Exhibit No. 10.1

RESTATED EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

 

Agreement made as of the 15th day of June, 2007 (referred to herein as “the date
first set forth above”), between UNITED RETAIL GROUP, INC., a Delaware
corporation, with principal offices at 365 West Passaic Street, Rochelle Park,
New Jersey 07662-6563 (the “Company”), and RAPHAEL BENAROYA, residing at 179
Lincoln Street, Englewood, New Jersey 07631 (the “Executive”).

 

WHEREAS, the Executive has been employed by the Company and its predecessors for
more than 20 years, most recently as its Chairman of the Board, President and
Chief Executive Officer pursuant to an Employment Agreement, dated September 3,
2004, as amended on June 27, 2005, August 26, 2005 and August 25, 2006 (as
amended, the “Prior Agreement”);

 

WHEREAS, the Company and the Executive desire to amend and restate the Prior
Agreement in order to comply with final regulations recently published under
Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended, and to make certain other
changes as set forth in this Agreement;

 

WHEREAS, the Company desires to continue the services of the Executive, and the
Executive desires to continue to provide such services to the Company, on the
terms set forth in this Agreement; and

 

WHEREAS, on June 15, 2007, this Agreement was recommended in an executive
session of the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors and
approved in an executive session of the Board.

 

NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and obligations
hereinafter set forth, the parties hereto, intending to be legally bound, hereby
agree that the Prior Agreement is further amended and restated effective as of
the date first set forth above to read in its entirety as follows:

 

1.

Definitions.

 

(a)

Affiliated Companies shall mean, with respect to the Company, any corporation,
limited partnership, general partnership, association, joint-stock company,
joint venture, trust, bank, trust company, land trust, business trust, fund or
any organized group of persons, whether or not a legal entity, that is directly
or indirectly controlled by the Company.

 

(b)

Base Salary shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).

 

(c)

Board of Directors shall mean the Board of Directors of the Company.

 

(d)

Business of the Company shall mean the operation of a retail store chain which
markets and sells apparel for women principally in sizes 14 and larger and any
other future business in which the Company and its subsidiaries and Affiliated
Companies engage that produces more than 10% of the Company’s consolidated
sales.

 

(e)

By-laws shall mean the Restated By-laws of the Company as currently in force.

 

(f)

Cause shall mean the occurrence of one or more of the following events:

 

 

(i)

a judgment of conviction against the Executive or a plea of guilty has been
entered for any felony which is both based on his personal actions (excluding
liability imputed to him by reason of his position as an executive of the
Company) and involves common law fraud, embezzlement, breach of duty as a
fiduciary, willful dishonesty or moral turpitude (the entry of a judgment or
plea being the only event or circumstance sufficient to constitute Cause under
this subparagraph (i)), provided, however, that any felony an essential element
of which is predicated on the operation of a vehicle shall be deemed not to
involve moral turpitude;

 

 

(ii)

(A) the Executive has willfully and continuously failed to perform his duties to
the Company in any material respect or (B) the Executive has failed in any
material respect to follow specific directions of the Board of Directors in the
performance of his duties;

 

 

(iii)

the Executive has demonstrated willful misconduct in the performance of his
duties to the Company in any material respect and material economic harm to the
Company has resulted; or

 

 

(iv)

there has been a breach in any material respect of any of the provisions of
Section 11;

 

 

 

 

 

 

provided, however, that the judgment of conviction or a plea of guilty referred
to in subparagraph (i), the failure of performance referred to in subparagraph
(ii), the misconduct referred to in subparagraph (iii) and the breach referred
to in subparagraph (iv) shall constitute Cause for a maximum of only 90 days
after the judgment of conviction or plea of guilty was entered, the failure of
performance commenced, the material economic harm resulted, or the breach first
took place, as the case may be.

 

(g)

Change of Control shall mean either:

 

 

(i)

the acquisition by any person or group acting in concert of shares of Company
Common Stock if, after such acquisition, such person or group is the beneficial
owner of 30% or more of the Common Stock then outstanding but shall not include
acquisition by:

 

 

(A)

the Company;

 

 

(B)

any subsidiary of the Company;

 

 

(C)

any employee benefit plan of the Company, or of any subsidiary of the Company,
or any person or entity organized, appointed or established by the Company for
or pursuant to the terms of any such plan;

 

 

(D)

any person who becomes the beneficial owner of 30% or more of the shares of
Company Common Stock then outstanding as a result of a reduction in the number
of shares of Common Stock outstanding due to the repurchase of shares of Common
Stock by the Company unless and until such person, after becoming aware that
such person has become the beneficial owner of 30% or more of the then
outstanding shares of Common Stock, acquires beneficial ownership of additional
shares of Common Stock representing 1% or more of the shares of Common Stock
then outstanding;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(E)

any person who has reported or is required to report such ownership (but less
than 50%) on Schedule 13G under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended
and in effect on the date of this Agreement (the “Exchange Act”), (or any
comparable or successor report) or on Schedule 13D under the Exchange Act (or
any comparable or successor report) which Schedule 13D does not state any
intention to or reserve the right to control or influence the management or
policies of the Company or engage in any of the actions specified in Item 4 of
such schedule (other than the disposition of the Common Stock) and, within 10
business days of being requested by the Company to advise it regarding the same,
certifies to the Company that such person acquired shares of Common Stock in
excess of 29.9% inadvertently or without knowledge of the terms of the Company’s
Stockholder Rights Plan and who, together with all affiliates, thereafter does
not acquire additional shares of Common Stock while the beneficial owner of 30%
or more of the shares of Company Common Stock then outstanding, provided,
however, that if the person requested to so certify fails to do so within 10
business days, then such person shall become an acquiring person immediately
after such 10-business-day period;

 

 

(F)

the Executive, his spouse, any descendant of the parents of the Executive, the
spouse of any such descendant, the estate of any of the foregoing individuals,
any trust for the primary benefit of any of the foregoing individuals or for the
primary benefit of any of the foregoing individuals and any charitable
organization, any corporation or limited liability company of which all the
shareholders or members are any of the foregoing individuals, The Benaroya
Foundation or any charitable organization established by any of the foregoing
individuals; or

