SCHEDULE 14A
Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934 (Amendment No. )
Filed by the Registrant x
Filed by a Party other than the Registrant ¨
Check the appropriate box:
¨ | Preliminary Proxy Statement |
¨ | Confidential, for Use of the Commission Only (as permitted by Rule 14a-6(e)(2)) |
x | Definitive Proxy Statement |
¨ | Definitive Additional Materials |
¨ | Soliciting Material Pursuant to §240.14a-12 |
SUPERVALU INC.
(Name of Registrant as Specified In Its Charter)
(Name of Person(s) Filing Proxy Statement, if other than the Registrant)
Payment of Filing Fee (Check the appropriate box):
x | 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 (set forth the amount on which the filing fee is calculated and state how it was determined): |
(4) | Proposed maximum aggregate value of transaction: |
(5) | Total fee paid: |
¨ | Fee paid previously with preliminary materials. |
¨ | Check box if any part of the fee is offset as provided by Exchange Act Rule 0-11(a)(2) and identify the filing for which the offsetting fee was paid previously. Identify the previous filing by registration statement number, or the Form or Schedule and the date of its filing. |
(1) | Amount Previously Paid: |
(2) | Form, Schedule or Registration Statement No.: |
(3) | Filing Party: |
(4) | Date Filed: |
Notice of Annual Meeting of Stockholders
To Be Held Wednesday, June 15, 2005
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of SUPERVALU INC. will be held on Wednesday, June 15, 2005, at 10:30 a.m., local time, at the Minneapolis Convention Center, 1301 Second Avenue South, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403 for the following purposes:
1) | To elect three directors; |
2) | To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as independent registered public accountants; |
3) | To vote on amendments to the SUPERVALU INC. 2002 Stock Plan; |
4) | To consider and vote on a stockholder proposal as described in the attached proxy statement; and |
5) | To transact such other business as may properly come before the meeting. |
Record Date
The Board of Directors has fixed the close of business on April 18, 2005, as the record date for the purpose of determining stockholders who are entitled to notice of and to vote at the meeting. Holders of SUPERVALU common stock and preferred stock are entitled to one vote for each share held of record on the record date.
IMPORTANT: We hope you will be able to attend the meeting in person and you are cordially invited to attend. If you expect to attend the meeting, please check the appropriate box on the proxy card when you return your proxy or follow the instructions on your proxy card to vote and confirm your attendance by telephone or Internet.
PLEASE NOTE THAT YOU WILL NEED AN ADMISSION TICKET OR PROOF
THAT YOU OWN SUPERVALU STOCK TO BE ADMITTED TO THE MEETING
Record stockholder: If your shares are registered directly in your name,
an admission ticket is printed on the enclosed proxy card.
Shares held in street name by a broker or a bank: If your shares are held for your account
in the name of a broker, bank or other nominee, please bring a current brokerage
statement, letter from your stockbroker or other proof of stock ownership.
If you need special assistance because of a disability, please contact John P. Breedlove, Corporate Secretary, at P.O. Box 990, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440, telephone (952) 828-4154.
BY ORDER OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS
John P. Breedlove
Corporate Secretary
May 12, 2005
PROXY STATEMENT TABLE OF CONTENTS
PROXY STATEMENT
The Board of Directors of SUPERVALU INC. is soliciting proxies for use at the 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders to be held on Wednesday, June 15, 2005, and at any adjournment or postponement of the meeting.
This Proxy Statement and the accompanying form of proxy will first be mailed to stockholders who hold SUPERVALU common and preferred stock as of April 18, 2005, the record date for this meeting, on or about May 12, 2005.
Number of Shares Outstanding
SUPERVALU has two classes of capital stock outstanding, common and preferred. The holders of each class are entitled to one vote for each share held, voting together as one class. 135,905,299 shares of common stock and 1,341 shares of preferred stock were outstanding as of the record date for the meeting and therefore are eligible to vote at the meeting.
Vote Required and Method of Counting Votes
The following is an explanation of the vote required for each of the items to be voted on.
You may either vote FOR, or WITHHOLD authority to vote for, each nominee for the Board of Directors. You may vote FOR, AGAINST or ABSTAIN on the other items.
The three director nominees receiving the highest number of votes cast will be elected.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock and preferred stock present and entitled to vote at the meeting is required for the approval of Items 2 and 4.
The affirmative vote of a majority of the shares of common stock and preferred stock present and entitled to vote at the meeting is required for the approval of Item 3, provided that the total number of shares that vote on Item 3 represents a majority of the shares outstanding on the record date.
If you submit your proxy but abstain from voting or withhold authority to vote, your shares will be counted as present at the meeting for the purpose of determining a quorum. Your shares also will be counted as present at the meeting for the purpose of calculating the vote on Items 2, 3 and 4. If you abstain from voting on Items 2, 3 and 4, your abstention has the same effect as a vote against those proposals. If you withhold authority to vote for one or more of the directors, this will have no effect on the outcome of the vote.
If you hold your shares in street name and do not provide voting instructions to your broker, your shares will not be voted on any proposal on which your broker does not have discretionary authority to vote under the rules of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. In this situation, a broker non-vote occurs. Shares that constitute broker non-votes will be counted as present at the meeting for the purpose of determining a quorum, but are not considered as entitled to vote on the proposal in question. This effectively reduces the number of shares needed to approve the proposal.
YOUR VOTE IS VERY IMPORTANT. Whether or not you expect to attend the meeting, please submit your proxy vote in one of the following ways:
| Voting by Mail. If you wish to vote by mail, please sign, date and mail your proxy card promptly in the enclosed postage-paid envelope. |
| Voting by Telephone and the Internet. If you wish to vote by telephone or Internet, please follow the instructions on the enclosed proxy card. If you vote by telephone or Internet, you do not need to return the proxy card. |
| Shares held in Street Name. If your shares are held in the name of a bank, broker or other holder of record, follow the voting instructions you receive from the holder of record to vote your shares. Telephone and Internet voting are also available to stockholders owning stock through most major banks and brokers. |
| Voting by Participants in SUPERVALU Benefit Plans. If you own shares of SUPERVALU common stock as a participant |
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in one or more of our employee benefit plans, you will receive a single proxy card that covers both the shares credited to your plan account(s) and shares you own that are registered in the same name. If any of your plan accounts are not in the same name as your shares of record, you will receive separate proxy cards for your record and plan holdings. Proxies submitted by plan participants will serve as voting instructions to the trustee(s) for the plans whether provided by mail, telephone or Internet. |
| Revoking Your Proxy. You may revoke your proxy at any time before your shares are voted by sending a written statement to the Corporate Secretary, or by submitting another proxy with a later date. You may also revoke your proxy by voting in person at the meeting. |
It is important that all stockholders vote. If you submit a proxy by mail, telephone or Internet without indicating how you want to vote, your shares will be voted as recommended by the Board of Directors. |
If you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, you will not be admitted without an admission ticket or proof that you own SUPERVALU stock.
| Record Stockholders. If you are a record stockholder (i.e., a person who owns shares registered directly in his or her name with SUPERVALUs transfer agent) and plan to attend the meeting, please indicate this when voting, either by marking the attendance box on the proxy card or responding affirmatively when prompted during telephone or Internet voting. An admission ticket for record stockholders is printed on the proxy card together with directions to the meeting. The admission ticket must be brought to the meeting. |
| Owners of Shares Held in Street Name. Beneficial owners of SUPERVALU common stock held in street name by a broker, bank or other nominee will need proof of ownership to be admitted to the meeting. A recent brokerage statement or letter from the broker, bank or other nominee are examples of proof of ownership. If your shares are held in street name and you want to vote in person at the meeting, you must obtain a written proxy from the broker, bank or other nominee holding your shares. |
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
The following table sets forth information with respect to the only persons or groups known to us as of April 15, 2005, to be the beneficial owners of more than 5% of SUPERVALU common stock.
Name and Address of Beneficial Owner |
Amount and Nature of Beneficial Ownership |
Percent of Class |
|||
AXA Financial, Inc. and related entities |
14,100,710 | 10.4 | % | ||
Barclays Global Investors, N.A. |
17,606,411 | 13.1 | % |
(1) | Based on an amended Schedule 13G dated March 10, 2005, filed by AXA Financial, Inc. on behalf of AXA, AXA Assurances I.A.R.D. Mutuelle, AXA Assurances Vie Mutuelle, AXA Courtage Assurance Mutuelle, and its subsidiaries, Alliance Capital Management L.P. (a majority-owned subsidiary), Boston Advisors, Inc., and AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company. Alliance Capital Management L.P. beneficially owns 13,248,342 shares of SUPERVALUs common stock, with sole voting power as to 6,715,232 of such shares, shared voting power as to 1,461,427 of such shares, sole dispositive power as to 13,234,422 shares and shared dispositive power as to 13,920 shares. Boston Advisors, Inc. beneficially owns 136,349 shares of SUPERVALUs common stock, with sole voting power as to 4,350 shares and sole dispositive power as to 136,349 shares. AXA Equitable Life Insurance Company beneficially owns 2,396 shares of SUPERVALUs common stock, with sole voting power as to 2,150 of such shares and sole dispositive power as to 2,396 of such shares. In addition, |
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AXA Konzern AG (Germany) and AXA Rosenberg Investment Management LLC, two entities of AXA, beneficially own shares of SUPERVALUs common stock for investment purposes only. AXA Konzern AG (Germany) owns 30,600 common shares with sole voting and dispositive power as to all such shares. AXA Rosenberg Investment Management LLC owns 683,023 common shares with sole voting power as to 407,600 of such shares and sole dispositive power as to all of such shares. AXA, AXA Assurances I.A.R.D. Mutuelle, AXA Assurances Vie Mutuelle, and AXA Courtage Assurance Mutuelle disclaim beneficial ownership of 14,100,710 shares. |
(2) | Based on a Schedule 13G dated February 14, 2005, filed by Barclays Global Investors, N.A. on behalf of itself, Barclays Global Fund Advisors, Barclays Global Investors, LTD., Barclays Bank PLC, Barclays Capital Securities, Limited, Palomino Limited, and other Barclays entities, reporting beneficial ownership of 17,606,411 shares of SUPERVALUs common stock held in trust accounts for the economic benefit of the beneficiaries of these accounts. Of these shares, Barclays Global Investors, N.A. has sole voting power as to 12,224,217 shares and sole dispositive power as to 14,149,657 shares, Barclays Global Fund Advisors has sole voting power as to 642,384 shares and sole dispositive power as to 764,108 shares, Barclays Global Investors, Ltd. has sole voting power as to 2,461,847 shares and sole dispositive power as to 2,470,747 shares, Barclays Bank PLC has sole voting and dispositive power as to 177,884 shares, Barclays Capital Securities, Limited has sole voting and dispositive power as to 3,515 shares, and Palomino Limited has sole voting and dispositive power as to 40,500 shares. Other Barclays entities named in the filing report no voting or dispositive power as to the common stock of SUPERVALU. |
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF MANAGEMENT
The following table sets forth information as of April 15, 2005, concerning beneficial ownership of SUPERVALUs common stock by each director and director nominee, each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table on page 12 and all of our directors and executive officers as a group. The definition of beneficial ownership for proxy statement purposes includes shares over which a person has sole or shared voting power, and shares over which a person has sole or shared dispositive power, whether or not a person has any economic interest in the shares. The definition also includes shares that a person has a right to acquire currently or within 60 days.
Name of Beneficial Owner |
Amount and Nature of Ownership (1) |
Options Exercisable Within 60 Days |
Percent Of Class |
||||
Irwin Cohen |
1,622 | 12,000 | * | ||||
Ronald E. Daly |
3,036 | 12,000 | * | ||||
Lawrence A. Del Santo |
17,235 | 44,000 | * | ||||
Susan E. Engel |
18,663 | 34,000 | * | ||||
Edwin C. Gage |
23,647 | 40,958 | * | ||||
Garnett L. Keith, Jr. |
42,189 | 45,042 | * | ||||
Richard L. Knowlton |
43,508 | 33,540 | * | ||||
Charles M. Lillis |
32,458 | 32,000 | * | ||||
Marissa Peterson |
814 | 12,000 | * | ||||
Steven S. Rogers |
12,218 | 32,195 | * | ||||
Jeffrey Noddle |
215,452 | 1,188,758 | 1 | % | |||
David L. Boehnen |
170,193 | 305,362 | * | ||||
John H. Hooley |
53,559 | 176,370 | * | ||||
Michael L. Jackson |
65,318 | 251,150 | * | ||||
Pamela K. Knous |
132,093 | 356,281 | * | ||||
All directors and executive officers |
1,196,152 | 4,249,250 | 3 | % |
* | Less than 1% |
(1) | All persons listed have sole voting and investment power with respect to all of the shares listed except: (i) the following non-employee director who has shared voting and investment power as follows: Mr. Gage, 8,000 shares, and (ii) the following non-employee directors who have sole voting power, but no investment power, over shares held in the Non-Employee Directors Deferred Stock Plan Trust as follows: Mr. Cohen, 1,622 shares; Mr. Daly, 3,036 shares; Mr. Del Santo, 17,235 shares; Ms. Engel, 18,663 shares; Mr. Gage, 8,647 shares; Mr. Keith, 29,992 shares; Mr. Knowlton, 25,168 shares; Mr. Lillis, 30,458 shares; Ms. Peterson, 664 shares; and Mr. Rogers, 6,413 shares. |
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MEETINGS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND COMMITTEES OF THE BOARD
The Board of Directors held six regular meetings and no special meetings during the last fiscal year. Each director attended more than 75% of the meetings of the Board and its committees on which the director served.
The Executive Committee of the Board does not have scheduled meetings and did not meet during the year. The Board maintains four other committees: Audit, Finance, Director Affairs, and Executive Personnel and Compensation. Each active committee of the Board has a separate written charter that is available on the Companys website at http://www.supervalu.com. Click on the tab Site Map and then the caption Corporate Governance. Copies of the committee charters are also available to any stockholder who submits a request to the Corporate Secretary, SUPERVALU INC., P.O. Box 990, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440.
Membership on the Audit, Director Affairs, and Executive Personnel and Compensation Committees is limited to non-employee directors. The Board of Directors has determined that all of its non-employee directors, and therefore each member of the Audit, Director Affairs, and Executive Personnel and Compensation Committees, are independent directors as defined under the New York Stock Exchange listing standards.
Audit Committee
The following directors serve on the Audit Committee: Garnett L. Keith, Jr. (Chairperson), Irwin Cohen, Susan E. Engel, Charles M. Lillis and Steven S. Rogers. The Board has determined that all members of the Audit Committee are financially literate under the New York Stock Exchange listing standards and that Irwin Cohen qualifies as an audit committee financial expert under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Audit Committee met six times during the last fiscal year.
The primary responsibilities of the Audit Committee are to assist the Board of Directors in:
| Its oversight of our accounting and financial reporting principles and policies, and internal controls and procedures; |
| Its oversight of our financial statements and the independent registered public accountants thereof; |
| Selecting, evaluating and, where deemed appropriate, replacing the independent registered public accountants; and |
| Evaluating the independence of the independent registered public accountants. |
Finance Committee
The following directors serve on the Finance Committee: Charles M. Lillis (Chairperson), Irwin Cohen, Ronald E. Daly, Garnett L. Keith, Jr., Jeffrey Noddle, and Marissa Peterson. The Finance Committee met two times during the last fiscal year.
The primary responsibilities of the Finance Committee are to review SUPERVALUs financial structure, policies and future financial plans, and to make recommendations concerning them to the Board. In carrying out these responsibilities, the Finance Committee periodically reviews:
| Our annual operating and capital budgets as proposed by management, and our performance as compared to the approved budgets; |
| Dividend policy and rates; |
| Investment performance of our employee benefit plans; |
| Our financing arrangements; |
| Our capital structure, including key financial ratios such as debt to equity ratios and coverage of fixed charges; and |
| Proposals for changes in our capitalization, including purchases of treasury stock. |
Director Affairs Committee
The following directors serve on the Director Affairs Committee: Lawrence A. Del Santo (Chairperson), Edwin C. Gage, Richard L. Knowlton, Marissa Peterson and Steven S. Rogers. The Director Affairs Committee met three times during the last fiscal year.
