SCHEDULE 14A
INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT
SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Filed by the Registrant [X]
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant [ ]
Check the appropriate box:
[ ] Preliminary Proxy Statement [ ] Confidential, For Use of the Commission
[X] Definitive Proxy Statement Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2))
[ ] Definitive Additional Materials
[ ] Soliciting Material Pursuant to Rule 14a-12
----------
GUESS?, INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
----------
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
[X] No fee required.
[ ] Fee 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:
(4) Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction:
(5) Total fee paid:
[ ] Fee paid previously with preliminary materials.
[ ] Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange
Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting
fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration
statement number, or the form or schedule and the date of its filing.
(1) Amount Previously Paid:
(2) Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.:
(3) Filing Party:
(4) Date Filed:
GUESS?, INC.
1444 South Alameda Street
Los Angeles, California 90021
----------------
NOTICE OF ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To be held on May 12, 2003
To the Shareholders of GUESS?, Inc:
The 2003 annual meeting of shareholders (the "Annual Meeting") of GUESS?,
Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), will be held at the Le Meridien
Hotel, 465 South La Cienega Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California 90048, on
Monday, May 12, 2003, at 10:00 a.m., pacific time, to:
1. Elect two directors for a term of three years each and until their
successors are duly elected and qualified;
2. Terminate the Amended and Restated Shareholders' Agreement, dated as
of August 8, 1996, by and among the Company and certain of its
affiliated shareholders;
3. Ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as independent certified public
accountants of the Company for the fiscal year ending December 31,
2003; and
4. Transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual
Meeting and any and all adjournments or postponements thereof.
Only shareholders of record at the close of business on April 4, 2003, are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or
postponements thereof.
If you plan to attend:
Please note that space limitations make it necessary to limit attendance
to shareholders and one guest. Admission to the Annual Meeting will be on a
first-come, first-served basis. Registration opens at 9:30 a.m., pacific time.
Cameras and recording devices will not be permitted at the Annual Meeting.
If your shares are held of record by a broker, bank or other nominee and
you wish to attend the Annual Meeting, you must obtain a letter from the broker,
bank or other nominee confirming your beneficial ownership of the shares as of
the record date and bring it to the Annual Meeting. In order to vote your shares
at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain from the record holder a proxy issued in
your name.
Your attention is called to the Proxy Statement on the following pages. We
hope that you will attend the Annual Meeting in person. The Board of Directors
and management look forward to greeting those shareholders able to attend.
Regardless of how many shares you own, your vote is very important. WHETHER OR
NOT YOU PLAN TO ATTEND, PLEASE SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THE ENCLOSED PROXY, WHICH
IS BEING SOLICITED BY THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS, IN THE ENCLOSED POSTAGE PREPAID
ENVELOPE.
On behalf of the Board of Directors, we would like to express our
appreciation for your continued interest in the affairs of the Company.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS,
/s/ Maurice Marciano /s/ Paul Marciano
------------------------- -------------------------
Maurice Marciano Paul Marciano
Co-Chairman of the Board and Co-Chairman of the Board and
Co-Chief Executive Officer Co-Chief Executive Officer
Los Angeles, California
April 11, 2003
GUESS?, INC.
1444 South Alameda Street
Los Angeles, California 90021
----------------
PROXY STATEMENT
FOR ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS
To be held on May 12, 2003
----------------
INTRODUCTION
This Proxy Statement and the enclosed form of proxy are being furnished
commencing on or about April 11, 2003, in connection with the solicitation by
the Board of Directors (the "Board of Directors" or the "Board") of Guess?, Inc.
(the "Company") of proxies in the enclosed form for use at the 2003 annual
meeting of shareholders (the "Annual Meeting") to be held at the Le Meridien
Hotel, 465 South La Cienega Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California 90048 on
Monday, May 12, 2003, at 10:00 a.m., pacific time, and any adjournments or
postponements thereof, for the purposes set forth in the accompanying Notice of
Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
In connection with the solicitation by the Board of Directors of proxies
for use at the Annual Meeting, the Board of Directors has designated Carlos
Alberini and Deborah Siegel to vote shares represented by such proxies. Any
proxy given pursuant to such solicitation and received in time for the Annual
Meeting and not revoked will be voted as specified in such proxy. If no
instructions are given, proxies will be voted FOR the election of the nominees
named below the caption "Proposal No. 1: Election of Class I Directors," FOR the
termination of the Amended and Restated Shareholders' Agreement, dated as of
August 8, 1996 (the "Shareholders' Agreement") as described under the caption
"Proposal No. 2: Termination of Shareholders' Agreement," and FOR the
appointment of KPMG LLP as independent certified public accountants of the
Company for the year ending December 31, 2003, as described under the caption
"Proposal No. 3: Ratification of Selection of Independent Certified Public
Accountants." Any proxy may be revoked by delivering written notice of such
revocation to the Secretary of the Company at any time prior to the voting
thereof or by delivering a later dated proxy to the Secretary of the Company at
any time prior to the voting thereof, or by voting in person at the Annual
Meeting in accordance with the instructions discussed in this Proxy Statement.
This solicitation is made by mail on behalf of the Board of Directors.
Costs of the solicitation will be borne by the Company. Further solicitation of
proxies may be made by telephone, telegraph, facsimile or personal interview by
the directors, officers and employees of the Company and its affiliates, who
will not receive additional compensation for the solicitation. The Company will
reimburse banks, brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries
for reasonable expenses incurred by them in sending proxy materials to
shareholders.
Only holders of record of the Company's common stock, par value $0.01 per
share (the "Common Stock"), at the close of business on April 4, 2003, are
entitled to notice of and to vote at the Annual Meeting. As of the close of
business on April 4, 2003, there were 43,146,439 shares of Common Stock
outstanding. Each share of Common Stock entitles the record holder thereof to
one vote on all matters properly brought before the Annual Meeting.
Brokers holding shares for beneficial owners must vote those shares
according to the specific instructions they receive from the owners. If
instructions are not received, brokers may vote the shares at their discretion,
depending upon the type of proposals involved. "Broker non-votes" result when
brokers are precluded by the rules of the New York Stock Exchange from
exercising their discretion on certain types of proposals. Brokers have
discretionary authority to vote on the proposals being submitted. The Inspector
of Election will treat broker non-votes as shares that are present and entitled
to vote for purposes of determining the presence of a quorum, but not as shares
present and voting on such proposal, thus having no effect on the outcome of
such proposal.
Each director will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at the
Annual Meeting. Shareholders may not cumulate their votes. Accordingly,
abstentions or broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of the election of
the Class I directors.
The favorable vote of a majority of votes cast will be required to approve
the termination of the Shareholders' Agreement and to ratify the selection of
KPMG LLP. Accordingly, abstentions or broker non-votes will not affect the
outcome of the vote on these proposals.
The Board of Directors knows of no matters to come before the Annual
Meeting other than the matters referred to in this Proxy Statement. If, however,
any matters properly come before the Annual Meeting, it is the intention of each
of the persons named in the accompanying proxy to vote such proxies in
accordance with such person's discretionary authority to act in such person's
best judgment.
The principal executive offices of the Company are located at 1444 South
Alameda Street, Los Angeles, California 90021.
ELECTION OF DIRECTORS
Pursuant to the Company's Restated Certificate of Incorporation, the Board
of Directors is divided into three classes of directors serving staggered terms
(Classes I, II and III). One class of directors is elected at each annual
meeting of shareholders for a three-year term and will hold office until their
successors shall have been elected and qualified. The Company's Bylaws currently
authorize a board of directors consisting of not less than three nor more than
fifteen directors. The Board of Directors currently consists of seven members of
whom Carlos Alberini and Alice Kane are Class I directors, Paul Marciano and
Anthony Chidoni are Class II directors and Maurice Marciano, Howard Socol and
Howard Weitzman are Class III directors.
PROPOSAL NO. 1: ELECTION OF CLASS I DIRECTORS
(Item 1 on Proxy Card)
At the Annual Meeting, two Class I directors are to be elected to serve for
a term to expire at the 2006 annual meeting of shareholders. The nominees for
these positions are Carlos Alberini and Alice Kane (the "Class I Nominees"). Mr.
Alberini is the Company's President and Chief Operating Officer. Ms. Kane is not
employed by, or affiliated with, the Company. Each of the Class I Nominees has
consented to being named in this Proxy Statement and has agreed to serve as a
member of the Board of Directors if elected. Information regarding the Class I
Nominees and the continuing directors whose terms expire in 2004 and 2005 is set
forth under the heading "Directors and Executive Officers" beginning on page 11.
The Class I directors will be elected by a plurality of the votes cast at
the Annual Meeting. Shareholders may not cumulate their votes. Accordingly,
abstentions or broker non-votes will not affect the outcome of the election of
the Class I directors. The accompanying proxy will be voted FOR the election of
the Class I Nominees unless contrary instructions are given. If the Class I
Nominees are unable to serve, which is not anticipated, the persons named as
proxies intend to vote for such other person or persons as the Board of
Directors may designate. In no event will the shares represented by the proxies
be voted for more than two Class I directors at the Annual Meeting. Unless
instructed to the contrary in the proxy, the shares represented by the proxies
will be voted FOR the election of the Class I Nominees named above.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR each of the Class I Nominees.
