UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A
(Rule 14a-101)

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Filed by the Registrant T
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant o
Check the appropriate box:

oPreliminary Proxy Statement
oConfidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
TDefinitive Proxy Statement
oDefinitive Additional Materials
oSoliciting Material Pursuant to § 240.14a-12

Stage Stores, Inc.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)

Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):

TNo fee required.
oFee computed on table below per Exchange Act Rules 14a-6(i) (1) 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:_______________
 
oFee paid previously with preliminary materials.
oCheck 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: ________________









STAGE STORES, INC.
BEALLS GOODY’S oGOODY'SoPALAIS ROYALoPEEBLESoSTAGE STEELE'S

Notice of 20122014 Annual Meeting
and
Proxy Statement







































This Page Intentionally Left Blank.
Blank







STAGE STORES, INC.

BEALLSBEALLS oGOODY'SGOODY’S o PALAIS ROYALoPEEBLESoSTAGE STEELE'S

10201 Main Street
Houston, Texas 77025

April 27, 2012May 1, 2014

Dear Shareholder:
On behalf of the Board of Directors, it is my pleasure to invite you to attend the 20122014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Stage Stores, Inc. on Thursday,Tuesday, June 7, 2012,10, 2014, at 1:8:00 p.m.a.m. local time, in Houston, Texas. Information about the Annual Meeting is presented in the following pages.
The Annual Meeting will begin with a discussion and vote on the matters set forth in the accompanying Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Proxy Statement, followed by a discussion on any other business matters that are properly brought before the meeting.
Your vote is very important. We encourage you to read the Proxy Statement and vote your shares as soon as possible. Whether or not you plan to attend, you can be sure your shares are represented at the Annual Meeting by promptly completing, signing, dating and returning your Proxy Card in the enclosed envelope or by submitting your vote and proxy by telephone or by the Internet.
If you will need special assistance at the Annual Meeting because of a disability, please contact Bob Aronson, Vice President, Investor Relations, at (800) 579-2302.
Thank you for your continued support of Stage Stores, Inc. We look forward to seeing you on June 710th.
Sincerely,
GRAPHIC
William J. Montgoris
Chairman of the Board



i





TABLE OF CONTENTS
Notice of 20122014 Annual Meeting of Shareholdersiii
iv
iv
iv
1
General1
1
1
Matters to be Acted Upon2

2

Information Relating to Directors and Director Nominees2

Information Relating to the Board of Directors and Committees6


In General6


Corporate Governance6


Attendance at Board, Committee and Annual Meetings8

8


Standing Committees 9


Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee910


Audit Committee1112


Compensation Committee1112


Shareholder and Other Interested Party Communications with the Board1415

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management1516

Transactions with Related Persons1721

Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers1923


Compensation Discussion and Analysis1923


Compensation Committee Report3944


2013 Summary Compensation Table4045


2013 All Other Compensation Table4147


2013 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table4248


2013 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table4450


2013 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table4753


2013 Pension Benefits Table4854


2013 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table4854


Potential Payments on Termination or Change In Control4955


2013 Director Compensation Table5965

6168

63


Registered Public Accounting Firm For Fiscal 20122014 6771


In General6771


Principal Accountant Fees and Services6771


Pre-Approval Policies6872


Audit Committee Report6872

Securities Authorized for Issuance Under Equity Compensation Plans6974

Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance7075

Additional Information7176
nTo be voted on at the meeting
EVERY SHAREHOLDER’SSHAREHOLDER'S VOTE IS IMPORTANT. PLEASE
COMPLETE, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN YOUR PROXY
CARD, OR SUBMIT YOUR VOTE AND PROXY BY
TELEPHONE OR BY THE INTERNET, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.



STAGE STORES, INC.

BEALLSBEALLS oGOODY'SGOODY’S o PALAIS ROYALoPEEBLESoSTAGE STEELE'S


NOTICE OF 20122014 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS



To the Shareholders:
The 2014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Stage Stores, Inc. (the “Company”) will be held at the offices of the Company, 10201 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77025 on Tuesday, June 10, 2014, at 8:00 a.m. local time. If you need directions to attend the Annual Meeting, they can be found on our website, www.stagestoresinc.com, under “Investor Relations”. The shareholders will vote on the following matters:
The 2012 Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Stage Stores, Inc. (the “Company”) will be held at the offices of the Company, 10201 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77025 on Thursday, June 7, 2012, at 1:00 p.m. local time.  If you need directions to attend the Annual Meeting, they can be found on our website, www.stagestoresinc.com, under “Investor Relations”.  The shareholders will vote on the following matters:
1.Election of sevennine Directors for a term of one year,
 
2.Advisory Resolution to Approve Executive Compensation,
 3.Approval of Material Terms of Executive Officer Performance Goals,
4.3.Ratification of the Selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for Fiscal 2012,2014, and
 5.
4.Such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof.

The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on Thursday, April 17, 2014 as the Record Date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting.
TheBy Order of the Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on April 12, 2012 as the record date for the determination of shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting.

                        
By Order of the Board of Directors
graphic
Edward J. RecordOded Shein
Chief Operating Officer   
and Secretary
April 27, 2012
Chief Financial Officer
and Secretary




May 1, 2014

iii



Table of Contents

 
 
If you are a beneficial owner whose shares are held of record by a broker, you must instruct the broker how to vote your shares. If you do not provide voting instructions, your shares will not be voted on any proposal on which the broker does not have discretionary authority to vote. This is called a “broker"broker non-vote." In these cases, the broker can register your shares as being present at the Annual Meeting for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum, but will not be able to vote on those matters for which specific authorization is required under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”("NYSE").
 
If you are a beneficial owner whose shares are held of record by a broker, your broker has discretionary voting authority under NYSE rules to vote your shares on  Item 43 (Ratification of the Selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for Fiscal 2012)2014), even if the broker does not receive voting instructions from you. However, your broker does not have discretionary authority to vote on Items 1 (Election of Directors), and 2 (Advisory Resolution to Approve Executive Compensation) and 3 (Approval of Material Terms of Executive Officer Performance Goals) without instructions from you, in which case a broker non-vote will occur and your shares will not be voted on those matters. Accordingly, it is particularly important that beneficial owners instruct their brokers how they wish to vote their shares.
 
More Information Is Available
 
If you have any questions about the proxy voting process, please contact the broker, bank or other financial institution where you hold your shares. The Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”("SEC") also has a website (www.sec.gov/spotlight/proxymatters.shtml) with more information about your rights as a shareholder.
 
Additionally, you may contact our Investor Relations Department at www.stagestoresinc.com/investor-relations.

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS TO BE HELD ON JUNE 7, 2012.10, 2014

The Company’s 20122014 Proxy Statement, 20112013 Annual Report and 20112013 Annual Report on Form 10-K are available to review at http://bnymellon.mobular.net/bnymellon/ssiwww.envisionreports.com/SSI. for shareholders of record and at www.edocumentview.com/SSI for beneficial owners.

INFORMATION REGARDING ADMISSION TO THE ANNUAL MEETING
In accordance with the Company’s security procedures, all persons attending the Annual Meeting must present either their E-Notice, or the Admission Ticket found on their Proxy Card (if they requested and received a Proxy Card), or a brokerage statement or other proof of ownership of Stage Stores stock as of the Record Date, and picture identification. If you are a shareholder of record and plan to attend the meeting in person, please bring your E-Notice or your Admission Ticket with you to the meeting. For security purposes, briefcases, bags, purses, backpacks and other containers will be subject to search at the door.


iv




PROXY STATEMENT

PROXY STATEMENT

GENERAL
This Proxy Statement is furnished in connection with the solicitation of proxies by Stage Stores, Inc. (the “Company”, “we”, “our” or “us”) on behalf of the Board of Directors (the “Board”) for the 20122014 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”), which will be held at the principal executive offices of the Company, 10201 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77025, on Thursday,Tuesday, June 7, 2012,10, 2014, at 1:8:00 p.m.a.m. local time. This Proxy Statement and Proxy Card are first being made available to the shareholders on or about April 27, 2012.May 1, 2014. The proxy will be voted at the Annual Meeting if the signer of the Proxy Card or the shareholder submitting their vote and proxy by mail, by telephone or by the Internet was a shareholder of record on Thursday, April 12, 201217, 2014 (the “Record Date”).
NOTICE ONLY DELIVERY METHOD
We have adopted the “Notice Only Delivery Method” of distributing our Proxy Statement, Proxy Card and Annual Report to shareholders. Therefore, we will mail a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (“E-Notice”) to shareholders rather than paper copies of these documents. If you would like to receive a paper copy of these documents, you must request one. Instructions on how to request a copy by telephone, email or the Internet are contained in the E-Notice.
VOTING
The holders of our common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted upon by the shareholders. On the Record Date, there were 30,658,29431,693,850 shares of our common stock, par value $0.01, outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. In addition, on the Record Date, holders of 343,406450,978 shares of unvested Restricted Stock are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. A list of the shareholders entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available for inspection at the Annual Meeting for purposes relating to the Annual Meeting.
You can ensure that your shares are voted at the Annual Meeting by submitting your instructions by completing, signing, dating and returning your Proxy Card in the envelope provided (if you requested a paper copy of the Proxy Card) or by submitting your vote and proxy by telephone or by the Internet. Submitting your instructions by Proxy Card, by telephone, or by the Internet will not affect your right to attend the Annual Meeting and vote. A shareholder who gives a proxy may revoke it at any time before it is exercised by voting in person at the Annual Meeting, by delivering a subsequent proxy, or by notifying the Inspector of Election in writing of such revocation.
The representation in person or by proxy of a majority of the outstanding shares of our common stock entitled to a vote at the Annual Meeting is necessary to provide a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. Shares can only be voted if the shareholder is present in person or is represented by a properly signed Proxy Card or by a vote and proxy submitted by telephone or by the Internet. Each shareholder’s vote is very important. Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting in person, please sign and promptly return the Proxy Card (if you requested a paper copy of the Proxy Card) or submit your vote and proxy by telephone or by the Internet. All signed and returned Proxy Cards and votes and proxies submitted by telephone or by the Internet will be counted towards establishing a quorum for the Annual Meeting, regardless of how the shares are voted.
A shareholder of record on the Record Date may vote in any of the following four ways:
by toll-free number at 1-800-652-8683; or
by the Internet at www.envisionreports.com/SSI; or
·  by toll-free number at 1-866-540-5760;by completing and mailing a Proxy Card (if you requested a paper copy of the Proxy Card); or
·  
by the Internet at www.proxyvoting.com/ssi; or
·  by completing and mailing a Proxy Card (if you requested a paper copy of the Proxy Card); or
·  by written ballot at the Annual Meeting.
If you vote by mail, by the Internet or by telephone, your vote must be received by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on Wednesday,Monday, June 6, 2012,9, 2014, the day before the Annual Meeting. Your shares will be voted as you indicate. If you return or otherwise complete your Proxy Card, but you do not indicate your voting preferences, the proxies will vote your shares FOR Items 1 (Election of Directors), 2 (Advisory Resolution to Approve Executive Compensation), and 3 (Approval of Material Terms of Executive Officer Performance Goals) and 4 (Ratification of the
Selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for Fiscal 2012),



2014) and in their discretion for Item 54 (such other matters as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournment thereof).
If your shares are held in a brokerage account (this is called “street name”), you should follow the voting directions provided by the broker. You may complete and mail a voting instruction card to the broker or, in most cases, submit voting instructions by mail, by telephone or by the Internet. Your shares should be voted by the broker as you have directed.
If your shares are held in street name and you wish to have your shares voted for Items 1 (Election of Directors), and 2 (Advisory Resolution to Approve Executive Compensation) and 3 (Approval of Material Terms of Executive Officer Performance Goals), you must either (i) instruct your broker how to vote your shares, (ii) vote your shares by phone or the Internet, or (iii) bring a brokerage statement, written proxy from your broker, or other proof of ownership of the Company’s common stock as of the Record Date with you to the Annual Meeting.
We will pass out written ballots to any shareholder entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting.
For additional information concerning the manner of proxy solicitation and voting, please see “Additional Information” on page 7176 of this Proxy Statement.

ITEM 1 - ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

New Director
Ralph Scozzafava. On February 21, 2012, Ralph P. Scozzafava was appointed a Director.
Former Directors
Andrew Hall.  On March 28, 2012, Andrew Hall resigned as a Director and as the Company’s President and Chief Executive Officer to pursue other interests.  His last day as an employee of the Company was April 12, 2012. He joined the Company in February 2006 as President and Chief Operating Officer and assumed the position of President and Chief Executive Officer in November 2008.  Mr. Hall became a Director in March 2008.  As he is a Named Executive Officer and was a Director, certain information concerning Mr. Hall is provided in this Proxy Statement as required by the rules of the SEC.
Cheryl Nido Turpin.  To the extent required by the rules of the SEC, certain information concerning former Director Cheryl Nido Turpin, who did not stand for reelection and retired as a Director at the conclusion of the 2011 Annual Meeting, is provided in this Proxy Statement.
In General
At the Annual Meeting, sevennine Directors are to be elected to hold office until the 20132015 Annual Meeting and until their successors have been elected and have qualified. Information concerning the sevennine nominees is set forth below. All of the nominees are currently Directors. The Board has determined that the following sixeight Director nominees are Independent Directors, as independence is defined by the NYSE: Alan J. Barocas, Diane M. Ellis, Gabrielle E. Greene, Earl J. Hesterberg, Lisa R. Kranc, William J. Montgoris, David Y. SchwartzC. Clayton Reasor and Ralph P. Scozzafava. Michael L. Glazer, the seventhninth Director nominee, is not an Independent Director asbecause he is our President and Chief Executive Officer. The Board’s Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee recommended those current Directors for reelection.re-election. The Board knows of no reason why any nominee may be unable to serve as a Director. If any nominee is unable to serve, the shares represented by all valid proxies will be voted for the election of such other person as the Board may nominate.
2

dedicated service to the Company as a Director, David Schwartz has decided not to stand for reelection to the Board at the Annual Meeting for personal reasons.
Board Composition
Nominees for Director are selected on the basis of broad experience, diversity (differences of viewpoint, professional experience, education, skill and other individual qualities and attributes that contribute to the Board’s heterogeneity), wisdom, integrity, the ability to make independent analytical inquiries, an understanding of the Company’s business environment, and a willingness to devote adequate time to Board duties.
Below we identify and describe the specific experience, qualifications, attributes or skills (collectively, “Director Qualifications”) our Directors bring to the Board that are important in light of our business. The specific Director Qualifications that the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and the Board considered in each Director’s re-nomination follow their individual biographies.
Leadership experience. We believe that Directors with experience in significant leadership positions over an extended period, especially Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) positions, provide the Company with special insights. These people generally possess extraordinary leadership qualities and the ability to identify and develop those qualities in others. They demonstrate a practical understanding of organizations, processes, strategy, risk management and the methods to drive change and growth.

2



Finance experience.We believe that an understanding of finance and financial reporting processes is important for our Directors. The Company measures its operating and strategic performance by reference to financial targets. In addition, accurate financial reporting and vigorous auditing are critical to our success. We seek to have at least a majority of the members of our Audit Committee qualify as Audit Committee Financial Experts and we expect all of our Directors to be financially knowledgeable.
Industry experience. We seek to have Directors with experience as executives, directors, consultants, professionals or other capacities in the retail industry.
Investor relations experience. As a public company, we seek to have Directors with experience in the development, implementation and articulation of corporate and marketing strategy, with commercial, financial and communications experience and with experience working directly with investment analysts, institutional investors and the broad financial community.
Marketing experience. As a retailer, marketing is critical to our success. Therefore, marketing expertise, both at the store level and at the eCommerce level, is very important to us.
Real estate experience. As of the end of our 2013 Fiscal Year (February 1, 2014), we operated 883 stores in 40 states. In addition to opening new stores, the Company has continued to invest in the expansion, relocation and remodeling of its existing stores. Therefore, real estate expertise is very important to us.
Strategic planning experience. As a retailer, strategic planning is critical to our success. Therefore, extensive experience in strategic planning as a result of various executive leadership roles is very important to us.
·  
Leadership experience. We believe that Directors with experience in significant leadership positions over an extended period, especially Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”) and Chief Operating Officer (“COO”) positions, provide the Company with special insights. These people generally possess extraordinary leadership qualities and the ability to identify and develop those qualities in others. They demonstrate a practical understanding of organizations, processes, strategy, risk management and the methods to drive change and growth.
·  
Finance experience. We believe that an understanding of finance and financial reporting processes is important for our Directors. The Company measures its operating and strategic performance by reference to financial targets. In addition, accurate financial reporting and vigorous auditing are critical to our success. We seek to have at least a majority of the members of our Audit Committee qualify as Audit Committee Financial Experts and we expect all of our Directors to be financially knowledgeable.
·  
Industry experience. We seek to have Directors with experience as executives, directors, consultants, professionals or other capacities in the retail industry.
·  
Marketing experience. As a retailer, marketing is critical to our success. Therefore, marketing expertise is very important to us.
·  
Real estate experience. As of the end of our 2011 Fiscal Year (January 28, 2012), we operated 813 stores in 40 states.  In addition to opening new stores, the Company has continued to invest in the expansion, relocation and remodeling of its existing stores.  Therefore, real estate expertise is very important to us.
·  
Strategic planning.  As a retailer, strategic planning is critical to our success.  Therefore, extensive experience in strategic planning as a result of various executive leadership roles is very important to us.
The information in the following information pertainstable and the disclosure that follows pertain to each nominee’s (i) age as of April 12, 2012,the Record Date (April 17, 2014), (ii) principal occupations forpositions currently held with the Company or the Board, (iii) business experience during at least the past five years, and (iii)(iv) directorships in other public companies at any time during the past five years.

Name Age Positions Currently Held
Alan J. Barocas 6365 Director, Chairman of  the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
Diane M. Ellis56Director
Michael L. Glazer 6366 Director, President and Chief Executive Officer
Gabrielle E. Greene 5153 Director
Earl J. Hesterberg 5860 Director, Chairman of the Compensation Committee
Lisa R. Kranc60Director
William J. Montgoris 6567 Director, Chairman of the Board
David Y. SchwartzC. Clayton Reasor 7157 Director Chairman of the Audit Committee
Ralph P. Scozzafava 5355 Director
Mr. Barocas has been a Director since January 2007. Since January 1, 2011, he has been Senior Executive Vice President of Leasing at General Growth Properties, Inc. (“GGP”) located in Chicago. From May 2006 to January 1, 2011, Mr. Barocas was the principal of Alan J. Barocas and Associates, a real estate consulting firm. From June 1981 to April 2006, he was employed by GAP, Inc. His last position with GAP, Inc. was Senior Vice President of Real Estate. HeMr. Barocas is a past Trustee of the International Council of Shopping Centers (ICSC).
Director Qualifications:
Leadership and Industry experience: current Senior Executive Vice President of a large public company engaged in commercial real estate (GGP); former Senior Vice President of Real Estate of a large public company in the retail industry (GAP); twenty-five years of experience with a large public company in the retail industry (GAP)
3

Real estate experience: more than thirty years of real estate experience, twenty-five of which were with a large public company in the retail industry (GAP)
TableMs. Ellis has been a Director since September 2012. Since August 2013, she has been the Chief Executive Officer of ContentsThe Limited, headquartered in New Albany, Ohio. From September, 2007 until August, 2013, Ms. Elliswas

3



President and Chief Operating Officer of Brooks Brothers Group, Inc., headquartered in New York, New York. From October, 2001 to August, 2007, she served as the Founding Partner of Lighthouse Retail Group, headquartered in Pittsfield, Massachusetts.
Director Qualifications:
Leadership and Industry experience: current and prior senior level retail executive positions held as follows: current Chief Executive Officer of a privately held company (The Limited); former President and Chief Operating Officer of a privately held company (Brooks Brothers Group, Inc.). Responsible for all company revenue/operations in the following areas: retail/outlet stores, human resources, supply chain, information technology, merchandising, planning and allocation, product development and sourcing, eCommerce, legal, finance and marketing
·  
Leadership and Industry experience: current Senior Executive Vice President of a large public company engaged in commercial real estate (General Growth); former Senior Vice President of Real Estate of a large public company in the retail industry (GAP); twenty-five years of experience with a large public company in the retail industry (GAP)
Strategic Planning and Marketing experience: current and prior strategic planning and marketing experience as follows: responsible for strategic planning, brand positioning and marketing at The Limited; responsible for strategic planning and allocation; overall knowledge of retail strategy and marketing/eCommerce experience at Brooks Brothers Group, Inc. experience in strategic consulting at Lighthouse Retail Group and PriceWaterhouseCoopersLLC, as Managing Director in the Retail Strategy Practice
·  
Real estate experience:  more than thirty years of real estate experience, twenty-five of which were with a large public company in the retail industry (GAP)
Mr. Glazer has been a Director since August 2001. He became our President and Chief Executive Officer on an interim basis on March 28,in April 2012. PriorFrom October 2009 to joining the Company as President and Chief Executive Officer,April 2012, Mr. Glazer served as the President and CEO of Mattress Giant Corporation, located in Addison, Texas, a position that he has held since October 2009.Corporation. From August 2005 to October 2009, he served as Managing Director of Team Neu, located in Pittsfield, Massachusetts. From May 1996 to August 2005, Mr. Glazer served as President and Chief Executive Officer of KB Toys, Inc. KB Toys, Inc. filed a petition under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware on January 14, 2004 and emerged from Chapter 11 in August 2005. From April 1995 to January 1999, he alsoMr. Glazer served as President of Big Lots, which owned KB Toys, Inc.  From March 1990 to January 1995, he served as President of the Bombay Company.  Mr. Glazer is a Director of CPI Corporation.   He also formerly served on the boards of Brookstone and Big Lots.Corporation from December 2008 to July 2012. 
Director Qualifications:
Leadership experience: current President and CEO of the Company; former President and CEO of a privately held company in the retail industry with 1,000 employees (Mattress Giant); former President and CEO of three public companies in the retail industry (KB Toys, Big Lots, Bombay Company)
·  
Leadership experience: current President and CEO of the Company; former President and CEO of a privately held company in the retail industry with 1,000 employees (Mattress Giant); former President and CEO of three public companies in the retail industry (KB Toys, Big Lots, Bombay)
Industry experience: 39 years of experience in the retail industry; significant knowledge of the Company
·  
Industry experience:  37 years of experience in the retail industry
Ms. Greene has been a Director since September 2010. Since 2005,From October 2011 to February 2013, she has beenserved as interim CEO of Johnson Products Company, a General Partnerprivately held company headquartered in Dallas, Texas. Johnson Products Company is one of the portfolio companies of Rustic Canyon/Fontis Partners, a later-stage private equity fund investing in high growth segments of emerging domestic markets, headquartered in Pasadena, California.   From 2002 toSince 2005, Ms. Greene was the Chief Financial Officer of Gluecode Software, Inc. headquartered in El Segundo, California.  From 2000 to 2002, she was the Chief Financial Officer of Crown Services Company headquartered in Fresno, California. From 1998 to 2000, Ms. Greene washas been a General Partner of Black Enterprise/Greenwich Street Growth Fund headquartered in New York, New York.Rustic Canyon/Fontis Partners.   She also serves on the Board of Directors of Whole Foods Market, Inc., a NASDAQ listed company that pioneered the supermarket concept in health foods retailing. From September 2006 to May 2008, Ms. Greene served on the Board of Directors of Bright Horizons Family Solutions Inc., a then NASDAQ listed leading provider of workplace services for employers and families headquartered in Watertown, Massachusetts.
Director Qualifications:
Leadership and Audit Committee experience: Significant retail board experience; serves on the board of a public company in the retail sector (Whole Foods); served on the board of another public company (Bright Horizons); significant Audit Committee experience, having served on that committee for the entirety of her board service at Bright Horizons; serves on the Audit Committee of Whole Foods and has chaired that committee for the past nine years
·  
Leadership and Audit Committee experience:  Significant board experience; serves on the board of a public company in the retail sector (Whole Foods); served on the board of another public company (Bright Horizons); significant Audit Committee experience, having served on that committee for the entirety of her board service at Bright Horizons; serves on the Audit Committee of Whole Foods and has chaired that committee for the past three years
Finance experience: Extensive financial experience; former CFO of two companies, one in the retail industry and one in the service industry; extensive experience in finance and investment analysis as a private equity investor
·  
Finance experience:  Extensive financial experience; former CFO of two companies, one in the retail industry (Gluecode Software) and one in the service industry (Crown Services); extensive experience in finance and investment analysis as a private equity investor
Mr. Hesterberg has been a Director since July 2010. Since April 2005, he has been the President, CEO and a Director of Group 1 Automotive, Inc., a NYSE company headquartered in Houston, Texas.  From October 2004 to April 2005, Mr. Hesterberg served as Group Vice President, North America Marketing, Sales and Service for Ford Motor Company. From July 1999 to September 2004, he served as Vice President, Marketing, Sales and Service for Ford of Europe, and from 1999 until 2005, he served on the supervisory board of Ford Werke AG. Mr. HesterbergHe has also served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Gulf States Toyota, an independent

4



national distributor of new Toyota vehicles, parts and accessories. Heaccessories and has also held various senior sales, marketing, general
4

management, and parts and service positions with Nissan Motor Corporation in U.S.A. and Nissan Europe, both of which are wholly-owned by Nissan Motor Co., Ltd., a global provider of automotive products and services.
Leadership experience: current President, CEO and a Director of a NYSE company in the automotive retail industry with approximately 11,600 employees (Group I Automotive); former Executive Vice President and corporate officer of a NYSE listed global automotive manufacturer (Ford Motor Co.). Former CEO of a private company (Gulf States Toyota)
·  
Leadership experience: current President, CEO and a Director of a NYSE company in the automotive retail industry with 8,400 employees (Group I Automotive); former Executive Vice President and corporate officer of a NYSE listed global automotive manufacturer (Ford Motor)
Strategic Planning experience: responsiblefor product and market strategy forNissan Motor Corporation in the United States and responsible for consumer research, market segmentation and pricing strategy for Ford Motor Company in the United States and Europe
Industry and Marketing experience: 39 years of sales, marketing and service experience in the automotive retail industry and the automotive aftermarket industry. Responsible for all marketing functions for Nissan Motor Corporation and Ford Motor Company in both North America and Europe
·  
Industry and Marketing experience: 37 years of sales, marketing and service experience in the automotive retail industry
Ms. Kranc has been a Director since September 2012. From August, 2001 to her retirement in December 2012, sheserved asSenior Vice President, Marketing and a Member of the Executive Committee of AutoZone, Inc., headquartered in Memphis, Tennessee. From September, 1997 to April, 2001, Ms. Kranc served as Vice President, Marketing for Hannaford Bros. Inc., headquartered in Scarborough, Maine.
Director Qualifications:
Leadership experience: former Senior Vice President, Marketing and a Member of the Executive Committee of a NYSE company that is the leading retailer and leading distributor of automotive replacement parts and accessories in the United States (AutoZone)
Industry and Marketing experience: 35 years of experience in brand management, marketing and general management with success in consumer packaged goods/manufacturing as well as big box and small box retailing
Strategic Planning experience: developed strategic consumer based marketing plans for an $8 billion retailer with 5,000 stores (AutoZone)
Mr. Montgoris has been a Director since June 2004. He retired from The Bear Stearns Companies, Inc. in June 1999.  From 1987 to 1999, Mr. Montgoris served in the following positions with Bear Stearns: Chief Operating Officer (1996 to 1999), Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer (1993 to 1996) and Chief Financial Officer (1987 to 1993).  Mr. Montgoris is also a director of Carter’s, Inc. andFrom July 2008 to November 2013, he served as a director of OfficeMax Incorporated. From June 1999 to March 2009, he served as a director of the Reserve Fund, a family of money market mutual funds.
Director Qualifications:
Leadership, Industry and Committee experience: former COO of a leading global investment banking, securities trading and brokerage firm (Bear Stearns); member of the Audit Committee of a large public company that is the largest branded marketer in the United States of apparel exclusively for babies and young children (Carter’s); former member of the Audit and Compensation Committees of a large public company that is a leader in both business-to-business and retail office products distribution (OfficeMax)
·  
Leadership, Industry and Committee experience: former COO of a leading global investment banking, securities trading and brokerage firm (Bear Stearns); member of the Audit Committee of a large public company that is the largest branded marketer in the United States of apparel exclusively for babies and young children (Carter’s); member of the Audit and Compensation Committees of a large public company that is a leader in both business-to-business and retail office products distribution (OfficeMax)
·  
Finance experience: accounting background; Certified Public Accountant; former CFO of a leading global investment banking, securities trading and brokerage firm (Bear Stearns)
Mr. SchwartzReasor has been a Director since July 2007.June 2012. Since June 1997, Mr. Schwartz May 2012, hehas been Senior Vice President, Investor Relations, Strategic Development, Public Affairs and Public Policy of Phillips 66 headquartered in Houston, Texas. From April 2009 to April 2012, Mr. Reasor served as Vice President, Investor Relations and Public Affairs of ConocoPhillips, a business advisor and consultantNYSE company that is also headquartered in Houston. From June 2005 to various companies principally in the retail, distribution and services industries.  Prior to that, Mr. Schwartz spent thirty-five years with Arthur Andersen, LLP, from which he retired as a Senior Partner in June 1997.  While at Arthur Andersen,April 2009, he served clients in various industries, primarily retailing, distribution and communications.as President, US Marketing of ConocoPhillips. Mr. SchwartzReasor is also a director of Walgreen Co.Phillips 66 Partners GP LLC, which is the general partner of Phillips 66 Partners LP, a NYSE listed, master limited partnership formed by Phillips 66 to own,

5



operate, develop and Foot Locker, Inc. He retired as a director of True Value Company in April 2011.
acquire crude oil, refined petroleum product and natural gas liquids pipelines and terminals and other transportation and midstream assets.
Director Qualifications:
Investor relations experience: significant experience in the development, implementation and articulation of corporate and marketing strategy; has developed commercial, financial and communications experience in domestic and international facilities; strong background working directly with investment analysts, institutional investors and the broad financial community
·  
Leadership, Industry and Audit Committee experience: member of the Board of Directors of two large companies in the retail industry (Walgreen, Foot Locker); Chairman of the Audit Committee of a public company in the retail industry (Walgreen) and former Chairman of the Audit Committee of a private company in the wholesale distribution industry; Chairman of the Finance and Strategic Planning Committee of a large public company in the retail industry (Foot Locker)
Leadership experience: current Senior Vice President of an advantaged downstream energy company (Phillips 66). Former Vice President of a NYSE listed international exploration and production company (ConocoPhillips)
·  
Finance experience: Certified Public Accountant;  former partner with Arthur Andersen (partner in charge of Retail Industry Program and Managing Partner of the Chicago office’s Attest and Business Consulting Practice)
Mr. Scozzafava was appointedhas been a Director onsince February 21, 2012. Since January 2008,December 2013, he has been an adviser to companies in the consumer products industry. From June 2007 to November 2013, Mr. Scozzafava served as Chief Executive Officer of Furniture Brands International, Inc. (“(“Furniture Brands”), a NYSE company headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri. Mr. Scozzafava has Heserved as as Chairman of the Board of Furniture Brands sincefrom May 2008 and asto November 2013. Furniture Brands filed a director since June 2007. From June 2007 to January 2008, he served as Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer —designatepetition under Chapter 11 in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the District of Furniture Brands.Delaware on September 9, 2013, culminating with the sale of the assets of the company on November 25, 2013. From 2001 until June 2007, heMr. Scozzafava was employed at Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, where he held several positions, most recently serving as Vice President - Worldwide Commercial Operations from March 2006 to JuneMarch 2007, and as Vice President & Managing Director - North America/Pacific from January 2004 to March 2006.  Mr. Scozzafava was employed at Campbell Soup Company from 1996 to 2000, where he held various senior executive level positions.
Director Qualifications:
·  
Leadership experience: currentLeadership experience: former CEO and Chairman of the Board of a NYSE company that ranks as one of the top United States makers of residential furniture (Furniture Brands)
5

Strategic planning: strong background in operations and consumer goods, with extensive experience in strategic planning through various executive leadership roles (Furniture Brands, Wrigley)
TableIndustry and Marketing experience: 32 years of Contentssales, marketing and general management experience in the consumer products industry. Responsible for all functions and operations of a global manufacturer and marketer of branded consumer goods (Furniture Brands, Wrigley)
·  
Strategic planning:  strong background in operations and consumer goods, with extensive experience in strategic planning through various executive leadership roles (Furniture Brands, Wrigley, Campbell Soup)
Your Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR each nominee for Director.
In General
Our business is managed under the direction of our Board. Our Board currently consists of seventen Directors. Members of our Board are kept informed of our business through discussions with our CEO and other officers, by reviewing materials provided to them, by visiting our offices, stores and distribution centers, and by participating in meetings of the Board and its Committees.
Board Leadership Structure. Our CEO does not serve as the Chairman of our Board. We believe that this leadership structure is appropriate for the Company because while it allows the CEO to speak for and lead the Company and communicate with other members of senior management, it provides for effective oversight by our Board, all of whose members are independent with the exception of Mr. Glazer, and all of whom are highly qualified and experienced and other than Mr. Glazer, exercise a strong independent oversight function. This oversight function is enhanced by the fact that all of the Board’s standing committees—Audit,committees (Audit, Compensation, and Corporate Governance and Nominating—Nominating) are comprised entirely of Independent Directors.
The Board’s Role in Risk Oversight. The Board’s role in the risk oversight of the Company is administered directly and through its standing committees as follows:
The Audit Committee has primary responsibility for financial oversight. In that regard, the Audit Committee’s purpose is to assist in the Board’s oversight of (i) the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, (ii) the
·  
The Audit Committee has primary responsibility for financial oversight. In that regard, the Audit Committee’s purpose is to assist in the Board’s oversight of (i) the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, (ii) the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (iii) the Company’s independent auditor’s qualifications, independence and work, and (iv) the performance of the Company’s internal audit function and independent auditors. The Audit Committee acts independently as authorized and assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by reviewing certain financial information that is provided to the Board and others, the internal control structure, the audit process, and the adherence to applicable laws and regulations. Considering the size and complexity of the Company, the Committee must apply reasonable materiality standards to all of its activities. In addition, the Audit Committee has certain responsibilities with respect to our compliance program. For additional information, please see “Information Relating to the Board of Directors and Committees—Audit Committee” on page 11 of this Proxy Statement and “Item 4—Ratification of the Selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for Fiscal 2012—Audit Committee Report” on page 68 of this Proxy Statement.
·  
The Compensation Committee considers the risks associated with our compensation policies and practices for all employees, including non-executive officers, to ensure that they do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse affect on the Company. For additional information, please see “Information Relating to the Board of Directors and Committees—Compensation Committee” on page 11 of this Proxy Statement.
·  
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its corporate governance and oversight responsibilities by reviewing corporate governance issues that may be brought before the Board, by exercising oversight over the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, by recommending qualified individuals for nomination as Directors and reviewing their performance, and by reviewing applicable laws and regulations related to corporate governance matters.  For additional information, please see “Information Relating to the Board of Directors and Committees—Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee” on page 9 of this Proxy Statement.
·  The Board is kept abreast of its Committees' risk oversight and other activities via reports of each Committee Chairman to the full Board. These reports are presented at every regular Board meeting and include discussions of Committee agenda topics, including matters involving risk oversight.

