AGREEMENT
Exhibit 10.31
AGREEMENT
THIS AGREEMENT is made the 31st day of January 2007.
BETWEEN
XXXXX
XXXXXX LAWN of 00 Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxx Xxxxxxxx 0000
(“Lawn”)
AND
LULULEMON
ATHLETICA INC., a corporation incorporated under the laws
of Canada, having its head office at 0000 Xxxxx Xxxxx, Xxxxxxxxx, XX,
Xxxxxx X0X 0X0 (“Lululemon”)
AND
LULULEMON ATHLETICA (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD. (ACN 110 1.86 233),
a company incorporated in Victoria, Australia, having its registered office at
000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx. (the “Company”)
RECITALS
A. The Company is a Franchisee of Lululemon and carries on the business of selling Lululemon
Sporting apparel at the premises situate at 000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx, Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx.
B. Lawn has negotiated and agreed to purchase 750 shares in the Company (75% of the capital of
the Company) (the “Shares”) from Xxxxxx Xxxxxx.
C. Lawn intends to form a new company (“Newco”) and transfer the Shares to Newco.
D. In consideration of Lawn purchasing the Shares, Lululemon has agreed:
i. to consent to Lawn’s purchase of the Shares; and
ii to vary the Franchise Agreement with the Company upon the terms set out in this Agreement;
and
iii to grant Lawn and Newco a Put Option in respect of the Option Securities upon the terms
set out in this Agreement.
IT IS AGREED AS FOLLOWS
1. DEFINITIONS AND INTERPRETATIONS
1.1. Definitions
The following definitions apply (including in the above Recital) unless the context requires
otherwise.
Business Day means a day (other than a Saturday or Sunday) on which trading banks in
Melbourne, Victoria are open for business;
Business Plan means the business plan annexed at Schedule 1;
Company means Lululemon Athletica (Australia) Pty Ltd. ACN 110 186 233;
Encumbrance includes any mortgage, charge, xxxx of sale, pledge, deposit, lien, encumbrance,
hypothecation, arrangement for the retention of title and any other rights, interest, power or
protection against default in respect of the obligations of any person;
Expiry Date means 30 June 2008 or such earlier date; being 30 days after Lawn gives Notice in
accordance with Clause 6;
Franchise Agreement means the Franchise Agreement dated 15 October 2004 annexed at Schedule 2;
Notice of Exercise means a notice of exercise of the Option;
Option means the Put Option;
Option Period means 31 January 2007 to the Expiry Date;
Option Price means the price as established by clause 7.1;
Option Securities means all of Lawn’s or Newco’s interest in the Company, including the Shares
and any shareholder loans owing by the Company to Lawn or Newco, as the case may be; and
Put Option means the Put option granted under Clause 5.
1.2. Interpretation
The following rules apply unless the context requires otherwise:
1.2.1. The singular includes the plural and conversely.
1.2.2. A gender includes all genders.
1.2.3. If a word or phrase is defined, its other grammatical forms have a corresponding
meaning.
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1.2.4. A reference to a person, corporation, trust, partnership, unincorporated body or other
entity includes any of them.
1.2.5. A reference to a Clause, Annexure or Schedule is a reference to a clause of, or
annexure or schedule to this Agreement.
1.2.6. A reference to an agreement or document (including, without limitation, a reference to
this Agreement) is to the agreement or document as amended, varied, supplemented, novated or
replaced, except to the extent prohibited by this Agreement or that other agreement or document.
1.2.7. A reference to a person including the person’s successors and substitutes or assigns
(and, where applicable, the person’s legal personal representatives).
1.2.8. A reference to legislation. or to a provision of legislation includes a modification or
re-enactment of it, a legislative provision substituted for it and a regulation or statutory
instrument issued under it.
1.2.9. A reference to conduct includes, without limitation, an omission, statement and
undertaking, whether or not in writing.
