ITEM 10 – DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
(a) Directors of the Company
The following table discloses our directors as of February 25, 2023.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Name | Age | Position | Term of office |
Non-Employee Directors | | | |
Harriet Edelman | 67 | Director | 1 year |
Jeffrey Kirwan | 56 | Director | 1 year |
Shelly Lombard | 63 | Director | 1 year |
Joshua E. Schechter | 50 | Director | 1 year |
Minesh Shah | 49 | Director | 1 year |
Andrea M. Weiss | 68 | Director | 1 year |
Ann Yerger | 61 | Director | 1 year |
Carol Flaton | 58 | Director | 1 year |
Harriet Edelman. Ms. Edelman is an accomplished senior executive and Independent Director with over 30 years of global operating experience in consumer goods and financial services. Since 2010, she has served as the Vice Chair of Emigrant Bank, a private financial institution, after serving as Special Advisor to the Chairman from June 2008 to October 2010. Prior to that, she spent more than 25 years with Avon Products, Inc. holding various senior global leadership positions in sales, marketing, supply chain, information technology and product development. She has served on large public company boards for nearly 20 years in the U.S. and Europe and in multiple Board leadership positions. The consumer goods business has been central to Ms. Edelman’s career, and she has a strong passion for our Company and brand. She brings strong leadership to our Board to help deliver on our business transformation. Ms. Edelman received her Bachelor’s degree from Bucknell University and her MBA from Fordham Gabelli School of Business.
Jeffrey Kirwan. Mr. Kirwan currently serves as the Chairman of Maurices Incorporated, a specialty retailer focused on women’s value apparel. Previously, he served as the Global President of the Gap Division of The Gap, Inc., a worldwide clothing and accessories retailer, from December 2014 to February 2018. He also led the Gap’s operations in China from 2011 to 2014. During his tenure with The Gap, Inc., he contributed to significant operational progress, including strong marketing and customer engagement, increased traffic and improved sales and digital business. Mr. Kirwan’s executive experience in large, multinational retailers, his knowledge of our customer base as well as his strong consumer marketing and sales experience is an important asset for our Board. Mr. Kirwan received his Bachelor’s degree in Business Communications from Rhode Island College and his MBA in Business and Human Resources Management from the University of Maryland Global Campus.
Shelly Lombard. Ms. Lombard currently serves as an independent consultant, focusing on investment analysis and financial training. She has over 30 years of experience analyzing, valuing, and investing in companies. Prior to becoming a consultant, she served as Director of High Yield and Special Situation Research for Britton Hill Capital, a broker dealer specializing in high yield and special situation bank debt and bonds and value equities, from 2011 to 2014. Prior to that, she was a high yield and special situation bond analyst and was also involved in analyzing, managing, and restructuring proprietary investments for various financial institutions. She was named by NACD as one of its 100 Directorship Honorees for 2021. Ms. Lombard brings strong financial analysis, investment, capital markets, and public company director experience to our Board. Ms. Lombard received her Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Political Science from Simmons College and her MBA from Columbia Business School.
Joshua E Schechter. Mr. Schechter is a private investor and public company director. He has strong public company board leadership expertise, previously serving as Chairman of the Board of SunWorks, Inc., a premier provider of high-performance solar power solutions. He spent 13 years in investment services for Steel Partners and its affiliates, including Managing Director of Steel Partners Ltd. and Co-President, Steel Partners Japan Asset Management, LP. His significant experience with complex business and strategic transactions, M&A, corporate governance matters and capital markets, together with his public company board leadership experience provides valuable insight to our Board. Mr. Schechter received his BBA and MPA in Professional Accounting from the University of Texas at Austin.
Minesh Shah. Mr. Shah has served as Chief Operations Officer at Stitch Fix, a leading online shopping experience, since October 2020 and is responsible for the company’s operations and client experiences. He also served as Vice President, Operations at
Stitch Fix from September 2018 to October 2020. Previously, Mr. Shah served as Senior Director of Delivery Operations at Tesla Motors, Inc. from February 2017 to June 2018. He has spent most of his career in high growth, consumer-driven companies – focused on operations, customer experience, omnichannel programs, marketing and digital retail, including as Vice President of Global eCommerce for Uniqlo Co. Ltd. Mr. Shah’s extensive consumer, supply chain, marketing, technology and operational experience, as well as his deep knowledge and expertise in retail offer valuable perspective and oversight to our ongoing transformation. Mr. Shah received his BS in Chemical Engineering and his MBA in Marketing, Management and Strategy from Northwestern University.
Andrea M. Weiss. Ms. Weiss was an early innovator in multi-channel commerce and brings nearly 30 years of entrepreneurial leadership experience in the retail industry, currently serving as Founding Partner of The O Alliance, LLC since 2014 and Chief Executive Officer and Founder of Retail Consulting Inc. since 2002. She is recognized as a pioneer in creating a seamless customer experience and has been a key player in transforming retail into the digital space. She also has extensive experience developing high-level business strategy and tactical execution plans, including implementing turnaround initiatives for leading brands in the U.S. and Europe. Ms. Weiss was named by NACD as one of the Top 100 Best Public Directors in 2016. Our Board benefits from Ms. Weiss’ extensive retail and transformation experience, as well as her experience serving on public company boards. She received her BFA from Virginia Commonwealth University and her Masters of Administrative Science from Johns Hopkins University.
Ann Yerger. Ms. Yerger has dedicated her career to the advancement of corporate governance and investor protection initiatives. She has held various governance advisory roles, including her current position as Advisor with Spencer Stuart North America Board Practice, a leading board consulting firm, which she has held since 2017. She has also served as a Member of the Grant Thornton Audit Quality Advisory Council since 2019. Previously, Ms. Yerger served as Executive Director, Center for Board Matters at Ernst & Young LLP from 2015 to 2017. In addition, she has served as a member of several advisory boards and committees, including the Investor Advisory Committee of the SEC and the Nasdaq Listing and Hearing Review Council. She has been recognized by the International Corporate Governance Network and NACD for her contributions to investor collaboration and the improvement of corporate governance. Ms. Yerger’s deep corporate governance and shareholder-oriented work provide our Board with important insight and guidance with respect to our corporate governance practices and engagement with key stakeholder. She received her MBA from Tulane University.
