CACHE, INC. 1440 Broadway New York, New York 10018 (212) 575-3200 October 3, 2005 Dear Shareholder: 	On behalf of the officers and directors of the Company, you are cordially invited to attend the Cache, Inc. Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 10, 2005, at our headquarters, 1440 Broadway, 5th Floor, New York, New York. 	The Notice of Meeting and Proxy Statement on the following pages cover the formal business of the meeting, which includes proposals (i) to elect five named nominees as directors and (ii) to ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP, certified public accountants, as Cache's auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2005. 	The Board of Directors unanimously recommends that shareholders vote in favor of each proposal. We strongly encourage all shareholders to participate by voting their shares by Proxy whether or not they plan to attend the meeting. Please sign, date and mail the enclosed Proxy as soon as possible. If you do attend the Annual Meeting, you may still vote in person. Sincerely, /s/ Brian Woolf Brian Woolf Chairman of the Board <page> CACHE, INC. 1440 Broadway New York, New York 10018 ___________________ NOTICE OF THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD NOVEMBER 10, 2005 ___________________ TO THE SHAREHOLDERS: 	The Annual Meeting of the Shareholders of Cache, Inc. will be held on Thursday, November 10, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. local time, at our headquarters, 1440 Broadway, 5th Floor, New York, New York, 10018, for the purpose of considering and acting upon the following proposals as set forth in the accompanying Proxy Statement: 1. To elect five named nominees as Directors of the Company to serve until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their successors are elected and qualified. 2. To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche LLP certified public accountants, as auditors of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2005. 3. To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof. Only shareholders of record at the close of business on September 26, 2005 are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournment thereof. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, please complete, date and sign the enclosed Proxy and return it promptly to the Company in the return envelope enclosed for your use, which requires no postage if mailed in the United States. You may revoke your Proxy at any time before it is voted by delivering to the Secretary of the Company a written notice of revocation bearing a later date than the Proxy, by duly executing a subsequent Proxy relating to the same shares of Common Stock and delivering it to the Secretary of the Company, or by attending and voting at the Annual Meeting. You are cordially invited to attend. 			By Order of the Board of Directors, /s/ Victor J. Coster VICTOR J. COSTER Secretary October 3, 2005 <page> CACHE, INC. 1440 Broadway New York, New York 10018 ______________ PROXY STATEMENT ______________ 	Accompanying this Proxy Statement is a Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and a form of Proxy for such meeting solicited by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on September 26, 2005 as the record date for the determination of shareholders who are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting or any adjournment thereof. The holders of a majority of the outstanding shares of Common Stock present in person, or represented by proxy, will constitute a quorum at the meeting. This Proxy Statement and the enclosed Proxy are being sent to the shareholders of the Company on or about October 3, 2005. 	Only shareholders of record at the close of business on September 26, 2005 will be entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. At the close of business on such record date the Company had outstanding 15,742,553 shares of Common Stock, par value $.01 per share ("Common Stock"). No other class of voting security of the Company is issued and outstanding. Each share of Common Stock entitles the holder to one vote. Shareholders do not have cumulative voting rights. 	As of September 15, 2005, Messrs. Andrew and Joseph Saul, Ms. Norma Saul and certain Saul family trusts (sometimes collectively referred to herein as the "Sauls") owned of record an aggregate of 2,959,692 shares of Common Stock, representing approximately 18.8% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock. See "Principal Shareholders and Share Ownership by Management." The Sauls intend to vote their Common Stock in favor of Proposals 1 and 2. 	A Proxy that is properly submitted to the Company may be properly revoked at any time before it is voted. Proxies may be revoked by (i) delivering to the Secretary of the Company at or before the Annual Meeting a written notice of revocation bearing a later date than the Proxy, (ii) duly executing a subsequent Proxy relating to the same shares of Common Stock and delivering it to the Secretary of the Company at or before the Annual Meeting, or (iii) attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person (although attendance at the Annual Meeting will not in and of itself constitute revocation of a Proxy). With respect to Proposal 1, unless authority to vote for all Directors or any individual Director is withheld, all the shares represented by the Proxy will be voted for the election of Directors as set forth in the Proxy Statement. Where a shareholder has specified a vote for or against Proposal 2, such Proxy will be voted as specified; if no direction is given, all the shares represented by the Proxy will be voted in favor of the Proposal. -1- <page> Under SEC rules, boxes and a designated blank space are provided on the proxy card for shareholders to mark if they wish either to vote "for," "against" or "abstain" on one or more of the proposals, or to withhold authority to vote for one or more of the Company's nominees for director. Florida law requires the presence of a quorum for the annual meeting, defined as a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at the meeting. Votes withheld from director nominees and abstentions will be counted in determining whether a quorum has been reached. Broker-dealer non-votes, which are defined in the third paragraph below, are not counted for quorum purposes. 	Assuming a quorum has been reached, a determination must be made as to the results of the vote on each matter submitted for shareholder approval: (1) the election of directors; and (2) the ratification of auditors. Director nominees must receive a plurality of the votes cast at the meeting, which means that a vote withheld from a particular nominee or nominees will not affect the outcome of the meeting. In order to pass, the proposal to ratify the Company's auditors must be approved by a majority of the votes cast on such matter. Abstentions are not counted in determining the number of votes cast in connection with the ratification of auditors. 	