As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on September 23, 1996
Registration No.333-
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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
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FORM S-3
REGISTRATION STATEMENT
Under
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
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NINE WEST GROUP INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
DELAWARE 06-1093855
(State or other jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer
incorporation or organization) Identification No.)
9 West Broad Street
Stamford, Connecticut 06902
(203) 324-7567
(Address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of registrant's principal executive offices)
Copy to:
ROBERT C. GALVIN JOEL K. BEDOL
Executive Vice President, Senior Vice President
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer and General Counsel
Nine West Group Inc. Nine West Group Inc.
9 West Broad Street 9 West Broad Street
Stamford, Connecticut 06902 Stamford, Connecticut 06902
(203)328-4373 (203)328-4386
(Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number,
including area code, of agent for service)
Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale of the securities to the
public: From time to time after this Registration Statement becomes effective.
If the only securities being registered on this Form are being offered pursuant
to dividend or interest reinvestment plans, please check the following box. [ ]
If any of the securities being registered on this Form are to be offered on a
delayed or continuous basis pursuant to Rule 415 under the Securities Act of
1933, other than securities offered only in connection with dividend or interest
reinvestment plans, check the following box. [ X ]
If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant
to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, please check the following box and list
the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective
registration statement for the same offering. [ ]
If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(c) under
the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act
registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement
for the same offering. [ ]
If delivery of the prospectus is expected to be made pursuant to Rule 434,
please check the following box. [ ]
CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE
Title of Amount Proposed Maximum Proposed Maximum Amount of
Securities to to be Offering Price Aggregate Registration
be Registered Registered Per Security Offering Price Fee (1)
- ------------- ---------- ---------------- ---------------- ------------
5-1/2%
Convertible
Subordinated
Notes
Due 2003 $74,045,000 100% $74,045,000 $25,532.76
Common Stock, 1,218,619
$.01 par value shares (2) -- $74,045,000 --
(1) Calculated pursuant to Rule 457 (i) of the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended.
(2) Based on a conversion price of $60.76 per share, but deemed to include any
additional shares of Common Stock that may be issuable upon conversion of the
Notes as a result of the antidilution provisions thereof. Pursuant to Rule
457(i), no registration fee is required for these shares.
THE REGISTRANT HEREBY AMENDS THIS REGISTRATION STATEMENT ON SUCH DATE OR
DATES AS MAY BE NECESSARY TO DELAY ITS EFFECTIVE DATE UNTIL THE REGISTRANT SHALL
FILE A FURTHER AMENDMENT WHICH SPECIFICALLY STATES THAT THIS REGISTRATION
STATEMENT SHALL THEREAFTER BECOME EFFECTIVE IN ACCORDANCE WITH SECTION 8(A) OF
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 OR UNTIL THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT SHALL BECOME
EFFECTIVE ON SUCH DATE AS THE COMMISSION, ACTING PURSUANT TO SAID SECTION 8(A),
MAY DETERMINE.
INFORMATION CONTAINED HEREIN IS SUBJECT TO COMPLETION OR AMENDMENT. A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT RELATING TO THESE SECURITIES HAS BEEN FILED WITH THE
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION. THESE SECURITIES MAY NOT BE SOLD NOR MAY
OFFER TO BUY BE ACCEPTED PRIOR TO THE TIME THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT BECOMES
EFFECTIVE. THIS PROSPECTUS SHALL NOT CONSTITUTE AN OFFER TO SELL OR THE
SOLICITATION OF AN OFFER TO BUY NOR SHALL THERE BE ANY SALE OF THESE SECURITIES
IN ANY STATE IN WHICH SUCH OFFER, SOLICITATION OR SALE WOULD BE UNLAWFUL PRIOR
TO REGISTRATION OR QUALIFICATION UNDER THE SECURITIES LAWS OF ANY SUCH STATE.
SUBJECT TO COMPLETION;DATED SEPTEMBER 23,1996
NINE WEST GROUP INC.
$74,045,000
5-1/2% Convertible Subordinated Notes Due 2003
The 5-1/2% Convertible Subordinated Notes Due 2003 (the "Notes") of Nine
West Group Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and the shares of the
Company's common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock," together
with the Notes, the "Securities"), issuable upon conversion of the Notes, may be
offered for sale from time to time for the account of certain holders of the
Securities (the "Selling Holders") as described under "Selling Holders." The
Selling Holders may, from time to time, sell the Securities offered hereby to or
through one or more underwriters, directly to other purchasers or through agents
in ordinary brokerage transactions, in negotiated transactions or otherwise, at
market prices prevailing at the time of sale, at prices related to then
prevailing market prices or at negotiated prices. See "Plan of Distribution."
The Notes mature on July 15, 2003, unless previously redeemed. Interest on
the Notes is payable semi-annually on January 15 and July 15 of each year,
commencing January 15, 1997. Holders ("Holders") of the Notes are entitled, at
any time after 60 days following the latest date of original issuance through
July 15, 2003, subject to prior redemption, to convert any Notes or portions
thereof into Common Stock at a conversion price of $60.76 per share, subject to
certain adjustments. The Company may, at its option, pay an amount in cash equal
to the Market Price (as defined herein) of the shares of Common Stock into which
such Notes are convertible in lieu of delivery of such shares. See "Description
of the Notes -- Conversion of Notes." The Notes have been designated for
trading in the Private Offerings, Resales and Trading through Automated Linkages
("PORTAL") market. The Common Stock is quoted on the New York Stock Exchange
("NYSE") under the symbol "NIN." On September 20, 1996, the last reported sale
price of the Common Stock on the NYSE was $54-7/8 per share.
The Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at the option of the
Company, at any time on or after July 16, 1999, at the declining redemption
prices set forth herein, plus accrued interest. In the event of a Change of
Control (as defined herein), each Holder of Notes may require the Company to
repurchase such Holder's Notes in whole or in part at a redemption price of 101%
of the principal amount thereof plus accrued interest. See "Description of the
Notes -- Optional Redemption by the Company and --Change of Control."
The Notes represent unsecured obligations of the Company and will be
subordinated in right of payment to all existing and future Senior Indebtedness
(as defined herein) of the Company. In addition, because a substantial portion
of the Company's operations is conducted through subsidiaries, claims of holders
of indebtedness and other creditors of such subsidiaries have priority with
respect to the assets and earnings of such subsidiaries over the claims of
creditors of the Company, including holders of the Notes.
The Notes were originally issued on June 26, 1996 and July 9, 1996 in
transactions exempt from registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as
amended (the "Securities Act").
The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the sale of any of
the Notes or the Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof offered by the
Selling Holders.
See "Risk Factors" on page 8 for a discussion of certain factors that
should be considered by prospective purchasers of the Securities offered hereby.
THESE SECURITIES HAVE NOT BEEN APPROVED OR DISAPPROVED BY THE SECURITIES AND
EXCHANGE COMMISSION OR ANY STATE SECURITIES
COMMISSION NOR HAS THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
OR ANY STATE SECURITIES COMMISSION PASSED UPON THE
ACCURACY OR ADEQUACY OF THIS PROSPECTUS.
ANY REPRESENTATION TO THE CONTRARY IS A
CRIMINAL OFFENSE
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The date of this Prospectus is , 1996.
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AVAILABLE INFORMATION
The Company is subject to the informational requirements of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and, in accordance
therewith, files reports, proxy statements and other information with the
Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"). These reports, proxy
statements and other information can be inspected and copied at the public
reference facilities maintained by the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549, and at the Commission's regional offices located at 500
West Madison Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60661-2511, and Suite 1300,
Seven World Trade Center, New York, New York 10048. Copies of such material
also can be obtained from the Public Reference Section of the Commission, 450
Fifth Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. The Commission
also maintains a World Wide Web Site that contains reports, proxy statements and
other information regarding registrants, such as the Company, that file
electronically with the Commission. The address of the site is
http://www.sec.gov. Such reports, proxy statements and other information also
can be inspected at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street,
New York, New York 10005, on which exchange the Common Stock is listed.
The Company has filed with the Commission a Registration Statement on Form
S-3 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), with
respect to the Securities offered hereby. This Prospectus omits certain
information contained in the Registration Statement, including exhibits thereto,
in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Commission. For further
information with respect to the Company and the Securities, reference is made to
the Registration Statement and exhibits thereto, copies of which may be
inspected at the offices of the Commission at 450 Fifth Street, N.W.,
Washington, D.C. 20549 or obtained from the Commission at the same address at
prescribed rates.
INCORPORATION OF CERTAIN DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE
The following documents filed by the Company with the Commission are hereby
incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and made a part hereof:
(i) The Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K, as amended by Form 10-K/A
No. 1, for the fiscal year ended February 3, 1996;
(ii) The Company's Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q for the fiscal quarters
ended May 4, 1996 and August 3, 1996, respectively; and
(iii) The description of the Company's Common Stock set forth in the
Company's Registration Statement on Form 8-A dated May 6, 1992, as
amended (File No. 1-11161).
All documents filed by the Company pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or
15(d) of the Exchange Act subsequent to the date of this Prospectus and prior to
the termination of the offering of the Securities shall be deemed to be
incorporated by reference into this Prospectus and to be a part hereof from the
date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained herein, or in a
document incorporated herein by reference, shall be deemed to be modified or
superseded for purposes of this Prospectus to the extent that a statement
contained in any subsequently filed document incorporated herein by reference,
which statement is also incorporated herein by reference, is inconsistent with
such statement. Any statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed,
except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this Prospectus.
Copies of all documents incorporated by reference into this Prospectus,
other than exhibits to such documents (unless the exhibits are specifically
incorporated by reference into such documents), will be provided without charge
to each person to whom this Prospectus is delivered, upon oral or written
request by such person to Investor Relations, Nine West Group Inc., 11933
Westline Industrial Drive, St. Louis, Missouri 63146, telephone (314) 579-8812.
No person has been authorized in connection with this offering to give any
information or to make any representation not contained in this Prospectus and,
if given or made, such information or representation must not be relied upon as
having been authorized by the Company, the Selling Holders or any other person.
This Prospectus does not constitute an offer to sell, or a solicitation of an
offer to purchase, any securities other than those to which it relates, nor does
it constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to purchase by any
person in any jurisdiction in which it is unlawful for such person to make such
an offer or solicitation. Neither the delivery of this Prospectus nor any sale
made hereunder shall under any circumstances create any implication that the
information contained herein is correct as of any time subsequent to the date of
such information.