2
PROPOSAL NO. 2:
TERMINATION OF SHAREHOLDERS' AGREEMENT
(Item 2 on Proxy Card)
On August 8, 1996, the Company entered into the Shareholders' Agreement
with the following parties: the Maurice Marciano Trust (1995 Restatement); the
Paul Marciano Trust dated February 20, 1986; the Armand Marciano Trust dated
February 20, 1986; the Maurice Marciano 1996 Grantor Retained Annuity Trust; the
Paul Marciano 1996 Grantor Retained Annuity Trust; and the Armand Marciano 1996
Grantor Retained Annuity Trust. Each of the foregoing parties or its successor
in interest is an affiliate of either Maurice Marciano, Director, Co-Chairman of
the Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Company, Paul Marciano,
Director, Co-Chairman of the Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer of the
Company, or Armand Marciano, Senior Executive Vice President and Assistant
Secretary of the Company (collectively, the "Affiliated Shareholders"). As
described under "Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
Management," each of the Affiliated Shareholders is also a significant
shareholder of the Company.
Pursuant to the Shareholders' Agreement, the Affiliated Shareholders agreed
to vote their shares of Common Stock to elect each of the Affiliated
Shareholders, or a single designee of any such person (if such designee is
reasonably acceptable to the other persons), to the Board of Directors. The
Shareholders' Agreement further provides that each of the Affiliated
Shareholders has granted to the affiliates of the other Affiliated Shareholders
and to the Company rights of first refusal with respect to the transfer of any
shares of Common Stock (with certain limited exceptions). The Affiliated
Shareholders and the Company now propose to terminate the Shareholders'
Agreement in all respects, which would mean, among other things, that the
Affiliated Shareholders would no longer be obligated to first offer their shares
of Common Stock to the other Affiliated Shareholders and to the Company prior to
making any sales of such stock to third parties.
The termination of the Shareholders' Agreement is not required to be
submitted to a vote of shareholders, but the Company is nevertheless submitting
the matter for your vote in light of the interest of the Affiliated Shareholders
in the termination of the agreement. If the termination of the Shareholders'
Agreement is not approved by the shareholders, the Company does not intend to
terminate the agreement.
Approval of this Proposal requires the affirmative vote of a majority of
the votes cast, in person or by proxy, at the Annual Meeting by the holders of
shares entitled to vote thereon. Accordingly, abstentions or broker non-votes
will not affect the outcome of the vote on the proposal. Unless instructed to
the contrary in the proxy, the shares represented by the proxies will be voted
FOR the proposal to approve the termination of the Shareholders' Agreement.
The Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR the proposal to
terminate the Shareholders' Agreement.
PROPOSAL NO. 3: RATIFICATION OF SELECTION OF
INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS
(Item 3 on Proxy Card)
The firm of KPMG LLP ("KPMG"), the Company's independent certified public
accountants for the year ended December 31, 2002, was selected by the Board of
Directors, upon the recommendation of the Audit Committee, to act in such
capacity for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2003, subject to ratification
by the shareholders. There are no affiliations between the Company and KPMG, its
partners, associates or employees, other than those which pertain to the
engagement of (i) KPMG as independent certified public accountants for the
Company in the previous year and (ii) KPMG's Internal Audit Group as internal
auditors for the Company commencing in October 2000. KPMG has served as the
Company's independent public accountants since 1990. Even if KPMG's appointment
is ratified by the shareholders, the Board of Directors may, at its discretion,
appoint a new independent accounting firm if it determines that such a change
would be in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders. We expect a
representative of KPMG to be present at the Annual Meeting to respond to
appropriate questions and to make such statements as he or she may desire.
3
The favorable vote of a majority of votes cast regarding the proposal is
required to ratify the selection of KPMG. Accordingly, abstentions or broker
non-votes will not affect the outcome of the vote on the proposal. Unless
instructed to the contrary in the proxy, the shares represented by the proxies
will be voted FOR the proposal to ratify the selection of KPMG to serve as
independent certified public accountants for the Company for the fiscal year
ending December 31, 2003.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the ratification of KPMG LLP.
RELATIONSHIP WITH INDEPENDENT AUDITORS
The firm of KPMG has served as the Company's independent auditors since
1990 and served as the Company's independent auditor for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2002. As stated in Proposal No. 3, the Board of Directors has
selected KPMG to serve as our independent auditors for the fiscal year ending
December 31, 2003.
Audit services performed by KPMG for fiscal 2002 consisted of the
examination of the Company's financial statements, services related to filings
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") and services related to
the Company's internal audit. All fees paid to KPMG were reviewed and considered
for independence by the Audit Committee.
Fiscal 2002 Audit Firm Fee Summary
During fiscal year 2002, we retained our principal auditor, KPMG, to
provide services in the following categories and amounts:
2002 2001
------ ---------
(dollars in thousands)
Audit fees ............................. $513 $ 545
==== ======
Financial Information Systems Design and
Implementation Fees (1) ............... $ -- $ --
==== ======
All Other Fees
Audit related fees (2) ............... $240 $ 719
Tax fees ............................. 323 565
Other non-audit services ............. -- --
---- ------
Total all other fees .................. $563 $1,284
==== ======
------------
(1) Financial information systems design and implementation consist of
consulting for enterprise-wide financial information systems.
(2) Audit related fees consist principally of internal audit services and
issuances of consents.
The Audit Committee has considered whether the provision of non-audit
services provided by KPMG is compatible with maintaining KPMG's independence.
Before KPMG was engaged by the Company to render audit services, the engagement
was approved by the Company's Audit Committee.
4
REPORT OF THE AUDIT COMMITTEE
The Audit Committee oversees the Company's financial reporting process on
behalf of the Board of Directors. Management has the primary responsibility for
the financial statements and the reporting process, including the systems of
internal controls. We reviewed and discussed with management the audited
financial statements contained in the Company's fiscal year 2002 annual report.
Also, we reviewed with KPMG, who is responsible for expressing an opinion on the
conformity of our audited financial statements with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America, their judgments as to the
quality and acceptability of our accounting principles and any other matters
that we are required to discuss under generally accepted auditing standards. In
addition, we have discussed with KPMG its independence from management and the
Company including matters set forth in the written disclosures required by
Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 and matters required to be discussed
by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 pertaining to communications with
Audit Committees.
We discussed with KPMG the overall scope and plans of their audits. We met
with KPMG, as the Company's independent auditors, with and without management
present, to discuss results of their examinations, their evaluations of our
internal controls, and the overall quality of our financial reporting at each of
our eight meetings in 2002.
We also relied on the services of KPMG for the internal audit function. We
engaged KPMG for the internal audit function in 2000 only after carefully
reviewing the quality of such services being offered by other service providers.
We are of the opinion that the Company's utilization of KPMG's internal audit
outsourcing services has not impaired the independence of KPMG as the Company's
external auditor. Nonetheless, consistent with new auditor independence rules,
including those related to the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 and consistent with
KPMG's own policies, we began a transition of the internal audit function away
from KPMG during 2003 and we intend for this transition to be complete by the
end of the second quarter of 2003.
Relying on the reviews and discussions referred to above, we recommended to
the Board of Directors, and the Board of Directors has approved, that the
audited financial statements be included in the Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, for filing with the SEC.
By the Audit Committee,
Anthony Chidoni, Chairman
Alice Kane
Howard Socol
Howard Weitzman
5
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN
BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth certain information available to the
Company, as of March 18, 2003, with respect to shares of its Common Stock held
by (i) those persons known to the Company to be the beneficial owners (as
determined under the rules of the SEC) of more than 5% of such shares, (ii) each
individual who served as a Chief Executive Officer during 2002 and the four
other most highly compensated executive officers as of December 31, 2002 (the
"Named Executive Officers"), (iii) all directors and nominees of the Company,
and (iv) as a group, all directors and executive officers of the Company.
Beneficial Ownership of
Common Stock
------------------------------------
NAME AND ADDRESS OF BENEFICIAL OWNER (1) Number Percent of Class (2)
---------------------------------------- ------------ ---------------------
Maurice Marciano (3) .......................... 17,064,594 39.6%
Paul Marciano (4) ............................. 12,990,168 30.1%
Armand Marciano (5) ........................... 5,050,492 11.7%
Carlos Alberini (6) ........................... 408,488 *
Anthony Chidoni (7) ........................... 11,561 *
Alice Kane (8) ................................ 60,240 *
Nancy Shachtman ............................... 40,000 *
Frederick Silny (9) ........................... 30,000 *
Howard Socol (10) ............................. 48,486 *
Howard Weitzman (11) .......................... 17,554 *
All directors and executive officers as a group
(10 persons) (12) ............................ 35,721,583 82.5%
------------
* Less than 1.0%
(1) Unless otherwise indicated, the address of the beneficial owner is c/o
Guess?, Inc., 1444 South Alameda Street, Los Angeles, California 90021.
