DEFR14A
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UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

SCHEDULE 14A

INFORMATION REQUIRED IN PROXY STATEMENT

SCHEDULE 14A INFORMATION

Proxy Statement Pursuant to Section 14(a) of the

Securities Exchange Act of 1934

(Amendment No. 1)

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 Rule 14a-12

Five Below, 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 the 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:

 

     


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LOGO

Five Below, Inc.

1818 Market Street

Suite 2000

Philadelphia, PA 19103

Dear Fellow Shareholder:

It is my pleasure to invite you to attend the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Five Below, Inc. at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Tuesday, June 21, 2016, at the offices of Pepper Hamilton LLP, 3000 Two Logan Square, 18th and Arch Streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103.

The following pages contain the formal Notice of the Annual Meeting and the Proxy Statement. If you plan to attend the Annual Meeting and you are a registered shareholder, please bring a valid form of picture identification. If you are a beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” through a bank, broker, or other intermediary, please contact your bank, broker, or other intermediary to obtain evidence of ownership and a legal proxy, which you must bring with you to the Annual Meeting.

At this year’s Annual Meeting, you will be asked to elect as directors the five nominees named in the attached Proxy Statement, ratify the selection of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 28, 2017, approve the Five Below, Inc. Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated, approve the Five Below, Inc. 2016 Performance Bonus Plan, as amended and restated, and cast an advisory (non-binding) vote approving the Company’s named executive officer compensation.

Your vote is important. Whether you plan to attend the Annual Meeting in person or not, we hope you will vote your shares as soon as possible. Please mark, sign, date, and return the accompanying proxy card or voting instruction form in the postage-paid envelope or instruct us by telephone or via the internet as to how you would like your shares voted. Instructions are included on the proxy card and voting instruction form.

 

Sincerely,

Thomas G. Vellios

Executive Chairman


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LOGO

Notice of Annual Meeting of Shareholders

To Be Held on June 21, 2016

9:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time

To the Shareholders of Five Below, Inc.:

Notice is hereby given that the 2016 Annual Meeting of Shareholders (the “Annual Meeting”) of Five Below, Inc. (the “Company”) will be held at the offices of Pepper Hamilton LLP, 3000 Two Logan Square, 18th and Arch Streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 on Tuesday, June 21, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time. At the Annual Meeting, shareholders will be asked:

1) To elect (i) three Class I directors to hold office until the 2019 annual meeting of shareholders and (ii) two Class III directors to hold office until the 2018 annual meeting, and until their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified;

2) To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year ending January 28, 2017;

3) To approve the Company’s Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan, which would approve the continuation of the terms of the plan for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code;

4) To approve the Company’s 2016 Performance Bonus Plan, including for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code;

5) To hold an advisory (non-binding) vote to approve the Company’s named executive officer compensation; and

6) To transact such other business as may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

The board of directors has fixed the close of business on April 26, 2016 as the record date for the determination of the shareholders entitled to notice of, and to vote at, the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements thereof.

Your vote is important. To be sure your vote counts and assure a quorum, please vote, sign, date and return the enclosed proxy card whether or not you plan to attend the meeting; or if you prefer, please follow the instructions on the enclosed proxy card for voting by internet or by telephone whether or not you plan to attend the meeting in person.

 

IMPORTANT NOTICE REGARDING THE AVAILABILITY OF PROXY MATERIALS FOR THE SHAREHOLDER MEETING TO BE HELD ON JUNE 21, 2016:

This Notice is only an overview of the Proxy Statement and proxy card or voting information form included in this mailing and available at www.proxyvote.com. These documents are first being mailed to shareholders on or about May 12, 2016. Our 2015 Annual Report, including our Form 10-K for fiscal year 2015, is not part of the proxy solicitation material.

 

By order of the board of directors,

Karen W. Procell

Secretary

Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

May 12, 2016


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TABLE OF CONTENTS

 

PROXY SUMMARY

     1   

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

     3   

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

     9   

AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

     20   

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

     20   

EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

     21   

COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

     22   

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     35   

CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

     45   

SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

     47   

EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

     50   

SECTION 16(a) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

     50   

PROPOSAL 1 ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

     51   

PROPOSAL 2 RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

     52   

PROPOSAL 3 APPROVAL OF FIVE BELOW, INC. AMENDED AND RESTATED EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

     54   

PROPOSAL 4 APPROVAL OF FIVE BELOW, INC. 2016 PERFORMANCE BONUS PLAN

     59   

PROPOSAL 5 ADVISORY (NON-BINDING) VOTE TO APPROVE THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION

     63   

OTHER MATTERS

     64   

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS AND DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS FOR 2016 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

     64   

ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS

     64   

DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO SHAREHOLDERS SHARING AN ADDRESS

     64   

APPENDIX A

     A-1   

APPENDIX B

     B-1   

We operate on a fiscal calendar widely used by the retail industry that results in a given fiscal year consisting of a 52- or 53-week period ending on the Saturday closest to January 31st of the following year. References to “fiscal year 2016” or “fiscal 2016” refer to the period from January 31, 2016 to January 28, 2017, which is a 52-week fiscal year. References to “fiscal year 2015” or “fiscal 2015” refer to the period from February 1, 2015 to January 30, 2016, which was a 52-week fiscal year. References to “fiscal year 2014” or “fiscal 2014” refer to the period from February 2, 2014 to January 31, 2015, which was a 52-week fiscal year. References to “fiscal year 2013” or “fiscal 2013” refer to the period from February 3, 2013 to February 1, 2014, which was a 52-week fiscal year. References to 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2013 are to our fiscal years unless otherwise specified.


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PROXY SUMMARY

This summary highlights information contained elsewhere in this Proxy Statement. This summary does not contain all of the information that you should consider and you should read the entire Proxy Statement before voting. For information regarding the Company’s fiscal 2015 performance, please review the Company’s Annual Report to shareholders for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2016. As used herein, “Five Below,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” “our” or “our business” refers to Five Below, Inc. (collectively with its wholly owned subsidiary), except as expressly indicated or the context otherwise requires.

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

 

Time and Date   Record Date
9:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time June 21, 2016   April 26, 2016
Place   Number of Common Shares Eligible to Vote at the Meeting as of the Record Date

Pepper Hamilton LLP

3000 Two Logan Square

18th and Arch Streets

Philadelphia, PA 19103

  54,714,544

SUMMARY VOTING MATTERS

 

Matter

  

Board Recommendation

   Page Reference
(for more detail)

Election of Directors

   FOR each director nominee    51

Ratification of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

   FOR    52

Approval of the Company’s Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan

   FOR    54

Approval of the Company’s 2016 Performance Bonus Plan

   FOR    59

Advisory (non-binding) vote to approve the Company’s Named Executive Officer compensation

   FOR    63

 

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BOARD NOMINEES

The following table provides summary information about each director nominee. At the Annual Meeting, directors will be elected by a majority of votes cast for each director nominee.

 

Name, Age

   Director
Since
     Class          Committee
Membership*
        

Principal Occupation

    AC       CC       NCGC  

 

Catherine E. Buggeln, 55

  

 

 

 

2015

 

  

  

 

 

 

I

 

  

  

 

Retail and Brand Consultant

   

 

LOGO  

 

 

LOGO  

Michael F. Devine, III, 57

     2013         I       Former Chief Financial Officer and Executive Vice President of Coach, Inc.,   LOGO      

Ronald L. Sargent, 60

     2004         I       Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Staples, Inc.   LOGO       LOGO  

Daniel J. Kaufman, 56

     2015         III       Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary of GameStop Corp.   LOGO       LOGO  

Richard L. Markee, 62

     2016         III       Non-Executive Chairman of Vitamin Shoppe   LOGO     LOGO    

 

* AC       Audit Committee

    CC      Compensation Committee

   NCGC Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

    LOGO        Chair of the Committee

APPROVAL OF THE EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN AND 2016 PERFORMANCE BONUS PLAN

Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan

Equity awards are a vital piece of our total compensation package and are designed to support our long-term strategy, provide a mechanism to attract and retain talent and to create a commonality of interest between management and our shareholders. Awards under the Five Below, Inc. Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan (the “Equity Incentive Plan”) are intended to compensate our Named Executive Officers (as defined below) for sustained long-term performance that is aligned with shareholder interests and to encourage retention through vesting schedules. Long-term equity incentive awards may take a variety of forms, such as stock options, restricted stock grants and restricted stock unit grants. Levels, mix, and frequency of awards are determined by the compensation committee. Our board of directors has recently approved certain technical updates and enhancements to the plan.

We are seeking approval of the Equity Incentive Plan, which would approve the continuation of the terms of the plan for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. See Proposal 3 on page 54.

2016 Performance Bonus Plan

If approved by shareholders at the Annual Meeting, we will provide cash incentive awards under the Five Below, Inc. 2016 Performance Bonus Plan (the “Performance Bonus Plan”) to our Named Executive Officers for achieving and exceeding our annual financial goals, which are generally based on the attainment of certain pre-established performance.

We are seeking approval of the Performance Bonus Plan in order to approve the terms of the plan for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code. See Proposal 4 on page 59.

 

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PROXY STATEMENT

FOR 2016 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

TO BE HELD ON JUNE 21, 2016

This Proxy Statement is being furnished together with our Annual Report for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2016 in connection with the solicitation of proxies for the Annual Meeting of Shareholders of Five Below, Inc. on June 21, 2016 (the “Annual Meeting”), and any postponements or adjournments of the meeting. On or about May 12, 2016, we will mail to each of our shareholders (other than those who previously requested electronic delivery or to whom we are mailing a paper copy) a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials containing instructions on how to access and review the proxy materials via the internet and how to submit a proxy electronically using the internet.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

When and where will the meeting take place?

The Annual Meeting will be held on Tuesday, June 21, 2016, at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time, at the offices of Pepper Hamilton LLP, 3000 Two Logan Square, 18th and Arch Streets, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103.

Why did I receive only a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials?

As permitted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”), the Company is furnishing to shareholders its notice of the Annual Meeting (the “Notice”), this Proxy Statement and the 2015 Annual Report primarily over the internet. On or about May 12, 2016, we will mail to each of our shareholders (other than those who previously requested electronic delivery or to whom we are mailing a paper copy) a Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials (the “Notice of Internet Availability”) containing instructions on how to access and review the proxy materials via the internet and how to submit a proxy electronically using the internet. The Notice of Internet Availability also contains instructions on how to receive, free of charge, paper copies of the proxy materials. If you received the Notice of Internet Availability, you will not receive a paper copy of the proxy materials unless you request one.

We believe the delivery options that we have chosen will allow us to provide our shareholders with the proxy materials they need, while minimizing the cost of the delivery of the materials and the environmental impact of printing and mailing paper copies.

What is the purpose of this meeting and these materials?

We are providing these proxy materials in connection with the solicitation by our board of directors of proxies to be voted at the Annual Meeting and any adjournments or postponements of the meeting.

At the Annual Meeting, you will be asked to vote on the following matters:

 

   

a proposal to elect (i) three Class I directors to hold office until the 2019 annual meeting of shareholders and (ii) two Class III directors to hold office until the 2018 annual meeting, and until their respective successors have been duly elected and qualified (Proposal No. 1);

 

   

a proposal to ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year ending January 28, 2017 (Proposal No. 2);

 

   

a proposal to vote on the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan, which would approve the continuation of the terms of the plan for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (Proposal No. 3);

 

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a proposal to vote on the Performance Bonus Plan, including for purposes of Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code (Proposal No. 4);

 

   

an advisory (non-binding) vote to approve our Named Executive Officer compensation (Proposal No. 5); and

 

   

any other business that may properly come before the Annual Meeting or any adjournments or postponements thereof.

What are the voting recommendations of the board of directors on these matters?

The board of directors recommends that you vote your shares as follows:

 

   

FOR each of the board’s (i) three Class I nominees and (ii) two Class III nominees for the board of directors (Proposal No. 1);

 

   

FOR the ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year ending January 28, 2017 (Proposal No. 2);

 

   

FOR the approval of the Equity Incentive Plan (Proposal No. 3);

 

   

FOR the approval of the Performance Bonus Plan (Proposal No. 4); and

 

   

FOR the approval, on an advisory basis, of our Named Executive Officer compensation (Proposal No. 5).

Are all of the Company’s Class I directors standing for re-election to the board of directors at the Annual Meeting?

Yes, all of our Class I directors are standing for re-election.

Why am I being asked to vote on directors for more than one class?

The board of directors filled two vacancies since the 2015 annual meeting of shareholders resulting from two resignations. Mr. Kaufman is currently serving as a Class III director, having been elected by the board of directors effective December 3, 2015 to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of David Schlessinger. Mr. Markee is currently serving as a Class III director, having been elected by the board of directors effective May 3, 2016 to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of David M. Mussafer. Pursuant to our bylaws, any director elected by the board of directors to fill a vacancy (a “Vacancy Director”) may only hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until his or her successor has been duly elected and qualified, subject to his or her earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal. At the annual meeting of shareholders following the election of a Vacancy Director, the shareholders have the opportunity to elect a director to fill the vacancy having been filled by the Vacancy Director. The board nominates a candidate to fill the vacancy, who may be the Vacancy Director. The candidate, if elected, serves until the annual meeting of shareholders at which the term of office of the class in which the vacancy occurred expires and until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, subject to his or her earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal.

Who is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting?

The record date for the Annual Meeting is April 26, 2016. You have one vote for each share of our common stock that you owned at the close of business on the record date, provided that on the record date those shares were either held directly in your name as the shareholder of record or were held for you as the beneficial owner through a bank, broker, or other intermediary. As of that date, there were 54,714,544 shares of common stock outstanding entitled to vote. There is no other class of voting securities outstanding.

 

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What is the difference between holding shares as a shareholder of record and as a beneficial owner?

Most of our shareholders hold their shares through a bank, broker, or other intermediary (that is, in “street name”) rather than directly in their own name. As summarized below, there are some distinctions between shares held of record and those owned beneficially.

Shareholder of Record. If your shares are registered directly in your name with our transfer agent, Computershare, you are considered to be the shareholder of record with respect to those shares, and we have sent the Notice of Internet Availability directly to you. As a shareholder of record, you have the right to grant your voting proxy directly to us or to vote in person at the Annual Meeting.

Beneficial Owner. If your shares are held in a stock brokerage account or by a bank or other intermediary, you are considered to be the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name,” and the Notice of Internet Availability has been forwarded to you by your bank, broker, or intermediary (which is considered to be the shareholder of record with respect to those shares). As a beneficial owner, you have the right to direct your bank, broker, or intermediary on how to vote and are also invited to attend the Annual Meeting. Your bank, broker, or intermediary has sent you a voting instruction card for you to use in directing the bank, broker, or intermediary regarding how to vote your shares. However, since you are not the shareholder of record, you may not vote these shares in person at the Annual Meeting unless you obtain a proxy, executed in your favor, from the holder of record of such shares.

What options are available to me to vote my shares?

Whether you hold shares directly as the shareholder of record or through a bank, broker, or other intermediary, your shares may be voted at the Annual Meeting by following any of the voting options available to you below:

You may vote via the internet.

 

   

If you received a Notice of Internet Availability by mail, you can submit your proxy or voting instructions over the internet by following the instructions provided in the Notice of Internet Availability;

 

   

If you received a Notice of Internet Availability or proxy materials by email, you may submit your proxy or voting instructions over the internet by following the instructions included in the email; or

 

   

If you received a printed set of the proxy materials by mail, including a paper copy of the proxy card or voting instruction form, you may submit your proxy or voting instructions over the internet by following the instructions on the proxy card or voting instruction form.

You may vote via the telephone.

 

   

If you are a shareholder of record, you can submit your proxy by calling the telephone number specified on the paper copy of the proxy card you received if you received a printed set of the proxy materials. You must have the control number that appears on your proxy card available when submitting your proxy over the telephone.

 

   

Most shareholders who hold their shares in street name may submit voting instructions by calling the number specified on the paper copy of the voting instruction form provided by their bank, broker, or other intermediary. Those shareholders should check the voting instruction form for telephone voting availability.

You may vote by mail. If you received a printed set of the proxy materials, you can submit your proxy or voting instructions by completing and signing the separate proxy card or voting instruction form you received and mailing it in the accompanying prepaid and addressed envelope.

 

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You may vote in person at the meeting. All shareholders of record may vote in person at the Annual Meeting. Written ballots will be passed out to anyone who wants to vote at the meeting. However, if you are the beneficial owner of shares held in street name through a bank, broker, or other intermediary, you may not vote your shares at the Annual Meeting unless you obtain a “legal proxy” from the bank, broker, or intermediary that holds your shares, giving you the right to vote the shares at the Annual Meeting.

Even if you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we recommend that you submit your proxy or voting instructions in advance to authorize the voting of your shares at the Annual Meeting to ensure that your vote will be counted if you later are unable to attend.

What if I don’t vote for some of the items listed on my proxy card or voting instruction card?

If you properly return your proxy card but do not mark selections, your shares will be voted in accordance with the recommendations of our board of directors. If you indicate a choice with respect to any matter to be acted upon on your proxy card, your shares will be voted in accordance with your instructions.

If you are a beneficial owner and hold your shares in street name through a bank, broker, or other intermediary and do not give voting instructions to the bank, broker, or intermediary, the bank, broker, or other intermediary, as applicable, will determine if it has the discretionary authority to vote on the particular matter. Under applicable rules, brokers have the discretion to vote on routine matters, such as the ratification of the selection of accounting firms, but do not have discretion to vote on non-routine matters, including the uncontested election of directors. As a result, if you are a beneficial owner and hold your shares in street name, but do not give your bank, broker, or other intermediary instructions on how to vote your shares with respect to the election of directors, no votes will be cast on your behalf.

If you do not provide voting instructions to your broker, and your broker indicates on its proxy card that it does not have discretionary authority to vote on a particular proposal, your shares will be considered to be “broker non-votes” with regard to that matter. Proxy cards that reflect a broker non-vote with respect to at least one proposal to be considered at the Annual Meeting (so long as they do not apply to all proposals to be considered) will be considered to be represented for purposes of determining a quorum but generally will not be considered to be entitled to vote with respect to that proposal. Broker non-votes are not counted in the tabulation of the voting results with respect to proposals that require a majority of the votes cast.

How is a quorum determined?

The representation, in person or by proxy, of holders entitled to cast at least a majority of the votes entitled to be cast at the Annual Meeting constitutes a quorum at the Annual Meeting. Abstentions, broker votes and broker non-votes (only when accompanied by broker votes with respect to at least one matter at the meeting) are considered present and entitled to vote for purposes of establishing a quorum for the transaction of business at the Annual Meeting. If a quorum is not present by attendance at the Annual Meeting or represented by proxy, the shareholders present by attendance at the meeting or by proxy may adjourn the Annual Meeting, until a quorum is present. If a new record date is fixed for the adjourned meeting, we will provide notice of the adjourned meeting to each shareholder of record entitled to vote at the meeting.

 

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What vote is required to approve each proposal at the Annual Meeting?

 

Proposal

  

Vote Required

   Broker
Discretionary
Voting Allowed

Proposal No. 1—

  Election of Directors   

Majority of Votes Cast

for each Director Nominee

   No

Proposal No. 2—

  Ratification of Appointment of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm    Majority of Votes Cast    Yes

Proposal No. 3—

  Approval of the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan    Majority of Votes Cast    No

Proposal No. 4—

  Approval of the Company’s Performance Bonus Plan    Majority of Votes Cast    No

Proposal No. 5—

  Approval, on an advisory basis, of our Named Executive Officer compensation    Majority of Votes Cast    No

With respect to Proposal No. 1, you may vote FOR, AGAINST or ABSTAIN with respect to each director nominee. Any nominees receiving more FOR votes than AGAINST votes with respect to such nominee will be elected. Proxies may not be voted for more than five directors and shareholders may not cumulate votes in the election of directors.

With respect to Proposal Nos. 2, 3, 4 and 5, you may vote FOR, AGAINST or ABSTAIN.

If you abstain from voting on any of these matters, your shares will be counted as present and entitled to vote on that matter for purposes of establishing a quorum, but will not be counted for purposes of determining the number of votes cast.

Can I change my vote or revoke my proxy?

Yes. Any shareholder of record has the power to change or revoke a previously submitted proxy at any time before it is voted at the Annual Meeting by:

 

   

Submitting to our Corporate Secretary, before the voting at the Annual Meeting, a written notice of revocation bearing a later date than the proxy;

 

   

Timely delivery of a valid, later-dated proxy (only the last proxy submitted by a shareholder by internet, telephone or mail will be counted); or

 

   

Attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person; however, attendance at the Annual Meeting will not by itself constitute a revocation of a proxy.

For shares held in street name, you may revoke any previous voting instructions by submitting new voting instructions to the bank, broker, or intermediary holding your shares by the deadline for voting specified in the voting instructions provided by your bank, broker, or intermediary. Alternatively, if your shares are held in street name and you have obtained a legal proxy from the bank, broker, or intermediary, giving you the right to vote the shares at the Annual Meeting, you may revoke any previous voting instructions by attending the Annual Meeting and voting in person.

Are there other matters to be voted on at the Annual Meeting?

We do not know of any other matters that may come before the Annual Meeting other than Proposals 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 included herein. If any other matters are properly presented at the Annual Meeting, the persons named as proxies in the enclosed proxy card intend to vote or otherwise act in accordance with their judgment on the matter.

 

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Is a list of shareholders available?

The names of shareholders of record entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting will be available for review by shareholders at the Annual Meeting.

Where can I find the voting results?

Preliminary voting results will be announced at the Annual Meeting, and final voting results will be reported in a Current Report on Form 8-K, which we will file with the SEC within four business days following the Annual Meeting.

Who is soliciting proxies, how are they being solicited, and who pays the cost?

The solicitation of proxies is being made on behalf of our board of directors and we will bear the costs of the solicitation. This solicitation is being made by mail and through the internet, but also may be made by telephone or in person. We will reimburse brokerage firms and other custodians, nominees and fiduciaries for their reasonable out-of-pocket expenses for sending proxy materials to shareholders and obtaining their votes.

What do I need to do if I intend to attend the Annual Meeting?

Attendance at the Annual Meeting will be limited to shareholders as of the record date or their duly-appointed proxies. Please note that if you attend the Annual Meeting, you may be asked to present valid picture identification, such as a driver’s license or passport. If you are a shareholder holding stock in brokerage accounts or by a bank or other intermediary, you may be required to show a brokerage statement or account statement reflecting your stock ownership as of the record date, but in order to vote your shares at the Annual Meeting, you must obtain a “legal proxy” from the bank or brokerage firm that holds your shares. Cameras, recording devices and other electronic devices will not be permitted at the Annual Meeting.

 

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BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Our bylaws provide that the number of members of our board of directors shall be determined by our board from time to time. The number of members of our board is currently fixed at nine and is divided into three classes with staggered three-year terms.

Unless otherwise specified in the proxy, the shares voted pursuant thereto will be cast for each of Messrs. Devine, Kaufman, Sargent and Markee and Ms. Buggeln. If, for any reason, at the time of election, any of the nominees named should decline or be unable to accept his or her nomination or election, it is intended that such proxy will be voted for a substitute nominee, who would be recommended by our board of directors. Our board of directors, however, has no reason to believe that any of the nominees will be unable to serve as a director.

The following biographical information is furnished as to each nominee for election as a director and each of the current directors.

Nominees for Election to the Board of Directors for a Three-Year Term Expiring at the 2019 Annual Meeting

Catherine E. Buggeln. Ms. Buggeln, 55, has served as a director since March 2015. Ms. Buggeln has been a consultant to various retailers since 2004. Since 2012, Ms. Buggeln has exclusively provided consulting services to Irving Place Capital Management, L.P., a private equity firm focused on making equity investments in middle-market companies. Ms. Buggeln formerly served as the Senior Vice President of Strategic Planning and New Business Development at Coach, Inc., a leading marketer of modern classic American accessories, from 2001 to 2005. Ms. Buggeln is a director of Ascena Retail Group, Inc., where she serves on the audit and nominating and corporate governance committees, and Vitamin Shoppe, Inc., where she serves on the compensation committee. She also previously served as a director of The Timberland Company in 2011. Ms. Buggeln’s extensive experience in the retail industry, in both managerial and director roles, led to the conclusion that she should serve as a director of Five Below.

Michael F. Devine, III. Mr. Devine, 57, has served as a director since March 2013. Mr. Devine is the former Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Coach, Inc. Mr. Devine served as Chief Financial Officer since December 2001 and Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since August 2007 until his retirement in August 2011. Mr. Devine currently serves as a director and member of the audit committees of Deckers Outdoor Corporation and Express, Inc., and a director of Sur la Table and Talbots. Mr. Devine previously served as a director and member of the audit committee of Nutrisystem, Inc. Mr. Devine’s extensive experience in the retail industry, as both an executive officer and director, led to the conclusion that he should serve as a director of Five Below.

Ronald L. Sargent. Mr. Sargent, 60, has served as a director since 2004. Mr. Sargent has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Staples, Inc., an office supply company, since 2002 and as Chairman of its board of directors since 2005. Prior to becoming Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Sargent held a variety of executive positions at Staples, Inc. since joining the company in 1989. Mr. Sargent currently serves as a director of The Kroger Co. and previously served as a director of The Home Depot, Inc. and Mattel, Inc. Mr. Sargent’s experience as an executive officer and director of Staples, Inc. as well as his extensive experience in the retail industry led to the conclusion that he should serve as a director of Five Below.

Nominees for Election to the Board of Directors for a Two-Year Term Expiring at the 2018 Annual Meeting

Daniel J. Kaufman. Mr. Kaufman, 56, has served as a director since December 2015. Mr. Kaufman is currently the Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary of GameStop Corp., or GameStop, a global, multichannel video game, consumer electronics and wireless services retailer. He joined GameStop in 2005 and, until February 2016, served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary. Prior to joining

 

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GameStop, Mr. Kaufman was at Electronics Boutique Holdings Corp. from January 2002, where he was serving as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at the time of its acquisition by GameStop. In addition to his responsibilities at GameStop, Mr. Kaufman currently represents GameStop on the board of the Entertainment Merchants Association, a trade organization. Mr. Kaufman’s extensive experience in the retail industry led to the conclusion that he should serve as a director of Five Below.

Richard L. Markee. Mr. Markee, 62, has served as a director since May 2016. Mr. Markee has served as the Non-Executive Chairman of Vitamin Shoppe, Inc. since January 2016 and as Vitamin Shoppe’s Executive Chairman from April 2011 to January 2016. He previously served as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of Vitamin Shoppe from September 2009 to April 2011, and served as non-executive Chairman of the Board from April 2007 to September 2009. He occupied senior management positions at Babies “R” Us from August 2004 through November 2007 and at Toys “R” Us, Inc. from May 2003 through November 2007. Mr. Markee previously served as a director of Collective Brands, Inc., The Sports Authority, Inc., Dorel Industries and Toys “R” Us. Mr. Markee’s extensive experience in the retail industry led to the conclusion that he should serve as a director of Five Below.

Members of the Board of Directors Continuing in Office for a Term Expiring at the 2017 Annual Meeting

Joel D. Anderson. Mr. Anderson, 51, has served as a director since February 2015, when he was appointed to serve as our President and Chief Executive Officer. Prior to becoming our President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Anderson was our President and Chief Operating Officer from July 2014 through January 2015. Prior to joining Five Below, Mr. Anderson served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Walmart.com, from 2011 until 2014 and as the divisional Senior Vice President of the Northern Plains division of Wal-mart Stores, Inc., a global retailer, from 2010 to 2011. Prior to joining Wal-mart Stores, Inc., Mr. Anderson was President of the retail and direct business units for Lenox Group, Inc., and served in various executive positions at Toys “R” Us Inc. over a 14 year period. Mr. Anderson’s experience in the retail industry as well as his position as our President and Chief Executive Officer led to the conclusion that he should serve as a director of Five Below.