PROSPECTUS SUMMARY
The following summary does not purport to be complete and is qualified in
its entirety by the more detailed information and consolidated financial
statements and related notes appearing elsewhere or incorporated by reference in
this Prospectus. In addition to the other information in this Prospectus, the
factors set forth under "RISK FACTORS" below should be considered carefully in
evaluating an investment in the Securities offered hereby. All information in
this Prospectus reflects the Company's acquisition (the "Acquisition") of
substantially all of the footwear business, and the assumption of certain
liabilities, of The United States Shoe Corporation ("U.S. Shoe") effected on May
23, 1995. Effective June 27, 1995, the Company's fiscal year-end was changed
from December 31 to the Saturday closest to January 31 of the following year.
The Company
Nine West Group Inc. (together with its subsidiaries, the "Company") is a
leading designer, developer and marketer of quality, fashionable women's
footwear and accessories. The Company markets a full collection of casual,
career and dress footwear and accessories under multiple brand names, each of
which is targeted to a distinct segment of the women's footwear and accessories
markets, from "fashion" to "comfort" styles and from "moderate" to "bridge"
price points. In addition to its flagship Nine West label, the Company's
nationally recognized brands include Easy Spirit, Enzo Angiolini, Calico,
Bandolino, Selby, Evan Picone (under license), 9 & Co., Amalfi, Westies and
Pappagallo. The Company's Jervin private label division also arranges for the
purchase of footwear by major retailers and other wholesalers for sale under the
customer's own labels. The Company believes its primary strengths are: (i) its
widely-recognized brand names; (ii) the high quality, value and styling of its
products; (iii) its ability to respond quickly to changing fashion trends; (iv)
its established sourcing relationships with efficient Brazilian and other
manufacturers; (v) the broad distribution of its products through both wholesale
and retail channels; and (vi) its ability to provide timely and reliable
delivery to its customers. The Company believes it is one of the few
established branded footwear companies offering complete lines of well-known
women's leather footwear in a wide variety of colors, styles, sizes and retail
price points, and that, as a result, it is able to capitalize on what the
Company believes is a trend among major wholesale accounts to consolidate
footwear purchasing from among a narrow group of vendors. In addition, the
Company believes that the sale of footwear and accessories through its retail
stores increases consumers' awareness of the Company's brands.
Over the last three years, the Company's revenues have grown from $461.6
million for the year ended December 31, 1992 to $1,255.2 million for the fiscal
year ended February 3, 1996 ("Fiscal 1995"). Over the same period, operating
income increased from $58.6 million to $147.7 million, (excluding (i) the $34.9
million non-recurring increase in cost of goods sold, attributable to the fair
value of inventory over FIFO cost, recorded as a result of the Acquisition and
(ii) business restructuring and integration expenses and charges of $51.9
million associated with the integration of the operations acquired in the
Acquisition into the Company's pre-Acquisition operations. Approximately 55% of
the Company's net revenues in Fiscal 1995 was generated from wholesale sales of
both brand name and private label footwear and accessories to more than 7,000
department, specialty and independent retail stores in more than 16,000
locations. The balance of Fiscal 1995 net revenues was generated from the
Company's proprietary network of 918 retail stores operating under several
different concepts, each targeted to a specific customer base.
On May 23, 1995, the Company consummated the Acquisition for a purchase
price of $560 million in cash, plus warrants to purchase 3,700,000 shares of
Common Stock at an exercise price of $35.50 per share (the "Warrants"). On June
5, 1996, the Company and U.S. Shoe consummated a settlement (the "Settlement")
of a post-closing balance sheet dispute relating to the Acquisition. Pursuant
to the Settlement, U.S. Shoe was obligated to pay to the Company the amount of
$25.0 million, and the Company and U.S. Shoe agreed that the Company would
repurchase the Warrants for a price of $67.5 million (the "Warrant Repurchase").
Consequently, the Company made a net payment of $42.5 million to U.S. Shoe,
which was financed by borrowings under the Company's secured credit facility in
effect on the date of the Warrant Repurchase. On August 2, 1996, the Company
entered into an amended and restated secured credit facility (as so amended and
restated, the "Credit Facility").
The number of domestic retail stores operated by the Company has grown from
112 domestic stores on June 30, 1989 to 918 domestic retail stores (including
425 stores acquired in the Acquisition) as of September 20, 1996. In addition
to the 83 non-acquired new stores that have opened in Fiscal 1996 to date, the
Company anticipates that it will open approximately 83 additional domestic
retail stores during the remainder of Fiscal 1996 across the various store
concepts. In addition, the Company plans to continue its international retail
and wholesale expansion plans. As of September 20, 1996, the Company had 52
international retail locations in operation in Australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan,
Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia and Canada. It is anticipated that the total
number of international retail locations will exceed 70 by the end of Fiscal
1996. The Company's international wholesaling and licensing is expected to
continue to expand in tandem with its retail expansion in Japan, the Middle
East, Latin America, Europe and additional countries in the Far East.
The Company's principal executive offices are located at 9 West Broad
Street, Stamford, Connecticut 06902, and the Company's telephone number is
(203) 324-7567.
THE OFFERING
Issuer........... Nine West Group Inc. (the "Company").
Securities
Offered.......... $74,045,000 of 5-1/2% Convertible Subordinated Notes Due
2003 issued under an indenture (the "Indenture"), dated
as of June 26, 1996, between the Company and Chemical
Bank, as trustee (the"Trustee").
Interest Payment
Dates............. January 15 and July 15 of each year, commencing January
15, 1997.
Maturity.......... July 15, 2003
Conversion........ Convertible into Common Stock at $60.76 per share,
subject to adjustment as set forth herein at any time
after 60 days following the latest date of original
issuance of the Notes. The Company may, at its option,
pay an amount in cash equal to the Market Price (as
defined herein) of the shares of Common Stock into which
such Notes are convertible in lieu of delivery of such
shares. See "Description of the Notes -- Conversion of
Notes."
Redemption........ The Notes are redeemable, in whole or in part, at the
option of the Company, at any time on or after July 16,
1999, at the declining redemption prices set forth
herein, plus accrued interest. See "Description of the
Notes -- Optional Redemption by the Company."
Change
of Control........ In the event of a Change of Control (as defined herein),
Holders of the Notes have the right to require that the
Company repurchase the Notes in whole or in part at a
redemption price of 101% of the principal amount thereof,
plus accrued interest. See "Description of the Notes
-- Change of Control."
Ranking........... The Notes constitute general unsecured obligations of the
Company and are subordinated in right of payment to all
existing and future Senior Indebtedness (as defined
herein) of the Company. As of August 31, 1996, the
Company had approximately $395 million of Senior
Indebtedness outstanding. In addition, because a
substantial portion of the Company's operations is
conducted through subsidiaries, claims of holders of
indebtedness and other creditors of such subsidiaries
will have priority with respect to the assets and
earnings of such subsidiaries over the claims of
creditors of the Company, including Holders of the Notes.
As of August 31, 1996, the aggregate liabilities of such
subsidiaries were approximately $65 million. The
Indenture does not limit the amount of additional
indebtedness (including, without limitation, Senior
Indebtedness) that the Company can create, incur, assume
or guarantee, nor does the Indenture limit the amount of
indebtedness (including, without limitation, Senior
Indebtedness) that any subsidiary can create, incur,
assume or guarantee. See "Description of the Notes-
Subordination."
Use of Proceeds... The Company will not receive any of the proceeds from the
sale of any of the Notes or the Common Stock issuable
upon conversion thereof.
Trading........... The Notes have been designated for trading in the PORTAL
(Private Offerings, Resales and Trading through Automated
Linkages) market. The Common Stock is quoted on the NYSE
under the symbol "NIN."
RISK FACTORS
In addition to the other information contained in this Prospectus,
prospective investors should carefully consider the following risk factors in
evaluating the Company and its business before purchasing the Notes offered
hereby.
Substantial Competition and Changing Fashion Trends
Competition is intense in the women's footwear business. The Company must
remain competitive in the areas of style, quality, price, comfort, brand loyalty
and customer service. The location and atmosphere of retail stores are an
additional competitive factor in the Company's retail division. The Company's
competitors include numerous manufacturers, importers and distributors, some of
which may have certain resources not available to the Company. The Company
competes with distributors that import footwear, domestic companies that have
foreign manufacturing relationships and companies that produce footwear
domestically. In its retail division, the Company's primary competition is
comprised of large national chains, department stores, specialty footwear stores
and other outlet stores. Any failure by the Company to identify and respond to
emerging fashion trends could adversely affect consumer acceptance of the
Company's brand names and product lines, which in turn could adversely affect
the Company's financial condition and results of operations. The Company
attempts to minimize the risk of changing fashion trends and product acceptance
by offering a wide assortment of dress, career and casual shoes during
particular selling seasons, approximately one-half of which are in classic
styles that the Company believes are less vulnerable to fashion trend changes.
Factors Related to the Acquisition
Integration. Although the Company is in the process of integrating the
operations and assets acquired in the Acquisition into the Company's pre-
Acquisition operations, this process is likely to continue for some time, and
will require the deployment of significant management and other resources of the
Company. The success of such integration is subject to various factors,
including (i) the Company's ability to continue to implement such integration
without unforeseen difficulty, (ii) external events affecting business in
general and the footwear industry in particular over which the Company has no
control and (iii) changes in the Company's plans which may occur in a wide
variety of circumstances. There can be no assurance as to when such integration
will be completed, that the Company will successfully integrate the operations
and assets acquired in the Acquisition with its own, that it will achieve the
anticipated cost savings as a result of such integration or that the costs of
such integration will not exceed anticipated amounts.
Acquisition Indebtedness. In connection with the Acquisition and the
Warrant Repurchase, the Company incurred a significant amount of indebtedness.
As of August 31, 1996, the Company had approximately $395 million of
indebtedness (representing Senior Indebtedness) outstanding under the Credit
Facility, and its stockholders' equity was approximately $325 million. The
Company's indebtedness under the Credit Facility bears interest at variable
rates, causing the Company to be sensitive to changes in interest rates. The
Company has entered into interest rate hedge agreements in the notional
principal amount of $300 million to reduce the impact on interest expense from
fluctuating interest rates on variable rate debt. As of August 31, 1996, the
weighted average interest rate on outstanding indebtedness under the Credit
Facility was approximately 6.09%.
The repayment of the principal of and interest on the Company's
indebtedness under the Credit Facility could have certain consequences to the
Company, including the following: (i) a substantial portion of the Company's
cash flow from operations will not be available for other purposes; and (ii) the
Company's ability to obtain additional financing in the future for working
capital, capital expenditures or acquisitions may be limited.