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The mission of the Director Affairs Committee is to recommend a framework to assist the Board in fulfilling its corporate governance responsibilities. In carrying out its mission, the Director Affairs Committee establishes and regularly reviews the Boards policies and procedures, which provide:
| Criteria for the size and composition of the Board; |
| Procedures for the conduct of Board meetings, including executive sessions of the Board; |
| Policies on director retirement and resignation; and |
| Criteria regarding personal qualifications needed for Board membership. |
In addition, the Director Affairs Committee has the responsibility to:
| Consider and recommend nominations for Board membership and the composition of Board Committees; |
| Evaluate Board practices at SUPERVALU and other well-managed companies and recommend appropriate changes to the Board (see SUPERVALU Board Practices below); |
| Consider governance issues raised by stockholders and recommend appropriate responses to the Board; and |
| Consider appropriate compensation for directors. |
Executive Personnel and Compensation Committee
The following directors serve on the Executive Personnel and Compensation Committee: Edwin C. Gage (Chairperson), Ronald E. Daly, Lawrence A. Del Santo, Susan E. Engel, and Richard L. Knowlton. The Committee met five times during the last fiscal year.
The primary functions of the Executive Personnel and Compensation Committee are to:
| Determine the process to evaluate the performance of the Chief Executive Officer; |
| Review and recommend to the Board the compensation of the Chief Executive Officer; |
| Review and recommend to the Board major changes in executive compensation programs, executive stock options and retirement plans for officers; |
| Consider and make recommendations to the Board concerning the annual election of corporate officers and the succession plan for the Chief Executive Officer; |
| Approve annual salaries and bonuses of corporate officers and other executives at specified levels; |
| Review and approve participants and performance targets under our annual and long-term incentive compensation plans; and |
| Approve stock option grants and awards under our stock option plans, bonus and other incentive plans. |
In order to help our stockholders better understand SUPERVALUs Board practices, we are including the following description of current practices. The Director Affairs Committee periodically reviews these practices.
Evaluation of Board Performance
In order to continue to evaluate and improve the effectiveness of the Board, the Board, under the guidance of the Director Affairs Committee, annually evaluates the Boards performance as a whole. The evaluation process includes a survey of the individual views of all directors, a summary of which is then shared with the Board. Each active Board Committee also evaluates its own performance on a yearly basis.
Size of the Board
Although the size of the Board may vary from time to time, the Board believes the size should preferably be not less than ten or more than fourteen members. The Board believes that the
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size of the Board should accommodate the objectives of effective discussion and decision-making and adequate staffing of Board committees.
Director Independence
The Board believes that a substantial majority of its members should be independent, non-employee directors. It is the Boards policy that no more than three members of the Board will be employees of SUPERVALU. These management members will include the Chief Executive Officer and up to two additional persons whose duties and responsibilities identify them as key managers of SUPERVALU. The Board currently has eleven members. One member is an employee of SUPERVALU: Mr. Noddle, Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President. The Board has determined that all of its non-employee directors meet the requirements for independence under New York Stock Exchange listing standards.
Director Retirement
It is Board policy that non-employee directors retire at the annual meeting following the date they attain the age of seventy-two, and that non-employee directors elected after February 27, 1994, will serve a maximum term of fifteen years. Mr. Knowlton is seventy-two and therefore is retiring at the Annual Meeting. Directors who change the occupation they held when initially elected to the Board are expected to offer to resign from the Board. At that time, the Director Affairs Committee will review the continuation of Board membership under these new circumstances and make a recommendation to the full Board.
The Board also has adopted a policy that requires employee directors, other than the Chief Executive Officer, to retire from the Board at the time of a change in their status as an officer of SUPERVALU. A former Chief Executive Officer may continue to serve on the Board until the third anniversary after his or her separation from SUPERVALU. However, if a former Chief Executive Officer leaves SUPERVALU to accept another position, the Chief Executive Officer is expected to retire as a director effective simultaneously with his or her separation from SUPERVALU.
Selection of Directors
The Director Affairs Committee is the standing committee responsible for determining the slate of director nominees for election by stockholders. The Director Affairs Committee considers and evaluates potential Board candidates based on the criteria set forth below, and makes its recommendation to the full Board. The criteria applied to director candidates stress independence, integrity, experience and sound judgment in areas relevant to SUPERVALUs business, financial acumen, interpersonal skills, a proven record of accomplishment, a willingness to commit sufficient time to the Board, and the ability to challenge and stimulate management. The Director Affairs Committee will use the same process and criteria for evaluating all nominees, regardless of whether the nominee is submitted by a stockholder or by some other source.
The Director Affairs Committee is not currently utilizing the services of an executive recruiting firm to assist in the identification or evaluation of director candidates. However, the committee has used such firms in the past and may engage a firm to provide such services in the future, as it deems necessary or appropriate.
Directors and management are encouraged to submit the name of any candidate they believe to be qualified to serve on the Board, together with background information on the candidate, to the Chairperson of the Director Affairs Committee. In accordance with procedures set forth in our bylaws, stockholders may propose, and the Director Affairs Committee will consider, nominees for election to the Board of Directors by giving timely written notice to the Corporate Secretary, which must be received at our principal executive offices no later than the close of business on February 15, 2006, and no earlier than January 16, 2006. Any such notice must include the name of the nominee, a brief biographical sketch and resume, contact information and such other background materials on such nominee as the Director Affairs Committee may request.
Board Meetings
The full Board meets at least six times each year. Board meetings normally do not exceed
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one day in length. The Board also schedules a longer multi-day off-site strategic planning meeting every two years and additional one-day strategic planning update meetings every other year.
Executive Sessions of Outside Directors; Presiding Director
Non-employee directors generally meet together as a group, without the Chief Executive Officer or any other employee directors in attendance, during three scheduled executive sessions each year. The Chairperson of the Director Affairs Committee will preside during any executive session of the Board; however, the Chairperson of the Executive Personnel and Compensation Committee will preside during any executive session held for the purpose of conducting the Chief Executive Officers performance review.
Attendance at Stockholder Meetings
The Board does not have a formal policy regarding director attendance at the Annual Meeting of Stockholders. However, all directors are strongly encouraged to attend the meeting. All directors attended the 2004 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
Stock Ownership Guidelines
Non-employee directors are encouraged to acquire and own SUPERVALU common stock with a fair market value of five times a directors annual retainer, within five years after the director is first elected.
Governance Principles
The Board maintains a formal statement of Governance Principles that sets forth the corporate governance practices for the Company. The Governance Principles are available on the Companys website at http://www.supervalu.com. Click on the tab Site Map and then the caption Corporate Governance. Copies of the Governance Principles are also available to any stockholder who submits a request to the Corporate Secretary at SUPERVALU INC., P.O. Box 990, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440.
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ELECTION OF DIRECTORS (ITEM 1)
The Board is divided into three classes, with the number of directors to be divided as equally as possible among the three classes. Directors are elected for staggered terms of three years. If a vacancy exists or occurs during the year, the vacant directorship may be filled by the vote of the remaining directors until the next annual meeting, at which time the stockholders elect a director to fill the balance of the unexpired term or the term established by the Board. There are currently eleven members of the Board. One director, Richard L. Knowlton, will be retiring at the Annual Meeting in accordance with Board policies (see Director Retirement on page 6).
Edwin C. Gage, Garnett L. Keith, Jr. and Marissa Peterson are nominated for three-year terms expiring in 2008. The Board of Directors is informed that each nominee is willing to serve as a director; however, if any nominee is unable to serve or for good cause will not serve, the proxy may be voted for another person as the persons named on the proxies decide. If all of the nominees are elected, following the Annual Meeting there will be ten members of the Board with four directors with terms expiring in 2006, three directors with terms expiring in 2007 and three directors with terms expiring in 2008.
The following sets forth information, as of April 15, 2005, concerning the three nominees, the seven directors whose terms of office will continue after the Annual Meeting and the director who is retiring at the Annual Meeting.
NOMINEES FOR ELECTION AS DIRECTORS AT THE ANNUAL MEETING
FOR THREE-YEAR TERMS EXPIRING IN 2008
EDWIN C. GAGE, age 64 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of GAGE Marketing Group, L.L.C. (an integrated marketing services company) since 1991 Elected a director of SUPERVALU in 1986 | ||
GARNETT L. KEITH, JR., age 69 Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SeaBridge Investment Advisors, LLC (a registered investment advisor) since 1996 Elected a director of SUPERVALU in 1984 Also a director of Pan-Holding Societe Anonyme | ||
MARISSA PETERSON, age 43 Executive Vice President for Sun Microsystems, Inc. (a provider of hardware, software and services) from 2005 to present Executive Vice President, Sun Services and Worldwide Operations; and Chief Customer Advocate for Sun Microsystems, Inc. from 2004 to 2005 Executive Vice President, Worldwide Operations; and Chief Customer Advocate for Sun Microsystems, Inc. from 2002 to 2004 Executive Vice President, Worldwide Operations for Sun Microsystems, Inc. from 1998 to 2002 Elected a director of SUPERVALU in 2003 Also a director of Lucille Packard Childrens Hospital and a member of the Board of Trustees of Kettering University |
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DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS EXPIRE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING IN 2006
IRWIN COHEN, age 64 Retired Partner of Deloitte & Touche LLP (a professional services firm, providing audit, tax, financial advisory and consulting services), a position he held from 1972 to 2003 Global Managing Partner of the Consumer Products, Retail and Services Practice of Deloitte & Touche LLP from 1997 to 2003 Managing Partner of Deloitte & Touche LLPs U.S. Retail Practice from 1980 to 2002 Elected a director of SUPERVALU in 2003 Also a director of Bealls, Inc; Equinox Holdings, Inc; Phoenix House Foundation; and SmartBargains, Inc. | ||
RONALD E. DALY, age 58 Former Chief Executive Officer and President of Oće USA Holding, Inc., a subsidiary of Oće N.V. (a supplier of digital document management technology and services) from 2002 to 2004 President of RR Donnelley Print Solutions (a print solutions company) from 2001 to 2002 President of RR Donnelley Telecommunications (a telecommunications industry printing company) from 1995 to 2001 Elected a director of SUPERVALU in 2003 Also a director of United States Cellular Corporation | ||
LAWRENCE A. DEL SANTO, age 71 Retired Chief Executive Officer of The Vons Companies (a retail grocery company), a position he held from 1994 to 1997 Elected a director of SUPERVALU in 1997 Also a director of PETsMART, Inc. | ||
SUSAN E. ENGEL, age 58 Chairwoman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Department 56, Inc. (a designer, importer and distributor of fine quality collectibles and other giftware products) since 1997 Elected a director of SUPERVALU in 1999 Also a director of Wells Fargo & Company |
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DIRECTORS WHOSE TERMS EXPIRE AT THE ANNUAL MEETING IN 2007
CHARLES M. LILLIS, age 63 General Partner, LoneTree Capital Management (a private equity company) since 2000 Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of MediaOne Group, Inc. (a broadband communications company) from 1998 to 2000 Elected a director of SUPERVALU in 1995 Also a director of Medco Health Solutions and Williams Companies, Inc. | ||
JEFFREY NODDLE, age 58 Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of SUPERVALU since 2002 Chief Executive Officer and President of SUPERVALU from 2001 to 2002 President and Chief Operating Officer of SUPERVALU from 2000 to 2001 Executive Vice President; President and Chief Operating Officer-Wholesale Food Companies, for SUPERVALU from 1995 to 2000 Elected a director of SUPERVALU in 2000 Also a director of Donaldson Company, Inc. | ||
STEVEN S. ROGERS, age 47 Clinical Professor of Finance and Management at J.L. Kellogg Graduate School of Management at Northwestern University since 1995 Elected a director of SUPERVALU in 1998 Also a director of Amcare Financial, Inc.; Duquesne Light, Inc.; and S.C. Johnson & Son, Inc. |
RETIRING DIRECTOR
RICHARD L. KNOWLTON, age 72 Chairman of the Hormel Foundation (a charitable foundation controlling 46.2% of Hormel Foods Corporation) since 1995 Elected a director of SUPERVALU in 1994 Also a director of ING America Insurance Holdings, Inc.
Mr. Knowlton, whose term expires at the 2005 Annual Meeting, is retiring from the Board at that time in accordance with Board policies (see Director Retirement on page 6). He has served as a director for eleven years and SUPERVALU wishes to thank him for his valuable contributions to the Board. |
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Non-employee directors receive the following compensation for their Board service:
| Cash retainer of $35,000 per year; |
| Deferred retainer of $25,000 per year payable in SUPERVALU common stock under the Non-Employee Directors Deferred Stock Plan; |
| $1,800 for each Board meeting attended; |
| $1,000 for each committee meeting attended; and |
| At the time of the annual meeting, each director will receive an option to purchase 6,000 shares, and newly appointed directors will receive an option to purchase 6,000 shares when they first join the Board. Options are granted to directors at current fair market value and are fully exercisable upon grant. |
Committee Chairpersons receive an additional annual retainer in the following amounts:
| Finance and Director Affairs Committees: $7,000; |
| Audit Committee: $9,000; and |
| Executive Personnel and Compensation Committee: $8,000. |
Effective June 27, 1996, our retirement/deferral program for directors was discontinued and benefits previously earned by directors were frozen. A director first elected to our Board prior to June 27, 1996, will receive an annual payment of $20,000 per year for the number of years of the directors service on the Board prior to June 27, 1996, but for not more than ten years of such service, after such director ceases to be a member of the Board. Directors first elected to the Board after June 27, 1996, do not participate in the retirement/deferral program.
Directors may elect to defer payment of their directors fees under one or more of the following arrangements:
| Directors Deferred Compensation Plan and Executive Deferred Compensation Plan. Fees and quarterly interest are credited to an account for the director, until payment is made from the plan following retirement from the Board. |
| Non-Employee Directors Deferred Stock Plan. This plan is designed to encourage increased stock ownership among directors. Under the plan, a director may elect to have payment of all or a portion of the directors fees deferred and credited to a deferred stock account. The Company then credits the directors account with an additional amount equal to 10% of the amount of fees the director has elected to defer and contributes the total amounts in the directors account to an irrevocable trust that uses the amounts to purchase shares of SUPERVALU common stock, which are then allocated to an account for the director under the trust. Each director is entitled to direct the trustee to vote all shares allocated to the directors account in the trust. The common stock in each directors deferred stock account will be distributed to the director after the director leaves the Board. Until that time, the trust assets remain subject to the claims of our creditors. |
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COMPENSATION OF EXECUTIVE OFFICERS
SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE
The following table shows compensation for each of the last three fiscal years earned by the Chief Executive Officer and the other four most highly compensated persons serving as executive officers at the end of fiscal 2005.