Brokers who hold shares in street name have the authority to vote on certain items when they have not received instructions from beneficial owners. Brokers that do not receive instructions are entitled to vote on the election of directors and ratification of auditors. Under applicable law, a broker non-vote will have no effect on the outcome of the election of directors or the ratification of auditors. 	The cost of soliciting Proxies will be paid by the Company, which will reimburse brokerage firms, custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their expenses in forwarding proxy material to the beneficial owners of the Company's stock. 	THE COMPANY WILL PROVIDE, WITHOUT CHARGE, TO ANY SHAREHOLDER UPON WRITTEN REQUEST A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K (EXCLUDING EXHIBITS BUT INCLUDING THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES) FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED JANUARY 1, 2005 AND/OR A COPY OF ANY OF THE COMPANY'S QUARTERLY REPORTS ON FORM 10-Q OR CURRENT REPORTS ON FORM 8-K. SUCH WRITTEN REQUESTS SHOULD BE DIRECTED TO: VICTOR COSTER, SECRETARY, CACHE, INC., 1440 BROADWAY, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10018. IN ORDER THAT YOUR SHARES MAY BE REPRESENTED AT THIS MEETING, PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND MAIL THE PROXY PROMPTLY. -2- <page> ELECTION OF DIRECTORS (Proposal 1) The Board of Directors of the Company presently consists of the following five members: Messrs. Andrew M. Saul, Brian Woolf, Gene G. Gage, Morton J. Schrader and Arthur S. Mintz, each of whom is a nominee for re-election. 	Unless authority to vote on the election of all Directors or any individual Director is specifically withheld by appropriate designation on the face of the Proxy, the persons named in the accompanying Proxy will nominate as Directors, and vote such Proxy for the election as Directors of, the persons named below. If elected, such persons will serve as Directors until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders and until their successors are elected and qualified. 	Management does not contemplate that any of the nominees for Director will be unable to serve, but if such a situation should arise, the persons named in the accompanying Proxy will nominate and vote for the election of such other person or persons as the Board of Directors may recommend. NOMINEES FOR DIRECTORS Director Name Age Principal Occupation Since - ---- --- -------------------- ----- Brian Woolf .......... 56 Chairman of the Board and 2000 Chief Executive Officer (1) Andrew M. Saul ....... 58 Partner, Saul Partners (2) 1986 Morton J. Schrader ... 73 Principal, PBS Realty Advisors, LLC (3) 1989 Arthur S. Mintz....... 60 President, Bees & Jam, Inc. (4) 2002 Gene G. Gage.......... 58 Financial Advisor (5) 2004 ___________________________________ (1) Mr. Woolf has served as our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board since October 2000. From March 1999 to October 2000, Mr. Woolf served as Vice President and General Merchandise Manager for the Limited. From 1995 to March 1999, Mr. Woolf served as Senior Vice President and Merchandise Manager for Caldor. (2) Mr. Saul has served as one of our directors since 1986. Mr. Saul also served as our Chairman of the Board from February 1993 to October 2000. Mr. Saul is a partner in Saul Partners, an investment partnership, a position he has held since 1986. (3) Mr. Schrader has served as one of our directors since 1989. Mr. Schrader was the President of Abe Schrader Corp., a manufacturer of women's apparel, from 1968 through March 1989. Since 1989, he has been active as a real estate broker and is a principal of PBS Realty Advisors. -3- <page> (4) Mr. Mintz has served as one of our directors since September 2002. Mr. Mintz has served as the President of Bees & Jam, Inc., an apparel manufacturer, since 1971. (5) Mr. Gage has served as one of our directors since September 2004. Mr. Gage is currently a Financial Advisor for New England Financial. He is a certified public accountant, as well as a certified financial planner. He has over 30 years of financial experience. COMMITTEES AND MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS During the fiscal year ended January 1, 2005 ("Fiscal 2004"), the Board of Directors held three meetings. Each then-current Director attended all of such Board meetings. The Board of Directors has an Audit Committee, a Nominating and Governance Committee, and a Compensation and Plan Administration Committee of the Board of Directors. The Audit Committee, established in July 1989, currently consists of Messrs. Arthur Mintz, Morton Schrader and Gene Gage. The Audit Committee held four meetings in Fiscal 2004. Each then-current member of the Committee attended all Committee meetings. Duties of the Audit Committee include meeting with the independent accountants and certain personnel of the Company to discuss the planned scope of their examinations, the adequacy of internal controls and financial reporting; reviewing the results of the annual examination of the financial statements and periodic internal audit examinations; reviewing the services and fees of the Company's independent accountants; authorizing special investigations and studies; and performing any other duties or functions deemed appropriate by the Board of Directors. The Board of Directors has determined that Gene Gage is qualified to serve as the Audit Committee's financial expert and Chairman. Mr. Gage, as well as the other members of our Audit Committee, meets the independence and experience requirements of Rule 4200(a)(15) of the NASDAQ Stock Exchange. The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Audit Committee. The charter has not changed from the charter filed with our 2004 proxy statement and is available on our website at www.cache.com. The Compensation and Plan Administration Committee was established in July 1991 as the Plan Administration Committee to administer the Company's stock option plans. In May 1993 it was renamed the Compensation and Plan Administration Committee and delegated additional authority to determine the remuneration arrangements for the four most senior executive officers and to review and approve the remuneration arrangements for the Company's other executive officers. It currently consists of Messrs. Andrew Saul, Arthur Mintz, Morton Schrader and Gene Gage. The Compensation and Plan Administration Committee met twice in Fiscal 2004. Each then-current member of the Committee attended all Committee meetings. The Board of Directors adopted a written charter in August 2004 for the Compensation and Plan Administration Committee, which is available