Expansion of Business
A significant part of the Company's strategy is to expand its retailing
concepts and to continue its international retail and wholesale expansion plans.
The Company intends to accomplish such expansion by opening new stores and may
include additional acquisitions. The types of stores opened by the Company and
the results generated by such stores depend on various factors, including, among
others, general economic and business conditions affecting consumer spending,
the performance of the Company's wholesale and retail operations, the acceptance
by consumers of the Company's retail concepts, the ability of the Company to
manage such expansion, hire and train personnel, the availability of desirable
locations, the negotiation of acceptable lease terms for new locations and the
ability of the Company to find acceptable partners for its international stores.
Impact of Brazilian and Other Foreign Operations
Approximately 60% of the Company's footwear products are manufactured by
more than 25 independently owned footwear manufacturers in Brazil. The Company
is the dominant and, in many cases, the exclusive customer for these
manufacturers' production. The Company believes that such Brazilian
manufacturing relationships provide a significant competitive advantage to the
Company and are a major contributor to the Company's success. Thus, the
Company's future results of operations will partly depend on maintaining its
close working relationships with its principal manufacturers, both directly and
through the organization of Bentley Services Inc., its independent buying agent
(the "Buying Agent"). Neither the Buying Agent nor any of its principals is
affiliated with the Company. The Company has entered into a five-year contract
with the Buying Agent, effective January 1, 1992, subject to extension for an
additional five-year period at the Company's option, which provides that the
Buying Agent, its owners, employees, directors and affiliates will not act as a
buying agent for, or sell leather footwear manufactured in Brazil to, other
importers, distributors or retailers for resale in the United States, Canada or
the United Kingdom. The Company does not maintain supply contracts with any of
its manufacturers.
Historically, instability in Brazil's political and economic environment
has not had a material adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or
results of operations. The Company cannot predict, however, the effect that
future changes in economic or political conditions in Brazil could have on the
economics of doing business with its Brazilian manufacturers. Although the
Company believes that it could find alternative manufacturing sources for those
products which it currently sources in Brazil, the establishment of new
manufacturing relationships would involve various uncertainties, and the loss of
a substantial portion of its Brazilian manufacturing capacity before the
alternative souring relationships are fully developed could have a material
adverse effect on the Company's financial condition or results of operations.
However, as a result of the Acquisition, the Company now has manufacturing
operations in the United States and additional souring relationships in other
countries to manufacture its products.
The Company's footwear is also manufactured by third parties located in
China and other countries in the Far East, and in Italy, Spain, Korea, Mexico
and Uruguay. The Company's accessories are manufactured by third-party
manufacturers in the Far East.
The Company's business is subject to other risks of doing business abroad,
such as fluctuations in exchange rates, the imposition of additional regulations
relating to imports, including quotas, duties or taxes and other charges on
imports, and other risks relating to changes in local government administrations
and policies and resulting changes in business customs and practices. In order
to minimize the risk of exchange rate fluctuations, the Company purchases
products from Brazilian manufacturers in United States dollars and otherwise
engages in foreign currency hedging transactions. The Company cannot predict
whether additional United States or foreign customs quotas, duties, taxes or
other charges or restrictions will be imposed upon the importation of its non-
domestically produced products in the future or what effect such actions could
have on its financial condition or results of operations.
Subordination of Notes
The indebtedness evidenced by the Notes is subordinate to the prior payment
in full of all Senior Indebtedness (as defined herein). As of August 31, 1996,
the Company had approximately $395 million of Senior Indebtedness outstanding.
In addition, because a substantial portion of the Company's operations is
conducted through subsidiaries, claims of holders of indebtedness and of other
creditors of such subsidiaries will have priority with respect to the assets and
earnings of such subsidiaries over the claims of creditors of the Company,
including holders of the Notes. As of August 31, 1996, the aggregate
liabilities of such subsidiaries were approximately $65 million. The Indenture
does not limit the amount of additional indebtedness, including Senior
Indebtedness or pari passu indebtedness, that the Company or any of its
subsidiaries can create, incur, assume or guarantee. During the continuance of
any default (beyond any applicable grace period) in the payment of principal,
premium, interest or any other payment due on the Senior Indebtedness, no
payment of principal or interest on the Notes may be made by the Company. In
addition, upon any distribution of assets of the Company upon any dissolution,
winding up, liquidation or reorganization, the payment of the principal and
interest on the Notes is subordinated to the extent provided in the Indenture to
the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness and is structurally
subordinated to claims of creditors of each subsidiary of the Company. By
reason of this subordination, in the event of the Company's dissolution, holders
of Senior Indebtedness may receive more, ratably, and Holders of the Notes may
receive less, ratably, than the other creditors of the Company. The Company's
cash flow and ability to service debt, including the Notes, are substantially
dependent upon the earnings of its subsidiaries and the distribution of those
earnings to, or upon payments by those subsidiaries to, the Company. The
ability of the Company's subsidiaries to make such distributions or payments may
be subject to contractual or statutory restrictions. See "Description of the
Notes Subordination."
Repurchase of Notes at the Option of Holders Upon a Change of Control;
Availability of Funds
In the event of a Change of Control (as defined herein), each Holder of
Notes will have the right to require that the Company repurchase the Notes in
whole or in part at a redemption price of 101% of the principal amount thereof,
plus accrued interest to the date of purchase. If a Change of Control were to
occur, there can be no assurance that the Company would have sufficient funds to
pay such redemption price for all Notes tendered by the holders thereof. See
"Subordination of Notes" above. The Company's ability to pay such redemption
price is, and may in the future be, limited by the terms of the Credit Facility
or other agreements relating to indebtedness that constitutes Senior
Indebtedness.
Securities Trading; Possible Volatility of Prices
The Notes have been designated for trading in the PORTAL market, and the
Common Stock is quoted on the NYSE. There can be no assurance that an active
trading market for the Notes will develop or be sustained. There can be no
assurance as to the liquidity of investments in the Notes or as to the price
Holders of the Notes may realize upon the sale of the Notes. These prices are
determined in the marketplace and may be influenced by many factors, including
the liquidity of the market for the Notes and Common Stock, the market price of
the Common Stock, interest rates, investor perception of the Company and general
economic and market conditions.
USE OF PROCEEDS
The Company will not receive any proceeds from the sale of the Notes or
the Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof by the Selling Holders.
RATIO OF EARNINGS TO FIXED CHARGES
Quarter Ended Year Ended
----------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------
August 3 July 29 February 3 December 31 December 31 December 31 December 31
1996 1995 1996 1994 1993 1992 1991
Ratio of
Earnings to
Fixed Charges 3.08 2.73 1.62 8.92 8.03 5.11 3.81
For the purpose of computing the ratio of earnings to fixed charges, earnings consists of earnings
before income taxes and fixed charges. Fixed charges consists of interest expense plus the portion
of rental expense under operating leases that has been deemed by the Company to be representative
of the interest factor (approximately one third of rental expense).
SELLING HOLDERS
The Notes were initially issued and sold pursuant to a Purchase Agreement,
dated as of June 20, 1996, between the Company, and Bears Stearns & Co., Inc.
and Morgan Stanley & Co. Incorporated (together, the "Initial Purchasers"). The
Notes were acquired from the Initial Purchasers by the Selling Holders in
compliance with Rule 144A, Regulation D or Regulation S under the Securities
Act, or in other permitted resale transactions from the Initial Purchasers or
holders who acquired such Notes from the Initial Purchasers or their successors
in further permitted resale transactions exempt from registration under the
Securities Act. The Company agreed to indemnify and hold the Initial Purchasers
harmless against certain liabilities under the Securities Act that may arise in
connection with the sale of the Notes by the Initial Purchasers.
Except as otherwise indicated, the table below sets forth certain
information with respect to the Securities as of September 20, 1996. The term
"Selling Holders" includes the beneficial owners of such Securities listed
below. Other than as a result of the ownership of the Securities indicated
below, none of the Selling Holders has had any material relationship with the
Company or any of its affiliates within the past three years.
Aggregate Principal Amount Number of Shares of
of Notes Owned and Common Stock That
Name of Selling Holder That May Be Sold May Be Sold
- ---------------------- ---------------- -----------
Saif Corporation $2,500,000 41,145
Castle Convertible Fund, Inc. $500,000 8,229
Lincoln National Convertible
Securities Fund $3,000,000 49,374
Lincoln National Insurance Co. $6,350,000 104,509
Winton Trust Convertible Fund $750,000 12,343
United National Insurance Co. $100,000 1,645
Palladin Partners, L.P.O. $100,000 1,645
Colonial Penn Life Insurance Co. $300,000 4,937
Gershon Partners, L.P. $350,000 5,760
Pacific Horizon Capital Income Fund $3,500,000 57,603
Bank of America Convertible
Securities Fund $350,000 5,760
ICI American Holdings Inc. $385,000 6,336
Zeneca Holdings Inc. $365,000 6,007
Nalco Chemical Co. $150,000 2,468
Alpine Associates, L.P. $7,000,000 115,207
TCW Convertible Value Fund $1,340,000 22,053
General Motors Salaried Employees
Convertible Fund $3,320,000 54,641
State of Michigan Employees
Retirement Fund $1,235,000 20,325
TCW Convertible Securities Fund $2,005,000 32,998
Cincinnati Bell Telephone Convertible
Value Fund $375,000 6,171
Massachusetts Mutual Life
Insurance Company $350,000 5,760
North Dakota State Workers
Compensation Fund $510,000 8,393
TCW/DW Income & Growth Fund $255,000 4,196
Medical Malpractice Insurance
Association $80,000 1,316
TCW Convertible Strategy Fund $650,000 10,697
North Dakota State Land Dept. $250,000 4,114
Ameritech Pension Plan $2,000,000 32,916
Morgan Stanley & Co., Inc. $300,000 4,937
AIM Management Inc. $1,550,000 25,510
Van Kampen American Capital Harbor
Fund $2,500,000 41,145
Societe Generale Securities Corp. $2,500,000 41,145
Allstate Insurance Company $5,000,000 82,290
Lipco Partners, L.P. $12,650,000 208,196
Orrington Investments L.P. $500,000 8,229
Boston Harbor Trust Co., N.A. $200,000 3,291
Baptist Hospital of Miami Foundation $10,000 164
Baptist Hospital of Miami $105,000 1,728
San Diego County Convertible Fund $1,485,000 24,440
Occidental College $125,000 2,057
San Diego City Retirement Fund $410,000 6,747
Dunham & Assoc. Fund 2 $50,000 822
Dunham & Assoc. Convertible Bond AA Fund $45,000 740
Dunham & Assoc. Convertible Arbitrage Fund $75,000 1,234
Ernest Wuliger Trust $85,000 1,398
Kraft Family Trust $20,000 329
Boston Museum of Fine Arts $45,000 740
Engineers Joint Pension Fund $200,000 3,291
Wake Forest University $320,000 5,266
N-A Income & Growth Fund $1,200,000 19,749
NB Convertible Arbitrage Partners,
L.P. $3,600,000 59,249
Grace Brothers, Ltd. $3,000,000 49,374
The preceding table has been prepared based on information furnished to the
Company by the Depositary Trust Company New York, New York ("DTC") and by or on
behalf of the Selling Holders.