6




Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (iii) the Company’s independent auditor’s qualifications, independence and work, and (iv) the performance of the Company’s internal audit function and independent auditors. The Audit Committee acts independently as authorized and assists the Board in fulfilling its oversight responsibilities by reviewing certain financial information that is provided to the Board and others, the internal control structure, the audit process, and the adherence to applicable laws and regulations. Considering the size and complexity of the Company, the Committee must apply reasonable materiality standards to all of its activities. In addition, the Audit Committee has certain responsibilities with respect to our compliance program. For additional information, please see “Information Relating to the Board of Directors and Committees-Audit Committee” on page 12 of this Proxy Statement and “Item 3-Ratification of the Selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for Fiscal 2014-Audit Committee Report” on page 72 of this Proxy Statement.
Directors and Committees-Compensation Committee” on page 12 of this Proxy Statement.
The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its corporate governance and oversight responsibilities by reviewing corporate governance issues that may be brought before the Board, by exercising oversight over the Company’s Corporate Governance Guidelines, by recommending qualified individuals for nomination as Directors and reviewing their performance, and by reviewing applicable laws and regulations related to corporate governance matters. For additional information, please see “Information Relating to the Board of Directors and Committees-Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee” on page 10 of this Proxy Statement.
·  Members of management who supervise the day-to-day risk management responsibilities periodically provide reports to the Board as a whole and to the Committees if requested.
The Board is kept abreast of its Committees' risk oversight and other activities via reports of each Committee Chairman to the full Board. These reports are presented at every regular Board meeting and include discussions of Committee agenda topics, including matters involving risk oversight.
Members of management who supervise the day-to-day risk management responsibilities periodically provide reports to the Board as a whole and to the Committees if requested.
The Board considers specific risk topics, including risks associated with our strategic plan, our capital structure and our development activities. In addition, the Board receives detailed regular reports from the members of our senior management team, which consists of the heads of our principal business and corporate functions—functions, that include discussions of the risks and exposures involved in their respective areas of responsibility. These reports are provided in connection with regular Board meetings and are discussed, as necessary, at Board meetings. Further, the Board is routinely informed of developments affecting the Company that could affect our risk profile or other aspects of our business.
Director Independence. SixNine of our seventen Directors are Independent Directors, as independence is defined by the NYSE. One of our Directors is not an Independent Director by virtue of the fact that he is our President and CEO (Michael Glazer). All members of the Board’s Audit, Compensation, and Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees are Independent Directors. Members of the Audit Committee must also satisfy, and they do satisfy, a separate SEC independence requirement, which provides that they may not accept directly or indirectly any consulting, advisory or other compensatory fee from us or any of our subsidiaries other than their Directors’ compensation.
Corporate Governance Guidelines. The Board has adopted written Corporate Governance Guidelines (the “Governance Guidelines”) to assist it in the exercise of its corporate governance responsibilities. The purpose of the Governance Guidelines is to provide a structure within which our Directors and our management can monitor the effectiveness of policy and decision making both at the Board and management level, with a view to enhancing shareholder value over the long term. The Governance Guidelines are available on our website at www.stagestoresinc.com. They can be accessed by clicking “Investor Relations”,Relations,” then “Corporate Governance”,Governance,” and then “Corporate Governance Guidelines.”
Code of Ethics for Senior Officers. In order to promote ethical conduct in the practice of financial management throughout the Company, the Board has adopted a Code of Ethics for Senior Officers (the “Code”). We believe that in addition to the CEO, the Chief Operating Officer, the Chief Financial Officer and the Controller each holds an important and elevated role in

7



corporate governance. The Code is designed to deter wrongdoing and provides principles to which our principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions are expected to adhere and advocate. These principles embody rules regarding individual and peer responsibilities, as well as responsibilities to the shareholders, the public and others who have a stake in our continued success. The Code is available on our website at www.stagestoresinc.com. It can be accessed by clicking “Investor Relations”,Relations,” then “Corporate Governance”,Governance,” and then “Code of Ethics for Senior Officers.” We intend to disclose future amendments to certain provisions of the Code, or waivers of such provisions granted to Directors and executive officers, if any, on our website within four business days following the date of such amendment or waiver or as otherwise may be required by the SEC.
Code of Ethics and Business Conduct. The Board has also adopted a Code of Ethics and Business Conduct (the “Code of Ethics”), which is the basic set of policies and procedures governing the behavior of all Directors, executive officers, and other employees of the Company (each employee an “Associate” and collectively the “Associates”) in conformance with Section 303A.10 of the NYSE Listed Company Manual. It is our policy to adhere to the highest standards of business ethics in all our business activities. When Associates are engaged in any activity concerning the Company, our customers, competitors, suppliers, other Associates, shareholders or the general public, they must maintain standards of uncompromising integrity and conduct themselves in a professional manner with a positive, supportive attitude about the Company. The Code of Ethics is available on our website at www.stagestoresinc.com. It can be accessed by clicking “Investor Relations”,Relations,” then “Corporate Governance”,Governance,” and then “Code of Ethics and Business Conduct.” We intend to disclose future amendments to certain provisions of the Code of Ethics, or waivers of such provisions granted to Directors and executive officers, if any, on our website within four business days following the date of such amendment or waiver or as otherwise may be required by the NYSE or the SEC.
Non-Accounting Complaints. We have established procedures to enable anyone who has a concern about a violation of the Code of Ethics or any other Company policy to report that concern through normal Company channels or anonymously. An Anonymous Ethics Hotline is maintained by an independent third party and is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
7

Accounting Complaints.  The Audit Committee has established procedures for (i) the receipt, retention and treatment of complaints regarding accounting, internal accounting controls, or auditing matters, and (ii) the confidential, anonymous submission by our employees of concerns regarding questionable accounting or auditing matters. These procedures, which are incorporated into the Code of Ethics, (i) set forth a statement about our commitment to comply with the laws; (ii) encourage employees to inform us of conduct amounting to a violation of the applicable standards; (iii) describe prohibited conduct; (iv) set forth compliance procedures that employees can easily use, including making anonymous complaints; and (v) provide assurances that there will be no retaliation for reporting suspected violations.
Policy on Poison Pills. The term “Poison Pill” refers to a type of shareholder rights plan that some companies adopt to provide an opportunity for negotiation during a hostile takeover attempt. The Board has not adopted a Poison Pill. However, as we are a Nevada corporation, our Articles of Incorporation provide that we have expressly elected to be governed by Chapter 78 of the Nevada Revised Statutes (“NRS”) with respect to the acquisition of a controlling interest in the Company. NRS 78 provides that a person who seeks to acquire a “Controlling Interest” (20% or greater) in a Nevada corporation will only obtain such voting rights in the shares acquired (the “Control Shares”) as are granted by a vote of the holders of a majority of the remaining voting power of the Company at a special or annual meeting of the shareholders. In addition, NRS 78 provides that the Company may redeem not less than all of the Control Shares at the average price of the Control Shares if the Control Shares are not granted full voting rights by the shareholders.
Board Meetings. The Board held four regular meetings and threeone special meetingsmeeting during our 20112013 Fiscal Year. During our 20112013 Fiscal Year, no current Director attended fewer than 75% of the aggregate of the total number of meetings of the Board and of meetings held by committees of the Board on which he or she was a member during the time he or she was a Director. In addition to regularly scheduled meetings, a number of Directors were involved in numerous informal meetings with management, offering valuable advice and suggestions on a broad range of corporate matters.

8



Executive Sessions (Meetings of Independent Directors). As described in the Governance Guidelines, the Independent Directors meet in regularly scheduled executive sessions without employees and non-Independent Directors present. The Chairman of the Board presides at all executive sessions.
Annual Meeting. It is the Board’s policy that Directors should attend our annual meeting of the shareholders absent exceptional cause. Last year, alleight Directors attended the annual meeting of shareholders except for Mr. Scozzafava, who was not a Director at the time.shareholders.
The Board has the following standing committees: Corporate Governance and Nominating, Audit and Compensation. Each committee operates under a written charter that is periodically reviewed by the respective committee and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee. The following table provides information concerning the independence of our Directors and the membership of each committee.

DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE AND COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
DirectorBoard
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee
Audit
Committee
Audit
Committee


Compensation

Committee
Mr. Barocas (I)XX(C)XX
Mr. Glazer (1)X
Ms. Greene (I)XXX (ACFE)
Mr. Hesterberg (I)XX X (C)
X
Mr. MontgorisMs. Ellis (I) X (C)
 X (ACFE) X
Mr. GlazerX


Ms. Greene (I)XXX (ACFE)
Mr. Hesterberg (I)XX
X (C)
Ms. Kranc (I)XX
X
Mr. Montgoris (I)      X (C)
X (ACFE)
Mr. Reasor (I)XX
X
Mr. Schwartz (I)XXX (C)(ACFE) 
Mr. Scozzafava (I)X
X (ACFE) X

(I)    The Director is an Independent Director.
(C)     The Director is the Chairman.
(ACFE)     The Director is an Audit Committee Financial Expert.

9

8




(I)The Director is an Independent Director.
(C)The Director is the Chairman.
(ACFE)The Director is an Audit Committee Financial Expert.
(1)Mr. Glazer was the Chairman of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and a member of the Compensation Committee during all of Fiscal 2011 and until March 28, 2012, at which time he became employed by the Company as our President and Chief Executive Officer on an interim basis.  Since as an employee he is no longer deemed to be independent, as that term is defined by the NYSE and our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Mr. Glazer resigned from the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and the Compensation Committee effective March 28, 2012.
In General. The members of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee are Alan Barocas (Chairman), Gabrielle Greene, Earl Hesterberg, Lisa Kranc, Clayton Reasor and David Schwartz, and Ralph Scozzafava, all of whom are Independent Directors. The Committee’s primary purposes are (i) to develop, recommend to the Board, maintain and review the Governance Guidelines and propose changes to the Governance Guidelines as corporate governance developments warrant, (ii) to consider any Director candidates recommended by shareholders, (iii) to identify, recruit and recommend potential candidates for nomination as Directors to the Board consistent with criteria approved by the Board, and to nominate Directors for membership on Board committees, (iv) to evaluate the overall performance of the Board, the committees of the Board, the Directors and management, and (v) to report annually to the Board on the status of the Chief Executive Officer’s succession plan. The Committee assists the Board in fulfilling its corporate governance and oversight responsibilities by reviewing corporate governance issues that may be brought before the Board, by exercising oversight over the Governance Guidelines, by recommending qualified individuals for nomination as Directors and reviewing their performance, and by reviewing applicable laws and regulations related to corporate governance matters. Annually, the Committee evaluates the overall performance of the Board and the Governance Guidelines. Periodically, the Committee reviews the compensation paid to the Directors. An annual performance evaluation of the Committee is conducted by the Board and the members of the Committee. The Committee met four times during our 20112013 Fiscal Year.
Committee Meetings; Reports to the Board. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee meets as frequently as circumstances require, but in any event a minimum of four times per year. Meetings are led by the Chairman or by his or her designee should the Chairman be unable to attend. The Chairman, in consultation with Committee members, determines the frequency and length of Committee meetings. The Committee may ask members of management or others to attend meetings and may provide pertinent information to them, as the Committee deems necessary.The Committee reports to the Board as frequently as circumstances require, but in any event a minimum of four times each year.
Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee Charter. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee’s Charter is posted on our website at www.stagestoresinc.com. It can be accessed by clicking “Investor Relations”, then “Corporate Governance”, and then “CG&NC Charter”.Charter.”
Evaluation of the Chairman, the Board, Board Committees and Individual Directors. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for establishing the evaluation criteria and implementing the process for the annual evaluation of the Chairman, the Board, the Board Committees and the individual Directors. Each Director annually evaluates the Chairman, the Board, the Board Committees and the other Directors. With respect to the Chairman, the Board and the Board Committees, the evaluations are of their overall performance as a whole and the Committee considers specific areas in which the Directors believe a better contribution could be made. The results of the evaluations of the Chairman, the Board and the Board Committees are reported to the entire Board by the Chairman. With respect to the evaluation of individual Directors, the purpose of the evaluation is to increase the corporate governance effectiveness of the Board, not to target individual Directors. The results of the individual Director evaluations are communicated to the respective Directors by the Chairman or his designee and, in the case of the Chairman, by outside counsel.
Evaluation of the Guidelines, Committee Charters, Corporate Governance Policies and Related Party Transactions. With input from the other Directors, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee reports annually to the Board on its evaluation of the Governance Guidelines, the Committee charters, any other corporate governance policies, and any related party transactions (transactions involving the Company and any executive officer, Director, employee or their affiliates and immediate family members).
Director Qualifications; Process for Identifying and Evaluating Nominees. Nominees for Director must possess the following minimum qualifications: broad experience, diversity (differences of viewpoint, professional experience, education, skill and other individual qualities and attributes that contribute to the Board’s heterogeneity), wisdom, integrity, the ability to make independent analytical inquiries, an understanding of our business environment, and a willingness to devote adequate time to Board duties. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is responsible for assessing the appropriate balance of skills and qualifications required of Directors. In
9


identifying and evaluating nominees for Director, including nominees recommended by shareholders, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will implement such processes as it deems appropriate including, in its sole discretion, retaining

10



a third party or third parties to identify or evaluate or assist in identifying or evaluating potential nominees. However, at a minimum, each nominee for Director must (i) meet the minimum qualifications set forth above, (ii) have at least one interview with the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and with any other Board member who requests an interview, and (iii) complete and sign a Director and Executive Officer Questionnaire in a form deemed appropriate by the Board prior to his or her nomination to the Board. Each Director must no less than annually complete and sign a Director and Executive Officer Questionnaire in a form deemed appropriate by the Board. In the event any information contained on a Director’s most recent Director and Executive Officer Questionnaire becomes incomplete or inaccurate, it is the responsibility of the Director to provide complete and accurate information to the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee within thirty days. When formulating its Director recommendations, the Committee will also consider any advice and recommendations offered by our CEO and any other members of the Board.
Diversity. The Board endeavors to have a Board representing a range of experience in business and in other areas that are relevant to the Company’s activities. The goal of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is to achieve a Board that, as a whole, provides effective oversight of the management and business of the Company through, among other things, diversity (differences of viewpoint, professional experience, education, skill and other individual qualities and attributes that contribute to the Board’s heterogeneity). This policy with respect to the consideration of diversity in identifying Director nominees is implemented, and its effectiveness assessed, annually by both the Board and the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee as part of the Director nomination process.
Consideration of Shareholder Nominees. When formulating its Director recommendations, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee will also consider any written recommendations received from our shareholders identifying the nominee and stating his or her qualifications. The Committee evaluates all nominees for Director in the same manner regardless of the source of the recommendation. For the Annual Meeting of Shareholders in 2013,2015, recommendations for Director nominees must be submitted in writing by Friday, December 28, 2012Thursday, January 1, 2015 to the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, c/o Edward J. Record,Oded Shein, Secretary, Stage Stores, Inc., 10201 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77025, and must include the names of such nominees, together with their qualifications for service as a Director of the Company.
Succession Planning. The Governance Guidelines require (i) the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee to make an annual report to the Board on emergency as well as expected CEO succession planning and (ii) the CEO to prepare, on a continuing basis, a short-term succession plan which delineates a temporary delegation of authority to certain officers of the Company, if all or a portion of the executive officers of the Company should unexpectedly become unable to perform their duties. The short-term succession plan will be in effect until the Board has the opportunity to consider the situation and take action, when necessary.
Consultants. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee has the authority to retain, from time to time and at our expense, search firms and other consultants to assist it in identifying and recruiting potential directors for nomination, in evaluating director compensation, and to otherwise carry out its responsibilities and duties and to approve the search firm or other consultant’sconsultants, fees and other retention terms.
Engagement of Compensation Consultant-Director Compensation. The Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee (i) has the authority to retain, from time to time and at our expense, a professional compensation consulting firm to review our Director compensation program, and (ii) has selected and engaged Hay Group,Towers Watson, a leading human resource and compensation consultingglobal professional services firm, as its independent consultant to advise it on Director compensation. Likewise, the decision to retain a consultant is at the sole discretion of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and the consultant works at the direction of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee.  Since 2005, Hay Group has been engaged from time to time by both the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and management for professional compensation consulting with respect to compensation of our Directors.
Compensation of Directors; Role of Compensation Consultant in Determining or Recommending the Amount or Form of Director Compensation. It is the responsibility of ourthe Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee to recommend to our Board alternative forms of Director compensation. Our management reports at least once a year to the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee on the status of our Director compensation in relation to the compensation of directors of our Peer Group. With the assistance of Hay GroupTowers Watson as its Director compensation
10


consultant, the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee periodically evaluates Director compensation to ensure that our Directors are compensated in a manner consistent with those of our Peer Group. Changes in Director compensation, if any, are recommended by the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee, but must be approved by our Board after a full discussion.

11



The nature and role of Hay Group’sTowers Watson’s assignment with respect to Director compensation and its interaction with the Chairman of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee is essentially the same as it is with the Compensation Committee in the case of executive officer compensation. However, Hay GroupTowers Watson only attends meetings of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee that involve Director compensation, which is generally one meeting a year.
In General. The members of the Audit Committee are David Schwartz (Chairman), Alan Barocas,Diane Ellis, Gabrielle Greene, and William Montgoris and Ralph Scozzafava, all of whom are Independent Directors. The Committee’s primary purposes are to (i) assist Board oversight of (a) the integrity of the Company’s financial statements, (b) the Company’s compliance with legal and regulatory requirements, (c) the Company’s independent auditor’s qualifications and independence, and (d) the performance of the Company’s internal audit function and independent auditors, and (ii) prepare an Audit Committee Report as required by the SEC to be included in the Company’s annual proxy statement. The Committee’s primary responsibilities and duties are (i) to monitor the integrity of our financial process and systems of internal controls regarding finance, accounting and legal compliance, (ii) to select, retain, terminate, determine compensation and oversee the work of our independent registered public accounting firm, (iii) to ensure the independence and monitor the performance of our independent registered public accounting firm and the performance of our internal auditing department, (iv) to provide an avenue of communication between our independent registered public accounting firm and our internal auditing department, and (v) to provide an avenue of communication among our independent registered public accounting firm, our management, our internal auditing department and the Board. An annual performance evaluation of the Audit Committee is conducted by the Board and the members of the Committee. The Committee met eleventen times during our 20112013 Fiscal Year.
Committee Meetings; Reports to the Board. The Audit Committee meets as frequently as circumstances require, but in any event a minimum of four times per year. Meetings are led by the Chairman or by his or her designee should the Chairman be unable to attend. The Chairman, in consultation with Committee members, determines the frequency and length of Committee meetings. The Committee may ask members of management or others to attend meetings and may provide pertinent information to them, as the Committee deems necessary.Most meetingsallow time for an executive session in which the Committee and others specifically requested by the Committee (such as representatives of the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm) have an opportunity to directly discuss all accounting issues without the presence of management. The Committee reports to the Board as frequently as circumstances require, but in any event a minimum of four times each year.
Authority to Engage Advisors and to Conduct Independent Investigations. The Audit Committee has the authority to engage, at the Company’s expense, independent counsel and other advisersadvisors it determines necessary to carry out its duties. The Committee has the authority to conduct any investigation appropriate to fulfilling its responsibilities and duties, and it has direct access to our independent registered public accounting firm as well as anyone in the Company.
Audit Committee Charter. The Audit Committee’s Charter is available on our website at www.stagestoresinc.com. It can be accessed by clicking “Investor Relations”,Relations,” then “Corporate Governance”,Governance,” and then “Audit Committee Charter.”
Audit Committee Financial Expert. The Board has determined that Ms. Greene, Ms. Ellis and Messrs. Montgoris, Schwartz and SchwartzScozzafava are Audit Committee Financial Experts, as that term is defined by the SEC.
Audit Committee Report. The Audit Committee Report is on page 6872 of this Proxy Statement.
In General. The members of our Compensation Committee are Earl Hesterberg (Chairman), Alan Barocas, Diane Ellis, Lisa Kranc, Clayton Reasor and Ralph Scozzafava, all of whom are Independent Directors. Our Board has entrusted the Compensation Committee with overall responsibility for establishing, implementing and monitoring our executive compensation program. The primary purpose of the Compensation Committee is to administer the cash salary, bonus and other incentive compensation programs for the current and future executive officers of the Company. In addition, the Committee’s purposesresponsibilities include the following: (i) review and approve corporate goals and objectives relevant to CEO compensation, evaluate the CEO’s performance in light ofagainst those goals and objectives and, either as a

12



committee or together with the other Independent Directors, determine and approve the CEO’s compensation level based on this evaluation, (ii) make recommendations to the Board with respect to non-CEO executive officer compensation and incentive-compensation and equity-based plans that are subject to Board approval, and (iii) prepare a Compensation Committee Report and/or such other disclosure as may be required by applicable SEC rules or regulations.
An annual performance evaluation of the Compensation Committee is conducted by the Board and the members of the Committee. The Committee met sevenfive times during our 20112013 Fiscal Year.
11

TableCommittee Meetings; Reports to the Board. The Compensation Committee meets as frequently as circumstances require, but in any event a minimum of Contentsfour times per year. Meetings are led by the Chairman or by his or her designee should the Chairman be unable to attend. The Chairman, in consultation with Committee members, determines the frequency and length of Committee meetings. The Committee may ask members of management or others to attend meetings and may provide pertinent information to them, as the Committee deems necessary.At least one meeting per year held in person allows time for an executive session in which the Committee and others specifically requested by the Committee (such as outside consultants) have an opportunity to directly discuss all executive compensation issues without the presence of management. The Committee reports to the Board as frequently as circumstances require, but in any event a minimum of four times each year.
Compensation Committee Charter. The Compensation Committee’s Charter is available on our website at www.stagestoresinc.com. It can be accessed by clicking “Investor Relations”,Relations,” then “Corporate Governance”,Governance,” and then “Compensation Committee Charter.”
Compensation Committee Report. The Compensation Committee Report is on page 3944 of this Proxy Statement.
Compensation and Compensation Principles. For a discussion of executive officer compensation and compensation principles, please see “Compensation of Directors and Executive Officers-Compensation Discussion and Analysis” and the compensation tables and narrative discussions that follow beginning on page 1923 of this Proxy Statement.
Processes and Procedures for Executive Officer CompensationCompensation; Committee Meetings. TheIn addition to the purposes set forth in “Compensation Committee-In General”, above,the primary responsibilities and duties of the Compensation Committee are as follows: (i) review and evaluate the performance and approve the compensation of our executive officers, (ii) review and approve the terms and conditions of written employment, separation and retirement agreements for our executive officers, (iii) provide oversight of all cash compensation, equity compensation, benefits and perquisites for the entire officer population, (iv) review and monitor equity incentive plans as well as any pension, profit sharing and benefit plans, (v) oversee the Company’s compensation policies and practices for all employees, including non-executive officers, so that they do not create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse affect on the Company, and (vi) oversee the Board’s annual performance evaluation of our CEO using a process consistent with that set forth in the Governance Guidelines.
The Compensation Committee meets as frequently as circumstances require, but typically meets at least four times per year.  Each meeting held in-person allows time for an executive session in which the Committee and others specifically requested by the Committee (such as outside consultants) have an opportunity to directly discuss all executive compensation issues without the presence of management.  The Committee reviews compensation analyses prepared by an independent compensation consultant and by management and assesses program design and recommendations for individual executives against these strategies.benchmarking purposes. The Committee recommends our CEO’s compensation to the Board, reviews and discusses recommendations for other senior executives with our CEO and recommends final pay packages to the Board. The Committee also reviews overall program design and total costs compared to approved strategies.
The Compensation Committee believes that having the input of management is important to the overall effectiveness of our executive compensation program. Our CEO and our Executive Vice President, Human Resources (“EVP Human Resources”) are the primary representatives of management who interact with the Committee. The Committee seeks input from our CEO and our EVP Human Resources regarding the performance of our executive team and individual compensation levels (within parameters approved by the Committee) and also seeks recommendations on various executive compensation awards (e.g.(e.g., new hire equity grants). In addition, our CEO and our EVP Human Resources regularly attend Committee meetings (except for executive sessions) to participate in the presentation of materials and discussion of management’s point of view regarding compensation issues.
Our CEO is not permitted to be present during deliberations and voting regarding his or her compensation. While our CEO may be present during deliberations and voting on the compensation of other executive officers, our CEO may not vote on their compensation.

13



All base salary, bonus compensation and equity awards, regardless of the amount and the number of shares, at the Executive Vice President level and above must be approved by the Board. The Board has granted our CEO the authority (i) to determine and modify, in his or her discretion, the base salary and bonus compensation of employees of the Company other than executive management (Executive Vice Presidents and above) subject to a maximum base salary of $400,000 and a maximum bonus target of 50% with respect to any single employee in any single calendar year, and (ii) to award up to 5,000 Performance Shares SARs,or shares of Restricted Stock Stock Options or any other equity awards permitted under our Amended and Restated 2001 Equity Incentive Plan, our Second Amended and Restated 2008 Equity Incentive Plan, or other equity incentive plan approved by the Company’s shareholders to any single employee in any single calendar year other than executive management.
Authority to Engage Compensation Consultants-Executive Officer Compensation. The Compensation Committee has the authority,may, in its sole discretion, to retain from time to time and ator obtain the Company’s expense,advice of a professional compensation consulting firmconsultant to review our executive officer compensation program, including, but not limited to, a review of our “performance based” compensation programs in light of Section 162(m) of the Internal
12


Revenue Code, and to approve the consulting firm’s fees and other retention terms.Code. For a discussion of Section 162(m), please see “Tax, Accounting and Other Implications-Deductibility of Executive Compensation” on page 3843 of this Proxy Statement.
The Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of any compensation consultant retained by the Committee. The decision to retain a compensation consultant is at the sole discretion of the Committee and the compensation consultant works at the direction of the Committee. The Company must provide for appropriate funding, as determined by the Committee, hasfor payment of reasonable compensation to any compensation consultant retained by the Committee.
In September, 2013, the Committee selected and retained Hay GroupTowers Watson as its independent compensation consultant to advise it on executive compensation. SinceFrom 2005 until September 2013, Hay Group hashad been engaged from time to time by both the Committee and management for professional compensation consulting with respect to compensation of the Company’s executive officers.
Review of Compensation Consultant Arrangements. In September 2011,2013, the Compensation Committee and the Board reviewed the then existing compensation consultant arrangements. A general discussion was held concerning whether the Board, by and through the Compensation Committee with respect to executive officer compensation and related matters (e.g., comparator data, the Compensation Discussion and Analysis in the Company’s proxy statements and interactions with proxy advisory companies) and by and through the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee with respect to Director compensation, on the one hand, and the Company, by and through management with respect to the compensation of other officers, on the other hand, should retain the services of separate compensation consultants and, if so, who those compensation consultants should be. The Board reviewed management’s approach to hiring its compensation consultant as well as the roles, responsibilities, requirements (including timing) and the costs of compensation consultants.
Based upon the recommendation of the Compensation Committee, the Board determined and directed that the Board, by and through the Compensation Committee with respect to executive officer compensation and related matters, such as those described in the previous paragraph, and by and through the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee with respect to Director compensation, on the one hand, and the Company, by and through management with respect to the compensation of other officers, on the other hand, should retain the services of separate compensation consultants and that (i) the Board and its Committees should retain the services of Hay GroupTowers Watson and (ii) the Company should retain the services of another compensation consultant as needed. However, the Board determined that the Company should continue to participate in the Hay Group annual compensation survey, as it has for many years, since Hay Groupmanagement may need this information in its work for the Board and for Board Committees.committees.
Role of Compensation Consultant in Determining or Recommending the Amount or Form of Executive Officer Compensation. On an annual basis, Hay Groupthe Compensation Committee’s consultant prepares competitive pay analyses regarding both our peer group of companies, as identified on page 2529 of this Proxy Statement (the “Peer Group”), and the broader market; itmarket. It provides information on our performance compared to the Peer Group and to our performance group of companies, as identified on page 2530 of this Proxy Statement (the “Performance Group”);. While we do not think it is appropriate to establish compensation based solely on benchmarking, this information is helpful in understanding the competitive market and it advises the Compensation Committee on the level and designreasonableness of our compensation programs for our executive officers.structure.

14



The Chairman of the Compensation Committee works directly with Hay Groupthe Compensation Committee’s consultant to determine the scope of the work needed to assist the Compensation Committee in its decision making processes. When requested, Hay Groupthe Compensation Committee’s consultant attends Compensation Committee and Board meetings and the Compensation Committee’s executive sessions to present and discuss market data and program design alternatives, and to provide advice and counsel regarding decisions facing the Compensation Committee. Occasionally, Hay Groupthe Compensation Committee’s consultant also meets individually with the Chairman of the Compensation Committee prior to Board meetings to discuss findings and issues. In addition, with the agreement and approval of the Committee, Hay Groupthe Compensation Committee’s consultant works with our management team on broad-based compensation design and issues and links them to our overall executive compensation strategy.
Additional Services Provided by Compensation Consultant. Since 2001, when its predecessor was first engaged by the Company on the recommendation of management and with the approval of the Compensation Committee and the Board at the time, and during Fiscal 2013, Towers Watson provided the following services to the Company and its affiliates in addition to providing services to the Compensation Committee with respect to executive compensation and to the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee with respect to Director compensation: benefit calculations, plan year funding valuations, annual funding notice, actuarial plan valuations, quarterly funded status updates and other services to a broad based defined benefit plan that the Company sponsors, which covers substantially all employees who had met eligibility requirements and were enrolled prior to June 30, 1998 (the “Stage Plan” and the “Plan Services”). The Stage Plan was frozen effective June 30, 1998. None of our Named Executive Officers are participants in the Stage Plan.
During Fiscal 2013, the Company paid Towers Watson aggregate fees of $40,901 for determining or recommending the amount or form of executive and director compensation. During Fiscal 2013, the Company and its affiliate (i.e., the Trust that administers the Stage Plan) paid Towers Watson aggregate fees of $185,967 for providing the Plan Services. The fees paid for the Plan Services were paid to a different line of business (i.e., segment) within Towers Watson and were not associated in any way with the compensation advice provided by Towers Watson. The Committee does not believeconsidered and is comfortable with the protocols that Towers Watson has to protect against any potential conflicts of interest.
Independence of Compensation Consultant; Conflicts of Interest. The Compensation Committee assessed the workindependence of Hay Group has raised anyand Towers Watson pursuant to SEC Rules and concluded that no conflict of interest.interest exists that would prevent either Hay Group or Towers Watson from independently representing the Committee during Fiscal 2013.
Authority to Engage Independent Legal Counsel and Other Advisers. The Compensation Committee has the authority, in its sole discretion, to retain, from time to time and at the Company’s expense, independent legal counsel and other advisers. The Committee is directly responsible for the appointment, compensation and oversight of the work of any independent legal counsel and other advisers retained by the Committee.
Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation.  None of the members of the Compensation Committee has ever been an officer or an employee of the Company or its subsidiaries. None of our executive officers has ever served on any board of directors withDirectors are employed at a company whose compensation committee includes any of our Directors other than on our Board in the case of Mr. Glazer, our President and CEO.executive officers.
13

In General. Shareholders and other interested parties may send written communications to the Board and, if applicable, to the Chairman and other individual Directors, including the Independent Directors, by mail, facsimile or courier to our principal executive offices. All correspondence that we receive will be relayed to the Board or, if applicable, to the Chairman or other individual Director. Communications should be addressed in care of Edward Record,Oded Shein, Secretary, Stage Stores, Inc., 10201 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77025, or sent by facsimile to Mr. RecordShein at (713) 669-2709.669-2621.
Deadline for Shareholder Proposals for Inclusion in Next Year’s Proxy Statement. Shareholder proposals intended to be presented at the 20132015 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and included in our proxy statement and form of proxy relating to that meeting pursuant to Rule 14a-8(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 must be received in writing by us at our principal executive offices by Friday, December 28, 2012.Thursday, January 1, 2015. Proposals should be addressed to Edward Record,Oded Shein, Secretary, Stage Stores, Inc., 10201 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77025.

15



Other Shareholder Proposals for Presentation at Next Year’s Annual Meeting. For any shareholder proposal that is not submitted to us for inclusion in next year’s proxy statement, but is instead sought to be presented by the shareholder directly at the 20132015 Annual Meeting, Rule 14a-4(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 permits management to vote proxies in its discretion if we: (i) receive written notice of the proposal before the close of business on Wednesday,Tuesday, March 13, 2013,17, 2015, and advise shareholders in the 20132015 Proxy Statement about the nature of the matter and how management intends to vote on the matter, or (ii) do not receive written notice of the proposal before the close of business on Wednesday,Tuesday, March 13, 2013.17, 2015. Notices of intention to present proposals at the 20132015 Annual Meeting should be addressed to Edward Record,Oded Shein, Secretary, Stage Stores, Inc., 10201 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77025.
14

Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners
The following table provides information regarding beneficial ownership of our common stock by any person or entity known by us to be the beneficial owner of more than five percent (5%) of our outstanding common stock as of the Record Date (Thursday, April 12, 2012.17, 2014). As of April 12, 2012,the Record Date, there were 30,658,29431,693,850 shares of our common stock outstanding.
Name and Address Number of Shares Beneficially Owned Percent of Class 
      
Wellington Management Company, LLP 4,189,910 13.77%(1)
280 Congress Street     
Boston, MA 02210     
      
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP 2,976,873 9.78%(2)
Palisades West, Building One     
6300 Bee Cave Road     
Austin, TX 78746     
      
BlackRock, Inc. 2,370,171 7.79%(3)
40 East 52nd Street     
New York, NY 10022     
      
Advisory Research, Inc. 2,274,405 7.47%(4)
180 N. Stetson     
Chicago, IL 60601     
      
The Vanguard Group, Inc. 1,802,585 5.92%(5)
100 Vanguard Blvd.     
Malvern, PA 19355     
      
Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC1,658,199 5.45%(6)
225 Franklin St.     
Boston, MA 02110     
Name and Address Number of Shares
Beneficially Owned
 Percent of Class*  
Wellington Management Company, LLP
280 Congress Street
Boston, MA 02210
 3,267,116 10.3% (1)
BlackRock, Inc.
40 East 52nd Street
New York, NY 10022
 3,128,673 9.9% (2)
T. Rowe Price Associates, Inc.
100 East Pratt Street
Baltimore, MD 21202
 2,456,880 7.8% (3)
Dimensional Fund Advisors LP
Palisades West, Building One
6300 Bee Cave Road
Austin, Texas, 78746
 2,355,048 7.4% (4)
The Vanguard Group, Inc.
100 Vanguard Blvd.
Malvern, PA 19355
 1,859,676 5.9% (5)
Waddell & Reed Financial Inc.
6300 Lamar Avenue
Overland Park, KS 66202
 1,614,732 5.1% (6)
__________________________

* Percentages rounded
(1)The information is based on the Schedule 13G/A (Amendment No. 11) filed with the SEC on February 14, 201210, 2014 by Wellington Management Company, LLP reporting on beneficial ownership as of DecemberJanuary 31, 2011.2014. According to the filing, the reporting person has shared voting power with respect to 3,093,4352,456,141 shares and shared investment (dispositive) power with respect to 4,189,9103,267,116 shares.
(2)
The information is based on the Schedule 13G/A (Amendment No. 4) filed with the SEC on February 14, 2012January 10, 2014 by Dimensional Fund Advisors LPBlackRock, Inc. reporting on beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2011.2013. According to the filing, the reporting person has sole voting power with respect to 2,917,3723,029,063 shares and sole investment (dispositive) power with respect to 2,976,873 shares.
(3)The information is based on the Schedule 13G/A filed with the SEC on February 10, 2012 by BlackRock, Inc. reporting on beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2011.  According to the filing, the reporting person has sole voting power with respect to 2,370,171 shares and sole investment power with respect to 2,370,1713,128,673 shares.
(4)
(3)The information is based on the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 14, 20127, 2014 by Piper Jaffray CompaniesT. Rowe Price Associates, Inc. reporting on beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2011.2013. According to the filing, the reporting person has sole voting power with respect to 2,274,405237,200 shares and sole investment (dispositive) power with
respect to 2,274,4052,456,880 shares.  Advisory Research, Inc. is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Piper Jaffray Companies.

16



(5)
(4)
The information is based on the Schedule 13G/A(Amendment No. 6) filed with the SEC on February 8, 201210, 2014 by The Vanguard Group, Inc.Dimensional Fund Advisors LP reporting on beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2011.2013. According to the filing, the reporting person has sole voting power with respect to 48,2392,324,867 shares and sole investment (dispositive) power with respect to 1,754,3462,355,048 shares.
(5)The information is based on the Schedule 13G/A (Amendment No. 3) filed with the SEC on February 11, 2014 by The Vanguard Group, Inc. reporting on beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2013. According to the filing, the reporting person has sole voting power with respect to 52,090 shares, sole investment (dispositive) power with respect to 1,809,286 shares and shared investment (dispositive) power with respect to 48,23950,390 shares.
(6)The information is based on the Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 13, 20127, 2014 by AmeripriseWaddell & Reed Financial Inc. reporting on beneficial ownership as of December 31, 2011.2013. According to the filing, the reporting person has sharedsole voting power with respect to 977,4101,614,732 shares and sharedsole investment (dispositive) power with respect to 1,658,1991,614,732 shares.  Columbia Management Investment Advisers, LLC is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Ameriprise Financial, Inc.

17



Security Ownership of Management
The following table provides information regarding the beneficial ownership of our common stock by each currently employed Named Executive Officer listed in the 20112013 Summary Compensation Table and each of our Directors, as well as the number of shares beneficially owned by all of our Directors and executive officers as a group as of April 12, 2012,the Record Date (April 17, 2014), unless otherwise indicated by footnote. Other than in the case of Mr. Glazer, as footnoted, none of the shares are pledged as security. As of April 12, 2012,the Record Date, there were 30,658,29431,693,850 shares of our common stock outstanding. The table also provides information about stock options exercisable within 60 days and Deferred Stock Units (“DSUs”) credited to the accounts of each Director and Named Executive Officer under various compensation plans. Unless otherwise indicated by footnote, individuals have sole voting and investment (dispositive) power.


