UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE
SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) January 17, 2003
KMART CORPORATION
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)
Michigan 1-327 38-0729500
(State or Other (Commission (IRS Employer
Jurisdiction File Number) Identification No.)
of Incorporation)
3100 West Big Beaver Road, Troy, Michigan 48084
(Address of Principal Executive Offices) (ZIP Code)
(Registrant's Telephone Number, Including Area Code) (248) 463-1000
Not Applicable
(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
ITEM 5. Other Items.
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On January 19, 2003, Kmart Corporation ("Kmart") issued a press release
announcing that it had promoted its President, Julian C. Day, to the
additional post of Chief Executive Officer, succeeding James B. Adamson. In
the press release, Kmart indicated that Mr. Adamson will continue to serve as
a non-executive Chairman of Kmart's Board of Directors through the final
stages of Kmart's reorganization and projected emergence from Chapter 11.
In connection therewith, Kmart entered into a Term Sheet with Mr. Day setting
forth the amended and restated terms of his employment agreement, and a
Separation Agreement with Mr. Adamson. Copies of the press release, the Term
Sheet and the Separation Agreement are attached hereto as exhibits 99.1, 99.2
and 99.3, respectively, and are incorporated herein by reference.
ITEM 7. Exhibit.
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(c) Exhibit No. Description
99.1 Press Release, dated January 19, 2003.
99.2 Term Sheet -- Amended and Restated
Employment Agreement for Julian C. Day,
dated January 17, 2003.
99.3 Separation Agreement between Kmart and
James B. Adamson, dated January 17, 2003.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Date: January 21, 2003 KMART CORPORATION
By: /s/ A.A. Koch
-------------------------------
A.A. Koch
Chief Financial Officer
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. Description
- --------- -----------
99.1 Press Release, dated January 19, 2003.
99.2 Term Sheet -- Amended and Restated Employment
Agreement for Julian C. Day, dated January 17, 2003.
99.3 Separation Agreement between Kmart and James B.
Adamson, dated January 17, 2003.
Exhibit 99.1
KMART CORPORATION
(Logo)
Contact:
Lori McTavish
Senior Vice President, Communications
(248) 463-5350
KMART PROMOTES PRESIDENT JULIAN C. DAY
TO CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
AS COMPANY PREPARES TO EMERGE FROM CHAPTER 11
James B. Adamson to Serve as Non-Executive Chairman
Through Final Stages of Reorganization
TROY, MICHIGAN, January 19, 2003 -- Kmart Corporation (Pink Sheets: KMRTQ)
today announced that President Julian C. Day has been named to the additional
post of Chief Executive Officer, effective immediately. This appointment by
Kmart's Board of Directors comes as the Company begins to implement a
reorganized management structure and an emergence management team in
anticipation of Kmart's exit from Chapter 11 reorganization on or about April
30, 2003. The Company said that the timing of this planned announcement was
designed to afford Day adequate time to select additional key executives for
Kmart's emergence team including a chief merchant and general counsel, as well
as permanent finance leadership to succeed the interim services provided by
principals of AlixPartners since March 2002.
As CEO, Day succeeds James B. Adamson, who will continue to serve as Chairman
through the final stages of the Company's reorganization. Adamson will again
serve in the role of non-executive Chairman, as he did in early 2002. The
Board first appointed him to that position in January 2002 following
disclosure of Kmart's financial difficulties and immediately preceding the
commencement of the Company's Chapter 11 reorganization cases. Adamson was
named CEO in March 2002, when he replaced former CEO Charles C. Conaway and
severed the Company's employment arrangements with the remainder of Conaway's
principal direct reports, recruited Day as President and COO, and retained
principals from AlixPartners as interim chief financial officer and treasurer.
Kmart's Board of Directors issued the following statement: "We will be forever
grateful for Jim Adamson's unwavering dedication to Kmart as an institution as
well as its employees and other stakeholders. He answered our call during
Kmart's darkest days and placed Kmart on the road to financial recovery.
