related companies.
Mr. Harrison serves on the Board of the Fashion Institute of Technology and
serves on the Undergraduate Board of The Wharton School of the University of
Pennsylvania.
Michael G. Jesselson has served as a director of the Company since
November 1997. Mr. Jesselson is President of Jesselson Capital Corporation, a
private investment corporation headquartered in New York City. He also serves on
the Board of Directors of a number of nonprofit institutions.
Thomas R. Ketteler has been a director of the Company since January
1994. Mr. Ketteler has served SSC as Chief Operating Officer since April 1995,
as a director since 1985 and Vice President of Finance since 1981. Prior to that
time, he was a partner in the firm of Alexander Grant and Company, Certified
Public Accountants. Mr. Ketteler is a director of Crowley Milner & Company, a
publicly-held department store company, and is an officer and director of
various other corporations owned or controlled by the Schottenstein Family.
John L. Marakas has been retired since April 1991. Prior to his
retirement, Mr. Marakas served as President and a director of Nationwide
Corporation, an insurance and financial services holding company from March 1972
to April 1990 and as President and a director of Nationwide Life Insurance
Company from September 1981 to April 1991. Mr. Marakas has been a director of
the Company since April 1994.
David W. Thompson has been a director of the Company since January
1994. David W. Thompson has served as President since June 1993 of Value City
Furniture, a division of SSC. From June 1981 to June 1993, Mr. Thompson served
as Vice President of Value City Furniture.
Gerald E. Wedren has been a director of the Company since November
1997. Mr. Wedren has served as President of Craig Capital Co., a Washington D.C.
based merger and acquisition firm since 1973. Mr. Wedren has been Managing
Partner of Tavern Real Estate Limited Partnership and Wedren Associates, which
owns and leases properties in the Washington and Baltimore area, since 1988. Mr.
Wedren was President of G.E.W. Inc., an owner of fast food restaurants, from
1981 to 1988. Mr. Wedren is also a director of Marwed Corporation, Tavern Realty
Co. and retired in April 1998 as a director of Lexford Residential Property
Trust, fka Cardinal Realty Services, Inc.
INFORMATION CONCERNING BOARD OF DIRECTORS
During the year ended January 31, 1998 ("Fiscal 1997"), the Board of
Directors met six times and acted by unanimous written consent twice. Saul
Schottenstein did not attend three of the six meetings. Additionally, Special
Committees of the Board of Directors met three times during Fiscal 1997. The
Board has standing Audit and Compensation and Stock Option Committees.
The members of the Audit Committee are Michael G. Jesselson, John L.
Marakas, and Gerald E. Wedren. The function of the Audit Committee is to
recommend to the Board a firm of accountants to serve as the Company's auditors
and to review with the independent auditors and the appropriate corporate
officers matters relating to corporate financial
Page 7
<PAGE> 9
reporting and accounting procedures and policies, adequacy of financial,
accounting and operating controls and the scope of the audit. The Audit
Committee met once in Fiscal 1997.
The members of the Compensation and Stock Option Committee are Michael
G. Jesselson, John L. Marakas, and Gerald E. Wedren. The function of the
Committee is to consult with and advise the Chairman with respect to the
Company's compensation policies, including compensation of senior management.
The Committee also determines the number and terms of any stock options to be
granted under the Company's Stock Option Plan. The Compensation and Stock Option
Committee met twice in Fiscal 1997.
Directors who are not employees are paid $2,000 for each Board and
Committee meeting attended, with a minimum annual compensation of $8,000.
Directors who are also employees of the Company do not receive additional
compensation for serving as directors.
The Company's 1994 Stock Option Plan, as amended, provides the
automatic grant of options to purchase 1,500 shares of Common Stock to each
non-employee director on the first trading day of each fiscal quarter. The
exercise price for each option is the fair market value of the Common Stock on
the date of grant. The exercise price must be paid either in cash, with
previously acquired Common Stock of the Company, the option holder's promissory
note or any combination of the foregoing, provided, however, use of
consideration other than cash requires consent of the Board. All of the options
become exercisable one year after the date of grant and remain exercisable for a
period of ten years from the date of grant, subject to earlier termination after
termination of the option holder's service as a director of the Company. The
options are transferable by the optionholders either (i) if transferred without
consideration to immediate family members, or the entities they control, or (ii)
if such transfer is approved by the Stock Option Committee.
EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The following persons are executive officers of the Company. Except as
otherwise indicated, each was elected to the position indicated with the Company
upon its organization in January, 1994. For information regarding officers who
are also directors, see "Election of Directors." The officers of the Company are
elected annually by the Board and serve at the pleasure of the Board.
Roger S. Markfield, age 56, has served as President and Chief
Merchandising Officer of the Company since February 1995 and prior thereto as
Executive Vice President Merchandising for the Company and its predecessors
since May 1993. Prior to joining the Company, he served as Executive Vice
President--General Merchandising Manager for the Limited Division of The
Limited, Incorporated, a large national speciality retailer from May 1992 to
April 1993. From 1969 to 1976 and from 1979 to 1992, he was employed by R.H.
Macy & Co. ("Macy's"), a national retailer operating department and speciality
stores, as a Buyer in Boys' Wear rising to the office of President of Corporate
Buying--Mens. From 1976 to 1979, Mr. Markfield served as Senior Vice President
of Merchandising and Marketing for the Gap Stores, Inc.
Laura A. Weil, age 41, has served as Chief Financial Officer of the
Company since December 1995. Prior to joining the Company, she was a consultant
to companies including Schottenstein Stores Corporation, from March 1995 to
December 1995. From 1992 to 1995, she was Senior Vice President and the head of
the retailing investment banking practice at Oppenheimer & Co., Inc. Prior to
joining Oppenheimer, Ms. Weil held various executive positions at R.H. Macy &
Co., Inc. from 1989 to 1992, including Vice President-Finance and Chief
Financial Officer-Credit Operations. From 1988 to 1989 she was an executive with
L'Herbier de Provence, a Paris-based cosmetics and toiletries retailer. From
1979-1981 and 1983-1988, Ms. Weil held various investment banking positions with
Lehman Brothers and its predecessor Lehman Brothers Kuhn Loeb. Inc., including
Vice President of the firm's Merchandising group.
Joseph E. Kerin, age 52, has served as Executive Vice President Stores
and Operations of the Company and its predecessors since January 1991. From May
1989 to November 1989, he served as a Regional Store Manager for Value City
Department Stores, Inc. Prior to that time, he held various positions with the
Company's predecessors,
Page 8
<PAGE> 10
including Senior Vice President--Store Operations from October 1987 to October
1988, Vice President--General Manager Store Operations from February 1979 to
October 1987, General Manager Store Operations from November 1975 to February
1979 and Regional/District Manager of the Silverman's Division from October 1972
to November 1975.