In view of the fact that Selling Holders may offer all or a portion of the
Notes or shares of Common Stock held by them pursuant to this offering, and
because this offering is not being underwritten on a firm commitment basis, no
estimate can be given as to the amount of Notes or the number of shares of
Common Stock that will be held by the Selling Holders after completion of this
offering.
Information concerning the Selling Holders may change from time to time and
any such changed information that the Company becomes aware of will be set forth
in supplements to this Prospectus if and when necessary. In addition, the per
share conversion price, and the number of shares issuable upon conversion of the
Notes, is subject to adjustment under certain circumstances. Accordingly, the
aggregate principal amount of Notes and the number of shares of Common Stock
issuable upon conversion thereof offered hereby may increase or decrease. As of
the date of this Prospectus, the aggregate principal amount of Notes outstanding
is $185,680,000.
DESCRIPTION OF THE NOTES
The Notes were issued under the Indenture, a copy of which is being filed
with the Commission as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. The following
summaries of certain provisions of the Notes and the Indenture do not purport to
be complete and are subject to, and are qualified in their entirety by reference
to, the Trust Indenture Act of 1939, as amended (the "Trust Indenture Act"), and
all the provisions of the Notes and the Indenture, including the definitions
therein of certain terms which are not otherwise defined in this Prospectus and
those terms made a part of the Indenture by reference to the Trust Indenture
Act. Wherever particular provisions or defined terms of the Indenture (or of the
form of Notes which is a part thereof) are referred to, such provisions or
defined terms are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. As used in
this "Description of the Notes" section, the "Company" refers to Nine West Group
Inc. and does not, unless the context otherwise indicates, include its
subsidiaries.
General
The Notes represent general unsecured subordinated obligations of the
Company and are convertible into Common Stock as described below under the
subheading "Conversion of Notes." The Notes are limited to $185,680,000
aggregate principal amount, have been issued in fully registered form only in
denominations of $1,000 in principal amount or any multiple thereof and mature
on July 15, 2003, unless earlier redeemed at the option of the Company or at the
option of the Holder upon a Change of Control.
The Indenture does not contain any financial covenants or any restrictions
on the payment of dividends, the repurchase of securities of the Company or the
incurrence of debt by the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
The Notes bear interest from the date of original issue at the annual rate
set forth on the cover page hereof, payable semi-annually on January 15 and July
15, commencing on January 15, 1997, to Holders of record at the close of
business on the preceding December 15 and June 15, respectively. Interest will
be computed on the basis of a 360-day year composed of twelve 30-day months.
Unless other arrangements are made, interest is to be paid by check mailed
to Holders entitled thereto; provided that, at the option of any Holder of Notes
with an aggregate principal amount equal to or in excess of $5,000,000, interest
on such Holder's Notes shall be paid by wire transfer in immediately available
funds. Principal will be payable, and the Notes may be presented for
conversion, registration of transfer and exchange, without service charge, at
the office of the Trustee in New York, New York.
Form, Denomination and Registration
The Notes have been issued in fully registered form only, without coupons,
in denominations of $1,000 in principal amount and integral multiples thereof.
Global Notes; Book-Entry Form. Notes offered in reliance on Rule 144A will
be evidenced by a global note (hereinafter referred to as the "Restricted Global
Note") and Notes offered in reliance on Regulation S will be evidenced by a
global note (hereinafter referred to as the "Regulation S Global Note" and
together with the Restricted Global Note, the "Global Notes"). The Global Notes
will be deposited with, or on behalf of, DTC and registered in the name of Cede
& Co. ("Cede") as DTC's nominee. Except as set forth below, the Global Notes may
be transferred, in whole or in part, only to another nominee of DTC or to a
successor of DTC or its nominee.
The Holders of Notes may hold their interests in the Global Notes directly
through DTC if such Holder is a participant in DTC, or indirectly through
organizations which are participants in DTC (the "Participants"). Transfers
between Participants will be effected in the ordinary way in accordance with DTC
rules and will be settled in same-day funds. The laws of some states require
that certain persons take physical delivery of securities in definitive form.
Consequently, the ability to transfer beneficial interests in the Global Notes
to such persons may be limited.
The Holders of Notes who are not Participants may beneficially own
interests in the Global Notes held by DTC only through Participants or certain
banks, brokers, dealers, trust companies and other parties that clear through or
maintain a custodial relationship with a Participant, either directly or
indirectly ("Indirect Participants"). So long as Cede, as the nominee of DTC, is
the registered owner of the Global Notes, Cede for all purposes will be
considered the sole holder of the Global Notes.
Payment of interest on and the redemption price (upon redemption at the
option of the Company or at the option of the Holder upon a Change of Control)
of the Global Notes will be made to Cede, the nominee for DTC, as the registered
owner of the Global Notes, by wire transfer of immediately available funds.
Neither the Company, the Trustee nor any paying agent will have any
responsibility or liability for any aspect of the records relating to or
payments made on account of beneficial ownership interests in the Global Notes
or for maintaining, supervising or reviewing any records relating to such
beneficial ownership interests.
With respect to any payment of interest on and the redemption price (upon
redemption at the option of the Company or at the option of the Holder upon a
Change of Control) of the Global Notes, DTC's practice is to credit
Participants' accounts on the payment date therefor with payments in amounts
proportionate to their respective beneficial interest in the Notes represented
by the Global Notes as shown on the records of DTC, unless DTC has reason to
believe that it will not receive payment on such payment date. Payments by
Participants to owners of beneficial interests in Notes represented by the
Global Notes held through such participants will be the responsibility of such
Participants, as is now the case with securities held for the accounts of
customers registered in "street name."
Because DTC can only act on behalf of the Participants, who in turn act on
behalf of Indirect Participants and certain banks, the ability of a person
having a beneficial interest in Notes represented by the Global Notes to pledge
such interest to persons or entities that do not participate in the DTC system,
or otherwise take actions in respect of such interest, may be affected by the
lack of a physical certificate evidencing such interest.
Neither the Company nor the Trustee (or any registrar, paying agent or
conversion agent under the Indenture) will have any responsibility for the
performance by DTC or its Participants or Indirect Participants of their
respective obligations under the rules and procedures governing their
operations.
If DTC is at any time unwilling or unable to continue as depositary and a
successor depositary is not appointed by the Company within 90 days, the Company
will cause Notes to be issued in definitive form in exchange for the Global
Notes.
Certificated Notes. Notes sold to investors that are not QIBs or
purchasers who purchase Notes offered in reliance on Regulation S will be issued
in definitive registered form and may not be represented by the Global Notes.
In addition, QIBs or purchasers who purchase Notes in reliance on Regulation S
may request that their Notes be issued in definitive registered form. Finally,
certified Notes may be issued in exchange for Notes represented by the Global
Notes if no successor depositary is appointed by the Company as set forth above
under the paragraph entitled "Global Notes; Book-Entry Form."
Conversion of Notes
The Holders of Notes are entitled, at any time after 60 days following the
latest date of original issuance thereof through the close of business on July
15, 2003, subject to prior redemption, to convert any Notes or portions thereof
(in denominations of $1,000 in principal amount or multiples thereof) into
Common Stock at the conversion price set forth on the cover page of this
Prospectus, subject to adjustment and to the Company's cash conversion option as
described below; provided that in the case of Notes called for redemption,
conversion rights will expire immediately prior to the close of business on the
date fixed for redemption, unless the Company defaults in payment of the
redemption price. A Note (or portion thereof) in respect of which a Holder is
exercising its option to require redemption upon a Change of Control may be
converted only if such Holder withdraws its election to exercise such redemption
option in accordance with the terms of the Indenture.
In lieu of delivering shares of Common Stock (or other securities into
which the Notes are then convertible) upon conversion of Notes, the Company may
pay to the Holder converting such Notes an amount in cash equal to the Market
Price of the shares of Common Stock (or other securities) into which such Notes
are then convertible, plus any property or assets into which such Notes are then
convertible. "Market Price" means the average of the closing prices of the
Common Stock (or other securities into which the Notes are then convertible) for
the ten trading day period (appropriately adjusted to take into account the
occurrence during such period of certain events that would result in an
adjustment of the conversion price) commencing on the first trading day after
delivery of notice that the Company has elected to pay cash in lieu of
delivering Common Stock. Any cash paid in lieu of Common Stock will generally
result in taxable gain or loss to the Holder converting such Notes.
Except as described below, no adjustment will be made on conversion of any
Notes for interest accrued thereon or for dividends paid on any Common Stock
issued. Holders of the Notes at the close of business on a record date will be
entitled to receive the interest payable on such Note on the corresponding
interest payment date. However, Notes surrendered for conversion after the
close of business on a record date and before the opening of business on the
corresponding interest payment date must be accompanied by funds equal to the
interest payable on such succeeding interest payment date on the principal
amount so converted (unless such Note is subject to redemption on a redemption
date between such record date and the corresponding interest payment date). The
interest payment with respect to a Note called for redemption on a date during
the period from the close of business on or after any record date to the opening
of business on the business day following the corresponding payment date will be
payable on the corresponding interest payment date to the registered Holder at
the close of business on that record date (notwithstanding the conversion of
such Note before the corresponding interest payment date) and a Holder of Notes
who elects to convert need not include funds equal to the interest paid. The
Company is not required to issue fractional shares of Common Stock upon
conversion of Notes and, in lieu thereof, will pay a cash adjustment based upon
the closing price of the Common Stock on the last business day prior to the date
of conversion.
