Exhibit 10.1

SEVERANCE AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE

This Severance Agreement and Release (this “Agreement”) is made and entered into
between the undersigned Thomas Carey (referred to herein as “you” or “your”) and
Orchard Supply Hardware LLC (“Orchard” or the “Company”)

1. Separation. Your last day of work with the Company and your employment
termination date will be January 23, 2012 (the “Separation Date”).

2. Severance Benefits. As part of this Agreement, the Company will pay you, as
severance, the equivalent of thirty-nine (39) weeks of your base salary in
effect as of the Separation Date, subject to standard payroll deductions and
withholdings. This amount will be paid in a lump sum within ten (10) days after
the Effective Date, as defined below (the “Severance”).

3. Health Insurance. To the extent provided by the federal COBRA law or, if
applicable, state insurance laws, and by the Company’s current group health
insurance policies, you will be eligible to continue your group health insurance
benefits at your own expense. Later, you may be able to convert to an individual
policy through the provider of the Company’s health insurance, if you wish. You
will be provided with a separate notice of your COBRA rights. If you timely
elect continued coverage under COBRA, the Company, as part of this Agreement,
will pay your COBRA premiums through October 2012.

4. Outplacement Services. In further consideration of this Agreement, the
Company agrees to provide you with reasonable outplacement services as of the
Separation Date, at the expense of Orchard. You and Orchard will mutually agree
on which outplacement firm, among current vendors used by Orchard, will provide
these services. You must contact a representative of the provider within sixty
(60) days after the Separation Date in order to make use of these services. Such
services will be provided for up to six (6) months following the Separation Date
or until employment is obtained, whichever occurs first.

5. Incentive Stock Option Plan. The Company granted you an option to purchase
shares of the Company’s Class B Common Stock (the “Option”) under the Company’s
Equity Incentive Plan (the “Plan”). Under the terms of the Plan, you may
exercise any shares that were vested as of the Separation Date for ninety
(90) days after the Separation Date (the “Exercise Deadline”), after which time
the Option will terminate.

If you wish to exercise any vested shares, you must elect to do so in writing on
or before the Exercise Deadline (the “Exercise Notice”), and tender a check in
the amount of the exercise price for any vested shares you are purchasing with
your Exercise Notice. The Exercise Notice will be irrevocable unless otherwise
agreed by the Company and, if you are purchasing less than the total number of
vested shares, will immediately terminate the Option as to any remaining shares.

6. Annual Incentive Plan. Upon your Separation Date, your entitlement to any
award under the applicable annual incentive plan (“AIP”) sponsored by Orchard
shall be determined in accordance with the terms and conditions of the AIP
document regarding termination of employment.

 

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7. Other Compensation or Benefits. You acknowledge that, except as expressly
provided in this Agreement, you are not entitled to and will not receive any
additional compensation, bonus, severance or benefits after the Separation Date,
other than accrued salary and all accrued and unused vacation earned through the
Separation Date, subject to standard payroll deductions and withholdings.

8. Release of Claims. In exchange for the severance benefits and other
consideration under this Agreement to which you would not otherwise be entitled,
you, on behalf of yourself, your descendants, ancestors, dependents, heirs,
executors, administrators, personal representatives, assigns, and successors,
past and present, and each of them, hereby fully release, acquit and forever
discharge the Company and its officers, directors, employees, stockholders,
representatives, agents, attorneys, insurers, successors, assigns and
affiliates, past and present, and each of them, in their individual and business
capacities, of and from any and all claims, liabilities, demands, causes of
action, costs, expenses, attorneys’ fees, damages, indemnities and obligations
of every kind and nature, in law, equity or otherwise, known and unknown,
suspected and unsuspected, disclosed and undisclosed, arising out of or in any
way related to agreements, events, acts or conduct at any time prior to and
including the execution date of this Agreement, including but not limited to:
all such claims and demands arising out of or in any way connected with your
employment with the Company or the termination of that employment; claims or
demands related to salary, bonuses, commissions, tips, vacation pay, fringe
benefits, expense reimbursements, stock, stock options or any other ownership
interest in the Company (including claims for fraud, misrepresentation, breach
of fiduciary duty, or breach of any duty imposed by state corporate or federal
securities laws), severance pay, or any other form of compensation; and claims
for damages, attorneys’ fees, costs or other relief pursuant to any federal,
state or local law, statute, or cause of action including, but not limited to,
the federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended, the federal Americans with
Disabilities Act of 1990; the federal Age Discrimination in Employment Act of
1967, as amended (“ADEA”), the Civil Rights Act of 1991; the Employee Retirement
Security Act of 1974; the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act;
those provisions of the California Labor Code which may lawfully be released;
the California Business & Professions Code; the California Fair Employment and
Housing Act, as amended; tort law, contract law, common law, public policy and
the law of wrongful discharge, discrimination, harassment, fraud, defamation,
emotional distress, and breach of the implied covenant of good faith and fair
dealing; any claim under any other federal, state or local law, regulation or
ordinance which may lawfully be released; any claim for costs, fees or other
expenses including attorneys’ fees incurred in any of these matters
(collectively, “Released Claims”).

