SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant /X/
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant / /
Check the appropriate box:
/X/ Preliminary Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Proxy Statement
/ / Definitive Additional Materials
/ / Soliciting Material pursuant to Rule 14a-11(c) or Rule 14a-12
BEST BUY CO., INC.
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(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
Anne M. Rosenberg, Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi,
ON BEHALF OF THE REGISTRANT
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(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
/X/ $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), or 14a-6(i)(2).
/ / $500 per each party to the controversy pursuant to Exchange Act
Rule 14a-6(i)(3).
/ / Fee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i)(4) and 0-11.
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state how it was determined.
/ / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule
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previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number,
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PRELIMINARY COPY
BEST BUY CO., INC.
7075 FLYING CLOUD DRIVE
EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA 55344
[LOGO]
NOTICE OF REGULAR MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
The 1994 Regular Meeting of the Shareholders of Best Buy Co., Inc., a
Minnesota corporation (the "Company"), will be held at the Company's new
corporate offices at 7075 Flying Cloud Drive, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, on
Wednesday, June 22, 1994, at 3:00 p.m., for the following purposes:
1. To elect four Class 1 directors to serve on the Board of Directors for a
term of two years.
2. To ratify the appointment of Deloitte & Touche as the Company's
independent auditor for the Company's current fiscal year.
3. To approve a plan for the payment of bonus compensation to the Company's
executive officers.
4. To approve the Company's 1994 Full-Time Employee Non-Qualified Stock
Option Plan.
5. To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting.
Only Shareholders of record at the close of business on Wednesday, May 11,
1994, the record date, are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting and
any adjournments thereof.
Whether or not you expect to attend the meeting in person, please complete,
sign and promptly return the enclosed form of Proxy.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Elliot S. Kaplan
SECRETARY
Minneapolis, Minnesota
May , 1994
PROXY STATEMENT
BEST BUY CO., INC.
7075 FLYING CLOUD DRIVE
EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA 55344
REGULAR MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS -- JUNE 22, 1994
INFORMATION CONCERNING SOLICITATION AND VOTING
The enclosed Proxy is solicited by the Board of Directors of Best Buy Co.,
Inc. (the "Company") for use at the Regular Meeting of Shareholders to be held
Wednesday, June 22, 1994, at 3:00 p.m., local time, at the Company's new
corporate headquarters at 7075 Flying Cloud Drive, Eden Prairie, Minnesota, or
any adjournments thereof (the "Meeting"), for the purposes set forth herein and
in the accompanying Notice of Regular Meeting of Shareholders. Proxies will be
voted in accordance with the directions specified therein. ANY PROXY IN WHICH NO
DIRECTION IS SPECIFIED WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF EACH OF THE MATTERS TO BE
CONSIDERED. These proxy solicitation materials are first being sent to
Shareholders on or about May , 1994.
As of May 11, 1994, the record date fixed for the determination of
Shareholders of the Company entitled to notice of and to vote at the Meeting,
there were outstanding shares of Common Stock, which is the only class
of the capital stock of the Company outstanding. All share information herein
reflects, as appropriate, the three-for-two stock split effected on September 1,
1993 and the two-for-one stock split effected on April 28, 1994.
Each Shareholder will be entitled to one vote per share on all matters acted
upon at the Meeting. The aggregate number of votes cast by all Shareholders
present in person or by proxy at the Meeting will be used to determine whether a
motion is carried. Thus, an abstention from voting on a matter by a Shareholder,
while included for purposes of calculating a quorum for the Meeting, has no
effect on the item on which the Shareholder abstained from voting. In addition,
although broker "non-votes" will be counted for purposes of attaining a quorum,
they will have no effect on the vote.
Any Proxy given pursuant to this solicitation may be revoked by the person
giving it at any time prior to its use by (i) delivering to the principal office
of the Company a written notice of revocation, (ii) filing with the Company a
duly executed Proxy bearing a later date or (iii) attending the Meeting and
voting in person.
The costs of this solicitation will be borne by the Company. Proxies may be
solicited by the Company's directors, officers and regular employees, without
extra compensation, by mail, telegram, telephone and personal solicitation. The
Company will request brokerage houses, banks and other custodians, nominees and
fiduciaries to forward soliciting material to beneficial owners of the Company's
Common Stock. The Company will reimburse brokerage firms, banks and other
custodians, nominees, fiduciaries and other persons representing beneficial
owners for reasonable expenses incurred by them in forwarding proxy solicitation
materials and annual reports to the beneficial owners of shares in accordance
with the New York Stock Exchange schedule of charges.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
GENERALLY
The Company's By-laws provide that the Board of Directors shall consist of
seven directors, four of whom are Class 1 directors and three of whom are Class
2 directors. Directors are elected for a term of two years and the terms are
staggered so that Class 1 directors are elected in even-numbered years and Class
2 directors are elected in odd-numbered years.
Management and the Board of Directors recommend that Bradbury H. Anderson,
David Stanley, Frank D. Trestman and James C. Wetherbe be re-elected as Class 1
directors, each to hold office until the 1996 Regular Meeting of Shareholders
and until his successor is duly elected and qualified. All of the nominees are
members of the Board of Directors of the Company and have served in that
capacity since originally elected or designated as indicated below.
The Board of Directors held five meetings during the fiscal year ended
February 26, 1994. All nominees participated in each meeting while they were
directors, except that two directors missed one meeting each.
The Board of Directors of the Company has four standing committees. The
Personnel Committee was established to identify, select and evaluate officers
and key employees for the Company. The Compensation Committee was established to
determine and periodically evaluate various levels and methods of compensation
for directors, officers and employees of the Company. The Lease Committee was
established to review the Company's leases and to confirm that all of the
Company's leases conform to the Company's stated Real Estate Lease policy. The
Audit Committee was established to review and monitor all matters pertaining to
the accounting activities of the Company and the relationship of the Company
with its independent auditor. The following table shows the date each committee
was established and the names of the directors serving thereon as of February
26, 1994.
NUMBER OF MEETINGS
DURING LAST FISCAL
COMMITTEE DATE ESTABLISHED YEAR MEMBERS
- - ----------------- ----------------- --------------------- ---------------------------
Personnel June 1, 1984 2 Richard M. Schulze
Bradbury H. Anderson
Audit June 1, 1984 1 Frank D. Trestman*
Culver Davis, Jr.
James C. Wetherbe
Compensation March 6, 1985 1 David Stanley*
Elliot S. Kaplan
Frank D. Trestman
Lease March 6, 1985 1 Elliot S. Kaplan*
Frank D. Trestman
Culver Davis, Jr.
<FN>
- - ------------------------
* Committee chairperson
There is no family relationship among the nominees or between any nominee
and any of the Company's other directors.