The conversion price is subject to adjustment (under formulae set forth in
the Indenture) upon the occurrence of certain events, including: (i) the
issuance of Common Stock as a dividend or distribution on the outstanding Common
Stock, (ii) the issuance to all holders of Common Stock of certain rights or
warrants to purchase Common Stock at less than the current market price, (iii)
certain subdivisions, combinations and reclassifications of Common Stock, (iv)
distributions to all holders of Common Stock of capital stock of the Company
(other than Common Stock) or evidences of indebtedness of the Company or assets
(including securities, but excluding those dividends, rights, warrants and
distributions referred to above and dividends and distributions in connection
with the liquidation, dissolution or winding up of the Company and dividends and
distributions paid exclusively in cash), (v) distributions consisting
exclusively of cash (excluding any cash portion of distributions referred to in
clause (iv) or in connection with a consolidation, merger or sale of assets of
the Company as referred to in clause (ii) in the second paragraph below) to all
holders of Common Stock in an aggregate amount that, together with (x) all other
such all-cash distributions made within the preceding 12 months in respect of
which no adjustments has been made and (y) any cash and the fair market value of
other consideration payable in respect of any tender offers by the Company or
any of its subsidiaries for Common Stock concluded within the preceding 12
months in respect of which no adjustment has been made, exceeds 20% of the
Company's market capitalization (being the product of the then current market
price of the Common Stock times the number of shares of Common Stock then
outstanding) on the record date for such distribution and (vi) the purchase of
Common Stock pursuant to a tender offer made by the Company or any of its
subsidiaries which involves an aggregate consideration that, together with (x)
any cash and the fair market value of any other consideration payable in any
other tender offer by the Company or any of its subsidiaries for Common Stock
expiring within the 12 months preceding such tender offer in respect of which no
adjustment has been made and (y) the aggregate amount of any such all-cash
distributions referred to in clause (v) above to all holders of Common Stock
within the 12 months preceding the expiration of such tender offer in respect of
which no adjustments have been made, exceeds 20% of the Company's market
capitalization on the expiration of such tender offer. No adjustment of the
conversion price will be made for shares issued pursuant to a plan for
reinvestment of dividends or interest.
Except as stated above, the conversion price will not be adjusted for the
issuance of Common Stock or any securities convertible into or exchangeable for
Common Stock or carrying the right to purchase any of the foregoing. No
adjustment in the conversion price will be required unless such adjustment would
require a change of a least 1% in the conversion price then in effect; provided
that any adjustment that would otherwise be required to be made shall be carried
forward and taken into account in any subsequent adjustment.
In the case of (i) any reclassification or change of the Common Stock
(other than changes in par value or from par value to no par value or resulting
from a subdivision or a combination) or (ii) a consolidation or merger involving
the Company or a sale or conveyance to another corporation of the property and
assets of the Company as an entirety or substantially as an entirety, in each
case as a result of which holders of Common Stock shall be entitled to receive
stock, other securities, other property or assets (including cash) with respect
to or in exchange for such Common Stock, the Holders of the Notes then
outstanding will be entitled thereafter to convert such Notes into the kind and
amount of shares of stock, other securities or other property or assets which
they would have owned or been entitled to receive upon such reclassification,
change, consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance had such Notes been converted
into Common Stock immediately prior to such reclassification, change,
consolidation, merger, sale or conveyance assuming that a Holder of Notes would
not have exercised any rights of election as to the stock, other securities or
other property or assets receivable in connection therewith.
In the event of a taxable distribution to holders of Common Stock (or other
transaction) which results in any adjustment of the conversion price, the
Holders of Notes may, in certain circumstances, be deemed to have received a
distribution subject to the United States income tax as a dividend; in certain
other circumstances, the absence of such an adjustment may result in a taxable
dividend to the holders of Common Stock.
The Company from time to time may, to the extent permitted by law, reduce
the conversion price by any amount for any period of at least 20 days, in which
case the Company shall give at least 15 days' notice of such decrease, if the
Board of Directors has made a determination that such decrease would be in the
best interests of the Company, which determination shall be conclusive. The
Company may, at its option, make such reductions in the conversion price, in
addition to those set forth above, as the Company deems advisable to avoid or
diminish any income tax to its stockholders resulting from any dividend or
distribution of stock (or rights to acquire stock) or from any event treated as
such for United States federal income tax purposes.
Subordination
The payment of principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes is,
to the extent set forth in the Indenture, subordinated in right of payment to
the prior payment in full of all Senior Indebtedness. Upon any distribution to
creditors of the Company in a liquidation or dissolution of the Company or in a
bankruptcy, reorganization, insolvency, receivership or similar proceeding
related to the Company or its property, in an assignment for the benefit of
creditors or any marshalling of the Company's assets and liabilities, the
holders of all Senior Indebtedness will first be entitled to receive payment in
full of all amounts due or to come due thereon before the Holders of the Notes
will be entitled to receive any payment in respect of the principal of, premium,
if any, or interest on the Notes (except that Holders of Notes may receive
securities that are subordinated at least to the same extent as the Notes to
Senior Indebtedness and any securities issued in exchange for Senior
Indebtedness).
The Company also may not make any payment of principal, premium, if any, or
interest on the Notes (except in such subordinated securities) and may not
repurchase, redeem or otherwise retire any Notes if (a) a default in the payment
of the principal of, premium, if any, or interest on Senior Indebtedness occurs
and is continuing beyond any applicable period of grace or (b) any other default
occurs and is continuing with respect to Senior Indebtedness that permits
holders of the Senior Indebtedness as to which such default relates to
accelerate its maturity and the Trustee receives a notice of such default (a
"Payment Blockage Notice") from the representative or representatives of holders
of at least a majority in principal amount of Senior Indebtedness then
outstanding. Payments on the Notes may and shall be resumed (i) in the case of
a payment default, upon the date on which such default is cured or waived, or
(ii) in the case of a non-payment default, 179 days after the date on which the
applicable Payment Blockage Notice is received, unless the maturity of any
Senior Indebtedness has been accelerated. No new period of payment blockage may
be commenced within 360 days after the receipt by the Trustee of any prior
Payment Blockage Notice. No nonpayment default that existed or was continuing
on the date of delivery any Payment Blockage Notice to the Trustee shall be, or
be made, the basis for a subsequent Payment Blockage Notice unless such default
shall have been cured or waived for a period of not less than 180 days.
"Senior Indebtedness" with respect to the Notes means the principal of,
premium, if any, and interest on, and any fees, costs, expenses and any other
amounts (including indemnity payments) related to the following, whether
outstanding on the date of the Indenture or thereafter incurred or created: (a)
indebtedness, matured or unmatured, whether or not contingent, of the Company
for money borrowed evidenced by notes or other written obligations, (b) any
interest rate contract, interest rate swap agreement or other similar agreement
or arrangement designed to protect the Company or any of its subsidiaries
against fluctuations in interest rates, (c) indebtedness, matured or unmatured,
whether or not contingent, of the Company evidenced by notes, debentures, bonds
or similar instruments or letters of credit (or reimbursement agreements in
respect thereof), (d) obligations of the Company as lessee under capitalized
leases, (e) indebtedness of others of any of the kinds described in the
preceding clauses (a) through (d) assumed or guaranteed by the Company and (f)
renewals, extensions, modifications, amendments and refundings of, and
indebtedness and obligations of a successor person issued in exchange for or in
replacement of, indebtedness or obligations of the kinds described in the
preceding clauses (a) through (f) unless the agreement pursuant to which any of
such indebtedness described in clauses (a) through (f) is created, issued,
assumed or guaranteed expressly provides that such indebtedness is not senior or
superior in right of payment to the Notes; provided, however, that the following
shall not constitute Senior Indebtedness: (i) any indebtedness or obligation of
the Company in respect of the Notes; (ii) any indebtedness of the Company to any
of its subsidiaries or other affiliates; (iii) any indebtedness that is
subordinated or junior in any respect to any other indebtedness of the Company
other than Senior Indebtedness; and (iv) any indebtedness incurred for the
purchase of goods or materials in the ordinary course of business.
In the event that the Trustee (or paying agent if other than the Trustee)
or any Holder receives any payment of principal or interest with respect to the
Notes at a time when such payment is prohibited under the Indenture, such
payment shall be held in trust for the benefit of, and shall be paid over and
delivered to, the holders of Senior Indebtedness or their representative as
their respective interests may appear. After all Senior Indebtedness is paid in
full and until the Notes are paid in full, Holders shall be subrogated (equally
and ratably with all other Indebtedness pari passu with the Notes) to the rights
of holders of Senior Indebtedness to receive distributions applicable to Senior
Indebtedness to the extent that distributions otherwise payable to the Holders
have been applied to the payment of Senior Indebtedness.
As of August 31, 1996, the Company had approximately $395 million in
principal amount of indebtedness that would be considered outstanding Senior
Indebtedness under the Credit Facility. Any additional borrowing under the
Credit Facility would constitute Senior Indebtedness and would rank prior in
right of payment to the Notes, notwithstanding that it is incurred subsequent to
the issuance of the Notes. In addition, the Company expects from time to time
to incur indebtedness constituting Senior Indebtedness other than debt under the
Credit Facility. The Indenture does not prohibit or limit the incurrence of any
Senior Indebtedness or pari passu indebtedness.
In addition, because a substantial portion of the Company's operations is
conducted through subsidiaries, claims of holders of indebtedness and other
creditors of such subsidiaries will have priority with respect to the assets and
earnings of such subsidiaries over the claims of creditors of the Company,
including Holders of the Notes. As of August 31, 1996, the aggregate
liabilities of such subsidiaries were approximately $65 million. The Indenture
does not limit the amount of indebtedness that the Company or any of its
subsidiaries can create, incur, assume or guarantee.
Because of these subordination provisions, in the event of a liquidation or
insolvency of the Company or any of its subsidiaries, Holders of Notes may
recover less, ratably, than the holders of Senior Indebtedness.
Optional Redemption by the Company
The Notes are not redeemable at the option of the Company prior to July 16,
1999. At any time on or after that date, the Notes may be redeemed at the
Company's option on at least 30 but not more than 60 days' notice, in whole at
any time or in part from time to time, at the following prices (expressed in
percentages of the principal amount), together with accrued interest to the date
fixed for redemption, if redeemed during the 12-month period beginning:
Date Redemption Price
- ---- ----------------
July 16, 1999 102.75%
July 15, 2000 101.83%
July 15, 2001 100.92%
and 100% on or after July 15, 2002
If fewer than all the Notes are to be redeemed, the Trustee will select the
Notes to be redeemed in principal amounts of $1,000 or integral multiples
thereof by lot or, in its discretion, on a pro rata basis. If any Note is to be
redeemed in part only, a new Note or Notes in principal amount equal to the
unredeemed principal portion thereof will be issued. If a portion of a Holder's
Notes is selected for partial redemption and such Holder converts a portion of
such Notes, such converted portion shall be deemed to be taken from the portion
selected for redemption. No sinking fund is provided for the Notes.