Carol Flaton. Ms. Flaton has served on the Talen Energy Supply Board of Directors since November 2021. Ms. Flaton has over 30 years of experience in banking and finance, transformation and restructuring, and governance and risk management. Since 2019 she has provided financial advisory services and served as an independent director for both public and private companies. Recent mandates include Speedcast International Ltd (ASX: SDA), EP Energy Corp. (NYSE: EPE) and Jupiter Resources, Inc. She also was nominated in 2020 by the Xerox Corporation (NYSE: XRX) as an Independent Director candidate for HP, Inc. (NYSE: HPQ) in a Material Shareholder Proposal. From 2014 to 2019 Ms. Flaton was a managing director at AlixPartners (formerly known as Zolfo Cooper, LLC) specializing in restructuring and turnarounds. Prior to joining AlixPartners, she was a managing director in the restructuring practice of Lazard Freres (“Lazard”) from 2008-2013. Prior to Lazard, Ms. Flaton was a managing director at both Credit Suisse First Boston and Citi (1995- 2008) as well as being a senior member of the risk management teams. She has held NASD Series 7 (registered rep) and Series 24 (managing principal) licenses. Ms. Flaton has a BSBA from the University of Delaware and an MBA from the International Institute of Management Development, Lausanne, Switzerland.
(b) Executive Officers of the Company
The following table discloses our executive officers as of February 25, 2023.
| | | | | | | | |
Name | Age | Position |
Executive Officers | | |
Sue Gove | 64 | Director, President and Chief Executive Officer |
Laura Crossen | 53 | Senior Vice President of Finance and Chief Accounting Officer |
Patricia Wu | 50 | Executive Vice President, Brand President—buybuy BABY |
David Kastin | 55 | Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary |
Bart Sichel | 58 | Executive Vice President, Chief Marketing & Customer Officer |
Lynda Markoe | 56 | Executive Vice President, Chief People & Culture Officer |
Scott Lindblom | 60 | Executive Vice President, Chief Technology and Digital Officer |
Sue Gove. Ms. Gove has been President and Chief Executive Officer of Bed Bath & Beyond Inc. since October 2022, after being named Interim CEO in June 2022. In this role, Sue initiated a turnaround plan to position the Company for success in the Home,
Baby, and Wellness categories. She continues to serve as a Director of the Company, a position she has held since May 2019. During her tenure on the Board, Sue served as a member of the Audit Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee, and was Chair of the Board’s Strategy Committee. She has spent more than 30 years within the retail industry serving a variety of senior financial, operating, and strategic roles that included President and Chief Executive Officer of Golfsmith International Holdings and Chief Operating Officer of Zale Corporation. Sue has also served as a Senior Advisor for Alvarez & Marsal, a global professional services firm, where she primarily focused on advisory and turnaround for retail companies. She was the President of Excelsior Advisors, LLC, a retail consulting and advisory firm founded in August 2014. Ms. Gove received her BBA in Accounting from the University of Texas Austin.
Laura Crossen. Ms. Crossen joined the Company in 2001 and has served as Chief Accounting Officer since June 2022. Ms. Crossen recently served as interim Chief Financial Officer from September 2022 to February 2023 while maintaining her role as Chief Accounting Officer. Prior to her service as Chief Accounting Officer, Ms. Crossen served as the Company’s Senior Vice President, Tax, Treasury and Transformation since May 2021. Previously, Ms. Crossen served as Vice President, Financial Management of the Company since 2001. Ms. Crossen received her BS in Public Accounting from Providence College.
Patricia Wu. Ms. Wu joined the Company in January 2021 as Senior Vice President and General Manager of buybuy BABY. In September 2022, Ms. Wu became Executive Vice President and President of buybuy BABY. Prior to joining the Company Ms. Wu served as Chief Commercial Officer of Beautycounter, a direct-retail brand dedicated to getting safe beauty products into the hands of everyone. Before Beautycounter, Ms. Wu served three years at Mattel as Group Vice President of Emerging Markets & New Business Models, Vice President and General Manager of Mattel’s China Growth Team, Vice President of Global Commercial Strategy, and Vice President of International Strategy. Ms. Wu also spent nearly two years in China, managing merchandising and strategy for Walmart, and before that, nearly nine years at The Clorox Company. Ms. Wu received her BS and BA in Business and German from Washington University in St. Louis as well as an MBA from Harvard Business School.
David Kastin. Mr. Kastin has served as Executive Vice President, Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary since December 2022. Prior to joining the Company, from August 2020 through December 2022, Mr. Kastin served as General Counsel and Corporate Secretary of Clever Leaves Holdings Inc.; from August 2015 through January 20202, Mr. Kastin served as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at the Vitamin Shoppe, Inc.; and from August 2007 through July 2015, he served as as Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary at Town Sports International. Since August 2013, Mr. Kastin has served on the Board of Directors of Greenbacker Renewable Energy, a publicly-registered, non-traded company that invests and funds solar, wind and other alternative energy projects. Mr. Kastin received his BBA in Finance from George Washington University and his JD from Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law.
Bart Sichel. Mr. Sichel joined the company in November 2022 as Chief Marketing & Customer Officer. Mr. Sichel is a Board Member of kidpik, a company that offers clothing subscription boxes for children. Prior to joining the Company Mr. Sichel was a Senior Advisor at Impact Analytics, a company that uses artificial intelligence to drive analytic performance and measurable business impact. Mr. Sichel was also an Advisory Board Member of Forman Mills, a privately owned regional retailer operating in the off-price and discount space. Mr. Sichel spent eight years as Executive Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer of Burlington Stores and prior to that role, thirteen years as a Partner in McKinsey’s Marketing and Retail practices. For over 25 years Bart Sichel has successfully led teams to measurable success by combining a keen focus on strategic insights with a hands-on operator’s bias toward action. Bart’s industry experience spans both B-to-B and B-to-C businesses encompassing retail, e-commerce, and a range of other consumer sectors including packaged goods, technology, hospitality, and more. His deep knowledge of customer insights, advanced analytics, media and advertising, brand portfolio management, strategic planning, and marketing has benefited his companies, his clients, and their customers. Mr. Sichel received his BA in Political Science from Vassar College and his MBA with a focus in marketing from Columbia Business School.