Except as described below and subject to the Shareholders' Agreement (as
described under "Certain Relationships and Related Transactions --
Shareholders' Agreement"), and applicable community property laws and
similar laws, each person listed above has sole voting and investment power
with respect to such shares. This table is based upon information supplied
by officers, directors and principal shareholders.
(2) The percentage is calculated on the basis of the amount of outstanding
shares of Common Stock, excluding shares held for the account of the
Company and including shares that may be acquired upon the exercise of
options exercisable within 60 days of March 18, 2003. The number of shares
of Common Stock outstanding on March 18, 2003 was 43,104,039.
(3) Includes shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Maurice Marciano as
follows: 16,954,559 shares held indirectly as sole trustee of the Maurice
Marciano Trust; 10,000 shares held indirectly as sole advisor of the
Maurice Marciano 1990 Children's Trust; 90,000 shares held indirectly as
president of the Maurice Marciano Family Foundation; 10,000 shares held by
his wife and 35 shares held as sole trustee of the Maurice Marciano Gift
Trust FBO Caroline Marciano.
(4) Includes shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Paul Marciano as
follows: 12,137,789 shares held indirectly as sole trustee of the Paul
Marciano Trust; 711,509 shares held indirectly as sole trustee of the Paul
Marciano Grantor Retained Annuity Trust No. II and 140,870 shares held
indirectly as co-trustee of the Maurice Marciano 2001 Children's Trust
(formerly the Maurice Marciano 1996 Grantor Retained Annuity Trust).
(5) Includes shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Armand Marciano as
follows: 5,045,492 shares held indirectly as sole trustee of the Armand
Marciano Trust; 1,000 shares held indirectly as sole trustee of the
6
Armand Marciano Gift Trust - Anastasia; 1,000 shares held indirectly as
sole trustee of the Armand Marciano Gift Trust - Francesca; 1,000 shares
held indirectly as sole trustee of the Armand Marciano Gift Trust -
Harrison; 1,000 shares held indirectly as sole trustee of the Armand
Marciano Gift Trust - Dominique; and 1,000 shares held indirectly as sole
trustee of the Armand Marciano Gift Trust - Julien.
(6) Includes shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Carlos Alberini as
follows: 200,000 shares of Common Stock that may be acquired upon the
exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of March 18, 2003, pursuant
to the Company's 1996 Equity Incentive Plan.
(7) Includes shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Anthony Chidoni as
follows: 7,561 shares of Common Stock that may be acquired upon the
exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of March 18, 2003, pursuant
to the Company's Amended and Restated 1996 Non-Employee Directors' Stock
Option Plan.
(8) Includes shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Alice Kane as
follows: 50,240 shares of Common Stock that may be acquired upon the
exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of March 18, 2003, pursuant
to the Company's Amended and Restated 1996 Non-Employee Directors' Stock
Option Plan.
(9) Includes shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Frederick Silny as
follows: 20,000 shares of Common Stock that may be acquired upon the
exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of March 18, 2003, pursuant
to the Company's 1996 Equity Incentive Plan.
(10) Includes shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Howard Socol as
follows: 39,986 shares of Common Stock that may be acquired upon the
exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of March 18, 2003, pursuant
to the Company's Amended and Restated 1996 Non-Employee Directors' Stock
Option Plan.
(11) Includes shares of Common Stock beneficially owned by Howard Weitzman as
follows: 13,554 shares of Common Stock that may be acquired upon the
exercise of options exercisable within 60 days of March 18, 2003, pursuant
to the Company's Amended and Restated 1996 Non-Employee Directors' Stock
Option Plan.
(12) Includes 331,341 shares of common stock that may be acquired upon the
exercise of options within 60 days of March 18, 2003.
7
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
The Company is engaged in various transactions with entities affiliated
with trusts for the respective benefit of Maurice, Paul and Armand Marciano and
certain of their children (the "Marciano Trusts"). The Company believes that the
arrangements involving each of the companies in which the Marciano Trusts have
an investment and related party transactions discussed below were entered into
on terms no less favorable to the Company than could have been obtained from an
unaffiliated third party.
License Agreements and Licensee Transactions
On September 28, 1990, the Company entered into a license agreement with
Charles David of California ("Charles David"). The Marciano Trusts and Nathalie
Marciano (the spouse of Maurice Marciano) together own 50% of Charles David, and
the remaining 50% is owned by the father-in-law of Maurice Marciano. The license
agreement grants Charles David the rights to manufacture worldwide and
distribute worldwide (except Japan and certain European countries) for men,
women and some children, leather and rubber footwear, which bear the Company
trademarks. Gross royalties earned by the Company under such license agreement
for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002, and for the first quarter ended
March 29, 2003, were $2.0 million and $0.9 million, respectively. Additionally,
the Company purchased $5.7 million and $2.1 million, respectively, of products
from Charles David for resale in the Company's retail stores during the same
periods. The license agreement was renewed in 2002 and will expire in 2008.
Consulting Arrangement
Subsequent to the fiscal year ended December 31, 2001, the Company agreed
to pay Bryan Isaacs $42,000 in connection with consulting services provided by
him to the Company during 2001. The Company paid this amount to Mr. Isaacs in
February 2002. Mr. Isaacs' term as a director of the Company expired at the 2002
annual meeting of shareholders.
Leases
The Company leases manufacturing, warehouse and administrative facilities
from partnerships affiliated with the Marciano Trusts and certain of its
affiliates. There were three leases in effect at December 31, 2002, two of which
expire in July 2008, and one of which expires in February 2006. The total lease
payments to these limited partnerships are currently $268,939 per month.
Aggregate lease payments under leases in effect for the fiscal year ended
December 31, 2002, and for the first quarter ended March 29, 2003, were $53.1
million and $14.3 million, respectively.
During 2002, Mr. Alberini lived in a residence owned by a trust controlled
by Mr. Maurice Marciano. The Company paid $130,000 as rent on the residence and
Mr. Alberini recognized such amount as compensation. Beginning in January 2003,
Mr. Alberini began paying rent on the residence.
Shareholders' Agreement
Upon consummation of the Company's initial public offering ("IPO"), the
Company entered into the Shareholders' Agreement with affiliates of the
Affiliated Shareholders. Pursuant to the Shareholders' Agreement, the Affiliated
Shareholders agreed to vote their shares of Common Stock to elect each of the
Affiliated Shareholders, or a single designee of any such person (if such
designee is reasonably acceptable to the other persons), to the Board of
Directors. The Shareholders' Agreement further provides that each of the
Affiliated Shareholders has granted to the affiliates of the other Affiliated
Shareholders and to the Company rights of first refusal with respect to the
transfer of any shares of Common Stock (with certain limited exceptions).
The Armand Marciano Trust dated February 20, 1986 (the "Armand Marciano
Trust") entered into letter agreements dated February 10, 2003 with the Company
and affiliates of the other Affiliated Shareholders which amended certain terms
of both the Shareholders' Agreement and the Registration Rights Agreement dated
August 1,
8
1996 (the "Registration Rights Agreement") among the Company and the Affiliated
Shareholders. In particular, the Company and the other Affiliated Shareholders
each waived their right of first refusal as to sales by the Armand Marciano
Trust of up to 440,000 shares of Common Stock. Furthermore, the parties agreed
that, until effectiveness of the registration statement to be filed by the
Company pursuant to a November 4, 2002 demand made to the Company by the Armand
Marciano Trust in accordance with the Registration Rights Agreement, the Armand
Marciano Trust may sell Common Stock to third parties upon two days right of
first refusal notice to the Company and the other Affiliated Shareholders.
Finally, the agreement provided that, if the Armand Marciano Trust sells any
Common Stock before the registration statement becomes effective, the Company
will include in the registration statement up to five of the purchasers as
additional selling shareholders, and will consider in good faith including any
other purchasers in the registration statement.
Indebtedness of Management
Pursuant to his employment agreement, on March 22, 2001, the Company loaned
Carlos Alberini $1,000,000 for the purchase of his primary residence in Los
Angeles (the "Relocation Loan"). The Relocation Loan is secured by a second deed
of trust on the residence and bears interest at the rate of seven percent (7%)
per annum; provided that no interest shall accrue during Mr. Alberini's
employment with the Company. As of December 31, 2002, there was a principal
balance outstanding on the Relocation Loan of $915,822.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
On approximately January 15, 1999, UNITE filed an unfair labor practice
charge against us, alleging that attorney Dennis Hershewe violated Section
8(a)(1) of the National Labor Relations Act ("the Act") by questioning our
employee Maria Perez about her union activities at the deposition he conducted
in her workers' compensation case. Mr. Hershewe represents Fireman's Fund
Insurance Company, our workers' compensation insurance carrier. GUESS?
investigated the charge and responded to it on March 10, 1999. The NLRB issued a
complaint on part of the charge on October 14, 1999, and we filed an answer on
October 21, 1999. On July 6, 2000, the complaint was dismissed in its entirety.