on our website at www.cache.com. The Board of Directors established the Nominating and Governance Committee in September 2004. The Committee currently consists of Messrs. Andrew Saul, Gene Gage, Arthur Mintz and Morton Schrader. The Nominating and Governance Committee is responsible for identifying, evaluating and recommending director nominees to the Board of Directors. Each of the members of our Nominating and Governance Committee meets the independence requirements of Rule 4200(a)(15) of the NASDAQ Stock Exchange. -4- <page> The Nominating and Governance Committee will consider candidates for the Board from any reasonable source, including stockholder recommendations. The Nominating and Governance Committee does not evaluate candidates differently based on who has made the proposal. Stockholders who wish to suggest qualified candidates should write to Victor J. Coster, Corporate Secretary, at the Company's headquarters' address. These recommendations should include detailed biographical information concerning the nominee, his or her qualifications to be member of the Board, and a description of any relationship the nominee has to be a stockholder making the recommendation or to other stockholders of the Company. A written statement from the candidate consenting to be named as a candidate and, if nominated and elected, to serve as director, subject to the candidate's due diligence of the Company, should accompany any such recommendation. Stockholders who wish to nominate a director for election at an annual meeting of stockholders of the Company must comply with the Company's By-Laws regarding stockholder proposals and nominations. While the Nominating and Governance Committee does not have minimum qualification requirements for candidates, it does assess whether candidates have good business judgment, high ethical standards, substantial experience in the Company's line of business or other applicable fields such as science or technology, and ability to prepare for and attend Board meetings, committee meetings and stockholder meetings. The Nominating and Governance Committee also considers whether candidates are independent and possess leadership qualities. The Board of Directors has adopted a written charter for the Nominating and Governance Committee, which is available on our website at www.cache.com. Stockholder Communications Company stockholders may communicate with the Board by addressing their communications to one or more directors to our corporate headquarters at 1440 Broadway, 5th Floor, New York, NY 10018. The Company may screen such communications to ensure that the Company forwards only material that is germane to the Company's business to each director to whom the correspondence is addressed. -5- <page> EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION Summary Compensation Table The following sets forth the compensation earned for the past three years of the Chief Executive Officer and the Company's other four most highly compensated executive officers collectively, the "Named Executive Officers". <table> <caption> Annual Long-Term Compensation Compensation ------------ Awards ------ Securities All Other Name and Fiscal Other Annual Underlying Compensation Principal Position Year Salary Bonus Compensation Options (1) (2) - ------------------ ------ ------ ----- ------------ -------- ------------ <s> <c> <c> <c> <c> <c> <c> Brian Woolf 2004 $554,808 $ --- $2,396,860 52,500 $ 14,986 Chief Executive 2003 500,000 475,000 1,433,000 375,000 14,459 Officer and Chairman 2002 449,934 359,947 --- 68,250 14,014 Of the Board Thomas E. Reinckens (3) 2004 436,539 --- 1,008,600 52,500 10,458 President, Chief 2003 401,923 381,988 900,738 187,500 10,326 Operating Officer 2002 356,473 285,178 --- 68,250 2,967 Catherine McNeal (4) 2004 344,000 20,000 94,781 --- --- Executive Vice President 2003 193,750 143,000 --- 127,500 --- 2002 --- --- --- --- --- Maria Comfort (5) 2004 291,116 20,000 145,675 --- --- Executive Vice President 2003 270,731 40,000 48,950 37,500 --- 2002 137,500 25,000 --- 60,000 --- David Desjardins (6) 2004 312,539 --- 60,950 --- --- Executive Vice President 2003 298,654 143,354 136,413 75,000 --- 2002 211,539 117,692 --- 52,500 --- ____________________________ </table> (1) Option amounts have been restated to reflect the Company's 3 for 2 stock split effective June 18, 2004. (2) These amounts consist of insurance premiums paid for life insurance for the benefit of the named executive officers and long-term disability insurance. (3) Thomas E. Reinckens has served as President and Chief Operating Officer since October 2000. Mr. Reinckens also is our current principal financial and accounting officer. Mr. Reinckens joined our company in February 1987 and has held various positions throughout his tenure, most recently serving as Chief Financial Officer from November 1989 to October 2000 and Executive Vice President from September 1995 to October 2000. Mr. Reinckens has over 20 years of retail experience. -6- <page> (4) Catherine McNeal served as Executive Vice President, Merchandise Manager for our Cache stores from June 2003 to July 8, 2005. From 1997 until joining Cache, Ms. McNeal served in various managerial capacities for the Limited, most recently as Vice President, Merchandising Manager for Limited stores. Ms. McNeal has over 20 years of retail experience. (5) Maria Comfort served as Executive Vice President for our Lillie Rubin stores from April 2004 to July 29, 2005. Ms. Comfort had served as Vice President and General Merchandise Manager for our Lillie Rubin stores from May 2002 to April 2004. From 1999 until she joined us, Ms. Comfort served as Executive Vice President for Giorgio Armani. From June 1997 to 1999, Ms. Comfort served as President of 9 & Co., a division of Nine West Group, Inc., a women's apparel company. Ms. Comfort's background encompasses a variety of merchandising functions, including design, manufacturing and buying. Ms. Comfort has over 25 years of retail experience. (6) David Desjardins served as Executive Vice President and Director of Stores and Operations from April 2002 to February 18, 2005. From 1999 until joining us, Mr. Desjardins served in various managerial capacities at the Limited, most recently as Vice President of Express and Director of Sales and Operations at Limited stores. From 1990 to 1999, Mr. David Desjardins held various managerial positions with The Gap. Mr. Desjardins has over 15 years of retail experience. AGGREGATED FISCAL 2004 YEAR-END STOCK OPTION VALUES <table> Number of Securities Value of Unexercised Underlying Unexercised In-the-Money Stock Options Stock Options at Fiscal at Fiscal Year-End (1) Year-End -------------------------------- -------------------------- Name Shares Acquired Value Exercisable Unexercisable Exercisable Unexercisable on Exercise Realized - ----- --------------- -------- ----------- ------------- ----------- ------------- <s> <c> <c> <c> <c> <c> <c> Brian Woolf 238,500 $2,396,860 343,125 320,625 $ 4,165,411 $ 1,623,469 Thomas E. Reinckens 67,500 $1,008,600 113,250 180,000 $ 998,926 $ 867,844 Catherine McNeal 9,375 $ 94,781 31,875 86,250 $ 235,213 $ 591,325 Maria Comfort 9,375 $ 145,675 24,375 54,375 $ 179,506 $ 340,706 David Desjardins 7,500 $ 60,950 26,875 --- $ 220,288 $ --- </table> (1) Amounts described in the preceding table under the heading "Value of Unexercised In-the-Money Stock Options at Fiscal Year End" are determined by multiplying the number of shares underlying the options by the difference between the last reported per share sale price of our common stock on December 31, 2004 and the per share option exercise prices. All share amounts have been adjusted to reflect the 3 for 2 stock split effective June 18, 2004. -7- <page> STOCK OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR 	The following table sets forth information with respect to stock options granted in fiscal 2004 to each of the named executive officers. <table> Potential Realizable Value % of Total At Assumed Annual Number of Options Exercise Rates of Stock Price Securities Granted to or Base Appreciation for Underlying Employees in Price Expiration Option Term (2) Name Options(1) Fiscal Year ($/share) Date 5% 10% - ------------------- ---------- ------------ --------- ---------- ---------- ----------- <s> <c> <c> <c> <c> <c> <c> Brian Woolf 52,500 50.0% $ 15.17 1/22/14 $ 220,038 $ 486,225 Thomas E. Reinckens 52,500 50.0% $ 15.17 1/22/14 220,038 486,225 </table> (1) These options vest no later than January 22, 2008 but may vest sooner with respect to up to 25% of the shares on each of December 31, 2005, December 31, 2006, and December 31, 2007, to the extent our earnings plan for these years is achieved, based on the following sliding scale: Percentage of Original Options that Becomes Exercisable ----------- Percentage of Earnings Plan Achieved ------------------------------------ __________________ Greater than or equal to 90% ...................... 25% Greater than or equal to 75%, but less than 90%.... 20% Greater than or equal to 60%, but less than 75%.... 15% Less than 60%...................................... 0% (2) These amounts represent hypothetical gains that could be achieved for the options if exercised at the end of the option term. As required by SEC rules, these gains are based on assumed rates of stock price appreciation of 5% and 10% compounded annually from the date the options were granted until their expiration dates. These assumptions are not intended to forecast future appreciation of our stock price. The potential realizable value computation does not take into account federal or state income tax consequences of option exercises or sales of appreciated stock. -8- <page> Employment Agreements and Change-of-Control Provisions In September 2003, we entered into a new employment agreement with Brian Woolf, our Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, which expires January 31, 2007. Under the agreement, Mr. Woolf's annual salary during 2004 was $575,000 and he is eligible to receive annual incremental increases of $75,000 in each of the next two years contingent on the Company's profitability, as defined in the contract. Mr. Woolf is also eligible to participate in the Company's bonus and stock option programs. In addition, Mr. Woolf is entitled to participate in our long-term disability coverage healthcare and other benefits packages. Pursuant to the terms of his employment agreement, if we terminate Mr. Woolf's employment prior to January 31, 2007 for any reason other than for certain circumstances described in the agreement, then until Mr. Woolf accepts other employment we are required to continue to pay him the full balance of his contract, mitigated by future employment. In the event that Mr. Woolf is terminated in connection with a change in control of Cache, as defined in the contract, he is entitled to receive an amount equal to 18 months of his salary then in effect. The contract contains a covenant of Mr. Woolf not to solicit employees of Cache for two years and a covenant for Mr. Woolf not to compete with Cache for a minimum of one year. 	All of the options granted under the Company's 2000 and 1994 Stock Option Plans contain a provision under which the option will become immediately exercisable (the "Accelerated Exercise") with respect to all shares subject to it as follows: (i) except as provided in clause (iii) below, immediately after the first date on which less than 25% of the outstanding Common Stock in the aggregate is beneficially owned (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934) by Andrew M. Saul and Joseph E. Saul, members of their immediate families and one or more trusts established for the benefit of such individuals or members, (ii) immediately prior to the sale of the Company substantially as an entirety (whether by sale of stock, sale of assets, merger, consolidation or otherwise), (iii) immediately prior to the expiration of any tender offer or exchange offer for shares of Common Stock of the Company, where: (x) all holders of Common Stock are entitled to participate, and (y) the Sauls have agreed (or have announced their intent) to sell such number of their shares of Common Stock as will result in the Sauls beneficially owning less than 25% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock in the aggregate, and (iv) immediately, if 20% or more of the directors elected by shareholders to the Board of Directors are persons who were not nominated by management in the most recent proxy statement of the Company. The Company is required to give appropriate notice so as to permit an optionee to take advantage of the foregoing provisions. REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE 	The Audit Committee is composed of three non-management directors. All three members of the Audit Committee meet the independence and experience requirements of Rule 4200(a)(15) of the NASDAQ Stock Exchange. Mr. Gene Gage served as Chairman of Audit Committee since September 2004. He is a certified public accountant and has over 30 years of financial experience. During 2004, at each of its meetings, the Committee met with the senior members of the Company's financial management team and our independent auditors. The Committee's agenda is established by the meetings with the Company's independent auditors, at which candid discussions of financial management, accounting and internal control issues took place. The Committee reviews with the Company's financial managers and the independent auditor's overall audit scopes and plans, the results of external audit examinations, evaluations by the auditors of the Company's internal controls and the quality of the Company's financial