SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. ) Filed by the Registrant /X/ Filed by a Party other than the Registrant / / Check the appropriate box: /X/ Preliminary Proxy Statement / / Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) / / Definitive Proxy Statement / / Definitive Additional Materials / / Soliciting Material Pursuant to Section 240.14a-11(c) or Section 240.14a-12 CERTIFIED GROCERS OF CALIFORNIA, LTD. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant) Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box): /X/ $125 per Exchange Act Rules 0-11(c)(1)(ii), 14a-6(i)(1), 14a-6(i)(2) or Item 22(a)(2) of Schedule 14A. / / $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. 1) Title of each class of securities to which transaction applies: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2) Aggregate number of securities to which transaction applies: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3) Per unit price or other underlying value of transaction computed pursuant to Exchange Act Rule 0-11 (Set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 5) Total fee paid: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ / / Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. / / Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. 1) Amount Previously Paid: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 3) Filing Party: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ 4) Date Filed: ------------------------------------------------------------------------ PRELIMINARY COPY ADVISORY BALLOT Mark up to 12 names, but not more than 12. The parenthetical letter "N" designates representatives for Northern California shareholders. / / Louis A. Amen (Incumbent) / / William Andronico (N) / / John Berberian (Incumbent) / / William C. Evans (N) / / Gene A. Fulton (Incumbent) / / Scott Hair / / Lyle A. Hughes (Incumbent) / / Darioush Khaledi (Incumbent) / / Mark Kidd (N) (Incumbent) / / Richard L. London / / Willard "Bill" MacAloney (Incumbent) / / Jay McCormack (Incumbent) / / Louis Melillo / / Morrie Notrica (Incumbent) / / Michael A. Provenzano (Incumbent) / / Gail Gerrard Rice / / Allan Scharn (Incumbent) / / Farid (Mike) Shalabi / / Jim Stump (Incumbent) / / Milt Thaler / / Daniel W. Vengler / / Kenneth Young (N) (Incumbent) IMPORTANT! This ballot is not a proxy. At this time we are not asking you for a proxy, and request that you not send us a proxy. This ballot is not valid unless returned in the envelope provided. It must be received by January 19, 1996. CERTIFIED GROCERS OF CALIFORNIA, LTD. PRELIMINARY COPY CERTIFIED GROCERS OF CALIFORNIA, LTD. STATEMENT REGARDING ADVISORY BALLOT The enclosed Advisory Ballot is solicited by the Nominating Committee of the Board of Directors of Certified Grocers of California, Ltd. (the "Company"). This Statement, and the enclosed Advisory Ballot and Candidates' Statements, were first mailed to shareholders on or about January 2, 1996. The address of the principal executive office of the Company is 2601 South Eastern Avenue, Los Angeles, California 90040. FUNCTION AND PURPOSE OF THE ADVISORY BALLOT At the Company's Annual Meeting of Shareholders, presently scheduled for April 2, 1996, the 15 members of the Company's Board of Directors will be elected. Twelve directors will be elected by the holders of the Company's Class A Shares, and three directors will be elected by the holders of the Company's Class B Shares. In connection with the Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors will solicit proxies. However, the enclosed Advisory Ballot is not a proxy, and at this time WE ARE NOT ASKING YOU FOR A PROXY AND YOU ARE REQUESTED NOT TO SEND US A PROXY. Pursuant to the Company's Bylaws, the Board of Directors annually appoints a Nominating Committee to select the 15 persons who will be nominated by the Board of Directors for election by the shareholders to the Board of Directors. The enclosed Advisory Ballot is being solicited by the Nominating Committee from the holders of the Company's Class A Shares to assist the Nominating Committee in selecting the 12 persons who will be submitted as nominees for election as directors by the holders of such shares. This Advisory Ballot is not being used by the Nominating Committee in connection with its selection of the three persons who will be submitted as nominees for election as directors by the holders of the Company's Class B Shares. The Advisory Ballot contains the names of 22 persons, 13 of whom are incumbent directors and four of whom have been designated as representing Northern California shareholders. Of the four representing Northern California shareholders, the Nominating Committee will nominate for election at least two of these persons whether or not they are among the 12 persons receiving the highest number of votes on the Advisory Ballot. The two to be nominated will be those receiving the highest number of votes from among the four persons designated in the Advisory Ballot as representing Northern California shareholders. With this exception, it is the policy of the Nominating Committee to abide by the results of the vote on the Advisory Ballot and to select as nominees for election to the Board of Directors the 12 persons receiving the highest number of votes. However, such results are advisory only and are not binding on the Nominating Committee, and the Nominating Committee may in its discretion disregard the results, in whole or in part, in making its selection of nominees. The Nominating Committee will consider the recommendations of shareholders concerning persons to be included in the Advisory Ballot, and concerning persons to be nominated for election by the holders of the Company's Class B Shares. The Company's Bylaws require that a director be either an employee of the Company, a shareholder, or that the director be a member of a partnership which is a shareholder, or an employee of a corporation which is a shareholder. Persons recommended to the Nominating Committee can be considered ONLY if they satisfy these requirements. All recommendations must be in writing and must be submitted to the Nominating Committee on or before September 1 of each year. Recommendations should be submitted to the Nominating Committee at the address of the Company's principal executive office set forth above. 