1.2.10. A reference to dollars and $is to Australian currency.
1.2.11. A reference to time is to Melbourne time.
1.2.12. A reference to writing includes a facsimile transmission.
1.2.13. Headings are for convenience only and do not affect interpretation.
2. FRANCHISOR CONSENT
Lululemon consents to Lawn’s purchase the Shares pursuant to clause 26 of the Franchise
Agreement. In consideration of Lululemon’s consent, Lawn agrees to be bound by the terms of the
Franchise Agreement and any variations to the Franchise Agreement pursuant to clause 3 of this
Agreement,
3. VARIATION OF FRANCHISE AGREEMENT
The parties hereto hereby agree to vary the Franchise Agreement as follows:
3.1. Clause 1.1 is amended to add the following definition:
“Additional Amount” means the book value of the inventory paid for
and in the possession of the Franchisee, plus the value of all
leasehold improvements after 20% straight line depreciation per
annum calculated on a pro-rated basis, plus any prepaid amounts by
the Franchisee to the Franchisor;”
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3.2. At clause 11(a) and Schedule C, $2,500,000 gross sales is amended to $2,000,000;
3.3. Clause 8(b) is amended to read:
“Lululemon shall sell all Lululemon Products and all other products
offered for sale by Lululemon to Franchisee at prices that are 60
percent less than the Canadian Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail
Prices set by Lululemon from time to time. All prices shall include
all costs of packaging, but shall exclude any and all Applicable
Taxes, freight, insurance, shipping and transportation charges,
which shall be the responsibility of Franchisee.”
3.4. Clause 8(c) is amended to read:
“Franchisee will receive a percentage of total Lululemon monthly
production determined by Franchisor in its discretion, based on
Franchisee’s forecast for the month, weighted by the ratio of
Franchisee’s forecast, as adjusted by Franchisor in its discretion,
compared to the total of all Lululemon stores’ forecasts combined.
The quantities and breakdown of styles, colours and sizes of goods
delivered to Franchisee will be determined by Franchisor.
Franchisee shall pay Lululemon 15 days after the receipt of goods by
electronic bank transfer or cheque.”
3.5. Clause 27 is amended to read as follows:
“After June 30, 2008, Franchisor shall have the right to buy-out
Franchisee’s Franchise (which shall include, without limitation, all
Approved Retail Locations operated by the Franchisee or its
affiliates as at the date of the exercise of such rights by
Franchisor, whether pursuant to this Franchise Agreement or another
Franchise Agreement) in the following manner:
(a) Franchisor may exercise this right by providing written notice
advising Franchisee that it is exercising its rights pursuant to
this paragraph 27.
(b) The closing of the purchase and sale of the Franchisee’s
Franchise pursuant to this paragraph shall occur on or before the
30th day following the day on which written notice is provided by
Franchisor to Franchisee in accordance with paragraph (a) above
(such closing date being referred to in this paragraph as the “Buy
Out Date”).
(c) The purchase price for the Franchisee’s Franchise shall be equal
to 25% of Gross Sales for the 12 month period immediately preceding
the Buy Out Date, plus 100% of the Additional Amount.
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For greater certainty, if Franchisee’s Franchise has not been open
for operation for 12 months prior to the Buy Out Date, the Gross
Sales for the purposes of calculating such purchase price shall
equal the quotient obtained by dividing the Gross Sales for the
period during which Franchisee’s Franchise was open for operation by
the fraction, the numerator of which is the number of days
Franchisee’s Franchise was open for operation and the denominator of
which is 365.
(d) The purchase price payable by Franchisor to Franchisee pursuant
to this paragraph shall be paid on the closing of the purchase and
sale of the Franchisee’s Franchise.
(e) Upon the closing of the purchase and sale of the Franchisee’s
Franchise, Franchisee shall assign to Franchisor (or if assignment
is prohibited, sublease for the full remaining term, and on the same
terms and conditions as Franchisee’s lease) its interest in the
lease(s) then in effect for the Approved Retail Location(s), and
Franchisee shall furnish Franchisor with evidence satisfactory to
Franchisor of compliance with this obligation at closing.
(f) Any dispute related to the buy out of the Franchisee’s Franchise
shall be determined by binding arbitration in accordance with the
following provisions:
(i) the case will be administered by the International Chamber
of Commerce (the “ICC”) in accordance with its rules, as the same
may be varied or modified by the provisions of this paragraph 27;
(ii) the place of arbitration will be Hawaii, USA;
(iii) the arbitration will be conducted in the English
language;
(iv) a single arbitrator will be appointed by mutual agreement
of the parties within ten (10) days of receipt of the responding
notice referred to in clause (v) below. If the parties cannot
agree, a single arbitrator will be appointed by each of the parties
within ten (10) days following the parties’ failure to agree and the
two (2) arbitrators so appointed will together appoint a third
arbitrator within the following ten days. If the third appointment
cannot be agreed to, a third arbitrator will be appointed in
accordance with the ICC Rules. The three (3) arbitrators so
appointed will arbitrate as a panel. Any arbitrator must be an
individual not employed by any of the parties, or any affiliate
thereof;
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(v) written notice of the referral to arbitration will be given
within five (5) days by the referring party to the other parties
setting out the issues for resolution, the parties position with
regard to such issues, the monetary amount involved (if any) and the
remedy sought. The other parties will respond within ten (10) days
of receipt of such notice by giving the referring party notice of
any counterclaims, the other parties’ position with regard to all
issues, the monetary amount involved (if any) and the remedy sought;
(vi) the arbitration will commence within thirty (30) calendar
days of the referral;
(vii) all documents, materials and information in the
possession of each party which is in any way relevant to the issues
in dispute will be made available to the other parties forthwith.