Name and Principal Position |
Year (1) |
Annual Compensation |
Long-Term Compensation Awards |
All Other ($)(4) | ||||||||||
Salary ($) |
Bonus ($) |
Other Annual ($) |
Restricted Stock Awards ($)(2) |
Securities Underlying Options/SARs (#)(3) |
||||||||||
Jeffrey Noddle Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President |
2005 2004 2003 |
900,000 866,346 812,500 |
1,800,000 1,046,893 0 |
0 0 0 |
1,199,962 0 0 |
196,893 371,191 200,000 |
4,621 1,714 4,578 | |||||||
David L. Boehnen Executive Vice President |
2005 2004 2003 |
433,000 415,846 408,000 |
433,000 251,254 0 |
0 0 0 |
377,464 0 0 |
186,474 62,183 138,909 |
10,017 4,774 12,716 | |||||||
John H. Hooley Executive Vice President; President, Retail Food Companies |
2005 2004 2003 |
475,000 407,692 400,000 |
617,500 320,226 0 |
0 0 0 |
366,775 628,000 0 |
65,000 84,893 60,000 |
10,241 6,600 8,623 | |||||||
Michael L. Jackson Executive Vice President; President and COO, Distribution Food Companies |
2005 2004 2003 |
505,000 438,269 430,000 |
656,500 344,243 0 |
0 0 0 |
397,815 628,000 0 |
98,670 91,382 50,000 |
10,758 7,911 14,709 | |||||||
Pamela K. Knous Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
2005 2004 2003 |
440,000 415,846 408,000 |
490,000 251,254 0 |
0 0 0 |
377,464 0 0 |
231,281 60,000 60,000 |
5,050 2,000 3,909 |
(1) | Fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2003 were 52 week fiscal years. Fiscal 2004 was a 53 week fiscal year. This table includes 53 weeks of salary and bonus for fiscal 2004. |
(2) | The amounts reflected represent the dollar value of: |
(a) | Shares of restricted stock earned under our Long-Term Incentive Program based on the achievement of designated levels of corporate return on invested capital for three-year overlapping performance periods ending at the close of fiscal 2003 and fiscal 2005. There was no payout at the end of fiscal 2003 for the fiscal 2001-2003 performance period. The fiscal 2002-2004 performance period was replaced by the Special Fiscal 2002 Incentive Program (described in (c) below). Therefore there was no payout under the Long-Term Incentive Program at the close of fiscal 2004. The number of shares of restricted stock earned in fiscal 2005 for the fiscal 2003-2005 performance period under the Long-Term Incentive Program were as follows: 37,382 shares for Mr. Noddle; 11,759 shares for Mr. Boehnen; 11,426 shares for Mr. Hooley; 12,393 shares for Mr. Jackson; and 11,759 shares for Ms. Knous. The restrictions on these shares will lapse on March 2, 2006. |
(b) | Restricted stock units granted for retention purposes. In fiscal 2004, Mr. Hooley and Mr. Jackson each received a special award of 40,000 restricted stock units as an incentive to remain with the Company until the attainment of a certain age and length of service. |
(c) | The Special Fiscal 2002 Incentive Program was in effect for a single year (fiscal 2002) in lieu of a new three-year performance period under the Long-Term Incentive Program. The restrictions on the shares of restricted stock earned under this program for fiscal 2002 performance lapsed on March 2, 2004, for each of the named executive officers as follows: 18,763 shares for Mr. Noddle; 7,464 shares for Mr. Boehnen; 4,986 shares for Mr. Hooley; 7,260 shares for Mr. Jackson; and 7,427 shares for Ms. Knous. |
(d) | For purposes of this table, the restricted stock and the restricted stock units are valued based on the closing price of our common stock on the date the restricted stock or restricted stock units were earned or granted. Dividends are paid on the shares of restricted stock. Dividends are not paid on restricted stock units. As of February 26, 2005, the last trading day of fiscal 2005, the number and fair market value of all shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units held or earned by the following named executive officers were as follows: Mr. Noddle: 97,382, $3,125,962; Mr. Boehnen: 41,759, $1,340,464; Mr. Hooley: 51,426, $1,650,775; Mr. Jackson: 52,393, $1,681,815; and Ms. Knous: 41,759, $1,340,464. |
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(3) | The total number of shares subject to option awards includes those subject to restoration options (as more fully described below in note (1) to the table entitled Option Grants in Last Fiscal Year) received by the named executive officers as follows: Mr. Noddle, 71,191 shares in fiscal 2004 and 6,143 shares in fiscal 2002; Mr. Boehnen, 126,474 shares in fiscal 2005, 2,183 shares in fiscal 2004, and 88,909 shares in fiscal 2003; Mr. Hooley, 19,893 shares in fiscal 2004; Mr. Jackson, 33,670 shares in fiscal 2005 and 26,382 shares in fiscal 2004; and Ms. Knous, 166,280 shares in fiscal 2005. No stock appreciation rights were granted in fiscal 2005, 2004 or 2003. |
(4) | For fiscal 2005, the amount of All Other Compensation reflects contributions made by us during the fiscal year under the Qualified Pre-Tax Savings and Profit Sharing 401(k) Plan, and additional contributions made by us to an unfunded non-qualified deferred compensation plan because of limitations on the annual compensation that can be taken into account under the 401(k) Plan. The amounts of contributions to the 401(k) Plan and the unfunded plan for fiscal 2005 were as follows: $4,621 and $0 for Mr. Noddle; $4,621 and $5,396 for Mr. Boehnen; $5,050 and $5,192 for Mr. Hooley; $4,621 and $5,957 for Mr. Jackson; $5,050 and $0 for Ms. Knous. |
OPTION GRANTS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
The following table provides information on grants of stock options during fiscal 2005 to the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table.
Name |
Individual Grants |
||||||||||||||||
Number of Securities Underlying Options Granted (#)(1) |
Percent of Total Options Granted to Employees in Fiscal Year |
Exercise ($/Share) |
Expiration Date |
Potential Realizable Value at Assumed Annual Rates of Stock Price Appreciation for Option Term ($)(2) |
Prior Columns ($)(2)(3) | ||||||||||||
5%($) |
10%($) |
5%($) |
10%($) | ||||||||||||||
Jeffrey Noddle |
196,893 | 6.3 | 30.73 | 05/26/14 | 3,805,141 | 9,642,974 | 380,514 | 964,297 | |||||||||
David L. Boehnen |
60,000 8,490 40,775 17,503 26,051 33,655 |
(4) (4) (4) (4) (4) |
1.9 .3 1.3 .6 .8 1.1 |
29.90 30.94 30.94 30.94 30.94 31.85 |
04/07/04 04/08/06 04/06/09 04/09/13 03/14/10 04/08/08 |
1,128,237 24,992 337,343 293,036 263,306 193,892 |
2,859,174 51,032 742,684 719,036 594,103 411,342 |
112,824 2,499 33,734 29,304 26,331 19,389 |
285,917 5,103 74,268 71,904 59,410 41,134 | ||||||||
John H. Hooley |
65,000 | 2.1 | 29.90 | 04/07/14 | 1,222,257 | 3,097,438 | 122,256 | 309,744 | |||||||||
Michael L. Jackson |
65,000 8,253 14,357 11,060 |
(4) (4) (4) |
2.1 .3 .5 .4 |
29.90 29.96 29.96 29.96 |
04/07/14 03/14/10 04/09/07 03/14/10 |
1,222,257 73,931 54,211 99,076 |
3,097,438 164,920 112,251 221,012 |
122,256 7,393 5,421 9,908 |
309,744 16,492 11,225 22,101 | ||||||||
Pamela K. Knous |
65,000 4,776 78,544 1,258 10,887 70,816 |
(4) (4) (4) (4) (4) |
2.1 .2 2.5 .1 .3 2.3 |
29.90 31.80 31.80 31.80 30.62 30.46 |
04/07/14 04/09/13 09/22/07 04/09/13 04/09/13 03/14/10 |
1,222,257 76,680 370,161 20,198 169,515 708,215 |
3,097,438 185,601 774,083 48,887 410,870 1,599,006 |
122,226 7,668 37,016 2,020 16,952 70,822 |
309,744 18,560 77,408 4,889 41,087 159,901 |
(1) | Options are granted with an exercise price equal to the fair market value of the shares of stock on the date of grant, for a term not exceeding ten years. All options, with the exception of restoration options as described below, vest and become exercisable with respect to 20% of the shares subject thereto on the grant date, and an additional 20% of such shares on each anniversary of the grant date. Options vest in full and become fully exercisable upon the occurrence of a change-in-control of SUPERVALU (as defined in the option award agreements) and vesting or exercisability will also be accelerated upon the occurrence of certain other events, such as death, disability or retirement. The exercise price may be paid by the delivery of previously owned shares of SUPERVALU common stock, and tax withholding obligations arising from the exercise may also be paid by delivery of such shares or the withholding of a portion of the shares to be received upon exercise of the option. A restoration option (also referred to as a reload option) is granted when the original option is exercised and payment of the exercise price is made by delivery of previously owned shares of SUPERVALU common stock. Each restoration option is granted for the number of shares tendered as payment for the exercise price and tax withholding obligation, has a per share exercise price equal to the fair market value of a share of SUPERVALU common stock on the date of grant, is exercisable in full on the date of grant, and expires on the same date as the original option. All original options reported in the table are entitled to restoration options. The options set forth in the table above (excluding restoration options) were granted to all named executive officers, except Mr. Noddle, on April 7, 2004. Mr. Noddles options were granted on May 26, 2004. No stock appreciation rights were granted in fiscal 2005. |
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(2) | The amounts indicated represent the potential realizable value to the optionholder if SUPERVALU common stock were to appreciate at the indicated annual rate and the options were held for their full term before being exercised. These amounts are the result of calculations at the 5% and 10% rates set by the Securities and Exchange Commission and therefore are not intended to forecast possible future appreciation, if any, in our stock price. Total potential realizable value for all of the named officers who received stock option grants is $11,284,703 and $27,829,290 at the 5% and 10% stock price growth assumptions, respectively. Assuming 5% and 10% stock price growth over a period of ten years commencing April 1, 2004, the increase in total stockholder value from stock price appreciation alone for all shares outstanding on that date would be $2,576,536,408 and $6,529,449,130, respectively. |
(3) | Computed by dividing potential realizable value at the assumed annual rates of stock price appreciation by the term of the option. Options granted in fiscal 2005 have a ten-year term. Restoration options (described above) have a term equal to the remaining term of the original option. |
(4) | Grant of a restoration option. |
AGGREGATED OPTION EXERCISES IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
AND FISCAL YEAR-END OPTION VALUES
The following table provides information on option exercises in fiscal 2005 by the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table, and the value of such officers unexercised options at the end of fiscal 2005.
Name |
Shares Acquired on Exercise (#) |
Value ($) |
Number of Securities Underlying Unexercised Options at Fiscal Year-End (#) |
Value of Unexercised In-the-Money Options at Fiscal Year-End ($) | ||||||||
Exercisable |
Unexercisable |
Exercisable |
Unexercisable | |||||||||
Jeffrey Noddle |
37,949 | 305,810 | 1,120,570 | 497,514 | 14,011,279 | 4,077,694 | ||||||
David L. Boehnen |
185,294 | 2,241,406 | 259,362 | 104,000 | 521,792 | 771,300 | ||||||
John H. Hooley |
1,241 | 8,377 | 124,370 | 114,999 | 1,281,644 | 845,184 | ||||||
Michael L. Jackson |
60,033 | 765,305 | 201,150 | 117,000 | 1,972,663 | 924,550 | ||||||
Pamela K. Knous |
224,001 | 3,184,764 | 305,281 | 111,999 | 1,266,699 | 796,584 |
LONG-TERM INCENTIVE PLANSAWARDS IN LAST FISCAL YEAR
The following table provides information on awards made to the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table, during the last fiscal year.
Name |
Number of Shares, Units or Other Rights (#)(1) |
Performance or | ||
Jeffrey Noddle |
95,132 | Fiscal years 20052006 | ||
David L. Boehnen |
13,797 | Fiscal years 20052006 | ||
John H. Hooley |
16,648 | Fiscal years 20052006 | ||
Michael L. Jackson |
17,700 | Fiscal years 20052006 | ||
Pamela K. Knous |
14,020 | Fiscal years 20052006 |
(1) | Awards are of stock units under the Companys Long-Term Incentive Program, each of which represents the right to receive restricted stock upon achievement of specified performance objectives. Stock units will be converted to restricted stock based on the Companys total return on invested capital (ROIC) relative to the specified performance objectives for the fiscal 20052006 performance period. No stock units will be converted to restricted stock if the pre-established minimum ROIC performance objective is not achieved. If the minimum, target or maximum ROIC performance objective is achieved, then 50%, 100% or 150%, respectively, of the awarded stock units will be converted to restricted stock. If the Companys actual ROIC performance falls between the minimum and target or the target and maximum objectives, the percent of stock units converting to restricted stock will be extrapolated accordingly. Shares earned for ROIC performance as described above may be increased if Company sales for the two-year performance period increase at a rate equal to or in excess of the Consumer Price Index (CPI) for the performance period, but only if the ROIC performance is at or above target. At sales growth equal to the CPI, the stock units to be converted to restricted stock will be increased by 10% progressing linearly to a 25% increase in such restricted stock for sales growth equal to the CPI plus 3% or more. Shares of restricted stock issued upon conversion of stock units would vest at the end of fiscal 2007, provided that the named officer continues in the employ of the Company at the time of vesting. No dividends are paid on stock units. Dividends are paid on all shares of restricted stock that are issued. |
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PENSION PLANS AND RETIREMENT BENEFITS
The following table shows the estimated maximum annual benefits that would be paid to an employee upon retirement at age 65 under the combination of the SUPERVALU Retirement Plan, the Non-Qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan (or, if applicable, the Excess Benefit Plan) maintained for certain highly compensated employees, and the Retirement Benefit Plan Account of the Companys Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plans. The table does not reflect the $170,000 per year limitation on annual benefits payable from the plans imposed by Section 415 of the Internal Revenue Code, nor the $210,000 per year limitation on compensation included in final annual average pay imposed by Section 401(a)(17) of the Internal Revenue Code. Our Non-Qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and Excess Benefit Plan allow payment of additional benefits so that retiring employees may receive, in the aggregate, at least the benefits they would have been entitled to receive if the Internal Revenue Code did not impose maximum limitations. Final annual average compensation under the plans is the average of the annual compensation for the five consecutive complete fiscal years prior to retirement that produce the highest average compensation. Annual compensation consists of salary and bonus (but not long-term compensation) as set forth in the Summary Compensation Table.
Years of Service | ||||||||
Final Annual Average Compensation |
15 |
20 |
25 |
30 | ||||
$ 500,000 |
109,500 | 146,000 | 182,500 | 219,000 | ||||
800,000 |
181,500 | 242,000 | 302,500 | 363,000 | ||||
1,100,000 |
253,500 | 338,000 | 422,500 | 507,000 | ||||
1,400,000 |
325,500 | 434,000 | 542,500 | 651,000 | ||||
1,700,000 |
397,500 | 530,000 | 662,500 | 795,000 | ||||
2,000,000 |
469,500 | 626,000 | 782,500 | 939,000 |
The above estimates of annual benefits payable on normal retirement are computed using the straight-life annuity method and are based on certain assumptions, including (a) that the employee remains employed until the normal retirement age of 65 (although retirement is permitted at age 62 without any benefit reduction because of age); and (b) that the present retirement plans remain in force until the retirement date. Benefits payable under these plans will not be reduced or offset by the participants Social Security benefit. Our Non-Qualified Deferred Compensation Plans, the Non-Qualified Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan and the Excess Benefit Plan allow terminated and retired participants to receive their benefits in periodic installments or as a lump sum.
As to each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table, the final annual average pay and credited years of service under the plans as of February 26, 2005, were as follows: Mr. Noddle: $1,350,638, 28.8 years; Mr. Boehnen: $651,911, 13.8 years; Mr. Hooley: $536,965, 30.2 years; Mr. Jackson: $633,836, 26.1 years; and Ms. Knous: $634,341, 7.4 years.
The Company provides post-retirement death benefits for certain designated retired executive officers, which would include the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table if they retire under the Companys retirement plan. The death benefit is fixed at an amount approximately equal to, on an after-tax basis, an eligible executives final base salary. The benefits are funded through life insurance policies owned by the Company.
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We have entered into change-in-control agreements with certain of our executives and other employees, including all of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table.
In general, these agreements entitle the executive to receive a lump-sum cash payment if the executives employment is terminated (other than for cause or disability, as defined in the agreements) within two years after a change-in-control (as defined in the agreements). The lump-sum cash payment is equal to a multiple of one, two or three times the executives annual base salary, annual bonus and the value of the executives annual perquisites. The multiple is three for Mr. Noddle, Mr. Boehnen, Mr. Hooley, Mr. Jackson, and Ms. Knous; and one or two for all other recipients. Each executive would also receive a lump-sum retirement benefit equal to the present value of the additional qualified pension plan benefits the executive would have accrued under the plan absent the early termination. Generally, the executive would also be entitled to continued family medical, dental and life insurance coverage until the earlier of 24 months after termination or the commencement of comparable coverage with a subsequent employer. Each agreement includes a covenant not to compete with SUPERVALU. Due to the possible imposition of excise taxes on the payments, the agreements also provide that the severance benefits payable to an executive will be increased by an amount equal to the excise tax imposed on such payments.