You represent and warrant to the Company that there are no other individuals or
entities to whom or to which you have assigned any of the Released Claims and
you are the sole and lawful owner of all right, title and interest in and to the
Released Claims.

9. Section 1542 Waiver. You acknowledge that you have read and understand
Section 1542 of the California Civil Code, which reads as follows:

 

  (1) “A general release does not extend to claims which the creditor does not
know or suspect to exist in his or her favor at the time of executing the
release, which if known by him or her must have materially affected his or her
settlement with the debtor.”

 

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You expressly waive and relinquish all rights and benefits under that section
and any law of any jurisdiction of similar effect with respect to the release of
any unknown or unsuspected claims that you may have against the Company.

10. ADEA Waiver. You acknowledge and agree that you are knowingly and
voluntarily waiving and releasing any rights you may have under the ADEA. You
also acknowledge that the consideration given for the waiver and release in this
Agreement is in addition to anything of value to which you were already
entitled. You further acknowledge that you have been advised by this writing, as
required by the ADEA, that: (a) your waiver and release do not apply to any
rights or claims that may arise after the execution date of this Agreement;
(b) you have been advised hereby that you have the right to consult with an
attorney prior to executing this Agreement; (c) you have twenty-one (21) days to
consider this Agreement (although you may choose to voluntarily execute this
Agreement earlier); (d) you have seven (7) days following the execution of this
Agreement by the parties to revoke the Agreement; and (e) this Agreement will
not be effective until the date upon which the revocation period has expired,
which will be the eighth day after this Agreement is executed by you (“Effective
Date”).

11. Expense Reimbursements. You agree that, within ten (10) days of the
Separation Date, you will submit your final documented expense reimbursement
statement reflecting all business expenses you incurred through the Separation
Date, if any, for which you seek reimbursement. The Company will reimburse you
for these expenses pursuant to its regular business practice.

12. Return of Company Property. By the Separation Date, you agree to return to
the Company all Company documents (and all copies thereof) and other Company
property that you have had in your possession at any time, including, but not
limited to, Company files, notes, drawings, records, business plans and
forecasts, financial information, specifications, computer- recorded
information, tangible property (including, but not limited to, computers),
credit cards, entry cards, identification badges and keys and any materials of
any kind that contain or embody any proprietary or confidential information of
the Company (and all reproductions thereof).

13. Proprietary Information Obligations. You acknowledge your continuing
obligations not to use or disclose any confidential or proprietary information
of the Company without prior written authorization from a duly authorized
representative of the Company. You further acknowledge that, prior to the
execution of this Agreement you did not at any time use or reveal, either
directly or indirectly, to any person, company, business, firm or any other
entity, any trade secret or any confidential or proprietary information about
the Company, including but not limited to any information about the Company’s
service, its customers or its methods of doing business.

14. Non-Solicitation of Employees. For six (6) months following your Separation
Date, you agree that you will not, directly or indirectly, solicit or encourage
any person to leave her/his employment with Orchard for or on behalf of any
future employer or other entity.

15. Nondisparagement. You agree not to disparage the Company or its officers,
directors, employees, shareholders and agents, in any manner likely to be
harmful to them or their business, business reputation or personal reputation,
not to make derogatory statements, either written or oral, to any third party,
and not to authorize others to make derogatory or disparaging statements on your
behalf; provided, however that you will respond accurately and fully to any
question, inquiry or request for information when required by legal process.

 

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16. Cooperation. After the Separation Date, you agree to cooperate fully with
the Company in connection with its actual or contemplated defense, prosecution,
or investigation of any claims, demands, or other matters arising from events,
acts or failures to act which occurred during the time period in which you were
employed by the Company. Cooperation includes, without limitation, making
yourself available upon reasonable notice at the Company’s request for
interviews, depositions and trial testimony. Orchard will reimburse you for
reasonable travel and out-of-pocket expenses incurred in connection with any
such investigations, potential litigation or litigation.

17. Confidentiality. The provisions of this Agreement will be held in strictest
confidence by you and will not be publicized or disclosed in any manner
whatsoever; provided, however, that: you may disclose this Agreement to your
immediate family, attorneys, accountants, tax preparers and financial advisors,
all of whom shall agree to keep such information confidential, and you may also
disclose this Agreement as may be required by law. In particular, and without
limitation, you agree not to disclose the terms of this Agreement to any current
or former Company employee.

18. Irreparable Harm. You acknowledge that irreparable harm would result from
any breach by you of the provisions of this Agreement, and that monetary damages
alone would not provide adequate relief for any such breach. Accordingly, if you
breach or threaten to breach this Agreement, you consent to injunctive relief in
favor of Orchard without the necessity of Orchard posting a bond. Moreover, any
award of injunctive relief shall not preclude Orchard from seeking or recovering
any lawful compensatory damages which may have resulted from a breach of this
Agreement, including a forfeiture of any future payments and a return of any
payments and benefits already received by you.