reporting. Management has reviewed the audited financial statements in the Annual Report with the Audit Committee including a discussion of the quality and not just the acceptability, of the accounting principles, the reasonableness of significant judgments, and the clarity of disclosures in the financial statements. In addressing the quality of management's accounting judgments, members of the Audit Committee have asked whether statements of the Company have been prepared in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles, and have expressed to both management and auditors their general preference for conservative policies when a range of accounting options is available. -9- <page> In its meetings with representatives of the independent auditors, the Committee asks them to address, and discuss their responses to, several questions that the Committee believes are particularly relevant to its oversight. These questions include: - Are there any significant accounting judgments made by management in preparing the financial statements that would have been made differently had the auditors themselves prepared and been responsible for the financial statements? - Based on the auditors' experience, and their knowledge of the Company, do the Company's financial statements fairly present to investors, with clarity and completeness, the Company's financial position and performance for the reporting period in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and SEC disclosure requirements? - Based on the auditors' experience, and their knowledge of the Company, has the company implemented internal controls and internal audit procedures that are appropriate for the Company? The Committee believes that, by thus focusing its discussions with the independent auditors, it can promote a meaningful dialogue that provides a basis for its oversight judgments. The Committee also discussed with the independent auditors other matters required to be discussed by the auditors with the Committee under Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 (communication with audit committees). The Committee received and discussed with the auditors their annual written report on their independence from the Company and its management, which is made under Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (independence discussions with audit committees), and considered with the auditors whether the provision of financial information systems design and implementation and other non-audit services provided by them to the Company during 2004 was compatible with the auditors' independence. In performing all of these functions, the Audit Committee acts only in an oversight capacity. The Committee does not complete its review prior to the Company's public announcements of financial results and, necessarily, in its oversight role, the Committee relies on the work and assurances of the Company's management, which has the primary responsibility for financial statements and reports, and of the independent auditors, who, in their report, express an opinion on the conformity of the Company's annual financial statements to generally accepted accounting principles. In reliance on these reviews and discussions, and the report of the independent auditors, the Audit Committee has recommended to the Board of Directors, and the Board has approved, that the audited financial statements be included in the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 1, 2005, for the filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Audit Committee Gene Gage, Chairman Morton J. Schrader, Director Arthur S. Mintz, Director -10- <page> Compensation of Directors We compensate one of our non-employee directors for his services to us by participation in our group medical insurance program at an approximate cost to us of $11,500 per individual per year. He currently does not receive cash or equity-based compensation. The other three non-employee directors receive a director's fee equal to $20,000 per year. Indemnification of Directors and Executive Officers Our Articles of Incorporation require us, to the extent permitted by law, to indemnify our directors and officers against any personal liabilities incurred as a result of their positions as directors or officers of our company. We maintain directors' and officers' insurance providing indemnification for our directors, officers and management employees for liabilities arising as a result of their services to us. The indemnification provision in our articles of incorporation may discourage stockholders from bringing a lawsuit against our directors for breach of their fiduciary duty. They may also reduce the likelihood of derivative litigation against our directors and officers, even though such an action, if successful, might otherwise benefit us and our stockholders. Furthermore, a stockholder's investment may be adversely affected to the extent we pay the cost of settlement and damage awards against any of our directors and officers under indemnification provisions. We believe that these indemnification provisions are necessary to attract and retain qualified directors and officers. Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation Our Compensation and Plan Administration Committee presently consists of Andrew Saul, Arthur Mintz, Morton Schrader and Gene Gage. No member of our Compensation and Plan Administration Committee has been an employee of ours. None of our executive officers serves as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any other entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of our board of directors of our compensation committee. Executive compensation consists generally of two components - base salary and option awards, and sometimes a third component - a discretionary bonus award. The Compensation and Plan Administration Committee (the "Committee"), presently consists of Messrs. Andrew Saul, Morton Schrader, Arthur Mintz and Gene Gage. During the past year, the Committee administered the Company's option plans pursuant to which option awards are granted, determined the remuneration arrangements for the three most senior executive officers and reviewed and approved the remuneration arrangements for the other executive officers of the Company, which arrangements are determined by the Chairman, in accordance with parameters set by the Committee. This report of the Committee of the Board of Directors addresses the Company's compensation policies for Fiscal 2004 applicable to Cache's executives including the Named Executive Officers. The Committee's Report on Executive Compensation shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this proxy statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates this Report on Executive Compensation by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts. Philosophy The Cache