The NLRB appealed the decision and both sides submitted briefs in September of
2000. We are awaiting a decision on the appeal.
On June 9, 1999, we commenced a lawsuit in the Los Angeles County Superior
Court against Kyle Kirkland, Kirkland Messina LLC, and CKM Securities
(collectively "Kirkland") for tortious interference, unfair competition, fraud
and related claims. This action arises out of alleged misrepresentations and
omissions of material fact made by Kirkland in connection with the operations
and financial performance of Pour Le Bebe, Inc., a former licensee ("PLB").
Following Kirkland's efforts to compel arbitration of this matter, on March 29,
2000, the California Court of Appeal determined that the action would proceed in
court. After unsuccessfully requesting reconsideration before the appellate
court, Kirkland sought review before the California Supreme Court. Kirkland's
petition for review to the California Supreme Court was denied on July 12, 2000.
In September 2002, the parties agreed to a settlement and the suit was
dismissed.
On March 28, 2000 a complaint was filed against us in San Diego County
Superior Court entitled Snodgrass v. Guess?, Inc. and GUESS? Retail, Inc. The
complaint alleged that certain current and former store management employees
were incorrectly classified as exempt from overtime laws. The Company, without
admitting or acknowledging any wrongdoing, tentatively settled the matter on
September 28, 2001. The court granted final approval to the settlement on May
10, 2002. The Company does not expect any changes to its ongoing cost structure
as a result of this settlement.
On May 4, 2000, a complaint was filed against the Company and Mr. Paul
Marciano in the Los Angeles Superior Court -- Michel Benasra v. Paul Marciano
and Guess?, Inc. The complaint grows out of the arbitration between the Company
and PLB, wherein the Company was awarded $7.7 million. The plaintiff, the
President of PLB, alleges that defendants made defamatory statements about him
during the arbitration. Plaintiff seeks general damages of $50,000,000 and
unspecified punitive damages. We moved to compel arbitration of this matter, or
alternatively, to strike the action under the state's anti-SLAPP (Strategic
Litigation Against Public Participation)
9
statute. The motion to compel arbitration was denied and that ruling was
affirmed on appeal. On May 15, 2002, our motion to strike the case was granted.
On January 30, 2001, Guess?, Inc., Maurice Marciano, Armand Marciano, Paul
Marciano, and Brian Fleming were named as defendants in a securities class
action entitled David Osher v. Guess?, Inc., et al., filed in the United States
District Court for the Central District of California. Seven additional class
actions have been filed in the Central District, naming the same defendants:
Robert M. Nuckols v. Guess?, Inc. et al., Brett Dreyfuss v. Guess?, Inc. et al.,
both filed February 1, 2001; Jerry Sloan v. Guess?, Inc., et al., filed February
6, 2001; Jerry Byrd v. Guess?, Inc., et al; filed February 13, 2001; Patrick and
Kristine Liska v. Guess?, Inc., et al, filed February 14, 2001; Darrin Wegman v.
Guess?, Inc., et al., filed February 22, 2001; and Rosie Gindie v. Guess?, Inc.,
et al., filed February 22, 2001. All eight complaints purport to state claims
under Section 10(b) and 20(a) and Rule 10b-5 of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 and allege that defendants made materially false and misleading statements
relating to the Company's inventory and financial condition during the class
period. In Osher, Nuckols, Byrd, Wegman and Sloan, the class period is February
14, 2000 through January 26, 2001; in Dreyfuss, Liska and Gindie the class
period is February 14, 2000 through November 9, 2000. On April 25, 2001, the
court entered an order consolidating all of the eight class actions, captioned
In re Guess, Inc. Securities Litigation. The lead plaintiff for the class is the
Policeman and Fireman's Retirement System of the City of Detroit. On July 9,
2001, the plaintiff filed a consolidated amended class action complaint. Our
motion to dismiss was granted, with leave to amend, on November 29, 2001. On
March 14, 2002, the court issued orders dismissing all eight class action cases
without prejudice.
On March 15, 2001, a complaint was filed by Susan Goldman, derivatively on
behalf of nominal defendant Guess?, Inc. against Bryan Isaacs, Alice Kane,
Robert Davis, Armand Marciano, Paul Marciano, Maurice Marciano, Howard Socol and
Guess?, Inc. in the Court of Chancery for the State of Delaware. The complaint
alleges misappropriation of corporate information, insider trading and other
purported breaches of fiduciary duty by the Company and its Board of Directors.
On February 12, 2002, the court granted plaintiff's motion to dismiss this
action without prejudice.
On May 7, 2001, a complaint was filed by Suzanne Bell, derivatively on
behalf of nominal defendant Guess?, Inc. against Maurice Marciano, Paul
Marciano, Armand Marciano, Alice Kane, Robert Davis, Howard Socol, Bryan Isaacs
and Brian Fleming, in the United States District Court for the Central District
of California. The complaint alleges corporate mismanagement, insider trading
and other purported breaches of fiduciary duty by the Company and its Board of
Directors. On July 5, 2001, the court stayed the action pursuant to stipulation
of the parties pending the outcome of the Goldman derivative action. As a result
of the dismissal of the Goldman derivative action on February 12, 2002, the stay
expired. The parties subsequently stipulated to a dismissal that was approved by
the court on March 28, 2002.
Most major corporations, particularly those operating retail businesses,
become involved from time to time in a variety of employment-related claims and
other matters incidental to their business in addition to those described above.
In the opinion of our management, the resolution of any of these pending
incidental matters is not expected to have a material adverse effect on our
results of operations or financial condition; however, we cannot predict the
outcome of these matters.
10
DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
The directors and executive officers of the Company as of April 4, 2003 are
as follows:
Name Age Position
--------------------------- ----- ------------------------------------------------------------------
Maurice Marciano .......... 54 Director, Co-Chairman of the Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer
Paul Marciano ............. 50 Director, Co-Chairman of the Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer
Armand Marciano ........... 58 Senior Executive Vice President and Assistant Secretary
Carlos Alberini ........... 47 Director, President and Chief Operating Officer
Anthony Chidoni ........... 51 Director
Alice Kane ................ 55 Director
Nancy Shachtman ........... 46 President of Wholesale
Frederick Silny ........... 52 Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
Howard Socol .............. 57 Director
Howard Weitzman ........... 63 Director
Pursuant to the Shareholders' Agreement described herein under "Certain
Relationships and Related Transactions," the Affiliated Shareholders have agreed
to vote their shares of Common Stock to elect each of Maurice, Paul and Armand
Marciano, or one designee of any such person (if such designee shall be
reasonably acceptable to the other Affiliated Shareholders), to the Board of
Directors. Maurice, Paul and Armand Marciano are brothers and have worked
together in the fashion industry for the last 29 years.
With respect to the directors and the nominees named above, Anthony
Chidoni, Alice Kane, Howard Socol and Howard Weitzman are deemed to be
"independent" directors under the New York Stock Exchange rules.
Maurice Marciano, age 54, who was one of the founders of the Company in
1981, has served as Co-Chairman of the Board and Co-Chief Executive Officer
since November 15, 1999. Mr. Marciano served as Chairman of the Board and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company from August 1993 to November 15, 1999. Mr.
Marciano served as President of the Company from June 1990 to September 1992 and
as Executive Vice President from 1981 until June 1990. Mr. Marciano's direct
supervisory responsibilities include design, merchandising and manufacturing.
Additionally, Mr. Marciano, along with Mr. Paul Marciano, is responsible for the
Company's corporate marketing. From February 1993 to May 1993, Mr. Marciano was
Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Director of Pepe Clothing USA, Inc. Mr.
Marciano has served as a director of the Company since 1981 (except for the
period from January 1993 to May 1993) and his present term as a Class III
director will expire at the 2005 annual meeting of shareholders.
Paul Marciano, age 50, joined the Company two months after its inception in
1981 and has served as creative director for the Company's advertising
worldwide, and served as President and Chief Operating Officer of the Company
from September 1992 to December 2000. Mr. Marciano has served as Co-Chairman and
Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Company since November 15, 1999. Mr.
Marciano's responsibilities include direct supervisory responsibility for the
Company's global advertising and image, licensing, international business and
the retail operation. Additionally, Mr. Marciano, along with Maurice Marciano,
is responsible for the Company's corporate marketing. Mr. Marciano served as
Senior Executive Vice President of the Company from August 1990 to September
1992 and has served as a director of the Company since 1990. His present term as
a Class II director will expire at the 2004 annual meeting of shareholders.