Several of our compensation and benefit plans contain provisions for enhanced benefits upon a change-in-control of SUPERVALU. These enhanced benefits include immediate vesting of stock options, performance shares, restricted stock and restricted stock unit awards. The executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table and other executive officers also hold limited stock appreciation rights, granted in tandem with stock options that would become immediately exercisable upon a change-in-control, and allow the executive to receive cash for the bargain element in the related stock option. Under our executive deferred compensation plans, benefits payable upon termination may be increased by 130% to compensate the executive for any excise tax liability incurred following a change-in-control. Our retirement plans provide for full vesting if employment terminates under specified circumstances following a change-in-control, and preserve any excess plan assets for the benefit of plan participants for five years following a change-in-control.
We may set aside funds in an irrevocable grantor trust to satisfy our obligations arising from certain of our benefit plans. Funds will be set aside in the trust automatically upon a change-in-control. The trust assets would remain subject to the claims of our creditors.
REPORT OF EXECUTIVE PERSONNEL AND COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
COMPENSATION PRINCIPLES
The Executive Personnel and Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors is composed entirely of non-employee directors, all of whom are independent directors as defined under the New York Stock Exchange Listing Standards. The Committee has adopted a comprehensive Executive Compensation Program based on the following principles:
| The program should enable SUPERVALU to attract, retain and motivate the key executives necessary for our current and long-term success; |
| Compensation plans should be designed to support SUPERVALUs business strategy; |
| Executive compensation should be linked to corporate performance and the attainment of designated strategic objectives; |
| A significant portion of executive compensation should be tied to the enhancement of stockholder value; and |
| The Committee should exercise independent judgment and approval authority with respect to the Executive Compensation Program and the awards made under the program. |
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COMPENSATION METHODOLOGY
The structure of the Executive Compensation Program is based on a market comparison of compensation for equivalent positions in industries from which SUPERVALU draws executive talent, as well as a position evaluation system designed to achieve internal equity based on job responsibility. The market comparison is made using information on equivalent positions from twenty retail and distribution companies, which on average approximate SUPERVALU in terms of size. Compensation comparison to this peer group and the grocery companies within this peer group are the basis for designing our current compensation structure, which has a mix of fixed to variable compensation and short-term to long-term incentive potential approximating the mix within the compensation peer group. Comparisons are performed to ensure that the dollar values of the various plan components as well as total compensation are comparable to those of the compensation peer group. In addition to a review of compensation plan design and compensation levels, the Committee also reviews SUPERVALUs performance on a number of key financial measures relative to the compensation peer group.
The variable compensation components of the program are designed so that executives total compensation will be above the median of the compensation peer group when SUPERVALUs performance is superior, and below the median of the compensation peer group when performance is below industry norms. This fluctuation in compensation value is increased by the substantial use of SUPERVALU common stock in the program, as described under the caption Long-Term Incentive Compensation below, so that total compensation will significantly increase or decrease in direct correlation to SUPERVALUs stock price.
The following summary explains the major components of the Executive Compensation Program.
ANNUAL COMPENSATION
Base Salaries. The base salary levels for executive officers are determined based on three objectives:
| Internal equity based on job responsibility; |
| Individual performance and experience; and |
| Competitive salary levels with industries from which SUPERVALU draws executive talent. |
Our salary structure is based on the median salary levels of companies in similar industries and similar in size to SUPERVALU. Actual salaries may be set above or below this median depending on individual job performance and experience.
Increases in base salaries for executives below the CEO level are proposed by the CEO based on performance evaluations, which include both progress on achievement of financial results and a qualitative assessment of performance. The Committee reviews and approves all salary increases for executive officers.
Annual Bonuses. All of our executive officers are eligible to receive an annual cash bonus. The Annual Bonus Plan is designed to motivate executives to meet or exceed corporate financial goals that support our business plans. Specifically, the plan is primarily designed to stimulate and reward growth in SUPERVALU earnings. The Committee assigns target bonus levels to each executive, which are competitive with our compensation peer group. Among executive officers, these range from 25% of annual base salary to 100% of annual base salary for the CEO. For fiscal 2005 the bonus award potential for executive officers was based on corporate net profit growth performance, which could be further increased if revenue growth equaled or exceeded inflation as measured by the increase in the Consumer Price Index. Bonus payments increase as net profit growth meets and exceeds the annual growth rate targeted by the Board. The Company exceeded the net profit goal for fiscal 2005; however, the revenue growth factor was not achieved. For fiscal 2005 the maximum bonus was limited to twice the target bonus level. Bonuses for the CEO and four other named executive officers are paid from a special plan structured so that the payment will be tax-deductible as qualified performance-based compensation under Internal Revenue Code Section 162(m). The bonuses paid to these individuals for fiscal 2005 are shown in the Summary Compensation Table.
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LONG-TERM INCENTIVE COMPENSATION
SUPERVALU maintains a Long-Term Incentive Plan and stock option plans. Together, these plans tie a significant portion of executives total compensation to long-term results. The long-term incentive potential is intended to be competitive with programs offered by our compensation peer group. The Board of Directors, upon the recommendation of the Committee, is proposing that stockholders approve amendments to the 2002 Stock Plan at the 2005 Annual Meeting, so that additional shares of common stock will be available for future grants of stock options and other stock-based awards.
Long-Term Incentive Program. The Long-Term Incentive Program is a component of the Long-Term Incentive Plan and provides for performance periods as follows: fiscal 2003-2005 (completed), fiscal 2004-2006, and fiscal 2005-2006. The Committee selects program participants, approves awards and interprets and administers this program. Program participants are the CEO, Executive Vice Presidents, Senior Vice Presidents and other designated officers or executives. The performance measure under this program is overall corporate return on invested capital (ROIC) relative to pre-established objectives. If the designated ROIC objective is attained, the performance awards under the program may be increased if overall corporate revenue growth is above program targets. Commencing with fiscal 2005 the three-year overlapping performance period design was replaced with a two-year end-to-end design, and fiscal 2005-2006 is the first performance period under this new design. Awards of stock units for the fiscal 2005-2006 performance period for the Companys five most highly compensated executive officers are shown on page 14 under the caption Long-Term Incentive PlansAwards in Last Fiscal Year.
Any payouts under this program are in the form of restricted stock with a one-year restriction on a recipients ability to sell the stock.
For the fiscal 2003-2005 performance period SUPERVALU exceeded its ROIC performance objective, which produced the payouts shown in the Summary Compensation Table.
ROIC Stock Incentive Program. Officers below the level of Senior Vice President, and certain Profit Center Presidents participate in an incentive program known as the Return On Invested Capital (ROIC) Stock Incentive Program. Amounts earned and paid out under this program are based entirely on fiscal year ROIC performance against pre-established objectives. Earned payouts are made in restricted stock at the end of the fiscal year, with the restrictions on such stock lapsing two years following the close of the fiscal year for which the stock was earned. For fiscal 2005, 9,387 shares of restricted stock were awarded to executive officers under this program.
Stock Option Plans. The Committee believes that linking a portion of executive compensation and income potential to SUPERVALUs stock price appreciation is the most effective way of aligning executive and stockholder interests. Two key programs together cause executives to view themselves as owners of a meaningful equity stake in the business over the long term. They are:
| The executive stock option program; and |
| Stock ownership and retention guidelines for executive officers. |
Stock Option Grants. The Committee makes grants of stock options to key employees under established grant guidelines intended to be competitive with our compensation peer group. The Committee also considers subjective factors in determining grant size; grants are not automatically tied to a formula or the employees position in SUPERVALU. Corporate, profit center or individual performance will impact the size of an employees grant. In addition, current ownership of stock is a consideration in the size of option grants for officers and Profit Center Presidents. Based on the stock grant guidelines and the subjective factors described above, grant recommendations are developed by management, reviewed by the CEO and presented to the Committee for final approval.
In fiscal 2005 the Committee granted options to certain key employees, including Mr. Noddle, as described below in the section on CEO
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compensation. All stock options were granted with an exercise price equal to the market price of our common stock on the date of grant. In order to encourage option exercises and share ownership, we also permit executives to exercise options using shares of our common stock to pay the exercise price. Upon such exercise, we grant the executive a restoration stock option (commonly referred to as a reload option) for the number of shares surrendered. Restoration options are exercisable at the then current market price and extend for the remainder of the original options term. Effective for stock option grants made after April 1, 2005 and thereafter, restoration options have been discontinued. In addition, the exercise term for options granted after April 1, 2005 and thereafter has been reduced to seven years from the previous ten-year term. Option grants, including restoration options, for executive officers are shown in the Summary Compensation Table.
STOCK OWNERSHIP AND RETENTION GUIDELINES
The Committee has established stock ownership and retention guidelines for executive officers so that they face the same downside risk and upside potential as stockholders experience. Executives are expected to show significant progress toward reaching these ownership goals. The goal for the CEO is ownership of 150,000 shares, excluding vested and unexercised stock options, which is between five and six times his annual base salary. Mr. Noddles current stock ownership, excluding vested and unexercised stock options, exceeds his ownership guideline. Prior to achieving their ownership goal, executives are expected to retain 100% of the net after-tax profit shares received from an option exercise or the vesting of restricted stock. After they meet their ownership goal, they are expected to retain 50% of the net after-tax profit shares received from option exercises or the vesting of restricted stock. This 50% retention requirement does not apply to executives who are 55 or older who have met their ownership goal.
CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION
The Chairperson of the Committee, together with the Chairperson of the Director Affairs Committee, conducts an annual performance evaluation of the CEO based on written input from all Board members. The following factors are considered in this performance evaluation: financial results, strategic planning, leadership, customer service, succession planning, human resource management/diversity, communications, external relations and Board interface.
As a result of this evaluation, Mr. Noddle received an increase in base salary for fiscal 2005 from $850,000 to $900,000. There had been no increase in Mr. Noddles salary for fiscal 2004. On May 26, 2004, Mr. Noodle also received a stock option grant for 196,893 shares and an award of 95,132 stock units under SUPERVALUs Long-Term Incentive Program, as described above and on page 14 under the caption Long-Term Incentive Plans-Awards in Last Fiscal Year. In determining these compensation elements, the Committee took into consideration the compensation peer group data and the recommendations made by an outside consultant retained by the Committee as to the appropriate total compensation level and the split of long-term incentive opportunity between stock options and other performance-based plans. The stock units will only be paid out if SUPERVALU achieves the specified performance objectives for the fiscal 2005-2006 performance period. In April 2005, Mr. Noddle received 37,382 shares of restricted stock pursuant to 24,921 stock units granted under the Long-Term Incentive Program in fiscal 2002, the maximum payout for exceeding the return on invested capital performance goals established for the fiscal 2003-2005 performance period, as described in Note 2(a) of the Summary Compensation Table. He also received an annual cash bonus of $1,800,000 for fiscal 2005 under SUPERVALUs Annual Bonus Plan described above, as a result of SUPERVALU exceeding its corporate net profit performance goals for that year.
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POLICY REGARDING SECTION 162(m)
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code imposes limits on tax deductions to employers for executive compensation in excess of $1,000,000 paid to any of the five most highly compensated executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table unless certain conditions are met. The Committee makes every reasonable effort to preserve this tax deduction consistent with the principles of the Executive Compensation Program.
CONCLUSION
The Committee believes that the retention and motivation of high-caliber executive management is fundamentally important to SUPERVALUs performance. The Committee plays an active role in ensuring that our compensation plans implement our key compensation principles. Independent compensation consultants have assisted the Committee in designing these plans, assessing the effectiveness of the overall program and keeping overall compensation competitive with that of relevant peer companies. Total compensation is intended to be above industry averages when performance is superior, and below industry averages when performance is below expected levels or SUPERVALUs stock fails to appreciate. The Committee believes that the Executive Compensation Program has been a substantial contributor toward motivating executives to focus on the creation of stockholder value.
Respectfully submitted,
Edwin C. Gage, Chairperson
Ronald E. Daly
Lawrence A. Del Santo
Susan E. Engel
Richard L. Knowlton
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The following graph compares the cumulative total stockholder return on SUPERVALUs common stock for the last five fiscal years with that of the S&P 500 Index and a group of peer companies in the retail food and food distribution industries. The graph assumes the investment of $100 in each Company on February 26, 2000, and the reinvestment of all dividends on a quarterly basis, with results calculated to the last business day in February each fiscal year. The returns of the companies were weighted based on their respective capitalization and on the relative percentage of SUPERVALUs operating profit realized from retail food and food distribution operations for each year. The stock price performance shown on each graph below is not a projection of future price performance.
Comparison of Five-Year Cumulative Total Return
SUPERVALU INC., S&P 500 Index and Composite Peer Group
The composite peer group is comprised of the following retail food companies: Albertsons, Inc., Ingles Markets, Incorporated, Marsh Supermarkets, Inc., Great Atlantic & Pacific Tea Company, Inc., The Kroger Co., Safeway Inc., Pathmark Stores, Inc. and Weis Markets, Inc.
Feb-00 |
Feb-01 |
Feb-02 |
Feb-03 |
Feb-04 |
Feb-05 | |||||||||||||
SUPERVALU |
$ | 100.00 | $ | 88.24 | $ | 158.89 | $ | 99.00 | $ | 192.73 | $ | 222.95 | ||||||
S&P 500 |
100.00 | 94.54 | 83.86 | 66.38 | 91.19 | 98.11 | ||||||||||||
Composite Peer Group (1) |
100.00 | 139.68 | 123.81 | 79.96 | 101.18 | 91.46 |
(1) | For fiscal 2005 and prior years, Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc., the common shares of which were listed for trading on the New York Stock Exchange, was included in the peer group. The common shares of Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. were suspended from trading on February 22, 2005. Consequently, Winn-Dixie Stores, Inc. is not included in the peer group for fiscal 2005. |
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The Audit Committee of the Board of Directors is composed of the following non-employee directors: Garnett L. Keith (Chairperson), Irwin Cohen, Susan E. Engel, Charles M. Lillis and Steven S. Rogers. All of the members of the Audit Committee are independent directors as defined under the New York Stock Exchange listing standards. In addition, the Board has determined that all members of the Audit Committee are financially literate under the New York Stock Exchange listing standards and that Irwin Cohen qualifies as an audit committee financial expert under the rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Audit Committee operates under a written charter adopted by the Board of Directors, which is evaluated annually. The charter of the Audit Committee is available on the Companys website at http://www.supervalu.com. Click on the tab Site Map and then the caption Corporate Governance. The Audit Committee selects, evaluates and, where deemed appropriate, replaces SUPERVALUs independent registered public accountants. The Audit Committee also pre-approves all audit services, engagement fees and terms, and all permitted non-audit engagements, except for certain de minimus amounts.
Management is responsible for SUPERVALUs internal controls and the financial reporting process. SUPERVALUs independent registered public accountants are responsible for performing an independent audit of SUPERVALUs consolidated financial statements in accordance with auditing standards generally accepted in the United States of America and issuing a report on SUPERVALUs consolidated financial statements. The Audit Committees responsibility is to monitor and oversee these processes.
In this context, the Audit Committee has reviewed SUPERVALUs audited financial statements for fiscal 2005 and has met and held discussions with management and KPMG LLP, the independent registered public accountants. Management represented to the Audit Committee that SUPERVALUs consolidated financial statements for fiscal 2005 were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, and the Audit Committee discussed the consolidated financial statements with KPMG. The Audit Committee also discussed with KPMG matters required to be discussed by Statement on Auditing Standards No. 61 (Communications with Audit Committees).
KPMG also provided to the Audit Committee the written disclosure required by Independence Standards Board Standard No. 1 (Independence Discussions with Audit Committees), and the Audit Committee discussed with KPMG the accounting firms independence.