2
VOTING INFORMATION
A Shareholder submitting a Proxy may vote for all or any of the nominees for
election to the Board of Directors or may withhold his or her vote from any such
nominee. IF A SUBMITTED PROXY IS PROPERLY SIGNED BUT UNMARKED IN RESPECT OF THE
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS, THE PROXY AGENTS NAMED IN THE PROXY WILL VOTE THE SHARES
REPRESENTED THEREBY FOR THE ELECTION OF ALL OF THE NOMINEES. Each of the
nominees has agreed to continue serving the Company as a director if elected;
however, should any nominee become unwilling or unable to serve if elected, the
Proxy Agents named in the Proxy will exercise their voting power in favor of
such other person as the Board of Directors of the Company may recommend. The
Company's Articles of Incorporation prohibit cumulative voting and each director
will be elected by a majority of the voting power of the shares present and
entitled to vote at the Meeting. Shareholders entitled to vote for the election
of directors can withhold authority to vote for all or certain nominees for
director.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
The following table provides certain information as of April 30, 1994, as to
the Chief Executive Officer and each of the other four most highly compensated
executive officers during the most recent fiscal year, each director including
the nominees for election as Class 1 directors, all directors and executive
officers as a group and each person known to the Company to be the beneficial
owner of more than 5% of the outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Company:
NUMBER OF SHARES PERCENT OF SHARES
NAME AGE BENEFICIALLY OWNED BENEFICIALLY OWNED
- - -------------------------------------------------- --- ------------------ ------------------
Richard M. Schulze 53 8,969,039(1) 21.32%
Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer and Director
Bradbury H. Anderson 45 460,002(2) 1.09%
President, Chief Operating Officer and Director
Allen U. Lenzmeier 50 256,190(3) *
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial
Officer
Wade R. Fenn 35 68,635(4) *
Senior Vice President -- Sales
George S. Fouts 56 101,551(5) *
Senior Vice President -- Sales
Elliot S. Kaplan 57 113,272(6) *
Secretary and Director
Frank D. Trestman 59 162,000(7) *
Director
Culver Davis, Jr. 55 61,000(8) *
Director
3
NUMBER OF SHARES PERCENT OF SHARES
NAME AGE BENEFICIALLY OWNED BENEFICIALLY OWNED
- - -------------------------------------------------- --- ------------------ ------------------
David Stanley 58 37,000(9) *
Director
James C. Wetherbe 45 27,000(10) *
Director
All directors and executive officers, as a group
(16 individuals) -- 10,506,837(11) 24.47%
Jundt Associates, Inc. -- 4,633,300(12) 11.10%
1550 Utica Avenue South
Suite 950
Minneapolis, MN 55416
Twentieth Century Companies, Inc. -- 2,750,300(12) 6.59%
4500 Main Street
P.O. Box 418210
Kansas City, MO 64141
Kemper Financial Services, Inc. -- 3,095,600(12) 7.42%
120 South LaSalle
Chicago, IL 60603
FMR Corp. -- 4,124,000(13) 9.88%
82 Devonshire Street
Boston, MA 02109
<FN>
- - ------------------------
* Less than 1%.
(1) The figure represents (a) 237,596 outstanding shares of stock owned by Mr.
Schulze; (b) 316,848 outstanding shares registered in the name of Mr.
Schulze and held by him as custodian for the benefit of his children (Mr.
Schulze has disclaimed beneficial ownership of such shares); and (c)
options granted to Mr. Schulze, available for exercise within 60 days, to
purchase 318,375 shares.
(2) The figure represents (a) 170,670 outstanding shares owned by Mr. Anderson;
(b) 1,332 outstanding shares registered in the name of American Stock
Transfer & Trust Company, and held by it as trustee of the Company's
Retirement Savings Plan for the benefit of Mr. Anderson; and (c) options
granted to Mr. Anderson, available for exercise within 60 days, to purchase
288,000 shares.
(3) The figure represents (a) 122,690 outstanding shares owned by Mr.
Lenzmeier; and (b) options granted to Mr. Lenzmeier, available for exercise
within 60 days, to purchase 133,500 shares.
(4) The figure represents (a) 8,156 outstanding shares owned by Mr. Fenn; (b)
6,972 outstanding shares registered in the name of American Stock Transfer
& Trust Company, and held by it as trustee of the Company's Retirement
Savings Plan for the benefit of Mr. Fenn; (c) 830 outstanding shares owned
by Mr. Fenn's wife; (d) 176 outstanding shares registered in the name of
Mr. Fenn as trustee of a trust for his son (Mr. Fenn has disclaimed
beneficial ownership of such shares); and (e) options granted to Mr. Fenn,
available for exercise within 60 days, to purchase 52,501 shares.
4
(5) The figure represents (a) 3,000 outstanding shares owned by Mr. Fouts; (b)
2,900 outstanding shares registered in the name of American Stock Transfer
& Trust Company, and held by it as trustee of the Company's Retirement
Savings Plan for the benefit of Mr. Fouts; (c) 2,800 outstanding shares
registered in the name of the custodian for Mr. Fouts' individual
retirement plan account; and (d) options granted to Mr. Fouts, available
for exercise within 60 days, to purchase 92,851 shares.
(6) The figure represents (a) 68,272 outstanding shares owned by Mr. Kaplan;
and (b) options granted to Mr. Kaplan, available for exercise within 60
days, to purchase 45,000 shares.
(7) The figure represents (a) 82,500 outstanding shares owned by Mr. Trestman;
(b) 18,000 outstanding shares registered in the name of Mr. Trestman's wife
as trustee of an irrevocable family trust (Mr. Trestman has disclaimed
beneficial ownership of such shares); and (c) options granted to Mr.
Trestman, available for exercise within 60 days, to purchase 61,500 shares.
(8) The figure represents (a) 43,000 outstanding shares owned by Mr. Davis; and
(b) options granted to Mr. Davis, available for exercise within 60 days, to
purchase 18,000 shares.
(9) The figure represents (a) 1,000 outstanding shares owned by Mr. Stanley;
and (b) options granted to Mr. Stanley, available for exercise within 60
days, to purchase 36,000 shares.
(10) The figure represents (a) 9,000 outstanding shares owned by Dr. Wetherbe;
and (b) options granted to Dr. Wetherbe, available for exercise within 60
days, to purchase 18,000 shares.
(11) The figure represents (a) 237,596 outstanding shares and options described
in the preceding footnotes; (b) 114,596 outstanding shares owned by, and
options, available for exercise within 60 days, to purchase 123,000 shares
granted to, the Company's other executive officers; (c) 11,722 outstanding
shares registered in the name of American Stock Transfer & Trust Company,
and held by it as trustee of the Company's Retirement Savings Plan for the
benefit of certain other executive officers; (d) 930 outstanding shares
registered in the name of the custodian for an executive officer's
individual retirement plan account; and (e) 900 outstanding shares owned by
certain other executive officers as custodian for the benefit of their
children (where appropriate, such officers have disclaimed beneficial
ownership of such shares).
(12) As reported on or about February 15, 1994, on the beneficial owner's
Schedule 13G.
(13) As reported on or about April 10, 1994, on the beneficial owner's Schedule
13G.
NOMINEES AND DIRECTORS
NOMINEES FOR CLASS 1 DIRECTORS
BRADBURY H. ANDERSON has served as a director of the Company since August
1986. He is the Company's President and Chief Operating Officer, having served
as Executive Vice President-- Marketing of the Company from February 1986. He
has been employed in various capacities with the Company since 1973, including
retail salesperson, store manager and sales manager.