Armand Marciano, age 58, joined the Company two months after its inception
in 1981 and has served as Senior Executive Vice President of the Company since
November 1992. Mr. Marciano is responsible for distribution, customer service
and European exports. Mr. Marciano served as Secretary of the Company from 1983
to August 1997, as Executive Vice President of the Company from July 1988 to
1992, and as Assistant Secretary of the Company since August 1997. Mr. Marciano
served as a director of the Company from 1983 through his resignation as a
director in December 2001. Since October 7, 2002, Mr. Marciano has been on a
leave of absence from the Company.
Carlos Alberini, age 47, joined the Company in December 2000 as President
and Chief Operating Officer. Mr. Alberini is responsible for product sourcing,
logistics, retail sales (including store operations and real estate), MIS,
finance, human resources, legal (excluding litigation management) and wholesale
sales for the Company. Prior
11
to joining the Company, Mr. Alberini served as Senior Vice President and Chief
Financial Officer of Footstar, Inc. from October 1996 to December 2000. Prior
to his position at Footstar, Inc., from May 1995 to October 1996, Mr. Alberini
served as Vice President of Finance and Acting Chief Financial Officer of the
Melville Corporation, from 1987 to 1995, he served as Corporate Controller and
rose to Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer of The
Bon Ton Stores, and he spent 10 years with Price Waterhouse until leaving the
firm as an audit manager in 1987. Mr. Alberini has served as a director of the
Company since December 11, 2000, and his present term as a Class I director
will expire at the Annual Meeting.
Anthony Chidoni, age 51, is the Managing Director of Private Client
Business in the Los Angeles office of investment bank Credit Suisse First
Boston, and its predecessor Donaldson Lufkin & Jenrette, where he has served in
various positions for 21 years. Mr. Chidoni has served as a director of the
Company since November 2002 and his present term as a Class II director will
expire at the 2004 annual meeting of shareholders.
Alice T. Kane, age 55, became the Chairman of Blaylock Asset Management in
September 2002 and had been providing consulting services for Blaylock &
Partners, L.P. since December 2001. Prior to that, Ms. Kane was the President of
American General Fund Group and Chairman of VALIC Group Annuity Funds with over
$18 billion in assets under management. Ms. Kane joined American General
Corporation, one of the nation's largest diversified financial organizations
with assets of approximately $98 billion, as Executive Vice President of their
investments advisory subsidiary, American General Investment Management L.P. in
June 1998. Prior to joining American General Corporation, Ms. Kane served her
entire financial services industry career at New York Life Insurance Company
where she joined the company in 1972. Up until her departure from New York Life,
she was Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer after serving as
Executive Vice President with responsibility for managing the company's asset
management division from 1994 to 1997. Ms. Kane was also Chairman of New York
Life's MainStay Mutual Funds, and served as General Counsel of New York Life
from 1986 to 1995. Ms. Kane is a member of the board of Unified Financial
Services, Inc., a financial services holding company. Ms. Kane also serves on
the board of Global Crossing, a telecommunication services provider, and chairs
their compensation, audit and special committees. Ms. Kane has served as a
director of the Company since June 1998 and her present term as a Class I
director will expire at the Annual Meeting.
Nancy Shachtman, age 46, has been President of Wholesale of the Company
since November 1998 (except for the period from March 2002 through August 2002).
From January 1998 through November 1998, Ms. Shachtman served as President of
Sales of the Company. From October 1986 through January 1998, Ms. Shachtman
served in various sales and merchandising positions for the Company including
Vice President of Sales and Merchandising.
Frederick G. Silny, age 52, joined the Company as Senior Vice President and
Chief Financial Officer in November 2001 from CarsDirect.com, Inc., where he was
Chief Financial Officer and Corporate Secretary from 1999. Prior to that, he
spent 10 years at IHOP Corp., the parent company of a leading chain of family
restaurants, serving as Chief Financial Officer, Vice President-Finance and
Treasurer. Between 1979 and 1989, Mr. Silny held a variety of financial and
operational positions with Carnation Company, now a division of Nestle, and from
1982 to 1984, he headed international treasury for Litton Industries, Inc. He
began his career as a certified public accountant with Coopers & Lybrand in
1976.
Howard Socol, age 57, became the Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and
President of Barneys New York, Inc. in January 2001. From March 1999 through
January 2001, he was President of Socol Consulting Group that provides retail
and internet consulting services. From March 1998 to January 1999, he was the
Chief Executive Officer of J. Crew Group Inc. Mr. Socol spent the majority of
his career rising through the ranks of Burdines Department Stores, a division of
Federated Department Stores, to become Burdines Chairman and Chief Executive
Officer. Mr. Socol, considered one of the apparel industry's premier merchants,
served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Burdines from 1984 to May
1997. Having joined Burdines in 1969 as an assistant buyer and after holding
various positions over a twelve-year period, he was appointed the youngest
division president in Federated's history. Mr. Socol has served as a director of
the Company since September 1999 and his present term as a Class III director
will expire at the 2005 annual meeting of shareholders.
12
Howard L. Weitzman, 63, has been a partner at Proskauer Rose LLP in the
Litigation and Dispute Resolution Department since August 1998 and has been a
practicing attorney for 36 years. From September 1995 through August 1998, Mr.
Weitzman was Executive Vice President, Corporate Operations for Universal
Studios (then MCA) and, during his tenure, he also ran the Theme Parks division
for one year. Mr. Weitzman was chairman and one of the managing partners in the
firm of Katten Munchin Zavis & Weitzman from 1991 through 1995 and was one of
the managing partners of the Wyman Bautzer firm from 1986 through 1991. Prior to
1986, Mr. Weitzman had his own law firm for 22 years. In addition to his legal
experience, Mr. Weitzman taught at the University of Southern California Law
School for 12 years and has been a frequent speaker and lecturer at many law
schools, seminars and symposiums. Mr. Weitzman has also been a guest on many
national, local and syndicated television and radio shows. Mr. Weitzman
currently practices law and acts as a consultant to several businesses. Mr.
Weitzman has served as a director of the Company since May 2002 and his present
term as a Class III director will expire at the 2005 annual meeting.
BOARD MEETINGS AND COMMITTEES
The Board of Directors held five meetings during 2002, and each director
attended at least 75 percent of the aggregate of the meetings of the Board of
Directors and of the committees of which he or she was a member.
The Board of Directors has no nominating committee and has the following
standing committees:
Audit Committee
The Audit Committee, which was established on July 30, 1996, recommends the
appointment of the Company's external auditors and meets with both internal and
external auditors to review the scope of their audits and the results thereof.
The Audit Committee is governed by a written charter adopted by the Board of
Directors. In addition, the Audit Committee reviews and comments on the proposed
plans of the internal and external auditors, audit fee proposals, financial
statements and other documents submitted to shareholders and regulators and
reviews the internal control policies and procedures of the Company.
There are currently four members of the Audit Committee none of whom are
employees of the Company: Mr. Chidoni, who serves as Chairman, Ms. Kane, Mr.
Socol and Mr. Weitzman. In accordance with the rules of the New York Stock
Exchange, the Board of Directors has determined that each member of the Audit
Committee is independent, as defined in the New York Stock Exchange Listing
Standards, and that Mr. Chidoni meets the requirements of an audit committee
financial expert as defined by the SEC.
There were eight meetings of the Audit Committee held during 2002.
Compensation Committee
The Compensation Committee, which was established on March 3, 1997, reviews
and approves the remuneration arrangements for the officers and directors of the
Company and reviews and recommends new executive compensation or stock plans in
which the officers and/or directors are eligible to participate, including the
granting of stock options and the determination of annual bonuses. There are
currently four members of the Compensation Committee: Mr. Weitzman, who serves
as Chairman, Mr. Chidoni, Ms. Kane and Mr. Socol. There were two meetings of the
Compensation Committee held during 2002.
The General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware (the "Delaware
Corporation Law") provides that a company may indemnify its directors and
officers as to certain liabilities. The Company's Restated Certificate of
Incorporation and Bylaws provide for the indemnification of its directors and
officers to the fullest extent permitted by law, and the Company has entered
into separate indemnification agreements with each of its directors and officers
to effectuate these provisions and to purchase directors' and officers'
liability insurance. The effect of such provisions is to indemnify, to the
fullest extent permitted by law, the directors and officers of the Company
against all costs, expenses and liabilities incurred by them in connection with
any action, suit or proceeding in which they are involved by reason of their
affiliation with the Company.
13
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The following table sets forth each component of compensation paid or
awarded to, or earned by, the Named Executive Officers for the fiscal years
ended December 31, 2000, 2001 and 2002.