 

 

(G)

any person acting in concert with the Executive;

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(ii)

individuals who constitute the Board of Directors of the Company on June 15,
2007 (the “Incumbent Directors”) cease for any reason to constitute at least a
majority of the Board, provided that any individual becoming a Director
subsequent to June 15, 2007 whose election, or nomination for election by the
Company’s stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least a majority of the
Directors then comprising the Incumbent Board shall be considered as though such
individual were a member of the Incumbent Board, but excluding, for this
purpose, any such individual whose initial assumption of office is in connection
with an actual or threatened election contest relating to the election or
removal of the Directors of the Company or other actual or threatened
solicitation of proxies or contests by or on behalf of a person other than the
Board; or

 

 

(iii)

the merger or consolidation of the Company with another person, or the transfer
to one or more persons in a single transaction or a related series of
transactions of substantially all of the assets of the Company, unless, before
the Company enters into any agreement for such merger, consolidation or
transfer, the Executive sends the Company a written consent determining that it
is not a Change of Control.

 

(h)

Company Car shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(d).

 

(i)

Contract Term shall mean the period of time commencing November 20, 1998 and
ending on September 3, 2011 or such later date as may be mutually agreed upon by
the Company and the Executive. (For the avoidance of doubt, Contract Term as
used herein may extend beyond the termination of the Executive’s employment
under this Agreement.)

 

(j)

CPI shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(a).

 

(k)

Cure Period shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14(c).

 

(l)

Group Benefits shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(a).

 

(m)

Incentive Compensation Participation shall mean 60% of Base Salary, without
regard to whether any payment actually shall have been made under the Company’s
incentive compensation program. (For example, as of the date first set forth
above, the Incentive Compensation Participation was $456,557.)

 

(n)

Individual Disability Policy shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(c).

 

(o)

Individual Life Policy shall have the meaning set forth in Section 6(b).

 

 

(p)

Options shall mean employee stock options under a benefit plan or arrangement
between the Company and the Executive, including those which may be granted
during the Contract Term, held by the Executive or his assigns or donees.

 

(q)

Performance Bonus shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(b).

 

(r)

Permanent Disability shall mean the inability of the Executive to perform his
duties and responsibilities to the Company by reason of a physical or mental
disability or infirmity (i) for a continuous period of at least four months or
(ii) at such earlier time as the Executive submits medical evidence satisfactory
to the Company that the Executive has a physical or mental disability or
infirmity that will likely prevent him from substantially performing his duties
and responsibilities for four months or longer (the date of such Permanent
Disability shall be on the earlier of the last day of such four-month period or
the day on which the Executive submits such evidence, as the case may be).

 

(s)

Protected Information shall mean trade secrets, confidential or proprietary
information, and all other knowledge, know-how, information, documents or
materials, owned or developed by the Company, or otherwise in the possession of
the Company, whether in tangible or intangible form, pertaining to the Business
of the Company, the confidentiality of which the Company takes reasonable
measures to protect, including, but not limited to, the Company’s research and
development, store operating results, identities and habits of customers and
prospective customers, suppliers, business relationships, products (including
prices, costs, sales or content), processes, techniques, machinery, contracts,
financial information or measures, business methods, future business plans, data
bases, computer programs, designs, models, operating procedures, knowledge of
the organization, and other information owned, developed or possessed by the
Company; provided, however, that Protected Information shall not include
information that shall become generally known to the public or the trade without
violation of Section 11.

 

(t)

Resignation Compensation shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14(e).

 

(u)

Severance Pay shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14(c).

 

(v)

Short Term Disability shall mean the inability of the Executive to substantially
perform his duties and responsibilities to the Company by reason of a physical
or mental disability or infirmity for a continuous period of less than four
months.

 

(w)

Successor shall have the meaning set forth in Section 20.

 

 

(x)

Tax shall mean all taxes on income, which shall be assumed to be at a rate equal
to the sum of the highest marginal rates, including any applicable surcharges,
of federal income tax, state income tax, local income tax, Medicare payroll tax
and any similar income or payroll tax for a married citizen filing a joint
return from the Executive’s residence, as now in effect or as amended from time
to time.

 

(y)

Termination Without Cause shall have the meaning set forth in Section 14(c).

 

(z)

Unauthorized shall mean: (i) in contravention of the Company’s policies or
procedures; (ii) otherwise inconsistent with the Company’s measures to protect
its interests in its Protected Information; or (iii) in contravention of any
duty existing under law or contract.

 

(aa)

2006 Plan shall have the meaning set forth in Section 4(b).

 

2.

Term; Location.

 

(a)

The Company hereby employs the Executive, and the Executive hereby accepts such
employment, in the capacities and upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set
forth, during the Contract Term.

 

(b)

In no event shall the Executive’s office be relocated without his prior written
consent.

 

3.

Duties.

 

(a)

During the Contract Term, the Executive shall serve as the President and Chief
Executive Officer of the Company. In such capacity, the Executive shall perform
such duties and shall have such responsibilities as are set forth in the By-laws
and such additional duties and responsibilities, commensurate with his position
and title, as may be determined and assigned to the Executive from time to time
by the Board of Directors. Notwithstanding the above, the Executive shall not be
required to perform any duties and responsibilities which would be likely to
result in a non-compliance with or violation of any applicable law or
regulation. The Executive shall report solely and directly to the Board of
Directors; all other officers and other employees of the Company shall report
directly to the Executive or the Executive’s designees. No other employee of the
Company or any subsidiary shall have authority and responsibilities that are
generally equal to or greater than those of the Executive.