FRANK D. TRESTMAN has served as a director of the Company since December
1984. He is President of Trestman Enterprises, an investment and business
development firm. He had been a consultant to McKesson Corporation and is the
former Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Mass Merchandisers,
Inc., a distributor of non-food products to retailers in the grocery business
and now a subsidiary of McKesson Corporation. Mr. Trestman is a director of
Insignia Systems, Inc.
5
DAVID STANLEY has served as a director of the Company since August 1990. He
is Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Payless
Cashways, Inc., a building materials specialty retailer, where he has been an
officer since 1980. Mr. Stanley is also a director of Piper Jaffray Companies,
Inc. and Digi International, Inc.
JAMES C. WETHERBE has served as a director of the Company since July 1993.
He has been a professor at the University of Minnesota since 1980 and is
currently Professor of Management Information Systems and Director of the
University of Minnesota MIS Research Center. In addition, he has been Professor
and Director of the Fedex Center for Cycle Time Research at Memphis State
University since August 1993. He is a leading consultant and lecturer on
information technology and the author of 15 books and over 200 articles in the
field of management and information systems.
CLASS 2 DIRECTORS -- TERMS EXPIRE IN 1995
RICHARD M. SCHULZE is a founder of the Company. He has served as an officer
and director of the Company from its inception in 1966 and currently serves as
its Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
ELLIOT S. KAPLAN has served as a director and Secretary of the Company since
January 1971. Since 1961, he has been an attorney with the law firm of Robins,
Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi, Minneapolis, Minnesota, which serves as outside general
counsel to the Company. Mr. Kaplan is also a director of American Business
Information, Inc.
CULVER DAVIS, JR. has served as a director of the Company since August 1986.
He has been employed by CUB Foods, a warehouse style supermarket chain, since
1960, became its President and Chief Executive Officer in 1985, and its Chairman
and Chief Executive Officer in 1992. Since May 1993, Mr. Davis has served as the
Chairman of CUB Foods.
CERTAIN TRANSACTIONS
The Company leases two of its current 152 stores (Burnsville and Edina,
Minnesota) from Richard M. Schulze, leases two of its stores (West St. Paul and
Maplewood, Minnesota) from partnerships in which he is a partner, and leases one
of its stores (Minneapolis, Minnesota) from his wife. The lease for the
Burnsville store expires in 2006. Annual rent for the space is equal to
$350,000, and includes escalation clauses after the fifth and tenth years. The
lease for the Edina store expires in 2002, and provides for the payment to Mr.
Schulze of base rent of $183,820 and percentage rent equal to 4% of gross sales
made on the premises, but in no event more than $572,000 in the aggregate in any
lease year. The lease for the West St. Paul store expires in 1994 and provides
for the payment of rent equal to 1% of gross sales at the location, subject to a
fixed minimum rent of $133,728. The lease for the Maplewood store expires in
1996, includes renewal options and provides for the payment of rent equal to 1%
of gross sales at the location, subject to a fixed minimum rent of $171,150. The
lease for the Minneapolis store expires in 1998, and provides for the payment to
Mrs. Schulze of rent at a minimum of $210,600 per year. Aggregate rents paid and
accrued by the Company to Mr. Schulze, partnerships of which he is a partner or
Mrs. Schulze during the fiscal year ended February 26, 1994, were $1,471,598, a
portion of which was used to service debt on the properties where the five
stores are located and, for some of such stores, to pay real estate taxes and
insurance.
All of the leases with Mr. Schulze, partnerships in which he is a partner
and Mrs. Schulze were negotiated and approved by the Board of Directors with Mr.
Schulze abstaining, the Board of Directors acting in reliance upon one or more
of its disinterested members with respect to the determination of market
comparisons, alternative rental agreements and negotiations with Mr. Schulze.
The leases
6
were determined to be in the best interests of the Company. In March 1985, the
Board of Directors appointed the Lease Committee, a committee of disinterested
directors, for the purpose of examining and reviewing leases. It is the
Company's policy that the Company not engage in real estate transactions with
officers, directors, controlling persons and others affiliated with them unless
a determination is made by the disinterested members of the Board of Directors,
on recommendation by such committee, that any such transaction is on terms more
favorable to the Company than could be obtained from unaffiliated third parties.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
OVERVIEW AND PHILOSOPHY
The Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, composed of three
non-employee directors, is responsible for determining and periodically
evaluating various levels and methods of compensating the Company's directors
and officers. In accordance therewith, the Compensation Committee determines, on
an annual basis, the compensation to be paid to the Chief Executive Officer and
each of the other executive officers of the Company. The objective of the
Compensation Committee is to establish a compensation program for executive
officers that will attract and retain superior management talent, recognize and
reward individual performance, and align the financial interests of the
executive officers with the success of the Company.
The Company's compensation program for executive officers provides
compensation opportunities that approximate the mid-point of compensation levels
for similarly situated executives within the retail industry, as well as within
a broader group of companies of comparable size. Actual compensation levels may
be greater or less than average competitive levels in comparable companies
because of annual and long-term Company performance as well as individual
performance. In setting the levels of executive compensation, the Committee
considers information provided by a nationally recognized compensation and
benefits firm, including the results of salary surveys of comparably sized
companies generally including national retailers. Beginning in fiscal 1995, the
Committee also considered information provided by the consulting firm with
respect to the compensation of the executive officers of a self-selected,
relevant peer group of national retail companies, as disclosed in their proxy
statements. Certain of the companies in the peer group are also included in the
Industry Index included in the Comparative Stock Performance graph below.
EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION PROGRAM
The three components of the Company's executive officer compensation program
are base salary, annual incentive compensation in the form of a cash bonus and
long-term incentive compensation in the form of stock options. Executive
officers are also entitled to various benefits including participation in the
Company's medical plan and Retirement Savings Plan, which are generally
available to employees of the Company.
Base Salary. Base salary levels for the Company's executive officers are
determined by the Compensation Committee early in the fiscal year. Members of
the Committee consider individual experience, performance and annual
expectations for the officer, as well as the base salaries of executive officers
in comparable companies. Generally, the base salaries for the Company's
executive officers are at or below the average base salary for the surveyed
executives.
Bonus Incentive Plan. The Company establishes an annual incentive program
for executive officers. The purpose of the program is to provide a direct
financial incentive in the form of an annual
7
cash bonus to executive officers to achieve or exceed the Company's annual
goals. Bonus amounts are equal to a percentage of the executive officer's base
salary. The percentages used for determining bonuses are established to provide
total cash compensation to the Company's executive officers, assuming the
Company's goals are achieved, at a level that is approximately at the mid-point
for surveyed executives. In fiscal 1994, each executive officer was entitled to
a bonus equal to 25% of base salary if the Company's budgeted earnings were
achieved, which percentage could be increased to 50% if earnings for the year
increased 100% from the previous year. The relationship between earnings and the
bonus percentage was determined by the Compensation Committee at the beginning
of the fiscal year.