Kathleen S. Barclay. Ms. Barclay, 60, has served as a director since March 2015. Ms. Barclay served as the Senior Vice President of Human Resources for The Kroger Co., a $100B grocery supermarket company, from 2009 until her retirement in November 2015. Prior to joining The Kroger Co., Ms. Barclay served in many leadership roles at General Motors Corporation, a multinational automotive corporation, from 1985 to 2010. Most recently she served as General Motors Corporation’s Vice President of Global Human Resources from 1998 to 2009. Ms. Barclay’s senior leadership experience with a large-scale, growing retailer led to her selection as a director of Five Below.

Thomas M. Ryan. Mr. Ryan, 63, has served as a director since 2011. In 2011, Mr. Ryan became an operating partner of Advent as a part of its Operating Partner Program. Prior to joining our board of directors, Mr. Ryan served as the Chairman of the board of directors, President and Chief Executive Officer of CVS Caremark Corporation, now CVS Health, a retail pharmacy and healthcare corporation, until he retired in 2011. Mr. Ryan became the Chief Executive Officer of CVS Corporation in 1998 and he also served as the Chairman of the board of directors of CVS Corporation from 1999 to 2007. Mr. Ryan also served as the Chairman of CVS Health’s board of directors from 2007 to 2011. Mr. Ryan currently serves as a director of Yum! Brands, Inc. and PJT Partners and previously served as a director of Bank of America Corporation and Vantiv, Inc. Mr. Ryan’s experience in the retail industry, as both an executive officer and director of a large retail company, led to the conclusion that he should serve as a director of Five Below.

Member of the Board of Directors Continuing in Office for a Term Expiring at the 2018 Annual Meeting

Thomas G. Vellios. Mr. Vellios, 61, is the co-founder of Five Below and has served as our Executive Chairman since February 2015, and as one of our directors since our incorporation in 2002. Mr. Vellios

 

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previously served as our Chief Executive Officer from 2002 until January 31, 2015. Mr. Vellios also served as our President from 2005 until June 2014. Previously, Mr. Vellios served as President, Chief Executive Officer and a director of Zany Brainy, Inc. Prior to joining Zany Brainy, Mr. Vellios served as Senior Vice President, General Merchandise Manager at Caldor, a regional discount chain and a division of the May Company. Mr. Vellios’ 25 years of experience in the specialty, department store and discount retail industry, his experience with the management, operations and finance of a retail business, and his knowledge of the Company as a founder led to the conclusion that he should serve as a director of Five Below.

In addition to the information presented above regarding each director’s specific experiences, qualifications, attributes and skills, we believe that all of our directors have a reputation for integrity and adherence to high ethical standards. Each of our directors has demonstrated business acumen and an ability to exercise sound judgment, as well as a commitment of service to us and our board. Finally, we value our directors’ experience on other company boards and board committees.

There are no family relationships among any of our directors or executive officers.

Board Composition

Our business and affairs are managed under the direction of our board of directors, which currently consists of nine members. Our articles of incorporation and bylaws provide that our board of directors will consist of a number of directors, not less than three nor more than eleven, to be fixed exclusively by resolution of the board of directors.

Our articles of incorporation provide for a staggered, or classified, board of directors consisting of three classes of directors, each serving staggered three-year terms, which, assuming the election of Messrs. Kaufman and Markee at the Annual Meeting, will be constituted as follows:

 

   

the Class I directors are Ms. Buggeln and Messrs. Devine and Sargent, and their terms will expire at the Annual Meeting;

 

   

the Class II directors are Ms. Barclay and Messrs. Anderson and Ryan, and their terms will expire at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2017; and

 

   

the Class III directors are Messrs. Kaufman, Markee and Vellios, and their terms will expire at the annual meeting of shareholders to be held in 2018.

Upon expiration of the term of a class of directors, directors for that class will be elected for a three-year term at the annual meeting of shareholders in the year in which that term expires. Each director’s term continues until the election and qualification of his or her successor, or his or her earlier death, resignation, retirement, disqualification or removal. Any vacancies on our board of directors will be filled only by the affirmative vote of a majority of the directors then in office. Any increase or decrease in the number of directors will be distributed among the three classes so that, as nearly as possible, each class will consist of one-third of the directors. The classification of our board of directors will make it more difficult for a third party to acquire control of us.

Having completed our initial public offering in 2012, we are a relatively new public company. We believe that our board of directors’ classified structure provides enhanced continuity and stability in the board’s business strategies and policies, which is particularly relevant during the early years of operating as a public company. Under the current system, after each election, at least two-thirds of the board will have had prior experience and familiarity with our business, which is beneficial for long-term strategic planning and oversight of the Company’s operations. We believe that maintaining a classified board structure balances the need for shareholders to express their opinion on the board’s performance with the need for our directors to focus on the Company’s long-term success and maximize value for shareholders.

 

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Director Independence

Our board of directors observes all applicable criteria for independence established by The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC and other governing laws and applicable regulations. No director will be deemed to be independent unless our board of directors determines that the director has no relationship which would interfere with the exercise of independent judgment in carrying out the responsibilities of a director. Our board of directors has determined that Messrs. Devine, Kaufman, Markee, Ryan and Sargent and Mses. Buggeln and Barclay are independent as defined under the corporate governance rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC. Of these independent directors, our board has determined that: (i) Messrs. Devine, Kaufman, Markee and Sargent, who comprise our audit committee; (ii) Mses. Barclay and Buggeln and Messrs. Ryan and Markee, who comprise our compensation committee; and (iii) Messrs. Kaufman and Sargent and Mses. Barclay and Buggeln, who comprise our nominating and corporate governance committee, each satisfy the independence standards for those committees established by the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC.

Board Leadership Structure and Board’s Role in Risk Oversight

Our board of directors has no policy with respect to the separation of the offices of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the board of directors. It is the board of directors’ view that rather than having a rigid policy, the board of directors, with the advice and assistance of the nominating and corporate governance committee, and upon consideration of all relevant factors and circumstances, will determine, as and when appropriate, whether the two offices should be separate. Currently, our leadership structure separates the offices of Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the board of directors with Mr. Anderson serving as our Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Vellios serving as Executive Chairman of the board. We believe this is appropriate as it provides Mr. Anderson with the ability to focus on our day-to-day operations while allowing Mr. Vellios to lead our board of directors in its fundamental role of providing advice to and oversight of management. In addition, as Executive Chairman, Mr. Vellios remains involved in key matters affecting our business and in implementing our growth strategy.

Our board of directors plays an active role in overseeing management of our risks. Our board of directors regularly reviews information regarding our credit, liquidity and operations, as well as the risks associated with each. Our compensation committee is responsible for overseeing the management of risks relating to our executive compensation plans and arrangements. Our audit committee oversees management of financial risks. Our nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for managing risks associated with the independence of the board of directors. While each committee is responsible for evaluating certain risks and overseeing the management of such risks, our full board of directors keeps itself regularly informed regarding such risks through committee reports and otherwise.

Compensation Risk Analysis

The compensation committee is aware that compensation arrangements, if not properly structured, may encourage inappropriate risk-taking. In designing our compensation programs, the compensation committee seeks to mitigate such risk by providing a meaningful portion of total compensation in the form of equity incentives that are earned over multiple years (to encourage an appropriately long-term focus).

Moreover, while the compensation committee continues to evaluate the implementation of a formal stock ownership guideline for our management team, we note that our Named Executive Officers already maintain a substantial equity ownership position, through direct stock ownership and/or the ownership of stock option and restricted stock unit awards. We believe that this ownership position provides significant incentives to ensure that the management team’s actions, and the actions of all those reporting to them, are focused on the creation of sustainable shareholder value and the avoidance of excessive risk.

 

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Historically, certain of the Company’s restricted stock unit awards have been subject to rescission, cancellation or recoupment to the extent that the Company were required to restate its financial statements, in situations where the vesting of the restricted stock units was calculated based upon, or contingent on, the achievement of financial or operating results that were the subject of or affected by the restatement, and the extent of vesting of the restricted stock units would have been less had the financial statements been correct in the first instance. The intended effect of these “clawback” provisions is to put the affected grantee in the same position relative to vesting of the restricted stock units as he or she would have been in had the financial statements been correct at the time of the original vesting. Following the Annual Meeting, awards made under the Company’s cash and equity incentive plans will generally be subject to rescission, cancellation or recoupment, in whole or in part, under any current or future “clawback” or similar policy of the Company that is applicable to the Participant.

Committees of the Board of Directors

The standing committees of our board of directors include: the audit committee, the compensation committee and the nominating and corporate governance committee. The composition and responsibilities of each standing committee is described below. Members will serve on these committees until their resignation or until otherwise determined by our board of directors. Current copies of the charters for each of these committees are available on our website, www.fivebelow.com, under the “Investor Relations” section.

Audit Committee

Our audit committee oversees our corporate accounting and financial reporting process. The audit committee has the following responsibilities, among other things, as set forth in the audit committee charter:

 

   

selecting and hiring our independent registered public accounting firm and approving the audit and non-audit services to be performed by our independent registered public accounting firm;

 

   

evaluating the qualifications, performance and independence of our independent registered public accounting firm;

 

   

monitoring the integrity of our financial statements and our compliance with legal and regulatory requirements as they relate to financial statements or accounting matters;

 

   

reviewing the adequacy and effectiveness of our internal control policies and procedures;

 

   

overseeing management of financial risks;

 

   

preparing the audit committee report required by the SEC to be included in our annual proxy statement;

 

   

discussing the scope and results of the audit with the independent registered public accounting firm and reviewing with management and the independent registered public accounting firm our interim and year-end operating results;

 

   

approving related party transactions; and

 

   

reviewing whistleblower complaints relating to accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters and overseeing the investigations conducted in connection with such complaints.

Our audit committee consists of Messrs. Devine, Kaufman, Markee and Sargent. Mr. Devine serves as the chairperson of the audit committee. Mr. Devine was elected as chairperson of the audit committee in March 2013. All of the members of the audit committee are independent for purposes of serving on the audit committee and meet the requirements for financial literacy under the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC. Our board has determined that Messrs. Devine, Sargent and Markee are audit committee financial experts as defined under the applicable rules of the SEC and have the requisite financial sophistication defined under the applicable rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC.

 

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Compensation Committee

Our compensation committee reviews and recommends policies relating to compensation and benefits of our officers and employees. The compensation committee has the following responsibilities, among other things, as set forth in the compensation committee’s charter:

 

   

reviewing and approving compensation of our executive officers, including annual base salary, annual incentive bonuses, specific goals, equity compensation, employment agreements, severance and change-in-control arrangements and any other benefits, compensation or arrangements;

 

   

reviewing and recommending the terms of employment agreements with our executive officers;

 

   

reviewing succession planning for our executive officers;

 

   

reviewing and recommending compensation goals, bonus and stock-based compensation criteria for our employees;

 

   

reviewing and recommending the appropriate structure and amount of compensation for our directors;

 

   

overseeing the management of risks relating to our executive compensation plans and arrangements;

 

   

reviewing and discussing annually with management our “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” required by SEC rules;

 

   

preparing the compensation committee report required by the SEC to be included in our annual proxy statement;

 

   

overseeing compliance with the SEC’s and The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC’s rules and regulations regarding shareholder approval of certain executive compensation matters, including advisory votes on compensation and approval of equity compensation plans; and

 

   

administering, reviewing and making recommendations with respect to our equity compensation plans.

Our compensation committee consists of Mses. Barclay and Buggeln and Messrs. Ryan and Markee. Mr. Ryan serves as the chairperson of the compensation committee. Mr. Ryan was elected chairperson of the compensation committee in March 2013. All of the members of the compensation committee are independent under applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC. The compensation committee has the authority to delegate any of its responsibilities, along with the authority to take action in relation to such responsibilities, to one or more subcommittees as the compensation committee may deem appropriate in its sole discretion.

Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee

The nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for making recommendations regarding candidates for directorships and the size and composition of our board. Among other matters, the nominating and corporate governance committee is responsible for the following as set forth in the nominating and corporate governance committee charter:

 

   

assisting our board of directors in identifying prospective director nominees and recommending nominees for each annual meeting of shareholders to our board of directors;

 

   

reviewing developments in corporate governance practices and developing and recommending governance principles applicable to our board of directors;

 

   

managing risks associated with the independence of the board of directors;

 

   

evaluating and making recommendations as to the size and composition of the board of directors;

 

   

overseeing the evaluation of our board of directors and management; and

 

   

recommending members for each committee of our board of directors.

 

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Our nominating and corporate governance committee consists of Mses. Barclay and Buggeln and Messrs. Kaufman and Sargent. Mr. Sargent serves as the chairperson of the nominating and corporate governance committee. Mr. Sargent was elected chairperson of the nominating and corporate governance committee in March 2013. All of the members of the nominating and corporate governance committee are determined to be independent under applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC.

Meetings and Attendance

During fiscal 2015, there were five meetings of the board of directors, eight meetings of the audit committee, four meetings of the compensation committee and three meetings of the nominating and corporate governance committee. Each of our directors attended at least 75% of the aggregate meetings of the board of directors and the committees of the board of directors on which the director served during fiscal 2015. In addition, the independent directors meet in executive session at least twice per year without the presence of management. The chairperson of the nominating and corporate governance committee chairs these executive sessions of independent directors.

Our board of directors expects its members to attend the annual meetings of shareholders. All but one of our directors attended the 2015 annual meeting of shareholders. The Company expects that all of its directors will attend this year’s Annual Meeting.

Director Compensation

In fiscal 2015, each of our non-employee directors was paid the following pursuant to our Compensation Policy for Non-Employee Directors:

 

   

an annual cash retainer of $60,000;

 

   

an additional retainer of $25,000 for the audit committee chair and the compensation committee chair and $15,000 for the nominating and corporate governance committee chair; and

 

   

an annual equity grant with a fair market value of $90,000 in the form of restricted stock units and vesting on the date of the next annual meeting.

Each non-employee director has the option to receive some or all of his or her cash retainer in the form of shares of our common stock. Directors do not receive a fee for attending meetings, but they are entitled to reimbursement of travel expenses relating to their service.

The following table sets forth information on compensation of all our non-employee directors for fiscal 2015:

 

Name

   Fees Earned
or
Paid in Cash(1)
($)
     Restricted Stock
Unit Awards(2)
($)
     All Other
Compensation
($)
    Total
($)
 

Kathleen S. Barclay

     96         90,000         59,904 (3)      150,000   

Catherine E. Buggeln

     96         90,000         59,904 (3)      150,000   

Steven J. Collins(4)

     —           —           —          —     

Michael F. Devine III

     85,000         90,000         —          175,000   

Daniel Kaufman

     9,725         —           —          9,725   

David M. Mussafer(5)

     53,901         90,000         —          143,901   

Thomas M. Ryan

     70         90,000         84,930 (3)      175,000   

Ronald L. Sargent

     32         90,000         74,968 (3)      165,000   

David Schlessinger(6)

     —           —           18,644 (7)      18,644   

 

(1) Cash fees include annual director’s retainer and, where applicable, committee chair fees as well as cash payable in lieu of fractional shares.

 

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(2) The amounts reported in this column reflect the fair value on the grant date of the restricted stock unit awards granted in fiscal 2015 computed in accordance with Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 718, Compensation—Stock Compensation. For a discussion of the assumptions and methodologies used to calculate the amounts referred to above, please see the discussion of restricted stock unit awards contained in Note 1 and Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements included as a part of the 2015 Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 23, 2016. The aggregate number of shares of restricted stock units outstanding at fiscal year-end for each non-employee director is as follows: 2,271 units for each of Mses. Barclay and Buggeln and Messrs. Devine, Mussafer, Ryan and Sargent, which will vest on date of the Annual Meeting.
(3) The amounts reported reflect the fair value on the grant date of the restricted stock awards granted to Mses. Barclay and Buggeln and Messrs. Ryan and Sargent in lieu of the cash retainers paid quarterly and computed in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 718.
(4) Mr. Collins resigned from our board of directors on March 10, 2015.
(5) Mr. Mussafer resigned from our board of directors on April 28, 2016.
(6) Mr. Schlessinger resigned from our board of directors on December 3, 2015.
(7) The amount reported reflects the continuing health coverage paid in accordance with the Chairman Emeritus Agreement dated February 18, 2015.

In March 2014, our board of directors adopted Stock Ownership Guidelines for non-employee directors upon consulting with, and with the recommendation of, Korn Ferry Hay Group, the independent compensation consultant to the compensation committee. Pursuant to the guidelines, each non-employee director is required to own shares of our common stock having an aggregate fair market value equal to or greater than three times the highest annual cash retainer payable to a non-employee director in the preceding calendar year pursuant to the Compensation Policy for Non-Employee Directors. For purposes of the guidelines, the highest annual cash retainer will include any cash retainer payable in a given calendar year the payment of which is deferred to a later calendar year and the value of shares or other property received in lieu of a cash retainer in a given calendar year. Non-employee directors at the time the Stock Ownership Guidelines were adopted will have five years from the adoption of the guidelines to attain the specified level of equity ownership. Any non-employee director elected following the adoption of the guidelines will have five years from the date of such election to attain the specified level of equity ownership. For purposes of the guidelines, a non-employee director’s holdings include: shares held outright by the non-employee director; vested restricted shares and shares subject to vested but unsettled restricted stock units held by the non-employee director; and shares otherwise beneficially owned by the non-employee director. Our board of directors may waive compliance with the guidelines on a case by case basis, but it is anticipated that waivers will be rare and in the event of such a waiver, the board of directors will develop alternative ownership guidelines that reflect the intent of these guidelines and the non-employee director’s personal circumstances.

Compensation Committee Interlocks and Insider Participation

During fiscal 2015, Mr. Collins, who served as a member of our board of directors until his resignation on March 10, 2015, as well as Mses. Barclay and Buggeln and Mr. Ryan have served as members of the compensation committee. In addition, since his election to the board on May 3, 2016, Mr. Markee has served as a member of the compensation committee. We have indemnification agreements with each of our directors, including Mses. Barclay and Buggeln and Messrs. Collins, Ryan and Markee, which provide such directors with contractual rights to indemnification, expense advancement and reimbursement, to the fullest extent permitted under Pennsylvania law. See “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions” for more information.

None of these individuals was at any time an officer or an employee of Five Below. In addition, none of our executive officers currently serves, or in fiscal 2015 served, as a member of the board of directors or compensation committee of any entity that has one or more executive officers serving as a member of our board of directors or compensation committee.

 

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Communications with the Board of Directors

Shareholders may initiate in writing any communication with our board of directors or any individual director by sending the correspondence to our Corporate Secretary, c/o Five Below, Inc., 1818 Market Street, Suite 2000, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103. This centralized process assists our board of directors in reviewing and responding to shareholder communications in an appropriate manner. Any communication should not exceed 500 words in length and must be accompanied by the following information:

 

   

a statement of the type and amount of our securities that the person holds;

 

   

any special interest of the shareholder in the subject matter of the communication (i.e.—not in such person’s capacity as one of our shareholders); and

 

   

the name, address, telephone number and e-mail address, if any, of the person submitting the communication.

All communications that comply with the above procedural requirements will be relayed to the appropriate member of the board of directors. We will not forward any communications:

 

   

regarding individual grievances or other interests that are personal to the party submitting the communication and could not reasonably be construed to be of concern to our security holders or other constituencies generally;

 

   

that advocate our engaging in illegal activities;

 

   

that, under community standards, contain offensive, scurrilous or abusive content; or

 

   

that have no rational relevance to our business or operations.

Director Nomination Process

Minimum Qualifications of Directors

The nominating and corporate governance committee of the board of directors is responsible for facilitating director assessments, identifying skills and expertise that candidates should possess, and screening, selecting and recommending candidates for approval by the board of directors. The nominating and corporate governance committee may solicit recommendations for nominees from other members of the board and management. Our nominating and corporate governance committee may also retain professional search firms to identify candidates. The nominating and corporate governance committee seeks to identify, as candidates for director, persons with a reputation for and record of integrity and good business judgment. The nominating and corporate governance committee considers the nature of the expertise and experience required for the performance of the duties of a director of the Company, and such matters as the candidate’s relevant business and industry experience, professional background, age, current employment, community service and other board service. The nominating and corporate governance committee shall also consider the racial, ethnic and gender diversity of the board.

At a minimum, each director will be expected to:

 

   

understand the Company’s business and the industry in general;

 

   

have experience in positions with a high degree of responsibility and be leaders in the organizations in which they are affiliated;

 

   

be free from conflicts of interest that could interfere with a director’s duties to the Company;

 

   

regularly attend meetings of the board and of any committees on which the director serves;

 

   

review in a timely fashion and understand materials circulated to the board regarding the Company or the industry;

 

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participate in meetings and decision-making processes in an objective and constructive manner; and

 

   

be reasonably available, upon request, to advise the Company’s officers and management.

In addition, the committee may consider the following criteria, among others the committee shall deem appropriate, in recommending candidates for election to the board of directors:

 

   

personal and professional integrity, ethics and values;

 

   

experience in corporate management, such as serving as an officer or former officer of a publicly held company;

 

   

experience in the Company’s industry;

 

   

experience as a board member of another publicly held company;

 

   

diversity of expertise and experience in substantive matters pertaining to the Company’s business relative to other board members;

 

   

practical and mature business judgment;

 

   

global experience; and

 

   

level of financial literacy.

Due consideration will be given to the board’s overall balance of diversity of perspectives, backgrounds and experiences.

If the committee decides, on the basis of its preliminary review of a candidate, to proceed with further consideration of a candidate, the committee will assemble information concerning the background and qualifications of the candidate. The committee may solicit the views of the Company’s senior management and other members of the board of directors regarding the qualifications and suitability of candidates. A member or members of the committee will then interview the candidate. The committee may also elect to contact other sources as it deems appropriate to solicit additional information on the candidate. Based on all available information and relevant considerations, the committee will select a candidate who, in the view of the committee, is most suited for membership on the board.

Shareholder Nominations of Directors and Other Business

Our bylaws provide procedures by which a shareholder may nominate individuals for election to our board of directors at any meeting of shareholders or bring business before an annual meeting of shareholders. A shareholder desiring to nominate a director for election to our board of directors, or to bring any other proper business before an annual meeting of shareholders, should deliver a written notice to our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices at 1818 Market Street, Suite 2000, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, no later than the 60th day nor earlier than the 90th day prior to the first anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting of shareholders. In the event that the date of the annual meeting of shareholders is more than 30 days before or more than 60 days after the anniversary of the preceding year’s annual meeting of shareholders, notice by the shareholder must be so received not earlier than the 90th day prior to the annual meeting of shareholders and not later than the later of the 60th day prior to the annual meeting of shareholders or the 15th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the meeting is first made by the Company. In the event that a special meeting of shareholders is called at which directors are to be elected pursuant to the notice of that meeting, a shareholder desiring to nominate a director for election to our board of directors at that meeting should deliver a notice to our Corporate Secretary at our principal executive offices at 1818 Market Street, Suite 2000, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103, not later than the later of the 60th day prior to that meeting or the 15th day after the public announcement of the date of the meeting and of the nominees proposed by the board to be elected at such meeting nor earlier than the 90th day prior to that special meeting.

 

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A shareholder’s notice shall set forth:

 

   

as to each person whom the shareholder proposes to nominate for election or reelection as a director: (i) all information relating to such person that is required to be disclosed in solicitations of proxies for election of directors in an election contest or is otherwise required pursuant to Regulation 14A under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), (ii) a description of any arrangements or understandings among the shareholder and each such person and any other person with respect to such nomination, and (iii) the consent of each such person to being named in the proxy statement as a nominee and to serving as a director of the Company if so elected;

 

   

as to any other business that the shareholder proposes to bring before an annual meeting of shareholders: (i) a brief description of the business desired to be brought before the meeting, (ii) the reasons for conducting such business at the meeting, and (iii) any material interest in such business of such shareholder and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the proposal is made; and

 

   

as to the shareholder giving the notice and the beneficial owner, if any, on whose behalf the nomination or proposal is made: (i) the name and address of such shareholder, as they appear on the Company’s books, and of such beneficial owner; (ii) the class and number of shares of the Company which are owned beneficially and of record by such shareholder and such beneficial owner; and (iii) a representation that such shareholder and beneficial owner intend to appear in person or by proxy at the meeting.

Candidates proposed by shareholders in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Company’s bylaws will be considered by the committee under criteria similar to the evaluation of other candidates set forth above in “Minimum Qualifications of Directors,” except that the committee may consider, as one of the factors in its evaluation of shareholder recommended nominees, the size and duration of the interest of the recommending shareholder or shareholder group in the equity of the Company. The committee may also consider the extent to which the recommending shareholder intends to continue holding its interest in the Company.

Code of Business Conduct and Ethics

Our code of business conduct and ethics applies to all of our employees, officers and directors, including those officers responsible for financial reporting. The code of business conduct and ethics is available on our website at www.fivebelow.com. Disclosure regarding any amendments to the code, or any waivers of its requirements for an executive officer or director, will be included in a current report on Form 8-K within four business days following the date of the amendment or waiver, unless posting such information on our website will then satisfy the rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC.

Corporate Governance Guidelines

Our board of directors has adopted corporate governance guidelines that serve as a flexible framework within which our board of directors and its committees operate. These guidelines cover a number of areas including the size and composition of the board, board membership criteria and director qualifications, director responsibilities, board agenda, roles of the Chairman of the board and Chief Executive Officer, meetings of independent directors, committee responsibilities and assignments, board member access to management and independent advisors, director communications with third parties, director compensation, director orientation and continuing education, evaluation of senior management and management succession planning. A copy of our corporate governance guidelines is available on our website at www.fivebelow.com.

 

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AUDIT COMMITTEE REPORT

The audit committee of the board of directors assists the board of directors in performing its oversight responsibilities for our financial reporting process and audit process as more fully described in the audit committee’s charter. Management has the primary responsibility for the financial statements and the reporting process. Our independent registered public accounting firm is responsible for performing an independent audit of our financial statements and internal control over financial reporting in accordance with the auditing standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) and to issue reports thereon.

In the performance of its oversight function, the audit committee reviewed and discussed our audited financial statements and reporting process for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2016, including internal controls over financial reporting, with management and with our independent registered public accounting firm. In addition, the audit committee discussed with our independent registered public accounting firm the matters required to be discussed by the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board Auditing Standard No. 16, Communications with Audit Committees. The audit committee has also received and reviewed the written disclosures and the letter from our independent registered public accounting firm required by the applicable requirements of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board regarding the accounting firm’s communications with the audit committee concerning independence and has discussed with our independent registered public accounting firm that firm’s independence and considered whether any non-audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm are compatible with maintaining its independence.

Based on the review and discussions with management and our independent registered public accounting firm described above, the audit committee recommended to the board of directors that the audited financial statements be included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 2016 filed with the SEC.

Audit Committee

Michael F. Devine, III, Chairman

Daniel J. Kaufman

Richard L. Markee

Ronald L. Sargent

The foregoing report of the audit committee does not constitute soliciting material and shall not be deemed filed, incorporated by reference into or a part of any other filing by the Company (including any future filings) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates such report by reference therein.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE REPORT

We have reviewed and discussed the Compensation Discussion and Analysis with management. Based on our review and discussion with management, the compensation committee recommended to our board of directors that the Compensation Discussion and Analysis be included in this Proxy Statement.