19. Arbitration. Both you and the Company agree that any and all disputes,
claims, and causes of action arising from or relating to this Agreement or its
enforcement, performance, breach, or interpretation will be resolved by final,
binding and confidential arbitration before JAMS, according to the Federal Rules
of Civil Procedure. The Company agrees to pay the arbitrator’s expenses. Both
you and the Company agree that the arbitrator shall award the prevailing party
its reasonable attorneys’ fees and costs incurred in connection with the
arbitration. Nothing in this paragraph is intended to prevent either you or the
Company from obtaining injunctive relief in court to prevent irreparable harm
pending the conclusion of any such arbitration.

20. Future Enforcement or Remedy. Any waiver, or failure to seek enforcement or
remedy for any breach or suspected breach, of any provision of this Agreement by
Orchard or you in any instance shall not be deemed a waiver of such provision in
the future.

21. Entire Agreement. This Agreement constitutes the complete, final and
exclusive embodiment of the entire agreement between you and the Company with
regard to this subject matter. It supersedes any and all agreements entered into
by and between you and the Company. It is entered into voluntarily, without
reliance on any promise or representation, written or oral, other than those
expressly contained herein. It may be amended only by a writing signed by the
Senior Vice President, Human Resources of Orchard. If any provision of this
Agreement

 

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conflicts with any other plan, programs, policy, practice or other Orchard
document, then the provisions of this Agreement will control, except as
otherwise specified herein or precluded by law.

22. Severability. If any provision(s) of this Agreement shall be found invalid,
illegal, or unenforceable, in whole or in part, then such provision(s) shall be
modified or restricted so as to effectuate as nearly as possible in a valid and
enforceable way the provisions hereof, or shall be deemed excised from this
Agreement, as the case may require, and this Agreement shall be construed and
enforced to the maximum extent permitted by law, as if such provision(s) had
been originally incorporated herein as so modified or restricted or as if such
provision(s) had not been originally incorporated herein, as the case may be.

23. Successors and Assigns. This Agreement will bind the descendants, ancestors,
dependents, heirs, executors, administrators, personal representatives, assigns,
and successors of both you and the Company, and inure to the benefit of the
Company, and its officers, directors, employees, agents, successors and assigns.

24. Non-Admission of Liability. This Agreement shall not in any way be construed
as an admission of liability by either the Company or you or that either the
Company or you have acted wrongfully with respect to the other, and the Company
and you specifically disclaim any liability to or wrongful acts against one
another.

25. No Future Employment. You promise not to seek employment or any other
business relationship at any time in the future with the Company and you forsake
any right to be employed or to have any other business relationship in the
future with the Company.

26. Voluntary Execution; Consultation with Attorney. You have executed this
Agreement voluntarily and you fully understand it. You have been encouraged by
the Company to review this Agreement with an outside lawyer, if you so desire,
prior to signing it.

27. Applicable Law. This Agreement will be deemed to have been entered into and
will be construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of the State of
California as applied to contracts made and to be performed entirely within
California.

28. Notices. All notices and other communications hereunder shall be in writing
and shall be given by hand delivery to the other parties or by registered or
certified mail, return receipt requested, postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

 

        If to you:    At the most recent address on file at Orchard     
        If to Orchard:    Orchard Supply Hardware LLC       6450 Via Del Oro   
   San Jose, California 95119   

 

   Attention to both:   Senior Vice President, Human Resources      Senior Vice
President, General Counsel     

 

 

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29. Dismissal of Proceedings; No Filing of Claims. You shall, within ten days of
the date you sign this Agreement, withdraw any pending claims, lawsuits, or
administrative charges you have made against the Company and will authorize any
administrative agency to dismiss those charges. You shall not file or assist in
the filing of any administrative charges, complaints, lawsuits or claims against
the Company or assist any other person in pursuing any claim, suit, or action at
law or in equity against the Company as a result of or arising out of your or
another person’s employment by the Company.

30. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts,
which together shall constitute a valid and binding agreement.

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31. This Agreement supersedes in its entirety that certain Executive Severance
Agreement dated July 23, 2007.

THE SIGNATORIES HAVE CAREFULLY READ THIS ENTIRE AGREEMENT, AND HAD THE
OPPORTUNITY TO HAVE ITS CONTENTS FULLY EXPLAINED TO THEM BY THEIR ATTORNEYS. THE
SIGNATORIES FULLY UNDERSTAND THE FINAL AND BINDING EFFECT OF THIS AGREEMENT. THE
ONLY PROMISES MADE TO ANY SIGNATORY ABOUT THIS AGREEMENT ARE CONTAINED IN THIS
AGREEMENT. THE SIGNATORIES ARE SIGNING THIS AGREEMENT VOLUNTARILY.

PLEASE READ CAREFULLY.

THIS SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT AND GENERAL RELEASE

INCLUDES A RELEASE OF KNOWN AND UNKNOWN CLAIMS.

The parties having read the Agreement and accept and agree to the provisions it
contains and hereby execute it with full understanding of its consequences.

Orchard Supply Hardware LLC

By: /s/ David Bogage

Print Name: David Bogage

Title: Senior Vice President, Human Resources

Date:1-30-12

/s/ Thomas Carey

Your Signature

Thomas Carey

Your Full Name (print)

Date: 1-28-12

 

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