EXHIBIT 10.1
MANAGEMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT
This MANAGEMENT SERVICES AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is dated as of
July 9, 1999, by and among The Right Start, Inc., a California corporation (the
"Company") and XxxxxXxxxx.xxx Inc., a Delaware Corporation ("Sub").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, Sub is a subsidiary of the Company formed for the purpose of
engaging in online retailing of the Company's products for infants and young
children;
WHEREAS, Sub desires to obtain and the Company desires to provide
administrative and other services to Sub in connection with its online retailing
business;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual promises and agreements
herein contained and for other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and
sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto hereby agree as
follows:
1. Basic Services.
(a) During the term of this Agreement and subject to the ultimate
authority of Sub, the Company shall, either directly, through one or more of its
subsidiaries or through one or more of its third party service providers,
provide and/or arrange the following basic services and benefits to Sub (the
"Basic Services"):
(i) Personnel. The Company shall provide Sub with substantially
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the same personnel/human resource services that it performs for itself
including, without limitation, hiring, termination, personnel transfer, benefits
administration and employee relations services.
(ii) Payroll. The Company shall provide Sub with substantially
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the same payroll services that it performs for itself including, without
limitation, processing payroll, preparing payroll tax returns, mailing payroll
checks, participating in payroll related audits and preparing W-2 and 1099
forms.
(iii) Insurance. The Company shall obtain for Sub property,
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casualty (including general liability and workers' compensation), product
liability, crime and fiduciary insurance on an annual basis, and surety
insurance on an as needed basis, provided that Sub shall be solely liable for
workers' compensation claims of employees incurred after the date hereof, and
the discharge of any such workers' compensation liability by the Company shall
be considered a service rendered by the Company to Sub under this Section 1(a).
(iv) Employee Benefits. The Company shall provide all Sub
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employees with benefits substantially similar to benefits provided by the
Company to its employees.
(v) General Corporate. The Company shall provide Sub with
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substantially the same general corporate services that it performs for itself
using Company employees or that it procures through third-party service
providers including, without limitation, tax services, cash management services,
merchandising services, advertising, inventory management services, customer
relations services, financial services and legal services.
(vi) Order Fulfillment and Collection. The Company's distribution
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centers located in Pennsylvania and California shall provide fulfillment and
collection services with respect to orders placed by Sub's customers in
substantially the same manner and with priority at least as high as it performs
for itself or any third party. Fulfillment and collection services shall consist
of, without limitation, receiving, quality control, storage, picking, packing,
shipping and handling of product, and processing customer returns, warranty
service, invoicing, collections, etc. and will include electronic integration of
such functions with Sub's Internet site(s).
(vii) General Accounting. The Company shall provide Sub with
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substantially the same general accounting services that it performs for itself
including sales audit, accounts payable and general ledger services, receipt and
opening of all vendor mail, maintenance of a vendor master file, processing and
forwarding payment of all vendor invoices, invoice exception reporting and
resolution, periodic financial reporting and vendor relations.
(viii) Telecommunications. The Company shall provide Sub with
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access to the Company's internet/telecommunications hardware and facilities
including access to data, networking and computing resources, telephone and
facsimile equipment and services, internet service providers providing
connectivity to internet over dedicated DS-3 line, internet traffic, data
routing and email services, relay services for Sub's back office operations and
hardware services.
(ix) Catalog Production. The Company shall provide Sub with
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catalog production assistance, in substantially the same form as the Company
performed for itself prior to the date of this Agreement, including, without
limitation, catalog photography, copyrighting, catalog editing, catalog product
selection, production management, customer list and customer information
management, catalog circulation and mailing services.
(x) Credit Services. During the term of this Agreement, the
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Company shall, either directly, through one or more of its subsidiaries or
through one or more of its third party service providers, provide credit
services to Sub including without limitation full credit checking and analysis
and credit card processing for customer orders.
(xi) Miscellaneous. The Company shall provide to Sub such other
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services and benefits as the parties hereto shall mutually agree from time to
time.
2. Inventory Supply Services.
(a) During the term of this Agreement, the Company shall, either directly
or through one or more of its subsidiaries, supply inventory to Sub when and as
requested and solely for resale or promotion by Sub through its catalogs or
online Website (or Sub's other online or electronic mode or promotional methods)
(the "Inventory Supply Services") as follows:
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(i) Until January 31, 2000, Sub shall purchase Common Inventory
from the Company on an as needed basis in order to immediately fulfill
individual customer orders.