Lynda Markoe. Ms. Markoe joined the Company as Executive Vice President, Chief People & Culture Officer in September 2020. Prior to joining the Company, Ms. Markoe held various leadership roles at J.Crew Group, Inc. since 2003, including serving as its Chief Administrative Officer and Global Head of Human Resources. Prior to that, Ms. Markoe was a human resources leader at Gap Inc. Ms. Markoe received her Bachelor’s degree from Binghamton University.
Scott Lindblom. Mr. Lindblom joined the company in September 2020 as the Company’s Chief Technology Officer. Mr. Lindblom previously held Executive Vice President and Chief Information Officer roles at The Michaels Companies where he transformed IT from an anchor on the organization to one of value creation for this $5B retailer with 1250 stores in the US and Canada. At Michaels, Mr. Lindblom introduced omnichannel capabilities enabling speed to market and world-class customer shopping experiences. Mr. Lindblom also has nearly ten years of experience at ROSS Stores, where he served as Group President of IT and Vice President of Software Applications. Prior to Mr. Lindblom’s experience at ROSS Stores, he served five years at Best Buy, as Senior Director of Demand Creation and Fulfillment Systems, Director – Program Manager, and Director of Infrastructure Services. Mr. Lindblom received his BS in Accounting from Minnesota State University and Mankato and his MBA in Finance from University of St. Thomas Opus College of Business.
(c) Compliance with Section 16(a)
Section 16(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 requires our directors, officers and beneficial owners of 10% or more of our common shares to file reports with the SEC relating to their common share ownership and changes in such ownership, and to confirm that all required Section 16(a) forms were filed with the SEC. Based on a review of our records and certain written representations received from our executive officers and directors, we believe that all reports, except eleven, that were required to be filed under Section 16(a) during Fiscal 2022, were timely filed. There were eleven late filings: the Form 3 filed with the SEC on March 10, 2022 for Minesh Shah; the Form 3 filed with the SEC on April 1, 2022 for Benjamin Rosenzweig; the Form 3 filed with the SEC on April 1, 2022 for Shelly Lombard; the Form 3 filed with the SEC on April 1, 2022 for Marjorie Bowen; the Form 3 filed with the SEC on July 7, 2022 for Laura Crossen; the Form 3 filed with the SEC on July 7, 2022 for Mara Sirhal; the Form 4 filed with the SEC on July 15, 2022 for John Hartmann; the Form 4 filed with the SEC on July 15, 2022 for Gregg Melnick; the Form 4 filed with the SEC on July 15, 2022 for Anuradha Gupta; the Form 4 filed with the SEC on July 15, 2022 for John Barresi; the Form 4 filed with the SEC on July 15, 2022 for Gustavo Arnal; the Form 4 filed with the SEC on July 15, 2022 for Joseph Hartsig; the Form 4 filed with the SEC on July 15, 2022 for Mark Tritton; the Form 4 filed with the SEC on July 15, 2022 for Masood Rafeh; the Form 4 filed with the SEC on July 15, 2022 for Arlene Hong; the Form 4 filed with the SEC on July 15, 2022 for Lynda Maroke; the Form 3 filed with the SEC on August 15, 2022 for Ryan Cohen and RC Ventures LLC; the Form 4 filed with the SEC on November 15, 2022 for Anuradha Gupta; the Form 4 filed with the SEC on November 15, 2022 for Rafeh Masood; the Form 3 filed with the SEC on November 23, 2022 for Hobart Sichel; the Form 3 filed with the SEC on November 29, 2022 for Scott Lindblom; the Form 3 filed with the SEC on December 19, 2022 for David Kastin; the Form 3 filed with the SEC on February 7, 2023 Carol Flaton.
(d) Audit Committee
The audit committee.is comprised of: Joshua E. Schechter, Chair* | Shelly Lombard* | Minesh Shah | Andrea M. Weiss.* All of the members of the audit committee are considered independent.
*Audit Committee Financial Experts The Audit Committee assists the Board by: overseeing the Company’s accounting and financial reporting processes and the integrity of the Company’s quarterly and annual financial statements; reviewing the Company’s earnings announcements, as well as financial information and earnings guidance provided to analysts and ratings agencies; reviewing audits of the Company’s financial statements; overseeing the Company’s internal control system and the quality of internal control by management; overseeing management’s practices to ensure adequate risk management; overseeing the Company’s corporate compliance program, including compliance with legal and regulatory requirements and the Company’s ethical conduct policy; reviewing and overseeing the independent auditor’s qualifications, independence and performance; overseeing the performance of the Company’s internal audit function; overseeing cybersecurity, data privacy, information technology and information protection programs; and overseeing procedures for receipt and treatment of complaints received by the Company from its customers, vendors or associates relating to accounting, internal accounting controls or auditing matters.
The Audit Committee has the authority to engage independent counsel and other advisors.
(e) Code of Ethics
The Company has adopted a code of ethics entitled "“Policy of Ethical Standards For Business Conduct"” that applies to all of its employees, including Executive Officers and the Board of Directors, the complete text of which is available through the Investor Relations section of the Company’s website, www.bedbathandbeyond.com. Amendments to, and waivers granted under, the Policy of Ethical Standards for Business Conduct, if any, will be posted to the Company’s website.
