Related Party Transactions

12 Months Ended

Jan. 28, 2012

Related Party Transactions [Abstract]

Related Party Transactions Disclosure

RELATED PARTY TRANSACTIONS:

On September 9, 2008, the Company and Mr. Wildrick entered into a Consulting Agreement (the “Consulting Agreement”) pursuant to which the Company retained Mr. Wildrick to consult on matters of strategic planning and initiatives for a term of three years commencing February 1, 2009 at a fee of $0.8 million per year. On November 30, 2010, those members of the Board who are “independent directors” in accordance with the Nasdaq Rules met in executive session and approved an amendment to the Consulting Agreement. As Mr. Wildrick is the Chairman of the Board and the amendment constituted a related party transaction, generally the Audit Committee would have been responsible for evaluating the transaction. The Board instead met in executive session in order to increase the number of independent directors who participated in the decision. The First Amendment to Consulting Agreement extended the term of the Consulting Agreement to January 26, 2014. All other terms of the Consulting Agreement were unchanged.

The Consulting Agreement includes an agreement by Mr. Wildrick not to compete with the Company or to solicit its customers or employees during its term. The Consulting Agreement also provides for the acceleration of payments due thereunder to Mr. Wildrick in connection with certain termination events. If Mr. Wildrick's services are terminated by the Company without “cause” (as defined below), the Company will be obligated to pay Mr. Wildrick the balance of amounts due under the Consulting Agreement for its remaining term as and when such payments would otherwise be due. If Mr. Wildrick's services are terminated by the Company with “cause,” the Company will be obligated to pay Mr. Wildrick the unpaid, prorated amount of the consulting fees payable through the date of termination. For purposes of the Consulting Agreement, “cause” means: (a) the conviction of Mr. Wildrick of a felony involving money or other property of the Company or any other felony or offense involving moral turpitude; or (b) the willful commission of any act of fraud or misrepresentation related to the business of the Company which would materially and negatively impact the Company. If within ninety (90) days following a change of control of the Company (defined consistently with Mr. Black's employment agreement), Mr. Wildrick exercises his right to terminate the Consulting Agreement or the Company terminates the Consulting Agreement based on a default thereunder by Mr. Wildrick, the Company will pay Mr. Wildrick a lump sum equal to the balance of amounts due under the Consulting Agreement for its remaining term.

The Company's policy regarding related party transactions is set forth in the Audit Committee's charter and in the Company's Corporate Governance Standards (both of which are available on our website at www.josbank.com). As used herein and therein, “related party transactions” are transactions that are required to be disclosed pursuant to Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K of the Securities and Exchange Commission. Item 404(a) generally requires disclosure of transactions in which the Company is a participant, the amount involved exceeds $120,000 and in which any related person (such as an executive officer, director, director nominee, or 5% stockholder of the Company or any family member of the foregoing) has a direct or indirect material interest. Except as otherwise set forth below, the Audit Committee shall review each related party transaction to determine whether it is fair and reasonable to the Company. Notwithstanding the foregoing, in lieu of the Committee so doing, the determination of whether a related party transaction is fair and reasonable to the Company may be made by the members of the Board who are independent directors. The Company will enter into or ratify a related party transaction only if the Committee or the independent directors, as the case may be, determines that it is fair and reasonable to the Company. In the event a related party transaction is entered into without prior approval as set forth in the Company's related party transaction policy and, after review by the Committee or the independent directors, as the case may be, such transaction is not determined to be fair and reasonable to the Company, the Company will make all reasonable efforts to cancel or annul such transaction. The First Amendment to Consulting Agreement was ratified by the independent directors in accordance with the foregoing procedures.