executive compensation program is designed to attract and retain key executives. Its objectives are to reward executives who contribute to the success of the Company through individual and company performances. Specifically, compensation includes a competitive base salary program and long-term stock option awards. The Company will sometimes grant discretionary bonuses to certain key executive officers with respect to prior contributions as well as to serve as incentives to attract key executives into the Company's employ. -11- <page> Base Salary The Company believes a competitive base salary is necessary to retain key management employees. Base salaries are determined based upon a review of an individual's experience and responsibilities, general industry practice and the competitive environment for each position. Annual salary adjustments are determined based upon an individual's performance, the Company's performance, general industry practice and any new duties or responsibilities assumed by the individual during the last year. Mr. Woolf's base salary of $500,000 was determined by his employment agreement with the Company, made as of September, 2003, which provided for a base salary of $500,000 per annum during that period. In connection with entering into the new employment agreement with Mr. Woolf in September 2003 (described in this proxy statement under "Executive Compensation - Employee Contracts and Change of Control Provisions"), the Compensation and Plan Administration Committee determined Mr. Woolf's base salary amount to be appropriate in light of the competitive environment for his position and his individual management experience. In addition, Mr. Woolf was granted an incentive opportunity under the Company's 2003 Stock Option Plan as described below. Long-Term Incentives The Company believes that employee equity ownership is highly motivating, provides a major incentive to employees in building stockholder value, and serves to align the interests of employees with stockholders. Options are based upon the relative position and responsibilities of each executive officer, historical and expected contributions of each officer to the Company, and previous options grants to such executive officers. Options are recommended with a goal to provide competitive equity compensation for executive officers compared to executive officers of similar rank in companies of the Company's industry, geographical location and size. Cache's stock option programs were designed by the Company as a long-term incentive program, for key executives. The stock option programs have created an incentive for executives to maximize shareholder return, by linking long-term compensation with the valuation of the Company's Common Stock. The stock option plans typically have included initial grants, which have vested from three to five years. Stock options granted under the 2003, 2000 and 1994 Plans are required to have an exercise price at least equal to the fair market value of the Company's common stock at the date of grant. Among other factors considered by the Committee in determining who qualified for stock option grants under the 2003, 2000 and 1994 Plans and the amount of such grants were an executive's business experience and his potential to contribute to the future success of the Company. Other Compensation The Company provides certain other benefits, such as health insurance, to the executive officers that are generally available to Company employees. In addition, the Company provides its executives, including the Named Executive Officers, with term life insurance and additional long-term disability insurance, at the Company's cost. The foregoing report has been furnished by the Compensation and Plan Administration Committee, consisting of Messrs. Andrew M. Saul, Morton J. Schrader and Arthur S. Mintz. Code of Ethics The Company has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to all of the Company's directors, officers and employees. The Code of Ethics is available on our website at www.cache.com. We will disclose any amendment to, other than technical, administrative or non-substantive amendments, or waiver of its code of ethics granted to a director or executive officer by filing a Form 8-K disclosing the amendment or waiver within two business days. -12- <page> FIVE-YEAR PERFORMANCE COMPARISON 	The following graph compares the yearly percentage change in the Company's cumulative total shareholder return on Common Stock with (i) the cumulative total return of the NASDAQ National Market Index (which tracks the aggregate performance of equity securities of companies traded on the NASDAQ National Market System ("NASDAQ/NMS")) and (ii) the cumulative total return of companies with the same four-digit standard industrial code (SIC) as the Company (SIC Code 5621, titled "Women's Clothing Stores"), over the period from January 1, 2000 to December 31, 2004. The graph assumes an initial investment of $100 and reinvestment of dividends. The graph is not necessarily indicative of future price performance. The graph shall not be deemed incorporated by reference by any general statement incorporating by reference this Proxy Statement into any filing under the Securities Act of 1933 or under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, except to the extent that the Company specifically incorporates this information by reference, and shall not otherwise be deemed filed under such Acts. <table> <caption> COMPARE 5-YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN AMONG CACHE INC., NASDAQ MARKET INDEX AND SIC CODE INDEX ------------------------ FISCAL YEAR ENDING --------------------- COMPANY/INDEX/MARKET 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004 ----------------------------------------------------------------- <s> <c> <c> <c> <c> <c> <c> CACHE INC. 100.00 46.15 55.38 223.08 317.38 415.64 SIC CODE INDEX 100.00 95.91 93.82 82.76 109.22 132.64 NASDAQ MARKET INDEX 100.00 62.85 50.10 34.95 52.55 56.97 ASSUMES $100 INVESTED ON JAN. 1, 2000 ASSUMES DIVIDEND REINVESTED FISCAL YEAR ENDING JAN. 1, 2005 </table> CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS See Also "Executive Compensation--Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation." As of September 15, 2005, the Sauls beneficially owned in the aggregate 2,959,692 shares of the Company's outstanding Common Stock, representing approximately 18.9% of the Company's outstanding Common Stock. See "Principal Shareholders and Share Ownership by Management." -13- <page> PRINCIPAL SHAREHOLDERS AND SHARE OWNERSHIP BY CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND BY MANAGEMENT 	The following table sets forth certain information as to the beneficial ownership of the Company's equity securities as of September 15, 2005 by (i) each director or nominee of the Company, (ii) each Named Executive