1 ADVISORY BALLOT VOTING RIGHTS AND SOLICITATION As of December 11, 1995, the Company had outstanding 50,300 Class A Shares held 100 shares each by 503 shareholders. If you were the holder of record of Class A Shares on that date, you may vote on the enclosed Advisory Ballot. Set forth below are the persons named in the Advisory Ballot, all of whom have consented to being named in the Advisory Ballot. Incumbent directors are denoted by an asterisk and persons designated as representing Northern California shareholders are denoted by the parenthetical letter "N". Louis A. Amen* Jay McCormack* William Andronico (N) Louis Melillo John Berberian* Morrie Notrica* William C. Evans (N) Michael A. Provenzano* Gene A. Fulton* Gail Gerrard Rice Scott Hair Allan Scharn* Lyle A. Hughes* Farid (Mike) Shalabi Darioush Khaledi* James R. Stump* Mark Kidd* (N) Milt Thaler Richard L. London Daniel W. Vengler Willard R. MacAloney* Kenneth Young* (N) In voting on the Advisory Ballot, you are entitled to cast one vote each for up to 12 of the persons named in the Advisory Ballot. While you may vote for fewer than 12 of the persons named in the Advisory Ballot, if you vote for more than 12 of the persons named, your Advisory Ballot will be invalidated. In addition, if you cast more than one vote for any person named in the Advisory Ballot, only one vote will be counted for that person and the additional votes will be disregarded. The return envelope accompanying the enclosed Advisory Ballot is marked with a control number. THE ADVISORY BALLOT WILL NOT BE VALID UNLESS IT IS RETURNED IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED AND THE CONTROL NUMBER IS LEGIBLE. TO BE VALID, THE ADVISORY BALLOT MUST BE RECEIVED ON OR BEFORE JANUARY 19, 1996. The Company's independent accountants, Coopers & Lybrand, L.L.P., will tabulate the vote on the Advisory Ballot. The cost of soliciting the Advisory Ballots, consisting of the preparation, printing, handling, mailing and tabulation of the Advisory Ballots, this Statement and related material, will be paid by the Company. PRINCIPAL STOCKHOLDERS As of December 11, 1995, no person is known by the Company to own beneficially more than five percent (5%) of the outstanding Class A Shares of the Company, and the only shareholders known by the Company to own beneficially more than 5% of the outstanding Class B Shares of the Company are Cala Co., Alpha Beta Company, Bay Area Warehouse Stores, Inc. and Ralphs Grocery Company, 777 South Harbor Boulevard, La Habra, California 90631 (28,620 Class B Shares or approximately 7.83% of the outstanding Class B Shares) (Cala Co., Alpha Beta Company and Bay Area Warehouse Stores, Inc. are wholly owned by Ralphs Grocery Company which is in turn wholly owned by The Yucaipa Companies, 10000 Santa Monica Boulevard, Los Angeles, California 90067); and Hughes Markets, Inc., 14005 Live Oak Avenue, Irwindale, California 91706 (26,106 Class B Shares or approximately 7.14% of the outstanding Class B Shares). 2 SECURITY OWNERSHIP AND OTHER INFORMATION CONCERNING MANAGEMENT AND PERSONS NAMED IN THE ADVISORY BALLOT The following table sets forth the beneficial ownership of the Company's Class A Shares and Class B Shares, as of December 11, 1995, by each director or his affiliated company, including the directors elected by the holders of the Company's Class B Shares, by each person or his affiliated company named in the Advisory Ballot who is not a director, and by all directors and such persons as a group. No officer of the Company owns shares of any class of the Company's stock. SHARES OWNED ------------------------------------------------ CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES -------------------- ------------------------- NAME AND NO. % OF TOTAL NO. % OF TOTAL AFFILIATED COMPANY SHARES OUTSTANDING SHARES OUTSTANDING ---------------------------------------- ------ ----------- ----------- ----------- Louis A. Amen Super A Foods, Inc..................... 100 0.20% 9,718 2.66% William Andronico Park and Shop Market, Inc. ........... 100 0.20% 3,395 0.93% John Berberian Berberian Enterprises, Inc............ 100 0.20% 7,615 2.08% William C. Evans Twain Harte Market, Inc. ............. 100 0.20% 395 0.11% Gene A. Fulton Jensen's Complete Shopping, Inc. ..... 100 0.20% 1,555 0.43% Scott Hair Green Frog Market..................... 100 0.20% 395 0.11% Lyle A. Hughes Yucaipa Trading Co., Inc.(1)(2)....... 100 0.20% 0 -- Roger K. Hughes Hughes Markets, Inc.(1)(3)............ 100 0.20% 26,106 7.14% Darioush Khaledi K. V. Mart Co. ....................... 100 0.20% 13,796 3.77% Mark Kidd Mar-Val Food Stores, Inc. ............ 100 0.20% 1,787 0.49% Richard L. London Major Market, Inc. ................... 100 0.20% 1,579 0.43% Willard R. MacAloney Mac Ber, Inc.......................... 100 0.20% 2,523 0.69% Jay McCormack Alamo Market(4)....................... 100 0.20% 732 0.20% Louis Melillo Louis Foods, Inc...................... 100 0.20% 855 0.23% Morrie Notrica Joe Notrica, Inc. .................... 100 0.20% 8,148 2.23% Michael A. Provenzano Pro & Son's, Inc. .................... 100 0.20% 672 0.18% Gail Gerrard Rice Gerrard's, Inc. ...................... 100 0.20% 1,414 0.39% Allan Scharn Gelson's Markets(5)................... 100 0.20% 7,123 1.95% Farid (Mike) Shalabi R-Ranch Markets, Inc.................. 100 0.20% 2,438 0.67% 3 SHARES OWNED ------------------------------------------------ CLASS A SHARES CLASS B SHARES -------------------- ------------------------- NAME AND NO. % OF TOTAL NO. % OF TOTAL AFFILIATED COMPANY SHARES OUTSTANDING SHARES OUTSTANDING ---------------------------------------- ------ ----------- ----------- ----------- James R. Stump Stump's Market, Inc. ................. 100 0.20% 1,866 0.51% Milt Thaler T./R. Foods, Inc. .................... 100 0.20% 2,402 0.66% Daniel W. Vengler Oak Creek Market, Inc................. 100 0.20% 3,107 0.85% Michael A. Webb SavMax Foods, Inc.(3)................. 100 0.20% 8,410 2.30% Kenneth Young Jack Young's Supermarkets(6).......... 100 0.20% 2,660 0.73% ------ --- ----------- ----- 2,400 4.77% 109,046 29.83% ------ --- ----------- ----- ------ --- ----------- ----- <FN> - ------------------------ (1) Messrs. Lyle A. Hughes and Roger K. Hughes are unrelated. (2) Mr. Lyle Hughes is also affiliated with Yucaipa Food Fair, Inc. which owns 546 Class B Shares (0.15% of the outstanding Class B Shares). (3) Elected by holders of Class B Shares. (4) Mr. McCormack also is affiliated with Glen Avon Food, Inc. which owns 100 Class A Shares and 336 Class B Shares (0.01% of the outstanding Class B Shares) and Yucaipa Trading Co., Inc. which owns 100 Class A Shares and no Class B Shares. (5) These shares are owned by Arden Mayfair, Inc., the parent company of Gelson's Markets. (6) Mr. Young also is affiliated with Bakersfield Food City, Inc. dba Young's Markets which owns 100 Class A Shares and 355 Class B Shares. (0.01% of the outstanding Class B Shares). The following table sets forth the present directors of the Company, including the directors elected by the holders of the Company's Class B Shares, the year such directors were first elected to the Board of Directors, those persons named in the Advisory Ballot who are not directors of the Company, and certain other information. YEAR AGE AS OF FIRST PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION NAME 12/31/95 ELECTED DURING