 

 

 

(b)

The Executive accepts such employment and hereby agrees to serve the Company
faithfully, industriously and to the best of his ability in such capacities,
with undivided loyalty, devoting substantially all of his business time,
attention, knowledge, energy and skills to such employment as President and
Chief Executive Officer of the Company except during vacation not to exceed
three weeks in any 12-month period and except as otherwise provided in the
following sentence. However, the Executive may engage in the following
additional activities:

 

 

(i)

continuing through a controlled corporation, Raphael Benaroya, Inc., to manage
American Licensing Group Limited Partnership, subject to the restrictions
contained in Section 11(h);

 

 

(ii)

serving as a director of not more than four business corporations in addition to
Raphael Benaroya, Inc. that do not engage in the Business of the Company,
including service as nonmanagement chairman of the board or chairman of one or
more committees of a board;

 

 

(iii)

overseeing personal and family investments in a manner in which the Executive
does not actively operate portfolio companies in the ordinary course of
business; and

 

 

(iv)

engaging in local, national and international charitable, relief, human rights,
civic, religious, military and related activities on behalf of private
organizations and governmental agencies;

 

provided, however, that the Executive’s duties and responsibilities as President
and Chief Executive Officer of the Company shall take precedence over his other
activities except for not more than 45 consecutive days of military service in
the event he is called to active duty in the armed forces of the United States
or any other country.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4.

Compensation.

 

(a)

As compensation to the Executive for performance of the services required
hereunder and as consideration for his execution and delivery of this Agreement,
the Company shall pay him (subject to Sections 7 and 14), and the Executive
agrees to accept a base salary, payable in accordance with the regular executive
payroll practices of the Company, at a rate of $760,929 per annum or at such
higher rate as may be determined by the Board of Directors upon recommendation
of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors, but in any event base
salary shall increase as of February 1, 2008 by a percentage at least equal to
the increase, if any, in the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers for
New York and Northern New Jersey published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics of
the Department of Labor (“CPI”) during the year ending on December 31, 2007 and
shall increase as of each anniversary of February 1, 2008 by a percentage at
least equal to the annual increase, if any, in the CPI at the time (as increased
from time to time and whether or not deferred, the “Base Salary”).

 

(b)

The Executive shall continue to be eligible to receive, and the Company shall
continue to pay, a semi-annual cash incentive compensation payment (“Performance
Bonus”) based on the Company’s consolidated operating income for the six-month
periods ending January 31st and July 31st, respectively. The Executive’s
participation percentage shall be 60% with a semi-annual award ranging from zero
to 120% of Base Salary for the six-month period in accordance with the United
Retail Group, Inc. 2006 Equity-Based Compensation and Performance Incentive Plan
(the “2006 Plan”) as of the date first set forth above, provided, however, that
the Performance Bonus shall be earned and fully vested in the Executive as of
January 31st or July 31st, as the case may be, whether or not the Executive
shall remain in the Company’s employ after the Performance Bonus shall have
vested and provided, further, that the Performance Bonus shall be paid to the
Executive as soon as practicable after the consolidated operating income for the
period in question shall be determined.

 

5.         Expenses. The Executive will continue to be required to incur
reasonable and necessary travel, business entertainment and other business
expenses. The Company shall reimburse the Executive for all reasonable and
necessary travel, business entertainment and other business expenses incurred or
expended by the Executive incident to the performance of the Executive’s duties
hereunder, upon submission by the Executive to the Company of vouchers or
expense statements satisfactorily evidencing such expenses.

 

 

 

 

6.

Executive Benefits.

 

(a)

The Company shall provide the Executive with benefits (“Group Benefits”), taken
as a whole, that are at least equal to those provided by the Company to the
other senior executives of the Company as of the date first set forth above
including, without limitation, availability of enhanced group disability
insurance benefits (or, if the group disability insurance policy can not be
continued in force, the Company shall make available other disability benefits
equivalent to the benefits under the group policy). The Executive shall be
entitled to three weeks’ vacation and two personal days with pay at any time
during the year after September 3, 2004 and each 12 months thereafter.

 

(b)

In addition to Group Benefits, the Company shall maintain in force the existing
term life insurance policies on the Executive in an amount of $5,446,384 or a
similar policy issued by an insurance company with an equal or higher rating
(the “Individual Life Policy”) at the Company’s expense. The Executive shall
have the right to select and change the beneficiary(ies) of such life insurance
policies.

 

(c)

The Company shall reimburse the Executive in the amount of $20,000 per annum
with respect to the premium on the existing special supplemental long term
disability insurance policy covering the Executive (the “Individual Disability
Policy”) and the Taxes on such premium amount, but in no event will such
reimbursement be made later than the March 15th of the year following the year
in which the Executive pays the underlying premium.

 

(d)

The Company shall provide the Executive perquisites in accordance with past
practice, including, without limitation, exclusive use of a full size sedan (the
“Company Car”) free of charge for business and personal travel.

 

(e)

Group Benefits, the Individual Life Policy and the Company Car shall be provided
while the Executive is employed under this Agreement, and thereafter as provided
pursuant to the terms of this Agreement.

 

(f)

The Executive shall cooperate with the Company in maintaining key man life
insurance up to $4 million during the Executive’s employment hereunder.

 

(g)

All Options shall be fully vested and immediately exercisable after either
Termination Without Cause or a Change of Control, anything in any stock option
agreement between the Company and the Executive to the contrary notwithstanding.
In the event of Termination Without Cause, Options shall be exercisable for the
lesser of 90 days thereafter or the remainder of the term of the Option. In the
event of Change of Control, Options shall be exercisable until the earlier of 90
days after the termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder (including
resignation) or the expiration of the term of the Option.

 

7.

Permanent Disability; Death.

 

(a)

In the event of the Permanent Disability of the Executive during the Contract
Term, the Board of Directors shall, upon written notice to the Executive, have
the right to terminate the Executive’s employment hereunder by reason of
Permanent Disability.

 

(b)

In the event of the death of the Executive during the Contract Term, this
Agreement shall automatically terminate.

