<PAGE>

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                                 UNITED STATES

                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549
                            ------------------------

                                   FORM 10-K

     (MARK ONE)
       [X] ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
         OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005 OR

       [ ] TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d)
         OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM           TO

                            ------------------------

COMMISSION FILE NUMBER 2-20910
                               TRUE VALUE COMPANY
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

<Table>
<S>                                                         <C>
                      DELAWARE                                                   36-2099896
           (State or other jurisdiction of                                    (I.R.S. Employer
           incorporation or organization)                                    Identification No.)
</Table>

<Table>
<S>                                                          <C>
       8600 WEST BRYN MAWR AVENUE, CHICAGO, ILLINOIS                   60631-3505
          (Address of principal executive offices)                     (Zip Code)
</Table>

Registrant's telephone number, including area code:       (773) 695-5000

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act: NONE

Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act: NONE

     INDICATE BY CHECK MARK IF THE REGISTRANT IS A WELL-KNOWN SEASONED ISSUER,
AS DEFINED IN RULE 405 OF THE SECURITIES ACT.       YES __.  NO X.

     INDICATE BY CHECK MARK IF THE REGISTRANT IS NOT REQUIRED TO FILE REPORTS
PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR SECTION 15(D) OF THE ACT.       YES X.  NO__.

     INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT (1) HAS FILED ALL REPORTS
REQUIRED TO BE FILED BY SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF
1934 DURING THE PRECEDING 12 MONTHS (OR FOR SUCH SHORTER PERIOD THAT THE
REGISTRANT WAS REQUIRED TO FILE SUCH REPORTS), AND (2) HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO SUCH
FILING REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PAST 90 DAYS.       YES X.  NO__.

     INDICATE BY CHECK MARK IF DISCLOSURE OF DELINQUENT FILERS PURSUANT TO ITEM
405 OF REGULATION S-K (SEC.229.405 OF THIS CHAPTER) IS NOT CONTAINED HEREIN, AND
WILL NOT BE CONTAINED, TO THE BEST OF REGISTRANT'S KNOWLEDGE, IN DEFINITIVE
PROXY OR INFORMATION STATEMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE IN PART III OF THIS
FORM 10-K OR ANY AMENDMENT TO THIS FORM 10-K.       [X]

     INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT IS A LARGE ACCELERATED FILER,
AN ACCELERATED FILER, OR A NON-ACCELERATED FILER. SEE DEFINITION OF "ACCELERATED
FILER AND LARGE ACCELERATED FILER" IN RULE 12b-2 OF THE EXCHANGE ACT. (CHECK
ONE): LARGE ACCELERATED FILER __ ACCELERATED FILER __ NON-ACCELERATED FILER [X]

     INDICATE BY CHECK MARK WHETHER THE REGISTRANT IS A SHELL COMPANY (AS
DEFINED IN RULE 12b-2 OF THE ACT).       YES __.  NO X.

     STATE THE AGGREGATE MARKET VALUE OF THE VOTING AND NON-VOTING COMMON EQUITY
HELD BY NON-AFFILIATES COMPUTED BY REFERENCE TO THE PRICE AT WHICH THE COMMON
EQUITY WAS LAST SOLD, OR THE AVERAGE BID AND ASKED PRICE OF SUCH COMMON EQUITY,
AS OF THE LAST BUSINESS DAY OF THE REGISTRANT'S MOST RECENTLY COMPLETED SECOND
FISCAL QUARTER.

     There is no public market for registrant's Class A and Class B common
stock. The registrant's Class A common stock is offered by the registrant in
units of 60 shares each, exclusively to retailers of hardware and related
merchandise, in connection with their becoming members of the registrant. The
Class B common stock is issued as part of the patronage dividend to members of
the registrant. The terms of the Class A and Class B common stock limit its
transferability. The Class B common stock has no voting rights.

     INDICATE THE NUMBER OF SHARES OUTSTANDING OF EACH OF THE REGISTRANT'S
CLASSES OF COMMON STOCK, AS OF THE LATEST PRACTICABLE DATE.

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                        Outstanding at
                                                       January 28, 2006
Class                                                  ----------------
<S>                                                    <C>
Class A common stock, $100 Par Value................         313,860
Class B common stock, $100 Par Value................       1,148,613
</Table>

                      DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE
                                     None.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
<PAGE>

                               TABLE OF CONTENTS

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                            PAGE
<S>           <C>                                                           <C>
PART I
Item 1.       Business....................................................    1
Item 1A.      Risk Factors................................................   10
Item 2.       Properties..................................................   11
Item 3.       Legal Proceedings...........................................   13
Item 4.       Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders.........   14
PART II
Item 5.       Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder
              Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities...........   14
Item 6.       Selected Financial Data.....................................   16
Item 7.       Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition
              and Results of Operation....................................   17
Item 7A.      Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market
              Risk........................................................   33
Item 8.       Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.................   33
Item 9.       Changes In and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting
              and Financial Disclosure....................................   33
Item 9A.      Controls and Procedures.....................................   33
Item 9B.      Other Information...........................................   33
PART III
Item 10.      Directors and Executive Officers of the Registrant..........   34
Item 11.      Executive Compensation......................................   37
Item 12.      Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and
              Management and Related Stockholder Matters..................   44
Item 13.      Certain Relationships and Related Transactions..............   44
Item 14.      Principal Accounting Fees and Services......................   44
PART IV
Item 15.      Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules.....................   45
</Table>
<PAGE>

                                     PART I

     THIS ANNUAL REPORT AND THE DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED HEREIN BY REFERENCE
CONTAIN FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS THAT ARE BASED ON MANAGEMENT'S EXPECTATIONS,
ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONS. THE FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS ARE MADE PURSUANT TO
THE SAFE HARBOR PROVISIONS OF THE PRIVATE SECURITIES LITIGATION REFORM ACT OF
1995. THESE STATEMENTS ARE NOT GUARANTEES OF FUTURE PERFORMANCE AND INVOLVE
CERTAIN RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES THAT ARE DIFFICULT TO PREDICT. THEREFORE, ACTUAL
FUTURE RESULTS AND TRENDS MAY DIFFER MATERIALLY FROM WHAT WE FORECAST DUE TO A
VARIETY OF FACTORS, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, OUR ASSUMPTIONS ABOUT
FINANCING REQUIREMENTS AND TERMS, INTEREST RATE FUNCTIONS, SALES GROWTH, CAPITAL
REQUIREMENTS OF TRUE VALUE COMPANY AND TRENDS IN OUR INDUSTRY.

ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
($ IN THOUSANDS -- EXCEPT PER SHARE INFORMATION)

THE COMPANY

     True Value Company ("True Value") was organized as Cotter & Company, a
Delaware corporation, in 1953. Upon its organization, it succeeded to the
business of Cotter & Company, an Illinois corporation organized in 1948. On July
1, 1997, Cotter & Company merged with ServiStar Coast to Coast Corporation
("SCC"). SCC was a hardware wholesaler incorporated in 1935, under the name
American Hardware Supply Company, with a strong presence in retail lumber and
building materials. Following the merger, Cotter & Company was renamed TruServ
Corporation. Effective December 31, 2004, TruServ Corporation changed its name
to True Value Company. True Value's main executive offices are located at 8600
West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Chicago, Illinois 60631-3505. Its main telephone number
is (773) 695-5000. Its web page address is www.truevaluecompany.com.

     In 2001, True Value sold its ownership interest in TruServ Canada
Cooperative, Inc. (the "Canadian Business") and related real estate interests in
Winnipeg, Manitoba to the current member group of the cooperative. The proceeds
received enabled True Value to recover its capital investment in the Canadian
Business as well as the appraised value of the real estate and to retire all
indebtedness related to Canadian activities. True Value has a licensing
agreement with the Canadian Business to enable it and its members to continue to
do business under the principal True Value trademarks. In addition, True Value
continues to provide True Value paints and supplies to the Canadian Business.

     On December 31, 2002, True Value completed a sale leaseback transaction of
seven of its distribution centers. The sale generated net proceeds of $121,438,
which were used to pay down the revolving credit facility, senior notes and
synthetic lease obligation (the "Senior Debt"), pursuant to an intercreditor
agreement between all parties of the Senior Debt. The facilities are being
leased back by True Value under 20-year lease agreements that contain extension
periods on the lease at True Value's option (see "Item 2, Properties - Sale
Leaseback Transaction").

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE BUSINESS

     True Value, organized as a cooperative, is one of the largest member-owned
wholesalers of hardware and related merchandise in the United States, serving
approximately 5,800 retail and industrial distribution outlets for its members
as of December 31, 2005. True Value also manufactures and sells paint and paint
applicators.

     True Value sells its products to hardware retailers, industrial
distributors, garden centers and rental stores with whom it has entered into
Retail Member Agreements. True Value serves its members by principally
functioning as a low cost distributor of goods, maximizing its volume purchasing
abilities primarily through vendor rebates and discount programs, for the
benefit of its members. These benefits are passed along to its members in the
form of lower prices and/or patronage dividends. True Value also provides to its
members value-added services such as marketing, advertising, merchandising, and
store location and design services.

     Generally, members use one of the following True Value trademarks and trade
names: True Value(R), Grand Rental Station(R), Taylor Rental(R), Party
Central(R), Home & Garden Showplace(R) and Induserve Supply(R) trademarks,
service marks and collective membership marks (see "Trademarks, Service Marks
and Collective

                                        1
<PAGE>

Membership Marks" below). Members have access to certain private label products.
When True Value generates annual profits, members are entitled to receive annual
patronage dividends based upon their purchases from True Value. In accordance
with True Value's By-Laws and the Retail Member Agreements, the annual patronage
dividend is paid to members out of the gross margins from operations and other
patronage source income, after deduction for expenses, reserves and other
provisions as may be authorized by the board of directors (see "Distribution of
Patronage Dividends" below).

     As of December 31, 2005, True Value serves approximately 5,800 retail and
industrial distribution outlets for its members throughout the United States and
in 57 other countries. Primary concentrations of members exist in New York
(approximately 9%), Pennsylvania (approximately 7%), California (approximately
6%), Texas (approximately 5%), Illinois, Michigan, Minnesota and Wisconsin
(approximately 4% each) and Massachusetts, New Jersey, Ohio, and Washington
(approximately 3% each).

SALES AND SUPPLIERS

     True Value provides each of its members with an illustrated price catalog
showing the products available from True Value, which the members can access
through the member Internet site. Upon request, a member will also receive a
printed or CD version of the catalog. These products, comprised of more than
66,000 stockkeeping units ("SKUs") maintained at True Value's distribution
centers, are divided into seven categories of merchandise. In addition to
purchasing products, which are maintained at the distribution centers, members
can purchase additional SKUs directly from True Value-approved vendors and have
those purchases drop-shipped directly to them, but have the product billed
through True Value. Collectively, these products represent the products sold by
True Value's two operating segments (see Note 10, "Segment Information," to the
Consolidated Financial Statements beginning at page F-1 for additional segment
information).

     The seven product categories are set forth in the following table, along
with the corresponding dollars of total revenue for each category during the
last three years:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                         FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                       ------------------------------------
                                          2005         2004         2003
                                       ----------   ----------   ----------
                                                 ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                    <C>          <C>          <C>
Hardware goods.......................  $  510,241   $  495,029   $  485,374
Farm and garden......................     434,871      430,840      429,161
Electrical and plumbing..............     356,290      350,685      353,332
Painting and cleaning................     323,910      320,320      312,834
Appliances and housewares............     214,446      218,489      228,929
Sporting goods and toys..............      93,496      102,817      107,862
Other................................     109,780      105,707      106,848
                                       ----------   ----------   ----------
                                       $2,043,034   $2,023,887   $2,024,340
                                       ==========   ==========   ==========
</Table>

     True Value's merchandise sales to its members are divided into three
logistics categories as follows:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                        2005   2004   2003
                                                        ----   ----   ----
<S>                                                     <C>    <C>    <C>
Warehouse shipment sales..............................  67%    66%    65%
Direct shipment sales.................................  30%    31%    31%
Relay shipment sales..................................   3%     3%     4%
</Table>

     Warehouse shipment sales are sales of products that are purchased,
warehoused and resold by True Value in response to orders from the members.
Direct shipment sales are sales of products that are purchased through True
Value by the members, but delivered directly to members from vendors and on
which True

                                        2
<PAGE>

Value accepts the credit risk. Relay sales are sales of products that are
purchased through True Value in response to the requests of several members for
a product that typically is:

     - to be included in future promotions,

     - seasonal in nature,

     - not normally held in inventory, or

     - not conducive to direct shipment.

     Generally, True Value will give notice to all members of its intention to
purchase products for relay shipment and will then purchase only as many items
as the members order. When the product shipment arrives at True Value, it is not
warehoused; rather, True Value breaks up the shipment and "relays" the
appropriate quantities to the members who placed orders.

     True Value has numerous individual agreements with or commitments from its
vendors, most of which are terminable by the vendors or True Value without
cause. These termination provisions, either individually or in the aggregate,
have not had any material adverse effect on True Value's ability to conduct its
business. The goods and services purchased by True Value from these suppliers
are generally available from a wide variety of sources. True Value is not
dependent upon any one supplier or group of suppliers.

     True Value also manufactures and sells paint and paint applicators. The
principal raw materials used by True Value in its paint manufacturing activities
are chemicals. All raw materials are purchased from outside sources. In the
past, True Value has been able to obtain adequate sources of raw materials and
other items used in production. True Value does not currently anticipate
shortages of materials that would materially impact its paint manufacturing
operations.

OTHER SERVICES

     True Value annually sponsors two principal "markets" and a separate rental
market all funded primarily by vendors through booth fees, at which it features
the products available for purchase by members, including new merchandise and
seasonal items. In addition, the markets permit members and prospective members
to keep better informed as to industry trends, attend continuing education
classes and network with other members. In 2006, one of the principal markets
will be held in Houston, Texas, in March and the other will be held in Las
Vegas, Nevada, in September. As the markets generate income and stimulate member
purchases, the timing of markets impacts the timing of sales and income
recognition for True Value. All members are invited to the markets and attending
members generally place substantial orders for delivery of merchandise during
the period between markets.

BACKLOG

     As of January 28, 2006 and January 29, 2005, respectively, True Value had a
backlog of firm orders (including relay orders) of approximately $27,133 and
$34,383. True Value's backlog at any given time is made up of two principal
components:

     - normal re-supply orders, and

     - market orders for future delivery.

     Normal re-supply orders are orders from members for merchandise to keep
store inventories at normal levels. Generally, such orders are filled the day
following receipt, except that relay orders for future delivery are not intended
to be filled for several months. Market orders for future delivery are member
orders placed at True Value's markets for new or seasonal merchandise to be
delivered during the subsequent period between markets. Thus, True Value
generally has a relatively high backlog at the end of each market, which
decreases in subsequent months until the next market occurs.

     The decrease in the 2006 backlog compared to 2005 was primarily in the
relay sales category and was mainly due to the timing of seasonal products.

                                        3
<PAGE>

COMPETITION

     The retail hardware industry is characterized by intense competition.
Independent retail hardware businesses, including those served by True Value,
face intense competition from chain stores, discount stores, home centers and
warehouse operations such as Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Menards, Sears and Lowe's.
Increased operating expenses for the retail stores, including increased costs
due to longer store hours and higher retail occupancy costs, have cut into
operating margins for members and brought pressure on True Value to achieve
lower merchandise costs for its members. In 2004, under new leadership in the
merchandising function, True Value initiated a multi-year process to perform
comprehensive vendor line reviews. The focus of these reviews is to improve
product assortments and enhance wholesale and retail pricing. These reviews will
continue to fund wholesale price reductions to the membership. In addition, True
Value is expanding its import program to source more products from lower cost
foreign manufacturers in order to enhance wholesale and retail pricing. Also,
True Value works with its members to drive profitability through operational
improvement programs such as AIM (advanced inventory management), which focuses
on assortments of fast turning products, as well as retail programs that focus
on areas such as pricing, merchandising, store design and signage.

     Competitive conditions in the wholesale hardware industry are similarly
intense and increasing, particularly as a result of the intense pressure on
hardware retailers to obtain low-cost wholesale supply sources for merchandise
acquisition. True Value competes with other member-owned and non-member-owned
wholesalers to be a source of supply and merchandising support for independent
retailers. Competitive factors considered by independent retailers in choosing a
source of supply include pricing, servicing capabilities, promotional support,
merchandise selection, quality and patronage dividends. True Value is
concentrating on its supply channel strategies and practices for gaining
sustainable competitive advantage. In many markets in the United States, True
Value competes directly with other member-owned wholesalers such as Ace Hardware
Corporation and Do-it-Best Corporation, as well as independently owned
wholesalers.

TRADEMARKS, SERVICE MARKS AND COLLECTIVE MEMBERSHIP MARKS

     True Value's trademarks, service marks and collective membership marks are
of prime importance to True Value. Many of the marks are highly recognized and
utilized in extensive advertising and marketing campaigns, and True Value
vigorously defends its marks. As of December 31, 2005, True Value's members have
approximately 5,800 retail and industrial distribution outlets that operate
predominantly as hardware retail stores, industrial distributors, garden centers
and rental stores throughout the United States and in 57 countries, most of
which sell merchandise and services under the marks.

     The marks include the True Value(R) marks, the ServiStar(R) mark, the Coast
to Coast(R) mark, the Induserve Supply(R) mark, the Party Central(R) mark, the
Grand Rental Station(R) mark, the Taylor Rental(R) mark, the Home & Garden
Showplace(R) mark, the Just Ask(R) mark and the Commercial Sales(R) mark. The
marks also include E-Z Kare(R), Weatherall(R) and Easy Color(R) for paint. All
of the marks are currently used in commerce and True Value intends to use the
marks in commerce in the future. Each of the marks is renewable at True Value's
option and True Value intends to renew them upon expiration. Members have
continued to conduct their businesses under the same retail banners as before
the merger of Cotter and SCC; however, beginning in the year 2000, many members
with the retail banners of Coast to Coast(R) and ServiStar(R) started to conduct
their business under the single retail banner of True Value(R).

EMPLOYEES

     As of December 31, 2005, True Value employed approximately 2,800 persons in
the United States on a full-time basis. Due to the widespread geographical
distribution of True Value's operations, employee relations are governed by the
practices prevailing in the particular area where the employees are located and
are generally implemented locally. Approximately 35% of True Value's 2,100
hourly-wage employees are covered by collective bargaining agreements that are
generally effective for periods of three or four years. In general, True Value
considers its relationship with its employees to be good.

                                        4
<PAGE>

RETAIL MEMBER AGREEMENT

     The True Value Retail Member Agreement provides, among other things, that
each member:

     - will be required to purchase 60 shares of Class A common stock at a
       purchase price of $100 per share for each store owned by the member, up
       to a maximum of 300 shares for five or more stores that are owned by a
       member;

     - will conduct its businesses subject to the terms of the Retail Member
       Agreement;

     - will conduct a retail hardware store, home or garden center, a
       commercial/industrial distribution business or a full-service rental
       operation at a designated location;

     - will comply with True Value's By-Laws, as may be amended from time to
       time;

     - will accept patronage dividends in a form complying with the requirements
       of the Internal Revenue Code (the "Code") for deduction from gross income
       by True Value;

     - may receive different services, charges or freight rates based upon the
       amount of merchandise purchased by the member;

     - agrees to have its Retail Member Agreement terminated unilaterally in
       certain circumstances by the affirmative vote or two-thirds or more of
       the directors of True Value;

     - agrees to have its Retail Member Agreement automatically modified upon
       notice from True Value to the member of any relevant change in the
       Certificate of Incorporation and/or By-Laws of True Value, or by
       resolution of the board of directors;

     - agrees to utilize True Value as its primary supplier for the types of
       merchandise offered by True Value;

     - agrees to pay, in full on the date due, all invoices to True Value and to
       accept a service charge on past due balances;

     - agrees that True Value has not granted any exclusive territorial or
       geographical rights to the member;

     - agrees to have its Retail Member Agreement governed by Illinois law,
       enforced only in courts located in Cook County, Illinois or any Illinois
       county contiguous to Cook County, and only interpreted in accordance with
       the substantive laws of Illinois without giving effect to its conflict of
       laws principles; and

     - may terminate the Retail Member Agreement upon 60 days written notice
       mailed to the Chief Executive Officer or Treasurer of True Value at True
       Value's principal office.

CAPITAL STOCK

     Members of True Value own shares of Class A and Class B common stock. Each
of the two classes of stock has a par value of $100 per share. The Class A
common stock is sold in units of 60 shares. Each True Value member is required
to purchase one unit of Class A common stock for each store owned; however, no
True Value member is permitted to acquire more than five units of Class A common
stock. The Class B common stock is issued only to members in connection with the
patronage dividend distributed to them for purchases in the year of the
patronage dividend, as discussed below (see "Distribution of Patronage
Dividends" below).

     Neither class of True Value common stock accrues dividends and each has
limited transferability. True Value has a right of first offer to repurchase at
par value a member's stock before the member can offer the stock to another
member. Historically, True Value has always exercised this right. In any event,
a member may not transfer stock to anyone without True Value's consent. True
Value also retains an automatic lien on both classes of stock for any
indebtedness due to True Value by a member. Therefore, there is no existing
market for either class of True Value common stock.

                                        5
<PAGE>

     Participation in the earnings or losses of a cooperative is based on member
patronage purchasing and reflected by the payment of patronage dividends. In
general, these patronage dividends are based on a member's purchasing volume and
margins applicable to merchandise purchased by the member, less any expenses
related to such business and less certain cooperative reserves. Patronage
dividends are determined on a yearly basis for purchasing activity conducted for
that year and are paid no later than September 15th of the following year. True
Value pays patronage dividends in a combination of cash, Class B common stock,
and occasionally subordinated promissory notes. True Value paid patronage
dividends for the past three years and paid a dividend for 2005 results in March
2006. The 2005 dividend was issued in a combination of cash, Class B common
stock and subordinated promissory notes. The Class B common stock earned from
patronage dividends was used to reduce the loss allocation account (for members
who have such an account). See "Loss Allocation to Members and Accumulated
Deficit" below.

     In order to avoid the administrative inconvenience and expense of issuing
separate certificates representing shares of Class A and Class B common stock to
each member, True Value deposits a certificate, representing all the shares of
Class A and Class B common stock then being issued, with Harris Trust and
Savings Bank, Chicago, Illinois, for safekeeping for and on behalf of its
members. True Value keeps the allocations of Class A and Class B common stock in
book entry form. True Value notifies each member of these deposits and the
allocation thereof to the member.

CAPITAL STOCK REDEMPTION

     In accordance with True Value's By-Laws, True Value redeems former members'
equity investments in Class A common stock and Redeemable nonqualified Class B
common stock in cash at the time of redemption and equity investments of
Redeemable qualified Class B common stock are paid with a subordinated
promissory installment note. The subordinated promissory installment notes are
payable in five equal annual installments and pay interest annually at a fixed
rate. The interest rate on subordinated promissory installment notes created
during the year is determined annually on the first business day of the year
based on the five-year U.S. Treasury bill rate plus 1.0%. For notes issued in
2005, the rate was 4.64% and for notes issued in 2006, the rate is 5.30%. In
accordance with True Value's By-Laws, True Value first reduces its aggregate
stock redemption obligation payable in both cash or subordinated promissory
installment note by its right to legally offset any amounts the former members
may owe True Value, including accounts and notes receivable, loss allocations
and/or accumulated deficit.

     Effective July 6, 2004, the board of directors rescinded True Value's
moratorium on stock redemptions that had been effective since March 2000. In
accordance with the Stipulation of Settlement related to the "Derivative Action"
(an action brought by a former True Value member against certain present and
former directors, certain former officers of True Value and against True Value),
upon rescinding the moratorium, True Value reduced loss allocation accounts of
the parties to the Stipulation of Settlement by approximately $5,000 on a
pro-rata basis (see "Loss Allocation to Members and Accumulated Deficit" below).
Since the rescinding of the moratorium, True Value satisfied $7,779 of stock
redemption liability in cash and $26,351 by issuing subordinated promissory
installment notes in 2004. In 2005, True Value paid $1,738 of stock redemption
liability in cash and $5,506 by issuing subordinated promissory installment
notes. Principal payments on subordinated promissory installment notes are paid
on December 31st of each year and totaled $6,295 and $5,241 in 2005 and 2004,
respectively. True Value had shareholders that, at year end, had discontinued
their purchasing activities with True Value and requested that their stock be
redeemed but had not completed the redemption procedures, resulting in a stock
redemption liability of $2,200 and $4,886 in 2005 and 2004, respectively. True
Value classified this liability in its Consolidated Balance Sheet under the

                                        6
<PAGE>

captions as shown in the following table, based on management's estimates of the
time needed to complete the redemption procedures.

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                               2005      2004
                                                              -------   -------
                                                              ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>       <C>
Current maturities of long-term debt, notes and capital
  lease obligations.........................................  $  810    $1,718
Long-term debt including notes and capital lease
  obligations, less current maturities......................   1,390     2,476
Other long-term liabilities.................................      --       692
                                                              ------    ------
Total stock redemption liability............................  $2,200    $4,886
                                                              ======    ======
</Table>

DISTRIBUTION OF PATRONAGE DIVIDENDS

     True Value operates on a cooperative basis with respect to business
transacted with or for members. All members are entitled to receive patronage
dividend distributions from True Value, calculated on a pro-rata basis of gross
margins on merchandise purchased by each member. In accordance with True Value's
By-Laws and Retail Member Agreement, the annual patronage dividend, as
authorized by the board of directors, is paid to members out of patronage source
income, less certain deductions, calculated as provided in the following
sentence. The total patronage dividend paid to members is based on pre-tax net
margins calculated in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted
in the United States of America after reducing or increasing net margins for
non-member income/(losses), reasonable reserves and deferred patronage
amortization. Commencing with the 2004 patronage dividend that was paid in 2005,
the board of directors has authorized retaining 5% of net patronage source
income, as a reasonable reserve, to reduce the accumulated deficit account. The
total dividend is allocated to each purchase category, with the main purchase
categories being warehouse, relay, direct shipment and paint. Once the patronage
dividend is allocated to the purchase categories, it is distributed to members
based on the relative gross margin participation of the member for each type of
purchase category.

     Patronage dividends have historically been paid to members within 90 days
after the close of True Value's fiscal year; however, the Code permits
distribution of patronage dividends as late as the 15th day of the ninth month
after the close of True Value's fiscal year. True Value distributed the
patronage dividend for 2005 in March 2006.

     True Value's By-Laws provide for the payment of annual patronage dividends,
after payment of at least 20% of such patronage dividends in cash, in "qualified
written notices of allocation" including Class B common stock based on its par
value, subordinated promissory notes, or other property. The board of directors
reserves the right to make payments in cash in unusual circumstances of
individual hardship.

     Subordinated promissory notes are customarily issued for up to a five-year
term and bear interest at a fixed rate until maturity. The rate and term of the
notes are determined at issuance. For the 2005 dividend paid in 2006, notes were
issued with a 7% interest rate and a five-year term. For the 2004 dividend paid
in 2005, notes were issued with a 6% interest rate and a three-year term. The
notes are subordinated to all other indebtedness of True Value. True Value may
also issue "nonqualified written notices of allocation" to its members as part
of its annual patronage dividend. "Nonqualified written notices of allocation"
are usually issued in the form of Class B common stock (see "Payment of
Patronage Dividends in Accordance with the Internal Revenue Code" below).

     In determining the form of the annual patronage dividend, a member's
required investment in Class B common stock of True Value, which may be varied
from time to time, is determined by the board of directors based on an
evaluation of True Value's financial needs and the needs of its membership. The
board establishes a minimum Class B common stock ownership requirement for each
type of retail member. Commencing with the 2005 dividend paid in 2006, this
minimum is generally the greater of: (1) $25 or (2) the aggregate of a member's
various types of annual purchases, each multiplied by a specific percentage,
which varies from 3% to 18% and which decreases as total dollar purchases by
category increase. Not all members have achieved this minimum target. From 1996
to 2004, this minimum was generally the greater of: (1) $25 or (2) the aggregate

                                        7
<PAGE>

of a member's various types of annual purchases, each multiplied by a specific
percentage, which varied from 2% to 14% and which decreased as total dollar
purchased by category increased.

LOSS ALLOCATION TO MEMBERS AND ACCUMULATED DEFICIT

     During the third quarter of 2000, True Value management developed and the
board of directors approved a plan to equitably allocate to members the loss
incurred in 1999. This loss was previously recorded as a reduction of retained
earnings. True Value has distributed the 1999 loss allocation among its members
by establishing a loss allocation account as a contra-equity account in the
Consolidated Balance Sheet with the offsetting credit recorded to the
accumulated deficit account. The loss allocation account reflects the sum of
each member's proportionate share of the 1999 loss, after being reduced by
certain amounts that were not allocated to members. The allocation was generally
based on a member's proportionate Class B stock investment relative to the total
Class B stock investments of all the members, and therefore a member could not
be allocated a loss in excess of its equity investment. The loss allocation
account will be satisfied, on a member-by-member basis, by applying the portion
of future non-cash patronage dividends as a reduction to the loss allocation
account until fully satisfied. The loss allocation amount may also be satisfied,
on a member-by-member basis, by applying the par value of maturing member notes
and related interest payments as a reduction to the loss allocation account
until such account is fully satisfied. However, in the event a member should
terminate as a stockholder of True Value, any unsatisfied portion of that
member's loss allocation account will be satisfied by reducing the redemption
amount paid for the member's stock investment in True Value. As of December 31,
2005, $102,830, or approximately 90%, of the $113,918 1999 loss allocation was
satisfied. As of December 31, 2004, $94,498, or approximately 83%, of the 1999
loss allocation was satisfied.

     The board of directors determined that True Value would retain the 2001
loss as part of the accumulated deficit account. All or a portion of patronage
income and all non-patronage income, if any, may be retained in the future to
reduce the accumulated deficit account. In the event a member terminates its
status as a stockholder of True Value, any remaining 2001 loss in the
accumulated deficit account that is allocable to the terminated member will be
distributed to the terminating member and satisfied by reducing the redemption
amount paid for the member's stock investment in True Value. True Value has
determined for each member that was both a stockholder and purchased from True
Value in 2001, its share of the 2001 loss that has been retained in the
accumulated deficit account. Stockholders that had ceased their membership in
True Value prior to 2001 and were solely stockholders due to the moratorium on
stock redemptions were excluded from the 2001 loss allocation. Approximately 18%
of the $50,687 2001 loss was allocated based upon the member's proportionate
equity investment, net of any 1999 loss allocation account, relative to the
total equity investments of all members that were both stockholders and
purchased from True Value in 2001. Approximately 82% of the total 2001 loss was
effectively allocated based on the member's purchases from True Value in 2001
using the same methodology as described above in "Distribution of Patronage
Dividends." No member was allocated a loss amount greater than its net equity
investments held as of year-end 2001.

