REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT
This REGISTRATION RIGHTS AGREEMENT (this "Agreement") is made
and entered into as of May 31, 2001, by and between RITE AID CORPORATION, a
Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and FIR TREE VALUE FUND, L.P., FIR TREE
INSTITUTIONAL VALUE FUND, L.P., FIR TREE VALUE PARTNERS LDC and FIR TREE MASTER
RECOVERY FUND, L.P. (collectively "Fir Tree").
W I T N E S S E T H:
WHEREAS, the Company has agreed to issue to Fir Tree, in
exchange for certain outstanding indebtedness of the Company, the Exchange
Shares (as defined below) in accordance with the terms of an Equity for Debt
Exchange Agreement between the Company and Fir Tree dated as of April 12, 2001
and as amended by that certain Side Letter dated April 30, 2001 (as amended, the
"Exchange Agreement");
WHEREAS, in connection with the sale of the Exchange Shares to
Fir Tree, the Company has agreed to provide Fir Tree with the registration
rights set forth herein;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and
undertakings contained herein, and for other good and valuable consideration,
the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, and subject to and
on the terms and conditions herein set forth, the parties hereto hereby agree as
follows:
ARTICLE I
Certain Definitions
As used in this Agreement, the following terms shall have the
meanings ascribed to them below:
1.1 "Commission" shall mean the Securities and Exchange
Commission or any federal agency at the time administering the Securities Act.
1.2 "Common Stock" shall mean the common stock of the Company,
par value $1.00 per share.
1.3 "Deferral Period" shall have the meaning set forth in
Section 2.1(d).
1.4 "Exchange Act" shall mean the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, as amended, or any federal statute then in effect which has replaced such
statute.
1.5 "Exchange Shares" shall mean the shares of Common Stock
acquired by Fir Tree pursuant to the Exchange Agreement (including Common Stock
issued upon conversion of any preferred stock issued pursuant to the Exchange
Agreement).
1.6 "Holder" shall mean Fir Tree for so long as it owns any
Registrable Securities and any other Person who is a holder or beneficial owner
of Registrable Securities for so long as such Person owns any Registrable
Securities.
1.7 "Person" shall mean an individual, corporation, limited
liability company, joint venture, partnership, trust, unincorporated
organization, government or any agency or political subdivision thereof or any
other entity that may be treated as a person under applicable law.
1.8 "Registrable Securities" shall mean the Exchange Shares,
provided that such securities shall cease to be Registrable Securities when (i)
a registration statement registering such Registrable Securities under the
Securities Act has been declared or becomes effective and such Registrable
Securities have been sold or otherwise transferred by the Holder thereof
pursuant to such effective registration statement; (ii) such Registrable
Securities are sold pursuant to Rule 144 under circumstances in which any legend
borne by such Registrable Securities relating to restrictions on the
transferability thereof, under the Securities Act or otherwise, is removed by
the Company or such Registrable Securities are eligible to be sold pursuant to
paragraph (k) of Rule 144; or (iii) such Registrable Securities shall cease to
be outstanding.
1.9 "Rule 144" shall mean Rule 144 promulgated under the
Securities Act.
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1.10 "Securities Act" shall mean Securities Act of 1933, as
amended, or any federal statute then in effect which has replaced such statute.
1.11 "Shelf Registration Statement" shall have the meaning set
forth in Section 2.1(a).
ARTICLE II
Registration Rights
2.1 Shelf Registration
(a) As soon as is reasonably practicable after the
Company files its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 3,
2001, the Company will file a shelf registration statement with the Commission
on Form S-1 or any other appropriate form (it being understood by all parties
that the Company will not be eligible to use Form S-3 prior to October 11, 2001)
under Rule 415 of the Securities Act, or any similar rule that may be adopted by
the Commission relating to the offer and sale of the Registrable Securities by
the Holders from time to time in accordance with the methods of distribution
elected by such Holders and set forth in such shelf registration statement
(together with all amendments and supplements to such registration statement,
including post-effective amendments, in each case including the prospectus
contained therein, all exhibits thereto and all material incorporated by
reference thereto, the "Shelf Registration Statement"), provided that the
Company may also register for sale on its own account or that of any other
holder of equity securities of the Company pursuant to the Shelf Registration
Statement such additional shares of the Company's stock as it shall desire.
(b) The Company will use its reasonable best efforts
to cause the registration statement filed pursuant to Section 2.1(a) to be
declared effective as soon as reasonably practicable and to remain effective for
a period ending on the earlier of (i) the date two years after the effective
date of the Registration Statement and (ii) the date on which there cease to be
any Registrable Securities outstanding.