LAST 5 YEARS - ------------------------------ --------- ------- --------------------------------------------- Louis A. Amen 66 1974 President, Super A Foods, Inc. William Andronico 38 -- President, Park and Shop Market, Inc., Operating Andronico's Market John Berberian 44 1991 President, Berberian Enterprises, Inc., operating Jons Markets William C. Evans 63 -- President, Twain Harte Market, Inc. Gene A. Fulton 56 1994 President-Owner, Jensen's Complete Shopping, Inc., operating Jensen's Finest Foods Scott Hair 40 -- Managing Director, Green Frog Market Lyle A. Hughes (1) 58 1987 General Manager, Yucaipa Trading Co., Inc., operating Super Penny Mart Roger K. Hughes (1)(2) 61 1985 Chairman of the Board and Director, Hughes Markets, Inc. 4 YEAR AGE AS OF FIRST PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION NAME 12/31/95 ELECTED DURING LAST 5 YEARS - ------------------------------ --------- ------- --------------------------------------------- Darioush Khaledi 49 1993 Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer, K. V. Mart Co., operating Top Valu Markets and Valu Plus Food Warehouse Mark Kidd 45 1992 President, Mar-Val Food Stores, Inc. Richard L. London 60 -- President and Chief Executive Officer, Major Market, Inc. Willard R. MacAloney 60 1981 President and Chief Executive Officer, Mac Ber, Inc., operating Jax Market Jay McCormack 45 1993 Owner-Operator, Alamo Market; Co-owner, Glen Avon Market Louis Melillo 69 -- President-Owner, Louis Foods Supermarket; President-Owner Fiesta Farms Market Morrie Notrica 66 1988 President and Chief Operating Officer, Joe Notrica, Inc., operating The Original 32nd Street Market Michael A. Provenzano 53 1986 President, Pro & Son's, Inc., operating Southland Market; formerly President, Carlton's Market, Inc. Gail Gerrard Rice 47 -- Executive Vice President, Gerrard's, Inc., operating Gerrard's Cypress Center Allan Scharn 60 1988 President, Gelson's Markets Farid (Mike) Shalabi 35 -- President and Chief Executive Officer, R-Ranch Markets, Inc. James R. Stump 57 1982 President, Stump's Market, Inc. Milt Thaler 70 -- President, T./R. Foods, Inc., operating City Foods Daniel W. Vengler 50 -- President, Oak Creek Market, Inc. Michael A. Webb (2) 38 1992 President and Chief Executive Officer, SavMax Foods, Inc. Kenneth Young 51 1994 Vice President, Jack Young's Supermarkets; Vice President, Bakersfield Food City, Inc. dba Young's Markets <FN> - ------------------------ (1) Messrs. Lyle A. Hughes and Roger K. Hughes are unrelated. (2) Elected by holders of Class B Shares. 5 BOARD MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES The Board of Directors of the Company held a total of six meetings during the fiscal year ended September 2, 1995. Each incumbent director who was in office during such year attended more than 75% of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the board and the total number of meetings held by those committees of the board on which he served. The Company has an Audit Committee which presently consists of Gene Fulton, Lyle Hughes and Kenneth Young, who are directors of the Company. Willard R. MacAloney, Chairman of the Board of Directors, is an ex-officio member of the Committee. This Committee, which met two times during the Company's last fiscal year, is primarily responsible for approving and reviewing the services performed by the Company's independent auditors, reviewing the annual results of their audit, and reviewing the Company's accounting practices and system of internal accounting controls. The Company has a Personnel and Executive Compensation Committee which presently consists of Louis A. Amen, Roger Hughes, Darioush Khaledi, James R. Stump and Michael A. Webb, who are directors of the Company. Willard R. MacAloney, Chairman of the Board of Directors, is an ex-officio member of this Committee. This Committee, which met two times during the Company's last fiscal year, is responsible for reviewing salaries and other compensation arrangements of all officers and for making recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning such matters. The Company has a Nominating Committee which presently consists of Gene A. Fulton, Mark Kidd, Jay McCormack and Morrie Notrica who are directors of the Company. Willard R. MacAloney, Chairman of the Board of Directors, and Alfred A. Plamann, President and CEO, are ex-officio members of this Committee. This Committee, which met two times during the Company's last fiscal year, is responsible for selecting nominees to be submitted by the Board of Directors to the shareholders for election to the Board of Directors. COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION As noted under the caption "Board Meetings and Committees", the Company's Personnel and Executive Compensation Committee (presently consisting of Directors Louis A. Amen, Roger Hughes, Darioush Khaledi, James R. Stump, Michael A. Webb, and ex-officio member and Chairman of the Board, Willard R. MacAloney) is responsible for reviewing salaries and other compensation arrangements of the officers of the Company and for making recommendations to the Board of Directors concerning such matters. Except for Mr. MacAloney, no member of the Personnel and Executive Compensation Committee is, or has been at any time in the past, an officer or employee of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. As Chairman of the Board, Mr. MacAloney is an officer under the Bylaws of the Company, although he is not an employee and does not receive any compensation or expense reimbursement beyond that to which other directors are entitled. The Company guarantees annual rent and certain other obligations of Mr. MacAloney as lessee under a lease of store premises located in La Puente, California. Annual rent under the lease is $62,487, and the lease term expires in April 1997. The Company also guarantees annual rent and certain other obligations of G & M Company, Inc., of which Mr. MacAloney is a shareholder, under a lease of store premises located in Santa Fe Springs, California. Annual rent under the lease is $82,544, and the lease term expires in October 1997. In consideration of its guarantees, the Company receives a monthly fee from G & M Company, Inc. equal to 5% of the base monthly rent under each lease. Grocers Capital Company ("GCC"), a subsidiary, guarantees a portion of a loan made by National Consumer Cooperative Bank ("NCCB") to K.V. Mart Co., of which director Darioush Khaledi is the President and a shareholder, and KV Property Company, of which director Darioush Khaledi is a general partner. The term of the loan is eight years, maturing January 1, 2002, and the loan bears interest at a floating rate based on the commercial loan base rate of NCCB. The loan is collateralized by certain real and 6 personal property. The guarantee by GCC is limited to 10% of the $2.1 