Document:

exv10w1

Exhibit 10.1

EXECUTION COPY

EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

     THIS EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT (this “Agreement”) is effective as of the 1st day of January, 2009
(the “Effective Date”), between UTi, Services, Inc., a California corporation (the “Company”), and
Eric W. Kirchner (“Executive”).

     In consideration of the promises and covenants set forth below, the parties hereto agree as
follows:

     1. Employment. The Company hereby agrees to employ Executive, and Executive hereby
agrees to accept such employment with the Company, on the terms and conditions set forth herein.
As provided for herein, Executive agrees to also perform services for UTi Worldwide Inc. (“UTi
Worldwide”) and the related group of companies (UTi Worldwide, the Company and such related
entities and companies are referred to herein collectively as the “UTi Group”) without receiving
separate consideration for such services.

     2. Term. Executive’s employment with the Company shall be governed by the provisions
of this Agreement for the period commencing on the first day of the Employment Period (as defined
below) and continuing until such employment is terminated pursuant to this Agreement or this
Agreement is terminated pursuant to the next sentence. This Agreement may be terminated for any
reason by either the Company or Executive giving written notification of an intention to terminate
this Agreement to the other party, which written notification must be received at least six (6)
months prior to the termination date of this Agreement. The period during which the Executive
provides services to the Company pursuant to this Agreement shall be referenced in this Agreement
as the “Employment Period.” It is expected that the Employment Period will begin after the
Effective Date but prior to January 31, 2009.

     3. Position and Duties. Executive agrees to serve as an employee of the Company and
as Chief Executive Officer of UTi Worldwide and in such other position or positions within the UTi
Group as may be reasonably requested by the Company or the UTi Group without any additional
consideration. Executive shall perform Executive’s duties and obligations faithfully and
diligently and shall devote all of Executive’s business time, attention and efforts exclusively to
the business of the Company, UTi Worldwide and the UTi Group. Executive shall industriously
perform Executive’s duties under the supervision of, and shall report to, the Board of Directors of
UTi Worldwide (the “UTiW Board”). Executive shall accept and comply with all lawful directions
from and all policies established from time to time which are applicable to Executive. Executive
shall adhere to the policies and procedures generally applicable to employees of the Company and
the UTi Group.

     4. Place of Performance. In connection with Executive’s employment by the Company and
except for required travel on UTi Group business, Executive shall be based at the Company’s
executive offices, or such other location agreed to by Executive and the Company.

 

 

     5. Compensation and Related Matters.

          (a) Salary. During the Employment Period, the Company shall pay Executive a salary of
$700,000.00 per annum, subject to increase (but not decrease) in the sole discretion of the
Company. Such salary shall be paid in equal semi-monthly installments (or such other intervals as
the Company may elect) and shall accrue daily.

          (b) Performance Bonus; Equity-Based Compensation. For the Company’s fiscal year 2010,
(a) Executive shall have a target cash performance bonus equal to 90% of his base salary, and
Executive shall be paid not less than one-half of such target amount, and (b) Executive shall
receive one or more equity-based incentive awards, as determined by the Compensation Committee of
UTi Worldwide (the “Compensation Committee”) and the UTiW Board, with an aggregate target value
equal to 300% of his base salary.  During the remainder of the Employment Period, Executive shall
be eligible for consideration for (i) an annual cash performance bonus in accordance with the
applicable terms of the bonus plan as in effect from time to time with a target amount equal to 90%
of his base salary and (ii) one or more annual equity-based incentive awards in accordance with the
applicable terms of the incentive plans in effect from time to time having a target value equal to
300% of his base salary, in each case as ultimately determined by the Compensation Committee and
the UTiW Board.

          (c) Vacations. During the Employment Period Executive shall be entitled to twenty
(20) business days of vacation in each fiscal year as established by applicable policies, and to
compensation with respect to earned but unused vacation days determined in accordance with the
applicable vacation policy.

          (d) Expenses. During the Employment Period Executive shall be entitled to receive
reimbursement for reasonable out-of-pocket travel and other expenses (excluding ordinary commuting
expenses) incurred by Executive in performing Executive’s services hereunder, provided that:

               (i) Such expenditures qualify as proper business expenditures;

               (ii) Executive furnishes adequate documentary evidence for the substantiation of such
expenditures and Executive complies with all applicable policies with respect to expense
reimbursement;

               (iii) Reimbursement will be made as soon as administratively practicable and in no event later
than the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year in which the expenses were
incurred; and

               (iv) The amount of expenses eligible for reimbursement in one calendar year will not affect
the expenses eligible for reimbursement in any other calendar year.

          (e) Medical Insurance and Other Benefits. During the Employment Period Executive will
be entitled to participate in applicable medical, dental and disability insurance plans, life
insurance plans, retirement plans and other employee welfare and benefit plans or programs made
available to the Company’s executives or its employees generally, in accordance with the terms of
such plans and programs as may be in effect from time to time. For the purpose

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of clarity, it is agreed that Executive shall participate in the UTi Worldwide Inc.
Supplemental Benefits Allowance Program and any successor thereto.

          (f) Sign On Bonus. Within 30 days of the first day of the Employment Period, the
Company shall pay to Executive a one-time lump sum of $150,000.00.

          (g) Relocation Assistance and Related Costs. The Company shall pay for the services
of a nationally recognized relocation firm to assist Executive with his relocation. Such services
shall include the transport of personal effects and automobiles. The Company shall also reimburse
Executive for lease termination expenses of up to $12,000.00, and for the costs of temporary
housing in the greater Los Angeles area for up to 60 days.

     6. Termination.

          (a) Termination for Cause.

               (i) The Company may at any time terminate Executive’s employment hereunder for “Cause”
pursuant to the provisions of this Section 6(a). Executive shall be given notice by the Company of
its intention to terminate Executive for Cause, and Executive shall have an opportunity to address,
at the option of the UTiW Board, the UTiW Board or a committee of one or more directors of the UTiW
Board, regarding the grounds on which the proposed termination for Cause is based.

               For purposes of this Agreement, the Company shall have “Cause” to terminate Executive’s
employment hereunder upon:

                    (A) The breach by Executive of any material provision of this Agreement (and if such breach is
susceptible to cure by Executive, the failure to effect such cure by Executive within thirty (30)
days after written notice of such breach is given to Executive); or

                    (B) Executive’s willful failure to perform or the gross negligence in the performance of
Executive’s material duties to the UTi Group or hereunder (and if such willful failure or gross
negligence is susceptible to cure by Executive, the failure to effect such cure by Executive within
thirty (30) days after written notice of such willful failure or gross negligence is given to
Executive); or

                    (C) Executive’s engagement in an act of dishonesty involving or affecting the UTi Group or
falsification of the records thereof; or

                    (D) Executive’s indictment or conviction for a crime of theft, embezzlement, fraud,
misappropriation of funds or other alleged act of dishonesty by Executive, or other crime involving
moral turpitude; or

                    (E) Executive’s engagement in any violation of law relating to Executive’s employment or any
violation by Executive of Executive’s duty of care or loyalty to the UTi Group.

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               (ii) If Executive is terminated for Cause pursuant to this Section 6(a), neither the Company
nor the UTi Group shall have any further obligation or liability to Executive, except that
Executive shall be entitled to receive, within thirty (30) days following Executive’s termination
of employment, (i) the portion of Executive’s salary which has been earned up to the Date of
Termination, (ii) compensation for any accrued and unused vacation up to the Date of Termination,
(iii) reimbursement for business expenses properly incurred up to the Date of Termination and
(iv) such benefits or payments to which Executive may be entitled under the terms and conditions of
any benefit, equity, incentive or compensation plan, program or award applicable to Executive and
Executive’s termination or cessation of employment to the extent accrued for the benefit of, or
owing to, Executive as of the date of such termination or cessation of employment (collectively,
the “Accrued Benefits”).

          (b) Death.

               (i) Executive’s employment hereunder shall terminate automatically upon Executive’s death.

               (ii) If Executive’s employment is terminated because of Executive’s death pursuant to this
Section 6(b), neither the Company nor the UTi Group shall have any further obligation or liability
to Executive except that Executive’s estate shall be entitled to receive, within thirty (30) days
following Executive’s termination of employment, (i) the Accrued Benefits, and (ii) any life
insurance proceeds Executive is specifically entitled to under any applicable life insurance then
in effect (if any).

          (c) Disability.

               (i) Executive’s employment hereunder shall automatically terminate if Executive becomes
“disabled” or otherwise suffers a “disability.” As used herein, Executive shall be deemed to have
become “disabled” or to have suffered a “disability” to the extent Executive is or has been
incapable of performing substantially all of Executive’s managerial and executive services
hereunder for one hundred eighty (180) days or more in the aggregate during any consecutive twelve
(12) months.

               (ii) If Executive’s employment is terminated because of Executive’s disability pursuant to
this Section 6(c), neither the Company nor the UTi Group shall have any further obligation or
liability to Executive except that Executive shall be entitled to receive, within thirty (30) days
following Executive’s termination of employment, (i) the Accrued Benefits, and (ii) any benefits to
which Executive is specifically entitled under any applicable long-term disability plan as in
effect on the Date of Termination (if any).

          (d) Termination Other Than for Cause, Death or Disability.

               (i) The Company shall be entitled to terminate Executive’s employment hereunder at any time
for any or no reason and without Cause and other than on account of Executive’s death or disability
pursuant to this Section 6(d); provided, however, that the Company must deliver to Executive a
Notice of Termination not less than six (6) months prior to the Date of Termination set forth
therein.

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               (ii) If Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to this Section 6(d), unless Section
6(d)(iii) below shall apply, neither the Company nor the UTi Group shall have any further
obligation or liability to Executive except that Executive shall be entitled to (a) continue to
receive Executive’s then current monthly salary and to participate in applicable medical, dental
and disability insurance plans, life insurance plans, retirement plans and other employee welfare
and benefit plans or programs applicable to Executive in accordance with the terms and conditions
of such plans or programs through the Date of Termination, and (b) commencing upon the Date of
Termination, receive the Accrued Benefits, severance payments equal to six (6) months of
Executive’s then current monthly salary as set forth in Section 5(a) and a pro rata portion of
Executive’s bonus, if any, for the year in which Executive’s termination shall occur, calculated as
follows: (A) if Executive’s employment is terminated during the first six months of the Company’s
fiscal year, then the amount of the bonus subject to pro ration shall be equal to the Executive’s
average annual bonus for the immediately preceding three years, or the period of Executive’s
employment, if less, and (B) if Executive’s employment is terminated during the second six months
of the Company’s fiscal year, then the amount of the bonus subject to pro ration shall be
determined by the Compensation Committee of UTi Worldwide based on the actual performance achieved
over the relevant fiscal year (or other period to which such bonus relates) as compared to the
budgeted or other applicable performance metric over the same period, subject in each case to the
condition set forth in Section 6(d)(iv) below. Subject to Section 23 below, (a) such severance
payments shall be payable in six equal monthly payments commencing within sixty (60) days after
Executive’s termination of employment and (b) such bonus payments, if any, shall be payable (i) in
the case where Executive’s employment is terminated during the first six months of the Company’s
fiscal year, within sixty (60) days after Executive’s termination of employment, and (ii) in the
case where Executive’s employment is terminated during the second six months of the Company’s
fiscal year, within ninety (90) days following the last day of the Company’s fiscal year during
which Executive’s termination of employment shall occur. In addition, Executive shall be entitled
to receive any bonus earned for the previous fiscal year to the extent earned in accordance with
its terms, but which remains unpaid as of the Date of Termination.

               (iii) Notwithstanding Section 6(d)(ii), if Executive’s employment is terminated pursuant to
this Section 6(d) prior to January 31, 2010, neither the Company nor the UTi Group shall have any
further obligation or liability to Executive except that Executive shall be entitled to
(a) continue to receive Executive’s then current monthly salary and to participate in applicable
medical, dental and disability insurance plans, life insurance plans, retirement plans and other
employee welfare and benefit plans or programs applicable to Executive in accordance with the terms
and conditions of such plans or programs through the Date of Termination, and (b) subject to the
condition set forth in Section 6(d)(iv) below, commencing upon the Date of Termination, receive (i)
the Accrued Benefits, (ii) severance payments equal to eighteen (18) months of Executive’s then
current monthly salary as set forth in Section 5(a) and (iii) an additional amount equal to the sum
of (A)$630,000.00, plus (B) $630,000.00 multiplied by a fraction where the numerator equals the
number of full months during fiscal 2010 in which Executive was employed by the Company and the
denominator is twelve. Subject to Section 23 below, (a) such severance payments shall be payable in
eighteen equal monthly payments commencing within sixty (60) days after Executive’s termination of
employment and (b) such additional payment shall be payable within sixty (60) days after
Executive’s termination of

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employment. For purposes of clarity, if the provisions of this Section 6(d)(iii) shall apply,
then the provisions of Section 6(d)(ii) shall not be applicable.

(iv) Executive agrees that it is a condition precedent to the Company’s obligations to pay the
severance and additional payments provided for in sub-clause (b) of the first sentence of Section
6(d)(iii) above that Executive execute a general release and waiver prepared by the Company
releasing and forever discharging the Company and the UTi Group and each and all of their
respective owners, stockholders, predecessors, successors, assigns, agents, directors, officers and
other representatives from any and all claims, charges, complaints, liabilities, controversies,
rights, demands, costs, and expenses (other than the obligations of the Company set forth in
Section 6(d)(ii) or Section 6(d)(iii), as applicable, and any of Executive’s vested benefits under
any benefit plan sponsored by the Company), and that such general release become irrevocable within
sixty (60) days following Executive’s termination of employment. Executive agrees that Executive
will not assign or transfer, or purport to assign or transfer, to any person any claim or a portion
thereof or any interest therein that Executive might have against the UTi Group.

          (e) Termination of Employment Following a Change of Control.

               (i) If within twelve (12) months following a “Change of Control of UTi Worldwide” (as defined
below), (a) the Company terminates Executive’s employment hereunder other than for Cause or
Executive’s death or disability, or (b) the Company terminates this Agreement pursuant to the
second sentence of Section 2 above, then the Company shall be obligated to pay to Executive or
Executive’s estate the payments and benefits set forth in Section 6(e)(v).

               (ii) For purposes of this Agreement, a “Change of Control of UTi Worldwide” shall be defined,
and be deemed to have occurred, as set forth in Exhibit A attached to this Agreement and
incorporated herein.

               (iii) In addition, if within twelve (12) months following a “Change of Control of UTi
Worldwide,” Executive has “Good Reason” (as defined below) to terminate Executive’s employment with
the Company, and Executive terminates Executive’s employment as provided for in this Section
6(e)(iii), then the Company shall be obligated to pay to Executive or Executive’s estate the
payments and benefits set forth in Section 6(e)(v) below. In order for Executive to be able to
terminate Executive’s employment pursuant to this Section 6(e)(iii), Executive must deliver to the
Company a Notice of Termination not more than ten (10) business days following the conclusion of
the periods set forth in subclauses (A) and (B) of Section 6(e)(iv) below, and the Company shall
have either proceeded with the involuntary relocation under subclause (A) or failed to take the
actions necessary to cure the material adverse reduction under subclause (B). Executive’s Notice
of Termination shall set forth a Date of Termination, which date shall be one (1) month after the
date that the Notice of Termination is delivered by Executive to the Company.