Name Common Stock Restricted Stock (1) Stock Options/SARS Exercisable Within 60 Days Deferred Stock Units (2) Percent of Class
Common
Stock

Restricted
Stock (1)

Stock
Options/SARS
Exercisable
Within 60 Days

Deferred
Stock
Units (2)

Percent of Class
Andrew T. Hall (3)  133,495  86,000  503,125  - 2.3%
Michael L. Glazer (3)
142,826

135,550

5,625



(4)
Oded Shein  864  21,725  -  - (4) 
14,988

17,500

22,500



(4)
Richard A. Maloney (5)  22,065  66,700  147,500  - (4) 
Edward J. Record  61,312  70,775  234,312  - 1.2%
Steven P. Lawrence
10,525

79,125





(4)
Steven L. Hunter  7,882  20,966  37,462  - (4)  27,704
 18,675
 24,637
   (4)
Alan J. Barocas  34,649  14,908  -  - (4) 
38,178

4,417





(4)
Michael L. Glazer  88,853 (6) 14,908  16,875  - (4) 
Diane M. Ellis
3,474

4,417





(4)
Gabrielle E. Greene  1,021  10,042  -  - (4) 
16,135

5,439





(4)
Earl J. Hesterberg  6,152  10,433  -  - (4) 
21,527

5,569





(4)
Lisa R. Kranc
3,371

4,417



 
(4)
William J. Montgoris  32,762  14,908  50,625  - (4) 
61,618

4,417





(4)
C. Clayton Reasor
5,931

4,417



 
(4)
David Y. Schwartz  16,480  14,908  10,258  11,015 (4) 
37,482

4,417

10,258

11,489

(4)
Ralph P. Scozzafava  -  3,412  -  - (4) 
8,065

6,123





(4)
           
All Directors and Executive Officers as a group (15 persons)  466,126  415,264  1,102,569  11,015 6.2%
All Directors and Executive
Officers as a group (17 persons)

491,061

342,972

129,557

11,489

3.0%
_____________________________
(1)Reflects unvested Restricted Stock which was granted under our Amended and Restated 2001 and Second Amended and Restated 2008 Equity Incentive Plans.
(2)DSUs are held under our 2003 Amended and Restated Non-EmployeeNon‑Employee Director Equity Compensation Plan. Each DSU is equal in value to a share of our stock, but does not have voting rights. Individuals do not have investment power with respect to DSUs. The number of DSUs credited to a Director’s account will be adjusted, as appropriate, to reflect any stock split, any dividend paid in cash and any dividend payable in shares of our stock. At the election of the Director upon termination of his or her service as a Director, the DSUs will be distributed to the Director either (i) in cash, or (ii) in shares of our stock.
16

(3)Stock ownership for Mr. Hall reflects direct holdings122,929 shares of common stock are pledged as of March 28, 2012, the date of his resignation as President, Chief Executive Officer andsecurity in a Director of the Company, along with restricted stock and SARs exercisable within 60 days of such date.margin account.
(4)Ownership is less than one percent of our outstanding common stock.

18



Stock Ownership by Executive Officers
Our Board believes that an officer who has reached the level of Executive Vice President or above should be a shareholder and should have a financial stake in the Company. The Board has adopted a Stock Ownership and Retention Policy for Senior Management (the “Policy”). Among the provisions of the Policy are the following:
(5)Stock ownership for Mr. Maloney reflects direct holdings as of January 30, 2012, the date of his resignation as Chief Merchandising Officer of the Company, along with restricted stock and SARs exercisable within 60 days of such date.
1. Target Ownership Level. On and afterthe later of (i) the fifth anniversary of his or her appointment as an Executive Vice President or higher of the Company, or (ii) March 29, 2016 (i.e., the fifth anniversary of the effective date of the Policy)(in either case, the “Target Date”), each executive officer of the Company must have developed and must hereafter maintain a stock ownership position in the Company (the “Target Ownership Level”) with a minimum value (the “Value”) as follows:
A Target Ownership Level for the CEO having a Value equal to three times his or her base salary; and
(6)All shares are pledged as security in a margin account.
A Target Ownership Level for all other Executive Vice Presidents or higher having a Value equal to one times his or her base salary.
2. Eligible Stock. In determining whether the executive officer has achieved his or her Target Ownership Level, the executive officer may include the Value of any stock owned outright or beneficially owned (e.g., trusts) and shares held in qualified and nonqualified benefit plans, in any event acquired by him or her (i) in open market purchases, (ii) from vested Restricted Stock, (iii) from net shares held following the exercise of Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, (iv) from earned Performance Shares, and (v) from the purchase of stock in any deferred compensation plan. The executive officer may also include the share value equivalents of gains on vested but unexercised Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights. Individual and joint holdings of stock with an executive officer’s spouse shall count toward achieving the Target Ownership Level.
Hedging3. Determination of Stock Value. For purposes of assessing compliance with the Policy, the “Value” of stock means the greater of (i) the then current fair market value (as defined below) of such stock held of record by Employeesan executive officer and Directors; his or her spouse, or (ii) the value of the stock at the time of acquisition. The Compensation Committee may, in its sole discretion, determine the value of stock other than those referenced in Section 2 above. For purposes of this paragraph, “fair market value” will mean the closing price of the stock on the New York Stock Exchange for such date or, if there was no trading of the stock on such date, for the next preceding date on which there was such trading.
4.Financial Hardship. In the event of a Financial Hardship (e.g., illness, tuition, mortgage), an executive officer, with the prior written consent of the Compensation Committee, may sell Company stock acquired by him or her (such approval would not include any shares of Company stock in any Company sponsored deferred compensation plan) which was acquired to satisfy the Target Ownership Level requirement of this Policy.
The Compensation Committee monitors annual progress toward achieving the Target Ownership Levels set forth in the Policy.
Stock Ownership by Directors
Our Board believes that Directors should be shareholders and have a financial stake in the Company. Each Director must develop and maintain a stock position in the Company with an original investment of at least four times the Annual Retainer, as defined in “Compensation of Directors” on page 65 of this Proxy Statement, or such other amount as the Board deems appropriate (the “Original Investment”). In addition, in the event that the Annual Retainer is increased, each Director must develop and maintain a stock position in the Company with an additional investment of at least four times the increase in the Annual Retainer or such other amount as the Board deems appropriate (the “Additional Investment”), In determining whether the Director has achieved the Original Investment and the Additional Investment, the Director can include (i) a Director’s tax basis in any stock acquired by the Director in open market purchases, and (ii) the amount of any Director fees which the Director has designated to be used for the acquisition of restricted stock or deferred stock units under the Company’s Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Plan. Directors have three years from the date of their initial election to the Board to achieve the Original Investment. Directors have three years from the date of an increase in the Annual Retainer to achieve the Additional Investment. As of the Record Date (April 17, 2014), all of our Directors had met or exceeded the Original Investment requirement, with the exception of:

19



Mr. Scozzafava, who was appointed to the Board on February 21, 2012 and has until February 21, 2015 to meet the Original Investment requirement,
Mr. Reasor, who was appointed to the Board on June 8, 2012 and has until June 8, 2015 to meet the Original Investment requirement,
Ms. Kranc, who was appointed to the Board on September 20, 2012 and has until September 20, 2015 to meet the Original Investment requirement, and
Ms. Ellis, who was appointed to the Board on September 21, 2012 and has until September 21, 2015 to meet the Original Investment requirement.
For additional information concerning the stock ownership of our Directors as of the Record Date, please see the table in “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management-Security Ownership of Management” on page 18 of this Proxy Statement.
Anti-Hedging Policy
In General. Section 955 of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, enacted in July 2010 (“Dodd-Frank”), amends Section 14 of the Exchange Act by adding a new Section 14(j) Disclosure of Hedging by Employees and Directors thatdirects the SEC to issue rules requiring that publicly-traded companies disclose in their proxy statements whether any employee or director, or any designee of an employee or a director, is permitted to purchase financial instruments (including prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars, and exchange funds) that are designed to hedge or offset any decrease in the market value of equity securities:
granted to the employees or directors by the issuer as part of the compensation of the employee or director; or
·  granted to the employees or directors by the issuer as part of the compensation of the employee or director; or
·  held, directly or indirectly, by the employee or director.
As of the date of this Proxy Statement, the SEC has not issued rules with respect to new Section 14(j).
Anti-Hedging Policy. In response to new Section 14(j) and subject to amendment once the SEC has issued rules in this regard, the Board has adopted an Anti-Hedging Policy (the “Policy”) which provides that any employee or Director of the Company, or any designee of an employee or a Director of the Company, shall not be permitted to purchase financial instruments (including prepaid variable forward contracts, equity swaps, collars, and exchange funds) that are designed to hedge or offset any decrease in the market value of the Company’s equity securities:
granted to the employees or Directors by the Company as part of the compensation of the employee or Director; or
held, directly or indirectly, by the employee or Director.
Anti-Pledging Policy
    On April 11, 2014, the Board adopted an Anti-Pledging Policy that provides that Executive Officers and Directors of the Company are prohibited from holding the Company’s securities in a margin account or otherwise pledging the Company’s securities for a loan.
·  granted to the employees or Directors by the Company as part of the compensation of the employee or Director; or
As of the date the Anti-Pledging Policy was adopted, Michael Glazer, a Director of the Company since August 2001 and President and Chief Executive Officer since April 2012, was the beneficial owner of 278,376 shares of the Company’s common stock, of which 122,929 shares were pledged as security in a margin account (the “Pledged Stock”). In view of the undue financial hardship that would result if he is required to sell other longstanding investments as a condition to the immediate release of all of the Pledged Stock from his margin account, the Board has granted Mr. Glazer an exception from the Anti-Pledging Policy, but only with respect to the Pledged Stock. The Board does not believe that this exception will either (i) undermine the underlying goal of aligning Mr. Glazer’s interests with long-term shareholder interests, or (ii) cause a negative impact on the Company’s stock price in the event a portion or all of the Pledged Stock is sold to meet a margin call because the Company’s stock is actively traded (e.g., the average daily trading volume for the 30 days prior to the Record Date was 574,497).
·  held, directly or indirectly, by the employee or Director.
Transactions with Related Persons
Alan Barocas. Effective January 1, 2011, Alan Barocas, one of our Directors, accepted the position of Senior Executive Vice President of Leasing at General Growth Properties, Inc. (“General Growth”), which is based in Chicago, Illinois. Because in the ordinary course of business the Company leased fourtwo of its 813883 store locations from General Growth at January 28, 2012,February 1, 2014 (three during Fiscal 2013), because General Growth may manage other store locations leased by the Company and because Mr. Barocas is now an employee of General Growth, we conducted an independence analysis to determine whether Mr. Barocas remains an Independent Director, as defined in the Governance Guidelines. We reviewed information with respect to payments made by the Company to General Growth in each of the last three years ($1.10.5 million in 2009, $1.12013, $0.5 million in 20102012 and $0.8$0.9 million in 2011); we spoke with Mr. Barocas; and we reviewed General Growth's 2010 Form 10-K and 20112013 Form 10-K with respect to General Growth’s consolidated gross revenues (in excess of $2.8$2.5 billion in 2009, $2.82013, $2.5 billion in 20102012 and $2.7$2.4 billion in 2011). As a result, the Board concluded that Mr. Barocas continues to meet the NYSE definition of Independent Director. The Board also concluded that Mr. Barocas did not have a direct or indirect material interest in the Company’s leasing of store locations from General Growth during Fiscal 2011.2013. The Board has directed that Mr. Barocas and management report to the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and the Board, on no less than a quarterly basis, as to whether the service of Mr. Barocas, as both a Director of the Company and an employee of General Growth, is such that (i) he is no longer an Independent Director and (ii) he may have a direct or indirect material interest in the Company’s leasing of store locations from General Growth during Fiscal 2012.2014.
Joanne Swartz.its South Hill, Virginia regional operations into its Houston, Texas corporate headquarters (the “South Hill Consolidation”). On January 14, 2012,June 19, 2013, we entered into a Separation Agreement with Joanne Swartz, formerly our Executive Vice President, Sales Promotion and Marketing, who resigned effective January 2, 2012.Mr. Searles. The approximate dollar value of the amount involved in the transaction is $518,000.$720,000. We filed a copy of the Separation Agreement as an Exhibit 10.1 to our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 28, 2012.
Richard Maloney. On February 21, 2012, we entered into a Separation Agreement with Richard Maloney, formerly our Chief Merchandising Officer, who resigned on January 30, 2012. The approximate dollar value of the amount involved in the transaction is $1,431,000.  We intend to file the Separation Agreement as an Exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterperiod ended April 28, 2012.
Andrew Hall. By virtue of his resignation and consistentAugust 3, 2013, which we filed with the terms and conditions of his Employment Agreement, we anticipate that we will enter into a Separation Agreement with Andrew Hall.  Please see “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control-Payments Made Upon Termination Without Good Cause or by the Executive For Good Reason”SEC on page 50 of this Proxy Statement.  We intend to file the Separation Agreement as an Exhibit to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter in which it becomes effective.September 12, 2013.
Other than those transactions described above to the extent they involve a direct or indirect material interest, those transactions related to their employment, in the case of executive officers, and those transactions related to their service on our Board, in the case of non-employee Directors,there were no transactions, since the beginning of our last fiscal year, or any currently proposed transaction, in which we were or will be made a participant and in which any Director, nominee for Director or executive officer, or any immediate family member of a Director, nominee for Director or executive officer had or will have a direct or indirect material interest.
Review, Approval or Ratification of Transactions with Related Persons
In General. Article X. Related Party, Other Material Transactions and Loans of the Governance Guidelines (“Governance Guideline Article X”) and our written Related Party and Material Transactions Policy contain our policies and procedures for the review, approval or ratification of any transaction required to be reported in this Proxy Statement. They provide as follows:
“Related Party Transactions. No officer, director, or employee of the Company or any of its affiliate or subsidiary companies (collectively, the “Companies”) shall enter into any agreement, arrangement or contract with any person or entity pursuant to which any of the Companies may be obligated to:
(i)pay any money to a “Related Party,” or
(ii)assign or lease any property belonging to any of the Companies to a Related Party, or
(iii)allow any Related Party to use any property belonging to any of the Companies,

if the aggregate fair market value of any monies paid to the Related Party and the property assigned or leased to or used by the Related Party exceeds Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000), without the express, prior, written approval of the Company’s Board of Directors. The term “Related Party” includes:
if the aggregate fair market value of any monies paid to the Related Party and the property assigned or leased to or used by the Related Party exceeds Five Thousand Dollars ($5,000), without the express, prior, written approval of the Company’s Board of Directors.  The term “Related Party” includes:
(i)any person who is an officer, director. manager or directoremployee of any of the Companies (each, an “Insider”); and

20



(ii)any person who is a child (natural, stepchild or adopted), parent, stepparent, spouse, sibling, mother-in-law, father-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in-law, or sister-in-law of a director, executive officer or nominee for director,an Insider and any person (other than a tenant or employee) sharing the household of such director, executive officer or nominee for directorthe Insider (each, an “Immediate Family Member”); and
(iii)any entity for which an Insider or Immediate Family Member is an attorney, broker, commissioned sales agent, director, manager, officer, partner or profits participant; and
(iv)any entity in which an Insider or Immediate Family Member has any beneficial ownership of five percent (5%) or more ofwith the voting securities of the entity.following exception:
Other Material TransactionsOwnership in stock or mutual fund securities in companies which are publicly traded on a national securities exchange or otherwise widely traded, provided that such ownership does not exceed 1% of a company’s shares, unless written approval is obtained from the Company’s Business Ethics Committee and Board of Directors..  No officer, director, or employee of the Company or any of its affiliate or subsidiary companies (collectively, the “Companies”) shall enter into any agreement, arrangement or contract with any person or entity or authorize any transaction which the Company may be required to
18

TableOther Material Transactions.  No officer, director, or employee of Contentsthe Company or any of its affiliate or subsidiary companies (collectively, the “Companies”) shall enter into any agreement, arrangement or contract with any person or entity or authorize any transaction which the Company may be required to disclose to the Securities and Exchange Commission unless the agreement, arrangement, contract or transaction previously has been approved by the Company’s Board of Directors.
disclose to the Securities and Exchange Commission unless the agreement, arrangement, contract or transaction previously has been approved by the Company’s Board of Directors.
Audit Committee Approval. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary, if required by the Securities and Exchange Commission, New York Stock Exchange, or other regulatory authority, any transaction between the Company and a Related Party, regardless of the amount involved, shall be approved by the Audit Committee.”
No Loans to Directors, Executive Officers and Their Immediate Family Members. GovernanceGuideline Article X provides that the Company shall not, directly or indirectly, including through any subsidiary, extend or maintain credit, arrange for or guarantee the extension of credit, or renew an extension of credit, in the form of a personal loan to or for any Director, executive officer, or Immediate Family Member of any Director or executive officer. As used in the Governance Guidelines and this Proxy Statement, “executive officer” means our President, chief operating officer,Chief Operating Officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer (or, if there is no such accounting officer, the controller), any vice president in charge of a principal business unit, division or function (such as marketing, merchandising, administration or finance), any other officer who performs a policy-making function, or any other person who performs similar policy-making functions for us, in all cases including officers of our subsidiaries if they perform policy-making functions for us.

21



Executive Summary
OperationalStrategy; Financial and FinancialOperational Highlights. The Company’s strategy for theits fiscal year ended January 28, 2012February 1, 2014 (“Fiscal 2011”2013”) was to build on its 20102012 achievements and to pursue meaningful sales and earnings growth. Fiscal 2013 contained 52 weeks, while the Company’s fiscal year ended February 2, 2013 (“Fiscal 2012”) contained 53 weeks. The Company achieved the following results in Fiscal 2013:
Financial Highlights
·  The Company opened 37 new stores and had a net increase of 27 stores, growing from 786 stores in 39 states to 813 stores in 40 states.
Total sales were $1.634 billion versus $1.646 billion for Fiscal 2012, a decrease of approximately 1%, but still the second highest total sales in the Company’s history.
Comparable store sales decreased 1.5%, while on a shifted basis which excludes the first week of 2012, comparable store sales decreased 1.1%.
·  In November 2011, the Company launched Steele’s, its new off-price concept for small town America.
Gross profit margin was 26.4% versus 27.9% in Fiscal 2012.
Selling general and administrative expense was 24.4% of revenue versus 23.9% in Fiscal 2012.
·  In its first full year, the Company’s eCommerce platform produced sales of $8.6 million.
Earnings were $16.6 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, compared to earnings of $38.2 million, or $1.19 per diluted share, for Fiscal 2012. Adjusting for charges related to the South Hill Consolidation, asset impairment charges related to the Steele's off price division and the Steele's results of operations, adjusted earnings were $40.0 million, or $1.22 per share as compared to adjusted earnings in Fiscal 2012 of $46.3 million, or $1.44 per share. 
Direct-To-Consumer sales (eCommerce) increased by approximately $7.0 million to $30.0 million, an increase of 31% over Fiscal 2012.
·  Total sales for the year increased 2.8% to $1,512 million and comparable store sales increased 0.5%.
For the one-year period ended February 1, 2014, the Company had a total shareholder return (“TSR”) of (11.72%), including the reinvestment of dividends. However, over the three-year period ended February 1, 2014, annualized TSR was 34.06%, including the reinvestment of dividends.
The Company increased its quarterly dividend rate by 25%.
·  
On March 8, 2011, the Company announced that the Board approved a Stock Repurchase Program which authorizes the Company to repurchase up to $200.0 million of its outstanding common stock from time to time, either on the open market or through privately negotiated transactions (the “2011 Stock Repurchase Program”). Our strong balance sheet and cash flow allowed the Company to repurchase approximately ­­­6.1 million shares for approximately $100.0 million under the 2011 Stock Repurchase Program.In addition, the Company repurchased 0.7 million shares for approximately $10 million using funds made available from the exercise of employee stock options and SARs.
Operational Highlights
The Company opened 28 traditional stores and one Steele’s stores during Fiscal 2013 and had a net increase of 19 stores, growing from 864 stores in 40 states to 883 stores in 40 states.
·  For the one-year period ending January 28, 2012, the Company had a total shareholder return (“TSR”) of 4.1%, including the reinvestment of dividends.  Over the three-year period ending January 28, 2012, annualized TSR was 127.1%, including the reinvestment of dividends.
The Company’s consolidation of its South Hill, Virginia regional operations into its Houston, Texas corporate headquarters (the “South Hill Consolidation”) was completed in June 2013, resulting in ongoing annual total savings of $5 million in payroll and benefits, not including savings in margin from increased purchasing power and simplified processes.
The tough retail environment also heightened the need to reduce the Company’s cost structure by an additional $5 million. Therefore, approximately 50 positions were eliminated in November.
The Company added several high profile brands across merchandise categories.
The Company increased its private label credit card penetration rate by 290 basis points.
Changes to Executive Compensation Program During Fiscal 2011.2013. In March 2011,April 2013, the Compensation Committee conducted an annual review of the Company’s executive compensation program to ensure that it supported the key objectives and principles set forth in “Compensation Objectives and Principles” on page 2126 of this Proxy Statement. ItBased on this review, the “Mission Based Goals” parameter for the FY 2013 Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan was determined that no significant changes were needed.deleted.

22



Overview of 2011Fiscal 2013 Compensation. The Company’s executive compensation program demonstrates strong alignment between pay and performance. Base salaries are generally at or below the median of market practices,our Peer Group, while incentive compensation provides the opportunity for above median pay if the Company exceeds its targeted performance levels.
Base Salaries. Based on the Fiscal 2012 performance of the Company and competitive market data, base salary increases were granted effective April 1, 2013 to our then employed Named Executive Officers as follows:
·  
Base salaries.  Based on the Fiscal 2010 performance of the Company and competitive market data, base salary increases were granted effective April 1, 2011 as follows:
o  Mr. Hall’sGlazer’s base salary was increased from $800,000$850,000 to $850,000, a 6.25%$950,000, an 11.8% increase.  Based on the competitive analysis conducted by Hay Group, his salary remained at the lower end of the Peer Group.
o  
Mr. Maloney’sShein’s base salary was increased from $550,000$355,000 to $561,000,$370,000, a 2%4.2% increase.
o  
Mr. Record’s base salary was increased from $550,000$585,000 to $572,000,$620,000, a 4%6.0% increase.
o  
Mr. Lawrence’s base salary was increased from $560,000 to $620,000, a 10.7% increase.
Mr. Hunter’s base salary was increased from $375,000$405,000 to $400,000,$425,000, a 6.67%4.9% increase.
Mr. Shein’s base salary was not adjusted because he had joined the Company on January 10, 2011.
Mr. Searles’ base salary remained at $450,000.
Details are shown in the table on page 3135 of this Proxy Statement.
Annual Bonus Incentives.Our 2013 Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan consisted of the following two parameters: (i) a “Pre-Tax Earnings Parameter” of the bonus formula is weighted to determine two-thirds (66.7%) of the year-end bonus amount earned and (ii) a “Comparable Store Sales Parameter” of the bonus formula is weighted to determine one-third (33.3%) of the year-end bonus amount earned. The measurement is based on 2013 fiscal year-end comparable store sales percent change compared to the Company’s 2013 Performance Group, as defined on page 30 of this Proxy Statement. As used below and elsewhere in this Proxy Statement, “Comparable Store Sales” means sales in stores that are open for at least 14 full months prior to the reporting period and includes eCommerce sales.
·  
Target.Annual incentives. Our annual Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan balances Company profitability, as expressed in For Fiscal 2013, Pre-Tax Earnings with relative revenue growth performance, measured in Comparable Store Sales versus the Performance Group.
o  For Fiscal 2011, Pre-Tax Earnings (two-thirds of award opportunity) had to be at least $71.2$69.0 million, an improvementincrease of 20.9% over 2010,$8.6 million (14.3%) versus Fiscal 2012 actual Pre-Tax Earnings, for the target payout to be earned. The Comparable Store Sales component (one-third of award opportunity) pays at the target level if performance equals the median ofCompany’s ranking for total year-end comparable store sales change is at the fiftieth percentile (or middle mark) among the Performance Group.
o  
Results.Actual performance for Fiscal 20112013 was as follows: Pre-Tax Earnings were $26.8 million, a decrease of $47.3$33.6 million and 0.5% increase in(55.6%) versus Fiscal 2012, which was $42.2 million (61.2%) under target. Comparable Store Sales.Sales decreased 1.5% and the Company’s percentile ranking among the Performance Group was 35.71%, which was 14.29% under the fiftieth percentile (or middle mark).
Bonus Payments. Based on this performance,these results, no annual incentive bonuses were paid to any of our Named Executive Officers for Fiscal 2011.
·  
Long-term incentives. The Company’s long-term incentive program uses stock appreciation rights (SARs), Performance Shares and Restricted Stock to reward sustained, multi-year performance.2013.
Long-term Incentives.For Fiscal 2013, the Company’s long-term incentive program for its executive officers consisted of Performance Shares and Restricted Stock to reward sustained, multi-year performance. The use of stock appreciation rights and stock options has been discontinued except in extraordinary circumstances.
o  Executives only recognize value from SARs grants if the stock price appreciates from the grant date through the time of exercise.  SARs generally vest pro rata over a four-year period.
o  Performance Shares measure Company total shareholder return over a three-year period versus the Performance Group. For the 2008-20102010-2012 performance cycle (paid in 2011)2013), 114.3%135.7% of the target number of shares was earned. For the 2009-20112011-2013 performance cycle (paid in 2012)2014), 37.5%58% of the target number of shares was earned.
o  
Restricted Stock has been used from time-to-time, typically for promotions and new hires. In the past Restricted Stock grants generally cliff vested at the endis also a component of three years. However, beginning with grants in Fiscal 2011 and subject to the discretion of the Board,our compensation. Restricted Stock will generally vest over a four year period (i.e.(i.e., 25% per year).
o  Beginning in Fiscal 2012, the long-term incentive awards will consist primarily of Performance Shares and Restricted Stock. Use of SARs will be discontinued except in extraordinary circumstances.
·  
Ownership Guidelines. We have a Stock Ownership and Retention Policy for Senior Management.
Ownership Guidelines. We have a Stock Ownership and Retention Policy for Senior Management. Please see “Stock Ownership by Executive Officers” on page 19 of this Proxy Statement.

23

·  
No Hedging. We have an Anti-Hedging Policy.


·  
No Gross-Ups.
No Hedging. We have an Anti-Hedging Policy. Please see “Anti-Hedging Policy” on page 20 of this Proxy Statement.Our Named Executive Officers are not entitled to gross-up payments with respect to their compensation.

·  
Limited Perquisites.  The compensation philosophy for our executive officers is more heavily weighted toward annual and long-term performance-based compensation than toward benefits and perquisites.
·  
Clawback Policy.  We have a Compensation Recovery Policy (a “Clawback Policy”) for our executive officers.

·  
 New Performance Group.  Our Board adopted a new Performance Group for our 2012 fiscal year to measure our relative performance with respect to comparable store sales for purposes of the Senior
No Pledging. We have an Anti-Pledging Policy. Please see “Anti-Pledging Policy” on page 20 of this Proxy Statement.
20

No Gross-Ups. Our Named Executive Officers are not entitled to gross-up payments with respect to their compensation.
No Repricing Absent Shareholder Approval. It is the policy of our Board that we should not reprice or swap stock options or stock appreciation rights granted to our executive officers, Directors and employees without shareholder approval.

Executive Incentive Bonus Plan and our total shareholder return for the purpose of awarding Performance Shares.

·  
Results of 2011 Say-on-Pay Vote. At the 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, approximately 97% of the votes cast by the shareholders voted, on an advisory basis, to approve the compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers in Fiscal 2010.Results of 2013 Say-on-Pay Vote. At the 2013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, approximately 99% of the votes cast by our shareholders voted, on an advisory basis, to approve the compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers in Fiscal 2012.
Our Fiscal 20112013 Named Executive Officers
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis (“CD&A”) describes the material objectives and principles underlying our compensation policies and decisions and the material elements of the compensation of the following fivesix executive officers during Fiscal 2011:2013:
our Chief Executive Officer,
·  our Chief Executive Officer;
our Chief Financial Officer,
our next three most highly compensated executive officers other than our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, and
·  our Chief Financial Officer; and
one individual who would have been one of our next three most highly compensated executive officers, but for the fact that he was not serving as an executive officer at the end of Fiscal 2013.
·  our next three most highly compensated executive officers other than our Chief Executive Officer and our Chief Financial Officer.
These individuals are as follows and are collectively referred to in this Proxy Statement asour “Named Executive Officers”:

FISCAL 20112013 NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
ExecutiveTitle
Andrew T. HallMichael L. GlazerPresident and Chief Executive Officer
Oded SheinExecutive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
Richard A. MaloneyChief Merchandising Officer
Edward J. RecordChief Operating Officer
Steven P. LawrenceChief Merchandising Officer
Steven L. Hunter
Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer

Michael M. SearlesFormer President and Chief Operating Officer, South Hill Division
This CD&A should be read in conjunction with the compensation tables beginning on page 4045 of this Proxy Statement.

24



Overview of Compensation Program
The Compensation Committee of our Board (for purposes of this CD&A, the “Committee”) administers the base salary, bonus, long-term incentive and other compensation and benefits programs with regard to our Named Executive Officers as well as our other executive officers. Its primary responsibilities and duties are set forth in “Information Relating to the Board of Directors and Committees-Compensation Committee-Processes and Procedures for Executive Officer Compensation” on page 1213 of this Proxy Statement. The Committee ensures that the total compensation paid to our Named Executive Officers is fair, reasonable and competitive in relation to our Peer Group and the retail industry in general.competitive. The Committee’s recommendations for the total compensation of our Named Executive Officers are subject to the approval of our Board.
Compensation Objectives and Principles
Objectives. The objectives of our compensation program are as follows:
to enable us to recruit, motivate and retain the executive talent required to successfully manage and grow our business and to achieve our short and long-term business objectives;
·  to enable us to recruit, motivateto maximize the long-term commitment of our executive officers to our success by providing compensation elements that align their interests and our shareholders by linking compensation elements directly to financial metrics that the Committee believes influence the creation of long-term shareholder value; and retain the executive talent required to successfully manage and grow our business and to achieve our short and long-term business objectives;
·  to maximize the long-term commitment of our executive officers to our success by providing compensation elements that align their interests and our shareholders in that the compensation elements are directly related to our stock performance and other financial metrics that the Committee believes influence the creation of long-term shareholder value;
·  to reward our executive officers upon the achievement of short-term and long-term business objectives and enhanced shareholder value; and
21

to reward our executive officers upon the achievement of short-term and long-term business objectives and enhanced shareholder value.

·  to position our compensation packages competitively within our Peer Group.
Principles. The principles of our compensation program are as follows:
Compensation arrangements shall emphasize pay-for-performance and encourage retention of those executive officers who enhance our performance;
·  Compensation arrangements shall emphasize pay-for-performance and encourage retention of those executive officers who enhance our performance;
Compensation arrangements shall maintain an appropriate balance between base salary and annual and long-term incentive compensation;
Cash incentive compensation plans for our executive officers shall link pay to achievement of goals set in advance by the Committee;
·  Compensation arrangements shall maintain an appropriate balance between base salary and annual and long-term incentive compensation;
The Committee shall set annual and long-term performance goals for our CEO and evaluate his or her performance against those goals on an absolute basis as well as related to the performance of our Peer Group and our Performance Group;
Compensation arrangements shall align the interests of our executive officers with those of shareholders;
·  Cash incentive compensation plans for our executive officers shall link pay to achievement of goals set in advance by the Committee;
In the event minimum thresholds for annual and long-term performance goals are not met, incentive compensation related to those goals shall not be paid subject to the discretion of the Board and the Committee to approve the payment of all or partial incentive compensation when factors may be beyond management’s control and taking into consideration Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code or any other ramifications;
It is the policy of our Board that we should not reprice or swap stock options or stock appreciation rights granted to our executive officers, Directors and employees without shareholder approval;
·  The Committee shall set annual and long-term performance goals for our CEO and evaluate his or her performance against those goals on an absolute basis as well as related to the performance of our Peer Group and our Performance Group;
The Committee shall meet at least once each year in executive session, without our CEO;
Our CEO is not permitted to be present during deliberations and voting regarding his or her compensation. Our CEO may be present during deliberations and provide recommendations when voting on our other executive officers’ compensation, but does not vote on their compensation;
·  Compensation arrangements shall align the interests of our executive officers with those of shareholders;
The compensation of our CEO and our other executive officers shall be recommended to our Board for final approval by the Committee comprised solely of Independent Directors; and
In approving compensation, the recent compensation history of the executive officer, including special or unusual compensation payments, and all forms of compensation to which the executive officer may be entitled, shall be taken into consideration using tally sheets or other comparable tools the Committee deems appropriate.

·  In the event minimum thresholds for annual and long-term performance goals are not met, incentive compensation related to those goals shall not be paid;
25


·  It is the policy of our Board that we should not reprice or swap stock options granted to our executive officers, Directors and employees without shareholder approval;
·  The Committee shall meet at least once each year in executive session, without our CEO;
·  Our CEO is not permitted to be present during deliberations and voting regarding his compensation.  While our CEO may be present during deliberations and voting on our other executive officers’ compensation, our CEO makes recommendations, but does not vote on their compensation;
·  The compensation of our CEO and our other executive officers shall be recommended to our Board for final approval by the Committee comprised solely of Independent Directors; and
·  In approving compensation, the recent compensation history of the executive officer, including special or unusual compensation payments, and all forms of compensation to which the executive officer may be entitled, shall be taken into consideration using tally sheets or other comparable tools the Committee deems appropriate.

Key Considerations in Setting Compensation
In General
Based on the foregoing objectives and principles, the Committee has structured our compensation programs to motivate our Named Executive Officers to achieve the business goals set by our Board and to reward them for achieving those goals. The following is a summary of key considerations affecting the setting of compensation for our Named Executive Officers by the Committee. We describe in the section entitled “Committee Actions in Fiscal 20112013 Concerning Named Executive Officer Compensation” beginning on page 3034 of this Proxy Statement additional considerations that the Committee evaluated in establishing Fiscal 20112013 compensation in the context of our performance and the economic environment at the time.
Emphasis on Future Pay Opportunity Versus Current Pay
The Committee strives to provide an appropriate mix of different compensation elements, including finding a balance between current versus long-term compensation and cash versus equity incentive compensation. Cash payments primarily reward more recent performance and equity awards encourage our Named Executive Officers to continue to deliver results over a longer period of time and serve as a retention tool. The Committee believes that Named Executive Officer compensation should be appropriately weighted on both long-term and short-term Company performance and operating results.
Discretion and Judgment
With the exception of our Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan and performance share awards, both of which depend on achieving specific quantitative financial performance objectives, the Committee does not use formulas in determining the amount and mix of compensation. Thus, the Committee evaluates a broad range of both quantitative and qualitative factors, including reliability in delivering financial and growth targets, performance in the context of the economic environment relative to other companies, a track record of integrity, good judgment, the vision and ability to create further growth and the ability to lead others. In addition to such results, performance and objectives, the Committee may take into account any extraordinary, unusual or non-recurring items realized or incurred by the Company during the fiscal year deemed appropriate by the Committee in determining any incentive compensation. For annual equity incentive awards, the Committee primarily considers a Named Executive Officer’s potential for future successful performance and leadership as part of the executive management team, taking into account past performance as a key indicator. In any event, the Committee exercises its discretion and judgment.

Significance of Our ResultsOverall Corporate Performance
The Committee primarily evaluates our CEO and the other Named Executive Officer’sOfficers’ contributions to our overall performance rather than focusing only on their individual function. The Committee believes that each Named Executive Officer shares the responsibility to support our goals and performance as key members of our leadership team. While this compensation philosophy influences all of the Committee’s compensation decisions, it has the biggest impact on annual equity incentive awards.
Compensation Policies and Practices as they Relate to the Company’s Risk Management
The Committee, the Board and management do not believe that there are any significant risks arising from the Company’s compensation policies and practices for the Company’s employees, including non-executive officers, that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. Our compensation programs emphasize pay-for-performance, are balanced and are focused on the long term. Under this structure, the highest amount of compensation can be achieved through consistent superior performance over sustained periods of time. In addition, a significant percentage of compensation is tied to our long-term performance. This provides strong incentives to manage the Company for the long term, while avoiding excessive risk taking in the short term. Goals and objectives reflect a balanced mix of quantitative and qualitative performance measures to avoid excessive weight on a single performance measure. Likewise, the elements of compensation are balanced among current cash payments and equity awards. With limited exceptions, the Committee retains discretion to adjust compensation for quality of performance and adherence to our values. The Committee, the Board and senior management monitor the Company’s compensation policies and practices on an ongoing basis to determine whether the Company’s risk management objectives are being met with

26



respect to incentivizing the Company’s employees. The annual incentive is heavily weighted toward profitable growth and the Company has a Compensation Recovery Policy (a “Clawback Policy”) that is described in the next paragraph.
section.
Compensation Recovery Policy (“Clawback Policy”)
Our Board has adopted a Compensation Recovery Policy (a “Clawback Policy”) for our executive officers. If our Board determines that an executive officer (an Executive Vice President or above) has engaged in fraudulent or intentional misconduct, the Board may take a range of actions to remedy the misconduct, prevent its recurrence, and impose such discipline on the wrongdoers as would be appropriate. Discipline would vary depending on the facts and circumstances, and may include, without limit, (i) termination of employment, (ii) initiating an action for breach of fiduciary duty, and (iii) if the misconduct resulted in a material inaccuracy in our financial statements or performance metrics, which affect the executive officer’s compensation, seeking reimbursement of any portion of any bonus or other incentive-based or equity-based compensation paid or awarded to the executive that is greater than would have been paid or awarded if calculated based on the accurate financial statements or performance metrics. These remedies would be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any actions imposed by law enforcement agencies, regulators or other authorities.
The Compensation Recovery Policy provides that notwithstanding anything in it to the contrary, in the event that the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement due to the material noncompliance of the Company with any financial reporting requirement under the securities laws of the United States, the Company will recover from any current or former executive officer of the Company who received incentive-based compensation (including stock options, stock appreciation rights or any other type of equity awards awarded as compensation) during the 3-year period preceding the date on which the Company is required to prepare an accounting restatement, based on the erroneous data, the excess of what would have been paid to the executive officer under the accounting restatement.
Once the SEC has issued final rules as required by Dodd-Frank, the Compensation Recovery Policy will be reviewed for compliance with those rules.
No Gross-Up Payments
Our Named Executive Officers are not entitled to gross-up payments with respect to their compensation.
No Repricing Absent Shareholder Approval
It is the policy of our Board that we should not reprice or swap stock options or stock appreciation rights granted to our executive officers, Directors and employees without shareholder approval.
Results of and Response to the Most Recent Say-On-Pay Vote and Frequency of Say-On-Pay Vote
Most Recent Say-On-Pay Vote. At the 20112013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, approximately 97%99% of the votes cast by theour shareholders voted, on an advisory basis, to approve the compensation paid to the Company’s Named Executive Officers in Fiscal 20102012 as disclosed in the 20112013 Proxy Statement pursuant to Item 402 of SEC Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion (the “2011“2013 Say-On-Pay Vote”). The Committee and the Board believe that the 20112013 Say-On-Pay Vote confirmed shareholder support for the Company’s executive compensation policies and decisions. As a result, our Fiscal 20112013 executive compensation policies and decisionsdecision making approach remained consistent with those in Fiscal 2010.2012, with the exception that the Committee deleted the “Mission Based Goals” parameter in the 2013 Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan.
Most Recent Frequency of Say-On-Pay Vote.  At the 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, a majority of the votes cast by theour shareholders voted, on an advisory basis, to hold an advisory vote to approve executive compensation every year.annually.  In line with this recommendation by theour shareholders, the Board decided that it will include an advisory shareholder vote on executive compensation in its proxy materials every yearannually until the next required advisory vote on the frequency of shareholder votes on executive compensation, which will occur no later than our 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
Response to Future Say-On-Pay Votes. Although non-binding, the Committee and the Board will continue to consider the results of the say-on-pay votes in their future executive compensation policies and decisions.