(c) Each Holder of Registrable Securities that wishes
to sell Registrable Securities pursuant to a Shelf Registration Statement and
related prospectus agrees to deliver a notice and questionnaire in the form
attached hereto as Exhibit A (a "Notice and Questionnaire") at least 5 business
days prior to the
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intended distribution of Registrable Securities under the Shelf Registration
Statement. Provided that the Shelf Registration Statement has been declared
effective, the Company shall, as promptly as is practicable after a Holder has
delivered a Notice and Questionnaire and such other information as the Company
may reasonably require, (i) if required by applicable law, file with the
Commission a post-effective amendment to the Shelf Registration Statement or
prepare and, if required by applicable law, file a supplement to the related
Prospectus or amendment to any document incorporated therein by reference or
file any other required document so that such Holder is named as a selling
security holder in the Shelf Registration Statement and the related prospectus
in such a manner as to permit such Holder to deliver such prospectus to
purchasers of the Registrable Securities in accordance with applicable law and,
if the Company shall file a post-effective amendment to the Shelf Registration
Statement, use its best efforts to cause such post-effective amendments to be
declared effective under the Act as promptly as is practicable, (ii) provide
such Holder copies of any documents filed pursuant to the foregoing and (iii)
notify such Holder as promptly as practicable after the effectiveness of any
post-effective amendment filed hereunder, provided, however, that if the Notice
and Questionnaire is delivered during a Deferral Period, the Company shall so
inform the Holder delivering such Notice and Questionnaire and shall take the
actions set forth in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii) above upon expiration of the
Deferral Period in accordance with Section 2.1(d) hereof.
(d) Notwithstanding anything in Section 2.1(b),
2.1(c) or 2.4 hereof, the Company may take action that would result in the
Holders of Registrable Securities being unable to offer and sell Registrable
Securities under a Shelf Registration Statement that has been filed pursuant to
this Section 2.1 (i) if such action is required by applicable law, (ii) upon the
occurrence of any event that requires any change to be made to the Shelf
Registration Statement so that, as of such date, the Shelf Registration
Statement does not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading, or (iii) if the continued effectiveness of
the Shelf Registration Statement would require the Company to disclose a
material financing, acquisition or other corporate development, and the proper
officers of the Company have determined that such disclosure is not in the best
interests of the Company. The period during which the Company is required to
maintain the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement pursuant to
Section 2.1(b)(i) shall be extended by the duration of all periods during which
the availability of the Shelf Registration Statement and prospectus is suspended
in accordance with the foregoing (each such period of suspension being referred
to herein as a "Deferral Period") and
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in no event will the Deferral Periods exceed, in the aggregate, 120 days during
any 365 day period.
(e) The Holders may elect to sell Registrable
Securities in an underwritten offering in accordance with the conditions set
forth in this Section 2.1(e). In any such underwritten offering, the investment
banker or bankers and manager or managers that will administer the offering will
be selected by, and the underwriting arrangements with respect thereto will be
approved by a majority in interest of the Holders, subject, in each case, to the
consent of the Company, which consent will not be unreasonably withheld, and the
Holders will be responsible for all underwriting commissions and discounts in
connection therewith. The Company shall not be obligated to arrange for more
than one underwritten offering pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement. No
Holder may participate in any underwritten offering hereunder unless the Holder
(i) agrees to sell the Holder's Registrable Securities on the basis provided in
any underwriting arrangements approved pursuant hereto and (ii) completes and
executes all other questionnaires, powers of attorney, indemnities, underwriting
agreements and other documents required under the terms of such underwriting
arrangements.
2.2 Piggyback Registration.
(a) If the Shelf Registration Statement has not
become effective, and the Company shall determine to register any equity
securities of the Company for its own account or for the account of other
holders of equity securities of the Company on any registration form (other than
Form S-4 or S-8 or other successor forms) which permits the inclusion of
Registrable Securities held by any Holder (a "Piggyback Registration"), the
Company will promptly give each Holder written notice thereof and, subject to
Section 2.2(c), shall include in such registration all Registrable Securities
requested to be included therein pursuant to the written requests of Holders
received within 20 days after delivery of the Company's notice.
(b) If the Piggyback Registration relates to an
underwritten public offering, the Company shall so advise the Holders as part of
the written notice given pursuant to Section 2.2(a). In such event, the right of
any Holder to participate in such registration shall be conditioned upon such
Holder's participation in such underwriting in accordance with the terms and
conditions thereof. The Board shall have the right to select the managing
underwriter(s) for any underwritten Piggyback Registration. All Holders
proposing to distribute their Registrable Securities through such underwriting
shall (together with the Company) enter into an underwriting agreement in
customary form.
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(c) If such proposed Piggyback Registration is an
underwritten offering, and the managing underwriter for such offering advises
the Company that the securities requested to be included therein exceeds the
amount of securities that can be sold in such offering, any securities to be
sold by the Company or other holders of the Company's securities initiating such
offering or otherwise contractually entitled to be included in such offering
prior to the Holders of the Registrable Securities shall have priority over any
Registrable Securities held by Holders, and the number of shares to be included
by a Holder and other holders of the Company's securities that did not initiate
the offering in such registration shall be reduced pro rata on the basis of the
percentage of the then outstanding Registrable Securities held by each such
Holder and all other holders exercising similar registration rights.
(d) Notwithstanding the provisions of this Section
2.2, the Company shall have the right at any time after it shall have given
written notice to the Holders pursuant to Section 2.2 (irrespective of whether a
written request for inclusion of any such securities shall have been made) to
elect not to file any such proposed registration statement, or to withdraw the
same after filing but prior to effectiveness.