               (iv) For purposes of this Agreement, Executive shall have “Good Reason” to terminate
Executive’s employment pursuant to Section 6(e)(iii) if:

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                    (A) Without Executive’s written consent, the Company relocates Executive to a facility or
location that is outside an area within a radius of fifty (50) miles from the offices where
Executive was based just prior to such Change of Control of UTi Worldwide, and Executive gives the
Company written notice of Executive’s objection to such relocation within ten (10) business days of
being informed in writing of such relocation, and, following the 30-day period after it receives
such notice, the Company still proceeds with the involuntary relocation of Executive; or

                    (B) Without Executive’s written consent, the Company reduces Executive’s duties and
responsibilities such that it results in a material adverse reduction in Executive’s duties,
authority or responsibilities, Executive gives the Company written notice of Executive’s objection
to such reduction within ten (10) business days of being informed of such reduction, and the
Company fails to cure such material adverse reduction within thirty (30) days after written notice
specifying the particular acts objected to and the specific cure requested by Executive is
delivered to the Company by Executive.

For purposes of clarity, Executive shall have “Good Reason” under Section 6(e)(iv)(B)above if UTi
Worldwide no longer has its securities registered under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
amended.

               (v) If Executive’s employment is terminated under the provisions contained in this Section
6(e), neither the Company nor the UTi Group shall have any further obligation or liability to
Executive except that Executive shall be entitled to receive (a) the Accrued Benefits and
(b) severance equal to twenty-four (24) months of Executive’s then current monthly salary as set
forth in Section 5(a), subject to the condition set forth in Section 6(e)(vi) below. Subject to
Section 23 below, such severance shall be payable in twenty-four (24) equal monthly installments
commencing within sixty (60) days after Executive’s termination of employment.

               (vi) Executive agrees that it is a condition precedent to the Company’s obligations to pay the
severance payments provided for in sub-clause (b) of Section 6(e)(v) above that Executive execute a
general release and waiver prepared by the Company releasing and forever discharging the Company
and the UTi Group and each and all of their respective owners, shareholders, members, predecessors,
successors, assigns, agents, directors, officers and other representatives from any and all claims,
charges, complaints, liabilities, controversies, rights, demands, costs, and expenses (other than
the obligations of the Company set forth in Section 6(e)(v) and any of Executive’s vested benefits
under any benefit plan sponsored by the Company), and that such general release become irrevocable
within sixty (60) days of Executive’s termination of employment. Executive agrees that Executive
will not assign or transfer, or purport to assign or transfer, to any person any claim or a portion
thereof or any interest therein that Executive might have against the UTi Group.

          (f) Resignation by Executive. Executive shall be entitled to terminate Executive’s
employment hereunder and the Employment Period at any time, for any or no reason, by delivering to
the Company a Notice of Termination not less than six (6) months prior to the Date of Termination
set forth therein. During the period from the Notice of Termination until the Date of
Termination, Employee acknowledges that Employee shall remain employed

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by the Company and shall continue to be bound by all applicable employment procedures,
policies, obligations and duties.

          (g) Notice of Termination. Any termination of Executive’s employment by the Company
or by Executive (other than termination pursuant to Section 6(b) above) shall be communicated by a
written Notice of Termination to the other party hereto. For purposes of this Agreement, a “Notice
of Termination” means a notice which (i) indicates the termination provision in this Agreement
relied upon, and (ii) specifies the Date of Termination.

          (h) Date of Termination. “Date of Termination” shall mean the date of death, the date
of the determination of a disability or the employment termination date specified in the Notice of
Termination, as the case may be.

     7. Exclusivity of Payments. Upon termination of Executive’s employment hereunder,
Executive shall not be entitled to any severance payments or severance benefits from the Company,
UTi Worldwide or the UTi Group, other than the payments and benefits expressly provided in Section
6 of this Agreement, except for any benefits which may be due to Executive in the normal course
under any then applicable employee benefit plan or program of the Company that provides for
benefits after termination of employment in accordance with the terms of such plan or program.
Executive’s right to receive payments or benefits under this Agreement upon termination of
employment will cease if Executive breaches any provision of Sections 8 or 9 below.

     8. Proprietary Information.

          (a) Definition. Executive hereby acknowledges that Executive possesses and may make
use of, acquire, create, develop or add to certain confidential and/or proprietary information
regarding the UTi Group and its businesses and affiliates (whether in existence prior to, as of or
after the date hereof, collectively, “Proprietary Information”), which Proprietary Information
shall include, without limitation, all of the following materials and information (whether or not
reduced to writing and whether or not patentable or protected by copyright): trade secrets,
inventions, processes, formulae, programs, technical data, “know-how,” procedures, manuals,
confidential reports and communications, marketing methods, product sales or cost information, new
product ideas or improvements, customer-tailored solutions and other consulting products and
processes, new packaging ideas or improvements, research and development programs, identities or
lists of suppliers, vendors or customers, financial information and financial projections or any
other confidential or proprietary information relating to the UTi Group and/or its business. The
term “Proprietary Information” shall also include, without limitation, any confidential or
non-public information of suppliers or customers of the UTi Group obtained by Executive in the
course of Executive’s employment or association with the Company or the UTi Group. The term
“Proprietary Information” does not include any information that (i) at the time of disclosure is
generally available to and known by the public (other than as a result of its disclosure by
Executive), (ii) becomes available to Executive on a lawful, non-confidential basis from a person
other than the UTi Group or its suppliers or customers or its or their representatives, provided
that the source of such information was not known by Executive to be subject to an obligation of
confidentiality or otherwise disclosed such information to Executive with the reasonable
expectation that it would remain confidential.

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          (b) Nondisclosure. During the term of this Agreement and thereafter, Executive will
not, without the prior express written consent of the Board of Directors of UTi Worldwide, disclose
or make any use of any Proprietary Information except as may be required in the course of the
performance of Executive’s services under this Agreement.

          (c) Agreement Not to Solicit Employees and Customers. To protect the Proprietary
Information and trade secrets of the UTi Group, Executive agrees, during the term of this Agreement
and for a period of one (1) year after termination of this Agreement, not to, directly or
indirectly, either on Executive’s own behalf or on behalf of any other person or entity, (i) to
attempt to persuade, induce or solicit or employ any person who is an employee of the UTi Group or
otherwise encourage such employee to cease or terminate his or her employment with the UTi Group or
(ii) use or otherwise disclose any Proprietary Information in any attempt to persuade any customer
of the UTi Group to cease to do business or to reduce the amount of business which any customer of
the UTi Group has customarily done or contemplates doing with the UTi Group or to expand its
business with a competitor of the UTi Group.

          (d) Reasonableness. Executive agrees that the covenants and agreements contained in
this Section 8 are reasonable and necessary to protect the Proprietary Information of the UTi Group
and that the covenants and agreements by Executive contained in this Section 8 shall be in addition
to any other agreements and covenants Executive may have agreed to in any other employee
proprietary information, confidentiality, non-disclosure or other similar agreement and that this
Section 8 shall not be deemed to limit such other covenants and agreements, all of which shall
continue to survive the termination of this Agreement in accordance with their respective terms. A
breach of the terms and covenants of such other covenants and agreements shall be deemed to be a
breach of the provisions of this Section 8 and this Agreement.

     9. Protection of Property. All records, files, manuals, documents, specifications,
lists of customers, forms, materials, supplies, computer programs and other materials furnished to
the Executive by the UTi Group, used on its behalf or generated or obtained during the course of
the performance of the Executive’s services hereunder, shall at all times remain the property of
the Company. Upon termination of Executive’s employment with the UTi Group, Executive shall
immediately deliver to the UTi Group, or its authorized representative, all such property,
including all copies, remaining in Executive’s possession or control.

     10. Specific Performance. In the event of the breach by Executive of any of the
provisions of Sections 8 or 9, the Company and the UTi Group, in addition to all other rights and
remedies they may have, may apply to any court of law or equity of competent jurisdiction for
specific performance and/or injunctive or other relief to the extent authorized by law in order to
enforce or prevent any violations of the provisions thereof.

     11. Arbitration. The parties hereto acknowledge that it is in their best interests to
facilitate the informal resolution of any disputes arising out of this Agreement or otherwise by
mutual cooperation and without resorting to litigation. As a result, if either party has a legally
recognized claim or dispute arising hereunder or otherwise, including but not limited to any claim
for breach of any contract or covenant (express or implied), any dispute regarding Executive’s
termination of employment, tort claims, claims for harassment or discrimination

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(including, but not limited to, race, sex, religion, national origin, age, handicap or
disability), claims for compensation or benefits (except where a benefit plan or pension plan or
insurance policy specifies a different claims procedure) and claims for violation of public policy
or, any federal, state or other governmental law, statute, regulation or ordinance (except for
claims involving workers’ compensation benefits), and the parties are unable to reach agreement
among themselves within thirty (30) days, then the parties agree to submit the dispute to JAMS for
binding arbitration in accordance with its then-current employment rules and applicable law. If
the parties are unable to agree to an arbitrator, JAMS will provide the names of seven potential
arbitrators, giving each party the opportunity to strike three names. The remaining arbitrator
will serve as the arbitration panel. The parties agree that the arbitration must be initiated
within the time period of the statute of limitations applicable to the claim(s) if the claim(s) had
been filed in Court. Arbitration may be initiated by the aggrieved party by sending written notice
of an intent to arbitrate by registered certified mail to all parties and to JAMS. The notice must
contain a description of the dispute, the amount involved and the remedies sought. All fees and
expenses of the arbitrator will be borne by the Company. Each party will pay for the fees and
expenses of its own attorneys, experts, witnesses, and preparation and presentation of proofs and
post-hearing briefs, unless the party prevails on a claim for which attorneys’ fees are recoverable
by statute, in which case the arbitrator may award attorneys’ fees and costs to the prevailing
party.

     12. Representation by Counsel. Executive acknowledges that Executive has been given
the opportunity to consult legal counsel and seek such advice and consultation as Executive deems
appropriate or necessary.

     13. Successors; UTi Group. This Agreement is personal to the Executive and is not
assignable by the Executive. This Agreement shall inure to the benefit of and be binding upon the
Company and its successors and assigns. If a particular action is required to be taken, or a
particular notice is required to be given, by the Company, and such action or notice is in fact
taken by, or such notice is in fact given by, UTi Worldwide or another member of the UTi Group,
then such action or notice shall be deemed to have been taken or given by the Company.
Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained in this Agreement, Executive agrees that
Executive is an employee only of the Company (or it successors or assigns, if applicable) and not
an employee of any other entity or member of the UTi Group. It is agreed that the Company may
assign Executive to another member of the UTi Group for payroll purposes.

     14. Notice. For purposes of this Agreement, notices, demands and all other
communications provided for in the Agreement shall be in writing and shall be deemed to have been
duly given when personally delivered, or if sent by overnight, commercial air courier service, on
the second business day after being delivered to the air courier service, or if mailed, on the
fifth day after being sent by first class, certified or registered mail, return receipt requested,
postage prepaid, addressed as follows:

	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	If to Executive:
	 	At Executive’s address as indicated on the
books and records of the Company.
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	If to Company:
	 	At the Company’s executive headquarters (with a
copy to UTi Worldwide Inc. at its executive headquarters).

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Such communications may also be delivered to such other address as any party may have furnished to
the other in writing in accordance herewith, except that notices of change of address shall be
effective only upon receipt thereof.

     15. Section 280G. To the extent that Section 280G and any related provisions of the
Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), are applicable, Executive’s payments and
benefits under this Agreement and all other arrangements or programs shall not, in the aggregate,
exceed the maximum amount that may be paid to Executive without triggering golden parachute
penalties under Section 280G and related provisions of the Code, as determined in good faith by the
Company’s independent auditors. If Executive’s benefits must be cut back to avoid triggering such
penalties, such benefits shall be reduced such that the reduction of compensation to be provided to
Executive as a result thereof is minimized. In applying this principle, the reduction shall be
made in a manner consistent with the requirements of Section 409A of the Code and where two
economically equivalent amounts are subject to reduction but payable at different times, such
amounts shall be reduced on a pro rata basis but not below zero. Executive and the Company agree
to reasonably cooperate with each other in connection with any administrative or judicial
proceedings concerning the existence or amount of golden parachute penalties on payments or
benefits Executive receives.

     16. Resignation from Positions. Upon Executive’s cessation of employment with the
Company for any reason, Executive agrees that Executive shall be deemed to have resigned as an
officer and as a director from every entity and company of the UTi Group on which Executive is then
serving as an officer or director, and any other entity or company on which Executive is then
serving as a director or officer at the request of the Company or the UTi Group, in each case
effective as of the date of cessation of Executive’s employment. In addition, if (a) Executive
gives the Company notice that either Executive desires to terminate this Agreement pursuant to
Section 2 above or that Executive desires to terminate Executive’s employment pursuant to Section
6(f) above, or (b) the Company gives notice to Executive that the Company desires to terminate this
Agreement pursuant to Section 2 above or that the Company desires to terminate Executive’s
employment pursuant to Section 6(d) above, then in each case Executive agrees that at the request
of either the Company or UTi Worldwide that Executive shall promptly resign, as requested by either
the Company or UTi Worldwide, as an officer or director from every entity and company of the UTi
Group on which Executive is then serving as an officer or director, and any other entity or company
on which Executive is then serving as a director or officer at the request of the Company or UTi
Worldwide. Executive hereby grants the corporate secretary of UTi Worldwide an irrevocable power of
attorney to execute on behalf of Executive all such resignations and documents and instruments and
take all such other actions as reasonably necessary to carry out the intention of this Section.

     17. Entire Agreement. This Agreement, together with the documents referenced herein,
contains the entire agreement of the parties hereto with respect to the subject matter hereof and
supersede any and all other offer letters, agreements and understandings, either oral or in
writing, between the parties hereto with respect to the employment of Employee by the Company.
Each party to this Agreement acknowledges that no representations, inducements, promises or
agreements, written, oral or otherwise, have been made by any party, or anyone acting on behalf of
any party, which are not embodied herein, and that no other agreement, statement or promise not
contained in this Agreement shall be valid or binding.

-11-

 

     18. Amendment; Waiver; Governing Law. No provisions of this Agreement may be
modified, waived or discharged unless such waiver, modification or discharge is agreed to in a
writing signed by Executive and by such officer of the Company as may be specifically designated by
UTi Worldwide. No waiver by either party hereto at any time of any breach by the other party
hereto of, or compliance with, any condition or provision of this Agreement to be performed by such
other party shall be deemed a waiver of similar or dissimilar provisions or conditions at the same
or at any prior or subsequent time. The validity, interpretation, construction and performance of
this Agreement shall be governed by the laws of California or if Executive is not employed in
California, the jurisdiction where Executive is employed by the Company.

     19. Validity. The invalidity or unenforceability of any provision or provisions of
this Agreement shall not affect the validity or enforceability of any other provision of this
Agreement, which shall remain in full force and effect.