Julian Day's zest for tackling the challenging operational issues that have
plagued Kmart for years has resulted in making this Company stronger, leaner
and more efficient as it prepares to exit Chapter 11 and has garnered support
from the Company's most substantial stakeholders. Julian played an
instrumental role in the development of the five-year business plan approved
by the Board last week for presentation to the Company's stakeholders during
the plan of reorganization process. His clear commitment, as outlined in that
plan, to position Kmart to compete aggressively in the discount retail sector
underscores our confidence in his ability, desire and passion to decisively
lead this Company going forward."
Chairman James B. Adamson said: "My principal focus when I accepted the CEO
role two months into the Company's Chapter 11 reorganization was to lead Kmart
through a fast-track reorganization in order to position the Company to
execute its longer term business plan outside of Chapter 11 as quickly as
possible. My first two decisions as CEO were to enhance the credibility of the
finance team and to reach out to a qualified outsider to join Kmart as
President and Chief Operating Officer. As we head down the home stretch of our
Chapter 11 reorganization case and prepare to emerge, I have great confidence
in Julian's ability to lead this Company and its associates to their position
as a world-class competitor in the retail landscape."
Day, 50, joined Kmart as President and Chief Operating Officer in March 2002.
Prior to that, he had joined Sears in March 1999 as Executive Vice President
and CFO and was soon promoted to Chief Operating Officer and a member of the
Office of the Chief Executive. Before joining Sears, Day served as Executive
Vice President and Chief Financial Officer for Safeway, Inc., the second
largest food and drug retailer in North America. During his five-year tenure
at Safeway, the company experienced a radical transformation of its store
operations and achieved a significant increase in shareholder value. He
currently serves on the Board of Petco Inc.
Day said, "I am honored that the Board has asked me to serve as Chief
Executive as the Company repositions itself for the future. Having the
opportunity to address in the most senior leadership role the challenges Kmart
currently faces is indeed exciting to me. I feel fortunate to have had the
opportunity to work under Jim Adamson's leadership these past months. He has
been an excellent and challenging mentor for me, spending a great deal of time
making sure I was ready to navigate the rigorous course that lies ahead."
Day continued: "While the Company struggled to address significant challenges
this past year, Kmart is positioned to emerge from Chapter 11 in April with a
stronger balance sheet and liquidity position. We have regained the confidence
of lenders, creditors and critical vendors, securing needed financing during
the Chapter 11 reorganization and, most recently, a new $2 billion exit
financing commitment. As we approach the first anniversary of our Chapter 11
reorganization, Kmart has achieved a discernible shift in the Company's
internal culture and substantially completed a stewardship review of its
former management team; repositioned itself as a high/low retailer of
exclusive proprietary brands; launched JOE BOXER, Disney Kids and Martha
Stewart Everyday Holiday; secured a new brand licensing agreement with Thalia;
and restructured the store base and distribution network to protect and
strengthen Kmart's competitive position in key markets."
Kmart's reorganization timetable provides for the initial filing of a plan of
reorganization and related disclosure statement on or about January 24, 2003,
a Bankruptcy Court hearing on adequacy of the disclosure statement on February
25, 2003, solicitation of votes on the plan from creditors during March 2003,
a Bankruptcy Court hearing on confirmation of the reorganization plan in
mid-April, and emergence from Chapter 11 by April 30, 2003. Commenting on this
timetable, Day said: "I strongly believe Kmart needs to continue to drive its
early emergence timetable. The bankruptcy process is costly in a variety of
ways, including its impact on employee morale, our reputation with customers,
our relationships with key business partners and other creditors, and our
ability to successfully implement a long-term business plan that maximizes
stakeholder value for all of those parties with a continuing economic interest
in the Company. We are also committed to continue to work closely throughout
this timetable with the statutory committees appointed in our Chapter 11 case
and our major stakeholders towards a fully consensual reorganization plan."