Similar to the fiscal 1994 bonus program for executive officers, the fiscal
1995 program, described below, was designed to provide an incentive to executive
officers to maximize the Company's net income as a result of anticipated
significant increases in its revenues. New Federal tax laws limit the amount of
individual compensation that can be deducted by the Company for tax purposes to
$1,000,000. Qualifying performance-based compensation is not subject to the
deduction limit. The Company's bonus program for executive officers is intended
to meet the requirements of a qualifying performance-based compensation plan.
Stock Option Program. The Company utilizes stock options as a long-term
incentive plan for executive officers. The objectives of the program are to
further the growth and general prosperity of the Company by enabling current
executive officers who have been or will be given responsibility for the
administration of the affairs of the Company and upon whose judgment, initiative
and effort the Company was or is largely dependent for the successful conduct of
its business, to acquire shares of the Company's Common Stock, thereby
increasing their personal involvement in the Company.
The Company's shareholder-approved 1987 Employee Non-Qualified Stock Option
Plan (the "Employee Plan") gives the Compensation Committee discretion to award
stock options to executive officers and certain other employees. The award
levels are subjective and not subject to specific criteria. The plan, as
amended, authorizes the Company to grant to certain categories of employees
options to purchase in the aggregate not more than 7,250,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock.
Stock options are granted on an annual basis, have five-year terms and have
exercise restrictions that lapse ratably over the last four years of the term.
The exercise prices for options granted pursuant to the plan equal the fair
market value of the Common Stock as of the dates of grant. Pursuant to the terms
of the Employee Plan, the number of shares subject to options, and the exercise
prices thereof, are adjusted in the event of a merger, consolidation,
reorganization, stock dividend, stock split or other change in corporate
structure or capitalization affecting the Company's Common Stock. The options
are non-transferable except by will or the laws of descent. Awards are made to
each eligible employee at a level calculated to be competitive within the retail
industry as well as within a broader group of comparable companies. Employees
eligible to receive options under the Employee Plan include: (i) key executive
personnel, including officers, senior management employees and members of the
Board of Directors who are employees of the Company; (ii) staff management
employees, including managers, supervisors and their functional equivalents for
warehousing, service, merchandising, leaseholds, installation, and finance and
administration; (iii) line management employees, including retail stores and
field managers, supervisors and their functional equivalents; and (iv) any
employee having served the Company continuously for a period of not less than
ten years.
8
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
Mr. Schulze has served as an officer and director of the Company from its
inception in 1966 and currently serves as its Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer. In determining Mr. Schulze's compensation for fiscal 1994, the
Compensation Committee used the results of a study performed for the Company by
a nationally recognized firm of compensation and benefits consultants. The study
included the review of executive level compensation based upon the results of
national surveys of comparably sized companies, including national retailers
such as the Company. In addition, the Committee considered the recent financial
performance of the Company in light of the rapid growth and competitive industry
conditions.
Mr. Schulze's base salary for the period from April 1, 1993 to March 31,
1994 was established at $560,000, which was a 12% increase over the previous
year. In determining base salary, the Committee considered Mr. Schulze's
compensation relative to the levels of compensation of those chief executives
included in the study. Additionally, the Committee gave consideration to the
anticipated effort of Mr. Schulze in managing the Company through the growth
expected in fiscal 1994 and his role in raising the capital necessary to support
that growth. Mr. Schulze's base salary was approximately equal to the midpoint
of the range of the base salaries of the chief executives in the survey group.
The increase from the prior year was to bring his salary in line with those in
comparable positions and adjusted for the expectations for fiscal 1994.
Mr. Schulze's performance bonus of $280,000 for fiscal 1994 was calculated
in accordance with the Company's bonus program for corporate officers. The bonus
was determined by comparing the Company's earnings of $41.7 million, before an
accounting change, to the budgeted earnings established at the beginning of the
year. The Company's earnings exceeded the threshold for the maximum bonus, 50%
of Mr. Schulze's base salary.
In recognition of his contribution to the success of the Company -- net
income of the Company has more than doubled in each of the last three fiscal
years, the superior return to Shareholders in fiscal 1993, and expected future
contributions to the overall performance and success of the Company, Mr. Schulze
was awarded options during fiscal 1994 to purchase 142,500 shares of the
Company's stock. The determination of the number of options granted is
subjective and not subject to specific criteria. These options were issued
pursuant to the Company's 1987 Employee Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
DAVID STANLEY (CHAIRMAN)
ELLIOT S. KAPLAN
FRANK D. TRESTMAN
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The Company's Compensation Committee consists of David Stanley (Chairman),
Elliot S. Kaplan and Frank D. Trestman. Mr. Kaplan, who also serves as Secretary
of the Company, is a member of the law firm of Robins, Kaplan, Miller & Ciresi,
Minneapolis, Minnesota, which serves as outside general counsel to the Company.
In order to comply with new tax legislation, Mr. Kaplan, who would have been
deemed to be an "inside" director, will be replaced on the Compensation
Committee by James C. Wetherbe, effective as of June 1, 1994.
9
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table sets forth the cash and noncash compensation for each of
the last three fiscal years awarded to or earned during the period by the Chief
Executive Officer of the Company and the other four most highly compensated
individuals serving as executive officers of the Company.
LONG TERM
ANNUAL COMPENSATION
COMPENSATION ------------
FISCAL ------------------ STOCK ALL OTHER
YEAR ENDED SALARY BONUS OPTIONS COMPENSATION (1)
---------- -------- -------- ------------ ----------------
Richard M. Schulze 1994 $555,374 $280,000 151,500 $ 26,213
Founder, Chairman, 1993 492,308 175,000 121,500 26,548
Chief Executive Officer 1992 398,461 -- 84,000 26,145
Bradbury H. Anderson 1994 421,150 212,500 123,000 11,593
President, Chief Operating Officer 1993 369,231 131,250 99,000 11,799
1992 298,531 -- 69,000 11,345
Allen U. Lenzmeier 1994 321,538 162,500 84,000 10,011
Executive Vice President, 1993 275,769 98,000 67,500 9,881
Chief Financial Officer 1992 224,000 -- 45,000 9,509
Wade R. Fenn 1994 255,385 130,000 54,000 4,135
Senior Vice President -- Sales 1993 198,514 70,000 27,000 4,040
1992 175,508 -- 22,500 3,462
George S. Fouts 1994 217,308 110,000 54,000 4,850
Senior Vice President -- Sales 1993 182,720 64,750 27,000 4,192
1992 154,929 -- 22,500 3,536
<FN>
- - ------------------------------
(1) Includes the portions of premiums paid by the Company for life insurance
coverage exceeding $50,000 ("A"), the officers' shares of the Company's
contribution to its Retirement Savings Plan ("B"), and for Messrs.
Schulze, Anderson and Lenzmeier, the premiums paid by the Company for
split-dollar life insurance ("C"), as follows:
FISCAL
YEAR ENDED "A" "B" "C"
------------- --------- --------- ---------
Richard M. Schulze.................... 1994 $ 576 $ 4,337 $ 21,300
1993 576 4,672 21,300
1992 576 4,269 21,300
Bradbury H. Anderson.................. 1994 204 4,389 7,000
1993 204 4,595 7,000
1992 204 4,269 7,000
Allen U. Lenzmeier.................... 1994 576 4,435 5,000
1993 348 4,533 5,000
1992 348 4,161 5,000
Wade R. Fenn.......................... 1994 132 4,003 --
1993 108 3,932 --
1992 108 3,354 --
George S. Fouts....................... 1994 900 3,950 --
1993 576 3,616 --
1992 576 3,616 --
10
OPTIONS AND GRANTS
The following tables summarize option grants and exercises during the fiscal
year ended February 26, 1994, to or by Richard M. Schulze, the Chief Executive
Officer, and the other four most highly compensated executive officers of the
Company at the end of the Company's last fiscal year, and the value of the
options held by such persons at the end of such fiscal year.