     A member's proportionate share of the 1999 and/or 2001 losses have been
limited to the extent of its equity investment in True Value. Any portion of a
loss allocation that exceeds a member's equity investment is retained by True
Value in the accumulated deficit account. Commencing with the 2004 patronage
dividend that was paid in 2005, the board of directors has authorized retaining
5% of net patronage source income, as a reasonable reserve, to reduce the
accumulated deficit account. Such reduction will be applied first against the
oldest components of the deficit and the annual retention of the 5% of patronage
source income will continue until the deficit no longer exists.

     In 2003, True Value settled its Derivative Action. The Stipulation of
Settlement stated that, at the time the moratorium on stock redemptions was
lifted, the Loss allocation accounts for all current and former members who were
parties to the Stipulation of Settlement would be reduced by approximately
$5,000 on a pro-rata basis. The moratorium was lifted in July 2004 and such
reduction occurred.

                                        8
<PAGE>

PAYMENT OF PATRONAGE DIVIDENDS IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL REVENUE CODE

     The Code specifically provides for the taxation of cooperatives (such as
True Value) and their patrons (such as True Value's members) so as to ensure
that the business earnings of a cooperative are currently taxable either to the
cooperative or to its patrons, but not both.

     The shares of Class B common stock and other written notices distributed by
True Value to its members, that disclose to the recipient the stated amount
allocated to the member by True Value and the portion thereof that is a
patronage dividend, are "written notices of allocation" as that phrase is used
in the Code. For such written notices to be "qualified written notices of
allocation" within the meaning of the Code, it is necessary that True Value pay
20% or more of the annual patronage dividend in cash and that the members
consent to having the allocations (at their stated dollar amounts) treated as
being constructively received by them and includable in their gross income. Any
written notices that do not meet these requirements are "nonqualified written
notices of allocation" within the meaning of the Code.

     True Value deducts all patronage dividends, including cash, the face value
of qualified written notices and the fair market value of any other property
distributed to the members (except nonqualified written notices of allocation)
from its earnings in determining its taxable income. Accordingly, all of these
items, including such qualified written notices of allocation, are includable in
the gross income of the members. Section 1385(a) of the Code provides, in
substance, that the total patronage dividend shall be included in the gross
income of the patron (member) for the taxable year in which the patron (member)
receives such distribution. This includes amounts paid in cash, in qualified
written notices of allocation and in other property (except nonqualified written
notices of allocation). In general, for nonqualified written notices of
allocation, no amounts are either deductible by True Value or includable in a
member's gross income until the notices are redeemed by True Value. True Value
itself therefore includes any earnings reflected in nonqualified written notices
of allocation in its own gross income and pays tax on them.

     Thus, every year each member may receive, as part of the member's patronage
dividend, non-cash "qualified written notices of allocation," which may include
Class B common stock (which is determined to be qualified for tax purposes) and
subordinated promissory notes, the stated dollar amount of which must be
recognized as gross income by the member for the taxable year in which received.
The portion of the patronage dividend paid in cash (at least 20%) may be
insufficient, depending on a member's individual tax bracket, to pay income
taxes due as a result of the full amount of the patronage dividend, including
cash, notes and Class B common stock.

     True Value has historically paid approximately 30% of the patronage
dividend to its members in cash (excluding nonqualified written notices of
allocation). However, True Value is only obligated to distribute 20% of the
annual patronage dividend (excluding nonqualified written notices of allocation)
in cash, and it may distribute this lesser percentage in future years.

     True Value's By-Laws, reflecting the Code provision applicable to
cooperatives, usually treat shares of Class B common stock and such other
notices as the board of directors may determine, if distributed in payment of
patronage dividends, as "qualified written notices of allocation." The By-Laws
provide:

          (1) for payment of patronage dividends in a combination of cash,
     qualified written notices of allocation (including Class B common stock),
     other property and nonqualified written notices of allocation; and

          (2) that membership in the organization (i.e., the status of being a
     member of True Value) constitutes the member's consent to recognize the
     stated amount of any qualified written notices of allocation or other
     property distributed to it as includable in the member's gross income as
     provided in Section 1385(a) of the Code.

     Under the Code, any person who becomes or became a member of True Value, or
who remains a member after adoption of the By-Laws providing that membership in
True Value constitutes consent to be taxed on receipt of qualified written
notices of allocation, is deemed to have consented to be taxed on receipt of
patronage dividends in cash and in qualified written notices of allocation, in
accordance with Section 1385(a)

                                        9
<PAGE>

of the Code. Written notification of the adoption of the By-Laws and its
significance, and a copy of the By-Laws, were sent to each then existing member
and have been, and will continue to be, delivered to each person prior to
becoming a member. Such consent is then effective as to patronage dividends.
Such consent may be revoked by the member only by terminating its membership in
True Value in the manner provided in his or its Retail Member Agreement (see
"Retail Member Agreement" above).

SET-OFF RIGHTS OF TRUE VALUE

     True Value's Certificate of Incorporation and By-Laws specifically provide
that True Value, but not the member, may set off its obligation to make any
payment to a member for such member's stock, notes, interest and declared and
unpaid dividends against any obligation owed by the member to True Value. Upon
rescinding its moratorium on stock redemptions in 2004, True Value exercised its
set-off rights in 2005 and 2004 when it reduced the amounts paid to former
members for their equity investments at the time of redemption by:

     - the amount of any outstanding merchandise accounts receivable to True
       Value;

     - the amount of any unpaid loans to or advances from True Value;

     - any remaining balance in their 1999 loss allocation account; and

     - their distribution of the 2001 loss allocation, if applicable.

True Value also exercised its set-off rights in 2005 and 2004, when True Value
notes and interest came due to former members with outstanding merchandise
accounts receivable to True Value and current members with past due merchandise
accounts receivable to True Value. True Value had also set off note and interest
obligations to former members against their related loss allocation balance. In
2005 and 2004, True Value set off the unpaid portions of cash dividends payable
against the outstanding merchandise accounts receivable balances of those
members that were past due. The set-off rights were exercised in an aggregate
amount of $17,962 during 2005 and $58,815 during 2004.

     As True Value maintains stock records for its members on a store-by-store
basis, members with multiple stores who elect to sell one or more, but not all,
of their stores may transfer the stock registered on True Value's records with
respect to a store location that is terminating its relationship with True Value
to the store locations that are not being terminated, with proper evidence of
succession, assignment or authority to transfer and with True Value's express
consent. Otherwise, True Value may exercise its set-off rights upon redemption
against the stock investment recorded for the store location to be closed,
including the set-off rights for all loss allocation account balances.

ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.

     You should consider the following risks before investing in True Value's
Class A common stock:

THERE IS NO MARKET FOR THE CLASS A COMMON STOCK, THE CLASS A COMMON STOCK IS
SUBJECT TO VARIOUS RESTRICTIONS INCLUDING A RIGHT OF SETOFF BY TRUE VALUE, AND
INVESTORS MAY NOT BE ABLE TO SELL THEIR CLASS A COMMON STOCK.

     There is currently no trading market for any True Value common stock and
True Value does not foresee a market developing at any time in the future.
Therefore, investors may only liquidate their investment in the common stock by
having that stock redeemed by True Value. From March 2000 through July 5, 2004,
True Value had a moratorium on redemption of its capital stock. The board of
directors declared the moratorium as the capital stock was then worth
substantially less than its par value and redemption at par value would likely
violate legal prohibitions against an impairment of capital. The board of
directors concluded that it would be a violation of its fiduciary duties to
proceed with redemptions of capital stock whereas no such moratorium exists
today; if the future financial condition of True Value were to deteriorate
significantly from its current performance, its capital may again be impaired
and the board of directors may be required to reinstate a moratorium on stock
redemptions.

                                        10
<PAGE>

     Investors should be aware that True Value retains automatic liens on the
Class A common stock and any patronage dividends, including all shares of Class
B common stock, which might have accrued to the members. The By-Laws, the Retail
Member Agreement and the Subscription to Shares Agreement that each member signs
with True Value provide that True Value shall have a lien on, and a right of set
off against, any stock or notes issued to the member, including those issued as
patronage dividends. With regard to patronage dividends, this lien and right of
set off encompasses any portion of the patronage dividend that is issued and
exceeds 20% of the overall patronage dividend payable in any year. True Value
takes this lien/right of set off in order to secure any member indebtedness that
may, for whatever reason, exist in favor of True Value or its subsidiaries.

TRUE VALUE HAS OUTSTANDING DEBT THAT IS SENIOR TO THE CLASS A COMMON STOCK AND,
IN THE EVENT OF THE BUSINESS FAILURE OF TRUE VALUE, IT MAY NOT HAVE SUFFICIENT
ASSETS TO REDEEM THE CLASS A COMMON STOCK.

     True Value is financed by debt capital obtained from various external
sources principally under its asset-based revolving credit facility ("Bank
Facility"), real estate mortgage and trade creditors. As an investor, your
investment is subordinate to senior, secured debt, trade creditors and other
unsecured liabilities and subordinated debt of True Value. In the event of the
business failure of True Value, there may not be sufficient assets to redeem all
or a portion of the Class A common stock after payment of True Value debt and
other liabilities.

     As of December 31, 2005, the book value of net tangible assets was $660,055
and debt and other liabilities were $648,047. The liquidation value of the
assets, especially if the assets are not sold as part of the ordinary course of
business, may be less than the book value of the assets. These balances will
change in the ordinary course of business.

TRUE VALUE HAS EXPERIENCED A DECLINE IN ITS MEMBER BASE AND ITS MEMBERS FACE
STIFF RETAIL COMPETITION, AND TRUE VALUE'S SUCCESS DEPENDS ON THE SUCCESS OF ITS
MEMBERS IN THE RETAIL MARKETPLACE.

     The success of True Value is dependent upon continued support from its
members in the form of merchandise purchases for their retail outlets to
generate positive net margin and cash flow for True Value. True Value had a net
decline of approximately 3.1% and 2.5% of its total number of outlets in 2005
and 2004, respectively. The number of retail and industrial distribution outlets
that were members of True Value at December 31, 2005 was approximately 5,800.
The reduction in membership is due to retailer competition, True Value's
discontinuing relationships with members for breach of their Retail Member
Agreement obligations and members leaving True Value to find an alternate source
of supply. The retail hardware industry is characterized by intense competition.
Independent hardware retailers, such as True Value members, must remain
competitive with the so-called "Big Box" stores such as Home Depot, Menards and
Lowe's, as well as the diversified retailers such as Sears and Wal-Mart. These
retail competitors may have greater resources, larger market shares and more
widespread presence than True Value members. The success of True Value is highly
dependent upon the success of its members' retail and industrial outlets in the
marketplace.

ITEM 2. PROPERTIES.
($ IN THOUSANDS)

WAREHOUSING, MANUFACTURING AND OFFICE FACILITIES

     True Value's worldwide headquarters is located in Chicago, Illinois. True
Value's facilities are suitable for their respective uses and are, in general,
adequate for True Value's present needs. Information with respect

                                        11
<PAGE>

to True Value's owned and leased warehousing, manufacturing and office
facilities at December 31, 2005 is set forth below:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                     SQUARE FEET OF
                                                       WAREHOUSE,
                                                      MANUFACTURING                           LEASE
   LOCATION                                          AND OFFICE AREA      INTEREST       EXPIRATION DATE
   --------                                          ---------------      --------       ---------------
   <S>                                               <C>                  <C>           <C>
   Chicago, Illinois(1)(5).....................           195,295          Leased       December 31, 2010
   Corsicana, Texas(2)(6)......................           754,000          Leased       December 31, 2022
   Denver, Colorado(6).........................           355,000          Leased       June 30, 2008
   Fogelsville (Allentown),
     Pennsylvania(2)(6)........................           528,000          Leased       December 31, 2022
   Harvard, Illinois(6)........................         1,032,000          Leased       November 24, 2013
   Harvard, Illinois(6)........................           163,000          Leased       November 24, 2010
   Jonesboro (Atlanta), Georgia(2)(6)..........           619,000          Leased       December 31, 2022
   Kansas City, Missouri(2)(6).................           398,000          Leased       December 31, 2022
   Kingman, Arizona(2)(6)......................           354,000          Leased       December 31, 2022
   Springfield, Oregon(2)(6)...................           523,000          Leased       December 31, 2022
   Woodland, California(2)(6)..................           341,000          Leased       December 31, 2022
   Cary, Illinois(4)(7)........................           615,000           Owned
   Manchester, New Hampshire(3)(6).............           701,000           Owned
   Mankato, Minnesota(4)(6)....................           310,000           Owned
   Westlake (Cleveland), Ohio(4)(6)............           393,000           Owned
</Table>

---------------

(1) True Value has subleases with third parties for approximately 25,300 of the
    195,295 square feet of the Chicago, Illinois space.

(2) Facility was part of the December 31, 2002 sale leaseback transaction (see
    "Properties - Sale Leaseback Transaction" below).

(3) Facility is assigned as collateral under a December 29, 2005 mortgage
    transaction on True Value's Manchester, New Hampshire, facility (the
    "Manchester Mortgage"). The $21,600 mortgage on this facility is a 20-year
    fully amortizing loan at a fixed rate of 6.74% with a maturity date of
    January 1, 2026.

(4) Facility is assigned as collateral under the Bank Facility.

(5) Office facility

(6) Warehouse and office facility

(7) Paint and paint applicators manufacturing facility

SALE LEASEBACK TRANSACTION

     On December 31, 2002, True Value sold seven of its distribution centers to
unrelated third parties generating net proceeds to True Value of $121,438. True
Value concurrently agreed to lease the distribution centers for a period of 20
years. The transaction was recorded as a real property sale and as operating
leases in True Value's financial statements. The resulting gain on sale of
$55,564 was recorded as deferred gain in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and is
being amortized to income on a straight-line basis over the initial 20-year
lease term.

     True Value has the right but not the obligation to extend each lease for
two additional periods of approximately 10 years each and may exercise such
renewal rights on each property individually. Subject to certain conditions
described in the leases, True Value has the right to assign the lease or sublet
all or any part of any property without the landlord's prior written consent.

OTHER PROPERTY SALES

     On April 20, 2005, True Value sold its 640,000-square-foot East Butler,
Pennsylvania, warehouse and office facility to a third party for a purchase
price of $6,188. In the first quarter of 2005, True Value recorded

                                        12
<PAGE>

an impairment charge of $942 to write-down this facility to fair value. True
Value currently leases back, under an operating lease, approximately 25,000
square feet of warehouse space through March 2006 and approximately 15,000
square feet of office space through December 2006.

     On December 28, 2005, True Value sold its 105,000-square-foot Chicago,
Illinois, oil-based paint manufacturing facility to a third party for a purchase
price of $10,125. True Value recorded a net gain of $9,080 on the sale. The sale
of the property followed the relocation of the oil-based paint manufacturing
operations to the Cary, Illinois, facility.

     True Value continues to evaluate opportunities to capitalize on the
increase in market value over the historical book value of its owned real estate
assets through additional sale leaseback transactions, mortgages or other
financing methods.

OTHER LEASES

     True Value owns and leases transportation equipment for use at its
distribution centers for the primary purpose of delivering merchandise from True
Value's distribution centers to its members. Additional information concerning
these leases can be found in Note 5, "Lease Commitments," to the Consolidated
Financial Statements beginning at page F-1.

ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
($ IN THOUSANDS)

ACTIVE LEGAL MATTERS:

FLEGLES ACTION

     On February 12, 2003, a former True Value member, Flegles Inc. ("Flegles"),
filed suit against True Value in the Circuit Court of Carlisle County, Kentucky.
The complaint alleges that True Value is liable to Flegles for the role True
Value played with respect to Flegles' construction of a new retail store
facility in Bardwell, Kentucky, that has allegedly incurred financial losses.
Flegles sought $2,400 in compensatory damages and also an award of punitive
damages. On July 30, 2004, a jury found True Value liable to Flegles for certain
losses incurred by Flegles and awarded Flegles $1,300 in compensatory damages.
The jury did not award any punitive damages. As True Value believes that the
verdict was rendered in error, it pursued post-trial motions before the Circuit
Court, including a request that the verdict be set aside or that True Value be
awarded a new trial. Such relief was denied by the Circuit Court and True Value
is now pursuing its appeal for such relief in the Kentucky Appellate Court. True
Value posted with the court a bond in an amount necessary to prevent Flegles
from enforcing its judgment during the appeal. The parties have filed briefs
with the Kentucky Appellate Court and are awaiting a date for oral arguments.
True Value intends to continue to vigorously defend this case and does not
believe that the ultimate resolution will have a material effect on results from
operations or financial position.

CLAIMS AGAINST ERNST & YOUNG LLP

     True Value pursued claims against its former outside auditors, Ernst &
Young LLP ("E&Y"), for professional malpractice, breach of contract, deceptive
business practices and fraud. True Value contended that E&Y failed to properly
discharge its duties to True Value and failed to identify, in a timely manner,
and indeed concealed, certain material weaknesses in True Value's internal
financial and operational controls. As a result, True Value was forced to make
an unanticipated accounting adjustment in the fourth quarter of 1999 in the
total amount of $121,333 (the "Fourth Quarter Charge"). True Value accordingly
reported a Net loss of $130,803 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999.
True Value alleged that had E&Y properly discharged its duties, the scope and
breadth of the Fourth Quarter Charge, as well as the accounting and operational
control deficiencies that necessitated the charge, would have been substantially
lessened. True Value began discussion of its claims with E&Y early in the fall
of 2001. Pursuant to the dispute resolution procedures required by True Value's
engagement letter with E&Y, True Value and E&Y attempted to mediate this dispute
during the first six months of 2002. When those attempts proved unsuccessful and
again pursuant to

                                        13
<PAGE>

the dispute resolution procedures, True Value filed its claim with the American
Arbitration Association on July 31, 2002. The arbitration is subject to certain
confidentiality requirements. Another effort at non-binding mediation between
the parties began in December 2004 and was unsuccessful. Hearings before the
arbitration panel occurred in early 2005.

     On July 28, 2005, an arbitration panel denied True Value's claims against
E&Y in their entirety. This decision of the arbitration panel also requires True
Value to reimburse E&Y for reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses related to
this matter. On August 17, 2005, True Value filed a motion asking the panel to
reconsider its award of attorneys' fees and expenses. In its motion, True Value
claimed that the panel exceeded its authority when it awarded attorneys' fees
and expenses to E&Y. On October 19, 2005, the panel denied this motion.

     E&Y has requested attorneys' fees and expenses in this matter of
approximately $18,200. True Value is challenging the reasonableness of this
amount with the arbitration panel, but has recorded the requested amount as a
reserve in the third quarter 2005 results. It is expected that the panel will
make a final award of reasonable fees and expenses in the first half of 2006.
Any adjustment to the reserve resulting from the final award will be reflected
in the financial statements at that time.

     True Value will continue to explore all of its options to challenge both
the reasonableness of E&Y's attorneys' fees and expenses and the authority of
the panel to award attorneys' fees and expenses in any amount. On January 17,
2006, True Value filed a petition with the Circuit Court of Cook County to
preserve its rights to further challenge the panel's authority to award any
attorneys' fees and expenses and to vacate the final award when it is entered.

ITEM 4. SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS.

     None.

                                    PART II

ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND
        ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES.

     There is no existing market for the common stock of True Value and there is
no expectation that any market will develop. True Value's Class A common stock
is owned exclusively by retailers of hardware and related products, garden
center retailers and industrial distributors as well as rental retailers, each
of whom is a member or former member of True Value and purchased at least 60
shares of True Value's Class A common stock (the only class of voting stock)
upon becoming a member. True Value is organized as a Delaware stock corporation
and operates as a member-owned wholesaler cooperative corporation. The shares of
True Value's Class B common stock now outstanding were issued to members in
partial payment of the annual patronage dividend that accrued as a result of
patronage business transacted by such members with True Value. In accordance
with True Value's By-Laws, the annual patronage dividend is paid to members out
of the gross margins from operations and other patronage source income, after
deduction for expenses, reserves and other provisions authorized by the board of
directors.

                                        14
<PAGE>

     The number of holders of record as of January 28, 2006 of each class of
stock of True Value was as follows:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                 NUMBER OF
                                                                  HOLDERS
                       TITLE OF CLASS                          OF RECORD(1)
                       --------------                          -------------
<S>                                                            <C>
Class A common stock, $100 Par Value........................       4,701
Class B common stock, $100 Par Value........................       4,535
</Table>

---------------

(1) Does not include holders of record whose shares have been reclassified from
    member's equity to liabilities resulting from the members' withdrawal from
    True Value membership and for which stock redemption procedures have not
    been completed.

     Dividends (other than patronage dividends) on the Class A common stock and
Class B common stock, subject to the provisions of True Value's Certificate of
Incorporation, may be declared out of retained earnings of True Value, as may be
authorized by the board of directors. Dividends may be paid in cash, in
property, in subordinated promissory notes, or in shares of the Class B common
stock, subject to the provisions of the Certificate of Incorporation and the
By-Laws. Other than the payment of patronage dividends, including the redemption
of all nonqualified written notices of allocation, True Value has not paid
dividends on its Class A common stock or Class B common stock. The board of
directors does not plan to pay non-patronage dividends on either class of stock.

     In February 2006, the board of directors authorized the payment of a
patronage dividend related to 2005. The patronage dividend was paid in March
2006 (see Item 1, "Business -- Distribution of Patronage Dividends" and
"Business -- Loss Allocation to Members and Accumulated Deficit").

ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES

     The number of shares of True Value's Class A common stock redeemed and the
average price paid per share for each month in the fourth quarter of 2005 were
as follows:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                          AVERAGE        TOTAL NUMBER     APPROXIMATE $
                                        TOTAL NUMBER     PRICE PAID      OF SHARES AS     VALUE THAT MAY
                                         OF SHARES       PER SHARE         PART OF       YET BE PURCHASED
                                          REDEEMED     BEFORE OFFSETS   ANNOUNCED PLAN      UNDER PLAN
                                        ------------   --------------   --------------   ----------------
<S>                                     <C>            <C>              <C>              <C>
CLASS A COMMON STOCK
October 2 -- October 29, 2005.........      2,340           $100               --             $  --
October 30 -- November 26, 2005.......      1,860            100               --                --
November 27 -- December 31, 2005......      4,440            100               --                --
                                           ------                            ----             -----
Total.................................      8,640                              --             $  --
                                           ======                            ====             =====
</Table>

     In accordance with True Value's By-Laws, True Value offsets amounts due by
its members against any amounts that it pays to the members on redemption of
either their stock or their notes. Stock redemption liability is the aggregate
value of the former members' equity investments after the offset of the loss
allocation resulting from the 1999 loss, the 2001 loss and the accounts
receivable owed by the former members. The value of Class A common stock, after
all offsets, is paid in cash at the time of redemption.

                                        15
<PAGE>

ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA.
($ IN THOUSANDS)

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                      SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
                                             AS OF AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                   --------------------------------------------------------------
                                      2005         2004         2003         2002         2001
                                   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------   ----------
<S>                                <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>          <C>
Net revenue......................  $2,043,034   $2,023,887   $2,024,340   $2,175,451   $2,619,434
Gross margin.....................     232,852      222,077      220,436      246,918      271,794
Net margin/(loss)(1).............      47,555       43,213       21,221       21,153      (50,687)
Patronage dividends(2)...........      43,870       41,375       18,269       20,541           --
Total assets.....................     751,529      655,519      681,460      703,371    1,020,837
Current and non-current long-term
  third party debt and
  borrowings.....................     120,993       90,155      132,423      191,315      431,681
Current and non-current
  subordinated promissory and
  subordinated promissory
  installment notes payable......      73,071       80,146       59,859       64,886       82,606
Deferred stock redemptions and
  Redeemable nonqualified Class B
  non-voting common
  stock(3)(4)....................      20,410       21,626       56,864           --           --
Class A common stock(3)..........      30,464       30,490       31,440       50,120       49,896
Class B common stock(3)..........     118,885      102,187       96,542      176,945      174,448
</Table>

---------------

(1) The 2004 increase in Net margin compared to 2003 was primarily due to the
    reduction in interest related to the August 29, 2003 refinancing of True
    Value's third-party debt.

    The 2001 Net loss of $50,687 was primarily due to Restructuring charges and
    other related expenses of $38,522 and the decline in participating members.

(2) No patronage dividend was issued for 2001 due to a net loss of $50,687,
    which was reported for that year.

(3) In 2003, True Value adopted Statement of Financial Accounting Standards
    ("SFAS") No. 150, "Accounting for Certain Financial Instruments with
    Characteristics of both Liabilities and Equity." SFAS No. 150 establishes
    standards for how an issuer classifies and measures certain financial
    instruments with characteristics of both liabilities and equity. Adoption of
    this standard impacted the classification of Class B common stock that is
    "non-qualified" (the "Nonqualified Class B common stock") and stock
    presented for redemption but deferred due to the moratorium.

    In 2003, Class A common stock and Class B common stock excludes
    approximately $18,841 and $82,718, respectively, of amounts not redeemed due
    to the stock moratorium. Class B common stock also excludes $33,868 of
    nonqualified Class B common stock. These amounts are included in Deferred
    stock redemptions and Redeemable nonqualified Class B common stock and are
    offset by Loss allocation of $27,941, Accumulated deficit of $9,933 and an
    offset of accounts receivable of $6,821 pursuant to True Value's agreements
    with its members. In 2002, Class A common stock and Class B common stock
    include approximately $15,475 and $47,033, respectively, of amounts not
    redeemed due to the stock moratorium. In 2001, Class A common stock and
    Class B common stock include approximately $11,699 and $34,712,
    respectively, of amounts not redeemed due to the stock moratorium (see Note
    1, "Description of Business and Accounting Policies -- Capital Stock
    Redemption," to the Consolidated Financial Statements beginning at page
    F-1).

(4) In 2004, True Value lifted the moratorium on stock redemptions and redeemed
    shares for former shareholders who completed required stock redemption
    procedures. Accordingly, only Redeemable nonqualified Class B non-voting
    common stock was in this line for 2004 and 2005.

                                        16
<PAGE>

ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS
        OF OPERATION.
($ IN THOUSANDS)

OVERVIEW

     In 2005, True Value continued its multi-year improvement trend in its
business, including the first Net revenue increase since 1999 and the fourth
consecutive year-over-year Net margin increase. The 2005 Net margin of $47,555
was the highest since 1996.

     The 2005 Net revenue increase of $19,147 was the net result of two factors.
First, same-store sales were up $39,171 due to new products and assortments and
inflationary price increases. This was partially offset by a $20,704 revenue
decline from net member attrition of 1%, almost half of the 1.9% decline
experienced in 2004. The 2005 Net margin increased by $4,342 despite the net
impact of two unusual items in 2005. In September, True Value recorded an
$18,200 arbitration provision related to the E&Y matter (see Item 3, "Legal
Proceedings -- Claims Against Ernst & Young LLP"). This impact to Net margin was
reduced in half in December by a $9,080 gain on the sale of the Chicago,
Illinois, oil-based paint manufacturing facility. After accounting for the net
impact of the two unusual items in 2005, the Net margin increase was primarily
due to the favorable results from the line review activities and continued
expense reductions.

     Management expects both modest Net revenue growth and continued improvement
in Net margin in 2006.

     Management utilizes a variety of key performance measures to monitor the
health and progress of True Value's business. These measures are store count,
revenue, gross margin percentage, operational and interest expense and debt.

     The following is a summary of the trends of the most significant key
performance measures identified above:

  STORE COUNT:

                       (BAR CHART - YEAR-END STORE COUNT)
                              YEAR-END STORE COUNT

<Table>
<S>                                     <C>
2002                                     6,567
2003                                     6,178
2004                                     6,025
2005                                     5,836
</Table>

     Management begins its analysis of the financial health of True Value by
measuring the number of stores and the level of patronage from True Value
members. For several years after the 1999 loss, True Value experienced a sharp
decline in its membership base. Since 2003, True Value has experienced success
in stabilizing its membership base, which is one of the critical elements of its
recent success. As demonstrated on the preceding chart, the rate of True Value's
net store count decline has remained consistent over the last few years.
Year-end store count figures include store terminations of 601, 355 and 401 in
2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively. Approximately 64%, 72% and 73% of these
terminations were members who on average had warehouse and relay purchases of
less than $75 from True Value in 2003, 2004 and 2005, respectively. Year-end
store count figures also include new store gains of 212, 202 and 212 in 2003,
2004 and 2005, respectively. Management is projecting a modest 1.8% net decline
in overall store count in 2006, assuming stable economic and competitive
conditions and the continued improvement in the financial condition of True
Value.

                                        17
<PAGE>

Management considers this a modest decline, as the number of industry-wide
independent hardware stores is projected to decline at about a 1.0% rate for the
next several years.

     In regard to the level of patronage from True Value members in 2005,
approximately one quarter of the stores accounted for less than 5% of Net
revenue. This relationship has been fairly consistent over the last several
years. If True Value were to experience a significant decrease in this quartile
of current members, the financial impact would not be significant.

  NET REVENUE:
(BAR CHART - NET REVENUE)

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                      NET REVENUE ($ IN MILLIONS)
                                                                      ---------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
2002                                                                            $2,175
2003                                                                            $2,024
2004                                                                            $2,024
2005                                                                            $2,043
</Table>

     Following several years of declining Net revenue after the 1999 loss,
driven primarily by declining membership, True Value's Net revenue stabilized in
2004 and increased in 2005. This 2005 increase in Net revenue was primarily due
to an increase in same-store sales, which were driven by new products and
assortments and inflationary price increases. A key metric utilized by
management to assess the strength of Net revenue is year-to-year same-store
sales. This metric represents year-to-year sales performance for member stores
with at least two full fiscal years as members of True Value. Same-store sales
increased for the second year in a row. In 2005, same-store sales increased by
$39,171, or 1.9%, which is comparable to the 2004 increase of $38,005, or 1.9%,
after declining by $40,076, or 1.8%, in 2003 and by $119,584, or 4.6%, in 2002.
True Value's management estimates that the modest 2005 Net revenue increase will
continue in 2006.