Compensation Committee

Thomas M. Ryan, Chairman

Kathleen S. Barclay

Catherine E. Buggeln

Richard L. Markee

The foregoing report of the compensation committee does not constitute soliciting material and shall not be deemed filed, incorporated by reference into or a part of any other filing by the Company (including any future filings) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, or the Exchange Act, except to the extent the Company specifically incorporates such report by reference therein.

 

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EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

Kenneth R. Bull. Mr. Bull, 53, has served as our Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer since 2012. He joined the Company as Senior Vice President, Finance in 2005 and has also served as our Secretary. Previously, Mr. Bull was the Finance Director and Treasurer for Urban Outfitters, Inc., a specialty lifestyle merchandising retailer, from 1999 to 2003, and the Vice President, Finance and Controller for Asian American Partners d/b/a Eagle’s Eye, a wholesaler and retailer of women’s and children’s better apparel from 1991 to 1999.

Eric M. Specter. Mr. Specter, 58, joined the Company as Chief Administrative Officer in July 2014. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Specter served as Executive Vice President and Chief Integration Officer of Ascena Retail Group, Inc. (“Ascena”), a specialty clothing, shoes and accessories retailer, from 2012 to 2014. Previously, Mr. Specter served as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Charming Shoppes, Inc., a specialty apparel retailer, from 1997 until it was acquired by Ascena in 2012.

Michael F. Romanko. Mr. Romanko, 50, joined the Company as Executive Vice President of Merchandising in January of 2015. Prior to joining the Company, Mr. Romanko served as Chief Design Officer of Patriarch Partners, LLC, a private equity firm, from 2013 to 2015. Previously, Mr. Romanko was a Partner at Qbbs Global LLC, a retail strategy consulting firm, from 2009 to 2013.

Biographies for Messrs. Vellios and Anderson are included under the heading “Board of Directors.”

Our executive officers are appointed by our board of directors and serve until their successors have been duly appointed and qualified or their earlier resignation or removal.

 

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COMPENSATION DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS

Introduction

We are dedicated to providing a compensation program for our executives that is aligned with the strategic direction of our business and rewards executives for creating value for our shareholders. This compensation discussion and analysis (“CD&A”) provides an overview of our executive compensation program and how the compensation provided to our principal executive officer, our principal financial officer and our three other most highly compensated executive officers (collectively referred to as the Named Executive Officers) was determined in 2015.

The Named Executive Officers for fiscal 2015, as well as the positions held by each during the year, are listed below:

 

Name

  

Position

Thomas G. Vellios

   Executive Chairman

Joel D. Anderson

   President and Chief Executive Officer

Kenneth R. Bull

   Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer

Eric M. Specter

   Chief Administrative Officer

Michael F. Romanko

   Executive Vice President, Merchandising

Executive Summary

Fiscal 2015 Performance Highlights

We achieved strong performance in fiscal 2015, with $832 million in net sales representing a 22.3% increase over last year. We also generated $92.9 million in operating income, a 20.7% increase over last year’s value of $77.0 million. We opened 71 net new stores in fiscal 2015, bringing us to a total of 437 locations across 27 states as of the end of the fiscal year, and our comparable store sales increased by 3.4% in fiscal 2015.

Fiscal 2015 Compensation Highlights

Our compensation program for the Named Executive Officers is driven by the need to recruit, develop, motivate and retain top talent both in the short- and long-term and align the interests of Named Executive Officers and shareholders.

 

   

New Appointments. Mr. Anderson, formerly our President and Chief Operating Officer, was appointed President and Chief Executive Officer and Mr. Vellios, formerly our Chief Executive Officer, was appointed Executive Chairman effective February 1, 2015.

 

   

In connection with Mr. Vellios’ appointment as Executive Chairman, Mr. Vellios’ annual base salary was reduced from $700,000 to $600,000 and he was provided with an annual performance bonus opportunity with a target and a maximum bonus potential of 50% of his current base salary.

 

   

In connection with Mr. Anderson’s appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Anderson relinquished certain rights he previously had to terminate his employment for Good Reason and the Company decided to also appoint him to become a member of our board of directors.

 

   

Peer Group: In light of our historical and projected growth, the compensation committee reviewed the peer group used for compensation analysis during fiscal 2015 and approved changes to be effective for fiscal 2016. These changes were made so that our compensation peer group continues to reflect the competitive market of companies similar to us in factors such as industry, size, growth prospects and operational complexity. See “Peer Group” section below for additional detail.

 

   

Base Salaries: only one of the Named Executive Officers, Mr. Specter, received a base salary increase in fiscal 2015. Additionally, Mr. Vellios’ base salary was decreased in connection with his appointment as Executive Chairman. See “Base Salary” section below for additional detail.

 

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Annual Incentive Bonus. The Company’s operating income of $92.9 million was between threshold and target performance goals for fiscal 2015, and our net sales of $832 million met our target for the year. As such, Messrs. Anderson, Bull and Vellios received a bonus payout under the Incentive Bonus Plan for fiscal 2015 equal to 75% of their target bonus opportunity. As we did not meet our inventory turn goal, a performance metric included in bonus calculations for Messrs. Specter and Romanko, bonus payout for these two Named Executive Officers was 65.6% of their target opportunity. See the “Annual Incentive Bonus” section below for additional information on performance objectives and payouts for each Named Executive Officer.

 

   

Long-term Equity Incentive Grants:

 

   

In March 2015, Messrs. Anderson, Bull and Specter were granted Performance-based Restricted Stock Units (“PRSUs”) that vest after a 3-year performance period based on the achievement of cumulative operating income goals and contingent on continued employment with the Company.

 

   

Also in March 2015, Messrs. Anderson, Bull and Specter were granted stock options that vest 50% two years after the grant date and 25% on each of the third and fourth anniversaries of the grant date, generally contingent on such officer’s continued employment with the Company.

See “Long-term Equity Incentive Compensation” section for additional detail.

Key Governance Practices

We follow a number of key governance practices that reflect our compensation philosophy and support long-term company success while helping to mitigate compensation risks.

 

What we do

  

What we don’t do

ü    We provide a significant portion of pay opportunities in variable or “at-risk” compensation linked to drivers of shareholder value creation, including long-term equity incentive compensation provided to Named Executive Officers 50% in the form of PRSUs and 50% in stock options

 

ü    The compensation committee reviews our executive compensation program, including compensation philosophy and objectives, on an ongoing basis

 

ü    The compensation committee annually reviews and approves targets for our incentive compensation plans

 

ü    Incentive plan payouts are capped at maximum levels to mitigate the potential for windfall gains or excessive risk-taking

 

ü    Our Named Executive Officers’ employment agreements include reasonable provisions for specific termination and Change of Control events

 

ü    The compensation committee has retained an independent advisor for support with executive and director compensation

  

×    No compensation is guaranteed under our incentive programs

 

×    We do not grant time-vesting restricted stock or restricted stock units as a component of our Named Executive Officers’ annual compensation packages

 

×    We do not provide tax gross-ups related to the impact of excise tax under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code

 

×    We will not reprice stock options without shareholder approval

 

×    We do not provide a defined benefit pension plan for our employees

 

ü    The compensation committee regularly reviews risks related to our executive compensation programs and arrangements

  

 

ü    We have clawback provisions in place for certain of our equity incentive grants

  

 

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Elements of Our Executive Compensation and Benefits Programs

We provide compensation to our Named Executive Officers through a combination of the following elements:

 

Element of Pay

  

Purpose

  

Alignment with Principles & Objectives

Base Salary    Recognize and reward for the scope of a Named Executive Officer’s role and their individual performance   

•     Provides a minimum, fixed level of cash compensation to reflect the level of accountability of talented executives who can continue to improve the Company’s overall performance

 

•     Value provided is aligned with executives’ experience, industry knowledge, duties and scope of responsibility as well as the competitive market for talent

Annual Incentive Bonus    Reward for success in achieving annual objectives   

•     Value paid out is variable dependent on the Company’s performance through the fiscal year

 

•     Motivates executives to achieve specific annual performance goals and objectives

Performance-based Restricted Stock Units (“PRSUs”)    Reward for the achievement of long-term operating income performance and shareholder value creation   

•     Value realized is variable based on operating income over a 3-year period

 

•     Motivates executives to achieve specific long-term objectives driving success in ongoing growth and development

 

•     Aligns the executives’ interests with long-term shareholder interests to ensure a strong continued focus on increasing overall shareholder value

Stock Options    Reward for long-term growth in stock price, increasing the alignment of executives with shareholders   

•     Value realized is variable based on stock performance over a long-term period, with options vesting over 4 years and expiring after a 10-year term

 

•     Aligns the executives’ interests with long-term shareholder interests to ensure a strong continued focus on increasing overall shareholder value

Retirement (401(k) Plan), Employee Stock Purchase Plan, health and welfare benefits, and limited perquisites    Enhances total compensation to provide a package that is competitive with market practices   

•     Provides competitive benefits that support the health, wellness and long-term financial security of our full-time employees.

 

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Pay Mix at Target

The portion of executive compensation devoted to each of the elements of pay we provide is driven by our compensation philosophy as well as each Named Executive Officer’s role and strategic value to the organization.

We put a significant portion of each executive’s compensation “at risk,” with particular focus on long-term equity incentives that align the interests of our executives with those of shareholders. The diagrams below illustrate the targeted balance between base salary, annual incentives, and long-term equity incentives (including both PRSUs and stock options) for our Chief Executive Officer and the average of other Named Executive Officers excluding Mr. Vellios in fiscal 2015:

 

LOGO

 

(1) Mr. Vellios’ compensation has been excluded from this diagram of Named Executive Officers other than the CEO to better illustrate pay mix at target for Named Executive Officers who are not also directors.

Purpose and Philosophy

Our executive compensation programs are designed to accomplish the following principles:

 

   

our executive compensation programs are aligned with and support the strategic direction of our business;

 

   

we design compensation levels to reflect the level of accountability and future potential of each executive and the achievement of outstanding individual results;

 

   

our compensation programs are designed to link pay with overall company performance and reward executives for behaviors which drive shareholder value creation;

 

   

as a Named Executive Officer’s level of responsibility increases, the proportion of compensation “at risk” may increase; however, such compensation programs should not encourage excessive or unnecessary risks; and

 

   

the design and administration of our compensation programs will reflect best practices to be financially efficient, affordable and legally compliant.

We regularly review the competitiveness of compensation provided to our Named Executive Officers, and do not target a specific market level for the competitiveness of any individual element of compensation or for the program as a whole. However, we generally set target compensation at levels that are competitive with other retail comparators.

 

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Compensation decisions are made by the compensation committee after careful consideration of market competitive levels as well as our annual performance and the impact of each executive’s performance on our business results. As our compensation program is designed with a significant amount of pay “at risk,” we would expect to provide below-market compensation if our performance is below our objectives, and provide above-market compensation if we significantly exceed our objectives.

Peer Group

The peer group for market compensation analysis we used in fiscal 2015 is substantially the same as the one used in fiscal 2014, except for the removal of companies that were no longer publicly traded. This group was developed by the compensation committee with the support of Korn Ferry Hay Group, its independent advisor, and is comprised of 14 similarly-situated companies within the retail industry. The peer group for fiscal 2015 is as follows:

 

•    Bebe Stores

  

•    Gordmans Stores

•    Buckle

  

•    Hibbett Sports

•    Build-A-Bear Workshop

  

•    lululemon athletica

•    Citi Trends

  

•    Tilly’s

•    Destination XL Group

  

•    Tumi Holdings

•    Francesca’s Holdings

  

•    Vitamin Shoppe

•    Fresh Market

  

•    Zumiez

Relative to the fiscal 2014 peer group, Body Central and Rue21 were removed as neither were publicly traded entities in fiscal 2015.

As described in more detail in the section “Post-Fiscal 2015 Compensation Decisions,” a review of this peer group was conducted in late 2015, with adjustments made effective fiscal 2016.

Role of the Compensation Committee

As described in more detail under “Board of Directors—Committees of the Board of Directors—Compensation Committee,” the compensation committee operates under a written charter, which lays out its roles and responsibilities regarding executive compensation.

Mses. Barclay and Buggeln and Messrs. Ryan and Markee are members of the compensation committee, all of whom are independent as defined under the corporate governance rules of The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC and satisfied the independence standards for the compensation committee established by the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC and The NASDAQ Stock Market LLC.

Our board of directors has delegated administration of our executive compensation program to the compensation committee. Our compensation committee reviews the performance of our Chief Executive Officer and Executive Chairman and makes determinations and decisions on their compensation programs, including the components, mix and targeted amounts thereof.

Role of Executives in Establishing Compensation

Our Chief Executive Officer provides recommendations regarding the design of our compensation programs to the compensation committee for all Named Executive Officers, excluding himself and Mr. Vellios. Upon the compensation committee’s approval, the execution of the elements of the executive compensation programs is the responsibility of the Chief Financial Officer and/or his delegees.

 

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Compensation Consultant

The compensation committee has engaged Korn Ferry Hay Group as its independent compensation consultant since 2013 to conduct market reviews and to provide assistance, guidance and considerations with respect to, among other things:

 

   

board of directors compensation pay levels and structure;

 

   

our compensation philosophy and peer group (as described above);

 

   

targeted compensation amounts for Named Executive Officers; and

 

   

ongoing annual and long-term incentive compensation strategy and design.

The compensation committee, in conjunction with Korn Ferry Hay Group, regularly reviews various elements of our compensation program for both employees and directors against our peer group. In fiscal 2015, Korn Ferry Hay Group supported the compensation committee with comprehensive compensation benchmarking for our Named Executive Officers as well as a review of the peer group used for Named Executive Officers and director compensation benchmarking.

Additionally, in early fiscal 2016 Korn Ferry Hay Group provided support to the compensation committee with an update on executive compensation governance and regulatory trends, benchmarking of director compensation and analysis related to fiscal 2016 incentive design and Named Executive Officer compensation.

The compensation committee has examined the independence of Korn Ferry Hay Group under factors contained in the NASDAQ listing standards and determined that Korn Ferry Hay Group is independent and concluded that its work for us does not raise any conflict of interest. Because of policies and procedures that Korn Ferry Hay Group and the compensation committee have in place, the compensation committee is confident that the advice it receives from executive compensation consultants at Korn Ferry Hay Group is objective and not influenced by Korn Ferry Hay Group’s or its affiliates’ relationships with the Company or its officers.

Shareholder Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation

At our 2013 annual meeting, we conducted our first “Say-On-Pay” shareholder advisory vote, as required by the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010. Having received approximately 92% of the shares voting in approval of this advisory vote on our executive compensation, the compensation committee believes that our shareholders are supportive of our current executive compensation practices. Nevertheless, we continue to refine our executive compensation practices in an ongoing effort to ensure that those practices support our overall corporate goals and values and are aligned with our compensation philosophy.

In line with the recommendation by the Company’s shareholders at our 2013 annual meeting of shareholders, the board of directors decided that it will include an advisory shareholder vote on executive compensation in its proxy materials triennially until the next shareholder vote on the frequency of an advisory vote on executive compensation. As such, we are seeking shareholder approval on our executive compensation program this year, as further described in Proposal 5—Advisory (Non-Binding) Vote to Approve the Company’s Named Executive Officer Compensation.

 

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Base Salary

The compensation committee believes that competitive salaries must be paid in order to attract and retain high-quality executives. We annually review our executives’ base salaries and make adjustments only when necessary based on individual and Company performance. The following table reflects the base salaries for each of our Named Executive Officers for fiscal years 2014 and 2015:

 

Named Executive Officer

   2014 Base Salary      2015 Base Salary  

Thomas G. Vellios(1)

   $ 700,000       $ 600,000   

Joel D. Anderson

   $ 700,000       $ 700,000   

Kenneth R. Bull

   $ 400,000       $ 400,000   

Eric M. Specter(2)

   $ 475,000       $ 500,000   

Michael F. Romanko

   $ 450,000       $ 450,000   

 

(1) Mr. Vellios’ salary was decreased in connection with his appointment as Executive Chairman
(2) Mr. Specter’s salary was increased according to the terms of his employment agreement

See “Executive Compensation—Summary Compensation Table” for more information about the actual amounts earned by each Named Executive Officer in each fiscal year.

Annual Incentive Bonus

Named Executive Officers earn cash incentive awards for achieving and exceeding our annual financial goals. Until fiscal 2015, awards have been made under the Five Below, Inc. 2012 Performance Bonus Plan, or the Incentive Bonus Plan, which is administered by the compensation committee. Payouts under the plan are calculated based on our performance relative to targets that are approved by the compensation committee each year.

In March 2015, the compensation committee approved the performance targets and potential bonus payouts for the Named Executive Officers for fiscal 2015 under the Incentive Bonus Plan. The compensation committee determined that, consistent with prior years, a main business objective was to continue increasing our operating income, determined prior to giving effect to any bonuses potentially payable under the Incentive Bonus Plan (“pre-incentive operating income”). As such, pre-incentive operating income was used as the primary metric in the Incentive Bonus Plan for our Named Executive Officers, with other metrics having the potential to decrease payout value if targets are not achieved.

To calculate payouts under the Incentive Bonus Plan, the Company’s pre-incentive operating income performance for the year is assessed relative to the relevant performance targets (see targets for fiscal 2015 provided below). Based on this comparison, bonus payouts may range from 40% of target if threshold performance is achieved to 120% of target if maximum performance is achieved. No Incentive Bonus Plan payouts are made if the threshold pre-incentive operating income value is not achieved. The compensation committee believes that our target for fiscal 2015 was an aggressive, though attainable, target. Additionally, the level of performance required to achieve maximum payout under the Incentive Bonus Plan was determined by the compensation committee to be reflective of truly outstanding performance.

To support a balanced focus on top- and bottom-line performance, each Named Executive Officer was also measured on Company net sales through the fiscal year. Additionally, Messrs. Specter and Romanko had a portion of their Incentive Bonus linked to an inventory turn metric. Each of these metrics could decrease the bonus payout calculated based on pre-incentive operating income performance by the weighting factors shown below if relevant sales or inventory targets were not met. Performance on these metrics for fiscal 2015 was calculated on an “all or nothing” basis.

 

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The pre-incentive operating income performance targets and potential payouts under the Incentive Bonus Plan for fiscal 2015, as well as performance achieved, were as follows:

 

Level

   Pre-Incentive Operating Income      Bonus Payout (as a % of Target)  

Threshold

   $ 94.2 million         40

Actual

   $ 97.8 million         75

Target

   $ 100.2 million         100

Maximum(1)

   $ 105.0 million         120

 

(1) Applicable to all Named Executive Officers except Mr. Vellios, whose Incentive Bonus Plan opportunity was capped at 100% of target.

In March 2016, the compensation committee and the board reviewed our Incentive Bonus Plan results for fiscal 2015 performance. As actual performance is interpolated between the threshold, target, and maximum levels set out below, fiscal 2015 performance translates to up to a 75% payout.

For fiscal 2015, our net sales goal of $832 million was achieved, and as a result the portion of the performance bonus attributable to the sales goal was earned at the “target” level by each of our Named Executive Officers. For fiscal 2015, our inventory turn goal was not achieved. Accordingly, Messrs. Specter and Romanko, the two Named Executive Officers whose performance bonus was in part based on achievement of an inventory turn goal, did not receive any portion of the performance bonus attributable to the inventory turn goal and so saw a 12.5% reduction in their Bonus Achievement Factor, as shown below.

The target bonus opportunities, weighting of performance metrics and bonus achievement factor for each of our Named Executive Officers for fiscal 2015 were as follows:

 

Named Executive Officer

   Target Bonus
(% of Base Salary)
    2015 Incentive Bonus Plan Metrics
& Weighting (% of target)
    Fiscal 2015 Bonus Achievement
Factor (% of target)
 
     Pre-Incentive
Operating
Income
    Net
Sales
    Inventory
Turn
   

Thomas G. Vellios

     50     75     25     —          75

Joel D. Anderson

     100     75     25     —          75

Kenneth R. Bull

     50     75     25     —          75

Eric M. Specter

     50     75     12.5     12.5     65.6

Michael F. Romanko

     50     75     12.5     12.5     65.6

The actual amount of each incentive bonus payable to Named Executive Officers is shown in the “Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation” column of the Summary Compensation Table below.

Long-term Equity Incentive Compensation

Equity awards under the Five Below, Inc. Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan, or the Equity Incentive Plan, are a vital piece of our total compensation package. They are intended to compensate Named Executive Officers for sustained long-term performance, align the interests of our Named Executive Officers and shareholders and encourage retention through multi-year vesting schedules. Long-term equity incentive awards may take a variety of forms, including the PRSU and stock option grants made in fiscal 2015. Levels, mix and frequency of awards are determined by the compensation committee, and are designed to reflect each recipient’s level of responsibility and performance.

The value of annual, initial hire and promotion grants are targeted to be at competitive levels, though actual value realized varies based on our actual long-term performance. Service-based restricted stock awards may also be granted as appropriate to recognize performance and provide ownership and/or retention focus.

 

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Overview of Fiscal 2015 Long-term Equity Incentive Awards

Our long-term equity incentive program for fiscal 2015 was designed to deliver 50% of long-term equity incentive value in PRSUs and 50% in stock options for our Named Executive Officers (other than Mr. Vellios, who no longer receives annual equity grants). We believe this balance of vehicles gives strong alignment between shareholder interests and operating performance, providing value for both sustained stock price performance and the achievement of long-term operating income performance.

Performance-based Restricted Stock Units

PRSUs are designed to reward for performance over a 3-year period. Key design details include:

 

   

PRSUs represent the right to receive shares of our common stock based on the attainment of applicable performance criteria and, generally, are further subject to continued service through the performance period.

 

   

Performance is evaluated on the Company’s 3-year cumulative operating income, subject to adjustments, if any, as determined by the compensation committee.

 

   

Targets for 3-year cumulative operating income are approved for each grant by the compensation committee, subject to adjustments, if any, as determined by the compensation committee.

 

   

At the end of the 3-year performance period, if threshold performance is not achieved no PRSUs will vest. 50% of the target number of PRSUs awarded vest at threshold performance, and 150% of the target number of PRSUs vest if the Company achieves the maximum performance level approved by the compensation committee. For performance between threshold, target, and maximum levels, the number of PRSUs vesting is calculated using linear interpolation between the levels summarized below:

 

Level

   % of Target Number of
PRSUs Awarded Vesting
 

Threshold

     50

Target

     100

Maximum

     150

We believe that achievement of the target level of performance for cumulative operating income approved by the compensation committee will be challenging, but achievable with significant effort and skill, and that the maximum level of performance would be indicative of truly outstanding performance.

The compensation committee chose operating income as a measure because it believes that there is a strong relationship between growth in operating income and growth in shareholder value.

 

Named Executive Officer

   Number of PRSUs Vesting upon
Attainment of Performance Goal
 
   Threshold      Target      Maximum  

Thomas G. Vellios(1)

     —           —           —     

Joel D. Anderson

     10,496         20,993         31,490   

Kenneth R. Bull

     3,498         6,997         10,496   

Eric M. Specter

     3,498         6,997         10,496   

Michael F. Romanko(2)

     —           —           —     

 

(1) Mr. Vellios no longer receives annual equity grants.
(2) Mr. Romanko was provided with equity grants in connection with the commencement of his employment in January 2015. He will be eligible to receive annual equity grants starting in fiscal 2016.

 

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PRSUs granted in fiscal 2015 will become fully vested at a target level in the event of a change in control of the Company. In the event of a Named Executive Officer’s termination due to death or disability, a pro-rata portion of PRSUs become vested based on service during the Performance Period and subject to satisfaction of applicable performance goals.

Stock Options

Stock options have traditionally been granted as a component of our long-term incentive program and continue to be a valuable vehicle designed to align Named Executive Officers’ and shareholders’ interests over a longer-term period. The longer-term focus provided by stock options complements the three-year period of PRSUs, extending the period over which Named Executive Officers may receive value from our long-term incentive program. Key design details include:

 

   

Each stock option represents the right to purchase one share of our stock at a price equal to the closing price on the date of grant, contingent on continued service to the Company.

 

   

Stock option grants vest over a four year period, with 50% vesting on the second anniversary of grant and 25% vesting on each of the third and fourth anniversaries.

 

   

Stock options expire 10 years from the date of grant.

 

Named Executive Officer

   Number of Stock
Options Granted
 

Thomas G. Vellios(1)

     —     

Joel D. Anderson

     43,163   

Kenneth R. Bull

     14,387   

Eric M. Specter

     14,387   

Michael F. Romanko(2)

     —     

 

(1) Mr. Vellios no longer receives annual equity grants.
(2) Mr. Romanko was provided with equity grants in connection with the commencement of his employment in January 2015. He will be eligible to receive annual equity grants starting in fiscal 2016.

Stock options granted in fiscal 2015 will become fully vested in the event of a change in control of the Company. Additionally, 25% of each Named Executive Officer’s option awards will become vested if their employment is terminated due to death or disability between the first and second anniversaries of the grant date.

PRSUs awarded to Mr. Vellios in fiscal 2014

On December 19, 2014, the compensation committee approved an award of 309,039 PRSUs to Mr. Vellios which vest in three parts based on adjusted operating income performance in fiscal years 2015, 2016, and 2017. For this purpose, “adjusted operating income” means the Company’s operating income, excluding the impact of stock compensation expense for equity granted to Mr. Schlessinger or Mr. Vellios, expenses incurred in any public offering of the Company’s securities, expenses incurred related to acquisition transaction costs, income or expenses incurred due to a change in accounting principles and external expenses incurred during the start-up period for any new business venture. Mr. Vellios no longer receives annual equity grants and received no equity grants in fiscal 2015.

The table below summarizes the number of PRSUs awarded to Mr. Vellios in fiscal 2014 that will vest if threshold or target performance levels are achieved in fiscal years 2015, 2016 and 2017:

 

Opportunity

   Number of PRSUs vesting
if Performance Level achieved
 
       Threshold              Target      

2015 PRSUs

     38,630         77,260   

2016 PRSUs

     51,506         103,013   

2017 PRSUs

     64,383         128,766   

 

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Vesting of Mr. Vellios’ awards for each year is determined following the calculation of adjusted operating income performance for the year. The target number of units granted will vest if performance meets or exceeds the performance target, and no units will vest if threshold performance is not achieved. If performance achieved is between the threshold and target performance levels, the number of units vesting will be calculated using interpolation. Any units that do not vest based upon the Company’s achieved level of adjusted operating income for any particular fiscal year are forfeited. The compensation committee and management believe that achievement of the threshold levels of performance for adjusted operating income will be challenging, but achievable with significant effort and skill, and target levels of performance would be indicative of truly outstanding performance.

Following the compensation committee’s assessment of 2015 performance, adjusted operating income performance of $95.9 million exceeded the target performance level of $93.5 million for the year. As such, the target number of 2015 PRSUs vested.

Retirement, Health and Welfare Benefits and Other Perquisites

Our Named Executive Officers are entitled to participate in all of our employee benefit plans, including medical, dental, vision, group life and disability insurance, the Five Below, Inc. Employee Stock Purchase Plan, and the Five Below 401(k) Retirement Savings Plan. We provide vacation and paid holidays to our Named Executive Officers. Generally, our Named Executive Officers participate in these plans and programs on the same or similar basis as are offered to our other senior employees. We provide limited perquisites to Named Executive Officers.