Officer, (iii) each person who is known to the Company to be the beneficial owner of more than 5% of the Common Stock, and (iv) all executive officers and directors as a group. Unless otherwise indicated, the beneficial ownership for each person consists of the sole voting and sole investment power with respect to all shares beneficially owned by him. For purposes of this table, a person or group of persons is deemed to have "beneficial ownership" of any shares as of a given date which such person has the right to acquire within 60 days after such date. For purposes of computing the percentage of outstanding shares held by each person or group of persons named above on a given date, any security which such person or persons has the right to acquire within 60 days after such date is deemed to be outstanding, but is not deemed to be outstanding for the purpose of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. <table> Percentage of Number of shares Outstanding shares Person and Address of Common Stock (8) of Common Stock - ------------------ ------------------- --------------- <s> <c> <c> Andrew M. Saul 2,959,692 18.8% 9 West 57th Street New York, NY 10019 (1) Joseph E. Saul 2,959,692 18.8% 9 West 57th Street New York, NY 10019 (2) Norma G. Saul 2,959,692 18.8% 9 West 57th Street New York, NY 10019 (3) Manulife Financial Corporation 1,793,429 11.4% Management Company, LLC 125 High Street, 29th Floor Boston, MA 02110 (7) Royce & Associates, LLC 1,354,550 8.6% 1414 Avenue of the Americas New York, NY 10019 (7) Mellon Financial Corporation 1,116,834 7.1% One Mellon Plaza Pittsburgh, PA 15258 (7) Springhouse Capital, LP 953,783 6.1% 520 Madison Avenue New York, NY 10022 (7) -14- <page> Percentage of Number of shares Outstanding shares Person and Address of Common Stock (8) of Common Stock - ------------------ ------------------- --------------- Brian Woolf 480,375 3.0% Cache Inc. 1440 Broadway New York, NY 10018 (4) Thomas E. Reinckens 191,953 1.2% Cache Inc. 1440 Broadway New York, NY 10018 (5) Morton J. Schrader 19,500 * 230 Park Avenue, 18th Floor New York, NY 10166 Arthur S. Mintz None N/A 70 West 36th Street New York, NY 10018 Gene G. Gage None N/A Cache Inc. 1440 Broadway New York, NY 10018 Margaret Feeney 21,750 * Cache Inc. 1440 Broadway New York, NY 10018 (6) All Current Executive 3,673,270 22.5% Officers and Directors as a Group (seven persons) _______________________________ * Less than 1% of the outstanding shares of common stock. </table> (1) Represents (a) 825,630 shares held directly by Andrew Saul, (b) 874,962 shares beneficially owned by Joseph Saul, Andrew Saul's father, (c) 1,251,600 shares held by Norma Saul, Andrew Saul's mother, and (d) 7,500 shares held by the Andrew Saul Foundation, of which Andrew Saul is a director. All of the foregoing shares are subject to an oral agreement, subject in the case of the trusts to any fiduciary duties of the trustees, to vote and dispose of the shares jointly. The holders of the foregoing shares have filed with the SEC as a "group" within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Each of these holders disclaims beneficial ownership of all shares other than those held in his, her or its name. -15- <page> (2) Represents (a) 852,462 shares held directly by Joseph Saul, (b) 1,251,600 shares held by Norma Saul, Joseph Saul's wife, (c) 833,130 shares beneficially owned by Andrew Saul, Joseph Saul's son and (d) 22,500 shares held by the Joseph E. and Norma G. Saul Foundation, of which Joseph Saul is a director. All of the foregoing shares are subject to an oral agreement, subject in the case of the trusts to any fiduciary duties of the trustees, to vote and dispose of these shares jointly. The holders of the foregoing shares have filed with the SEC as a "group" within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange act of 1934. Each of these holders disclaims beneficial ownership of all shares other than those held in his, her or its name. (3) Represents (a) 1,251,600 shares held directly by Norma Saul, (b) 852,462 shares beneficially owned by Joseph Saul, Norma Saul's husband, (c) 833,130 shares held by Andrew Saul, Norma Saul's son and (d) 22,500 shares held by the Joseph E. and Norma G. Saul Foundation, of which Norma Saul is a director. All of the foregoing shares are subject to an oral agreement, subject in the case of the trusts to any fiduciary duties of the trustees, to vote and dispose of these shares jointly. The holders of the foregoing shares have filed with the SEC as a "group" within the meaning of Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. Each of these holders disclaims beneficial ownership of all shares other than those held in his, her or its name. (4) Includes options to acquire 399,375 shares of our common stock. (5) Includes options to acquire 134,375 shares of our common stock. (6) Includes options to acquire 21,750 shares of our common stock. (7) Information is based solely on the most recent Form 13G filed by the holder with the SEC. (8) Number of shares of Common stock reflects the 3 for 2 stock split effective June 18, 2004. -16- <page> RATIFICATION OF THE APPOINTMENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS AUDITORS (Proposal 2) 	The Board of Directors has appointed the firm of Deloitte & Touche LLP to examine the financial statements of the Company for the year ending December 31, 2005, subject to ratification by shareholders. Deloitte & Touche LLP was employed by the Company, as its independent auditors for Fiscal 2004. Shareholders are asked to ratify the action of the Board of Directors in making such appointment. 	The Board of Directors recommends a vote for ratification. The affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast with respect to this proposal is required for the ratification of the appointment of auditors. The Sauls intend to vote shares of Common Stock they own in favor of Proposal 2. 	Representatives of Deloitte & Touche LLP will attend the Annual Meeting. They also will have the opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be available to respond to appropriate questions. 	On February 11, 2005, KPMG LLP ("KPMG") notified the Company that it would decline to stand for re-appointment as the Company's independent registered accountants for fiscal 2005 and would cease to represent the Company as its auditor upon completion of the audit of the Company's financial statements as of and for the year ended January 1, 2005 (fiscal 2004), and management's assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of January 1, 2005, and the issuance of their reports thereon. KPMG performed audits of the Company's consolidated financial statements for the fiscal years ended December 27, 2003 (fiscal 2003) and December 28, 2002 (fiscal 2002). KPMG's reports for these periods did not contain an adverse opinion or disclaimer of opinion and were not qualified or modified as to uncertainty, audit scope or accounting principles. 	