  GROSS MARGIN %:
(BAR CHART)

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                            GROSS MARGIN %
                                                                            --------------
<S>                                                           <C>
2002                                                                             11.4%
2003                                                                             10.9%
2004                                                                             11.0%
2005                                                                             11.4%
</Table>

     A leading indicator of profitability, True Value's Gross margin, as a
percentage of revenue, was 11.4% in 2005, up from 11.0% in 2004 and 10.9% in
2003. This increase in Gross margin percentage is directly attributable to the
net effect of the vendor line review process, which began in the fall of 2004 to
improve product assortments, enhance wholesale and retail pricing and drive
additional warehouse sales. The vendor line reviews generated an increase in
same-store sales, as discussed above, which led to an increase in Gross margin.
In 2005, the line reviews continued to fund wholesale price reductions to the
membership.

                                        18
<PAGE>

  OPERATING AND INTEREST EXPENSES:
(BAR CHART - OPERATING AND INTEREST EXPENSES)

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                              OPERATING AND INTEREST EXPENSES ($ IN MILLIONS)
                                                              -----------------------------------------------
<S>                                                           <C>
2002                                                                               $229
2003                                                                               $219
2004                                                                               $181
2005                                                                               $178
</Table>

     A key component of True Value's turnaround success since 2000 has been its
ability to reduce its cost structure. Management's actions, including
restructuring actions, have focused on reducing the following expenses:
logistics and manufacturing, selling, general and administrative, and interest
paid to members and third parties. In 2005, True Value's lower operating
expenses were partially offset by higher interest expense. Interest expense was
higher due to an increase in interest rates, along with higher debt as a result
of an increase in inventory levels. Third-party interest expense declined
significantly in 2004 due to a full year effect from the August 29, 2003
refinancing. Also in 2004, member interest expense was slightly higher due to
additional debt created by lifting the moratorium that was declared on stock
redemptions in March 2000 due to the 1999 loss. In 2003, third-party interest
expense includes the cost of $26,927 incurred with the refinancing of the Senior
Debt, resulting from the write-off of the remaining unamortized balance of
prepaid bank fees and old and new senior note make-whole interest costs.
Management estimates stable expenses and a further profit increase in 2006.

  DEBT:
(BAR CHART - DEBT)

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                  TOTAL YEAR-END DEBT INCLUDING MEMBER DEBT ($ IN MILLIONS)
                                                                  ---------------------------------------------------------
                                                                      THIRD-PARTY DEBT                MEMBER DEBT            TOTAL
                                                                      ----------------                -----------            -----
<S>                                                               <C>                                 <C>                   <C>
2002                                                                       $191                           $65                $256
2003                                                                       $132                           $60                $192
2004                                                                       $ 90                           $80                $170
2005                                                                       $121                           $73                $194
</Table>

     Total debt, shown above, includes all third-party debt and the current and
long-term portions of subordinated member debt. In 2005, total debt increased
over the prior year primarily due to an increase in inventory levels partially
offset by the sale of the East Butler, Pennsylvania, warehouse and office
facility and the Chicago, Illinois, paint manufacturing facility. Inventory was
increased in order to improve seasonal and promotional product fill rates and
for the establishment of two China warehouse operations to handle increased
importing activities. True Value's management is enhancing its focus on
improving the productivity of its inventory investment while still maintaining
an acceptable product fill rate. Between 2002 and 2004, the primary contributors
to True Value's debt reduction included: the sale leaseback of seven
distribution centers, the sale of idle or underutilized assets, improved working
capital management and lower operating expenses resulting from headcount and
other expense reductions. The combination of improved operating performance

                                        19
<PAGE>

and lower debt levels allowed True Value to refinance its third-party senior
notes and revolving credit facility on August 29, 2003. Overall debt reductions
in 2004 were achieved despite the increase in debt required to fund stock
redemptions resulting from the lifting of the stock moratorium. In 2006,
management anticipates a modest decrease in debt due to cash generated from
operations.

     True Value's primary source of revenue is derived from the sale of
hardware, paint and paint-related products, and general merchandise to member
stores. These revenues result from shipments that originate from True Value's
distribution facilities, as well as from shipments that go direct from True
Value's vendors to member stores. In addition, True Value recognizes revenue for
services provided to members and vendors, including primarily advertising and
transportation fees.

     Costs of revenue include acquisition cost of merchandise (net of discounts
and vendor incentives), warehousing and transportation costs, manufacturing
costs for paint and paint-related products and costs related to other services
provided to members.

     Selling and general administrative costs include headquarter and field
personnel expenses, as well as marketing and information technology costs.

     True Value's cash flows are generated primarily from profits on sales of
merchandise and services, as discussed above, and are utilized primarily to
service debt and fund patronage dividends to members.

     The success of True Value is dependent upon continued support from its
members in the form of purchases of merchandise and services for their retail
and/or industrial distribution outlets. Significant declines in membership or in
the levels at which members purchase from True Value, or both; an increase in
market share of the various entities that compete in the hardware industry; and
a decline in the general U.S. economy could have a significant negative effect
on True Value's profitability.

     The following discussion and analysis provides information that management
believes to be relevant to understanding True Value's financial condition and
results of operations. This discussion should be read in conjunction with True
Value's consolidated financial statements and the related notes thereto included
in this report, beginning at page F-1.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR 2005 COMPARED TO 2004

     In 2005, True Value's Net revenue and Net margin increased slightly from
2004. This was True Value's first Net revenue increase since 1999 and its fourth
consecutive year-over-year Net margin increase. True Value also experienced a
3.1% net decline in member retail outlets with a corresponding 1.0% reduction in
revenue.

                                        20
<PAGE>

  NET REVENUE

     A reconciliation of Net revenue between 2005 and 2004 follows:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                             % OF
                                                                 NET       2004 NET
                                                               REVENUE     REVENUE
                                                              ----------   --------
                                                                ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>          <C>
2004 RESULTS................................................  $2,023,887    100.0%
                                                              ----------    -----
Same-store sales:
  Warehouse and relay revenue...............................      42,842      2.1%
  Vendor-direct revenue.....................................      (3,153)    (0.2)%
  Paint revenue.............................................        (518)    (0.0)%
                                                              ----------    -----
     Net same-store sales...................................      39,171      1.9%
                                                              ----------    -----
Change in participating members:
  Terminated members:
     Warehouse and relay revenue............................     (37,688)    (1.9)%
     Vendor-direct revenue..................................     (17,839)    (0.9)%
     Paint revenue..........................................      (3,132)    (0.1)%
                                                              ----------    -----
       Net terminated members...............................     (58,659)    (2.9)%
                                                              ----------    -----
  New members:
     Warehouse and relay revenue............................      20,834      1.0%
     Vendor-direct revenue..................................      15,375      0.8%
     Paint revenue..........................................       1,746      0.1%
                                                              ----------    -----
       Net new members......................................      37,955      1.9%
                                                              ----------    -----
          Net change in participating members...............     (20,704)    (1.0)%
Other revenue and cost of revenue...........................         680      0.0%
                                                              ----------    -----
  Total change..............................................      19,147      0.9%
                                                              ----------    -----
2005 RESULTS................................................  $2,043,034    100.9%
                                                              ==========    =====
</Table>

     Net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2005 totaled $2,043,034, which
was up $19,147, or 0.9%, compared to the same period last year. The Net revenue
increase in the same-store sales category was partially offset by a Net revenue
decline in the change in participating members' category. True Value's
same-store sales increased $39,171, or 1.9%. Same-store sales were favorably
impacted by various True Value programs and initiatives to drive merchandise
sales, inflation and a continued improvement in the economy and member
confidence in True Value. The primary initiative was the continued rollout of
new product assortments resulting from the recent vendor line review activities.
Partially offsetting the increase in same-store sales was a 3.1% net decline in
the number of participating member retail outlets, resulting in revenue
reduction of $20,704, or 1.0%. The 2005 net decline in revenue resulting from
the change in participating member stores is almost a 50% improvement relative
to the net decline experienced in 2004 of $37,508, or 1.9%.

                                        21
<PAGE>

  GROSS MARGIN

     A reconciliation of Gross margin between 2005 and 2004 follows:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                           GROSS
                                                               GROSS      MARGIN %
                                                               MARGIN    OF REVENUE
                                                              --------   ----------
                                                                ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
2004 RESULTS................................................  $222,077      11.0%
Hardware product............................................     3,866
Advertising.................................................     6,253
Accounting change (EITF 02-16)..............................     4,304
Paint product...............................................    (2,815)
Inventory reserves..........................................    (1,442)
Other.......................................................       609
                                                              --------
2005 RESULTS................................................  $232,852      11.4%
                                                              ========      ====
</Table>

     Gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2005, increased by $10,775, or
4.9%, over the prior year, though product volume was essentially flat. Gross
margin was favorably impacted by the hardware product category of $3,866, which
consisted of warehouse, relay and direct merchandise products. The hardware
product category was favorably impacted by the net benefit provided by vendor
line review activities partially offset by higher freight-in costs. The line
review activities help support True Value's primary initiative to continue the
rollout of new product assortments and to lower wholesale pricing to the
membership to drive warehouse sales. The higher freight-in costs were primarily
due to increased importing and higher fuel cost.

     Also, a favorable advertising margin impacted Gross margin by $6,253
primarily due to a lower subsidy by True Value of regional advertising performed
by member regional advertising groups and lower media and production costs in
2005 compared to 2004. In addition, the negative impact of $4,304 to the 2004
Gross margin from the application of Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") Issue
No. 02-16, "Accounting by a Customer (including a Reseller) for Certain
Consideration Received from a Vendor ("EITF 02-16") did not reoccur in 2005 (see
Note 1, "Description of Business and Accounting Policies -- Consideration Given
by a Vendor," to the Consolidated Financial Statements beginning at page F-1).

     The favorable Gross margin components discussed above were partially offset
by unfavorable paint margin of $2,815 and inventory reserves of $1,442. The
unfavorable paint margin of $2,815 was mainly due to higher raw material and
production costs, lower volume, expenses incurred for outsourcing the
manufacturing of brushes and for the relocation of the Chicago, Illinois,
oil-based paint manufacturing operations to the Cary, Illinois, paint
manufacturing plant. The unfavorable inventory reserve of $1,442 was related to
increased levels of unproductive inventory.

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                             $ EXPENSE
                                                          2005      2004     (DECREASE)
                                                         -------   -------   ----------
<S>                                                      <C>       <C>       <C>
Logistics and manufacturing expenses...................  $61,236   $63,411    $(2,175)
</Table>

     Logistics and manufacturing expenses decreased by $2,175, or 3.4%, as
compared to the same period last year. This decrease in expense is primarily due
to efficiencies in logistics' outbound shipping, lower manufacturing
administrative post-employment charges and the 2004 write-off of licensing fees
related to True Value's Trading Spaces(TM) brand of paint products that did not
reoccur in 2005. Partially offsetting these favorable items was increased
staffing expense to support True Value's import and vendor compliance
initiatives.

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                             $ EXPENSE
                                                         2005       2004     (DECREASE)
                                                       --------   --------   ----------
<S>                                                    <C>        <C>        <C>
Selling, general and administrative expenses.........  $102,527   $104,772    $(2,245)
</Table>

     Selling, general and administrative ("SG&A") expenses decreased by $2,245,
or 2.1%, as compared to the prior year. SG&A expenses decreased primarily due to
lower rents and leases of $2,590 mainly as a result

                                        22
<PAGE>

of a Hagerstown, Maryland, facility lease that was terminated in November 2004.
In addition, depreciation and amortization expense was lower by $3,626 as the
conversion fund (see Note 1, "Description of Business and Accounting
Policies -- Conversion Funds," to the Consolidated Financial Statements
beginning at page F-1) and certain capital investments in software became fully
amortized. Partially offsetting these favorable items was a lower bad debt
benefit of $2,355, as 2004 included favorable collections on terminated member
accounts and notes receivable that did not occur at the same level in 2005 (see
Note 1, "Description of Business and Accounting Policies -- Allowance for
Doubtful Accounts," to the Consolidated Financial Statements beginning at page
F-1). Also, labor was unfavorable by $1,068 primarily due to higher bonus
expense and 401(k) contributions as a result of higher achievement of
performance targets in 2005 versus 2004. These unfavorable components of labor
were partially offset by lower severance charges and favorable claims related to
group medical insurance and workers' compensation.

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                             $ EXPENSE
                                                             2005     2004   INCREASE
                                                            -------   ----   ---------
<S>                                                         <C>       <C>    <C>
Arbitration provision.....................................  $18,200   $ --    $18,200
</Table>

     True Value recorded a reserve in the third quarter of 2005 related to the
arbitration panel's decision in the E&Y matter (see Item 3, "Legal
Proceedings -- Claims Against Ernst & Young LLP," for further details).

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                             2005     2004   $ INCREASE
                                                            -------   ----   ----------
<S>                                                         <C>       <C>    <C>
(Gain)/loss on sale of assets.............................  $(8,333)  $228     $8,561
</Table>

     (Gain)/loss on sale of assets was income of $8,333 for 2005 compared to
$228 of expense in 2004. This change was predominantly due to the $9,080 gain on
sale of the Chicago, Illinois, manufacturing facility that was sold on December
28, 2005.

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                              $ EXPENSE
                                                             2005     2004    INCREASE
                                                            ------   ------   ---------
<S>                                                         <C>      <C>      <C>
Third-party interest expense..............................  $8,706   $7,379    $1,327
</Table>

     Third-party interest expense increased by $1,327, or 18.0%, as compared to
the same period last year. This increase in expense is primarily due to higher
interest rates and a higher average debt level as a result of increased
inventory levels.

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                          $ NET MARGIN
                                                       2005      2004       INCREASE
                                                      -------   -------   -------------
<S>                                                   <C>       <C>       <C>
Net margin..........................................  $47,555   $43,213      $4,342
</Table>

     The 2005 Net margin of $47,555 increased from a Net margin of $43,213 for
the same period a year ago. The primary reasons for the $4,342 increase were a
higher Gross margin and the gain on asset sale, partially offset by the
arbitration provision as discussed above.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS FOR 2004 COMPARED TO 2003

     In 2004, True Value's revenue stabilized and Net margin more than doubled
from 2003. True Value also lifted the moratorium on stock redemptions, reduced
total debt and experienced a 2.5% net decline in member retail outlets, the
lowest level of decline in several years.

                                        23
<PAGE>

NET REVENUE AND GROSS MARGIN

     A reconciliation of Net revenue and Gross margin between 2004 and 2003
follows:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                           % OF                  GROSS
                                               NET       2003 NET    GROSS      MARGIN %
                                             REVENUE     REVENUE     MARGIN    OF REVENUE
                                            ----------   --------   --------   ----------
                                                          ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                         <C>          <C>        <C>        <C>
2003 RESULTS..............................  $2,024,340    100.0%    $220,436      10.9%
                                            ----------    -----     --------      ----
Same-store sales:
  Warehouse and relay revenue.............      15,034      0.7%       6,142
  Vendor-direct revenue...................      15,408      0.8%         (53)
  Paint revenue...........................       7,563      0.4%      (2,263)
                                            ----------    -----     --------
     Net same-store sales.................      38,005      1.9%       3,826
                                            ----------    -----     --------
Change in participating members:
  Terminated members:
     Warehouse and relay revenue..........     (42,997)    (2.1)%     (7,150)
     Vendor-direct revenue................     (18,662)    (0.9)%       (205)
     Paint revenue........................      (3,683)    (0.2)%     (1,673)
                                            ----------    -----     --------
       Net terminated members.............     (65,342)    (3.2)%     (9,028)
                                            ----------    -----     --------
  New members:
     Warehouse and relay revenue..........      17,619      0.8%       2,540
     Vendor-direct revenue................       8,611      0.4%          40
     Paint revenue........................       1,604      0.1%         537
                                            ----------    -----     --------
       Net new members....................      27,834      1.3%       3,117
                                            ----------    -----     --------
          Net change in participating
            members.......................     (37,508)    (1.9)%     (5,911)
Other revenue and cost of revenue.........        (950)    (0.0)%      3,726
                                            ----------    -----     --------
  Total change............................        (453)    (0.0)%      1,641
                                            ----------    -----     --------
2004 RESULTS..............................  $2,023,887    100.0%    $222,077      11.0%
                                            ==========    =====     ========      ====
</Table>

     Net revenue for the year ended December 31, 2004, totaled $2,023,887, which
was flat compared to 2003. The Net revenue increase in the same-store sales
category was offset by declines in the participating member store sales and
other revenue categories. True Value's same-store sales increased $38,005, or
1.9%. Same-store sales were favorably impacted by various True Value programs
and initiatives to drive merchandise sales, as well as an improved economy and
renewed member confidence in True Value. Partially offsetting the increase in
same-store sales was a 2.5% net decline in the number of participating member
retail outlets, resulting in revenue reduction of $37,508, or 1.9%. The 2004 net
decline in revenue resulting from the change in participating member stores is
an improvement relative to the net decline experienced in 2003 of $94,013, or
4.3%. The remaining revenue reduction in other revenue of $950 was primarily due
to the impact of EITF 02-16 on advertising revenue (see Note 1, "Description of
Business and Accounting Policies -- Consideration Given by a Vendor," to the
Consolidated Financial Statements beginning at page F-1). In addition, Net
revenue was favorably impacted by two extra ship days in 2004 compared to 2003;
this effect was predominantly offset by wholesale product price reductions
(excluding commodity items) that lowered revenue by an incremental $9,019, as
compared to the prior year.

     Gross margin for the year ended December 31, 2004, increased by $1,641, or
0.7%, over the prior year. Same-store sales gross margin increased $3,826 due to
volume increases discussed above, offset by lower paint margins due to raw
material price increases and costs of $2,377 incurred to implement the new
"Color Made Simple" paint program. Another contributing factor reducing Gross
margin was the net decline in participat-

                                        24
<PAGE>

ing member stores, lowering Gross margin by $5,911. Although the net decline in
participating member stores caused a Gross margin reduction, it was an
improvement, as 2003 had a Gross margin loss of $13,374 from a net decline in
participating member stores. The wholesale product price reductions that lowered
revenue did not unfavorably impact Gross margin, as lower product acquisition
cost from suppliers more than offset the wholesale product price reductions.

     The other cost of revenue category, which consists mainly of advertising,
transportation, freight-in, vendor rebates, cash discounts and other costs
incurred to prepare goods for resale, increased by $3,726. The primary reason
for this increase was the net impact of EITF 02-16 related to the change in
recognition of vendor compensation and market related items (see Note 1,
"Description of Business and Accounting Policies -- Consideration Given by a
Vendor," to the Consolidated Financial Statements beginning at page F-1). Also
favorably impacting the other gross margin category was lower advertising cost
related to discontinuing in 2004 the sponsorship of "IROC" (International Race
of Champions). Partially offsetting this favorable variance were higher
inventory reserve requirements related to the increased levels of unproductive
inventory and higher costs incurred to prepare goods for resale.

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                              $ EXPENSE
                                                           2004      2003     INCREASE
                                                          -------   -------   ---------
<S>                                                       <C>       <C>       <C>
Logistics and manufacturing expenses....................  $63,411   $62,066   $   1,345
</Table>

     Logistics and manufacturing expenses increased by $1,345, or 2.2%, as
compared to the prior year. This increase in expense is mainly due to
transportation administrative cost increases of $913 primarily related to
staffing in the vendor compliance and global sourcing departments. In addition,
manufacturing expenses increased $870 principally due to post-employment charges
and the write-off of licensing fees related to True Value's Trading Spaces(TM)
brand of paint products. Partially offsetting this increase were 2003 expenses
that did not reoccur in 2004, including severance and facility exit costs of
$490.

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                              $ EXPENSE
                                                           2004      2003     INCREASE
                                                         --------   -------   ---------
<S>                                                      <C>        <C>       <C>
Selling, general and administrative expenses...........  $104,772   $99,170    $5,602
</Table>

     SG&A expenses increased by $5,602, or 5.6%, as compared to 2003. The
increase in SG&A expenses was primarily due to the application of EITF 02-16
(see Note 1, "Description of Business and Accounting Policies -- Consideration
Given by a Vendor," to the Consolidated Financial Statements beginning at page
F-1). In 2003, amounts both earned and expensed related to markets of $13,607
were recorded net in SG&A expenses; in 2004, these amounts were recorded in Net
revenue and Cost of revenue as applicable. Excluding the EITF 02-16 impact, SG&A
expenses would have decreased by $8,617. Reductions in depreciation and
amortization and bad debt expense were offset by increases in labor and related
items. Depreciation and amortization expense was lower by $8,572 primarily due
to capital investments incurred after the 1997 merger becoming fully depreciated
or amortized during 2003 and 2004. Bad debt provisions generated a reduction in
SG&A expense of $3,425 compared to 2003 primarily due to favorable collections
experience on current and terminated member accounts and notes receivables.
Labor costs increased $2,295 due to annual merit increases, post-employment
charges due to departmental reorganizations, group medical insurance costs and
modest increases in additional headcount to facilitate True Value merchandise
sales initiatives. These increases were partially offset by lower bonus expense
and 401(k) contributions due to lower achievement of performance targets in 2004
versus 2003.

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                             $ EXPENSE
                                                           2004     2003     (DECREASE)
                                                          ------   -------   ----------
<S>                                                       <C>      <C>       <C>
Third-party interest expense............................  $7,379   $51,724    $(44,345)
</Table>

     Third-party interest expense decreased $44,345, or 85.7%, as compared to
the prior year. The primary reasons for the decrease were related to the August
29, 2003 refinancing. The lower interest rate achieved in the refinancing
resulted in lower interest costs in 2004 versus 2003 of $9,167. In addition,
costs related to the August 2003 refinancing and to prior debt agreements did
not reoccur in 2004. These costs included the write-off of deferred fees related
to the prior debt agreements of $26,927, amortization of senior note make-whole

                                        25
<PAGE>

interest cost related to prior year's senior note prepayments of $4,579 and
amortization of bank fees of $2,703. See "Other income, net" for related debt
forgiveness.

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                              $ INCOME
                                                         2004       2003     (DECREASE)
                                                        -------   --------   ----------
<S>                                                     <C>       <C>        <C>
Other income, net.....................................  $(3,018)  $(20,304)   $(17,286)
</Table>

     Other income, net, decreased $17,286, or 85.1%, as compared to the prior
year. This decrease in other income was primarily the result of three 2003 gains
that did not reoccur in 2004. In April 2003, True Value recognized a gain of
$7,133 of unamortized income related to terminated agreements associated with
the sale of the lumber business to Builder Marts of America, Inc. ("BMA") in
December 2000. True Value also recognized a gain on debt forgiveness of $7,706
related to the debt refinancing on August 29, 2003. Finally, litigation
settlements in 2003 resulted in gains of $5,538. These gains were partially
offset by a 2003 impairment charge of $2,005 primarily related to equipment held
for sale at the East Butler, Pennsylvania, facility that did not reoccur in
2004.

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                           $ NET MARGIN
                                                        2004      2003       INCREASE
                                                       -------   -------   ------------
<S>                                                    <C>       <C>       <C>
Net margin...........................................  $43,213   $21,221     $21,992
</Table>

     The 2004 Net margin of $43,213 increased from the 2003 Net margin of
$21,221. The primary reason was the reduction in interest related to the August
29, 2003 refinancing of True Value's third-party debt and other changes as
discussed above.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

     True Value used cash of $8,823 from operating activities for 2005 while it
generated cash from operating activities for 2004 and 2003 in the amounts of
$66,344 and $32,807, respectively. The change in cash generated from operating
activities in 2004 to cash used from operating activities in 2005 was primarily
due to increased inventory in order to improve seasonal and promotional product
fill rates and new product offerings. In addition, inventory increased with the
establishment of two China warehouse operations in the third quarter of 2005 to
handle increased importing activities. True Value's management is enhancing its
focus on improving the productivity of its inventory investment while still
maintaining an acceptable product fill rate. The increase in cash generated from
operating activities in 2004 compared to 2003 was due to the improvement in Net
margin of $21,992 in 2004 from 2003. This increase was predominantly due to the
reduction in interest expense in 2004 from 2003 that was generated from the
refinancing of its Senior Debt on August 29, 2003.

     True Value's major working capital components individually move in the same
direction with the seasonality of the business. The spring and early fall are
the most active periods for True Value and require the highest levels of working
capital. The low point for accounts receivable, inventory and accounts payable
is at the end of the calendar year. The cash needed to meet the future payments
for accounts payable will be provided by the cash generated from collections of
accounts receivable and from the future sale of inventory.

     In 2005, True Value's major working capital components unfavorably impacted
cash from operations compared to 2004 as the increase in Inventory of $84,835
and Accounts receivable of $28,280 was only partially offset by the increase in
Accounts payable of $18,975. Inventory increased significantly over 2004 as
discussed above and was slightly offset by an increase in Accounts payable.
Accounts payable did not increase proportionately to Inventory as True Value's
"DPO" (Days Payable Outstanding) decreased to 58.3 in 2005 compared to 61.7 in
2004. The lower DPO was mainly due to the required prepayment for imported
merchandise. Also, True Value's DPO was unfavorable due to a lower 2005
inventory turnover ratio of 3.8 compared to 4.3 in 2004, which required the
payment for a greater amount of merchandise inventory before it was sold
compared to 2004. Accounts receivable increased mainly due to increased sales in
the fourth quarter of 2005 compared to 2004 and the timing of collections on
vendor receivables, partially offset by an improved 13-month average member
receivable "DSO" (Days Sales Outstanding) that declined to 37.8 in 2005 compared
to 38.5 in 2004.

                                        26
<PAGE>

     In 2004, True Value's major working capital components did not
significantly impact cash from operations as Accounts receivable, Inventory and
Accounts payable remained flat compared to 2003. Even though True Value's
13-month average member receivable DSO declined to 38.5 compared to 39.6 in
2003, it did not generate additional cash flow, as the lifting of the moratorium
on common stock redemptions in July 2004 allowed True Value to set off a
substantial amount of the older accounts receivable against the member's common
stock investment.

     In 2003, True Value's major working capital components did not
significantly impact cash from operations as Accounts receivable remained flat
compared to 2002. True Value's 13-month average member receivable DSO was also
flat at 39.6 for 2003 compared to 39.7 days for 2002. Additionally, Inventory
and Accounts payable in 2003 increased compared to 2002 by $50,880 and $38,614,
respectively, as a result of programs implemented to improve fill rates and
increase levels of imported product.

     True Value generated cash from investing activities in 2005 and 2003 of
$7,223 and $13,065, respectively, while it used cash from investing activities
in 2004 in the amount of $9,827. Investing activities include capital
expenditures, proceeds from sales of properties and restricted cash activities.
The change to cash generated from investing activities in 2005 from cash used
from investing activities in 2004 was predominantly due to the increase in
proceeds from the sale of properties in 2005, which increased to $22,098 from
$549 in 2004. This increase in proceeds from the sale of properties in 2005 was
principally related to the sale of the Chicago, Illinois, oil-based paint
manufacturing facility on December 28, 2005, and the sale of the East Butler,
Pennsylvania, facility on April 20, 2005.

     The change to cash used from investing activities in 2004 from cash
generated from investing activities in 2003 was due to the elimination of
restricted cash in 2003 as a result of the debt refinancing, which provided cash
of $15,755.

     Total capital expenditures, excluding expenditures under capital leases,
were $14,875, $11,874 and $6,825 for the years 2005, 2004 and 2003,
respectively. Capital expenditures are comprised of various building
improvements and purchases of additional equipment and technology at True
Value's distribution centers, manufacturing facilities and at its corporate
headquarters. True Value's management has forecasted that the capital
expenditure investment for 2006 will exceed $18,000 due primarily to increased
investment spending on information systems enhancements, transportation
equipment and paint manufacturing facilities and equipment.

     True Value generated cash from its financing activities in 2005 of $4,386.
The cash was generated from proceeds from the Manchester Mortgage in the amount
of $21,600 (see Note 4, "Debt Arrangements -- Mortgage Transaction," to the
Consolidated Financial Statements beginning at page F-1) and increased
borrowings from the Bank Facility in the amount of $5,600. These proceeds were
used to fund the additional amount of True Value's operating activities that
were not covered by its investing activities, as well as for payments of notes,
long-term debt, lease obligations and the patronage dividend.

     The net excess cash generated from operating and investing activities in
2004 and 2003 was used primarily for financing activities, which used cash of
$58,529 and $45,639 for 2004 and 2003, respectively. In particular, True Value
applied the cash to reducing its long-term and short-term financing in both
years. In addition, in 2004 True Value used cash for payment of the patronage
dividend and the redemption of Class A and Class B common stock related to
lifting the moratorium (see Item 1,"Business -- Capital Stock Redemption"). In
2003, cash was also used for payment of the patronage dividend.

     Cash and cash equivalents at December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003 were $10,008,
$7,222 and $9,234, respectively. As of December 31, 2005 and 2004, the
borrowings under the Bank Facility were $93,900 and $88,300, respectively.

     True Value's net working capital at December 31, 2005, 2004 and 2003, was
$139,769, $87,047 and $50,602, respectively. The current ratio at December 31,
2005, 2004 and 2003 was 1.31, 1.22 and 1.11, respectively. The change in both
the working capital and current ratio between 2005 and 2004 was primarily due to
the higher inventory levels that were not fully offset by the increase in
Accounts payable. The Manchester Mortgage transaction that classified $21,070
from current maturities to long-term debt was

                                        27
<PAGE>

significantly offset by the arbitration provision included in Accrued expenses.
The change in both the working capital and current ratio between 2004 and 2003
was primarily due to the classification of the Bank Facility borrowings between
long-term debt and current maturities. The classification is based on True
Value's projection of seasonal working capital needs. For each year presented,
the amount of the Bank Facility classified as long-term debt represents the
expected lowest level of borrowings during the next 12 months. At December 31,
2005, $13,900 of the $93,900 in Bank Facility borrowings was estimated to be
paid down during the next 12 months; accordingly, $80,000 was classified as
long-term. At December 31, 2004, the Bank Facility borrowings of $88,300 were
estimated to be the lowest level of borrowings for the next 12 months;
accordingly, the entire balance was classified as long-term. At December 31,
2003, $71,600 of the $131,600 in the Bank Facility borrowings was estimated to
be paid down during the following 12 months; accordingly, $60,000 was classified
as long-term.

     True Value's management believes that its cash from operations and existing
credit facilities will provide sufficient liquidity to meet its working capital
needs, planned capital expenditures and debt obligations due to be repaid in
2006. The Bank Facility should provide sufficient liquidity for future needs
until it expires in 2008.