Employment Agreements

We have entered into employment agreements with each of our Named Executive Officers. Amendments put into effect during fiscal 2015 are summarized below, and the benefits potentially payable under all agreements are more fully described below in the section entitled “Executive Compensation—Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control.”

The compensation committee believes that severance and change in control arrangements, when properly tailored, are appropriate and necessary to retain the Named Executive Officers and to recruit other potential executive candidates. Further, in the case of any potential change in control, the compensation committee has concluded that such commitments are necessary to enable our Named Executive Officers to evaluate objectively the benefits to shareholders of the proposed transaction, notwithstanding any potential effects on their own job security.

The compensation committee also believes that reasonable severance and change in control benefits should be:

 

   

established with reference to an executive’s position and current cash compensation opportunities, not with reference to his or her tenure;

 

   

conditioned upon execution of a release of claims against the Company and its affiliates; and

 

   

conditioned on the executive’s commitment not to compete with the Company for a reasonable period following any cessation of his or her employment.

No Named Executive Officer of the Company has a right to receive a tax gross-up related to the impact of the excise tax under Section 280G of the Internal Revenue Code.

Joel D. Anderson Employment Letter Amendment

The employment letter agreement we entered into with Mr. Anderson on June 8, 2014 was amended in connection with Mr. Anderson’s appointment as Chief Executive Officer (the “Anderson Amendment”). The

 

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Anderson Amendment clarified that, effective February 1, 2015, Mr. Anderson would report to the board of directors and perform duties required as President and Chief Executive Officer, and eliminated certain rights he previously had to terminate his employment for Good Reason.

Thomas G. Vellios Employment Letter Amendment

In connection with his appointment as Executive Chairman, we entered into an amendment with Mr. Vellios to his existing employment letter agreement (the “Vellios Amendment”). Pursuant to the Vellios Amendment and effective February 1, 2015, Mr. Vellios’ base salary was reduced from $700,000 to $600,000 (subject to review for increase commencing with our 2016 fiscal year) and his target and maximum annual performance bonus opportunities were established at 50% of his annual base salary.

Post-Fiscal 2015 Compensation Decisions

Changes to Named Executive Officer Compensation

After the end of fiscal 2015, upon considering the findings from compensation benchmarking conducted for our Named Executive Officers, the compensation committee approved the following changes to the targeted annual compensation of our Named Executive Officers for fiscal 2016 to ensure ongoing alignment with our compensation philosophy:

 

   

Mr. Anderson’s salary was increased to $750,000, and his targeted annual equity grant value was increased to $1,700,000;

 

   

Mr. Bull’s salary was increased to $450,000, his annual bonus target was increased to 60% of base salary, and his targeted annual equity grant value was set at $350,000;

 

   

Mr. Specter’s annual bonus target was increased to 60% of base salary, his targeted annual equity grant value was set at $350,000, and his employment terms were amended in light of this changed annual grant value; and

 

   

Mr. Romanko’s annual bonus target was increased to 60% of base salary, his targeted annual equity grant value was set at $350,000, and the compensation committee approved a one-time additional equity grant with a value of $150,000, 75% in the form of PRSUs and 25% in the form of stock options.

In reaching the foregoing compensation determinations, the compensation committee took into account the significant improvements in the Company’s financial results and operational performance in fiscal 2015.

Changes to Peer Group

During fiscal 2015, the peer group was reviewed by the compensation committee with the support of its independent advisor to ensure its ongoing appropriateness in consideration of factors such as annual revenues, company performance, industry comparators, operational complexity, and growth prospects. Some changes were made to the peer group used to inform pay decisions for fiscal 2016, which will be discussed in greater detail in next year’s CD&A.

Changes to Annual Incentive Bonus

Effective for fiscal 2016, the compensation committee approved changes to the achievement levels under the Incentive Bonus Plan to better align with market practices and provide additional upside potential if stretch performance goals are achieved. Specifically, the range of payouts was adjusted such that 50% of target is earned at threshold and 150% of target is paid upon the achievement of maximum performance. This change excludes Mr. Vellios, whose maximum annual performance bonus was fixed at 100% of target. Additionally, in contrast to

 

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the “all or nothing” basis as was the case during fiscal 2015, performance on the sales metric and the resulting impact on payouts will be calculated along a scale from threshold to target, and performance on the inventory metric at threshold and target will result in achieving a 50% and 100% payout, respectively, of the inventory portion of the bonus.

Changes to Equity Vehicle Mix

To increase Named Executive Officers’ focus on achieving long-term operating performance goals as well as shareholder return, the compensation committee approved, effective for fiscal 2016, changing the targeted mix of equity vehicles provided to Named Executive Officers from an even weighting of PRSUs and stock options to 75% PRSUs, 25% stock options.

Changes to Base Salary

Under our agreements with our Named Executive Officers, adjustments to base salary are discretionary. Effective commencing in fiscal 2016, the compensation committee has determined that except in extraordinary situations, adjustments in base salary for Named Executive Officers will generally be considered no more frequently than every second fiscal year.

Adoption of the Five Below, Inc. Executive Severance Plan

On May 10, 2016, upon considering the findings from compensation benchmarking for our executives, the Board adopted the Five Below, Inc. Executive Severance Plan (the “Severance Plan”). Subject to the execution of a general release, the Severance Plan provides that (1) Messrs. Bull and Romanko and all other Executive Vice Presidents will be eligible to receive severance in the amount of 12 months of base salary and reimbursement for certain COBRA expenses for 12 months upon a termination without “cause” or a resignation for “good reason,” and (2) Senior Vice Presidents and Vice Presidents will be eligible to receive severance in the amount of 6 months of base salary and reimbursement for certain COBRA expenses for 6 months upon a termination without “cause.”

 

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EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

Summary Compensation Table

The following table shows the annual compensation paid to or earned by the Named Executive Officers for fiscal years 2015, 2014 and 2013:

 

Name & Principal Position

  Year     Salary
($)
    Bonus
($)
    Non-Equity
Incentive Plans
Compensation
    Stock
Awards
($)(6)
    Option
Awards
($)(6)
    All Other
Compensation
($)(7)
    Total ($)  

Thomas G. Vellios

    2015        600,000        —          225,000        —          —          586        825,586   

Executive Chairman and Founder

    2014        700,000        —          105,085        12,000,000        —          586        12,805,671   
    2013        700,000        —          —          —          —          564        700,564   

Joel D. Anderson

    2015        700,000        250,000 (4)      525,000        600,000        600,000        42,865        2,717,865   

President and Chief Executive Officer

    2014 (1)      328,173        —          210,000        4,900,000        600,000        48,750        6,086,923   

Kenneth R. Bull

    2015        400,000        —          150,000        200,000        200,000        2,432        952,432   
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer     2014        378,650        —          52,500        175,000        175,000        3,586        784,736   
    2013        336,402        —          —          —          297,676        2,718        636,796   

Eric M. Specter

    2015        500,000        95,000 (5)      164,063        200,000        200,000        3,462        1,162,525   

Chief Administrative Officer

    2014 (2)      246,875        95,000 (5)      62,344        352,700        1,358,400        —          2,115,319   

Michael F. Romanko

    2015        450,000        —          147,656        —          —          50,000        647,656   

EVP of Merchandising

    2014 (3)      17,308        —          —          400,000        400,000        —          817,308   

 

(1) On July 21, 2014, Mr. Anderson commenced his employment with the Company.
(2) On July 28, 2014, Mr. Specter commenced his employment with the Company.
(3) On January 19, 2015, Mr. Romanko commenced his employment with the Company.
(4) Represents a relocation bonus payable to Mr. Anderson pursuant to the terms of his employment letter agreement.
(5) Represents a signing bonus payable to Mr. Specter in installments during fiscal years 2014 and 2015, pursuant to the terms of his employment letter agreement.
(6) The amounts in these columns, computed in accordance with current Financial Accounting Standard Board guidance for accounting for and reporting of stock-based compensation, represent the aggregate grant-date fair value of each time-based restricted stock unit, performance-based restricted stock unit and option award. Further detail surrounding the awards, the method of valuation and the assumptions made are set forth in the “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” section of the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K under “Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates.” The actual value of any options, if any, that may be realized will depend on the excess of the stock price over the exercise price on the date the option is exercised or the share price on the date of sale. Therefore, there is no assurance the value realized will be at or near the value estimated by the Black-Scholes option pricing model or at the grant date. Amounts shown with respect to unearned PRSU awards for Mr. Anderson, Mr. Bull, and Mr. Specter represent the expected value of the award, based on target level of performance and the fair market value of our stock on the date of grant, which for Mr. Anderson is $600,000 for the fiscal year 2015 award and $1,600,000 for the fiscal year 2014 awards, for Mr. Bull is $200,000 for the fiscal year 2015 award and $175,000 for the 2014 award and for Mr. Specter is $200,000 for the fiscal year 2015 award. The value of such currently unearned PRSU awards at the maximum level of issuance for Messrs. Anderson, Bull and Specter would be: $2,799,931 for Mr. Anderson, $562,468 for Mr. Bull, and $299,976 for Mr. Specter. The applicable performance period for PRSUs extends through the end of fiscal year 2016 and fiscal year 2017, in respect of each award to Messrs. Bull and Anderson, fiscal year 2017 in respect of the awards to Messrs. Vellios and Specter, and fiscal year 2018 in respect of Mr. Anderson’s additional PRSU (which vests based on to-be-established earnings growth measures) and, accordingly, none of these PRSUs have yet been earned. However, during fiscal 2015, the Company determined pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 718 that such fiscal year 2015 awards were likely to be earned at target.

 

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(7) The following table itemizes the components of the “All Other Compensation” column:

 

           Reimbursement  of
Legal

Fees and Related Income
Taxes ($)
    401(k) Company
Matching
Contribution ($)
    Imputed
Income from
Long Term
Disability
Coverage ($)
    Severance
($)
    Relocation
($)
    Total ($)  

Thomas G. Vellios

     2015        —          —          586        —          —          586   
     2014        —          —          586        —          —          586   
     2013        —          —          564        —          —          564   

Joel D. Anderson

     2015        —          1,615        —          —          41,250        42,865   
     2014        —          —          —          —          48,750        48,750   

Kenneth R. Bull

     2015        —          1,846        586        —          —          2,432   
     2014        —          3,000        586        —          —          3,586   
     2013        —          2,154        564        —          —          2,718   

Eric M. Specter

     2015        —          3,462        —          —          —          3,462   
     2014        —          —          —          —          —          —     

Michael F. Romanko

     2015        —          —          —          —          50,000        50,000   
     2014        —          —          —          —          —          —     

Grants of Plan-Based Awards

The following table shows all grants of awards in fiscal 2015 to each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table:

 

     Grant
Date
   

 

 

 

Estimated Future Payouts
Under Non-Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(1)

    Estimated Future Payouts
Under Equity Incentive
Plan Awards(2)
    All
Other
Stock
Awards:
Number
of
Shares
of Stock
or Units
(#)
  All Other
Option
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Options (#)(3)
    Exercise
or Base
Price of
Option
Awards
($/Sh)
    Grant
Date
Fair
Value
of
Stock
and
Option
Awards
($)(4)
 

Name

    Threshold
($)
    Target
($)
    Maximum
($)
    Threshold
(#)
    Target
(#)
    Maximum
(#)
         

Thomas G. Vellios

      120,000        300,000        300,000                 

Joel D. Anderson

      280,000        700,000        840,000                 
    3/10/2015              10,496        20,993        31,490              600,000   
    3/10/2015                      43,163        28.58        600,000   

Kenneth R. Bull

      80,000        200,000        240,000                 
    3/10/2015              3,498        6,997        10,496              200,000   
    3/10/2015                      14,387        28.28        200,000   

Eric M. Specter

      100,000        250,000        300,000                 
    3/10/2015              3,498        6,997        10,496              200,000   
    3/10/2015                      14,387        28.58        200,000   

Michael F. Romanko

      90,000        225,000        270,000                 

 

(1) Amounts represent cash bonus opportunities provided to Named Executive Officers in 2015. The criteria used to determine the amount of the annual bonus payable to each executive is described above under “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Annual Incentive Compensation.” These bonuses were ultimately earned at 75% of each target bonus opportunity for Messrs. Vellios, Anderson and Bull and 65.6% of each target bonus opportunity for Messrs. Specter and Romanko.
(2) Amounts represent potential threshold, target and maximum PRSUs available to the Named Executive Officers based upon the Company’s performance over a three year period, except as otherwise indicated. The term “Threshold” means the lowest non-zero amount that could be delivered as restricted stock units based on the Company’s performance over the applicable performance period. The threshold is not a minimum amount payable or deliverable. If specified performance objectives are not met for the applicable performance period, no restricted stock unit is payable or deliverable for that performance period. “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Long-term Equity Incentive Compensation” above.

 

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(3) These stock options vest upon the following time-based schedule: 50% of the stock options vest and become exercisable on the second anniversary of the grant date and 25% of the stock options vest on each of the third and fourth anniversary dates.
(4) Amounts with respect to stock awards and option awards represent the fair value of the awards on the date of grant, as computed in accordance with applicable accounting standards and the assumptions contained in Note 1 and Note 6 to the consolidated financial statements included as a part of the 2015 Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on March 23, 2016. Amounts with respect to PRSU awards represent the expected value of the award, based on the target level of performance and the fair market value of our stock on the date of grant. With respect to the PRSU awards, the grant date value of such PRSUs is based on the fair market value of our stock on the date of grant and the maximum level of performance for each executive would be: $899,984 for Mr. Anderson, $299,976 for Mr. Bull and Mr. Specter. The applicable performance periods for the awards extend through the end of fiscal year 2017. However, during fiscal 2015, the Company determined pursuant to FASB ASC Topic 718 that such fiscal year 2015 awards were likely to be earned at target.

Outstanding Equity Awards at Year End Fiscal 2015

The following table details information concerning unexercised stock options, stock options that have not vested, stock awards that have not vested, and stock awards that have not been earned for each of the executive officers named in the Summary Compensation Table as of January 30, 2016:

 

    Option Awards     Stock Awards  

Name

  Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
(Exercisable)
    Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Options (#)
(Unexercisable)
    Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number of
Securities
Underlying
Unexercised
Unearned
Options (#)
    Option
Exercise
Price
($)
    Option
Expiration
Date
   

 

 

Number
of
Shares
or Units
of Stock
That
Have
Not
Vested
(#)

    

 

 

Market
Value
of
Shares
or
Units
of
Stock
That
Have
Not
Vested
($)(4)

    Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Number
of
Unearned
Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
that
Have
Not
Vested
(#)(5)
    Equity
Incentive
Plan
Awards:
Market or
Payout
Value
Unearned
of Shares,
Units or
Other
Rights
That
Have Not
Vested
($)(4)
 

Thomas G. Vellios

    —          —          —          —          —               309,039        10,887,444   

Joel D. Anderson

      36,269 (1)        34.40        7/21/2024            
      43,163 (1)        28.58        3/10/2025            
              29,069         1,024,101       
                   29,069        1,024,101   
                   17,441        614,446   
                   20,993        739,583   

Kenneth R. Bull

    8,650          —          4.28 (3)      5/25/2021        —           —          —       
    25,950          —          4.95 (3)      10/18/2021        —           —          —       
    16,218        1,082 (2)      —          9.20 (3)      3/1/2022        —           —          —       
    7,500        7,500 (1)      —          39.70        7/18/2023        —           —          —       
    —          9,392 (1)      —          38.71        6/24/2024        —           —          —       
      14,387 (1)        28.58        3/10/2025            
    —          —          —          —          —               4,520        159,240   
                   6,997        246,504   

Eric M. Specter

    —          80,000 (1)      —          35.27        7/28/2024        —           —          —       
      14,387 (1)        28.58        3/10/2025            
              10,000         352,300       
                   6,997        246,504   

Michael F. Romanko

    —          24,908 (1)      —          33.98        1/19/2025        —           —          —       
              11,771         414,692       

 

(1) These stock options vest upon the following time-based schedule: 50% of the stock options vest and become exercisable on the second anniversary of the grant date and 25% of the stock options vest on each of the third and fourth anniversary dates.

 

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(2) These stock options vest upon the following time-based schedule: 50% of the stock options vest and become exercisable on the second anniversary of the grant date and 6.25% of the stock options vest and become exercisable every 90 days thereafter.
(3) The exercise price has been adjusted from the original exercise price of $6.30, $6.97 and $11.22, respectively, to reflect a special dividend we paid on May 16, 2012 of $2.02 per share on shares of our common stock and on an as-converted basis on shares of our then outstanding Series A 8% convertible preferred stock. Such adjustment applied to all outstanding options on the date of the dividend.
(4) This value was calculated using the closing price of our stock on January 29, 2016, the last trading date before the end of fiscal 2015 ($35.23).
(5) Amounts included under “Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested” represent the target award of PRSUs issuable to each executive upon achievement of the target level of performance (for more information see the description of the Company’s PRSUs above in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis”).

Option Exercises and Stock Vested

During fiscal 2015, none of our executive officers exercised previously issued stock options.

 

     Option Awards      Stock Awards  

Name

   Number of
Shares
Acquired
on Exercise
     Value
Realized
on
Exercise
($)
     Number of
Shares
Acquired
on Vesting
    Value
Realized
on
Vesting
($)
 

Thomas G. Vellios

     —           —           —          —     

Joel D. Anderson

     —           —           22,286 (1)      757,947 (3) 
     —           —           22,288 (2)      715,445 (4) 

Kenneth R. Bull

     —           —           —       

Eric M. Specter

     —           —           —          —     

Michael F. Romanko

     —           —           —          —     

 

  (1) These restricted stock units vested on October 1, 2015.
  (2) These restricted stock units vested on January 1, 2016.
  (3) This value was calculated using the closing prices as of the last trading date before October 1, 2015 of $34.01
  (4) This value was calculated using the closing prices as of the last trading date before January 1, 2016 of $32.10.

Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change of Control

In addition to contractual severance entitlements pursuant to Named Executive Officer’s applicable employment letter agreements (as narratively described below and as shown in the table below), our Named Executive Officers are entitled to accelerated vesting of certain equity grants upon the occurrence of a change in control (as defined in our Equity Incentive Plan) and upon certain termination events. The vesting conditions applicable to outstanding equity awards is further described above under the heading “Outstanding Equity Awards at Year End Fiscal 2015.”

Mr. Romanko’s employment offer letter does not contain any contractual entitlement to severance compensation and the table below reflects solely the value of vesting acceleration with respect to his equity awards.

 

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Termination Prior to a Change of Control—Mr. Vellios

If we terminate Mr. Vellios’ employment without “cause” or Mr. Vellios terminates his employment for “good reason” (as such terms are defined below), in either case, prior to a “Change of Control Transaction” (as such term is defined below), Mr. Vellios will be entitled to receive:

 

   

severance payments, equal to the greater of: (i) base salary in effect on the date of termination or resignation or (ii) unless Mr. Vellios approved a reduction in annual base salary, such higher annual base salary in effect prior to termination or resignation, such amount under (i) or (ii), as applicable, paid for a period of 12 months;

 

   

monthly payments equal to continued health and dental benefits for a period of up to 18 months, extended an additional six months following the expiration of such 18-month period if Mr. Vellios was still eligible to receive continued COBRA coverage as of the end of such 18-month period, which we refer to as the Medical Payment; and

 

   

monthly payments equal to a full tax gross up for federal, state and local income taxes based upon highest marginal tax rates solely with respect to each Medical Payment, which we refer to as the Medical Gross Up.

Termination Following a Change of Control—Mr. Vellios

If we terminate Mr. Vellios’ employment without cause or Mr. Vellios terminates his employment for good reason, in either case, after a Change of Control Transaction, Mr. Vellios will be entitled to receive:

 

   

severance payments, equal to the greater of: (i) base salary in effect on the date of termination or resignation or (ii) unless Mr. Vellios approved a reduction in annual base salary, such higher annual base salary in effect prior to termination or resignation, such amount under (i) or (ii), as applicable, paid for a period of 24 months;

 

   

the Medical Payment; and

 

   

the Medical Gross Up.

Pursuant to Mr. Vellios’ Employment Letter Agreement, “cause” is defined as one of the following:

 

   

the executive’s conviction of (or the entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to) a crime that prevents the executive from effectively managing us or that has a material adverse effect on our reputation or business activities;

 

   

the executive’s gross negligence, dishonesty, misappropriation of funds or other willful misconduct in the course of employment that has a material adverse effect on our reputation or business activities; or

 

   

the executive’s substance abuse, including abuse of alcohol or use of controlled drugs (other than in accordance with a physician’s prescription).

“Good reason” is defined as one of the following:

 

   

a material adverse change in the executive’s title, authority, responsibilities or duties;

 

   

a reduction or other material adverse change in the executive’s base salary or benefits;

 

   

a requirement that the executive report to anyone other than our board of directors;

 

   

a relocation of the executive’s principal offices by more than 25 miles; or

 

   

any other willful action or inaction by us that constitutes a material breach of the applicable Employment Letter Agreement.

 

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However, no event described above will constitute “good reason” unless (i) the executive provides written notice of the event within the 60-day period following its occurrence and (ii) we fail to cure such event within 30 days after receipt of his notice.

A “Change of Control Transaction” is deemed to have occurred if:

 

   

any person or group acquires (in one or more transactions) beneficial ownership of our stock possessing 50% or more of the total power to vote for the election of our board of directors;

 

   

a majority of the members of our board of directors is replaced during any 12-month period by directors whose appointment or election is not endorsed by a majority of our board of directors prior to the date of the appointment or election;

 

   

a merger or consolidation with another corporation where our shareholders immediately prior to such transaction will not beneficially own stock possessing 50% or more of the total power to vote for the election of the surviving corporation’s board of directors (without consideration of the rights of any class of stock to elect directors by a separate class vote) immediately after such transaction;

 

   

any person or group acquires all or substantially all of our assets;

 

   

we complete a full liquidation or dissolution; or

 

   

our shareholders accept a share exchange, whereby shareholders immediately before such exchange do not (or will not) directly or indirectly own more than 50% of the combined voting power of the surviving entity immediately following such exchange in substantially the same proportion as their ownership immediately before such exchange.

Mr. Vellios is also subject to certain restrictive covenants, including non-competition, non-solicitation and confidentiality.

Termination Without Cause; Resignation for Good Reason—Mr. Anderson

If we terminate Mr. Anderson’s employment without “cause” (as such term is defined below), or if Mr. Anderson resigns for “good reason,” Mr. Anderson will be entitled to receive:

 

   

base salary continuation for 24 months based on his base salary in effect on the date of termination; and

 

   

monthly payments equal to continued health and dental benefits for a period of up to 24 months.

Pursuant to Mr. Anderson’s employment letter agreement, “cause” is defined as one of the following

 

   

the executive’s alcohol abuse or use of controlled drugs (other than in accordance with a physician’s prescription);

 

   

the executive’s refusal, failure or inability to perform any material obligation or fulfill any duty (other than a duty or obligation relating to confidentiality, noncompetition, nonsolicitation or proprietary rights) to us (other than due to a “disability” as defined in our Equity Incentive Plan), which failure, refusal or inability is not cured by the executive within 10 days after receipt of notice;

 

   

the executive’s gross negligence or willful misconduct in the course of employment;

 

   

any breach by the executive of any obligation or duty to us or any of our affiliates (whether arising by statute, common law, contract or otherwise) relating to confidentiality, noncompetition, nonsolicitation or proprietary rights;

 

   

other conduct of the executive involving any type of disloyalty to us or any of our affiliates, including, without limitation, fraud, embezzlement, theft or proven dishonesty; or

 

   

the executive’s conviction of (or the entry of a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to) a felony or a misdemeanor involving moral turpitude.

 

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“Good reason” is defined in Mr. Anderson’s employment letter agreement as one of the following:

 

   

a material diminution in the executive’s base salary or performance bonus target;

 

   

a material adverse change in the executive’s title, authority, responsibilities or duties;

 

   

a requirement that you report to anyone other than the board;

 

   

any other willful action or inaction by us that constitutes a material breach of the applicable Employment Letter Agreement; or

 

   

a relocation of the executive’s principal offices by more than 50 miles.

However, no event described above will constitute “good reason” unless (i) the executive provides written notice of the event within the 60-day period following its occurrence, (ii) we fail to cure such event within 30 days after receipt of his notice and (iii) the executive resigns within 15 days of the expiration of the cure period.

Termination Without Cause; Resignation for Good Reason—Mr. Bull

If we terminate Mr. Bull’s employment without “cause” or if Mr. Bull resigns for “good reason,” Mr. Bull will be entitled to receive:

 

   

base salary continuation for 12 months based on his base salary in effect on the date of termination less any amounts earned during the applicable six month post termination period; and

 

   

monthly payments equal to continued health and dental benefits for a period of up to 12 months.

The definition of “cause” in Mr. Bull’s employment letter agreement is substantially the same as described above with respect to Mr. Anderson’s employment letter agreement.

“Good reason” is defined in the Severance Plan as one of the following:

 

   

a material diminution in the executive’s base salary;

 

   

a material adverse change in the executive’s responsibilities or duties;

 

   

any other willful action or inaction by us that constitutes a material breach of the applicable Employment Letter Agreement; or

 

   

a relocation of the executive’s principal offices by more than 50 miles.

However, no event described above will constitute “good reason” unless (i) the executive provides written notice of the event within the 30-day period following its occurrence, (ii) we fail to cure such event within 30 days after receipt of his notice and (iii) the executive resigns within 10 days of the expiration of the cure period.

Termination Without Cause; Resignation for Good Reason—Mr. Specter

If we terminate Mr. Specter’s employment without “cause” (as such term is defined below) or if Mr. Specter resigns for “good reason” (as such term is defined below), Mr. Specter will be entitled to receive:

 

   

base salary continuation for 12 months based on his base salary in effect on the date of termination; and

 

   

monthly payments equal to continued health and dental benefits for a period of up to 12 months.

The definition of “cause” in Mr. Specter’s employment letter agreement is substantially the same as described above with respect to Mr. Anderson’s employment letter agreement.

 

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“Good reason” is defined in Mr. Specter’s employment letter agreement as one of the following:

 

   

a material diminution in the executive’s base salary or performance bonus target;

 

   

a material adverse change in the executive’s title, authority, responsibilities or duties;

 

   

any other willful action or inaction by us that constitutes a material breach of the applicable Employment Letter Agreement; or

 

   

a relocation of the executive’s principal offices by more than 50 miles.

However, no event described above will constitute “good reason” unless (i) the executive provides written notice of the event within the 60-day period following its occurrence, (ii) we fail to cure such event within 30 days after receipt of his notice and (iii) the executive resigns within 15 days of the expiration of the cure period.

Termination Without Cause; Resignation for Good Reason—Mr. Romanko

If we terminate Mr. Romanko’s employment without “cause” (as such term is defined below) or if Mr. Romanko resigns for “good reason” (as such term is defined below), Mr. Romanko will be entitled to receive:

 

   

base salary continuation for 12 months based on his base salary in effect on the date of termination; and

 

   

monthly payments equal to continued health and dental benefits for a period of up to 12 months.

The definition of “cause” in Mr. Romanko’s employment letter agreement is substantially the same as described above with respect to Mr. Anderson’s employment letter agreement.