Summary Compensation Table
Annual Compensation Long Term Compensation
--------------------------------------- ---------------------------
Restricted Securities
Other Annual Stock Underlying All Other
Salary Bonus Compensation (1) Award(s) Options/SARs Compensation (2)
Name and Principal Position Year ($) ($) ($) ($) (#) ($)
----------------------------- ------ --------- ---------- ------------------ ------------ -------------- -----------------
Maurice Marciano(3) ......... 2002 900,000 -- 164,328 -- -- 2,750
Co-Chairman of the Board and 2001 540,000 -- 86,328 -- -- 1,431
Co-Chief Executive Officer 2000 900,000 360,000 62,678 -- -- 1,067
Paul Marciano(3) ............ 2002 900,000 -- 103,751 -- -- 1,192
Co-Chairman of the Board and 2001 540,000 -- 125,198 -- -- 1,431
Co-Chief Executive Officer 2000 900,000 360,000 100,812 -- -- 1,067
Armand Marciano(3) .......... 2002 650,000 -- 77,437 -- -- 1,125
Senior Executive 2001 390,000 -- 64,577 -- -- 1,388
Vice President and 2000 650,000 260,000 104,250 -- -- 1,125
Assistant Secretary
Carlos Alberini(4) .......... 2002 650,000 -- 159,123 -- -- 1,058
President and 2001 650,000 -- 142,244 -- -- --
Chief Operating Officer 2000 37,500 130,000 -- 949,213 500,000 --
Nancy Shachtman(5) .......... 2002 507,692 50,000 31,137 208,400 100,000 --
President of Wholesale 2001 555,692 -- -- -- 25,000 1,875
2000 459,616 50,000 -- -- 44,000 1,950
Frederick Silny(6) .......... 2002 300,000 -- 19,008 -- -- --
Senior Vice President and 2001 34,615 -- -- 55,700 80,000 --
Chief Financial Officer
------------
(1) Includes the following amounts paid for transportation on behalf of: Mr.
Maurice Marciano $51,177 in 2000, $71,896 in 2001 and $148,283 in 2002, Mr.
Paul Marciano, $82,968 in 2000, $98,619 in 2001 and $75,332 in 2002 and Mr.
Armand Marciano, $67,044 in 2000, $34,898 in 2001 and $28,366 in 2002.
Includes $131,531 in 2002 and $130,000 in 2001 paid on behalf of Carlos
Alberini in connection with his relocation to Los Angeles in 2001. (See
"Certain Relationships and Related Transactions -- Leases.")
(2) Consists solely of contributions to the Company's 401(k) Plan, dated
January 1, 1992, as amended, by the Company on behalf of such executive
officers.
(3) These three named Executive Officers had previously agreed to reduce their
2001 compensation by the amounts of their 2000 annual bonus compensation.
(See "Compensation Committee Report -- Components of Compensation.")
(4) Mr. Alberini joined the Company on December 11, 2000. Mr. Alberini waived
the Guaranteed Bonus (as defined under "Employment Agreements") due to him
in 2001 under his employment agreement. See "Employment Agreements."
(5) On October 31, 2001, Ms. Shachtman relinquished her duties as an executive
officer of the Company and resigned her employment effective February 28,
2002. Salary includes $264,519 received as severance payments in 2002. Ms.
Shachtman rejoined the Company on September 2, 2002.
(6) Mr. Silny joined the Company on November 12, 2001.
14
Option/SAR Grants in Last Fiscal Year
Individual Grants
----------------------------------------------------------------
Potential Realizable
Value At Assumed
Number of Annual Rates of Stock
Securities Percent of Total Price Appreciation For
Underlying Options/SARs Option Term (2)
Options/SARs Granted to Exercise of ----------------------------
Granted (1) Employees in Base Price Expiration 5% 10%
Name (#) Fiscal Year ($/Share) Date ($) ($)
-------------------------- -------------- ----------------- ------------ ------------ ---------- ------------
Maurice Marciano ......... -- -- -- -- -- --
Paul Marciano ............ -- -- -- -- -- --
Armand Marciano .......... -- -- -- -- -- --
Carlos Alberini .......... -- -- -- -- -- --
Nancy Shachtman .......... 100,000 22.17% 5.21 9/2/2012 850,283 1,353,934
Frederick Silny .......... -- -- -- -- -- --
------------
(1) The options identified in this table were granted under the Company's 1996
Equity Incentive Plan and are exercisable in equal 25% installments on each
of the first four anniversaries of the date of grant. In the event a Named
Executive Officer terminates his or her employment for any reason other
than death, disability or retirement, his or her options may thereafter be
exercised, to the extent they were exercisable on the date of termination,
for a period of 60 days from the date of such termination of employment.
(2) The potential gains shown are net of the option exercise price and do not
include the effect of any taxes associated with exercise. The amounts shown
are for the assumed rates of appreciation only, do not constitute
projections of future stock performance and may not necessarily be
realized. Actual gains, if any, on stock option exercises depend on the
future performance of the Common Stock, continued employment of the
optionee through the term of the option and other factors.
Aggregated Option/SAR Exercises in Last Fiscal Year
and Fiscal Year-End Option/SAR Values
The following table provides information regarding the number and value of
unexercised options to purchase the Common Stock held by the Named Executive
Officers as of December 31, 2002, based upon a value of $4.19 per share, which
was the closing price of the Common Stock on the New York Stock Exchange on
December 31, 2002.
Number of
Securities Value of
Underlying Unexercised
Unexercised In-the-Money
Shares Options/SARs Options/SARs
Acquired on Value At Fiscal Year-End At Fiscal Year-End
Exercise Realized Exercisable/Unexercisable Exercisable/Unexercisable
Name ($) ($) (#) ($)
-------------------------- ------------- ---------- --------------------------- --------------------------
Maurice Marciano ......... 0 0 0/0 0/0
Paul Marciano ............ 0 0 0/0 0/0
Armand Marciano .......... 0 0 0/0 0/0
Carlos Alberini .......... 0 0 200,000/300,000 0/0
Nancy Shachtman .......... 40,000 92,306 0/100,000 0/0
Frederick Silny .......... 0 0 20,000/60,000 0/0
15
EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS
The Company has entered into individual employment agreements (the
"Executive Employment Agreements") with each of Maurice Marciano, Paul Marciano
and Armand Marciano (the "Executives"). The initial term of the Executive
Employment Agreements began on August 13, 1996 (the "Effective Date") and
terminated on the third anniversary of the Effective Date. However, the
Executive Employment Agreements automatically extend after the initial term for
successive one-year terms, unless notice not to extend is given by either party
at least 90 days prior to the end of the then current term. No notice has been
given. The Executive Employment Agreements provide for an annual base salary of
$900,000, $900,000 and $650,000 for Maurice Marciano, Paul Marciano and Armand
Marciano, respectively, which may be increased by the Compensation Committee
based on annual reviews. In addition, the Executive Employment Agreements
provide for annual bonuses to be determined in accordance with the Company's
Annual Incentive Bonus Plan, with a minimum expected target bonus equal to 100%
of base salary. Commencing on the expiration of the term of an Executive
Employment Agreement, or earlier should an Executive Employment Agreement be
terminated other than due to the Executive's death or for cause (as defined in
the Executive Employment Agreements), the Company and Maurice Marciano, Paul
Marciano or Armand Marciano, as the case may be, will enter into a two-year
consulting agreement under which such Executive will render certain consulting
services for which the Company will pay an annual consulting fee equal to 50% of
such Executive's annual base salary, as in effect immediately prior to the
commencement of the consulting period. In addition, each Executive is entitled
to certain fringe benefits, including full Company-paid health and life
insurance for himself and his immediate family during his lifetime. If any of
the Executives is terminated without cause or resigns for good reason (as such
terms are defined in the Executive Employment Agreements), then such Executive
will receive as severance his then current base salary and annual target bonus
for the remainder of his term of employment. The Executive will also continue to
participate in Company-sponsored health and life insurance, and other fringe
benefit plans and programs during the severance period. Each Executive
Employment Agreement further provides that upon the death or permanent
disability of the Executive, such Executive (or his beneficiary) will receive a
pro rata portion of his annual target bonus for the year in which the
Executive's death or permanent disability occurs. The Executive Employment
Agreements also include certain noncompetition, nonsolicitation and
confidentiality provisions.
In November 2000, Carlos Alberini entered into an employment agreement with
the Company (the "Employment Agreement") for a term commencing on December 11,
2000 through December 31, 2003 (the "Term"). The Employment Agreement will
automatically extend after the Term for successive one-year terms unless notice
not to extend is given by either party at least 180 days prior to the end of the
then current term. The Employment Agreement provides for an annual base salary
of $650,000, which may be increased by the Compensation Committee based on
annual reviews. In addition, the Employment Agreement provides for annual
bonuses to be determined in accordance with the Company's Annual Incentive Bonus
Plan, with the minimum expected target bonus to be 70% of base salary, up to a
maximum bonus of 120% of base salary if the applicable stretch performance goals
(as defined in the Bonus Plan) are met. The Employment Agreement also provides
for a guaranteed bonus of $260,000 payable in two prorated installments
(December 31, 2000 and December 11, 2001) provided that Mr. Alberini is employed
with the Company through the applicable installment date (the "Guaranteed
Bonus"). Mr. Alberini subsequently waived his right to receive the Guaranteed
Bonus due to him in 2001. On December 11, 2000, Mr. Alberini was granted 205,680
restricted shares of Common Stock under the 1996 Equity Incentive Plan which
shares vest as follows: 105,680 shares on January 1, 2002, 50,000 shares on
January 1, 2003 and 50,000 shares on January 1, 2004. He was also granted a
stock option for 500,000 shares of Common Stock under the Company's 1996 Equity
Incentive Plan with an exercise price equal to the closing price on December 11,
2000 and which vests in five equal annual installments beginning on December 31,
2001. Mr. Alberini is eligible to participate in the Company's 401(k) Plan and
is entitled to other similar benefits provided to senior executives. If Mr.