 

8.         Benefits Upon Death or Disability. In the event of the Executive’s
death or a termination of the Executive’s employment by the Company due to
Permanent Disability, the Executive, his executor or his heirs at law, as the
case may be, shall be entitled to:

 

(a)

any Base Salary accrued or any Performance Bonus vested but not yet paid;

 

(b)

a pro rata Performance Bonus for the season in which death or Permanent
Disability occurs determined and payable on the basis of the number of days
worked during the season and the bonus percentage established for the season;

 

(c)

any accrued vacation pay;

 

(d)

reimbursement for expenses incurred but not yet paid prior to such death or
Permanent Disability;

 

(e)

in the case of death, the proceeds of the Individual Life Policy and other
compensation and benefits as may be provided in accordance with the terms and
provisions of the Group Benefits or of this Agreement; and

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(f)

in the case of Permanent Disability, (I) payment by the Company of health
insurance premiums under COBRA for the Executive and his dependents for the time
period during which the Executive and his dependents are eligible for continuing
coverage under COBRA, and (II) from the expiration of such time period through
the fifth anniversary of the Executive’s termination of employment with the
Company, reimbursement directly by the Company of healthcare expenses of the
Executive and his dependents, which expenses would otherwise be covered by the
Company’s health insurance plan if the Executive and his dependents continued to
be covered under such plan; provided that (x) any reimbursement under this
Section 8(f) will be made no later than the end of the year following the year
in which the underlying expense is incurred, (y) the amount of any expenses
reimbursed or benefits provided under this Section 8(f) in any one year will not
affect the amount of expenses reimbursed or benefits provided in any other year,
except that the maximum lifetime benefit limit then in effect under the
Company’s health insurance plan will continue to apply to this arrangement, and
(z) at no time will the Executive’s right to reimbursements or benefits under
this Section 8(f) be subject to liquidation or exchange for any other benefit.
(For the avoidance of doubt, this Section 8(f) does not include any continuation
of the supplemental executive preventative and wellness benefits.)

 

The provisions of this Section 8 shall survive the termination of the
Executive’s employment hereunder.

 

9.         Representation, Warranty and Covenant of Executive. The Executive
represents, warrants and covenants to the Company that he is not and will not
become a party to any agreement, contract or understanding, whether employment
or otherwise, which would in any way restrict or prohibit him from undertaking
or performing his employment in accordance with the terms and conditions of this
Agreement.

 

10.

Representation, Warranty and Covenant of the Company.

 

(a)

The Company represents and warrants that this Agreement constitutes a valid and
legally binding obligation of the Company enforceable in accordance with the
terms herein set forth, except to the extent that the enforceability of this
Agreement may be affected by bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium,
or similar laws or equitable principles affecting creditors’ rights generally.

 

(b)

The Company covenants that it shall give notice promptly to the Executive of the
occurrence of Change of Control pursuant to Section 21.

 

(c)

The provisions of this Section 10 shall survive the termination of the
Executive’s employment hereunder, irrespective of the reason therefor.

 

11.

Restrictive Covenants and Confidentiality.

 

(a)

The Executive shall not:

 

 

(i)

solicit, raid, entice, encourage or induce any person, firm or corporation that
at any time within one year prior to the termination of the Executive’s
employment hereunder shall have been an exclusive supplier to the Company, or
any of its subsidiaries or Affiliated Companies, to become a supplier to any
other person, firm or corporation that derives more than 10% of its sales,
directly or indirectly, from a business the same as the Business of the Company
and the Executive shall not approach any such person, firm or corporation for
such purpose or authorize or knowingly approve the taking of such actions by any
other person, firm or corporation or assist any such person, firm or corporation
in taking such action; or

 

 

(ii)

solicit, raid, entice, encourage or induce any person who at any time within one
year prior to the termination of the Executive’s employment shall have been an
employee of the Company, or any of its subsidiaries or Affiliated Companies, to
become employed by any person, firm or corporation, and the Executive shall not
approach any such employee for such purpose or authorize or knowingly approve
the taking of such actions by any other person, firm or corporation or assist
any such person, firm or corporation in taking such action.

 

(b)

During the Contract Term and thereafter, the Executive will not use, disclose or
divulge, furnish or make accessible to anyone, directly or indirectly, any
Protected Information in any Unauthorized manner or for any Unauthorized
purpose, provided, however, that in the event that the Executive is required to
disclose any Protected Information by court order or decree or in compliance
with the rules and regulations of a governmental agency or in compliance with
law, the Executive will provide the Company with prompt notice of such required
disclosure so that the Company may seek an appropriate protective order and/or
waive the Executive’s compliance with the provisions of this Section 11 and
provided, further, that if, in the absence of a protective order or the receipt
of a waiver hereunder, the Executive is advised by his counsel that such
disclosure is necessary to comply with such court order, decree, rules,
regulation or law, he may disclose such information without liability hereunder.

 

 

 

 

(c)

The Executive agrees that all processes, techniques, know-how, inventions,
plans, products, and devices developed, made or invented by the Executive, alone
or with others in connection with the Executive’s employment hereunder, during
the Contract Term, shall become and be the sole property of the Company unless
released in writing by the Company.

 

(d)

The Executive agrees that the Executive shall not, directly or indirectly,
within any        area in the United States or elsewhere where the Company or
any of its subsidiaries or Affiliated Companies is transacting business during
the Contract Term, engage or participate or make any financial investments in or
become employed by, or act as an attorney, agent or principal of, or render
advisory or other services to or for any person, firm or corporation, or in
connection with any business activity (other than that of the Company and its
subsidiaries or Affiliated Companies), that derives more than 10% of its sales,
directly or indirectly, from a business the same as the Business of the Company.
Nothing herein contained, however, shall restrict the Executive from overseeing
personal and family investments, including any investments in not more than 3%
of the voting securities in any company whose stock is listed on a national
securities exchange or actively traded in the over-the-counter market, so long
as in connection with such investments the Executive does not actively operate
any such business or enterprise that derives more than 10% of its sales,
directly or indirectly, from a business the same as the Business of the Company.