“Good reason” is defined in Mr. Romanko’s employment letter agreement as one of the following:

 

   

a material diminution in the executive’s base salary or performance bonus target;

 

   

a material adverse change in the executive’s title, authority, responsibilities or duties;

 

   

any other willful action or inaction by us that constitutes a material breach of the applicable Employment Letter Agreement; or

 

   

a relocation of the executive’s principal offices by more than 50 miles.

However, no event described above will constitute “good reason” unless (i) the executive provides written notice of the event within the 60-day period following its occurrence, (ii) we fail to cure such event within 30 days after receipt of his notice and (iii) the executive resigns within 15 days of the expiration of the cure period.

 

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Potential Payments

The table below summarizes the payments and benefits that each of Messrs. Vellios, Anderson, Bull, Specter, and Romanko would have been entitled to receive if his last day of employment with us had been January 30, 2016.

 

Name

  Cash
Severance
Payment
($)
    Accelerated
Restricted
Stock
Vesting
($)
    Accelerated
Option
Vesting
($)
    Health
Insurance
Coverage
($)
    Paid
Life
Insurance
Benefit
($)
    Total
($)
 

Thomas G. Vellios

           

Voluntary termination for good reason or involuntary termination without cause

    600,000        10,887,444 (1)      —          55,200 (13)      —          11,542,644   

No termination following a change in control

    —          10,887,444 (1)      —          —          —          10,887,444   

Voluntary termination for good reason or involuntary termination without cause following a change in control

    1,200,000        10,887,444 (1)      —          55,200 (13)      —          12,142,644   

Death of Named Executive Officer

    —          —          —          —          10,000 (16)      10,000   

Permanent Disability of Named Executive Officer

    —          —          —          —          —          —     

Joel D. Anderson

           

Voluntary termination for good reason or involuntary termination without cause

    1,400,000        1,024,101 (2)      —          55,200 (13)      —          2,479,301   

No termination following a change in control

    —          3,402,232 (3)      317,137 (9)      —          —          3,179,369   

Voluntary termination for good reason or involuntary termination without cause following a change in control

    1,400,000        3,402,232 (3)      317,137 (9)      55,200 (13)      —          5,174,569   

Death of Named Executive Officer

    —          1,338,893 (4)      —          —          10,000 (16)      1,348,893   

Permanent Disability of Named Executive Officer

    —          1,338,893 (4)      —          —          —          1,338,893   

Kenneth R. Bull

           

Voluntary termination for good reason or involuntary termination without cause

    200,000        —          —          13,800 (14)      —          213,800   

No termination following a change in control

    —          405,744 (5)      123,838 (10)      —          —          529,582   

Voluntary termination for good reason or involuntary termination without cause following a change in control

    200,000        405,744 (5)      123,838 (10)      13,800 (14)      —          743,382   

Death of Named Executive Officer

    —          188,328 (6)      —          —          10,000 (16)      198,328   

Permanent Disability of Named Executive Officer

    —          188,328 (6)      —          —          —          188,328   

Eric M. Specter

           

Voluntary termination for good reason or involuntary termination without cause

    500,000        —          —          27,600 (15)      —          527,600   

No termination following a change in control

    —          434,468 (7)      95,674 (11)      —          —          530,142   

Voluntary termination for good reason or involuntary termination without cause following a change in control

    500,000        434,468 (7)      95,674 (11)      27,600 (15)      —          1,057,742   

Death of Named Executive Officer

    —          —          —          —          10,000 (16)      10,000   

Permanent Disability of Named Executive Officer

    —          —          —          —          —          —     

Michael F. Romanko

           

Voluntary termination for good reason or involuntary termination without cause

    —          —          —          —          —          —     

No termination following a change in control

    —          414,692 (8)      31,135 (12)      —          —          445,827   

Voluntary termination for good reason or involuntary termination without cause following a change in control

    —          414,692 (8)      31,135 (12)      —          —          445,827   

Death of Named Executive Officer

    —          —          —          —          —          —     

Permanent Disability of Named Executive Officer

    —          —          —          —          —          —     

 

(1) This represents the accelerated gain on previously unvested PRSUs for 309,039 shares, using the closing price of our stock on January 29, 2016, the last trading date before the end of fiscal 2015 ($35.23).
(2) This represents the accelerated gain on previously unvested restricted stock units for 29,069 shares, using the closing price of our stock on January 29, 2016, the last trading date before the end of fiscal 2015 ($35.23).
(3) This represents the accelerated gain on all outstanding time-based and PRSUs (at target) awarded to Mr. Anderson which become fully vested upon the occurrence of a change in control.
(4) This amount represents the accelerated gain on two-thirds of the value of the 17,441 shares and the 29,069 shares and one-third of the value of the 20,993 shares of otherwise unvested and unearned PRSUs, using the closing price of our stock on January 29, 2016, the last trading date before the end of fiscal 2015 ($35.23). For these purposes, it is assumed that the awards will be earned at target; however, the shares Mr. Anderson would actually receive in such termination would be dependent upon the actual performance of the Company through the performance period.
(5) This represents the accelerated gain on all outstanding PRSUs (at target) awarded to Mr. Bull which become fully vested upon the occurrence of a change in control.
(6) This amount represents two-thirds of the value of the 4,520 shares and one-third of the value of 6,997 shares of otherwise unvested and unearned PRSUs, based on $35.23, the closing price of our Common Stock on January 29, 2016, the last trading date before the end of fiscal 2015. For these purposes, it is assumed that the awards will be earned at target; however, the shares Mr. Bull would actually receive in such termination would be dependent upon the actual performance of the Company through the performance period.
(7) This represents the accelerated gain on previously unvested restricted stock units for 10,000 shares and one-third the value of 6,997 shares of otherwise unvested and unearned PRSU’s, using the closing price of our stock on January 29, 2016, the last trading date before the end of fiscal 2015 ($35.23).

 

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(8) This represents the accelerated gain on previously unvested restricted stock units for 11,771 shares, using the closing price of our stock on January 29, 2016, the last trading date before the end of fiscal 2015 ($35.23).
(9) This represents the accelerated gain on the exercise of previously unvested time-based stock option for 79,432 shares, using the closing price of our stock on January 29, 2016, the last trading date before the end of fiscal 2015 ($35.23).
(10) This represents the accelerated gain on the exercise of previously unvested time-based stock options for 15,469 shares for Mr. Bull, using the closing price of our stock on January 29, 2016, the last trading date before the end of fiscal 2015 ($35.23). The accelerated gain on the exercise of previously unvested time-based stock option for 16,892 shares is $0 because the closing price on January 29, 2016 is less than the exercise price.
(11) This represents the accelerated gain on the exercise of previously unvested time-based stock options for 14,387 shares for Mr. Specter, using the closing price of our stock on January 29, 2016, the last trading date before the end of fiscal 2015 ($35.23). The accelerated gain on the exercise for previously unvested time-based stock option for 80,000 shares is $0 because the closing price on January 29, 2016 is less than the exercise price.
(12) This represents the accelerated gain on the exercise of previously unvested time-based stock options for 24,908 shares for Mr. Romanko, using the closing price of our stock on January 29, 2016, the last trading date before the end of fiscal 2015 ($35.23).
(13) Messrs. Vellios and Anderson are entitled to a continuation of their health and dental benefits for up to 24 months.
(14) Mr. Bull is entitled to a continuation of this health and dental benefits for up to six months.
(15) Mr. Specter is entitled to a continuation of this health and dental benefits for up to twelve months.
(16) This represents life insurance premiums under our life insurance program.

 

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CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS

Investor Rights Agreement

In connection with our 2010 transaction, in which Advent acquired a majority interest in Five Below, Inc., we entered into an investor rights agreement with certain of our shareholders. In connection with our initial public offering, the parties amended the agreement to terminate all rights except for certain registration rights, which require us to register shares of our common stock held by David Schlessinger, who served as a member of our board of directors until his resignation on December 3, 2015, and Thomas Vellios in the event we register for sale, either for our own account or for the account of others, shares of our common stock in certain offerings. We are obligated to pay all expenses in connection with such registration other than underwriting commissions or discounts resulting from the sale of shares by our shareholders in connection with the registration. The investor rights agreement, as amended, requires a shareholder holding registration rights to execute a lock-up agreement with the underwriters in connection with the shareholder’s exercise of his or her registration rights in connection with certain offerings.

Agreements with Management

We and certain of our executive officers have entered into employment agreements. The terms and conditions of certain of these employment agreements are more fully described in “Compensation Discussion and Analysis—Employment Agreements.”

Indemnification of Officers and Directors

We have entered into indemnification agreements with each of our executive officers and directors. The indemnification agreements provide the executive officers and directors with contractual rights to indemnification, expense advancement and reimbursement, to the fullest extent permitted under Pennsylvania law. Additionally, we may enter into indemnification agreements with any new directors or executive officers that may be broader in scope than the specific indemnification provisions contained in Pennsylvania law.

Our Policies Regarding Related Party Transactions

Our board of directors adopted a related party transactions policy for us. Pursuant to the related party transactions policy, we review all transactions with a dollar value in excess of $120,000 involving us in which any of our directors, director nominees, significant shareholders and executive officers and their immediate family members will be participants to determine whether such person has a direct or indirect material interest in the transaction. This policy was not in effect when we entered into the transactions described above. All directors, director nominees and executive officers will be required to promptly notify our Executive Chairman of any proposed transaction involving us in which such person has a direct or indirect material interest. Such proposed transaction will then be reviewed by the audit committee to determine whether the proposed transaction is a related party transaction under our policy. In reviewing any related party transaction, the audit committee will determine whether or not to approve or ratify the transaction based on all relevant facts and circumstances, including the following:

 

   

the materiality and character of the related person’s interest in the transaction;

 

   

the commercial reasonableness of the terms of the transaction;

 

   

the benefit and perceived benefit, or lack thereof, to us;

 

   

the opportunity costs of alternate transactions; and

 

   

the actual or apparent conflict of interest of the related person.

In the event that any member of the audit committee is not a disinterested member with respect to the related party transaction under review, that member will be excluded from the review and approval or rejection

 

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of such related party transaction and another director may be designated to join the committee for purposes of such review. Whenever practicable, the reporting, review and approval will occur prior to entering into the transaction. If advance review and approval is not practicable, the audit committee will review and may, in its discretion, ratify the related party transaction. After any such review, the audit committee will approve or ratify the transaction based on a standard of whether the transaction is (a) in, or not inconsistent with, the best interests of us and our shareholders and (b) not in violation of our other policies or procedures. Our related party transaction policy is posted under the “Investor Relations” section of our website at www.fivebelow.com.

 

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SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT

The following table contains information about the beneficial ownership of our common stock as of April 26, 2016 by:

 

   

each person, or group of persons, who beneficially owns more than 5% of our capital stock;

 

   

each executive officer named in the summary compensation table;

 

   

each of our directors; and

 

   

all directors and executive officers as a group.

For further information regarding material transactions between us and certain of our shareholders, see “Certain Relationships and Related Party Transactions.”

Beneficial ownership and percentage ownership are determined in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC and include voting or investment power with respect to shares of stock. This information does not necessarily indicate beneficial ownership for any other purpose. In computing the number of shares beneficially owned by a person and the percentage ownership of that person, shares of common stock subject to restrictions, options or warrants held by that person that are currently exercisable or exercisable within 60 days of April 26, 2016 are deemed outstanding. Such shares, however, are not deemed outstanding for the purposes of computing the percentage ownership of any other person. Except as indicated in the footnotes to the following table or pursuant to applicable community property laws, each shareholder named in the table has sole voting and investment power with respect to the shares set forth opposite such shareholder’s name. Our calculation of the percentage of beneficial ownership is based on 54,714,544 shares of common stock outstanding on April 26, 2016.

Unless otherwise indicated in the footnotes, the address of each of the individuals named below is: c/o Five Below, Inc., 1818 Market Street, Suite 2000, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103.

 

Name of Beneficial Owner

   Shares
Beneficially
Owned
     Percentage
of Shares
Beneficially
Owned
 

5% Shareholders Not Listed Below:

     

BlackRock, Inc.(1)

     5,522,314         10.09

AllianceBernstein L.P.(2)

     3,843,119         7.02

The Vanguard Group(3)

     3,830,899         7.00

FMR LLC(4)

     3,363,216         6.15

Goldman Sachs Asset Management(5)

     3,270,055         5.98

Wellington Management Group (6)

     2,975,721         5.44

Named Executive Officers & Directors:

     

Joel D. Anderson

     66,225         *

Kenneth R. Bull(7)

     115,128         *

Kathleen S. Barclay(8)

     3,973         *

Catherine E. Buggeln(9)

     3,973         *

Michael F. Devine, III(10)

     7,179         *

Daniel J. Kaufman

     12,570         *

Richard L. Markee

     —           *

Michael F. Romanko

     —           *

Thomas M. Ryan(11)

     171,427         *

Ronald L. Sargent(12)

     277,572         *

Eric M. Specter

     —           *

Thomas G. Vellios

     689,398         1.26

All executive officers and directors as a group (12 persons)

     1,765,877         3.22

 

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* Less than 1%
(1) BlackRock, Inc. is deemed to be the beneficial owner of 5,522,314 shares, or 10.09% of Five Below, which includes shares that are held or may be deemed to be beneficially owned by the following entities: BlackRock Advisors (UK) Limited, BlackRock Advisors, LLC, BlackRock Asset Management Canada Limited, BlackRock Asset Management Ireland Limited, BlackRock Fund Advisors, BlackRock Institutional Trust Company, N.A., BlackRock Investment Management (Australia) Limited, BlackRock Investment Management (UK) Ltd, BlackRock Investment Management, LLC, or BlackRock Japan Co Ltd. BlackRock, Inc. has sole voting power over 5,386,349 shares and sole dispositive power over 5,522,314 shares. The address of BlackRock, Inc. is 55 East 52nd Street, New York, New York 10022. This information is as disclosed in Amendment No. 1 to its Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 10, 2016.
(2) AllianceBernstein L.P. is deemed to be the beneficial owner of 3,843,119 shares, or 7.02% of Five Below, and has sole voting power of 3,422,361 of the shares and sole investment power over 3,783,327 of the shares. AllianceBernstein L.P. is a majority owned subsidiary of AXA Financial, Inc. and an indirect majority owned subsidiary of AXA SA, which operates under independent management and makes independent decisions from AXA SA and AXA Financial, Inc. and their respective subsidiaries and AXA SA and AXA Financial, Inc. calculate and report beneficial ownership separately from AllianceBernstein L.P. However, AllianceBernstein L.P. may be deemed to share beneficial ownership with AXA SA and AXA Financial, Inc. by virtue of 59,792 shares of common stock acquired on behalf of the general and special accounts of the affiliated entities for which AllianceBernstein L.P. serves as a subadvisor. Each of AllianceBernstein L.P. and AXA SA and AXA Financial, Inc. acquired their shares of common stock for investment purposes in the ordinary course of their investment management and insurance businesses. The address of AllianceBernstein L.P. is 1345 Avenue of the Americas, New York, New York 10105. This information is as disclosed in Amendment No. 1 to its Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 16, 2016.
(3) The Vanguard Group, Inc. is deemed to be the beneficial owner of 3,830,899 shares, or 7.00% of Five Below, which includes 116,313 shares of common stock beneficially owned by Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Company, a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Vanguard Group, Inc., and 6,300 shares of common stock beneficially owned by Vanguard Investments Australia, Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Vanguard Group, Inc. The Vanguard Group has sole voting power over 119,613 shares, sole dispositive power over 3,830,899 shares and shared dispositive power over 119,313 shares. The address of the Vanguard Group, Inc. is 100 Vanguard Blvd., Malvern, Pennsylvania 19355. This information is as disclosed in Amendment No. 1 to its Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 10, 2016.
(4) The funds managed by FMR LLC are deemed to be the beneficial owner of 3,363,216 shares, or 6.15% of Five Below. Members of the family of Edward C. Johnson 3d, Chairman of FMR LLC, including Abigail P. Johnson, are the predominant owners, directly or through trusts, of Series B voting common shares of FMR LLC, representing 49% of the voting power of FMR LLC. The Johnson family group and all other Series B shareholders have entered into a shareholders’ voting agreement under which all Series B voting common shares will be voted in accordance with the majority vote of Series B voting common shares. Accordingly, through their ownership of voting common shares and the execution of the shareholders’ voting agreement, members of the Johnson family may be deemed, under the Investment Company Act of 1940, to form a controlling group with respect to FMR LLC. Neither FMR LLC nor Edward C. Johnson 3d nor Abigail P. Johnson has the sole power to vote or direct the voting of the shares owned directly by the various investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act (“Fidelity Funds”) advised by Fidelity Management and Research Company, a wholly owned subsidiary of FMR LLC, which power resides with the Fidelity Funds’ Boards of Trustees. Fidelity Management and Research Company carries out the voting of the shares under written guidelines established by the Fidelity Funds’ Boards of Trustees. The address of FMR LLC and associated funds is 245 Summer Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02210. This information is as disclosed in Amendment No. 4 to its Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 12, 2016.
(5)

Goldman Sachs Asset Management, which includes Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. and GS Investment Strategies, LLC, is deemed to be the beneficial owner of 3,270,055 shares, or 5.98% of Five

 

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  Below. The address of Goldman Sachs Asset Management is 200 West Street, New York, New York 10282. This information is as disclosed in Amendment No. 1 to its Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 9, 2016.
(6) Wellington Management Group LLP is deemed to be the beneficial owner of 2,975,721 shares, or 5.44% of Five Below, as a result of its subsidiary, Wellington Management Company LLP, acting as investment adviser to various investment companies registered under Section 8 of the Investment Company Act of 1940. The address of Wellington Management Group LLP is c/o Wellington Management Company LLP, 280 Congress Street, Boston, MA 02210. This information is as disclosed in its Schedule 13G filed with the SEC on February 11, 2016.
(7) Includes 64,096 shares subject to options that are exercisable within 60 days of April 26, 2016.
(8) Includes 2,271 restricted stock units that will vest within 60 days of April 26, 2016.
(9) Includes 2,271 restricted stock units that will vest within 60 days of April 26, 2016.
(10) Includes 2,271 restricted stock units that will vest within 60 days of April 26, 2016.
(11) Includes 2,271 restricted stock units that will vest within 60 days of April 26, 2016.
(12) Includes 2,271 restricted stock units that will vest within 60 days of April 26, 2016. Includes 175,174 shares of our common stock owned by Sargent Family Investment, LLC. Mr. Sargent, the sole member and manager of Sargent Family Investment, LLC, exercises voting and investment power over the shares beneficially owned by Sargent Family Investment, LLC.

 

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EQUITY COMPENSATION PLAN INFORMATION

Equity Compensation Plan Information Table (as of January 30, 2016)

 

     Number of
securities to
be issued
upon exercise
of outstanding
options,
warrants and
rights
(a)(1)
     Weighted-
average
exercise
price of
outstanding
options,
warrants and
rights
(b)(2)
($)
     Number of
securities
remaining
available for
future issuance
under equity
compensation
plans
(excluding
securities
reflected in
column (a))
(c)(3)
 

Plan Category

        

Equity compensation plans approved by securityholders(4)

     1,825,994         26.31         4,292,876   

Equity compensation plans not approved by securityholders

     —           —           —     

Total

     1,825,994         26.31         4,292,876   

 

(1) The amount in this column excludes purchase rights under the 2012 Employee Stock Purchase Plan (the “ESPP”).
(2) Represents the weighted-average exercise price of outstanding stock options and does not include restricted stock units and PRSUs.
(3) Includes 3,805,804 shares that were available for future issuance under the Equity Incentive Plan and 487,072 shares that were available for issuance under the ESPP. An aggregate of 5,018 shares of common stock were purchased under the ESPP in fiscal 2015.
(4) Consists of the Company’s Equity Incentive Plan and the ESPP.

SECTION 16(A) BENEFICIAL OWNERSHIP REPORTING COMPLIANCE

Section 16(a) of the Exchange Act requires the Company’s officers and directors and persons who own more than 10% of a registered class of the Company’s equity securities to file reports of ownership and changes in ownership with the SEC. Such officers, directors and shareholders are required by SEC regulations to furnish the Company with copies of all such reports that they file. Based solely on a review of copies of reports filed with the SEC and of written representations by officers and directors, the Company believes that during fiscal 2015, all officers and directors subject to the reporting requirements of Section 16(a) filed the required reports on a timely basis, except Mr. Kaufman, who had one late Form 3 filing.

 

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PROPOSAL 1

ELECTION OF DIRECTORS

At our Annual Meeting, shareholders will elect three Class I directors to hold office until our 2019 annual meeting of shareholders, and two Class III directors to hold office until our 2018 annual meeting of shareholders. Nominees were recommended and approved for nomination by our nominating and corporate governance committee. The directors shall serve until their successors have been duly elected and qualified or until any such director’s earlier resignation or removal. Proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of persons than the number of nominees named. If you sign and return the accompanying proxy, your shares will be voted FOR the election of the five nominees recommended by our board of directors, unless you mark the proxy in such a manner as to vote AGAINST or ABSTAIN with respect to one or more nominees. If any nominee for any reason is unable to serve or will not serve, the proxies may be voted for such substitute nominee as the proxy holder may determine. We are not aware of any nominee who will be unable to or will not serve as a director.

The following directors are being nominated for election to our board of directors: Catherine E. Buggeln, Michael F. Devine, III, and Ronald L. Sargent to serve as Class I directors through the 2019 annual meeting of shareholders, and Daniel J. Kaufman and Richard L. Markee to serve as Class III directors through the 2018 annual meeting of shareholders. Please see the discussion under “Board of Directors” in this Proxy Statement for information concerning each of our nominees for director.

Mr. Kaufman is currently serving as a Class III director, having been elected on December 3, 2015 by the board of directors to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of David Schlessinger, and Mr. Markee is currently serving as a Class III director, having been elected on May 3, 2016 by the board of directors to fill a vacancy created by the resignation of David M. Mussafer. Pursuant to our bylaws, any Vacancy Director elected by the board of directors may only hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders and until his or her successor has been duly elected and qualified, subject to his or her earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal. At the annual meeting of shareholders following the election of a Vacancy Director, the shareholders have the opportunity to elect a director to fill the vacancy having been filled by the Vacancy Director. The board nominates a candidate to fill the vacancy, who may be the Vacancy Director. The candidate, if elected, serves until the annual meeting of shareholders at which the term of office of the class in which the vacancy occurred expires and until such director’s successor shall have been duly elected and qualified, subject to his or her earlier death, resignation, disqualification or removal.

Required Vote

Our bylaws provide for a majority voting standard for the uncontested election of directors. Under this voting standard, once a quorum has been established, any of the five nominees receiving more FOR votes than AGAINST votes will be elected as a director to serve until the annual meeting of shareholders at which the term of office of the class to which such director was elected expires and until their successors are duly elected and qualified. ABSTAIN votes shall have no legal effect. In the event a director does not receive the required vote for re-election to the board of directors, such director is required to tender his or her resignation to the nominating and corporate governance committee. The nominating and corporate governance committee shall consider such resignation in accordance with its charter and make a recommendation to the board of directors as to whether or not to accept such resignation. At the Annual Meeting, proxies cannot be voted for a greater number of individuals than the five nominees named in this Proxy Statement.

The board of directors recommends a vote FOR the election of each of the nominated directors.

 

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PROPOSAL 2

RATIFICATION OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

The audit committee has appointed KPMG LLP to serve as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 28, 2017. The Company is not required by its bylaws or applicable law to submit the appointment of KPMG LLP for shareholder approval. However, as a matter of good corporate governance, the board of directors has determined to submit the audit committee’s appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm to shareholders for ratification. If shareholders do not ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP, the audit committee may consider the appointment of another independent registered public accounting firm. In addition, even if shareholders ratify the audit committee’s selection, the audit committee, in its discretion, may appoint a different independent registered public accounting firm if it believes that such a change would be in the best interests of the Company and our shareholders.

Required Vote

The affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast is required to approve the appointment of KPMG LLP as our independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 28, 2017.

Our board of directors recommends that you vote FOR ratification of the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the fiscal year ending January 28, 2017.

A representative of KPMG LLP is expected to attend the Annual Meeting. The representative will have the opportunity to make a statement if he or she desires to do so, and is expected to be available to answer appropriate questions.

Fee Information

The following table sets forth fees in connection with services rendered by KPMG LLP, the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, for fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014.

 

     Fiscal Year
2015
    Fiscal Year
2014
 

Audit Fees

   $ 1,020,000 (1)    $ 875,000   

Audit-Related Fees

     —          —     

Tax Fees

     —          —     

All Other Fees

     —          —     
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total Fees

   $ 1,020,000      $ 875,000   
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(1) Includes audit services related to the Company’s implementation of a new financial reporting software system.

Audit Fees

Audit fees include fees for professional services rendered in connection with the annual audit of the Company’s financial statements, the audit of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting for fiscal 2015, and the review of the Company’s interim financial statements included in quarterly reports, as well as fees for services that generally only the independent registered public accounting firm can be reasonably expected to provide, including comfort letters, consents, and review of registration statements filed with the SEC.

Audit-Related Fees

There were no amounts billed for audit-related fees during fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014.

Tax Fees

There were no amounts billed for tax fees during fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014.

 

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All Other Fees

There were no amounts billed for other fees during fiscal 2015 and fiscal 2014.

Audit Committee Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures

Under our audit committee’s charter, the audit committee must pre-approve all audit and other permissible non-audit services proposed to be performed by the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm. The audit committee is not authorized to delegate the pre-approval of permitted non-audit services to management. The audit committee approved a pre-approval policy for services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm. Under the policy, our audit committee has pre-approved the provision by the independent registered public accounting firm of certain services that fall within specified categories. Any services exceeding pre-approved cost levels or budgeted amounts, or any services that fall outside of the general pre-approved categories, require specific pre-approval by the audit committee. If the audit committee delegates pre-approval authority to one or more of its members, the member would be required to report any pre-approval decisions to the audit committee at its next scheduled meeting.

There were no non-audit services provided by our independent registered public accounting firm during the fiscal years 2015 and 2014.

 

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PROPOSAL 3

APPROVAL OF FIVE BELOW, INC. AMENDED AND RESTATED EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

We are asking our shareholders to approve the Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan. On May 10, 2016, the board of directors approved minor modifications to the Equity Incentive Plan and recommended that the Equity Incentive Plan be submitted to the shareholders for approval. Shareholder approval of the Equity Incentive Plan is necessary in order for us to take tax deductions for certain compensation resulting from awards granted thereunder qualifying as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended (the “Code”). If our shareholders do not approve the Equity Incentive Plan, the minor modifications to the Equity Incentive Plan approved by the board of directors will remain in effect.

The principal features of the Equity Incentive Plan are summarized below, but the summary is qualified in its entirety by reference to the Five Below, Inc. Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan, which is attached as Appendix A to this Proxy Statement.

Highlights of the Equity Incentive Plan

We adopted our Equity Incentive Plan to enable us and our affiliated companies to: (a) recruit and retain highly qualified employees, directors and consultants; (b) provide those individuals with an incentive for productivity; and (c) provide those individuals with an opportunity to share in our growth and value.

The Equity Incentive Plan permits the grant of (i) incentive stock options (“ISOs”); (ii) nonqualified stock options (“NQOs” and, together with ISOs, “Options”); (iii) restricted stock awards; and (iv) restricted stock units (“RSUs”), which we refer to collectively as Awards, as more fully described below.

Some of the key features of the Equity Incentive Plan that reflect our commitment to effective management of incentive compensation are as follows:

No Repricing of Options. The Equity Incentive Plan prohibits, without shareholder approval, the repricing of Options.