Dale E. Clifton, age 44, has served the Company and its predecessors as
Controller since June 1986, as Chief Accounting Officer since October 1988, and
as Vice President since October 1994. He served the Company and its predecessors
as Assistant Controller from 1984 to June 1986. Prior to joining the Company, he
worked as a Certified Public Accountant from 1975 to 1984 at Alpern, Rosenthal &
Company.
William P. Tait, age 53 , has served as Vice-President-Secretary and
Treasurer since June 1996. From May 1995 to May 1996 he served as Senior Vice
President of Finance. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Tait was
Vice-President-Chief Financial Officer of Spartus Corporation from 1994-1995.
From 1973 to 1993 Mr. Tait held various executive positions with The United
States Shoe Corporation including Vice President - Chief Financial Officer of
its Women's Specialty Retailing Group from 1981-1992. From 1970-1973 Mr. Tait
worked for Coopers & Lybrand, LLP.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(a) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the
Company's officers, directors and persons who are beneficial owners of more than
ten percent of the Company's Common Stock ("reporting persons") to file reports
of ownership and changes in ownership with the Securities and Exchange
Commission. Reporting persons are required by the Securities and Exchange
Commission's regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a)
forms filed by them. Based on its review of the copies of Section 16(a) forms
received by it, the Company believes that, during Fiscal 1997, all filing
requirements applicable to reporting persons were complied with.
Page 9
<PAGE> 11
EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth certain information regarding
compensation paid during Fiscal 1997 and each of the last three fiscal periods
to the Company's Chief Executive Officer and to each of the Company's four most
highly compensated executive officers whose compensation exceeded $100,000
during Fiscal 1997.
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Annual Compensation(1) Long Term Compensation
-------------------------------------------- ---------------------------
Name and Fiscal Other Annual Restricted Options/
Principal Position Year(1) Salary Bonus Compensation(2) Stock Awards SARs(#)
- ------------------ ------- ------ ----- --------------- ------------ -------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Jay L. Schottenstein(3) 1997 $250,050 None None None 112,500
Chairman and Chief 1996 $250,050 None None None 112,500
Executive Officer 1996T $125,025 None None None None
1995 $250,050 None None None None
George Kolber 1997 $407,692 $200,000 $40,125 None 75,000
Vice Chairman and 1996 $400,000 $ 75,000 $58,154 None 150,000
Chief Operating Officer 1996T $ 43,942 $ 37,500 None None 75,000
Roger S. Markfield(4) 1997 $412,464 $120,000 None None None
President and Chief 1996 $412,464 $ 67,770 None None None
Merchandising Officer 1996T $206,232 None $43,865 None None
1995 $413,587 $100,000 $ 899 None None
Laura A. Weil 1997 $250,016 None $38,687 None None
Executive Vice President 1996 $250,016 $50,000 $95,124 None 22,500
and Chief Financial Officer 1996T $ 29,344 None $ 4,627 None 15,000
Joseph E. Kerin 1997 $187,600 None $ 2,509 None 7,500
Executive Vice President 1996 $166,270 None $ 2,050 None 22,500
and Director of Store 1996T $ 81,250 None $ 2,309 None None
Operations 1995 $162,404 None $ 108 None None
</TABLE>
(1) 1997 and 1996 refer to the twelve month periods ended January 31, 1998
and February 1, 1997, respectively. 1996T refers to the 27 week
transition period ended February 3, 1996 and 1995 refers to the fiscal
year ended July 29, 1995.
(2) Includes amounts for 1997 of $28,925 for housing allowances and $11,200
for commuting expenses for Mr. Kolber and $38,687 in commuting expenses
for Ms. Weil. Includes amounts allocated for the reimbursement of
moving expenses to Mr. Markfield of $41,984 for Transition 1996 as well
as commuting expense reimbursements to Mr. Kolber of $58,154 and Ms.
Weil of $95,124 for 1996.
(3) Jay L. Schottenstein is also Chairman of SSC and VCD. He does not
devote his full business time to the Company.
(4) Mr. Markfield's employment is on an at-will basis, although, pursuant
to a written agreement, in certain circumstances he is entitled to
receive severance pay of $270,000.
Page 10
<PAGE> 12
OPTION/SAR GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
The following table sets forth certain information regarding individual
grants of stock options in Fiscal 1997 to each of the executive officers
included in the Summary Compensation Table.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
GRANT
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS DATE VALUE
------------------------------------------------------------ -------------
% of Total
Options/
SARs
Options/ Granted to
SARs Employees Exercise or Grant Date
Granted in Fiscal Base Price Expiration Present
Name (#) Year ($/Sh) Date Value $ (1)
--- ---- ------ ---- -----------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Jay L. Schottenstein 112,500 32.6% $7.08 April 2, 2007 $469,485
George Kolber 75,000 21.7% $7.08 April 2, 2007 $312,990
Joseph E. Kerin 7,500 2.2% $8.33 May 7, 2007 $34,678
</TABLE>
(1) The grant date present value was determined using the Black-Scholes
option pricing model with the following assumptions: risk-free interest
rates of 6%; no dividend yield; volatility factor of the expected
market price of the Company's common stock of .644; weighted-average
expected life of the option of 6 years; and an expected forfeiture rate
of approximately 13%.
AGGREGATED OPTION AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUE
The following table provides certain information on the exercise of
options during Fiscal 1997 and the number and value of stock options held by the
executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table at January 31, 1998.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
Number of Value of Unexercised
Unexercised Options at In-The-Money Options at
Shares Value January 31, 1998 (#) January 31, 1998 ($) (1)
Acquired on Realized
Name Exercise (#) $ Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable
- ---- ------------ --- ----------- ------------- ----------- -------------
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
Jay L. Schottenstein --- --- 90,000 247,500 $1,755,000 $4,536,000
George Kolber 39,000 $573,125 40,500 228,000 $803,250 $3,632,500
Roger S. Markfield --- --- 13,500 9,000 $263,250 $175,500
Laura A. Weil 4,500 $ 77,813 6,000 27,000 $119,000 $529,500
Joseph E. Kerin 7,500 $112,183 --- 22,500 --- $326,000
</TABLE>
(1) Represents the total gain which would be realized if all in-the-money
options held at year end were exercised, determined by multiplying the
number of shares underlying the options by the difference between the
per share option exercise price
Page 11
<PAGE> 13
and the per share fair market value at year-end of $24.00. An option is
in-the-money if the fair market value of the underlying shares exceeds price of
the option.
The following "Compensation Report of the Board of Directors" and
"Performance Graph" shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by general
statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any of the
Company's filings under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, except to the extent that the
Company specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not
otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts.