Kmart Corporation is a mass merchandising company that serves America through
its Kmart and Kmart SuperCenter retail outlets. The Company's common stock is
currently quoted on the Pink Sheets Electronic Quotation Service
(www.pinksheets.com) under the symbol KMRTQ.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information
Statements made by Kmart which address activities, events or developments that
we expect or anticipate may occur in the future are forward-looking
statements. Such forward-looking statements are and will be, as the case may
be, subject to many risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to,
Kmart's having filed for bankruptcy and factors relating to Kmart's operations
and the business environment in which Kmart operates, which may cause the
actual results of Kmart to be materially different from any future results
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Factors that could
cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking
statements include those set forth in Kmart's Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for
the fiscal year ended January 30, 2002, Kmart's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
for the fiscal quarter ended October 30, 2002, or in other filings made, from
time to time, by Kmart with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the
"Company Filings"). The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date
when made and Kmart does not undertake to update such statements.
Similarly, these and other factors, including the terms of any reorganization
plan ultimately confirmed, can affect the value of our various pre-petition
liabilities, common stock and/or other equity securities. No assurance can be
given as to what values, if any, will be ascribed in the bankruptcy
proceedings to each of these constituencies.
A plan of reorganization could result in holders of Kmart common stock
receiving no distribution on account of their interest and cancellation of
their interests. As described in the Company's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q,
holders of Kmart common stock should assume that they could receive little or
no value as part of a plan of reorganization. In addition, under certain
conditions specified in the Bankruptcy Code, a plan of reorganization may be
confirmed notwithstanding its rejection by an impaired class of creditors or
equity holders and notwithstanding the fact that equity holders do not receive
or retain property on account of their equity interests under the plan. In
light of the foregoing, the Company considers the value of the common stock to
be highly speculative and cautions equity holders that the stock may
ultimately be determined to have no value.
Accordingly, the Company urges that appropriate caution be exercised with
respect to existing and future investments in Kmart common stock or any claims
relating to pre-petition liabilities and/or other Kmart securities.
Exhibit 99.2
Term Sheet
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement
For
Julian Day
- ----------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Effective Date; Term Effective Date: January 17, 2003.
Term of Employment: From Effective Date until January 31, 2006.
- ----------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Titles; Reporting Titles: Chief Executive Officer and President. President title to be given
to a suitable hire if found.
Reporting: Reports directly to the Board; all other executive officers
report to Day.
- ----------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Base Salary $1 million.
- ----------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cash Incentives Annual Incentive: For 2003 fiscal year, annual bonus at discretion of
post-Emergence Compensation Committee. For subsequent fiscal years, annual
bonus opportunity expressed as a percentage of Base Salary, based on
achievement against performance criteria included in business plan approved
in connection with plan of reorganization, as follows:
Performance as % of Target Bonus as % of Salary
-------------------------- --------------------
Below 75% 0
75% 50%
100% 100%
200% 200%
300% or more 400%
(straight-line interpolation for incremental performance). For 2004
fiscal year, target is $400 million EBITDA.
In addition, eligible for participation in any other long-term cash-based
incentive programs that may be established by the Company for its senior
executives.
- ----------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Equity Incentives Initial equity grant of 10-year option on 1.5% of fully diluted equity at
Emergence. Option price for 2/3 of grant based on $1 billion valuation;
option price for remaining 1/3 of grant based on $2 billion valuation;
customary equitable adjustment provisions, including stock splits. Option to
vest ratably over 4 years. In case of Day's death or termination entitling
Day to severance, portion of option that would have vested within next 24
months will immediately vest; vested option remains exercisable for 2 years;
and Company has right to repurchase stock at time of exercise at market
price. Accelerated vesting on change in control, to be defined in equity
plan.
Eligible for participation in any equity-based incentive programs that may be
established by the Company for its senior executives.
- ----------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emergence Payment $1 million at Emergence.
- ----------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Perquisites Use of Company aircraft for business purposes and, if necessary for security,
personal purposes.
No tax gross-ups on this benefit; personal use of aircraft to be reimbursed
by Day based on applicable tax rates.