27



Role of Executive Officers in Compensation Decisions
The Committee believes that having the input of our management is important to the overall effectiveness of our executive officer compensation program. Our CEO and EVP Human Resources regularly attend Committee meetings (except for executive sessions) to participate in the presentation of materials and discussion of management’s point of view regarding compensation issues. Our CEO annually reviews and evaluates the performance of each Named Executive Officer (other than himself, as his own, whichperformance is reviewed and evaluated by the Committee). The conclusions reached and recommendations based on these reviews, including related base salary adjustments and annual incentive award amounts, are presented to the Committee.Committee for review and approval. The Committee can exercise its discretion in modifying any recommended adjustments orthese recommendations for compensation awards to our executive officers.
Use of Tally SheetsSheet
In addition to the recommendations of our CEO, the Committee reviews a tally sheets,sheet, which areis prepared for each of our Named Executive Officers by our Human Resources Department. The tally sheets presentsheet presents the Committee with specific dollar amounts for all elements of compensation, showing each Named Executive Officer’s annual total compensation and the individual’s accumulated and outstanding compensation anddeferred compensation. The Committee is also provided with the amount of the benefits to which the Named Executive Officer would be entitled upon various termination events.
The Committee uses the tally sheetssheet to ensure that our compensation is reasonable and competitive. The Committee also uses the tally sheetssheet to evaluate past performance of our Named Executive Officers to determine if our compensation strategy achieved our goals in the past and to align executive compensation with our near and long-term goals.
Benchmarking Overall Compensation; Our Fiscal 20112013 Peer Group
In making overall compensation decisions, the Committee compares each element of total compensation to data from Hay Group’s published surveyannual Retail Industry Total Remuneration Survey (the “Hay Group Survey”) as well as a peer group of publicly-traded apparel companies listed below (collectively, the “Peer Group”). The Committee initially developed the Peer Group in 2005 in order to benchmark executive compensation at peer companies and to assess the Company’s performance relative to the Peer Group. The Peer Group is representative of companies that we compete with for business and talent and our annual sales fall within the range of the companies in the Peer Group. The Peer Group is reviewed annually and updated as needed for certain business reasons, such as mergers, acquisitions, etc. In general, the criteria for selecting the companies in the Peer Group are as follows:
U.S. based, publicly traded companies in the retail industry,
·  U.S. based, publicly traded companies in the retail industry;
annual sales generally between one-half and two times our annual sales,
primarily do business in apparel and/or accessories, and

·  annual sales generally between one-half and two times our annual sales;
·  primarily do business in apparel and/or accessories; and
·  companies from which key talent may be recruited.
All of the companies in the Peer Group meet a majority of those criteria. The members of the Peer Group are as follows:follows:
·
Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
·Chico’sChico's FAS, Inc.
·New York & Company, Inc.
·American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.
·The Children’sChildren's Place Retail Stores, Inc.
·Pacific Sunwear of California, Inc.
·Ann Inc.
·Christopher & Banks Corporation
·Stein Mart, Inc.
·Ascena Retail Group, Inc.
·Collective Brands, Inc.
·The Talbots, Inc.
·The Cato Corporation
·Hot Topic, Inc.
·Urban Outfitters, Inc.
·Charming Shoppes, Inc.
·The Men’sMen's Wearhouse, Inc.
 
The Peer Group provides direct incumbent information on a job title match basis (e.g.(e.g., CEO, Chief Operating Officer, Chief Financial Officer) for key competitors. Hay Group’s annual Retail Industry Total Remuneration Survey (the “HayIn addition to reviewing the Peer Group Survey”) is used to provide an additional benchmark for our Named Executive Officers’ base salaries and annual variable pay target levels (both cash and equity).  Theanalysis, the Committee considers data from fashion retailers in the Hay Group Survey, which provides compensation data on the broader retail marketplace (covering approximately 100 retail organizations, a majority ofmarket with which are specialty stores).  It provideswe compete for executive talent including market data by job, controlling for differences in responsibility and revenue size.

28



Benchmarking Incentive-Based Compensation; Our Fiscal 20112013 Performance Group
The Dow Jones Apparel Index (the “Apparel Index”), a well recognized group of apparel retailers identified below and collectively referred to herein as our “2011 Performance Group”, is used toTo measure our relative performance with respect to comparable store sales for purposes of the Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan and our total shareholder return for the purpose of awarding performance shares in Fiscal 2011.  The Committee selected the Apparel Index in 2007 as our Performance Group because it was representative of companies that we compete with for business, talent and investor capital.  The Apparel Index is comprised of approximately 25 apparel retailers and has been developed independently by Dow Jones, which has deemed it to be a relevant comparator group for individual investors to assess company performance. Dow Jones periodically modifies the composition of the Apparel Index. There are some differences among the geographic footprint of the companies in the Apparel Index versus the Company. Many companies in the Apparel Index are national in scope, whereas the Company operates in 40 states.  The current members of the 2011 Performance Group are as follows:
·Abercrombie & Fitch Co.
·The Children’s Place Retail Stores, Inc.
·Limited Brands, Inc.
·Aeropostale, Inc.
·Collective Brands, Inc.
·The Men’s Wearhouse, Inc.
·American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.
·Dillard’s, Inc.
·Nordstrom, Inc.
·Ann Inc.
·Foot Locker, Inc.
·Ross Stores, Inc.
·Ascena Retail Group, Inc.
·The Gap. Inc.
·SAKS Incorporated
·The Buckle, Inc.
·Genesco, Inc.
·Signet Jewelers Limited
·The Cato Corporation
·Guess?, Inc.
·The TJX Companies, Inc.
·Chico’s FAS, Inc.
·Kohl’s Corporation
·Urban Outfitters, Inc.

However, please see “Adoption of New Performance Group”, below, for a discussion of changes made to our Performance Group effective in Fiscal 2012.

Adoption of New Performance Group
In their January 2012 meetings, our senior management providedShares, the Committee and the Board with their thoughts with respect tohas adopted a Performance Group comprised of all of the Fiscal 2011 Performance Group. A general discussion was then held concerning whether or notDepartment Stores (7 in total) and all of the Company should continue to useApparel Stores (20 in total) contained in the Dow Jones U.S. Apparel Retailers Index forbecause they possess attributes similar to the Company’s 2012 fiscal
Company as follows: market capitalization, sales volume, merchandise assortments, target customer, geography of store base and size of markets in which they operate.
year asapproximately 70 retail companies covering a broad and varied range of retail sectors. That is why the Performance Group to measure the Company’s relative performance with respect to comparable store sales for purposes of the Senior Executive Incentive Bonus PlanCommittee and the Company’s total shareholder return forBoard selected only the purpose of awarding Performance Shares.  Based upon the recommendation of the Committee, the Board determined and directed that the Dow Jones 1500 Department Store Group be combined withand the Apparel Group segments of the Retail Index to form a revised Performance Group. Because the companies within the Retail Index are changed from time to time by Dow Jones, 1500 to collectively form the “Index”.  Companiescompanies identified to be in the Retail Index on the first day of the Company’s 2012 fiscal year (January 29, 2012)2013 Fiscal Year (February 3, 2013) will be maintained as a fixed listing of companies for the duration of the designated time period.  Those companies as of the beginning ofPerformance Cycle. The Fiscal 2012 are2013 Performance Group is as follows:
FISCAL 2013 PERFORMANCE GROUP
DOW JONES 1500 DEPARTMENT STORE AND APPAREL INDEX

Department Stores Apparel Stores
Dillard’s,
Department Store GroupApparel Store Group
Dillard's, Inc. Abercrombie & Fitch Co.Collective Brands,Express, Inc.
J.C. Penney Corporation, Inc. Aeropostale,Aeropostle, Inc.Foot Locker, Inc.
Kohl’sKohl's Corporation American Eagle Outfitters, Inc.The GapGAP, Inc.
Macy’s,Macy's, Inc. Ann Inc.Genesco, Inc.
Nordstrom, Inc. Ascena Retail Group, Inc. (Dress Barn)Limited Brands,Guess?, Inc.
SAKS, IncorporatedIncorporated* The Buckle, Inc.The Men’s Wearhouse,Limited Brands, Inc.
Sears Holdings Corporation The Cato CorporationThe Men's Wearhouse, Inc.
Chico's FAS, Inc.Ross Stores, Inc.
  Chico’s FAS,The Children's Place Retail Stores, Inc.The TJX Companies, Inc.
  The Children’s Place Retail Stores,DSW, Inc.Urban Outfitters, Inc.

* Merged with Hudson Bay Company in November 4, 2013
Beginning in Fiscal 2012,2013, (i) the following companies arecompany is no longer membersa member of the Company’s Performance Group: Guess?,Collective Brands, Inc. and Signet Jewelers Limited.  The(ii) the following companies are new members of the Company’s Performance Group: J.C. Penney, Macy’sExpress, Inc., DSW, Inc. (Designer Shoe Warehouse) and Sears Holdings Corporation.
Guess?, Inc.
Compensation Elements
In General    
In General
All of the compensation and benefits programs for our Named Executive Officers described below meet our primary purpose to recruit and retain the executive talent required to successfully manage and grow our business and to achieve our short and long-term business objectives. Beyond that, different elements are designed for different purposes. The elements of compensation for our Named Executive Officers are as follows:
Base salary, perquisites and other benefits, which are designed to attract and retain executives over time;
·  
Base salary, perquisites and other benefits, which are designed to attract and retain executives over time;
Annual incentive (bonus) compensation, which is designed to focus executives on the business objectives established by our Board for a particular year;
Long-term incentive compensation, which consists of stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), Restricted Stock, Performance Shares and stock options (with a current emphasis on Restricted Stock and Performance Shares), is designed to focus executives on our long-term success, as reflected in increases to our stock price, growth in our earnings per share and other elements; and

29



Termination and change in control compensation and benefits, which are designed to facilitate our ability to attract and retain executives as we compete for talented employees in a marketplace where those types of compensatory protections are commonly offered. Termination compensation and benefits are designed to ease an employee’s transition due to an unexpected employment termination, while change in control compensation and benefits are designed to encourage employees to remain focused on our business in the event of rumored or actual fundamental corporate changes.
·  
Annual incentive (bonus) compensation, which is designed to focus executives on the business objectives established by our Board for a particular year;
·  
Long-term incentive compensation, which consists of stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), restricted stock, performance shares and stock options, is designed to focus executives on our long-term success, as reflected in increases to our stock price, growth in our earnings per share and other elements; and
·  
Termination and change in control compensation and benefits, which are designed to facilitate our ability to attract and retain executives as we compete for talented employees in a marketplace where those types of compensatory protections are commonly offered. Termination compensation and benefits are designed to ease an employee’s transition due to an unexpected employment termination, while change in control compensation and benefits are designed to encourage employees to remain focused on our business in the event of rumored or actual fundamental corporate changes.
The Committee establishes the amount and mix of base salary and variable compensation by referencing Peer Group practices for each element. The Committee does not have any specific formula for this determination. It considers factors relating to each Named Executive Officer’s individual position and performance includingversus objectives, professional history and experience, relevant skill set, and scope of duties and meeting pre-established goals.duties. In considering the total package of compensation, the Committee also considers the internal relationship of pay across all executive positions. Total compensation packages as well as each element of compensation (i.e., base salary, annual incentive (bonus) compensation, long-term incentive compensation and perquisites and other benefits) are intended to provide a competitive compensation package as compared to similarly-situated executives in similar positions at competitive companies in our Peer Group.
industry.
Base Salary
The Committee views a competitive base salary as an important component to attract and retain executive talent. Base salaries also serve as the foundation for the annual senior executive incentive (bonus) plan, which expresses the bonus opportunity as a percent of base salary. Base salary is not intended as the primary method of rewarding performance.
The Committee considers both internal equity and external competitiveness in determining the base salary of our Named Executive Officers. After receiving input from our Chief Executive Officer regarding the performance of the other Named Executive Officers, the Committee uses its judgment regarding individual performance, market competitiveness, length of service, job responsibilities and other factors to determine the appropriate base salary for each Named Executive Officer.
Annual Incentive (Bonus) Compensation
Annual incentive (bonus) compensation for our Named Executive Officers is determined each year according to a Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan (the “Bonus Plan”). The 20112013 Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan establishesestablished an annual cash bonus amount and is paid based on the following two weighted parameters:
ParameterWeight
Company Pre-Tax Earnings Relative to Target

Two-Thirds66.7%
Comparable Store Sales Relative to Performance Group

One-Third33.3%
In Marchthe spring of each year, the Committee evaluates our annual strategic plan to determine if these financial parameters are appropriate to measure achievement of our objectives and to motivate our executive officers. Based on discussions with our CEO our Chief Operating Officer and our Chief Financial Officer, the Committee recommends, and the Board approves, the financial parameters to be included in the Bonus Plan for a given year. This final approval typically occurs at the Committee and the Board’s Marchspring meetings. An incentive matrix establishes target, maximum and threshold (minimum), target and maximum performance levels for each parameterthe Pre-Tax Earnings and Comparable Store Sales parameters based on the level of perceived difficulty in achieving our financial plan. The incentive matrix clearly outlines a minimum level of performance below which no bonus will be paid and the relationship between the two parameters (i.e.(i.e., Pre-Tax Earnings Relativerelative to Targettarget and Comparable Store Sales Relativerelative to Performance Group) that will generate payouts.bonus payments.
Annual incentive compensation targets for each Named Executive Officer under the Bonus Plan are expressed as a percentage of each Named Executive Officer’s base salary with the target percentage increasing with job scope and complexity. For additional information on our 20112013 Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan, the formula used to calculate annual bonus amounts, and bonuses awarded under that plan, please see “Committee Actions in Fiscal 20112013 Concerning Named Executive Officer Compensation-Establishment of 20112013 Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan” beginning on page 3135 of this Proxy Statement and “Committee Actions in 2012Fiscal 2014 Concerning Named Executive Officer Compensation-2011Compensation-2013 Bonus Plan Awards” on page 3742 of this Proxy Statement.

30



At its Marchspring meeting, the Committee also reviews our stated financial results for the recently completed fiscal year, certifies the calculation of proposed bonus amounts and reports them to the Board.
Long-Term Incentive Compensation
In General. The Committee considers long-term incentive compensation (“LTI”) critical to the alignment of executive compensation with the creation of shareholder value. Our long-term equity incentive compensation awards are currently granted pursuant to our Amended and Restated 2001 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2001 Plan”), which was approved by our shareholders at our 2004 Annual Meeting, and our Second Amended and Restated 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”), which was approved by our shareholders at our 2011 Annual Meeting.
At its Marchspring meeting, the Committee reviews the portfolio of long-term incentive vehicles, the targeted award size and the performance measures associated with any awards. The Committee also reviews recommendations provided by management and Hay Groupthe Committee’s compensation consultant regarding LTI design. Our Board’s practice has been to make annual grants of equity awards, including Restricted Stock, Performance Shares, stock options SARs, Restricted Stock and Performance Shares,stock appreciation rights (SARs) upon the recommendation of the Committee at that time. It isFor Fiscal 2013, the Board’s intent to make greater useCompany’s long-term incentive program for its executive officers consisted of Performance Shares and Restricted Stock awards in the future and generally eliminate the use of SARs. SARs and stock options have been discontinued except in extraordinary circumstances.
The Committee believes that the use of multiple equity vehicles balances a focus on equity-driven growth with the retention and performance aspects of Restricted Stock. The grant date is the same date that our Board approves the awards. The equity award is priced at
the closing price on the NYSE of our common stock on that date (the “Fair Market Value”). From time to time, our Board will consider making grants under other special circumstances, such as when recruiting new executive talent, upon the promotion of an executive and to retain key individuals. Any and all other grants (other than the Marchspring grants) are effective as of the date of the event (e.g.(e.g., new hire or promotion date) and are priced at the Fair Market Value of our common stock on that date.
    
Restricted Stock. RestrictedStock Options. Stock options represent the right to purchaseis a share of our common stock at a fixed price (the exercise price) for a specified period of time (the option term).  The exercise price isthat has vesting restrictions tied to continued employment. Restricted Stock provides executive officers with the Fair Market Valueopportunity to earn full value shares of our common stockstock. The Committee views Restricted Stock as an excellent mechanism to align executive interests with those of shareholders by supporting increased share ownership for key executives. Restricted Stock is also an effective employee retention tool based on the datevesting schedule which occurs over a period of grant.  The executive officer benefits only if our stock value appreciates fromseveral years. Depending on the grant date through the exercise date.  In Fiscal 2011, we did not grant stock options to any executive officers, but we have granted them in past years.
Most of the stock options we have awarded our executive officersagreement, Restricted Stock grants may either cliff-vest, which means they vest all at the rate of 25% per year over the first four years following the date of grant and some stock options vestonce at the end of three years followinga specified vesting period, or step vest, which means they vest in pro rata increments over a specified vesting period. The Committee’s preferred vesting schedule is a four year pro rata vesting (25% per year) structure. If the date of grant.  Stock options issued prior to January 29, 2005 will generally expire if not exercised ten years from the date of grant while stock options granted after January 29, 2005 will generally expire if not exercised seven years from the date of grant. If an executive officer dies, unvested stock options will immediately vest and the executive officer’s estate will have one year from the date of death to exercise all stock options.  If an executive officer’s employment is terminated by reason of retirement or disability (retirement as determined by our Board), unvested stock options will immediately vest and he or she will normally have one year from the date of termination to exercise all stock options. Upon the termination of an executive officer’s employmentleaves for any reason other than death, retirement (as determined by our Board) or disability before vesting, the unvested portion of the Restricted Stock award will be forfeited. If the executive officer dies, becomes disabled or retires, the Restricted Stock award will have sixty days from the date of termination to exercise all vested stock options.fully vest. In the event of a Change in Control, as that term is defined on page 57 of this Proxy Statement, allthe restricted stock optionsaward will immediately vest and will be exercisable bypayable to the executive officer. In any event, the exercise must occurofficer within the remaining termthirty days of the stock option.  Any portionChange in Control.
Performance Shares. As with Restricted Stock,Performance Shares provide executive officers with the opportunity to earn full value shares of our stock. However, a three-year performance cycle (the “Performance Cycle”) is established at the beginning of each grant and the amount of the stock option not exercised withinaward is determined by our performance on total shareholder return relative to the remaining termPerformance Group at that time over the Performance Cycle. If an executive officer’s employment is terminated for any reason other than death, retirement or disability before the end of the stock optionPerformance Cycle, the Performance Share award is forfeited. If an executive officer’s employment is terminated due to death, retirement or disability during the Performance Cycle, he or she will terminate.receive the target number of shares set forth in his or her Performance Share Award Agreement within thirty days of the triggering event. In the event of a Change in Control, the Target Number of Performance Shares will immediately vest and will be payable to the executive officer within thirty days of the Change in Control. The Committee views Performance Shares as a critical link between management compensation accumulation and the creation of shareholder value.

31



Stock Appreciation Rights (“SARs”). Althoughbeginning in Fiscal 2012 the use of SARs was discontinued except in extraordinary circumstances, the following narrative is provided because some of our Named Executive Officers hold SARS granted them prior to Fiscal 2012 as indicated in the “2013 Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table” beginning on page 50 of this Proxy Statement, the “2013 Option Exercises and Stock Vested Table” beginning on page 53 of this Proxy Statement and as referenced in “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change In Control” beginning on page 55 of this Proxy Statement
A stock appreciation rightis similar to a stock option in that it allows the recipient to benefit from any appreciation in our stock price from the grant date through the exercise date. However, with a SAR, the executive officer is not required to actually purchase all of the exercised shares (as with a stock option), but rather he or she just receives the amount of the increase in the form of shares of our stock. SARs may not be settled in cash. The 2001 and 2008 Plans provide that SARs may not be granted at less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of our common stock on the date of grant.
SARs have a seven-year term and vest either (i) one-fourth (25%) on each of the first, second, third and fourth anniversaries of the date of the grant, or (ii) one-half (50%) on the second year and one-fourth (25%) on each of the third and fourth anniversaries of the date of the grant. If an executive officer dies, unvested SARs will immediately vest and the executive officer’s estate will have one year from the date of death to exercise all SARs. If an executive officer’s employment is terminated by reason of retirement or disability (retirement as determined by our Board), unvested SARs will immediately vest and he or she will normally have one year from the date of termination to exercise all SARs. Upon the termination of an executive officer’s employment for reason other than death, retirement or disability, the executive officer will have sixty days from the date of termination to exercise all vested SARs. In the event of a Change in Control, all SARs will immediately vest and will be exercisable by the executive officer. In any event, the exercise must occur within the remaining term of the SARs. Any portion of the SARs not exercised within the remaining term of the SARs will terminate.
Restricted Stock.  Restricted Stock is a share of our common stock that has vesting restrictions tied to continued employment.  Restricted Stock provides executive officers with the opportunity to earn full value shares of our common stock.  The Committee views Restricted Stock as an excellent mechanism to align executive interests with those of shareholders by supporting increased share ownership for key executives.  Restricted Stock is also an effective employee retention tool based on the vesting schedule which occurs over a period of several years.  Depending on the agreement, Restricted Stock grants may either cliff-vest, which means they vest all at once at the end of a specified vesting period, or step vest, which means they vest in pro rata increments over a specified vesting period.  The Committee’s preferred vesting schedule is a four year pro-rata vesting (25% per year) structure.  If the executive officer leaves for any reason other than death, retirement (as determined by our Board) or disability before vesting, the unvested portion of the Restricted Stock award will be forfeited.  If the executive officer dies, becomes disabled or retires, the Restricted Stock award will fully vest.  In the event of a Change in Control, the restricted
stock award will immediately vest and will be payable to the executive officer within thirty days of the Change in Control.
Performance Shares.  As with Restricted Stock, Performance Shares provide executive officers with the opportunity to earn full value shares of our stock.  However, a three-year performance cycle (the “Performance Cycle”) is established at the beginning of each grant and the amount of the award is determined by our performance on total shareholder return relative to the Performance Group over the Performance Cycle.  If an executive officer’s employment is terminated for any reason other than death, retirement or disability before the end of the Performance Cycle, the Performance Share award is forfeited. If an executive officer’s employment is terminated due to death, retirement or disability during the Performance Cycle, he or she will receive the target number of shares set forth in his or her Performance Share Award Agreement within thirty days of the triggering event.  In the event of a Change in Control, the Target Number of Performance Shares will immediately vest and will be payable to the executive officer within thirty days of the Change in Control. The Committee views Performance Shares as a critical link between management compensation accumulation and the creation of shareholder value.
Benefits and Perquisites
The Committee supports a compensation philosophy for our executive officers that is more heavily weighted toward annual and long-term performance-based compensation than toward benefits and perquisites.
The perquisites and other benefits we provide our Named Executive Officers are summarized in the 20112013 Summary Compensation Table, the 20112013 All Other Compensation Table and the 20112013 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table, including footnotes, in this Proxy Statement. In addition, we provide our executive officers with core benefits available to all full-time employees (e.g.(e.g., coverage for medical, dental, prescription drugs, basic life insurance and long-term disability coverage) as well as a supplemental Executive Officer Medical Plan. The supplemental Executive Officer Medical Plan is an insured plan which provides current officers at the Executive Vice President level and above reimbursement for medical and dental out of pocket expenses that are not covered by the underlying medical plan. Typical payments are for deductibles, co-pays and similar expenses.
Retirement Plans
We do not provide a qualified retirement program for our Named Executive Officers norand there is therenot a supplemental executive retirement plan or any other retirement plan available to them other than our 401(k) Plan and our Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan. Please see the 20112013 Pension Benefits Table on page 4854 and “Retirement Benefits” beginning on page 4854 of this Proxy Statement.
Termination and Change Inin Control Arrangements
In General. Pursuantto theiremployment agreements, our Named Executive Officers are entitled to compensation and other benefits if their employment terminates or if there is a Change in Control, as described beginning on page 49 55of this Proxy Statementunder “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change Inin Control”. Termination and Change in Control compensation and other benefits are established at the time a Named Executive Officer signs an employment agreement.
    

32



Termination. Our Named Executive Officers are entitled to compensation and other benefits in an amount the Committee believes is appropriate, taking into account the time it is expected to take a terminated employee to find another job. Compensation and other benefits upon termination are intended to ease the consequences to an employee of an unexpected termination of employment. We benefit in that the employment agreements contain restrictive covenants that continue for a period of time following termination.
Change in Control-In General. The Committee and our Board recognize the importance to us and our shareholders of avoiding the distraction and loss of key management personnel that may occur in connection with any rumored, threatened or actual Change in Control of the Company. To that end, the Committee and our Board believe that properly designed Change in Control provisions in our Named Executive Officer’s employment agreements protect shareholder interests by enhancing executive focus during rumored or actual Change in Control activity through:
incentives to remain with us despite uncertainties while a transaction is under consideration or pending;
·  incentives to remain with us despite uncertainties while a transaction is under consideration or pending;
assurances of severance and other benefits in the event of termination; and
immediate vesting of equity elements of total compensation after a Change in Control.
·  assurances of severance and other benefits in the event of termination; and
·  immediate vesting of equity elements of total compensation after a Change in Control.

To diminish the potential distraction due to personal uncertainties and risks that inevitably arise when a Change in Control is rumored, threatened or pending, the Committee and our Board have provided our Named Executive Officers with what the Committee and our Board determined to be competitive Change in Control compensation and benefit provisions in their employment agreements. The employment agreements of our Named Executive Officers provide for specific enhanced payments and benefits in the event of a Change in Control.
Change in Control-Double Trigger. The enhanced termination benefits payable in connection with a Change in Control require a “double trigger” which means that (i) if a Change in Control occurs and (ii) during the period beginning six (6) months before the Change in Control and ending twenty-four (24) months after the Change in Control, (a) an executive officer’s employment agreement is terminated by us or our successor without good cause, or (b) the executive officer’s employment agreement is terminated by the executive officer with good reason, the executive officer will be eligible for the Change in Control compensation and benefits. A double trigger was selected in order to enhance the likelihood that an executive officer will remain with us after a Change in Control, since the executive officer will not receive the change in control compensation payments and benefits if he or she voluntarily resigns after the Change in Control event. Thus, the executive officer is protected from actual or constructive dismissal for twenty-four months after a Change in Control, while any new controlling party or group is better able to retain the services of a key corporate asset.
Committee Actions in Fiscal 20112013 Concerning Named Executive Officer Compensation
In General    
In General
At its March 2011April 2013 meeting, the Committee reviewed the market data and analyses provided by Hay Group and determined that our overall compensation program is reasonably competitive and consistent with the Committee’s compensation objectives. In determining compensation for our Named Executive Officers for Fiscal 2011,2013, the Committee considered many factors, including:
our Board’s judgment and satisfaction with the Company’s performance;
·  our Board’s judgment and satisfaction with the Company’s performance;
assessment of the individual executive officer’s performance and potential for future contribution to the Company;
the nature and scope of the executive officer’s responsibilities and his effectiveness in leading our initiatives to successfully increase customer satisfaction, enhance our growth, and ensure compliance with our policies;
·  assessment of the individual executive officer’s performance;
desired competitive positioning of compensation; and
·  the nature and scope of the executive officer’s responsibilities and his effectiveness in leading our initiatives to successfully increase customer satisfaction, enhance our growth, and propose, implement and ensure compliance with our policies;
·  desired competitive positioning of compensation;
·  future potential for the executive officer; and
·  retention needs.
The Committee also considered the compensation practices and performances of our Peer Group and our Performance Group.

33



Base Salaries
Based on their performance during Fiscal 2010,2012, and with input from Hay Group with respect to market salary data of our Peer Group, the Committee recommended, and the Board approved, the following base salaries for our Named Executive Officers for Fiscal 2011.2013. The base salaries were adjusted effective April 1, 2011.
2013.
FISCAL 20112013 BASE SALARIES
 
 
Executive
 
2010 Base
Salary
 
2011 Base
Salary
 
Base Salary
Increase
Mr. Hall$800,000$850,0006.25%
Mr. Shein$350,000$350,000(1)
Mr. Maloney$550,000$561,0002.00%
Mr. Record$550,000$572,0004.00%
Mr. Hunter$375,000$400,0006.67%

Executive
2012 Base Salary
2013 Base Salary
Base Salary Increase
Mr. Glazer
$850,000
$950,000
11.8%
Mr. Shein
$355,000
$370,000
4.2%
Mr. Record
$585,000
$620,000
6.0%
Mr. Lawrence
$560,000
$620,000
10.7%
Mr. Hunter $405,000 $425,000 4.9%
Mr. Searles
$450,000
$450,000
N/A
(1)As Mr. Shein joined the Company on January 10, 2011, his base salary was not adjusted.
Based on Hay Group’s analysis, it was determinedThe Committee believes that the base salaries of our Named Executive Officers are generally at orcompetitive although the Hay Group Survey (the “Survey”), in which the Company continues to participate, indicates that all but Mr. Hunter’s salaries are below the medianSurvey median. There is a wide range of our Peer Group.
companies in terms of revenue and market capitalization in the Survey. Additionally, job responsibilities sometimes vary from company to company despite similar job titles.
Establishment of 20112013 Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan
At its March 2011April 2013 meeting, the Committee recommended, and the Board approved, the parameters for the 20112013 Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan (the “2011“2013 Bonus Plan”) and approved the annual cash incentive opportunities for the Named Executive Officers for the Company’s 2011 fiscal yearFiscal 2013 as set forth in the Potential 2013 Bonus Plan Awards table below.on page 37 of this Proxy Statement. The methodology and measurement parameters for the 20112013 Bonus Plan were unchangedchanged from the 20102012 Bonus Plan.   However,Plan in that (i) the weighting of the Pre-Tax Earnings Parameter was decreasedincreased from 75%60% under the 20102012 Bonus Plan to 66 2/3rd percent3% under the 20112013 Bonus Plan, and(ii) the weighting of the Comparable Store Sales Parameter was increased from 25%20% under the 20102012 Bonus Plan to 33 1/3rd percent3% under the 20112013 Bonus Plan.Plan and (iii) the Mission Based Goals Parameter was deleted.

34

2011


2013 BONUS PLAN PARAMETERS
While the methodology and measurement parameters for the 20112013 Bonus Plan were unchanged from the 20102012 Bonus Plan except for the weighting described above and the deletion of a Mission Based Goals parameter, the Pre-Tax Earnings Target Level for the Financial Plan was increased from $57,000,000$53.6 million under the 20102012 Bonus Plan to $71,200,000$69.0 million under the 20112013 Bonus Plan (an(a $8.6 million increase of 20.9%(14.3%) over actual Fiscal 20102012 Pre-Tax Earnings)Earnings of $60.4 million) to provide incentive to our management team in view of the improving economy.a realistic target based on Fiscal 2012 actual performance and market conditions. The 20112013 Bonus Plan design was as follows:is set forth in the following tables and is subject to the following: (i) actual bonus payments will be prorated for Pre-Tax Earnings results between maximum and threshold levels and (ii) in order to earn any portion of the Comparable Store Sales Parameter, the Company must achieve 75% of the Pre-Tax Earnings target level.
Pre-Tax Earnings Parameter
This parameter of the bonus formula is weighted to determineat two-thirds (66 2/3rd percent)(66.7%) of the year-endeach executive’s target bonus amount earned. Actual bonus paymentand its achievement will be prorated formeasured per the metrics below. Pre-Tax Earnings results between the Maximum and Threshold levels.will be measured as a GAAP number.

Fiscal 20112013
Pre-Tax  
Earnings

 
Threshold (minimum) bonus payment will be earned at one-half of Target by achieving Fiscal 2013 Pre-Tax Earnings of $65.0M, an increase of 7.7% vs. actual Fiscal 2012 Pre-Tax Earnings of $60.4 million.


$65.0 million
5.8%
Below Target
Target bonus amount will be paid by achieving Fiscal 20112013 Pre-Tax Earnings atof $69.0 million, an increase of 20.9%14.3% vs. actual Fiscal 20102012 Pre-Tax Earnings.GAAP Earnings of $60.4 million.

 $71,200,000
$69.0 million
Target Level
Maximum bonus amount will be paid at 2 times Target by achieving Fiscal 20112013 Pre-Tax Earnings at 117%108.7% of Target Level, an increase of 41.4%24.2% vs. actual Fiscal 20102012 Pre-Tax Earnings.Earnings of $60.4 million.


$83,300,00075.0 million17%
8.7% Above  Target
Minimum (Threshold) bonus amount will be paid at ¼ of Target at Fiscal 2011 Pre-Tax Earnings of 83% of Target Level, an increase of 0.4% vs. actual Fiscal 2010 Pre-Tax Earnings.$59,100,0017% Below Target
Comparable Store Sales Parameter
This parameter of the bonus formula is weighted to determineat one-third (33 1/3rd percent)(33.3%) of the year-endeach executive’s target bonus amount earned.  Measurement is based on fiscal year-end comparable store sales percent change, compared to our Performance Group. Notwithstanding, in order to earn any portion of the Comparable Store Sales bonus

payment, the Company must achieve 75% of the 2011 Pre-Tax Earnings Target level ($53,400,000). Actual bonus paymentand its achievement will be prorated for results betweenmeasured per the Maximum and Threshold levels.
metrics below.
Threshold (minimum)bonus amount (1/4 of Target) will be paid if the Company’s ranking of total year-end Comparable Store Sales change is at the twenty-fifth percentile among the Company’s Performance Group, provided that 2013 Pre-Tax earnings are $51.8 million or higher.
Target amount will be paid if ourthe Company’s ranking for total year-end comparable store salesComparable Store Sales change is at the fiftieth percentile (or middle mark) among ourthe Company’s Performance Group.

Maximum amount (2 times Target) will be paid if ourthe Company’s ranking of total year-end comparable store salesComparable Store Sales change is at the one-hundredth percentile (or highest rank) among ourthe Company’s Performance Group.
Threshold bonus amount (1/4 of Target) will be paid if our ranking of total year-end comparable store sales change is at the twenty-fifth percentile among our Performance Group.

 

35



Potential 20112013 Bonus Plan Awards
Depending on our Pre-Tax Earnings and our ranking among our Performance Group with respect to total year-end Comparable Store Sales, our Named Executive Officers had the opportunity to earn bonuses under the 20112013 Bonus Plan as follows, with actual bonus payment to be prorated for results between the Maximum and Threshold levels:
 
POTENTIAL 20112013 BONUS PLAN AWARDS
Executive
Base
Salary($)

Bonus Range % (1)
(Threshold/Target/Maximum)

Bonus Range $ (2)
(Threshold/Target/Maximum)
Mr. HallGlazer
950,000850,000
41.7% - 100% - 200%


25-100-200212,500-850,000-1,700,000
$396,150 - $950,000 - $1,900,000

Mr. Shein
370,000350,000
20.8% - 50% - 100%


12.5-50-10043,750-175,000-350,000
Mr. Maloney561,00017.5-70-14098,175-392,700-785,400
$76,960 - $185,000 - $370,000

Mr. Record
620,000572,000
29.2% - 70% - 140%


17.5-70-140
$181,040 - $434,000 - $868,000

Mr. Lawrence
620,000
100,100-400,400-800,800
29.2% - 70% - 140%


$181,040 - $434,000 - $868,000

Mr. Hunter 400,000425,000 12.5-50-100
20.8% - 50% - 100%

 
$88,400 - $212,500 - $425,000

Mr. Searles (3)
50,000-200,000-400,000450,000
25% - 60% - 120%


$112,500 - $270,000 - $540,000

_________________________
(1)
Percentage of base salary.
(2)Amount to be paid dependswill depend upon the extent to which the Company achieves Fiscal 2011the Pre-Tax Earnings and Comparable Store Sales parameters established by the Board.set forth above. Actual bonus payments will be prorated for Fiscal 2011 Pre-Tax Earnings results between the maximum and threshold levels. In order to earn any portion of the Comparable Store Sales results betweenParameter, the ThresholdCompany must achieve 75% of the Pre-Tax Earnings target level.
(3)
Due to the South Hill Consolidation, Mr. Searles position was eliminated and Maximum levels.he was not offered a position at the Company’s Houston headquarters. However, Mr. Searles remained eligible to participate in the 2013 Bonus Plan on a pro-rata basis (i.e., 19 out of 52 weeks).
Please see “Committee Actions in 2012Fiscal 2014 Concerning Named Executive Officer Compensation –2011- 2013 Bonus Plan Awards” on page 3742 of this Proxy Statement.Statement for the amounts of bonuses actually paid under the 2013 Bonus Plan.