2.3 Expenses of Registration. All expenses incurred in
connection with the registrations described herein shall be borne by the
Company, provided that the expenses borne by the Company shall not include the
fees or disbursements of any counsel to or any other adviser of any Holder. All
underwriting discounts, selling commissions and other similar fees relating to
Registrable Securities included in any registration statement of the Company
shall be borne by the Holders of such Registrable Securities pro rata on the
basis of the amount of Registrable Securities sold by them.
2.4 Registration Procedures. In the case of each registration
effected by the Company pursuant to this Article II involving the registration
of Registrable Securities, the Company will keep each Holder advised in writing
as to the initiation of such registration and as to the completion thereof. At
its expense, the Company will use its best efforts to:
(a) cause such registration to be declared effective
by the Commission;
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(b) as soon as reasonably possible, prepare and file
with the Commission such amendments and supplements to such registration
statement and the prospectus included therein (including post-effective
amendments, prospectus supplements and pricing supplements) as may be
necessary, including in the case of a Shelf Registration Statement such
amendments and supplements as are necessary to effect and maintain the
effectiveness of such registration statement for the period specified in Section
2.1(b);
(c) provide (i) the Holders of the Registrable
Securities to be included in such registration statement, (ii) the underwriters
(which term, for purposes of this Agreement, shall include a person deemed to be
an underwriter within the meaning of Section 2(11) of the Securities Act) if
any, thereof, (iii) the sales or placement agent therefor, if any, (iv) counsel
for such underwriters or agent, and (v) not more than one counsel for all the
Holders of such Registrable Securities the opportunity to participate in the
preparation of such registration statement, each prospectus included therein or
filed with the Commission, and each amendment or supplement thereto;
(d) (i) register or qualify the Registrable
Securities to be included in such registration statement under such securities
laws or blue sky laws of such jurisdictions as any Holder of such Registrable
Securities and each placement or sales agent, if any, therefor and underwriter,
if any, thereof shall reasonably request, and (ii) take any and all other
actions as may be reasonably necessary or advisable to enable each such Holder,
agent, if any, and underwriter, if any, to consummate the disposition in such
jurisdictions of such Registrable Securities; provided, however, that the
Company shall not be required for any other purpose to (1) qualify as a foreign
corporation in any jurisdiction wherein it would not otherwise be required to
qualify but for the requirements of this Section 2.4(d) or (2) consent to
general service of process or taxation in any such jurisdiction;
(e) furnish such number of prospectuses and other
documents incident thereto, including any amendment of or supplement to the
prospectus, as any Holder from time to time may reasonably request;
(f) promptly notify the selling Holders of
Registrable Securities, the sales or placement agent, if any, therefor and the
managing underwriter or underwriters, if any, thereof and confirm such advice
in writing, (i) when such registration statement or the prospectus included
therein or any prospectus amendment or supplement or post-effective amendment
has been filed, and with respect to such registration statement or any
post-effective amendment, when the
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same has become effective, (ii) of any comments by the Commission, the Blue Sky
or securities commissioner or regulator of any state with respect thereto or any
request by the Commission for amendments or supplements to such registration
statement or prospectus or for additional information, (iii) of the issuance by
the Commission of any stop order suspending the effectiveness of such
registration statement or the initiation or threatening of any proceedings for
that purpose, (iv) if at any time the representations and warranties of the
Company contemplated by Section 3 cease to be true and correct in all material
respects, (v) of the receipt by the Company of any notification with respect to
the suspension of the qualification of the Registrable Securities for the sale
in any jurisdiction or the initiation or threatening of any proceeding for such
purpose, or (vi) at any time when a prospectus is required to be delivered under
the Securities Act, that such registration statement, prospectus, prospectus
amendment or supplement or post-effective amendment, or any document
incorporated by reference in any of the foregoing, contains an untrue statement
of a material fact or omits to state any material fact required to be stated
therein or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading in light of
the circumstances then existing;
(g) obtain the withdrawal of any order suspending the
effectiveness of such registration statement or any post-effective amendment
thereto at the earliest practicable date;
(h) if requested by any managing underwriter or
underwriters, any placement or sales agent or any Holder of Registrable
Securities, promptly incorporate in a prospectus supplement or post-effective
amendment such information as is required by the applicable rules and
regulations of the Commission and as such managing underwriter or underwriters,
such agent or such holder specifies should be included therein relating to the
terms of the sale of such Registrable Securities, including, without limitation,
information with respect to the principal amount of Registrable Securities being
sold by such Holder or agent or to any underwriters, the name and description of
such Holder, agent or underwriter, the offering price of such Registrable
Securities and any discount, commission or other compensation payable in respect
thereof, the purchase price being paid therefor by such underwriters and with
respect to any other terms of the offering of the Registrable Securities to be
sold by such Holder or agent or to such underwriters;
(i) furnish to each Holder of Registrable Securities
included in such registration statement, each placement or sales agent, if any,
therefor, each underwriter, if any, thereof and the respective counsel referred
to in Section 2.4(c) an executed copy of such registration statement, each such
amendment
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and supplement thereto (in each case including all exhibits thereto and
documents incorporated by reference therein) and such number of copies of such
registration statement (excluding exhibits thereto and documents incorporated by
reference therein unless specifically and reasonably so requested by such
Holder, agent or underwriter, as the case may be) and of the prospectus included
in such registration statement (including each preliminary prospectus and any
summary prospectus), in conformity with the requirements of the Securities Act;
and the Company hereby consents to the use of such prospectus (including such
preliminary and summary prospectus) and any amendment or supplement thereto by
each such Holder and by any such agent and underwriter, if any, in each case in