No In-the-Money Options. The Equity Incentive Plan prohibits the grant of Options with an exercise or base price less than the fair market value of Five Below common stock as of the date of grant.

Section 162(m) Qualification. The Equity Incentive Plan is designed to allow Awards made under the Equity Incentive Plan to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m) of the Code.

Recoupment. Awards made after the Equity Incentive Plan is approved may be subject to rescission, cancellation or recoupment, in whole or in part, under any current or future “clawback” or similar policy maintained by us that is applicable to any participant.

Independent Administration. The compensation committee, which consists of only independent directors, will be responsible for the general administration of the Equity Incentive Plan with respect to Awards granted to employees and consultants. In general, the full board of directors administers the Equity Incentive Plan with respect to Awards made to non-employee directors.

All Awards granted under the Equity Incentive Plan are governed by separate written agreements, or Award Agreements, between us and the participants. No Awards may be granted after April 18, 2022, although Awards granted before that time will remain valid in accordance with their terms.

The board has delegated the authority to the compensation committee to grant Awards upon such terms and conditions (not inconsistent with the provisions of the Equity Incentive Plan) as it may consider appropriate. Any

 

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of our employees, officers, directors, consultants or other service providers, or those of our affiliates, are eligible to participate in the Equity Incentive Plan if selected by the compensation committee. At the time of this filing, the approximate number of each such class of participants is 148 employees (including our six officers), 7 directors and no consultants and other service providers. The basis of participation of an individual under the Equity Incentive Plan, and the type and amount of any Award that an individual will be entitled to receive under the Equity Incentive Plan, will be determined by the compensation committee based on its judgment as to the best interests of the Company and its stockholders, and therefore cannot be determined in advance. In its discretion, the compensation committee may delegate all or part of its authority and duties with respect to granting Awards to one or more individuals, provided applicable law so permits.

Subject to certain adjustments, the maximum number of shares of common stock that may be issued under the Equity Incentive Plan in connection with Awards is 7,600,000 (which amount includes shares in connection with Awards granted pursuant to the Equity Incentive Plan prior to this approval). In any calendar year, no participant may receive any Award or any combination of Awards that relate to more than 3,800,000 shares. In the event of any stock dividend, recapitalization, forward stock split or reverse stock split, reorganization, division, merger, consolidation, spin-off, combination, repurchase or share exchange, extraordinary or unusual cash distribution or other similar corporate transaction or event that affects our common stock, the compensation committee shall make appropriate adjustment in the number and kind of shares authorized by the Equity Incentive Plan and covered under outstanding Awards as it determines appropriate and equitable. Shares of our common stock subject to Awards that expire unexercised or are otherwise forfeited shall again be available for Awards under the Equity Incentive Plan.

Options. An Option entitles the holder to purchase from us a stated number of shares of common stock. An ISO may only be granted to an employee of ours or our affiliates (provided applicable law so permits). The compensation committee will specify the number of shares of common stock subject to each Option and the exercise price for such Option, provided that the exercise price may not be less than the fair market value of a share of common stock on the date the Option is granted. Notwithstanding the foregoing, if ISOs are granted to any 10% shareholder, the exercise price shall not be less than 110% of the fair market value of common stock on the date the Option is granted. Generally, all or part of the exercise price may be paid (i) in cash, (ii) with the proceeds received from a broker-dealer whom the holder has authorized to sell all or a portion of the common stock covered by the Option, (iii) with the consent of the compensation committee, in whole or in part in common stock held by the holder and valued at fair market value on the date of exercise, or (iv) by any combination of such methods.

All Options shall be exercisable in accordance with the terms of the applicable Award Agreement. The maximum term of an Option shall be determined by the compensation committee on the date of grant but shall not exceed 10 years (5 years in the case of ISOs granted to any 10% shareholder). In the case of ISOs, the aggregate fair market value (determined as of the date of grant) of common stock with respect to which such ISOs become exercisable for the first time during any calendar year cannot exceed $100,000. ISOs granted in excess of this limitation will be treated as NQOs.

If a participant terminates employment with us (or our affiliates) due to death or disability, the participant’s unexercised Options may be exercised, to the extent they were exercisable on the termination date, for a period of twelve months from the termination date or until the expiration of the original Option term, if shorter. If the participant terminates employment with us (or our affiliates) for cause (as defined in the Equity Incentive Plan), all unexercised Options (whether vested or unvested) shall terminate and be forfeited on the termination date. If the participant’s employment terminates for any other reason, any vested but unexercised Options may be exercised by the participant, to the extent exercisable at the time of termination, for a period of 90 days from the termination date (or such time as specified by the compensation committee at the time of grant) or until the expiration of the original Option term, whichever period is shorter. Unless otherwise provided by the compensation committee, any Options that are not exercisable at the time of termination of employment shall terminate and be forfeited on the termination date.

 

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Restricted Stock. A restricted stock award is a grant of shares of common stock, which may or may not be subject to forfeiture restrictions during a restriction period. The compensation committee will determine the price, if any, to be paid by the participant for each share of common stock subject to a restricted stock award. The compensation committee may condition the expiration of the restriction period, if any, upon: (i) the participant’s continued service over a period of time with us or our affiliates; (ii) the achievement by the participant, us or our affiliates of any other performance goals set by the compensation committee; or (iii) any combination of the above conditions as specified in the Award Agreement. If the specified conditions are not attained, the participant will forfeit the portion of the restricted stock award with respect to which those conditions are not attained, and the underlying common stock will be forfeited to us. At the end of the restriction period, if the conditions, if any, have been satisfied, the restrictions imposed will lapse with respect to the applicable number of shares. During the restriction period, a participant will have the right to vote the shares underlying the restricted stock. However, unless otherwise provided by the compensation committee, all dividends will remain subject to restriction until the stock with respect to which the dividend was issued lapses. The compensation committee may, in its discretion, accelerate the vesting and delivery of shares of restricted stock.

RSUs. RSUs are granted in reference to a specified number of shares of common stock and entitle the holder to receive, on achievement of specific performance goals established by the compensation committee, after a period of continued service with us or our affiliates or any combination of the above as set forth in the applicable Award Agreement, one share of common stock for each such share of common stock covered by the RSU. The compensation committee may, in its discretion, accelerate the vesting of RSUs.

Performance Goals. Performance goals may be linked to a variety of factors including the participant’s completion of a specified period of employment or service with us or an affiliated company. Additionally, performance goals can include objectives stated with respect to us, an affiliated company or a business unit. The performance goals are limited to one or more of the following:

 

   

specified levels of or increases in revenue, operating income, pre-tax earnings or income, return on capital, equity measures/ratios (on a gross, adjusted, net, pre-tax or post-tax basis), including basic earnings per share, diluted earnings per share, total earnings, earnings growth, earnings before interest and taxes, or EBIT, and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, EBITDA, or operational cash flow;

 

   

completion of acquisitions or business expansion;

 

   

operating efficiency;

 

   

implementation or completion of critical projects or related milestones;

 

   

comparable store sales or non-comparable store sales;

 

   

comparable store sales or sales growth;

 

   

new store sales;

 

   

store fundraising initiatives;

 

   

new store openings;

 

   

gross margin;

 

   

inventory shrink;

 

   

vendor allowances;

 

   

inventory turns;

 

   

inventory levels;

 

   

distribution center productivity levels;

 

   

customer service levels;

 

   

customer or employee satisfaction;

 

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employee recruiting and development;

 

   

number and timing of store construction;

 

   

visual merchandising initiatives;

 

   

advertising effectiveness;

 

   

number and timing of lease negotiations;

 

   

development of new markets;

 

   

financial ratios;

 

   

strategic initiatives;

 

   

improvement in or attainment of operating expense levels;

 

   

improvement in or attainment of capital expense levels;

 

   

the achievement of a certain level of, reduction of, or other specified objectives with regard to limiting the level of increase in, our bank debt or other public or private debt or financial obligations;

 

   

the attainment of a certain level of, reduction of, or other specified objectives with regard to limiting the level in or increase in all or a portion of controllable expenses or costs or other expenses or costs;

 

   

individual objectives and any combination of the foregoing; and/or

 

   

budget and expense management.

The compensation committee may impose restrictions on the grant, exercise or payment of an Award as it determines appropriate. Generally, Awards granted under the Equity Incentive Plan shall be nontransferable except by will or by the laws of descent and distribution. No participant shall have any rights as a shareholder with respect to shares covered by Options or RSUs, unless and until such Awards are settled in shares of common stock.

No Option shall be exercisable, no shares of common stock shall be issued, no certificates for shares of common stock shall be delivered and no payment shall be made under the Equity Incentive Plan except in compliance with all applicable laws.

The board may amend, suspend or terminate the Equity Incentive Plan and the compensation committee may amend any outstanding Award at any time; provided, however, that no such amendment or termination may adversely affect Awards then outstanding without the holder’s permission.

In the event of a change in control (as defined in the Equity Incentive Plan, or with respect to Awards granted prior to this offering under the Equity Incentive Plan before its original amendment and restatement), the compensation committee may, on a participant-by-participant basis (i) accelerate the vesting of some or all outstanding Options and terminate such Options immediately prior to the change in control, provided the participant has been given prior written notice of the change in control and of the compensation committee’s intention to cancel the Options, (ii) fully vest and/or accelerate some or all of the restriction period for any Awards, (iii) terminate the Award immediately prior to the change in control, provided the participant has been given prior written notice of the change in control and the compensation committee’s intention to cancel the Award, further provided, however, that during such notice period, the participant will be able to give notice of exercise of any portion of the Award that will become vested upon the change in control (with the actual exercise being contingent on the occurrence of the change in control), (iv) after giving the participant a chance to exercise any outstanding Options, terminate any or all of such unexercised Options, (v) cancel any outstanding Awards with respect to all common stock for which the Award remains unexercised or for which the Award is subject to forfeiture in exchange for a cash payment equal to the excess (if any) of the fair market value of the Award over the exercise price of an Option, or the unpaid purchase price (if any) of Restricted Stock, (vi) require that the Award be assumed by the successor corporation or that Awards for shares or other interest in the successor

 

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corporation with equivalent value be substituted for such Award, or (vii) take such other action as the compensation committee deems reasonable under the circumstances to permit the participant to realize the value of the Award.

The compensation committee, in its sole discretion, has the authority to determine the application of the foregoing provisions.

New Plan Benefits

Because our compensation committee has discretion to grant future awards of a design and amount determined in its discretion, (i) this data may be of limited relevance to shareholders’ consideration and voting on this proposal and (ii) it is not possible at present to specify the persons to whom Awards will be granted under the Equity Incentive Plan in the future or the amounts and types of individual grants. However, it is anticipated that, among others, all of our current executive officers, including our Named Executive Officers, will receive Awards under the Equity Incentive Plan. Accordingly, a new plan benefits table is not required or provided as part of this proposal.

Interest of Certain Persons in the Equity Incentive Plan

Shareholders should understand that our executive officers and non-employee directors may be considered to have an interest in the approval of the Equity Incentive Plan because they may in the future receive awards under it. Nevertheless, the board of directors believes that it is important to provide incentives and rewards for superior performance and the retention of experienced directors by implementing the Equity Incentive Plan.

Required Vote

The affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast is required to approve the Five Below, Inc. Amended and Restated Equity Plan.

The board of directors recommends a vote FOR the approval of the Five Below, Inc. Amended and Restated Equity Plan.

 

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PROPOSAL 4

APPROVAL OF FIVE BELOW, INC. 2016 PERFORMANCE BONUS PLAN

We are asking our shareholders to approve the 2016 Performance Bonus Plan (the “Performance Bonus Plan”). The Performance Bonus Plan provides for cash bonus payments to a wide range of management employees, including our Named Executive Officers, based on the achievement of pre-established performance goals over a performance period determined by the compensation committee, or, in the case of participants who are not subject to either Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act or Section 162(m) of the Code, the compensation committee’s delegate(s).

On May 10, 2016, the board of directors approved the Performance Bonus Plan, subject to approval of our shareholders. If the Performance Bonus Plan is approved by our shareholders, the compensation committee will have the discretion to grant annual bonus opportunities to our Named Executive Officers that qualify for an exemption from the limitation under Section 162(m) of the Code on the deductibility of annual compensation in excess of $1 million paid to our Chief Executive Officer and our three other most highly compensated officers other than our Chief Financial Officer. If our shareholders do not approve the Performance Bonus Plan, the Performance Bonus Plan will not go in effect, although in such event, the Compensation Committee may grant bonuses in its discretion, whether or not under a formal bonus plan, to our named executive officers that will not qualify for an exemption from the tax deductibility limitations imposed by Section 162(m). Because our executive officers are eligible to participate in and receive payments under the Performance Bonus Plan, they have an interest in this proposal.

The following is a summary description of the Performance Bonus Plan. While the material features of the Performance Bonus Plan are described below, the summary is in all respects subject to the complete text of the Performance Bonus Plan which is attached as Appendix B to this Proxy Statement.

Purpose of the Performance Bonus Plan

The purpose of the Performance Bonus Plan is to benefit and advance our interests, by rewarding selected employees of ours and our affiliates for their contributions to our financial success and thereby motivate them to continue to make such contributions in the future by granting performance-based awards that may be fully tax deductible to us.

Background

Section 162(m) of the Code disallows a deduction to us for any compensation paid to certain Named Executive Officers in excess of $1 million per year, subject to certain exceptions. Among other exceptions, the deduction limit does not apply to compensation that meets the specified requirements for “performance-based compensation.” In general, those requirements include the establishment of objective performance goals for the payment of such compensation by a committee of the board composed solely of two or more outside directors, shareholder approval of the material terms of such compensation prior to payment, and certification by the committee that the performance goals for the payment of such compensation have been achieved.

The board believes that it is in our best interests and those of our shareholders to enhance our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel through performance based incentive, while at the same time obtaining the highest level of deductibility of compensation paid to employees.

Administration

Subject to the other provisions of the Performance Bonus Plan, the compensation committee has the authority to administer, interpret and apply the Performance Bonus Plan, including the authority to select the employees (including employees who are directors) to participate in the Performance Bonus Plan, to establish the

 

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performance goals, to determine the amount of incentive compensation bonus payable to any participant, to determine the terms and conditions of any such incentive opportunity, to make all determinations and take all other actions necessary or appropriate for proper administration and operation of the Performance Bonus Plan and to establish and amend rules and regulations relating to the Performance Bonus Plan.

The compensation committee may also delegate to one or more of our executive officers the authority to administer the Performance Bonus Plan with respect to any participants who are not subject to Section 162(m) of the Code. As used in this Proposal 4, unless the context otherwise requires, any reference to the compensation committee in connection with participants under the Performance Bonus Plan who are not subject to either Section 16 of the Securities Exchange Act or Section 162(m) of the Code, shall instead refer to any such executive officer to whom authority has been delegated to administer the Performance Bonus Plan for such participants.

Eligibility

The Named Executive Officers and such other of our employees as selected by the compensation committee are eligible to participate in the Performance Bonus Plan. The approximate number of participants in the 2012 Performance Bonus Plan for fiscal 2015 was 148 (including our 6 officers). We expect approximately the same number of participants will be annually eligible to participate in the 2016 Performance Bonus Plan. The basis of participation of an individual under the 2016 Performance Bonus Plan, and the type and amount of any award that an individual will be entitled to receive under the 2016 Performance Bonus Plan, will be determined by the compensation committee based on its judgment as to the best interest of the Company and its stockholders, and therefore cannot be determined in advance. The maximum amount of the incentive compensation bonuses payable to any participant under the Performance Bonus Plan in, or in respect of, any single fiscal year shall not exceed $5 million. All incentive compensation bonuses paid pursuant to the Performance Bonus Plan will be paid in cash.

Bonus Opportunity and Performance Goals

Bonuses may be payable to a participant as a result of the satisfaction of performance goals in respect of any performance period determined by the committee; provided that, to the extent a participant would be subject to Section 162(m) of the Code, the performance goals will be set in accordance with the regulations under Section 162(m) of the Code. Performance goals, which may vary among and between participants, may include objectives stated with respect to us, an affiliated company or a business unit. The performance goals are limited to one or more of the following:

 

   

specified levels of or increases in revenue, operating income, pre-tax earnings or income, return on capital, equity measures/ratios (on a gross, adjusted, net, pre-tax or post-tax basis), including basic earnings per share, diluted earnings per share, total earnings, earnings growth, earnings before interest and taxes, or EBIT, and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, EBITDA, or operational cash flow;

 

   

completion of acquisitions or business expansion;

 

   

operating efficiency;

 

   

implementation or completion of critical projects or related milestones;

 

   

comparable store sales or non-comparable store sales;

 

   

comparable store sales or sales growth;

 

   

new store sales;

 

   

store fundraising initiatives;

 

   

new store openings;

 

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gross margin;

 

   

inventory shrink;

 

   

vendor allowances;

 

   

inventory turns;

 

   

inventory levels;

 

   

distribution center productivity levels;

 

   

customer service levels;

 

   

customer or employee satisfaction;

 

   

employee recruiting and development;

 

   

number and timing of store construction;

 

   

visual merchandising initiatives;

 

   

advertising effectiveness;

 

   

number and timing of lease negotiations;

 

   

development of new markets;

 

   

financial ratios;

 

   

strategic initiatives;

 

   

improvement in or attainment of operating expense levels;

 

   

improvement in or attainment of capital expense levels;

 

   

the achievement of a certain level of, reduction of, or other specified objectives with regard to limiting the level of increase in, our bank debt or other public or private debt or financial obligations;

 

   

the attainment of a certain level of, reduction of, or other specified objectives with regard to limiting the level in or increase in all or a portion of controllable expenses or costs or other expenses or costs;

 

   

individual objectives and any combination of the foregoing; and/or

 

   

budget and expense management.

The compensation committee shall provide a threshold level of performance below which no incentive compensation bonus will be paid, as well as a maximum level of performance above which no additional incentive compensation bonus will be paid. It also may provide for the payment of differing amounts for different levels of performance, determined with regard either to a fixed monetary amount or a percentage of the participant’s base salary. The compensation committee shall make such adjustments, to the extent it deems appropriate, to established performance goals and performance thresholds to compensate for, or to reflect, any material changes which may have occurred due to an Extraordinary Event (as defined under the Performance Bonus Plan).

As soon as practicable after the end of each performance period, but before any incentive compensation bonuses are paid to the participants under the Performance Bonus Plan, the compensation committee will certify in writing (i) whether the performance goal(s) were attained and (ii) the amount of the incentive compensation bonus payable to each participant based upon the attainment of such specified performance goals. The compensation committee also may reduce, eliminate, or, with respect only to participants who are not subject to Section 162(m) of the Code, increase the amount of any incentive compensation bonus of any participant at any time prior to payment thereof, based on such criteria as the compensation committee shall determine, including but not limited to individual merit and attainment of, or the failure to attain, specified personal goals established

 

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by the compensation committee. Under no circumstances, however, may the compensation committee, with respect solely to a participant who is subject to Section 162(m) of the Code, (i) increase the amount of the incentive compensation otherwise payable to such participant beyond the amount originally established by the compensation committee, (ii) waive the attainment of the performance goals established and applicable to such participant’s incentive compensation or (iii) otherwise exercise its discretion so as to cause any incentive compensation bonus payable to such participant to not qualify as “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

Awards made after the Performance Bonus Plan is approved may be subject to rescission, cancellation or recoupment, in whole or in part, under any current or future “clawback” or similar policy maintained by us that is applicable to any participant.

All amounts due under the Performance Bonus Plan shall be paid within two and a half months of the end of the year in which such incentive compensation is no longer subject to a risk of forfeiture. The board of directors, without the consent of any participant, may amend or terminate the Performance Bonus Plan at any time. However, no amendment that would require the consent of the shareholders pursuant to Section 162(m) of the Code shall be effective without such consent.

No awards have yet been made under the 2016 Performance Bonus Plan.

New Plan Benefits

Because our compensation committee has discretion to grant future awards of a design and amount determined in its discretion, (i) this data may be of limited relevance to shareholders’ consideration and voting on this proposal and (ii) it is not possible at present to specify the persons to whom Awards will be granted under the 2016 Performance Bonus Plan in the future or the amounts and types of individual grants. However, it is anticipated that, among others, all of our current executive officers, including our Named Executive Officers, will receive Awards under the 2016 Performance Bonus Plan. Accordingly, a new plan benefits table is not required or provided as part of this proposal.

Interest of Certain Persons in the 2016 Performance Bonus Plan

Shareholders should understand that our executive officers may be considered to have an interest in the approval of the 2016 Performance Bonus Plan because they may in the future receive awards under it. Nevertheless, the board of directors believes that it is important to provide incentives and rewards for superior performance by implementing the 2016 Performance Bonus Plan.

Required Vote

The affirmative vote of a majority of votes cast is required to approve the Five Below, Inc. 2016 Performance Bonus Plan.

The board of directors recommends a vote FOR the approval of the Five Below, Inc. 2016 Performance Bonus Plan.

 

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PROPOSAL 5

ADVISORY (NON-BINDING) VOTE TO APPROVE THE COMPANY’S NAMED EXECUTIVE OFFICER COMPENSATION

The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 (the “Dodd-Frank Act”) enables our shareholders to vote to approve, on an advisory (non-binding) basis, the compensation of our Named Executive Officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement in accordance with the SEC’s rules.

As described in detail under the heading “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” our executive compensation programs are designed to attract, develop, motivate, and retain our Named Executive Officers, who are critical to our success. Under these programs, our Named Executive Officers are rewarded for the achievement of specific annual, long-term and strategic goals, corporate goals, and the realization of increased shareholder value. Please read the “Compensation Discussion and Analysis” for additional details about our executive compensation programs, including information about the fiscal 2015 compensation of our Named Executive Officers.

We are asking our shareholders to indicate their support for our Named Executive Officers’ compensation as described in this Proxy Statement. This proposal, commonly known as a “say-on-pay” proposal, gives our shareholders the opportunity to express their views on our Named Executive Officers’ compensation. This vote is not intended to address any specific item of compensation, but rather the overall compensation of our Named Executive Officers and the philosophy, policies and practices described in this Proxy Statement.

In accordance with the requirements of Section 14A of the Exchange Act (which was added by the Dodd-Frank Act) and the related rules of the SEC, our board of directors will request your advisory vote on the following resolution at the Annual Meeting:

RESOLVED, that the compensation paid to the Named Executive Officers, as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to the SEC’s executive compensation disclosure rules (which disclosure includes the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables and the narrative discussion that accompanies the compensation tables), is hereby approved.

The say-on-pay vote is advisory, and therefore not binding on the Company, the compensation committee or our board of directors. Our board of directors and our compensation committee value the opinions of our shareholders and to the extent there is any significant vote against the Named Executive Officer compensation as disclosed in this Proxy Statement, we will consider our shareholders’ concerns and the compensation committee will evaluate whether any actions are necessary to address those concerns.

The board of directors unanimously recommends a vote FOR the approval of the compensation of the Named Executive Officers as disclosed in this Proxy Statement pursuant to Item 402 of Regulation S-K under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, including the Compensation Discussion and Analysis, the compensation tables and narrative discussion that accompanies the compensation tables.

 

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OTHER MATTERS

Our board of directors does not presently intend to bring any other business before the meeting, and, so far as is known to our board of directors, no matters are to be brought before the meeting except as specified in the Notice of Annual Meeting. As to any business that may properly come before the meeting, however, it is intended that proxies, in the form enclosed, will be voted in respect thereof in accordance with the judgment of the persons voting such proxies.

SHAREHOLDER PROPOSALS AND DIRECTOR NOMINATIONS FOR 2016 ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS

Shareholder proposals submitted to us pursuant to Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Exchange Act for inclusion in our proxy statement and form of proxy for our 2017 annual meeting of shareholders must be received by us no later than January 12, 2017 and must comply with the requirements of the proxy rules promulgated by the SEC.

In accordance with our current bylaws, for a proposal of a shareholder to be raised from the floor and presented at our 2016 annual meeting of shareholders, other than a shareholder proposal intended to be included in our proxy statement and submitted pursuant to Rule 14a-8 promulgated under the Exchange Act, a shareholder’s notice must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, our principal executive offices, together with all supporting documentation required by our bylaws, (a) not prior to March 23, 2017 nor later than April 22, 2017 or (b) in the event that the 2017 annual meeting of shareholders is held prior to May 22, 2017 or after August 20, 2017, notice by the shareholder must be so received not earlier than the 90th day prior to the annual meeting and not later than the later of the 60th day prior to the annual meeting or the 15th day following the day on which public announcement of the date of the meeting is first made. Shareholder proposals should be addressed to our Corporate Secretary, Five Below, Inc., 1818 Market Street, Suite 2000, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103.

ANNUAL REPORT TO SHAREHOLDERS

Our 2015 Annual Report has been posted, and is available without charge, on our corporate website at www.fivebelow.com. For shareholders receiving a Notice of Internet Availability, such Notice will contain instructions on how to request a printed copy of our 2015 Annual Report. For shareholders receiving a printed copy of this Proxy Statement, a copy of our 2015 Annual Report has also been provided to you. In addition, we will provide, without charge, a copy of our 2015 Annual Report (including the financial statements and the financial statement schedules but excluding the exhibits thereto) to any shareholder of record or beneficial owner of our common stock. Requests can be made by writing to Corporate Secretary, c/o Five Below, Inc., 1818 Market Street, Suite 2000, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103.

DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO SHAREHOLDERS SHARING AN ADDRESS

We have adopted a procedure, approved by the SEC, called “householding.” Under this procedure, shareholders of record who have the same address and last name and did not receive a Notice of Internet Availability or otherwise receive their proxy materials electronically will receive only one copy of this Proxy Statement and the 2015 Annual Report, unless we are notified that one or more of these shareholders wishes to continue receiving individual copies. This procedure will reduce our printing costs and postage fees.

If you are eligible for householding, but you and other shareholders of record with whom you share an address currently receive multiple copies of this Proxy Statement and the 2015 Annual Report, or if you hold our

 

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stock in more than one account, and in either case you wish to receive only a single copy of each of these documents for your household, please contact our Corporate Secretary by mail, c/o Five Below, Inc., 1818 Market Street, Suite 2000, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19103 or by phone at (215) 546-7909. If you participate in householding and wish to receive a separate copy of this Proxy Statement and the 2015 Annual Report, or if you do not wish to continue to participate in householding and prefer to receive separate copies of these documents in the future, please contact our Corporate Secretary as indicated above.

If your shares are held in street name through a broker, bank or other intermediary, please contact your broker, bank or intermediary directly if you have questions, require additional copies of this Proxy Statement or the 2015 Annual Report or wish to receive a single copy of such materials in the future for all beneficial owners of shares of the Company’s common stock sharing an address.

 

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APPENDIX A

FIVE BELOW, INC.

AMENDED AND RESTATED EQUITY INCENTIVE PLAN

SECTION 1. Purpose; Definitions. The purposes of the Five Below, Inc. Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”) are to: (a) enable Five Below, Inc. (the “Company”) and its affiliated companies to recruit and retain highly qualified employees, directors and consultants; (b) provide those employees, directors and consultants with an incentive for productivity; and (c) provide those employees, directors and consultants with an opportunity to share in the growth and value of the Company.

For purposes of the Plan, the following terms will have the meanings defined below, unless the context clearly requires a different meaning:

(a) “Affiliate” means, with respect to a Person, a Person that directly or indirectly controls, is controlled by, or is under common control with such Person.