36



Long-Term Incentive Compensation Awards
At its March 2011April 2013 meeting, the Committee (i) reviewed the final Total Shareholder Return (“TSR”) results for the three year performance cyclePerformance Cycle that ended on January 29, 2011February 2, 2013 for the March 20082010 Performance Based Restricted Share Grants for Senior Executives,senior executives, (ii) discussed the attainment level based on our TSR results versus our Performance Group, (iii) reviewed the current standing and attainment levels for LTI grants made in March 20092011 and March 20102012 based on the TSR matrix of our Performance Group, (iv) discussed individual LTI grants for senior management executives recommended by management, (v) reviewed and discussed proposed SAR equity grants for mid-management executives, (vi) reviewed estimated shares needed for 2011Fiscal 2013 awards, and (vii)(vi) reviewed shares available for future grants. To determine the size of each equity award, the Committee reviewed market data, prior years’ LTIlong-term equity incentive (“LTI”) decisions, the performance of the Named Executive Officers and recommendations from Hay Group.
Based upon the recommendation of the Committee and the approval of the Board, the following long-term equity incentive (“LTI”)LTI awards were granted to the Named Executive Officers on March 29, 2011April 4, 2013 in consideration of their 2010 performance and as incentive for their future performance:
2011 LTI AWARDS
 
Executive
Target
Performance Shares (1)
 
SARs (2)
 
Restricted Stock (3)
Mr. Hall22,50068,50036,000
Mr. Shein2,9000 4,700
Mr. Maloney7,25022,25011,700
Mr. Record7,25022,25011,700
Mr. Hunter2,9008,85010,008

  (1)The Performance Shares cliff vest after a three-year measurement performance cycle (the “Performance Cycle”) which began on the first day of our 2011 Fiscal Year (January 30, 2011) and ends on the last day of our 2013 Fiscal Year (February 1, 2014).  The number of Performance Shares earned will be based on our total shareholder return relative to the “Performance Group”. The number of shares reflected in the table above are the “Target Shares”, which means the number of shares of the Company’s common stock the Named Executive Officer will earn (and receive) at the end of the Performance Cycle if the Company’s results are in the middle (fiftieth percentile) of the Performance Group.  On a sliding scale, the shares earned can vary as follows:
Percentile Ranking of Performance GroupPerformance Shares Earned *
 100%200%
   75%150%
   50%100%
   25%  25%
< 25%   0%
*    As a percentage of Target Performance Shares shown in the 2011 LTI Awards table above.
  (2)
The SARs have a grant price of $18.84 (the closing price of our common stock on March 29, 2011) and will vest on a pro rata basis over four years (i.e., 25% per year).
  (3)
In general, the Restricted Stock will vest on a pro rata basis over four years (i.e., 25% per year).  However, 5,308 shares of the Restricted Stock granted Mr. Hunter will cliff vest in three years (i.e., on March 29, 2014).
Performance Shares Earned in 2011 Upon Completion of the 2008 Performance Cycle
As the performance criteria for the three-year Performance Cycle that began on the first day of our 2008 Fiscal Year (February 3, 2008) and ended on the last day of our 2010 Fiscal Year (January 29, 2011) (the “2008 Performance Cycle”) were met, the Named Executive Officers who were granted Performance Shares at the beginning of the 2008 Performance Cycle were issued shares of our common stock at 114.3% attainment of the Target Shares as follows:
 Target SharesPerformance Payout
Executive (1)
Target # SharesTarget $ Shares Attainment # Shares Earned $ Shares Earned
Mr. Hall 26,000$486,720
114.3%
 29,718$556,321
Mr. Record 15,000$280,800
114.3%
 17,145$320,954
____________________________
(1)Messrs. Shein, Maloney and Hunter were not employed by the Company at the beginning of the 2008 Performance Cycle; therefore, they were not entitled to receive Performance Shares as a result of the completion of the 2008 Performance Cycle.
Significant Events Related to the Employment of our Named Executive Officers
Entry Into Employment Agreements
On January 10, 2011, we entered into an Employment Agreement with Mr. Shein for which he received a lump sum payment of $200,000.  On April 11, 2011, we entered into Employment Agreements with Messrs. Hall, Record, Maloney and Hunter for which they received shares of Restricted Stock, with a three-year pro rata vesting period, as follows: Mr. Hall (50,000), Mr. Record (30,000), Mr. Maloney (30,000) and Mr. Hunter (8,000). A brief description of the terms and conditions of the Employment Agreements is found under “Executive Officer Employment Agreements” on page 37 of this Proxy Statement. 
Vesting Period for Restricted Stock
In prior years Restricted Stock generally cliff vested at the end of three years. However, in their January 2011 meetings, the Committee and the Board decided that beginning with grants in Fiscal 2011 and subject to the discretion of the Board, Restricted Stock will generally vest pro-rata over a four year period (i.e., 25% per year).
Discontinuation of SARS
In their January 2012 meetings, the Committee and the Board decided to discontinue the use of SARs from the equity plan mix except in extraordinary circumstances.  The Committee and the Board’s target structure will be to award 45% of a given equity grant in Restricted Stock with a four year pro-rata vesting (i.e., 25% per year) and the remaining 55% in Performance Stock based on the Performance Group then in place.  Hay Group, the Committee’s compensation consultant, will collect competitive stock grant (dollar value) information to guide the Committee and the Board with respect to the magnitude of the equity award that should be granted to the Named Executive Officers.
Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan
In their January 2012 meetings, the Committee and the Board decided that, unlike in Fiscal 2011 and prior years, beginning in Fiscal 2012 the Named Executive Officers and other key senior executives will be tasked with specific business goals, which will account for a portion of their bonus opportunity within the Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan.  Historically, a cash bonus under a Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan was awarded based only on the achievement of the full year Pre-Tax Earnings Targets and Comparable Store Sales.  The Committee and the Board believe these parameters are important and that system should remain for at least half of the cash bonus earnings opportunity for the Named Executive Officers and other members of senior management.  However, the Committee and the Board also believe that they can focus our executive officers and other members of senior management on accomplishing key business objectives within the given fiscal year which can support increased profits and shareholder return over a period of years. 
Adoption of New Performance Group
In January 2012, our Board adopted a new Performance Group for the Company’s 2012 fiscal year to measure the Company’s relative performance with respect to comparable store sales for purposes of the Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan and the Company’s total shareholder return for the purpose of awarding Performance Shares.  Please see “Key Considerations in Setting Compensation-Adoption of New Performance Group” on page 25 of this Proxy Statement.
Resignation of Richard Maloney
On January 30, 2012, Richard Maloney, our Chief Merchandising Officer, resigned from the Company to pursue other interests.  Mr. Maloney joined the Company in October 2008 and served as Chief Merchandising Officer since February 2010. On February 21, 2012, we entered into a Separation Agreement with Mr. Maloney.  The approximate value of the transaction is $1,431,000.  We intend to file a copy of the Separation Agreement as an Exhibit to our Form 10-Q for the period ending April 28, 2012.  Please see “Transactions with Related Persons-Richard Maloney” on page 18 of this Proxy Statement.
Resignation of Andrew Hall
On March 28, 2012, Andrew Hall, our President and Chief Executive Officer, resigned from the Company to pursue other interests.  Mr. Hall joined the Company in February 2006 as President and Chief Operating Officer and
assumed the position of President and Chief Executive Officer in November 2008.  Please see “Transactions with Related Persons-Andrew Hall” on page 18 of this Proxy Statement.
Appointment of Michael Glazer as President and Chief Executive Officer
On March 28, 2012, Michael Glazer, a Director of the Company, was appointed to the position of President and Chief Executive Officer on an interim basis.  Biographical information concerning Mr. Glazer is provided in “Information Relating to Directors and Director Nominees-Board Composition” beginning on page 3 of this Proxy Statement.  Mr. Glazer’s base salary is $850,000, which was Mr. Hall’s base salary at the time of his resignation.
Committee Actions in 2012 Concerning Named Executive Officer Compensation
Fiscal 2011 Overview
The Company’s strategy for Fiscal 2011 was to build on its Fiscal 2010 achievements and to pursue meaningful sales and earnings growth.  Total sales for the fiscal year increased 2.8% to $1,512 million and comparable store sales increased 0.5%.  SG&A expenses achieved a 50 basis point improvement in the rate, while operating 27 net additional stores.  The Company also managed inventory levels and ended the year with comparable store inventories up 1.7%.  The Company’s strong balance sheet and cash flow allowed the Company to increase its quarterly dividend rate by 20% and spend $110 million to repurchase 6.8 million shares of its common stock.
Operationally, the Company continued to make progress on a number of its strategic initiatives during 2011.  The Company opened 28 new Goody’s stores, rebranded 148 non-Goody’s stores with the Goody’s name and ended the year with 243 Goody’s stores.  The Company added 10 Estee Lauder and 10 Clinique counters throughout the year, which helped drive a comparable store sales increase of 9% in cosmetics.  During the year, the Company moved forward on the development of an off-price concept, with the goal to leverage its small market expertise with a complementary format to its department store model. Steele’s, its off-price concept, was launched November 1, 2011 with the opening of three stores.   The Company also expanded its eCommerce business in 2011 as the number of offerings on the eCommerce website has grown from less than 1,000 products at the beginning of the year to approximately 13,200 products at January 28, 2012.  Total eCommerce sales reached $8.6 million for 2011.  The Company also completed the roll-out of its markdown optimization tool.

 The Company operated throughout the year as a financially sound company.  However, the Company did not achieve the Threshold Pre-Tax Earnings and Comparable Store Sales parameters described under “Establishment of 2011 Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan” on page 31 of this Proxy Statement.
CEO Fiscal 2011 Performance and Compensation
The Committee focuses much of its time on CEO and senior executive compensation to assure that it reflects operating and financial performance and demonstrates our commitment to enforcing a strong pay for performance philosophy.
Mr. Hall and the management team responded to the economic and market conditions in Fiscal 2011 by focusing on the following:  27 net additional stores in Fiscal 2011, growing its eCommerce business, launching a new “off-price” division (“Steele’s”), completion of the roll-out of the markdown optimization tool, strong inventory and expense controls, and aggressive promotional programs focused on our customer’s needs. Corporate results in Fiscal 2011 included:
·  total sales for the year increased 2.8% to $1,512 million and comparable store sales increased 0.5%;
·  fiscal 2011 earnings were $31.0 million compared to $37.6 million in Fiscal 2010;
·  SG&A expenses achieved a 50 basis point improvement in rate while operating 27 net additional stores;
·  sales productivity by square footage increased and the net number of stores increased by 27 from 786 in 39 states to 813 in 40 states;
·  the Company’s eCommerce sales grew from $0.4 million in Fiscal 2010 to $8.6 million; and
·  the Company successfully launched Steele’s by opening 3 stores in 2 states.
On March 28, 2012, Mr. Hall resigned as President and Chief Executive Officer to pursue other interests.
Other Named Executive Officers Fiscal 2011 Performance and Compensation
Oded Shein.  As Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Shein’s responsibilities were to oversee the Company’s finance functions, which include accounting, tax, treasury, financial planning and analysis, private label credit card program, loss prevention and investor relations.  He was instrumental in the Company’s fiscal management and the achievement of growth objectives.  His financial expertise has added tremendous value to the Company.
The Committee believes that Mr. Shein performed well in Fiscal 2011.
As a result of Mr. Shein’s performance in Fiscal 2011 and as an incentive for future performance, he was granted 10,000 Performance Shares and 8,200 shares of Restricted Stock on March 28, 2012.
Richard Maloney.  On January 30, 2012, Mr. Maloney resigned as Chief Merchandising Officer to pursue other interests.  
Edward Record.  As Chief Operating Officer, Mr. Record’s responsibilities were to (i) oversee real estate and store construction and (ii) oversee the Company’s finance, information technology, internal audit, logistics, risk management and legal functions. He was instrumental in the Company’s achievement of growth objectives including the increase of 27 net new stores in Fiscal 2011.  He was also instrumental in the growth of the Company's eCommerce platform and the launching of Steele’s in Fiscal 2011.
The Committee believes that Mr. Record performed well in Fiscal 2011.
As a result of Mr. Record’s performance in Fiscal 2011 and as an incentive for future performance, he was granted 20,800 Performance Shares and 17,000 shares of Restricted Stock on March 28, 2012.
Steven Hunter.  As Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer, Mr. Hunter's responsibilities were to oversee all of the Company's technology strategies, investments and implementations. He was instrumental in the growth of the Company's eCommerce platform in Fiscal 2011 and in the successful launching of Steele’s.
The Committee believes that Mr. Hunter performed well in Fiscal 2011.
As a result of Mr. Hunter’s performance in Fiscal 2011 and as an incentive for future performance, he was granted 8,300 Performance Shares and 6,800 shares of Restricted Stock on March 28, 2012.
At their March 2012 meetings, the Compensation Committee and the Board took the following actions with respect to the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers:
Base Salaries
The Committee, with input from Hay Group with respect to market salary data of our Peer Group and based upon the Company’s performance in Fiscal 2011, recommended to our Board, and our Board approved, the following base salaries for our Named Executive Officers in Fiscal 2012. The base salaries were adjusted effective April 2, 2012.
FISCAL 2012 BASE SALARIES
 
 
Executive
 
2011 Base
Salary
 
2012 Base
Salary
 
Base Salary
Increase
Mr. Glazer (1)N/A$850,000N/A
Mr. Shein$350,000$355,0001.43%
Mr. Record$572,000$585,0002.27%
Mr. Hunter$400,000$405,0001.25%
___________________________
(1)Although he is not a Named Executive Officer in this Proxy Statement, as our President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Glazer’s base salary will be $850,000, which was Mr. Hall’s base salary at the time of his resignation.
Based on Hay Group’s analysis, it was determined that the base salaries of Mr. Glazer and our Named Executive Officers are generally at or below the median of our Peer Group.
2011 Bonus Plan Awards
The Company did not achieve the Threshold Pre-Tax Earnings and Comparable Store Sales parameters described under “Establishment of 2011 Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan” on page 31 of this Proxy Statement.  Therefore, our Named Executive Officers were not entitled to, and were not paid, performance based bonuses under the 2011 Bonus Plan.
Long-Term Incentive Compensation Awards
            The following long-term equity incentive (“LTI”) awards were granted to our currently employed Named Executive Officers on March 28, 2012 in consideration of their 2011 performance and in recognition of their critical role in the future success and long-term growth of the Company:
20122013 LTI AWARDS
ExecutivePerformance Shares (1)Restricted Stock (2)
Target
Performance Shares (55%)(1)

 
Restricted Stock (45%)(2)
Mr. Glazer
39,600
32,400
Mr. Shein10,0008,200
7,700
6,300
Mr. Record20,80017,000
22,000
18,000
Mr. Lawrence
22,000
18,000
Mr. Hunter8,3006,800 7,700 6,300
Mr. Searles
N/A
N/A

(1)
The Performance Shares cliff vest after a three-year measurement performance cycle (the “Performance Cycle”) which began on the first day of the Company’s 20122013 Fiscal Year (January 29, 2012)(February 3, 2013) and ends on the last day of the Company’s 20142015 Fiscal Year (January 31, 2015)30, 2016).  The number of Performance Shares earned will be based on the Company’s total shareholder return relative to the Fiscal 20122013 Performance Group. The number of shares reflected in the table above are the “Target Shares”, which means the number of shares of the Company’s common stock the Named Executive Officer will earn (and receive) at the end of the Performance Cycle if the Company’s results are in the middle (fiftieth percentile) of the Fiscal 20122013 Performance Group. On a sliding scale, the shares earned can vary as follows:
Percentile Ranking of Performance Group Performance Shares Earned *
100% 200%
75% 150%
50% 100%
25% 25%
< 25% —%
* As a percentage of Target Performance Shares shown in the 2013 LTI Awards table above.
(2)
The Restricted Stock will vest on a pro rata basis over four years (i.e., 25% per year).

37



Performance Shares Earned in 2013 Upon Completion of the 2010 Performance Cycle
As the performance criteria for the three-year Performance Cycle that began on the first day of our 2010 Fiscal Year (January 31, 2010) and ended on the last day of our 2012 Fiscal Year (February 2, 2013) (the “2010 Performance Cycle”) were met, the Named Executive Officers who were granted Performance Shares at the beginning of the 2010 Performance Cycle were issued shares of our common stock at 135.7% attainment of the Target Shares as follows:  


Target Shares


Payout
Executive (1)
Target # Shares  
Target $ Shares (2)
Performance
Attainment

# Shares Earned  
 $ Shares Earned (3)
Mr. Record
20,000
$397,000
135.7%
27,140
$711,882
Mr. Hunter 6,000 $119,100 135.7% 8,142 $213,565
____________________________
(1)Messrs. Glazer, Shein, Lawrence and Searles were not employed by the Company at the beginning of the 2010 Performance Cycle; therefore, they were not entitled to receive Performance Shares as a result of the completion of the 2010 Performance Cycle.
(2)Based on the fair value ($19.85) of the shares on March 26, 2010, the grant date.
(3)Based on the average of the high and low market price ($26.23) of our common stock on April 4, 2013, the date of issuance.
Significant Events Related to the Employment of our Named Executive Officers
Resignation of Michael Searles
On June 14, 2013, Michael Searles resigned as President and Chief Operating Officer, South Hill Division of the Company to pursue other interests due to the South Hill Consolidation. Please see “Transactions with Related Persons-Michael Searles” on page 21 of this Proxy Statement.
Resignation of Edward Record
On February 12, 2014, Edward Record resigned as Chief Operating Officer of the Company to pursue other interests.
Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan;Mission Based Goals
In their April 2013 meetings, the Committee and the Board decided that, unlike in Fiscal 2012 but consistent with years prior to Fiscal 2012, in Fiscal 2013 the Named Executive Officers and other key senior executives would not be tasked with specific business goals (“Mission Based Goals”) that would account for a portion of their bonus opportunity within the 2013 Bonus Plan. As a result and consistent with plans prior to Fiscal 2012, a cash bonus under the 2013 Bonus Plan would be awarded based only on Pre-Tax Earnings and Comparable Store Sales parameters. 
Committee Actions in Fiscal 2014 Concerning Named Executive Officer Compensation
Fiscal 2013 Overview
Strategy. The Company’s strategy for Fiscal 2013 was to build on its 2012 achievements and to pursue meaningful sales and earnings growth. Fiscal 2013 contained 52 weeks, while the Company’s fiscal year ended February 2, 2013 (“Fiscal 2012”) contained 53 weeks. The Company achieved the following results in Fiscal 2013:
Financial Results
Total sales were $1.634 billion versus $1.646 billion for Fiscal 2012, a decrease of approximately 1%, but still the second highest total sales in the Company’s history.
Comparable store sales decreased 1.5%, while on a shifted basis which excludes the first week of 2012, comparable store sales decreased 1.1%.
Gross profit margin was 26.4% versus 27.9% in Fiscal 2012.

38



Selling general and administrative expense was 24.4% of revenue versus 23.9% on Fiscal 2012.
Earnings were $16.6 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, compared to earnings of $38.2 million, or $1.19 per diluted share, for Fiscal 2012. Adjusting for charges related to the South Hill Consolidation, asset impairment charges related to the Steele's off price division and the Steele's results of operations, adjusted earnings were $40.0 million, or $1.22 per share as compared to adjusted earnings in Fiscal 2012 of $46.3 million, or $1.44 per share. 
Direct-To-Consumer sales (eCommerce) increased by approximately $7.0 million to $30.0 million, an increase of 31% over Fiscal 2012.
For the one-year period ended February 1, 2014, the Company had a total shareholder return (“TSR”) of (11.72%), including the reinvestment of dividends. However, over the three-year period ended February 1, 2014, annualized TSR was 34.06%, including the reinvestment of dividends.
The Company increased its quarterly dividend rate by 25%.
Operational Results
The Company opened 28 traditional stores and one Steele’s stores during Fiscal 2013 and had a net increase of 19 stores, growing from 864 stores in 40 states to 883 stores in 40 states.
The South Hill Consolidation was completed in June 2013, resulting in ongoing annual total savings of $5 million in payroll and benefits, not including savings in margin from increased purchasing power and simplified processes.
The tough retail environment also heightened the need to reduce the Company’s cost structure by an additional $5 million. Therefore, approximately 50 positions were eliminated in November.
The Company added several high profile brands across merchandise categories.
The Company increased its private label credit card penetration rate by 290 basis points.
CEO Fiscal2013 Performance and Compensation
In General. The Committee focuses much of its time on CEO and senior executive compensation to assure that it reflects operating and financial performance and demonstrates our commitment to enforcing a strong pay for performance philosophy.
Mr. Glazer and the management team responded to the economic and market conditions in Fiscal 2013 by continuing to implement a top-line growth focused business strategy. Mr. Glazer, in part through his significant retail experience and expertise and his understanding of the Company by virtue of his service as a Director since 2001, has added tremendous value to the Company. As a result, the Company achieved the results set forth in “Fiscal 2013 Overview”, above.
Fiscal 2013 CEO Performance Objectives and Results. Mr. Glazer’s Fiscal 2013 performance objectives and the extent to which he met those performance objectives are reflected in the following table:
Performance Objective

Result
Comparable Store Sales growth of 4%

Did not achieve performance objective

15% Pre-Tax Earnings growth offsetting all but $6 million of South Hill Consolidation cost synergies

Did not achieve performance objective

Develop a Succession Plan focusing on the top 5 management positions

Achieved - Plan developed and presented to Board


Develop a comprehensive marketing plan for Board approval, focused on the customer, incorporating the role of eCommerce, and defining the role of brands and areas of geographic focus

In Progress - Conducting consumer market research required for strategy development


Develop a 5 year growth plan including plans for Steele’s and incorporating the role of real estate to support the planned growth

Growth plan in progress. Steele’s sold to independent buyer.


39



2013 was a challenging year for the retail industry and the Company. Financial results were below expectations. However, under Mr. Glazer’s leadership several actions were taken to strengthen the Company and prepare for future growth. These actions included the South Hill Consolidation, developing a plan for the disposition of the Steele’s off price division and further enhancement of the eCommerce platform.
CEO Compensation. As a result of Mr. Glazer’s performance in Fiscal 2013 and as an incentive for future performance,
his base salary was increased from $950,000 to $969,000 effective April 1, 2014;
he was granted 50,417 Performance Shares and 41,250 shares of Restricted Stock on April 3, 2014; and
his target bonus percentage (100%) under the 2014 Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan remained the same as it was under the 2013 Bonus Plan.
Other Named Executive Officers Fiscal2013 Performance and Compensation
Oded Shein. As Chief Financial Officer, Mr. Shein’s responsibilities were to oversee the Company’s finance functions, which include accounting, tax, treasury, financial planning and analysis, private label credit card program, loss prevention and investor relations. He was instrumental in the Company’s fiscal management. His financial expertise has added tremendous value to the Company.
As a result of Mr. Shein’s performance in Fiscal 2013, to adjust his base salary up to a level closer to the 25th percentile of the Peer Group range and as an incentive for future performance,
his base salary was increased from $370,000 to $400,000 effective April 1, 2014;
he was granted 9,167 Performance Shares and 7,500 shares of Restricted Stock on April 3, 2014; and
his target bonus percentage (50%) under the 2014 Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan remained the same as it was under the 2013 Bonus Plan.
Edward Record. Mr. Record resigned on February 12, 2014.
Steven Lawrence. As Chief Merchandising Officer, Mr. Lawrence’s responsibilities were to oversee all of the Company’s merchandising strategies. He was instrumental in bringing new brands into our store that our customers desired. Mr. Lawrence’s merchandising expertise has added tremendous value to the Company.
As a result of Mr. Lawrence’s performance in Fiscal 2013 and as an incentive for future performance,
his base salary was increased from $620,000 to $632,400 effective April 1, 2014;
he was granted 34,375 Performance Shares and 28,125 shares of Restricted Stock on April 3, 2014; and
his target bonus percentage (70%) under the 2014 Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan remained the same as it was under the 2013 Bonus Plan.
Steven Hunter. As Chief Information Officer, Mr. Hunter’s responsibilities were to oversee all of the Company’s information technology, systems, ancillary sales, eCommerce platform and customer service functions. He was instrumental in an increase in the Company’s direct-to-consumer revenue of 31% and he made significant contributions to our earnings. Mr. Hunter’s expertise has added tremendous value to the Company.
As a result of Mr. Hunter’s performance in Fiscal 2013 and as an incentive for future performance,
his base salary was increased from $425,000 to $433,500 effective April 1, 2014;
he was granted 11,458 Performance Shares and 9,375 shares of Restricted Stock on April 3, 2014; and
his target bonus percentage (50%) under the 2014 Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan remained the same as it was under the 2013 Bonus Plan.
Michael Searles. Mr. Searles resigned on June 14, 2013.
At their April 2014 meetings, the Compensation Committee and the Board took the following actions with respect to the compensation of the Company’s Named Executive Officers:

40



Base Salaries
Based on their performance during Fiscal 2013, with input from Towers Watson with respect to market salary data of our Peer Group and based upon the Company’s performance in Fiscal 2013, the Committee recommended to our Board, and our Board approved, the following base salaries for our currently employed Named Executive Officers in Fiscal 2014. The base salaries were adjusted effective April 1, 2014.
FISCAL 2014 BASE SALARIES
 
 
Executive

 
2013 Base
Salary

 
2014 Base
Salary

 
Base Salary
Increase
Mr. Glazer
$950,000
$969,000
2.0%
Mr. Shein
$370,000
$400,000
8.1%
Mr. Lawrence
$620,000
$632,400
2.0%
Mr. Hunter $425,000 $433,500 2.0%
Based on Towers Watson’s analysis, it was determined that the base salaries of our currently employed Named Executive Officers are all below the median of our Peer Group.
2013 Bonus Plan Awards
The Company did not achieve the Threshold Pre-Tax Earnings and Comparable Store Sales parameters described under “Establishment of 2013 Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan” on page 35 of this Proxy Statement. Therefore, our Named Executive Officers were not entitled to, and were not paid, performance based bonuses under the 2013 Bonus Plan.
Long-Term Incentive Compensation Awards
    The following long-term equity incentive (“LTI”) awards were granted to our currently employed Named Executive Officers on April 3, 2014 in consideration of their 2013 performance and in recognition of their critical role in the future success and long-term growth of the Company:
2014 LTI AWARDS
Executive
Performance Shares (55%)(1)
Restricted Stock (45%) (2)
Mr. Glazer
50,417
41,250
Mr. Shein
9,167
7,500
Mr. Lawrence
34,375
28,125
Mr. Hunter 11,458 9,375

(1)The Performance Shares cliff vest after a three-year measurement performance cycle (the “Performance Cycle”) which began on the first day of the Company’s 2014 Fiscal Year (February 2, 2014) and ends on the last day of the Company’s 2016 Fiscal Year (January 28, 2017).  The number of Performance Shares earned will be based on the Company’s total shareholder return relative to the Fiscal 2014 Performance Group. The number of shares reflected in the table above are the “Target Shares,” which means the number of shares of the Company’s common stock the Named Executive Officer will earn (and receive) at the end of the Performance Cycle if the Company’s results are in the middle (fiftieth percentile) of the Fiscal 2014 Performance Group.
(2)The Restricted Stock will vest on a pro-ratapro rata basis over four years (i.e., 25% per year).

41



Executive OfficerEmployment Agreements
The Company has three-year, automatically renewable Employment Agreements (the “Agreements”) with threeall of the currently employed Named Executive Officers (individually an “Executive”). Mr. Glazer is employed as President and Chief Executive Officer; Mr. Shein is employed as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer; Mr. RecordLawrence is employed as Chief OperatingMerchandising Officer; and Mr. Hunter is employed as Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer. Prior to his resignation,their resignations, Mr. HallRecord was employed as Chief Operating Officer and Mr. Searles was employed as President and Chief ExecutiveOperating Officer, South Hill Division. Mr. Record and Mr. Searles also had a three-year automatically renewable Employment Agreement.  Prior to his resignation, Mr. Maloney was employed as Chief Merchandising Officer and had a three-year renewable Employment Agreement.Agreements. The Agreements provide for a base salary and annual incentive (bonus) compensation.  The Agreements also provide for perquisites such as an automobile allowance and a financial planning allowance and the Executive’s participation in all other bonus and benefit plans available to executive officers of the Company. Provisions of the Agreements related to termination and Change in Control are discussed in “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change In Control” beginning on page 4955 of this Proxy Statement.
We filed copiesa copy of theMr. Glazer’s Employment AgreementsAgreement as ExhibitsExhibit 10.25 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period endingended July 28, 2012, which we filed with the SEC on September 6, 2012. We filed a copy of Mr. Lawrence’s Employment Agreement as Exhibit 10.3 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended April 5, 2013, which we filed with the SEC on June 13, 2013. We filed copies of Messrs. Record and Shein’s Employment Agreements as Exhibits 10.3 and 10.4 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended April 30, 2011, which we filed with the SEC on June 9, 2011. We filed a copy of Mr. Searles’ Employment Agreement as Exhibit 10.1 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended October 29, 2011, which we filed with the SEC on December 7, 2011. We filed a copy of Mr. Hunter’s Employment Agreement as Exhibit 10.5 to our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended April 30, 2011, which we filed with the SEC on June 9, 2011. The Employment Agreements can be reviewed on the SEC’s EDGAR database at www.sec.gov.
Stock Ownership by Executive Officers
Our Board believes that an officer who has reached the level of Executive Vice President or above should be a shareholder and should have a financial stake in the Company.  On March 29, 2011, the Board adopted a Stock Ownership and Retention Policy for Senior Management (the “Policy”).  Among the provisions of the Policy are the following:
1. Target Ownership Level. On and after the later of (i) the fifth anniversary of his or her appointment as an Executive Vice President or higher of the Company, or (ii) March 29, 2016 (i.e., the fifth anniversary of the effective date of this Policy)(in either case, the “Target Date”), each executive officer of the Company must have developed and must thereafter maintain a stock ownership position in the Company (the “Target Ownership Level”) with a minimum value (the “Value”) as follows:
·  A Target Ownership Level for the CEO having a Value equal to three times his or her base salary; and
·  A Target Ownership Level for all other Executive Vice Presidents or higher having a Value equal to one times his or her base salary.
2.  Eligible Stock.  In determining whether the executive officer has achieved his or her Target Ownership Level, the executive officer may include the Value of any Stock owned outright or beneficially owned (e.g., trusts) and shares held in qualified and nonqualified benefit plans, in any event acquired by him or her (i) in open market purchases, (ii) from vested Restricted Stock, (iii) from net shares held following the exercise of Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights, (iv) from earned Performance Shares, and (v) from the purchase of Stock in any deferred compensation plan. The executive officer may also include the share value equivalents of gains on vested but unexercised Stock Options and Stock Appreciation Rights. Individual and joint holdings of Stock with an executive officer’s spouse shall count toward achieving the Target Ownership Level.
3.  Determination of Stock Value.  For purposes of assessing compliance with this Policy, the “Value” of Stock means the greater of (i) the then current fair market value (as defined below) of such Stock held of record by an executive officer and his or her spouse, or (ii) the value of the Stock at the time of acquisition. The Compensation Committee may, in its sole discretion, determine the value of Stock other than those referenced in Section 2 above.  For purposes of this paragraph, “fair market value” will mean the closing price of the Stock on the New York Stock Exchange for such date or, if there was no trading of the Stock on such date, for the next preceding date on which there was such trading.
4.  Financial Hardship.  In the event of a Financial Hardship (e.g., illness, tuition, mortgage), an executive officer, with the prior written consent of the Compensation Committee, may sell Company stock acquired by him or her (such approval would not include any shares of Company stock in any Company sponsored deferred compensation plan) which was acquired to satisfy the Target Ownership Level requirement of this Policy.
The Compensation Committee monitors annual progress toward achieving the Target Ownership Levels set forth in the Policy.
Tax, Accounting and Other Implications
Deductibility of Executive Compensation
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, imposes a $1 million limit on the amount that a public company may deduct for compensation paid to the company’s CEO or any of the company’s three other most highly compensated executive officers (other than the Chief Financial Officer) who are employed as of the end of the year. This limitation does not apply to compensation that meets the requirements under Section 162(m) for “qualifying performance-based” compensation (i.e.(i.e., compensation paid only if the individual’s performance meets pre-established objective goals based on performance criteria approved by the shareholders.) The Committee’s policy is to design compensation programs that further our best interests and those of our shareholders and that preserve the tax deductibility of compensation expenses.
Incentive bonuses paid to executive officers under our Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan and awards granted under our 2001 Plan and our 2008 Plan, other than restricted stock awards, are designed to qualify as performance-based compensation. The Committee also believes, however, that it must maintain the flexibility to take actions that it deems to be in our best interests but which may not qualify for tax deductibility under Section 162(m). In this regard, if the amount of base salary for any of our executive officers exceeds $1 million, which is not currently anticipated to be the case, any amounts over $1 million will not be deductible for federal income tax purposes.
As required under the tax rules, the Company must obtain shareholder approval of the material terms of the performance goals for qualifying performance-based compensation every five years. We last requested and received shareholder approval in 2008. We are seeking shareholder approval at the 2012 Annual Meeting. Therefore, we will seek shareholder approval again on or before the 2017 Annual Meeting.
Committee Considerations
The Committee considered (i) the impact of the $1 million limit on the deductibility of non-performance based compensation imposed by Code Section 162(m), (ii) the accounting treatment of various types of equity-based compensation under Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718, and (iii) the non-deductibility of excess parachute tax payments under Code Section 280G (and the related excise tax imposed on covered employees under Code Section 4999) in its design of executive compensation programs. In addition, the Committee considered other tax and accounting provisions in developing the compensation programs

42



for our Named Executive Officers. These included the special rules applicable to non-qualified deferred compensation arrangements under Code Section 409A as well as the overall income tax rules applicable to various forms of compensation. While the Committee strives to compensate our Named Executive Officers in a manner that produces favorable tax and accounting treatment, its main objective is to develop fair, equitable and competitive compensation arrangements that appropriately motivate, reward and retain those executives.
The Compensation Committee has reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis contained in this Proxy Statement with our management. Based on that review and discussion, the Compensation Committee recommended to our Board that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for 2011Fiscal 2013 and in this Proxy Statement.
Mr. Glazer was a member of the Compensation Committee during all of Fiscal 2011 and until March 28, 2012, at which time he became employed by the Company as our President and Chief Executive Officer on an interim basis.  Since as an employee he is no longer deemed to be independent, as that term is defined by the NYSE and our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Mr. Glazer resigned from the Compensation Committee effective March 28, 2012, which is why this Compensation Committee Report is dated March 28, 2012.
This Compensation Committee Report is provided by the following Independent Directors, as of March 28, 2012, who constitutedconstitute all of the members of the Compensation Committee on that date, with the exception of Mr. Scozzafava, who did not become a Director and a member of the Compensation Committee until February 21, 2012 and who did not attend his first Compensation Committee meeting until March 27, 2012:
Committee:
Earl J. Hesterberg (Chairman)
Alan J. Barocas
Michael L. GlazerDiane M. Ellis
Lisa R. Kranc
C. Clayton Reasor
Ralph P. Scozzafava


March 28, 2012
43

The following table summarizes the compensation of our Named Executive Officers for our three fiscal years ended February 1, 2014 (“Fiscal 2013”), February 2, 2013 (“Fiscal 2012”) and January 28, 2012 (“Fiscal 2011”), January 29, 2011 (“Fiscal 2010”) and January 30, 2010 (“Fiscal 2009”), with the exception of Mr. SheinGlazer and Mr. Hunter,Lawrence who were not Named Executive Officersemployed by the Company in Fiscal 2009.