the form most recently provided to such party by the Company, in connection with
the offering and sale of the Registrable Securities covered by the prospectus
(including such preliminary and summary prospectus) or any supplement or
amendment thereto;
(j) cause all Registrable Securities covered by such
registration to be listed on each securities exchange or inter-dealer quotation
system on which similar securities issued by the Company are then listed;
(k) provide a transfer agent and registrar for all
Registrable Securities covered by such registration and a CUSIP number for all
such Registrable Securities, in each case not later than the effective date of
such registration;
(l) cooperate with the Holders of Registrable
Securities and the managing underwriters, if any, to facilitate the timely
preparation and delivery of certificates representing Registrable Securities to
be sold, which certificates shall not bear any restrictive legends;
(m) in the event that any broker-dealer registered
under the Exchange Act shall underwrite any Registrable Securities or
participate as a member of an underwriting syndicate or selling group or "assist
in the distribution" (within the meaning of the Rules of Conduct (the "Rules of
Conduct") of the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. ("NASD")
thereof, whether as a holder of such Registrable Securities or as an
underwriter, a placement or sales agent or a broker or dealer in respect
thereof, or otherwise use its reasonable best efforts to assist such
broker-dealer in complying with the requirements of such Rules of Conduct,
including, without limitation, by providing such information to such
broker-dealer as may be required in order for such broker-dealer to comply with
the requirements of the Rules of Conduct; and
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(n) otherwise comply with all applicable rules and
regulations of the Commission and make available to its security holders, as
soon as reasonably practicable but in no event later than eighteen months after
the effective date of such registration statement, an earnings statement
covering the period of at least twelve months, but not more than 18 months,
beginning with the first month after the effective date of the registration
statement, which earnings statement shall satisfy the provisions of Section
11(a) of the Securities Act (including, at the option of the Company, Rule 158
thereunder).
2.5 Delivery of Prospectus Supplement. In the event that the
Company would be required, pursuant to Section 2.4(f) above, to notify the
selling Holders of Registrable Securities, the placement or sales agent, if any,
therefor and the managing underwriters, if any, thereof, the Company shall as
soon as reasonably practicable prepare and furnish to each such Holder, to each
placement or sales agent, if any, and to each underwriter, if any, a reasonable
number of copies of a prospectus supplemented or amended so that, as thereafter
delivered to initial purchasers of Registrable Securities, such prospectus shall
not contain an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material
fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the statements therein
not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing. Each Holder of
Registrable Securities agrees that upon receipt of any notice from the Company
pursuant to Section 2.4(f) hereof, such Holder shall forthwith discontinue the
disposition of Registrable Securities pursuant to the registration statement
applicable to such Registrable Securities until such Holder shall have received
copies of such amended or supplemented prospectus, and if so directed by the
Company, such Holder shall deliver to the Company (at the Company's expense) all
copies, other than permanent file copies, then in such Holder's possession of
the prospectus covering such Registrable Securities at the time of receipt of
such notice.
2.6 Furnishing Information by the Holders. The Company may
require each Holder of Registrable Securities as to which any registration is
being effected to furnish to the Company such information regarding such Holder
and such Holder's intended method of distribution of such Registrable Securities
as the Company may from time to time request in writing. Each such Holder agrees
to promptly notify the Company of any inaccuracy or change in information
previously furnished by such Holder to the Company or of the occurrence of any
event in either case as a result of which any prospectus relating to such
registration contains or would contain an untrue statement of a material fact
regarding such Holder or such Holder's intended method of distribution of such
Registrable Securities or omits to state any material fact regarding such Holder
or such Holder's intended method of distribution of such Registrable Securities
required to be stated therein or necessary
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to make the statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then
existing, and promptly to furnish information so required so that such
prospectus shall not contain, with respect to such Holder or the distribution of
such Registrable Securities, an untrue statement of a material fact or omit to
state a material fact required to be stated therein or necessary to make the
statements therein not misleading in light of the circumstances then existing.
2.7 Indemnification.
(a) The Company will indemnify each Holder whose
Registrable Securities are to be included in a registration pursuant to this
Article II, each of such Holder's officers, directors, partners, agents,
employees and representatives and each person controlling such Holder within
the meaning of Section 15 of the Securities Act or Section 20 of the Exchange
Act, with respect to each registration, qualification or compliance effected
pursuant to this Article II, against all expenses, claims, losses, damages and
liabilities (or actions, proceedings or settlements in respect thereof) arising
out of or based on any untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of a
material fact contained in any registration statement, prospectus, or other
document incorporated by reference therein, or compliance, or any omission (or
alleged omission) to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse
each such indemnified person for any reasonable legal and other expenses
reasonably incurred in connection with investigating and defending or settling
any such claim, loss, damage, liability or action; provided, however, that the
Company will not be liable in any such case to a Holder to the extent that any
such claim, loss, damage, liability or expense arises out of or is based on any
untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) or omission (or alleged omission)
based upon information furnished to the Company in writing by such Holder and
provided for use in such registration statement, prospectus, offering circular
or other document or the Holder delivered a registration or prospectus in
violation of Section 2.5 hereof after notice was provided by the Company as
provided in Section 2.5. It is agreed that the indemnity agreement contained in
this Section 2.7(a) shall not apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such
loss, claim, damage, liability or action if such settlement is effected without
the consent of the Company (which consent shall not be unreasonably withheld or
delayed).