- ----------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Severance Severance payable if Day dies, is terminated by the Company without cause or
because of a constructive termination (customary terms) or if agreement not
renewed, subject in each case to execution of a mutual release. Severance to
consist of:
Lump sum cash severance equal to 3 times base salary if termination
is prior to 2/1/04; otherwise, 2 times base salary;
Prorated annual bonus for the year in which termination occurs, based
on actual performance for the entire year;
Balance of any incentives earned but not paid;
Additional vesting of initial option grant (see above, "Equity
Incentives");
Continued participation in welfare benefit plans for 3 years if
termination is prior to 2/1/04; otherwise, for 2 years; and
If termination is pre-Emergence, entitled to Emergence Payment at
Emergence.
- ----------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Restrictive Covenants Day: 2-year post-termination non-competition and non-solicitation covenants;
perpetual confidentiality and cooperation covenants.
Day and Company: perpetual non-disparagement covenant.
- ----------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Administrative Liability Cap Cap on claims by Day, in the event the Company does not reorganize as a
stand-alone business enterprise, equivalent to the claims that would have
been allowed under his existing contract.
- ----------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Other Indemnification; 280G Gross-up; Day pays his own legal fees.
- ----------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------
JD Term Sheet
KMART CORPORATION
/s/ Robert Kennedy
---------------------------
By: Robert Kennedy
Chairman, Compensation and
Incentives Committee of the
Board of Directors
ACCEPTED AND AGREED: JULIAN C. DAY
Julian C. Day
---------------------------
Exhibit 99.3
EXECUTION COPY
SEPARATION AGREEMENT
SEPARATION AGREEMENT (the "Agreement"), made and entered into as of
January 17, 2003 (the "Effective Date"), by and between Kmart Corporation, a
Michigan corporation (the "Company"), and James Adamson (the "Chairman").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Chairman is currently serving as Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company pursuant to an Employment Agreement,
effective as of March 11, 2002, between the Company and the Chairman (the
"Prior Agreement");
WHEREAS, the Company and the Chairman have mutually agreed that the
Chairman will resign from his position as Chief Executive Officer as of the
Effective Date and will resign from his position as Chairman and a member of
the Board of Directors of the Company no later than the date of Emergence;
WHEREAS, the parties hereto desire to enter into this Agreement in
order to reflect the respective rights and obligations of the parties in
connection with the foregoing;
NOW THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises and mutual covenants
contained herein and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt of
which is mutually acknowledged, the Company and the Chairman agree as follows:
1. Definitions.
Unless otherwise defined herein, capitalized terms used herein shall
have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Prior Agreement.
2. Resignation as CEO.
Effective as of the Effective Date, the Chairman hereby resigns from
his position as Chief Executive Officer of the Company and, except as provided
herein, shall no longer be entitled to any compensation or benefits in respect
of his services as an employee of the Company.
3. Continuing Services as Chairman.
(a) From the Effective Date until the date of Emergence, the Chairman
shall continue to serve as non-executive Chairman of the Company, subject to
the Chairman's right to resign prior to the date of Emergence. The Chairman
acknowledges and agrees that from and after the Effective Date, he shall no
longer be considered or deemed to be an executive officer or employee of the
Company. The Chairman shall resign from his positions as Chairman and a
director of the Company no later than the date of Emergence.
(b) Anything herein to the contrary notwithstanding, nothing shall
preclude the Chairman from (i) subject to Sections 10 and 11 of the Prior
Agreement, engaging in business activity, including as an employee, (ii)
serving on the boards of directors on which he currently serves and/or
charitable organizations (subject to the reasonable approval of the Board),
(iii) engaging in charitable activities and community affairs, and (iv)
managing his personal investment and affairs, provided that such activities do
not materially interfere with his service as a director of the Company.
(c) For the period from the Effective Date to the earlier of (i) the
Chairman's resignation as a director or (ii) the date of Emergence, the
Chairman shall be eligible to receive fees and other compensation payable
generally to non-employee directors of the Company.