ITEM 11 – EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
Compensation Discussion & Analysis (CD&A)
This Compensation Discussion and Analysis provides an overview of our executive compensation program and the compensation awarded to, earned by, or paid to our Chief Executive Officer (“CEO”), our former Chief Executive Officer (“former CEO”), our Principal Financial Officer (“PFO”), our former Chief Financial Officer (“former CFO”), our three most highly compensated officers (other than the CEO, former CEO, PFO, and former CFO), and the two most highly compensated former officers, who otherwise would have been named executive officers, if not for their departure from the Company (these individuals, who along with the CEO, former CEO, PFO, former CFO and three most highly compensated employees for 2022, we refer to as our Named Executive Officers (“NEOs”)). For fiscal year 2022, our NEOs are:
| | | | | |
Name | Principal Position |
Executive Officers | |
| | | | | |
Sue Gove(1).............................. | Chief Executive Officer and President |
Laura Crossen(2)......................... | Principal Financial Officer |
Mara Sirhal(3)............................. | Former Executive Vice President and Brand President of Bed Bath & Beyond |
Lynda Markoe(4)........................ | Executive Vice President, Chief People and Culture Officer |
Patricia Wu(5)............................. | Executive Vice President and Brand President of buybuy BABY |
Mark Tritton(6)......................... | Former Chief Executive Officer |
Gustavo Arnal(7)......................... | Former Chief Financial Officer |
John Hartmann(8)....................... | Former Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and President, buybuy BABY, Inc. |
Joseph Hartsig(9)........................ | Executive Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer and President of Harmon Stores, Inc. |
(1) Ms. Gove was appointed Interim CEO, effective June 23, 2022, and was made the Company’s permanent CEO and President on October 24, 2022. Previously, Ms. Gove served solely as an Independent Director on the Board.
(2) Ms. Crossen was appointed Interim Chief Financial Officer and PFO, effective September 5, 2022. Previously, Ms. Crossen served as Chief Accounting Officer of the Company and was appointed Interim Chief Financial Officer on September 5, 2022. On February 2, 2023, she was re-appointed the Company’s Chief Accounting Officer, and continues to serve as the PFO of the Company.
(3) Ms. Sirhal was appointed Executive Vice President and Brand President of Bed Bath & Beyond on August 31, 2022. Ms. Sirhal joined the Company in January 2021 and previously served as Senior Vice President and General Manager for Harmon, as well as Executive Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer of Bed Bath & Beyond. Ms. Sirhal resigned from the Company effective as of April 9, 2023.
(4) Ms. Markoe joined the Company as Executive Vice President, Chief People and Culture Officer on September 28,2020.
(5) Ms. Wu was appointed Executive Vice President and Brand President of buybuy BABY on August 31, 2022. Ms. Wu joined the Company in January 2021 and served as Senior Vice President and General Manager of buybuy BABY.
(6) Mr. Tritton ceased serving as Chief Executive Officer, effective June 23, 2022.
(7) Mr. Arnal passed away on September 2, 2022.
(8) Mr. Hartmann ceased serving as Executive Vice President, Chief Operating Officer, and President of buybuy BABY, Inc., effective August 31, 2022.
(9) Mr. Hartsig ceased serving as Executive Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer and President of Harmon Stores, Inc., effective June 28, 2022.
Fiscal 2022 Overall Summary
Repositioning Our Business for Long-Term Success
Fiscal 2022 has undoubtedly been the most difficult in Bed Bath & Beyond’s history and was a year of significant change as we initiated a turnaround strategy to refocus our efforts on better serving our customers and strengthening our financial position. Our entire enterprise is being transformed – financially, operationally, and organizationally – to fulfill our unique opportunity to be the shopping destination of choice in the Home and Baby markets.
Led by our new President and Chief Executive Officer, Sue Gove, we commenced executing a comprehensive strategic plan intended to focus on stabilizing our financial foundation by securing additional liquidity, significantly reducing our cost structure and allocating resources to better serve our customers through merchandising, inventory and customer engagement. Specifically:
•We addressed long-standing changes in consumer shopping patterns which pre-dated the COVID pandemic and were further accelerated by consumer changes and supply chain impact that emerged from peak COVID in 2020 and 2021. These actions included additional store closures to align with changing demand as customers continue to adjust the frequency of their shopping trips across brick-and-mortar and online channels; and major changes to the Company’s distribution network.
•We took steps to rebalance our merchandise allocations by bringing back popular national brands and introducing new, emerging direct-to-consumer brands. Consequently, we announced the exiting of a third of our Owned Brands.
•In addition to reconnecting with customers through better assortments, we launched a new cross-banner loyalty program. Welcome Rewards™ brings valuable savings, more benefits, and special perks to customers who shop online and in stores nationwide at both Bed Bath & Beyond and buybuy BABY. Since launching in June, our program has grown to more than 20 million members.
Although we moved quickly and effectively to change the assortment and other merchandising and marketing strategies, inventory and in-stock levels have been lower than anticipated. Accordingly, our financial results have been negatively impacted and our targets for fiscal 2022 were not met.
Fiscal 2022 Compensation Program Design & Pay for Performance Philosophy
The People, Culture and Compensation Committee (the “Committee”) designs and develops our compensation programs. The 2022 executive compensation program was developed in close consultation with our independent compensation consultant Meridian and structured to drive performance and recognize achievement of key strategic objectives for the year. Our compensation program emphasizes at-risk pay, which underscores our pay-for-performance compensation philosophy and our program’s goals of supporting our turnaround strategy and improving our financial performance, while reflecting market-leading practices.
At the outset of fiscal 2022, our primary goal for the fiscal 2022 compensation program was to incentivize and reward balanced, sustainable growth with key financial metrics directly aligned with our strategic plan and driving long-term shareholder value. To drive this alignment, and to motivate and retain our employees, including our NEOs, we granted both short-term and long-term incentive awards. Following the first half of fiscal 2022, due to Company performance and turnover of senior leadership, our goals and strategies for the fiscal year substantially shifted, as communicated by our then-interim CEO to all stakeholders in early September 2022. These shifts in our goals and strategies under our comprehensive turnaround strategy led to certain changes to the design of our short-term incentive plan, as described below.