COMPENSATION REPORT OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
General. The key components of the Company's executive officer
compensation include both short term and long term components. Short term
compensation consists of an executive officer's annual base salary and annual
cash bonus. Long term, equity-based compensation can include grants of
restricted stock and stock options awards. For Fiscal 1997, the Board of
Directors continued its historical delegation to the Chairman of the Board of
the authority to establish the annual salary and bonus compensation of the
officers of the Company, other than the Chairman's compensation, as permitted
under Ohio law. The Board of Directors has the authority to make grants of
restricted stock by the Company to executive officers. The Compensation and
Stock Option Committee (the "Compensation Committee") of the Board of Directors
has the authority to grant options under the Company's 1994 Stock Option Plan,
as amended (the "Stock Option Plan"), and to advise the Chairman with respect to
the Company's overall compensation policy, including compensation of senior
management.
Chief Executive Officer's Compensation. Beginning in 1994, the year
that the Company went public, Jay L. Schottenstein, the Company's Chairman and
Chief Executive Officer, began receiving a salary in the amount of $250,000 per
year. The Board of Directors did not change the Chairman's annual salary during
Fiscal 1997. The Compensation Committee did grant the Chairman options to
purchase 112,500 shares pursuant to the Stock Option Plan during Fiscal 1997.
The Compensation Committee's determination to grant such options was based on a
number factors, including the fact that the Chairman has never received an
annual salary increase or an annual bonus, as well as the Compensation
Committee's subjective perception of the Chairman's performance and his
historical and anticipated future contributions to the success of the Company.
The determination was not based on specific objective criteria and no specific
weight was given to any of the factors considered.
Executive Officer Compensation. The Fiscal 1997 base salaries for the
executive officers, other than the Chairman, named in the Summary Compensation
Table above were determined by the Chairman based primarily on the
recommendations made by the Compensation Committee as a part of the Company's
1997 Management Incentive Plan (the "1997 Plan"). The 1997 Plan was developed by
the Compensation Committee with the assistance of an outside compensation
consultant. The 1997 Plan fixed annual base salaries based on historical levels
and industry averages and provided for annual bonus payments equal to varying
percentages of base salary, with the bonus payments contingent on meeting
company, individual and peer review performance measures. Bonuses earned under
the 1997 Plan are paid in Fiscal 1998 and are not included in the Summary
Compensation Table above, except for one officer who received an advance against
his 1997 Plan bonus that was paid in Fiscal 1997 and is included in the table.
Bonuses paid in Fiscal 1997 were either determined based upon a prior written
employment agreement or by the Chairman. Except as indicated for the 1997 Plan,
the Chairman's determination of base salaries and bonus payments in Fiscal 1997
was based primarily on subjective factors. The determination was not based on
specific objective criteria. No specific weight was given to any of the factors
considered.
Stock Awards. The Stock Option Plan was adopted at the time the Company
went public in 1994 for the purpose of providing long term incentives to key
employees and motivating key employees to improve the performance of the
Company's stock. The Compensation Committee, which administers the Stock Option
Plan, granted additional options to executive officers as set forth above under
"Options/SAR Grants in Last Fiscal Year." The determination to grant such
options was based on a number factors, including recommendations of the Chairman
and the Compensation Committee's subjective perception of the individual's
performance and historical and anticipated future contributions
Page 12
<PAGE> 14
to the success of the Company. The determination was not based on specific
objective criteria and no specific weight was given to any of the factors
considered.
The following members of the Board of Directors respectfully submit
this report:
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
<S> <C> <C> <C>
Jay L. Schottenstein Saul Schottenstein John L. Marakas* Martin P. Doolan
George Kolber Thomas R. Ketteler David W. Thompson Ari Deshe
Jon P. Diamond Gilbert W. Harrison Michael G. Jesselson* Gerald E. Wedren*
</TABLE>
*Members of the Compensation and Stock Option Committee.
PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The following graph shows the percentage change in the cumulative total
return performance to holders of the Company's Common Stock with that of The
NASDAQ Stock Market - U.S. Index and the Standard & Poor's Specialty Apparel
Index, both of which are published indexes. This comparison includes the period
beginning April 13,1994 (the effective date the Company's Common Stock was
registered under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934) through January 30,
1998. The Company's shares of Common Stock are traded on The NASDAQ National
Market under the symbol "AEOS." The comparison of the cumulative total returns
for each investment assumes that $100 was invested in the Company's Common Stock
on April 14, 1994 and in the respective index on March 31, 1994.
COMPARISON OF 45 MONTH CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN*
AMONG AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC., THE NASDAQ STOCK MARKET (U.S.) INDEX
AND THE S & P RETAIL (SPECIALTY APPAREL) INDEX
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
7/94 7/95 1/96 1/97 1/98
---- ---- ---- ---- ----
<S> <C> <C> <C> <C> <C>
AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC. $96 $ 92 $ 36 $ 51 $200
NASDAQ STOCK MARKET (U.S.) 97 137 145 190 225
S & P RETAIL (SPECIALTY APPAREL) 89 84 88 111 201
</TABLE>
* $100 Invested on 4/14/94 in stock or on 3/31/94 in Index - including
reinvestment of dividends.
Page 13
<PAGE> 15
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
Jay L. Schottenstein and George Kolber, each of whom is an executive of
the Company, are also members of the Company's Board of Directors. As stated,
the Company's Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Jay L. Schottenstein, with
the input of the Compensation Committee, determined the annual salary and bonus
compensation of the officers of the Company, other than the Chairman's. For
information regarding the relationship between the Company and SSC, see "Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions" below.
The Compensation Committee administers and grants options under the
Company's 1994 Stock Option Plan. The Compensation Committee consists of John L.
Marakas, Gerald E. Wedren, and Michael G. Jesselson. None of the members of the
Compensation Committee are present or former officers of the Company or have
affiliates that are parties to agreements with the Company.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The Schottenstein Family owns 100% of RVI and Natco. On April 1, 1998,
the Schottenstein Family, through its ownership of RVI and Natco, as well as
personal holdings, beneficially owns 55.9% of the outstanding shares of Common
Stock of the Company. As long as the Schottenstein Family owns more than 50% of
the Company's voting shares, it will continue to have the power acting alone to
approve any action requiring a vote of the majority of the voting shares of the
Company and to elect all of the Company's directors.
In May 1997, the Company purchased Prophecy, Ltd. ("Prophecy"), a
production and sourcing company owned in part by members of the Schottenstein
Family. The terms of the acquisition included a cash payment of $0.9 million at
closing, and the assumption of net liabilities of approximately $2.7 million.
The goals of the acquisition are to leverage the talent and expense of the
Company's New York design office and to use Prophecy's production and sourcing
expertise and manufacturing relationships to shorten product delivery cycles and
enable American Eagle to improve product quality and value.