OPTION GRANTS IN FISCAL 1994
POTENTIAL REALIZABLE
VALUE AT ASSUMED
INDIVIDUAL GRANTS ANNUAL RATE OF STOCK
----------------------------------------------------------- PRICE APPRECIATION
% OF TOTAL FOR OPTION TERM,
OPTIONS GRANTED TO EXERCISE COMPOUNDED ANNUALLY
OPTIONS EMPLOYEES IN FISCAL PRICE EXPIRATION ---------------------
NAME GRANTED 1994 ($/SHARE) DATE 5% 10%
- - ---------------------------------- ----------- -------------------- ----------- ----------- --------- ----------
Richard M. Schulze................ 142,500(1) 10.59% $ 12.00 4-19-98 $ 472,441 $1,043,972
9,000(2) .67 12.00 4-19-98 29,838 65,935
Bradbury H. Anderson.............. 114,000(1) 8.47 12.00 4-19-98 377,953 835,178
9,000(2) .67 12.00 4-19-98 29,838 65,935
Allen U. Lenzmeier................ 84,000(1) 6.24 12.00 4-19-98 278,492 615,394
Wade R. Fenn...................... 54,000(1) 4.01 12.00 4-19-98 179,030 395,610
George S. Fouts................... 54,000(1) 4.01 12.00 4-19-98 179,030 395,610
<FN>
- - ------------------------------
The price of one share of the Company's Common Stock acquired at $12.00 per
share would equal approximately $15.32 and $19.33 when compounded at 5% and 10%,
respectively, over the option term.
(1) Number of shares issuable upon the exercise of options granted on April 20,
1993, pursuant to the Company's 1987 Employee Non-Qualified Stock Option
Plan. Options become exercisable 25% per year beginning one year after date
of grant.
(2) Number of shares issuable upon the exercise of options granted on April 20,
1993, pursuant to the Company's 1987 Directors' Non-Qualified Stock Option
Plan. The options are exercisable as of the date of grant.
OPTION EXERCISES AND VALUE OF OPTIONS AT END OF FISCAL 1994
VALUE OF UNEXERCISED
NUMBER OF UNEXERCISED OPTIONS IN-THE-MONEY OPTIONS
SHARES ACQUIRED VALUE AT END OF FISCAL 1994 AT END OF FISCAL 1994
NAME ON EXERCISE REALIZED (1) (EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE) (EXERCISABLE/UNEXERCISABLE) (1)
- - -------------------------- ----------------- ----------- ----------------------------- ----------------------------
Richard M. Schulze........ -- -- 208,125/283,125 $ 4,797,953/$5,218,331
Bradbury H. Anderson...... -- -- 198,000/226,500 4,592,324/4,174,665
Allen U. Lenzmeier........ 11,250 $ 264,138 73,125/168,375 1,692,416/3,108,499
Wade R. Fenn.............. -- -- 21,001/91,125 482,066/1,629,415
George S. Fouts........... 3,000 36,281 61,351/91,125 1,392,710/1,629,415
<FN>
- - ------------------------------
(1) Value based on market value of the Company's Common Stock on the date of
exercise or at the end of fiscal 1994, as applicable, minus the exercise
price.
11
COMPARATIVE STOCK PERFORMANCE
The graph below compares the cumulative total shareholder return on the
Common Stock of the Company for the last five fiscal years with the cumulative
total return on the S&P Industry Group 450-Retail (Specialty) Index (the
"Industry Index") and the S&P Mid-Cap Companies Index (the "Broad Index"),
published by Standard & Poors over the same period.
COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN OF COMPANY,
INDUSTRY INDEX AND BROAD INDEX*
EDGAR REPRESENTATION OF DATA POINTS USED IN PRINTED GRAPHIC
BBY Industry Index Broad Index
1989 100 100 100
1990 85 119.77 119.92
1991 83.75 137.85 141.08
1992 218.75 188.49 186.19
1993 411.25 229.07 201.24
1994 809.6 232.66 231.72
Assumes $100 invested at the close of trading on the last trading day preceding
the first day of the fifth preceding year in Best Buy common stock, Industry
Index and Broad Index.
*Cumulative Total Return assumes reinvestment of dividends.
Source: Media General Financial Services
RETIREMENT SAVINGS PLAN
Effective October 1, 1990, the Company adopted a retirement savings plan
intending to meet the requirements of Internal Revenue Code Section 401(k) (the
"Retirement Savings Plan"). Employees who have been employed by the Company for
at least one year, worked 1,000 hours and attained age 21, may elect to save up
to 15% of their pre-tax earnings. The Company will match employee contributions
at a rate determined by the Board of Directors annually. Participants are fully
vested in their contributions and become vested in the Company's matching
contributions according to a five-year vesting schedule provided in the
Retirement Savings Plan. During the fiscal year ended February 26, 1994, the
Company matched 50% of the first 4% of participating employees' pre-tax
earnings,
12
or $905,587, including $21,114 in the aggregate on behalf of the Chief Executive
Officer and the other four most highly compensated executive officers. Although
the Company, in adopting the Retirement Savings Plan, expressed its intention to
continue funding the trust created by the plan on a permanent basis, the
Retirement Savings Plan may be terminated by the Board of Directors at will.
Upon termination of the Retirement Savings Plan, each participant becomes 100%
vested. The trustee for the Retirement Savings Plan is American Stock Transfer &
Trust Company.
DIRECTORS' COMPENSATION
Each non-employee director of the Company is entitled to receive $12,000 per
year plus expenses for his services as a director. In addition to the $12,000
annual fee, there is a $3,000 annual fee payable to each committee chairperson.
On April 20, 1993, the Company granted to each director serving at that time an
option to purchase 9,000 shares at an exercise price of $12.00 per share. On
July 12, 1993, the Company granted to James C. Wetherbe an option to purchase
9,000 shares at an exercise price of $13.59 per share. On April 4, 1994, the
Company granted to each director an option to purchase 9,000 shares at an
exercise price of $32.40 per share. All of the options were granted pursuant to
the Company's 1987 Directors' Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan, described below.
Options, outstanding as of April 30, 1994, to purchase 330,000 shares of the
Company's Common Stock at exercise prices ranging from $2.21 to $32.40 have been
granted to the Company's directors for their services as directors, including
directors who are employees of the Company. During the last fiscal year, Frank
D. Trestman realized a net value of securities (market value less exercise
price) of $120,249 pursuant to the exercise of options granted under the
Directors' Plan.