•At the beginning of the fiscal year, the Committee approved an annual performance-based, cash short-term incentive plan (STIP) for fiscal 2022 incorporating aggressive adjusted EBITDA and comparable sales growth goals, with adjusted EBITDA (70% weighting) as the primary driver of performance. Our secondary metric continued to focus on growth in comparable sales (30% weighting) to reflect our strategic emphasis on accelerating omni-channel, top-line growth. We also added a metric to establish store traffic goals – a leading performance indicator for sales – as an additional multiplier. The goals for the STIP were consistent with our annual operating plan and were designed to be challenging with targets established based on our annual financial plan.
•Our goals and strategies for the Company significantly shifted in the second half of fiscal 2022 under our comprehensive turnaround strategy. As a result, the Committee discussed in depth and approved revising the structure of the STIP from an annual program to a half-year program. The revised program retained the adjusted EBITDA and comparable sales growth metrics applied to the annual program but eliminated the store traffic goals multiplier and limited payouts to 70% of the payouts that would have been payable under the annual program.
For fiscal 2022 long-term incentives (LTI), the Committee approved a highly performance-weighted mix of PSUs (60% weighting) and time-vested RSUs (40% weighting). The goals approved by the Committee for the fiscal 2022 PSUs incorporated our continued emphasis on gross margin (50% weighting) and also continued to measure relative total stock return (TSR) (50% weighting). The PSUs vest at the end of a three-year performance period (2022-2024), subject to continued employment and achievement of the performance goals. To be prudent stewards given the share availability under our equity compensation plan, the Committee, in consultation with our independent compensation consultant, structured the RSU portion of equity awards granted at the start of fiscal 2022 (40% weighting) as cash-settled RSUs rather than stock-settled RSUs.
We are committed to correlating pay with performance and, based on current projections, we expect that there will be no STIP payouts for fiscal 2022. Further, as of fiscal year-end, the value of the fiscal 2022 LTI awards had significantly decreased for our NEOs due to the impact of stock price decline and current projections of our performance awards. Consistent with our program design, we believe these incentive plan outcomes are appropriate in light of our performance and continue to demonstrate our pay-for-performance compensation philosophy.
People & Culture
Oversight of People & Culture
The Committee oversees the Company’s broad-based people and culture programs. As part of its focus on emphasizing the importance of our associates to our talent-focused strategy, the Committee receives regular people and culture updates, and considers and implements updates to our key programs.
People & Culture in Fiscal 2022
At Bed Bath & Beyond Inc., we strive to create an environment where all Associates can thrive by offering resources that support their physical, mental, social, and emotional well-being. In fiscal 2022, we specifically focused on providing a sense of continuity and stability as we navigated a dynamic environment. At the same time, and in light of significant senior leadership turnover initiated by the Board and our new CEO, it was essential to maintain an environment that optimizes retention and maximizes our ability to recruit new talent.
In addition to significant senior leadership change to execute our turnaround, we realigned our organizational structure, including the creation of Brand President roles for Bed Bath & Beyond and buybuy BABY to lead merchandising, planning, brand marketing, site merchandising and stores for each banner. Aligned with these new roles, we removed layers to create greater efficiency in decision-making and better align to the size of our business, while also leveraging and elevating internal talent combined with external talent across our leadership team. These changes have enabled more direct engagement with Associates, customers and supplier partners, promoted accountability, and supported more efficient and productive change.
Our goal is to build trust and accountability for every Associate throughout our organization. In 2022, we engaged Associates more frequently, and farther across our enterprise, by holding our first global town hall meetings. At the extended leadership team level, we increased the frequency of connection, including scheduled and impromptu meetings, panel discussions and guest speakers in addition to materials to support their growth and promote a culture of transparency as we underwent organizational and financial events under public and media scrutiny. Additionally, we continue to build community through our Associate Resource Groups (ARGs): Asian American Pacific Islander, Beyond Black Associate Coalition, Hispanic/ LatinX, LGBTQ+, Wellness and Women’s, and for the first time in our history, our Board is led by a female Chair and we are led by a female President and Chief Executive Officer. We monitor the representation of women and racially or ethnically diverse associates at all levels of our organization and our progress toward our 2030 goals of 50% female and 25% racial and ethnic diversity at each level.
The health and wellbeing of our Associates and customers is one of our top priorities. We implemented health, safety, and security programs in all our workplaces, including safety and security standards and policies, emergency response and crisis management protocol, and Associate training related to the risks and exposures in their areas of responsibility. We provide all Associates and their family members with benefits and resources to navigate change and support overall wellbeing. In 2022, we saw active utilization of our Beyond Wellness program (EAP) for work-life, financial and emotional support, and resources, as well as continued engagement of our mindfulness app– Headspace.
Compensation Governance Practices
We continue to evaluate and enhance our executive compensation program to reflect our pay-for-performance philosophy and consider governance practices that benefit all shareholders.