4. Payments in Connection with Resignation as CEO.
(a) In connection with the Chairman's resignation from his position
as Chief Executive Officer, the Chairman shall be entitled to receive the
following payments and benefits:
(i) payment of accrued but unpaid Base Salary and
reimbursement of business expenses, as set forth in first paragraph
of Section 9 of the Prior Agreement;
(ii) subject to paragraph (b) below, in accordance with and
subject to the provisions of Section 9(a)(ii) of the Prior Agreement,
continued medical, dental, hospitalization and life insurance
coverage and participation in all other welfare plans and programs of
the Company in which he was participating immediately prior to the
Effective Date;
(iii) subject to paragraph (b) below, promptly, but in no
event later than 10 days, following the date of Emergence, a lump sum
cash severance payment equal to two times the Chairman's Base Salary
as in effect on the Effective Date (i.e., $3 million); and
(iv) subject to paragraph (b) below, promptly, but in no
event later than 10 days, following the date of Emergence, a lump sum
cash payment equal to $600,000, in settlement of all amounts (other
than those referenced to in clause (i) above and qualified plan
benefits) to which the Chairman is entitled pursuant to the first
paragraph of Section 9 of the Prior Agreement and in consideration of
the Chairman executing and honoring the release referenced to in
Section 4(b) below.
(b) As a condition of the Chairman's entitlement to any of the
payments and benefits provided in clauses (ii), (iii) and (iv) of paragraph
(a) above, the Chairman shall execute on the Effective Date and honor a mutual
release of claims substantially in the form attached hereto as Exhibit A. In
addition, for good and valuable consideration, the sufficiency of which the
Company acknowledges, the Company shall execute on the Effective Date and
honor such mutual release of claims.
5. Press Release.
The Company shall consult with the Chairman with respect to the
language to be used in a press release concerning the subject matter of this
Agreement.
6. Legal Fees.
The Company shall, promptly but in no event later than five business
days following the Effective Date, pay to the Chairman's legal counsel all
reasonable legal fees and expenses incurred and not previously paid by the
Company in connection with such counsel's representation of the Chairman, up
to an aggregate maximum of $250,000.
7. Restrictive Covenants; Indemnification.
The parties acknowledge and agree that the provisions of Sections 10
and 11 of the Prior Agreement shall continue to apply in accordance with their
respective terms. The Company further agrees that, in connection with its plan
of reorganization or otherwise, it will treat the Chairman's pre-petition
claims for indemnification no less favorably than such claims of other
non-employee directors of the Company.
8. Entire Agreement.
This Agreement contains the entire understanding and agreement
between the parties concerning the subject matter hereof and supersedes all
prior agreements, understandings, discussions, negotiations and undertakings,
whether written or oral, between the parties with respect thereto, including
without limitation the Prior Agreement (except as otherwise provided herein).
9. Amendment or Waiver.
No provision in this Agreement may be amended unless such amendment
is agreed to in writing and signed by the Chairman and an authorized officer
or director of the Company. No waiver by either party of any breach by the
other party of any condition or provision contained in this Agreement to be
performed by such other party shall be deemed a waiver of a similar or
dissimilar condition or provision at the same or any prior or subsequent time.
Any waiver must be in writing and signed by the Chairman or an authorized
officer or director of the Company, as the case may be.
10. Severability.
In event that any provision or portion of this Agreement shall be
determined to be invalid or unenforceable for any reason, in whole or in part,
the remaining provisions of this Agreement shall be unaffected thereby and
shall remain in full force and effect to the fullest extent permitted by law.
11. Governing Law/Jurisdiction.
This Agreement shall be governed by and construed and interpreted in
accordance with the laws of Michigan without reference to principles of
conflict of laws.
12. Resolution of Disputes.
Prior to the Restructuring Date, any disputes arising under or in
connection with this Agreement shall be settled in the Bankruptcy Court.
Thereafter, any disputes arising under or in connection with this Agreement
shall, at the election of the Chairman or the Company, be resolved by binding
arbitration, to be held in New York City, New York in accordance with the
rules and procedures of the American Arbitration Association. Judgment upon
the award rendered by the arbitrator(s) may be entered in any court having
jurisdiction thereof. All costs and expenses of any arbitration or court
proceeding (including fees and disbursements of counsel) shall be borne by the
respective party incurring such costs and expenses, but the Company shall
reimburse the Chairman for such reasonable costs and expenses if he prevails
to any substantial degree in such arbitration or court proceeding.