Based upon the Audit Committees discussion with management and KPMG, and the Audit Committees review of the representation of management and the report of KPMG to the Audit Committee, the Audit Committee recommended to the Board of Directors that the audited consolidated financial statements be included in SUPERVALUs Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 26, 2005, filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
The Committee also considered whether non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accountants during fiscal 2005 were compatible with maintaining their independence and concluded that such non-audit services did not affect their independence.
Respectfully submitted,
Garnett L. Keith, Chairperson
Irwin Cohen
Susan E. Engel
Charles M. Lillis
Steven S. Rogers
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INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS FEES
The Audit Committee has a formal policy concerning the approval of audit and non-audit services to be provided by the Companys independent registered public accountants. A copy of this policy can be found in the Audit Committees charter which is available on the Companys website at http://www.supervalu.com. Click on the tab Site Map and then the caption Corporate Governance. The policy requires that the Audit Committee pre-approve all audit services, engagement fees and terms, and all permitted non-audit engagements, subject to the de minimus exceptions permitted pursuant to the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. The Chairperson of the Audit Committee is authorized to grant such pre-approvals in the event there is a need for such approvals prior to the next full Audit Committee meeting, provided all such pre-approvals are then reported to the full Audit Committee at its next scheduled meeting.
During fiscal 2005 and 2004, KPMG LLP provided various audit, audit-related and non-audit services to the Company. The Audit Committee pre-approved all audit services, audit-related services and all other services provided by KPMG LLP in fiscal 2005. The following table presents fees for professional services charged by KPMG to the Company by type and amount for fiscal 2005 and fiscal 2004.
2005 |
2004 | |||||
($ in thousands) | ||||||
Audit fees |
$ | 2,294 | $ | 996 | ||
Audit-related fees (1) |
518 | 377 | ||||
Total audit and audit related fees |
2,812 | 1,373 | ||||
Tax fees (2) |
150 | 76 | ||||
All other fees |
| | ||||
Total fees |
$ | 2,962 | $ | 1,449 | ||
(1) | Audit-related fees consist principally of fees for audits of financial statements of certain employee benefit plans and audits of the financial statements of certain subsidiaries. |
(2) | Tax fees consist of fees for tax consultation services. |
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PROPOSAL TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTANTS (ITEM 2)
The Audit Committee of our Board of Directors has appointed KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accountants for the year ending February 25, 2006. Stockholder ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accountants is not required by our bylaws or otherwise. However, the Board of Directors is submitting the appointment of KPMG LLP to the stockholders for ratification as a matter of good corporate practice. If the stockholders fail to ratify the appointment, the Audit Committee will reconsider whether or not to retain that firm. Even if the appointment is ratified, the Audit Committee, which is solely responsible for appointing and terminating our independent registered public accountants, may in its discretion, direct the appointment of different independent registered public accountants at any time during the year if it determines that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and its stockholders.
A representative of KPMG LLP will be present at the Annual Meeting with the opportunity to make a statement and to respond to questions.
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the proposal to ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as independent registered public accountants.
PROPOSAL TO AMEND THE SUPERVALU INC. 2002 STOCK PLAN (ITEM 3)
BACKGROUND. At the 2002 Annual Meeting, the stockholders approved the SUPERVALU INC. 2002 Stock Plan (the Plan). The Plan authorizes the grant of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance awards and other stock-based awards to eligible participants in the Plan up to a maximum of 4,000,000 shares of our common stock as further described under the caption Maximum Number of Shares below.
Since the approval of the Plan, awards have been made thereunder, as well as under other equity compensation plans maintained by the Company. (See the table on page 26 under the caption Equity Compensation Plan Information for more information on grants made under the Plan as well as awards made under other equity compensation plans of the Company.)
As of April 15, 2005, approximately 976,400 shares were available for future grants under the Plan and approximately 8,600 shares were available for issuance under the Companys other equity compensation plans. The Company expects that the amount of shares available for future grants under the Plan will be insufficient to cover awards anticipated to be made under the Plan prior to the next Annual Meeting of Stockholders, as well as awards made thereafter.
PROPOSED AMENDMENTS. The Board of Directors recommends that the stockholders approve amendments to the Plan as follows:
| to increase the shares available for awards under the Plan from 4,000,000 to 13,000,000 shares, with 7,500,000 of such shares being reserved solely for issuance pursuant to stock option awards, as set forth in Section 4(a) of the Plan; |
| to establish a maximum term of seven years for newly granted stock option awards under the Plan, except for restoration options granted with respect to previously granted options, as set forth in Section 6(a)(ii) of the Plan; and |
| to eliminate the Companys ability to grant restoration options in connection with newly granted stock option awards under the Plan, as set forth in Section 6(a)(iv) of the Plan. |
SUMMARY OF THE PLAN. A copy of the Plan is attached as Exhibit A to this Proxy Statement. The language added or altered by the proposed amendments is bolded and underlined. This discussion is only a summary. You should refer to the Plan for more complete information.
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Purpose. The purpose of the Plan is to aid the Company in attracting and retaining key management personnel and non-employee directors capable of assuring the future success of the Company and our affiliates, to offer these individuals incentives to put forth maximum efforts for the success of the Companys business, and to afford these individuals an opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company.
Maximum Number of Shares. Currently, up to 4,000,000 shares of our common stock may be issued for awards under the Plan (subject to certain adjustments). The Company proposes to amend the Plan to increase the shares available from 4,000,000 to 13,000,000 shares, with 7,500,000 of such shares being reserved solely for issuance pursuant to stock option awards. If any shares to which an award relates are forfeited, or if an award is otherwise terminated, then the number of shares with respect to such award, to the extent of any such forfeiture or termination, will again be available for grant under the Plan.
The closing price of SUPERVALU common stock on April 15, 2005, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange, was $33.66.
Administration. The Plan is administered by the Executive Personnel and Compensation Committee (the Committee). The Committee has the authority to select the individuals to whom awards are granted, to determine the types of awards and the number of shares of common stock covered by awards, and to set the terms and conditions of awards. The Committee also has the authority to establish rules for the administration of the Plan, and its determinations and interpretations are binding. The Committee has the authority to accelerate the vesting, exercisability or lapse of restrictions with respect to awards granted under the Plan and to determine whether shares or other amounts that may be payable under the Plan may be deferred. The Committee may delegate its authority to one or more directors or officers, except that the Committee may not delegate its authority (a) with respect to granting awards to any directors or officers who are subject to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, (b) in any manner that would cause the Plan not to comply with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, or (c) in any manner that would not comply with Section 157 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
Eligible Participants. Any employee, officer, director, consultant or independent contractor providing services to SUPERVALU or our affiliates who is selected by the Committee is eligible to receive awards under the Plan. As of April 15, 2005, there were approximately 1,000 persons who were eligible to receive awards under the Plan.
Types Of Awards. The Plan permits the grant of a variety of different types of awards:
Stock options, including incentive stock options (ISOs) meeting the requirements of Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code (the Code), and stock options that are not ISOs (Nonqualified Stock Options); stock appreciation rights (SARs); restricted stock and restricted stock units; performance awards payable in cash or stock, or a combination of cash and stock, upon attainment of specified objectives or goals; and other awards valued in whole or in part by reference to or based on SUPERVALUs common stock.
Awards may be granted for any amount of cash consideration or for no cash consideration so long as legal requirements are met. The Plan requires that options and SARs have an exercise price per share or grant price of not less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant.
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New Plan Benefits
2002 STOCK PLAN
The following table sets forth the number of shares of SUPERVALU common stock covered by options or other awards granted under the Plan during the 2005 fiscal year. No incentive awards made under the 2002 Stock Plan prior to the date of the Annual Meeting, June 15, 2005, have been made subject to stockholder approval. The number and type of awards that will be granted in the future under the Plan to officers, employees and non-employee directors are not determinable as the Committee will make such determinations in its discretion.
Name and Position |
Options Granted |
Restricted Stock Granted | ||
Jeffrey Noddle Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President |
196,893 | 0 | ||
David L. Boehnen Executive Vice President |
186,474 | 0 | ||
John H. Hooley Executive Vice President; President, Retail Food Companies |
65,000 | 0 | ||
Michael L. Jackson Executive Vice President; President and COO, Distribution Food Companies |
98,670 | 0 | ||
Pamela K. Knous Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer |
231,281 | 0 | ||
Executive Officer Group | 1,103,375 | 35,266 | ||
Non-Executive Director Group | 78,966 | 0 | ||
Nominees for Election as Director |
0 | 0 | ||
Each associate of the above-mentioned directors, executive officers or nominees |
0 | 0 | ||
Each other person who received or is to receive five percent of such options, warrants or rights |
0 | 0 | ||
Non-Executive Officer Employee Group | 75,922 | 0 |
Stock Options. Options may be exercised by payment of the exercise price, either in cash or, at the discretion of the Committee, by using shares of our common stock or other consideration having a fair market value equal to the exercise price.
The Committee may also grant restoration options with terms and conditions established by the Committee. Restoration options (commonly referred to as reload options) may be granted when a participant pays the exercise price of the option by using previously owned shares of common stock. The restoration option is granted for a number of shares not exceeding the number of shares surrendered in payment of the option exercise price plus the number of shares, if any, surrendered or withheld in payment of tax obligations of the participant in connection with the exercise of the option. Restoration options have an exercise price equal to the fair market value of our common stock on the date of grant of the restoration option. The Committee has determined not to grant restoration options in connection with stock options granted after April 1, 2005, and the Company proposes to amend the Plan to reflect the Committees determination.
The exercise term for options granted is established by the Committee at the date of grant. The Committee has determined to
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establish a maximum exercise term of seven years with respect to stock options granted after April 1, 2005, except for restoration options granted pursuant to the exercise of previously granted options, and the Company proposes to amend the Plan to reflect such determination.
Stock Appreciation Rights. The holder of an SAR is entitled to receive the excess of the fair market value of a specified number of shares (calculated as of the exercise date or, if the Committee so determines, as of any time during a specified period before or after the exercise date) over the grant price of the SAR.
Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. Shares of restricted stock and restricted stock units may be awarded subject to such restrictions and other terms and conditions as the Committee may impose. Holders of restricted stock may have all of the rights of our stockholders (including the right to vote the shares subject to the restricted stock award and to receive any dividends with respect to the stock), or these rights may be restricted. Holders of restricted stock units will have the right, subject to any restrictions imposed by the Committee, to receive shares of restricted stock (or a cash payment equal to the fair market value of the shares) at some future date. Restricted stock may not be transferred by the holder until the restrictions established by the Committee lapse. Upon termination of the holders employment during the restriction period, restricted stock and restricted stock units are forfeited, unless the Committee determines otherwise.
Performance Awards. Performance awards will provide their holders the right to receive payments, in whole or in part, upon the achievement of goals established by the Committee during performance periods established by the Committee. A performance award granted under the Plan may be denominated or payable in cash, shares of common stock or restricted stock, other securities, other awards or other property.
Other Stock Based Awards. The Committee also is authorized to grant other types of awards that are denominated or payable in or otherwise relate to our common stock. The Plan provides that the Committee will establish the terms and conditions of such awards.
Transferability. In general, no award and no right under any award granted under the Plan will be transferable by its recipient otherwise than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution.
Withholding Obligations. Under the Plan, the Committee may permit participants receiving or exercising awards to surrender previously owned shares of our common stock to satisfy federal, state or local withholding tax obligations.
Adjustments. The Committee may make adjustments to awards under the Plan in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available if any corporate transaction or event affects the shares of common stock so that an adjustment is appropriate.
Term. The Plan will terminate on April 9, 2012, and no awards may be made after that date. However, any award granted before April 9, 2012 may extend beyond that date.
Amendments. The Board of Directors may amend or terminate the Plan at any time, provided that stockholder approval must be obtained if the amendment (a) would violate the rules or regulations of the New York Stock Exchange or any other securities exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. that are applicable to SUPERVALU; (b) would cause us to be unable, under the Code, to grant ISOs under the Plan; (c) would amend the exercise price of any option or SAR previously granted, except for any adjustment made to prevent dilution or enlargement of benefits in the event of a corporate transaction or similar event affecting the shares of common stock, as described above under Adjustments; or (d) would allow the exercise price of any option or the grant price of any SAR to be less than 100% of the fair market value of our common stock on the date such option or SAR is granted.
FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES. The following is a summary of the principal U.S. federal income tax consequences generally applicable to awards under the Plan.
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Options and SARs. The grant of an option or SAR is not expected to result in any taxable income for the recipient. The holder of an ISO generally will have no taxable income upon exercising the ISO (except that an alternative minimum tax may result and SUPERVALU will not be entitled to a tax deduction when an ISO is exercised). When a participant exercises a Nonqualified Stock Option, the optionholder must recognize ordinary income equal to the excess of the fair market value of the shares acquired over the exercise price, and we will be entitled to a tax deduction for the same amount. Upon exercising a SAR, the amount of any cash received and the fair market value on the exercise date of any common stock received are taxable to the recipient as ordinary income and deductible by SUPERVALU. The tax consequence to an optionholder upon a disposition of shares acquired through the exercise of an option will depend on how long the shares have been held and upon whether the shares were acquired by exercising an ISO or by exercising a Nonqualified Stock Option or SAR. Generally, there will be no tax consequences to SUPERVALU in connection with the disposition of shares acquired under an option. However, we may be entitled to a tax deduction in the case of a disposition of shares acquired under an ISO before the applicable ISO holding periods set forth in the Code have been satisfied.
Other Awards. For other awards granted under the Plan that are payable in cash or shares of common stock and that are either transferable or not subject to substantial risk of forfeiture, the holder of the award must recognize ordinary income equal to the excess of (a) the cash or the fair market value of the shares of common stock received (determined as of the date of such receipt) over (b) the amount (if any) paid for such shares of common stock by the holder, and we will be entitled at that time to a tax deduction for the same amount, if and to the extent that amount satisfies general rules concerning deductibility of compensation. With respect to an award that is payable in shares of common stock that are restricted as to transferability and subject to substantial risk of forfeiture, unless a special election is made pursuant to the Code, the holder of the award must recognize ordinary income equal to the excess of (x) the fair market value of the shares of common stock received (determined as of the first time the shares become transferable or not subject to substantial risk of forfeiture, whichever occurs earlier) over (y) the amount (if any) paid for such shares of common stock by the holder, and we will be entitled at that time to a tax deduction for the same amount if and to the extent that amount is deductible.
Special Rules. Special rules may apply in the case of individuals subject to Section 16(b) of the Exchange Act. In particular, unless a special election is made pursuant to the Code, shares received pursuant to the exercise of a stock option or SAR may be treated as restricted as to transferability and subject to a substantial risk of forfeiture for a period of up to six months after the date of exercise. Accordingly, the amount of any ordinary income recognized, and the amount of our tax deduction, are determined as of the end of such period.
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Equity Compensation Plan Information.
The following table sets forth information as of February 26, 2005, about the Companys common stock that may be issued under all of its equity compensation plans:
Plan Category |
(a) |
(b) |
(c) |
||||||
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights |
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a)) |
|||||||
Equity compensation plans approved by security holders (1) |
6,437,305 | $ | 22.67 | (2) | 2,866,904 | (3) | |||
Equity compensation plans not approved by security holders (4)(5) |
5,286,227 | $ | 24.15 | 1,198,043 | (6) | ||||
Total |
11,723,532 | $ | 23.35 | (2) | 4,064,947 | (3)(6) | |||
1) | Includes the Companys 1989 Stock Appreciation Rights Plan, 1983 Employee Stock Option Plan, 1993 Stock Plan, 2002 Stock Plan, SUPERVALU/Richfood Stock Incentive Plan and 2002 Long-Term Incentive Plan. |
2) | Excludes 200,000 restricted stock units included in column (a) which do not have an exercise price. Such units vest and are payable in shares after the expiration of the time periods set forth in their restricted stock unit agreements. |
3) | In addition to grants of options, warrants or rights, includes the following shares available for issuance in the form of restricted stock, performance awards and other types of stock-based awards: 2002 Stock Plan, 2,125,537 shares; SUPERVALU/Richfood Stock Incentive Plan, 3,436 shares; and 2002 Long-Term Incentive Plan, 738,021 shares. |
4) | Includes the Companys 1997 Stock Plan and Restricted Stock Plan. |
5) | Does not include outstanding options for 32,342 shares of common stock at a weighted average exercise price of $27.00 per share that were assumed in connection with the merger of Richfood Holdings, Inc. into the Company effective August 31, 1999, under the Richfood Holdings, Inc. Non-Employee Directors Stock Option Plan. No further awards will be made under this plan. |
6) | Includes 1,114,543 shares under the 1997 Stock Option Plan available for issuance in the form of restricted stock, performance awards and other types of stock-based awards in addition to the granting of options, warrants or stock appreciation rights and 83,500 shares under the Restricted Stock Plan available for issuance as restricted stock. |
1997 Stock Plan. The Board of Directors adopted the 1997 Stock Plan on April 9, 1997, to provide for the granting of non-qualified stock options, restoration options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units and performance awards to key employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries. A total of 10,800,000 shares are authorized and may be issued as awards under the plan. The Board amended this plan August 18, 1998, March 14, 2000, and April 10, 2002, and it will terminate on April 9, 2007.