million principal amount of the loan. In consideration of its guarantee, GCC will receive an annual fee from K.V. Mart Co. equal to approximately 5% of the guarantee amount. GCC has guaranteed a portion of a $5,000,000 revolving loan made by NCCB to K.V. Mart Co. in November 1995. The loan has an initial maturity of two years, with the outstanding balance then converting to a five year term loan. The loan bears interest at a floating rate based on the commercial loan rate of NCCB. The loan is collateralized by certain real and personal property of K.V. Mart Co. The guaranty of GCC is limited to 10% of the outstanding principal amount of the loan. In consideration of its guaranty, GCC will receive an annual fee from K.V. Mart Co. equal to 5% of the guaranty amount. The Company is proposing to enter into a guaranty of rent and certain other obligations of K.V. Mart Co. under a lease of store premises to be constructed in Lynwood, California. The guaranty would be for a term of seven years. Annual rent under the lease will be $408,000. In consideration of its guaranty, the Company will receive an annual fee from K.V. Mart Co. equal to 5% of the annual rent. GCC is proposing to purchase 10% of the common stock of K.V. Mart Co. for a purchase price of approximately $3,000,000. In connection with this purchase, K.V. Mart Co., GCC, Mr. Khaledi and the other shareholders of K.V. Mart Co. will agree that GCC will have certain preemptive rights to acquire additional common shares, rights to have its common shares included proportionately in any transfer of common shares by the other shareholders, and rights to have its common shares included in certain registered public offerings of common stock which may be made by K.V. Mart Co. In addition, GCC will have certain rights, at its option, to require that K.V. Mart Co. repurchase GCC's shares, and K.V. Mart Co. will have certain rights, at its option, to repurchase GCC's shares. In connection with these transactions, K.V. Mart Co. will enter into a seven year supply agreement with the Company whereunder K.V. Mart Co. will be required to purchase a substantial portion of its merchandise requirements from the Company. The supply agreement will be subject to earlier termination in certain situations. The Company guarantees annual rent and certain other obligations of Stump's Market, Inc., of which director James R. Stump is the President and a shareholder, as leasee under a lease of store premises located in San Diego, California. Annual rent under the lease is $26,325, and the lease term expires in May 1998. The Company also guaranteed annual rent and certain other obligations of Stump's Market, Inc. as lessee under a lease of store premises at a second location in San Diego, California. Annual rent under this lease was $16,350, and the lease term expired in April 1995. In fiscal 1994, GCC acquired 25,000 shares of preferred stock of SavMax Foods, Inc. ("SavMax"), of which director Michael A. Webb is the President and a shareholder. The purchase price was $100 per share. At the time, GCC owned 40,000 shares of preferred stock of SavMax which it acquired in fiscal 1992. As part of the new purchase of preferred stock, the annual cumulative dividend on the 65,000 shares of preferred stock owned by GCC was increased from $8.25 per share to $8.50 per share, payable quarterly. Mandatory partial redemption of this stock at a price of $100 per share began in 1994 and will continue annually thereafter for eight years, at which time the stock is to be completely retired. GCC also purchased from Mr. Webb and another member of his immediate family, 10% of the common stock of SavMax for a price of $2.5 million. In connection with this purchase, Mr. Webb, SavMax and GCC agreed that GCC will have certain preemptive rights to acquire additional common shares, rights to have its common shares included proportionately in any transfer of common shares by Mr. Webb, and rights to have its common shares included in certain registered public offerings of common stock which may be made by SavMax. In addition, GCC has certain rights, at its option, to require that SavMax repurchase GCC's shares, and SavMax has certain rights, at its option, to repurchase GCC's shares. In connection with these transactions, SavMax entered into a seven year supply agreement with the Company (to replace an existing supply agreement) whereunder SavMax is required to purchase a substantial portion of its merchandise requirements from the Company. The supply agreement is subject to earlier termination in certain situations. The Company guarantees certain obligations of SavMax under three leases of market premises located in Sacramento, San Jose and San Leandro, California. Each of these guaranties relates to the obligation of SavMax to pay base rent, common area maintenance charges, real estate taxes and insurance during the 7 initial 20 year terms of these leases. However, the guaranties are such that the Company's obligation under each of them is limited to an amount equal to sixty monthly payments (which need not be consecutive) of the obligations guaranteed. Base rent is $40,482 per month under the Sacramento lease and $56,756 per month under the San Jose lease, in each case subject to a 7 1/2% increase at the end of each five years. Base rent is $42,454 per month under the San Leandro lease, subject to a 10% increase at the end of each five years. In consideration of these guaranties, the Company receives a monthly fee from SavMax equal to 5% of the base monthly rent under these leases. The Company guarantees certain obligations of SavMax under two leases of market premises located in Ceres and Vacaville, California. The leases have initial terms expiring in January 2005 and April 2007, respectively. Base monthly rent under the Ceres lease is presently $32,175, increasing to $34,425 in January of 2000. Base monthly rent under the Vacaville lease is presently $29,167, increasing by $25,000 per year in April of 1997 and 2002. In consideration of these guaranties, the Company will receive a monthly fee from SavMax equal to 5% of the base monthly rent under these leases. The Company leases certain market premises located in Sacramento and Vallejo, California, and in turn subleases these premises to SavMax. The Sacramento sublease provides for a term of 20 years and the Vallejo sublease provides for a term of 10 years. Neither sublease contains options to extend, although SavMax has the option under each sublease to acquire the Company's interest under its lease on the condition that the Company is released from all further liability thereunder. The term of the Sacramento sublease commenced in September of 1994. The Sacramento premises consist of approximately 50,000 square feet and annual base rent under the sublease is at the following per square foot rates: $8.00 during years 