(b) Each Holder whose Registrable Securities are
included in any registration effected pursuant to this Article II shall
indemnify the Company, each of its directors, officers, agents, employees and
representatives, and each Person who controls the Company within the meaning of
Section 15 of the Securities Act or
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Section 20 of the Exchange Act, each other such Holder and each of their
officers, directors, partners, agents, employees and representatives and each
person controlling such Holder, and each underwriter, if any, of such
Registrable Securities and each Person who controls any such underwriter,
against all expenses, claims, losses, damages and liabilities (or actions,
proceedings or settlements in respect thereof) arising out of or based on any
untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) of a material fact contained in
any registration statement, prospectus, offering circular or other document
incident to such registration, qualification or compliance, or any omission (or
alleged omission) to state therein a material fact required to be stated therein
or necessary to make the statements therein not misleading, and will reimburse
such indemnified persons for any reasonable legal or other expenses reasonably
incurred in connection with investigating or defending any such claim, loss,
damage, liability or action, in each case to the extent, but only to the extent,
that such untrue statement (or alleged untrue statement) or omission (or alleged
omission) is made in such registration statement, prospectus, offering circular
or other document in reliance upon and in strict conformity with written
information furnished to the Company by such Holder and provided specifically
for use therein; provided, however, that (x) no Holder shall be liable hereunder
for any amounts in excess of the net proceeds received by such Holder pursuant
to such registration, and (y) the obligations of such Holder hereunder shall not
apply to amounts paid in settlement of any such claims, losses, damages or
liabilities (or actions in respect thereof) if such settlement is effected
without the consent of such Holder (which consent shall not be unreasonably
withheld).
(c) Each party entitled to indemnification under this
Section 2.7 (the "Indemnified Party") shall give notice to the party required to
provide indemnification (the "Indemnifying Party") promptly after such
Indemnified Party has actual knowledge of any claim as to which indemnity may be
sought and shall permit the Indemnifying Party to assume the defense of any such
claim or any litigation resulting therefrom, provided that counsel for the
Indemnifying Party, who shall conduct the defense of such claim or any
litigation resulting therefrom, shall be approved by the Indemnified Party
(whose approval shall not unreasonably be withheld or delayed), and the
Indemnified Party may participate in such defense with counsel reasonably
acceptable to and paid for by the Indemnifying Party but otherwise at the
Indemnified Party's expense, and provided, further, that the failure of any
Indemnified Party to give notice as provided herein shall not relieve the
Indemnifying Party of its obligations under this Section 2.7 to the extent such
failure is not materially prejudicial. No Indemnifying Party in the defense of
any such claim or litigation shall except with the consent of each Indemnified
Party, consent to entry of any judgment or enter into any settlement which does
not include an unconditional
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release of such Indemnified Party from all liability in respect of such claim or
litigation. Each Indemnified Party shall furnish such information regarding
itself or the claim in question as an Indemnifying Party may reasonably request
in writing and as shall be reasonably required in connection with the defense of
such claim and litigation resulting therefrom.
(d) If the indemnification provided for in this
Section 2.7 is held by a court of competent jurisdiction to be unavailable to an
Indemnified Party with respect to any loss, liability, claim, damage or expense
referred to therein, then the Indemnifying Party, in lieu of indemnifying such
Indemnified Party hereunder, shall contribute to the amount paid or payable by
such Indemnified Party as a result of such loss, liability, claim, damage or
expense in such proportion as is appropriate to reflect the relative fault of
the Indemnifying Party on the one hand and of the Indemnified Party on the other
in connection with the statements or omissions which resulted in such loss,
liability, claim, damage or expense as well as any other relevant equitable
considerations. The relative fault of the Indemnifying Party and of the
Indemnified Party shall be determined by reference to, among other things,
whether the untrue or alleged untrue statement of a material fact or the
omission to state a material fact relates to information supplied by the
Indemnifying Party or by the Indemnified Party and the parties' relative intent,
knowledge, access to information and opportunity to correct or prevent such
statement or omission. No person guilty of fraudulent misrepresentation (within
the meaning of section 11(f) of the Securities Act) shall be entitled to
contribution from any person who was not guilty of such fraudulent
misrepresentation.
(e) Notwithstanding the foregoing, to the extent that
the provisions on indemnification and contribution contained in an underwriting
agreement entered into in connection with an underwritten public offering are
in conflict with the foregoing provisions, the provisions in the underwriting
agreement shall control.