To the extent possible, the arbitrator will not be bound by the
rules of civil procedure or evidence and will consider such written
and oral presentations as reasonable business persons would use in
the conduct of their day-to-day affairs, and may require the parties
to submit some or all of their case by written declaration or such
other manner of presentation as the arbitrator may determine to be
appropriate, it being the desire of the parties to limit live
testimony and cross-examination to the extent absolutely necessary
to ensure a fair hearing to the parties on significant and material
issues;
(viii) the decision of the arbitrator or arbitrators will be in
writing;
(ix) a decision of the arbitrator or arbitrators will be final
and binding and the arbitrator or arbitrators may require remedial
measures and injunctive or other equitable relief as part of any
award. The arbitrator or arbitrators may award legal fees and costs
to the prevailing party or parties;
(x) reference to arbitration must be made within two (2) years
of the act, omission or occurrence giving rise to the referral; and
(xi) the parties agree that all arbitration fees imposed by or
otherwise payable to the ICC or the arbitrator or arbitrators in
respect of arbitration proceedings hereunder shall be shared equally
amongst the parties, and further that the failure of any party to
pay any such fees in respect of arbitration proceedings hereunder
shall constitute a waiver by that party of its right to participate
in and present evidence at the arbitration proceedings.”
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3.6. Schedule C is amended to confirm that Commencement Date and the Effective Date of the
Franchise Agreement are both November 1, 2004.
4. EXPANSION OF THE LULULEMON BRAND
Lawn and Lululemon agree to adopt the Business Plan and to discuss (without any legal
obligation to enter into) a potential joint venture between Lululemon and Lawn and/or Newco
regarding the proposed expansion of the Lululemon brand in Australia and New Zealand.
5. GRANT OF OPTION
5.1. Put Option
In consideration of the matters referred to in Recital D and the sum of $10 paid by Lawn to
Lululemon (receipt of which is acknowledged by Lululemon’s execution of this Agreement), Lululemon
grants to Lawn and Newco a Put Option to require Lululemon to purchase all, and not less than all,
of the Option Securities for a purchase price determined in accordance with the following:
5.1.1. the purchase price for any shareholders’ loans owing by the Company to Lawn or Newco
shall be the face value of such loans, subject to a maximum rate of accrued interest of 8% per
annum; and
5.1.2. the purchase price of the Shares shall be determined using the following valuation
principles:
(1) the value of each Lululemon Franchise operated by the Company on the date of exercise of
the Put Option (the “Buy Out Date”) shall be equal to 25% of Gross Sales of such franchise for the
12 month period immediately preceding the Buy Out Date;
(2) the value of all assets owned by the Company, other than Lululemon Franchise, shall be
equal to the net book value of such assets on the Buy Out Date as recorded in the books and records
of the Company (assuming 20% straight line depreciation per annum on all leasehold improvements,
calculated pro-rated if necessary); and
(3) all liabilities of the Company are valued at book value as recorded in the books and
records of the Company.
5.2. Termination of Option
The Put Option shall terminate on the earliest of:
5.2.1. Completion of a joint venture agreement for the future expansion of the Lululemon brand
in Australia and New Zealand between Lululemon and Lawn and/or Newco on terms satisfactory to lawn;
or
5.2.2. 5 pm on the Expiry Date.
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5.3. Expiry Date
The Put Option can not be exercised after it has terminated in accordance with clause 5.2
hereof.
6. EXERCISE OF OPTION
6.1. Subject to earlier expiry pursuant to clause 5.3 hereof, the Put Option may only be
exercised by Lawn or Newco, as the case may be, during the Option Period.
6.2. To exercise the Put Option, Lawn or Newco must serve the Notice of Exercise on a Business
Day to Lululemon in the form annexed at Schedule 3.