1 and 2; $8.40 during years 3 through 5; $8.82 during years 6 through 10; $9.26 during years 11 through 15; and, $9.72 during years 16 through 20. The term of the Vallejo sublease commenced in September of 1995 and annual base rent under the sublease is $279,000. In addition, under each of these subleases, the Company receives monthly an additional amount equal to 5% of the base monthly rent. The Company is proposing to lease certain market premises to be constructed and located in Los Banos, California, which it in turn will sublease to Maxco Foods, Inc. ("Maxco"), a corporation of which SavMax is a shareholder. The sublease to Maxco would provide for a term of 20 years, without options to extend, although Maxco will have the option to acquire the Company's interest under its lease on the condition that the Company is released from all further liability thereunder. The premises will consist of approximately 50,000 square feet and annual base rental under the sublease is as follows: $390,000 during years 1 through 5; $424,125 during years 6 through 10; $461,236 during years 11 through 15; and, $501,594 during years 16 through 20. In addition, the Company will receive monthly an additional amount equal to 5% of the base monthly rent. In connection with this transaction, Maxco will enter into a seven year supply agreement with the Company whereunder Maxco would be required to purchase a substantial portion of its merchandise requirements from the Company. The supply agreement will be subject to earlier termination in certain situations. With respect to the Los Banos sublease, GCC is proposing to make a seven year equipment loan in the amount of $1,620,000, a five year inventory loan in the amount of $675,000 and a five year deposit fund loan in the amount of $350,000 to Maxco. The equipment and inventory loans will bear interest at prime plus 3%, and the deposit fund loan will bear interest at prime plus 2%. The loans will be secured by a security interest in all of the equipment, fixtures and inventory at the Los Banos store and by personal guarantees. In addition, in certain events, SavMax is required to assume the obligations of Maxco under the loans, the sublease of the Los Banos premises and the obligations of Maxco under its supply agreement with the Company. 8 REPORT OF PERSONNEL AND EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION COMMITTEE ON EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION The principal components of the Company's executive compensation program consist of an annual salary, an annual cash bonus the payment of which is dependent upon Company performance during the preceding fiscal year, and certain pension, retirement and life insurance benefits. SALARY In determining officer salaries, including that of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Personnel and Executive Compensation Committee's policy is to set salaries at levels which recognize officer performance, are commensurate with the responsibilities assigned to the various officer positions, and will enable the Company to attract and retain highly qualified executives for its officer positions. In considering officer salaries for calendar year 1994, the Committee took note of the on-going cost reduction efforts implemented by the officer group under the direction of the CEO. These efforts were undertaken in response to the significant volume declines experienced by the Company as a result of a reduction in purchases by certain large retailers who commenced self-distribution programs or were acquired by chains already engaged in self-distribution. These efforts resulted in the consolidation of Company operations into fewer facilities and substantial savings in payroll expenses through significant reductions in the number of employees. The Committee's procedure in approving officers' salaries, including that of the CEO, involves meeting in closed session and without the CEO or other management personnel being present. In addition to the considerations mentioned above, this process, which is subjective in nature, centers on the Committee's consideration of the CEO's evaluation of each individual officer based on the CEO's perception of their performance in accordance with individual officer responsibilities as defined by personal and organizational goals and objectives, the relative value and importance of individual officer contribution toward organizational success, relative levels of officer responsibilities and changes in the scope of officer responsibilities, and officer accomplishments and contributions during the preceding fiscal year. The Committee also reviews and discusses the salary recommendations made by the CEO for each officer. These recommendations do not include any recommendation as to the CEO's salary, and the Committee sets the CEO's salary based on its assessment of his performance in light of the foregoing policies and considerations. The salaries as approved by the Committee are submitted to the Board of Directors, which made no changes in the salaries submitted for 1994. ANNUAL BONUSES In recognition of the relationship between Company performance and enhancement of shareholder value, Company officers may be awarded annual cash bonuses. Bonuses are paid from a bonus pool which is created if the Company has achieved an established minimum level of net income for the preceding fiscal year. The amount of the bonus pool is calculated as a percentage of net income, with the percentage varying depending on the level of net income as a percentage of net sales. Amounts in the bonus pool are allocated among the Company's officers by the CEO, subject to the approval of the Board of Directors. The CEO does not participate in the bonus pool. However, a bonus may be awarded to the CEO in an amount determined by the Board of Directors based on its evaluation of the CEO's performance during the preceding fiscal year. As disclosed in the Summary Compensation Table, no bonuses have been awarded to the CEO and the named executives during the periods reported, and no bonuses have been awarded to the other officers of the Company during those periods. BENEFITS Consistent with the objective of attracting and retaining qualified executives, the compensation program includes the provision of pension benefits to Company employees, including officers, under the Company's defined benefit pension plan, which is described in connection with the Pension Plan Table. In addition, Company employees, including officers, may defer income from their earnings through voluntary contributions to the Company's Employees' Sheltered Savings Plan adopted pursuant to Section 401(k) of the Internal Revenue Code and the Company's Employees' Excess Benefit Plan, which is a nonqualified plan. In the case of those officers who elect to defer income under these plans, the Company makes 9 