2.8 Other Obligations. With a view to making available the
benefits of certain rules and regulations of the Commission which may effectuate
the registration of Registrable Securities or permit the sale of Registrable
Securities to the public without registration, the Company agrees to:
(a) at such time as any Registrable Securities are
eligible for transfer under Rule 144(k), upon the request of the holder of such
Registrable Securities, remove any restrictive legend from the certificates
evidencing such Registrable Securities at no cost to such holder;
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(b) make and keep available public information as
defined in Rule 144 under the Securities Act at all times;
(c) file with the Commission in a timely manner all
reports and other documents required of the Company under the Securities Act and
the Exchange Act at any time after it has become subject to such reporting
requirements; and
(d) furnish any Holder upon request a written
statement by the Company as to its compliance with the reporting requirements of
Rule 144 (at any time from and after 90 days following the effective date of the
first registration statement filed by the Company for an offering of its
securities to the general public), and of the Securities Act and the Exchange
Act (at any time after it has become subject to such reporting requirements), a
copy of the most recent annual or quarterly report of the Company, and such
other reports and documents as a Holder may reasonably request in availing
itself of any rule or regulation of the Commission (including Rule 144A)
allowing a holder of Registrable Securities to sell any such Registrable
Securities without registration.
2.9 Hold-Back Agreements. If requested by the Company or any
underwriter of securities of the Company, Holders shall not sell or otherwise
transfer or dispose of any Common Stock (other than pursuant to such
registration) during the period 15 days prior to and 120 days following the
effective date of registration statement relating to the offering of the
Company's securities for its own account or such longer period that the
underwriters may reasonably request. The obligations described in this Section
2.9 shall not apply to a registration on Form S-4 or Form S-8 or similar forms
which may be promulgated in the future.
ARTICLE III
Termination
This Agreement shall terminate immediately following the
moment at which there exist no securities of the Company that constitute
Registrable Securities; provided, however, that Section 2.7 hereof shall survive
indefinitely.
14
ARTICLE IV
Miscellaneous
4.1 Recapitalization, Exchanges, etc. Affecting the Common
Stock. The provisions of this Agreement shall apply to the full extent set forth
herein with respect to (a) the Registrable Securities and (b) any and all shares
of capital stock of the Company or any successor or assign of the Company
(whether by merger, consolidation, sale of assets or otherwise) which may be
issued in respect of, in exchange for, or in substitution for the Registrable
Securities, by reason of any stock dividend, split, reverse split, combination,
recapitalization, reclassification, merger, consolidation or otherwise. In the
event of any change in the capitalization of the Company as a result of any
stock split, stock dividend or stock combination, the provisions of this
Agreement shall be appropriately adjusted.
4.2 Injunctive Relief. It is hereby agreed and acknowledged
that it will be impossible to measure in money the damages that would be
suffered if the parties fail to comply with any of the obligations herein
imposed on them and that in the event of any such failure, an aggrieved Person
will be irreparably damaged and will not have an adequate remedy at law. Any
such Person shall, therefore, in addition to any other remedies available under
applicable law, be entitled to injunctive relief, including specific
performance, to enforce such obligations, without the posting of any bond, and
if any action should be brought in equity to enforce any of the provisions of
this Agreement, none of the parties hereto shall raise the defense that there is
an adequate remedy at law.
4.3 Parties in Interest. All the terms and provisions of this
Agreement shall be binding upon, shall inure to the benefit of and shall be
enforceable by the respective successors and assigns of the parties hereto. In
the event that any transferee of any Holder of Registrable Securities shall
acquire Registrable Securities, in any manner, whether by gift, bequest,
purchase, operation of law or otherwise, such transferee shall, without any
further writing of any kind, be deemed a party hereto for all purposes and such
Registrable Securities shall be held subject to all of the terms of this
Agreement, and by taking and holding such Registrable Securities such transferee
shall be entitled to receive the benefits of and be conclusively deemed to have
agreed to be bound by and to perform all of the terms and provisions of this
Agreement.
4.4 Survival. The respective indemnities, agreements,
representations, warranties and each other provision set forth in this
Agreement or made
15
pursuant hereto shall remain in full force and effect regardless of any
investigation (or statements as to the results thereto) made by or on behalf of
any Holder of Registrable Securities, any director, officer or partner of such
Holder, any agent or underwriter or any director, officer or partner thereof, or
any controlling person of any of the foregoing, and shall survive the transfer
of Registrable Securities by such Holder.
4.5 Amendment; Waiver.
(a) This Agreement may be amended only by a written
instrument signed by the Company and by Holders holding more than 66% of the
then outstanding Registrable Securities and, in the case of any amendment that
adversely affects any Holder or all of the members of any group of Holders
differently from any of the other Holders, by such Holder or the holders of
more than 66% in interest of the securities of the Company held by such group of
Holders.
(b) No provision of this Agreement may be waived
orally, but only by a written instrument signed by the party against whom
enforcement of such waiver is sought. Holders shall be bound from and after the
date of the receipt of a written notice from the Company setting forth such
amendment or waiver, whether or not the Registrable Securities shall have been
marked to indicate such amendment or waiver.