The Company and its subsidiaries have certain relationships and
transactions with other entities controlled by the Schottenstein Family. The
Company's Code of Regulations provides that any such related party transaction
will be subject to approval by a majority of the disinterested directors of the
Company and will be on terms which, in the judgment of such directors, will be
no less favorable to the Company than could be obtained from unaffiliated
parties.
OFFICE/DISTRIBUTION CENTER LEASE
The Company leases its distribution center and headquarters offices
from an affiliate, Linmar Realty Company, a partnership owned indirectly by the
Schottenstein Family. A new lease was entered into, effective January 1, 1996,
in connection with the completion of an addition to the facility during 1995.
This lease expires on December 31, 2010. The new lease requires minimum monthly
rent payments of $4.09 per square foot for the first five years to $5.96 per
square foot for the last five years of the lease. Additionally, the Company is
required to pay all real estate taxes, insurance, maintenance and certain other
expenses. For Fiscal 1997, the Company recorded $1,549,000 of rent expense under
the lease.
IMPORT SERVICES AGREEMENT
Under the terms of an Import Services Agreement with Value City
Imports, the import division of SSC ("VCI"), VCI processes the paperwork for
import transactions for the Company and its subsidiaries for which it receives a
fee of one percent of the value of the imports plus reimbursement of direct
expenses. For Fiscal 1997, the Company and its subsidiaries paid VCI
approximately $1,494,000 for such services. The import service for merchandise
processed through VCI accounted for approximately 75% of the Company's total
purchases for Fiscal 1997.
Page 14
<PAGE> 16
MERCHANDISE SERVICES AGREEMENT
From time to time, the Company sells its overstock merchandise to VCD
with limited restrictions regarding presentation of the merchandise. For Fiscal
1997, VCD paid the Company approximately $2,850,000 for such merchandise.
OFFICER LOANS
The Company had provided one-year loans, which were renewed annually,
to certain executive officers to pay the income tax liability on the restricted
stock that vested in April 1995. These loans were paid in full as of January 31,
1998.
OTHER RELATIONSHIPS
The Company purchases merchandise from Azteca Production International
("Azteca"), a company that is owned by Paul Guez and members of this family (the
"Guez Family"). Mr. Guez has provided services to the Company and owns 18,750
shares of the Company's stock subject to a restricted stock agreement with the
Company. On February 8, 1995, a company controlled by the Guez Family, S.H.D.
Investments, LLC, purchased 1,500,000 shares of the Company's common stock from
Sam Forman, a former officer and director of the Company. SSC guaranteed a bank
loan obtained by S.H.D. Investments, LLC in connection with the acquisition.
During Fiscal 1997, the Company purchased approximately $32,250,000 of
merchandise from Azteca.
In June 1997, the Company provided a short term loan in the amount of
$3,000,000 to Azteca Production International. The terms of the note include
annual interest at 7% plus margin defined as the difference between 8.5% and
National City Bank's prime lending rate. Management expects the loan to be paid
in full by April 1998. The note receivable outstanding balance as of January 31,
1998 was approximately $1,300,000. Interest income recorded on this loan in
Fiscal 1997 approximated $112,000.
PROPOSAL TWO: APPROVAL OF THE AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC.
MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN
The American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. Management Incentive Plan (the
"Incentive Plan") was adopted, subject to shareholder approval, by the Board of
Directors on April 13, 1998. The Incentive Plan replaces the Company's 1997
Management Incentive Plan. The Incentive Plan is designed to (i) assist the
Company in attracting, retaining and motivating employees, (ii) align
Participants' interests with those of the Company's shareholders and (iii)
qualify compensation paid to Participants who are "Covered Officers" as defined
in the Incentive Plan as "other performance-based compensation" within the
meaning of section 162(m) of the Code, or any similar successor provision. The
following is a summary of the proposed features of the Incentive Plan, which is
qualified in its entirety by reference to the Incentive Plan, a copy of which is
attached as Appendix A to this Proxy Statement.
Each key associate of the Company who is approved for participation in
the Incentive Plan by the Compensation Committee (or under the authority
conveyed by the Compensation Committee) shall be a Participant as of the date
designated. Approximately 16 individuals would have participated in the
Incentive Plan in Fiscal 1997 had the Incentive Plan been in effect. Written
notice of approval for participation shall be given to each key associate so
approved as soon as practicable following the date of approval. The Compensation
Committee may withdraw its approval for participation for a Participant at any
time. In the event of such withdrawal, the key associate concerned shall cease
to be an active Participant as of the date selected by the Compensation
Committee and the key associate shall be notified of such withdrawal as soon as
practicable following such action. In general, it is expected that key
associates who are to be Participants for a Performance Period shall be notified
of that fact before the beginning of the Performance Period. However, the
Incentive Plan reserves the right to include associates without prior
notification.
Page 15
<PAGE> 17
Each Award to a Covered Officer must contain one or more performance
goals, the material terms of which must be disclosed to, and subsequently
approved in a separate vote by, the shareholders before the payout is executed,
unless they conform to one or any combination of the goals enumerated in the
Incentive Plan. For each Award to a Covered Officer, the Compensation Committee
must establish written performance goals prior to the completion of 25% of the
period of time for which the goal applies, or such earlier date as required
under Section 162(m) of the Code. For the fiscal year beginning February 1,
1998, the Awards payable to Messrs. Kolber and Markfield are determined under a
payout table based on earnings per share criteria established by the
Compensation Committee. The payout table is based upon objective and specific
criteria reflected in the Company's financial statements as reported in the
Company's Annual Report. In the event the Company's earnings per share exceeds
the minimum threshold established in the payout table, the achieved earnings per
share is applied to the payout table resulting in a bonus percentage which, in
turn, is multiplied by a Participant's base salary to compute the bonus amount.
Application of this formula would have resulted in the bonuses described in the
table below for the last completed fiscal year had the Incentive Plan been in
effect and assuming that the base targeted EPS is achieved.
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC. MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN BENEFITS
NAME AND POSITION DOLLAR VALUE
<S> <C>
Jay L. Schottenstein........................................................................ $ 0
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
George Kolber............................................................................... 350,000
Vice Chairman of the Board and Chief Operating Officer
Roger S. Markfield.......................................................................... 225,000
President and Chief Merchandising Officer
Laura A. Weil............................................................................... 92,750
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Joseph E. Kerin............................................................................. 100,000
Executive Vice President and Director of Store Operations
All executive officers as a group........................................................... 824,750
All non-executive directors as a group...................................................... 0
All non-executive officer employees as a group.............................................. 530,450
</TABLE>
After the end of each Performance Period or such earlier date if the
respective performance goals are achieved, the Compensation Committee shall
certify to that effect in writing, prior to the unconditional payment of any
Award. The Compensation Committee (or its designee) shall then determine the
actual Award for each Participant relative to the level of achievement of the
respective performance goals. The Compensation Committee, in its discretion, may
cancel or decrease an Award, but may not under any circumstances increase such
Award with respect to any participant who is a "Covered Officer." Any other
provision of the Incentive Plan notwithstanding, the maximum aggregate Award a
Participant may earn for a particular Fiscal Year is $3,000,000.