(b) “Applicable Law” means the legal requirements relating to the administration of and issuance of securities under stock incentive plans, including, without limitation, the requirements of state corporations law, federal, state and foreign securities law, federal, state and foreign tax law, and the requirements of any stock exchange or quotation system upon which the Shares may then be listed or quoted.

(c) “Award” means an award of Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units or Performance Awards made under this Plan.

(d) “Award Agreement” means, with respect to any particular Award, the written document that sets forth the terms of that particular Award.

(e) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company, as constituted from time to time.

(f) “Cause” means with respect to any Participant, unless otherwise defined in the Participant’s employment agreement, service agreement or signed offer letter: (i) the Participant’s habitual intoxication or drug addiction; (ii) the Participant’s violation of the Company’s written policies, procedures or codes including, without limitation, those with respect to harassment (sexual or otherwise) and ethics; (iii) the Participant’s refusal or willful failure by the Participant to perform such duties as may reasonably be delegated or assigned to him, consistent with his position; (iv) the Participant’s willful refusal or willful failure to comply with any requirement of the Securities and Exchange Commission or any securities exchange or self-regulatory organization then applicable to the Company; (v) the Participant’s willful or wanton misconduct in connection with the performance of his or her duties including, without limitation, breach of fiduciary duties; (vi) the Participant’s breach (whether due to inattention, neglect, or knowing conduct) of any of the material provisions of his or her employment or service agreement, if any; (vii) the Participant’s conviction of, guilty, no contest or nolo contendere plea to, or admission or confession to any felony (other than driving while intoxicated or driving under the influence of alcohol) or any act of fraud, misappropriation, embezzlement or any misdemeanor involving moral turpitude; (viii) the Participant’s dishonesty detrimental to the best interest of the Company; (ix) the Participant’s involvement in any matter which, in the opinion of the Company’s Chief Executive Officer (or, in the case of the Chief Executive Officer, the Committee), is reasonably likely to cause material prejudice or embarrassment to the Company’s business; or (x) solely in the case of a Non-Employee Director, any other action by the Participant which the Committee determines constitutes “cause.” Notwithstanding the foregoing, if a Participant and the Company (or any of its Affiliates) have entered into an employment agreement, consulting agreement or other similar agreement that specifically defines “cause,” then with respect to such Participant, “Cause” shall have the meaning defined in such other agreement.

(g) “Change in Control” shall mean the occurrence of any of the following events: (i) any “person” (as such term is used in Sections 13(d) and 14(d) of the Exchange Act) is or becomes a “beneficial owner” (as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of the Company representing 50% or more of the total power to vote for the election of directors of the Company; (ii) during any twelve month period,

 

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individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board and any new director (other than a director designated by a person who has entered into an agreement with the Company to effect a transaction described in Section 1(g)(i), Section 1(g)(iii), Section 1(g)(iv) or Section 1(g)(v) hereof) whose election by the Board or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the directors then still in office who either were directors at the beginning of the period of whose election or nomination for election was previously approved, cease for any reason to constitute a majority thereof; (iii) the merger or consolidation of the Company with another corporation where the stockholders of the Company, immediately prior to the merger or consolidation, will not beneficially own, immediately after the merger or consolidation, shares entitling such stockholders to 50% or more of all votes to which all stockholders of the surviving corporation would be entitled in the election of directors (without consideration of the rights of any class of stock to elect directors by a separate class vote); (iv) the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company; (v) a liquidation or dissolution of the Company or (vi) acceptance by shareholders of the Company of shares in a share exchange if the shareholders of the Company immediately before such share exchange do not or will not own directly or indirectly immediately following such share exchange more than fifty percent (50%) of the combined voting power of the outstanding voting securities of the entity resulting from or surviving such share exchange in substantially the same proportion as their ownership of the voting securities outstanding immediately before such share exchange.

Notwithstanding anything in the Plan or an Award Agreement to the contrary, if an Award is subject to Section 409A of the Code, no event that, but for the application of this paragraph, would be a Change in Control as defined in the Plan or the Award Agreement, as applicable, shall be a Change in Control unless such event is also a “change in control event” as defined in Section 409A of the Code.

(h) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and any successor thereto.

(i) “Committee” means the committee designated by the Board to administer the Plan under Section 2. To the extent required under Applicable Law, the Committee shall have at least two members and each member of the Committee shall be a Non-Employee Director and an Outside Director.

(j) “Director” means a member of the Board.

(k) “Disability” means a condition rendering a Participant Disabled.

(l) “Disabled” will have the same meaning as set forth in Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

(m) “Exchange Act” means the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended.

(n) “Fair Market Value” means, as of any date, the value of a Share determined as follows: (i) if the Shares are listed on any established stock exchange or a national market system, including, without limitation, the Nasdaq Global Select Market, the Fair Market Value of a Share will be the closing sales price for such stock as quoted on that system or exchange (or the system or exchange with the greatest volume of trading in Shares) at the close of regular hours trading on the day of determination; (ii) if the Shares are regularly quoted by recognized securities dealers but selling prices are not reported, the Fair Market Value of a Share will be the mean between the high bid and low asked prices for Shares at the close of regular hours trading on the day of determination; or (iii) if Shares are not traded as set forth above, the Fair Market Value will be determined in good faith by the Committee taking into consideration such factors as the Committee considers appropriate, such determination by the Committee to be final, conclusive and binding. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in connection with a Change in Control, Fair Market Value shall be determined in good faith by the Committee, such determination by the Committee to be final conclusive and binding.

(o) “Incentive Stock Option” means any Option intended to be an “Incentive Stock Option” within the meaning of Section 422 of the Code.

 

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(p) “Non-Employee Director” will have the meaning set forth in Rule 16b-3(b)(3)(i) promulgated by the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Exchange Act, or any successor definition adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission.

(q) “Non-Qualified Stock Option” means any Option that is not an Incentive Stock Option.

(r) “Outside Director” means a member of the Board who meets the definition of an “outside director” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

(s) “Option” means any option to purchase Shares (including an option to purchase Restricted Stock, if the Committee so determines) granted pursuant to Section 5 hereof.

(t) “Parent” means, in respect of the Company, a “parent corporation” as defined in Sections 424(e) of the Code.

(u) “Participant” means an employee, consultant, Director, or other service provider of or to the Company or any of its respective Affiliates to whom an Award is granted

(v) “Performance Award” means any Award that, pursuant to Section 9, is granted, vested and/or settled upon the achievement of specified performance conditions.

(w) “Performance Goals” means a goal that must be met by the end of a period specified by the Committee (but that is substantially uncertain of being met before the grant of the Award) based upon: (i) specified levels of or increases in revenue, operating income, pre-tax earnings or income, return on capital, equity measures/ratios (on a gross, adjusted, net, pre-tax or post tax basis), including basic earnings per share, diluted earnings per share, total earnings, earnings growth, earnings before interest and taxes, or EBIT, and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, EBITDA or operational cash flow; (ii) completion of acquisitions or business expansion; (iii) operating efficiency; (iv) implementation or completion of critical projects or related milestones, (v) comparable store sales or non-comparable store sales; (vi) comparable store sales or sales growth; (vii) new store sales; (viii) store fundraising initiatives; (ix) new store openings; (x) gross margin; (xi) inventory shrink; (xii) vendor allowances; (xiii) inventory turns; (xiv) inventory levels; (xv) distribution center productivity levels; (xvi) customer service levels; (xvii) customer or employee satisfaction; (xviii) employee recruiting and development; (xix) number and timing of store construction; (xx) visual merchandising initiatives; (xxi) advertising effectiveness; (xxii) number and timing of lease negotiations; (xxiii) development of new markets; (xxiv) financial ratios; (xxv) strategic initiatives; (xxvi) improvement in or attainment of operating expense levels; (xxvii) improvement in or attainment of capital expense levels; (xxviii) the achievement of a certain level of, reduction of, or other specified objectives with regard to limiting the level of increase in, the Company’s bank debt or other public or private debt or financial obligations; (xxix) the attainment of a certain level of, reduction of, or other specified objectives with regard to limiting the level in or increase in all or a portion of controllable expenses or costs or other expenses or costs; (xxx) individual objectives; and any combination of the foregoing; and/or (xxxi) budget and expense management. The Committee shall have discretion to determine the specific targets with respect to each of these categories of Performance Goals.

(x) “Person” means an individual, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, trust, joint venture, unincorporated association, or other entity or association.

(y) “Plan” means the Five Below, Inc. Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan herein set forth, as amended from time to time.

(z) “Restricted Stock” means Shares that are subject to restrictions pursuant to Section 7 hereof.

(aa) “Restricted Stock Unit” means a right granted under and subject to restrictions pursuant to Section 8 hereof.

 

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(bb) “Shares” means shares of the Company’s common stock, par value $0.01, subject to substitution or adjustment as provided in Section 3(c) hereof.

(cc) “Subsidiary” means, in respect of the Company, a subsidiary company as defined in Sections 424(f) and (g) of the Code.

SECTION 2. Administration. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. Any action of the Committee in administering the Plan shall be final, conclusive and binding on all persons, including the Company, its Subsidiaries, Affiliates, their respect employees, the Participants, persons claiming rights from or through Participants and stockholders of the Company.

The Committee will have full authority to grant Awards under this Plan and determine the terms of such Awards. Such authority will include the right to:

(a) select the individuals to whom Awards are granted (consistent with the eligibility conditions set forth in Section 4);

(b) determine the type of Award to be granted;

(c) determine the number of Shares, if any, to be covered by each Award;

(d) establish the terms and conditions of each Award;

(e) subject to Section 9, establish the performance conditions relevant to any Award and certify whether such performance conditions have been satisfied;

(f) approving forms of agreements (including Award Agreements) for use under the Plan;

(g) determine whether and under what circumstances an Option may be exercised without a payment of cash under Section 5(d);

(h) accelerate the vesting or exercisability of an Award and to modify or amend each Award, subject to Section 10; and

(i) extend the period of time for which an Option is to remain exercisable following a Participant’s termination of service to the Company from the limited period otherwise in effect for that Option to such greater period of time as the Committee deems appropriate, but in no event beyond the expiration of the term of the Option.

The Committee will have the authority to adopt, alter and repeal such administrative rules, guidelines and practices governing the Plan as it, from time to time, deems advisable; to establish the terms and form of each Award Agreement; to interpret the terms and provisions of the Plan and any Award issued under the Plan (and any Award Agreement); and to otherwise supervise the administration of the Plan. The Committee may correct any defect, supply any omission or reconcile any inconsistency in the Plan or in any Award Agreement in the manner and to the extent it deems necessary to carry out the intent of the Plan.

The Committee may delegate to one or more officers of the Company the authority to grant Awards to Participants who are not subject to the requirements of Section 16 of the Exchange Act or Section 162(m) of the Code and the rules and regulations thereunder, provided that the Committee shall have fixed the total number of Shares subject to such delegation. Any such delegation shall be subject to the applicable corporate laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. The Committee may revoke any such allocation or delegation at any time for any reason with or without prior notice.

 

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No Director will be liable for any good faith determination, act or omission in connection with the Plan or any Award.

SECTION 3. Shares Subject to the Plan.

(a) Shares Subject to the Plan. Subject to adjustment as provided in Section 3(c) of the Plan, the maximum number of Shares that may be issued in respect of Awards under the Plan is 7,600,000 Shares (inclusive of Awards issued under any prior version of the Plan that remain outstanding as of the effective date of the Plan ) (the “Plan Limit”), fifty percent (50%) of which Shares may be issued in respect of Incentive Stock Options. Any shares issued hereunder may consist, in whole or in part, of authorized and unissued shares or treasury shares. Any shares issued by the Company through the assumption or substitution of outstanding grants in connection with the acquisition of another entity shall not reduce the maximum number of shares available for delivery under the Plan. In accordance with the requirements under Section 162(m) of the Code, the maximum number of Shares underlying Awards (including Options, Restricted Stock, Restricted Stock Units and Performance Awards) that may be granted during a calendar year to any individual Participant shall be fifty percent (50%) of the Plan Limit.

(b) Effect of the Expiration or Termination of Awards. If and to the extent that an Option expires, terminates or is canceled or forfeited for any reason without having been exercised in full, the Shares associated with that Option will again become available for grant under the Plan. Similarly, if and to the extent an Award of Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Units is canceled or forfeited for any reason, the Shares subject to that Award will again become available for grant under the Plan. Shares withheld in settlement of a tax withholding obligation associated with an Award, or in satisfaction of the exercise price payable upon exercise of an Option, will not become available for grant under the Plan.

(c) Other Adjustment. In the event of any corporate event or transaction such as a merger, consolidation, reorganization, recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, split up, spin-off, combination of shares, exchange of shares, stock dividend, dividend in kind, or other like change in capital structure (other than ordinary cash dividends) to shareholders of the Company, or other similar corporate event or transaction affecting the Shares, the Committee, to prevent dilution or enlargement of Participants’ rights under the Plan, shall, in such manner as it may deem equitable, substitute or adjust, in its sole discretion, the number and kind of shares that may be issued under the Plan or under any outstanding Awards, the number and kind of shares subject to outstanding Awards, the exercise price, grant price or purchase price applicable to outstanding Awards, and/or any other affected terms and conditions of this Plan or outstanding Awards. The Committee shall not make any adjustment that would adversely affect the status of any Award that is “performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code.

(d) Change in Control. Notwithstanding anything to the contrary set forth in the Plan, upon any Change in Control, the Committee may, in its sole and absolute discretion and without the need for the consent of any Participant, take one or more of the following actions contingent upon the occurrence of that Change in Control:

(i) cause any or all outstanding Awards to become vested and immediately exercisable (as applicable), in whole or in part;

(ii) cause any outstanding Option to become fully vested and immediately exercisable for a reasonable period in advance of the Change in Control and, to the extent not exercised prior to that Change in Control, cancel that Option upon closing of the Change in Control;

(iii) cancel any unvested Award or unvested portion thereof, with or without consideration;

(iv) cancel any Award in exchange for a substitute award;

(v) redeem any Restricted Stock or Restricted Stock Unit for cash and/or other substitute consideration with value equal to Fair Market Value of an unrestricted Share on the date of the Change in Control;

 

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(vi) cancel any Option in exchange for cash and/or other substitute consideration with a value equal to: (A) the number of Shares subject to that Option, multiplied by (B) the difference, if any, between the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of the Change in Control and the exercise price of that Option; provided, that if the Fair Market Value per Share on the date of the Change in Control does not exceed the exercise price of any such Option, the Committee may cancel that Option without any payment of consideration therefor;

(vii) take such other action as the Committee shall determine to be reasonable under the circumstances; and/or

(viii) notwithstanding any provision of this Section 3(d), in the case of any Award subject to Section 409A of the Code, such Award shall vest and be distributed only in accordance with the terms of the applicable Award Agreement and the Committee shall only be permitted to use discretion to the extent that such discretion would be permitted under Section 409A of the Code.

In the discretion of the Committee, any cash or substitute consideration payable upon cancellation of an Award may be subjected to (i) vesting terms substantially identical to those that applied to the cancelled Award immediately prior to the Change in Control, or (ii) earn-out, escrow, holdback or similar arrangements, to the extent such arrangements are applicable to any consideration paid to stockholders in connection with the Change in Control.

SECTION 4. Eligibility. Employees, Directors, consultants, and other individuals who provide services to the Company or its Affiliates are eligible to be granted Awards under the Plan; provided, however, that only employees of the Company, any Parent or a Subsidiary are eligible to be granted Incentive Stock Options.

SECTION 5. Options. Options granted under the Plan may be of two types: (i) Incentive Stock Options or (ii) Non-Qualified Stock Options. The Award Agreement shall state whether such grant is an Incentive Stock Option or a Non-Qualified Stock Option. Any Option granted under the Plan will be in such form as the Committee may at the time of such grant approve.

The Award Agreement evidencing any Option will incorporate the following terms and conditions and will contain such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee deems appropriate in its sole and absolute discretion:

(a) Option Price. The exercise price per Share under an Option will be determined by the Committee and will not be less than 100% of the Fair Market Value of a Share on the date of the grant. However, any Incentive Stock Option granted to any Participant who, at the time the Option is granted, owns, either directly and/or within the meaning of the attribution rules contained in Section 424(d) of the Code, stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, will have an exercise price per Share of not less than 110% of Fair Market Value per Share on the date of the grant.

(b) Option Term. The term of each Option will be fixed by the Committee, but no Option will be exercisable more than 10 years after the date the Option is granted. However, any Incentive Stock Option granted to any Participant who, at the time such Option is granted, owns, either directly and/or within the meaning of the attribution rules contained in Section 424(d) of the Code, stock possessing more than 10% of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of the Company, may not have a term of more than 5 years. No Option may be exercised by any Person after expiration of the term of the Option.

(c) Exercisability. Options will vest and be exercisable at such time or times and subject to such terms and conditions as determined by the Committee.

(d) Method of Exercise. Subject to the terms of the applicable Award Agreement, the exercisability provisions of Section 5(c) and the termination provisions of Section 6, Options may be exercised in whole or in part from time to time during their term by the delivery of written notice to the Company specifying the number

 

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of Shares to be purchased. Such notice will be accompanied by payment in full of the purchase price, either by certified or bank check, or such other means as the Committee may accept. The Committee may, in its sole discretion, permit payment of the exercise price of an Option in the form of previously acquired Shares based on the Fair Market Value of the Shares on the date the Option is exercised or through means of a “net settlement,” whereby the Option exercise price will not be due in cash and where the number of Shares issued upon such exercise will be equal to: (A) the product of (i) the number of Shares as to which the Option is then being exercised, and (ii) the excess, if any, of (a) the then current Fair Market Value per Share over (b) the Option exercise price, divided by (B) the then current Fair Market Value per Share.

No Shares will be issued upon exercise of an Option until full payment therefor has been made. A Participant will not have the right to distributions or dividends or any other rights of a stockholder with respect to Shares subject to the Option until the Participant has given written notice of exercise, has paid in full for such Shares, if requested, has given the representation described in Section 15(a) hereof and fulfills such other conditions as may be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement.

(e) Incentive Stock Option Limitations. In the case of an Incentive Stock Option, the aggregate Fair Market Value (determined as of the time of grant) of the Shares with respect to which Incentive Stock Options are exercisable for the first time by the Participant during any calendar year under the Plan and/or any other plan of the Company, its Parent or any Subsidiary will not exceed $100,000. For purposes of applying the foregoing limitation, Incentive Stock Options will be taken into account in the order granted. To the extent any Option does not meet such limitation, that Option will be treated for all purposes as a Non-Qualified Stock Option.

(f) Termination of Service. Unless otherwise specified in the applicable Award Agreement or as otherwise provided by the Committee at or after the time of grant, Options will be subject to the terms of Section 6 with respect to exercise upon or following termination of employment or other service.

SECTION 6. Termination of Service. Unless otherwise specified with respect to a particular Option in the applicable Award Agreement or otherwise determined by the Committee, any portion of an Option that is not exercisable upon termination of service will expire immediately and automatically upon such termination and any portion of an Option that is exercisable upon termination of service will expire on the date it ceases to be exercisable in accordance with this Section 6.

(a) Termination by Reason of Death. If a Participant’s service with the Company or any Affiliate terminates by reason of death, any Option held by such Participant may thereafter be exercised, to the extent it was exercisable at the time of his or her death or on such accelerated basis as the Committee may determine at or after grant, by the legal representative of the estate or by the legatee of the Participant, for a period expiring (i) at such time as may be specified by the Committee at or after grant, or (ii) if not specified by the Committee , then 12 months from the date of death, or (iii) if sooner than the applicable period specified under (i) or (ii) above, upon the expiration of the stated term of such Option.

(b) Termination by Reason of Disability. If a Participant’s service with the Company or any Affiliate terminates by reason of Disability, any Option held by such Participant may thereafter be exercised by the Participant or his personal representative, to the extent it was exercisable at the time of termination, or on such accelerated basis as the Committee may determine at or after grant, for a period expiring (i) at such time as may be specified by the Committee at or after grant, or (ii) if not specified by the Committee, then 12 months from the date of termination of service, or (iii) if sooner than the applicable period specified under (i) or (ii) above, upon the expiration of the stated term of such Option.

(c) Cause. If a Participant’s service with the Company or any Affiliate is terminated for Cause: (i) any Option, or portion thereof, not already exercised will be immediately and automatically forfeited as of the date of such termination, and (ii) any Shares for which the Company has not yet delivered share certificates will be immediately and automatically forfeited and the Company will refund to the Participant the Option exercise price paid for such Shares, if any.

 

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(d) Other Termination. If a Participant’s service with the Company or any Affiliate terminates for any reason other than death, Disability or Cause, any Option held by such Participant may thereafter be exercised by the Participant, to the extent it was exercisable at the time of such termination, or on such accelerated basis as the Committee may determine at or after grant, for a period expiring (i) at such time as may be specified by the Committee at or after grant, or (ii) if not specified by the Committee, then 90 days from the date of termination of service, or (iii) if sooner than the applicable period specified under (i) or (ii) above, upon the expiration of the stated term of such Option.

SECTION 7. Restricted Stock.

(a) Issuance. Restricted Stock may be issued either alone or in conjunction with other Awards. The Committee will determine the time or times within which Restricted Stock may be subject to forfeiture, and all other conditions of such Awards. The purchase price for Restricted Stock may, but need not, be zero. The prospective recipient of an Award of Restricted Stock will not have any rights with respect to such Award, unless and until such recipient has delivered to the Company an executed Award Agreement and has otherwise complied with the applicable terms and conditions of such Award.

(b) Certificates. Upon the Award of Restricted Stock, the Committee may direct that a certificate or certificates representing the number of shares of Common Stock subject to such Award be issued to the Participant or placed in a restricted stock account (including an electronic account) with the transfer agent and in either case designating the Participant as the registered owner. The certificate(s) representing such shares shall be physically or electronically legended, as applicable, as to sale, transfer, assignment, pledge or other encumbrances during the Restriction Period and if issued to the Participant, returned to the Company, to be held in escrow during the Restriction Period. As a condition to any Award of Restricted Stock, the Participant may be required to deliver to the Company a share power, endorsed in blank, relating to the Shares covered by such Award.

(c) Restrictions and Conditions. The Award Agreement evidencing the grant of any Restricted Stock will incorporate the following terms and conditions and such additional terms and conditions, not inconsistent with the terms of the Plan, as the Committee deems appropriate in its sole and absolute discretion:

(i) During a period commencing with the date of an Award of Restricted Stock and ending at such time or times as specified by the Committee (the “Restriction Period”), the Participant will not be permitted to sell, transfer, pledge, assign or otherwise encumber Restricted Stock awarded under the Plan. The Committee may condition the lapse of restrictions on Restricted Stock upon the continued employment or service of the recipient, the attainment of specified individual or corporate performance goals, or such other factors as the Committee may determine, in its sole and absolute discretion.

(ii) While any Share of Restricted Stock remain subject to restriction, the Participant will have, with respect to the Restricted Stock, the right to vote the Shares, but will not have the right to receive any cash distributions or dividends prior to the lapse of the Restriction Period underlying such Shares unless otherwise provided under the applicable Award Agreement or as determined by the Committee. If any cash distributions or dividends are payable with respect to the Restricted Stock, the Committee, in its sole discretion, may require the cash distributions or dividends to be subjected to the same Restriction Period as is applicable to the Restricted Stock with respect to which such amounts are paid, or, if the Committee so determines, reinvested in additional Restricted Stock to the extent Shares are available under Section 3(a) of the Plan. A Participant shall not be entitled to interest with respect to any dividends or distributions subjected to the Restriction Period. Any distributions or dividends paid in the form of securities with respect to Restricted Stock will be subject to the same terms and conditions as the Restricted Stock with respect to which they were paid, including, without limitation, the same Restriction Period.

(iii) Subject to the provisions of the applicable Award Agreement or as otherwise determined by the Committee, if a Participant’s service with the Company and its Affiliates terminates prior to the expiration of the applicable Restriction Period, the Participant’s Restricted Stock that then remains subject to forfeiture will then be forfeited automatically.

 

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SECTION 8. Restricted Stock Units. Subject to the other terms of the Plan, the Committee may grant Restricted Stock Units to eligible individuals and may, in its sole and absolute discretion, impose conditions on such units as it may deem appropriate, including, without limitation, continued employment or service of the recipient or the attainment of specified individual or corporate performance goals. Each Restricted Stock Unit shall be evidenced by an Award Agreement in the form that is approved by the Committee and that is not inconsistent with the terms and conditions of the Plan. Each Restricted Stock Unit will represent a right to receive from the Company, upon fulfillment of any applicable conditions, an amount equal to the Fair Market Value (at the time of the distribution) of one Share. Distributions may be made in Shares. All other terms governing Restricted Stock Units, such as vesting, time and form of payment and termination of units shall be set forth in the applicable Award Agreement. The Participant shall not have any shareholder rights with respect to the Shares subject to a Restricted Stock Unit Award until that Award vests and the Shares are actually issued thereunder. Subject to the provisions of the applicable Award Agreement or as otherwise determined by the Committee, if a Participant’s service with the Company terminates prior to the Restricted Stock Unit Award vesting, the Participant’s Restricted Stock Units that then remain subject to forfeiture will then be forfeited automatically.

SECTION 9. Performance Based Awards.

(a) Performance Awards Generally. The Committee may grant Performance Awards in accordance with this Section 9. Performance Awards may be denominated as a number of Shares or specified number of other Awards, which may be earned upon achievement or satisfaction of such Performance Goals as may be specified by the Committee. In addition, the Committee may specify that any other Award shall constitute a Performance Award by conditioning the vesting or settlement of the Award upon the achievement or satisfaction of such Performance Goals as may be specified by the Committee.

(b) Adjustments to Performance Goals. The Committee may provide, at the time Performance Goals are established, that adjustments will be made to those performance goals to take into account, in any objective manner specified by that committee, the impact of one or more of the following: (A) gain or loss from all or certain claims and/or litigation and insurance recoveries, (B) the impairment of tangible or intangible assets, (C) stock-based compensation expense, (D) restructuring activities reported in the Company’s public filings, (E) investments, dispositions or acquisitions, (F) loss from the disposal of certain assets, (G) gain or loss from the early extinguishment, redemption, or repurchase of debt, (H) changes in accounting principles, or (I) any other item, event or circumstance that would not cause an Award to fail to constitute “qualified performance-based compensation” under Section 162(m) of the Code (to the extent such Award is intended to be “qualified performance-based compensation”). An adjustment described in this Section may relate to the Company or to any subsidiary, division or other operational unit of the Company or its Affiliates, as determined by the committee at the time the performance goals are established. Any adjustment shall be determined in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles and standards, unless such other objective method of measurement is designated by the committee at the time performance objectives are established. In addition, adjustments will be made as necessary to any performance criteria related to the Company’s stock to reflect changes in corporate capitalization, including a recapitalization, stock split or combination, stock dividend, spin-off, merger, reorganization or other similar event or transaction affecting the Company’s equity.

(c) Other Terms of Performance Awards. The Committee may specify other terms pertinent to a Performance Award in the applicable Award Agreement, including terms relating to the treatment of that Award in the event of a Change in Control prior to the end of the applicable performance period. The Participant shall not have any shareholder rights with respect to the Shares subject to a Performance Award until the Shares are actually issued thereunder. Subject to the provisions of the applicable Award Agreement or as otherwise determined by the Committee, if a Participant’s service with the Company terminates prior to the Performance Award vesting, the Participant’s Performance Award or portion thereof that then remains subject to forfeiture will then be forfeited automatically.