All employees, consultants or independent contractors providing services to the Company, other than officers or directors of the Company or any of its affiliates who are subject to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, are eligible to participate in the plan. The Board administers the plan and has discretion to set the terms of all awards made under the plan, except as otherwise expressly provided in the plan. Options granted under the plan may not have an exercise price less than 100 percent of the fair market value of the Companys common stock on the date of the grant. Stock appreciation rights may not be granted at a price less than 100 percent of the fair market value of the common stock on the date of the grant. Unless the Board otherwise specifies, restricted stock and restricted stock units will be forfeited and reacquired by the Company if an employee is terminated. Performance awards granted under the plan may be payable in cash, shares, restricted stock, other securities, other awards under the plan or other property when the participant achieves performance goals set by the Board.
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Restricted Stock Plan. The Board of Directors adopted the Restricted Stock Plan on April 10, 1991, to provide for the granting of restricted stock to key management employees of the Company or any of its subsidiaries who are not subject to the provisions of Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 at the time of an award. The Board amended this plan on February 24, 2001, to increase the total shares available for issuance to 300,000. This plan has no expiration date. The chief executive officer administers this plan and may determine who is eligible to participate in the plan, the number of shares to be covered by each award and the terms and conditions of any award or agreement under the plan (including the forfeiture, transfer or other restrictions relating to such award).
The Board of Directors recommends a vote FOR the proposal to amend the 2002 Stock Plan.
STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL REGARDING DIRECTOR ELECTION MAJORITY VOTE STANDARD (ITEM 4)
The United Brotherhood of Carpenters Pension Fund, 101 Constitution Avenue, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20001, which is the beneficial owner of approximately 2,200 shares of SUPERVALU common stock, has given notice that it intends to introduce a resolution at the Annual Meeting that relates to the director election majority vote standard. SUPERVALUs Board of Directors unanimously opposes the proposed resolution for the reasons set forth below. The text of the resolution and the supporting statement of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters Pension Fund are printed below verbatim from its submission.
Director Election Majority Vote Standard Proposal
Resolved: That the shareholders of Supervalu Inc. (Company) hereby request that the Board of Directors initiate the appropriate process to amend the Companys governance documents (certificate of incorporation or bylaws) to provide that director nominees shall be elected by the affirmative vote of the majority of votes cast at an annual meeting of shareholders.
Supporting Statement: Our Company is incorporated in Delaware. Among other issues, Delaware corporate law addresses the issue of the level of voting support necessary for a specific action, such as the election of corporate directors. Delaware law provides that a companys certificate of incorporation or bylaws may specify the number of votes that shall be necessary for the transaction of any business, including the election of directors. (DGCL, Title 8, Chapter 1, Subchapter VII, Section 216). Further, the law provides that if the level of voting support necessary for a specific action is not specified in the certificate of incorporation or bylaws of the corporation, directors shall be elected by a plurality of the votes of the shares present in person or represented by proxy at the meeting and entitled to vote on the election of directors.
Our Company presently uses the plurality vote standard for the election of directors. We feel that it is appropriate and timely for the Board to initiate a change in the Companys director election vote standard. Specifically, this shareholder proposal urges that the Board of Directors initiate a change to the director election vote standard to provide that in director elections a majority vote standard will be used in lieu of the Companys current plurality vote standard. Specifically, the new standard should provide that nominees for the board of directors must receive a majority of the vote cast in order to be elected or re-elected to the Board.
Under the Companys current plurality vote standard, a director nominee in a director election can be elected or re-elected with as little as a single affirmative vote, even while a substantial majority of the votes cast are withheld from that director nominee. So even if 99.99% of the shares withhold authority to vote for a candidate or all the candidates, a 0.01% for vote results in the candidates election or re-election to the board. The proposed majority vote standard would require that a director receive a majority of the vote cast in order to be elected to the Board.
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It is our contention that the proposed majority vote standard for corporate board elections is a fair standard that will strengthen the Companys governance and the Board. Our proposal is not intended to limit the judgment of the Board in crafting the requested governance change. For instance, the Board should address the status of incumbent directors who fail to receive a majority vote when standing for re-election under a majority vote standard or whether a plurality director election standard is appropriate in contested elections.
We urge your support of this important director election reform.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS RECOMMENDATION
The Board of Directors recommends a vote AGAINST the foregoing proposal for the following reasons:
Our Company is incorporated under the laws of the State of Delaware and is therefore governed by the Delaware General Corporation Law. Because the Company has not specified a different voting requirement in its certificate of incorporation or bylaws, the plurality standard established by the Delaware General Corporation Law governs the election of the Companys directors. This statutory standard provides for the election of directors based on the highest number of votes cast by the Companys stockholders, and is the same standard that governs many other public companies that are incorporated in Delaware. The Board of Directors believes that the plurality standard is fair and impartial and serves the best interests of the Companys stockholders.
Our Board of Directors is comprised of highly qualified directors from diverse backgrounds, all of whom (other than our Chief Executive Officer) are independent within the meaning of various criteria applied by federal regulatory agencies and investor rating companies, as well as standards adopted by the New York Stock Exchange. Each of these directors was elected by a plurality vote. Director nominees are evaluated and recommended for election by the Director Affairs Committee based on various criteria, including their independence, integrity, experience, and sound judgment in areas relevant to the Companys business, financial acumen, interpersonal skills, a proven record of accomplishment, a willingness to commit sufficient time to the Board, and the ability to challenge and stimulate management. In addition, stockholders themselves may recommend candidates for election, as described in Board PracticesSelection of Directors, and the Director Affairs Committee will apply the same criteria in evaluating such nominees.
The proposal infers that the members of our Companys Board of Directors are being elected by minimal affirmative votes and that a change is therefore required. That clearly is not the case for our Company. During each of the past five years, at least 85% of the number of shares of the Companys common stock entitled to vote at the Companys Annual Meeting of Stockholders has been represented in person or by proxy at each meeting. Every director nominee during such period received the affirmative vote of more than 90% percent of the shares entitled to vote and present in person or by proxy at such meetings. Further, during such time period, no more than 10% percent of the shares entitled to vote and present in person or by proxy at any annual meeting were withheld for the election of any one director nominee. Consequently, changing from the Companys plurality voting requirement to the voting requirement that has been proposed would not have had an effect on the outcome of our election process during the past five years. Given our stockholders history of electing highly qualified, independent directors under the current plurality system, we believe that a change in the voting requirement is not necessary to improve our corporate governance processes.
The Companys current plurality voting requirement for the election of directors is also fair and impartial in that it applies equally to any candidate who is nominated for election to the Board of Directors. Those nominees who receive the most votes cast for the number of directors to be elected will be elected to the Board of Directors, whether the candidate is nominated by the Board of Directors or a stockholder. For example, a stockholder nominee could be elected under the current standards if the number of
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votes cast for that nominee exceeds the number of votes cast for one or more other nominees, including persons nominated by the Board. If the proposal were adopted, a stockholder nominee that received more votes during an election than an incumbent director nominee might, nonetheless, fail to win election to the Board unless such stockholder nominee received a majority of the votes cast.
Finally, the proposal does not address what would happen if one or more candidates who are incumbent directors fail to receive a majority of the votes cast. Consistent with the provisions of the Delaware General Corporation Law, the Companys bylaws provide that directors shall hold office from the date of their election until their successors have been elected and qualified. An incumbent director who did not receive a majority of the votes cast would nonetheless remain in office until such persons successor was elected and qualified, absent resignation or removal from the Board of Directors. In the case of resignation or removal, the Board has the right pursuant to the Companys bylaws to fill the vacancy, or the position might remain vacant. None of these alternatives would necessarily reflect the views of stockholders who have chosen to exercise their right to vote for the directors of their choice at an annual meeting, and could result in a less democratic process for the election of the Companys directors.
For these reasons, the Board of Directors of SUPERVALU believes that this stockholder proposal would not improve SUPERVALUs corporate governance and is not in the best interests of SUPERVALUs stockholders. Therefore, the Board of Directors unanimously recommends a vote AGAINST this proposal.
SUPERVALU Mailing Address
The mailing address of our principal executive offices is: SUPERVALU INC., P.O. Box 990, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440.
Stockholder Proposals for the 2006 Annual Meeting
In accordance with rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, all proposals of stockholders that are requested to be included in SUPERVALUs Proxy Statement for the 2006 Annual Meeting of Stockholders must be received by the Corporate Secretary on or before January 12, 2006.
In accordance with our bylaws and rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission, any other stockholder proposals to be presented at the 2006 Annual Meeting must be given in writing to the Corporate Secretary and received at our principal executive offices no later than the close of business on February 15, 2006, nor earlier than January 16, 2006. The proposal must contain specific information required by our bylaws, a copy of which is available on the Companys website at http://www.supervalu.com. Click on the tab Site Map and then the caption Corporate Governance. Copies of the bylaws are also available by writing to the Corporate Secretary at the mailing address above.
Communications with the Board of Directors
Stockholders that desire to communicate with the non-management members of the Board of Directors or any individual non-management member may do so by sending a letter addressed to the director or directors in care of the Corporate Secretary at the mailing address above. All such correspondence will be forwarded to the non-management director or directors.
Code of Ethics
SUPERVALU has adopted a Code of Ethics that applies to its principal executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or controller, or persons performing similar functions, and all other employees and non-employee directors. The Code of Ethics is available on the Companys website at http://www.supervalu.com. Click on the tab Site Map and then the caption Corporate Governance. Copies of the Code of Ethics are also available to any stockholder who submits a request to the Corporate Secretary at the mailing address above.
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Expenses of Solicitation
This solicitation of proxies is being made by SUPERVALU and we will pay the costs of such solicitation. We arrange with brokerage houses, custodians, nominees and other fiduciaries to send proxy materials to their principals, and we reimburse them for their expenses in this regard. In addition to solicitation by mail, proxies may be solicited by our employees, by telephone or personally. No additional compensation will be paid for such employee solicitation. We also have retained Innisfree M&A Incorporated to assist in the solicitation of proxies for an estimated fee of $10,000 plus out-of-pocket expenses.
Section 16(a) Beneficial Ownership Reporting Compliance
The rules of the Securities and Exchange Commission require our directors, executive officers and holders of more than 10% of our common stock to file reports of stock ownership and changes in ownership with the Commission. Based on the Section 16 reports filed by our directors and executive officers and written representations of our directors and executive officers, we believe there were no late or inaccurate filings for fiscal 2005.
Householding
Only one copy of each of our Annual Report to Stockholders and this Proxy Statement have been sent to multiple stockholders who share the same address and last name, unless we have received contrary instructions from one or more of those stockholders. This procedure is referred to as householding. We have been notified that certain intermediaries (brokers or banks) also will household proxy materials. We will deliver promptly, upon oral or written request, separate copies of the Annual Report and Proxy Statement to any stockholder at the same address. If you wish to receive separate copies of one or both of these documents, or if you do not wish to participate in householding in the future, you may write to SUPERVALU INC., P.O. Box 990, Minneapolis, Minnesota 55440, Attention: Corporate Secretary, or call (952) 828-4154. You may contact your broker or bank to make a similar request. Stockholders sharing an address who now receive multiple copies of our Annual Report and Proxy Statement may request delivery of a single copy of each document by writing or calling us at the above address or by contacting their broker or bank (provided the broker or bank has determined to household proxy materials).
Electronic Access to Annual Report and Proxy Statement
Our Notice of Annual Meeting, Proxy Statement, and Annual Report are available on the Companys website at http://www.supervalu.com. Click on the tab Site Map and then the caption Annual Report and Proxy Statement. Instead of receiving paper copies of the Annual Report and Proxy Statement in the mail, you may elect to access these documents on the Internet. Opting to receive your proxy materials online saves us the cost of producing and mailing bulky documents to your home or business.
Stockholders of Record: To consent to electronic access to these documents in the future, go to http://www.econsent.com/svu and follow the prompts. If you vote by Internet, simply follow the prompts that will link you to http://www.econsent.com/svu.
If you vote by telephone or mail, you can enroll for access only through http://www.econsent.com/svu.
Owners of Shares Held in Street Name: Check the information provided to you in the proxy materials mailed to you by your bank or broker.
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SUPERVALU INC.
2002 STOCK PLAN
Section 1. Purpose.
The purpose of the Plan is to promote the interests of the Company and its stockholders by aiding the Company in attracting and retaining key management personnel for the Company and its Affiliates as well as non-employee directors for the Company, capable of assuring the future success of the Company and its Affiliates; to offer such individuals incentives to put forth maximum efforts for the success of the Companys business; and, to afford such individuals an opportunity to acquire a proprietary interest in the Company.
Section 2. Definitions.
As used in the Plan, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:
(a) Affiliate shall mean (i) any entity that, directly or indirectly through one or more intermediaries, is controlled by the Company and (ii) any entity in which the Company has a significant equity interest, in each case as determined by the Committee.
(b) Award shall mean any Option, Stock Appreciation Right, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Unit, Performance Award, or Other Stock-Based Award granted under the Plan.
(c) Award Agreement shall mean any written agreement, contract or other instrument or document evidencing any Award granted under the Plan. Each Award Agreement shall be subject to the applicable terms and conditions of the Plan and any other terms and conditions (not inconsistent with the Plan) determined by the Committee.
(d) Code shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any regulations promulgated thereunder.
(e) Committee shall mean a committee of the Board of Directors of the Company designated by such Board to administer the Plan. The Committee shall be comprised of not less than such number of directors as shall be required to permit Awards granted under the Plan to qualify under Rule 16b-3, and each member of the Committee shall be a Non-Employee Director within the meaning of Rule 16b-3 and an outside director within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code. The Company expects to have the Plan administered in accordance with the requirements for the award of qualified performance-based compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.
(f) Company shall mean SUPERVALU INC., a Delaware corporation, and any successor corporation.
(g) Eligible Person shall mean any employee, officer, consultant or independent contractor providing services to the Company or any Affiliate, who the Committee determines to be an Eligible Person, or any director of the Company who is not an employee of the Company or an Affiliate.
(h) Fair Market Value shall mean, with respect to any property (including, without limitation, any Shares or other securities), the fair market value of such property determined by such methods or procedures as shall be established from time to time by the Committee. Notwithstanding the foregoing, unless otherwise determined by the Committee, the Fair Market Value of Shares on a given date for
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purposes of the Plan shall be the average of the opening and closing sale price of the Shares as reported on the New York Stock Exchange on such date or, if such Exchange is not open for trading on such date, on the day closest to such date when such Exchange is open for trading.
(i) Incentive Stock Option shall mean an option to purchase Shares that is granted under Section 6(a) of the Plan and intended to meet the requirements of Section 422 of the Code or any successor provision.
(j) Non-Qualified Stock Option shall mean an option to purchase Shares that is granted under Section 6(a) of the Plan and is not intended to be an Incentive Stock Option.