The Compensation Committee may authorize a Conditional Payment of a
Participant's Award based upon the Compensation Committee's good faith
determination. Conditional Payments to "Covered Officers" shall only be made in
circumstances where the Covered Officer's compensation deduction will not be
jeopardized under Section 162(m) of the Code. In the event that a performance
goal is not achieved, the Participant is required under the Incentive Plan to
return an amount of the Conditional Payment to the Company equal to the
Conditional Payment less the Award payment that has vested, if any.
The Incentive Plan allows Participants to defer payment of Awards,
provided that the election to defer is made prior to the beginning of the period
to which the Award applies, and provided that any other requirements established
by the Compensation Committee are satisfied. Elections to defer payment are
treated as irrevocable under the Incentive Plan.
Page 16
<PAGE> 18
The Compensation Committee may modify or amend, in whole or in part,
any or all of the provisions of the Incentive Plan, except as to those terms or
provisions that are required by Section 162(m) of the Code to be approved by the
Company's shareholders.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDS THAT THE SHAREHOLDERS VOTE "FOR" THE
APPROVAL OF THE AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC. MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN.
REPORT TO BE PRESENTED AT THE MEETING
At the meeting, the Company's Fiscal 1997 report will be presented to
shareholders for the year ended January 31, 1998. This report contains financial
statements and the report of Ernst & Young LLP, independent auditors, with
respect to such financial statements. It is anticipated that representatives of
Ernst & Young LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting to respond to
appropriate questions and to make a statement if such representatives so desire.
The Fiscal 1997 report is not to be regarded as proxy soliciting material and
Management does not intend to ask, suggest or solicit any action from the
shareholders with respect to such report.
COST OF SOLICITATION OF PROXIES
The Company will bear the cost of the solicitation of proxies,
including the charges and expenses of brokerage firms and others for forwarding
solicitation material to beneficial owners of stock. Representatives of the
Company may solicit proxies by mail, telegram, telephone, or personal interview.
SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS
Each year the Board of Directors submits its nominations for election
of directors at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Other proposals may be
submitted by the Board of Directors of the shareholders for inclusion in the
Proxy Statement for action at the Annual Meeting. Any proposal submitted by a
shareholder for inclusion in the Proxy Statement for the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders to be held in 1999 must be received by the Company (addressed to
the attention of the Secretary) on or before January 4, 1999. To be submitted at
the meeting, any such proposal must be a proper subject for shareholder action
under the laws of the State of Ohio, and must otherwise conform to applicable
requirements of the Proxy Rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
OTHER MATTERS
The only business which the management intends to present at the
meeting consists of the matters set forth in this statement. Management knows of
no other matters to be brought before the meeting by any other person or group.
If any other matter should properly come before the meeting, the proxy enclosed
confers upon the persons designated herein authority to vote thereon in their
discretion.
THE COMPANY'S FISCAL 1997 REPORT, INCLUDING FINANCIAL STATEMENTS, WAS
FURNISHED TO SHAREHOLDERS PRIOR TO OR CONCURRENTLY WITH THE MAILING OF THIS
PROXY STATEMENT. EXTRA COPIES OF THE ANNUAL REPORT AND COPIES OF THE COMPANY'S
REPORT ON FORM 10-K TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION ARE AVAILABLE UPON
REQUEST, DIRECTED TO LAURA A. WEIL, CHIEF FINANCIAL OFFICER OF THE COMPANY, AT
150 THORN HILL DRIVE, WARRENDALE, PENNSYLVANIA 15086-7528.
Page 17
<PAGE> 19
APPENDIX A
AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC.
MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN
1. NAME
The American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. Management Incentive Plan (the
"Plan").
2. PURPOSE
The Plan is designed to (i) assist American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. in
attracting, retaining and motivating employees, (ii) align Participants'
interests with those of the Company's stockholders and (iii) qualify
compensation paid to Participants who are "covered employees" as "other
performance-based compensation" within the meaning of section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any successor statute of similar
import.
3. DEFINITIONS
"Award" means a payment subject to the provisions of the Plan.
"Base Salary" means as to a Performance Period, a Participant's actual
gross salary rate in effect on the Determination Date. Such salary shall be
before (1) deductions for taxes and benefits, and (2) deferrals of salary
pursuant to Company-sponsored plans, and excluding any vehicle, housing or
similar allowances.
"Beneficiary" means the person or persons entitled to receive the
interest of a Participant in the event of the Participant's death.
"Board" means the Board of Directors of American Eagle Outfitters,
Inc., an Ohio corporation.
"Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, or any
successor statute of similar import.
"Committee" means the Compensation and Stock Option Committee of the
Board, which shall consist of not less than three (3) members of the Board each
of whom is a "disinterested person" as defined in Securities and Exchange
Commission Rule 16b-3(c)(2)(i), or as such term may be defined in any successor
regulation under Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.
In addition, each member of the Committee shall be an outside director within
the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.
"Common Stock" means the common stock of American Eagle Outfitters,
Inc., an Ohio corporation, its successors and assigns.
"Company" means American Eagle Outfitters, Inc., an Ohio corporation,
its successors and assigns and any corporation which shall acquire substantially
all its assets. In addition, Company shall include any corporation or other
entity, whether domestic or foreign, in which the Company has or obtains,
directly or indirectly, a proprietary interest of more than 50% by reason of
stock ownership or otherwise.
"Conditional Payment" means prepaying an Award before the date of
current payment in section 6.2 and subjects the prepayment (or a portion
thereof) to possible return to the Company.
Page A-1
<PAGE> 20
"Covered Officers" means those Participants who the Committee will
identify, not later than 90 days after the beginning of each Performance Period,
whose compensation for that period is anticipated to be affected by the Section
162(m) limitation on the deductibility of compensation.
"Determination Date" means as to a Performance Period: (1) the first
day of the Performance Period, or (2) such other date set by the Committee
provided such date will not jeopardize the Plan's Award to a Covered Officer as
performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code.
"Eligible Position" means an employment position with the Company which
provides the employee in the position the opportunity to participate in the
Plan. The Committee or its designee determines Eligible Positions.
"Fiscal Year" means a fiscal year of the Company (currently comprised
of a 52/53 week fiscal year which ends on the Saturday nearest to January 31).