What We Do
•Align pay with our strategy, performance and creation of value for shareholders
•Use an appropriate mix of fixed and variable, and short- and long-term, compensation elements
•Pay a substantial portion of executive compensation in the form of at-risk equity-based awards (in the form of RSUs and PSUs)
•Vary incentive payouts commensurate with results, including capping PSU award payouts based on TSR if the Company’s TSR is negative
•Require double-trigger change in control vesting provisions
•Maintain a Compensation Recoupment Policy
•Maintain rigorous stock ownership guidelines for all executive officers and directors
What We Don’t Do
•No performance goals for incentive awards that encourage excessive risk taking
•No hedging and restricted pledging of Company stock
•No repricing or backdating of stock options
•No payment of dividends or dividend equivalents on unearned PSU and RSU awards
•No excessive perquisites or other supplemental benefits
•No excise tax gross-ups on severance payments
How We Design Our Executive Compensation Program
In fiscal 2022, we have continued to focus our design of the executive compensation program on the following principles:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Customer Inspired | Omni-Always | Talent-Focused | Performance-Driven |
We unlock the value delivered to our leaders and our shareholders when we deliver on our promise to inspire our customers to home, happier - they are the center of all we do. | To accelerate the evolution of our business with an integrated approach of both brick & mortar and digital, we take a multi-faceted and holistic approach to making compensation decisions. We consider numerous factors, including market practice and benchmarking but also role and specific talent markets, individual performance and potential and internal equity. | We invest in attracting and retaining the talent required to deliver on our customer and shareholder promise to re-establish our authority as the preferred omni-channel home destination. | We align a majority of the compensation of our leaders to quantifiable performance goals, emphasizing long-term value allowing us to unlock balanced durable growth and strong sustainable total shareholder growth. |
FISCAL 2022 ENGAGEMENT
Say-On-Pay and How We Consider Feedback
At the 2022 Annual Meeting, our executive compensation program received advisory approval of approximately 92% of the shares voted. We believe the consistent improvement in say-on-pay results over the last several years reflects the development by the Committee of a pay-for-performance philosophy and a framework that became the basis of our compensation design pillars. The Committee considers the results of the say-on-pay vote as part of its decision-making process and is committed to remaining responsive to shareholder priorities, with the goal of earning consistent high levels of shareholder support.
At the outset of fiscal 2022, we reached out to our top shareholders, representing the majority of our total shares outstanding, including index funds, hedge funds, public pension funds and actively-managed funds. The Chair of the Board, members of the Board and management participated in virtual and telephone meetings with the majority of our largest shareholders.
Going forward, our intention is to continue our shareholder, financial stakeholder, and vendor outreach and maintain a regular cadence of two-way communication opportunities, as we continue to understand priorities from all perspectives. In connection with these efforts, we intend to maintain a regular, ongoing governance outreach program overseen by our Board, which will include engagement on executive compensation matters and other relevant topics.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION PROGRAM ELEMENTS IN FISCAL 2022
Our fiscal 2022 performance-driven compensation program for the NEOs and certain other key executives included the following elements:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
Total Direct Compensation |
Base Salary | STIP | Long-Term Incentive | Retirement & Other Benefits |
Fixed Delivered in cash | Variable Delivered in cash Rewards achievement against objective, pre-established performance metrics aligned with short-term strategic priorities Incentivizes retention during critical transformation period | Variable Aligns the interest of associates and shareholders Incentivizes retention during critical transformation period PSUs reward achievement against objective, pre-established performance metrics aligned with strategic imperatives | Health plan Limited perquisites |
The Committee focuses primarily on the elements of total direct compensation, including base salary, short- and long-term incentives, when structuring and assessing compensation for the leadership team. We aim to set target total direct compensation and related elements generally at a reasonable range around the median of our peer group, but we also consider role and specific talent markets, internal equity, and individual performance and potential. For more information on our peer group and benchmarking, see ”our compensation decision-making process.”
Base Salary
Base salaries represent fixed cash compensation tied to the size, scope and complexity of each executive’s position and the depth of each executive’s experience. The Committee considered these factors in setting base salaries that would attract and retain executives leading the Company’s transformation.
The Committee reviews base salaries for executives on an annual basis to determine whether salaries remain appropriate. This annual review considers each executive’s performance, as well as the results of peer group benchmarking. Any approved adjustments generally become effective in the first quarter of the applicable fiscal year.
Base salaries for NEOs during fiscal 2022 are as set forth below:
| | | | | | | | |
Named Executive Officer | Base Salary(1) | Base Salary at 2022 Fiscal Year End |
Sue Gove.............................................. | $ 1,400,000(2) | $ 1,400,000 |
Laura Crossen...................................... | $ 712,500(3) | $ 712,500 |
Mara Sirhal.......................................... | $ 550,000(4) | $ 600,000(5) |
Lynda Markoe..................................... | $ 600,000 | $ 600,000 |
Patricia Wu.......................................... | $ 550,000(6) | $ 550,000 |
Mark Tritton........................................ | $ 1,230,000 | -- |
Gustavo Arnal..................................... | $ 775,000 | -- |
John Hartmann.................................... | $ 1,000,000 | -- |
Joseph Hartsig..................................... | $ 770,000 | -- |
(1) Reflects the Base Salary of each NEO at the time they commenced their principle position, except as otherwise noted.
(2) Reflects Ms. Gove’s base salary during the time she served as Interim CEO.
(3) Reflects Ms. Crossen’s base salary as of the time she served as Interim CFO.
(4) Reflects Ms. Sirhal’s base salary effective with her promotion to Executive Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer and General Manager of Harmon Face Values.
(5) Reflects a salary increase following Ms. Sirhal’s promotion to Executive Vice President, Brand President, Bed Bath & Beyond.
(6) Reflects base salary effective with Ms. Wu’s promotion to Executive Vice President, Brand President of buybuy BABY.
Short-Term Incentive Compensation
For fiscal 2022, the Committee continued the use of its performance-based cash STIP to provide short-term variable pay tied to an appropriate mix of challenging, quantitative objectives. Changes in our leadership team during fiscal 2022 and the implementation of a comprehensive strategic plan described above in Repositioning Our Business for Long-Term Success resulted in the Committee adopting a change to the overall structure of our performance-based cash STIP from an annual program to a half-year program. While the overall structure of the STIP changed for fiscal 2022, the program’s performance measures continued to be based on two metrics: Adjusted EBITDA (weighted at 70%) and comparable sales growth (weighted at 30%).
| | | | | |
ADJUSTED EBITDA* | EBITDA is a common metric used to assess operating performance, particularly for our peer retail companies. We selected adjusted EBITDA (70%) because we believe it directly measures achievement against our collective strategic goals, including sales growth, margin expansion and cost control. |
COMPARABLE SALES GROWTH | Comparable sales growth (30%) aligns with our strategy and takes into account our revenue base and rightsizing of our store fleet. |
* Adjusted EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. For more information, see “Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP measures for Fiscal 2022.”