(ii) At all times after the date of this Agreement if Sub desires
to purchase Internet-Only Inventory from the Company, then Sub shall purchase
such inventory on a forward basis as needed to meet expected customer demand.
After January 31, 2000 if Sub desires to purchase Common Inventory from the
Company, then Sub shall also purchase Common Inventory to be sold by it on a
forward basis as needed to meet expected customer demand. In all cases under
this subsection (ii), Sub will be required to take delivery of such inventory
purchased on a forward basis and record it as inventory on its books.
For purposes of this Agreement, the term "Internet-Only Inventory" shall
mean inventory of products sold or carried for sale only by Sub in its Internet
or catalog operations and not sold or carried for sale by the Company in its
stores. The term "Common Inventory" shall mean all inventory purchased by the
Company on behalf of Sub that is sold or carried for sale in both the Company's
stores and in Sub's Internet or catalog operations.
(b) The Company agrees to accept any inventory originally purchased by
Sub from the Company returned by Sub's customer to Sub, a Right Start store or
their distribution centers ("Returned Inventory"), subject to the following:
(i) For Common Inventory (which for purposes of this Section 2(b)
shall also include inventory purchased by the Company on behalf of Sub that has
at any time been carried for sale in the Company's stores), the Company shall
accept the Returned Inventory and provide credit to the customer. In order to
properly reflect the accounting for such transactions on the books of each
company, the transaction shall be recorded as follows: (A) the amount refunded
to the customer will be charged to the account of Sub and (B) the Company's cost
of the inventory, including freight, will be credited to the account of Sub,
provided the inventory is saleable or a credit is obtained from the inventory's
vendor.
(ii) For Internet-Only Inventory, the Company shall accept the
Returned Inventory and provide a credit to the customer. In order to properly
reflect the accounting for such transactions on the books of each company, the
transactions shall be recorded as follows: (A) the amount refunded to the
customer will be charged to the account of Sub and (B) provided the returned
inventory is in salable condition, the Company will transfer the inventory to
Sub's Internet-Only Inventory balance at Sub's cost of the inventory, including
freight. If the returned Internet-Only Inventory is not in salable condition,
the Company will obtain a credit from the vendor, if available, and credit Sub's
account for such vendor credit. If the returned Internet-Only Inventory is not
salable and not returnable to its vendor for credit, no credit will be made to
Sub's account for such inventory.
(c) The Company shall not buy any inventory for Sub without the prior
approval of an officer of Sub.
(d) All vendor warranties with respect to inventory purchased by Sub
from the Company hereunder are hereby assigned to Sub.
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3. Promotional Services.
During the term of this Agreement the Company shall, either directly,
through one or more of its subsidiaries or through one or more of its third
party service providers, provide and/or arrange the following promotional
benefits to Sub at no additional cost to Sub (the "Promotional Services"):
(a) Until termination of the Intellectual Property Agreement dated as
of even date herewith between the Company and Sub (even after the term of this
Agreement): (a) Company will vigorously promote Sub as its exclusive online and
catalog channel for products for parents, childcare providers, infants and
children under age seventeen; (b) Company agrees that neither it nor any
affiliates it controls will promote in any way any other online or catalog
retailer that offers products, as a material part of its business, for parents,
childcare providers, infants and children under age seventeen; (c) Company
agrees that Company will include prominent reference to Sub where such reference
can be accomplished at a low incremental cost to the Company (by way of example,
and not limitation, all the following created or manufactured or obtained after
the Effective Date will contain a prominent reference to Sub: customer bags,
customer receipts, labels, invoices, counter cards, in-store audio programming,
emails, letterhead, and other stationary, mailers, print publications,
advertising (including, without limitation, print, radio, television, billboard
and the Internet, etc.)); and (d) Company agrees that it will have in-store
signs promoting Sub in all Company retail stores and any retail store controlled
or licensed by the Company.
(b) Company shall cause its marketing and merchandising employees to
assist Sub in the development of Sub's marketing and merchandising programs to
be implemented by the Company; Company shall also cause its retail store
personnel to execute and carry out reasonable marketing and merchandising
programs of Sub.
4. Payment.
(a) Basic Services. In full consideration for the Basic Services set
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forth in Section 1 above, Sub shall pay the Company for each such service, an
amount equal to the Company's Direct Cost (as defined below) plus an additional
five percent (5%). "Direct Cost" means, with respect to each service provided
pursuant to this Agreement, the direct out-of-pocket expenses paid or incurred
to third parties or by the Company and a proportionate share of all overhead
expenses directly and demonstrably attributable to providing such service,
including, without limitation, shipping, handling, travel expenses, personnel
costs, professional fees, printing and postage.