     20. Counterparts. This Agreement may be executed in one or more counterparts, each of
which shall be deemed to be an original, but all of which together will constitute one and the same
instrument.

     21. Survivability. The provisions in Sections 8, 9, 10, 11, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19
and 21 of this Agreement shall survive any termination of this Agreement.

     22. Withholding of Taxes; Tax Reporting. The Company may withhold from any amounts
payable under this Agreement all such taxes, and may file with appropriate governmental authorities
all such information, returns or other reports with respect to the tax consequences of any amounts
payable under this Agreement, as may, in its reasonable judgment, be required by law.

     23. Section 409A Compliance. Executive is solely responsible and liable for the
satisfaction of any federal, state, province or local taxes that may arise with respect to this
Agreement (including any taxes arising under Section 409A of the Code, except to the extent
otherwise specifically provided in a written agreement with the Company). Neither the Company nor
any of its employees, officers, directors, or service providers shall have any obligation
whatsoever to pay such taxes, to prevent Executive from incurring them, or to mitigate or protect
Executive from any such tax liabilities. Notwithstanding anything in this Agreement to the
contrary, if any amounts that become due under this Agreement on account of Executive’s termination
of employment constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of Section 409A of
the Code, payment of such amounts shall not commence until Executive incurs a “separation from
service” within the meaning of Treasury Regulation § 1.409A-1(h) and, for purposes of any such
provision of this Agreement, references to a “termination,” “termination of employment” or like
terms shall mean “separation from service”.  If, at the time of Executive’s termination of
employment under this Agreement, Executive is a “specified employee” (under Section 409A of the
Code), any payments that constitute “nonqualified deferred compensation” within the meaning of
Section 409A of the Code on account of Executive’s “separation from service” and that are not
exempt from Section 409A of the Code as involuntary separation pay or a short-term deferral (or
otherwise) will not be paid until after the end of the sixth calendar month beginning after
Executive’s separation from service (the “409A

-12-

 

Suspension Period”). Within 14 calendar days after the end of the 409A Suspension Period, Executive
shall be paid a lump sum payment in cash equal to any payments delayed because of the preceding
sentence, together with interest on them for the period of delay at a rate not less than the
average prime interest rate published in the Wall Street Journal on any day chosen by the Company
during that period. Thereafter, Executive shall receive any remaining benefits as if there had not
been an earlier delay. With regard to any provision herein that provides for reimbursement of costs
and expenses or in-kind benefits, except as permitted by Section 409A of the Code, all such
payments shall be made on or before the last day of the calendar year following the calendar year
in which the expense occurred.

[Signature page follows]

-13-

 

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement as of the date first above
written.

	 	 	 	 	 
	“Company”

	 	UTi, Services, Inc., 

a California corporation	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	By: /s/ Allan Rosenzweig
 

	 
	 	 

Name: Allan Rosenzweig
Title: Authorized Signatory	 	 
	 	 
	“Executive”

	 	/s/ Eric W. Kirchner	 	 

GUARANTEE

     In order to induce Executive to enter into the foregoing Employment Agreement, UTi Worldwide
Inc. hereby unconditionally and irrevocably guarantees to Executive and Executive’s estate and
legal representatives that it will cause the Company named in the Employment Agreement to perform
each and all of its obligations under the Employment Agreement in accordance with the terms
thereof. This guarantee of performance is a principal obligation of the undersigned and shall
continue in full force and effect notwithstanding any amendments or modifications to the Employment
Agreement.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	UTi Worldwide Inc.,	 	 
	 

	 	a BVI corporation	 	 
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	By: /s/ Allan Rosenzweig
 

Name: Allan Rosenzweig
	 	 
	 

	 	Title: Director	 	 

-14-

 

EXHIBIT A TO EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT

For purposes of the attached Employment Agreement, a “Change of Control of UTi Worldwide” shall be
deemed to have occurred if:

          (i) a sale, transfer, or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets and
properties of UTi Worldwide is closed or consummated;

          (ii) any “person,” “entity” or “group” (within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) and
14(d)(2)) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”), other than UTi
Worldwide or any majority owned subsidiary of UTi Worldwide, becomes the “beneficial owner” (as
defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act), directly or indirectly, of securities of UTi
Worldwide representing fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of UTi Worldwide’s
then outstanding securities that have the right to vote in the election of directors generally;
provided, however, that the following shall not constitute a “Change of Control of UTi Worldwide”
for purposes of this subclause (ii):

               (a) any acquisition directly from UTi Worldwide (excluding any acquisition resulting from the
exercise of a conversion or exchange privilege in respect of outstanding convertible or
exchangeable securities); or

               (b) any acquisition by an employee benefit plan (or related trust) sponsored or maintained by
UTi Worldwide or any entity controlled by UTi Worldwide;

          (iii) during any period of two consecutive years during the term of this Employment Agreement,
individuals who at the beginning of such period constitute the Board of Directors of UTi Worldwide
cease for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, unless the election of each
director who was not a director at the beginning of such period has been approved in advance by
directors representing at least two-thirds of the directors then in office who were directors at
the beginning of the period; or

          (iv) UTi Worldwide is dissolved or liquidated or a merger, reorganization, or consolidation
involving UTi Worldwide is closed or consummated, other than a merger, reorganization, or
consolidation in which holders of the combined voting power of UTi Worldwide’s then outstanding
securities that have the right to vote in the election of directors generally immediately prior to
such transaction own, either directly or indirectly, fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined
voting power of the securities entitled to vote in the election of directors generally of the
merged, reorganized or consolidated entity (or its parent company) immediately following such
transaction.exv10w1

-1-

 

Exhibit 10.1

REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT

     REVOLVING CREDIT AGREEMENT, dated as of December 29, 2008 (as the same may be amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”), between THE
TALBOTS, INC., a corporation duly organized and validly existing under the laws of the State of
Delaware (the “Borrower”), and MIZUHO CORPORATE BANK, LTD. (together with its successors
and assigns, the “Lender”).

     WHEREAS, the Borrower desires to borrow, and the Lender agrees to extend, revolving credit
loans to the Borrower during the period from and after the Closing Date (as hereafter defined) in
accordance with the terms and conditions of this Credit Agreement.

     NOW, THEREFORE, the Borrower and the Lender hereby agree as follows:

     1. Definitions. As used in this Credit Agreement, unless otherwise defined herein, the
following terms shall have the following meanings (such meanings to be equally applicable to both
the singular and plural forms of the terms defined):

     “Affiliate” shall mean, as to any Person, any corporation or other entity that, directly or
indirectly, controls, is controlled by or is under common control with such Person. For purposes
of this definition, the term “control” (including “controlling,” “controlled by” and “under common
control with”) of a Person means the possession, direct or indirect, of the power to vote 10% or
more of the voting stock of such Person or to direct or cause the direction of the management and
policies of such Person, whether through the ownership of voting stock, by contract or otherwise.

     “Applicable Spread” shall mean a percentage determined by the Lender in its sole discretion
upon at the time of each borrowing of Revolving Loans; provided that the Applicable Spread shall
not be lower than 0.625% and shall not be higher than 1.30%.

     “Base Rate” shall mean the rate, as determined by the Lender on a daily basis, equal to the
higher of (i) the rate per annum established by the Lender from time to time as the reference rate
for short-term commercial loans in U.S. dollars to domestic corporate borrowers (which the Borrower
acknowledges is not necessarily Lender’s lowest rate), and (ii) the overnight cost of funds of
Lender as determined solely by Lender plus 1/4 of 1% per annum.

     “Borrower” is defined in the preamble of this Credit Agreement.

     “Borrowing Date” shall mean the date on which a Revolving Loan is made by the Lender in favor
of the Borrower.

     “Business Day” shall mean any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day on which
commercial banks are required or authorized to be closed in New York, New York.

 

-2-

     “Capitalized Lease Obligations” shall mean obligations for the payment of rent for any real or
personal property under leases or agreements to lease that, in accordance with GAAP, have been or
should be capitalized on the books of the lessee and, for purposes hereof, the amount of any such
obligation shall be the capitalized amount thereof determined in accordance with GAAP.

     “Closing Date” shall mean December 29, 2008, or such other date on which the conditions
precedent set forth in Section 5 hereof have been satisfied in full or waived in accordance with
the terms hereof.

     “Code” shall mean the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to time, and the
regulations and published interpretations thereof.

     “Commitment Fee” is defined in Section 2.9 hereof.

     “Commonly Controlled Entity” shall mean an entity, whether or not incorporated, which is under
common control with the Borrower within the meaning of Section 414(b) or 414(c) of the Code.

     “Cost of Funds Rate” shall mean, with respect to each day during an Interest Period, the fixed
rate per annum determined by the Lender to be its effective cost of funding in Dollars the
applicable Revolver Loan for such Interest Period.

     “Default” means any event or circumstance that, with the giving of notice, the lapse of time
or both, would constitute an Event of Default.

     “Dollars” and the symbol “$” shall mean dollars in the lawful money of the United States of
America.

     “Environmental Action” shall mean any complaint, summons, citation, notice, directive, order,
claim, litigation, investigation, judicial or administrative proceeding, judgment, letter or other
communication from any governmental agency, department, bureau, office or other authority, or any
third party involving violations of Environmental Laws or releases of Hazardous Materials (i) from
any assets, properties or businesses of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any predecessor
in interest, (ii) from properties or businesses adjoining any properties or businesses of the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or any predecessor in interest, or (iii) from or onto any
facilities which received Hazardous Materials generated by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries
or any predecessor in interest.

     “Environmental Law” shall mean any present or future statute, ordinance, rule, regulation,
order, judgment, decree, permit, license or other binding determination of any Governmental
Authority imposing liability or establishing standards of conduct for protection of the environment
as the same may be amended or supplemented from time to time.

 

-3-

     “Environmental Liabilities and Costs” shall mean all liabilities, monetary obligations,
remedial actions, losses, damages, punitive damages, consequential damages, treble damages,
costs and expenses (including all reasonable fees, disbursements and expenses of counsel, experts
and consultants and costs of investigation and feasibility studies), fines, penalties, sanctions
and interest incurred as a result of (i) any claim or demand by any Governmental Authority or any
third party which relates to any environmental condition or a release of Hazardous Materials, or
(ii) any breach by the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries of any Environmental Law.

     “Environmental Lien” shall mean any Lien in favor of any Governmental Authority for
Environmental Liabilities and Costs.

     “ERISA” shall mean the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974, as amended from time
to time, and the rules and regulations and published interpretations thereof.

     “Event of Default” is defined in Section 6 hereof.

     “FAX” is defined in Section 8.6 hereof.

     “Fed Funds Rate” shall mean, for any day, the average of the quotations for such day of
Federal Funds transactions with members of the Federal Reserve System received by the Lender from
three Federal Funds brokers of recognized standing selected by the Lender. If the Lender shall
have determined (which determination shall be conclusive absent manifest error) that it is unable
to ascertain the Fed Funds Rate for any reason, including the inability or failure of the Lender to
obtain sufficient quotations in accordance with the terms hereof, the Fed Funds Rate shall be the
Base Rate until the circumstances giving rise to such inability no longer exist. Any change in the
interest rate on a Revolving Loan due to a change in the Base Rate or the Fed Funds Rate shall be
effective on the effective date of such change in the Base Rate or the Fed Funds Rate, as the case
may be.

     “GAAP” shall mean generally accepted accounting principles in the United States consistent
with those utilized in preparing the audited financial statements referred to in Section 4(a)
hereof.

     “Governmental Authority” shall mean any nation or government, any state or other political
subdivision thereof and any department, commission, board, bureau, instrumentality, agency or other
entity exercising legislative, judicial, regulatory or administrative functions of, or pertaining
to, government.

     “Hazardous Materials” shall mean (a) petroleum and petroleum products, byproducts or breakdown
products, radioactive materials, asbestos-containing materials, polychlorinated biphenyls and radon
gas, and (b) any other chemicals, materials or substances designated, classified or regulated as
hazardous or toxic or as a pollutant or contaminant under any Environmental Law.

 

-4-

     “Hedge Agreements” shall mean any interest rate, commodity or equity swap, cap, floor or
forward rate agreement or collar arrangements, interest rate future or option contracts,
currency swap agreements, currency future or option contracts and other similar agreements or
arrangements designed to protect against fluctuations in interest rates or currency, commodity or
equity values, and any confirmation executed in connection with any such agreement or arrangement.

     “Indebtedness” shall mean with respect to any Person, without duplication, (i) all
indebtedness of such Person for borrowed money, (ii) all obligations of such Person for the
deferred purchase price of assets or services acquired by such Person which, in accordance with
GAAP, would be shown on the liability side of the balance sheet of such Person, (iii) all
obligations of such Person under or evidenced by bonds, debentures, notes or other similar
instruments or upon which interest payments are customarily made, (iv) all obligations and
liabilities, contingent or otherwise, of such Person in respect of letters of credit, acceptances
and similar facilities, including, without duplication, all drafts drawn thereunder, (v) all
obligations of the kind referred to in clauses (i) through (iv) and (vi) through (viii) of this
definition secured by any Lien on any property owned by such Person whether or not owing by such
Person and even though such Person has not assumed or become liable for payment thereof, (vi) all
Capitalized Lease Obligations of such Person, (vii) all obligations and liabilities of such Person
created or arising under any conditional sale or other title retention agreement with respect to
property used and/or acquired by such Person, even though the rights and remedies of the lessor,
seller and/or lender thereunder are limited to repossession or sale of such property, or agreements
to pay a specified purchase price for goods or services whether or not delivered or accepted, i.e.,
take-or-pay and similar obligations, (viii) contingent obligations of such Person under any Hedge
Agreements, as calculated in accordance with accepted practice, (ix) all indebtedness of others
referred in this definition guaranteed directly or indirectly in any manner by such Person, and (x)
all obligations referred to in clauses (i) through (viii) of this definition of another Person (a)
guaranteed directly or indirectly in any manner by such Person or (b) secured by (or for which the
holder of such indebtedness has an existing right, contingent or otherwise, to be secured by) any
Lien upon or in any property owned by such Person; provided, however, that the term Indebtedness
shall not include (y) trade payables (including trade letters of credit issued for the account of
such Person in the ordinary course of its business, but excluding drafts drawn thereunder or any
reimbursement obligations in respect thereof) or accrued expenses, in each case arising in the
ordinary course of business and not more than 60 days delinquent. The Indebtedness of any Person
shall include the Indebtedness of any partnership of, or joint venture in which, such Person is a
general partner or joint venture.

     “Interest Period” shall mean such period as is mutually agreed upon by the Borrower and the
Lender; provided, however, that (i) if any Interest Period would end on a day other
than a Business Day, such Interest Period shall be extended to the next succeeding Business Day,
unless such Business Day falls in another calendar month, in which case such Interest Period shall
end on the next preceding Business Day, (ii) no Interest Period shall be longer than 6 months, and
(iii) no Interest Period shall end after the Maturity Date and any Interest Period which would, but
for this clause, end after the Maturity Date shall instead end on the Maturity Date subject to the
payment of all break-funding and other losses, costs and expenses incurred as a result thereof.