"Participant" means a key associate of the Company who has been
approved for participation in the Plan by the Committee (or its designee) or a
key associate of a partnership designated by the Committee which the Company
maintains 50% or more profit sharing, loss sharing and ownership of capital
interests or a key associate of a limited liability company in which the Company
maintains a 50% or more ownership interest.
"Performance Period" means the Fiscal Year except in the following
cases: (1) the associate's service period within a Fiscal Year in the case of a
new hire or promoted associate; or (2) a period of service determined at the
discretion of the Committee (or its designee in the case of associates who are
not Covered Officers).
4. ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION
4.1 Approval. Each key associate of the Company who is approved
for participation in the Plan by the Committee (or under the authority conveyed
by the Committee) shall be a Participant as of the date designated. Written
notice of such approval shall be given to each key associate so approved
following the date of approval.
4.2 Termination of Approval. The Committee may withdraw its
approval for participation for a Participant at any time. In the event of such
withdrawal, the key associate concerned shall cease to be an active Participant
as of the date selected by the Committee and the key associate shall be notified
of such withdrawal as soon as practicable following such action.
4.3 Notification. In general, it is expected that key associates
who are to be Participants for a Performance Period shall be notified of that
fact before the beginning of the Performance Period. However, the Plan reserves
the right to include associates without prior notification.
4.4 Transfers In, Out of and Between Eligible Positions.
(1) A key associate may be approved for participation during a
portion of a Fiscal Year.
(a) With respect to associates that are not Covered
Officers, an associate newly hired or transferred
into an Eligible Position shall have his/her
participation prorated during the first Fiscal Year
provided employment or transfer occurs at least two
months prior to the end of the Fiscal Year.
(b) An associate (other than a Covered Officer)
transferred out of an Eligible Position may receive a
prorated Award at the discretion of the Committee
provided he/she served in the Eligible Position for
at least two full months during the Fiscal Year.
Page A-2
<PAGE> 21
(c) With respect to Covered Officers approved for
participation during a portion of a Fiscal Year, see
Section 5.3 as it would relate to Performance Periods
that are not equivalent to a Fiscal Year.
(2) Participants (which are not Covered Officers) transferring
between Eligible Positions having different Award formulas
will receive Awards prorated to months served in each Eligible
Position. For Covered Officers transferring between Eligible
Positions, Section 5.3 shall apply to each respective
Performance Period applicable to the particular position.
4.5 Termination of Employment. Unless otherwise determined by the
Committee (or its designee in the case of Participants who are not Covered
Officers), or in the case of amounts accumulated in the various accounts under
Section 6.4 of this Plan or as required by applicable law, no payment pursuant
to this Plan shall be made to a Participant unless the Participant is employed
by the Company on the day on which payments determined under section 6.2 are in
fact made (or would have been made if a deferred payment election under section
6.4.1 had not been executed). The Committee shall have the discretion not to
make or to reduce an Award for a Plan Year for a Participant whose employment
with the Company terminated during the Plan Year due to retirement, disability,
or death.
5. DETERMINATION OF AWARDS
5.1 In addition to Section 4.5, Awards will vest solely on account
of: (1) the attainment of one or more preestablished performance goals/targets
and (2) the certification described in Section 5.6.
5.2 With respect to Awards for Covered Officers, the material
terms of the performance goal(s) must be disclosed to, and subsequently approved
by, the stockholders before the payout is executed, unless they conform to one
or any combination of the following goals/targets:
(a) Income (loss) per common share from continuing operations as
disclosed in the Company's annual report to stockholders for a particular Fiscal
Year; or
(b) Income (loss) per common share from income as disclosed in the
Company's annual report to stockholders for a particular Fiscal Year; or
(c) Income (loss) per common share or income (loss) per common
share from continuing operations excluding (i) extraordinary charge(s); and/or
(ii) any accruals for restructuring programs, merger integration costs, or
merger transaction costs; and/or (iii) other unusual or infrequent items
(whether gains or losses) as defined by generally accepted accounting principles
(GAAP) which are disclosed as a separate component of income or loss on the face
of the income statement or as may be disclosed in the notes to the financial
statements (hereinafter "EPS"); or
(d) Ratio of (i) operating profit, or other objective and specific
income (loss) category results to (ii) average common shares outstanding.
Adjustments to (i) in this paragraph may be made at the time of the goal/target
establishment by the Committee in its discretion; or
(e) Any of items (a), (b), (c) or (d) on a diluted basis as
described in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128 including
official interpretations or amendments thereof which may be issued from time to
time as long as such interpretations or amendments are utilized on the face of
the income statement or in the notes to the financial statements disclosed in
the Company's annual report to stockholders; or
(f) Common Stock price; or
(g) Total stockholder return expressed on a dollar or percentage
basis as is customarily disclosed in the proxy statement accompanying the notice
of annual meetings of stockholders; or
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<PAGE> 22
(h) Income (loss) (i) from continuing operations before
extraordinary charge(s), or (ii) before extraordinary charge (s), or (iii) net,
as the case may be, adjusted to remove the effect of any accruals for
restructuring programs or other unusual or infrequent items as defined by
generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) disclosed as a separate
component of income on the face of the income statement or in the notes to the
financial statements; or
(i) Net income; or
(j) Percentage increase in comparable store sales as disclosed in
the Company's annual report; or
(k) Any of items (a) through (j) above with respect to any
subsidiary, affiliate, business unit or business group of the Company whether or
not such information is included in the Company's annual report to stockholders,
proxy statement or notice of annual meeting of stockholders; or
(l) Any of items (a) through (j) above with respect to a
Performance Period whether or not such information is included in the Company's
annual report to stockholders, proxy statement or notice of annual meetings of
stockholders; or
(m) Total Stockholder Return Ranking Position meaning the relative
placement of the Company's Total Stockholder Return compared to those publicly
held companies in the company's peer group as established by the Committee prior
to the beginning of a vesting period or such later date as permitted under the
Code. The peer group shall be comprised of not less than six (6) companies,
including the Company.
With respect to items (a), (b), (c) and (d) above, other terminology may be used
for "income (loss) per common share" (such as "Basic EPS", "earnings per common
share", "diluted EPS", or "earnings per common share-assuming dilution") as
contemplated by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 128.
5.3 Prior to the completion of 25% of the Performance Period or
such earlier date as required under Section 162(m) of the Code, the Committee
shall in its sole discretion, for each such Performance Period determine and
establish in writing a performance goal or performance goals (in accordance with
Section 5.2) applicable to the Performance Period to any Covered Officer. Within
the same period of time, the Committee (or its designee) for each such
Performance Period shall determine and establish in writing the performance
goal(s) applicable to the Performance Period for Participants who are not
Covered Officers. Such preestablished performance goal(s) must state, in terms
of an objective formula or standard, the method for computing the amount of the
Award payable to the Participant if the goal(s) is (are) obtained. A formula or
standard is objective if a third party having knowledge of the relevant
performance results could calculate the amount to be paid to the Participant.