4.6 Notices. Except as otherwise provided in this Agreement,
notices and other communications under this Agreement shall be in writing
(including a writing delivered by facsimile transmission) and shall be deemed
to have been duly given if delivered personally, or sent by either certified or
registered mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, or by overnight
courier guaranteeing next day delivery, or by telex or telecopier, at the
following addresses:
16
if to the Company:
00 Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.,
Senior Executive Vice President
and General Counsel
Telecopier: (000) 000-0000
with a copy to
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Xxxxxxx & Xxxx LLP
0 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
Telecopier: (000) 000-0000
if to Fir Tree :
000 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
00xx Xxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, Xxx Xxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Vice President
with a copy to:
` Akin, Gump, Strauss, Xxxxx & Xxxx, L.L.P.
0000 Xxxxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxxxx 0000
Xxxxxx, Xxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxxxx, Esq.
Telecopier: (000) 000-0000
Fir Tree may, by written notice given to the Company in accordance with this
Section 6.6, change the address to which such notice or other communications are
to be sent to it. All such notices and communications shall be deemed to have
been given on the date of delivery thereof, if delivered by hand, on the fifth
day after the mailing thereof, if mailed, on the next day after the sending
thereof, if by overnight courier and when receipt is acknowledged, if
telecopied.
17
4.7 Inspection. So long as this Agreement shall be in effect,
this Agreement and any amendments hereto shall be made available for inspection
by any Holder at the principal offices of the Company.
4.8 APPLICABLE LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY AND
CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAWS OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT GIVING
EFFECT TO THE CONFLICTS OF LAW PRINCIPLES THEREOF.
4.9 Headings. Article, section and paragraph headings are
inserted for convenience only and do not constitute a part of this Agreement.
4.10 Integration. This Agreement and the documents referred to
herein or delivered pursuant hereto which form a part hereof contain the entire
understanding of the parties with respect to the subject matter hereof. There
are no restrictions, agreements, promises, representations, warranties,
covenants or undertakings with respect to the subject matter hereof other than
those expressly set forth or referred to herein. This Agreement supersedes all
prior agreements and understandings between the parties with respect to this
subject matter.
4.11 Illegality. In case any provision in this Agreement shall
be declared or held invalid, illegal or unenforceable, in whole or in part,
whether generally or in any particular jurisdiction, such provision shall be
deemed amended to the extent, but only to the extent, necessary to cure such
invalidity, illegality or unenforceability, and the validity, legality and
enforceability of the remaining provisions, both generally and in every other
jurisdiction, shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.
4.12 Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in two or
more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which
shall constitute one and the same instrument, and it shall not be necessary in
making proof of this Agreement to produce or account for more than one such
counterpart.
18
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned have executed this
Agreement as of the date set forth above.
RITE AID CORPORATION
-------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
FIR TREE VALUE FUND, L.P.
-------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
FIR TREE INSTITUTIONAL VALUE FUND, L.P.
-------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
FIR TREE VALUE PARTNERS LDC
-------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
FIR TREE MASTER RECOVERY FUND,
L.P.
-------------------------------------------
Name:
Title:
19
EXHIBIT A
Selling Securityholder Notice and Questionnaire
The undersigned holder of shares of the common stock of Rite Aid
Corporation (the "Company") that are Registrable Securities (as that term is
defined in the Registration Rights Agreement, dated as of May 31, 2001 (the
"Registration Rights Agreement") by and among the Company and Fir Tree Value
Fund, L.P., Fir Tree Institutional Value Fund, L.P., Fir Tree Value Partners LDC
and Fir Tree Master Recovery Fund, L.P., understands that the Company has filed
with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "Commission" a registration
statement (the "Shelf Registration Statement" for the registration and resale
under Rule 415 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities
Act"). All capitalized terms not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning
ascribed thereto in the Registration Rights Agreement.
Each beneficial owner of Registrable Securities is entitled to the
benefits of the Registration Rights Agreement. In order to sell or otherwise
dispose of any Registrable Securities pursuant to the Shelf Registration
Statement, a beneficial owner of Registrable Securities generally will be
required to be named as a selling securityholder in the related prospectus,
deliver a prospectus to purchasers of Registrable Securities and be bound by
those provisions of the Registration Rights Agreement applicable to such
beneficial owner (including certain indemnification provisions, as described
below). Beneficial owners are required to complete and deliver this Notice and
Questionnaire prior to the effectiveness of the Shelf Registration Statement so
that such beneficial owners may be named as selling securityholders in the
related prospectus at the time of effectiveness. Upon receipt of a completed
Notice and Questionnaire from a beneficial owner following the effectiveness of
the Shelf Registration Statement, the Company will, as promptly as practicable,
file such amendments to the Shelf Registration Statement or supplements to the
related prospectus as are necessary to permit such holder to deliver such
prospectus to purchasers of Registrable Securities.
Certain legal consequences arise from being named as a selling
securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement and the related prospectus.
Accordingly, holders and beneficial owners of Registrable Securities are advised
to consult their own securities law counsel regarding the consequences of being
named or not being
A-1
named as a selling securityholder in the Shelf Registration Statement and the
related prospectus.
Notice
The undersigned beneficial owner (the "Selling Securityholder") of
Registrable Securities hereby gives notice to the Company of its intention to
sell or otherwise dispose of Registrable Securities beneficially owned by it and
listed below in Item 3 (unless otherwise specified under Item 3) pursuant to the
Shelf Registration Statement. The undersigned, by signing and returning this
Notice and Questionnaire, understands that it will be bound by the terms and
conditions of this Notice and Questionnaire and the Registration Rights
Agreement.