13. Tax Withholding.
All amounts required to be paid by the Company pursuant to this
Agreement shall be subject to reduction in order to comply with applicable
Federal, state and local tax withholding requirements.
14. Notices.
Any notice given to a party shall be in writing and shall be deemed
to have been given when delivered personally or sent to by certified or
registered mail, postage prepaid, return receipt requested, duly addressed to
the party concerned at the address indicated below or to such changed address
as such party may subsequently give such notice of:
If to the Company: Kmart Corporation
100 West Big Beaver Road
Troy, Michigan, 48084-3163
Attention: General Counsel
If to the Chairman: James Adamson
160 East 72nd Street
New York, New York 10021
With copy to: Brad Eric Scheler, Esq.
c/o Fried, Frank, Harris,
Shriver & Jacobson
One New York Plaza
New York, New York 10004
15. Headings.
The headings of the sections contained in this Agreement are for
convenience only and shall not be deemed to control or affect the meaning or
construction of any provision of this Agreement.
16. Counterparts.
This Agreement may be executed in two or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute
one and the same instrument.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as
of the date first set forth above.
KMART CORPORATION
By: /s/ Robert Kennedy
----------------------------------
Robert Kennedy
Chairman, Compensation and
Incentives Committee of the
Board of Drectors
CHAIRMAN
/s/ James Adamson
--------------------------------------
JAMES ADAMSON
MUTUAL COVENANT NOT TO SUE AND
FULL AND COMPLETE RELEASE OF LIABILITY
1. In consideration of the payments set forth in clauses (ii), (iii) and
(iv) of Section 4 of the Separation Agreement entered into between Kmart
Corporation and the Chairman, dated as of January 17, 2003 (the
"Agreement") and the mutual covenants contained herein, James Adamson
(hereinafter referred to as the "Chairman") hereby releases and forever
discharges Kmart Corporation and any related or affiliated companies or
divisions or their current or former directors, officers, employees, or
agents (hereinafter referred to collectively as the "Company Releasees")
from any and all actions, causes of action, suits, controversies, claims
and demands whatsoever, for or by reason of any matter, cause or thing
whatsoever, which the Chairman, his heirs, executors, administrators and
assigns may have had or may not have, whether known or unknown, which has
or may have arisen out of any act or omission occurring on or prior to
the date of the execution of this Mutual Covenant Not To Sue and Full and
Complete Release of Liability ("Mutual Release"), including, but not
limited to, all claims arising under or in connection with the Michigan
Elliott-Larsen Civil Rights Act, as amended, Michigan Whistle Blowers'
Protection Act, as amended, the Michigan Persons With Disabilities Civil
Rights Act, as amended, Age Discrimination in Employment Act of 1967, as
amended, Americans With Disabilities Act of 1990, as amended, Title VII
of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, Civil Rights Act of 1991, as
amended, Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ("ERISA"), as
amended, Older Workers Benefit Protection Act of 1990, as amended, the
Worker Adjustment Retraining and Notification Act, the Fair Labor
Standards Act, as amended, the Family & Medical Leave Act of 1993, as
amended, the common law of the State of Michigan, for tort, breach of
express or implied employment contract, wrongful discharge, intentional
infliction of emotional distress, and defamation or injuries incurred on
the job or incurred as a result of loss of employment. The release
described in this Paragraph 1 shall not apply to (i) any actions to
enforce rights arising under, or any claim for benefits which may be due
the Chairman under the Agreement, or (ii) any claim for benefits which
may be due the Chairman under any "employee benefit plan" (as defined in
Section 3(3) of ERISA) of Kmart Corporation and its related or affiliated
companies or divisions in which he was a participant. The Chairman
represents that he has not filed against the Company Releasees any
complaints, charges, or lawsuits arising out of his employment, or any
other matter arising on or prior to the date of this Mutual Release. The
Chairman covenants and agrees that he will not seek recovery against the
Company Releasees arising out of any of the matters released in this
Paragraph 1.