The Committee may establish any number of Performance Periods, goals and Awards
for any associate running concurrently, in whole or in part, provided, that in
so doing the Committee does not jeopardize the Company's deduction for such
Awards under Section 162(m) of the Code.
5.4 On or prior to the date specified in Section 5.3, the
Committee, in its sole discretion, shall either (i) assign each Participant a
target Award expressed as a percentage of Base Salary or a whole dollar amount
(for Covered Officers, Base Salary must be fixed prior to the establishment of
performance goals applicable to a particular Performance Period) or (ii)
establish a payout table or formula for purposes of determining the Award (if
any) payable to each Participant. The Committee may authorize a designee to
establish a payout table or formula for those Participants who are not Covered
Officers.
Each payout table or formula: (a) shall be in writing; (b) shall be based on a
comparison of actual performance to the performance goals; (c) may include a
"floor" which is the level of achievement of the performance goal in which
payout begins; and (d) shall provide for an actual Award equal to or less than
the Participant's target Award, depending on the extent to which actual
performance approached or reached the performance goal(s).
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<PAGE> 23
5.5 After the end of each Performance Period or such earlier date
if the performance goal(s)/target(s) are achieved, the Committee shall certify
in writing, prior to the unconditional payment of any Award, that the
performance goal(s)/target(s) for the Performance Period were satisfied and to
what extent they were satisfied. The Committee (or its designee) shall determine
the actual Award for each Participant based on the payout table/formula
established in section 5.4, as the case may be.
5.6 The Committee, in its discretion, may cancel or decrease an
Award, but with respect to Covered Officers, may not under any circumstances
increase such Award.
5.7 Any other provision of the Plan notwithstanding, the maximum
aggregate Award a Participant may earn for a particular Fiscal Year is
$3,000,000.
6. PAYMENT OF INCENTIVE AWARDS
6.1 In General. Once an Award has vested and the amount thereof
determined, payment of the Award (or the portion thereof not deferred under
section 6.4) shall be made pursuant to section 6.2 or, if properly and timely
elected, shall be deferred in accordance with section 6.4.
6.2 Current Payment. A Participant's Award for a Performance
Period, which is not deferred in accordance with the provisions of Section 6.4
hereof, and a Participant's Award, whether or not he/she elected deferred
payment thereof, for the Fiscal Year in which his/her employment terminates,
shall be paid in cash to the Participant, or his/her Beneficiary in the event of
his/her death, between the date on which certification by the Committee was made
in accordance with section 5.6 and the 75th day (inclusive) following the end of
the Performance Period. Should the Committee elect to postpone the payments for
any reason, the Committee may, in its discretion, also elect to pay interest at
a reasonable rate (consistent with Section 162(m) of the Code) for period
between the 75th day following the end of the Performance Period and the day on
which the payments are in fact made.
6.3 Conditional Payment. The Committee may authorize a Conditional
Payment of a Participant's Award based upon the Committee's good faith
determination. The Conditional Payment, at the discretion of the Committee (or,
except for Covered Officers, under authority granted to its designee) may be
discounted to reasonably reflect the time value of money for the prepayment.
Conditional Payments to Covered Officers shall only be made in circumstances
where the Covered Officer's compensation deduction will not be jeopardized under
Section 162(m) of the Code. The amount of the Conditional Payment that will be
returned to the Company is equal to the Conditional Payment less the Award
payment that has vested, if any. For example, if the floor (see Section 5.4) was
not attained for the performance goal or target for the Performance Period, all
of the Conditional Payment made for that Performance Period to the Participant
must be returned to the Company. Return of all or a portion of the Conditional
Payment shall be made reasonably soon after it is determined the extent to which
the performance goal or target was not achieved.
6.4 Deferred Payment.
6.4.1 Election. Before the first day of each Performance Period (or
such other date as permissible to properly defer the Award for income tax
purposes), a Participant may irrevocably elect in writing to have a part or all
of an Award for the year under the Plan deferred (but not less than $10,000).
Such deferred payment shall be credited to a bookkeeping reserve account which
shall be established for the Participant and set up on the books of the Company
and known as his/her "Interest Account".
6.4.2 Credits To Interest Account. When a Participant has elected to
have a part or all of his/her Award credited to an "Interest Account", the
unpaid balance in such account shall be credited with a simple annual interest
equivalent, as follows: As of the May 1 next following the Fiscal Year for which
the deferred Award was made, such Award shall become part of the unpaid balance
of such Interest Account. Such Interest Account shall be credited on April 30 of
each year with an amount equal to interest on the unpaid balance of such account
from time to time outstanding during the year ending on such April 30 at the
rate determined by adding together the Three-month Treasury Bill rate on the
last
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<PAGE> 24
banking day prior to the beginning of such year and the Three-month Treasury
Bill rate in effect on the last banking days of each of the calendar months of
May through March of such year and dividing such total by 12. In the event that
the interest Account shall be terminated for any reason prior to April 30 of any
year, such account shall upon such termination date be credited with an amount
equal to interest at the average Three-month Treasury Bill rate determined as
aforesaid on the unpaid balance from time to time outstanding during that
portion of such year prior to the date of termination.
6.4.3 Alternate Deferral Plans. The Committee, at its discretion, may
provide alternate deferral plans of which Awards under this Plan may be
included.
6.4.4 Trust Deposits. The Committee, at its discretion, may establish
an irrevocable trust in which the assets of the trust are subject to the general
creditors of the Company. Such trust may upon the occurrence of certain events,
as determined by the Committee, receive assets equal to the value of all
participants Interest Accounts on the date of the event.
6.4.5 Distribution Upon Termination of Employment. Upon termination of
a Participant's employment with the Company for any reason, the Participant, or
his/her Beneficiary in the event of his/her death, shall be entitled to payment
of the entire Interest Account in ten annual installment payments. The amount
accumulated in such Participant's Interest Account shall be distributed as
hereinafter provided. The Interest Account shall be paid in cash as follows: (a)
The first annual payment shall be made no earlier than the thirtieth day
following the date of termination of employment, and shall be in an amount equal
to the value of one-tenth (1/10th) of the total amount credited to the
Participant's Interest Account as of the end of the month immediately preceding
the date of termination; (b) A second annual payment shall be made no earlier
than the first day of the Fiscal Year following the year during which the first
anniversary of the date of termination of employment occurs, and shall be in an
amount equal to the value of 1/9th of the amount credited (which includes
accumulated interest) to the Participant's Interest Account as of January I next
following the first anniversary of the termination of employment; and (c) Each
succeeding installment payment shall be determined in a similar manner, i.e.,
the fraction of Participant's Interest Account balance to be paid out shall
increase each year to 1/8, 1/7, etc., until the tenth installment which shall
equal the then remaining balance of the account. The annual installment payments
are intended to qualify the deferred compensation portion of this Plan under
Chapter 4 of Title 4, United States Code, Section 114(b)(1)(I).