Change of Control
Upon the occurrence of a Change of Control, each Holder of Notes shall have
the right to require that the Company repurchase such Holder's Notes in whole or
in part in integral multiples of $1,000, at a purchase price in cash in an
amount equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof, together with accrued and
unpaid interest to the date of purchase, pursuant to an offer (the "Change of
Control Offer") made in accordance with the procedures described below and the
other provisions in the Indenture.
A "Change of Control" means an event or series of events in which (i) any
"person" or "group" (as such terms are used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the
Exchange Act) acquires "beneficial ownership" (as determined in accordance with
Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of more than 50% of
the total Voting Stock of the Company at an Acquisition Price (each term as
defined below) less than the conversion price then in effect with respect to the
Notes and (ii) the holders of the Common Stock receive consideration which is
not all or substantially all common stock that is (or upon consummation of or
immediately following such event or events will be) listed on a United States
national securities exchange or approved for quotation on the NASDAQ National
Market or any similar United States system of automated dissemination of
quotations of securities' prices; provided, however, that any such person or
group shall not be deemed to be the beneficial owner of, or to beneficially own,
any Voting Stock tendered in a tender offer until such tendered Voting Stock is
accepted for purchase under the tender offer. "Voting Stock" means stock of the
class or classes pursuant to which the holders thereof have the general voting
power under ordinary circumstances to elect at least a majority of the board of
directors, managers or trustees of a corporation (irrespective of whether or not
at the time stock of any other class or classes shall have or might have voting
power by reason of the happening of any contingency). "Acquisition Price" means
the weighted average price paid by the person or group in acquiring the Voting
Stock.
Within 30 days following any Change of Control, the Company shall send by
first-class mail, postage prepaid, to the Trustee and to each Holder of Notes,
at such Holder's address appearing in the security register, a notice stating,
among other things, that a Change of Control has occurred, the purchase price,
the purchase date, which shall be a business day no earlier than 30 days nor
later than 60 days from the date such notice is mailed, and certain other
procedures that a Holder of Notes must follow to accept a Change of Control
Offer or to withdraw such acceptance.
The Company will comply, to the extent applicable, with the requirements of
Rule 13e-4 under the Exchange Act and other securities laws or regulations in
connection with the repurchase of the Notes as described above.
The occurrence of certain of the events that would constitute a Change of
Control may constitute a default under the Credit Facility. Future indebtedness
of the Company may contain prohibitions of certain events which would constitute
a Change of Control or require the Company to offer to redeem such indebtedness
upon a Change of Control. Moreover, the exercise by the Holders of Notes of
their right to require the Company to purchase the Notes could cause a default
under such indebtedness, even if the Change of Control itself does not, due to
the financial effect of such purchase on the Company. Finally, the Company's
ability to pay cash to Holders of Notes upon a purchase may be limited by the
Company's then existing financial resources. There can be no assurance that
sufficient funds will be available when necessary to make any required
purchases. Furthermore, the Change of Control provisions may in certain
circumstances make more difficult or discourage a takeover of the Company and
the removal of the incumbent management.
Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets
The Company shall not consolidate with or merge with or into, or convey,
transfer or lease all or substantially all its assets to any person unless: (i)
either the Company is the resulting, surviving or transferee person (the
"Successor Company") or the Successor Company is a person organized and existing
under the laws of the United States or any State thereof or the District of
Columbia, and the Successor Company (if not the Company) expressly assumes by a
supplemental indenture, executed and delivered to the Trustee, in form
satisfactory to the Trustee, all the obligations of the Company under the
Indenture and the Notes, including the conversion rights described above under
"-- Conversion of Notes," (ii) immediately after giving effect to such
transaction no Event of Default has occurred and is continuing and (iii) the
Company delivers to the Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an opinion of
counsel, each stating that such consolidation, merger or transfer and such
supplemental indenture (if any) comply with the Indenture.
Events of Default and Remedies
An Event of Default is defined in the Indenture as being: default in
payment of the principal of or premium, if any, on the Notes when due at
maturity, upon redemption or otherwise, including failure by the Company to
purchase the Notes when required as described under "--Change of Control"
(whether or not such payment shall be prohibited by the subordination provisions
of the Indenture); default for 30 days in payment of any installment of interest
on the Notes (whether or not such payment shall be prohibited by the
subordination provisions of the Indenture); default by the Company for 90 days
after notice in the observance or performance of any other covenants in the
Indenture; or certain events involving bankruptcy, insolvency or reorganization
of the Company. The Indenture provides that the Trustee may withhold notice to
the Holders of Notes of any default (except in payment of principal, premium, if
any, or interest with respect to the Notes) if the Trustee considers it in the
interest of the Holders of Notes to do so.
The Indenture provides that if any Event of Default shall have occurred and
be continuing, the Trustee or the Holders of not less than 25% in principal
amount of the Notes then outstanding may declare the principal of and premium,
if any, on the Notes to be due and payable immediately, but if the Company shall
cure all defaults (except the nonpayment of interest on, premium, if any, and
principal of any Notes which shall have become due by acceleration) and certain
other conditions are met, such declaration may be canceled and past defaults may
be waived by the Holders of a majority in principal amount of Notes then
outstanding.
The Holders of a majority in principal amount of the Notes then outstanding
shall have the right to direct the time, method and place of conducting any
proceedings for any remedy available to the Trustee, subject to certain
limitations specified in the Indenture. The Indenture provides that, subject to
the duty of the Trustee following an Event of Default to act with the required
standard of care, the Trustee will not be under an obligation to exercise any of
its rights or powers under the Indenture at the request or direction of any of
the Holders, unless the Trustee receives satisfactory indemnity against any
associated loss, liability or expense.
Satisfaction and Discharge; Defeasance
The Indenture will cease to be of further effect as to all outstanding
Notes (except as to (i) rights of holders of Notes to receive payments of
principal of, premium, if any, and interest on, the Notes, (ii) rights of
holders of Notes to convert to Common Stock, (iii) the Company's right of
optional redemption, (iv) rights of registration of transfer and exchange, (v)
substitution of apparently mutilated, defaced, destroyed, lost or stolen Notes,
(vi) rights, obligations and immunities of the Trustee under the Indenture and
(vii) rights of the holders of Notes as beneficiaries of the Indenture with
respect to the property so deposited with the Trustee payable to all or any of
them), if (A) the Company will have paid or caused to be paid the principal of,
premium, if any, and interest on the Notes as and when the same will have become
due and payable or (B) all outstanding Notes (except lost, stolen or destroyed
Notes which have been replaced or paid) have been delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation or (C) (x) the Notes not previously delivered to the Trustee for
cancellation will have become due and payable or are by their terms to become
due and payable within one year or are to be called for redemption under
arrangements satisfactory to the Trustee upon delivery of notice and (y) the
Company will have irrevocably deposited with the Trustee, as trust funds, cash,
in an amount sufficient to pay principal of and interest on the outstanding
Notes, to maturity or redemption, as the case may be. Such trust may only be
established if such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or
constitute a default under, any agreement or instrument pursuant to which the
Company is a party or by which it is bound and the Company has delivered to the
Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an opinion of counsel, each stating that
all conditions related to such defeasance have been complied with.
The Indenture will also cease to be in effect (except as described in
clauses (i) through (vii) in the immediately preceding paragraph) and the
indebtedness on all outstanding Notes will be discharged on the 123rd day after
the irrevocable deposit by the Company with the Trustee, in trust, specifically
pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of
Notes, of cash, U.S. Government Obligations (as defined in the Indenture) or a
combination thereof, in an amount sufficient, in the opinion of a nationally
recognized firm of independent public accountants expressed in a written
certification thereof delivered to the Trustee, to pay the principal of,
premium, if any, and interest on the Notes then outstanding in accordance with
the terms of the Indenture and the Notes ("legal defeasance"). Such legal
defeasance may only be effected if (i) such deposit will not result in a breach
or violation of, or constitute a default under, any agreement or instrument to
which the Company is a party or by which it is bound, (ii) the Company has
delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel stating that (A) the Company has
received from, or there has been published by, the Internal Revenue Service a
ruling or (B) since the date of the Indenture, there has been a change in the
applicable federal income tax law, in either case to the effect that, based
thereon, the holders of the Notes will not recognize income, gain or loss for
federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit, defeasance and
discharge by the Company and will be subject to federal income tax on the same
amount and in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case
if such deposit, defeasance and discharge had not occurred, (iii) the Company
has delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that after the
123rd day following the deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to the
effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws
affecting creditors' rights generally and (iv) the Company has delivered to the
Trustee an opinion of counsel stating that all conditions related to the
defeasance have been complied with.
The Company may also be released from its obligations under the covenants
described above under "Change of Control" and "Merger, Consolidation and Sale of
Assets" with respect to the Notes outstanding on the 123rd day after the
irrevocable deposit by the Company with the Trustee, in trust, specifically
pledged as security for, and dedicated solely to, the benefit of the Holders of
Notes, of cash, U.S. Government Obligations or a combination thereof, in an
amount sufficient in the opinion of a nationally recognized firm of independent
public accountants expressed in a written certification thereof delivered to the
Trustee, to pay the principal of, premium, if any, and interest on the Notes
then outstanding in accordance with the terms of the Indenture and the Notes
("covenant defeasance"). Such covenant defeasance may only be effected if (i)
such deposit will not result in a breach or violation of, or constitute a
default under, any agreement or instrument to which the Company is a party or by
which it is bound, (ii) the Company has delivered to the Trustee an opinion of
counsel to the effect that the Holders of Notes will not recognize income, gain
or loss for federal income tax purposes as a result of such deposit and covenant
defeasance by the Company and will be subject to federal income tax on the same
amount, in the same manner and at the same times as would have been the case if
such deposit and covenant defeasance had not occurred, (iii) the Company has
delivered to the Trustee an opinion of counsel to the effect that after the
123rd day following the deposit, the trust funds will not be subject to the
effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization or similar laws
affecting creditors' rights generally and (iv) the Company has delivered to the
Trustee an Officers' Certificate and an opinion of counsel stating that all
conditions related to the covenant defeasance have been complied with. Following
such covenant defeasance, the Company will no longer be required to comply with
the obligations described above under "Merger, Consolidation and Sale of Assets"
and will have no obligation to repurchase the Notes pursuant to the provisions
described under "Change of Control."