(k) Option shall mean an option to purchase Shares that is granted under Section 6(a) of the Plan as an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option, and shall include Restoration Options.
(l) Other Stock-Based Award shall mean any right granted under Section 6(e) of the Plan.
(m) Participant shall mean an Eligible Person that is granted an Award under the Plan.
(n) Performance Award shall mean any right granted under Section 6(d) of the Plan.
(o) Person shall mean any individual, corporation, partnership, association or trust.
(p) Plan shall mean this SUPERVALU INC. 2002 Stock Plan, as amended from time to time.
(q) Restoration Option shall mean any Option granted under Section 6(a)(iv) of the Plan.
(r) Restricted Stock shall mean any Share granted under Section 6(c) of the Plan.
(s) Restricted Stock Unit shall mean any unit granted under Section 6(c) of the Plan evidencing the right to receive a Share (or a cash payment equal to the Fair Market Value of a Share) at some future date.
(t) Rule 16b-3 shall mean Rule 16b-3 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, or any successor rule or regulation.
(u) Share shall mean a share of the common stock of the Company, par value $1.00 per share, or such other security or property as may become subject to an Award pursuant to an adjustment made under Section 4(c) of the Plan.
(v) Stock Appreciation Right shall mean any right granted under Section 6(b) of the Plan.
Section 3. Administration.
(a) Power and Authority of the Committee. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. Subject to the express provisions of the Plan and applicable law, the Committee shall have full power and authority to: (i) designate Eligible Persons and Participants; (ii) determine the type or types of Awards to be granted to each Participant under the Plan; (iii) determine the number of Shares to be covered by (or with respect to which payments, rights or other matters are to be calculated in connection with) each Award; (iv) determine the terms and conditions of any Award or Award Agreement; (v) amend the terms and conditions of any Award or Award Agreement and accelerate the vesting or exercisability of Options, or the lapse of restrictions relating to Restricted Stock, Restricted
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Stock Units or other Awards; provided however, that no such amendment shall amend the exercise price of any Option or Stock Appreciation Rights previously granted, except for any adjustment made under Section 4(c) of the Plan, without the approval of the Companys stockholders; (vi) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances Awards may be exercised in cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards or other property, or canceled, forfeited or suspended; (vii) determine whether, to what extent and under what circumstances cash, Shares, other securities, other Awards, other property and other amounts payable with respect to an Award under the Plan shall be deferred either automatically or at the election of the holder thereof or the Committee; (viii) interpret and administer the Plan and any instrument or agreement, including an Award Agreement, relating to the Plan; (ix) establish, amend, suspend or waive such rules and regulations and appoint such agents as it shall deem appropriate for the proper administration of the Plan; and (x) make any other determination and take any other action that the Committee deems necessary or desirable for the administration of the Plan. Unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan, all designations, determinations, interpretations and other decisions under or with respect to the Plan or any Award shall be within the sole discretion of the Committee, may be made at any time and shall be final, conclusive and binding upon any Eligible Person or Participant, any holder or beneficiary of any Award and any employee of the Company or any Affiliate.
(b) Delegation. The Committee may delegate its powers and duties under the Plan to one or more directors or officers of the Company, or to a committee of directors or officers, subject to such terms, conditions and limitations as the Committee may establish in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the Committee shall not delegate its powers and duties under the Plan (i) with regard to officers or directors of the Company or any Affiliate who are subject to Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, (ii) in such a manner as would cause the Plan not to comply with the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code or (iii) in such a manner as would contravene Section 157 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.
(c) Power and Authority of the Board of Directors. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Board of Directors may, at any time and from time to time, without any further action of the Committee, exercise the powers and duties of the Committee under the Plan.
Section 4. Shares Available for Awards.
(a) Shares Available. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 4(c), the aggregate number of Shares that may be issued under all Awards under the Plan shall be 13,000,000, of which 7,500,000 shares shall be reserved solely for the grant of Awards designated as stock options. Shares to be issued under the Plan may be either Shares reacquired and held in the treasury or authorized but unissued Shares. If any Shares covered by an Award or to which an Award relates are not purchased or are forfeited, or if an Award otherwise terminates or is settled without delivery of any Shares, then the number of Shares counted against the aggregate number of Shares available under the Plan with respect to such Award, to the extent of any such forfeiture, termination or settlement, shall again be available for granting Awards under the Plan. Any shares tendered in payment of the exercise price of an Option granted under the Plan or an option granted under any other stock plan of the Company shall be credited to the number of Shares available for grant under the Plan.
(b) Accounting for Awards. For purposes of this Section 4, if an Award entitles the holder thereof to receive or purchase Shares, the number of Shares covered by such Award or to which such Award relates shall be counted on the date of grant of such Award against the aggregate number of Shares available for granting Awards under the Plan.
(c) Adjustments. In the event that the Committee shall determine that any dividend or other distribution (whether in the form of cash, Shares, other securities or other property), recapitalization,
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stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of Shares or other securities of the Company, issuance of warrants or other rights to purchase Shares or other securities of the Company or other similar corporate transaction or event affects the Shares such that an adjustment is determined by the Committee to be appropriate in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of the benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available under the Plan, then the Committee shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable, adjust any or all of (i) the number and type of Shares (or other securities or other property) which thereafter may be made the subject of Awards, (ii) the number and type of Shares (or other securities or other property) subject to outstanding Awards and (iii) the purchase or exercise price with respect to any Award; provided, however, that the number of Shares covered by any Award or to which such Award relates shall always be a whole number.
(d) Award Limitations Under the Plan. No Eligible Person, who is an employee of the Company at the time of grant, may be granted any Option, Stock Appreciation Right or Other Stock-Based Award (the value of which is based solely on an increase in the value of the Shares after the date of grant) for more than 500,000 Shares (subject to adjustment as provided for in Section 4(c)), taking into account all such awards granted by the Company pursuant to any of its stock compensation plans, in any calendar year period beginning with the period commencing January 1, 2002. The foregoing annual limitation specifically includes the grant of any Awards representing qualified performance-based compensation within the meaning of Section 162(m) of the Code.
Section 5. Eligibility.
Any Eligible Person, including any Eligible Person who is an officer or director of the Company or any Affiliate, shall be eligible to be designated a Participant. In determining which Eligible Persons shall receive an Award and the terms of any Award, the Committee may take into account the nature of the services rendered by the respective Eligible Persons, their present and potential contributions to the success of the Company or such other factors as the Committee, in its discretion, shall deem relevant. Notwithstanding the foregoing, an Incentive Stock Option may only be granted to full-time or part-time employees (which term as used herein includes, without limitation, officers and directors who are also employees) and an Incentive Stock Option shall not be granted to an employee of an Affiliate unless such Affiliate is also a subsidiary corporation of the Company within the meaning of Section 424(f) of the Code or any successor provision.
Section 6. Awards.
(a) Options. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant Options to Participants with the following terms and conditions and with such additional terms and conditions not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan as the Committee shall determine:
(i) Exercise Price. The purchase price per Share purchasable under an Option shall be determined by the Committee; provided, however, that such purchase price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of grant of such Option and shall not be adjusted thereafter except as provided for in Section 4(c) of the Plan.
(ii) Option Term. The term of each Option shall be fixed by the Committee, but shall not exceed seven years for Options granted after April 1, 2005, except for Restoration Options granted with respect to previously granted Options pursuant to clause (iv) below.
(iii) Time and Method of Exercise. The Committee shall determine the time or times at which an Option may be exercised in whole or in part and the method or methods by which, and the form or forms (including, without limitation, cash, Shares, promissory notes, other securities, other
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Awards or other property, or any combination thereof, having a Fair Market Value on the exercise date equal to the relevant exercise price) in which, payment of the exercise price with respect thereto may be made or deemed to have been made.
(iv) Restoration Options. The Committee may grant Restoration Options, separately or together with another Option, pursuant to which, subject to the terms and conditions established by the Committee and any applicable requirements of law, the Participant would be granted a new Option when the payment of the exercise price of the option to which such Restoration Option relates is made by the delivery of Shares pursuant to the relevant provisions of the plan or agreement relating to such option, which new Option would be an Option to purchase the number of Shares not exceeding the sum of (A) the number of Shares so provided as consideration upon the exercise of the previously granted option to which such Restoration Option relates, (B) the number of Shares, if any, tendered or withheld as payment of the amount required to be withheld under applicable tax laws in connection with the exercise of the option to which such Restoration Option relates, and (C) the number of previously owned Shares, if any, tendered as payment for additional tax obligations of the Participant in connection with the exercise of the option to which such Restoration Option relates pursuant to the relevant provisions of the plan or agreement relating to such option. Restoration Options may be granted with respect to options previously granted under the Plan or any other stock option plan of the Company, and may be granted in connection with any option granted under the Plan or any other stock option plan of the Company at the time of such grant. Such Restoration Options shall have a per share exercise price equal to the Fair Market Value of one Share as of the date of grant of the new Option. Any Restoration Option shall be subject to availability of sufficient Shares for grant under the Plan. Shares surrendered as part or all of the exercise price of the Option to which it relates that have been owned by the optionee less than six months will not be counted for purposes of determining the number of Shares that may be purchased pursuant to a Restoration Option. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no Restoration Option shall be granted in connection with Options granted under the Plan or any other stock option plan of the Company after April 1, 2005.
(b) Stock Appreciation Rights. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant Stock Appreciation Rights to Participants subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement. A Stock Appreciation Right granted under the Plan shall confer on the holder thereof a right to receive upon exercise thereof the excess of (i) the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of exercise (or, if the Committee shall so determine, at any time during a specified period before or after the date of exercise) over (ii) the grant price of the Stock Appreciation Right as specified by the Committee, which price shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date of grant of the Stock Appreciation Right. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, the grant price, term, methods of exercise, dates of exercise, methods of settlement and any other terms and conditions of any Stock Appreciation Right shall be as determined by the Committee. The Committee may impose such conditions or restrictions on the exercise of any Stock Appreciation Right as it may deem appropriate.
(c) Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant Awards of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units to Participants with the following terms and conditions and with such additional terms and conditions not inconsistent with the provisions of the Plan as the Committee shall determine:
(i) Restrictions. Shares of Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units shall be subject to such restrictions as the Committee may impose (including, without limitation, any limitation on the right to vote a Share of Restricted Stock or the right to receive any dividend or other right or property with respect thereto), which restrictions may lapse separately or in combination at such time or times, in such installments or otherwise as the Committee may deem appropriate.
(ii) Stock Certificates. Any Restricted Stock granted under the Plan shall, at the option of the Company, be evidenced by book entry Shares held in the Participants name on the records of the
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Companys transfer agent or by issuance of a stock certificate or certificates, which certificate or certificates shall be held by the Company. Such book entry Shares or certificate or certificates shall be registered in the name of the Participant and shall bear an appropriate legend referring to the terms, conditions and restrictions applicable to such Restricted Stock. In the case of Restricted Stock Units, no Shares shall be issued at the time such Awards are granted.
(iii) Forfeiture; Delivery of Shares. Except as otherwise determined by the Committee, upon termination of employment (as determined under criteria established by the Committee) during the applicable restriction period, all Shares of Restricted Stock and all Restricted Stock Units at such time subject to restriction shall be forfeited and reacquired by the Company; provided, however, that the Committee may, when it finds that a waiver would be in the best interest of the Company, waive in whole or in part any or all remaining restrictions with respect to Shares of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units. Any Share representing Restricted Stock that is no longer subject to restrictions shall be delivered to the holder thereof promptly after the applicable restrictions lapse or are waived. Upon the lapse or waiver of restrictions and the restricted period relating to Restricted Stock Units evidencing the right to receive Shares, such Shares shall be issued and delivered to the holders of the Restricted Stock Units.
(d) Performance Awards. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant Performance Awards to Participants subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement. A Performance Award granted under the Plan (i) may be denominated or payable in cash, Shares (including, without limitation, Restricted Stock), other securities, other Awards or other property and (ii) shall confer on the holder thereof the right to receive payments, in whole or in part, upon the achievement of such performance goals during such performance periods as the Committee shall establish. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, the performance goals to be achieved during any performance period, the length of any performance period, the amount of any Performance Award granted, the amount of any payment or transfer to be made pursuant to any Performance Award and any other terms and conditions of any Performance Award shall be determined by the Committee.
(e) Other Stock-Based Awards. The Committee is hereby authorized to grant to Participants such other Awards that are denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to, Shares (including, without limitation, securities convertible into Shares), as are deemed by the Committee to be consistent with the purpose of the Plan; provided, however, that such grants must comply with applicable law. Subject to the terms of the Plan and any applicable Award Agreement, the Committee shall determine the terms and conditions of such Awards. Shares or other securities delivered pursuant to a purchase right granted under this Section 6(e) shall be purchased for such consideration, which may be paid by such method or methods and in such form or forms (including without limitation, cash, Shares, promissory notes, other securities, other Awards or other property or any combination thereof) as the Committee shall determine, the value of which consideration, as established by the Committee, shall not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of such Shares or other securities as of the date such purchase right is granted.
(f) General.
(i) Consideration for Awards. Awards may be granted for no cash consideration or for other consideration as may be determined by the Committee or required by applicable law.
(ii) Awards May Be Granted Separately or Together. Awards may, in the discretion of the Committee, be granted either alone or in addition to, in tandem with or in substitution for any other Award or any award granted under any plan of the Company or any Affiliate other than the Plan.
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Awards granted in addition to or in tandem with other Awards or in addition to or in tandem with awards granted under any such other plan of the Company or any Affiliate may be granted either at the same time as or at a different time from the grant of such other Awards or awards.
(iii) Forms of Payment under Awards. Subject to the terms of the Plan and of any applicable Award Agreement, payments or transfers to be made by the Company or an Affiliate upon the grant, exercise or payment of an Award may be made in such form or forms as the Committee shall determine (including, without limitation, cash, Shares, promissory notes, other securities, other Awards or other property or any combination thereof), and may be made in a single payment or transfer, in installments or on a deferred basis, in each case in accordance with rules and procedures established by the Committee. Such rules and procedures may include, without limitation, provisions for the payment or crediting of reasonable interest on installment or deferred payments.
(iv) Limits on Transfer of Awards. No Award and no right under any such Award shall be transferable by a Participant other than by will or by the laws of descent and distribution; provided, however, that, if so determined by the Committee, a Participant may, in the manner established by the Committee, transfer Non-Qualified Stock Options or designate a beneficiary or beneficiaries to exercise the rights of the Participant and receive any property distributable with respect to any Award upon the death of the Participant. Each Award or right under any such Award shall be exercisable during the Participants lifetime only by the Participant (except as otherwise provided in an Award Agreement or amendment thereto relating to a Non-Qualified Stock Option pursuant to terms determined by the Committee) or, if permissible under applicable law, by the Participants guardian or legal representative. No Award or right under any such Award may be pledged, alienated, attached or otherwise encumbered, and any purported pledge, alienation, attachment or encumbrance thereof shall be void and unenforceable against the Company or any Affiliate.
(v) Term of Awards. Except as provided in Section 6(a)(ii), the term of each Award shall be for such period as may be determined by the Committee.
(vi) Restrictions; Securities Exchange Listing. All Shares or other securities delivered under the Plan pursuant to any Award or the exercise thereof shall be subject to such stop transfer orders or other restrictions as the Committee may deem advisable under the Plan or the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission and any applicable federal or state securities laws, and the Committee may cause a legend or legends to be placed on the certificates for such shares or other securities to reflect such restrictions. If the Shares or other securities are traded on a securities exchange, the Company shall not be required to deliver any Shares or other securities covered by an Award unless and until such Shares or other securities have been admitted for trading on such securities exchange.
Section 7. Amendment and Termination; Adjustments.