 

(e)

The Executive shall be bound by the provisions of Section 11(a) and (d), and
shall perform his obligations pursuant to Section 11(a) and (d), during the
Contract Term and for 18 months thereafter, provided, however, that in the event
of Termination Without Cause, the Executive shall be bound by the provisions of
Section 11(a) and (d), and shall perform his obligations pursuant to Section
11(a) and (d), only in the event that the Company shall remit his Severance Pay
strictly in accordance with the provisions of Section 14(d), as modified by
Section 14(l), and provided, further, that in the event of resignation by the
Executive in accordance with Section 14(e), the Executive shall be bound by the
provisions of Section 11(a) and (d), and shall perform his obligations pursuant
to Section 11(a) and (d), only in the event that the Company shall remit his
Resignation Compensation strictly in accordance with the provisions of Section
14(d), as modified by Section 14(l).

 

(f)

The provisions of this Section 11 shall survive the termination of the
Executive’s employment hereunder, irrespective of the reason therefor.

 

 

 

(g)

The Executive acknowledges that the services to be rendered by the Executive are
of a special, unique and extraordinary character and, in connection with such
services, the Executive will have access to confidential information vital to
the Company’s and its subsidiaries and Affiliated Companies’ businesses. By
reason of this, the Executive consents and agrees that if the Executive violates
any of the provisions of this Section 11, the Company and its subsidiaries and
Affiliated Companies would sustain irreparable harm, and therefore, in addition
to any other remedies which the Company may have under this Agreement or
otherwise, the Company shall be entitled to an injunction from any court of
competent jurisdiction restraining the Executive from committing or continuing
any such violation of this Section 11. The Executive acknowledges that damages
at law would not be an adequate remedy for violation of this Section 11, and the
Executive therefore agrees that the provisions of this Section 11 may be
specifically enforced against the Executive in any court of competent
jurisdiction. Nothing herein shall be construed as prohibiting the Company from
pursuing any other remedies available to the Company for such breach or
threatened breach, including the recovery of damages from the Executive.

 

(h)

The provision of paragraphs (a), (b) and (d) of this Section 11 shall not apply
to or restrict the activities of the Executive as the chief executive officer, a
director and a principal stockholder of Raphael Benaroya, Inc., which is the
sole general partner of American Licensing Group Limited Partnership (“ALG”),
for so long as, and only for so long as, Raphael Benaroya, Inc. and ALG do not
engage in the Business of the Company. The Executive’s duties and
responsibilities as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company shall
at all times take precedence over his activities on behalf of ALG.

 

12.       Deductions and Withholding. The Executive agrees that the Company
shall withhold from any and all compensation required to be paid to the
Executive pursuant to this Agreement all Federal, state, local and/or other
taxes which the Company determines are required to be withheld in accordance
with applicable statutes and/or regulations from time to time in effect.

 

13.       Mutual Non-Disparagement. Neither the Executive nor the Company will
make or authorize any public statement disparaging the other in its or his
business interests and affairs. Notwithstanding the foregoing, neither party
shall be (i) required to make any statement which it or he believes to be false
or inaccurate, or (ii) restricted in connection with any litigation, arbitration
or similar proceeding or with respect to its response to any legal process. The
provisions of this Section 13 shall survive the termination of the Executive’s
employment hereunder, irrespective of the reason therefor.

 

 

 

14.

Termination.

 

(a)

Subject to Section 7(a), the Company shall terminate the Executive’s employment
under this Agreement prior to the expiration of the Contract Term only if the
Board of Directors of the Company removes the Executive from office by the
affirmative vote of a majority of the directors of the Company who have not
disqualified themselves because of a potential conflict of interest, at a
meeting at which the Executive is accorded an opportunity to speak. In such
case, the Executive’s employment under this Agreement shall terminate and the
Executive shall be removed from office effective when such vote is taken by the
Board or on such later date as may be specified by the Board.

 

(b)

For purposes of this Agreement, removal of the Executive from office in
accordance with subparagraph (a) shall be deemed to be for “Cause” as defined in
Section 1(f) only if the Company delivers to the Executive within a reasonable
time before the removal of the Executive from office a notice of termination for
Cause specifying in reasonable detail the conviction or plea, material failure,
misconduct and economic harm or breach by the Executive that is the basis for
termination and the Executive shall have failed prior to his removal to correct
the stated failure, misconduct and economic harm or breach in all material
respects. Short Term Disability shall not be a basis for removal of the
Executive from office.

 

(c)

Subject to Section 7(a), in the event:

 

 

(i)

the Company terminates the Executive’s employment under this Agreement pursuant
to Section 14(a) without Cause;

 

 

(ii)

(A) the Company breaches any of the covenants and agreements set forth in
Sections 2(b), 3(a), 4, 5, 6, 14(a), 15(a) or (c) or 20(c) in any material
respect and (B) the Executive tenders to the Company a letter of resignation
specifying such breach or election in reasonable detail and demanding Severance
Pay; or

 

 

(iii)

(A) a person other than the Executive is elected Chairman or Cochairman of the
Board without the affirmative vote or written consent of the Executive and (B)
the Executive tenders to the Company a letter of resignation specifying such
reason and demanding Severance Pay (any termination or resignation under the
circumstances referred to in clauses (i) through (iii) above being referred to
as “Termination Without Cause” whether or not Cause shall exist);

 

 

then the Company shall pay the Executive an amount equal to the product of three
times the sum of (A) the annual Base Salary at the rate payable immediately
prior to termination, plus (B) the Incentive Compensation Participation, plus
(C) $20,000 (“Severance Pay”). For example, on the date first set forth above,
Severance Pay is $3,712,459. No demand or other notice from the Executive with
respect to Severance Pay shall be necessary except in connection with clauses
(ii) and (iii) of the penultimate sentence. Anything in clause (ii) above to the
contrary notwithstanding, the Executive shall not be entitled to Severance Pay,
and the Company shall have no obligation to pay Severance Pay, if:

 

 

(i)

within 15 days after the delivery of a letter of resignation (the “Cure
Period”), the Company shall cure the Company’s breach specified in the letter of
resignation in all material respects (or shall begin in good faith to cure a
breach of a nature that requires more than 15 days to cure in all material
respects) and shall deliver to the Executive a notice to that effect;

 

 

(ii)

the Board of Directors shall approve a resolution during the Cure Period
requesting the Executive to withdraw his letter of resignation; and

 

 

(iii)

the Company shall deliver or send to the Executive during the Cure Period in
accordance with Section 21 a certified copy of the Board resolution referred to
in clause (ii) of this sentence and a written offer to reinstate the Executive
with full back pay and uninterrupted Group Benefits and other benefits under
this Agreement, including eligibility for a Performance Bonus.