Notwithstanding any satisfaction and discharge or defeasance of the
Indenture, the obligations of the Company described above under "Conversion of
Notes" will survive to the extent provided in the Indenture until the Notes
cease to be outstanding.
Modifications of the Indenture
The Indenture contains provisions permitting the Company and the Trustee,
with the consent of the Holders of not less than a majority in principal amount
of the Notes at the time outstanding, to modify the Indenture or any
supplemental indenture or the rights of the Holders of Notes, except that no
such modification shall (i) extend the fixed maturity of any Note, reduce the
rate or extend the time of payment of interest thereon, reduce the principal
amount thereof or premium, if any, thereon, reduce any amount payable upon
redemption thereof, change the obligation of the Company to make redemption of
any Note upon the happening of a Change of Control, impair or affect the right
of a Holder to institute suit for the payment thereof, change the currency in
which the Notes are payable, modify the subordination provisions of the
Indenture in a manner adverse to the Holders of Notes or impair the right to
convert the Notes into Common Stock subject to the terms set forth in the
Indenture, without the consent of the Holder of each Note so affected or (ii)
reduce the aforesaid percentage of Notes, without the consent of the Holders of
all of the Notes then outstanding.
Concerning the Trustee
Chemical Bank, the Trustee under the Indenture, has been appointed by the
Company as the paying agent, conversion agent, registrar and custodian with
regard to the Notes. The Trustee and/or its affiliates may in the future provide
banking and other services to the Company in the ordinary course of their
respective businesses.
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK
The authorized capital stock of the Company consists of 100,000,000 shares
of Common Stock and 25,000,000 shares of preferred stock, $.01 par value per
share (the "Preferred Stock"). None of the Preferred Stock is outstanding. The
following description of the capital stock of the Company and certain provisions
of the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation (the "Certificate of
Incorporation") and the Second Amended and Restated By-laws (the "By-laws") is a
summary and is qualified in its entirety by the provisions of the Certificate of
Incorporation and By-laws, each of which are incorporated by reference as
exhibits to the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the 53 Weeks Ended
February 3, 1996.
Common Stock
Holders of Common Stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters
submitted to a vote of the stockholders, including the election of directors,
and the holders of such shares will possess all of the voting power. As a
result, the holders of Common Stock entitled to exercise more than 50% of the
voting rights in an election of directors can elect all of the directors to be
elected if they choose to do so. The Certificate of Incorporation does not
provide for cumulative voting for the election of directors. The holders of
Common Stock will be entitled to such dividends as may be declared from time to
time by the Board of Directors from funds legally available therefor, and will
be entitled to receive, pro rata, all assets of the Company available for
distribution to such holders upon liquidation. No shares of Common Stock have
any preemptive, redemption or conversion rights, or the benefits of any sinking
fund. The Common Stock is listed on the NYSE.
Preferred Stock
Preferred Stock may be issued from time to time in one or more series and
the Board of Directors, without further approval of the stockholders, is
authorized to fix the dividend rights and terms, conversion rights, voting
rights, redemption rights and terms, liquidation preferences, sinking funds and
any other rights, preferences, privileges and restrictions applicable to each
such series of Preferred Stock. The issuance of Preferred Stock, while
providing flexibility in connection with possible acquisitions and other
corporate purposes, could, among other things, adversely affect the voting power
of the holders of Common Stock and, under certain circumstances, make it more
difficult for a third party to gain control of the Company, discourage bids for
the Common Stock at a premium or otherwise adversely affect the market price of
Common Stock.
Certain Certificate of Incorporation, By-law and Statutory Provisions
Directors' Liability. The General Corporation Law of Delaware (the
"Delaware Law") provides that a corporation may limit the liability of each
director to the corporation or its stockholders for monetary damages except for
liability (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the
corporation or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or
that involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) in
respect of certain unlawful dividend payments or stock redemptions or
repurchases and (iv) for any transaction from which the director derives an
improper personal benefit. The Certificate of Incorporation provides for the
elimination and limitation of the personal liability of directors of the Company
for monetary damages to the fullest extent permitted by Delaware Law. In
addition, the Certificate of Incorporation provides that if the Delaware Law is
amended to authorize the further elimination or limitation of the liability of a
director, then the liability of the directors shall be eliminated or limited to
the fullest extent permitted by the Delaware Law, as so amended. The effect of
this provision is to eliminate the rights of the Company and its stockholders
(through stockholders' derivative suits on behalf of the Company) to recover
monetary damages against a director for breach of the fiduciary duty of care as
a director (including breaches resulting from negligent or grossly negligent
behavior) except in the situations described in clauses (i) through (iv) above.
This provision does not limit or eliminate the rights of the Company or any
stockholder to seek non-monetary relief such as an injunction or rescission in
the event of a breach of a director's duty of care. The Certificate of
Incorporation also provides that the Company shall, to the full extent permitted
by Delaware Law, as amended from time to time, indemnify and advance expenses to
each of its currently acting and former directors, officers, employees and
agents.
Classified Board of Directors. The Certificate of Incorporation provides
for the Board of Directors to be divided into three classes of directors serving
staggered three-year terms. As nearly as practical, each class shall consist of
one-third of the Board of Directors constituting the entire Board of Directors.
As a result, approximately one-third of the Board of Directors will be elected
each year. The stockholders may not amend or repeal this provision except upon
the affirmative vote of holders of not less than 80% of the outstanding shares
of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote thereon. Holders of a majority
of the outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company entitled to vote with
respect to election of directors may remove directors only for cause. Vacancies
on the Board of Directors may be filled only by the remaining directors and not
by the stockholders, provided that such vacancies are not caused by the removal
of directors by the stockholders.
Stockholder Meetings. The Certificate of Incorporation provides that any
action required or permitted to be taken by the stockholders of the Company may
be effected only at an annual or special meeting of stockholders and prohibits
stockholder action by written consent in lieu of a meeting. The By-laws provide
that special meetings of stockholders may be called only by the chairman or the
chief executive officer of the Company and must be called by either of such
officer at the request in writing of a majority of the Board of Directors.
Stockholders are not permitted to call a special meeting of stockholders, to
require that the chairman or the chief executive officer call such a special
meeting, or to require that the Board of Directors requests the calling of a
special meeting of stockholders.
Advance Notice Provisions. The By-laws establish an advance notice
procedure for stockholders to make nominations of candidates for election as
directors, or to bring other business before an annual meeting of stockholders
of the Company. The By-laws provide that only persons who are nominated by, or
at the direction of, the chairman, the chief executive officer or the Board of
Directors, or by a stockholder who has given timely written notice to the
Secretary of the Company prior to the meeting at which directors are to be
elected, will be eligible for election as directors of the Company. The By-laws
also provide that at an annual meeting only such business may be conducted as
has been brought before the meeting by, or at the direction of, the chairman,
the chief executive officer or the Board of Directors or by a stockholder who
has given timely written notice to the Secretary of the Company of such
stockholder's intention to bring such business before such meeting. Generally,
for notice of stockholder nominations to be made at an annual meeting to be
timely under the By-laws, such notice must be received by the Company not less
than 70 days nor more than 90 days prior to the first anniversary of the
previous year's annual meeting (or, in the case of a special meeting at which
directors are to be elected, not earlier than the 90th day before such meeting
and not later than the later of (x) the 70th day prior to such meeting and (y)
the 10th day after public announcement of the date of such meeting is first
made). Under the By-laws, a stockholder's notice must also contain certain
information specified in the By-laws.
Section 203 of Delaware Law. The Company is subject to the "business
combination" provisions of the Delaware Law. In general, Section 203 of the
Delaware Law prohibits a publicly-held Delaware corporation from engaging in a
"business combination" with an "interested stockholder" for a period of three
years after the date of the transaction in which the person became an
"interested stockholder," unless (a) prior to such date the board of directors
of the corporation approved either the "business combination" or the transaction
which resulted in the stockholder becoming an "interested stockholder," (b) upon
consummation of the transaction which resulted in the stockholder becoming an
"interested stockholder," the "interested stockholder" owned at least 85% of the
voting stock of the corporation outstanding at the time the transaction
commenced, excluding for purposes of determining the number of shares
outstanding those shares owned (i) by persons who are directors and also
officers and (ii) employee stock plans in which employee participants do not
have the right to determine confidentially whether shares held subject to the
plan will be tendered in a tender or exchange offer, or (c) on or subsequent to
such date the "business combination" is approved by the board of directors and
authorized at an annual or special meeting of stockholders by the affirmative
vote of at least 66-2/3% of the outstanding voting stock which is not owned by
the "interested stockholder." A "business combination" includes mergers, stock
or asset sales and other transactions resulting in a financial benefit to the
"interested stockholders." An "interested stockholder" is a person who,
together with affiliates and associates, owns (or within three years, did own)
15% or more of the corporation's voting stock. The Board of Directors has taken
action to exempt each of Messrs. Fisher and Camuto, and Mr. Wayne Weaver (a
former principal stockholder), from the application of the Section 203 of the
Delaware law.
Certain provisions described above may have the effect of delaying
stockholder actions with respect to certain business combinations and the
election of new members to the Board of Directors. As such, the provisions
could have the effect of discouraging open market purchases of Common Stock
because they may be considered disadvantageous by a stockholder who desires to
participate in a business combination or elect a new director.
PLAN OF DISTRIBUTION
The Securities covered hereby may be offered and sold from time to time by
the Selling Holders. The Selling Holders will act independently of the Company
in making decisions with respect to the timing, manner and size of each sale.
Such sales may be made in the over-the-counter market or otherwise, at market
prices prevailing at the time of the sale, at prices related to the then
prevailing market prices or in negotiated transactions, including, without
limitation, pursuant to an underwritten offering or pursuant to one or more of
the following methods: (a) purchases by a broker-dealer as principal and resale
by such broker-dealer for its account pursuant to this Prospectus; (b) ordinary
brokerage transactions and transactions in which a broker solicits purchasers;
and (c) block trades in which a broker-dealer so engaged will attempt to sell
the shares as agent but may take a position and resell a portion of the block as
principal to facilitate the transaction.
The Company has been advised that, as of the date hereof, the Selling
Holders have made no arrangement with any broker for the offering or sale of the
Notes or the shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof.