CASH REQUIREMENTS

     Below is the current schedule of the expected cash outflows necessary to
meet financial commitments for 2006 and thereafter:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                       2007 &    2009 &
                                             2006       2008      2010     THEREAFTER    TOTAL
                                           --------   --------   -------   ----------   --------
                                                             ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                        <C>        <C>        <C>       <C>          <C>
Bank Facility(1).........................  $     --   $ 93,900   $    --    $     --    $ 93,900
Real Estate Mortgage(2)..................       530      1,172     1,341      18,557      21,600
Interest on Real Estate Mortgage.........     1,440      2,766     2,597      10,983      17,786
Subordinated promissory installment
  notes..................................     6,329     12,658     1,085          --      20,072
Subordinated promissory notes(3).........    16,326     33,245     1,228          --      50,799
Interest on subordinated promissory and
  subordinated promissory installment
  notes..................................     4,448      4,487       222          --       9,157
Accrued stock redemption liability(4)....       810        695       695          --       2,200
Capital lease obligations................     1,349      1,862     1,214       1,068       5,493
Operating lease obligations..............    32,568     57,072    52,387     196,874     338,901
Purchase obligations(5)..................    95,988         --        --          --      95,988
Redeemable nonqualified Class B
  non-voting common stock................        --         --        --      20,410      20,410
                                           --------   --------   -------    --------    --------
Total....................................  $159,788   $207,857   $60,769    $247,892    $676,306
                                           ========   ========   =======    ========    ========
</Table>

-------------------------
(1) Borrowings under the Bank Facility fluctuate with the seasonal needs of the
    business. There are no required payments until the maturity of the Bank
    Facility in August 2008. Interest on the Bank Facility is variable at either
    the London Interbank Offering Rate ("LIBOR") or prime plus, in either case,
    an additional amount of interest determined based on a performance-based
    pricing grid.

(2) On December 29, 2005, True Value entered into the Manchester Mortgage of
    $21,600. The Manchester Mortgage is a 20-year fully amortizing loan at a
    fixed rate of 6.74% with a maturity date of January 1, 2026. Net proceeds
    were used to reduce borrowings under True Value's variable rate revolving
    credit facility.

(3) The amounts reflect payments as scheduled; however, prior experience
    indicates that a significant portion of the subordinated promissory notes
    will likely be renewed, extending the maturity for an additional three
    years. In 2005 and 2004, this renewal rate was approximately 77% and 70%,
    respectively.

(4) As of December 31, 2005, True Value had shareholders that discontinued their
    purchasing activities with True Value and requested that their stock be
    redeemed but who had not completed the redemption procedures. True Value
    classified this $2,200 of stock redemption liability as $810 in Current
    maturities

                                        28
<PAGE>

    of long-term debt, notes and capital lease obligations and $1,390 in
    Long-term debt including notes and capital lease obligations, less current
    maturities.

(5) Purchase obligations represent commitments under open purchase orders, are
    typically short-term and fluctuate with the seasonality of True Value's
    business. Also, purchase obligations are part of a cycle where they are
    continuously converted into inventory and new purchase obligations are
    created.

  DEBT DISCUSSION

     True Value's total debt was $194,064 and $170,301 at December 31, 2005 and
2004, respectively. In 2005, True Value increased its debt level primarily for
use in its operations.

     True Value's debt consisted of the following at December 31:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                  2005        2004
                                                                --------    --------
                                                                  ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                             <C>         <C>
Bank Facility...............................................    $ 93,900    $ 88,300
Real Estate Mortgage........................................      21,600          --
Capital lease obligations...................................       5,493       1,855
                                                                --------    --------
Total third-party debt......................................     120,993      90,155
Member debt: Subordinated promissory and
  subordinated promissory installment notes.................      73,071      80,146
                                                                --------    --------
Total debt..................................................    $194,064    $170,301
                                                                ========    ========
</Table>

     The change in True Value's debt balances was as follows for years ending
December 31:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                  2005        2004
                                                                --------    --------
                                                                  ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                             <C>         <C>
Beginning balance...........................................    $170,301    $192,282
Increase/(paydown) from cash generated/used from operations,
  net of other uses.........................................      34,519     (60,207)
Redemption of stock.........................................       5,169      38,226
Miscellaneous asset sale proceeds...........................     (15,925)         --
                                                                --------    --------
Ending balance..............................................    $194,064    $170,301
                                                                ========    ========
</Table>

     True Value had outstanding borrowings under the Bank Facility of $93,900
and $88,300 at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The weighted average
interest rate on these borrowings was 6.1% and 4.7% at December 31, 2005 and
2004, respectively. True Value's weighted average interest rate on its total
debt was 6.25% and 5.7% at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

  BANK FACILITY

     On August 29, 2003, True Value entered into a four-year $275,000 Bank
Facility. The Bank Facility was used to refinance the then existing third-party
senior debt at a substantially lower interest rate. Availability under the Bank
Facility is limited to the lesser of $275,000 or the collateral value of
eligible assets (the "borrowing base"), less outstanding borrowings, letters of
credit and reserves. The reserve amounts, if any, are set at the discretion of
the lenders. True Value's availability at December 31, 2005, was $150,006.

     True Value amended its Bank Facility on May 6, 2005, primarily to lower the
interest rates charged on this debt, extend the term of the Bank Facility for
one year to August of 2008 and ease certain restrictive language, which had the
primary effect of increasing the spending limitations on capital expenditures,
leases and various distributions to members.

     The interest rate charged for Bank Facility borrowings is variable at
either LIBOR or prime, plus in either case, an additional amount of interest
determined based on a performance-based pricing grid. True Value has the option
to select LIBOR or prime as the base rate. The performance grid is based upon
True Value's fixed

                                        29
<PAGE>

charge coverage ratio, measured quarterly. Based on this performance pricing
grid, True Value achieved 0.25% of improved variable pricing effective May 1,
2004. The performance-based pricing grid was amended in May 2005 to (1) lower
the interest rate that is added to LIBOR or prime borrowings and (2) decrease
the fixed charge ratio needed to achieve improved pricing. Based on this amended
performance pricing grid, True Value achieved 0.75% of improved variable pricing
effective May 11, 2005. As of December 31, 2005 and 2004, the Bank Facility
interest rate was 6.1% and 4.7%, respectively, as the decrease to interest cost
resulting from the amended performance grid was more than offset by an increase
in the underlying LIBOR and prime rates. The unused commitment fee is 0.375%.
Letters of credit issued under the Bank Facility have a fee based on the
performance pricing grid and this fee was 1.625% and 1.875% at December 31, 2005
and 2004, respectively. Fees paid for obtaining the Bank Facility totaled
$3,752, and these fees are being amortized by True Value over the term of the
Bank Facility.

     The Bank Facility has no financial covenants unless daily average excess
availability for the last 60 days of each quarter drops below $35,000. If the
average is below $35,000, True Value is subject to a fixed charge coverage ratio
of 1.1 to 1. As of December 31, 2005, True Value's average excess availability
for the last 60 days was greater than $35,000 and True Value is therefore not
subject to the fixed charge coverage ratio test. Additionally, True Value is
required to maintain $15,000 of excess availability at all times. Management
believes it is in compliance with this requirement and is in compliance with all
terms and conditions of the Bank Facility.

     In December 2005, True Value amended the Bank Facility to allow True Value
to enter into additional third-party debt secured by assets previously
collateralizing the Bank Facility. See "Mortgage Transaction" below.

     In February 2006, True Value amended the Bank Facility to modify certain
terms in the calculation of the borrowing base and the fixed charge coverage
ratio, to remove the limitation on lease transactions and to ease restrictions
on transactions with members. The borrowing base formula was modified to
increase the maximum collateral value of inventory assets from $160,000 to
$175,000. The modification to the fixed charge coverage calculation clarified
terms, improved the reported ratio and had no impact on the performance pricing
grid or compliance.

  MORTGAGE TRANSACTION

     On December 29, 2005, True Value entered into the Manchester Mortgage of
$21,600. The Manchester, New Hampshire, facility has a net book value of
$10,143. The Manchester Mortgage is a 20-year fully amortizing loan at a fixed
rate of 6.74% with a maturity date of January 1, 2026. Net proceeds were used to
reduce borrowings under True Value's variable rate Bank Facility.

  SUBORDINATED PROMISSORY AND SUBORDINATED PROMISSORY INSTALLMENT NOTES

     Subordinated promissory notes are issued from time to time for partial
payment of the annual patronage dividend. Subordinated promissory notes are
subordinated to indebtedness to banking institutions, trade creditors and other
indebtedness of True Value as specified by its board of directors. Prior
experience indicates that the maturities of a significant portion of the notes
due within one year are often extended at the option of the member, for a
three-year period, at interest rates established by True Value and substantially
equivalent to competitive market rates of comparable instruments. In 2005 and
2004, approximately 77% and 70%, respectively, of notes scheduled to mature in
those years were extended for an additional three years. True Value anticipates
that this practice of extending notes, based on historical results, will
continue.

     Subordinated promissory installment notes are issued in payment of the
redemption of qualified Class B common stock upon termination of membership in
the cooperative (see Item 1, "Business -- Capital Stock Redemption").

                                        30
<PAGE>

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

     True Value's significant accounting policies are contained in the
accompanying Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements. The financial
statements have been prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally
accepted in the United States of America and, accordingly, include amounts based
on informed estimates and judgments of management with due consideration given
to materiality. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those estimates.
The following represents those critical accounting policies where materially
different amounts would be reported under different conditions or using
different assumptions.

     - Accounts and notes receivable, net of allowance for doubtful
       accounts -- At December 31, 2005, accounts receivable, net of $1,420 in
       allowance for doubtful accounts, was $226,899. True Value determined the
       allowance based upon its evaluation of known requirements, aging of
       receivables, historical experience, the current economic environment and
       its ability to set off against any unpaid receivable amounts due to
       members for stock, notes, interest and declared and unpaid dividends.
       While True Value believes it has appropriately considered known or
       expected outcomes, its members' ability to pay their obligations,
       including those to True Value, could be adversely affected by declining
       sales of hardware at retail resulting from such factors as contraction in
       the economy, loss of memberships or intense competition from chain
       stores, discount stores, home centers and warehouse stores.

     - Inventories, net of valuation reserves -- At December 31, 2005,
       inventories, net of $17,524 in valuation reserves, were $334,018, and
       reflect the reductions from cost in order to state inventories at the
       lower of cost or market. The lower of cost or market valuation considers
       the estimated realizable value in the current economic environment
       associated with disposing of surplus and/or damaged/obsolete inventories.
       True Value estimated realizable value based on an analysis of historical
       trends related to its distressed inventory. This analysis compares
       current levels of active, new and discontinued inventory items to the
       prior 12-month actual demand, ages these items based on such demand and
       then applies historical loss rates to the aged items. In addition, based
       upon known facts and circumstances, reserves for specific inventory items
       were made. Also, a review of all inventory items over certain thresholds
       was performed to ascertain if specific reserves were required. Additional
       downward valuation adjustments could be required should any of the
       following events occur: 1) a significant contraction in the current
       economic climate, resulting in retailers being unwilling to accept
       deliveries of advance orders placed, 2) True Value electing not to ship
       inventories to retailers who pose a greater credit risk than appropriate
       or 3) an unanticipated decline in retail outlets or a significant
       contraction in True Value's warehouse stock replenishment business for
       selected product categories. Potential additional downward valuation
       adjustments would also be required by True Value in the event of
       unanticipated additional excess quantities of finished goods and raw
       materials and/or from lower disposition values offered by the parties who
       normally purchase surplus inventories.

     - Asset impairment -- For purposes of determining property impairment,
       management reviews long-lived assets based on a geographic region or a
       revenue producing activity, as appropriate. The impairment review
       includes, among other criteria, management's estimate of future cash
       flows for the region or activity. If the estimated future cash flows
       (undiscounted and without interest charges) are not sufficient to recover
       the carrying value of the long-lived assets of the region or activity,
       such assets would be determined to be impaired and would be written down
       to their fair value. In 2005, True Value recorded an impairment charge of
       $942 to write-down its East Butler, Pennsylvania, facility to fair value.
       No asset impairment charges were recorded in 2004. In 2003, True Value
       recorded asset impairment charges of $2,005 relating primarily to
       equipment held for use at the East Butler, Pennsylvania, facility. The
       asset impairment charges impacted True Value's hardware segment and are
       included in Operating expenses under the "Other income, net" caption in
       the accompanying Consolidated Statement of Operations.

     - Goodwill -- At December 31, 2005, the accompanying Consolidated Balance
       Sheet reflects $91,474 of goodwill. Goodwill is tested for impairment
       using a discounted cash flow analysis by each reporting unit (Hardware
       and Paint manufacturing). This test is completed annually unless
       significant events necessitate a more frequent test. True Value
       determined as of December 31, 2005, that no impairment

                                        31
<PAGE>

       exists. There are inherent uncertainties related to the factors utilized
       to assess impairment and in management's judgment in applying them to the
       analysis of goodwill impairment. It is possible that assumptions
       underlying the impairment analysis will change in such a manner that
       impairment in value may occur in the future.

     - Deferred tax assets -- At December 31, 2005, the accompanying
       Consolidated Balance Sheet reflects $60,615 of deferred tax assets,
       principally related to net operating loss carryforwards, deferred gain
       recognition and nonqualified notices of allocation. These deferred tax
       assets, net of deferred tax liabilities of $2,578, are offset by a full
       valuation allowance at December 31, 2005. True Value had approximately
       $26,038 of tax operating loss carryforwards available to offset future
       taxable income. In general, such carryforwards must be utilized within 20
       years of incurring the net operating loss. At December 31, 2005, True
       Value concluded that, based on the weight of available evidence, it is
       more likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized
       and that a full valuation allowance is required. Deferred tax assets will
       only be realized to the extent future earnings are retained by True Value
       and not distributed to members as patronage dividends.

     - Accrued expenses -- At December 31, 2005, the accompanying Consolidated
       Balance Sheet reflects $88,811 of accrued expenses, principally related
       to compensation, benefits, arbitration provision and other operating
       expenses. True Value works with an actuarial firm in the valuation of
       benefit obligations. True Value selects certain actuarial assumptions on
       which to base the calculation of the actuarial valuation of the
       obligation, such as the discount rate (interest rate used to determine
       present value of obligations payable in the future), medical trend rate,
       expected return on assets and mortality tables to determine the expected
       future benefit obligations. The discount rate was based on an analysis of
       bond rates with terms that have similar duration as the pension
       liabilities. The medical trend rate was based on an analysis of inflation
       rates and medical inflation rates and the long-term trend for these
       rates. The expected return on assets was based on an analysis of
       historical real returns on True Value's portfolio mix over 30-year
       periods. This analysis produced a range of rates that True Value adjusted
       for a future inflation factor and the impact of trust fees. True Value
       used a rate within this range of rates. To the extent that the actual
       rates and mortality vary from the assumptions used to determine the
       present actuarial valuation of these benefits, True Value may have to
       increase its provision for expenses.

     The assumptions used to determine True Value's pension obligations for all
plans were as follows for the years ended December 31:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                              2005    2004
                                                              -----   -----
<S>                                                           <C>     <C>
Weighted average assumptions:
  Discount rate.............................................  5.25%   5.50%
  Expected return on assets.................................  8.00%   8.00%
  Rate of compensation increase.............................  3.50%   3.50%
</Table>

     Assumed discount rates and expected return on assets have a significant
effect on the amounts reported for the pension plans. A one-percentage point
change in assumed discount rates and expected return on assets would have the
following effects:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                              ONE PERCENT   ONE PERCENT
                                                               DECREASE      INCREASE
                                                              -----------   -----------
                                                                  ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>           <C>
Sensitivity to Discount Rate
  Projected Benefit Obligation as of 12/31/2005.............    $8,425        $(7,669)
                                                                ------        -------
  2005 Pension expense......................................       804           (789)
  2005 Settlement expense...................................       757           (701)
                                                                ------        -------
  Total 2005 Pension expense................................     1,561         (1,490)
                                                                ======        =======
Sensitivity to Expected Return on Assets
  2005 Expected Return on Assets............................      (646)           646
</Table>

                                        32
<PAGE>

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
($ IN THOUSANDS)

     True Value's operations are subject to certain market risks, primarily
interest rate risk and credit risk. Interest rate risk pertains to True Value's
variable rate debt, which had approximately $93,900 outstanding at December 31,
2005. A 50 basis point movement in interest rates would result in an approximate
$470 annualized increase or decrease in interest expense and cash flows based on
the outstanding balance at December 31, 2005.

     For the most part, True Value manages interest rate risk through a
combination of variable and fixed-rate debt instruments with varying maturities.
True Value demonstrated this method of managing interest rate risk when it
entered into a 20-year fixed rate mortgage on its Manchester, New Hampshire
distribution facility in December 2005 and used the proceeds to reduce borrowing
under its variable rate Bank Facility that expires in 2008. As required by the
Bank Facility, True Value has purchased interest rate caps that limit its risk
on $25,000 of variable rate debt to maximum underlying LIBOR rates of 3.5%
through August 2007 and 4.5% for the remaining term, which expires in August
2008. The three-month LIBOR at December 31, 2005 was approximately 4.5%. True
Value marks to market the interest rate caps and the 2005 and 2004 gains of $233
and $293, respectively, are reflected as a component of Third-party interest
expense.

     Credit risk pertains primarily to True Value's trade receivables. True
Value extends credit to its members as part of its day-to-day operations. True
Value's management believes that, as no specific receivable or group of
receivables comprises a significant percentage of total trade accounts, its risk
in respect to trade receivables is limited. Additionally, True Value's
management believes that its allowance for doubtful accounts is adequate with
respect to member credit risks. True Value performs no speculative hedging
activities. True Value does not have any interest in variable interest entities
and all related party transactions (i.e., transactions with members) are at
arm's length.

ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
($ IN THOUSANDS)

     True Value's consolidated financial statements and report of independent
registered public accounting firm are listed in the index on page F-1.

ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND
        FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE.

     None.

ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES.

     True Value's Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer have
concluded that as of December 31, 2005, True Value's disclosure controls and
procedures (as defined in Rules 13a - 15(e) or 15d - 15(e) under the Securities
Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) are effective based on the evaluation required
by paragraph (b) of Rules 13a - 15 or 15d - 15. There has been no change in True
Value's internal control over financial reporting identified in connection with
reaching the conclusion described above that occurred during True Value's fiscal
quarter ended December 31, 2005 that has materially affected, or is reasonably
likely to materially affect, True Value's internal control over financial
reporting.

ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.

     True Value believes it is in compliance with all Securities and Exchange
Commission ("SEC") Form 8-K filings and although deregistration does not require
the filing of a separate Form 8-K, True Value believes it is significant to
disclose in this SEC Form 10-K.

     On December 14, 2005, with the unanimous approval of the board of
directors, True Value filed Form 15 with the SEC to deregister its Class A
common stock. This deregistration alleviates True Value of the SEC requirements
and costs associated with SEC reporting.

                                        33
<PAGE>

     Though True Value was never a publicly traded company, it was a registrant
of the SEC since 1963 because of the deemed benefits afforded by registration at
the time. Additionally, while True Value in the past has issued public debt, the
last of such debt was redeemed in 2003. Since True Value no longer has public
debt nor intends to have public debt, the board of directors viewed this as an
appropriate time to deregister.

                                    PART III

ITEM 10. DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE REGISTRANT.

DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS

     The directors and senior executive officers (officers who report directly
to the CEO) of True Value or are nominated or selected to be directors or senior
executive officers of True Value as of the date of this filing are:

<Table>
<Caption>
                NAME                  AGE             POSITIONS HELD AND BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
                ----                  ---             --------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>   <C>
Bryan R. Ableidinger................  57    Chairman since April 29, 2003. Director since August 2000.
                                            Owner/operator of retail hardware business since 1975.

Cathy C. Anderson...................  56    Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate
                                            Secretary since February 17, 2003. Previous position was
                                            Executive Vice President, General Counsel and Secretary,
                                            Alliant Foodservice, Inc., 1995 -- 2002.

Richard E. George, Jr...............  66    Director since November 2005. President and CEO of R.G.
                                            Trends, Inc. Prior positions include Chairman and CEO of
                                            Ulta 3 Cosmetics & Salon, Inc. and President and CEO of
                                            Osco Drug, Inc. Active member of Alpha Capital's CEO
                                            Advisor Group. Also serves as a non-executive Chairman of
                                            the Board for Factory Card & Party Outlet Corp and Factory
                                            Connection LLC.

Michael S. Glode....................  56    Director since April 2003. Owner/operator of retail
                                            hardware business since 1970.

Michael Haining.....................  50    Senior Vice President, Logistics and Manufacturing since
                                            January 1, 2005. Senior Vice President, Distribution/
                                            Logistics and Manufacturing, January 1, 2004 -- December
                                            31, 2004. Previous position with True Value was Senior Vice
                                            President, Distribution and Logistics, April 21,
                                            2003 -- December 31, 2003. Prior positions include
                                            independent consultant providing supply chain consulting to
                                            Fortune 500 companies, 2002 -- 2003; and at Kraft Foods
                                            North America, Vice President Supply Chain, 1999 -- 2002,
                                            Senior Director, Distribution and Supply Chain,
                                            1998 -- 1999, and Director of Operations, Strategic,
                                            1996 -- 1998.

Thomas S. Hanemann..................  66    Director since October 2002. President and Chief Executive
                                            Officer November 2, 2004 -- June 11, 2005. Chief manager of
                                            Chandler-Hanemann, LLC, an upscale prepared food business,
                                            since 1999. Prior positions include President and Director
                                            of AutoZone, a Fortune 500 national chain of auto parts
                                            stores, and President of Super D Drugstores, a division of
                                            Malone & Hyde.
</Table>

                                        34
<PAGE>

<Table>
<Caption>
                NAME                  AGE             POSITIONS HELD AND BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
                ----                  ---             --------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>   <C>

Judith S. Harrison..................  52    Director since August 2002. Principal of and Senior
                                            Consultant for WayPoint Partners, Inc., a management
                                            consulting firm that provides strategic, operations and
                                            investment advice, since 2000. Prior positions include
                                            Chief Executive Officer of Zanybrainy.com, 1999 -- 2000;
                                            President of General Cigar Enterprises, 1998 -- 1999; and
                                            President and Chief Executive Officer of the Monet Group,
                                            1994 -- 1997.

Lyle G. Heidemann...................  61    President and Chief Executive Officer since June 6, 2005.
                                            Prior positions at Sears Roebuck & Co. included Executive
                                            Vice President and General Manager of Home and Off-Mall
                                            stores from 1999 -- 2003 and Senior Vice President,
                                            Appliances and Electronics, from 1997 -- 1999.

Fred L. Kirst.......................  54    Vice President, Retail and Specialty Business Development
                                            since February 2, 2005. Previous positions with True Value
                                            include Vice President, Specialty Business, October
                                            2003 -- February 2005, Vice President of Maintenance,
                                            Repair and Operations and Home & Garden Showplace, December
                                            2001 -- October 2003,Vice President, Advertising and
                                            Merchandising, April 2001 -- December 2001, Vice President,
                                            Global Development and Emerging Business, June 2000 --
                                            March 2001, and Assistant Vice President, International,
                                            March 1997 -- May 2000.

Steven L. Mahurin...................  46    Senior Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer since
                                            March 3, 2004. Previous positions include Vice
                                            President -- Merchandising, Building Materials, 2001 --
                                            2002, Senior Vice President -- Merchandising, Decor,
                                            2000 -- 2001, and Senior Vice President -- Merchandising,
                                            Hardlines, 1999 -- 2000 for The Home Depot, Inc.

Amy W. Mysel........................  53    Senior Vice President of Human Resources and Communications
                                            since October 1, 2003. Previous position with True Value
                                            was Vice President of Human Resources, September
                                            2002 -- October 2003. Previous position was Executive Vice
                                            President, Human Resources, Planning and Communication for
                                            Market Day, Inc., 1996 -- 2002.

Kenneth A. Niefeld..................  63    Director since March 2004. Owner/operator of retail
                                            hardware business since 1974.

David Y. Schwartz...................  65    Director since April 2002. Independent business advisor and
                                            consultant, primarily in the retail, distribution and
                                            services industries, since 1997. Prior position was Senior
                                            Partner and Managing Partner of the Chicago Office of the
                                            Audit and Business Consulting Practice for Arthur Andersen,
                                            LLP. He is also a member of the board of directors of
                                            Walgreen Co. and Foot Locker, Inc. and sits on the boards
                                            of several privately-held companies.
</Table>

                                        35
<PAGE>

<Table>
<Caption>
                NAME                  AGE             POSITIONS HELD AND BUSINESS EXPERIENCE
                ----                  ---             --------------------------------------
<S>                                   <C>   <C>

David A. Shadduck...................  45    Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer since
                                            November 16, 2001. Prior position with True Value was Vice
                                            President, Corporate Controller, May 30, 2001 -- November
                                            15, 2001. Prior positions were Controller for Tenneco
                                            Automotive North American Aftermarket and Controller for
                                            Original Equipment Business at Fel-Pro Incorporated.

Gilbert L. Wachsman.................  58    Director since March 2002. Retired Vice Chairman and
                                            Director of Musicland Group, Inc. Prior position includes
                                            Senior Vice President of Kmart Corporation, 1995 -- 1996.

Brian A. Webb.......................  49    Vice-Chairman since July 2005. Director since March 2004.
                                            Owner/operator of retail hardware business.

Leslie A. Weber.....................  49    Senior Vice President and Chief Information Officer since
                                            September 2, 2003. Previous positions include Chief
                                            Information Officer at Wheels, Inc., 2001 -- 2003, and
                                            Chief Information Officer at Quill Corporation, 1998 --
                                            2001.

Charles W. Welch....................  55    Director since April 2003. Owner/operator of retail
                                            hardware business since 1974.

Carol Wentworth.....................  48    Vice President, Marketing, since October 1, 2004. Vice
                                            President of Marketing and Advertising, June 3, 2002 --
                                            September 30, 2004. Previous positions include Vice
                                            President of Sales Promotion and Marketing, 1998 -- 2002,
                                            and Assistant Vice President of Sales Promotion,
                                            1997 -- 1998, at Fred Meyer in Portland, Oregon.
</Table>

     Each current director's term expires at the annual stockholders' meeting to
be held on March 18, 2006 and all have been nominated for re-election except
Judith S. Harrison and Gilbert L. Wachsman who have decided not to stand for
re-election.

BOARD NOMINATING COMMITTEE

     The nominating committee of True Value's board of directors was established
to assist the board in identifying and evaluating potential director candidates
to serve on the board. The nominating committee is comprised of four
non-employee directors and generally will meet as often as it determines
necessary to carry out its responsibilities to the board. The nominating
committee held three meetings in 2005. Michael S. Glode serves as the chairman
of the nominating committee and the other three members are Thomas S. Hanemann,
David Y. Schwartz and Charles W. Welch. The nominating committee currently does
not have a charter. The nominating committee utilizes an executive recruiting
firm to identify, screen and rate potential director candidates and the
nominating committee currently does not consider director candidates recommended
by True Value members or other third parties. Generally, the nominating
committee considers the skills of the proposed director candidate, his or her
depth and breath of business experience, his or her independence and the needs
of the board of directors.

BOARD AUDIT COMMITTEE

     The audit committee of True Value's board of directors is comprised of
three non-employee and independent directors. David Y. Schwartz is the "audit
committee financial expert" serving on the audit committee. Mr. Schwartz is an
independent member of the board of directors of True Value, as that term is used
in Item 7 (d) (3) (iv) of Schedule 14A under the Exchange Act and is defined in
Sec-

                                        36
<PAGE>

tion 303A.02 of the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. Listed Company Manual. The
other two audit committee members are Judith S. Harrison and Thomas S. Hanemann.

CODE OF ETHICS

     True Value has adopted a code of ethics that applies to its principal
executive officer, principal financial officer, principal accounting officer or
controller and any other person performing a similar function. The code of
ethics was filed as an exhibit (Ex. 99.3) to the Annual Report on Form 10-K for
the year ended December 31, 2002.

ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.

COMPENSATION COMMITTEE

     The Compensation Committee of the board of directors consists of three
non-employee directors. The committee assists the board of directors in
fulfilling its responsibilities for setting and administering the policies which
govern annual executive compensation and monitoring True Value's benefit plans.
The committee, which meets regularly, calls upon outside consultants for
assistance in carrying out its obligations.

     The philosophy of the committee is to maintain an executive compensation
program to help True Value attract, retain and motivate the executive resources
needed to maintain industry leadership, provide high levels of service to
members and achieve the financial objectives determined by the board of
directors. The committee sets performance goals, assesses achievement relative
to the performance goals and recommends to the board salary, bonus or retention
incentives and long-term incentives for the senior executives of True Value.

     To achieve its goals, the committee has developed three executive
compensation policies for True Value:

     - Salaried compensation should be competitive with the median for
       executives of companies of a comparable size within True Value's
       industry;

     - Annual incentive compensation should vary and reflect True Value's
       performance; and

     - A long-term (multiple year) incentive program should be available to help
       True Value retain selected executives.

     The combination of these three compensation policies is intended to provide
competitive earning opportunities when performance reaches desired levels. Both
the annual and long-term incentive plans may be terminated by the board of
directors at any time. The annual incentive and long-term components of the
total compensation package are accrued for during the year in which they are
earned based upon a forecast of the year's performance. A final computation is
made in the year following the year in which the incentives are earned. The
annual incentive, if earned, will be paid out on or before March 31st of the
following year. Any potential pay out on the long-term incentive plan would
occur on or before March 31st following the last year of a performance cycle and
when the cumulative performance over the performance period of these three-year
plans has met the required achievement, at least at the threshold level.

     True Value provides salary levels that are intended to fall at the median
(the 50th percentile) of the executive marketplace of comparable size in True
Value's industry. The following types of organizations are considered within
True Value's industry: member-owned organizations, wholesale distribution firms,
mass merchandising retail firms and general manufacturing organizations.
Competitiveness is measured using data from a number of sources, including
published information, proxy statements and surveys by consulting firms.