     “Lender” is defined in the preamble of this Credit Agreement.

 

-5-

     “Letter of Credit” or “Letters of Credit” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.3
hereof.

     “Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreement” shall have the meaning set forth in Section 2.1.3
hereof.

     “Lien” shall mean any mortgage, deed of trust, pledge, hypothecation, assignment, deposit
arrangement, lien (statutory or otherwise), security interest, charge or other encumbrance or
security or preferential arrangement of any nature whatsoever.

     “Loan Account” is defined in Section 2.7 hereof.

     “Loan Documents” shall mean each of this Credit Agreement, the Note, the Letter of Credit
Agreement and each other document, instrument and agreement executed and delivered pursuant to or
in connection herewith or therewith, as the same may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified
from time to time.

     “Material Adverse Effect” shall mean a material adverse effect on any of (a) the operations,
business, assets, properties, prospects or condition (financial or otherwise) of the Borrower, (b)
the ability of the Borrower to perform any of its obligations hereunder, under the Note or under
any other Loan Document to which it is a party, (c) the legality, validity or enforceability of
this Credit Agreement, the Note, the Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreement or any other Loan
Document, or (d) the rights and remedies of the Lender hereunder or under any other Loan Document.

     “Maturity Date” shall mean December 29, 2009, or such earlier date on which the Revolving
Loans are due and payable and the commitment of the Lender to make Revolving Loans hereunder has
been terminated or otherwise cancelled (whether at stated maturity, by mandatory prepayment, by
acceleration or otherwise) in accordance with the terms hereof.

     “Multiemployer Plan” shall mean a Plan described in Section 4001(a)(3) of ERISA.

     “Note” shall mean the promissory note of the Borrower evidencing the Revolving Loans, payable
to the order of the Lender, substantially in the form of Exhibit A hereto, as the same may be
amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, or any substitute therefor.

     “Notice of Borrowing” is defined in Section 2.1.2 hereof.

     “Other Taxes” is defined in Section 7.2(b) hereof.

     “Parent” shall mean AEON Co., Ltd., a Japanese corporation which owns, directly or indirectly,
a majority of the issued and outstanding capital stock of the Borrower.

     “PBGC” shall mean the Pension Benefit Guaranty Corporation or any entity succeeding to any or
all of its functions under ERISA.

 

-6-

     “Person” shall mean an individual, corporation, partnership, limited liability company or
partnership, association, joint-stock company, trust, unincorporated organization, joint venture,
Governmental Authority or other entity.

     “Plan” shall mean any pension plan that is covered by Title IV of ERISA and in respect of
which the Borrower or a Commonly Controlled Entity is an “employer” as defined in Section 3(5) of
ERISA.

     “Prohibited Transaction” shall mean any transaction set forth in Section 406 of ERISA or
Section 4975 of the Code.

     “Release” shall mean any release, spill, emission, leaking, pumping, injection, deposit,
disposal, discharge, dispersal, leaching or migration into the outdoor or indoor environment.

     “Reportable Event” shall mean any of the events set forth in Section 4043 of ERISA.

     “Revolving Credit Termination Date” shall mean December 29, 2009, or such earlier date on
which the Revolving Loan Commitment is terminated in full hereunder.

     “Revolving Loan” is defined in Section 2.1.1 hereof.

     “Revolving Loan Commitment” is defined in Section 2.1.1 hereof.

     “Solvent” shall mean, with respect to any Person on a particular date, that on such date (a)
the fair value of the property of such Person is not less than the total amount of its liabilities
of such Person, (b) the present fair salable value of the assets of such Person is not less than
the amount that will be required to pay the probable liability of such Person on its existing debts
as they become absolute and matured, (c) such Person is able to realize upon its assets and pay its
debts and other liabilities, contingent obligations and other commitments as they mature in the
normal course of business, (d) such Person does not intend to, and does not believe that it will,
incur debts or liabilities beyond such Person’s ability to pay as such debts and liabilities
mature, and (e) such Person is not engaged in business or a transaction, and is not about to engage
in business or a transaction, for which such Person’s property would constitute unreasonably small
capital.

     “Subsidiary” shall mean, as to any Person, any corporation or other entity of which capital
stock or other ownership interests having (in the absence of contingencies) ordinary voting power
to elect at least a majority of the board of directors (or persons performing similar functions) of
such corporation or other entity is, at the time of determination, owned directly, or indirectly
through one or more intermediaries, by such Person.

     “Taxes” is defined in Section 7.2(a) hereof.

     “USA Patriot Act” is defined in Section 3(r) hereof.

     2. The Revolving Loans

 

-7-

     2.1.1 The Revolving Loan Commitment. On the terms and subject to the conditions of
this Credit Agreement, the Lender agrees, from time to time on any Business Day during the period
commencing on the date hereof up to but excluding the Revolving Credit Termination Date, to make
revolving loans (the “Revolving Loans”) to, and issue Letters of Credit for the account of,
the Borrower in amounts, which in the aggregate shall not exceed the principal amount of
$75,000,000 (the “Revolving Loan Commitment”). The Revolving Loan Commitment shall be subject to
reduction and/or termination as herein provided (including, without limitation, pursuant to
Sections 2.5 and 6.2 hereof). On the terms and subject to the conditions hereof, the Borrower may
from time to time borrow, prepay, and re-borrow the Revolving Loans. Any such borrowing may be
denominated in Dollars, as hereinafter provided, and shall be in the aggregate principal amount of
$100,000 or any whole multiple thereof in excess of $100,000. On the Revolving Credit Termination
Date the Revolving Loan Commitment shall terminate and the Lender shall have no obligation
whatsoever to make any further Revolving Loans to, or issue any Letters of Credit on behalf of, the
Borrower.

     2.1.2. Making the Revolving Loans. Each Revolving Loan shall be made upon written notice
(in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender, a “Notice of Borrowing”), given by the Borrower
to the Lender no later than 12:00 noon (New York City time) on the proposed borrowing date thereof.
Each Notice of Borrowing shall be irrevocable and shall specify therein (A) the proposed borrowing
date, which shall be a Business Day, (B) the principal amount of such Revolving Loan and (C) the
duration of the initial Interest Period therefor. Upon fulfillment of the applicable conditions
set forth in Section 5 hereof (or the waiver thereof by the Lender as herein prescribed), the
Lender will make the proceeds of such Revolving Loan available to the Borrower in same day funds at
the Lender’s office at 1251 Avenue of the Americas, New York, NY 10020, or at such other place as
the Lender shall designate in writing to the Borrower. The Lender shall notify the Borrower of the
Applicable Spread with respect to such Revolving Loan on or prior to the end of the first Interest
Period with respect to such Revolving Loan; provided that the Lender’s failure to notify the
Borrower of the Applicable Spread shall not affect the validity of such Revolving Loan or any
obligations of the Borrower hereunder or under any Loan Document.

     2.1.3. Issuing Letters of Credit. If the Borrower requests the Lender to issue any
letter of credit for the account of the Borrower (each, a “Letter of Credit”), the Borrower
shall submit to the Lender an application for such issuance setting forth the proposed beneficiary,
maximum amount and expiry date of such Letter of Credit and any other requirement of the Borrower
in respect of the form of such Letter of Credit and acknowledging that such Letter of Credit, if
issued by the Lender, shall be a “Letter of Credit” as defined in this Agreement. Each Letter of
Credit shall be in form and substance satisfactory to the Lender and shall be issued in accordance
with the provisions set forth in this Agreement and the applicable letter of credit reimbursement
agreement (each, a “Letter of Credit Reimbursement Agreement”), substantially in the form
of Annex I (for documentary letters of credit) or the Reimbursement Agreement for Standby Letters
of Credit, dated as of September 29, 2008 between the Lender and the Borrower (for standby letters
of credit) and/or such other documentation that is satisfactory to the Lender in form and
substance. Prior to the issuance of any Letter of Credit by the Lender pursuant to the provisions
of the Letter of Credit Agreement, the Borrower shall deliver a fully completed and originally
executed copy thereof to the Lender. The Borrower agrees to pay for the issuance of each Letter of
Credit the standard fees and commissions routinely charged by the Lender in connection therewith.
The Lender shall not at any time be obligated to issue any Letter of Credit hereunder that would,
by its terms, expire or terminate after the Maturity Date.

 

-8-

     2.2 Interest.

          (a) Each Revolving Loan shall bear interest for each day during each Interest Period with respect
thereto at a rate per annum equal to the sum of (a) the Cost of Funds Rate, and (b) the Applicable
Spread.

          (b)Subject to Section 2.4 hereof, interest shall be payable on each Revolving Loan (i) in arrears on
the last day of each Interest Period, (ii) on the date on which the principal amount of such
Revolving Loan becomes due and payable hereunder (whether at stated maturity, by mandatory
prepayment, optional prepayment by acceleration or otherwise), and (iii) in the case of any
Interest Period which is longer than three (3) months, on each successive date three (3) months
after the first day of such Interest Period.

          (c) Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, all accrued interest shall be payable on
each date principal is payable hereunder pursuant to Sections 2.3 and 2.5 hereof or such earlier
date as herein required.

          (d) Interest shall accrue from and including the first day of an Interest Period to but
excluding the last day of such Interest Period.

     2.3 Principal Repayment; Note. (a) The Borrower shall repay the outstanding principal
balance of all outstanding Revolving Loans together with all other outstanding amounts due and
owing hereunder or under the other Loan Documents on the Maturity Date.

          (b) The Borrower’s obligations to the Lender with respect to the payment of interest and
principal with respect to the Revolving Loans shall be evidenced by this Credit Agreement and the
Note. The Lender is hereby authorized by the Borrower to endorse on the schedule attached to the
Note (or on a continuation of such schedule attached to the Note and made a part thereof) an
appropriate notation evidencing the date and amount of each Revolving Loan, the date and amount of
each principal payment and prepayment with respect thereto and the interest rate applicable
thereto; provided, however, that the failure of the Lender to make any such
notation (or any error in such notation) shall not affect any obligations of the Borrower hereunder
or under the Note. The Note and the books and records of the Lender shall be conclusive evidence of
the information set forth therein absent manifest error.

     2.4 Default Interest. Any principal, interest or other amount which is not paid when
due, whether at stated maturity, by mandatory prepayment, by acceleration or otherwise, shall bear
interest from the day when due until such principal, interest or other amount is paid in full,
payable on demand, at a rate equal at all times to the Base Rate plus 2% per annum.

 

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     2.5 Termination, Reduction or Extension of Revolving Loan Commitment; Prepayment.

          (a) The Borrower shall have the right at any time or from time to time, without premium or
penalty, upon not less than three (3) Business Days’ prior irrevocable written notice to the
Lender, to terminate or reduce the Revolving Loan Commitment. Any such reduction of the Revolving
Loan Commitment shall be in an amount that is an integral multiple of $100,000 and not less than
$100,000. Any termination or reduction of the Revolving Loan Commitment shall be permanent.

          (b) Prepayment. Upon three (3) Business Days’ prior irrevocable written notice by the
Borrower received by the Lender, the Borrower may (and if such notice is given, shall), without
penalty or premium, prepay all or any portion of the principal amount outstanding of any Revolving
Loans together with accrued interest to the date of such prepayment on the amount prepaid;
provided, however, that (i) prepayments of Revolving Loans prior to the Maturity
Date shall not reduce the Revolving Loan Commitment; (ii) all prepayments shall be in amounts not
less than the lesser of $100,000 or an integral multiple thereof or the amount of any Revolving
Loan being prepaid; and (iii) any Revolving Loan may be designated by the Borrower to be prepaid if
and only to the extent that prepayment is made on the last day of an Interest Period. Each
prepayment made pursuant to this Section 2.5(b) shall be accompanied by the payment of (i) accrued
interest to the date of such prepayment on the amount prepaid, (ii) any and all payments required
pursuant to Section 7.1(d) hereof in respect of such prepayment, and (iii) any other amounts then
due and owing hereunder.

          (c) If the Borrower receives notice from the Lender that the aggregate principal amount of
all Revolving Loans outstanding hereunder exceeds at any time $75,000,000, the Borrower shall
prepay Revolving Loans, together with all accrued interest thereon and any amounts due under
Section 7.1(d) hereof, as necessary to eliminate such excess within 2 Business Days after receipt
of such notice.

          (d) The Revolving Credit Termination Date may be extended any number of times as follows:

               i. The Borrower shall give the Lender an irrevocable written request substantially in the form of
Exhibit C hereto at least 30 days before the Revolving Credit Termination Date then in effect.

               ii. Upon receipt of such request the Lender shall consider and determine whether to grant such
request and shall give a written notice of its decision on or prior to the day one year before the
Revolving Credit Termination Date then in effect.

               iii. In the event the Lender grants the Borrower’s request the Revolving Credit Termination Date
then in effect shall be extended for one year. Otherwise the Revolving Credit Termination Date
shall remain unchanged.

     2.6. Method of Payment.

 

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          (a) All sums payable by the Borrower to the Lender hereunder or under the Note shall be
payable in New York, New York, in Dollars, in immediately available funds and without any defense,
set-off or counterclaim no later than 12:00 noon (New York time) on the day when due, for the
account of and as directed by the Lender. Any payments made after 12:00 noon (New York time) on
any day shall be deemed to have made on the immediately following Business Day.

          (b) Any payments shall be applied first to default charges, indemnities, expenses and other
non-principal and interest amounts owed under any of the Loan Documents, if any, then to interest
due and payable on the Revolving Loans, and thereafter to the principal amount of the Revolving
Loans due and payable.

          (c) All computations of interest and fees shall be made by the Lender on the basis of a year
of 360 days for the actual number of days (including the first day but excluding the last day)
occurring in the period for which such amount is payable; provided, however, that
if a Revolving Loan is repaid on the same day on which it is made, one day’s interest shall be paid
on such Revolving Loan. Each change in the Base Rate shall immediately and simultaneously result
in a corresponding change in the Default Rate.

          (d) Whenever any payment to be made hereunder or under any instrument delivered hereunder
shall be stated to be due on a day other than a Business Day, such payment shall be made on the
next succeeding Business Day, and such extension of time shall in such case be included in the
computation of the payment of interest; provided, however, that if such extension
would cause such payment to be made in a new calendar month or beyond the Maturity Date, such
payment shall be made on the next preceding Business Day.

          (e) The Borrower hereby authorizes the Lender, if and to the extent payment is not made when
due under any Loan Document, to charge from time to time against any account of the Borrower with
the Lender or any of its affiliates any amount so due. The Lender agrees to promptly notify the
Borrower of any such charge made by the Lender; provided, however, that the Lender
shall incur no liability for failing to do so and the failure of the Lender to so notify the
Borrower shall in no event diminish the Lender’s right to make such charge under this Section
2.6(e).

     2.7. Loan Account. The Lender maintains on its books a loan account in the Borrower’s
name (the “Loan Account”), showing the Revolving Loans, prepayments, the computation and
payment of interest, and any other amounts due and sums paid hereunder and under the other Loan
Documents. The entries made by the Lender in the Loan Account shall be conclusive and binding on
the Borrower and the Lender as to the amount at any time due from the Borrower, absent manifest
error.