Named and Principal Position Fiscal Year    
Bonus
($) (1)
 
Stock
Awards
($) (2)
 
Option
Awards
($) (3)
 
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation
($) (4)
 
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings
($)
 
 All Other Compensation
($) (5)
 
Total
($)
Salary
($)
     
                    
Andrew T. Hall 2011  841,346   -  2,207,765  595,265  -  (3,519)  175,667  3,816,524
     President and 2010  791,346   -  496,250  719,000  630,000  89,709  150,398  2,876,703
     Chief Executive Officer 2009  750,000   -  381,900  402,000  408,000  34,176  119,744  2,095,820
                    
Oded Shein 2011  350,000   -  161,309  -  -  (1,086)  142,365  652,588
     Executive Vice President, 2010  20,192 (6) 200,000  163,100  222,600  -  (16)  22,780  628,656
     Chief Financial  Officer                   
                    
Richard A. Maloney 2011  559,096   -  981,331  193,353  -  13  166,379  1,900,171
    Chief Merchandising Officer2010  547,116 (7) -  720,500  587,000  336,875  1  280,597  2,472,089
  2009  475,000   -  190,950  180,900  193,800  53  156,276  1,196,979
                    
Edward J. Record 2011  568,192   -  981,331  193,353  -  (17,156)  116,508  1,842,227
     Chief Operating Officer 2010  540,442 (8) -  720,500  587,000  336,875  90,659  102,774  2,378,250
  2009  460,000   -  190,950  180,900  203,300  85,191  182,570  1,302,911
                    
Steven L. Hunter 2011  395,673   -  415,712  76,907  -  132  47,591  936,014
     Executive Vice President, 2010  372,116 (9) -  119,100  129,420  164,063  2,117  37,325  824,141
     Chief Information Officer                   
                    

2011.  
Named and Principal Position
Fiscal
Year

Salary
($)

Bonus
($) (1)

Stock
Awards
($) (2)

Option
Awards
($) (3)

Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation
($) (4)

Change in Pension Value
and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings
($)

 All Other Compensation
($) (5)

Total
($)
Michael L. Glazer (6) 2013 932,693
 
 2,195,856
 
 
 (18,339) 289,878
 3,400,088
President and Chief
Executive Officer
 2012 709,423
 
 2,638,923
 
 1,488,945
 10,515
 95,108
 4,942,914
                   
Oded Shein 2013 367,404
 
 426,972
 
 
 45,896
 94,846
 935,118
Executive Vice President, 2012 354,135
 
 326,728
 
 308,318
 19,161
 62,417
 1,070,759
Chief Financial Officer 2011 350,000
 
 161,309
 
 
 (1,086) 142,365
 652,588
                   
Edward J. Record (6) 2013 613,942
 
 1,219,920
 
 
 249,435
 162,969
 2,246,266
Chief Operating Officer 2012 582,750
 
 678,668
 
 732,186
 159,792
 83,703
 2,237,099
  2011 568,192
 
 981,331
 193,353
 
 (17,156) 116,508
 1,842,228
                   
Steven P. Lawrence (6) 2013 609,616
 
 1,219,920
 
 
 24,805
 154,976
 2,009,317
Chief Merchandising
Officer
 2012 420,000
 
 1,378,039
 
 690,704
 5,055
 116,896
 2,610,694
                   
Steven L. Hunter 2013 421,539
 
 426,972
 
 
 20,669
 56,910
 926,090
Executive Vice President, 2012 404,135
 
 271,085
 
 360,045
 10,437
 43,056
 1,088,758
Chief Information Officer 2011 395,673
 
 415,712
 76,907
 
 132
 47,590
 936,014
                   
Michael M. Searles (6) 2013 173,077
 
 
 
 
 70,584
 524,173
 767,834
President and Chief
Operating Officer,
 2012 450,000
 
 326,728
 
 478,440
 12,939
 95,691
 1,363,798
South Hill Division 2011 173,077
 25,000
 554,400
 
 
 
 50,263
 802,740

(1)Any amounts shown in this column are discretionary cash bonuses awarded for performance in the fiscal year indicated, but paid during the subsequent fiscal year. In consideration for his decision to acceptaccepting employment with the Company on January 10,September 12, 2011, Mr. SheinSearles received a lump sum payment of $200,000.$25,000.
(2)The amounts shown in this column reflect the grant date fair value for performance stock and restricted stock for the Named Executive Officers with respect to the fiscal year in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in Note 913 to our audited consolidated financial statements for Fiscal 2011, Note 9 to our audited consolidated financial statements for Fiscal 2010 and Note 8 to our audited consolidated financial statements for Fiscal 2009 included in our Annual ReportsReport on Form 10-K for those fiscal years.Fiscal 2013. Further information regarding the 20112013 awards is included in the “2011“2013 Plan-Based Awards” and “2011“2013 Outstanding Awards at Fiscal Year-End” tables later in this Proxy Statement. The grant date fair value of the performance-based awards reflected in this column (the “2011“2013 Performance Shares”) is the Target payout based on the probable outcome of the performance criteria, determined as of the grant date. The maximum potential values for the 20112013 Performance Shares would be 200% of Target and would be as follows: Mr. SheinGlazer ($145,522)2,677,752), Mr. RecordShein ($363,805)520,674), Mr. Lawrence ($1,487,640) and Mr. Hunter ($145,522)520,674). As a result of his resignation, Mr. MaloneySearles forfeited his 20112012 Performance Shares as well as his unvested restricted stock awards as of June 14, 2013. As a result of his resignation, Mr. Record forfeited his 2013 and 20102012 Performance Shares as well as his unvested restricted stock awards as of February 15, 2012.  As a result of his resignation, Mr. Hall forfeited his 2011 and 2010 Performance Shares as well as his unvested restricted stock awards as of April 12, 2012.27, 2014.
Includes the fair market value of a grant of 33,333 shares of Restricted Stock ($506,662) in 2012 in the case of Michael Glazer and the fair market value of a grant of 20,000 shares of Restricted Stock ($305,400) in 2012 in the case of Steven Lawrence associated with a 2-year non-compete provision contained in their Employment Agreements.

44



(3)The amounts shown in this column reflect the grant date fair value for SARs for the Named Executive Officers with respect to the fiscal year in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718. No SARs were awarded in Fiscal 2012 or Fiscal 2013. Assumptions used in the calculation of these amounts are included in Note 913 to our audited consolidated financial statements for Fiscal 2011, Note 9 to our audited consolidated financial statements for Fiscal 2010 and Note 8 to our audited consolidated financial statements for Fiscal 2009 included in our Annual ReportsReport on Form 10-K for those fiscal years.Fiscal 2013. Further information regarding the 2011 SAR awards is included in the “2011“2013 Outstanding Awards at Fiscal Year-End” table later in this Proxy Statement. Further information regarding the 2013 awards is included in the “2013 Plan-Based Awards” and “2011“2013 Outstanding Awards at Fiscal Year-End” tables later in this Proxy Statement. As a result of his resignation,
Mr. MaloneyRecord forfeited his unvested SARs awards as of February 15, 2012.   As a result of his resignation, Mr. Hall forfeited his unvested SARs awards as of April 12, 2012.27, 2014.
(4)Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation (performance based cash bonus) amounts include any amounts deferred under the Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. Amounts reflect performance based bonuses earned during the fiscal year covered (and paid during the subsequent fiscal year) under the applicable Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan.
(5)All other compensation includes deferred compensation matching contributions, auto allowances, estate planning allowances, insurance premiums and other compensation, as set forth in the 20112013 All Other Compensation Table below.
(6)Mr. Shein joined the Company on January 10, 2011 at a base salary of $350,000.The following clarifying information is provided:
Mr. Glazer joined the Company on March 28, 2012, at a base salary of $850,000.
Mr. Record resigned from the Company on February 12, 2014.
(7)On February 15, 2010, Mr. Maloney was promoted to Chief Merchandising Officer.  Mr. Maloney had been serving as President and Chief Operating Officer of our South Hill Division. In connection with his promotion, Mr. Maloney’s base salary was increased from $475,000 to $550,000.
Mr. Lawrence joined the Company on April 30, 2012 at a base salary of $560,000.
Mr. Searles resigned from the Company on June 14, 2013.

(8)On February 15, 2010, Mr. Record was promoted to Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Record had been serving as our Chief Financial Officer.  In connection with his promotion, Mr. Record’s base salary was increased from $460,000 to $550,000.
45



 (9)On February 26, 2010, Mr. Hunter was promoted to Executive Vice President, Chief Information Officer.  Mr. Hunter had been serving as Senior Vice President, Chief Information Officer. In connection with his promotion, Mr. Hunter’s base salary was increased from $325,000 to $375,000.
The following table provides information concerning the compensation of our Named Executive Officers found in the “All Other Compensation” column of the 20112013 Summary Compensation Table on page 40.38 of this Proxy Statement.
Name
Fiscal
Year

Deferred Compensation Matching Contributions
 ($)

Auto
Allowances
 ($)

Estate
Planning
Allowances
 ($)

Life
Insurance
Premiums
 ($)

Health
Insurance
Premiums
 ($)

Relocation
Expense
Reimburse-
ments
 ($)

Tax
Reimburse-
ments
 ($)

Other
 ($) (1)

Total
 ($)
Michael L. Glazer 2013 244,176
 12,000
 10,000
 15,583
 8,119
 
 
 
 289,878
  2012 67,060
 9,231
 
 6,869
 8,110
 2,439
 1,399
 
 95,108
                     
Oded Shein 2013 69,807
 12,000
 
 2,686
 10,353
 
 
 
 94,846
  2012 37,625
 12,000
 
 2,676
 10,116
 
 
 
 62,417
  2011 37,038
 12,000
 
 2,446
 8,757
 52,190
 29,934
 
 142,365
                     
Edward J. Record 2013 136,827
 12,000
 2,100
 1,903
 10,139
 
 
 
 162,969
  2012 60,465
 12,000
 
 1,337
 9,901
 
 
 
 83,703
  2011 92,698
 12,000
 600
 1,301
 9,669
 
 
 240
 116,508
                     
Steven P. Lawrence 2013 131,852
 12,000
 
 1,710
 6,198
 1,867
 1,349
 
 154,976
  2012 42,462
 8,769
 7,027
 987
 3,525
 34,397
 19,729
 
 116,896
                     
Steven L. Hunter 2013 31,411
 12,000
 1,770
 1,456
 10,273
 
 
 
 56,910
  2012 18,031
 12,000
 1,625
 1,396
 10,004
 
 
 
 43,056
  2011 19,975
 12,000
 4,585
 1,361
 9,669
 
 
 
 47,590
                     
Michael M. Searles 2013 65,911
 4,615
 5,000
 2,592
 2,978
 
 
 443,077
 524,173
  2012 46,965
 12,000
 5,000
 6,740
 7,653
 10,174
 7,159
 
 95,691
  2011 20,415
 4,615
 
 1,296
 1,455
 13,015
 9,467
 
 50,263

(1)Other Compensation includes cell phone allowances, in the case of Mr. Record, and severance pay, in the case of Mr. Searles.


Name Fiscal Year 
Deferred Compensation Matching Contributions
($)
 
Auto
Allowances
($)
 
Estate
Planning
Allowances
($)
 
Life
Insurance
Premiums
($)
 
Health
Insurance
Premiums
($)
 
Relocation
Expense
Reimburse-
ments
($)
 
Tax
Reimburse-ments
($)
 
Cell
Phone
Allowances
($)
 
Total
($)
                     
Andrew T. Hall 2011  149,336  12,000  1,395  2,919  9,777  -  -  240  175,667
  2010  122,233  12,000  2,078  3,105  9,422  -  -  1,560  150,398
  2009  93,236  12,000  2,003  2,070  8,875  -  -  1,560  119,744
                     
Oded Shein 2011  37,038  12,000  -  2,446  8,757  52,190  29,934  -  142,365
  2010  22,088  692  -  -  -  -  -  -  22,780
                     
Richard A. Maloney2011  91,557  12,000  5,165  8,450  7,354  26,445  15,168  240  166,379
  2010  76,164  12,000  6,500  8,041  7,168  137,117  32,047  1,560  280,597
  2009  52,032  12,000  3,742  7,107  6,755  43,743  29,337  1,560  156,276
                     
Edward J. Record 2011  92,698  12,000  600  1,301  9,669  -  -  240  116,508
  2010  77,284  12,000  1,298  1,210  9,422  -  -  1,560  102,774
  2009  48,244  12,000  1,338  1,041  8,875  69,595  39,917  1,560  182,570
                     
Steven L. Hunter 2011  19,975  12,000  4,585  1,361  9,669  -  -  -  47,591
  2010  12,094  11,769  3,292  1,105  9,065  -  -  -  37,325
46

The following table provides information concerning each grant of an award made to a Named Executive Officer in Fiscal 20112013 under any plan. Definitions of Performance Shares and Restricted Stock and SARs as used in the footnotes to this table are found in the CD&A beginning on page 19 32of this Proxy Statement.
 All Other
Stock
Awards:
Number of
Shares of
Stock or
Units
(#) (3)
 
  Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards (1) 
Estimated Future Payouts Under
Equity Incentive Plan
Awards (2)
 All Other Stock Awards: Number of Shares of Stock or Units (#) (3) All Other Options Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Options (#) (4) Exercise or Base Price of Option Awards ($/Sh) Grant Date Fair Value of Stock and Option Awards ($) (5)   Estimated Future Payouts Under Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards
(1)
 Estimated Future Payouts Under Equity Incentive Plan Awards
(2)
  Grant Date
Fair Value
of Stock and
Option
Awards
($) (4)
Name  Grant Date
Threshold
($)
Target
($)
Maximum
($)
 
Threshold
(#)
Target
 (#)
Maximum
(#)
    Grant
Date
 Threshold
($)
 Target
($)
 Maximum
($)
 Threshold
(#)
 Target
 (#)
 Maximum
(#)
 
               
Andrew T. Hall   212,500 850,000 1,700,000  -  -  -  -  -
 3/29/2011 - - -  5,625 22,500 45,000  -  -  -  564,525
 3/29/2011 - - -  -  -  68,500  18.84  595,265
Michael L. Glazer 396,150 950,000 1,900,000     
 3/29/2011 - - -  -  36,000  -  -  678,240 4/4/2013    9,900 39,600 79,200  1,338,876
 4/11/2011 - - -  -  50,000  -  -  965,000 4/4/2013       32,400 856,980
                
Oded Shein   43,750 175,000 350,000  -  -  -  -  - 76,960 185,000 370,000     
 3/29/2011 - - -  725 2,900 5,800  -  -  -  72,761 4/4/2013    1,925 7,700 15,400 260,337
 3/29/2011 - - -  -  4,700  -  -  88,548 4/4/2013       6,300 166,635
                
Richard A. Maloney   98,175 392,700 785,400  -  -  -  -  -
Edward J. Record 181,040 434,000 868,000     
 3/29/2011 - - -  1,813 7,250 14,500  -  -  -  181,903 4/4/2013    5,500 22,000 44,000  743,820
 3/29/2011 - - -  -  -  22,250  18.84  193,353 4/4/2013       18,000 476,100
 3/29/2011 - - -  -  11,700  -  -  220,428 
 4/11/2011 - - -  -  30,000  -  -  579,000
               
Edward J. Record   100,100 400,400 800,800  -  -  -  -  -
 3/29/2011 - - -  1,813 7,250 14,500  -  -  -  181,903
 3/29/2011 - - -  -  -  22,250  18.84  193,353
Steven P. Lawrence 181,040 434,000 868,000     
 3/29/2011 - - -  -  11,700  -  -  220,428 4/4/2013    5,500 22,000 44,000  743,820
 4/11/2011 - - -  -  30,000  -  -  579,000 4/4/2013       18,000 476,100
                
Steven L. Hunter   50,000 200,000 400,000  -  -  -  -  - 88,400 212,500 425,000     
 3/29/2011 - - -  725 2,900 5,800  -  -  -  72,761 4/4/2013    1,925 7,700 15,400  260,337
 3/29/2011 - - -  -  -  8,850  18.84  76,907 4/4/2013       6,300 166,635
 3/29/2011 - - -  -  10,008  -  -  188,551 
 4/11/2011 - - -  -  8,000  -  -  154,400
Michael M. Searles 112,500 270,000 540,000     

(1)Shown are the Threshold, Target and Maximum payouts for which each executive was eligible under our 2011 Senior Executive Incentive2013 Bonus Plan (the “2011 Bonus Plan”).Plan. Amounts actually earned with respect to these awards are included in the 20112013 Summary Compensation Table as Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation. Further detail regarding potential 20112013 Bonus Plan awards can be found in “Establishment of 20112013 Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan” beginning on page 3135 and “2011“2013 Bonus Plan Awards” on page 3742 of this Proxy Statement.
(2)  These columns reflect Performance Shares that vest over time in an amount depending on performance criteria. The Performance Shares will vest after a three-year Performance Cycle based on the Company’s total shareholder return relative to the Performance Group, as described in the CD&A. As a result of his resignation, Mr. Searles was not granted Performance Shares in Fiscal 2013.
The “Threshold” number of shares refers to the lowest number of shares of our common stock the Named Executive Officer can earn (and receive) at the end of the Performance Cycle if the results are at the twenty-fifth percentile of the Performance Group. Performance results below the twenty-fifth percentile at the end of the performance cycle will result in the executives earning no shares under this equity grant.

47



The “Target” number of shares refers to the number of shares of our common stock the Named Executive Officer can earn (and receive) at the end of the Performance Cycle if the results are at the fiftieth percentile of the Performance Group.
The “Maximum” number of shares refers to the number of shares of our common stock the Named Executive Officer can earn (and receive) at the end of the Performance Cycle if the results are at the one hundredth percentile of the Performance Group, which is twice the Target number of shares.
(2)These columns reflect Performance Shares that vest over time in an amount depending on performance criteria.  The Performance Shares will vest after a three-year Performance Cycle based on the Company’s total shareholder return relative to the Performance Group, as described in the CD&A.  As a result of his resignation, Mr. Maloney forfeited his 2011 Performance Shares. As a result of his resignation, Mr. Hall forfeited his 2011 Performance Shares.
(3)  This column reflects Restricted Stock. Restricted Stock vests ratably over a four-year period (i.e., 25% per year). As a result of his resignation, Mr. Searles was not granted any stock awards in Fiscal 2013.
(4)  The grant date fair value of the performance-based awards reflected in this column (the “Performance Shares”) is the payout based on the probable outcome of the performance criteria, determined as of the grant date. As a result of his resignation, Mr. Searles was not granted any Performance Shares in Fiscal 2013.

48

The “Threshold” number of shares refers to the lowest number of shares of our common stock the Named Executive Officer can earn (and receive) at the end of the Performance Cycle if the results are at the twenty-fifth percentile of the Performance Group.  Performance results below the twenty-fifth percentile at the end of the performance cycle will result in the executives earning no shares under this equity grant.
The “Target” number of shares refers to the number of shares of our common stock the Named Executive Officer can earn (and receive) at the end of the Performance Cycle if the results are at the fiftieth percentile of the Performance Group.


The "Maximum" number of shares refers to the number of shares of our common stock the Named Executive Officer can earn (and receive) at the end of the Performance Cycle if the results are at the one hundredth percentile of the Performance Group, which is twice the Target number of shares.
(3)
This column reflects Restricted Stock.  Restricted stock granted on March 29, 2011 vest ratably over a four-year period (i.e. 25% per year) and Restricted Stock granted on April 11, 2011 vest ratably over a three-year period (i.e. 33 1/3rd % per year).  As a result of his resignation, Mr. Maloney forfeited his unvested restricted stock awards as of February 15, 2012.  As a result of his resignation, Mr. Hall forfeited his unvested restricted stock awards as of April 12, 2012.
(4)This column reflects SARs.  The SARs vest ratably over a four-year period (i.e., 25% per year).  As a result of his resignation, Mr. Maloney forfeited his unvested SARs awards as of February 15, 2012.  As a result of his resignation, Mr. Hall forfeited his unvested SARs awards as of April 12, 2012.
(5)The grant date fair value of the performance-based awards reflected in this column (the “Performance Shares”) is the Target payout based on the probable outcome of the performance criteria, determined as of the grant date.  As a result of his resignation, Mr. Maloney forfeited his 2011 Performance Shares.   As a result of his resignation, Mr. Hall forfeited his 2011 Performance Shares.
The following table provides information, on an award by award basis, concerning unexercised options,SARs, unvested restricted stock, that has not vested, and equity incentive planperformance share awards for each Named Executive Officer outstanding as of the end of Fiscal 2011.2013. As a result of his resignation, Mr. MaloneySearles forfeited all awards that had not vested as of June 14, 2013. As a result of his resignation, Mr. Record forfeited all awards that had not vested as of February 15, 2012.  As a result of his resignation, Mr. Hall forfeited all awards that had not vested as of April 12, 2012.27, 2014. Market value is computed using the closing market price of our common stock on January 27, 2012,31, 2014, the last trading day prior to the end of our last completed fiscal year ($15.80)19.60).
  Options/SARs Awards Stock Awards
Name 
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options/SARs  Exercisable
(#)
 Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options/SARs Unexercisable (#) (1) Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options /SARs (#) 
Option/ SARs Exercise Price
($/Sh)
 Option/ SARs Expiration Date 
Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
(#) (2)
 
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
($)
 
Equity Incentive Plans Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units, or Other Rights That Have Not Vested
(#) (3)
 
Equity Incentive Plans Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units, or Other Rights That Have Not Vested
($)
                   
Andrew T. Hall  150,000  -  -  18.74 2/20/2013  -  -  -  -
   50,000  -  -  22.96 3/28/2014  -  -  -  -
   64,500  21,500  -  15.87 3/28/2015  -  -  -  -
   75,000  25,000  -  7.07 11/3/2015  -  -  -  -
   50,000  50,000  -  9.77 3/27/2016  -  -  -  -
   25,000  75,000  -  15.50 3/26/2017  -  -  -  -
   -  68,500  -  18.84 3/29/2018        
   -  -  -  -  -  86,000  1,358,800  47,500  750,500
                   
Oded Shein  -  30,000  -  16.31 1/10/2018  -  -  -  -
   -  -  -  -  -  14,700  232,260  2,900  45,820
                   
Richard A. Maloney  75,000  25,000  -  11.03 10/6/2015  -  -  -  -
   22,500  22,500  -  9.77 3/27/2016  -  -  -  -
   25,000  75,000  -  12.94 2/15/2017  -  -  -  -
   -  22,250  -  18.84 3/29/2018  -  -  -  -
   -  -  -  -  -  66,700  1,053,860  27,250  430,550
                   
Edward J. Record  100,000  -  -  19.96 5/14/2014  -  -  -  -
   33,750  11,250  -  15.87 3/28/2015  -  -  -  -
   22,500  22,500  -  9.77 3/27/2016  -  -  -  -
   25,000  75,000  -  12.94 2/15/2017  -  -  -  -
   -  22,250  -  18.84 3/29/2018  -  -  -  -
   -  -  -  -  -  66,700  1,053,860  27,250  430,550
                   
Steven L. Hunter  11,250  3,750  -  13.26 6/2/2015  -  -  -  -
   7,500  7,500  -  9.77 3/27/2016  -  -  -  -
   4,500  13,500  -  15.50 3/26/2017  -  -  -  -
   -  8,850  -  18.84 3/29/2018  -  -  -  -
   -  -  -  -  -  18,008  284,526  8,900  140,620

 Options/ SARs Awards Stock Awards
NameNumber of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options/SARs Exercisable
(#)
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options/SARs Unexercisable
(#) (1)
Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Unearned Options /SARs
(#)
Option/ SARs Exercise Price
($/Sh)
Option/ SARs Expiration Date Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
(#) (2)
Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested
($)
Equity Incentive Plans Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units, or Other Rights That Have Not Vested
(#) (3)
Equity Incentive Plans Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units, or Other Rights That Have Not Vested
($)
Michael L. Glazer5,625


16.67
6/3/2014
 



 




 102,400
2,007,040
112,933
2,213,487
           
Oded Shein22,500
7,500

16.31
1/10/2018
 



 




 14,800
290,080
20,600
403,760
           
Edward J. Record100,000


19.96
4/28/2014
*



 45,000


15.87
4/28/2014
*



 45,000


9.77
4/28/2014
*



 75,000
25,000

12.94
4/28/2014
*



 11,125
11,125

18.84
4/28/2014
*



 




 46,600
913,360
50,050
980,980
           
Steven P. Lawrence




 55,500
1,087,800
58,667
1,149,873
           
Steven L. Hunter15,000


13.26
6/2/2015
 



 13,500
4,500

15.50
3/26/2017
 



 4,425
4,425

18.84
3/29/2018
 



       21,725
425,810
18,900
370,440
           
Michael M. Searles




 



* As a result of Mr. Record's resignation, the expiration date of his awards was accelerated to April 28, 2014.

49



(1)  The future vesting dates of the SARs, other than those forfeited by Mr. Record on February 27, 2014, are as follows:
(1)
All SARs have vested.  The future vesting dates of the SARs are as follows:
Name Number of SARs (#) Vesting Date
 
Andrew T. Hall 25,0003/26/2012
 25,0003/27/2012
 21,5003/28/2012
 17,1253/29/2012
 25,00011/3/2012
 25,0003/26/2013
 25,0003/27/2013
 17,1253/29/2013
 25,0003/26/2014
 17,1253/29/2014
 17,1253/29/2015
Oded Shein  15,0001/10/2013
7,5001/10/2014
 7,500
 1/10/2015
     
Richard A. Maloney 25,0002/15/2012
 11,2503/27/2012
 5,5623/29/2012
 25,00010/6/2012
 25,0002/15/2013
 11,2503/27/2013
 5,5633/29/2013
 25,0002/15/2014
 5,5623/29/2014
 5,5633/29/2015
Edward J. Record 25,000
 2/15/2012
 11,2503/27/2012
 11,2503/28/2012
 5,5623/29/2012
 25,0002/15/2013
 11,2503/27/2013
 5,5633/29/2013
 25,0002/15/2014
 5,5623/29/2014
 5,5633/29/2015
Steven L. Hunter 4,5003/26/2012
 3,7503/27/2012
 2,2123/29/2012
 3,75006/2/2012
 4,5003/26/2013
 3,7503/27/2013
 2,2133/29/2013
 4,5003/26/2014
 2,2123/29/2014
 2,2133/29/2015
(2)The future vesting dates of Restricted Stock are as follows:

NameNumber of Restricted Stock (#)Vesting Date
Andrew T. Hall 9,0003/29/2012
 16,6674/11/2012
 9,0003/29/2013
 16,6664/11/2013
 9,0003/29/2014
 16,6674/11/2014
 9,0003/29/2015
Oded Shein 1,1753/29/2012
 1,1753/29/2013
 10,0001/10/2014
 1,1753/29/2014
 1,1753/29/2015
Richard A. Maloney 2,9253/29/2012
 10,0004/11/2012
 25,0002/15/2013
 2,9253/29/2013
 10,0004/11/2013
 2,9253/29/2014
 10,0004/11/2014
 2,9253/29/2015
Edward J. Record 2,9253/29/2012
 10,0004/11/2012
 25,0002/15/2013
 2,9253/29/2013
 10,0004/11/2013
 2,9253/29/2014
 10,0004/11/2014
 2,9253/29/2015
Steven L. Hunter 1,1753/29/2012
 2,6674/11/2012
 1,1753/29/2013
 2,6664/11/2013
 1,1753/29/2014
 5,3083/29/2014
 2,6674/11/2014
 1,1753/29/2015
(3)Reflects Target amount of Performance Shares, which cliff vest after a three-year Performance Cycle based on our total shareholder return relative to the Performance Group, as described in the CD&A.   The vesting dates of these Performance Shares are as follows:
NameNumber of Performance Shares (#)Vesting Date
Andrew T. Hall 25,0002/2/2013
 22,5002/1/2014
Oded Shein 2,9002/1/2014
Richard A. Maloney 20,0002/2/2013
 7,2502/1/2014
Edward J. Record 20,0002/2/2013
 7,2502/1/2014
     
Steven L. Hunter  6,0004,500
 2/2/20133/26/2014
2,212
3/29/2014
2,213
3/29/2015
(2) The future vesting dates of Restricted Stock, other than those forfeited by Mr. Record on February 27, 2014, are as follows:
NameNumber of Restricted Stock (#)Vesting Date
 Michael L. Glazer8,100
4/4/2014
23,333
4/19/2014
8,100
4/4/2015
23,333
4/19/2015
8,100
4/4/2016
23,334
4/19/2016
8,100
4/4/2017
   
 Oded Shein2,050
3/28/2014
1,175
3/29/2014
1,575
4/4/2014
2,050
3/28/2015
1,175
3/29/2015
1,575
4/4/2015
2,050
3/28/2016
1,575
4/4/2016
1,575
4/5/2017
Steven P. Lawrence4,500
4/4/2014
12,500
4/30/2014
4,500
4/4/2015
12,500
4/30/2015
4,500
4/4/2016
12,500
4/30/2016
4,500
4/4/2017
Steven L. Hunter1,700
3/28/2014
6,483
3/29/2014
1,575
4/4/2014
2,667
4/11/2014
1,700
3/28/2015
1,175
3/29/2015
1,575
4/4/2015
1,700
3/28/2016
1,575
4/4/2016
1,575
4/4/2017

50



(3)   Reflects Target amount of Performance Shares, which cliff vest after a three-year Performance Cycle based on our total shareholder return relative to the Performance Group, as described in the CD&A. Excludes Performance Shares forfeited by Mr. Record on February 27, 2014. The performance cycle measurement dates of these Performance Shares are as follows:
NameNumber of Performance Shares (#)Performance Cycle Measurement Date
Michael L. Glazer73,333
1/31/2015
39,600
1/30/2016
Oded Shein2,900
 2/1/2014
10,000
1/31/2015
7,700
1/30/2016
 Edward J. Record7,250
2/1/2014
Steven P. Lawrence36,667
1/31/2015
22,000
1/30/2016
Steven L. Hunter2,900
2/1/2014
8,300
1/31/2015
7,700
1/30/2016

51



The following table provides information concerning each exerciseexercises of stock options, stock appreciation rights and similar instruments, and eachSARs, vesting of stock, including restricted stock restricted stock units and similar instruments,performance share awards earned during Fiscal 20112013 for each of our Named Executive Officers on an aggregated basis.

 Options/SARs Awards Stock Awards Options/SARs Awards Stock Awards
Name 
Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise
(#)
 
Value Realized on Exercise
($)
 
Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting
(#)
 
Value Realized on Vesting
($) (1)
 Number of Shares Acquired on Exercise
(#)
 Value Realized on Exercise
($)
 Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting
(#) (2)
 Value Realized on Vesting
($) (1)
        
Andrew T. Hall  -  -  59,718 (2) 990,571
        
Michael L. Glazer 5,625
 78,891
 23,333
 650,874
Oded Shein  -  -  -  - 
 
 13,225
 294,711
        
Richard A. Maloney  -  -  30,000 (3) 439,800
        
Edward J. Record  -  -  17,145 (4) 320,954 
 
 69,315
 1,786,366
        
Steven P. Lawrence 
 
 12,500
 347,000
Steven L. Hunter  -  -  5,000 (3) 86,300 15,000
 245,163
 13,683
 365,093
Michael M. Searles 
 
 2,050
 53,403

(1)Based on the average of the high and low market price of our common stock on the date of issuance.
(2)Reflects shares earned on the 20082010 Performance Shares that were distributed in Fiscal 2013 and Restricted Stock that vested during Fiscal 2011.2013.
(3)Reflects Restricted Stock vested during Fiscal 2011.

(4)Reflects shares earned on the 2008 Performance Shares.
52


None of our Named Executive Officers were participants under the defined benefit plan sponsored by the Company as it was closed to new participants and was frozen effective June 30, 1998.  
The following table provides Fiscal 20112013 information with respect to each defined contribution or other plan that provides for the deferral of compensation on a basis that is not tax-qualified to a Named Executive Officer.  

Name 
Executive Contributions in Last Fiscal Year
($) (1)
 
Registrant Contributions in Last Fiscal Year
($)
 
Aggregate Earnings in Last Fiscal Year
($)
 
Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions
($)
 
Aggregate Balance at Last FYE
($)
 Executive Contributions in Last Fiscal Year
($)
 Registrant Contributions in Last Fiscal Year
($) (1)
 Aggregate Earnings in Last Fiscal Year
($)
 Aggregate Withdrawals/ Distributions
($)
 Aggregate Balance at Last FYE
($)
          
Andrew T. Hall  149,336  149,336  (3,519)  -  1,252,932
          
Michael L. Glazer 244,176
 244,176
 (18,339) 
 614,648
Oded Shein  37,324  37,038  (1,086)  -  117,436 79,872
 69,807
 45,896
 
 411,185
          
Richard A. Maloney  91,557  91,557  13  -  483,013
          
Edward J. Record  204,469  92,698  (17,156)  -  948,104 361,643
 136,827
 249,435
 
 2,074,409
          
Steven P. Lawrence 131,852
 131,852
 24,805
 
 378,488
Steven L. Hunter  19,975  19,975  132  -  68,623 31,411
 31,411
 20,669
 
 198,613
Michael M. Searles 65,911
 65,911
 70,584
 352,203
 
__________________________
(1)  Included in the amount reported in the 2011 Summary2013 All Other Compensation Table.
Retirement Benefits
Deferred Compensation Plan
We provide a deferred compensation plan (the “Deferred Compensation Plan”) that provides executives and certain officers with the opportunity to participate in an unfunded, deferred compensation program that is not qualified under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”). Generally the Code and the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended, restrict contributions to a 401(k) plan by highly compensated employees. The Deferred Compensation Plan is intended to allow participants to defer income on a pre-tax basis. Under the Deferred Compensation Plan, participants may defer up to 50% of their base salary and up to 100% of their bonus and earn a rate of return based on actual investments chosen by each participant. We have established a grantor trust for the purpose of holding assets to provide benefits to the participants. We will match 100% of each participant’s contributions, up to 10% of the sum of their base salary and bonus.
The Named Executive Officers have the opportunity to allocate the investment of the funds in their Participant Employee Account among sixteenthirty-six investment options, including a Company Stock Investment Option. In the case of the Company Stock Investment Option, the Deferred Compensation Plan provides the opportunity for increased pre-tax shareholding.
401(k) Savings Plan
We have a contributory 401(k) savings plan (the “401(k) Plan”) covering substantially all qualifying employees. Under the 401(k) Plan, participants may contribute up to 25%50% of their qualifying earnings, subject to certain restrictions. We currently match 50% of each participant’s contributions, up to 6% of each participant’s compensation under the 401(k) Plan. We may make discretionary bi-weekly matching contributions during the year.
Frozen Defined Benefit Plan
We sponsor a defined benefit plan, which covers substantially all employees who had met eligibility requirements and were enrolled prior to June 30, 1998 (the “Stage Plan”). The Stage Plan was frozen effective June 30, 1998. None of our Named Executive Officers are participants in the Stage Plan.

53

In General
The tables below reflect the amount of compensation to be paid to each of our currently employed Named Executive Officers in the event of termination of that executive’s employment under different circumstances pursuant to the terms of their Employment Agreements. Specific information concerning the resignation of Mr. MaloneySearles is found under “Transactions with Related Persons-Richard Maloney”Persons-Michael Searles” on page 1821 of this Proxy Statement and under “Significant Events Related to the Employment of Our Named Executive Officers-Resignation of Richard Maloney”Michael Searles” on page 3439 of this Proxy Statement. Specific information concerning the resignation of Mr. HallRecord is found under “Transactions with Related Persons-Andrew Hall” on page 18 of this Proxy Statement and under “Significant Events Related to the Employment of Our Named Executive Officers-Resignation of Andrew Hall”Edward Record” on page 3439 of this Proxy Statement.
Generally, under the post-termination arrangements described below, other than pursuant to a termination without Good Cause or by the executive for Good Reason,as defined on page 5763 or pursuant to a Change in Control,as defined on page 57,64, a Named Executive Officer who terminates his employment, or whose employment is terminated, is entitled to receive solely those amounts earned by the Named Executive Officer through the date of termination.
The amount of compensation payable to each currently employed Named Executive Officer upon (i) termination without Good Cause or by the executive for Good Reason, (ii) termination without Good Cause or by the executive for Good Reason after a Change in Control, (iii) termination by the Company for Good Cause or by the executive without Good Reason, (iv) retirement, (v) death or (vi) disability, is shown below. The amounts shown assume that the termination was effective as of January 28, 2012, and thus include amounts earned through that date and are estimates of the amounts that would be paid out to the executives upon their termination. The dollar value of stock-based compensation is calculated using the closing share price of our common stock on Friday, January 27, 2012, the last trading day prior to the end of Fiscal 2011, which was $15.80.February 1, 2014. The actual amounts to be paid out can only be determined at the time of the Named Executive Officer’s separation from the Company.
Payments Made Upon Termination
Depending upon the manner in which a Named Executive Officer’s employment terminates, he may be entitled to receive the following payments and benefits:
any base salary and fringe benefits earned and unpaid through the date of termination;
·  any base salary and fringe benefits earned and unpaid through the date of termination;
severance pay equal to a multiple of the executive’s base salary plus the executive’s annual bonus target amount;
any incentive (performance) bonus for the fiscal year in which the termination occurs pro-rated through the date of termination provided the Board determines, in good faith, that the executive would have been entitled to receive a performance bonus for the fiscal year in which the termination occurred;
·  severance pay equal to a multiple of the executive’s base salary plus the executive’s annual bonus target amount;
continuation of medical, vision and dental insurance (“Fringe Benefits”) under which the executive is participating for a specified period;
payment for outplacement services up to a specified maximum amount;
·  any incentive (performance) bonus for the fiscal year in which the termination occurs pro-rated through the date of termination provided the Board determines, in good faith, that the executive would have been entitled to receive a performance bonus for the fiscal year in which the termination occurred;
payment for financial/estate planning (“Financial Planning”) up to a specified maximum amount;
amounts accrued and vested through the Deferred Compensation Plan; and
·  continuation of medical and dental insurance (“Fringe Benefits”) under which the executive is participating for a specified period;
·  payment for outplacement services up to a specified maximum amount;
·  payment for financial/estate planning (“Financial Planning”) up to a specified maximum amount;
·  amounts accrued and vested through the Deferred Compensation Plan; and
·  vesting of outstanding Stock Options,vesting of outstanding stock options, SARs, Restricted Stock and Performance Shares.
The currently employed Named Executive Officers will not receive any compensation for any unused vacation days and upon termination of employment for any reason, any unused vacation days will be forfeited.