     The 2005 compensation of Lyle G. Heidemann, True Value's President and
Chief Executive Officer since June 2005, consisted of a salary paid on an
annualized amount of $725,000, which started on June 6, 2005, plus a one-time
signing bonus of $250,000. This amount is comparable to base salaries for
persons holding this position at companies of comparable size within True
Value's industry. In addition, Mr. Heidemann received a one-time special payment
of $213,372 that was equal to the fair market value of 1,630 shares of Sears
Holdings Corporation ("SHLD"). Mr. Heidemann will also be entitled to receive a
retention bonus of

                                        37
<PAGE>

$250,000 on June 6, 2006, his one-year anniversary, and a second retention bonus
of $200,000 on June 6, 2007, his second anniversary, both of which are
contingent upon Mr. Heidemann being employed by True Value. For fiscal year
2005, both the annual and long-term incentive components of Mr. Heidemann's
compensation were guaranteed and were paid out in February 2006. The annual
incentive component was equal to 70% of his base salary while the long-term
incentive component was equal to the target of 100% of his base salary, both
prorated for his service during the year.

     From November 2, 2004 through June 6, 2005, Thomas S. Hanemann served as
the President and Chief Executive Officer of True Value, pursuant to a
Consulting Agreement executed in November 2004. Under such Consulting Agreement,
Mr. Hanemann received a weekly consulting fee of $14,000, as well as
reimbursement or payment by True Value of certain other expenses. There was no
incentive portion of Mr. Hanemann's compensation.

                                          COMPENSATION COMMITTEE
                                          Gilbert L. Wachsman, Chairman
                                          Kenneth A. Niefeld
                                          Charles W. Welch

EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION

     The following table sets forth the total annual compensation earned by
individuals serving as True Value's Chief Executive Officer and the four most
highly compensated executive officers of True Value during 2005 and the total
compensation earned by each such individual for True Value's two previous years:

                           SUMMARY COMPENSATION TABLE

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                            ANNUAL COMPENSATION
                   NAME AND                                 --------------------     LTIP     ALL OTHER
              PRINCIPAL POSITION                YEAR        SALARY(1)   BONUS(2)   PAYOUTS    COMP.(3)
              ------------------                ----        ---------   --------   --------   ---------
<S>                                             <C>         <C>         <C>        <C>        <C>
Lyle G. Heidemann.............................  2005(4)     $415,016    $540,511   $     --   $257,001
  President and Chief Executive...............  2004              --          --         --         --
  Officer.....................................  2003              --          --         --         --
Thomas S. Hanemann............................  2005              --          --         --    402,048
  Director and Former President and...........  2004              --          --         --    192,916
  Chief Executive Officer.....................  2003              --          --         --     46,500
Steven L. Mahurin.............................  2005         343,750     159,185     36,876     29,860
  Senior Vice President and...................  2004(4)      268,542      67,708         --    177,330
  Chief Merchandising Officer.................  2003              --          --         --         --
David A. Shadduck.............................  2005         317,750     151,441    118,150     27,275
  Senior Vice President and...................  2004         308,250     134,769    110,222     14,702
  Chief Financial Officer.....................  2003         293,000     164,962         --     26,672
Cathy C. Anderson.............................  2005         312,250     133,207     77,405     38,441
  Senior Vice President,......................  2004         301,250      85,555     42,760     22,056
  General Counsel and Secretary...............  2003(4)      255,375     115,403         --     60,024
Michael Haining...............................  2005         272,000     108,992     58,060     53,590
  Senior Vice President,......................  2004         259,750     101,496     26,667     17,865
  Logistics and Manufacturing.................  2003(4)      174,359      79,354         --     48,575
</Table>

---------------

(1) Earned and paid in year shown.

(2) Annual incentive amounts are earned and accrued during the years indicated,
    and paid subsequent to the end of each year. To attain achievement of the
    business plan objectives necessary for the success of True Value, the board
    of directors approved, effective January 1, 2005, an annual incentive plan
    for identified key associates and officers employed by True Value in 2005 or
    who joined True Value by September 30, 2005, and remained employed through
    the end of 2005. The 2005 and 2004 incentive plan had targets related to
    sales, Net margin and individual-specific goals in support of one or more of
    True Value's key

                                        38
<PAGE>

    initiatives. The 2003 incentive plan had targets related to
    individual-specific goals associated with leadership and one or more of True
    Value's initiatives and either sales and EBITDA or sales, Net margin and net
    debt established as of the effective date of the plan.

(3) Other compensation consists of True Value's contributions to the True Value
    Company Employee's Savings and Compensation Deferral Plan (the "401k Plan"),
    life insurance plan, financial planning services and automobile allowances.
    Under the 401k Plan and in accordance with IRS regulations, each participant
    may elect to make a contribution in an amount of up to 50% of the
    participant's annual compensation, not to exceed $14,000, $13,000 and
    $12,000 per year for 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Also, plan
    participants who are 50 years of age or older may elect to make additional
    catch-up contributions not to exceed $4,000, $3,000 and $2,000 for 2005,
    2004 and 2003, respectively. The total participants' deferred compensation
    including True Value's contributions to the participants' balances may not
    exceed $42,000, $41,000 and $40,000 in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively.
    The 401k Plan included a guaranteed match of one-third of a participant's
    contribution up to a total of 2% of the participant's annual compensation.
    Based on True Value achieving certain financial goals, a match of greater
    than one-third of a participant's contribution can be earned. A match
    equaling two-thirds of a participant's contribution, up to a total of 4% of
    the participant's annual compensation, was earned for 2003 and funded by
    March 2004. For 2004, a match equaling one-third of a participant's
    contribution, up to a total of 2% of the participant's annual compensation,
    was earned and funded in March 2005. For 2005, a match equaling two-thirds
    of a participant's contribution, up to a total of 4% of the participant's
    annual compensation, was earned and will be funded by March 2006. Lyle G.
    Heidemann's other compensation in 2005 also included a one-time payment of
    $213,372 for the reimbursement of the market value of 1,630 shares of SHLD.
    Thomas S. Hanemann's other compensation in 2005 and 2004 consisted of
    $366,123 and $135,916, respectively, related to fees paid, housing, travel
    and use of a car while providing consulting services to serve in the
    President and Chief Executive Officer position. Additionally in 2005 and
    2004, Mr. Hanemann received $35,925 and $57,000, respectively, for his
    service on the board of directors. Mr. Hanemann's other compensation in 2003
    was for his service on the board of directors.

(4) Lyle G. Heidemann, Steven L. Mahurin, Cathy C. Anderson and Michael Haining
    joined True Value June 6, 2005, March 3, 2004, February 17, 2003, and April
    21, 2003, respectively; compensation is for a partial year.

     True Value has a severance policy providing termination benefits based upon
annual compensation and years of service. Certain officers of True Value are
also offered agreements providing for severance in the event of involuntary
termination without cause with the imposition of certain restrictions regarding
competition and confidentiality. The officer severance agreements provide for
payments that vary from 12 to 24 months of base compensation.

     True Value did not make loans to its executive officers or to its directors
during the last three years.

LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE CASH AWARDS

     Under the long-term incentive compensation plan for selected officers of
True Value, such officers are eligible for cash pay-outs calculated on a
percentage of their annual salary based upon cumulative performance over the
performance period of these multi-year plans. Any potential pay-out would occur
on or before March 31st following the last year of a performance cycle.
Performance goals for the current plans relate to achieving financial goals
pertaining to a combination of sales and EBITDA or Net margin, depending on the
appropriate three-year Performance Period.

     The officers of True Value received a payout in February 2006 based upon
their aggregate performance in 2003, 2004 and 2005 [Performance Period Three].
Other awards under the Long-Term Incentive Plan ("LTIP") occurred in 2005 for
performance in 2002, 2003 and 2004 [Performance Period Two] and in 2004 for
performance in years 2002 and 2003 [Performance Period One]. There were no
payouts of long-term incentive compensation to True Value officers in 2003.

                                        39
<PAGE>

     Target pay-outs, shown as a percentage of eligible base salary, which could
be earned by the current officers listed in the Summary Compensation Table for
the current plans are as follows: Lyle G. Heidemann at 100%; Steven L. Mahurin,
David A. Shadduck, Cathy C. Anderson, and Michael Haining at 60%.

BOARD COMPENSATION

     True Value compensates members of the board of directors based on their
roles, committee participation and other circumstances as noted below.

<Table>
<S>                                                            <C>
Annual Retainers:
  Chairman..................................................   $125,000
  Vice Chairman.............................................     70,000
  Board Member..............................................     50,000
Committee Chair Retainers:
  Audit and Compensation....................................     10,000
  Corporate Governance......................................      5,000
Teleconference Fees, per meeting............................        500
Committee Meeting Fees, per meeting.........................      1,000
Board Meeting Fees, per meeting.............................      1,500
</Table>

     The President and Chief Executive Officer does not receive additional
compensation for serving in the capacity of director. During their first term,
outside directors are paid an additional $500 for each of up to four
company-related events they attend. All directors are reimbursed for
company-related travel expenses.

DEFINED BENEFIT RETIREMENT PLANS

     True Value has a defined benefit pension plan, the True Value Company
Defined Lump Sum Pension Plan (the "Qualified Plan"), which is qualified under
the Code. The Qualified Plan was amended and restated effective January 1, 2006,
to incorporate new government regulations. The amount of True Value's annual
contribution to the Qualified Plan is determined for the total of all
participants covered by the Qualified Plan and the amount of payment with
respect to a specified person is not and cannot readily be separated or
individually calculated by the actuaries for the Qualified Plan. The Qualified
Plan provides fully vested lump sum benefits to eligible employees who have been
employed a minimum of five years. Annuities are also available and are the
actuarial equivalent of the lump sum payment. Each of the executive officers
listed in the foregoing Summary Compensation Table is a participant in the
Qualified Plan.

     In accordance with the Qualified Plan, as amended as of February 28, 2002,
for service after December 31, 2001, the percentage ranges from 1% of "Final
Average Compensation" (the average compensation that includes salary, overtime
pay, commissions, short-term incentive based bonuses, deferral contributions
under the 401k Plan and pre-tax Section 125 plan premiums paid to an eligible
employee during the three highest calendar years within the 10 calendar years
immediately preceding the date of termination of employment) for years of
service performed prior to age 26 to 9% of Final Average Compensation for years
of service performed at or after age 56. For service prior to January 1, 2002,
the percentages range from 2% of Final Average Compensation for years of service
performed prior to age 26 to 12% of Final Average Compensation for years of
service performed at or after age 61. Participants with Final Average
Compensation in excess of two-thirds of the Social Security Taxable Wage Base in
the year of termination of employment or retirement receive an additional
benefit on this excess compensation equal to one-half of the percentage earned
as of December 31, 2001. For participants who had attained age 50 and completed
at least 15 years of service as of January 1, 1996, the sum of their annual
pension credit percentage is increased by 25 percentage points. The benefits
under the Qualified Plan cannot be less than the benefits already earned by the
participant under the Qualified Plan as it existed prior to its amendment.

     The Qualified Plan was amended effective January 1, 1998, to include former
employees of ServiStar Coast to Coast (SCC). These employees received credit
under the Qualified Plan for all years for which they

                                        40
<PAGE>

received credit under the SCC Retirement Income Plan (the "ServiStar Plan"). In
addition, for any ServiStar (but not Coast to Coast) employees who had attained
age 50 and completed at least 15 years of service as of January 1, 1998, the sum
of their annual pension credit percentage is increased by 25 percentage points.
Also, the benefits under the Qualified Plan cannot be less than benefits already
earned by the participant under the ServiStar Plan as of December 31, 1997.

     The estimated annual retirement benefits that may be payable pursuant to
the Qualified Plan to the officers named in the Summary Compensation Table is
currently limited under Section 401(a)(17) of the Code, which outlines the
maximum earnings amounts that may be considered under the Qualified Plan in
determining retirement benefits. This limit was $210,000 for 2005 and $205,000
for 2004. Section 415 of the Code outlines the maximum annual benefit that may
be payable from the Qualified Plan during the year. The dollar limit was
$170,000 for 2005 and $165,000 for 2004 for a participant retiring at age 65,
with reduced amounts at younger ages. The actuarial equivalent of the annual
amount may be payable as a lump sum.

     No year of service will be credited to any participant for any period of
employment with Coast to Coast, Inc. occurring prior to July 1, 1996 or any
period of employment with Advocate Services, Inc. occurring prior to January 1,
1998.

     True Value maintains a Supplemental Retirement Plan for Officers of True
Value (the "Supplemental Plan"). The Supplemental Plan provides participants
with a benefit equal to 33% of their Final Average Compensation multiplied by
their years of service, reduced by any benefits payable under the Qualified
Plan. Service is limited to 20 years and the maximum aggregate percentage is
660%. Final Average Compensation for the Supplemental Plan is defined similarly
to the Qualified Plan, as discussed above. Benefits are payable in a lump sum,
following termination of employment.

     On January 1, 2005, the Supplemental Plan was amended and restated. The
amendment and restatement provides for prospective changes in various elements
of the Supplemental Plan as they apply to Current Participants (participants of
the Supplemental Plan as of December 31, 2004) or eligible participants entering
the service of True Value on or after January 1, 2005. The amendment and
restatement provides for the following modifications effective January 1, 2005:

     - For the purposes of the Supplemental Plan, "Compensation" means, for any
       calendar year, the base salary plus short-term incentive pay that is paid
       for goal or performance achievements, with Supplemental Plan defined
       exceptions, to the participant in such year related to prior year
       performance, plus pre-tax deferrals.

     - Final Average Compensation, for the Supplemental Plan, was amended to add
       the provision that the highest three of the last ten calendar years were
       contiguous years.

     - Eligibility: Current Participants' eligibility in the Supplemental Plan
       will continue on a "grandfathered" basis. Future participation will be
       restricted to those individuals employed in the position of Senior Vice
       President or above.

     - Any Current Participant's benefit accrued prior to January 1, 2005 will
       be governed under the provisions of the Supplemental Plan in place when
       the benefit was earned. Benefits accrued on January 1, 2005 and
       thereafter will be governed by the Supplemental Plan provisions in effect
       on January 1, 2005 unless future amendments are applicable.

     - The amended Supplemental Plan provides participants with a benefit equal
       to 25% of their Final Average Compensation multiplied by their years of
       service, reduced by any benefits payable under the Qualified Plan.
       Service is limited to 20 years and the maximum aggregate percentage is
       500% for participation on or after the effective date of the amendment.

     - The amendment also provides for a reduction of the benefits, for benefits
       earned on or after the effective date of the amendment, if the eligible
       participant retires before attaining age 65, provided, however, the
       participant's benefit shall not be less than the amount calculated for
       such participants as of December 31, 2004.

                                        41
<PAGE>

     - The amendment introduced the ability for the Plan Administrator to pay
       such benefits in a lump-sum or in a series of substantially equal
       payments made no less frequently than annually over a period not to
       exceed ten years. If the benefit is paid pursuant to a series of
       payments, the benefit will earn interest.

     The Supplemental Plan is not a qualified plan under the Code. Benefits
payable under the Supplemental Plan are financed through operations.

     The following table reflects the combined estimated annual retirement
benefits that may be payable pursuant to the Qualified Plan and the Supplemental
Plan to the officers named in the Summary Compensation Table at retirement under
various assumed conditions, assuming retirement at age 65.

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                 YEARS OF SERVICE
                                                     -----------------------------------------
COMPENSATION                                            5          10         15         20
------------                                         --------   --------   --------   --------
<S>                                                  <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
$1,500,000.........................................  $205,076   $360,437   $515,797   $621,442
 1,450,000.........................................   198,240    348,422    498,604    600,728
 1,400,000.........................................   191,404    336,407    481,411    580,013
 1,350,000.........................................   184,568    324,393    464,217    559,298
 1,300,000.........................................   177,732    312,378    447,024    538,583
 1,250,000.........................................   170,897    300,364    429,831    517,869
 1,200,000.........................................   164,061    288,349    412,638    497,154
 1,150,000.........................................   157,225    276,335    395,444    476,439
 1,100,000.........................................   150,389    264,320    378,251    455,724
 1,050,000.........................................   143,553    252,306    361,058    435,010
 1,000,000.........................................   136,717    240,291    343,865    414,295
   950,000.........................................   129,881    228,276    326,671    393,580
   900,000.........................................   123,046    216,262    309,478    372,865
   850,000.........................................   116,210    204,247    292,285    352,151
   800,000.........................................   109,374    192,233    275,092    331,436
   750,000.........................................   102,538    180,218    257,899    310,721
   700,000.........................................    95,702    168,204    240,705    290,006
   650,000.........................................    88,866    156,189    223,512    269,292
   600,000.........................................    82,030    144,175    206,319    248,577
   550,000.........................................    75,195    132,160    189,126    227,862
   500,000.........................................    68,359    120,146    171,932    207,147
   450,000.........................................    61,523    108,131    154,739    186,433
   400,000.........................................    54,687     96,116    137,546    165,718
</Table>

     The present credited years of service for the current officers of True
Value listed in the Summary Compensation Table are as follows: David A.
Shadduck, 4.6 years; Cathy C. Anderson, 2.9 years; Michael Haining, 2.7 years;
Steven L. Mahurin, 1.8 years; Lyle G. Heidemann, 0.6 year.

     True Value implemented a Transition Incentive Plan ("TIP") effective March
1, 2005 for the ten elected officers who were participants in True Value's
Supplemental Plan as of that date. The TIP is a limited duration, transitional
incentive plan that will expire effective February 29, 2008. The purpose of the
TIP is to provide a short-term offset resulting from the reduction of benefits
under the amended Supplemental Plan and is intended to provide a retention
incentive for True Value's top officers.

     Contingent upon remaining an employee through February 29, 2008, each of
the eligible officers covered by the TIP will receive a one-time cash award
equal to 16% of their eligible earnings received in calendar years 2005, 2006
and 2007. Eligible earnings, for the purposes of the TIP, are the combination of
base salary and awards paid during the calendar year under the annual incentive
plan.

                                        42
<PAGE>

PERFORMANCE GRAPH

     There is no existing market for True Value's common stock and there is no
expectation that any market will develop. There are no broad market or peer
group indices True Value believes would render meaningful comparisons.
Accordingly, a performance graph of True Value's cumulative total stockholder
return for the previous five years, with a performance indicator of the overall
stock market for True Value's peer group, has not been prepared.

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENTS

     On November 2, 2004, True Value entered into a Consulting Agreement with
Thomas S. Hanemann whereby Mr. Hanemann was engaged to serve as the President
and Chief Executive Officer of True Value. As consideration for Mr. Hanemann's
services, he was entitled to a consulting fee in the amount of $14,000 per week.
As a consultant, Mr. Hanemann agreed that he was not entitled to receive any
other benefits or participate in any True Value benefit plans; however, the
Consulting Agreement required True Value to provide Mr. Hanemann with housing
and use of a company car, as well as reimbursement of business and weekly travel
expenses. Mr. Hanemann agreed, pursuant to the Consulting Agreement, to perform
such services consistent with this position, as well as services requested by
True Value's board of directors. Furthermore, Mr. Hanemann agreed that during
the term of the Consulting Agreement and for one year thereafter, he shall abide
by certain non-compete and non-solicitation restrictions. True Value's
consulting agreement with Mr. Hanemann was terminated on June 11, 2005.

     On May 26, 2005, True Value entered into an employment agreement effective
June 6, 2005, with Lyle G. Heidemann, pursuant to which he assumed the duties of
President and Chief Executive Officer of True Value. The employment agreement
specifies that Mr. Heidemann will serve in those capacities at the will of the
board of directors.

     Pursuant to the employment agreement, the board of directors awarded to Mr.
Heidemann an annual base salary of $725,000 starting on June 6, 2005. In 2005,
Mr. Heidemann received a one-time signing bonus of $250,000, which is repayable
to True Value under certain termination conditions, and a one-time special
payment of $213,372 equal to the fair market value of 1,630 shares of SHLD. The
fair market value of the SHLD shares was based upon the volume weighted average
price for the five trading days preceding and the five trading days on and
following the public release of SHLD's earnings for the second quarter of 2005.
Mr. Heidemann is also entitled to receive a retention bonus of $250,000 on June
6, 2006, his one-year anniversary, and a second retention bonus of $200,000 on
June 6, 2007, his second anniversary, both of which are contingent upon Mr.
Heidemann being employed by True Value. In addition, Mr. Heidemann will be
eligible for annual incentives. For fiscal year 2005, Mr. Heidemann's incentive
component was guaranteed at 70% of his base salary, prorated for his service
during the year. The annual incentive portion of the 2005 compensation was paid
to Mr. Heidemann in February 2006. Other than for 2005, incentive payments are
not guaranteed in subsequent years and are subject to board approval. Mr.
Heidemann will also be eligible to receive a long-term incentive of 50% of his
annual base salary if True Value meets a certain threshold financial performance
level and 100% of his base salary if True Value attains a certain targeted
financial performance level. Payment of the 2005 portion of the long-term
incentive plan for Performance Period Three (2003/2004/2005), which was at
target (100%) and was prorated for his service during the year, was guaranteed
and was paid out in February 2006. Other than for 2005, long-term incentive
payments are not guaranteed in subsequent years and are subject to board
approval (see the "Summary Compensation Table" under "Executive Compensation"
for the amount of salary and incentives earned by Mr. Heidemann in 2005).

     In the event that True Value terminates Mr. Heidemann's employment without
"cause," he is entitled to receive a severance payment, payable over 12 months,
in an amount equal to his base salary during that period, provided however that
such payments will be reduced dollar for dollar for any compensation in any form
he receives from a subsequent employer or from self-employment. In addition,
True Value will continue to provide, for a period of 12 months, medical benefits
to which he and his dependents received at the time of termination. "Cause"
includes his inability or unwillingness to perform the material duties of his
position or his performance of any action injurious to True Value.

                                        43
<PAGE>

     If within one year following a "change of control" of True Value, Mr.
Heidemann terminates his employment with True Value for "good reason," he may
also be entitled to a severance payment, payable in equal installments over 12
months, equal to his most recent payment pursuant to True Value's annual
Executive Incentive Plan, provided however that such payments will be reduced
dollar for dollar for any compensation in any form he receives from a subsequent
employer or from self-employment. "Change of control" is defined as a business
combination through a merger, consolidation, reorganization or share exchange in
which True Value or its shareholders after the combination do not own 51% or
more of the voting equity of the entity. "Good reason" is defined to include a
demotion or a substantial reduction in compensation and benefits within one year
after the change of control.

ITEM 12.  SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND
          RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS.

     As of January 28, 2006, each of the member directors of True Value was the
owner of at least 60 shares of Class A common stock of True Value (but no more
than 300 shares), constituting in the aggregate less than 1% of the issued and
outstanding shares of Class A Common Stock. No non-member director or senior
officer owns any shares of Class A common stock.

     The member directors own, in the aggregate, less than 1% of Class B common
stock as of January 28, 2006. No non-member director or senior officer owns any
shares of Class B common stock.

ITEM 13.  CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS.

     Other than as disclosed below, True Value does not enter into any
transaction with directors or officers other than in their capacity as such.

     True Value sells hardware and related merchandise and provides value-added
services such as marketing, advertising, merchandising, and store location and
design services to member directors of True Value on the same basis as it
provides these merchandise and services to other members.

ITEM 14.  PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES.

FEES OF INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

AUDIT FEES

     The aggregate audit fees for 2005 and 2004 were approximately $525,900 and
$518,250, respectively. These amounts include fees for professional services
rendered by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP in connection with the audit of our
consolidated financial statements and reviews of our unaudited consolidated
interim financial statements.

AUDIT-RELATED FEES

     The aggregate fees for audit-related services rendered by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for 2005 and 2004 were approximately $28,900 and
$65,500, respectively. The fees under this category relate to audits of employee
benefit plans and True Value Specialty Company and various Commission reporting
and filing matters.

TAX FEES

     The aggregate fees for tax services rendered by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
for 2005 and 2004 were approximately $10,623 and $3,272, respectively. Tax fees
relate to tax compliance and advisory services and assistance with tax audits.

                                        44
<PAGE>

ALL OTHER FEES

     The aggregate fees for all other services rendered by
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP for 2005 and 2004 were approximately $1,500 and
$6,200, respectively. These fees relate to software licensing and miscellaneous
services.

     All services described under the headings "Audit-Related Fees," "Tax Fees"
or "All Other Fees" were pre-approved by the Audit Committee pursuant to the
procedures set forth in 17 CFR 210.2-01(c)(7)(i)(C). The Audit Committee's
"Polices and Procedures Regarding Approval of Services Provided by the
Independent Auditor" are set forth below:

          All services provided by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, both audit and
     non-audit, must be pre-approved by the Chairman of the Audit Committee or a
     designee, and are subject to review by the Audit Committee at the
     discretion of the Audit Committee Chairman. The decisions of the Audit
     Committee Chairman, or Designated Member, to pre-approve a permitted
     service shall be reported to the Audit Committee at each of its regularly
     scheduled meetings. Consistent with current practice, management will
     submit to the Audit Committee for pre-approval the scope and estimated fees
     associated with the current year audit at the July Audit Committee meeting.

          The pre-approval of nonaudit services may be given at any time up to a
     year before commencement of the specified service. Although the Act permits
     de minimis exceptions, True Value's policy is to pre-approve all audit and
     nonaudit services.

                                    PART IV

ITEM 15.  EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.

     1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

        The Consolidated Financial Statements listed in the index on page F-1
        are filed as part of this annual report.

     2. FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES

        The schedule listed in the index on page F-32 is filed as part of this
        annual report.

     3. EXHIBITS

        The exhibits listed in the index on pages E-1 - E-3 are filed as part of
        this annual report.

                                        45
<PAGE>

                                       SIGNATURES

     PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, THE REGISTRANT HAS DULY CAUSED THIS ANNUAL REPORT TO BE
SIGNED ON ITS BEHALF BY THE UNDERSIGNED, THEREUNTO DULY AUTHORIZED.

                                          TRUE VALUE COMPANY

                                          By:     /s/ DAVID A. SHADDUCK
                                            ------------------------------------
                                                     David A. Shadduck
                                              Senior Vice President and Chief
                                                      Financial Officer
DATED: March 8, 2006

     PURSUANT TO THE REQUIREMENTS OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, THIS
ANNUAL REPORT HAS BEEN SIGNED BELOW BY THE FOLLOWING PERSONS ON BEHALF OF THE
REGISTRANT AND IN THE CAPACITIES AND ON THE DATES INDICATED.

<Table>
<Caption>
                      SIGNATURE                                     TITLE                   DATE
                      ---------                                     -----                   ----
<S>                                                    <C>                              <C>

              /s/ BRYAN R. ABLEIDINGER                 Chairman of the Board and        March 8, 2006
-----------------------------------------------------    Director
                Bryan R. Ableidinger

                /s/ LYLE G. HEIDEMANN                  President, Chief Executive       March 8, 2006
-----------------------------------------------------    Officer and Director
                  Lyle G. Heidemann

                /s/ DAVID A. SHADDUCK                  Senior Vice President and Chief  March 8, 2006
-----------------------------------------------------    Financial Officer (Chief
                  David A. Shadduck                      Accounting Officer)

             /s/ RICHARD E. GEORGE, JR.                Director                         March 8, 2006
-----------------------------------------------------
               Richard E. George, Jr.

                /s/ MICHAEL S. GLODE                   Director                         March 8, 2006
-----------------------------------------------------
                  Michael S. Glode

               /s/ THOMAS S. HANEMANN                  Director                         March 8, 2006
-----------------------------------------------------
                 Thomas S. Hanemann

               /s/ JUDITH S. HARRISON                  Director                         March 8, 2006
-----------------------------------------------------
                 Judith S. Harrison

               /s/ KENNETH A. NIEFELD                  Director                         March 8, 2006
-----------------------------------------------------
                 Kenneth A. Niefeld

                /s/ DAVID Y. SCHWARTZ                  Director                         March 8, 2006
-----------------------------------------------------
                  David Y. Schwartz

               /s/ GILBERT L. WACHSMAN                 Director                         March 8, 2006
-----------------------------------------------------
                 Gilbert L. Wachsman

                  /s/ BRIAN A. WEBB                    Director                         March 8, 2006
-----------------------------------------------------
                    Brian A. Webb

                /s/ CHARLES W. WELCH                   Director                         March 8, 2006
-----------------------------------------------------
                  Charles W. Welch
</Table>

                                        46
<PAGE>

ITEM 15(a)(1). INDEX TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS.