2. In consideration of the Chairman's release set forth above and the
covenants contained herein, Kmart Corporation and its subsidiaries and
divisions, whether direct or indirect (for purposes of this Mutual
Release, ("Kmart"), hereby release and forever discharge the Chairman and
his heirs, executors, administrators and assigns from any and all
actions, causes of action, suits, controversies, claims and demands
whatsoever, for or by reason of any matter, cause or thing whatsoever,
whether known or unknown, which has or may have arisen out of any act or
omission occurring on or prior to the date of the execution of this
Mutual Release, including, but not limited to, all claims arising under
or in connection with the Chairman's services as an employee, director or
consultant, the common law of the State of Michigan, for tort, breach of
express or implied employment contract and defamation; provided, however,
that nothing contained herein shall constitute a waiver or release by
Kmart of claims or causes of action (i) arising out of illegal conduct by
the Chairman, (ii) arising out of or related to facts or circumstances
arising prior to the Filing Date that have been the subject of inquiry in
connection with Kmart's stewardship investigation being conducted under
the auspices of its Audit Committee or (iii) arising out of a violation
of any provision of Section 10 of the Prior Agreement (as defined in the
Agreement). Kmart represents that it has not filed against the Chairman
any complaints, charges, or lawsuits arising out of any matter arising on
or prior to the date of this Mutual Release. Kmart covenants and agrees
that it will not seek recovery against the Chairman arising out of any of
the matters released in this paragraph.
3. Nothing in this Mutual Release shall limit either party from filing a
lawsuit or other action for the sole purpose of enforcing this Mutual
Release.
4. The Chairman and Kmart agree that the acts done and evidenced hereby, and
the releases granted hereunder, are done and granted to compromise any
doubtful and disputed claims and to avoid litigation, and are not an
admission of liability on the part of Kmart or the Chairman and that any
such liability is expressly denied.
5. The Chairman acknowledges that he has no seniority, recall,
reinstatement, or rehire rights with Kmart in any capacity.
6. The Chairman agrees that he will honor the restrictive covenants
concerning noncompetition, nonsolicitation, cooperation and nondisclosure
set forth in the Prior Agreement.
7. If any provision or paragraph of this Mutual Release is ever determined
not enforceable, the remaining provisions and paragraphs shall remain in
full force and effect.
8. The Chairman acknowledges that he has been given 21 days within which to
consider this Mutual Release and that he has 7 days following his
execution to revoke his signature. If the Chairman revokes his consent
hereto prior to the expiration of such 7-day period, the Mutual Release
shall not be effective, and Kmart shall have no obligations to provide
the Chairman with the payments and benefits set forth in clauses (ii),
(iii) and (iv) of Section 4 of the Agreement.
9. The Chairman and Kmart acknowledge that this Mutual Release will be
governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the internal
laws of the State of Michigan. If a dispute arises concerning any
provisions of this Mutual Release, it shall be resolved by arbitration in
Troy, Michigan in accordance with the rules of the American Arbitration
Association.
10. Nothing in this Mutual Release shall impair any indemnification rights
the Chairman may have as an officer or director of Kmart Corporation.
11. THE CHAIRMAN ACKNOWLEDGES THAT HE HAS READ THIS MUTUAL RELEASE, THAT HE
HAS BEEN PROVIDED 21 DAYS TO CONSIDER THIS MUTUAL RELEASE, THAT HE HAS
BEEN ADVISED THAT HE HAS 7 DAYS TO REVOKE HIS SIGNATURE, THAT HE HAS BEEN
ADVISED THAT HE SHOULD CONSULT WITH AN ATTORNEY BEFORE HE EXECUTES THIS
MUTUAL RELEASE, AND THAT HE UNDERSTANDS ALL OF ITS TERMS AND EXECUTES IT
VOLUNTARILY AND WITH FULL KNOWLEDGE OF ITS SIGNIFICANCE AND THE
CONSEQUENCES THEREOF.
JAMES ADAMSON
/s/ James Adamson
-----------------------------------------
Date: January 17, 2003
------------------------------------
KMART CORPORATION
By: /s/ Robert Kennedy
--------------------------------------
Chairman, Compensation and
Incentives Committee of the
Board of Drectors
Date: January 17, 2003
------------------------------------