7. PAYMENT OF OPTION PRICE
7.1. Valuation of Option Price
Upon Lawn delivering the Notice of Exercise of the Option to Lululemon, Lululemon and Lawn
will endeavour to negotiate and agree on the fair market value of the Option Securities within
three calendar months of receipt of the Notice to Exercise and in default of agreement, the fair
market value of the Option Securities shall be determined by arbitration pursuant to the provisions
of clause 8 hereof.
7.2. Payment
Within 7 days of the determination of the Option Price pursuant to the provisions of this
Agreement, and upon the exchange of all documentation necessary to transfer and assign the Option
Securities to Lululemon, free and clear of any Encumbrance, Lululemon is obliged to pay the Option
Price to Lawn or Newco; as the case may be.
8. DISPUTE RESOLUTION
8.1. Referral to Senior Management
All disputes arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be referred first to
the senior management of the parties for resolution. The senior management of the parties will use
their best efforts to co-operate in arriving at a mutually satisfactory resolution of any dispute
referred to them. If any dispute is not satisfactorily resolved within thirty (30) days of its
referral to senior management pursuant to this clause 8.1, then any party hereto may refer the
dispute to binding arbitration pursuant to Section 8.2.
8.2. Arbitration of Disputes
Any dispute referred by any party hereto to binding arbitration in accordance with the
following provisions:
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(a) the case will be administered by the International Chamber of Commerce (the “ICC”) in
accordance with its rules, as the same may be varied or modified by the provisions of this clause
8.2;
(b) the place of arbitration will be Hawaii, USA;
(c) the arbitration will be conducted in the English language;
(d) a single arbitrator will be appointed by mutual agreement of the parties within ten (10)
days of receipt of the responding notice referred to in clause 8.2(e) below. If the parties cannot
agree, a single arbitrator will be appointed by each of the parties within ten (10) days following
the parties’ failure to agree and the two (2) arbitrators so appointed will together appoint a
third arbitrator within the following ten days. If the third appointment cannot be agreed to, a
third arbitrator will be appointed in accordance with the ICC Rules. The three (3) arbitrators so
appointed will arbitrate as a panel. Any arbitrator must be an individual not employed by any of
the parties, or any affiliate thereof;
(e) written notice of the referral to arbitration will be given within five (5) days by the
referring party to the other parties setting out the issues for resolution, the parties position
with regard to such issues, the monetary amount involved (if any) and the remedy sought. The other
parties will respond within ten (10) days of receipt of such notice by giving the referring party
notice of any counterclaims, the other parties’ position with regard to all issues, the monetary
amount involved (if any) and the remedy sought;
(f) the arbitration will commence within thirty (30) calendar days of the referral;
(g) all documents, materials and information in the possession of each party which is in any
way relevant to the issues in dispute will be made available to the other parties forthwith. To
the extent possible, the arbitrator will not be bound by the rules of civil procedure or evidence
and will consider such written and oral presentations as reasonable business persons would use in
the conduct of their day-to-day affairs, and may require the parties to submit some or all of their
case by written declaration or such other manner of presentation as the arbitrator may determine to
be appropriate, it being the desire of the parties to limit live testimony and cross-examination to
the extent absolutely necessary to ensure a fair hearing to the parties on significant and material
issues;
(h) the decision of the arbitrator or arbitrators will be in writing;
(i) a decision of the arbitrator or arbitrators will be final and binding and the arbitrator
or arbitrators may require remedial measures and injunctive or other equitable relief as part of
any award. The arbitrator or arbitrators may award legal fees and costs to the prevailing party or
parties; and
(j) reference to arbitration must be made within two (2) years of the act, omission or
occurrence giving rise to the referral.
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8.3. Payment of Arbitration Fees
The parties agree that all arbitration fees imposed by or otherwise payable to the ICC or the
arbitrator or arbitrators in respect of arbitration proceedings hereunder shall be shared equally
amongst the parties, and further that the failure of any party to pay any such fees in respect of
arbitration proceedings hereunder shall constitute a waiver by that party of its right to
participate in and present evidence at the arbitration proceedings.
9. WARRANTIES
9.1. General Warranties
Each party makes the following representations and warranties for the benefit of the other
parties:
9.1.1. It has the power to enter into and perform its obligations under this Agreement;
9.1.2. It has taken all necessary corporate and trust action to authorise the entry into and
performance of this Agreement and to carry out the transactions contemplated by this Agreement;
9.2. Binding Agreement
This Agreement is a valid and binding obligation enforceable in accordance with this
Agreement’s terms.