     2.8. Use of Proceeds. The Borrower shall apply the proceeds of the Revolving Loans
towards working capital; provided, however, that no proceeds of any of the
Revolving Loans may be used to acquire or carry any equity security of a class which is registered
pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended and as in effect from
time to time, or any “Margin Stock”, as defined in Federal Reserve Board Regulation U or otherwise
be
used in a manner which would violate or be inconsistent with Section 7 of the Securities Exchange
Act of 1934, as amended and as in effect from time to time, or any regulations issued pursuant
thereto, or any regulations issued pursuant thereto or the provisions of the regulations of the
Federal Reserve Board or any Governmental Authority.

 

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     2.9 Commitment Fee. The Borrower shall pay to the Lender on the last Business Day of
each March and September while the Revolving Loan Commitment is in effect, commencing on March 31,
2009, a non-refundable commitment fee in arrears in an amount equal to 0.3125% per annum of the
average daily unadvanced amount of the Revolving Loan Commitment from time to time in effect from
(and including) the date hereof to (but excluding) the Maturity Date.

     3. Representations and Warranties. The Borrower hereby represents and warrants to the
Lender as follows:

          (a) Organization of Borrower. The Borrower is a corporation duly organized, validly
existing and in good standing under the laws of the State of Delaware.

          (b) Power and Authority. The Borrower has full legal right, power and authority to
carry on its present business, to own its property and assets and to execute, deliver and perform
this Credit Agreement, the Note and each other Loan Document to which it is a party. The Borrower
is duly qualified or licensed as a foreign corporation authorized to conduct its activities and is
in good standing in all jurisdictions in which the character of the properties owned or leased by
it or the nature of the activities conducted by it makes such qualification or licensing necessary
except where the failure to be so qualified or licensed could not reasonably be expected to have a
Material Adverse Effect.

          (c) Authorization of Borrowing. All appropriate and necessary corporate, shareholder
and other actions and approvals (including any governmental or regulatory approvals) have been
taken or obtained by the Borrower to authorize the execution and delivery of this Credit Agreement,
the Note and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party and to authorize the performance and
observance of the terms of each.

          (d) Agreement Binding; No Conflicts. This Credit Agreement constitutes, and the Note
and each other Loan Document when executed and delivered pursuant hereto will constitute, the
legal, valid and binding obligations of the Borrower, enforceable against the Borrower in
accordance with their respective terms except as may be limited by applicable bankruptcy,
insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or other similar laws and general equity principles
affecting the enforcement of creditor’s rights generally. The execution, delivery and performance
of this Credit Agreement, the Note and each other Loan Document to which the Borrower is a party
and the use of the proceeds of any Revolving Loan do not and will not (i) violate or conflict with
any provisions of law or any order, rule, directive or regulation of any court or other
Governmental Authority, the charter, by-laws or other organizational documents of the Borrower or
any agreement, document or instrument to which the Borrower is a party or by which its assets or
properties are bound, (ii) constitute a default or an event or circumstance that, with the giving
of notice or the passing of time, or both, would constitute a default under any such agreement,
document or instrument, (iii) result in the creation or imposition of any lien,
charge or encumbrance of any nature whatsoever upon any assets or properties of the Borrower, or
(iv) result in any suspension, revocation, impairment, forfeiture or nonrenewal of any permit,
license, authorization or approval applicable to its operations or any of its properties.

 

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          (e) Compliance with Law. There does not exist any conflict with or violation or breach of
any law or any regulation, order, writ, injunction or decree of any court or governmental
instrumentality.

          (f) Taxes. The Borrower has filed all tax returns (federal, state and local) required
to be filed and has paid all taxes, assessments, fees and other governmental charges due by the
Borrower with respect to the conduct of its operations or otherwise the failure of which could
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

          (g) Governmental Consents. No consent, approval, authorization or order of, notice to
or declaration or filing with, any administrative body or agency or other Governmental Authority on
the part of the Borrower is required for the valid execution, delivery and performance by the
Borrower of this Credit Agreement, the Note or any other Loan Document to which the Borrower is a
party.

          (h) Litigation. There are no pending or, to the knowledge of the Borrower, threatened
legal actions, suits, claims or administrative, arbitration or other proceedings against the
Borrower that if adversely determined could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse
Effect, a Default or Event of Default.

          (i) Other Obligations. The Borrower is not in default in any material respect in the
performance, observance or fulfillment of any obligation, covenant or condition in any agreement,
document or instrument to which it is a party or by which it is bound which could be reasonably
likely to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

          (j) Financial Information. (i) All financial information provided to the Lender by or
on behalf of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries has been prepared in accordance with GAAP and fairly
presents, in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, the consolidated financial condition of the
Borrower and its Subsidiaries as at the respective dates thereof and the consolidated results of
operations of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the fiscal periods ended on such respective
dates. Except as fully disclosed in such financial information, there were no liabilities or
obligations with respect to the Borrower of any nature whatsoever (whether absolute, accrued,
contingent or otherwise and whether or not due) which, either individually or in aggregate, could
reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect on the Borrower.

               (ii) Since February 2, 2008, there has been no material adverse change in the operations,
condition (financial or otherwise), business, assets or prospects of the Borrower and its
Subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries, on an individual
basis.

 

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          (k) Accuracy of Information. All factual information heretofore or contemporaneously
furnished by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Lender for purposes of, or
in connection with, this Credit Agreement, any other Loan Document or any transaction contemplated
hereby or thereby (true and complete copies of which were furnished to the Lender in connection
with its execution and delivery hereof) is, and all other factual information hereafter furnished
by or on behalf of the Borrower to the Lender will be, true and accurate in every material respect
on the date as of which such information is dated or certified and, in respect of such information
heretofore or contemporaneously furnished to the Lender, as of the date of the execution and
delivery of this Credit Agreement by the Lender, and such information is not, or shall not be, as
the case may be, incomplete by omitting to state any material fact necessary to make such
information not misleading.

          (l) Seniority. The obligations of the Borrower under this Credit Agreement and the
other Loan Documents to which it is a party rank, and at all times shall rank, at least
pari passu in priority of payment and in all other respects with all other
unsecured and unsubordinated Indebtedness of the Borrower.

          (m) Investment Company Acts. Neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries is an
“investment company” or an “affiliated person” or “promoter” of, or “principal underwriter” of or
for, an “investment company”, as such terms are defined in the Investment Company Act of 1940, as
amended.

          (n) Permits, Etc. The Borrower has all permits, consents, licenses, authorizations,
approvals, entitlements and accreditations required for it lawfully to own, lease, manage or
operate, or to acquire each business currently owned, leased, managed or operated, or to be
acquired, by it. No condition exists or event has occurred which, in itself or with the giving of
notice or lapse of time or both, would result in the suspension, revocation, impairment, forfeiture
or non-renewal of any such permit, consent, license, authorization, approval, entitlement or
accreditation and which could reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, and
there is no claim that any such permit, consent, license, authorization, approval, entitlement or
accreditation is not in full force and effect.

          (o) Environmental Matters. Except to the extent not reasonably expected to result in
a Material Adverse Effect or a Default or Event of Default, (i) none of the operations of the
Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries violates any Environmental Law, (ii) no Environmental Action
has been asserted against the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries in writing nor does the Borrower
have any knowledge of any threatened or pending Environmental Action against the Borrower, any of
its Subsidiaries or any predecessor in interest, (iii) neither the Borrower nor any of its
Subsidiaries has incurred any Environmental Liabilities and Costs, and (iv) to the Borrower’s
knowledge, neither the Borrower nor any of its Subsidiaries has any contingent liability in
connection with any release of any Hazardous Material into the environment.

          (p) ERISA. The Borrower and each of its Subsidiaries are in compliance in all
material respects with all applicable provisions of ERISA. Neither a reportable Event nor a
Prohibited Transaction has occurred and is continuing with respect to any Plan; no notice of intent
to terminate a Plan has been filed, nor has any Plan been terminated; no circumstances exist which
constitute grounds entitling the PBGC to institute proceedings to terminate, or appoint a trustee
to administer, a Plan, nor has the PBGC instituted any such proceedings; neither
the Borrower nor any Commonly Controlled Entity has completely or partially withdrawn from a
Multiemployer Plan; the Borrower and each Commonly Controlled Entity have met their minimum funding
requirements under ERISA with respect to all of their Plans; and neither the Borrower nor any
Commonly Controlled Entity has incurred any liability to the PBGC under ERISA.

 

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          (q) Solvency. The Borrower and its Subsidiaries, on both an individual and a
consolidated basis, are Solvent and will be Solvent after giving effect to the transactions
contemplated by this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents.

          (r) USA PATRIOT Act Compliance. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of its
Subsidiaries and Affiliates to, provide, such information and take such actions as are reasonably
requested by the Lender in order to assist the Lender in maintaining compliance with the Uniting
and Strengthening America by Providing Appropriate Tools Required to Intercept and Obstruct
Terrorism Act of 2001 or similar laws and the rules and regulations promulgated thereunder, in each
case, as the same may be in effect from time to time (the “USA Patriot Act”).

     4. Covenants. The Borrower hereby covenants to the Lender that during the term of
this Credit Agreement or so long as (i) any amounts owed hereunder or under any other Loan Document
are outstanding, or (ii) the Revolving Loan Commitment has not been permanently reduced to zero the
Borrower shall perform the following obligations except otherwise agreed in writing by the Lender:

          (a) Financial Statements. The Borrower shall deliver to the Lender as soon as
available and in any event within one hundred and twenty (120) days after the end of each fiscal
year of the Borrower a consolidated balance sheet as of the end of such fiscal year and the related
statements of income, expenses and cash flows of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, setting forth
in comparative form the corresponding figures from the immediately preceding fiscal year of the
Borrower which shall be in reasonable detail and shall be audited by independent certified public
accountants selected by the Borrower and reasonably satisfactory to the Lender, and as to which
such accountants shall have expressed a written opinion that such statements fairly present the
financial position of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries for the period then ended and have been
prepared in accordance with GAAP consistently applied, and that the examination of such accounts
was made in accordance with generally accepted auditing standards, as in effect from time to time,
and accordingly included such tests of the accounting records and such other auditing procedures as
were considered necessary under the circumstances.

          (b) Proxy Statements, etc. Promptly after the sending or filing thereof, copies of
all proxy statements, financial statements, and reports which the Borrower sends to its
stockholders, and copies of all regular, periodic, and special reports, and all registration
statements which the Borrower files with the Securities and Exchange Commission or any governmental
authority which may be substituted therefor, or with any national securities exchange.

 

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          (c) ERISA Reports. As soon as possible, and in any event within thirty (30) days after the
Borrower knows or has reason to know that any circumstances exist that constitute grounds entitling
the PBGC to institute proceedings to terminate a Plan subject to ERISA with respect to
the Borrower or any Commonly Controlled Entity, and promptly but in any event within two (2)
Business Days of receipt by the Borrower or any Commonly Controlled Entity of notice that the PBGC
intends to terminate a Plan or appoint a trustee to administer the same, and promptly but in any
event within five (5) Business Days of the receipt of notice concerning the imposition of
withdrawal liability in excess of $250,000 with respect to the Borrower or any Commonly Controlled
Entity, the Borrower will deliver to the Lender a certificate of the chief financial officer of the
Borrower setting forth all relevant details and the action which the Borrower proposes to take with
respect thereto.

          (d) Additional Information. The Borrower shall make available and provide to the
Lender such further information and documents concerning its business and affairs including,
without limitation, budgets and business plans of the Borrower and its Subsidiaries as the Lender
may from time to time reasonably request.

          (e) Notices. The Borrower shall promptly notify the Lender of:

               (i) any investigation by, or proceeding in or before, any court, arbitrator, administrative
body or agency or other Governmental Authority (other than routine inquiries by a governmental
agency), including, without limitation, any Environmental Action, which could reasonably be
expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, Default or an Event of Default and, upon request,
provide the Lender with all material documents and information furnished by the Borrower in
connection therewith;

               (ii) the occurrence of any Default or Event of Default or any other development which could
reasonably be expected to result in a Material Adverse Effect, which notice shall be provided to
the Lender as soon as possible, but in no event later than five (5) days after the Borrower becomes
aware of the same and shall include a statement as to what action the Borrower has taken and/or
proposes to take with respect thereto; and

               (iii) any change in the Borrower’s key management personnel, including without limitation, its
President, Controller or Treasurer.

          (f) Compliance with Laws, Etc. The Borrower shall comply in all material respects
with the requirements of all applicable laws and maintain and preserve its corporate existence,
rights and privileges.

          (g) Books and Records. The Borrower shall keep and maintain adequate records and
books of account, with complete entries made in accordance with GAAP, consistently applied.

 

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          (h) Inspection Rights. The Borrower shall permit the Lender or any agents and
representatives of the Lender at any time and from time to time during reasonable business hours
and, so long as no Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing, on reasonable prior
notice to the Borrower, to examine and make copies of and abstracts from its records and books of
account, to visit and inspect its properties, to conduct audits and make examinations and discuss
its affairs, finances, prospects, accounts and such other matters as it
reasonably requests, including, without limitation, any event or circumstance which may result in a
Material Adverse Effect, with any of its directors, officers, employees, accountants or other
professional advisors or representatives (collectively, the “Financial Persons”). This
provision shall serve as an authorization and direction by the Borrower to all such Financial
Persons to reasonably cooperate with the Lender in connection with any such inquiry or examination
on the part of the Lender or its representatives.

          (i) Insurance. The Borrower shall maintain and cause each of its Subsidiaries to
maintain (in each case in the Borrower’s name or in the name of such Subsidiary, as the case may
be), with responsible, financially sound and reputable insurance companies insurance with respect
to its properties and business against such casualties and contingencies and of such types and in
such amounts as is customary in the case of similar businesses.

          (j) Taxes. The Borrower shall pay and discharge all taxes, assessments, levies and
governmental charges upon it or against any of its properties, assets or income prior to the date
after which penalties attach for failure to pay except to the extent that (i) the Borrower shall be
contesting in good faith its obligation to pay such taxes, assessments, levies and charges and the
Borrower has adequately accrued for such payments, or (ii) the failure to pay such taxes shall not
have a Material Adverse Effect or result in any Default or Event of Default.

          (k) Further Assurances. The Borrower shall do, execute, acknowledge and deliver at
the sole cost and expense of the Borrower, all documents, instruments and agreements and take such
further acts and deeds as the Lender may reasonably require from time to time to carry out the
intention or facilitate the performance of the terms of this Credit Agreement or any other Loan
Document.