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                              PAGE(S)
                                                              -------
<S>                                                           <C>
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.....  F-2
Consolidated Balance Sheet at December 31, 2005 and December
  31, 2004..................................................  F-3
Consolidated Statement of Operations for each of the three
  years in the period ended December 31, 2005...............  F-4
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows for each of the three
  years in the period ended December 31, 2005...............  F-5
Consolidated Statement of Members' Equity for each of the
  three years in the period ended December 31, 2005.........  F-6
Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements..................  F-7 to F-31
</Table>

                                       F-1
<PAGE>

            REPORT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM

To the Board of Directors and
Members of True Value Company:

     In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements listed in the index
appearing under Item 15(a)(1) present fairly, in all material respects, the
financial position of True Value Company and its subsidiaries at December 31,
2005 and 2004, and the results of their operations and their cash flows for each
of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2005 in conformity with
accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America. In
addition, in our opinion, the financial statement schedule listed in the index
appearing under Item 15(a)(2) presents fairly, in all material respects, the
information set forth therein when read in conjunction with the related
consolidated financial statements. These financial statements and financial
statement schedule are the responsibility of the Company's management. Our
responsibility is to express an opinion on these financial statements and
financial statement schedule based on our audits. We conducted our audits of
these statements in accordance with the standards of the Public Company
Accounting Oversight Board (United States). Those standards require that we plan
and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial
statements are free of material misstatement. An audit includes examining, on a
test basis, evidence supporting the amounts and disclosures in the financial
statements, assessing the accounting principles used and significant estimates
made by management, and evaluating the overall financial statement presentation.
We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ PRICEWATERHOUSECOOPERS LLP

PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Chicago, Illinois
March 6, 2006

                                       F-2
<PAGE>

                               TRUE VALUE COMPANY

                           CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET
                        AS OF DECEMBER 31, 2005 AND 2004
                 ($ IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE INFORMATION)

                                     ASSETS

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                2005       2004
                                                              --------   --------
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Current assets:
  Cash and cash equivalents.................................  $ 10,008   $  7,222
  Accounts and notes receivable, net of allowance for
     doubtful accounts of $1,420 and $3,835.................   226,899    200,958
  Inventories, net of valuation reserves of $17,524 and
     $10,196................................................   334,018    264,235
  Prepaid expenses..........................................    15,927     15,070
                                                              --------   --------
          Total current assets..............................   586,852    487,485
Properties, net.............................................    63,207     70,448
Goodwill....................................................    91,474     91,474
Other assets................................................     9,996      6,112
                                                              --------   --------
Total assets................................................  $751,529   $655,519
                                                              ========   ========
                         LIABILITIES AND MEMBERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
  Accounts payable..........................................  $249,021   $230,046
  Drafts payable............................................    56,750     56,209
  Accrued expenses..........................................    88,811     70,405
  Current maturities of long-term debt, notes and capital
     lease obligations......................................    39,244     31,109
  Patronage dividend payable in cash........................    13,257     12,669
                                                              --------   --------
          Total current liabilities.........................   447,083    400,438
                                                              --------   --------
Long-term liabilities and deferred credits:
  Long-term debt including notes and capital lease
     obligations, less current maturities...................   154,820    139,192
  Deferred gain on sale leaseback...........................    44,451     47,230
  Other long-term liabilities...............................    25,734     18,837
  Redeemable nonqualified Class B non-voting common stock,
     $100 par value; 204,096 and 216,261 shares issued and
     fully paid.............................................    20,410     21,626
                                                              --------   --------
          Total long-term liabilities and deferred
           credits..........................................   245,415    226,885
                                                              --------   --------
          Total liabilities and deferred credits............   692,498    627,323
                                                              --------   --------
Commitments and contingencies...............................        --         --
Members' equity:
  Redeemable Class A voting common stock, $100 par value;
     750,000 shares authorized; 290,280 and 296,820 shares
     issued and fully paid; 25,200 and 22,920 shares issued
     (net of subscriptions receivable of $1,084 and
     $1,484)................................................    30,464     30,490
  Redeemable qualified Class B non-voting common stock and
     paid-in capital, $100 par value; 4,000,000 shares
     authorized; 1,175,863 and 1,008,882 shares issued and
     fully paid.............................................   118,885    102,187
  Loss allocation...........................................   (11,088)   (19,420)
  Deferred patronage........................................   (23,550)   (24,298)
  Accumulated deficit.......................................   (53,950)   (58,860)
  Accumulated other comprehensive loss......................    (1,730)    (1,903)
                                                              --------   --------
          Total members' equity.............................    59,031     28,196
                                                              --------   --------
Total liabilities and members' equity.......................  $751,529   $655,519
                                                              ========   ========
</Table>

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial
                                  Statements.
                                       F-3
<PAGE>

                               TRUE VALUE COMPANY

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005, 2004 AND 2003

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                              2005         2004         2003
                                                           ----------   ----------   ----------
                                                                     ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                        <C>          <C>          <C>
Net revenue..............................................  $2,043,034   $2,023,887   $2,024,340
Cost of revenue..........................................   1,810,182    1,801,810    1,803,904
                                                           ----------   ----------   ----------
Gross margin.............................................     232,852      222,077      220,436
Operating expenses:
  Logistics and manufacturing expenses...................      61,236       63,411       62,066
  Selling, general and administrative expenses...........     102,527      104,772       99,170
  Arbitration provision..................................      18,200           --           --
  (Gain)/loss on sale of assets..........................      (8,333)         228          427
  Other income, net......................................      (2,597)      (3,018)     (20,304)
                                                           ----------   ----------   ----------
Operating income.........................................      61,819       56,684       79,077
  Interest expense to members............................       5,507        5,915        5,799
  Third-party interest expense...........................       8,706        7,379       51,724
                                                           ----------   ----------   ----------
Net margin before income taxes...........................      47,606       43,390       21,554
Income tax expense.......................................          51          177          333
                                                           ----------   ----------   ----------
Net margin...............................................  $   47,555   $   43,213   $   21,221
                                                           ==========   ==========   ==========
</Table>

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial
                                  Statements.

                                       F-4
<PAGE>

                               TRUE VALUE COMPANY

                      CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
           FOR THE THREE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005, 2004 AND 2003

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                2005       2004       2003
                                                              --------   --------   ---------
                                                                     ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>        <C>
Operating activities:
  Net margin................................................  $ 47,555   $ 43,213   $  21,221
  Adjustments to reconcile net margin to net cash and cash
     equivalents from operating activities:
     Depreciation and amortization..........................    13,181     16,467      26,060
     Provision/(benefit) for losses on accounts and notes
       receivable...........................................      (143)    (2,498)        927
     Provision for inventory reserves.......................    15,052     12,574       8,603
     (Gain)/loss on sale of assets..........................    (8,333)       228         427
     Amortization of deferred gain on sale leaseback........    (2,778)    (2,713)     (2,646)
     Arbitration provision..................................    18,200         --          --
     Gain on debt forgiveness...............................        --         --      (7,706)
     Write-off of make-whole and prepaid bank fees..........        --         --      17,708
     Termination of deferred credit agreements..............        --         --      (7,133)
     Asset impairment charge................................       942         --       2,005
     Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
       Accounts and notes receivable........................   (28,280)     1,180      (3,842)
       Inventories..........................................   (84,835)       (84)    (50,880)
       Other current assets.................................      (482)     4,217         (94)
       Accounts payable.....................................    18,975     (8,134)     38,614
       Accrued expenses.....................................       528      1,342     (10,743)
       Other adjustments, net...............................     1,595        552         286
                                                              --------   --------   ---------
          Net cash and cash equivalents provided by/(used
            for) operating activities.......................    (8,823)    66,344      32,807
                                                              --------   --------   ---------
Investing activities:
  Additions to properties...................................   (14,875)   (11,874)     (6,825)
  Proceeds from sale of properties..........................    22,098        549         513
  Changes in restricted cash................................        --         --      15,755
  Other.....................................................        --      1,498       3,622
                                                              --------   --------   ---------
          Net cash and cash equivalents provided by/(used
            for) investing activities.......................     7,223     (9,827)     13,065
                                                              --------   --------   ---------
Financing activities:
  Payment of patronage dividend.............................   (11,939)    (8,452)     (5,790)
  Payment of notes, long-term debt and lease obligations....   (11,766)   (12,145)   (163,072)
  Increase in drafts payable................................       541     11,669      15,656
  Proceeds from real estate mortgage........................    21,600         --          --
  Decrease in senior revolving credit facility, net.........        --         --     (24,194)
  Increase/(decrease) in asset-based revolving credit
     facility, net..........................................     5,600    (43,300)    131,600
  Proceeds from sale of Redeemable Class A common stock and
     subscriptions receivable...............................     2,086      1,478         161
  Purchase of Class A and Class B common stock..............    (1,736)    (7,779)         --
                                                              --------   --------   ---------
          Net cash and cash equivalents provided by/(used
            for) financing activities.......................     4,386    (58,529)    (45,639)
                                                              --------   --------   ---------
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents........     2,786     (2,012)        233
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year..............     7,222      9,234       9,001
                                                              --------   --------   ---------
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year....................  $ 10,008   $  7,222   $   9,234
                                                              ========   ========   =========
</Table>

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial
                                  Statements.
                                       F-5
<PAGE>

                               TRUE VALUE COMPANY

                   CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF MEMBERS' EQUITY
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005, 2004 AND 2003
<Table>
<Caption>
                                                 REDEEMABLE COMMON STOCK
                                     -----------------------------------------------
                                            CLASS A                  CLASS B
                                     ----------------------   ----------------------      LOSS      DEFERRED
                                     # OF SHARES    AMOUNT    # OF SHARES    AMOUNT    ALLOCATION   PATRONAGE
                                     -----------   --------   -----------   --------   ----------   ---------
                                                  ($ IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE INFORMATION)
<S>                                  <C>           <C>        <C>           <C>        <C>          <C>
Balances at and for the year ended
  December 31, 2002................    510,060     $ 50,120    1,756,457    $176,945    $(75,966)   $(25,793)
Net margin.........................         --           --           --          --          --          --
Reclass nonqualified Class B stock
  to liabilities...................         --           --     (231,392)    (23,139)         --          --
Reclass deferred stock redemptions
  to liabilities...................   (195,660)     (18,841)    (595,785)    (59,579)     27,941          --
Amortization of deferred
  patronage........................         --           --           --          --          --         748
Minimum pension liability
  adjustment.......................         --           --           --          --          --          --
Patronage dividend.................         --           --       92,861       9,286          --          --
Payments from stock subscriptions
  receivable.......................         --          161           --          --          --          --
Class B stock applied against loss
  allocation.......................         --           --      (69,705)     (6,971)      6,971          --
Matured notes applied against loss
  allocation.......................         --           --           --          --         552          --
                                      --------     --------    ---------    --------    --------    --------
Balances at and for the year ended
  December 31, 2003................    314,400       31,440      952,436      96,542     (40,502)    (25,045)
Net margin.........................         --           --           --          --          --          --
Reclass stock presented for
  redemptions to liabilities.......    (24,960)      (2,421)     (65,302)     (6,530)      1,045          --
Amortization of deferred
  patronage........................         --           --           --          --          --         747
Minimum pension liability
  adjustment.......................         --           --           --          --          --          --
Patronage dividend.................         --           --      272,122      27,212          --          --
Class B stock applied against loss
  allocation.......................         --           --     (150,374)    (15,037)     15,037          --
Payments from stock subscriptions
  receivable.......................     30,300        1,471           --          --          --          --
Stipulation of Settlement related
  to the Derivative Action.........         --           --           --          --       5,000          --
                                      --------     --------    ---------    --------    --------    --------
Balances at and for the year ended
  December 31, 2004................    319,740       30,490    1,008,882     102,187     (19,420)    (24,298)
Net margin.........................         --           --           --          --          --          --
Reclass stock presented for
  redemptions to liabilities.......    (20,280)      (2,122)     (58,497)     (5,850)      1,495          --
Amortization of deferred
  patronage........................         --           --           --          --          --         748
Minimum pension liability
  adjustment.......................         --           --           --          --          --          --
Patronage dividend.................         --           --      293,852      29,385          --          --
Class B stock applied against loss
  allocation.......................         --           --      (68,374)     (6,837)      6,837          --
A stock purchases..................     16,020        2,096           --          --          --          --
                                      --------     --------    ---------    --------    --------    --------
Balances at and for the year ended
  December 31, 2005................    315,480     $ 30,464    1,175,863    $118,885    $(11,088)   $(23,550)
                                      ========     ========    =========    ========    ========    ========

<Caption>

                                                    ACCUMULATED
                                                       OTHER        TOTAL         TOTAL
                                     ACCUMULATED   COMPREHENSIVE   MEMBERS'   COMPREHENSIVE
                                       DEFICIT         LOSS         EQUITY    INCOME/(LOSS)
                                     -----------   -------------   --------   -------------
                                         ($ IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE INFORMATION)
<S>                                  <C>           <C>             <C>        <C>
Balances at and for the year ended
  December 31, 2002................   $(68,704)       $(1,153)     $55,449       $20,003
                                                                                 =======
Net margin.........................     21,221             --       21,221       $21,221
Reclass nonqualified Class B stock
  to liabilities...................         --             --      (23,139)           --
Reclass deferred stock redemptions
  to liabilities...................      9,933             --      (40,546)           --
Amortization of deferred
  patronage........................       (748)            --           --            --
Minimum pension liability
  adjustment.......................         --           (826)        (826)         (826)
Patronage dividend.................    (18,269)            --       (8,983)           --
Payments from stock subscriptions
  receivable.......................         --             --          161            --
Class B stock applied against loss
  allocation.......................         --             --           --            --
Matured notes applied against loss
  allocation.......................         --             --          552            --
                                      --------        -------      --------      -------
Balances at and for the year ended
  December 31, 2003................    (56,567)        (1,979)       3,889       $20,395
                                                                                 =======
Net margin.........................     43,213             --       43,213       $43,213
Reclass stock presented for
  redemptions to liabilities.......      1,616             --       (6,290)           --
Amortization of deferred
  patronage........................       (747)            --           --            --
Minimum pension liability
  adjustment.......................         --             76           76            76
Patronage dividend.................    (41,375)            --      (14,163)           --
Class B stock applied against loss
  allocation.......................         --             --           --            --
Payments from stock subscriptions
  receivable.......................         --             --        1,471            --
Stipulation of Settlement related
  to the Derivative Action.........     (5,000)            --           --            --
                                      --------        -------      --------      -------
Balances at and for the year ended
  December 31, 2004................    (58,860)        (1,903)      28,196       $43,289
                                                                                 =======
Net margin.........................     47,555             --       47,555       $47,555
Reclass stock presented for
  redemptions to liabilities.......      1,973             --       (4,504)           --
Amortization of deferred
  patronage........................       (748)            --           --            --
Minimum pension liability
  adjustment.......................         --            173          173           173
Patronage dividend.................    (43,870)            --      (14,485)           --
Class B stock applied against loss
  allocation.......................         --             --           --            --
A stock purchases..................         --             --        2,096            --
                                      --------        -------      --------      -------
Balances at and for the year ended
  December 31, 2005................   $(53,950)       $(1,730)     $59,031       $47,728
                                      ========        =======      ========      =======
</Table>

Redeemable Class A common stock amounts are net of unpaid subscription amounts
of $1,084 relating to 25,200 issued shares at December 31, 2005; $1,484 relating
to 22,920 issued shares at December 31, 2004; $112 relating to 9,840 issued
shares at December 31, 2003; and $866 relating to 35,700 issued shares at
December 31, 2002.

   The accompanying notes are an integral part of the Consolidated Financial
                                  Statements.

                                       F-6
<PAGE>

                               TRUE VALUE COMPANY

                   NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                ($ IN THOUSANDS)

1. DESCRIPTION OF BUSINESS AND ACCOUNTING POLICIES

  Principal Business Activity

     True Value Company ("True Value") is a member-owned wholesaler cooperative
of hardware and related merchandise. True Value changed its name from TruServ
Corporation on December 31, 2004. True Value also manufactures and sells paint
and paint applicators. True Value's goods and services are sold predominantly
within the United States, primarily to retailers of hardware, industrial
distributors, garden centers and rental retailers who have entered into retail
agreements with it. True Value also provides to its members value-added services
such as marketing, advertising, merchandising and store location and design
services.

  Consolidation

     The Consolidated Financial Statements include the accounts of True Value
and all wholly owned subsidiaries.

  Reclassifications

     Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years' Consolidated
Financial Statements and the notes thereto to conform to the current year's
presentation. These reclassifications had no effect on Net margin for any period
or on Total members' equity at the balance sheet dates.

  Capitalization

     True Value's capitalization from its members is classified in Members'
equity and Liabilities. Members' equity is comprised of Redeemable Class A
voting common stock, Redeemable qualified Class B non-voting common stock,
Accumulated deficit, Loss allocation, Deferred patronage and Accumulated other
comprehensive loss. Members are required to purchase upon becoming a member, 60
shares of True Value's Class A common stock per store, up to a maximum of five
stores (300 shares). The Class A common stock is redeemable by True Value and
has voting rights (the "Redeemable Class A voting common stock").

     True Value issues Class B common stock as part of its patronage dividend.
The Class B common stock is redeemable and has no voting rights (the "Redeemable
Class B non-voting common stock"). Redeemable Class B non-voting common stock
had been issued in connection with True Value's annual patronage dividend. The
By-Laws provide True Value the right to allow a member to meet the stock
ownership requirements for True Value's Redeemable Class B non-voting common
stock by the issuance of Redeemable Class B non-voting common stock in payment
of the year-end patronage dividend. The shares of Redeemable Class B non-voting
common stock and other written notices distributed by True Value to its members,
which disclose to the recipient the stated amount allocated to the member by
True Value and the portion thereof that is a patronage dividend, are "written
notices of allocation" as that phrase is used in the Internal Revenue Code (the
"Code"). For such written notices to be "qualified written notices of
allocation" within the meaning of the Code, it is necessary that True Value pay
20% or more of the annual patronage dividend in cash and that the members
consent to having the allocations (at their stated dollar amounts) treated as
being constructively received by them and includable in their gross income. True
Value has customarily issued Redeemable Class B non-voting common stock that is
"qualified written notices of allocation" (the "Redeemable qualified Class B
non-voting common stock") with its patronage dividend and the current amount
issued and outstanding are classified in the Consolidated Balance Sheet as
Redeemable qualified Class B non-voting common stock. Any written notices that
do not meet these requirements are "nonqualified written notices of allocation"
within the meaning of the Code. True Value has issued Redeemable Class B
non-voting common stock that are "nonqualified written notices of allocation"
(the "Redeemable nonqualified Class B non-voting

                                       F-7
<PAGE>
                               TRUE VALUE COMPANY

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

common stock") as part of prior patronage dividends. Amounts issued and
outstanding are classified as a long-term liability in the Consolidated Balance
Sheet as Redeemable nonqualified Class B non-voting common stock. These shares
are classified in long-term liabilities because they have a planned redemption
schedule. The redemption schedule calls for at least 10% of the shares to be
redeemed by December 31, 2011; 40% of the shares by December 31, 2019; and all
of the shares by December 31, 2029.

     True Value follows the practice of accounting for deferred patronage
charges and credits as a separate component of equity. Deferred patronage
consists of net charges and expenses, primarily related to costs associated with
the July 1997 merger of Cotter & Company and ServiStar Coast to Coast
Corporation to form True Value (the "Merger"), which are included in the
computation of Net margin in different periods for financial statement purposes
than for patronage purposes.

     Either True Value or the member, upon 60 days' written notice, may
terminate membership without cause. In the event membership is terminated, True
Value undertakes to purchase, and the member is required to sell to True Value,
all of the member's Redeemable Class A voting common stock and Redeemable Class
B non-voting common stock at par value. Payment for the Redeemable Class A
voting common stock and Redeemable nonqualified Class B non-voting common stock
has historically been in cash. In accordance with True Value's By-Laws, payment
for the Redeemable qualified Class B non-voting common stock is in the form of a
note payable in five equal annual installments and with interest set at
comparable treasury rates plus 1.0%. Historically, True Value has offset amounts
due by its members against amounts that it pays to the members on redemption of
their stock.

  Patronage Dividend

     True Value operates on a cooperative basis with respect to business
transacted with or for members. When there are annual profits, members in good
standing are entitled to receive patronage dividend distributions from True
Value on the basis of gross margins of merchandise purchased by each member. In
accordance with True Value's By-Laws and Retail Member Agreement, the annual
patronage dividend, as authorized by the board of directors, is paid to members
out of patronage source income, less certain deductions, calculated as provided
in the following sentence. The total patronage dividend paid to members is based
on pre-tax net margins calculated in accordance with accounting principles
generally accepted in the United States of America after reducing or increasing
net margins for non-member income/(losses), reasonable reserves, earnings
retained by the cooperative and deferred patronage amortization. Commencing with
the 2004 patronage dividend that was paid in 2005, the board of directors has
authorized retaining 5% of net patronage source income, as a reasonable reserve,
to reduce the accumulated deficit account. The total dividend is then allocated
to each purchase category, with the main purchase categories being warehouse,
relay, direct shipment and paint. Once the patronage dividend is allocated to
the purchase categories, it is distributed to members based on the relative
gross margin participation of the member for each type of purchase category.

     Patronage dividends related to the year ended December 31, 2005, were
$43,870. Approximately $13,257 of the dividend was paid in cash, which was
approximately 30% of the estimated patronage income for the year. True Value's
By-Laws and the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") require that the payment of
at least 20% of patronage dividends be in cash. True Value paid the remainder
through the issuance of True Value's Redeemable qualified Class B non-voting
common stock and subordinated promissory notes. For those members who have loss
allocation accounts, the Redeemable qualified Class B non-voting common stock
was offset against those accounts. Patronage dividends of $41,375 related to the
year ended December 31, 2004, were paid in February 2005; approximately 30% of
which were paid in cash. True Value paid the remainder through the issuance of
True Value's Redeemable qualified Class B non-voting common stock, offsetting
that against the loss allocation accounts of those members that had such
accounts. Patronage dividends of $18,269 related to the year ended December 31,
2003, were paid in March 2004; approximately

                                       F-8
<PAGE>
                               TRUE VALUE COMPANY

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

49% of which were paid in cash, which was 30% of the dividend before the net
effect of the refinancing of the revolving credit facility, senior notes and
synthetic lease obligation (the "Senior Debt"). True Value paid the remainder
through the issuance of True Value's Redeemable qualified Class B non-voting
common stock, offsetting that against the loss allocation accounts of those
members that had such accounts.

  Capital Stock Redemption

     In accordance with True Value's By-Laws, True Value redeems former members'
Class A common stock and Redeemable nonqualified Class B common stock in cash at
the time of redemption and Redeemable qualified Class B common stock are paid
with a subordinated promissory installment note. The subordinated promissory
installment notes are payable in five equal annual installments and pay interest
annually at a fixed rate. The interest rate on subordinated promissory
installment notes created during the year is determined annually on the first
business day of the year based on the five-year U.S. Treasury bill rate plus
1.0%. For notes issued in 2005, the rate was 4.64% and for notes issued in 2006,
the rate is 5.30%. In accordance with True Value's By-Laws, True Value first
reduces its aggregate stock redemption obligation payable in both cash or
subordinated promissory installment note by its right to legally offset any
amounts the former members may owe True Value, including accounts and notes
receivable, loss allocations and/or accumulated deficit.

     Effective July 6, 2004, the board of directors rescinded True Value's
moratorium on stock redemptions that had been effective since March 2000. In
accordance with the Stipulation of Settlement related to the "Derivative Action"
(an action brought by a former True Value member against certain present and
former directors, certain former officers of True Value and against True Value),
upon rescinding the moratorium, True Value reduced the loss allocation accounts
of the parties to the Stipulation of Settlement by approximately $5,000 on a
pro-rata basis (see "Loss Allocation to Members and Accumulated Deficit" below).
Since the rescinding of the moratorium, True Value satisfied $7,779 of stock
redemption liability in cash and $26,351 by issuing subordinated promissory
installment notes in 2004. In 2005, True Value paid $1,738 of stock redemption
liability in cash and $5,506 by issuing subordinated promissory installment
notes. Principal payments on subordinated promissory installment notes are paid
on December 31 of each year and totaled $6,295 and $5,241 in 2005 and 2004,
respectively. True Value had shareholders that, at year-end, had discontinued
their purchasing activities with True Value and requested that their stock be
redeemed but had not completed the redemption procedures, resulting in a stock
redemption liability of $2,200 and $4,886 in 2005 and 2004, respectively. True
Value classified this liability in its Consolidated Balance Sheet under the
captions as shown in the following table based on management's estimates of the
time needed to complete redemption procedures.

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                               2005      2004
                                                              -------   -------
                                                              ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>       <C>
Current maturities of long-term debt, notes and capital
  lease obligations.........................................  $  810    $1,718
Long-term debt including notes and capital lease
  obligations, less current maturities......................   1,390     2,476
Other long-term liabilities.................................      --       692
                                                              ------    ------
Total stock redemption liability............................  $2,200    $4,886
                                                              ======    ======
</Table>

  Loss Allocation to Members and Accumulated Deficit

     During the third quarter of 2000, True Value management developed and the
board of directors approved a plan to equitably allocate to members the loss
incurred in 1999. This loss was previously recorded as a reduction of retained
earnings. True Value has distributed the 1999 loss among its members by
establishing a loss allocation account as a contra-equity account in the
Consolidated Balance Sheet with the offsetting credit recorded to the
accumulated deficit account. The loss allocation account reflects the sum of
each member's

                                       F-9
<PAGE>
                               TRUE VALUE COMPANY

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

proportionate share of the 1999 loss, after being reduced by certain amounts
that were not allocated to members. The allocation was generally based on a
member's proportionate Class B stock investment relative to the total Class B
stock investments of all the members, and therefore a member could not be
allocated a loss in excess of its equity investment. The loss allocation account
will be satisfied, on a member-by-member basis, by applying the portion of
future non-cash patronage dividends as a reduction to the loss allocation
account until fully satisfied. The loss allocation amount may also be satisfied,
on a member-by-member basis, by applying the par value of maturing member notes
and related interest payments as a reduction to the loss allocation account
until such account is fully satisfied. However, in the event a member should
terminate as a stockholder of True Value, any unsatisfied portion of that
member's loss allocation account will be satisfied by reducing the redemption
amount paid for the member's stock investment in True Value. As of December 31,
2005, $102,830, or approximately 90%, of the $113,918 1999 loss allocation was
satisfied. As of December 31, 2004, $94,498, or approximately 83%, of the 1999
loss allocation was satisfied.

     The board of directors determined that True Value would retain the 2001
loss as part of the accumulated deficit account. All or a portion of patronage
income and all non-patronage income, if any, may be retained in the future to
reduce the accumulated deficit account. In the event a member terminates its
status as a stockholder of True Value, any remaining 2001 loss in the
accumulated deficit account that is allocable to the terminated member will be
distributed to the terminating member and satisfied by reducing the redemption
amount paid for the member's stock investment in True Value. True Value has
determined for each member that was both a stockholder and purchased from True
Value in 2001, its share of the 2001 loss that has been retained in the
accumulated deficit account. Stockholders that had ceased their membership in
True Value prior to 2001 and were solely stockholders due to the moratorium on
stock redemptions were excluded from the 2001 loss allocation. Approximately 18%
of the $50,687 2001 loss was allocated based upon the member's proportionate
equity investment, net of any 1999 loss allocation account, relative to the
total equity investments of all members that were both stockholders and
purchased from True Value in 2001. Approximately 82% of the total 2001 loss was
effectively allocated based on the member's purchases from True Value in 2001
using the same methodology as described above in "Patronage Dividend." No member
was allocated a loss amount greater than its net equity investments held as of
year-end 2001.

     A member's proportionate share of the 1999 and/or 2001 losses have been
limited to the extent of its equity investment in True Value. Any portion of a
loss allocation that exceeds a member's equity investment is retained by True
Value in the accumulated deficit account. Commencing with the 2004 patronage
dividend that was paid in 2005, the board of directors has authorized retaining
5% of net patronage source income, as a reasonable reserve, to reduce the
accumulated deficit account. Such reduction will be applied first against the
oldest components of the deficit and the annual retention of the 5% of patronage
source income will continue until the deficit no longer exists.

     In 2003, True Value settled its Derivative Action. The Stipulation of
Settlement from the Derivative Action stated that, at the time the moratorium on
stock redemptions was lifted, the Loss allocation accounts for all current and
former members who were parties to the Stipulation of Settlement would be
reduced by approximately $5,000 on a pro-rata basis. The moratorium was lifted
in July 2004 and such reduction occurred.

  Cash Equivalents

     True Value classifies all highly liquid investments with an original
maturity of three months or less as cash equivalents.

  Allowance for Doubtful Accounts

     The allowance for doubtful accounts is determined principally on the basis
of past collection experience applied to ongoing evaluations of True Value's
receivables and the risks of repayment. The allowance was
                                       F-10
<PAGE>
                               TRUE VALUE COMPANY

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

$1,420 and $3,835 as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Primary
reasons for the reduction in the reserve during 2005 included favorable
collections experience, the settlement or charge-off of older accounts, certain
of which relate to the rescinding of the stock moratorium and overall
improvement in the aging and risk characteristics of the portfolio. True Value
considers accounts receivable past due if invoices remain unpaid past their due
date and charges off uncollectible receivables after exhausting all collection
efforts.

  Inventories

     Inventories are stated at the lower of cost, determined on the first-in,
first-out basis, or market value. The lower of cost or market value considers
the estimated realizable value in the current economic environment associated
with disposing of surplus and/or damaged/obsolete inventories. True Value's 2005
inventory valuation reserve of $17,524 increased by $7,328 from the 2004 reserve
of $10,196 due to increased levels of unproductive inventory. True Value
calculated the estimated realizable value based on an analysis of historical
trends related to its distressed inventory. In its analysis, True Value
considers historical data on its ability to return inventory to suppliers, to
transfer inventory to other distribution centers, to sell inventory to members
through the price reduction process and to sell remaining inventory to
liquidators. The cost of inventory also includes indirect costs (such as
logistics, manufacturing, freight-in, vendor rebates and support costs) incurred
to bring inventory to its existing location for resale. These indirect costs are
treated as product costs, classified in inventory and subsequently recorded as
cost of revenue as the product is sold (see Note 2, "Inventories").

  Properties

     Properties are recorded at cost. Depreciation and amortization are computed
by using the straight-line method over the following estimated useful lives:
buildings and improvements -- 10 to 40 years; machinery and warehouse, office
and computer equipment and software -- 3 to 10 years; transportation
equipment -- 3 to 12 years; and leasehold improvements -- the lesser of the life
of the lease, without regard to options for renewal, or the useful life of the
underlying property.

  Goodwill

     Goodwill represents the excess of cost over the fair value of net assets
acquired. Goodwill is tested for impairment using a discounted cash flow
analysis for each reporting unit (Hardware and Paint manufacturing). This test
is completed annually unless significant events necessitate a more frequent
test. The test completed at December 31, 2005, used a discount rate of 10% and
assumed a modest revenue increase in future years. Rates used to discount cash
flows are dependent upon interest rates and the cost of capital at a point in
time. A 100 basis point movement in the discount rate did not significantly
impact the analysis. In evaluating the recoverability of goodwill, management
estimates each reporting unit's fair value. In making this estimate, True
Value's management relies on a number of factors including operating results,
business plans and present value techniques, to discount anticipated future cash
flows. True Value completes its annual impairment assessment at the end of each
year and has determined that no impairment existed at December 31, 2005 or 2004.

     At December 31, 2005 and 2004, Goodwill was comprised of $78,429 for the
hardware segment and $13,045 for the paint segment.

  Conversion Funds

     In connection with the Merger, True Value made funds available to the
members to defray various conversion costs (i.e., costs to change store signage
and branding to True Value) associated with the Merger and costs associated with
certain upgrades and expansions of their stores. The total amount of funds
distributed was $27,175 for these conversion costs. The funds were amortized
over a five-year period, the period of time during which members committed to
stay with True Value. The members agreed to refund to
                                       F-11
<PAGE>
                               TRUE VALUE COMPANY

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

True Value all or a portion of the conversion funds in the event they defaulted
on their obligations to True Value or terminated their membership during the
five years following the date of the agreement. The annual amortization expense
for 2004 and 2003 was $1,027 and $4,060, respectively. All amounts were fully
amortized at December 31, 2004.

  Asset Impairment

     For purposes of determining impairment, management reviews long-lived
assets based on a geographic region or a revenue producing activity, as
appropriate. The impairment review includes, among other criteria, management's
estimate of future cash flows for the region or activity. If the estimated
future cash flows (undiscounted and without interest charges) are not sufficient
to recover the carrying value of the long-lived assets of the region or
activity, such assets would be determined to be impaired and would be written
down to their fair value. In March 2005, True Value recorded an impairment
charge of $942 to write-down the East Butler, Pennsylvania, facility that was
classified as held for sale to fair value. No asset impairment charges were
recorded in 2004. In 2003, True Value recorded asset impairment charges of
$2,005 relating primarily to equipment held for use at the East Butler,
Pennsylvania, facility. The asset impairment charges impacted True Value's
hardware segment and are included in Operating expenses under the "Other income,
net" caption in the Consolidated Statement of Operations.