The target adjusted EBITDA goal required improved performance over fiscal 2021 results. Comparable sales growth, by nature of the measure, required year-over-year improvement. Achievement of maximum-level payouts for both goals required significantly exceeding the operating plans in place at the time the goals were approved.
Evolution of Our Short-Term Incentive Program into a Half-Year Program
Our STIP for fiscal 2022 (the “Annual STIP”) commenced as an annual program tied to the achievement of Adjusted EBITDA (weighted at 70%) and comparable sales growth (weighted at 30%), with a 10% kicker based on achievement of store traffic goals, a leading indicator for sales. At the time that the Committee considered and approved the design of the Annual STIP in early fiscal 2022, the annual structure was determined to be appropriate in light of our strategic goals and business plan for the year.
As discussed above in Repositioning Our Business for Long-Term Success, the Company underwent significant changes during fiscal 2022 as a result of shifts in leadership, the Company’s financial position, and the refocusing of our strategy. In light of these major changes, the Committee determined in August 2022, after significant discussion and with the guidance of our independent consultant, that the structure of the Annual STIP should be changed from an annual program to a half-year program (the “H2 STIP”), to better align the efforts of our leadership team with our comprehensive turnaround strategy.
In connection with STIP re-design from the Annual STIP to the H2 STIP, the Committee worked closely with its independent compensation consultant to approve challenging goals that would require significant progress toward our strategic transformation milestones Performance goals for H2 STIP remained tied to achievement of Adjusted EBITDA and comparable sales growth, with achievement measured for the second half of the year. Under the H2 STIP, achievement at target performance would entitle participants to 70% of the target payout that would have been payable under the Annual STIP. Following the shift to the H2 STIP, participants were no longer entitled to payments under the Annual STIP.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Annual STIP | H2 STIP |
| Threshold (25%) | Target (100%) | Maximum (200%) | Threshold N/A | Target (100%) | Maximum (200%) |
Adjusted EBITDA (70%)....................................... | $350M | $425M | $500M | N/A | $54M | $114M |
Comparable Sales Growth (30%)............ | -2% | 1% | 5% | N/A | -16% | -10% |
Store traffic goals...... | Up to 10% kicker | Eliminated |
As outlined above, Adjusted EBITDA and comparable sales growth (and their relative weighting) remained as the performance metrics under the H2 STIP, but the store traffic goal was eliminated and threshold eligibility for payout was removed. Additionally, under the H2 STIP, failure to achieve the Adjusted EBITDA target would result in zero payout, even if the comparable sales growth target was met or exceeded.
Our NEOs were eligible to earn payments under the STIP, with target bonus amounts based on a percentage of base salary as set forth in the table below:
| | | | | | | | |
Named Executive Officer | Target Bonus(1) | Target Bonus at 2022 Fiscal Year End(1) |
Sue Gove.............................................................. | --(2) | 150%(3) |
Laura Crossen(8).................................................. | 70% | 70% |
Mara Sirhal(8)....................................................... | 70%(4) | 75%(5) |
Lynda Markoe..................................................... | 60% | 70%(6) |
Patricia Wu(8)....................................................... | 75%(7) | 75% |
Mark Tritton......................................................... | 175% | -- |
Gustavo Arnal...................................................... | 85% | -- |
John Hartmann................................................... | 125% | -- |
Joseph Hartsig..................................................... | 80% | -- |
(1) Reflects the target bonus opportunity for each NEO expressed as a percentage of their Base Salary. Percentages reflected in the “Target Bonus” column reflect the target bonus percentage in effect at the time they commenced their principal position, except as otherwise noted.
(2) Ms. Gove was not eligible for a bonus during the time she served as the Interim Chief Executive Officer.
(3) Ms. Gove became eligible to participate in the H2 STIP in connection with her appointment to the role of Chief Executive Officer and President.
(4) Reflects Ms. Sirhal’s target bonus opportunity following her promotion to Executive Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer and General Manager, Harmon Face Values.
(5) Ms. Sirhal’s target bonus opportunity increased in connection with her promotion to Executive Vice President, Brand President, Bed Bath & Beyond.
(6) Reflects a merit-based adjustment to Ms. Markoe’s target bonus opportunity.
(7) Reflects Ms. Wu’s target bonus opportunity following her promotion to Executive Vice President, Brand President of buybuy BABY.
(8) At the start of fiscal 2022, Ms. Crossen, Ms. Sirhal and Ms. Wu were eligible to participate in the Non-LT STIP which is further described below in footnote 5 to the Grant of Plan Based Awards for Fiscal 2022 table.
Based on current projections, we do not expect that our NEOs will receive any payments under the H2 STIP.
We have modified our annual bonus program for fiscal 2023 to more closely align our NEOs’ financial interests with short-term company performance. Our NEOs will have the opportunity to earn 25% of their target bonus opportunity based on company performance in each fiscal quarter during fiscal 2023, with a “catch up” feature that measures full year performance.
Long-Term Incentive Compensation
Our long-term incentive program is designed to focus our executives on increasing shareholder value, to reward their contributions to our sustainable, long-term growth and performance, and to attract and retain key talent. For 2022, the Committee approved long-term incentive grants for our NEOs, consisting of a mix of PSUs and time-vested RSUs.
| | | | | | | | |
Considerations for Fiscal 2022 LTI Mix | PSUs (60%) | RSUs (40%) |
In determining the split between PSUs and RSUs, the Committee considered: •the emphasis on performance-based, at-risk pay; and •the goal of aligning executive and shareholder interests. | Fiscal 2022 PSUs are earned based on the results of a three-year adjusted gross margin (50%) and three-year relative TSR (50%). Payouts for PSUs based on relative TSR are also subject to a TSR “regulator” that caps award payouts at 100% of target if our TSR over the performance period is negative. | Time-vested cash-settled RSUs vest ratably on the first, second and third anniversary of the date of grant, generally subject to the executive’s continued employment through such date. |
The Committee approved target long-term incentive award values for each NEO as detailed below. These values are determined in connection with the benchmarking and setting of target total direct compensation and related compensation elements for each NEO, as contemplated in applicable employment agreements. For more information, see ”executive compensation program elements.”