6.4.6 Distribution In Event Of Financial Emergency. If requested by a
Participant while in the employ of the Company and if the Committee (or in the
case of Participants who are not Covered Officers, its designee) determines that
a financial emergency has occurred in the financial affairs of the Participant,
the Interest Account of the Participant on the date the Participant makes the
request may be paid out at the sole discretion of the Committee (or its
designee) in the same manner it would have been paid out had the Participant
terminated his employment with the Company on the date of such request. In the
event of a payout due to a financial emergency, a second Interest Account shall
be established for the Participant and any Awards made to the Participant
thereafter shall be credited to this second Interest Account. The Participant's
rights to the second Interest Account shall be the same as his/her rights to the
initial Interest Account.
6.4.7 Acceleration Of Payment. Notwithstanding the provisions in Item
6.4.5 and 6.4.6, if the amount remaining in a Participant's Interest Account at
any time is less than $50,000, or in the event of a financial emergency
(including death or disability) occurring in the personal affairs of the
Participant, or his/her Beneficiary in case of his/her death, during the payout
period, the Committee may elect to accelerate the payout thereafter of the
Participant's Interest Account.
6.4.8 Beneficiary Designation. A Participant may designate a
Beneficiary who is to receive, upon his/her death or disability, the
distributions that otherwise would have been paid to him/her. All designations
shall be in writing and shall be effective only if and when delivered to the
Secretary of the Company during the lifetime of the Participant. If a
Participant designates a Beneficiary without providing in the designation that
the Beneficiary must be living at the time, of each distribution, the
designation shall vest in the Beneficiary all of the distribution whether
payable before or
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<PAGE> 25
after the Beneficiary's death, and any distributions remaining upon the
Beneficiary's death shall be made to the Beneficiary's estate. A Participant may
from time to time during his lifetime change his Beneficiary by a written
instrument delivered to the Secretary of the Company. In the event a Participant
shall not designate a Beneficiary as aforesaid, or if for any reasons such
designation shall be ineffective, in whole or in part, the distribution that
otherwise would have been paid to such Participant shall be paid to his estate
and in such event the term "Beneficiary" shall include his estate.
6.5 Successors. All obligations under the Plan shall be binding
upon and inure to the benefit of any successor of the Company, whether such
successor is the result of a direct or indirect purchase of all or substantially
all of the business and assets of the Company or a merger, consolidation, or
reorganization, or otherwise.
7. RIGHTS OF PARTICIPANTS
No Participant or Beneficiary shall have any interest in any fund or in
any specific asset or assets of the Company by reason of any account under the
Plan. It is intended that the Company has merely a contractual obligation to
make payments when due hereunder and it is not intended that the Company hold
any funds in reserve or trust to secure payments hereunder. No Participant may
assign, pledge, or encumber his/her interest under the Plan, or any part
thereof, except that a Participant may designate a Beneficiary as provided
herein. Nothing contained in this Plan shall be construed to: (a) give any
associate or Participant any right to receive any Award other than in the sole
discretion of the Committee; or (b) give a Participant any rights whatsoever
with respect to share(s) of Common Stock of the Company.
8. NO EMPLOYEE RIGHTS
Nothing in the Plan or participation in the Plan shall confer upon any
Participant the right to be employed by the Company or to continue in the employ
of the Company, nor shall anything in the Plan, or participation in the Plan
amend, alter or otherwise affect any rights or terms of employment or other
benefits arising from that employment.
9. ADMINISTRATION
The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The Committee may,
from time to time, establish guidelines for the implementation and
administration of the Plan that are not inconsistent with the provisions of the
Plan.
10. AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION
The Committee may modify or amend, in whole or in part, any or all of
the provisions of the Plan, except as to those terms or provisions that are
required by Section 162(m) of the Code to be approved by the stockholders, or
suspend or terminate it entirely; provided, however, that no such modifications,
amendment, or suspension or termination may, without the consent of the
Participant, or his Beneficiary in the case of his/her death, reduce the right
of a Participant, or his/her Beneficiary, as the case may be, to any Award due
and payable under the Plan at the time of such modification, amendment, or
suspension or termination.
11. TAX WITHHOLDING
The Company shall have the right to deduct from all Awards any federal,
state, or local taxes or other withholding amounts required by law or valid
court order to be withheld with respect to such cash payments.
12. EFFECTIVE DATE
The Plan shall be effective as of February 1, 1998, subject to approval
and modification by the Company's stockholders no later than October 31, 1998.
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<PAGE> 26
PROXY -- AMERICAN EAGLE OUTFITTERS, INC.
The undersigned shareholder of American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. hereby
appoints Laura A. Weil and Dale E. Clifton, or any one of them, as
attorneys and proxies with full power of substitution to vote all of
the shares of Common Stock of American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. which
the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of
Shareholders of American Eagle Outfitters, Inc. to be held at the
Waldorf Astoria Hotel, 801 Park Avenue, New York, New York on
Wednesday, June 3, 1998, and at any adjournment or adjournments
thereof as follows:
1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS.
<TABLE>
<S> <C>
[ ] FOR all nominees listed below [ ] WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
(except as marked to the contrary below). to vote for all nominees listed below.
</TABLE>
(INSTRUCTIONS: Do not check "WITHHOLD AUTHORITY" to vote for only
certain individual nominees. To withhold authority to
vote for any individual nominee, strike a line through
the nominee's name below and check "FOR").
Ari Deshe Jon P. Diamond Martin P. Doolan Gilbert W.
Harrison Michael G. Jesselson Thomas R. Ketteler
George Kolber John L. Marakas Jay L. Schottenstein Saul
Schottenstein David W. Thompson Gerald E. Wedren
2. The approval and a adoption of the Company's Management Incentive
Plan described in the accompanying Proxy Statement.
[ ] FOR [ ] AGAINST [ ] ABSTAIN
3. In their discretion to vote upon such other matters as may properly
come before the meeting.
(Continued on Other Side)
(Continued from Other Side)
IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF
DIRECTORS AND FOR APPROVAL OF THE MANAGEMENT INCENTIVE PLAN.
Please sign and date this Proxy below and return in the enclosed
envelope.
Date: , 1998
-------------------------------
----------------------------------
(Signature)
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(Signature)
Signature(s) shall agree with the
name(s) printed on this proxy.
If signing as attorney, executor,
administrator, trustee or
guardian, please give your full
title as such.
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Proxy Card