additional contributions for their benefit. The amount of these additional contributions made during fiscal year 1995 for the benefit of the CEO and the other named executive officers is set forth in the footnotes to the Summary Compensation Table. The Company also provides additional retirement benefits to its officers pursuant to an Executive Salary Protection II, which is described in connection with the Pension Plan Table. Personnel and Executive Compensation Committee Members Darioush Khaledi, Chairman Louis A. Amen Willard R. MacAloney James R. Stump Michael A. Webb EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION The following table sets forth information respecting the compensation paid during the Company's last three fiscal years to the President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) and to certain other executive officers of the Company. SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE ANNUAL COMPENSATION -------------------------------------------------- OTHER FISCAL ANNUAL ALL OTHER NAME AND PRINCIPAL POSITION YEAR SALARY($) BONUS($) COMPENSATION($) COMPENSATION($) - ------------------------------ ------ ------------ -------- --------------- --------------- Alfred A. Plamann 1995 322,150 0 24,290(2) President & CEO 1994 236,827 205 31,431 1993 164,800 310 25,419 Donald W. Dill(1) 1995 147,047 167 175,169(3) Senior Vice President 1994 163,366 576 38,127 1993 153,346 1,016 37,392 Daniel T. Bane(1) 1995 200,000 195 1,231(4) Senior Vice President & CFO 1994 21,539 0 0 1993 0 0 0 Charles J. Pilliter 1995 172,000 0 13,174(5) Senior Vice President 1994 167,577 127 20,591 1993 151,924 188 18,241 Donald G. Grose 1995 147,000 357 11,232(6) Senior Vice President 1994 143,760 438 31,700 1993 135,116 955 30,372 <FN> - ------------------------ (1) Mr. Dill retired July 27, 1995 and Mr. Bane joined the Company July 26, 1994. (2) Consists of a $6,392 Company contribution to the Company's Employees' Sheltered Savings Plan, and a $17,898 Company contribution to the Company's Employees' Excess Benefit Plan. (3) Consists of $162,000 in severance benefits (representing 52 weeks of salary paid in accordance with the Company's past practices), a $3,466 Company contribution to the Company's Employees' Sheltered Savings Plan, and a $9,703 Company contribution to the Company's Employees' Excess Benefit Plan. (4) Consists of a $385 Company contribution to the Company's Employees' Sheltered Savings Plan, and a $846 Company contribution to the Company's Employees' Excess Benefit Plan. (5) Consists of a $3,467 Company contribution to the Company's Employees' Sheltered Savings Plan, and a $9,707 Company contribution to the Company's Employee Excess Benefit Plan. (6) Consists of a $7,158 Company contribution to the Company's Employees' Sheltered Savings Plan, and a $4,074 Company contribution to the Company's Employees' Excess Benefit Plan. 10 In September 1994, the Board of Directors authorized a new supplemental executive pension plan (effective January 4, 1995) which provides retirement income based on each participant's final salary and years of service with the Company. The plan, called the Company's Executive Salary Protection Plan II ("ESPP II"), provides additional post-termination retirement income based on each participant's final salary and years of service with the Company. The funding of this benefit will be facilitated through the purchase of life insurance policies, the premiums of which will be paid by the Company and participant contributions. The Company also has a defined benefit pension plan covering its non-union and executive employees. Benefits under the defined benefit plan are equal to credited service times the sum of 95% of earnings up to the covered compensation amount plus 1.45% of earnings in excess of the covered compensation amount. The covered compensation is based on IRS Tables. ESPP II supersedes and replaces the Executive Salary Protection Plan I ("ESPP I"). Under ESPP I, Certified purchased life insurance policies for certain officers. Upon reaching age 65 (or upon termination, if earlier), the employee was given the cash surrender value of the policy, plus any additional income taxes incurred by the employee as a result of such distribution. The following table sets forth the estimated annual benefits under the defined benefit plan and the ESPP II plan which qualifying officers with selected years of service would receive if they had retired on September 2, 1995 at the age of 65. PENSION PLAN TABLE YEARS OF SERVICE ---------------------------------------------------------------- REMUNERATION 5 YEARS 10 YEARS 15 YEARS 20 YEARS 25 YEARS 33 YEARS - ------------------------------------------------ --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- --------- $100,000...................................... $ 26,008 $ 52,016 $ 68,024 $ 69,032 $ 70,040 $ 71,653 125,000....................................... 32,530 65,060 85,090 86,370 87,650 89,697 150,000....................................... 39,052 78,104 89,455 91,007 92,559 95,042 175,000....................................... 45,302 87,904 89,455 91,007 92,559 95,042 200,000....................................... 51,552 87,904 89,455 91,007 92,559 95,042 225,000....................................... 57,802 87,904 89,455 91,007 92,559 95,042 250,000....................................... 64,052 87,904 89,455 91,007 92,559 95,042 300,000....................................... 76,552 87,904 89,455 91,007 92,559 95,042 350,000....................................... 86,352 87,904 89,455 91,007 92,559 95,042 400,000....................................... 86,352 87,904 89,455 91,007 92,559 95,042 450,000....................................... 86,352 87,904 89,455 91,007 92,559 95,042 The Company's ESPP II is designed to provide a retirement benefit up to 65% of a participant's final compensation, based on a formula which considers an executive's final compensation and years of service. Remuneration under ESPP II is based upon an executive's highest annual base wage during the previous three completed years, which includes his or her annual salary as determined by the Board of Directors plus an automobile allowance with a 4% annual increase. The benefit is subject to an offset of the annual benefit which would be received from the defined benefit plan, calculated as a single life annuity at age sixty-two. To qualify for participation in the benefit, the executive must complete three years of service as an officer elected by the Board of Directors of the Company. Executives will vest at a rate of 5% per year with all years of continuous service credited. The ESPP II maximum annual benefit upon retirement for calendar 1995 shall not exceed $84,800 and will be paid over a 15-year certain benefit. This maximum benefit will increase annually thereafter at the rate of 6%. Lesser amounts are payable if the executive retires before age sixty-five. The maximum annual amount payable by years of service is reflected within the table at the compensation level of $450,000. As of September 2, 1995, credited years of service for named officers are: Mr. Plamann, 6 years; Mr. Bane, 1 year; Mr. Dill, 37 years; Mr. Gross, 14 years; and Mr. Pilliter, 19 years. 