9.3. Execution in accordance with Law
The execution and performance by it of this Agreement and each transaction contemplated under
this Agreement did not and will not violate in any respect a provision of
9.3.1. A law or treaty or a judgment, ruling, order or decree binding on it or any of its
assets;
9.3.2. Its constituent documents or any trust deed for the trust in respect of which it is
trustee as specified in this Agreement; or
9.3.3. Any other document or agreement which is binding on its or any of its assets.
10. EFFECTIVE DATES
The Warranties are given both as at the date of this Agreement and as at the time of payment
of the Option Price under clause 7.2, subject to the exception that if the warranty is expressed to
be made as at another date the warranty is given with respect to that date only.
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11. FURTHER ASSURANCES
Each party agrees to do all things and execute all deeds, instruments, transfers, discharges
or other documents as may be necessary or desirable to give full effect to the provisions of this
Agreement and the transactions contemplated by it.
12. ENTIRE AGREEMENT
This Agreement contains the entire agreement between the parties as at the date of this
Agreement with respect to its subject matter and supersedes all prior agreements and understandings
between the parties in connection thereto.
13. NOTICES
13.1. Any notice, demand, consent, request or other communication given or made under this
Agreement or the Franchise Agreement (“Notice”)
13.1.1. must be in writing and signed by its attorney or another person duly authorised by the
sender;
13.1.2. may be either delivered to the intended recipient by hand or sent by prepaid post (if
posted to an address in another country, by registered airmail) or fax to the address or fax number
below or the address or fax number last notified by the intended recipient to the sender:
Lawn: | XXXXX LAWN | |||
00 Xxxxxxxxxxxx Xxxx | ||||
Xxxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 0000 | ||||
Facsimile:___ | ||||
Lululemon: | Lululemon Athletica Inc. | |||
0000 Xxxxx Xxxxx | ||||
Xxxxxxxxx, XX X0X 0X0 | ||||
Xxxxxx | ||||
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000 | ||||
The Company: | Lululemon Athletica (Australia) Pty Ltd. | |||
000 Xxxxxx Xxxxxx | ||||
Xxxxxxx, Xxxxxxxx 0000 | ||||
Facsimile:___ |
13.2. Any Notice will be duly given or made:
13.2.1. in the case of delivery in person, when delivered;
13.2.2. in the case of delivery by post two business days after the date of posting;
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13.2.3. in the case of fax, on receipt by the sender or a transmission control report from the
despatching machine showing the relevant number of pages and the correct destination tax machine
number and indicating that the transmission has been made without error,
13.2.4. but if the result is that a Notice would be taken to be given or made on a day which
is not a Business Day in the place to which the Notice is sent or is later than 5 pm (local time)
it will be taken to have been duly given or made at the commencement of the next Business Day.
14. SEVERABILITY OF PROVISIONS
Any provision of this Agreement which is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction is
ineffective as to that jurisdiction to the extent of the prohibition or unenforceability. That
does not invalidate the remaining provisions of this Agreement nor affect the validity or
enforceability of that provision in any other jurisdiction.
15. AMENDMENT
No amendment or variation of this Agreement is valid or binding on a party unless made in
writing executed by or on behalf of all parties.
16. ASSIGNMENT
The rights of Lawn and the Company under this Agreement cannot be assigned, Encumbered or
otherwise dealt and neither Lawn nor the Company shall attempt, or purport, to do so except with
the prior written consent of Lululemon.
17. COUNTERPARTS
This Agreement maybe executed in any number of counterparts. All counterparts will be taken
to constitute one instrument.
18. GOVERNING LAW AND JURISDICTION
This Agreement is governed by the laws of Victoria. Each party submits to the nonexclusive
jurisdiction of courts exercising jurisdiction there in connection with matters concerning this
Agreement.
SIGNED, SEALED and DELIVERED by XXXXX XXXXXX LAWNS the presence of: |
Witness | |
/s/ Xxxx XxXxxx
|
Name of Witness (print) |
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XXXXXXXXX XXXXXXXXX INC. |
||||
Per: | /s/ Xxxx Xxxxxx | |||
Xxxx Xxxxxx | ||||
SIGNED for and on behalf of LULULEMON ATHLETICA (AUSTRALIA) PTY LTD. CAN 110 186 233 by two officers of the Company in accordance with the provisions of Section 127(1) of the Corporations Act, in the presence of: |
/s/ Xxxxx Xxxxx
|
|
|
DIRECTOR | |
/s/ Xxxx Xxxxxxxxxx
|
Name of Director (print) Xxxxx Xxxxx | |
|
DIRECTOR/SECRETARY | |
|
Name of Director (print) Xxxxxxx Xxxxx |
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