1987 DIRECTORS' NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION PLAN
In 1987, the 1987 Directors' Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (the
"Directors' Plan") was adopted by the Board of Directors and approved by the
Shareholders. The number of shares subject to the Director's Plan is 900,000
shares. The Directors' Plan provides that annually, at the first regular meeting
of the Company's Board of Directors each year, each director will be given an
option to purchase 9,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock at an exercise
price equal to the average of the closing price for the stock, as quoted on the
New York Stock Exchange, on the date preceding the date of grant and the closing
price of the stock on the date of grant (the "Exercise Price"). The Directors'
Plan also provides that an option to purchase 9,000 shares of the Company's
Common Stock at the Exercise Price will be granted to each new director at such
time as he or she becomes a director of the Company. An option granted pursuant
to the Directors' Plan is exercisable for a period of five years after the date
of grant of the option. As of April 30, 1994, options to purchase 440,000 shares
of the Company's Common Stock have been granted pursuant to the Directors' Plan
and 330,000 remain outstanding.
COMPLIANCE WITH SECTION 16(A) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires the Company's
directors and executive officers, and persons who own more than ten percent of
the Company's equity securities, to file with the Securities and Exchange
Commission (the "SEC") and the New York Stock Exchange initial reports of
ownership and reports of changes in ownership of Common Stock and other equity
securities of the Company. Such persons are required by SEC regulation to
furnish the Company with copies of all Section 16(a) reports they file. To the
Company's knowledge, based solely on its review of the copies of such reports
furnished to the Company and written representations that no other reports
13
were required to be filed, all Section 16(a) filing requirements applicable to
its officers, directors and beneficial owners of more than ten percent of the
Company's outstanding stock were complied with during the fiscal year ended
February 26, 1994.
RATIFICATION OF APPOINTMENT OF AUDITORS
The Board of Directors has appointed Deloitte & Touche as the Company's
independent auditor for the fiscal year which began February 27, 1994. A
proposal to ratify that appointment will be presented at the Meeting. Touche
Ross & Co., now a part of Deloitte & Touche, has served as the Company's auditor
since December 1984. Deloitte & Touche has no relationship with the Company
other than that arising from its engagement as independent auditor.
Representatives of Deloitte & Touche are expected to be present at the Meeting,
will have an opportunity to make a statement if they desire to do so and will be
available to respond to appropriate questions from Shareholders.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the proposal to ratify the
appointment of Deloitte & Touche. If the appointment is not ratified by the
Shareholders, the Board of Directors is not obligated to appoint other auditors,
but the Board of Directors will give consideration to an unfavorable vote.
APPROVAL OF BONUS COMPENSATION PLAN
FOR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
In 1993, the Federal tax law was amended to limit the amount of individual
compensation that can be deducted by the Company for tax purposes in any one
year to $1,000,000. The new law provides an exception to this limitation that to
the extent that the compensation is performance based, as defined, such
compensation will continue to be deductible. On March 30, 1994, the Board of
Directors adopted a performance-based bonus compensation plan for the Company's
executive officers (the "Bonus Plan"). In order to comply with new tax law, the
general terms of the Bonus Plan must be approved by the Company's Shareholders.
The Bonus Plan provides certain officers of the Company with an opportunity
to earn annual cash compensation based upon the accomplishment of corporate
objectives. Eligibility under the plan is limited to the Company's executive
officers, currently numbering eleven. Under the Bonus Plan, if the Company
achieves its budgeted net income or does better for a fiscal year, then the
bonus payable to each executive officer in respect of such fiscal year will be
equal to a percentage of that officer's annual base salary as determined by the
Company's actual net income for that fiscal year. The target net income levels
and percentages will be established annually by the Board of Directors. Subject
to the approval of the Bonus Plan by the Shareholders, on March 30, 1994, the
Board set the fiscal 1995 bonus opportunity for executive officers at 33 % of
each officer's base salary, with the percentage increasing to 40% if the
Company's net income for the fiscal year exceeds budget by at least 10%, and
increasing to 50% if net income for the fiscal year exceeds budget by at least
20%.
14
The following table shows the bonuses that would be payable to the Chief
Executive Officer, the other four most highly compensated executive officers,
all executive officers as a group and certain other groups under the Bonus Plan
in the event the Company achieves or exceeds its budgeted net income for fiscal
1995:
BONUS PLAN BENEFITS
BUDGET EXCEEDED BUDGET EXCEEDED
NAME AND TITLE BUDGET ACHIEVED BY 10% BY 20%
- - -------------------------------------------------------------- --------------- --------------- ---------------
Richard M. Schulze $ 250,000 $ 300,000 $ 375,000
Founder, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer
Bradbury H. Anderson 188,333 226,000 282,500
President, Chief Operating Officer
Allen U. Lenzmeier 145,000 174,000 217,500
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Wade R. Fenn 100,000 120,000 150,000
Senior Vice-President -- Sales
George S. Fouts 93,333 112,000 140,000
Senior Vice-President -- Sales
All executive officers,
as a group (11 individuals) 1,245,000 1,494,000 1,867,500
All non-executive officer directors, as a group (5 0 0 0
individuals)
All non-executive officer employees, as a group 0 0 0
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the proposal to approve the
Bonus Plan. The affirmative vote of the holders of the majority of the voting
power of the shares present, in person or by Proxy, and entitled to vote is
required to approve the Bonus Plan.
IT IS INTENDED THAT, UNLESS OTHERWISE INSTRUCTED, THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY
THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE APPROVAL OF THE BONUS PLAN.
APPROVAL OF THE 1994 FULL-TIME
EMPLOYEE NON-QUALIFIED STOCK OPTION PLAN
Stock options enable the Company to obtain and retain the services of
employees without depleting the cash resources of the Company. Stock options
also enable employees to acquire shares of the Common Stock of the Company,
thereby increasing their personal interest in the success of the Company.
The Company's 1994 Full-Time Employee Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan (the
"Full-Time Employee Plan"), adopted by the Board of Directors on April 4, 1994,
authorizes the Company to grant to all full-time employees of the Company other
than officers, currently numbering approximately 7,500, options to purchase in
the aggregate not more than 1,500,000 shares of the Company's Common Stock.
Subject to the approval of the Full-Time Employee Plan by the Shareholders, in
recognition of the results achieved by the Company in fiscal 1994, the Company
granted options on April 4, 1994, to purchase approximately 470,000 shares in
the aggregate (100 shares per optionee) at an exercise price of $32.40 per
share.
15
Subject to limited rights during the period following the death of an
optionee, an optionee must remain an employee of the Company in order to retain
any option rights not yet exercised. Options granted pursuant to the Full-Time
Employee Plan have four-year terms and have exercise restrictions in the first
two years such that the options may not be exercised in the first year and may
only be exercised to the extent of 50% of the shares covered thereby in the
second year. The exercise prices for options granted pursuant to the Full-Time
Employee Plan may not be less than the fair market value of the Company's Common
Stock as of the dates of grant. The options are non-transferable except by will
or the laws of descent. Subject to the terms and conditions described above,
options may be granted pursuant to the Full-Time Employee Plan with such terms
and conditions as the Board of Directors determines from time to time.