Payments Made Upon Termination Without Good Cause or by the Executive For Good Reason
The following table shows the amounts payable to each of our currently employed Named Executive Officers assuming that we terminated him without Good Cause or that he terminated his employment agreement for Good Reason on January 28, 2012.February 1, 2014.
NameSeveranceIncentive
Bonus ($)
Fringe
Benefits
($) (1)
Max Outplacement
 ($)
Max Financial
Planning ($)
Deferred
Compensation ($)
Stock Options, SARs,
Restricted Stock and
Performance Shares ($)
Mr. Glazer$1.9 millionAmount earned and prorated through date of termination$30,971Provided for up to 1 year with $15,000 maximumNone(2)Immediate vesting of all Restricted Shares and pro-rated vesting of Performance Shares.
Mr. Shein$0.6 millionAmount earned and prorated through date of termination$23,199Provided for up to 1 year with $15,000 maximumNone(2)All unvested awards are forfeited.
Mr. Lawrence$1.6 millionAmount earned and prorated through date of termination$28,490Provided for up to 1 year with $15,000 maximumNone(2)All unvested awards are forfeited.
Mr. Hunter$0.6 millionAmount earned and prorated through date of termination$23,119Provided for up to 1 year with $15,000 maximumNone(2)All unvested awards are forfeited.

NameSeverance
Incentive
Bonus ($)
Fringe
Benefits
($) (1)
Max Outplacement
 ($)
Max Financial Planning ($)Pension and Deferred Compensation ($)Stock Options, SARs, Restricted Stock and Performance Shares ($)
        
Mr. Hall$3.4 millionAmount earned and prorated through date of termination$34,404Provided for up to 1 year with $15,000 maximumNone(2)All unvested awards are forfeited.
        
Mr. Shein$0.5 millionAmount earned and prorated through date of termination$17,458Provided for up to 1 year with $15,000 maximumNone(2)All unvested awards are forfeited.
        
Mr. Maloney$1.4 millionAmount earned and prorated through date of termination$22,200Provided for up to 1 year with $15,000 maximumNone(2)All unvested awards are forfeited.
        
Mr. Record$1.5 millionAmount earned and prorated through date of termination$25,666Provided for up to 1 year with $15,000 maximumNone(2)All unvested awards are forfeited.
        
Mr. Hunter$0.6 millionAmount earned and prorated through date of termination$17,111Provided for up to 1 year with $15,000 maximumNone(2)All unvested awards are forfeited.
________________________
(1)The amount shown reflects the estimated premiums to be paid by the Company on behalf of the Named Executive Officer for medical, vision and dental insurance.
(2)Please see the 2011 Pension Benefits Table and the 20112013 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table for these amounts.

55


Payments Made Upon Termination Without Good Cause or by the Executive For Good Reason After a Change In Control
The following table shows the amounts payable to each of our currently employed Named Executive Officers assuming that we terminated him without Good Cause or that he terminated his employment agreement for Good Reason on January 28, 2012 as a result ofFebruary 1, 2014 after a Change In Control.
Payments that a Named Executive Officer would be entitled to receive under a Change in Control are not considered by the Compensation Committee when making annual compensation decisions for the Named Executive Officers and do not factor into decisions made by the Company regarding other compensation elements. Rather, these provisions in the employment agreements are intended to help provide us with continuity of management and continued focus on the business by senior management in the event of a Change In Control.

NameSeveranceIncentive
Bonus ($)
Fringe
Benefits
($) (1)
Max Outplacement
 ($)
Max Financial
Planning ($)
Deferred
Compensation ($)
Stock Options, SARs,
Restricted Stock and
Performance Shares ($)
Mr. Glazer$5.7 millionAmount earned and prorated through date of termination$61,943Provided for up to 1 year  with $15,000 maximumProvided for up to 3 years with $10,000 annual maximum(2)Unvested Stock Options, SARs and Restricted Stock automatically vest; all Performance Shares are vested at target level and are payable to the Executive within 30 days of the effective date of the Change in Control.
Mr. Shein$1.1 millionAmount earned and prorated through date of termination$46,398Provided for up to 1 year with $15,000 maximumProvided for 2 years with $5,000 annual maximum(2)Unvested Stock Options, SARs and Restricted Stock automatically vest; all Performance Shares are vested at target level and are payable to the Executive within 30 days of the effective date of the Change in Control.
Mr. Lawrence$3.2 millionAmount earned and prorated through date of termination$56,980Provided for up to 1 year with $15,000 maximumProvided for 3 years with $10,000 annual maximum(2)Unvested Stock Options, SARs and Restricted Stock automatically vest; all Performance Shares are vested at target level and are payable to the Executive within 30 days of the effective date of the Change in Control.
Mr. Hunter$1.3 millionAmount earned and prorated through date of termination$46,238Provided for up to 1 year with $15,000 maximumProvided for 2 years with $5,000 annual maximum(2)Unvested Stock Options, SARs and Restricted Stock automatically vest; all Performance Shares are vested at target level and are payable to the Executive within 30 days of the effective date of the Change in Control.

NameSeverance
Incentive
Bonus ($)
Fringe
Benefits
($) (1)
Max Outplacement
 ($)
Max Financial Planning ($)Pension and Deferred Compensation ($)Stock Options, SARs, Restricted Stock and Performance Shares ($)
        
Mr. Hall$5.1 millionAmount earned and prorated through date of termination$51,606Provided for up to 1 year  with $15,000 maximumProvided for up to 3 years with $10,000 annual maximum(2)Unvested Stock Options, SARs and Restricted Stock automatically vest; all Performance Shares are vested at target level and are payable to the Executive within 30 days of the effective date of the Change in Control.
        
Mr. Shein$1.1 millionAmount earned and prorated through date of termination$34,916Provided for up to 1 year with $15,000 maximumProvided for 2 years with $5,000 annual maximum(2)Unvested Stock Options, SARs and Restricted Stock automatically vest; all Performance Shares are vested at target level and are payable to the Executive within 30 days of the effective date of the Change in Control.
        
Mr. Maloney$2.9 millionAmount earned and prorated through date of termination$44,400Provided for up to 1 year with $15,000 maximumProvided for 3 years with $7,500 annual maximum(2)Unvested Stock Options, SARs and Restricted Stock automatically vest; all Performance Shares are vested at target level and are payable to the Executive within 30 days of the effective date of the Change in Control.
        
Mr. Record$2.9 millionAmount earned and prorated through date of termination$51,332Provided for up to 1 year with $15,000 maximumProvided for 3 years with $7,500 annual maximum(2)Unvested Stock Options, SARs and Restricted Stock automatically vest; all Performance Shares are vested at target level and are payable to the Executive within 30 days of the effective date of the Change in Control.
        
Mr. Hunter$1.2 millionAmount earned and prorated through date of termination$34,222Provided for up to 1 year with $15,000 maximumProvided for 2 year with $5,000 annual maximum(2)Unvested Stock Options, SARs and Restricted Stock automatically vest; all Performance Shares are vested at target level and are payable to the Executive within 30 days of the effective date of the Change in Control.
_________________________
(1)The amount shown reflects the estimated premiums to be paid by the Company on behalf of the Named Executive Officer for medical, vision and dental insurance.
(2)Please see the 2011 Pension Benefits Table and the 20112013 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table for these amounts.

56



Payments Made Upon Termination by the Company for Good Cause or by the Executive without Good Reason
The following table shows the amounts payable to each of our currently employed Named Executive Officers assuming that we terminated him for Good Cause or that he terminated his employment without Good Reason on January 28, 2012.February 1, 2014. 

NameSeverance
Incentive

Bonus ($)
Fringe

Benefits

($)
Max Outplacement

 ($)
Max Financial
Planning ($)
Pension and Deferred
Compensation ($)
Stock Options, SARs,
Restricted Stock and
Performance Shares ($)
Mr. HallGlazerNoneNoneNoneNoneNone(1)All unvested awards are forfeited.
Mr. SheinNoneNoneNoneNoneNone(1)All unvested awards are forfeited.
Mr. MaloneyLawrenceNoneNoneNoneNoneNone(1)All unvested awards are forfeited.
Mr. RecordNoneNoneNoneNoneNone(1)All unvested awards are forfeited.
Mr. HunterNoneNoneNoneNoneNone(1)All unvested awards are forfeited.

__________________________
(1)Please see the 2011 Pension Benefits Table and the 20112013 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table for these amounts.

57


Payments Made Upon Retirement
The following table shows the amounts payable to each of our currently employed Named Executive Officers assuming that he retired as of January 28, 2012.February 1, 2014.


NameSeverance
Incentive

Bonus ($)
Fringe

Benefits

($)
Max Outplacement

 ($)
Max Financial
Planning ($)
Pension and Deferred
Compensation ($)
Stock Options, SARs,
Restricted Stock and
Performance Shares ($)
Mr. HallGlazerNoneNoneNoneNoneNone(1)Unvested Stock Options, SARs and Restricted Stock fully vest and are exercisable within one year from termination date; all Performance Shares are vested at target level and are payable to the Executive.
Mr. SheinNoneNoneNoneNoneNone(1)Unvested Stock Options, SARs and Restricted Stock fully vest and are exercisable within one year from termination date; all Performance Shares are vested at target level and are payable to the Executive.
Mr. MaloneyLawrenceNoneNoneNoneNoneNone(1)Unvested Stock Options, SARs and Restricted Stock fully vest and are exercisable within one year from termination date; all Performance Shares are vested at target level and are payable to the Executive.
Mr. RecordNoneNoneNoneNoneNone(1)Unvested Stock Options, SARs and Restricted Stock fully vest and are exercisable within one year from termination date; all Performance Shares are vested at target level and are payable to the Executive.
Mr. HunterNoneNoneNoneNoneNone(1)Unvested Stock Options, SARs and Restricted Stock fully vest and are exercisable within one year from termination date; all Performance Shares are vested at target level and are payable to the Executive.

_________________________(1) Please see the 2013 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table for these amounts.

(1)Please see the 2011 Pension Benefits Table and the 2011 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table for these amounts.
58


Payments Made Upon Death
The following table shows the amounts payable to each of our currently employed Named Executive Officers assuming that his employment was terminated as a result of death as of January 28, 2012.February 1, 2014.

NameSeverance
Incentive

Bonus ($)
Fringe

Benefits

($)
Max Outplacement

 ($)
Max Financial
Planning ($)
Pension and Deferred
Compensation ($)
Stock Options, SARs,
Restricted Stock and
Performance Shares ($)
Mr. HallGlazerNoneNoneNoneNoneNone(1)Unvested Stock Options, SARs and Restricted Stock fully vest and are exercisable within one year from termination date; all Performance Shares are vested at target level and are payable to the Executive.
Mr. SheinNoneNoneNoneNoneNone(1)Unvested Stock Options, SARs and Restricted Stock fully vest and are exercisable within one year from termination date; all Performance Shares are vested at target level and are payable to the Executive.
Mr. MaloneyLawrenceNoneNoneNoneNoneNone(1)Unvested Stock Options, SARs and Restricted Stock fully vest and are exercisable within one year from termination date; all Performance Shares are vested at target level and are payable to the Executive.
Mr. RecordNoneNoneNoneNoneNone(1)Unvested Stock Options, SARs and Restricted Stock fully vest and are exercisable within one year from termination date; all Performance Shares are vested at target level and are payable to the Executive.
Mr. HunterNoneNoneNoneNoneNone(1)Unvested Stock Options, SARs and Restricted Stock fully vest and are exercisable within one year from termination date; all Performance Shares are vested at target level and are payable to the Executive.

________________________
(1)Please see the 2011 Pension Benefits Table and the 20112013 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table for these amounts.

59


Payments Made Upon Disability
The following table shows the amounts payable to each of our currently employed Named Executive Officers assuming that his employment was terminated as a result of disability as of January 28, 2012.February 1, 2014.
NameSeverance
Incentive

Bonus ($)
Fringe

Benefits

($)
Max Outplacement

 ($)
Max Financial
Planning ($)
Pension and Deferred Compensation ($)Stock Options, SARs, Restricted Stock and Performance Shares ($)
Mr. HallGlazerNoneNoneNoneNoneNone(1)Unvested Stock Options, SARs and Restricted Stock fully vest and are exercisable within one year from termination date; all Performance Shares are vested at target level and are payable to the Executive.
Mr. SheinNoneNoneNoneNoneNone(1)Unvested Stock Options, SARs and Restricted Stock fully vest and are exercisable within one year from termination date; all Performance Shares are vested at target level and are payable to the Executive.
Mr. MaloneyLawrenceNoneNoneNoneNoneNone(1)Unvested Stock Options, SARs and Restricted Stock fully vest and are exercisable within one year from termination date; all Performance Shares are vested at target level and are payable to the Executive.
Mr. RecordNoneNoneNoneNoneNone(1)Unvested Stock Options, SARs and Restricted Stock fully vest and are exercisable within one year from termination date; all Performance Shares are vested at target level and are payable to the Executive.
Mr. HunterNoneNoneNoneNoneNone(1)Unvested Stock Options, SARs and Restricted Stock fully vest and are exercisable within one year from termination date; all Performance Shares are vested at target level and are payable to the Executive.
_________________________

(1)Please see the 2011 Pension Benefits Table and the 20112013 Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Table for these amounts.

60



Timing of Payments
Thepaymentsreflected in the foregoing tables will be paid as follows:
Severance payment will be made to the executive in regular payroll payments throughout the severance period;
·  Severance payment will be made to the executive in regular payroll payments throughout the severance period;
Incentive bonus payments will be made to the executive in a lump sum on or before April 1 following the end of the fiscal year in which the termination occurred;
Fringe Benefits will be provided in accordance with our standard policies and practices;
·  Incentive bonus payments will be made to the executive in a lump sum on or before April 1 following the end of the fiscal year in which the termination occurred;
Outplacement payments will be made directly to the entity providing outplacement services following receipt of an invoice or statement from the entity providing the outplacement services;
Financial Planning reimbursements will be made in accordance with our or our successor’s policies and procedures; and
·  Fringe Benefits will be provided in accordance with our standard policies and practices;
·  Outplacement payments will be made directly to the entity providing outplacement services following receipt of an invoice or statement from the entity providing the outplacement services;
·  Financial Planning reimbursements will be made in accordance with our or our successor’s policies and procedures; and
·  Pension and Deferred Compensation payments will be made in accordance with the provisions of the respective plan.
Termination
Termination
In General. The Employment Agreements of our Named Executive Officers provide (and provided in the case of Messrs. Hall and Maloney) that if the Executive is terminated by us for Good Cause (as defined below), the Executive will be entitled to receive any base salary earned and unpaid, and certain fringe benefits accrued and unpaid, through the date of termination, and the Executive will automatically forfeit any unvested stock options, warrants or similar rights as of the date of termination.
If the Executive is terminated by us without Good Cause or terminates his employment for Good Reason (as defined below), the Executive will be entitled to receive:  (i) 
(i)earned and unpaid Base Salary, and certain fringe benefits accrued and unpaid through the date of termination, (ii) an amount equal to two times in the case of Mr. Hall, one and one-half times in the case of Messrs. Record and Maloney, and one time in the case of Messrs. Shein and Hunter the aggregate of (x) his Base Salary plus (y) the Incentive Compensation at the Target Rate (as defined below) in effect as of the date of termination, (iii) the Incentive Compensation for the fiscal year in which the termination occurs pro-rated through the date of termination; provided, however, the Executive will not receive any portion of the Incentive Compensation unless the Board determines that the Executive would have been entitled to receive any Incentive Compensation for the fiscal year in which the termination occurred as set forth in the Employment Agreement, (iv) continuation of certain fringe benefits accrued and unpaid through the date of termination,
(ii)an amount equal to two times in the case of Mr. Glazer, one and one-half times in the case of Mr. Lawrence, and one times in the case of Messrs. Shein and Hunter, the aggregate of (x) his Base Salary plus (y) the Incentive Compensation at the Target Rate (as defined below) in effect as of the date of termination,
(iii)the Incentive Compensation for the fiscal year in which the termination occurs pro-rated through the date of termination; provided, however, the Executive will not receive any portion of the Incentive Compensation unless the Board determines that the Executive would have been entitled to receive any Incentive Compensation for the fiscal year in which the termination occurred as set forth in the Employment Agreement,
(iv)continuation of medical and dental benefits to which the Executive is participating as of the date of termination for a period of 18 months in the case of Messrs. Glazer and Lawrence and 12 months in the case of Messrs. Shein and Hunter from the date of termination, and
(v)payment of outplacement services for a period of 12 months from the date of termination with payments not to exceed $15,000.
If the Executive is participating as of the date of terminationterminated by us for a period of 24 months in the case of Mr. Hall, 18 months for Messrs. Record and Maloney and 12 months in the case of Messrs. Shein and Hunter from the date of termination, and (v) payment of outplacement services for a period of 12 months from the date of termination with payments not to exceed $15,000, andGood Cause, the Executive will automatically forfeit any unvested stock options, warrantsRestricted Stock, SARs, or similar rights in the Company as of the date of termination.
If the Executive terminates his employment without Good Reason, the Executive will be entitled to receive any base salary earned and unpaid, and certain fringe benefits accrued and unpaid, through the date of termination, and the Executive will automatically forfeit any unvested stock options, warrantsRestricted Stock, SARs, or similar rights as of the date of termination.
Change in Control. If a Change in Control (as defined below) occurs, and during the period beginning 6 months before and ending 24 months after the Change in Control, we or our successor terminates the Employment Agreement without Good Cause or the Executive terminates his employment with us or our successor with Good Reason, the

61



Executive will be entitled to receive any base salary earned and unpaid, and certain fringe benefits accrued and unpaid, through the date of the Change in Control or termination, and the following:
(i)an amount equal to three times (two times in the case of Messrs. Shein and Hunter) the aggregate of the base salary plus the Incentive Compensation at the Target Rate in effect as of the date of the Change in Control or termination;
(ii)the Incentive Compensation for the fiscal year in which the Change in Control or termination occurs pro-rated through the date of the Change in Control or termination;
(iii)continuation of certain fringe benefits to which the Executive is participating as of the date of Change in Control or termination for a period of 36 months (24 months in the case of Messrs. Shein and Hunter) from the date of the Change in Control or termination;
(iv)payment of outplacement services for a period of 12 months from the date of the Change in Control or termination with payments not to exceed $15,000; and
(v)continuation of the financial planning allowance for a period of 36 months (24 months in the case of Messrs. Shein and Hunter) from the date of the Change in Control or termination, with payments not to exceed $10,000 for any 12 month period in the case of Mr. Hall, $7,500 for any 12 month period in the case of Messrs. Record and Maloney, and $5,000 for any 12 month period in the case of Messrs. Shein and Hunter.termination.
In addition, all the Executive’s stock options, warrants or similar rights will immediately become fully and completely vested and exercisable as of the date of the Change in Control or termination and we or our successor shall be obligated to compensate the Executive for any options or rights the Executive does not exercise within 60 days of the date of the Change in Control or termination at the price and in the manner described in the Employment Agreement.
No Gross-Up Payments. If any payment to the Executive due to a Change in Control subjects the Executive to any excise tax, we will not pay to the Executive a gross-up payment to compensate the Executive for the amount of the excise tax.
Defined Terms. Definitions forsome of the terms used in this discussion in the order they are first used are as follows:
“Good Cause” means (i) the Executive’s criminal conviction of a felony by a federal or state court of competent jurisdiction including any plea of guilty or no contest; (ii) a material and significant act of dishonesty by the Executive relating to the Company; (iii) a failure to comply with the Company’s “Code of Ethics and Business Conduct” policy; or (iv) the Executive’s failure to follow a direct, reasonable and lawful order from the Company’s Board within the reasonable scope of his position, which failure, if remediable, is not remedied within thirty (30) days after written notice to the Executive.
“Good Reason���Reason” shall exist if, without the Executive’s express written consent, the Company: (i) materially reduces or decreases the Executive’s Base Salary or Incentive Compensation opportunity level from the level in effect on the Effective Date of the Employment Agreement (or some subsequent higher level put into effect by the Board subsequent to the Effective Date of the Employment Agreement), unless such reduction or decrease is in connection with an across-the-board reduction or decrease in the Base Salaries or Incentive Compensation opportunity levels of all the Company’s other senior level executives, (ii) willfully fails to include the Executive in any incentive compensation plans, bonus plans, or other plans and benefits provided by the Company to other executive level executives, (iii) materially reduces, decreases or diminishes the nature, status or duties and responsibilities of the Executive’s position from those in effect on the Effective Date of the Employment Agreement, and such reduction, decrease or diminution is not reasonably related to or the result of an adverse change in the Executive’s performance of assigned duties and responsibilities, (iv) hires an executive senior to the Executive; or (v) requires the Executive to (A) regularly perform the duties and responsibilities of his position at, or (B) relocate the Executive’s principal place of employment to, a location which is more than fifty (50) miles from the location of the Executive’s principal place of employment as of the Effective Date of the Employment Agreement. Notwithstanding the above, Good Reason shall not include the death, disability or voluntary retirement of the Executive or any other voluntary action taken by or agreed to by the Executive related to his position or his employment with the Company or its Subsidiaries.

62



“Change in Control” shall be deemed to have occurred:
(a) on such date within the 12-month period following the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (as defined in §1.409A 3(i)(5)(v)(B) of the Treasury Regulations), acquires ownership of stock that represents twenty-five percent (25%) or more of the combined voting power of the Company’s then outstanding securities (the “Trigger Date”), that a majority of the individuals who, as of the Trigger Date, constitute the Board (the “Incumbent Board”) are replaced by new members whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of the members of the Incumbent Board before the date of such appointment or election;
(b) as of the date that any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (as defined in §1.409A-3(i)(5)(v)(B) of the Treasury Regulations), acquires ownership of stock that, together with stock held by such person or group, constitutes more than 50% of either (1) the then outstanding shares of common stock of the Company or (2) the combined voting power of the then outstanding voting securities of the Company entitled to vote generally in the election of directors; provided, however, if any one person or more than one person acting as a group, is considered to own more than fifty percent (50%) of the total fair market value or total voting power of the stock of the Company, the acquisition of additional stock by the same person or persons shall not be considered to cause a Change in Control; or
(c) the date any one person, or more than one person acting as a group (as defined in §1.409A-3(i)(5)(v)(B) of the Treasury Regulations), acquires (or has acquired during the 12-month period ending on the date of the most recent acquisition by such person or persons) all, or substantially all, of the assets of the Company, except for any sale, lease exchange or transfer resulting from any action taken by any creditor of the Company in enforcing its rights or remedies against any assets of the Company in which such creditor holds a security interest. Provided further, a transfer of assets by the Company shall not be treated as a Change in Control if the assets are transferred to:
(i)A shareholder of the Company (immediately before the asset transfer) in exchange for or with respect to its stock;
(ii)An entity, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by the Company;
(iii)A person, or more than one person acting as a group, that owns, directly or indirectly, 50% or more of the total value or voting power of all the outstanding stock of the Company; or
(iv) An entity, at least 50% of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a person described in paragraph (iii) herein.
(iv)An entity, at least 50% of the total value or voting power of which is owned, directly or indirectly, by a person described in paragraph (iii) herein.
For purposes of subsection (c) and except as otherwise provided in paragraph (i), a person’s statusisstatus             is determined immediately after the transfer of the assets.
“Incentive Compensation” means compensation based upon the Company’s operating results for and the Executive’s performance during such fiscal year and such other performance objectives, targets and criteria for the Executive that the Board may establish and adjust for that fiscal year.
“Target Rate” means the amount of Incentive Compensation calculated as a percentage of the Base Salary in effect during that fiscal year, which percentage shall be determined and may be adjusted by the Board based on the Company’s operating results, the Executive’s performance and other performance objectives.


63

The following table provides information concerning the compensation of all persons who served as our Independent Directors during any part of Fiscal 20112013 for their service as Directors during Fiscal 2011.2013.
Name 
Fees Earned or Paid in Cash
($) (1)
 
Stock Awards
($) (2)
 
Option Awards
($) (3)
 
Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation
($)
 
Change in Pension Value and Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Earnings
($) (4)
 
All Other Compensation
($)
 
Total
($)
 Fees Earned or Paid in Cash
($) (1)
 Stock
Awards
($) (2)
 Option
Awards
($) (3)
 Non-Equity
Incentive Plan Compensation
($)
 Change in Pension
Value and
Nonqualified
Deferred
Compensation
Earnings
($) (4)
 All Other
Compensation
($)
 Total
($)
              
Alan J. Barocas  59,000  102,562  -  -  -  -  161,562 69,000 100,001     169,001
              
Michael L. Glazer  65,000  102,562  -  -  -  -  167,562
              
Gabrielle E. Greene  57,000  102,562  -  -  -  -  159,562 61,500 100,001     161,501
              
Diane M. Ellis 63,500 100,001     163,501
Earl J. Hesterberg  60,417  102,562  -  -  -  -  162,979 73,500 100,001     173,501
              
Lisa R. Kranc 58,500 100,001     158,501
William J. Montgoris  153,000  102,562  -  -  -  -  255,562 184,500 100,001     284,501
              
C. Clayton Reasor 57,500 100,001     157,501
David Y. Schwartz  73,000  102,562  -  -  (7,642)  -  167,920 81,000 100,001   (26,994)  154,007
              
Cheryl Nido Turpin (5) 24,416  -  -  -  -  -  24,416
Ralph P. Scozzafava 64,500 100,001     164,501

(1)The amounts shown in this column reflect the amount of cash compensation earned forin Fiscal 20112013 for Board and committee service.  Directors may elect to receive the Annual Retainer, the Chairman Retainer, Special Board Meeting Fees, Committee Meeting Fees, Committee Chairman Fees and such other compensation as the Board may deem appropriate, as the case may be, either (a) in restricted stock, deferred stock units (“DSU”("DSU"), cash, or a combination of restricted stock, deferred stock units and cash at the time that such compensation is earned, or (b) in cash or restricted stock at a later date.  Please see “Compensation"Compensation of Directors”Directors" below.
(2)
The amounts shown in thisthe column reflect the dollar amounts of the aggregate grant date fair value of stock awards granted in 2011 for2013 to the named Directors valued in accordance with SEC rules.Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation ("ASC Topic 718") and is equal to the closing market price of 4,417 shares on the date of grant.
(3)No stock options were awarded to Directors in 2011.2013.
(4)The amounts shown reflect deferred compensation as well as the increase (decrease) in value related to the DSUs from dividends and changes in market price of our common stock.
(5)Ms. Nido Turpin did not stand for reelection and retired from the Board after the 2011 Annual Meeting held on June 9, 2011.
Compensation of Directors
The compensation of our Independent Directors is set by the Board at the recommendation of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee (the “CGNC”). In developing its recommendations, the CGNC is guided by the following objectives: compensation should fairly pay Independent Directors for work required in a company our size and compensation should align the Independent Directors’ interests withand the long-term interest of our shareholders. Hay GroupThe CGNC’s Director compensation consultant prepares competitive compensation analyses regarding both the Peer Group and the broader market for similarly situated companies and advises the CGNC on the level and design of compensation programs for the Independent Directors. The Chairman of the CGNC works directly with Hay Groupthe CGNC’s Director compensation consultant to determine the scope of the work needed to assist the CGNC in its decision making processes.

64



 
Directors who are our full-time employees receive no additional compensation for serving on the Board. Directors who are not our full-time employees receive the following compensation:
Annual Retainer. In Fiscal 2013, Directors receivereceived a $50,000 Annual Retainer, which iswas earned and paid pro rata over their term at the beginning of each month. The Annual Retainer is intended to compensate the Director for attendance at regularly scheduled quarterly Board meetings, as well as consultation and participation in teleconference meetings held for periodic Board updates.
Chairman Retainer. In Fiscal 2013 and in addition to the Annual Retainer, the Chairman of the Board receivesreceived a $100,000$125,000 retainer (the “Chairman Retainer”), which iswas earned and paid pro rata over his or her term at the beginning of each month. The Chairman Retainer is intended to compensate the Chairman for the additional duties set forth in the Governance Guidelines.
Special Board Meeting Fee. In Fiscal 2013, Directors receivereceived a Special Board Meeting Fee of $1,500 per meeting for their preparation and attendance at special meetings of the Board (may be by teleconference) called for the purpose of specific actions by the Board (consents, resolutions, etc.) and held at times other than in conjunction with regular quarterly meetings of the Board. No additional meeting fee is to bewas paid for attendance at regular quarterly board meetings.
Committee Meeting Fees. In Fiscal 2013, Directors receivereceived (i) a Regular Committee Meeting Fee of $1,000 per meeting for their preparation and attendance at regular quarterly meetings of the Committees on which they serve, and (ii) a Special Committee Meeting Fee of $1,000 per meeting for (a) their preparation and attendance at Committee meetings (may be by teleconference) called for the purpose of specific actions by their Committees (consents, resolutions, etc.) and held at times other than in conjunction with regular quarterly meetings of their Committees, and (b) their preparation and attendance at “ad hoc” Board Committee assignments held at times other than in conjunction with regular quarterly meetings of their Committees or the Board.
Committee Chairman Fees.  The In Fiscal 2013, the Chairman of the Audit Committee receivesreceived a Committee Chairman Fee of $17,500 per year; the Chairman of the Compensation Committee receivesreceived a Committee Chairman Fee of $15,000 per year; and the Chairman of the Corporate Governance and Nominating Committees receivesreceived a Committee Chairman Fee of $12,500 per year. The Committee Chairman Fee iswas earned and paid pro rata over the Chairman’s term at the beginning of each month.
Stock Options and Restricted Stock Grants.Grants
Initial Grant. Upon a Director’s initial appointment or election, the Director will be granted restricted shares of the Company’s common stock valued at $100,000 based on the closing price of the Company’s stock on the date of his or her appointment or election, but pro-rated for the number of months the Director will serve until the next Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Initial Grant”). For example, a Director initially appointed or elected three months after the last Annual Meeting would serve a term of nine months and would be entitled to restricted shares of the Company’s common stock valued at $75,000 based on the closing price of the Company’s stock on the date of his or her appointment or election, while a Director initially appointed or elected nine months after the last Annual Meeting would serve a term of three months and would be entitled to restricted shares of the Company’s common stock valued at $25,000 based on the closing price of the Company’s stock on the date of his or her appointment or election.
·  
Initial Grant.  Upon a Director’s initial election to the Board, the Director will be granted, at the Director’s election, either (i) stock options to purchase our common stock, or (ii) restricted shares of  our common stock, in either case valued at $50,000 based on a Net Present Value (the “Initial Grant”).  The exercise price and the share price used in granting stock options and the share price used in granting restricted shares shall be equal to the closing price of our common stock on the date the Director is elected to the Board.  The Initial Grant will vest 25% perThe Initial Grant will vest, on a cliff basis, on the earliest of (i) one year over four years from the date of grant and if stock options are granted, they will expire if not exercised within seven years from the date of grant or (ii) the date of the first Annual Meeting of the Company’s shareholders following the date of grant.
Reelection Grant. Upon a Director’s reelection to the Board, the Director will be granted restricted shares of the Company’s common stock valued at $100,000 based on the closing price of the Company’s stock on the date of his or her reelection (the “Reelection Grant”). The Reelection Grant will vest, on a cliff basis, on the earliest of (i) one year from the date of grant or (ii) the date of the first Annual Meeting of the Company’s shareholders following the date of grant.
·  
Reelection Grant.  Upon a Director’s reelection to the Board, the Director will be granted restricted shares of our common stock valued at $100,000 based on a Net Present Value (the “Reelection Grant”).  The share price used in granting the restricted shares shall be equal to the closing price of our common stock on the date the Director is reelected to the Board.  The Reelection Grant will vest, on a cliff basis, one year from the date of grant.
Forfeiture of Grants. A Director will forfeit any unvested Initial Grant and Reelection Grants if the Director ceases to be a Director at any time prior to their vesting date other than due to (i) the fact that the Director’s age prohibits the Director from serving as a Director, (ii) death, (iii) permanent disability (as determined by the Board), or (iv) a Change in Control (as defined in the applicable equity incentive plan), at which time the unvested Initial Grant and Reelection Grants will fully vest.
·  
Forfeiture of Grants. A Director will forfeit any unvested Initial Grant and Reelection Grants if the Director ceases to be a Director at any time prior to their vesting date other than due to (i) the fact that the Director’s age prohibits the Director from serving as a Director, (ii) death, or (iii) disability (as determined by the Board), at which time the unvested Initial Grant and Reelection Grants will fully vest.
Reimbursement of Expenses. Directors shall be reimbursed for actual expenses they incur while attending, or otherwise participating in, Board meetings, Board Committee meetings and “ad hoc” committee assignments.
    

65



Election Concerning Receipt of Certain Compensation. Under our Amended and Restated 2003 Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Plan (the “Plan”), a Director may elect to receive the Annual Retainer, the Chairman Retainer, Special Board Meeting Fees, Committee Meeting Fees, Committee Chairman Fees, and such other compensation as the Board may deem appropriate, as the case may be, either (i)(a) in restricted stock, deferred
stock units, cash, or a combination of restricted stock, deferred stock units and cash at the time that such compensation is earned, or (ii)(b) in cash or restricted stock at a later date. Any issuance of restricted stock in lieu of cash will be made by usthe Company on such terms and conditions as the Board may establish. In any event, in order to receive restricted stock, a Director must, at a minimum, (i)(a) notify usthe Company of his or her current election to receive restricted stock by executing an applicable Election Form, and (ii)(b) execute a Shareholder Agreement by which the Director agrees not to sell any of the restricted stock until the Directordirector leaves the Board.
Health Benefits. We have made arrangements with our medical provider to offer medical and dental coverage to the Directors and their eligible family members. The cost to the Directors will be the same premiums our active employees pay through their payroll deductions.


66



Stock Ownership by Directors
Our Board believes that Directors should be shareholders and have a financial stake in the Company in an amount that a Director deems appropriate. Each Director must develop and maintain a stock position in the Company with an original investment of at least four times the Annual Retainer, which is currently $50,000 for Independent Directors (the “Original Investment”), within three years of the date of the Director’s initial election to the Board. In determining whether the Director has achieved the Original Investment, the Director can include (i) a Director’s tax basis in any stock acquired by the Director in open market purchases, (ii) a Director’s tax basis in any stock acquired by the Director through the exercise of Stock Options or the vesting of Restricted Stock and (iii) the amount of any Director fees which the Director has designated to be used for the acquisition of Restricted Stock or Deferred Stock Units under our 2003 Amended and Restated Non-Employee Director Equity Compensation Plan.  As of April 12, 2012, all of our Directors had met or exceeded the Original Investment requirement, with the exception of  (i) Mr. Hesterberg, who was appointed to the Board on July 1, 2010 and has until July 1, 2013 to meet the Original Investment requirement, (ii) Ms. Greene, who was appointed to the Board on September 21, 2010 and has until September 21, 2013 to meet the Original Investment requirement and (iii) Mr. Scozzafava, who was appointed to the Board on February 21, 2012 and has until February 21, 2015 to meet the Original Investment requirement.
For additional information concerning the stock ownership of our Directors as of April 12, 2012, please see the table in “Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management-Security Ownership of Management” on page 16 of this Proxy Statement,

ITEM 2 – ADVISORY RESOLUTION TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 2 – ADVISORY RESOLUTION TO APPROVE EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION


In General
    
Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 provides that not less frequently than once every 3 years we must provide our shareholders with the opportunity to vote to approve, on a nonbinding, advisory basis, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers as disclosed in our Proxy Statement in accordance with the compensation disclosure rules of the SEC. This vote is often referred to as a “Say-on-Pay” vote.
Section 14A of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 also provides that not less frequently than once every 6 years we must provide our shareholders with the opportunity to vote, on a nonbinding, advisory basis, for their preference as to how frequently (1, 2 or 3 years) we should seek future advisory votes on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers. This vote is often referred to as a “Frequency of Say-on-Pay” vote.
At the 2011 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, a majority of the votes cast by the shareholders voted, on an advisory basis, to hold an advisory vote to approve executive compensation every year.  In line with this recommendation by the shareholders, the Board decided that it will include an advisory shareholder vote on executive compensation in its proxy materials every year until the next required advisory vote on the frequency of shareholder votes on executive compensation, which will occur no later than our 2017 Annual Meeting of Shareholders. Therefore, we are asking our shareholders to approve an advisory resolution on the Company’s executive compensation as reported in this Proxy Statement.
As described above in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” section of this Proxy Statement, the Compensation Committee has structured our executive compensation program to achieve the following key objectives:
to enable us to recruit, motivate and retain the executive talent required to successfully manage and grow our business and to achieve our short and long-term business objectives;
·  to enable us to recruit, motivateto maximize the long-term commitment of our executive officers to our success by providing compensation elements that align their interests and our shareholders in that the compensation elements are directly related to financial metrics that the Committee believes influence the creation of long-term shareholder value; and retain the executive talent required to successfully manage and grow our business and to achieve our short and long-term business objectives;
·  to maximize the long-term commitment of our executive officers to our success by providing compensation elements that align their interests and our shareholders in that the compensation elements are directly related to our stock performance and other financial metrics that the Committee believes influence the creation of long-term shareholder value; and
·  to reward our executive officers upon the achievement of short-term and long-term business objectives and enhanced shareholder value.
We urge our shareholders to read the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” beginning on page 1923 of this Proxy Statement, which describes in greater detail how our executive compensation policies and procedures operate and are designed to achieve our compensation objectives, as well as the Summary Compensation Table and other related compensation tables and narratives, appearing on pages 4045 through 58,67, which provide detailed information on the compensation of our Named Executive Officers. The Compensation Committee and the Board believe that the policies and procedures articulated in the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” are effective in achieving our goals and that the compensation of our Named Executive Officers reported in this Proxy Statement has contributed to the Company’s recent and long-term success.
Most Recent Say-On-Pay Vote
At the 20112013 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, approximately 97%99% of the votes cast by theour shareholders voted, on an advisory basis, to approve the compensation paid to the Company’s Named Executive Officers in Fiscal 20102012 as disclosed in the 20112013 Proxy Statement pursuant to Item 402 of SEC Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion (the “2011“2013 Say-on-Pay Vote”). The Committee and the Board believe that the 20112013 Say-on-Pay Vote confirmed shareholder support for the Company’s executive officer compensation policies and decisions. As a result our approach to Fiscal 20112013 policies and decisionsdecision making approach remained consistent with our 2010Fiscal 2012 approach.