 

(d)

Subject to Section 14(l), which Section shall control over this Section 14(d),
Severance Pay shall be remitted as follows:

 

 

(i)

pursuant to clause (i) of the first sentence of Section 14(c), within 15 days
following the termination of the Executive’s employment under this Agreement;

 

 

(ii)

pursuant to clause (ii) of the first sentence of Section 14(c), within 15 days
after the end of the Cure Period; or

 

 

(iii)

pursuant to clause (iii) of the first sentence of Section 14(c), within 15 days
after the effective date of the Executive’s resignation from employment.

 

Subject to Section 14(l), no grace period shall be allowed for remittance of
Severance Pay, time being of the essence.

 

 

(e)

In the event (i) a Change of Control occurs on a day at the beginning of which
the Executive is an employee of the Company, and (ii) the Executive within 10
business days after first receiving notice from the Company of the Change of
Control tenders a letter of resignation to the Company specifying such Change of
Control (whether or not the Executive shall be an employee of the Company during
the period between the end of the day preceding Change of Control and the tender
of such letter) and demanding Resignation Compensation, the Company shall pay
the Executive immediately after the resignation of the Executive under this
Section 14(e), but subject to Section 14(l) (which Section shall control over
this Section 14(e)), an amount equal to the product of three times the sum of
(A) the annual Base Salary at the rate payable immediately prior to resignation,
plus (B) $20,000 (“Resignation Compensation”). For example, on the date first
set forth above, Resignation Compensation is $2,342,787. Subject to Section
14(l), no grace period shall be allowed for remittance of Resignation
Compensation, time being of the essence. Notice of Change of Control shall be
given to the Executive by the Company pursuant to Section 21, provided, however,
that the Executive, in his discretion, may accept as notice filing with the SEC
of reports setting forth facts that, taken together, constitute Change of
Control.

 

(f)

In the event of Termination Without Cause in accordance with Section 14(c) or
resignation by the Executive in accordance with Section 14(e):

 

 

(i)

the Executive shall be under no obligation to seek other employment and there
shall be no offset against any amounts due the Executive under this Agreement on
account of any remuneration attributable to any subsequent employment that the
Executive may obtain (Severance Pay or Resignation Compensation is in the nature
of liquidated damages and not in the nature of a penalty); and

 

 

(ii)

even though no longer in the Company’s employ, the Executive shall be entitled
to the following benefits and additional payments:

 

 

(A)

any Base Salary accrued or Performance Bonus vested but not yet paid;

 

 

(B)

a pro rata Performance Bonus for the season in which employment is terminated
determined and payable on the basis of the number of days worked during the
season and the bonus percentage established for the season;

 

 

(C)

any accrued vacation pay;

 

 

 

(D)

reimbursement for expenses incurred, but not paid prior to such termination of
employment;

 

 

 

(E)

continuation of the Individual Life Policy, at the Company’s expense, through
the fourth anniversary of the Executive’s termination of employment; provided
that (x) in the event that any portion of this benefit is provided via
reimbursement to the Executive, any such reimbursement will be made no later
than the end of the year following the year in which the underlying expense is
incurred, (y) the amount of any expenses reimbursed or benefits provided under
this clause (E) in any one year will not affect the amount of expenses
reimbursed or benefits provided in any other year, and (z) at no time will the
Executive’s right to reimbursements or benefits under this clause (E) be subject
to liquidation or exchange for any other benefit; notwithstanding the foregoing,
the maximum benefit or reimbursement provided to the Executive under this clause
(E) in any one calendar year will be equal to $64,000, with such amount
increased in accordance with clause (J) of this sentence;

 

 

(F)

(I) payment by the Company of health insurance premiums under COBRA for the
Executive and his dependents for the time period during which the Executive and
his dependents are eligible for continuing coverage under COBRA, and (II) from
the expiration of such time period through the fourth anniversary of the
Executive’s termination of employment with the Company, reimbursement directly
by the Company of healthcare expenses of the Executive and his dependents, which
expenses would otherwise be covered by the Company’s health insurance plan if
the Executive and his dependents continued to be covered under such plan;
provided that (x) any reimbursement under this clause (F) will be made no later
than the end of the year following the year in which the underlying expense is
incurred, (y) the amount of any expenses reimbursed or benefits provided under
this clause (F) in any one year will not affect the amount of expenses
reimbursed or benefits provided in any other year, except that the maximum
lifetime benefit limit then in effect under the Company’s health insurance plan
will continue to apply to this arrangement, and (z) at no time will the
Executive’s right to reimbursements or benefits under this clause (F) be subject
to liquidation or exchange for any other benefit. (For the avoidance of doubt,
this clause (F) does not include any continuation of the supplemental executive
preventative and wellness benefits.)