11 DIRECTOR COMPENSATION Each director receives a fee of $300 for each regular board meeting attended, $100 for each committee meeting attended and $100 for attendance at each board meeting of a subsidiary of the Company on which the director serves. In addition, directors are reimbursed for Company related expenses. CUMULATIVE TOTAL SHAREHOLDER RETURN The following graph sets forth the five year cumulative total shareholder return on the Company's common stock as compared to the cumulative total return for the same period of the S&P 500 Index and Peer Issuers consisting of Spartan Stores, Inc. and Roundy's, Inc. Like the Company, Spartan Stores and Roundy's are retailer-owned wholesale grocery distributors. While Spartan Stores pays a dividend on its stock, the Company and Roundy's do not. The shares of the Company and the Peer Issuers are not traded on any exchange and there is no established public market for such shares. The price of the Company's shares during each of its fiscal years is the book value of such shares as of the end of the prior fiscal year. COMPARISON OF FIVE YEAR CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN* AMONG THE COMPANY, S&P 500 INDEX AND PEER ISSUERS** EDGAR REPRESENTATION OF DATA POINTS USED IN PRINTED GRAPHIC COMPANY S&P 500 PEER ISSUERS 1990 100 100 100 1991 94.1 122.6 104.9 1992 89.5 128.4 110.8 1993 90.1 143.7 117.8 1994 89.9 147.4 125.9 1995 91.4 174.2 136.6 Assumes $100 invested on August 31, 1990 in Company common stock, S&P 500 Index and Peer Issuers common stock * Total return assumes reinvestment of dividends ** Fiscal years ended August 31, 1991, August 29, 1992, August 28, 1993, September 3, 1994 and September 2, 1995 TRANSACTIONS WITH MANAGEMENT AND PERSONS NAMED IN THE ADVISORY BALLOT All directors of the Company and all persons named in the Advisory Ballot who are not directors (or the firms with which such directors and persons are affiliated) purchase groceries, related products and store equipment from the Company or its subsidiaries in the ordinary course of business at prices and on terms available to patrons generally. During the fiscal year ended September 2, 1995, no director of the Company or person named in the Advisory Ballot who is not a director (nor the firms with which such directors and persons are affiliated) accounted for in excess of 5% of the Company's consolidated sales. 12 In September 1992, the Company guaranteed the obligations of Mar-Val Food Stores, Inc., of which director Mark Kidd is the President and a shareholder, under a lease of market premises located in Valley Springs, California. The guarantee is of the obligations of Mar-Val Food Stores, Inc. to pay base rent, common area costs, real estate taxes and insurance during the initial fifteen year term of the lease. Base rent under the lease is $10,080 per month. The Company's total obligation under the guarantee, however, is limited to the sum of $736,800. In consideration of its guarantee, the Company receives a monthly fee from Mar-Val Food Store, Inc. equal to 5% of the base monthly rent under the lease. The Company leases its produce warehouse to Joe Notrica, Inc., of which director Morrie Notrica is the President and a shareholder. The lease is for a term of five years expiring in November 1998 and contains an option to extend for an additional five year period. Monthly rent during the initial term is $24,000. If the option to extend is exercised, rent during the option period will be the lesser of fair rental value or the monthly rent during the initial term as adjusted to reflect the change in the Customer Price Index during the initial term. Cala Co. (a patron affiliated with Alpha Beta Company) acquired the stock of Bell Markets, Inc. in June 1989. The Company guaranteed the payment by Cala Co. of certain promissory notes in favor of the selling shareholders. The promissory notes mature in June 1996 and total $8 million; however, the Company's guaranty obligation is limited to $4 million. In addition, and in connection with the acquisition, the Company guaranteed the lease obligations of Bell Markets, Inc. during a 20-year period under a lease relating to two retail grocery stores located in San Francisco, California. Annual rent under the lease is $327,019. In the event the Company's guaranty is ever called upon, the Company has the right to receive an assignment of the lease relating to the locations. Concurrently with the foregoing transactions, Bell Markets, Inc. entered into a 5-year agreement to purchase a substantial portion of its merchandise requirements from the Company. Grocers General Merchandise Company ("GM"), a subsidiary, and Food 4 Less GM, Inc. ("F4LGM"), an indirect subsidiary of Ralphs Grocery Company, are parties to a joint venture agreement. Under the agreement, GM and F4LGM are partners in a joint venture partnership known as Golden Alliance Distribution ("GAD"). The partnership was formed for the purpose of providing for the shared use of the Company's general merchandise warehouse located in Fresno, California, and each of the partners has entered into a supply agreement with Golden Alliance Distribution providing for the purchase of general merchandise products from Golden Alliance Distribution. The Company guarantees certain obligations under a sublease of market premises located in Pasadena, California, and under which Berberian Enterprises, Inc., of which Director John Berberian is the President and a shareholder, is the sublessor. The guaranty is of the obligations of the sublessee to pay minimum rent, common area costs, real estate taxes and insurance during the first seven years of the term of the sublease, which commenced in September 1995. Minimum rent under the sublease is $10,000 per month. In consideration of its guaranty, the Company receives a monthly fee from the sublessee equal to 5% of the monthly amounts guaranteed. On February 1, 1995, GCC made a loan of $69,000 to Corwin J. Karaffa, the Company's Vice President-Distribution. The loan was for the purpose of assisting Mr. Karaffa in acquiring a home in connection with his becoming employed by the Company. The loan bears interest at 8% per annum and is secured by a second deed of trust on the home. The loan has a term of eight years, with interest only payable during the first five years. In fiscal 1993, GCC acquired one hundred fifty (150) shares of preferred stock and three hundred thousand (300,000) shares of common stock of Major Market, Inc. ("MMI"), of