An employee who is granted an option under the Full-Time Employee Plan
generally will not realize any taxable income upon grant of the option. Upon
exercise of the option, the amount by which the fair market value of the shares
at the time of exercise exceeds the exercise price is treated as compensation
received by the employee in the year of exercise. The Company will generally be
entitled to a corresponding tax deduction at the time that the employee realizes
compensation income. If the employee sells shares which he has purchased
pursuant to the exercise of an option granted under the Full-Time Employee Plan,
the difference between any amount realized and the employee's basis in the
shares may be classified as a capital gain or loss item.
The following table shows the options awarded in April 1994, pursuant to the
Full-Time Employee Plan, subject to Shareholder approval of the plan:
OPTION PLAN BENEFITS
NUMBER OF SHARES
SUBJECT TO OPTIONS EXERCISE
NAME AND TITLE AWARDED PRICE (1)
- - ------------------------------------------ ------------------ ---------
Richard M. Schulze 0 --
Founder, Chairman, Chief Executive
Officer
Bradbury H. Anderson 0 --
President, Chief Operating Officer
Allen U. Lenzmeier 0 --
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial
Officer
Wade R. Fenn 0 --
Senior Vice-President -- Sales
George S. Fouts 0 --
Senior Vice-President -- Sales
All executive officers,
as a group (11 individuals) 0 --
All non-executive officer directors, as a 0 --
group (5 individuals)
All non-executive officer employees, as a 470,000 shares (2) $ 32.40
group
<FN>
- - ------------------------------
(1) Based on the average of the closing price for the Company's stock, as
quoted on the New York Stock Exchange, on the date preceding the date of
grant and on the date of grant.
(2) 100 shares per optionee; 4,700 optionees estimated.
16
The Board of Directors believes that in order to attract and retain
exceptional individuals as full-time employees of the Company, the Company must
be able to occasionally offer stock options, and recommends to the Shareholders
that they vote FOR the Full-Time Employee Plan.
The affirmative vote of the holders of the majority of the voting power of
the shares present, in person or by Proxy, and entitled to vote is required to
approve the Full-time Employee Plan.
IT IS INTENDED THAT, UNLESS OTHERWISE INSTRUCTED, THE SHARES REPRESENTED BY
THE PROXY WILL BE VOTED IN FAVOR OF THE APPROVAL OF THE FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE PLAN.
OTHER BUSINESS
The Company knows of no other matters to be acted upon at the Meeting. If
any other matters properly come before the Meeting it is the intention of the
persons named in the enclosed Proxy to vote the shares they represent as the
Board of Directors may recommend.
PROPOSALS FOR THE NEXT REGULAR MEETING
Any proposals by a Shareholder to be presented at the 1995 Regular Meeting
of Shareholders must be received at the Company's principal executive offices at
7075 Flying Cloud Drive, Eden Prairie, Minnesota 55344, no later than January
15, 1995.
By Order of the Board of Directors
Elliot S. Kaplan
SECRETARY
Dated: May , 1994
17
PROXY
BEST BUY CO., INC.
7075 FLYING CLOUD DRIVE
EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA 55344
REGULAR MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS -- JUNE 22, 1994
THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF MANAGEMENT
The undersigned hereby appoint(s) Richard M. Schulze and Elliot S. Kaplan,
or either of them, each with the power of substitution, as proxies and agents
("Proxy Agents"), in the name of the undersigned to represent and to vote as
designated below all of the shares of Common Stock of Best Buy Co., Inc. (the
"Company"), held of record by the undersigned on Wednesday, May 11, 1994, at the
Regular Meeting of Shareholders to be held on Wednesday, June 22, 1994, at 3:00
p.m., and any adjournment(s) thereof, the undersigned herewith ratifying all
that the said Proxy Agents may so do. The undersigned further acknowledges
receipt of the Notice of Regular Meeting and the Proxy Statement in support of
Management's solicitation of proxies dated May , 1994.
1. ELECTION OF FOUR CLASS 1 DIRECTORS:
/ / FOR all the nominees listed below. / / WITHHOLD AUTHORITY
(Except as marked to the contrary) to vote for nominee.
(INSTRUCTION: To withhold authority for any individual nominee, strike a line
through the nominee's name in the list below)
BRADBURY H. ANDERSON
FRANK D. TRESTMAN
DAVID STANLEY
JAMES C. WETHERBE
2. PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE as the Company's
independent auditor for the current fiscal year.
/ / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN
3. PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE COMPANY'S BONUS PLAN FOR EXECUTIVE OFFICERS.
/ / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN
4. PROPOSAL TO APPROVE THE COMPANY'S 1994 FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE NON-QUALIFIED
STOCK OPTION PLAN.
/ / FOR / / AGAINST / / ABSTAIN
5. In their discretion, the Proxy Agents are authorized to vote upon such other
business as may properly come before the meeting.
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED AND RETURNED TO THE COMPANY, WILL BE
VOTED IN THE MANNER DIRECTED HEREIN BY THE UNDERSIGNED SHAREHOLDER(S). IF NO
DIRECTION IS MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR PROPOSALS 1, 2, 3 and 4.
PLEASE DATE AND SIGN exactly as name(s) appears hereon and return promptly
in the accompanying postpaid envelope. If shares are held by joint tenants or as
community property, both shareholders should sign.
Dated: _________________________ , 1994
_______________________________________
(Signature)
_______________________________________
(Signature)
3
BEST BUY CO., INC.
1994
FULL-TIME EMPLOYEE NON-QUALIFIED
STOCK OPTION PLAN
A. PURPOSE.
The purpose of this Full-time Employee Non-Qualified Stock Option Plan
("Plan") is to further the growth and general prosperity of Best Buy Co., Inc.
("Company") by enabling full-time employees of the Company to acquire shares of
the common stock of the Company under the terms and conditions and in the manner
contemplated by this Plan, thereby increasing their personal interest in the
success of the Company and enabling the Company to obtain and retain the
services of such employees. Options granted under the Plan are intended to be
options which do not meet the requirements of Section 422A of the Internal
Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
B. ADMINISTRATION.
This Plan shall be administered by the Compensation Committee of the
Company's Board of Directors (the "Committee"). Options may not be granted to
any person while serving on the Committee unless approved by a majority of the
disinterested members of the Board of Directors. Subject to such orders and
resolutions not inconsistent with the provisions of this Plan as may from time
to time be issued or adopted by the Board of Directors, the Committee shall have
full power and authority to interpret the Plan and, to the extent contemplated
herein, shall exercise the discretion granted to it regarding participation in
the Plan and the number of shares to be optioned and sold to each participant.
All decisions, determinations and selections made by the Committee
pursuant to the provisions of the Plan and applicable orders and resolutions of
the Board of Directors shall be final. Each option granted shall be evidenced
by a written agreement containing such terms and conditions as may be approved
by the Committee and which shall not be inconsistent with the Plan and the
orders and resolutions of the Board of Directors with respect thereto.
C. ELIGIBILITY AND PARTICIPATION.
Options may be granted under the Plan to any full-time employee of the
Company who is not an officer of the Company. The Committee shall grant to such
participants options to purchase shares in such amounts as the Committee shall
from time to time determine.