 

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SECTION 10. Amendments and Termination. The Board may amend, alter or discontinue the Plan at any time. However, except as otherwise provided in Section 3, no amendment, alteration or discontinuation will be made which would impair the rights of a Participant with respect to an Award without that Participant’s consent or which, without the approval of such amendment within 365 days of its adoption by the Board by the Company’s stockholders in a manner consistent with Treas. Reg. § 1.422-3 (or any successor provision), would: (i) increase the total number of Shares reserved for issuance hereunder, or (ii) change the persons or class of persons eligible to receive Awards.

SECTION 11. Prohibition on Repricing Programs. Neither the Committee nor the Board shall (i) implement any cancellation/re-grant program pursuant to which outstanding Options under the Plan are cancelled and new Options are granted in replacement with a lower exercise or base price per share, (ii) cancel outstanding Options under the Plan with exercise prices or base prices per share in excess of the then current Fair Market Value per Share for consideration payable in equity securities of the Company or (iii) otherwise directly reduce the exercise price or base price in effect for outstanding Options under the Plan, without in each such instance obtaining shareholder approval.

SECTION 12. Conditions Upon Grant of Awards and Issuance of Shares.

(a) The implementation of the Plan, the grant of any Award and the issuance of Shares in connection with the issuance, exercise or vesting of any Award made under the Plan shall be subject to the Company’s procurement of all approvals and permits required by regulatory authorities having jurisdiction over the Plan, the Awards made under the Plan and the Shares issuable pursuant to those Awards.

(b) No Shares or other assets shall be issued or delivered under the Plan unless and until there shall have been compliance with all applicable requirements of Applicable Law, including the filing and effectiveness of the Form S-8 registration statement for the Shares issuable under the Plan, and all applicable listing requirements of any stock exchange on which Shares are then listed for trading.

SECTION 13. Limits on Transferability; Beneficiaries. No Award or other right or interest of a Participant under the Plan shall be pledged, encumbered, or hypothecated to, or in favor of, or subject to any lien, obligation, or liability of such Participant to, any party, other than the Company, any Subsidiary or Affiliate, or assigned or transferred by such Participant otherwise than by will or the laws of descent and distribution, and such Awards and rights shall be exercisable during the lifetime of the Participant only by the Participant or his or her guardian or legal representative. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Committee may, in its discretion, provide that Awards or other rights or interests of a Participant granted pursuant to the Plan (other than an Incentive Stock Option) be transferable, without consideration, to immediate family members (i.e., children, grandchildren or spouse), to trusts for the benefit of such immediate family members and to partnerships in which such family members are the only partners. The Committee may attach to such transferability feature such terms and conditions as it deems advisable. In addition, a Participant may, in the manner established by the Committee, designate a beneficiary (which may be a person or a trust) to exercise the rights of the Participant, and to receive any distribution, with respect to any Award upon the death of the Participant. A beneficiary, guardian, legal representative or other person claiming any rights under the Plan from or through any Participant shall be subject to all terms and conditions of the Plan and any Award Agreement applicable to such Participant, except as otherwise determined by the Committee, and to any additional restrictions deemed necessary or appropriate by the Committee.

SECTION 14. Withholding. No later than the date as of which an amount first becomes includible in the gross income of the Participant for federal income tax purposes with respect to any Award under the Plan, the Participant will pay to the Company, or make arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding the payment of, any federal, state or local taxes of any kind required by law to be withheld with respect to such amount. The minimum required withholding obligations may be settled with Shares, including Shares that are part of the Award that gives rise to the withholding requirement. The obligations of the Company under the Plan will be

 

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conditioned on such payment or arrangements and the Company will have the right to deduct any such taxes from any payment of any kind otherwise due to the Participant.

SECTION 15. Liability of Company.

(a) Inability to Obtain Authority. If the Company cannot, by the exercise of commercially reasonable efforts, obtain authority from any regulatory body having jurisdiction for the sale of any Shares under this Plan, and such authority is deemed by the Company’s counsel to be necessary to the lawful issuance of those Shares, the Company will be relieved of any liability for failing to issue or sell those Shares.

(b) Grants Exceeding Allotted Shares. If Shares subject to an Award exceed, as of the date of grant, the number of Shares which may be issued under the Plan without additional shareholder approval, that Award will be contingent with respect to such excess Shares, on the effectiveness under Applicable Law of a sufficient increase in the number of Shares subject to this Plan.

(c) Rights of Participants and Beneficiaries. The Company will pay all amounts payable under this Plan only to the applicable Participant, or beneficiaries entitled thereto pursuant to this Plan. The Company will not be liable for the debts, contracts, or engagements of any Participant or his or her beneficiaries, and rights to cash payments under this Plan may not be taken in execution by attachment or garnishment, or by any other legal or equitable proceeding while in the hands of the Company.

SECTION 16. Adjustment; Repayment of Incentive Bonuses. All awards made under the Plan (whether vested or unvested) are subject to rescission, cancellation or recoupment, in whole or in part, under any current or future “clawback” or similar policy of the Company that is applicable to the Participant.

SECTION 17. General Provisions.

(a) The Board may require each Participant to represent to and agree with the Company in writing that the Participant is acquiring securities of the Company for investment purposes and without a view to distribution thereof and as to such other matters as the Board believes are appropriate.

(b) All certificates for Shares or other securities delivered under the Plan will be subject to such share-transfer orders and other restrictions as the Board may deem advisable under the rules, regulations and other requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, the Exchange Act, any stock exchange upon which the Shares are then listed, and any other Applicable Law, and the Board may cause a legend or legends to be put on any such certificates to make appropriate reference to such restrictions.

(c) Nothing contained in the Plan will prevent the Board from adopting other or additional compensation arrangements, subject to stockholder approval if such approval is required.

(d) Neither the adoption of the Plan nor the execution of any document in connection with the Plan will: (i) confer upon any employee or other service provider of the Company or an Affiliate any right to continued employment or engagement with the Company or such Affiliate, or (ii) interfere in any way with the right of the Company or such Affiliate to terminate the employment or engagement of any of its employees or other service providers at any time.

SECTION 18. Effective Date of Plan. The Plan will become effective immediately prior to the closing of the Company’s initial public offering for which the Company filed a registration statement with the SEC on April 18, 2012. The closing of the Company’s initial public offering occurred during the business day on July 24, 2012, and the effective date of the Plan is the commencement of the business day on July 24, 2012.

SECTION 19. Term of Plan. Unless the Plan shall theretofore have been terminated in accordance with Section 10, the Plan shall terminate on the 10-year anniversary of the effective date, and no Awards under the Plan shall thereafter be granted.

 

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SECTION 20. Invalid Provisions. In the event that any provision of this Plan is found to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable under any Applicable Law, such invalidity or unenforceability will not be construed as rendering any other provisions contained herein as invalid or unenforceable, and all such other provisions will be given full force and effect to the same extent as though the invalid or unenforceable provision was not contained herein.

SECTION 21. Governing Law. The Plan and all Awards granted hereunder will be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws and judicial decisions of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, without regard to the application of the principles of conflicts of laws.

SECTION 22. Notices. Any notice to be given to the Company pursuant to the provisions of this Plan must be given in writing and addressed, if to the Company, to its principal executive office to the attention of its Chief Financial Officer (or such other Person as the Company may designate in writing from time to time), and, if to a Participant, to the address contained in the Company’s personnel files, or at such other address as that Participant may hereafter designate in writing to the Company. Any such notice will be deemed duly given: if delivered personally or via recognized overnight delivery service, on the date and at the time so delivered; if sent via telecopier or email, on the date and at the time telecopied or emailed with confirmation of delivery; or, if mailed, five (5) days after the date of mailing by registered or certified mail.

 

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APPENDIX B

FIVE BELOW, INC.

2016 PERFORMANCE BONUS PLAN

Section 1. Purpose. The purpose of the Five Below, Inc. Performance Bonus Plan (the “Plan”) is to benefit and advance the interests of Five Below, Inc., a Pennsylvania corporation (the “Company”), by rewarding selected employees of the Company and its subsidiaries and divisions (each such subsidiary or division is referred to herein as a “Business Unit”) for their contributions to the Company’s financial success and thereby motivate them to continue to make such contributions in the future by granting performance-based awards (“Awards”).

Section 2. Certain Definitions. For the purposes of the Plan the following terms shall be defined as set forth below:

(a) “Applicable Employee Remuneration” has the meaning given to such term in Section 162(m)(4) of the Code.

(b) “Base Salary Percentage” means a percentage of the Participant’s annual base salary in effect as of the later of (i) the first day of the Performance Period or (ii) the common salary adjustment date within the Performance Period.

(c) “Board” means the Board of Directors of the Company.

(d) “Code” means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended.

(e) “Committee” means the Compensation Committee of the Board.

(f) “Covered Employee” has the same meaning given to such term in Section 162(m)(3) of the Code; provided, however, that a person will be considered a Covered Employee for purposes of this Plan only if such employee’s Applicable Employee Remuneration for the relevant Fiscal Year is expected to exceed $1,000,000.

(g) “Eligible Persons” has the meaning given to that term in Section 4 hereof.

(h) “Financial Criteria” has the meaning given to that term in Section 6(a) hereof.

(i) “Fiscal Year” means the fiscal year ending on the Saturday closest to January 31 of each year or such other period that the Company may hereafter adopt as its fiscal year.

(j) “Performance Period” means the period of time over which the Performance Threshold must be satisfied, which period may be of such length as the Committee, in its discretion, shall select. The Performance Period need not be identical for all Awards. Within one Fiscal Year, the Committee may establish multiple Performance Periods.

(k) “Performance Threshold” has the meaning given to such term in Section 6(b) hereof (in the case of a Covered Employee), or Section 7(b) hereof (in the case of a Participant who is not a Covered Employee).

(l) “Target” has the meaning given to such term in Section 6(a) hereof (in the case of a Covered Employee), or Section 7(a) hereof (in the case of a Participant who is not a Covered Employee).

Section 3. Administration of the Plan.

(a) Generally. The Plan shall be administered by the Committee. The Committee is authorized to administer, interpret and apply the Plan and from time to time may adopt such rules, regulations and guidelines consistent with the provisions of the Plan as it may deem advisable to carry out the Plan, except that the Committee may authorize any one or more of its members, or any officer of the Company, to execute and deliver documents on behalf of the Committee. The Committee’s interpretations of the Plan, and all actions taken and determinations made by the Committee pursuant to the powers vested in it hereunder, shall be conclusive and binding on all parties concerned, including the Company, its stockholders and Participants (as defined below). The Committee shall have authority to determine the terms and conditions of the Awards granted to Participants.

 

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(b) Delegation. The Committee may delegate its responsibilities for administering the Plan to any executive officer of the Company, as the Committee deems necessary; provided however, that the Committee shall not delegate its responsibilities under the Plan relating to Covered Employees.

(c) Reliance and Indemnification. The Committee may employ attorneys, consultants, accountants or other persons, and the Committee, the Company and its officers and directors shall be entitled to rely upon the advice, opinions or valuations of any such persons. No member of the Committee nor any executive officer of the Company shall be personally liable for any action, determination or interpretation taken or made in good faith by the Committee or such executive officer of the Company with respect to the Plan or Awards granted hereunder, and all members of the Committee and each executive officer of the Company shall be fully indemnified and protected by the Company in respect of any such action, determination or interpretation.

Section 4. Eligible Persons. All employees of the Company shall be eligible to participate in the Plan (“Eligible Persons”). An individual shall be deemed an employee for purposes of the Plan only if such individual receives compensation from either the Company or one of its Business Units for services performed as an employee of the Company or any one of its Business Units for any period during a Performance Period. An Eligible Person who is a Covered Employee shall be entitled to participate in the Plan with respect to a Performance Period which has commenced only if he or she commenced employment on or before the beginning of each Performance Period or any later date described in Treasury Regulation 1.162-27(e)(2) (or any successor thereto).

Section 5. Awards; Participants. Awards may be granted only to Eligible Persons with respect to each Performance Period, subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan. An Eligible Person who has been chosen to receive an Award under the Plan shall be referred to as a “Participant.”

Section 6. Determination of Targets, Performance Thresholds and Base Salary Percentage for Covered Employees. Prior to the beginning of each Performance Period or any later date described in Treasury Regulation 1.162-27(e)(2) (or any successor thereto), the Committee shall adopt each of the following with respect to each Participant who is a Covered Employee:

(a) one or more Targets, which shall be equal to a desired level or levels (as may be measured on an absolute or relative basis, where relative performance may also be measured by reference to: past performance of the Company or a Business Unit, a group of peer companies or by a financial market index) for any Performance Period of: specified levels of or increases in revenue, operating income, pre-tax earnings or income, return on capital, equity measures/ratios (on a gross, adjusted, net, pre-tax or post tax basis), including basic earnings per share, diluted earnings per share, total earnings, earnings growth, earnings before interest and taxes, or EBIT, and earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization, or EBITDA or operational cash flow; (ii) completion of acquisitions or business expansion; (iii) operating efficiency; (iv) implementation or completion of critical projects or related milestones, (v) comparable store sales or non- comparable store sales; (vi) comparable store sales or sales growth; (vii) new store sales; (viii) store fundraising initiatives; (ix) new store openings; (x) gross margin; (xi) inventory shrink; (xii) vendor allowances; (xiii) inventory turns; (xiv) inventory levels; (xv) distribution center productivity levels; (xvi) customer service levels; (xvii) customer or employee satisfaction; (xviii) employee recruiting and development; (xix) number and timing of store construction; (xx) visual merchandising initiatives; (xxi) advertising effectiveness; (xxii) number and timing of lease negotiations; (xxiii) development of new markets; (xxiv) financial ratios; (xxv) strategic initiatives; (xxvi) improvement in or attainment of operating expense levels; (xxvii) improvement in or attainment of capital expense levels; (xxviii) the achievement of a certain level of, reduction of, or other specified objectives with regard to limiting the level of increase in, the Company’s bank debt or other public or private debt or financial obligations; (xxix) the attainment of a certain level of, reduction of, or other specified objectives with regard to limiting the level in or increase in all or a portion of controllable expenses or costs or other expenses or costs; (xxx) individual objectives; and any combination of the foregoing; and/or (xxxi) budget and expense management (collectively, the “Financial Criteria”). With respect to any Covered Employee who is employed by a Business Unit, the Financial Criteria shall be based on the results of such Business Unit, results of the Company, or any combination of the two;

 

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(b) a Performance Threshold with respect to each Target, applicable to one or more Financial Criteria, which represents a minimum amount that must be attained for a Participant to receive an Award;

(c) either (i) a Base Salary Percentage, or (ii) fixed monetary amounts, which, in each case, shall be payable as an Award in the event that 100% of such Participant’s Targets are achieved; and

(d) a mathematical formula or matrix that shall contain weighting for each Target and indicate the extent to which Awards will be paid if such Participant’s Performance Thresholds with respect to his or her Targets are achieved or exceeded.

The Committee shall make such adjustments, to the extent it deems appropriate, to the Targets and Performance Thresholds to compensate for, or to reflect, any material changes which may have occurred in accounting practices, tax laws, other laws or regulations, the financial structure of the Company, acquisitions or dispositions of Business Units or any unusual circumstances outside of management’s control which, in the sole judgment of the Committee, alters or affects the computation of such Targets and Performance Thresholds or the performance of the Company or any relevant Business Unit (each an “Extraordinary Event”). Provided however, that no such adjustment may be made unless such adjustment would be permissible under Section 162(m) of the Code.

Section 7. Determination of Targets, Performance Thresholds and Base Salary Percentage For Participants Who Are Not Covered Employees. Prior to the end of the Performance Period, the Committee shall adopt each of the following with respect to each Participant who is not a Covered Employee:

(a) one or more Targets, which shall be equal to a desired level or levels for any Performance Period of any, or a combination of any, quantitative criteria (the “Quantitative Criteria,” which Quantitative Criteria may include, without limitation, any Financial Criteria) or qualitative criteria (the “Individual Criteria”). With respect to such Participants who are employed by a Business Unit, the Quantitative Criteria may be based on the results of such Business Unit, consolidated results of the Company, or any combination of the two;

(b) a Performance Threshold with respect to each Target, applicable to one or more Quantitative Criteria or Individual Criteria, which represents a minimum that must be attained for a Participant to receive an Award;

(c) either (i) a Base Salary Percentage, or (ii) fixed monetary amounts, which, in each case, shall be payable as an Award in the event that 100% of such Participant’s Targets are achieved; and

(d) a mathematical formula or matrix that shall contain weighting for each Target and indicate the extent to which Awards will be paid if such Participant’s Performance Thresholds with respect to his or her Targets are achieved or exceeded.

The Committee may make such adjustments, to the extent it deems appropriate, to the Targets and Performance Thresholds to compensate for, or to reflect, any material changes which may have occurred due to an Extraordinary Event.

Section 8. Calculation of Awards; Certification; Payment; Deferral. As soon as practicable after the end of the Performance Period, and subject to any necessary verification, the Committee shall determine with respect to each Participant whether and the extent to which the Performance Thresholds applicable to such Participant’s Targets were achieved or exceeded. Such Participant’s Award, if any, shall be calculated in accordance with the mathematical formula or matrix determined pursuant to Section 6 or 7, as applicable, and subject to the limitations set forth in Section 9 hereof. The Committee shall certify in writing the amount of such Award and whether each material term of the Plan relating to such Award has been satisfied. Subject to Section 9 hereof, such Award shall become payable in cash as promptly as practicable thereafter, provided, however, that any Award shall be paid within 2 1/2 months of the end of the Fiscal Year in which the Award is no longer subject to a risk of forfeiture.

 

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Section 9. Limitations; Modifications to Awards. Each Award determined pursuant to Section 6 or 7 hereof shall be subject to modification or forfeiture in accordance with the following provisions:

(a) Limitations. The aggregate amount of any Award to any Participant for any Performance Period as finally determined by the Committee, shall constitute the Participant’s Award for the Fiscal Year; provided, however that no Award for any Participant for any Fiscal Year shall exceed $5,000,000.

(b) Modifications. At any time prior to the payment of an Award, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, (i) increase, decrease or eliminate the Award payable to any Participant who is not a Covered Employee and who would not become a Covered Employee as a result of any such increase and/or (ii) decrease or eliminate the Award payable to any Covered Employee, in each case to reflect the individual performance and contribution of, and other factors relating to, such Covered Employee. The Committee may make such adjustments, to the extent it deems appropriate to any Award to compensate for, or to reflect, any Extraordinary Event. The determination of the Committee as to matters set forth in this Section 9(b) shall be final and conclusive.

Section 10. Adjustment; Repayment of Incentive Bonuses. All Incentive Bonuses paid or to be paid under the Plan are subject to rescission, cancellation or recoupment, in whole or in part, under any current or future “clawback” or similar policy of the Company that is applicable to the Participant.

Section 11. Employment Requirement. No Participant shall have any right to receive payment of any Award unless such Participant remains in the employ of the Company or a Business Unit through the date of payment of such Award; provided, however, that the Committee may, in its sole discretion, pay all or any part of an Award to any Participant who, prior to such date of payment, terminates employment, so long as the Performance Thresholds applicable to the Participant’s Targets were achieved or exceeded, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, provide for payment of all or part of an award upon any event, to the extent that such provision does not violate Code Section 162(m) with respect to a Covered Employee. The maximum amount of such payment, if any, will be calculated, and to the extent determined by the Committee, paid as provided in Section 6 or 7. The determination of the Committee shall be final and conclusive.

Section 12. Miscellaneous.

(a) No Contract; No Rights to Awards or Continued Employment. The Plan is not a contract between the Company and any Participant or other employee. No Participant or other employee shall have any claim or right to receive Awards under the Plan. Neither the Plan nor any action taken hereunder shall be construed as giving any employee any right to be retained by the Company or any of its Business Units.

(b) No Right to Future Participation. Participation in the Plan during one Performance Period shall not guarantee participation during any other Performance Period.

(c) Restriction on Transfer. The rights of a Participant with respect to Awards under the Plan shall not be transferable by the Participant to whom such Award is granted (other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution), and any attempted assignment or transfer shall be null and void and shall permit the Committee, in its sole discretion, to extinguish the Company’s obligation under the Plan to pay any Award with respect to such Participant.

(d) Tax Withholding. The Company or a subsidiary thereof, as appropriate, shall have the right to deduct from all payments made under the Plan to a Participant or to a Participant’s beneficiary or beneficiaries any Federal, foreign, state or local taxes required by law to be withheld with respect to such payments.

(e) No Restriction on Right of Company to Effect Changes. The Plan shall not affect in any way the right or power of the Company or its stockholders to make or authorize any recapitalization, reorganization, merger, acquisition, divestiture, consolidation, spin off, combination, liquidation, dissolution, sale of assets, or other similar corporate transaction or event involving the Company or a subsidiary thereof or any other event or series of events, whether of a similar character or otherwise.

 

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(f) Source of Payments. The Plan shall be unfunded. The Plan shall not create or be construed to create a trust or separate fund or segregation of assets of any kind or a fiduciary relationship between the Company and a Participant or any other individual, corporation, partnership, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, or government or political subdivision thereof. To the extent that any Participant is granted an Award hereunder, such Participant’s right to receive payment of such Award shall be no greater than the right of any unsecured general creditor of the Company.

(g) No Interest. If the Company for any reason fails to make payment of an Award at the time such Award becomes payable, the Company shall not be liable for any interest or other charges thereon.

(h) Amendment and Termination. The Committee may at any time and from time to time alter, amend, suspend or terminate the Plan in whole or in part. No such amendment shall be effective which alters the Award, Target or other criteria relating to an Award applicable to a Covered Employee for the Performance Period in which such amendment is made or any prior Performance Period, except any such amendment that may be made without causing such Award to cease to qualify as performance-based compensation under Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code.

(i) Headings. The headings of sections and subsections herein are included solely for convenience of reference and shall not affect the meaning of any of the provisions of the Plan.

(j) Governing Law. The validity, construction, interpretation, administration and effect of the Plan and of its rules and regulations, and rights relating to the Plan, shall be determined solely in accordance with the laws of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, without regard to the choice-of-law principles thereof, and applicable federal law.

(k) Severability. If any term or provision (“Provision”) of the Plan or the application thereof (i) as to any Participant or circumstance (other than as described in clause (ii)) is, to any extent, found to be illegal or invalid, or (ii) would cause any Award to any Covered Employee not to constitute performance-based compensation under Section 162(m)(4)(C) of the Code, then the Committee shall sever such Provision from the Plan and, thereupon, such Provision shall not be a part of the Plan.

(l) Effective Date. The Plan shall be effective as of May 10, 2016; subject to the approval of the stockholders of the Company (the “Stockholders”). Such approval shall meet the requirements of Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations thereunder. If such approval is not obtained, then the Plan shall not be effective.

(m) Approval and Reapproval by Stockholders. To the extent required under Section 162(m) of the Code and the regulations thereunder, (i) any change to the material terms of the Financial Criteria shall be disclosed to and approved by the Stockholders at the next annual meeting of Stockholders to be held following such change, and (ii) the material terms of the Financial Criteria shall be disclosed to and reapproved by the Stockholders no later than the annual meeting of Stockholders that occurs in the fifth year following the year in which Stockholders approve the Financial Criteria.

 

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THIS PROXY CARD IS VALID ONLY WHEN SIGNED AND DATED. KEEP THIS PORTION FOR YOUR RECORDS DETACH AND RETURN THIS PORTION ONLY TO VOTE, MARK BLOCKS BELOW IN BLUE OR BLACK INK AS FOLLOWS: Signature [PLEASE SIGN WITHIN BOX] Date Signature (Joint Owners) Date 0000293640_1 R1.0.1.25 FIVE BELOW, INC. 1818 MARKET STREET SUITE 2000 PHILADELPHIA, PA 19103 VOTE BY INTERNET—www.proxyvote.com Use the Internet to transmit your voting instructions and for electronic delivery of information up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you access the web site and follow the instructions to obtain your records and to create an electronic voting instruction form. VOTE BY PHONE—1-800-690-6903 Use any touch-tone telephone to transmit your voting instructions up until 11:59 P.M. Eastern Time the day before the cut-off date or meeting date. Have your proxy card in hand when you call and then follow the instructions. VOTE BY MAIL Mark, sign and date your proxy card and return it in the postage-paid envelope we have provided or return it to Vote Processing, c/o Broadridge, 51 Mercedes Way, Edgewood, NY 11717. The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR the following: 1. Election of Directors Nominees For Against Abstain 1A Catherine E. Buggeln 1B Michael F. Devine III 1C Ronald L. Sargent 1D Daniel J. Kaufman 1E Richard L. Markee The Board of Directors recommends you vote FOR proposals 2, 3, 4 and 5. For Against Abstain 2. To ratify the appointment of KPMG LLP as the Company’s independent registered public accounting firm for the current fiscal year ending January 28, 2017. For Against Abstain 3. To approve the Company’s Amended and Restated Equity Incentive Plan. 4. To approve the Company’s 2016 Performance Bonus Plan. 5. To approve, by non-binding vote, the Company’s Named Executive Officer compensation. NOTE: The shares represented by this proxy when properly executed will be voted in the manner directed herein by the undersigned shareholder(s). If no direction is made, this proxy will be voted FOR the election of the nominees listed under proposal 1 above and FOR proposals 2, 3, 4 and 5. If any other matters properly come before the meeting, the persons named in this proxy will vote in their discretion. Please sign exactly as your name(s) appear(s) hereon. When signing as attorney, executor, administrator, or other fiduciary, please give full title as such. Joint owners should each sign personally. All holders must sign. If a corporation or partnership, please sign in full corporate or partnership name by authorized officer. For address change/comments, mark here. (see reverse for instructions) Yes No Please indicate if you plan to attend this meeting five below


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0000293640_2 R1.0.1.25 Important Notice Regarding the Availability of Proxy Materials for the Annual Meeting: The Notice & Proxy Statement, Annual Report is/ are available at www.proxyvote.com FIVE BELOW, INC. THIS PROXY IS SOLICITED ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS June 21, 2016 The undersigned hereby appoints Joel D. Anderson and Kenneth R. Bull, or either of them, as proxies, each with the power to appoint his substitute, and hereby authorizes them to represent and to vote, as designated on the reverse side of this ballot, all of the shares of common stock of Five Below, Inc. that the undersigned is entitled to vote at the Annual Meeting of Shareholders to be held at 9:00 AM, Eastern Daylight Time on June 21, 2016, at the offices of Pepper Hamilton LLP, 3000 Two Logan Square, 18th and Arch Streets, Philadelphia, PA 19103, and any adjournment or postponement thereof. For directions to the meeting, please contact the company at 215-546-7909. THIS PROXY, WHEN PROPERLY EXECUTED, WILL BE VOTED AS DIRECTED BY THE UNDERSIGNED. IF NO SUCH DIRECTIONS ARE MADE, THIS PROXY WILL BE VOTED FOR THE ELECTION OF THE NOMINEES LISTED ON THE REVERSE SIDE FOR THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS AND FOR PROPOSALS 2, 3, 4 AND 5. PLEASE MARK, SIGN, DATE AND RETURN THIS PROXY CARD PROMPTLY USING THE ENCLOSED REPLY ENVELOPE OR VOTE YOUR SHARES IN ONE OF THE OTHER METHODS PRESCRIBED IN THE ACCOMPANYING PROXY STATEMENT. (If you noted any Address Changes and/or Comments above, please mark corresponding box on the reverse side.) Address change/comments: Continued and to be signed on reverse side