  Revenue Recognition

     True Value's policy is to recognize revenue from product sales and services
when earned, in accordance with SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin ("SAB") No. 104.
Specifically, product revenue is recognized when persuasive evidence of an
arrangement exists, delivery has occurred, the price is fixed or determinable
and collectibility is reasonably assured. Revenue is not recognized until title
and risk of loss have transferred to the customer, which is upon delivery of
products. Provisions for discounts, rebates and other cash consideration given
to customers, and returns are provided for at the time the related sales are
recorded and are reflected as a reduction of sales. Service revenue is comprised
of advertising and transportation and amounted to $57,047 and $53,922 for 2005,
respectively, $58,870 and $49,987 for 2004, respectively, and $58,131 and
$49,305 for 2003, respectively. Advertising revenue is recognized when the
underlying advertisement is run or when the related circulars are dropped.
Transportation revenue is recognized when the services are provided. Effective
for arrangements with vendors initiated on or after January 1, 2003 and in
accordance with Emerging Issues Task Force ("EITF") Issue No. 02-16 "Accounting
by a Customer (including a Reseller) for Certain Consideration Received from a
Vendor" ("EITF 02-16"), consideration received from vendors that was previously
classified as advertising revenue is applied as a decrease in the price paid for
inventory and is recognized in cost of sales as the related inventory is sold.

  Advertising Expenses

     Amounts billed to members for advertising are included in revenue.
Advertising costs are expensed in the period the advertising takes place. Such
costs amounted to $31,999, $37,254 and $44,817 in 2005, 2004 and 2003,
respectively, and are included in Cost of revenue.

  Amortization of Financing Fees

     Amounts paid for financing fees incurred in connection with True Value's
financing arrangements are capitalized and amortized to interest expense over
the remaining lives of the underlying financing agreements. During the third
quarter of 2003, True Value expensed the financing fees related to the Senior
Debt as a result of refinancing the Senior Debt with a new asset-based revolving
credit facility ("Bank Facility"). True Value has purchased interest rate caps
that limit its risk on $25,000 of variable-rate debt for the entire term of the
Bank Facility to a maximum underlying LIBOR rate of 3.5% through August 2007 and
4.5% for the remaining

                                       F-12
<PAGE>
                               TRUE VALUE COMPANY

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

term, which expires in August 2008. The three-month LIBOR at December 31, 2005,
was approximately 4.5%. This interest rate cap instrument is considered
speculative and is carried at current market value.

  Repairs and Maintenance Expense

     Expenditures which extend the useful lives of True Value's property and
equipment are capitalized and depreciated on a straight-line basis over the
remaining useful lives of the underlying assets. Otherwise, repair and
maintenance expenditures are expensed as incurred.

  Research and Development Costs

     Research and development costs related to True Value's manufacturing
operations are expensed as incurred. Such costs amounted to $987, $920 and $911
in 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively, and are included in Logistics and
manufacturing expenses.

  Shipping and Handling Costs

     Amounts billed to members for shipping and handling costs are included in
Net revenue. Amounts incurred for shipping and handling are included in Cost of
revenue.

  Income Taxes

     Deferred tax assets and liabilities are determined based on cumulative
temporary differences between the amounts shown on the financial statements and
tax bases of assets and liabilities using enacted tax rates in effect for the
year in which the differences are expected to reverse. At December 31, 2005,
True Value concluded that, based on the weight of available evidence, it is more
likely than not that the deferred tax assets will not be realized, and that a
full valuation allowance is required. Deferred tax assets will only be realized
to the extent future earnings are taxable to True Value and not allocated to
members as tax-deductible patronage dividends.

  Per Share Information

     There is no existing market for the True Value common stock and there is no
expectation that any market will develop. True Value's Redeemable Class A voting
common stock is owned by members and former members whose stock has not yet been
redeemed. True Value's Redeemable Class B non-voting common stock now
outstanding was issued to members in partial payment of the annual patronage
dividend. Accordingly, no earnings per share information is presented in the
Consolidated Financial Statements.

  Fair Value of Financial Instruments

     The carrying amounts of True Value's financial instruments, which were
comprised primarily of accounts and notes receivable, accounts payable,
short-term borrowings, long-term debt and subordinated promissory and
subordinated promissory installment notes, approximate fair value. The total
carrying amount of debt and credit facilities approximates fair value due to
their stated interest rates approximating market rates. These estimated fair
value amounts have been determined using available market information or other
appropriate valuation methodologies.

  Concentration of Credit Risk

     Credit risk pertains primarily to True Value's trade receivables. True
Value extends credit to its members as part of its day-to-day operations. True
Value believes that as no specific receivable or group of receivables comprises
a significant percentage of total trade accounts, its risk with respect to trade
receivables is limited. Additionally, True Value's management believes that its
allowance for doubtful accounts is adequate with
                                       F-13
<PAGE>
                               TRUE VALUE COMPANY

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

respect to member credit risks. Also, the Certificate of Incorporation and
By-Laws specifically provide that True Value may set off its obligation to make
any payment to a member for such member's stock, notes, interest and declared
and unpaid dividends against any obligation owed by the member to True Value.
True Value, but not the member, may at its sole discretion exercise these
set-off rights when any such funds become due to former members with outstanding
accounts receivable to True Value and current members with past due accounts
receivable to True Value.

  Use of Estimates

     The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting
principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires
management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in
the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ
from those estimates.

  Consideration Given by a Vendor

     On January 1, 2003, True Value adopted EITF 02-16, which addresses the
accounting and income statement classification for consideration given by a
vendor to a retailer in connection with the sale of the vendor's products or for
the promotion of sales of the vendor's products. The EITF concluded that such
consideration received from vendors should be reflected as a decrease in prices
paid for inventory and recognized in cost of sales as the related inventory is
sold, unless specific criteria are met qualifying the consideration for
treatment as reimbursement of specific, identifiable incremental costs and is
effective for arrangements with vendors initiated on or after January 1, 2003.
Most of True Value's arrangements with vendors in 2003 were initiated before
January 1, 2003. However, most arrangements with vendors for 2004 were initiated
in the fourth quarter of 2003, and the application of EITF 02-16 has impacted
the 2004 results of operations and financial position as Net margin was
negatively impacted in 2004 compared to 2003 by $3,996. In 2004, the application
of EITF 02-16 included an initial expense of $4,304 that did not reoccur in
2005. The application of EITF 02-16 impacted 2004 as vendor advertising funds
are being earned based on merchandise purchases and the vendor advertising funds
are recognized in income when the merchandise is sold. In 2003, the vendor
advertising funds were matched and recognized in Net revenue when the
advertising took place and the costs were incurred. Additionally, Net revenue
was impacted by the application of EITF 02-16, as the advertising revenue that
was recognized as the advertising occurred is now recorded as part of the cost
of the product. Also impacting Net revenue was the recording of monies earned
for holding markets that is a service provided to vendors and members. Monies
earned from prior-year markets were recorded as an offset in Selling, general
and administrative ("SG&A") expenses and are now recorded into Net revenue for
2004 and 2005. Also, expenses related to providing the markets were previously
recorded in SG&A expenses and are now recorded in Cost of revenue for 2004 and
2005.

                                       F-14
<PAGE>
                               TRUE VALUE COMPANY

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

2. INVENTORIES

     Inventories consisted of the following at December 31:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                2005       2004
                                                              --------   --------
                                                               ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Manufacturing inventories:
  Raw materials.............................................  $  2,253   $  1,666
  Work-in-process and finished goods........................    25,452     22,492
  Manufacturing inventory reserves..........................    (1,692)    (1,112)
                                                              --------   --------
                                                                26,013     23,046
                                                              --------   --------
Merchandise inventories:
  Warehouse inventory.......................................   323,837    250,273
  Merchandise inventory reserves............................   (15,832)    (9,084)
                                                              --------   --------
                                                               308,005    241,189
                                                              --------   --------
                                                              $334,018   $264,235
                                                              ========   ========
</Table>

     The amount of warehouse, general and administrative costs included in
ending inventory at December 31, 2005 and 2004, was $22,554 and $17,373,
respectively. Warehouse, general and administrative costs incurred for 2005 and
2004, were $95,977 and $94,431, respectively.

3. PROPERTIES

     Properties consisted of the following at December 31:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                2005        2004
                                                              ---------   ---------
                                                                ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>         <C>
Buildings and improvements..................................  $  62,988   $  84,983
Machinery and warehouse equipment...........................     68,379      81,958
Office and computer equipment...............................    117,169     134,511
Transportation equipment....................................     26,471      33,943
                                                              ---------   ---------
                                                                275,007     335,395
Less: accumulated depreciation..............................   (214,140)   (267,932)
                                                              ---------   ---------
                                                                 60,867      67,463
Land........................................................      2,340       2,985
                                                              ---------   ---------
                                                              $  63,207   $  70,448
                                                              =========   =========
</Table>

     Depreciation expense for 2005, 2004 and 2003 was $13,181, $15,440 and
$22,000, respectively.

                                       F-15
<PAGE>
                               TRUE VALUE COMPANY

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

4. DEBT ARRANGEMENTS

     Long-term debt consisted of the following at December 31:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                2005       2004
                                                              --------   --------
                                                               ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Bank Facility...............................................  $ 93,900   $ 88,300
Real Estate Mortgage........................................    21,600         --
Capital lease obligations...................................     5,493      1,855
                                                              --------   --------
     Total third-party debt.................................   120,993     90,155
Subordinated promissory and subordinated promissory
  installment notes.........................................    73,071     80,146
                                                              --------   --------
                                                               194,064    170,301
Less amounts due within one year............................   (39,244)   (31,109)
                                                              --------   --------
                                                              $154,820   $139,192
                                                              ========   ========
</Table>

     The weighted average of stated interest rates on total debt was 6.25% and
5.7% as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

     At December 31, 2005, True Value had $93,900 in Bank Facility borrowings,
of which $80,000 was included in Long-term debt including notes and capital
lease obligations, less current maturities. At December 31, 2004, True Value had
$88,300 in Bank Facility borrowings, which were included in Long-term debt
including notes and capital lease obligations, less current maturities. Based on
True Value's projection of seasonal working capital needs, the amount of the
Bank Facility classified as Long-term debt including notes and capital lease
obligations, less current maturities represents the expected lowest level of
borrowings during the next 12 months for each year.

BANK FACILITY

     On August 29, 2003, True Value entered into a four-year $275,000 Bank
Facility. The Bank Facility was used to refinance the then existing third-party
senior debt at a substantially lower interest rate. Availability under the Bank
Facility is limited to the lesser of $275,000 or the collateral value of
eligible assets (the "borrowing base"), less outstanding borrowings, letters of
credit and reserves. The reserve amounts, if any, are set at the discretion of
the lenders. True Value's availability as of December 31, 2005, was $150,006.

     True Value amended its Bank Facility on May 6, 2005, primarily to lower the
interest rates charged on this debt, extend the term of the Bank Facility for
one year to August of 2008, and ease certain restrictive language, which had the
primary effect of increasing the spending limitations on capital expenditures,
leases and various distributions to members.

     The interest rate charged for Bank Facility borrowings is variable at
either LIBOR or prime, plus in either case, an additional amount of interest
determined based on a performance-based pricing grid. True Value has the option
to select LIBOR or prime as the base rate. The performance grid is based upon
True Value's fixed charge coverage ratio, measured quarterly. Based on this
performance pricing grid, True Value achieved 0.25% of improved variable pricing
effective May 1, 2004. The performance-based pricing grid was amended in May
2005 to (1) lower the interest rate that is added to LIBOR or prime borrowings
and (2) decrease the fixed charge ratio needed to achieve improved pricing.
Based on this amended performance pricing grid, True Value achieved 0.75% of
improved variable pricing effective May 11, 2005. As of December 31, 2005 and
2004, this interest rate was 6.1% and 4.7%, respectively, as the decrease to
interest cost resulting from the amended performance grid was more than offset
by an increase in the underlying LIBOR and prime rates. The unused

                                       F-16
<PAGE>
                               TRUE VALUE COMPANY

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

commitment fee is 0.375%. Letters of credit issued under the Bank Facility have
a fee based on the performance pricing grid and this fee was 1.625% and 1.875%
at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively.

     The Bank Facility has no financial covenants unless daily average excess
availability for the last 60 days of each quarter drops below $35,000. If the
average is below $35,000, True Value is subject to a fixed charge coverage ratio
of 1.1 to 1. As of December 31, 2005, True Value's average excess availability
for the last 60 days was greater than $35,000 and True Value is therefore not
subject to the fixed charge coverage ratio test. Additionally, True Value is
required to maintain $15,000 of excess availability at all times. Management
believes it is in compliance with this requirement and is in compliance with all
terms and conditions of the Bank Facility.

     The Bank Facility is collateralized by substantially all of the assets of
True Value and a pledge of 100% of the stock of True Value's subsidiaries.
Borrowings under the Bank Facility are subject to borrowing base limitations
that fluctuate in part with the seasonality of the business. In addition, the
qualification of accounts receivable and inventory items as "eligible" for
purposes of the borrowing base is subject to unilateral change in the discretion
of the lenders. The borrowing base is calculated as the sum of:

          i. 85% of eligible accounts receivable, plus

          ii. the lesser of 65% of the value of eligible inventory, 85% of the
     net orderly liquidation value of inventory or $160,000 (increased to
     $175,000 in February 2006; see amendment discussion below), plus

          iii. a fixed asset sublimit, calculated as the lesser of $25,000 or
     65% of the fair value of certain real estate, and 80% of orderly
     liquidation value of certain machinery and equipment. The sublimit is
     subject to a seven-year amortization for the portion predicated on
     machinery and equipment and a 10-year amortization for the portion
     predicated on real estate.

     The Bank Facility imposes certain limitations on and requires compliance
with covenants from True Value that are usual and customary for similar
asset-based revolving credit facilities. Unless such terms and conditions are
waived by a majority of the lenders, these terms and conditions include, among
other things:

          i. limitations on additional lease transactions (eliminated in
     February 2006; see amendment discussion below), additional third-party and
     subordinated debt, the granting of certain liens and guarantees, capital
     expenditures and cash dividend payments and distributions;

          ii. restrictions on mergers, investments, transactions with related
     parties, acquisitions and changes in corporate control; and

          iii. periodic financial and collateral reporting requirements.

     In December 2005, True Value amended the Bank Facility to allow True Value
to enter into additional third-party debt secured by assets previously
collateralizing the Bank Facility. See "Mortgage Transaction" below.

     In February 2006, True Value amended the Bank Facility to modify certain
terms in the calculation of the borrowing base and the fixed charge coverage
ratio, to remove the limitation on lease transactions and to ease restrictions
on transactions with members. The borrowing base formula was modified to
increase the maximum collateral value of inventory assets from $160,000 to
$175,000. The modification to the fixed charge coverage calculation clarified
terms, improved the reported ratio and had no impact on the performance pricing
grid or compliance.

     Fees paid for obtaining the Bank Facility totaled $3,752 and these fees are
being amortized by True Value over the term of the Bank Facility. Upon entering
into the Bank Facility, True Value incurred a net expense of $19,221 upon
refinancing the Senior Debt. The net expense consisted of $26,927 of interest
expense relating to

                                       F-17
<PAGE>
                               TRUE VALUE COMPANY

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

the write-off of old and new senior note prepayment obligations and prepaid bank
fees offset by $7,706 of other income relating to debt forgiveness for a portion
of the Senior Debt.

MORTGAGE TRANSACTION

     On December 29, 2005, True Value entered into a $21,600 mortgage
transaction on its Manchester, New Hampshire, distribution center (the
"Manchester Mortgage"), which has a net book value of $10,143. The Manchester
Mortgage is a 20-year fully amortizing loan at a fixed rate of 6.74% with a
maturity date of January 1, 2026. Net proceeds were used to reduce borrowings
under True Value's variable-rate Bank Facility.

SUBORDINATED PROMISSORY AND SUBORDINATED PROMISSORY INSTALLMENT NOTES

     Subordinated promissory notes are issued from time to time for partial
payment of the annual patronage dividend. Subordinated promissory notes are
subordinated to indebtedness to banking institutions, trade creditors and other
indebtedness of True Value as specified by its board of directors. Prior
experience indicates that the maturities of a significant portion of the notes
due within one year are often extended at the option of the member, for a
three-year period, at interest rates established by True Value and substantially
equivalent to competitive market rates of comparable instruments. In 2005 and
2004, approximately 77% and 70%, respectively, of notes scheduled to mature in
those years were extended for an additional three years. True Value anticipates
that this practice of extending notes, based on historical results, will
continue.

     Subordinated promissory installment notes are issued in payment of the
redemption of qualified Class B common stock upon termination of membership in
the cooperative (see Note 1, "Description of Business and Accounting
Policies -- Capital Stock Redemption").

     Subordinated promissory and subordinated promissory installment notes
consisted of the following as of December 31:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                2005       2004
                                                              --------   --------
                                                               ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Subordinated promissory notes:
  Due on December 31, 2005 -- 7.00% to 10.00%...............  $     --   $ 23,336
  Due on December 31, 2006 -- 6.00% to 9.00%................    16,326     16,407
  Due on December 31, 2007 -- 5.00% to 6.00%................    15,170     15,207
  Due on December 31, 2008 -- 6.00% to 7.00%................    18,075         --
  Due on December 31, 2010 -- 7.00%.........................     1,228         --
Subordinated promissory installment notes at interest rates
  of 4.36% with final maturities in 2008....................    15,732     21,002
Subordinated promissory installment notes at interest rates
  of 4.64% with final maturities in 2009....................     4,340         --
Accrued stock redemption liability..........................     2,200      4,194
                                                              --------   --------
                                                                73,071     80,146
Less amounts due within one year............................   (23,465)   (30,304)
                                                              --------   --------
                                                              $ 49,606   $ 49,842
                                                              ========   ========
</Table>

     The amount due within one year for both years was classified in Current
maturities of long-term debt, notes and capital lease obligations.

                                       F-18
<PAGE>
                               TRUE VALUE COMPANY

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

     Amounts shown below as scheduled repayments are the stated note amounts.
True Value will seek members' consent in 2006 to extend the subordinated
promissory note due dates at market competitive interest rates.

     Principal payment schedule for long-term debt:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                       2006      2007       2008      2009     2010    THEREAFTER
                                      -------   -------   --------   ------   ------   ----------
                                                           ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                   <C>       <C>       <C>        <C>      <C>      <C>
Bank Facility(1)....................  $    --   $    --   $ 93,900   $   --   $   --    $    --
Real Estate Mortgage................      530       566        606      648      693     18,557
Subordinated promissory and
  subordinated promissory
  installment notes.................   23,465    21,847     24,751    2,661      347         --
Capital lease obligations...........    1,349     1,208        654      590      624      1,068
                                      -------   -------   --------   ------   ------    -------
Total...............................  $25,344   $23,621   $119,911   $3,899   $1,664    $19,625
                                      =======   =======   ========   ======   ======    =======
</Table>

---------------

(1) Borrowings under the Bank Facility fluctuate as a result of the seasonal
    needs of the business. There are no required payments until the maturity of
    the Bank Facility in August 2008.

5. LEASE COMMITMENTS

     True Value is a lessee of distribution centers, office space, and computer,
manufacturing and transportation equipment under operating and capital leases.
The following is a schedule of future minimum lease payments under capital and
long-term noncancelable operating leases (including sale leasebacks), together
with the present value of the net minimum lease payments under capital leases,
as of December 31, 2005:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                              CAPITAL   OPERATING
                                                              -------   ---------
                                                               ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>       <C>
2006........................................................  $ 1,681   $ 32,568
2007........................................................    1,441     29,816
2008........................................................      825     27,256
2009........................................................      722     26,369
2010........................................................      720     26,018
Thereafter..................................................    1,298    196,874
                                                              -------   --------
Net minimum lease payments..................................    6,687   $338,901
                                                                        ========
Less amount representing interest...........................   (1,194)
                                                              -------
Present value of net minimum lease payments.................    5,493
Less amount due within one year.............................   (1,349)
                                                              -------
                                                              $ 4,144
                                                              =======
</Table>

     Minimum annual operating lease payments as shown have been reduced by
$2,897 from future sublease rentals due over the term of the subleases, and
include estimated payments for operating costs and real estate taxes due to the
lessor, where applicable.

     Capitalized leases expire at various dates and generally provide for
purchase options but not renewals. Purchase options provide for purchase prices
at either fair market value or a stated value, which is related to the lessor's
book value at the expiration of the lease term.

                                       F-19
<PAGE>
                               TRUE VALUE COMPANY

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

     Rent expense under operating leases (reduced by sublease rentals) was
$34,085, $35,643 and $36,366 for the years ended December 31, 2005, 2004 and
2003, respectively.

  Sale Leaseback Transaction

     On December 31, 2002, True Value sold seven of its distribution centers to
unrelated third parties for an aggregate purchase price of $125,753. True Value
concurrently agreed to lease the distribution centers for a period of 20 years.
The transaction was recorded as a real property sale and as ongoing operating
leases in True Value's financial statements. The resulting gain on sale of
$55,564 was recorded as deferred gain in the Consolidated Balance Sheet and is
being amortized to income on a straight-line basis over the initial 20-year
lease term. True Value has the right to extend each lease for two additional
periods of approximately 10 years each. True Value may elect to renew a lease or
leases with respect to any one or more of the properties without renewing the
lease or leases with respect to all of the properties. True Value has the right
to assign the lease without the landlord's prior written consent, but subject to
certain conditions described in the leases. Provided that True Value assigns the
rent to the landlord, True Value may sublet all or any part of any property
without the landlord's consent.

6. COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

     True Value is involved in various claims and lawsuits incidental to its
business. The following significant matters existed at December 31, 2005:

ACTIVE LEGAL MATTERS:

FLEGLES ACTION

     On February 12, 2003, a former True Value member, Flegles Inc. ("Flegles"),
filed suit against True Value in the Circuit Court of Carlisle County, Kentucky.
The complaint alleges that True Value is liable to Flegles for the role True
Value played with respect to Flegles' construction of a new retail store
facility in Bardwell, Kentucky, that has allegedly incurred financial losses.
Flegles sought $2,400 in compensatory damages and also an award of punitive
damages. On July 30, 2004, a jury found True Value liable to Flegles for certain
losses incurred by Flegles and awarded Flegles $1,300 in compensatory damages.
The jury did not award any punitive damages. As True Value believes that the
verdict was rendered in error, it pursued post-trial motions before the Circuit
Court, including a request that the verdict be set aside or that True Value be
awarded a new trial. Such relief was denied by the Circuit Court and True Value
is now pursuing its appeal for such relief in the Kentucky Appellate Court. True
Value posted with the court a bond in an amount necessary to prevent Flegles
from enforcing its judgment during the appeal. The parties have filed briefs
with the Kentucky Appellate Court and are awaiting a date for oral arguments.
True Value intends to continue to vigorously defend this case and does not
believe that the ultimate resolution will have a material effect on results from
operations or financial position.

CLAIMS AGAINST ERNST & YOUNG LLP

     True Value pursued claims against its former outside auditors, Ernst &
Young LLP ("E&Y"), for professional malpractice, breach of contract, deceptive
business practices and fraud. True Value contended that E&Y failed to properly
discharge its duties to True Value and failed to identify, in a timely manner,
and indeed concealed, certain material weaknesses in True Value's internal
financial and operational controls. As a result, True Value was forced to make
an unanticipated accounting adjustment in the fourth quarter of 1999 in the
total amount of $121,333 (the "Fourth Quarter Charge"). True Value accordingly
reported a Net loss of $130,803 for the fiscal year ended December 31, 1999.
True Value alleged that had E&Y properly discharged its duties, the scope and
breadth of the Fourth Quarter Charge, as well as the accounting and operational
control deficiencies that necessitated the charge, would have been substantially
lessened. True Value began
                                       F-20
<PAGE>
                               TRUE VALUE COMPANY

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

discussion of its claims with E&Y early in the fall of 2001. Pursuant to the
dispute resolution procedures required by True Value's engagement letter with
E&Y, True Value and E&Y attempted to mediate this dispute during the first six
months of 2002. When those attempts proved unsuccessful and again pursuant to
the dispute resolution procedures, True Value filed its claim with the American
Arbitration Association on July 31, 2002. The arbitration is subject to certain
confidentiality requirements. Another effort at non-binding mediation between
the parties began in December 2004 and was unsuccessful. Hearings before the
arbitration panel occurred in early 2005.

     On July 28, 2005, an arbitration panel denied True Value's claims against
E&Y in their entirety. This decision of the arbitration panel also requires True
Value to reimburse E&Y for reasonable attorneys' fees and expenses related to
this matter. On August 17, 2005, True Value filed a motion asking the panel to
reconsider its award of attorneys' fees and expenses. In its motion, True Value
claimed that the panel exceeded its authority when it awarded attorneys' fees
and expenses to E&Y. On October 19, 2005, the panel denied this motion.

     E&Y has requested attorneys' fees and expenses in this matter of
approximately $18,200. True Value is challenging the reasonableness of this
amount with the arbitration panel, but has recorded the requested amount as a
reserve in the third quarter 2005 results. It is expected that the panel will
make a final award of reasonable fees and expenses in the first half of 2006.
Any adjustment to the reserve resulting from the final award will be reflected
in the financial statements at that time.

     True Value will continue to explore all of its options to challenge both
the reasonableness of E&Y's attorneys' fees and expenses and the authority of
the panel to award attorneys' fees and expenses in any amount. On January 17,
2006, True Value filed a petition with the Circuit Court of Cook County to
preserve its rights to further challenge the panel's authority to award any
attorneys' fees and expenses and to vacate the final award when it is entered.

7. INCOME TAXES

     Income tax expense consisted of the following for the years ended December
31:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                              2005   2004   2003
                                                              ----   ----   ----
                                                               ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>    <C>    <C>
Current:
  Federal...................................................  $--    $ --   $ --
  State.....................................................   51     177    333
  Foreign...................................................   --      --     --
                                                              ---    ----   ----
     Total current..........................................   51     177    333
                                                              ---    ----   ----
Deferred:
  Federal...................................................   --      --     --
  State.....................................................   --      --     --
  Foreign...................................................   --      --     --
                                                              ---    ----   ----
     Total deferred.........................................   --      --     --
                                                              ---    ----   ----
                                                              $51    $177   $333
                                                              ===    ====   ====
</Table>

     True Value operates as a nonexempt cooperative and is allowed a deduction
in determining its taxable income for amounts paid as qualified patronage
dividends based on margins from business done with or on behalf of members and
for the redemption of nonqualified notices of allocation. The reconciliation of
income

                                       F-21
<PAGE>
                               TRUE VALUE COMPANY

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

tax expense to income tax computed at the U.S. federal statutory tax rate of 35%
was as follows for the years ended December 31:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                          2005       2004      2003
                                                        --------   --------   -------
                                                              ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                     <C>        <C>        <C>
Tax at U.S. statutory rate............................  $ 16,690   $ 15,187   $ 7,544
Effects of:
  Patronage dividend..................................   (15,616)   (14,743)   (6,656)
  State income taxes, net of federal benefit..........        33        115       216
  Decrease in valuation allowance.....................    (1,403)      (691)   (1,090)
  Other, net..........................................       347        309       319
                                                        --------   --------   -------
                                                        $     51   $    177   $   333
                                                        ========   ========   =======
</Table>

     Deferred income taxes reflect the net tax effects to True Value of its net
operating loss carryforwards, which expire in years through 2024, alternative
minimum tax credit carryforwards, which do not expire, nonqualified notices of
allocations, which are deductible when redeemed and do not expire; and temporary
differences between the carrying amounts of assets and liabilities for financial
reporting purposes and the amounts used for income tax purposes. The deferred
tax effect of the net operating loss carryforward was reduced in 2005 by
$10,147. This reduction is attributable to the net effect of a $3,333 decrease
attributable to amounts to be charged against members' loss allocation accounts
and by a $6,814 decrease primarily in other deferred tax assets and liabilities.

     Total deferred tax assets, net of deferred tax liabilities, have a full
valuation allowance because True Value has concluded that, based on the weight
of available evidence, it is more likely than not that the deferred tax assets
will not be realized. Deferred tax assets will only be realized to the extent
future earnings are taxable to True Value and not allocated to members as
tax-deductible patronage dividends.

                                       F-22
<PAGE>
                               TRUE VALUE COMPANY

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

     The significant components of True Value's deferred tax assets and
liabilities were as follows for the years ended December 31:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                2005       2004
                                                              --------   --------
                                                               ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Deferred tax assets:
  Net operating loss carryforwards..........................  $ 10,415   $ 20,562
  AMT credit carryforward...................................       784        784
  Nonqualified notices of allocation........................     8,605      9,502
  Bad debt provision........................................       568      1,534
  Vacation pay..............................................     3,060      3,014
  Reserves and accruals.....................................     8,415         --
  Deferred gain.............................................    18,892     20,003
  Severance and restructuring costs.........................     1,752      2,015
  Rent expense..............................................     2,719      2,916
  Inventory capitalization..................................       743        840
  Other.....................................................     4,662      6,077
                                                              --------   --------
Total deferred tax assets...................................    60,615     67,247
Valuation allowance for deferred tax assets.................   (58,037)   (62,973)
                                                              --------   --------
Net deferred tax assets.....................................     2,578      4,274
                                                              --------   --------
Deferred tax liabilities:
  Tax depreciation in excess of book depreciation...........       384      2,280
  Contributions to fund retirement plans....................     2,194      1,994
                                                              --------   --------
Total deferred tax liabilities..............................     2,578      4,274
                                                              --------   --------
Net deferred taxes..........................................  $     --   $     --
                                                              ========   ========
</Table>

8. SUPPLEMENTAL CASH FLOW INFORMATION

     The annual patronage dividend is satisfied through cash payments and
issuance of subordinated promissory notes and Redeemable Class B non-voting
common stock; for members with loss allocation accounts, the Class B non-voting
common stock is offset to satisfy members' remaining allocation of the 1999
loss. Non-cash operating and financing activities relating to the issuance of
patronage dividends were as follows for the years ended December 31:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                               2005      2004      2003
                                                              -------   -------   -------
                                                                   ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>       <C>       <C>
Distribution of annual patronage dividend:
  Patronage dividend payable in cash........................  $13,257   $12,669   $ 8,983
  Issuance of Subordinated promissory notes.................    1,228     1,493        --
  Issuance of Redeemable Class B non-voting common stock....   22,548    12,175     2,315
  Reduction of Loss allocation accounts.....................    6,837    15,038     6,971
                                                              -------   -------   -------
     Total..................................................  $43,870   $41,375   $18,269
                                                              =======   =======   =======
</Table>

     True Value may set off its obligation to make payments to members for
redeemable stock, notes, interest or declared and unpaid dividends against any
obligation owed by the member to True Value. True Value

                                       F-23
<PAGE>
                               TRUE VALUE COMPANY

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

exercised its set-off rights in 2005, 2004 and 2003 when patronage dividends
were declared for members with loss allocation accounts. In addition, True Value
reduced the Patronage dividend payable in cash of $12,669 and $8,983 in 2004 and
2003, respectively, to $11,939 and $8,452 when they were paid in 2005 and 2004,
respectively. The amounts not paid were used to set off past due accounts
receivable of $730 and $531 in 2005 and 2004, respectively.