which nominee Richard L. London is the President and a shareholder, for a price of approximately $1.5 million. In December 1994, GCC finalized an agreement with MMI whereunder MMI repurchased all of the preferred stock and two hundred eighty-two thousand six hundred (282,600) shares of the common stock for a price of $2.7 million, of which $2,580,000 is represented by a seven-year promissory note from MMI to GCC. The promissory note bears interest at prime plus two percent, adjusted quarterly, and is secured by the assets of MMI. As additional security, GCC received a guarantee from Mr. London and a pledge of his shares in MMI. In connection with this repurchase, Mr. London, MMI, GCC and certain other shareholders of MMI agreed 13 that GCC will have certain preemptive rights to acquire additional common shares, rights to have its common shares included proportionately in any transfer of common shares by Mr. London, and rights to have its common shares included in certain registered public offerings of common stock which may be made by MMI. In addition, GCC will have certain rights, at its option, to require that MMI repurchase GCC's shares, and MMI will have certain rights, at its option, to repurchase GCC's shares. In connection with these transactions, MMI entered into a seven-year supply agreement with the Company (to replace an existing supply agreement) whereunder MMI is required to purchase a substantial portion of its merchandise requirements from the Company. The supply agreement is subject to earlier termination in certain situations. In fiscal 1995, the Company leased certain market premises to be constructed and located in Los Angeles, California, and which the Company subleases to Hafsa Corporation, of which nominee Farid (Mike) Shalabi is the President and a shareholder. The term of the lease is fifteen years, with four five-year options to extend. The premises are expected to contain approximately 20,000 square feet. Base rent during the initial term will be $9.00 per square foot, increasing by 15% during the first option period and 5% during each of the three remaining option periods. In connection with its sublease of the premises to R-Ranch Markets, the Company would receive monthly an additional rent equal to 5% of the base monthly rent. In June 1993, Grocers Specialty Company ("GSC"), a subsidiary, sold a former cash and carry location in Los Angeles, California, to a group of purchasers, including a trust of which Mr. Shalabi is a trustee. The total purchase price was approximately $495,000, of which approximately $300,000 was paid by means of a ten year promissory note bearing annual interest at 9 1/2%. The note is secured by a deed of trust on the location. The balance presently outstanding under the note is approximately $352,000. In September 1994, GSC also sold a former cash and carry location in Los Angeles, California, to a group of purchasers, including a trust of which Mr. Shalabi is a trustee. The total purchase price was $550,000, of which $440,000 was paid by means of a seven year promissory note bearing annual interest at 8%. The note is secured by a deed of trust on the location. The balance presently outstanding under the note is approximately $275,000. In July 1995, GCC entered into an agreement with Park and Shop Market, Inc. ("Park and Shop"), of which nominee William Andronico is the President and a shareholder, under which GCC agreed to provide advances to Park and Shop of up to $2,500,000. The advances are available until December 31, 2000, and must be in minimum amounts of $500,000. Each advance must be repaid within five years of the date of the advance and bears interest at the rate of prime plus 1 1/2%, payable quarterly in arrears. Advances are available to finance new store expansion. Amounts advanced by GCC are subordinated to specified bank debt not to exceed $8,500,000 in amount. Advances totaling $1,500,000 have been made and are presently outstanding. In connection with this transaction, Park and Shop entered into a supply agreement providing for the purchase by Park and Shop of a substantial portion of its merchandise requirements from the Company. The term of the supply agreement if five years, subject to extension each time an advance is made. GCC guarantees a portion of a line of credit between NCCB and Park and Shop. The line consists of a $3,300,000 term loan and a $3,800,000 advancing term loan each maturing on October 1, 2002. Until October 1, 2000, the term loan bears interest at a fixed rate based on U.S. Treasury Security yields, at which time it converts to a floating rate based on LIBOR. Advances under the advancing term loan are available until September 20, 1996. Advances are at a fixed or floating rate, at the option of Park and Shop, but convert to a floating rate of interest on October 1, 2000. GCC has agreed to subordinate its loan to Park and Shop described in the preceding paragraph to the loans from NCCB. The loans are collateralized by certain leasehold improvements and personal property. The guaranty by GCC is limited to 10% of the outstanding principal balance of the loans, but the guaranty does not become effective so long as the principal amount of GCC's loan to Park and Shop discussed in the preceding paragraph is $500,000 or more. In consideration of its guaranty, GCC will receive an annual fee from Park and Shop equal to 3.75% of the guaranty amount. Certain other transactions involving other directors of the Company are described beginning at page 6 under the caption "Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation." 14 SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS FOR NEXT YEAR'S ANNUAL MEETING Under the present rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission"), and in view of the presently anticipated date of the Company's Proxy Statement for this year's Annual Meeting of Shareholders, the deadline for shareholders to submit proposals to be considered for inclusion in the Company's Proxy Statement for next year's Annual Meeting of Shareholders is expected to be October 5, 1996. Such proposals may be included in next year's Proxy Statement if they comply with certain rules and regulations promulgated by the Commission. Such proposals should be submitted to the Corporate Secretary of the Company at the address of the Company's principal executive office shown on the first page of this Statement. BY ORDER OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Dated: January 2, 1996 DAVID A. WOODWARD, CORPORATE SECRETARY A COPY OF THE COMPANY'S ANNUAL REPORT ON FORM 10-K TO THE SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED SEPTEMBER 2, 1995, EXCLUDING EXHIBITS, MAY BE OBTAINED WITHOUT CHARGE BY WRITING TO THE CORPORATE SECRETARY OF THE COMPANY AT THE ADDRESS OF THE COMPANY'S PRINCIPAL EXECUTIVE OFFICE SHOWN ON THE FIRST PAGE OF THIS STATEMENT. 15