The undersigned hereby provides the following information to the
Company and represents and warrants that such information is accurate and
complete:
Questionnaire
1. (a) Full Legal Name of Selling Securityholder:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(b) Full Legal Name of Registered Holder (if not the same as (a)
above) through which Registrable Securities listed in (3)
below are held:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
(c) Full Legal Name of DTC Participant (if applicable and if not
the same as (b) above) through which Registrable Securities
listed in (3) below are held:
2. Address for Notices to Selling Securityholder:
---------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Telephone:
-----------------------------------------------------------
Fax:
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Contact Person:
------------------------------------------------------
3. Beneficial Ownership of Registrable Securities:
A-2
(a) Type and Principal Amount of Registrable Securities
beneficially owned:
--------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------
(b) CUSIP No(s). of such Registrable Securities beneficially
owned:
--------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------
4. Beneficial Ownership of the Company's securities owned by the Selling
Securityholder:
Except as set forth below in this Item (4), the undersigned is not the
beneficial or registered owner of any securities of the Company other than the
Registrable Securities listed above in Item (3).
(a) Type and Amount of Other Securities beneficially owned by the
Selling Securityholder:
(b) CUSIP No(s). of such Other Securities beneficially owned:
--------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------
5. Relationship with the Company:
Except as set forth below, neither the undersigned nor any of its
affiliates, officers, directors or principal equity holders (5% or
more) has held any position or office or has had any other material
relationship with the Company (or their predecessors or affiliates)
during the past three years.
State any exceptions here:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
6. Plan of Distribution:
Except as set forth below, the undersigned (including its donees or
pledgees) intends to distribute the Registrable Securities listed above
in Item (3)
A-3
pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement only as follows if at
all): such Registrable Securities may be sold from time to time
directly by the undersigned or alternatively, through underwriters,
broker-dealers or agents. If the Registrable Securities are sold
through underwriters or broker-dealers, the Selling Securityholder will
be responsible for underwriting discounts or commissions or agent's
commissions. Such Registrable Securities may be sold in one or more
transactions at fixed prices, at prevailing market prices at the time
of sale, at varying prices determined at the time of sale, or at
negotiated prices. Such sales may be effected in transactions (which
may involve block transactions) (i) on any national securities exchange
or quotation service on which the Registrable Securities may be listed
or quoted at the time of sale,. (ii) in the over-the-counter market,
(iii) in transactions otherwise than on such exchanges or services, or
in the over-the-counter market, or (iv) through the writing of options.
In connection with sales of Registrable Securities or otherwise, the
undersigned may enter into hedging transactions with broker-dealers,
which may in turn engage in short sales of the Registrable Securities
and deliver Registrable Securities to close out such short positions,
or loan or pledge Registrable Securities to broker-dealers that in turn
may sell such securities.
State any exceptions here:
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The undersigned acknowledges that it understands its obligation to
comply with the provisions of the Exchange Act and the rules thereunder relating
to stock manipulation, particularly Regulation M thereunder (or any successor
rules or regulations), in connection with any offering of Registrable Securities
pursuant to the Shelf Registration Statement. The undersigned agrees that
neither it nor any person acting on its behalf will engage in any transaction in
violation of such provisions.
The Selling Securityholder hereby acknowledges its obligations under
the Registration Rights Agreement to indemnify and hold harmless certain persons
as set forth therein.
Pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement, the Company has agreed
under certain circumstances to indemnify the Selling Securityholders against
certain liabilities.
A-4
In accordance with the undersigned's obligation under the Registration
Rights Agreement to provide such information as may be required by law for
inclusion in the Shelf Registration Statement, the undersigned agrees to
promptly notify the Company of any inaccuracies or changes in the information
provided. herein that may occur subsequent to the date hereof at anytime while
the Shelf Registration Statement remains effective. All notices hereunder and
pursuant to the Registration Rights Agreement shall be made in writing at the
address set forth below.
By signing below, the undersigned consents to the disclosure of the
information contained herein in its answers to items (1) through (6) above and
the inclusion of such information in the Shelf Registration Statement and the
related prospectus. The undersigned understands that such information will be
relied upon by the Company in connection with the preparation or amendment of
the Shelf Registration Statement and the related prospectus.
A-5
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned, by authority duly given, has
caused this Notice and Questionnaire to be executed and delivered either in
person or by its duly authorized agent.
Dated:
Beneficial Owner
By:
------------------------------
Name:
Title:
PLEASE RETURN THE COMPLETED AND EXECUTED NOTICE AND QUESTIONNAIRE TO
RITE AID CORPORATION. AT:
00 Xxxxxx Xxxx
Xxxx Xxxx, Xxxxxxxxxxxx 00000
Attention: Xxxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq,
Senior Executive Vice President and
General Counsel
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
with a copy to:
Skadden, Arps, Slate, Xxxxxxx & Xxxx LLP
0 Xxxxx Xxxxxx
Xxx Xxxx, XX 00000
Attention: Xxxxx X. Xxxxxx, Esq.
Facsimile: (000) 000-0000
A-6