     True Value also had non-cash operating and financing activities related to
the redemption of stock due to the lifting of the moratorium. In 2003, True
Value reclassified amounts presented for redemption, but deferred due to the
moratorium, into Liabilities. True Value reclassified $18,841 of Redeemable
Class A voting common stock and $59,579 of Redeemable Class B non-voting common
stock, offset by: $27,941 of Loss allocation, $9,933 of Accumulated deficit
(related to the 2001 loss) and $6,821 of Accounts receivable to Deferred stock
redemptions. In 2004, True Value began redeeming these shares and related offset
amounts, and also began redeeming shares that were presented for redemption
during 2004. The components of the stock redemptions and payments in 2005 and
2004 were as follows:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                               2005       2004
                                                              -------   --------
                                                               ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>       <C>
Redemption of Shares:
  Redeemable Class A voting common stock....................  $ 4,131   $ 18,185
  Redeemable qualified Class B non-voting common stock......   10,714     47,728
  Redeemable nonqualified Class B non-voting common stock...    2,215     10,679
Amounts offset:
  Loss allocation account amounts...........................   (4,757)   (25,041)
  Accumulated deficit amounts (related to the 2001 loss)....   (2,796)   (10,745)
  Accounts receivable.......................................   (2,263)    (6,676)
                                                              -------   --------
Net amount redeemed.........................................    7,244     34,130
Amount redeemed in Cash.....................................    1,738      7,779
                                                              -------   --------
Amount issued in subordinated promissory installment
  notes.....................................................  $ 5,506   $ 26,351
                                                              =======   ========
</Table>

     As of December 31, 2005 and 2004, True Value classified $2,200 and $4,886,
respectively, in Liabilities for stock redemption requests that had not fully
completed the redemption procedures. The components of the in-process stock
redemption request as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, were as follows:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                               2005     2004
                                                              ------   -------
                                                              ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>      <C>
Request for Redemption of Shares:
  Redeemable Class A voting common stock....................  $  959   $ 2,729
  Redeemable qualified Class B non-voting common stock......   2,771     6,270
  Redeemable nonqualified Class B non-voting common stock...     565     1,433
Amounts offset:
  Loss allocation account amounts...........................    (913)   (3,212)
  Accumulated deficit amounts (related to the 2001 loss)....    (768)   (1,575)
  Accounts receivable.......................................    (414)     (759)
                                                              ------   -------
Net amount in Liabilities for requested stock redemptions...  $2,200   $ 4,886
                                                              ======   =======
</Table>

                                       F-24
<PAGE>
                               TRUE VALUE COMPANY

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

     True Value exercised its set-off rights with member accounts receivable and
loss allocation accounts when True Value member notes and interest came due in
2005, 2004 and 2003 as follows:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                              2005    2004    2003
                                                              -----   -----   -----
                                                                ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>     <C>     <C>
Notes and interest amounts satisfied:
  Subordinated promissory notes.............................  $ 318   $ 510   $ 846
  Subordinated promissory installment notes.................    141     114      12
  Interest..................................................    120     160     170
Offset amounts:
  Loss allocation accounts..................................     --      (4)   (565)
  Accounts receivable.......................................   (579)   (780)   (463)
                                                              -----   -----   -----
                                                              $  --   $  --   $  --
                                                              =====   =====   =====
</Table>

     In 2004, in accordance with the Stipulation of Settlement related to the
Derivative Action, upon rescinding the moratorium, True Value reduced the loss
allocation accounts of the parties to the Stipulation of Settlement by
approximately $5,000 on a pro-rata basis by increasing the Accumulated deficit
account.

     In 2005, 2004 and 2003, True Value extended subordinated promissory notes,
at the option of the member for a three-year period in the amounts of $18,075,
$13,714 and $16,479, respectively.

     True Value's non-cash financing and investing activities in 2005 included
$4,760 primarily related to the acquisition of paint manufacturing and computer
equipment by entering into capital leases. In 2004, True Value's non-cash
financing and investing activities included $1,697 related to the acquisition of
new computer equipment by entering into capital leases. No capital lease
obligations were incurred in 2003.

     Cash paid for interest during 2005, 2004 and 2003 totaled $13,088, $11,938
and $27,496, respectively. Cash paid for income taxes during 2005, 2004 and 2003
totaled $39, $167 and $285, respectively.

                                       F-25
<PAGE>
                               TRUE VALUE COMPANY

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

9. BENEFIT PLANS

     The change in the projected benefit obligation and in the plan assets for
True Value administered pension plans were as follows for the years ended
December 31:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                2005       2004
                                                              --------   --------
                                                               ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>
Change in projected benefit obligation:
  Projected benefit obligation at beginning of year.........  $ 79,224   $ 72,664
  Service cost..............................................     5,929      5,660
  Interest cost.............................................     4,124      4,197
  Benefit payments..........................................      (397)      (385)
  Actuarial losses..........................................     4,393      5,400
  Plan amendments...........................................        --       (186)
  Settlements...............................................    (7,782)    (8,126)
                                                              --------   --------
     Projected benefit obligation at end of year............    85,491     79,224
                                                              --------   --------
Change in plan assets:
  Fair value of plan assets at beginning of year............    62,572     59,133
  Actual return on assets...................................     3,628      6,486
  Employer contributions....................................     9,626      5,464
  Benefit payments..........................................      (397)      (385)
  Settlements...............................................    (7,782)    (8,126)
                                                              --------   --------
     Fair value of plan assets at end of year...............    67,647     62,572
                                                              --------   --------
Reconciliation of funded status:
  Funded status.............................................   (17,844)   (16,652)
  Unrecognized prior service cost...........................    (3,795)    (3,969)
  Unrecognized actuarial loss...............................    27,123     25,607
                                                              --------   --------
Prepaid expense.............................................  $  5,484   $  4,986
                                                              ========   ========
</Table>

     The Accumulated Benefit Obligation ("ABO") for True Value administered
pension plans was $71,031 and $62,393 at December 31, 2005 and 2004,
respectively.

     One of True Value's pension plans is the supplemental retirement plan
("SRP"), which is an unfunded unqualified defined benefit plan. The SRP had an
ABO of $4,670 and $4,430 as of December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. Since
the SRP is an unfunded plan, there were no plan assets at December 31, 2005 and
2004.

     True Value recorded in Other long-term liabilities, for the SRP plan, an
additional minimum pension liability of $3,966 and $4,479 as of December 31,
2005 and 2004, respectively, which represents the amount by which the
accumulated benefit obligation exceeded the fair value of plan assets plus the
previously recognized prepaid asset. The additional liability has been offset by
an intangible asset, which is included in Other assets, to the extent of
previously unrecognized prior service cost. The amount in excess of previously
unrecognized prior service cost of $1,730 and $1,903 at December 31, 2005 and
2004, respectively, was recorded as a reduction of Members' equity in
Accumulated other comprehensive loss.

     As of December 31, 2004, the pension plans had unrecognized actuarial
losses of $25,607. The major source of actuarial losses under the plan are
related to the decline in interest rates over the last several years and lower
than expected asset returns during the same period. Deviations from expected
returns on assets are rolled into unrecognized actuarial losses over a
three-year period. Actuarial losses are amortized using the minimum amortization
methodology as described in Statement of Financial Accounting Standards No. 87,
"Employers' Accounting for Pensions." At December 31, 2005, unrecognized
actuarial losses increased $1,516
                                       F-26
<PAGE>
                               TRUE VALUE COMPANY

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

to $27,123. Major sources of this change that occurred during 2005 include the
change in discount rate, lower than expected asset returns, greater than
expected turnover and retirement, and an increase in assumed rates of
termination and retirement under the plan.

     True Value has a prepaid pension expense for both plans of $5,484 and
$4,986 at December 31, 2005 and 2004, respectively. The prepaid pension expense
at December 31, 2005 and 2004, was classified in "Prepaid expenses."

     The components of net periodic pension cost for True Value administered
pension plans were as follows for the years ended December 31:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                           2005      2004      2003
                                                          -------   -------   -------
                                                               ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                       <C>       <C>       <C>
Components of net periodic pension cost:
  Service cost..........................................  $ 5,929   $ 5,660   $ 5,204
  Interest cost.........................................    4,124     4,197     3,998
  Expected return on assets.............................   (4,634)   (4,470)   (4,344)
  Amortization of transition assets.....................       --        --      (105)
  Amortization of prior service cost/(benefit)..........     (175)     (163)       93
  Amortization of actuarial loss........................    1,411     1,445       902
  Settlement loss.......................................    2,472     2,735     3,753
                                                          -------   -------   -------
Net pension cost........................................  $ 9,127   $ 9,404   $ 9,501
                                                          =======   =======   =======
</Table>

PLAN ASSETS

     Plan assets consist primarily of publicly traded common stocks and
corporate debt instruments and the split by asset category is as follows:

<Table>
<Caption>
ASSET CATEGORY                                                2005    2004
--------------                                                -----   -----
<S>                                                           <C>     <C>
Domestic Equities...........................................   63.0%   65.2%
Foreign Equities............................................   10.2%    9.6%
Fixed Income................................................   22.6%   22.8%
Real Estate.................................................    0.0%    0.0%
Cash........................................................    4.2%    2.4%
Other.......................................................    0.0%    0.0%
                                                              -----   -----
Total.......................................................  100.0%  100.0%
                                                              =====   =====
</Table>

     The target asset allocation of the plan assets is:

<Table>
<Caption>
TARGET ASSET CATEGORY
---------------------
<S>                                                            <C>
Domestic Equities...........................................    65.0%
Foreign Equities............................................    10.0%
Fixed Income................................................    25.0%
Real Estate.................................................     0.0%
Cash........................................................     0.0%
Other.......................................................     0.0%
                                                               -----
Total.......................................................   100.0%
                                                               =====
</Table>

                                       F-27
<PAGE>
                               TRUE VALUE COMPANY

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

CONTRIBUTIONS

     True Value expects to contribute $3,418 to its qualified pension plan and
$772 to its SRP plan in 2006. True Value's policy is to fund its qualified
pension plan to maintain assets equal to at least 90% of current liability in
order to maintain its exemption from the Pension Benefit Guarantee Corporation
variable premium.

     True Value also participates in union-sponsored defined contribution plans.
Costs related to these plans were $75, $90 and $59 for 2005, 2004 and 2003,
respectively.

ESTIMATED FUTURE BENEFIT PAYMENTS

     The following benefit payments, which reflect expected future service, as
appropriate, are expected to be paid:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                               PENSION BENEFITS
                                                               ----------------
                                                               ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                            <C>
2006........................................................       $ 8,624
2007........................................................         8,575
2008........................................................         9,865
2009........................................................         9,455
2010........................................................         9,439
2011-2015...................................................        46,737
</Table>

     The assumptions used to determine True Value's pension obligations for all
plans were as follows for the years ended December 31:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                              2005   2004
                                                              ----   ----
<S>                                                           <C>    <C>
Weighted average assumptions:
  Discount rate.............................................  5.25%  5.50%
  Expected return on assets.................................  8.00%  8.00%
  Rate of compensation increase.............................  3.50%  3.50%
</Table>

     The discount rate of 5.25% was primarily based upon spot-yields as of
December 31, 2005, from the Citigroup Pension Discount Curve, in conjunction
with interest rates trends from Moody's Aa bonds. The Citigroup Pension Discount
Curve was developed using high quality corporate bonds.

     The basis used to determine the overall expected return on assets was an
analysis of the historical real (net of inflation) returns from back to 1926 for
a portfolio consisting of large-cap U.S. equities, corporate bonds, U.S.
government bonds and cash (intended to approximate True Value's pension asset
mix). Using the historical returns over 30-year periods, the average returns for
this portfolio over 30-year periods were calculated - the calculated 25th and
75th percentile were 4.6% and 6.4%, respectively. With the inflation assumption
(3.0%) and the adjustment for expected fees paid from the pension trust (1.0%),
the 25th and 75th percentile nominal yields are 6.6% and 8.4%. The True Value
Company Defined Benefit Pension Plan assumes a rate of return of 8.0%.

     The average expected future service under the plan during 2005 was
approximately 15 years.

     True Value also contributes to the True Value Company Employee Savings and
Compensation Deferral Plan (the "401k Plan") in accordance with IRS regulations.
Under the 401k Plan, each participant may elect to contribute an amount up to
50% of the participant's annual compensation, not to exceed $14, $13 and $12 per
year for 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. Also, plan participants who are 50
years of age or older may elect to make additional catch-up contributions not to
exceed $4, $3 and $2 for 2005, 2004 and 2003, respectively. The total
participants' deferred compensation including True Value's contributions to the

                                       F-28
<PAGE>
                               TRUE VALUE COMPANY

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

participants' balances may not exceed $42, $41 and $40 in 2005, 2004 and 2003,
respectively. The 401k Plan includes a guaranteed match of one-third of a
participant's contribution up to a total of 2% of the participant's annual
compensation. Based on True Value achieving certain financial goals, a match of
greater than one-third of a participant's contribution can be earned. A match
equaling two-thirds of a participant's contribution, up to a total of 4% of the
participant's annual compensation, was earned for 2003 and funded in March 2004.
For 2004, a match equaling one-third of a participant's contribution, up to a
total of 2% of the participant's annual 401k eligible compensation, was earned
and funded in March 2005. For 2005, a match equaling two-thirds of a
participant's contribution, up to a total of 4% of the participant's annual 401k
eligible compensation, was earned and will be funded by March 2006. True Value
recognized costs of $3,056, $1,520 and $2,928 for 2005, 2004 and 2003,
respectively, for the 401k Plan.

10. SEGMENT INFORMATION

     True Value is principally engaged as a wholesaler of hardware and related
products and is a manufacturer of paint products. True Value identifies segments
based on management responsibility and the nature of the business activities of
each component of its business. True Value measures segment earnings as
operating earnings including an allocation for interest expense and income
taxes.

     Information regarding the identified segments and the related
reconciliation to consolidated information are as follows:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                AS OF AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005
                                                -----------------------------------------------
                                                                    PAINT
                                                                MANUFACTURING     CONSOLIDATED
                                                 HARDWARE     AND DISTRIBUTION       TOTALS
                                                -----------   -----------------   -------------
                                                               ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                             <C>           <C>                 <C>
Net sales to external customers...............  $1,936,563        $106,471         $2,043,034
Interest expense..............................      11,756           2,457             14,213
Depreciation and amortization.................      11,268           1,913             13,181
Segment net margin............................      39,047           8,508             47,555
Identifiable segment assets...................     695,235          56,294            751,529
Expenditures for long-lived assets............       9,671           5,204             14,875
</Table>

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                AS OF AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2004
                                                -----------------------------------------------
                                                                    PAINT
                                                                MANUFACTURING     CONSOLIDATED
                                                 HARDWARE     AND DISTRIBUTION       TOTALS
                                                -----------   -----------------   -------------
                                                               ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                             <C>           <C>                 <C>
Net sales to external customers...............  $1,915,511        $108,376         $2,023,887
Interest expense..............................      10,746           2,548             13,294
Depreciation and amortization.................      15,097           1,370             16,467
Segment net margin............................      34,064           9,149             43,213
Identifiable segment assets...................     603,151          52,368            655,519
Expenditures for long-lived assets............      10,920             954             11,874
</Table>

                                       F-29
<PAGE>
                               TRUE VALUE COMPANY

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                AS OF AND FOR THE YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2003
                                                -----------------------------------------------
                                                                    PAINT
                                                                MANUFACTURING     CONSOLIDATED
                                                 HARDWARE     AND DISTRIBUTION       TOTALS
                                                -----------   -----------------   -------------
                                                               ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                             <C>           <C>                 <C>
Net sales to external customers...............  $1,921,448        $102,892         $2,024,340
Interest expense..............................      48,339           9,184             57,523
Depreciation and amortization.................      24,640           1,420             26,060
Segment net margin............................      13,025           8,196             21,221
Identifiable segment assets...................     632,543          48,917            681,460
Expenditures for long-lived assets............       6,367             458              6,825
</Table>

     True Value does not have a significant concentration of members in any
geographic region of the United States or in any foreign countries.

     Primary product revenue categories for the last three years are set forth
in the following table:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                   FOR THE FISCAL YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                   ---------------------------------------
                                                      2005          2004          2003
                                                   -----------   -----------   -----------
                                                              ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                <C>           <C>           <C>
HARDWARE SEGMENT
Hardware goods...................................  $  510,241    $  495,029    $  485,374
Farm and garden..................................     434,871       430,840       429,161
Electrical and plumbing..........................     356,290       350,685       353,332
Painting and cleaning............................     217,439       211,944       209,942
Appliances and housewares........................     214,446       218,489       228,929
Sporting goods and toys..........................      93,496       102,817       107,862
Other............................................     109,780       105,707       106,848
                                                   ----------    ----------    ----------
     Subtotal Hardware segment...................   1,936,563     1,915,511     1,921,448

PAINT MANUFACTURING AND DISTRIBUTION SEGMENT
Painting.........................................     106,471       108,376       102,892
                                                   ----------    ----------    ----------
Total net sales to external customers............  $2,043,034    $2,023,887    $2,024,340
                                                   ==========    ==========    ==========
</Table>

11. ASSET SALES

     On April 20, 2005, True Value sold its 640,000-square-foot East Butler,
Pennsylvania, warehouse and office facility to a third party for a purchase
price of $6,188. In the first quarter of 2005, True Value recorded an impairment
charge of $942 to write-down this facility that was classified as held for sale
to fair value. Pursuant to the Purchase and Sale Agreement, True Value leased
back approximately 100,000 square feet of warehouse space through the end of
2005 and approximately 15,000 square feet of office space through the end of
2006 under an operating lease. The lease on the warehouse space has been
extended to the end of the first quarter of 2006 for 25,000 square feet.

     On December 28, 2005, True Value sold its 105,000-square-foot Chicago,
Illinois, oil-based paint manufacturing facility to a third party for a purchase
price of $10,125. True Value recorded a net gain of $9,080 on the sale.

                                       F-30
<PAGE>
                               TRUE VALUE COMPANY

           NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS -- (CONTINUED)

12. QUARTERLY FINANCIAL SUMMARY (UNAUDITED)

     Selected quarterly financial information for each of the four quarters in
2005 and 2004 is as follows:

<Table>
<Caption>
                                          FIRST      SECOND     THIRD      FOURTH
                                         QUARTER    QUARTER    QUARTER    QUARTER    FULL YEAR
                                         --------   --------   --------   --------   ----------
                                                            ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                      <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>        <C>
2005
  Net revenue                            $503,581   $551,580   $486,815   $501,058   $2,043,034
  Gross margin                             51,972     64,064     62,185     54,631      232,852
  Net margin before income taxes            2,623     19,468      2,970     22,545       47,606
  Net margin                                2,615     19,445      2,958     22,537       47,555
2004
  Net revenue                            $499,362   $575,345   $474,516   $474,664   $2,023,887
  Gross margin                             49,843     61,658     55,956     54,620      222,077
  Net margin before income taxes            2,175     16,974     13,421     10,820       43,390
  Net margin                                2,124     16,915     13,401     10,773       43,213
</Table>

                                       F-31
<PAGE>

ITEM 15(a)(2). INDEX TO FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULE.

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                               PAGE(S)
                                                               -------
<S>                                                            <C>
Schedule II -- Valuation and Qualifying Accounts............    F-33
</Table>

                                       F-32
<PAGE>

                               TRUE VALUE COMPANY

                SCHEDULE II -- VALUATION AND QUALIFYING ACCOUNTS
              FOR THE YEARS ENDED DECEMBER 31, 2005, 2004 AND 2003

ALLOWANCE FOR DOUBTFUL ACCOUNTS

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              -----------------------------
                                                               2005       2004       2003
                                                              -------    -------    -------
                                                                    ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>        <C>
Allowance for Doubtful Accounts:
  Balance at beginning of year..............................  $ 3,835    $ 8,395    $ 8,553
  Provision/(benefit) for losses on accounts and notes
     receivable.............................................     (143)    (2,498)       927
  Write-offs of doubtful accounts (1).......................   (2,272)    (2,062)    (1,085)
                                                              -------    -------    -------
  Balance at end of year....................................  $ 1,420    $ 3,835    $ 8,395
                                                              =======    =======    =======
</Table>

---------------

(1) Notes and accounts written off as uncollectible, net of recoveries of
    accounts previously written off as uncollectible.

INVENTORY RESERVES

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              ----------------------------
                                                               2005      2004       2003
                                                              -------   -------   --------
                                                                    ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>       <C>       <C>
Reserve for Inventory:
  Balance at beginning of year..............................  $10,196   $ 6,718   $ 10,434
  Provision for inventory reserves..........................   15,052    12,574      8,603
  Write-off of inventory....................................   (7,724)   (9,096)   (12,319)
                                                              -------   -------   --------
  Balance at end of year....................................  $17,524   $10,196   $  6,718
                                                              =======   =======   ========
</Table>

VALUATION ALLOWANCE FOR DEFERRED TAX ASSETS

<Table>
<Caption>
                                                                 YEAR ENDED DECEMBER 31,
                                                              ------------------------------
                                                                2005       2004       2003
                                                              --------   --------   --------
                                                                     ($ IN THOUSANDS)
<S>                                                           <C>        <C>        <C>
Valuation Allowance for Deferred Tax Assets:
  Balance at beginning of year..............................  $ 62,973   $ 72,116   $ 94,952
  Increase in deferred tax assets...........................    13,696      9,866     23,514
  Decrease in deferred tax assets...........................   (18,632)   (19,009)   (46,350)
                                                              --------   --------   --------
  Balance at end of year....................................  $ 58,037   $ 62,973   $ 72,116
                                                              ========   ========   ========
</Table>

                                       F-33
<PAGE>

ITEM 15(A)(3). INDEX TO EXHIBITS

<Table>
<Caption>
    EXHIBITS
    ENCLOSED                            DESCRIPTION
    --------                            -----------
  <C>           <S>
       3-B      By-Laws of True Value Company, as Amended and Restated
                Effective December 8, 2005.
       4-I      Fourth Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement between True
                Value and various financial institutions as Amended and
                Restated Effective December 28, 2005.
       4-J      Fifth Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement between True
                Value and various financial institutions as Amended and
                Restated Effective February 13, 2006.
      10-E      True Value Company Defined Lump Sum Pension Plan as Amended
                and Restated as of January 1, 2006.
      19-A      Notice of True Value's 2006 Annual Stockholders' Meeting and
                Proxy Statement.
      21        Subsidiaries
      31-A      Section 302 Certification (Chief Executive Officer)
      31-B      Section 302 Certification (Chief Financial Officer)
      32-A      Section 906 Certification (Chief Executive Officer and Chief
                Financial Officer)
</Table>

<Table>
<Caption>
    EXHIBITS
  INCORPORATED
  BY REFERENCE
  ------------
  <C>           <S>
       2-A      Agreement and Plan of Merger dated as of December 9, 1996
                between Cotter & Company and ServiStar Coast to Coast
                Corporation ("SCC"). Incorporated by reference -- Exhibit
                2-A to Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No. 333-18397).
       3-A      Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of True
                Value, effective December 31, 2004. Incorporated by
                reference -- Exhibit 3-A to the Registrant's Annual Report
                on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
       4-A      Specimen certificate of Class A common stock. Incorporated
                by reference -- Exhibit 4-C to the Registrant's Annual
                Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
                2002.
       4-B      Specimen certificate of Class B common stock. Incorporated
                by reference -- Exhibit 4-D to the Registrant's Annual
                Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31,
                2002.
       4-C      Subordinated promissory installment note form. Incorporated
                by reference -- Exhibit 4-A to the Registrant's Quarterly
                Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 1, 2005.
       4-D      Subordinated promissory note form. Incorporated by
                reference -- Exhibit 4-B to the Registrant's Quarterly
                Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 1, 2005.
       4-E      Loan and Security Agreement dated August 29, 2003 for
                $275,000,000 revolving credit facility between TruServ
                Corporation and various financial institutions. Incorporated
                by reference -- Exhibit 4-B to the Registrant's Quarterly
                Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 27,
                2003.
       4-F      First Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement between
                TruServ and various financial institutions as Amended and
                Restated Effective March 19, 2004. Incorporated by
                reference -- Exhibit 4-H to Post-Effective Amendment No. 17
                on Form S-1 to Registration Statement on Form S-4 (No.
                333-18397).
       4-G      Second Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement between
                TruServ and various financial institutions as Amended and
                Restated Effective October 31, 2004. Incorporated by
                reference -- Exhibit 4-A to the Registrant's Quarterly
                Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended October 2, 2004.
</Table>

                                       E-1
<PAGE>

<Table>
<Caption>
    EXHIBITS
  INCORPORATED
  BY REFERENCE
  ------------
  <C>           <S>
       4-H      Third Amendment to Loan and Security Agreement between True
                Value and various financial institutions as Amended and
                Restated Effective May 6, 2005. Incorporated by reference --
                Exhibit 4-A to the Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form
                10-Q for the quarter ended April 2, 2005.
      10-A      Current Form of "Retail Member Agreement with True Value"
                between True Value and its members that offer primarily
                hardware and related items. Incorporated by reference --
                Exhibit 10-A to Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to
                Registration Statement on Form S-2 to Form S-4 (No.
                333-18397).
      10-B      Current Form of "International Retail Member Agreement with
                True Value" between True Value and its members that offer
                primarily hardware and related items. Incorporated by
                reference -- Exhibit 10-B to the Registrant's Quarterly
                Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 3, 2004.
      10-C      Current Form of "Undesignated Retail Member Agreement with
                True Value" between True Value and its members that offer
                primarily hardware and related items. Incorporated by
                reference -- Exhibit 10-C to the Registrant's Quarterly
                Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended April 3, 2004.
      10-D      Current Form of "Subscription to Shares of True Value."
                Incorporated by reference -- Exhibit 10-B to Post-Effective
                Amendment No. 19 to Registration Statement on Form S-2 to
                Form S-4 (No. 333-18397).
      10-F      TruServ Corporation Savings and Compensation Deferral Plan
                as Amended and Restated Effective January 1, 1998; including
                amendments through December 2002. Incorporated by
                reference -- Exhibit 10-D to the Registrant's Annual Report
                on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2002.
      10-G      First Amendment of TruServ Corporation Savings and
                Compensation Deferral Plan as Amended and Restated Effective
                January 1, 1998. Incorporated by reference -- Exhibit 10-M
                to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
                fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.
      10-H      Second Amendment of TruServ Corporation Savings and
                Compensation Deferral Plan as Amended and Restated Effective
                January 1, 1998. Incorporated by reference -- Exhibit 10-N
                to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
                fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.
      10-I      Third Amendment of TruServ Corporation Savings and
                Compensation Deferral Plan as Amended and Restated Effective
                January 1, 1998. Incorporated by reference -- Exhibit 10-O
                to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
                fiscal year ended December 31, 2003.
      10-J      True Value Company Supplemental Retirement Plan As Amended
                and Restated Effective January 1, 2005. Incorporated by
                reference -- Exhibit 10-R to the Registrant's Annual Report
                on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
      10-K      True Value Company Transition Incentive Plan Effective March
                1, 2005. Incorporated by reference -- Exhibit 10-S to the
                Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
                ended December 31, 2004.
      10-L      Retail Conversion Funds Agreement dated as of December 9,
                1996 between TruServ and SCC. Incorporated by
                reference -- Exhibit 10-L to Registration Statement on Form
                S-4 (No. 333-18397).
</Table>

                                       E-2
<PAGE>

<Table>
<Caption>
    EXHIBITS
  INCORPORATED
  BY REFERENCE
  ------------
  <C>           <S>
      10-M      Lease Agreement by and between Hammer (DE) Limited
                Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership, as Landlord and
                TruServ Corporation as Tenant, dated December 26, 2002.
                Incorporated by reference -- Exhibit 10-J to the
                Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
                ended December 31, 2002.
      10-N      Lease Agreement by and between Bolt (DE) Limited
                Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership, as Landlord and
                TruServ Corporation as Tenant, dated December 26, 2002.
                Incorporated by reference -- Exhibit 10-K to the
                Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
                ended December 31, 2002.
      10-O      Lease Agreement by and between Wrench (DE) Limited
                Partnership, a Delaware limited partnership, as Landlord and
                TruServ Corporation as Tenant, dated December 26, 2002.
                Incorporated by reference -- Exhibit 10-L to the
                Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year
                ended December 31, 2002.
      10-P      Consulting Agreement between TruServ and Thomas S. Hanemann
                dated November 2, 2004. Incorporated by reference -- Exhibit
                10-P to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the
                fiscal year ended December 31, 2004.
      10-Q      Employment Agreement between True Value and Lyle G.
                Heidemann dated May 25, 2005. Incorporated by
                reference -- Exhibit 10.1 to the Registrant's Report on Form
                8-K filed on June 6, 2005.
      14-A      Code of Ethics. Incorporated by reference -- Exhibit 99.3 to
                the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal
                year ended December 31, 2002.
</Table>

  SUPPLEMENTAL
   INFORMATION
  ------------

     Supplemental Information to be Furnished with Reports Filed Pursuant to
Section 15(d) of the Act by Registrants which have not Registered Securities
Pursuant to Section 12 of the Act.

     As of the date of the foregoing Report, no annual report for the
Registrant's year ended December 31, 2005 has been sent to security holders.
Copies of such Annual Report will subsequently be furnished to the Securities
and Exchange Commission.

                                       E-3