 

 

(G)

conversion of the Company’s group life insurance coverage on the Executive’s
life at the time of his employment termination into an individual policy, to be
maintained at the Company’s expense through the fourth anniversary of the
Executive’s termination of employment; provided that (x) in the event that any
portion of this benefit is provided via reimbursement to the Executive, any such
reimbursement will be made no later than the end of the year following the year
in which the underlying expense is incurred, (y) the amount of any expenses
reimbursed or benefits provided under this clause (G) in any one year will not
affect the amount of expenses reimbursed or benefits provided in any other year,
and (z) at no time will the Executive’s right to reimbursements or benefits
under this clause (G) be subject to liquidation or exchange for any other
benefit; notwithstanding the foregoing, the maximum benefit or reimbursement
provided to the Executive under this clause (G) in any one calendar year will be
equal to $74,000, with such amount increased in accordance with clause (J) of
this sentence;

 

 

(H)

with respect to the payments made to or on behalf of the Executive pursuant to
clauses (F) and (G) of this sentence in any calendar year, a separate payment to
the Executive in the following calendar year (but no later than April 14th of
such year) of an amount equal to the Tax on such payments made to or on behalf
of the Executive;

 

 

(I)

continued use of the Company Car, free of charge, through the third anniversary
of the Executive’s termination of employment; provided that (x) in the event
that any portion of this benefit is provided via reimbursement to the Executive,
any such reimbursement will be made no later than the end of the year following
the year in which the underlying expense is incurred, (y) the amount of any
expenses reimbursed or benefits provided under this clause (I) in any one year
will not affect the amount of expenses reimbursed or benefits provided in any
other year, and (z) at no time will the Executive’s right to reimbursements or
benefits under this clause (I) be subject to liquidation or exchange for any
other benefit; and

 

 

(J)

beginning on September 11, 2011, and on each anniversary thereof, the maximum
annual benefit for or reimbursement to the Executive under clauses (E) and (G)
of this sentence will be increased by a percentage equal to the increase, if
any, in the CPI during the year ending on the immediately preceding December
31st.

(g)

If the Company terminates the Executive’s employment hereunder for Cause, or in
the event the Executive resigns (except as provided in clauses (ii) and (iii) of
the first sentence of Section 14(c), or in 14(e)), the Executive shall be
entitled to:

 

 

(i)

any Base Salary accrued and any Performance Bonus vested but not paid;

 

 

(ii)

any accrued vacation pay;

 

 

(iii)

reimbursement for expenses incurred, but not yet paid prior to such termination
of employment; and

 

 

(iv)

any other compensation and benefits that accrued prior to termination of
employment as may be provided in accordance with the terms and provisions of the
Group Benefits.

 

(h)

In the event the Company removes the Executive from office, and terminates the
Executive’s employment under this Agreement, or in the event the Executive
resigns, the Executive shall continue to have the obligations provided for in
Section 11 hereof. The provisions of this Section 14 shall survive the
termination of the Executive’s employment hereunder, irrespective of the reason
therefor.

 

(i)

The Executive shall accept the payments referred to in this Section 14 as
liquidated damages in full discharge and release of the Company of and from any
further payment obligations under this Agreement except obligations under
Sections 15 and 16.

 

(j)

For the avoidance of doubt, the term “Base Salary” for purposes of Section 14(c)
and 14(e) shall include both the base salary actually drawn or deferred by the
Executive and any additional amount of base salary that he may have been
entitled to draw or defer pursuant to the terms of this Agreement but that he
shall not have drawn or deferred in fact. For example, as of the date first set
forth above, Base Salary shall be deemed to be $760,929 even though less is
being drawn or deferred by the Executive.

 

(k)

Every payment made hereunder by authority of the Executive Committee of the
Board or of the Board itself shall be final and the Company shall not seek to
recover all or any part of such payment from the Executive or from whomsoever
may be entitled thereto, for any reasons whatsoever other than the Executive’s
breach in any material respect of the provisions of Section 11.

 

 

 

(l)

To the extent that any amount payable or benefit to be provided under this
Agreement constitutes an amount payable or benefit to be provided under a
“nonqualified deferred compensation plan” (as defined in Section 409A of the
Internal Revenue Code) following a “separation from service” (as defined in
Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code), including any amount payable or
benefit to be provided under Sections 14(c), 14(e) or 14(f), then,
notwithstanding any other provision in this Agreement to the contrary, such
payment or benefit provision will not be made to the Executive until the date
that is six months following the Executive’s “separation from service,” but only
if the Executive is deemed to be a “specified employee” under Section 409A of
the Internal Revenue Code at the time of the Executive’s separation from
service.

 

During such six-month delay, in lieu of paying a delayed amount to the
Executive, the Company will deposit such amount into a grantor trust (generally
referred to as a “rabbi trust”) for the benefit of the Executive, with a
nationally-recognized bank whose principal offices are located in New York City
to act as trustee. Such delayed amounts will be deposited into the trust by the
Company as soon as practicable following the last date by which such amount
could be timely paid to the Executive under this Agreement but for the six-month
delay required by this Section 14(l). The terms of the trust will provide that
(i) amounts deposited in the trust will be invested in an appropriate manner in
view of the trust’s purpose and duration and (ii) any amounts held in the trust
will be payable to the Executive in a lump-sum on the six-month anniversary of
his “separation from service” (or, if earlier, to the Executive’s estate in the
event of his death).

 

15.

Indemnification.

 

(a)

The Company shall indemnify the Executive as provided in the By-laws.

 

(b)

In the event of payment of indemnities under this Agreement, the Company shall
be subrogated to the extent of such payment to all of the rights of recovery of
the Executive.

 

(c)

The Company shall use reasonable efforts to continue the existing directors’ and
officers’ liability policies covering the Executive for $20 million and to
maintain the policies during the Contract Term and for three years thereafter.

 

 

 

 

 

(d)

If the federal excise tax pursuant to Section 280G of the Code or any successor
provision on “golden parachute” payments applies to the payments made pursuant
to this Agreement, to any acceleration of vesting of Options or to any other
benefit or distribution to the Executive from the Company, the Company shall
immediately pay the Executive, but in no event later than the end of the year
following the year in which the Executive pays the excise tax, an amount equal
to the excise tax incurred plus (i) an amount equal to the Tax with respect to
the amount of the excise tax, plus (ii) an amount equal to the federal excise
tax on “golden parachute” payments with respect to the payment, if any, made
pursuant to clause (i) of this sentence plus (iii) an amount equal to the Tax
with respect to the payment made pursuant to clause (ii) of this sentence and
continuing sequentially until the amount of federal excise tax on “golden
parachute” payments unreimbursed by the Company shall be less than 1% of Base
Salary. The amount of the payments due from the Company pursuant to this Section
15(d) may be determined in writing by a certified public accountant (“CPA”)
selected by the Executive, provided, however, that the CPA selected by the
Executive shall, upon the Company’s request, consult with another CPA selected
by the Company. Such determination by the CPA selected by the Executive after
such consultation, if so requested, shall be conclusive and binding on the
Company except for manifest error.