(b) Inventory Supply Services. In full consideration for the Inventory
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Supply Services referred to in Section 2(a) above, Sub shall pay the Company
105%, multiplied by the sum of (x) the direct cost of the goods supplied to Sub,
(y) the inbound freight charges, and (z) all other costs charged to the Company
by its suppliers.
(c) Invoices.
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(i) On or as soon as possible after the last day of each month and
in reasonable detail, the Company shall deliver an invoice to Sub setting forth
the Basic Services,
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and the amount of fees payable for such services rendered to Sub during such
month. Sub shall pay the invoiced amount to the Company for Basic Services
within ten (10) days after the date on which such invoice is received by
Sub.
(ii) On or prior to January 31, 2000 as to the Common Inventory
purchased for Sub, each week the Company shall deliver an invoice to Sub in
reasonable detail setting forth the Common Inventory purchased from the Company
for filling customer orders during such week. Sub shall pay the invoiced amount
to the Company for the Common Inventory of Sub under this provision within three
(3) days after the date on which such invoice is received by Sub.
(iii) On or as soon as possible after the last day of each month as
to the Common Inventory purchased for Sub at any time after January 31, 2000 and
at all times for the Internet-Only Inventory, the Company shall deliver an
invoice to Sub in reasonable detail setting forth the Common Inventory and the
Internet-Only Inventory purchased for Sub during the month. Sub shall pay the
invoiced amount within fifteen (15) days after the date on which such invoice is
received by Sub.
5. Inspection. Sub and its agents and representatives, at Sub's
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expense (unless a five percent (5%) or greater discrepancy is discovered), shall
have the right to examine the books and records of the Company that relate to
the costs and expenses referred to in this Agreement, provided, however, that
such examination may only be conducted during regular business hours and upon
reasonable prior written notice.
6. No Agency. The parties hereto are independent contractors and nothing
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in this Agreement is intended to, nor shall it, create any agency, partnership
or joint venture relationship between them. With respect to any third party, no
party hereto, or any of its officers, directors, employees or agents, shall have
the right or authority to bind or otherwise obligate the other party hereto in
any way as a consequence of this Agreement.
7. Termination.
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(a) The term of this Agreement shall begin as of the date hereof and shall
continue for an indefinite period in full force and effect until it is
terminated in accordance with this Section 7.
(b) This Agreement may be terminated in full or on a service-by-service
basis at the option of either the Company or Sub as follows:
(i) Sub may terminate this Agreement or any of the Basic Services,
Inventory Supply Services or Promotional Services (or any other services under
this Agreement) at any time upon thirty (30) days prior written notice to the
Company; provided that if Sub terminates the Inventory Supply Services or this
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Agreement in full, Sub must pay for and take delivery of (in accordance with
this Agreement) all Common Inventory and Internet-Only Inventory purchased by
the Company at Sub's request prior to the termination date.
(ii) The Company may terminate this Agreement or any service(s) under
this Agreement at any time after January 31, 2000 upon one hundred twenty (120)
days
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prior written notice to Sub when the annual run rate of Sub's sales is projected
to be in excess of $40 million or, in order to meet demand for Sub's sales (even
if Sub's annual run rate is less than $40 million), the Company would be
required to make additional Expenditures in providing Basic Services or
Inventory Services that exceed $15,000 in any one-month period and that could
not be passed through to or reimbursed by Sub under this Agreement or that Sub
does not otherwise agree to pay. For purposes of this section, the term
"Expenditures" shall mean any capital expenditures made by the Company for
facilities, space, equipment or software.
(c) Notwithstanding the foregoing clause (b), the Company shall have
the right, but not the obligation, to terminate this Agreement immediately if:
(i) Sub is in material breach of any of this Agreement, which
breach is not cured within sixty (60) days of receipt of written notice from the
Company of such breach; except that any material breach relating to or arising
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out of Section 4 of this Agreement must be cured within thirty (30) days of
receipt of written notice from the Company of such breach;
(ii) Sub is the subject of a voluntary petition in bankruptcy or
any voluntary proceeding relating to insolvency, receivership, liquidation, or
composition for the benefit of creditors, if such petition or proceeding is not
dismissed within ninety (90) days of filing, or becomes the subject of any
involuntary petition in bankruptcy or any involuntary proceeding relating to
insolvency, receivership, liquidation, or composition for the benefit of
creditors, if such petition or proceeding is not dismissed within ninety (90)
days of filing;
(iii) Sub's business, or all or substantially all of its assets,
are liquidated or otherwise terminated, sold or transferred due to insolvency or
any other basis; or
(iv) Sub makes an assignment for the benefit of its creditors.