Alberini's employment is terminated by the Company at any time other than for
his death, disability or for cause or if Mr. Alberini terminates his employment
for good reason (as such terms are defined in the Employment Agreement), the
Company and Mr. Alberini will enter into a consulting agreement for up to
eighteen months under which Mr. Alberini will render consulting services for
which the Company will pay an annualized consulting fee equal to Mr. Alberini's
base salary, as in effect prior to the commencement of the consulting period. In
addition, Mr. Alberini will be entitled to receive (i) any benefits to which he
would otherwise be entitled with respect to
16
the Relocation Loan; (ii) accelerated vesting of the restricted stock; and
(iii) continuing vesting of any then outstanding options over the consulting
period. The Employment Agreement further provides for certain payments upon a
change in control or Non-Renewal Notice (as such terms are defined in the
Employment Agreement). The Employment Agreement also includes certain
noncompetition, nonsolicitation and confidentiality provisions. In addition,
the Employment Agreement provides that Mr. Alberini is eligible for
reimbursement by the Company for relocation expenses and assistance with
respect to the purchase of a primary residence in Los Angeles.
On October 22, 2001, the Company extended an offer of employment to
Frederick Silny (the "Silny Letter"). Pursuant to the Silny Letter, Mr. Silny
receives a base salary of $300,000 per year. In addition, the Silny Letter
provides for annual bonuses to be determined in accordance with the Company's
Annual Incentive Bonus Plan. Pursuant to the Silny Letter, Mr. Silny was granted
incentive stock options to purchase 71,685 shares of Common Stock and
non-qualified stock options to purchase 8,315 shares of Common Stock under the
1996 Equity Incentive Plan that vest over a period of four years beginning on
the first anniversary of the date of grant. In addition, Mr. Silny was granted
10,000 shares of restricted Common Stock under the 1996 Equity Incentive Plan
that vest over a three-year period beginning on the first anniversary of the
date of grant. The Silny Letter also provides for a severance payment in an
amount equal to six months of base salary and health and disability benefits,
upon termination of Mr. Silny's employment by the Company for reasons other than
for cause. The amount of the severance payment that would be due to Mr. Silny is
also subject to offset equal to any amounts that he earns from other employment
during the period ending six months after his termination.
On August 16, 2002, the Company extended an offer of employment to Nancy
Shachtman (the "Shachtman Letter"). Pursuant to the Shachtman Letter, Ms.
Shachtman receives a base salary of $400,000 per year. In addition, the
Shachtman Letter provides for annual bonuses to be determined in accordance with
the Company's Annual Incentive Bonus Plan. Pursuant to the Shachtman Letter, Ms.
Shachtman was granted non-qualified stock options to purchase 100,000 shares of
Common Stock under the 1996 Equity Incentive Plan that vest over a period of
four years beginning on the first anniversary of the date of grant. In addition,
Ms. Shachtman was granted 40,000 shares of restricted Common Stock under the
1996 Equity Incentive Plan that vest over a three-year period beginning on the
first anniversary of the date of grant. The Shachtman Letter also provides for a
car allowance of up to $8,000 per year.
COMPENSATION OF DIRECTORS
Directors who are employees of the Company receive no additional
compensation for serving on the Board of Directors.
During the 2002 fiscal year, directors who were not employees of the
Company were entitled to receive an annual retainer fee of $20,000 for their
services and attendance fees of $1,500 per Board meeting and $1,000 (committee
chairman) or $750 (committee member) per committee meeting attended. Annual
retainer fees may, however, be waived in exchange for non-qualified options to
purchase a number of shares of Common Stock equal in value to 21/2 times that of
the fees so waived. The aggregate exercise price of these options is equal to
the closing market price of the Common Stock on the day of the grant. The
options will become exercisable in 25% installments on the first day of each of
the four fiscal quarters following the date of grant. Pursuant to the Company's
Amended and Restated 1996 Non-Employee Directors' Stock Option Plan ("1996
Plan"), if there is a change in control of the Company (as defined in the 1996
Plan), all options become immediately exercisable. All directors are reimbursed
for expenses incurred in connection with attendance at Board or committee
meetings.
In addition, pursuant to the 1996 Plan, each non-employee director of the
Company, upon joining the Board of Directors, will receive non-qualified options
to purchase 10,000 shares of Common Stock and will receive non-qualified options
to purchase an additional 3,000 shares of Common Stock on the first day of each
fiscal year thereafter. The exercise price of such options will be equal to 85%
of the fair market value of the Common Stock on the respective date of grant and
the term of the options will be for ten years. The options will become
exercisable in 25% installments on each of the first four anniversaries of the
date of grant, provided that the options will immediately become exercisable in
full upon the occurrence of a change in control of the Company. Further,
pursuant to the 1996 Plan, each non-employee director of the Company, upon
joining the Board of Directors,
17
received 1,500 shares of Common Stock and is entitled to receive similar grants
of stock on the first business day of each calendar year thereafter. There were
two new directors appointed or elected during the 2002 fiscal year.
In March 2002, the Board of Directors approved a new outside director
compensation plan (the "New Director Compensation Plan") which took effect at
the 2002 annual meeting of shareholders for all continuing directors and for any
newly elected or appointed directors after that meeting. Under the New Director
Compensation Plan directors who were not employees of the Company ("Non-Employee
Directors") are entitled to receive an annual retainer fee of $30,000, plus
$5,000 annual retainer for each chair of each committee, for their services and
attendance fees of $1,500 per Board meeting and $750 per committee member per
committee meeting attended. Annual retainer fees may, however, be waived in
exchange for non-qualified options to purchase a number of shares of Common
Stock equal in value to 2 1/2 times that of the fees so waived. The aggregate
exercise price of these options is equal to the closing market price of the
Common Stock on the day of the grant. The options will become exercisable in 25%
installments on the first day of each of the four fiscal quarters following the
date of grant. Pursuant to the 1996 Plan, if there is a change in control of the
Company (as defined in the 1996 Plan), all options become immediately
exercisable. Further, under the New Director Compensation Plan, pursuant to the
1996 Plan, each Non-Employee Director of the Company will receive 2,000 shares
of restricted Common Stock that vest in full on the earlier of the second
anniversary of the date of issuance or on the last day of such Non-Employee
Director's term if such terms is served in full. In addition, each Non-Employee
Director is entitled to receive similar grants of restricted stock on the first
business day of each calendar year thereafter. All Non-Employee Directors are
reimbursed for expenses incurred in connection with attendance at Board or
committee meetings.
In addition, under the New Director Compensation Plan and pursuant to the
1996 Plan, each Non-Employee Director of the Company, upon joining the Board of
Directors, will receive non-qualified options to purchase 12,000 shares of
Common Stock and will receive non-qualified options to purchase an additional
7,500 shares of Common Stock on the first day of each fiscal year thereafter.
The exercise price of such options will be equal to the fair market value of the
Common Stock on the respective date of grant and the term of the options will be
for ten years. The options will become exercisable in 25% installments on each
of the first four anniversaries of the date of grant, provided that the options
will immediately become exercisable in full upon the occurrence of a change in
control of the Company. Further, pursuant to the 1996 Plan, each Non-Employee
Director of the Company, upon joining the Board of Directors, will receive 2,000
shares of restricted Common Stock which vest in full on the earlier of the
second anniversary of the date of issuance or on the last day of such
Non-Employee Director's term if such term is served in full.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE INTERLOCKS AND INSIDER PARTICIPATION
The members of the Compensation Committee during 2002 were Mr. Weitzman, as
Chairman, Mr. Chidoni, Ms. Kane and Mr. Socol. None of the executive officers of
the Company served as a member of a compensation committee (or other board
committee performing equivalent functions or, in the absence of any such
committee, the entire board of directors) of another entity during the fiscal
year ended December 31, 2002.
No member of the Compensation Committee is an employee or a former officer
of the Company or any of its subsidiaries.
COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT
The report of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors with
respect to compensation in fiscal 2002 is as follows:
Compensation Philosophy
The initial framework of compensation paid to the Company's executive
officers was determined at the time of the IPO. Based on discussions with the
Company's investment bankers and an independent compensation consultant and
based on comparisons with other companies in the textile industry, the Board of
Directors established ranges of salary, bonus and stock option compensation for
its executive officers. The Company established a
18
Compensation Committee during 1997 that now has responsibilities over the
Company's formal policies for executive compensation. In its hiring practices,
the Company seeks to obtain the services of the most highly qualified
individuals in the industry, and has provided compensation accordingly.