67



Fiscal 20112013 Overview
Strategy.The Company’s strategy for Fiscal 20112013 was to build on its Fiscal 20102012 achievements and to pursue meaningful sales and earnings growth. Fiscal 2013 contained 52 weeks, while the Company’s fiscal year ended February 2, 2013 (“Fiscal 2012”) contained 53 weeks. The Company achieved the following results in Fiscal 2013:
Financial Results
Total sales were $1.634 billion versus $1.646 billion for Fiscal 2012, a decrease of approximately 1%, but still the fiscal year increased 2.8% to $1,512 million andsecond highest total sales in the Company’s history.
Comparable store sales decreased 1.5%, while on a shifted basis which excludes the first week of 2012, comparable store sales decreased 1.1%.
Gross profit margin was 26.4% versus 27.9% in Fiscal 2012.
Selling general and administrative expense was 24.4% of revenue versus 23.9% on Fiscal 2012.
Earnings were $16.6 million, or $0.51 per diluted share, compared to earnings of $38.2 million, or $1.19 per diluted share, for Fiscal 2012. Adjusting for charges related to the South Hill Consolidation, asset impairment charges related to the Steele's off price division and the Steele's results of operations, adjusted earnings were $40.0 million, or $1.22 per share as compared to adjusted earnings in Fiscal 2012 of $46.3 million, or $1.44 per share. 
Direct-To-Consumer sales (eCommerce) increased 0.5%.  SG&A expenses achievedby $7.0 million to $30.0 million, an increase of 31% over Fiscal 2012.
For the one-year period ended February 1, 2014, the Company had a 50 basis point improvement intotal shareholder return (“TSR”) of (11.72%), including the rate, while operating net 27 additional stores.  reinvestment of dividends. However, over the three-year period ended February 1, 2014, annualized TSR was 34.06%, including the reinvestment of dividends.
The Company also managed inventory levels and ended the year with comparable store inventories up 1.7%.  The Company’s strong balance sheet and cash flow allowed the Company to increaseincreased its quarterly dividend rate by 20% and spend $110 million to repurchase 6.8 million shares of its common stock.25%.
Operational Results
Operationally, the Company continued to make progress on a number of its strategic initiatives during 2011.  The Company opened 28 new Goody’straditional stores rebranded 148 non-Goody’sand one Steele’s stores withduring Fiscal 2013 and had a net increase of 19 stores, growing from 864 stores in 40 states to 883 stores in 40 states.
The South Hill Consolidation was completed in June 2013, resulting in ongoing annual total savings of $5 million in payroll and benefits, not including savings in margin from increased purchasing power and simplified processes.
The tough retail environment also heightened the Goody’s name and endedneed to reduce the year with 243 Goody’s stores.  Company’s cost structure by an additional $5 million. Therefore, approximately 50 positions were eliminated in November.
The Company added 10 Estee Lauder and 10 Clinique counters throughout the year, which helped drive a comparable store sales increase of 9% in cosmetics.  During the year, the Company moved forward on the development of an off-price concept, with the goal to leverage its small market expertise with a complementary format to its department store model. Steele’s, its off-price concept, was launched November 1, 2011 with the opening of three stores.   several high profile brands across merchandise categories.
The Company also expandedincreased its eCommerce business in 2011 as the number of offerings on the eCommerce website has grown from less than 1,000 products at the beginning of the year to approximately 13,200 products at January 28, 2012.  Total eCommerce sales reached $8.6 million for 2011.  The Company also completed the roll-out of its markdown optimization tool. The Company operated throughout the year as a financially sound company.
private label credit card penetration rate by 290 basis points.
Non-Binding Nature of Vote
This shareholder vote on executive compensation is advisory and non-binding on the Board or the Company in any way. Although non-binding, the Compensation Committee and the Board will consider the results
of the most recent shareholder advisory vote on executive compensation in determining compensation policies and decisions concerning Named Executive Officers.
Required Vote; Broker Discretionary Voting Not Permitted
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares presented or represented and entitled to vote either in person or by proxy is required to approve this advisory resolution. Broker discretionary voting of uninstructed shares is not permitted for a shareholder vote on executive compensation.

68



Approval of Compensation Paid to the Company’s Named Executive Officers
 
As required by Section 14A of the Exchange Act, we are asking shareholders to vote on the following advisory resolution at the Annual Meeting:

 
RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Company’s Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to Item 402 of SEC Regulation S-K, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, compensation tables and narrative discussion, is hereby APPROVED.
 
Recommendation of the Board
 
Your Board of Directors recommends a vote “FOR” the advisory resolution.
In General
At the 2008 Annual Meeting, our shareholders approved the material terms of performance goals to be used by the Compensation Committee for awarding certain compensation to executives from the date of that meeting until the date of the 2013 Annual Meeting.  In this proposal, the Board is requesting that shareholders again approve the material terms of the performance goals to enable the Company to continue to have a shareholder-approved arrangement under which certain compensation awarded to executives until the date of the 2017 Annual Meeting may qualify as performance-based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.
Section 162(m) imposes a $1 million limit on the amount that a public company may deduct for compensation paid to the company’s Chief Executive Officer or any of the company’s three other most highly compensated executive officers (other than the Chief Financial Officer) who are employed as of the end of the year. This limitation does not apply to compensation that meets the requirements under Section 162(m) for “qualifying performance-based” compensation (i.e., compensation paid only if the individual’s performance meets pre-established objective goals based on performance criteria approved by shareholders). One of the requirements for compensation to qualify as performance-based under Section 162(m) is that the material terms of the performance goals for such compensation be disclosed to and approved by shareholders every five years. In accordance with Section 162(m), the material terms that the shareholders approve constitute the framework for the Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) to establish programs and awards under which compensation provided by the Company can qualify as performance-based compensation for purposes of Section 162(m); however, there can be no guarantee that amounts payable under these programs and awards will be treated as qualified performance-based compensation under Section 162(m).
The performance goals pertain to two specified forms of compensation that may be awarded to the executive officers of the Company during the next five years:  (i) annual bonuses under the Company’s Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan (the “Bonus Plan”), and (ii) stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares or units, or other stock based awards granted under the Company’s Amended and Restated 2001 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2001 Plan”) and the Company’s Second Amended and Restated 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”).

Material Terms of the Executive Officer Performance Goals
In General.  For purposes of Section 162(m), the material terms of the performance goals include: (i) the group of employees whose compensation would be subject to the performance goals, (ii) the business criteria on which each of the performance goals is based; and (iii) the maximum amounts payable to any executive officer under each performance goal.  Each of these aspects is discussed below and shareholder approval of this proposal constitutes approval of each of these aspects for purposes of the Section 162(m) shareholder approval requirements.
Employees Eligible to Receive Compensation.  The group of employees whose compensation would be subject to the performance goals would include the Company’s executive officers, as defined in SEC rules.  Currently the Company has seven executive officers.  These executive officers are listed annually in the Company’s Form 10-K filed with the SEC.  Although Section 162(m) only limits deductibility for compensation paid to the Chief Executive Officer or any of the Company’s three other most highly compensated executive officers (other than the Chief Financial Officer) who are employed as of the end of the year, we may apply the performance goals to all executive officers in the event that any of them becomes a covered employee under Section 162(m) during the time that they hold an award described in this proposal.
Business Criteria on Which Each of the Performance Goals is Based
Annual Incentive (Bonus) Compensation.  The business criteria upon which the performance goals for annual incentive (bonus) compensation under the Bonus Plan are currently based are Company Pre-Tax Earnings Relative to Target and Comparable Store Sales Relative to Performance Group.  However, with respect to future Bonus Plans, the Committee has the right to base performance goals on (a) those business criteria, (b) the following business criteria: (i) Earnings Per Share, (ii) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), (iii) earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT), or (iv) Pre-Tax Income, (c) other appropriate business goals and criteria on an executive officer by executive officer basis or otherwise, or (d) a combination thereof.
Long-Term Incentive Compensation.  The business criteria upon which the performance goals for long-term performance (“LTI”) awards (stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, performance shares, or other stock based awards) under the 2001 Plan and the 2008 Plan are currently based on the total shareholder return of the Company as compared with the total shareholder return of a designated group of department store and apparel industry peers. The Committee will target an amount that brings the executive officers to approximately the 50th percentile of the market for total compensation (base salary and bonus and long-term incentives).  Company performance better than the target will result in higher compensation levels.  The Committee believes that long-term incentives should make up a significant portion of an executive officer’s total compensation.
While the business criteria upon which the performance goals for LTI are currently based is the total shareholder return of the Company as compared with the total shareholder return of a designated group of department store and apparel store industry peers, the Committee has the right to base LTI performance goals on (a) those business criteria, (b) the following business criteria: (i) Earnings Per Share,  (ii) earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA), (iii) earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT), (iv) Pre-Tax Earnings, or (v) Pre-Tax Income, (c) other appropriate business goals, objectives and criteria on an executive officer by executive officer basis or otherwise, or (d) a combination thereof.
All of the business criteria described above, whether related to annual incentive (bonus) compensation or to LTI compensation, would be subject to adjustments by the Committee to remove or add the effect of unusual events.
Maximum Amounts Payable to Any Executive Officer Under Performance Goals.  The aggregate maximum amount payable to any executive officer under the Bonus Plan during any one calendar year is $5,000,000.  No executive officer may be granted awards under the 2001 Plan or the 2008 Plan that comprise more than 500,000 shares, restricted stock units and performance units in any calendar year.
The Committee has established business criteria and maximum amounts that it considers to be appropriate in light of foreseeable contingencies and future business conditions.  If approved by the shareholders, this proposal would not limit the Company’s right to award or pay other forms of compensation (including, but not limited to, salary or other stock-based awards under the 2001 Plan and the 2008 Plan) to the Company’s executive officers, regardless of whether or not the performance goals for annual bonuses and LTI performance awards are achieved in any future year, and whether or not payment of such other forms of compensation would be tax deductible.
Background: Terms of Awards and Plans
The following sections describe both the general terms of the awards that will be subject to the performance goals and the material features of the plans under which the awards will be granted.
Annual Bonuses and Material Features of the Bonus Plan
Annual bonuses for executive officers and other key employees of the Company are determined and paid under a Bonus Plan established each year.  The Bonus Plan is administered by the Committee.  The Committee selects employees eligible to participate in the Bonus Plan.
In March of each year, the Committee evaluates the Company’s annual strategic plan to determine the business criteria that are appropriate to measure achievement of the Company’s objectives and to motivate our executives.  Based on discussions with our Chief Executive Officer and our Executive Vice President, Human Resources, the Committee approves the business criteria to be included in the Bonus Plan for that year. In the case of Pre-Tax Earnings and Comparable Store Sales criteria or parameters, for example, an incentive matrix establishes threshold (minimum), target and maximum performance levels for each business criteria based on the level of perceived difficulty in achieving our financial plan.  The incentive matrix clearly outlines a minimum level of performance below which no bonus will be paid and the relationship between the business criteria that will generate payouts at or between the minimum and maximum performance levels.  In the case of an “Individual Objectives criteria or parameter, the bonus formula is weighted to determine a specified percentage of the year-end bonus amount earned and the measurement is based on four to six specific objectives related to the executive’s area of responsibility which supports the Company’s Financial Plan for that fiscal year.
Annual incentive compensation targets for each executive officer under the Bonus Plan are expressed as a percentage of each executive officer’s base salary with the target percentage increasing with job scope and complexity. Normal performance bonus amounts paid could range from 0% up to 200% of Base Salary based upon actual results, subject to certain adjustments specified by the Committee in writing, and will also be subject to the maximum annual limit indicated above.  
The Committee can exercise discretion to reduce the amount of any awards under the Bonus Plan. For additional information on the 2011 Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan and the formula used to calculate annual bonus amounts, please see “Committee Actions in Fiscal 2011 Concerning Named Executive Officer Compensation-“Establishment of 2011 Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan” beginning on page 31 of this Proxy Statement.
At its March meeting, the Committee also reviews the Company’s stated financial results for the recently completed fiscal year, certifies the calculation of proposed bonus amounts, and reports them to the full Board.
The Board may amend, suspend, or terminate the Bonus Plan for a given year, including amending the Bonus Plan in a way that might increase the Company’s costs.
No bonuses were paid to the Named Executive Officers under the 2011 Bonus Plan.  Please see “Committee Action in 2012 Concerning Named Executive Officer Compensation-2011 Bonus Plan Awards” on page 37 of this Proxy Statement.  The amount of bonuses to be paid to Bonus Incentive Plan participants for the 2012 fiscal year, if this proposal is approved, cannot presently be determined.
For additional information concerning annual bonuses and material features of the Bonus Plan, please see “Annual Incentive (Bonus) Compensation” on page 27 of this Proxy Statement and “Establishment of 2011 Senior Executive Incentive Bonus Plan” on page 31 of this Proxy Statement.
Long-Term Performance Awards Under, and Material Features of, the Amended and Restated 2001 Equity Incentive Plan and the Second Amended and Restated 2008 Equity Incentive Plan
The Committee considers long-term incentive compensation (“LTI”) critical to the alignment of executive compensation with the creation of shareholder value and LTI awards are designed to focus executives on the long-term success of the Company, as reflected in increases to the Company’s stock price, growth in its earnings per share and other elements.
At its March meeting, the Committee reviews the portfolio of long-term incentive vehicles, the targeted award size and the performance measures associated with any awards. The Committee also reviews recommendations provided by management and the Committee’s compensation consultant regarding LTI design. The Board’s practice is to make annual grants of equity awards, including stock options, SARs, restricted stock and
performance shares, upon recommendation of the Committee at that time.  However, the Committee and the Board have decided to discontinue SARs from the equity plan mix except in extraordinary circumstances. The Committee believes that the use of multiple equity vehicles balances a focus on equity-driven growth with the retention and performance aspects of restricted stock.  The grant date is the same date that the Board approves the awards.  The equity award is priced at the closing price on the NYSE (the “Fair Market Value”) of our common stock on that date.  From time to time, the Board will consider making grants under other special circumstances, such as, recruiting new executive talent, upon the promotion of an executive and to retain key individuals.  Any and all other grants (other than the March grants) are effective as of the date of the triggering event (e.g., new hire or promotion date) and are priced at the Fair Market Value of our common stock on that date.
A copy of the 2001 Plan is attached as Appendix B to the Company’s 2004 Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on April 16, 2004.  A copy of the 2008 Plan is attached as Appendix A to the Company’s 2011 Proxy Statement filed with the SEC on April 18, 2011. The 2001 Plan and the 2008 Plan are administered by the Committee, which has the power to determine the appropriate business criteria for any awards, to select the key employees and non-employee Directors to be granted awards under the 2001 Plan and the 2008 Plan, to determine the size, type and terms of awards to be made to each individual selected, to modify the terms of any award that has been granted, to determine the time when awards will be granted, to establish performance objectives and to prescribe the form of the instruments embodying awards under the 2001 Plan and the 2008 Plan.  Key employees and non-employee Directors are eligible to receive awards under the 2001 Plan and the 2008 Plan.  Awards under the 2001 Plan and the 2008 Plan include, but need not be limited to, stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares or units, or other stock based awards.  Nothing contained in the 2001 Plan and the 2008 Plan prevents the Company from adopting or continuing in effect other or additional compensation arrangements.  The Committee’s determination and interpretations under the 2001 Plan and the 2008 Plan will be binding on all interested persons.  Awards generally are granted for no cash consideration, and are generally not-transferable except upon the death of a participant.
The exercise price per share of stock purchasable under any stock option and the grant price of a SAR, if any are awarded, will not be less than the Fair Market Value of our stock on the date of grant.  The Board may amend, alter, or discontinue the 2001 Plan or the 2008 Plan at any time, including amending it in ways that might increase the cost to the Company, provided that shareholder approval must be obtained for any amendment that would increase the number of shares available for awards.
Subject to adjustment as described below, a limited number of shares of the Company’s common stock including treasury shares as of the first day of each calendar year (including any partial year) during which the 2001 Plan and the 2008 Plan, are in effect are available for granting awards in such year.
As of April 12, 2012, approximately 867,569 shares remain available for issuance under the 2001 Plan and approximately 2,231,488 shares remain available for issuance under the 2008 Plan. 
Under either the 2001 Plan or the 2008 Plan, all shares available for granting as awards in any year that are not used will be available for use in subsequent years.  In the event of a stock split, stock dividend, or other change in corporate structure, the Committee will adjust the number and type of shares which may be made the subject of new awards or are then subject to outstanding awards and other award terms.  The Committee is also authorized, for similar purposes, to make adjustments in performance award criteria or in the terms and conditions of other awards in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events affecting the Company or its financial statements or of changes in applicable laws, regulations, or accounting principles.
The awards that will be granted under the 2001 Plan and the 2008 Plan following the 2012 Annual Meeting cannot presently be determined.
For additional information concerning long-term incentive awards and material features of our long-term incentive compensation, please see “Long-Term Incentive Compensation” on page 27 of this Proxy Statement, “Long-Term Incentive Compensation Awards” on page 32 of this Proxy Statement, “Performance Shares Earned in 2011 Upon Completion of the 2008 Performance Cycle” on page 33 of this Proxy Statement, the 2011 Grants of Plan-Based Awards Table on page 42 of this Proxy Statement, and the 2011 Outstanding Awards at Fiscal Year-End Table on page 44 of this Proxy Statement.
Conclusion
If the shareholders approve this proposal, the material terms of the executive officer performance goals described above will constitute the framework within which the Committee will establish specific performance goals for the forms of performance-based compensation to be paid and awarded to executive officers of the Company between the dates of the 2012 and 2017 Annual Meetings, and therefore preserve the Company’s ability to obtain tax deductions for such performance-based compensation.


Your Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the following proposal:
69


RESOLVED, that the material terms of the executive officer performance goals are hereby approved.

ITEM 3 – RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF DELOITTE & TOUCHE LLP AS INDEPENDENT
REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM FOR FISCAL 2014
In General
The Board has approved the Audit Committee’sCommittee's selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for our 20122014 Fiscal Year (“("Fiscal 2012”2014"). This selection is being presented to the shareholders for their ratification.  Proxies solicited by the Board will, unless otherwise directed, be voted to ratify the selection by the Board of Deloitte & Touche LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for Fiscal 2012.2014. Deloitte & Touche LLP has been our independent auditor since our 20002001 Fiscal Year.  The Board has been advised by Deloitte & Touche LLP that it is an independent registered public accounting firm with respect to the Company within the meaning of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder.
A representative of Deloitte & Touche LLP is expected to be present at the Annual Meeting.  He or she will have the opportunity to make a statement, if he or she so desires, and will be available to respond to appropriate questions during the meeting.  For additional information regarding our relationship with Deloitte & Touche LLP, please refer to the Audit Committee Report below.
The Audit Committee selected, and we retained, Deloitte & Touche LLP, the member firms of Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and their respective affiliates (collectively, the “Deloitte Entities”"Deloitte Entities"), as our independent registered public accounting firm to audit our consolidated financial statements for Fiscal 20112013 and Fiscal 2010 and to provide various advisory, auditing and consulting services in 2010 and 2009.2012.  We understand the need for the Deloitte Entities to maintain objectivity and independence in their audit of our financial statements and internal controls. We do not use the Deloitte Entities for internal audit work and will only use the Deloitte Entities for non-audit work when the Audit Committee concludes that the Deloitte Entities are the most appropriate provider of that service.  The Audit Committee annually evaluates whether our use of the Deloitte Entities for non-audit services is compatible with the Deloitte Entities’Entities' independence.
67

The aggregate fees billed by the Deloitte Entities in 20112013 and 2010for 2012 for these various services were as follows:
Description of Professional ServiceAmount BilledAmount Billed
20112010Fiscal 2013Fiscal 2012
Audit Fees are fees for (i) the audit of our annual financial statements, (ii) review of financial statements in our quarterly reports on Form 10-Qs, (iii) the audit of the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting, and (iv) for services that are provided by the independent registered public accounting firm in connection with statutory and regulatory filings.
 $976,200 $901,725 $1,044,000 $1,014,200
Audit-Related Fees are for professional services rendered in connection with the application of financial accounting and reporting standards, as well as acquisition related matters.
 - -  
Tax Fees are fees for compliance, tax advice, and tax planning.
 - -  
All Other Fees are fees for any service not included in the first three categories. Indicates fees for services related to the audit of the financial statements of our Nonqualified Deferred Compensation Plan (Senior Executives) (the “Plan”), which are included in the Plan’s Annual Report on Form 11-K. All services were approved by the Audit Committee.
 $17,800 $16,500 $23,700 $18,300


70



Pre-Approval Policies
The Audit Committee has the direct responsibility to select, retain, terminate, determine compensation and oversee the work of our independent registered public accounting firm.  Pre-approval by the Audit Committee is required for any engagement of our independent registered public accounting firm and the Audit Committee has established the following pre-approval policies and procedures.  Annually, the Audit Committee pre-approves services to be provided by our independent registered public accounting firm.  The Audit Committee also considers the engagement of our independent registered public accounting firm to provide other services during the year.  Requests for approval are submitted to the Audit Committee by our management.  Requests are required to include an adequate explanation of the services in sufficient detail for the Audit Committee to determine whether the request is consistent with the SEC’sSEC's rules on auditor independence.  In determining whether to approve the engagement of our independent registered public accounting firm, the Audit Committee considers whether such service is consistent with the independence of the registered public accounting firm.  The Audit Committee also considers the amount of audit related fees in comparison to all other fees paid to the registered public accounting firm and reviews such comparison each year.
The Audit Committee reviewed and discussed the Company’sCompany's audited financial statements with management, which has primary responsibility for the financial statements, and with the Company’sCompany's independent registered public accounting firm, Deloitte & Touche LLP, which is responsible for expressing an opinion on whether the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the Company’sCompany's financial position, results of operations and the related cash flows in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and whether the Company maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting based on criteria established in Internal Control – Integrated Framework (1992) issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission.
The Audit Committee met regularly with Deloitte & Touche LLP and the Company’sCompany's internal audit staff, with and without management present, to discuss the results of their audits, management’smanagement's assessment of the Company’sCompany's internal control over financial reporting, Deloitte & Touche LLP’sLLP's opinions regarding the Company’sCompany's internal control over financial reporting, and the overall quality of the Company’sCompany's financial reporting.  The Audit Committee also reviewed Management’sManagement's Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting contained in the Company’sCompany's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended January 28, 2012February 1, 2014 as filed with the SEC, as well as Deloitte & Touche LLP’sLLP's Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm included in the same Annual Report on Form 10-K related to its audits of (i) the Company’sCompany's consolidated financial statements, and (ii) the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting.
The Audit Committee discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP the matters that are required to be discussed under AU Section 380, “Communication"Communication with Audit Committees”Committees" as adopted by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board. The Audit Committee also discussed with internal audit and management any significant matters as a result of the internal audit work.
The Audit Committee has received the written disclosures and the letter from Deloitte & Touche LLP required by applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding Deloitte & Touche LLP’sLLP's communications with the Audit Committee concerning independence, and has discussed with Deloitte & Touche LLP its independence. The Audit Committee has concluded that Deloitte & Touche LLP did not provide any prohibited non-audit services to the Company and its affiliates.
Based on the review and discussions referred to above, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board that the Company’sCompany's audited financial statements be included in the Company’sCompany's Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 20112013 for filing with the SEC.  The Audit Committee also selected Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’sCompany's independent registered public accounting firm for Fiscal 2012.2014.

71



This Audit Committee Report is provided by the following Independent Directors, who constitute all of the members of the Audit Committee:
David Y. Schwartz (Chairman)
Alan J. BarocasDiane M. Ellis
Gabrielle E. Greene
William J. Montgoris
Ralph P. Scozzafava

Ratification of the Selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm For Fiscal 20122014
Deloitte & Touche LLP has been selected by the Audit Committee as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Company and its subsidiary for Fiscal 2012.2014. Consequently, the Board has approved the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as the Company’sCompany's independent registered public accounting firm for Fiscal 2012.2014.
Your Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the following proposal:
RESOLVED that the selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP, as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for Fiscal 2012,2014, is hereby ratified.



72


SECURITIES AUTHORIZED FOR ISSUANCE UNDER EQUITY COMPENSATION PLANS
The following tables provide information as of January 28, 2012February 1, 2014 concerning (i) our Amended and Restated 2001 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2001 Plan”) and our Second Amended and Restated 2008 Equity Incentive Plan (the “2008 Plan”), under both of which our common stock is authorized for issuance to officers, Directors and other key employees in the form of Restricted Stock, upon the exercise of Stock Optionsstock options and Stock Appreciation Rightsstock appreciation rights (SARs) granted to them, and as the result of performance sharesPerformance Shares granted to them, and (ii) our Amended and Restated 2003 Non-Employee Director Compensation Plan (the “2003 Director Plan”), under which our common stock is authorized for issuance to non-employee Directors in lieu of all or a portion of their cash compensation if they so elect.
 

AS OF JANUARY 28, 2012FEBRUARY 1, 2014

Plan category Number of securities to be issued upon exercises of outstanding options, warrants and rights (a) Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights (b) Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) (c) 
        
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders:       
2001 Plan (1)  1,805,157 (2)$18.43  840,755 
2008 Plan  2,199,100 (2)$14.19  2,089,400 
2003 Director Plan  10,947 (3)(4)  204,511 (5)
        
Plan category Number of securities to
be issued upon exercises
of outstanding options,
warrants and rights (a)
   Weighted-average
exercise price of
outstanding options,
warrants and rights (b)
   Number of securities remaining
available for future issuance
under equity compensation
plans (excluding securities
reflected in column (a)) (c)
  
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders:            
2001 Plan (1) 349,676
 (2) $18.56   506,318
  
2008 Plan 715,175
 (2) $15.53   2,640,846
  
2003 Director Plan 11,351
 (3) 
 (4) 213,649
 (5)
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holdersEquity compensation plans not approved by security holders None None None  None
   None
   None
  
TotalTotal  4,015,204 $16.10  3,134,666  1,076,202
   $16.52   3,360,813
  

(1)The number of securities remaining available for future issuance under the 2001 Plan has been reduced to reflect an aggregate of 278,725378,100 shares at the Target Number that may be issued as a result of the grant of Performance Shares and 336,965649,900 shares of restricted stock issued under the 2001 Plan and 40,0002,559 shares of restricted stock under the 2008 Plan.
(2)The weighted average remaining contractual life of these outstanding options and SARs is 1.910.6 years for the 2001 Plan and 5.063.37 years for the 2008 Plan.  The weighted average remaining contractual life for the 2001 Plan and the 2008 Plan together is 3.642.46 years.
(3)Reflects Deferred Stock Units (“DSUs”("DSUs") issued under the 2003 Director Plan.  The number of DSUs credited to a Director’sDirector's account is computed by dividing (i) the amount of compensation the Director has elected to defer by (ii) the average of the high and low prices of the Company's stock for the five trading days prior to the first day of the term of the Director during which the election has been made.  An election, once made, is irrevocable for the applicable period to which it relates.  The number of shares of common stock to be distributed to a Director will be equal to the number of DSUs credited to a Director’sDirector's account.
(4)Not applicable.
(5)Shares granted under the 2003 Director Plan are solely for non-employee Directors that elect to receive their fees or retainers in DSUs in lieu of cash.  There is no Company match or premium applied to compensation received in the form of equity.


73




SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE
SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, requires our Directors and executive officers (“reporting persons”Reporting Persons”) to file reports with the SEC disclosing their ownership and changes in their ownership of our common stock. Copies of these reports must also be furnished to us.
Based solely upon our review of the copies of reports furnished to us and written representations that no other reports are required, during 2012, we believe that all of our Directors and executive officers made all required filings during Fiscal 2013 on a timely basis except as described below.
On March 29, 2011, eight executive officerswhich were filed by the Company on behalf of the CompanyReporting Persons (officers) in Fiscal 2013:
Reporting Person 
Transaction
Date
 
Form 4
Due Date
 
Form 4
Filing Date
 
Days
Late*
 
Shares in
Transaction
 Explanation
Michael Glazer April 8 April 10 April 16
 4 5,636
 (1)
Ron Lucas April 8 April 10 April 16
 4 757
 (1)
Edward Record April 11 April 15 April 16
 1 4,195
 (2)
Steven Hunter April 11 April 15
 April 16
 1 1,119
 (2)
Ron Lucas April 11 April 15
 April 16
 1 140
 (2)
Michael Glazer July 2 July 5 July 8 1 160
 (1)
Ron Lucas July 2 July 5 July 8 1 34
 (1)
Michael Glazer December 18 December 20 December 26 3 72
 (1)
Ron Lucas December 18 December 20 December 26 3 192
 (1)
Edward Record December 18 December 20 December 26 3 20
 (1)
Russ Lundy II December 18 December 20 December 26 3 12
 (1)
Richard Stasyszen December 18 December 20 December 26 3 25
 (1)

* Business days
(1) These shares were granted Restricted Stock and/or SARs.  On March 31, 2011, eachacquired pursuant to the Company’s Deferred Compensation Plan (the “Plan”). The delay in filing was due to the delay in receiving the transaction details from the Trustee of the eight executive officers filed a Form 4Plan, who is not affiliated with the SEC on a timely basis reporting those grants.  However,Company.
(2) These shares reflect the payment of tax liability by withholding shares incident to the vesting of Restricted Stock. The delay in filing was due to a miscommunication,delay in the sharestransfer of Restricted Stock and the SARs were incorrectly over reported.  On April 11, 2011, each of the eight executive officers filed an amended Form 4 (a Form 4/A) with the SEC reporting the correct number of shares of Restricted Stock and SARs.  The following table reflects the  shares of Restricted Stock and SARs reported on the Form 4 and Form 4/A filings.shares.
 
Reporting Person
Form 4
Restricted Stock
(shares) Reported
Form 4/A
Restricted Stock
(shares) Reported
 
Form 4
SARs  Reported
 
Form 4/A
 SARs Reported
Andrew Hall39,00036,00074,50068,500
Steven Hunter10,70010,00810,0008,850
Ron Lucas5,0004,70010,0008,850
Richard Maloney13,00011,70024,00022,250
Edward Record13,00011,70024,00022,250
Oded Shein5,0004,700N/AN/A
Richard Stasyszen3,5003,0506,0005,800
Joanne Swartz5,0004,70010,0008,850


74



ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Voting Securities
Shareholders of record at the close of business on April 12, 2012,the Record Date (April 17, 2014), will be eligible to vote at the Annual Meeting. The voting securities of the Company consist of its $0.01 par value common stock. On the Record Date, there were 30,658,29431,693,850 shares of our common stock, par value $0.01, outstanding and entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. In addition, on the Record Date, holders of 343,406450,978 shares of unvested Restricted Stock are entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting. Each share outstanding and each share of unvested Restricted Stock on that date will be entitled to one vote. Treasury shares are not voted. Individual votes of shareholders are kept private, except as appropriate to meet legal requirements. Access to proxies and other individual shareholder voting records is limited to the independent Inspector of Election and certain employees of the Company and its agents who must acknowledge in writing their responsibility to comply with this policy of confidentiality.
Vote Required for Approval
Item 1 - Election of Directors. Pursuant to our Amended and Restated ByLaws and Section 78.330 of the Nevada Revised Statutes, the nominees receiving the sevennine highest vote totals (a plurality) of the votes cast at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy will be elected as Directors.
Item 2 - Advisory Resolution to Approve Executive Compensation. This shareholder vote on executive compensation is advisory and non-binding on the Board or the Company in any way. The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares presented or represented and entitled to vote either in person or by proxy is required to approve this advisory resolution.
Item 3 – Approval- Ratification of Material Termsthe Selection of Executive Officer Performance Goals.Deloitte & Touche LLP as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for Fiscal 2014. The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares presented or represented and entitled to vote either in person or by proxy is required to approve this proposal.
Item 4 – Ratification of the Selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for Fiscal 2012.  The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares presented or represented and entitled to vote either in person or by proxy is required to approve this proposal.
Other Matters. All other matters require for approval the favorable vote of a majority of shares voted at the Annual Meeting in person or by proxy.
Abstentions. Abstentions, if any, will not be counted as votes cast. Therefore, they will have no effect on the outcome of the other matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting.
Broker Discretionary Voting Not Permitted
Broker discretionary voting of uninstructed shares is not permitted for a shareholder vote on any matter other than Item 43 (Ratification of the Selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for Fiscal 2012)2014).
Broker Non-Vote
If you are a beneficial owner whose shares are held of record by a broker, you must instruct the broker how to vote your shares. If you do not provide voting instructions, your shares will not be voted on any proposal on which the broker does not have discretionary authority to vote. This is called a “broker non-vote.” In these cases, the broker can register your shares as being present at the Annual Meeting for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum but will not be able to vote on those matters for which specific authorization is required under the rules of the NYSE.
If you are a beneficial owner whose shares are held of record by a broker, your broker has discretionary voting authority under NYSE rules to vote your shares on Item 43 (Ratification of the Selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for Fiscal 2012)2014) even if the broker does not receive voting instructions from you. However, your broker does not have discretionary authority to vote on Items 1 (Election of Directors), and 2 (Advisory Resolution to Approve Executive Compensation) and 3 (Approval of Material Terms of Executive Officer Performance Goals) without instructions from you, in which case a broker non-vote will occur and your shares will not be voted on those matters. Accordingly, it is particularly important that beneficial owners instruct their brokers how they wish to vote their shares.

75



Manner for Voting Proxies
The shares represented by all valid proxies received by mail, or submitted by telephone or the Internet will be voted in the manner specified. Where specific choices are not indicated, the shares represented by all valid proxies received will be voted:  FOR Items 1 (Election of Directors), 2 (Advisory Resolution to Approve Executive Compensation), and 3 (Approval of Material Terms of Executive Officer Performance Goals) and 4 (Ratification of the Selection of Deloitte & Touche LLP as Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm for Fiscal 2012)2014). Should any matter not described above be properly presented at the Annual Meeting, the persons named in the Proxy Card will vote in accordance with their judgment.
Voting in Person at the Annual Meeting
We encourage shareholders to submit proxies in advance by telephone, by the Internet, or by mail. Shareholders may also vote in person at the Annual Meeting, or may execute a proxy designating a representative to vote for them at the meeting. If your shares are held in street name and you wish to have your shares voted for Items 1 (Election of Directors), and 2 (Advisory Resolution to Approve Executive Compensation) and 3 (Approval of Material Terms of Executive Officer Performance Goals), you must either (i) instruct your broker how to vote your shares, (ii) vote your shares by phone or the Internet, or (iii) bring a brokerage statement, written proxy from your broker, or other proof of ownership of the Company’s common stock as of the Record Date with you to the Annual Meeting.
Other Matters to be Presented
The Board knows of no other matters which may be presented at the Annual Meeting. If any other matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, including any adjournment or adjournments thereof, proxies received in response to this solicitation will be voted upon such matters in the discretion of the person or persons named in the Proxy Card.
Solicitation of Proxies
Proxies will be solicited on behalf of the Board by mail or in person, and all solicitation costs will be paid by the Company.  Upon written request, copies of this Proxy Statement, the Proxy Card and our Annual Report for Fiscal 20112013 will be furnished to holders of record, as well as to brokers, dealers, banks and voting trustees, or their nominees, for the purpose of soliciting proxies from beneficial owners, and we will reimburse such holders for their reasonable expenses. AST Phoenix Advisory PartnersAdvisors has been retained to assist in soliciting proxies at a fee of $7,000 plus reasonable out-of-pocket costs.
Shareholders of Record Requesting Copies of the Company’s 20112013 Annual Report on Form 10-K
A copy of our 20112013 Annual Report on Form 10-K will be furnished without charge to shareholders beneficially or of record at the close of business on April 12, 2012,17, 2014, on written request to Bob Aronson, Vice President, Investor Relations, at 10201 Main Street, Houston, TX 77025.
Electronic Access to Proxy Statement and Annual Report
This Proxy Statement, our Annual Report to Shareholders for Fiscal 20112013 and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 20112013 are available to review at http://bnymellon.mobular.net/bnymellon/ssi.www.envisionreports.com/SSI for shareholders of record and at www.edocumentview.com/SSI for beneficial owners. This Proxy Statement (DEF 14A) and our Annual Report on Form 10-K for Fiscal 20112013 are also available on the SEC’s EDGAR database at www.sec.gov.
Documents Available in Print
In addition to being posted with printer friendly versions on the Investor Relations/Corporate Governance site on our website (www.stagestoresinc.com), our Audit Committee, Corporate Governance and Nominating Committee and Compensation Committee Charters, our Corporate Governance Guidelines, our Code of Ethics for Senior Officers, and our Code of Ethics and Business Conduct are available in print to any shareholder who requests them. Written requests should be made to Bob Aronson, Vice President, Investor Relations, at 10201 Main Street, Houston, TX 77025.


76







77

73 




78
Stage Stores, Inc., DEF 14A, GRAPHIC

Stage Stores, Inc., DEF 14A, GRAPHIC