(d) Notwithstanding the foregoing clause (b), Sub shall have the
right, but not the obligation, to terminate immediately this Agreement if:
(i) the Company is in material breach of any of its obligations
or representations hereunder, which breach is not cured within thirty (30) days
of receipt of written notice from Sub of such breach;
(ii) the Company is the subject of a voluntary petition in
bankruptcy or any voluntary proceeding relating to insolvency, receivership,
liquidation, or composition for the benefit of creditors, if such petition or
proceeding is not dismissed within sixty (60) days of filing, or becomes the
subject of any involuntary petition in bankruptcy or any involuntary proceeding
relating to insolvency, receivership, liquidation, or composition for the
benefit of creditors, if such petition or proceeding is not dismissed within
sixty (60) days of filing;
(iii) the Company's business, or substantially all of its assets,
are liquidated or otherwise terminated, sold or transferred due to insolvency or
any other basis; or
(iv) the Company becomes insolvent or unable to pay its debts as
they mature or Company makes an assignment for the benefit of its creditors.
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(e) If Sub wishes to obtain any inventory or services on its own
through third parties or in the event of a termination of this Agreement in
whole or in part, the Company shall use its best efforts to effect a smooth
transition and to assist Sub in establishing direct third party relationships on
reasonable terms. This obligation will continue after termination of this
Agreement for any reason with the intent that Sub will have the ability to
acquire for resale all products Company sells from time to time for a period of
at least three years after termination of this Agreement in whole.
(f) A party may exercise its right to terminate pursuant to this
Section 7 by sending appropriate notice to the other party pursuant to Section
8(f) hereof specifying the subsection of this Section 7 on which the party is
relying and, if this Agreement is not terminated in full, the specific services
to which such termination relates. No exercise by a party of its rights under
this Section 7 will limit its remedies by reason of the other party's default,
the party's rights to exercise any other rights under this Section 7, or any of
that party's other rights.
8. Miscellaneous.
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(a) This Agreement shall be governed by the internal laws of the
State of California without giving effect to the conflict of law principles
thereof.
(b) This Agreement sets forth the entire agreement between the
parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and is intended to
supersede all prior negotiations, understandings and agreements. No provision of
this Agreement may be waived or amended, except by a writing signed by the
Company and Sub.
(c) This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each
of which shall be deemed an original and together which shall constitute one and
the same instrument.
(d) The failure of any party to exercise any right or remedy
provided for herein shall not be deemed a waiver of any right or remedy
hereunder.
(e) If any provision of this Agreement is determined by a court of
competent jurisdiction to be invalid or otherwise unenforceable, such
determination shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any remaining
provisions of this Agreement. If any provision of this Agreement is invalid
under any applicable statute or rule of law, it shall be enforced to the maximum
extent possible so as to effect the intent of the parties, and the remainder of
this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect.
(f) All notices, requests, demands, waivers and other communications
required or permitted to be given under this Agreement shall be in writing and
shall be deemed to have been duly given if delivered personally, via overnight
courier, by facsimile transmission or mailed, certified or registered mail,
postage prepaid, return receipt requested:
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If to the Company: The Right Start, Inc.
0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxx X
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: President
Fax: (000) 000-0000
If to Sub: XxxxxXxxxx.xxx Inc.
0000 Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxx X
Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attn: President
Fax: (000) 000-0000
(g) This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of
each of the parties hereto and their respective, permitted successors and
assigns. Sub may not assign any of its rights hereunder without the prior
written consent of the Company, except to a successor to substantially all of
Sub's business or assets; provided, that if Sub assigns its rights under this
Agreement as permitted by the foregoing, the Company may terminate this
Agreement six (6) months following such assignment, unless earlier terminated
during such six-month period by Sub (notwithstanding anything to the contrary
set forth in Section 7 hereof).
(h) The section headings used herein are for the convenience of the
parties only, are not substantive and shall not be used to interpret or construe
any of the provisions contained herein.
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this Agreement as of
the date first above written.
The Right Start, Inc., a California corporation
/s/ Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
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Name: Xxxx X. Xxxxxxxxx
Title: Chief Financial Officer and Secretary
XxxxxXxxxx.xxx Inc., a Delaware corporation
/s/ Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
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Name: Xxxxx X. Xxxxx
Title: President
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