UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
________________________
FORM 8-K
________________________
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): April 17, 2014
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Zale Corporation
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
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| Delaware | 001-04129 | 75-0675400 |
| | |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) | (Commission File Number) | (IRS Employer Identification No.) |
| 901 West Walnut Hill Lane, Irving, TX | 75038 |
| (Address of principal executive officers) | (Zip Code) |
Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: (972) 580-4000
N/A
(Former name or former address, if changed since last report)
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Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
⃞ Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)
⊠ Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)
⃞ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))
⃞ Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))
Item 8.01. Other Events
On April 17, 2014, Zale Corporation (“Zale”) issued a press release announcing that it has set a date for a special meeting of its stockholders to consider and vote on the previously announced proposed acquisition of Zale by Signet Jewelers Limited (“Signet”) and certain other matters. A copy of the press release is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1 and incorporated herein by reference.
Item 9.01. Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits
Exhibit
No. | | Description |
| 99.1 | | Press Release dated April 17, 2014, issued by Zale Corporation. |
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Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Any statements in this communication about Zale’s expectations, beliefs, plans, objectives, prospects, financial condition, assumptions or future events or performance that are not historical facts, including statements regarding the proposed acquisition of Zale by Signet (the “proposed transaction”) and the expected timetable for completing the proposed transaction that are not historical facts, are forward-looking statements. These statements are often, but not always, made through the use of words or phrases such as “believe,” “anticipate,” “should,” “intend,” “plan,” “will,” “expect(s),” “estimate(s),” “project(s),” “positioned,” “strategy,” “outlook” and similar expressions. All such forward-looking statements involve estimates and assumptions that are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed in the statements. Among the key factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements, are the following: the parties’ ability to consummate the proposed transaction on the expected timetable or at all; the conditions to the completion of the proposed transaction, including the receipt of stockholder approval; operating costs, customer loss and business disruption (including, without limitation, difficulties in maintaining relationships with employees, customers, competitors or suppliers) may be greater than expected following the announcement of the proposed transaction; the retention of certain key employees of Zale may be difficult; Zale is subject to intense competition and increased competition is expected in the future; and general economic conditions that are less favorable than expected. Additional information and other factors are contained in Zale’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2013 and subsequent reports on Form 10-Q and Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). Because the factors referred to above and other risk factors, including general industry and economic conditions, could cause actual results or outcomes to differ materially from those expressed or implied in any forward-looking statements, you should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements. Further, any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of this communication, based on information available as of the date hereof, and Zale disclaims any obligation to update any forward-looking statement to reflect events or circumstances after such date.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
This communication may be deemed to be solicitation material in respect of the proposed transaction. In connection with the proposed transaction, Zale filed a preliminary proxy statement with the SEC on April 4, 2014. Zale intends to file other relevant materials, including a definitive proxy statement, with the SEC. Stockholders of Zale are urged to read all relevant documents filed with the SEC, including Zale’s definitive proxy statement, when available, because they will contain important information about the proposed transaction. Investors and stockholders are able to obtain the documents (when available) free of charge at the SEC’s web site, http://www.sec.gov, or for free from the Company by contacting Zale Investor Relations by phone at (972) 580-4391 or by email at ir@zalecorp.com.
Participants in the Solicitation
Signet, Zale and their respective directors, executive officers and other members of management and employees, under SEC rules, may be deemed to be “participants” in the solicitation of proxies from stockholders of Zale in favor of the proposed transaction. Information about Signet’s directors and executive officers is set forth in Signet’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for its 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, which was filed with the SEC on April 26, 2013, and its Form 8-Ks filed with the SEC on July 9, 2013 and July 11, 2013. Information about Zale’s directors and executive officers is set forth in Zale’s Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A for its 2013 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which was filed with the SEC on October 2, 2013, and its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended July 31, 2013, which was filed with the SEC on September 27, 2013. Information concerning the interests of Zale’s participants in the solicitation, which may, in some cases, be different than those of Zale’s stockholders generally, is set forth in the preliminary proxy statement relating to the proposed transaction, and will be set forth in the definitive proxy statement relating to the proposed transaction when it becomes available.
SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
| | | | Zale Corporation | |
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| Date: April 17, 2014 | By: | /s/ Thomas A. Haubenstricker | |
| | | Name: | Thomas A. Haubenstricker | |
| | | Title: | Senior Vice President, | |
| | | | Chief Financial Officer | |
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EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
No. | | Description |
| 99.1 | | Press Release, dated April 17, 2014, issued by Zale Corporation. |