          (l) Merger, Consolidation, etc. The Borrower shall not:

               (i) merge, consolidate or amalgamate with or into any other Person unless: (A) the Borrower is the
surviving entity, (B) the Borrower provides the Lender with at least 20 days prior written notice
thereof, (C) the documentation in connection therewith is reasonably satisfactory in form and
substance to the Lender, (D) the Borrower provides the Lender with such documents, certificates and
opinions as the Lender may reasonably request, in form and substance reasonably satisfactory to the
Lender, including, without limitation, a legal opinion given by counsel reasonably satisfactory to
the Lender regarding the legal, valid and binding nature of the Loan Documents and the
enforceability thereof and such other matters as the Lender may reasonably request, and (E) no
Material Adverse Effect or any Default or Event of Default shall occur and be continuing both
immediately before and immediately after such merger, consolidation or amalgamation

               (ii) dissolve, wind-up or liquidate;

               (iii) purchase or otherwise acquire all or substantially all of the assets, liabilities or
properties of any other Person to the extent a Material Adverse Effect or any Default or Event of
Default may result; or

 

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               (iv) sell, lease, transfer or otherwise dispose of all or substantially all of its assets or
properties whether in any single transaction or one or more transactions in the aggregate.

          (m) Change in Nature of Business. The Borrower shall not make any changes in the
nature of its business activities as presently conducted except to the extent not reasonably likely
to result in a Material Adverse Effect.

          (n) Transactions with Affiliates. The Borrower shall not enter into any transaction
with any of its Affiliates unless such transaction is otherwise permitted hereunder or is in the
ordinary course of business of the Borrower and the applicable Affiliate and upon fair and
reasonable terms no less favorable to the Borrower than it would obtain in a comparable arm’s
length transaction with a Person which is not an Affiliate.

          (o) Corporate Documents. The Borrower shall not amend any of its organizational
documents in any manner which is reasonably likely to materially adversely affect the Lender’s
rights under any of the Loan Documents or its ability to enforce any such rights.

          (p) Fiscal Year. The Borrower shall not permit its fiscal year to end on a day other
than the first Saturday between January 28th and February 3rd of any given
year.

     5. Conditions Precedent to the Initial Revolving Loans. .

          (a) The obligation of the Lender to make the initial Revolving Loan is subject to the prior
fulfillment of the following conditions:

               (i) Documents. The Lender shall have received the following, each in form and
substance satisfactory to the Lender:

                    (A) Executed Agreement. This Credit Agreement, duly executed by an authorized officer of
the Borrower.

                    (B) Note. The Note, duly executed by an authorized officer of the Borrower.

                    (C) Officer’s Certificate. A certificate of an authorized officer of the Borrower,
substantially in the form of Exhibit B hereto, certifying, among other things, as to (w) the
organizational documents of the Borrower, a copy of which is attached thereto, (x) resolutions of
the board of directors of the Borrower authorizing the Borrower to execute, deliver and perform
this Credit Agreement, the Note and any other Loan Documents to which it is a party, a copy of
which is attached thereto, (y) the names and signatures of the officers of the Borrower authorized
to execute this Credit Agreement, the Note and the other Loan Documents to which it is a party, and
(z) the fact that there have been no changes in the organizational
documents or by-laws (or the equivalent thereof), if any, of the Borrower since the date of the
most recent certification thereof.

 

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                    (D) Notice of Borrowing. A Notice of Borrowing duly executed by an authorized officer of
the Borrower as required under Section 2.1.2 hereof. The submission by the Borrower of such Notice
of Borrowing to the Lender and the Borrower’s acceptance of the proceeds of such Revolving Loan
shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Borrower that all of the applicable
conditions precedent set forth herein have been satisfied.

                    (E) Other Items. Such other agreements, instruments, approvals, opinions and
documents as the Lender may reasonably request.

               (ii) Fees and Expenses. The Lender shall have received all of the fees, costs and
expenses that are then due and payable hereunder and under the other Loan Documents.

               (iii) Legality. The making of the Revolving Loan shall not contravene any law, rule
or regulation applicable to the Lender or the Borrower.

               (iv) Representations and Warranties. All of the representations and warranties
contained in Section 3 of this Credit Agreement, in each other Loan Document and in each
certificate and other writing delivered to the Lender pursuant hereto or thereto on or prior to the
date of such Revolving Loan shall be true and correct in all material respects as though made on
and as of such date. The acceptance by the Borrower of the proceeds of such Revolving Loan shall
be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the Borrower to the Lender to such effect.

               (v) Defaults; Material Adverse Effect. No Default, Event of Default or Material
Adverse Effect shall have occurred and be continuing on the date of such Revolving Loan or could
reasonably be expected to result from making such Revolving Loan. The acceptance by the Borrower
of the proceeds of such Revolving Loan shall be deemed to be a representation and warranty by the
Borrower to the Lender to such effect.

          (b) Subsequent Loans. The obligation of the Lender to make subsequent Revolving Loans
shall, in addition to the fulfillment of the conditions set forth in paragraph (a) above, be
subject to the following:

               (i) Notice of Borrowing. The Lender shall have received a Notice of Borrowing, duly
executed by an authorized officer or authorized representative of the Borrower as required under
Section 2.1.2 hereof. The submission by the Borrower of such Notice of Borrowing to the Lender and
the Borrower’s acceptance of the proceeds of such Revolving Loan shall be deemed to be a
representation and warranty by the Borrower that all of the applicable conditions precedent set
forth herein have been satisfied.

 

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               (ii) Fees and Expenses. The Lender shall have received all of the fees, costs and
expenses that are then due and payable hereunder and under the other Loan Documents.

               (iii) Legality. The making of such Revolving Loans shall not contravene any law, rule
or regulation applicable to the Lender or the Borrower.

               (iv) Representations and Warranties. All of the representations and warranties
contained in Section 3 of this Credit Agreement, in each other Loan Document and in each
certificate and other writing delivered to the Lender pursuant hereto or thereto on or prior to the
date of such Revolving Loans shall be true and correct as though made on and as of such date.

               (v) Defaults. No Default, Event of Default or Material Adverse Effect shall have occurred
and be continuing on the date of such Revolving Loans or would result from making of such Revolving
Loans.

               (vi) Other Items. The Lender shall have received such other agreements, instruments,
approvals, opinions and documents as the Lender may reasonably request.

     6. Events of Default

     6.1 Events of Default. Each of the following events and occurrences shall constitute
an “Event of Default” under this Credit Agreement:

          (a) The Borrower shall fail to pay when due and payable any amount that the Borrower, as the
case may be, is obligated to pay under (i) this Credit Agreement or the Note or the Letter of
Credit Agreement in the case of the Borrower, and, in the case of any such amounts other than the
principal amount of any Revolving Loan, such failure shall continue for a period of three (3)
Business Days, (ii) any other Loan Document to which it is a party, or (ii) any other note,
instrument or agreement evidencing Indebtedness of the Borrower, as the case may be to the Lender,
subject to any applicable grace period provided for therein; or

          (b) Any representation or warranty made or deemed made by the Borrower in any Loan Document or
any certificate, report or other document delivered to the Lender pursuant to any Loan Document
shall have been incorrect or misleading in any material respect when made, deemed made or
confirmed; or

          (c) The Borrower shall fail to perform or shall violate any provision, covenant, condition or
agreement in Section 4(l) of this Credit Agreement; or

          (d) The Borrower shall fail to perform or shall violate any provision, covenant, condition or
agreement of this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document on its part to be performed or
observed (other than those set forth in paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) of this Section 6.1) and such
failure or violation is not remediable or, if remediable, continues
unremedied for a period of fifteen (15) days after the earlier of (i) notice from the Lender, or
(ii) such time as the Borrower becomes aware of the same; or

 

-20-

          (e) Any event or condition shall occur that results in the acceleration of the maturity of any
Indebtedness of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries under any agreement, document or instrument
with respect to an amount of Indebtedness equal to or greater than $1,000,000 (or the equivalent
thereof in any foreign currency) in the aggregate for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries, or that
enables the holder of such Indebtedness or any Person acting on such holder’s behalf to accelerate
the maturity thereof; or

          (f) The Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or the Parent is adjudicated to be bankrupt or
insolvent, or admits in writing its inability to pay its debts as they become due or makes an
assignment for the benefit of creditors, or ceases doing business as a going concern or applies for
or consents to the appointment of any receiver or trustee, or such receiver, trustee or similar
officer is appointed with the application or consent of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or
the Parent, as the case may be, or bankruptcy, dissolution, liquidation or reorganization
proceedings (or proceedings similar in purpose and effect) are instituted by the Borrower or any of
its Subsidiaries or the Parent or are instituted against (and not vacated or discharged within 30
days) the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries or the Parent; or

          (g) Any money judgment or warrant of attachment or similar process involving, individually or
in the aggregate for the Borrower and its Subsidiaries and the Parent, in excess of $1,000,000 (or
the equivalent thereof in any foreign currency) shall be entered or filed against the Borrower, the
relevant Subsidiary or the Parent and shall remain undischarged, unvacated or unbonded for a period
of 30 days; or

          (h) The validity or enforceability of this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document, or any
provisions thereof, shall be contested by or on behalf of the Borrower; or a proceeding shall be
commenced by any Governmental Authority having jurisdiction over the Borrower seeking to establish
the invalidity thereof; or the Borrower shall deny that it has any further liability or obligation
under any Loan Document to which it is a party; or

          (i) Any of the following events shall occur or exist with respect to the Borrower: any Reportable
Event shall occur; complete or partial withdrawal from any Multiemployer Plan shall take place; any
Prohibited Transaction shall occur; a notice of intent to terminate a Plan shall be filed, or a
Plan shall be terminated; or circumstances shall exist which constitute grounds entitling the PBGC
to institute proceedings to terminate a Plan, or the PBGC shall institute such proceedings; and in
each case above, such event or condition, together with all other events or conditions, if any,
could subject the Borrower to any tax, penalty, or other liability which in the aggregate may
exceed $1,000,000; or

          (j) The Parent shall cease to own, directly or indirectly, a majority of the issued and outstanding
shares of capital stock of the Borrower, or to control the board of directors of the Borrower
through the ownership of voting securities having the power to elect a majority of the board; or

 

-21-

          (k) A Material Adverse Effect has occurred and is continuing.

     6.2 Consequence of Default. Upon the occurrence of any Event of Default (i) described
in subsection (f) of Section 6.1, the outstanding amount of the Revolving Loan Commitment shall
automatically be reduced to zero and the outstanding amount of all Revolving Loans and all other
amounts payable hereunder, under the Note and under any other Loan Document shall automatically
become immediately due and payable, without presentment, demand, protest or other requirement of
any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower, or (ii) described in any other
subsection of Section 6.1 and during the continuance thereof, the Lender may, by notice of default
given to the Borrower, terminate the Revolving Loan Commitment and declare all of the outstanding
principal amount of all Revolving Loans and all other amounts payable hereunder, under the Note
and under any other Loan Document to be immediately due and payable, whereupon the Revolving Loan
Commitment shall be terminated and the unpaid principal amount of the Note, together with accrued
interest thereon, and all such other amounts, shall be immediately due and payable without
presentment, protest, demand or other requirement of any kind, each of which is hereby expressly
waived by the Borrower. The rights and remedies of the Lender under this Credit Agreement are in
addition to, and not in substitution of, the rights and remedies the Lender is entitled to exercise
at law, in equity and under any other Loan Document.

     7. Additional Costs and Expenses; Indemnity.

     7.1 (a) The Borrower shall pay to Lender on demand all reasonable out-of-pocket costs and
expenses of the Lender actually incurred in connection with: (i) the preparation, execution,
delivery and enforcement of, and the preservation or protection of the Lender’s rights under, this
Credit Agreement, the Note and any other Loan Documents, (ii) the negotiation of any restructuring,
work-out or renegotiation of any terms of this Credit Agreement, the Note or any other Loan
Document or the obligations of the Borrower or the Parent hereunder or thereunder, as the case may
be, and (iii) the response to any subpoena or similar process compelling the production of
documents or other response in connection with this Credit Agreement, the Note or any other Loan
Document, including without limitation, in each case, the reasonable and actual fees and expenses
of outside counsel for the Lender, and the Borrower further agrees to indemnify the Lender and its
officers, directors and employees against any losses, damages, claims and expenses arising out of
the use or proposed use by the Borrower of the proceeds of any Revolving Loan hereunder including,
without limitation, to acquire equity securities of any business or entity. In addition, the
Borrower agrees to defend, indemnify and hold harmless the Lender and its officers, directors and
employees from and against any losses, damages, liabilities, obligations, penalties, fees, costs
and expenses, including without limitation the reasonable and actual fees and expenses of outside
counsel for the Lender, arising out of or relating to the negotiation, preparation, execution,
delivery, performance, administration or enforcement of this Credit Agreement and the other Loan
Documents and any amendment, supplement, modification or waiver with respect hereto or thereto and
any claim, litigation, investigation or proceeding relating to any of the foregoing including,
without limitation, all Environmental Liabilities and Costs arising from or in connection with: (i)
the past, present or future operations of the Borrower or any of its Subsidiaries involving any
damage to real or personal property or natural resources or harm or injury alleged to have resulted
from any release
of Hazardous Materials, (ii) any Environmental Action, or (iii) a breach by the Borrower any of its
Subsidiaries of any Environmental Law; provided, however, that none of the
foregoing indemnity obligations of the Borrower shall extend to any liability, obligation, loss,
damage, penalty, claim, action, suit, cost, expense or disbursement to the extent resulting from
the willful misconduct or gross negligence of the Lender as determined by a final judgment of a
court of competent jurisdiction.

 

-22-

          (b) If any future applicable law, regulation or directive, or any change of any existing law,
regulation or directive or in the interpretation thereof, or compliance by the Lender with any
request or requirement (whether or not having the force of law) of any relevant central bank or
other comparable agency, imposes, modifies or deems applicable any reserve, special deposit,
premium, assessment or similar requirement against assets held by, or deposits in or for the
account of, or advances or loans by, or any other acquisition of funds by the Lender, any capital
adequacy standard or other condition with respect to this Credit Agreement, the Note or any other
Loan Document, and the result of any of the foregoing is to increase the cost to the Lender of
maintaining advances or credit or to reduce any amount receivable in respect thereof, then the
Lender may notify the Borrower, and the Borrower shall pay within five (5) Business Days of the
date of such notice such amount as the Lender may specify to be necessary to compensate the Lender
for such reduced receipt, together with interest on such amount from the date demanded until
payment in full thereof at the same rate applicable to the Revolving Loans . The determination by
the Lender of any amount due under this Section 7.1(b) as set forth in a certificate setting forth
the calculation thereof in reasonable detail, shall, in the absence of manifest error, be
conclusive evidence thereof.

          (c) If, by reason of any applicable present or future law or regulation or regulatory
requirement or the interpretation or application thereof, it shall be unlawful or otherwise
prohibited for the Lender to make or maintain any Revolving Loan or give effect to any of its
obligations or benefits as contemplated by this Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, the
obligation of the Lender to make, fund and maintain any Revolving Loans under this Credit
Agreement shall be suspended until the Lender shall notify the Borrower that the circumstances
causing such suspension no longer exist and the Borrower shall forthwith prepay to the Lender the
principal amount of all Revolving Loans then outstanding, together with interest accrued thereon
and all other amounts owed with respect thereto, including, without limitation, amounts owed
pursuant to Section 7.1(d) hereof .