Components of Compensation
The principal components of executive officer compensation are generally
as follows:
Base Salary. The base salary of certain of the Named Executive Officers is
fixed pursuant to the terms of their respective Employment Agreements. See
"Employment Agreements."
Annual Performance Bonus. Annual bonuses are payable to the Company's
executive officers under the Company's Annual Incentive Bonus Plan (the "Bonus
Plan") based on the Company's achievement of certain pre-set corporate
financial performance targets established for the fiscal year. The Company
failed to meet the Bonus Plan's financial targets for the 2002 fiscal year;
accordingly, no bonus was payable under the Bonus Plan with respect to fiscal
2002. Ms. Shachtman did receive a discretionary bonus of $50,000 for 2002. See
"Executive Compensation -- Summary Compensation Table."
Long-Term Incentive Compensation. Long-term incentives are provided through
stock option grants and other stock-based awards under the Bonus Plan. Awards
under the Bonus Plan are designed to further align the interests of each
executive officer with those of the shareholders and provide each officer with a
significant incentive to manage the Company from the perspective of an owner
with an equity stake in the Company's business.
Compensation of the Co-Chief Executive Officers. Pursuant to the terms of
each of their employment agreements entered into at the time of the IPO, Maurice
Marciano and Paul Marciano each receive a base salary of $900,000 per year.
Their annual target bonus under the Bonus Plan is equal to 100% of each of their
base salaries. Messrs. Marciano, major shareholders in the Company, have not
been granted any options to purchase shares of Common Stock. Messrs. Marciano
did not receive bonus payments for fiscal year 2002.
Compensation of the President and Chief Operating Officer. Pursuant to the
terms of his employment agreement, entered into in November 2000, Carlos
Alberini receives a base salary of $650,000 per year. Mr. Alberini is entitled
to receive an annual bonus under the Bonus Plan, with the minimum expected
target bonus to be 70% of base salary, up to a maximum bonus of 120% of base
salary if the applicable performance goals are met. Mr. Alberini did not receive
a bonus payment for fiscal year 2002.
Compliance with Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m). Section 162(m) of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, generally provides that publicly held
companies may not deduct compensation paid to certain of their top executive
officers to the extent such compensation exceeds $1 million per officer in any
year. However, pursuant to regulations issued by the Treasury Department,
certain limited exceptions to Section 162(m) apply with respect to "qualified
performance-based compensation" and to compensation paid in certain
circumstances by companies in the first few years following their IPO. The
Company has taken steps to provide that these exceptions will apply to
compensation paid to its executive officers, and the Company will continue to
monitor the applicability of Section 162(m) to its ongoing compensation
arrangements.
By the Compensation Committee,
Howard Weitzman, Chairman
Anthony Chidoni
Alice Kane
Howard Socol
19
STOCK PERFORMANCE GRAPH
The SEC requires the Company to present a graph comparing the cumulative
total shareholder return on its shares with the cumulative total shareholder
return on (1) a broad equity market index and (2) a published industry index or
peer group.
The Stock Price Performance Graph below compares the cumulative total
shareholder return on the Common Stock from January 1, 1998 to December 31, 2002
with the return on the Standard and Poor's 500 Stock Index ("S&P 500 Index") and
the Standard and Poor's Textile Index ("S&P Textile Index"). The stock price
performance shown is not necessarily indicative of future price performance.
Compares 5-Year Cumulative Total Return
Among GUESS?, Inc.,
S&P 500 Index and S&P Textile Index
[THE FOLLOWING DATA WAS REPRESENTED AS A LINE CHART IN THE PRINTED MATERIAL]
CUMULATIVE TOTAL RETURN
Based upon an initial investment of $100 on December 31, 1997
with dividends reinvested
Dec-97 Dec-98 Dec-99 Dec-00 Dec-01 Dec-02
------- ------- ------- ------- ------- --------
GUESS?, INC ................ $100.00 $ 70.00 $316.36 $ 77.28 $109.09 $ 60.95
S&P TEXTILE INDEX .......... $100.00 $195.16 $230.18 $158.35 $126.99 $130.47
S&P 500 INDEX .............. $100.00 $128.58 $155.64 $141.46 $124.65 $ 97.10
20
OTHER MATTERS
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company's executive officers
and directors, and any beneficial owner of more than ten percent of a registered
class of the Company's equity securities, to file reports (Forms 3, 4 and 5) of
stock ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC and the New York Stock
Exchange. Officers, directors and beneficial owners of more than ten percent of
the Company's stock are required by SEC regulation to furnish the Company with
copies of all such forms that they file.
Based solely on the Company's review of the copies of Forms 3, 4 and 5 and
the amendments thereto received by it for the year ended December 31, 2002, or
written representations from certain reporting persons that no Forms 5 were
required to be filed by those persons, the Company believes that during the
period ended December 31, 2002, all filing requirements were complied with by
its executive officers, directors and beneficial owners of more than ten percent
of the Company's Common Stock.
Shareholders' Proposals
Proposals of shareholders intended to be presented at the 2004 annual
meeting of shareholders must be received by the Company, marked to the attention
of the Secretary, no earlier than February 12, 2004 and no later than March 15,
2004. Proposals must comply with the requirements as to form and substance
established by the SEC for proposals in order to be included in a proxy
statement; provided, however, if no annual meeting is held in the prior year or
the date of the annual meeting is changed by more than 30 days from the date
contemplated at this time, notice by a shareholder must be so received not later
than the close of business on the 10th day following the day on which a notice
of the date of the meeting is mailed or a public announcement thereof is made.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Los Angeles, California
April 11, 2003
21
GUESS?, INC.
C/O EQUISERVE TRUST COMPANY, N.A.
P.O. BOX 8694
EDISON, NJ 08818-8694
DETACH HERE IF YOU ARE RETURNING YOUR PROXY CARD BY MAIL ZGUEC1
Please mark
|X| votes as in
this example.
THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS OF GUESS?, INC. RECOMMENDS A VOTE FOR ITEMS 1, 2 AND 3. FOR AGAINST ABSTAIN
1. Election of Directors (term expiring in 2006) 2. To approve the Termination of the |_| |_| |_|
Nominees: (01) Carlos Alberini Shareholders' Agreement.
(02) Alice Kane
3. To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as |_| |_| |_|
FOR WITHHELD the Company's independent certified public
ALL |_| |_| FROM ALL accountants for the 2003 fiscal year.
NOMINEES NOMINEES
In their discretion, the proxy holders are authorized to vote on
|_|_____________________________________________ such other matters that may properly come before this Annual
For all nominee(s) except as noted above Meeting or any adjournment or postponement thereof.
MARK HERE FOR MARK HERE IF
ADDRESS CHANGE AND |_| YOU PLAN TO ATTEND |_|
NOTE AT LEFT THE MEETING
IMPORTANT: Please sign exactly as your name appears on this
proxy. When joint tenants hold shares, both should sign. When
signing as attorney, executor, administrator, trustee or guardian,
please give full title as such. When signing in a representative
capacity, please sign in full corporate name by president or other
authorized officer. If a partnership or limited liability company, please
sign in the partnership or limited liability company name by an
authorized person.
The undersigned hereby acknowledges receipt of notice of the
Annual Meeting of Shareholders and a proxy statement for the
Annual Meeting prior to signing this proxy.
DETACH HERE ZGUEC2
PROXY
GUESS?, Inc.
COMMON STOCK
PROXY SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF BOARD OF DIRECTORS
The undersigned hereby appoint(s) Carlos Alberini and Deborah S. Siegel as
proxies with full power of substitution, and hereby authorizes each of them to
represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side hereof, all shares of
Common Stock of GUESS?, Inc. (the "Company") held of record by the undersigned
on April 4, 2003 at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held on May 12,
2003 at 10 a.m., pacific time, or any adjournments or postponements thereof, at
the Le Meridien Hotel, 465 South La Cienega Boulevard, Beverly Hills, California
90048, and hereby revoke(s) any proxies heretofore given.
UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE NOMINEES FOR
DIRECTORS, FOR THE TERMINATION OF THE SHAREHOLDERS' AGREEMENT, FOR THE
RATIFICATION OF THE SELECTION OF KPMG LLP AS THE COMPANY'S INDEPENDENT CERTIFIED
PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS AND, IN THE DISCRETION OF THE PROXY HOLDERS, ON SUCH OTHER
MATTERS AS MAY PROPERLY COME BEFORE THE ANNUAL MEETING.
This proxy is revocable and the undersigned may revoke it at any time prior to
its exercise. Attendance of the undersigned at the above meeting or any
adjourned or postponed session thereof will not be deemed to revoke this proxy
unless the undersigned will indicate affirmatively thereat the intention of this
undersigned to vote said shares in person.
----------- -----------
SEE REVERSE SEE REVERSE
SIDE CONTINUED AND TO BE SIGNED ON REVERSE SIDE SIDE
----------- -----------