During the two most recent fiscal years and the interim period through March 17, 2005, (i) there have been no disagreements with KPMG on any matter of accounting principles or practices, financial statement disclosure or auditing scope or procedure, which disagreements, if not resolved to the satisfaction of KPMG, would have caused it to make reference to the subject matter of the disagreements in connection with its report, and (ii) there were no "reportable events" (as defined in Item 304(a)(1)(v) of Regulation S-K). The following table sets forth the aggregate fees billed to the Company for the fiscal years ended December 27, 2003 and January 1, 2005 by KPMG LLP. <table> <c> <c> <c> Fees Fiscal 2003 Fiscal 2004 Amount Amount ---- ------ ------ Audit Fees $149,500 $322,707 Audit-Related Fees $193,939 $402,000 Tax Fees $ -- $ -- All Other Fees $ -- $ -- Total Fees $343,439 $724,707 </table> -17- <page> The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors has considered whether the provision of these services is compatible with maintaining the principal accountants' independence. Audit fees includes fees for annual audit and reviews of the Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, as well as statutory audits and audits of subsidiaries. Audit-related fees include fees for audits of benefit plans and audits related to a potential stock offering, as well as testing of internal controls for Sarbannes Oxley compliance during fiscal 2004. All other fees include fees for evaluations and advisory services. During fiscal 2003, the Audit Committee implemented a procedure to require pre-approval of all services performed by the Independent Auditors. Consequently during fiscal 2003 and 2004, for any project which management hired the principal accountants to perform was presented to the Audit Committee, along with an estimate of the costs to be incurred. The Audit Committee would review and approve the estimate. The Audit Committee was updated by management, if additional costs were incurred. All projects, which were performed by the independent accountants, were approved by the Audit Committee during fiscal 2003 and 2004. -18- <page> OTHER BUSINESS Management knows of no business to be brought before the meeting other than Proposals 1 and 2 in the Notice of Annual Meeting. If any other proposals come before the meeting, it is intended that the shares represented by Proxies shall be voted in accordance with the judgment of the person or persons exercising the authority conferred by the Proxies. Financial statements of the Company, the Company's certified public accountants' report thereon and management's discussion and analysis of the Company's financial condition and results of operations are contained in the Company's 2004 Annual Report to Shareholders, a copy which has been sent to each shareholder of record along with a copy of this Proxy Statement. The Annual Report is not to be regarded as proxy soliciting material or a communication by means of which any solicitation is to be made. SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS Proposals by shareholders intended to be presented at the next Annual Meeting (to be held in 2006) must be received by the Company on or before May 5, 2006 in order to be included in the Proxy Statement and Proxy for that meeting. The mailing address of the Company for submission of any such proposal is given on the first page of the Proxy Statement. SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE Based solely upon a review of the Forms 3, 4 and 5 and any amendments thereto furnished to the Company pursuant to Rule 16a-3(c) promulgated under the Exchange Act, the Company is not aware of any failure of any officer, director or beneficial owner of more than 10% of the Common Stock to timely file with the Commission any Form 3, 4 or 5 in respect of the Company during fiscal 2004, except for the following instances: 10% owner Joseph Saul filed one late Form 4; Director Gene Gage filed one late Form 3; Director Arthur Mintz filed one late Form 3; Officer David Desjardins filed one late Form 4; Officer Thomas Reinckens filed two late Form 4's; Officer Brian Woolf filed one late Form 4; Officer Maria Comfort filed one late Form 3; Officer Catherine McNeal filed one late Form 4; and Director and 10% owner Andrew Saul filed one late Form 4. IT IS IMPORTANT THAT PROXIES BE RETURNED PROMPTLY. THEREFORE, SHAREHOLDERS ARE REQUESTED TO SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE PROXY CARD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE, WHETHER OR NOT THEY EXPECT TO ATTEND THE 2004 ANNUAL MEETING IN PERSON. 				By Order of the Board of Directors, /s/ Victor J. Coster VICTOR J. COSTER Secretary -19- <page> CACHE, INC. ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS NOVEMBER 10, 2005 THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS 	The undersigned hereby appoints Brian Woolf and Thomas E. Reinckens, and each of them, with full power of substitution, Proxies of the undersigned to vote all shares of Common Stock of Cache, Inc. (the "Company") which the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on November 10, 2005, and all adjournments thereof, with all the powers the undersigned would possess if personally presented, and particularly, without limiting the generality of the foregoing, to vote and act as follows: 1. Election of five directors of the Company. __ FOR all nominees listed below __ WITHHOLD AUTHORITY vote for all (except as marked to the contrary below) nominees listed below Andrew M. Saul, Brian Woolf, Gene G. Gage, Arthur S. Mintz, Morton J. Schrader. (INSTRUCTIONS: To withhold authority to vote for any individual nominee, write the nominee's name in the space below.) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 2. Ratification of the appointment of Deliotte & Touche LLP as the Company's independent auditors for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2005. __ FOR __ AGAINST __ ABSTAIN 3. In their discretion, upon such matters as may properly come before the meeting. THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED AS SPECIFIED ABOVE. IF NO SPECIFICATION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED "FOR" THE ELECTION OF EACH DIRECTOR NAMED HEREIN AND "FOR" ITEM 2. Dated___________________________, 2005 (please fill in date) Note: Please sign as name appears. Joint owners should each sign. ______________________________________ Signature of Shareholder ______________________________________ Signature of Shareholder When signing as Attorney, Executor, Administrator, Trustee or Guardian, please give full title as such. If signer is a corporation, please sign with full corporation name by duly authorized officer or officers. <page>