          (d) If, due to any prepayment pursuant to Section 2.5 hereof or any acceleration of the
maturity of any Revolving Loan pursuant to Section 6 hereof, Section 7.1(c) or any other prepayment
hereunder, the Lender is subject to a change of interest rate on any Revolving Loan or the Lender
receives payment of principal of any Revolving Loan other than as provided herein, the Borrower
shall, promptly after demand by the Lender, pay to the Lender any amounts required to compensate
the Lender for any additional losses, costs or expenses which it may reasonably incur as a result
of such change or payment, including, without limitation, any loss, cost or expense incurred by
reason of liquidation or reemployment of deposits or other funds acquired by the Lender to fund or
maintain any Revolving Loan . A certificate setting forth the amount of such additional losses,
costs or expenses submitted to the Borrower by the Lender shall, in the absence of manifest error,
be conclusive evidence thereof.

 

-23-

          (e) Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement of the Borrower hereunder, the
agreements and obligations of the Borrower contained in this Section 7.1 shall survive the payment
in full of the principal, interest and all other amounts under this Credit Agreement and under any
other Loan Document and the termination of this Credit Agreement and each other Loan Document.

Taxes.

          (a) Any and all payments made by the Borrower hereunder shall be made free and clear of, and
without deduction for, any present or future taxes, levies, imposts, deductions, charges or
withholdings, and all liabilities with respect thereto (all such taxes, levies, imposts,
deductions, charges, withholdings and liabilities, being hereinafter referred to as
“Taxes”). If and to the extent the laws of the United States or any political subdivision
thereof require that Taxes on the income of the Lender be withheld from any payment of interest,
(i) the amount of such payment of interest shall be increased to the extent necessary to cause the
Lender to receive (after the withholding of such Taxes) an amount equal to the amount it would have
received had the withholding of such Taxes not been required, and (ii) the Borrower shall withhold
such Taxes from such increased payment of interest and pay such Taxes to the relevant taxation
authority or other authority for the account of the Lender in accordance with applicable law.

          (b) In addition, the Borrower agrees to pay any present or future stamp or documentary taxes
or any other excise or property taxes, charges or similar levies which arise from any payment made
hereunder or under any other Loan Document or from the execution, delivery, registration,
consummation or administration of, or otherwise with respect to, this Credit Agreement or any other
Loan Document or any amendment, supplement or modification of, or waiver with respect to, this
Credit Agreement or such other Loan Document, excluding, in each case, taxes on the overall net
income of the Lender (hereinafter referred to as “Other Taxes”).

          (c) The Borrower shall indemnify the Lender for the full amount of Taxes or Other Taxes
(including, without limitation, any Taxes or Other Taxes imposed by any jurisdiction on amounts
payable under this Section 7.2) paid by the Lender or any liability (including penalties, interest
and expenses) arising therefrom or with respect thereto, whether or not such Taxes or Other Taxes
were correctly or legally asserted. This indemnification shall be made within five (5) days after
the date the Lender makes written demand therefor.

          (d) Within 30 days after the date of payment of any Taxes with respect to any payment due
hereunder or under any other Loan Document, the Borrower will furnish to the Lender, at its address
referred to in Section 8.6 hereof, the original or a certified copy of a receipt evidencing payment
thereof.

          (e) Without prejudice to the survival of any other agreement of the Borrower hereunder, the
agreements and obligations of the Borrower contained in this Section 7.2 shall survive the payment
in full of the principal, interest and all other amounts under this Credit
Agreement and under any other Loan Document and the termination of this Credit Agreement and each
other Loan Document.

 

-24-

     8. Miscellaneous.

     8.1 Entire Agreement. This Credit Agreement, the other Loan Documents and the
documents referred to herein and therein constitute the entire obligation of the parties hereto
with respect to the subject matter hereof and shall supersede any prior expressions of intent or
understanding with respect to the transactions herein and therein contemplated.

     8.2 No Waiver; Cumulative Rights. The failure or delay of the Lender to require
performance by the Borrower or any provision of this Credit Agreement shall not operate as a waiver
thereof, nor shall it affect the Lender’s rights to require performance of such provision at any
time thereafter, nor shall it affect or impair any of the remedies, powers or rights of the Lender
with respect to any other or subsequent failure, delay or default. Each and every right granted to
the Lender hereunder or under any other Loan Document or in connection herewith or therewith shall
be cumulative and may be exercised at any time.

     8.3 Assignment; Binding Effect.

          (a) This Credit Agreement shall be binding upon and shall be enforceable by the Borrower and the
Lender and their respective successors and assigns.

          (b) The Lender shall be permitted to assign and participate any Revolving Loan and all of its other
rights and obligations hereunder or under the other Loan Documents without the requirement of any
consent or approval by the Borrower.

          (c) The Borrower shall not be permitted to assign or otherwise transfer, in whole or in part, its
rights and obligations hereunder or under any other Loan Document without the prior written consent
of the Lender and any such assignment or transfer without the Lender’s prior written consent shall
be null and void.

     8.4 GOVERNING LAW; JURY TRIAL. THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY, AND INTERPRETED
IN ACCORDANCE WITH, THE LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK WITHOUT REGARD TO THE PRINCIPLES OF CONFLICTS
OF LAWS THEREOF. THE BORROWER HEREBY WAIVES ANY RIGHT IT MAY HAVE TO A JURY TRIAL IN CONNECTION
WITH ANY ACTION RELATED TO THIS CREDIT AGREEMENT, THE NOTE OR ANY OTHER LOAN DOCUMENT.

     8.5 Submission to Jurisdiction.

          (a) The Borrower hereby irrevocably agrees that any legal action or proceedings against it
with respect to this Credit Agreement, the Note or any other Loan Document may be brought in any
court of the State of New York or any Federal Court of the United States of America located in the
City or State of New York, or both, as the Lender may elect, and by execution and delivery of this
Credit Agreement the Borrower hereby submits to
and accepts with regard to any such action or proceeding service of process by the mailing of
copies thereof by registered or certified airmail, postage prepaid, to the Borrower at its address
set forth in Section 8.6 hereof.

 

-25-

          (b) The Borrower hereby irrevocably waives any objection which it may now or hereafter have to
the laying of the venue of any suit, action or proceeding arising out of or relating to this Credit
Agreement, the Note or any other Loan Document in the State of New York and hereby further
irrevocably waives any claim that the State of New York is not a convenient forum for any such
suit, action or proceeding.

     8.6 Notices. Any notice hereunder shall be in writing and shall be personally
delivered, transmitted by postage prepaid, registered or certified mail or by overnight mail, or
transmitted by telephonic facsimile (“FAX”) to the parties as follows:

To the Borrower: THE TALBOTS, INC.

175 Beal Street

Hingham, Massachusetts 02043

Telephone: (617) 749-7600

FAX: (617) 749-0865

Attention:

To the Lender: MIZUHO CORPORATE BANK, LTD.

1251 Avenue of the Americas

New York, New York 10020

Telephone: (212) 282-3331

FAX: (212) 282-4463

Attention: Americas Corporate Banking Division 1

All notices and other communications shall be deemed to have been duly given on (i) the date of
receipt if delivered personally, (ii) the date five (5) days after posting if transmitted by
registered or certified mail, (iii) on the Business Day after having been sent if transmitted by
overnight mail with a reputable courier, or (iv) the date of transmission if transmitted by FAX and
receipt is confirmed.

     8.7 Amendments, Etc. No amendment or waiver of any provision of this Credit Agreement
and the other Loan Documents, and no consent to any departure by the Borrower therefrom, shall in
any event be effective unless the same shall be in writing and signed by the Lender and, in the
case of an amendment, the Borrower, and then such waiver or consent shall be effective only in the
specific instance and for the specific purpose for which it was given.

     8.8 Usury. Anything in this Credit Agreement to the contrary notwithstanding, the
obligation of the Borrower to pay interest on any Revolving Loan and the Note or any other amount
due and owing hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be subject to the limitation that no
payment of such interest shall be required to the extent that receipt of such payment would be
contrary to applicable usury laws.

 

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     8.9 Counterparts; Facsimile Signature. This Credit Agreement may be signed in any
number of counterparts. Either a single counterpart or a set of counterparts when signed by all
the parties hereto shall constitute a full and original agreement for all purposes. Delivery of any
executed signature page hereof or of any amendment, waiver or consent to this Credit Agreement by
facsimile transmission shall be as effective as delivery of a manually executed counterpart
thereof.

     8.10 Severability. Any provision of this Credit Agreement or any other Loan Document
that is prohibited or unenforceable in any jurisdiction shall, as to such jurisdiction, be
ineffective to the extent of such prohibition or unenforceability without invalidating the
remaining portions hereof or thereof or affecting the validity or enforceability of such provision
in any other jurisdiction.

     8.11 Right of Set-Off. Upon the occurrence and during the continuance of any Event of
Default, the Lender is hereby authorized at any time and from time to time, without notice to the
Borrower (any such notice being expressly waived by the Borrower) and to the fullest extent
permitted by law, to set off and apply any and all deposits (general or special, time or demand,
provisional or final) at any time held and other Indebtedness at any time owing by the Lender or
any of its Affiliates (including any branch or agency of the Lender or any of its Affiliates) to or
for the credit or the account of the Borrower against any and all of the obligations of the
Borrower now or hereafter existing hereunder or under any other Loan Document, irrespective of
whether or not the Lender shall have made any demand hereunder or thereunder and although such
obligations may be unmatured. The Lender agrees promptly to notify the Borrower after any such
set-off and application, provided that the failure to give such notice shall not affect the
validity of such set-off and application or any obligations of the Borrower to the Lender hereunder
or under any other Loan Document or otherwise. The rights of the Lender under this Section 8.11
are in addition to other rights and remedies (including, without limitation, other rights of
set-off) which the Lender may have under law, equity or otherwise.

     8.12 No Party Deemed Drafter. The Borrower and the Lender agree that no party hereto
shall be deemed to be the drafter of this Credit Agreement.

     8.13 USA Patriot Act Notification. The following notification is provided to the
Borrower pursuant to Section 326 of the USA Patriot Act:

     IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT PROCEDURES FOR OPENING A NEW ACCOUNT. To help the government
fight the funding of terrorism and money laundering activities, Federal law requires all financial
institutions to obtain, verify and record information that identifies each person or entity that
opens an account, including any deposit account, treasury management account, loan, other extension
of credit or other financial services product. WHAT THIS MEANS FOR THE BORROWER: When the
Borrower opens an account, the Lender will ask the Borrower for certain information, including,
without limitation, the Borrower’s name, tax identification number, business address and other
information that will allow the Lender to identify the Borrower. The Lender may also seek to see
the Borrower’s legal
organizational documents or other identifying documents, among other things. The Borrower agrees
to cooperate with the Lender and provide true, accurate complete information to the Lender in
response to any such request.

 

-27-

     8.14 Pre-existing Loans. Loans outstanding as of the date hereof under the General
Financing Agreement, dated August 24, 2007, between Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. and the Borrower
shall be deemed to be a Revolving Loan outstanding hereunder and shall be subject to the terms and
conditions of this Credit Agreement and such Revolving Loan will now be evidenced by the Note.

     8.15 Existing Letter of Credit. For purposes of this Credit Agreement and all
documents, agreements and instruments related hereto, the term “Letter of Credit” shall be deemed
to include that (i) certain Irrevocable Letter of Credit No. 004921548, dated November 12, 2008
issued by Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. for the benefit of Schwarz Paper Company, as amended,
supplemented or otherwise modified form time to time and (ii) certain Irrevocable Letter of Credit
No. 004897197, dated September 29, 2008 issued by Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. for the benefit of
Citibank (South Dakota), N.A., as amended, supplemented or otherwise modified form time to time.

[THE REMAINDER OF THIS PAGE HAS BEEN INTENTIONALLY LEFT BLANK]

 

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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have caused this Credit Agreement to be executed by their
duly authorized representatives as of the date first written above.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	THE TALBOTS, INC.

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Edward L. Larsen
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Edward L. Larsen 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Senior Vice President
Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer 	 
	 

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	MIZUHO CORPORATE BANK, LTD.

 	 
	 	By:  	/s/ Toshiro Koroyasu
 	 
	 	 	Name:  	Toshiro Koroyasu 	 
	 	 	Title:  	Deputy General Manager 	 

 

-29-

	 	 	 	 	 

EXHIBIT A

NOTE

 

-30-

NOTE

US$75,000,000.00

December 29, 2008

FOR VALUE RECEIVED, The Talbots, Inc. (the “Borrower”) unconditionally promises to pay to the order
of Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. (the “Lender”), to and for any account designated by the Lender, the
principal sum of Seventy Five Million Dollars ($75,000,000) or such lesser amount as may be
outstanding from time to time hereunder and to pay interest thereon at such rates and according to
such methods of calculation as are provided pursuant to the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of
December [  ], 2008, between the Borrower and the Lender (as the same may be amended, supplemented,
or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”). The Borrower hereby authorizes
the Lender to enter on the schedule attached hereto the dates, amounts, denomination, maturities,
interest rates and interest periods applicable to each borrowing and absent manifest error such
notations shall be binding and conclusive upon the Borrower; provided, however,
that failure by the Lender to make any notation on such schedule or any error in such notations
shall in no way affect the Borrower’s obligation to repay outstanding amounts under this Note.

     The outstanding principal of this Note and any accrued interest thereon shall be repaid as set
forth in the Credit Agreement, with final payment on the Maturity Date (as defined in the Credit
Agreement).

     All payments of principal and interest on this Note shall be payable in lawful money of the
United States of America in immediately available funds without set-off, defense or counterclaim.

     This Note is issued pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement and is subject to the terms
and conditions and entitled to the benefits therein provided. Upon the occurrence of an Event of
Default (as defined in the Credit Agreement), the principal of and the accrued interest on this
Note may become due and payable in the manner and with the same effect as provided in the Credit
Agreement, without presentment, demand, protest or notice of any kind unless otherwise expressly
required therein.

     Failure or delay of the holder of this Note to enforce any provision of this Note shall not be
deemed a waiver of any such provision, nor shall the holder of this Note be estopped from enforcing
any such provision at a later time. Any waiver of any provision hereof must be in writing. This
Note shall be governed by and interpreted in accordance with the laws of the State of New York
without regard to the conflict of law provisions thereof.

 

-31-

     It is expressly understood and agreed by the Borrower that this Note restates and is given in
substitution for, and not in payment of, the Amended and Restated Promissory Note, dated January
28, 2008, payable to the order of the Lender (the “Existing Promissory Note”) and is in no way
intended to constitute a novation of the Existing Promissory Note. All loans and other
amount due and owing under, or arising out of, the Existing Promissory Note shall be deemed to be
due and owing hereunder and shall be subject to the terms and conditions of, and be evidenced by,
this Note.

	 	 	 	 	 
	THE TALBOTS, INC.

 	 	 
	By:  	 	 	 
	 	Name:  	 	 	 
	 	Title:  	 	 	 

 

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SCHEDULE

	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 
	 	 	Amount of	 	Amount	 	 	 	Unpaid Loan	 	 
	Date of Maturity	 	Loan	 	Paid/Prepaid	 	Loan Principal	 	Balance	 	Made By
	 
	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 	 

 

-33-

EXHIBIT B

OFFICER’S CERTIFICATE OF BORROWER

I, _________, the ____________ of The Talbots, Inc., a Delaware corporation
(the “Borrower”) do hereby certify that:

     1. The Borrower has full corporate power and authority to execute, enter into and deliver the
Revolving Credit Agreement, dated as of December 29, 2008 between the Borrower and Mizuho Corporate
Bank, Ltd. (the “Lender”) (the “Credit Agreement”; terms defined in the Credit
Agreement shall have the same meaning in this certificate) together with the Note and each other
Loan Document to which it is a party.