 

(e)

The provisions of this Section 15 shall survive the termination of the
Executive’s employment hereunder, irrespective of the reason therefor.

 

16.

Enforcement; Interest.

 

(a)

If any amount owing to the Executive under this Agreement is not paid by the
Company, or on its behalf, within 15 days after a written demand, claim or
request for payment has been delivered or sent to the Company, time being of the
essence, the Executive may at any time thereafter bring suit against the Company
to recover the unpaid amount and interest thereon and, if successful in whole or
in part, the Executive shall be entitled to be reimbursed for reasonable
attorneys’ fees and expenses (including disbursements and court costs) incurred
by him in prosecuting such suit, subject to the following conditions:

 

 

(i)

only fees and expenses incurred during the Executive’s employment under this
Agreement and during the five-year period immediately thereafter will be
eligible for reimbursement;

 

 

(ii)

the amount of fees and expenses reimbursed in any one year will not affect the
amount of fees and expenses reimbursed in any other year;

 

 

 

(iii)

the reimbursement of any fee or expense may be made no later than the end of the
year following the year in which the fee or expense is incurred; and

 

 

(iv)

the right to reimbursement under this Section 16(a) is not subject to
liquidation or exchange for any other benefit.

 

Interest shall be payable from the date any amount is first due and payable to
the Executive at a rate equal to the prime rate published from time to time by
J.P. Morgan Chase Bank, but in no event at a rate higher than the maximum rate
then permitted by law.

 

(b)

The provisions of this Section 16 shall survive the termination of the
Executive’s employment hereunder, irrespective of the reason therefor.

 

17.

Entire Agreement; Legal Representation.

 

(a)

This Agreement, the By-laws, the equity-based compensation award agreements
between the Company and the Executive and the provisions of the Group Benefits
embody the entire agreement of the parties with respect to the Executive’s
employment and shall be interpreted in accordance with the past practice of the
parties. This Agreement may not be changed or terminated orally but only by an
agreement in writing signed by the parties hereto. No Company policy adopted
after the date first set forth above shall change this Agreement, even if
approved as a policy by the Executive. This Agreement amends the Prior Agreement
and cancels and supersedes any and all other prior agreements and understandings
between the parties hereto respecting the employment of the Executive by the
Company and/or its subsidiaries or any Affiliated Company and the payment of
compensation.

 

(b)

Each party has been represented by counsel, or has been afforded the opportunity
to be so represented, in the preparation of this Agreement. This Agreement shall
not be deemed to have been drafted by either party.

 

18.       Waiver. The waiver by the Company of a breach of any provision of this
Agreement by the Executive shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any
subsequent breach by him. The waiver by the Executive of a breach of any
provision of this Agreement by the Company shall not operate or be construed as
a waiver of any subsequent breach by the Company.

 

19.       Governing Law. This Agreement shall be subject to, and governed by,
the laws of the State of New Jersey.

 

 

20.

Assignability.

 

(a)

The obligations of the Executive may not be delegated and, except as to the
designation of beneficiaries of insurance and similar benefits, the Executive
may not, without the Company’s written consent thereto, assign, transfer,
convey, pledge, encumber, hypothecate or otherwise dispose of this Agreement or
any interest herein. Any such attempted delegation or disposition shall be null
and void ab initio and without effect.

 

(b)

This Agreement and all of the Company’s rights and obligations hereunder may be
assigned or transferred by the Company to, and shall be binding upon and inure
to the benefit of, any subsidiary of the Company or any Successor to the
Company, but any such assignment shall not relieve the assigning party of any of
its obligations hereunder. Except as provided in this Section 20(b), this
Agreement may not otherwise be assigned by the Company. (The term “Successor”
shall mean, with respect to the Company or any of its subsidiaries, any
corporation or other business entity which, by merger, consolidation, purchase
of the assets, or otherwise, acquires all or substantially all of the assets of
the Company or such subsidiary.)

 

(c)

The Company shall obtain the agreement of any Successor that the Successor shall
assume and be bound by the terms of this Agreement prior to the effectiveness of
any such succession. Failure of the Company to obtain the agreement of any
Successor to assume and be bound by the terms of this Agreement prior to the
effectiveness of any such succession shall be a breach of this Agreement.

 

21.       Notices. All notices, requests, demands and other communications
hereunder shall (i) be in writing, (ii) shall be delivered personally or sent by
registered mail to the other party hereto at his or its address as set forth at
the beginning of this Agreement and, in the case of the Company, addressed to
the attention of its Secretary and (iii) if mailed, be effective on the date
stamped on the postage receipt of the post office. A copy of each notice,
request, demand, and other communication to the Company hereunder shall be sent
by first class mail to the Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of
Directors, in care of its counsel, Edward P. Smith, Esq., Chadbourne & Parke
LLP, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, New York 10112. Either party may change the
address to which notices, requests, demands and other communications hereunder
shall be sent by sending written notice of such change of address to the other
party.

 

22.       Severability. If any provision of this Agreement as applied to either
party or to any circumstances shall be adjudged by a court of competent
jurisdiction to be void or unenforceable, the same shall in no way affect any
other provision of this Agreement or the validity or enforceability of this
Agreement.

23.       Section Headings. The section headings contained in this Agreement are
for reference purposes only and shall not affect in any way the meaning or
interpretation of this Agreement.

 

24.       Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more
counterparts, which shall, collectively and separately, constitute one
agreement.

 

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have duly executed this Agreement in
Rochelle Park, New Jersey, in duplicate originals on July 13, 2007, in the case
of the Company by an officer thereunto duly authorized.

 

UNITED RETAIL GROUP, INC.

 

 

By:

/s/GEORGE R. REMETA

Name: George R. Remeta

Title: Chief Administrative Officer

 

/s/RAPHAEL BENAROYA

Raphael Benaroya