(a) Amendments to the Plan. The Board of Directors of the Company may amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate the Plan; provided, however, that, notwithstanding any other provision of the Plan or any Award Agreement, without the approval of the stockholders of the Company, no such amendment, alteration, suspension, discontinuation or termination shall be made that, absent such approval:
(i) would violate the rules or regulations of the New York Stock Exchange, any other securities exchange or the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. that are applicable to the Company; or
(ii) would cause the Company to be unable, under the Code, to grant Incentive Stock Options under the Plan; or
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(iii) would amend the exercise price of any Option or Stock Appreciation Rights previously granted, except for any adjustment made under Section 4(c) of the Plan; or
(iv) would allow exercise price of any Option or the grant price of any Stock Appreciation Right to be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of one Share on the date such Option or Stock Appreciation Right is granted.
(b) Amendments to Awards. Subject to the provisions of the Plan, the Committee may waive any conditions of or rights of the Company under any outstanding Award, prospectively or retroactively. The Committee may not amend, alter, suspend, discontinue or terminate any outstanding Award, prospectively or retroactively, in any manner that adversely affects any Award, without the consent of the Participant or holder or beneficiary thereof, except as otherwise herein provided or in an Award Agreement.
(c) Correction of Defects, Omissions and Inconsistencies. The Committee may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or any Award in the manner and to the extent it shall deem desirable to carry the Plan into effect.
Section 8. Income Tax Withholding and Payment.
In order to comply with all applicable federal or state income tax laws or regulations, the Company may take such action as it deems appropriate to ensure that all applicable federal or state payroll, withholding, income or other taxes, which are the sole and absolute responsibility of a Participant, are withheld or collected from such Participant. In order to assist a Participant in paying all or a portion of the federal and state taxes to be withheld or collected upon exercise or receipt of (or the lapse of restrictions relating to) an Award, the Committee, in its discretion and subject to such additional terms and conditions as it may adopt, may permit the Participant to satisfy such tax obligation by (i) electing to have the Company withhold a portion of the Shares otherwise to be delivered upon exercise or receipt of (or the lapse of restrictions relating to) such Award with a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such taxes or (ii) delivering to the Company Shares other than Shares issuable upon exercise or receipt of (or the lapse of restrictions relating to) such Award with a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such taxes. In addition to the amounts required to be withheld to pay applicable taxes, subject to such terms and conditions as the Committee shall determine in its sole and absolute discretion, the Committee may permit the Participant to elect to deliver to the Company Shares (other than Shares issuable upon exercise or receipt of (or the lapse of restrictions relating to) such Award) with a Fair Market Value equal to the amount of such additional federal and/or state income taxes imposed on the Participant in connection with the exercise of the Award. All elections, if any, must be made on or before the date that the amount of tax to be withheld is determined.
Section 9. General Provisions.
(a) No Rights to Awards. No Eligible Person, Participant or other Person shall have any claim to be granted any Award under the Plan, and there is no obligation for uniformity of treatment of Eligible Persons, Participants or holders or beneficiaries of Awards under the Plan. The terms and conditions of Awards need not be the same with respect to any Participant or with respect to different Participants.
(b) Award Agreements. No Participant will have rights under an Award granted to such Participant unless and until an Award Agreement shall have been duly executed on behalf of the Company and returned to the Company executed by the Participant.
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(c) No Limit on Other Compensation Arrangements. Nothing contained in the Plan shall prevent the Company or any Affiliate from adopting or continuing in effect other or additional compensation arrangements, and such arrangements may be either generally applicable or applicable only in specific cases.
(d) No Right to Employment. The grant of an Award shall not be construed as giving a Participant the right to be retained in the employ of the Company or any Affiliate, nor will it affect in any way the right of the Company or an Affiliate to terminate such employment at any time, with or without cause. In addition, the Company or an Affiliate may at any time dismiss a Participant from employment free from any liability or any claim under the Plan, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in any Award Agreement.
(e) Governing Law. The validity, construction and effect of the Plan or any Award, and any rules and regulations relating to the Plan or any Award, shall be determined in accordance with the laws of the State of Delaware.
(f) Severability. If any provision of the Plan or any Award is or becomes or is deemed to be invalid, illegal or unenforceable in any jurisdiction or would disqualify the Plan or any Award under any law deemed applicable by the Committee, such provision shall be construed or deemed amended to conform to applicable laws, or if it cannot be so construed or deemed amended without, in the determination of the Committee, materially altering the purpose or intent of the Plan or the Award, such provision shall be stricken as to such jurisdiction or Award, and the remainder of the Plan or any such Award shall remain in full force and effect.
(g) No Trust or Fund Created. Neither the Plan nor any Award shall create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company or any Affiliate and a Participant or any other Person. To the extent that any Person acquires a right to receive payments from the Company or any Affiliate pursuant to an Award, such right shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company or any Affiliate.
(h) No Fractional Shares. No fractional Shares shall be issued or delivered pursuant to the Plan or any Award, and the Committee shall determine whether cash shall be paid in lieu of any fractional Shares or whether such fractional Shares or any rights thereto shall be canceled, terminated or otherwise eliminated.
(i) Headings. Headings are given to the Sections and subsections of the Plan solely as a convenience to facilitate reference. Such headings shall not be deemed in any way material or relevant to the construction or interpretation of the Plan or any provision thereof.
Section 10. Effective Date of the Plan.
The Plan shall be effective as of April 10, 2002, subject to approval by the stockholders of the Company within one year thereafter.
Section 11. Term of the Plan.
Unless the Plan shall have been discontinued or terminated as provided in Section 7(a), the Plan shall terminate on April 9, 2012. No Award shall be granted after the termination of the Plan. However, unless otherwise expressly provided in the Plan or in an applicable Award Agreement, any Award theretofore granted may extend beyond the termination of the Plan, and the authority of the Committee provided for hereunder with respect to the Plan and any Awards, and the authority of the Board of Directors of the Company to amend the Plan, shall extend beyond the termination of the Plan.
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DIRECTIONS TO THE MINNEAPOLIS CONVENTION CENTER
1301 Second Avenue SouthMinneapolis, Minnesota 55403
Main # (612) 335-6000 Directions Line # (612) 335-6025 http://www.mplsconvctr.org
| I-94FROM the EAST (St. Paul) |
Take I-94 West to the Downtown Minneapolis, 11th Street exit. Follow 11th Street to 2nd Avenue South. Turn left on 2nd Avenue South. Go one block and cross 12th Street. The Convention Center will be on your left, the Underground PLAZA Parking Ramp will be on your right.
| I-94FROM the WEST & NORTHWEST |
Take I-94 east to the Downtown Minneapolis, 4th Street exit. Follow 4th Street for 6 blocks, to 2nd Avenue SOUTH, (not 2nd Avenue NORTH). Turn right on 2nd Avenue South. Go eight blocks, cross 12th Street. The Convention Center will be on your left, the Underground PLAZA Parking Ramp will be on your right.
| I-35WFROM the SOUTH (Bloomington) |
Take I-35W North; follow the Downtown Minneapolis exit signs, to the 11th Street exit. Stay on 11th Street to 2nd Avenue South. Turn LEFT on 2nd Avenue South. Go one block, cross 12th Street. The Convention Center will be on your left, the Underground PLAZA Parking Ramp will be on your right.
| I-35WFROM the NORTH |
Take I-35W South to the I-94 exit. Follow I-94 to the 11th Street exit, (not 11th Avenue). Stay on 11th Street to 2nd Avenue South. Turn left on 2nd Avenue South. Go one block, cross 12th Street. The Convention Center will be on your left, the Underground PLAZA Parking Ramp will be on your right.
| I-394(Highway 12)FROM the WEST |
Take I-394 east, to the Downtown, 12th Street exit. Follow 12th Street to 2nd Avenue South. Turn right on 2nd Avenue South. The Convention Center will be on your left; the Underground PLAZA Parking Ramp will be on your right.
SUPERVALU INC.
June 15, 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
The Minneapolis Convention Center
1301 Second Avenue South
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403
The Annual Meeting will begin at 10:30 a.m., local time, at The Minneapolis Convention Center.
Refreshments will be available before and after the Annual Meeting.
ADMISSION TICKET SUPERVALU INC. Annual Meeting of Stockholders June 15, 2005 at 10:30 a.m.
Please present this portion of the proxy card for admission to the meeting. |
SUPERVALU INC.
JUNE 15, 2005 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
This Proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company.
As the stockholder(s) named on this card, you hereby appoint Jeffery Noddle and John P. Breedlove, and each of them, as your proxy, with power of substitution, to vote your shares of SUPERVALU common stock at the Annual Meeting as directed below. These proxies may also vote, in their discretion, upon all other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting, or any adjournment or adjournments thereof. Your shares will be voted as if you were personally present at the Annual Meeting. All former proxies are revoked. If not otherwise specified, your shares will be voted as recommended by the Directors.
| Voting Instructions. You may vote by mail, telephone or Internet. Please follow the instructions on the reverse side of this card. |
| SUPERVALU Employees. If you are a current or former employee of SUPERVALU and own shares of SUPERVALU common stock through a SUPERVALU employee benefit plan, your share ownership as of April 18, 2005 is shown on this card. Your vote will provide voting instructions to the trustees of the plans. If no instructions are given, the trustees will vote your shares pursuant to the terms of the plans. |
| Householding. If you share the same address and last name as other SUPERVALU stockholders, only one copy of SUPERVALUs Annual Report and Proxy Statement has been mailed to your address. Proxy cards for each SUPERVALU stockholder residing at your address have been mailed under separate cover. |
Please mark this Proxy as indicated on the reverse side to vote on any item.
(Continued and to be signed on other side.)
COMPANY # | ||
THERE ARE THREE WAYS TO VOTE YOUR PROXY.
Please follow the instructions below.
We encourage you to take advantage of these convenient ways to vote your shares of SUPERVALU common stock for matters to be considered at SUPERVALUs 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders. Your telephone or Internet vote authorizes the named proxies to vote your shares in the same manner as if you marked, dated, signed and returned your proxy card.
1) | VOTE BY PHONE TOLL FREE 1-800-560-1965 QUICK EASY IMMEDIATE |
| Use any touch-tone telephone to vote your proxy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, until 12:00 p.m. (CT) on June 14, 2005. |
| Please have your proxy card and the last four digits of your Social Security Number available. Follow the simple instructions the voice provides you. |
2) | VOTE BY INTERNET www.eproxy.com/svu/ QUICK EASY IMMEDIATE |
| Use the Internet to vote your proxy 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, until 12:00 p.m. (CT) on June 14, 2005. |
| Please have your proxy card and the last four digits of your Social Security Number OR Tax Identification Number available. Follow the simple instructions to obtain your records and create an electronic ballot. |
Please note that in addition to voting, you may consent to receiving future copies of the Annual Report and Proxy Statement via the Internet by going to the website www.econsent.com/svu/ and following the prompts.
3) | VOTE BY MAIL |
| Mark, sign and date your proxy card, and return it in the postage-paid envelope provided or mail it to SUPERVALU INC., c/o Shareowner ServicesSM, P.O. Box 64873, St. Paul, MN 55164-0873 |
NOTE FOR EMPLOYEES VOTING PLAN SHARES: THE DEADLINE FOR VOTING BY TELEPHONE
OR INTERNET IS NOON (CT), MONDAY, JUNE 13, 2005.
IF YOU VOTE BY TELEPHONE OR INTERNET, DO NOT MAIL BACK YOUR PROXY CARD.
THANK YOU FOR VOTING
ò Please detach here ò
The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote FOR Items 1, 2 and 3 and AGAINST Item 4.
ITEM 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS: | 01 Edwin C. Gage 03 Marissa Peterson |
02 Garnett L. Keith Jr. | ¨ Vote FOR all nominees (except as marked) |
¨ Vote WITHHELD | ||||
(Instructions: To withhold authority to vote for any indicated nominee, write the number(s) of the nominee(s) in the box provided to the right.) |
ITEM 2. TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG LLP AS INDEPENDENT REGISTERED ACCOUNTANTS |
¨ For | ¨ Against | ¨ Abstain | |||
ITEM 3. TO VOTE ON AMENDMENTS TO THE SUPERVALU INC. 2002 STOCK PLAN | ¨ For | ¨ Against | ¨ Abstain | |||
ITEM 4. TO CONSIDER AND VOTE ON A STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL | ¨ For | ¨ Against | ¨ Abstain |
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR,
IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED FOR ITEMS 1, 2 AND 3 AND AGAINST ITEM 4.
Address Change? Mark Box ¨ Indicate changes below: I plan to attend the meeting. ¨ |
Date
| |
Signature(s) in Box Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear on proxy card. If held in joint tenancy, all persons must sign. Trustees, administrators, etc., should include title and authority. Corporations should provide full name of corporation and title of authorized officer signing the proxy. |
SUPERVALU INC.
June 15, 2005 Annual Meeting of Stockholders
The Minneapolis Convention Center
1301 Second Avenue South
Minneapolis, Minnesota 55403
The Annual Meeting will begin at 10:30 a.m., local time, at The Minneapolis Convention Center.
Refreshments will be available before and after the Annual Meeting.
AN ADMISSION TICKET IS REQUIRED
SUPERVALU INC. Annual Meeting of Stockholders June 15, 2005 at 10:30 a.m.
Please bring a current brokerage statement, letter from your stockbroker or other proof of stock ownership to the meeting. |
SUPERVALU INC.
JUNE 15, 2005 ANNUAL MEETING OF STOCKHOLDERS
This Proxy is solicited on behalf of the Board of Directors of the Company.
As the stockholder(s) named on this card, you hereby appoint Jeffery Noddle and John P. Breedlove, and each of them, as your proxy, with power of substitution, to vote your shares of SUPERVALU common stock at the Annual Meeting as directed below. These proxies may also vote, in their discretion, upon all other matters that may properly come before the Annual Meeting, or any adjournment or adjournments thereof. Your shares will be voted as if you were personally present at the Annual Meeting. All former proxies are revoked. If not otherwise specified, your shares will be voted as recommended by the Directors.
| Voting Instructions. You may vote by mail, telephone or Internet. Please follow the instructions on the reverse side of this card. |
| SUPERVALU Employees. If you are a current or former employee of SUPERVALU and own shares of SUPERVALU common stock through a SUPERVALU employee benefit plan, your share ownership as of April 18, 2005 is shown on this card. Your vote will provide voting instructions to the trustees of the plans. If no instructions are given, the trustees will vote your shares pursuant to the terms of the plans. |
| Householding. If you share the same address and last name as other SUPERVALU stockholders, only one copy of SUPERVALUs Annual Report and Proxy Statement has been mailed to your address. Proxy cards for each SUPERVALU stockholder residing at your address have been mailed under separate cover. |
Please mark this Proxy as indicated on the reverse side to vote on any item.
(Continued and to be signed on other side.)
ò Please detach here ò
The Board of Directors Recommends a Vote FOR Items 1, 2 and 3 and AGAINST Item 4.
ITEM 1. ELECTION OF DIRECTORS: | 01 Edwin C. Gage 03 Marissa Peterson |
02 Garnett L. Keith Jr. | ¨ Vote FOR all nominees (except as marked) |
¨ Vote WITHHELD | ||||
(Instructions: To withhold authority to vote for any indicated nominee, write the number(s) of the nominee(s) in the box provided to the right.) |
ITEM 2. TO RATIFY THE APPOINTMENT OF KPMG LLP AS INDEPENDENT REGISTERED ACCOUNTANTS |
¨ For | ¨ Against | ¨ Abstain | |||
ITEM 3. TO VOTE ON AMENDMENTS TO THE SUPERVALU INC. 2002 STOCK PLAN | ¨ For | ¨ Against | ¨ Abstain | |||
ITEM 4. TO CONSIDER AND VOTE ON A STOCKHOLDER PROPOSAL | ¨ For | ¨ Against | ¨ Abstain |
THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED OR,
IF NO DIRECTION IS GIVEN, WILL BE VOTED FOR ITEMS 1, 2 AND 3 AND AGAINST ITEM 4.
Address Change? Mark Box ¨ Indicate changes below: I plan to attend the meeting. ¨ |
Date
| |
Signature(s) in Box Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear on proxy card. If held in joint tenancy, all persons must sign. Trustees, administrators, etc., should include title and authority. Corporations should provide full name of corporation and title of authorized officer signing the proxy. |