     2. All corporate action necessary to authorize the execution, delivery and performance of the
Credit Agreement, the Note and each other Loan Document to which it is a party has been taken by resolutions of
the Board of Directors of the Borrower at a meeting duly called  [at which a
majority was present and acting throughout] or [adopted by unanimous written consent] and such resolutions have not been modified or amended in
any respect and are in full force and effect on the date hereof.

     3. Attached hereto as Exhibit A is a true, correct and complete copy of the Borrower’s
Certificate of Incorporation, together with all amendments thereto, as in effect on and as of the
date hereof.

     4. Attached hereto as Exhibit B is a true, correct and complete copy of the Borrower’s
By-laws, together with all amendments thereto, as in effect on and as of the date hereof.

     5. Attached hereto as Exhibit C is a true, correct and complete copy of the resolutions of the
Board of Directors of the Borrower approving and authorizing the execution, delivery and performance of the Credit Agreement, the
Note, the Letter of Credit Agreement and each other Loan Document, which minutes remain in full force and effect without
modification or amendment on and as of the date hereof.

     6. Attached hereto as Exhibit D is a good standing certificate from the office of the
Secretary of State of Delaware dated as of a recent date.

     7. All representations and warranties contained in the Credit Agreement are true and correct
in all material respects on and as of the date hereof.

     8. No Default or Event of Default or event that may have a Material Adverse Effect has
occurred and is continuing on and as of the date hereof or would result from the Credit Agreement
becoming effective in accordance with its terms, both immediately before and immediately after
giving effect to the Revolving Loans.

     9. The Borrower has performed in all material respects all agreements and satisfied in all
material respects all conditions, which the Credit Agreement provides shall be performed by it on
or before the date hereof.

 

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     10. The
following persons are, and have been at all times since a date prior to December 29,
2008, duly qualified and acting officers of the Borrower duly elected or appointed to the offices
set forth opposite the name of such person, and each such person who, as an officer of the Borrower, signed
the Credit Agreement, the Note and any other Loan Documents to which the Borrower is a party was
duly elected or appointed, qualified and acting as such officer at the time of such signing and
delivery, and the signature of such person appearing on such documents is such person’s genuine
signature.

	 	 	 	 	 
	Name	 	Office	 	Signature
	 
	 	 	 	 
	 

	 	 
	 	 
	 

	 	 
	 	 
	 

	 	 
	 	 

     11. No proceeding for the winding-up, liquidation, dissolution or sale of all, or
substantially all, of the assets of the Borrower is pending or contemplated.

 

-35-

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand and affixed the seal of the Borrower.

Dated: December 29, 2008

I, _________, the _________ of The Talbots, Inc. (the “Borrower”) hereby certify
that I am the duly elected, qualified and acting _________ of the Borrower and that such person’s
signature above is the true and genuine signature of such person.

 

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EXHIBIT C

FORM OF EXTENSION REQUEST

To: Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd.

Re: Revolving Loan Credit Agreement dated as of December 29, 2008, by and between The Talbots, Inc.
and Mizuho Corporate Bank, Ltd. (the “Credit Agreement”)

Dear Sir or Madam,

     Pursuant to Section 2.5 (d) of the Credit Agreement, we hereby irrevocably request that the
Revolving Credit Termination Date (as defined in the Credit Agreement) be extended to December [  ],                     , the date that is not more than one year beyond the Revolving Credit Termination Date
in effect at present.

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	Very truly yours,

THE TALBOTS, INC.

 	 
	 	By:  	 	 
	 	 	Name:  	 	 
	 	 	Title:  	 	 

 

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ANNEX I

LETTER OF CREDIT REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT

(Documentary Letters of Credit)

 

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LETTER OF CREDIT REIMBURSEMENT AGREEMENT

     Reference is made to the Revolving Credit Agreement dated as of December 29, 2008 (as the same
may be amended, supplemented or otherwise modified from time to time, the “Agreement”;
capitalized terms used herein have the meanings ascribed to them in the Agreement unless otherwise
defined herein), by and between THE TALBOTS, INC. (the “Borrower”) and Mizuho Corporate
Bank, Ltd. (the “Lender”). In regard to any Letter of Credit issued by the Lender for the
account of the Borrower pursuant to the Agreement (herein called a “Credit”), the Borrower
hereby agrees with the Lender as follows:

     (a) The Borrower will pay to the Lender an amount in US Dollars sufficient to pay each of the
drafts in respect of any Credit, together with all other amounts owing to the Lender in connection
therewith, (a) on demand in the case of sight drafts, (b) on maturity in the case of dollar time
drafts, and (c) at such time before maturity as the Lender may require in the case of time drafts
in a foreign currency. In the case of drafts in foreign currency, such payments shall be in US
Dollars at the current rate of exchange for cable transfers, provided that, in any case,
the Borrower may offer and the Lender may, at its sole option, accept as means of payment
first-class bankers’ bills of exchange in the amount and currency of the draft bearing the
endorsement of the Borrower. If the Lender is not reimbursed by the Borrower for amounts paid
under a Credit by the close of business on the day of payment by the Lender, the Borrower will pay
interest on the amount due (a) from the date of such payment through the second Business Day
thereafter, at the rate quoted by the Lender to dealers in the New York Federal Funds market for
overnight borrowings (the “federal funds rate”), and (b) on and after the third Business Day
thereafter until reimbursement, at a rate equal to 2% per annum plus the higher of (i) the rate
publicly announced by the Lender from time to time as its base rate or prime rate, and (ii) the
federal funds rate.

     (b) The Lender shall be and remain the owner of all goods and merchandise shipped relating to
any of the drafts or any Credit and all documents of title relating thereto and all documents
attached to the drafts and the goods and merchandise covered thereby and all goods and merchandise
and documents coming into the possession or control of the Lender or its correspondents or agents
in connection with any of the drafts or any Credit and of all proceeds thereof and title thereto
shall vest and remain in the Lender until payment of all Obligations of the Borrower. The Borrower
will procure all licenses required for the import, export or shipping of the aforesaid goods and
merchandise and will comply with all foreign and domestic laws and regulations with respect
thereto. The Borrower shall be chargeable with all risk, loss, liability, costs, expenses and
charges with respect to the merchandise, including, without limitation, those of shipment, entry,
storage, care, handling, manufacture and disposal, and the Borrower will indemnify and save the
Lender harmless therefrom. The Lender may at any time, whenever it may deem the same advisable or
proper for its protection, either before or after maturity of any of the Obligations, exercise any
or all of its rights of ownership, including the right of possession and sale or other disposal,
either with or without notice, without liability to, and entirely at the expense of, the Borrower
and without relieving the Borrower from any Obligations, and the Borrower shall in no event have
any property rights in the said goods and merchandise or
documents or proceeds, as purchaser, owner or otherwise, during such period of ownership by the
Lender, and shall have no rights against the Lender other than that of a creditor for any excess
proceeds in the hands of the Lender after all charges and expenses and all obligations of the
Borrower have been paid and all other Obligations of the Borrower have been secured in a manner
satisfactory to the Lender to reimburse the Lender for all amounts due and owing to it and
otherwise to indemnify and save it harmless. Any sale by the Lender may be made at any broker’s
board or public or private sale, with or without notice of advertisement, for cash or credit and
for present or future delivery.

 

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     (c) The users of any Credit and the drawers of any of the drafts shall be deemed to be the
agents of the Borrower and the Borrower shall assume all risk, loss, liabilities, charges, costs
and expenses with respect to their acts or omissions and also with respect to any error, delay,
misdelivery or loss in transmission of telegrams, cables, letters or other communications or
documents or items forwarded in connection with the drafts or any Credit, and the Borrower shall
not be relieved from any Obligations nor shall the terms hereof be affected by any thereof.
Delivery to the Lender or its correspondents or agents of any certificates or documents purporting
to comply with the requirements of any Credit or instructions of the Borrower shall be sufficient
evidence of the validity, genuineness and sufficiency thereof and of the good faith and proper
performance of the shippers, drawers and users of any Credit, their agents and assignees, and the
Lender and its correspondents and agents may, without further investigation and regardless of any
notice or information to the contrary (unless otherwise ordered by a court of competent
jurisdiction), rely and act thereon without liability or responsibility with respect thereto or
with respect to the correctness or condition of any shipment or merchandise to which the same may
relate. No acceptance or payment of overdrafts or irregular drafts or of drafts with irregular
documents attached and no substitution of property and no extension of any time limit specified in
any Credit or instructions of the Borrower shall, if assented to or approved by the Borrower,
impair any rights of the Lender hereunder. In case of variation between the documents called for
by any Credit or instructions of the Borrower and the documents accepted by the Lender or its
correspondents or agents, the Borrower shall be conclusively deemed to have waived any right to
object to such variation with respect to any action of the Lender or its correspondents or agents
relating to such documents and to have ratified and approved such action as having been taken at
the direction of the Borrower unless the Borrower immediately upon receipt of such documents or
upon knowing of such variation promptly (but in any event within 30 days) files an objection with
the Lender in writing. The Lender shall not be liable for any delay in giving, or failure to give,
notice of the arrival of any goods or any other notice, or for any error, neglect or default of any
of its correspondents or agents or any shipper, carrier, bailee or insurer; nor shall the Lender be
responsible for the non-fulfillment of any requirement of any Credit that drafts bear appropriate
reference to any Credit or that the amount of any draft be noted on the reverse of any Credit or
that the Credit be surrendered or taken up or that documents be forwarded apart from any drafts,
and the Lender or its correspondents or agents may, if they see fit, waive any such requirements.

     The Lender shall not be responsible for (a) verifying the existence of any act, condition or
statement made by any beneficiary (or any transferee) in relation to any drawing or presentment
under a Credit, (b) the validity or genuineness of certificates or other documents delivered under
a Credit even if such certificates or other documents should in fact prove to be invalid,
fraudulent
or forged, (c) any breach of contract between any beneficiary (or any transferee) and the Borrower,
(d) any consequences beyond the Lender’s control, or (e) any act or omission of the Lender or its
correspondents or agents so long as the Lender acts in good faith without gross negligence.

 

-40-

     (d) Any Credit or instructions of the Borrower may, in the discretion of the Lender or its
correspondents or agents, be interpreted by them in accordance with the Uniform Customs and
Practice for Documentary Credits of the International Chamber of Commerce, as adopted or amended
from time to time, or any other rules, regulations and customs prevailing at the place where any
Credit or instructions of the Borrower is available or the drafts are drawn or negotiated. The
Lender and its correspondents and agents may accept and act upon the name, signature, or act of any
Person purporting to be the administrator, executor, trustee in bankruptcy, debtor in possession,
assignee for the benefit of creditors, liquidator, receiver, legal representative, or any other
Person succeeding or purporting to succeed de facto or de jure to
the powers, rights or privileges of any Person designated in any Credit or instructions of the
Borrower in the place of the name, signature, or act of such Person. Except where the Borrower
shall give the Lender directions in writing to the contrary, the Lender and its correspondents and
agents may honor drafts relating to shipments in excess of the quantity called for in any Credit or
instructions of the Borrower (it being agreed and understood that the liability of the Borrower to
reimburse the Lender for payments made or obligations incurred on such drafts shall be limited to
the amount of the Credit or the amount specified in the instructions of the Borrower). Unless
otherwise specified in any Credit or instructions of the Borrower, the Lender and its
correspondents and agents may accept as “bills of lading” any documents acknowledging receipt by
the carrier for transportation.

     (e) Any action taken, and any inaction or omission, by the Lender or any of its correspondents
and agents in connection with any Credit or any instructions of the Borrower or any drafts or any
related documents or merchandise, shall, if in good faith, conclusively be deemed to be authorized
by the Borrower, whether expressly so or not, and any such action, inaction or omission shall be
binding on the Borrower and shall not result in any liability of the Lender or any of its
correspondents or agents relating thereto. The Borrower will indemnify the Lender and its
correspondents and agents and each of their respective officers, directors, employees and advisors
and defend and hold them harmless from and against any and all liabilities, obligations, claims,
damages, losses, penalties, actions, suits, costs, expenses and disbursements (including counsel
fees and charges) of any kind or nature whatsoever which they may sustain or incur or be charged
with by reason or in consequence of the issuance of any Credit, the payment or acceptance of any
draft, the refusal or failure to pay or to accept any draft, or any action or inaction in
connection with any Credit, instructions of the Borrower, drafts or related documents or goods and
merchandise, or any action or inaction in reliance upon the provisions hereof. Without limitation
by reason of the foregoing, the Borrower further agrees that in case of issue by the Lender, at the
request of the Borrower, of an agreement to indemnify a steamship or other carrier from loss
sustained by reason of its compliance with a request by the Lender that such carrier deliver goods
and merchandise relating to any drafts without surrender of a duly endorsed bill of lading or
similar document, the Borrower will indemnify and hold the Lender harmless from any and all claims
which may be made against the Lender by reason of the Lender’s having given such indemnity
agreement. The Borrower also agrees that upon receipt of
the bill of lading or similar document the Borrower will obtain a written cancellation of such
indemnity agreement from the carrier or its agents. The Borrower also hereby waives the
requirements of the related Credit, if any exists, and authorizes the Lender to accept or to pay or
to accept and to pay any drafts and/or demands made on the Lender, with or without the related
documents pertaining to such merchandise.

 

-41-

     (f) The obligations of the Borrower hereunder shall be absolute, unconditional and
irrevocable, and shall be paid strictly in accordance with the terms hereof under all
circumstances, including, without limitation: (i) any lack of validity or enforceability of the
Agreement, any Document or any other agreement, instrument or other document executed in connection
with any of the foregoing; (ii) any amendment or waiver of, or any consent to departure from, any
of the foregoing; (iii) the existence of any claim, set-off , defense or other right which the
Borrower may have at any time against any beneficiary (or any Person for whom any beneficiary may
be acting), the Lender, or any other Person whether in connection with the Agreement or any
Document, the transactions contemplated herein or therein, or any unrelated transactions; (iv) any
statement or any other document presented under any Credit proving to be forged, fraudulent,
invalid or insufficient in any respect or any statement therein being untrue or inaccurate in any
respect; (v) payment by the Lender at any time under any Credit against presentation of a draft or
certificate which does not comply with the terms of any Credit or by a Person not then authorized
to draw under any Credit; (vi) the automatic extension of the expiration date of any Credit, or
(vii) any other circumstance or happening whatsoever, whether or not similar to any of the
foregoing.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned has caused this Letter of Credit Agreement to be duly
executed as of the date set forth below.

Date: December 29, 2008

	 	 	 	 	 
	 	THE TALBOTS, INC.

 	 
	 	By:  	 	 
	 	 	Name:  	 	 
	 	 	Title:

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