D. SHARES SUBJECT TO THE PLAN.
Subject to adjustment as provided in Section E. herein, an aggregate of
750,000 shares of $0.10 par value common stock of the
Company shall be subject to this Plan from authorized but unissued shares of the
Company. Such number and kind of shares shall be appropriately adjusted in the
event of any one or more stock splits, reverse stock splits or stock dividends
hereafter paid or declared with respect to such stock. If, prior to the
termination of the Plan, shares issued pursuant hereto shall have been
repurchased by the Company pursuant to this Plan, such repurchased shares shall
again become available for issuance under the Plan.
Any shares which, after the effective date of this Plan, shall become
subject to valid outstanding options under this Plan may, to the extent of the
release of any such shares from option by termination or expiration of option(s)
without valid exercise, be made the subject of additional options under this
Plan.
E. ADJUSTMENTS UPON CHANGES IN CAPITALIZATION.
In the event of a merger, consolidation, reorganization, stock dividend,
stock split, or other change in corporate structure or capitalization affecting
the common shares of the Company, an appropriate adjustment shall be made in the
maximum number of shares available to any one individual and in the number,
kind, exercise price, etc., of shares subject to options granted under the Plan
as may be determined by the Committee.
F. TERMS AND CONDITIONS OF OPTIONS.
The Committee shall have the power, subject to the limitations contained
in this Plan, to prescribe any terms and conditions in respect of the granting
or exercise of any option under this Plan and, in particular, shall prescribe
the following terms and conditions:
(1) Each option shall state the number of shares to which it
pertains.
(2) The Committee shall determine the price at which shares shall
be sold to participants hereunder (the "Exercise Price"), provided however
that in no event shall the Exercise Price be less than the fair market
value of the stock as of the date of grant. Payment of the Exercise Price
shall be made at the time the shares are sold hereunder by cash or check
payable to the Company.
(3) An option shall be exercisable in whole or in part (but not as
to less than twenty-five percent of the original aggregate amount of
shares of common stock made subject to the option) with respect to the
shares included therein until the earlier of (a) the close of business on
the tenth day prior to the proposed effective date of (i) any merger or
consolidation of the Company with any other corporation or entity as a
result of which the holders of the common stock
-2-
of the Company will own less than a majority voting control of the
surviving corporation; (ii) any sale of substantially all of the assets of
the Company or (iii) any sale of common stock of the Company to a person
not a stockholder on the date of issuance of the option who thereby
acquires majority voting control of the Company, subject to any such
transaction actually being consummated, or (b) 4:00 p,m., local standard
time, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on the date four (4) years after the date
the option was granted. The Company shall give written notice to the
optionee not less than 30 days prior to the proposed effective date of any
of the transactions described in (a) above.
(4) Except in the event of death, an option shall be exercisable
with respect to the shares included therein not earlier than the date one
(1) year following the date of grant of the option, nor later than the
date four (4) years following the date of grant of the option, and,
during the first year that the option may be exercised, the optionee may
exercise such optionee's right only to the extent of fifty percent (50%)
of the shares subject to such option.
(5) Except in the event of death, an option may be exercised only
by the optionee while such optionee is, and has continually been, since
the date of the grant of the option, an employee of the Company. If the
continuous employment of an optionee terminates by reason of death, an
option granted hereunder held by the deceased employee may be exercised to
the extent of all shares subject to the option within one (1) year
following the date of death, but in no event later than four (4)S years
after the date of grant of such option, by the person or persons to whom
the participant's rights under such option shall have passed by will or by
the applicable laws descent and distribution.
(6) An option shall be exercised when written notice of such
exercise has been given to the Company at its principal business office by
the person entitled to exercise the option and full payment for the shares
with respect to which the option is exercised has been received by the
Company. Until the stock certificates are issued, no right to vote or
receive dividends or any other rights as a shareholder shall exist with
respect to optioned shares, notwithstanding the exercise of the option.
G. OPTIONS NOT TRANSFERRABLE.
Options under the Plan may not be sold, pledged, assigned or transferred
in any manner, whether by operation of law or otherwise except by will or the
laws of descent, and may be exercised during the lifetime of an optionee only by
such optionee.
-3-
H. AMENDMENT OR TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.
The Board of Directors of the Company may amend this Plan from time to
time as it may deem advisable and may at any time terminate the Plan, provided
that any such termination of the Plan shall not adversely affect options already
granted and such options shall remain in full force and effect as if the Plan
had not been terminated.
I. AGREEMENT AND REPRESENTATIONS OF PARTICIPANTS.
As a condition precedent to the exercise of any option or portion thereof,
the Company may require the person exercising such option to represent and
warrant at the time of any such exercise that the shares are being purchased
only for investment and without any present intention to sell or distribute such
shares if, in the opinion of counsel for the Company, such a representation is
required under the Securities Act of 1933 or any other applicable law,
regulation or rule of any governmental agency.
In the event legal counsel to the Company renders an opinion to the
Company that shares for options exercised pursuant to this Plan cannot be issued
to the optionee because such action would violate any applicable federal or
state securities laws, then in that event the optionee agrees that the Company
shall not be required to issue said shares to the optionee and shall have no
liability to the optionee other than the return to optionee of amounts tendered
to the Company upon exercise of the option.
J. EFFECTIVE DATE AND TERMINATION OF THE PLAN.
The Plan shall be effective as of April 4, 1994 if approved thereafter by
the Shareholders of the Company. The Plan shall terminate on the earliest of:
(1) The date when all the common shares available under the Plan
shall have been acquired through the exercise of options granted under the
Plan; or
(2) Ten (10) years after the date of approval of the Plan by the
Shareholders of the Company; or
(3) Such other earlier date as the Board of Directors of the
Company may determine.
K. FORM OF OPTION.
Options shall be issued in substantially the form as the Compensation
Committee or the Board may approve.
-4-
CERTIFICATE OF RESOLUTIONS
I, Elliot S. Kaplan, the Secretary of Best Buy Co., Inc., a Minnesota
corporation, do hereby certify that the following resolutions were duly adopted
by the Directors of this corporation at a special meeting held March 30, 1994,
and that said resolutions are still in full force and effect:
RESOLVED:
The Board of Directors of this corporation hereby adopts, subject to
shareholder approval, a bonus plan for the senior officers of the
corporation such that if the corporation achieves its budgeted net income
or does better for a particular fiscal year, then a bonus will be payable
to each senior officer in respect of such fiscal year in an amount equal to
a percentage of such officer's base salary determined by the corporation's
actual net income, which target levels and percentages shall be established
annually by the Compensation Committee or the Board.
RESOLVED
FURTHER:
The Board of Directors of this corporation hereby orders that the
foregoing bonus plan for senior officers be submitted to the shareholders
when convened in their next meeting and recommends approval of such plan by
the shareholders when so presented to them for consideration.
RESOLVED
FURTHER:
For purposes of the foregoing resolutions, the "base
salary" for any officer shall be the base salary established
for such officer effective as of April 1 of the particular
fiscal year, notwithstanding any change in an officer's base
salary during such fiscal year.
Dated: May 9, 1994.
/s/ Elliot S. Kaplan
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Elliot S. Kaplan
Secretary