Underwriters, brokers, dealers or agents may participate in such transactions as
agents and may, in such capacity, receive brokerage commissions from the Selling
Holders or purchasers of such Notes or shares of Common Stock. Such
underwriters, brokers, dealers or agents may also purchase the Notes or shares
of Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof and resell such securities for
their own account. The Selling Holders and such underwriters, brokers, dealers
or agents may be considered "underwriters" as that term is defined by the
Securities Act, although the Selling Holders disclaim such status. Any
commissions, discounts or profits received by such underwriters, brokers,
dealers or agents in connection with the foregoing transactions may be deemed to
be underwriting discounts and commissions under the Securities Act.
To comply with the securities laws of certain jurisdictions, if applicable,
the Notes and Common Stock issuable upon conversion thereof may be offered or
sold in such jurisdictions only through registered or licensed brokers or
dealers. In addition, in certain jurisdictions, the Notes and Common Stock
issuable upon conversion thereof may not be offered or sold unless they have
been registered or qualified for sale in such jurisdictions or unless an
exemption from registration or qualification is available and is complied with.
Under applicable rules and regulations under the Exchange Act, any person
engaged in a distribution of the Notes or the shares of Common Stock issuable
upon conversion thereof may be limited in its ability to engage in market
activities with respect to such Notes or the shares of Common Stock issuable
upon conversion thereof. In addition and without limiting the foregoing, each
Selling Holder will be subject to applicable provisions of the Exchange Act and
the rules and regulations thereunder, including, without limitation, Rules 10b-
2, 10b-5, 10b-6 and 10b-7, which provisions may limit the timing of purchases
and sales of any of the Notes and shares of Common Stock issuable upon
conversion thereof by the Selling Holders. All of the foregoing may affect the
marketability of the Notes and shares of Common Stock issuable upon conversion
thereof.
The Company may suspend the use of this Prospectus, and any supplements
hereto, in certain circumstances due to pending corporate developments, public
filings with the Commission or similar events. The Company is obligated, in the
event of such suspension, to use its reasonable efforts to ensure that the use
of the Prospectus may be resumed as soon as possible.
The Company has agreed to pay substantially all of the expenses incident to
the registration, offering and sale of the Notes or the shares of Common Stock
issuable upon conversion thereof to the public other than commissions and
discounts of agents, dealers or underwriters. Such expenses (excluding such
commissions and discounts) are estimated to be approximately $38,033. The
Company has also agreed to indemnify the Selling Holders against certain
liabilities, including certain liabilities under the Securities Act.
LEGAL MATTERS
The validity of the Securities offered hereby will be passed upon for the
Company by Joseph R. Manghisi, Associate General Counsel of the Company.
EXPERTS
The consolidated financial statements and financial statements schedules of
the Company as of February 3, 1996 and December 31, 1994 and for the years ended
February 3, 1996, December 31, 1994 and December 31, 1993 incorporated by
reference in the Registration Statement have been audited by Deloitte & Touche
LLP, independent auditors, as stated in their reports, and have been
incorporated by reference herein in reliance upon the reports of such firm given
upon their authority as experts in auditing and accounting.
PART II
INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS
Item 14. Other Expenses of Issuance and Distribution
The following table sets forth the expenses payable by the Company in
connection with the sale and distribution of the Securities registered hereby.
Any sales commissions or underwriting discount incurred in connection with the
sale of Securities registered hereby are payable by the Selling Holders.
SEC registration fee .............................. $25,532.76
Accounting fees and expenses* ..................... 2,500.00
Legal fees and expenses* .......................... 5,000.00
Miscellaneous expenses* ........................... 5,000.00
----------
Total.............................................. $38,032.76
==========
*Estimated
Item 15. Indemnification of Directors and Officers
The Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that the
Company shall indemnify and advance expenses to its currently acting and its
former directors, officers, employees or agents to the fullest extent permitted
by the Delaware General Corporation Law (the "Delaware Law"), as amended from
time to time.
Section 145 of the Delaware Law provides that a corporation may indemnify
any person who was or is a party or is threatened to be made a party to any
threatened, pending or completed action, suit or proceeding, whether civil,
criminal, administrative or investigative (other than an action by or in the
right of the corporation) by reason of the fact that he is or was a director,
officer, employee or agent of the corporation, or is or was serving at the
request of the corporation as a director, officer, employee or agent of another
corporation, partnership, joint venture, trust or other enterprise, against
expenses (including attorneys' fees), judgments, fines and amounts paid in
settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such
action, suit or proceeding if he acted in good faith and in a manner he
reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of the
corporation, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no
reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. A similar standard of
care is applicable in the case of derivative actions, except that Delaware law
restricts indemnification to expenses (including attorneys' fees) actually and
reasonably incurred in connection with the defense or settlement of such an
action or suit and then, where such person is adjudged to be liable to the
corporation, only if and to the extent that the Court of Chancery of the State
of Delaware or the court in which such action was brought determines that he is
fairly and reasonably entitled to such indemnity, and then only for such
expenses as the court shall deem proper.
The Delaware Law also permits a Delaware corporation to limit each
director's liability to the Company or its stockholders for monetary damages
except (i) for any breach of the director's duty of loyalty to the corporation
or its stockholders, (ii) for acts or omissions not in good faith or which
involve intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law, (iii) under
Section 174 of the Delaware Law providing for liability of directors for
unlawful payment of dividends or unlawful stock purchases or redemption, or (iv)
for any transaction from which a director derived an improper personal benefit.
The Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides for the limitation of the
personal liability of the directors of the Company for monetary damages to the
fullest extent permitted by the Delaware Law, as amended from time to time. The
effect of this provision is to eliminate the personal liability of directors for
monetary damages for actions involving a breach of their fiduciary duty of care,
including any such actions involving gross negligence.
The Company has agreed to indemnify the Selling Holders, any "underwriter"
(as defined in the Securities Act) and any person who controls (within the
meaning of the Securities Act) the Selling Holders or any underwriter against
certain liabilities and expenses arising out of or based upon the information
set forth or incorporated by reference in the Prospectus included in the
Registration Statement, and the Registration Statement of which the Prospectus
is a part, including liabilities under the Securities Act.
For information concerning the Company's undertaking to submit to
adjudication the issue of indemnification for violation of the securities laws,
see Item 17 hereof.
The Company maintains insurance, at its expense, to protect any director or
officer of the Company against certain expenses, liabilities or losses.
Item 16. Exhibits
See Exhibit Index.
Item 17. Undertakings
(a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes:
(1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being
made, a post-effective amendment to this registration statement:
(i) To include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of
the Securities Act of 1933;
(ii) To reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising
after the effective date of this registration statement
(or the most recent post-effective amendment hereof)
which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a
fundamental change in the information set forth in this
registration statement;
(iii) To include any material information with respect to the
plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this
registration statement or any material change to such
information in this registration statement;
provided, however, that paragraphs (i) and (ii) do not apply if the
information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those
paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by the registrant
pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 that are incorporated by reference in the registration statement.
(2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the
Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed
to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered
therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed
to be the initial bona fide offering thereof.
(3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective
amendment any of the securities being registered which remain unsold at the
termination of the offering.
(b) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes that, for purposes of
determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of
the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing
of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in
this registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration
statement relating to the securities offered herein, and the offering of
such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide
offering thereof.
(c) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the
Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and
controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions,
or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the
Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public
policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the
event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than
the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director,
officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense
of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or
controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the
registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been
settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate
jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against
public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final
adjudication of such issue.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description Page
- ----------- ----------- ----
*1 Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 26, 1996, among the
Company and the Initial Purchasers named therein
4.1 Indenture, dated as of June 26, 1996, between the Company
and Chemical Bank, as trustee thereunder, filed as Exhibit
4.5 to the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
fiscal quarter ended August 3, 1996 ("Second Quarter Form
10-Q"), and incorporated herein by reference
4.2 Note Resale Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of
June 26, 1996, among the Company and the Initial Purchasers
named therein, filed as Exhibit 4.6 to the Second Quarter
Form 10-Q, and incorporated herein by reference
4.3 Form of Definitive 5-1/2% Convertible Subordinated Notes of
the Company due 2003, filed as Exhibit 4.2 to the Second
Quarter Form 10-Q, and incorporated herein by reference
4.4 Form of Restricted Global 5-1/2% Convertible Subordinated
Note of the Company due 2003, filed as Exhibit 4.3 to the
Second Quarter Form 10-Q, and incorporated herein by
reference
4.5 Form of Regulation S Global 5-1/2% Convertible Subordinated
Note of the Company due 2003, filed as Exhibit 4.4 to the
Second Quarter Form 10-Q, and incorporated herein by
reference
*5 Opinion of Counsel
*12 Calculation of Ratio of Earnings to Fixed Charges
*23.1 Consent of Deloitte & Touche LLP
23.2 Consent of Counsel (included in Exhibit 5)
24 Power of Attorney (included on signature page hereof)
*25 Statement of Eligibility of Trustee
* Filed herewith.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the registrant
certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the
requirements for filing on Form S-3 and has duly caused this registration
statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly
authorized, in the City of Stamford, State of Connecticut, on September 23,
1996.
NINE WEST GROUP INC.
By /s/ Robert C. Galvin
----------------------------
Robert C. Galvin
Executive Vice President,
Chief Financial Officer
and Treasurer
POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS that each person whose signature
appears below constitutes and appoints Noel E. Hord, Robert C. Galvin, Jeffrey
K. Howald and Joel K. Bedol, and each of them, as his true and lawful attorneys-
in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him
and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all
amendments to the within Registration Statement on Form S-3, and to file the
same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith,
with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and grants unto said attorneys-in-
fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform
each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, as fully to
all intents and purposes as he might and could do in person, hereby ratifying
and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents, of any of them, or
their or his substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof.
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this
registration statement has been signed by the following persons in the
capacities and on the dates indicated.
Signature Title Date
--------- ----- ----
/s/ Jerome Fisher Chairman of the Board and September 23, 1996
- ----------------------------- Director (Principal
Jerome Fisher Executive Officer)
/s/ Vincent Camuto Chief Executive Officer and September 23, 1996
- ----------------------------- Director (Principal
Vincent Camuto Executive Officer)
/s/ Robert C. Galvin Executive Vice President, September 23, 1996
- ----------------------------- Chief Financial Officer and
Robert C. Galvin Treasurer (Principal
Financial Officer and
Principal Accounting Officer)
/s/ C. Gerald Goldsmith Director September 23, 1996
- -----------------------------
C. Gerald Goldsmith
/s/ Salvatore M. Salibello Director September 23, 1996
- -----------------------------
Salvatore M. Salibello
/s/ Henry W. Pascarella Director September 23, 1996
- -----------------------------
Henry W. Pascarella