| | | | | |
Named Executive Officer | Fiscal 2022 Target LTI Value |
Sue Gove......................................................................................................... | $ 5,300,000* |
Laura Crossen................................................................................................ | $ 712,500 |
Mara Sirhal..................................................................................................... | $ 1,050,000 |
Lynda Markoe............................................................................................... | $ 960,000 |
Patricia Wu..................................................................................................... | $ 880,000 |
Mark Tritton................................................................................................... | $ 7,700,000 |
Gustavo Arnal................................................................................................ | $ 1,937,500 |
John Hartmann.............................................................................................. | $ 3,500,000 |
Joseph Hartsig................................................................................................ | $ 1,750,000 |
* Includes the target value of the equity awards granted to Ms. Gove of (i) $2,600,000 (in connection with her appointment as Interim CEO) and (ii) $2,700,000 (in connection with her appointment as CEO and President). The award made in connection her appointment as Interim CEO consisted solely of cash-settled time-vesting RSUs.
2022 PSUs – Grants
The Committee selected adjusted gross margin and relative TSR as the performance metrics, with equal weighting, for the 2022 PSUs and established: (i) for adjusted gross margin, aggressive threshold, target and maximum performance goals and related payout percentages based on achievement (the “AGM PSUs”) and (2) for relative TSR, payout percentages based on achievement versus other peer retailers (the “TSR PSUs”). As noted in our compensation design pillars, the peer group for performance comparisons is the same as the peer group used for benchmarking. To further enhance shareholder alignment, the Committee continued its past practice of capping payouts of 2022 PSUs based on relative TSR at target (regardless of relative performance) if our absolute TSR over the performance period is negative.
| | | | | |
ADJUSTED GROSS MARGIN* | Adjusted gross margin is a key component of our transformation strategy and reflects achievement across all our critical drivers, including digital growth, assortment balance, cost and sourcing savings and fulfillment cost optimization. We believe that gross margin is critical to long-term value creation. |
RELATIVE TSR | Relative TSR rewards shareholder returns and long-term performance relative to our peer group, and we believe also provides the right balance with our annual incentive metrics focusing on near-term strategic priorities. The risk of any excessive payouts in the event we are not delivering value to our shareholders is controlled by the cap on payouts at target in the event absolute TSR over the performance period is negative. |
* Adjusted gross margin is a non-GAAP financial measure. For more information, see “Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP measures for Fiscal 2022.”
How We Set Our PSU Performance Goals
We set challenging threshold, target and maximum adjusted gross margin goals. The payout scale for AGM PSUs based on adjusted gross margin ranges from 50% (threshold) to 200% (maximum).
We require TSR performance above the 50th percentile of our peer group for target payout (55th percentile). This performance hurdle is higher than typical market practice and reflects robust goal-setting. For the TSR-based PSUs, the Committee used a 25% (threshold) to 200% (maximum) payout scale for fiscal 2022 (based on performance relative to our peer group as set forth in the chart below) to continue to align with market practice and our pay-for-performance culture. The Committee also focused on carefully and thoughtfully identifying our peer group, including retailers with business characteristics similar to ours and companies of appropriate sizes in terms of revenue and market capitalization.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Threshold | Target | Maximum |
Achievement Percentile (Peer Group)...................... | 30th Percentile | 55th Percentile | ≥ 80th Percentile |
Payout %.......................................................................... | 25% | 100% | 200%* |
* If absolute TSR is negative, payout percentage is capped at 100%, regardless of relative peer group achievement percentile
2019 and 2022 PSUs Payouts
In May 2022, the Committee verified the results for the Company’s 2019 PSUs and verified that the achievement of EBITDA and performance goals for these PSUs were not met, and they were paid out at 9%.
Based on current projections, the 2022 PSUs are not expected to vest.
Retention and Recognition Awards
In late fiscal 2022, the Company’s challenges accelerated amidst ongoing and significant organizational and financial events that created unprecedented uncertainty for our organization and to address this, the Committee engaged in robust discussions with an independent compensation consultant, Willis Towers Watson, about retention strategies for key employees during this critical time. To stabilize the leadership of our organization and ensure the continuity of work needed to drive the business during this time, in February 2023, the Committee awarded special one-time retention awards to Messrs. Gove, Crossen, Sirhal, Markoe and Wu equal to $1,018,000; $360,000, $314,000; $305,000; and $287,000, respectively. The terms of each one-time retention bonus provide that each NEO is required to pay the full amount if the NEO’s employment is terminated other than by the Company without Cause or due to the NEO’s death or Disability (each, as defined in the applicable bonus agreement) prior to the vesting date specified in the applicable agreement.
Additionally, in May of 2022, in recognition of their commitment and leadership in accelerating improvement in driving our customer centered turnaround strategy and delivering key results aligned with the business plan, the Committee awarded special one-time recognition awards to Messrs. Crossen, Sirhal and Wu equal to $128,125; $106,250; and $112,500, respectively. The terms of each one-time recognition award provide for pay the full repayment of amount if the NEO voluntarily resigns or is terminated by the Company for any reason other than for Cause (as defined in the applicable bonus agreement) prior to one year from the date of payment, subject to proration based on days of service through the termination date.
Ms. Sirhal additionally received a a cash sign-on bonus of $220,000 in connection with her promotion to Executive Vice President of Bed, Bath & Beyond in June 2022.
Retirement and Other Benefits
The NEOs generally are entitled to the same retirement and other benefits offered to all Bed Bath & Beyond associates. The cost of these benefits constitutes a small percentage of each NEO’s total compensation. Key benefits include paid vacation, premiums paid for short- and long-term disability insurance, and payment of a portion of the NEO’s premiums for healthcare and basic life insurance. We do not provide any pension or retirement benefits, other than the 401(k) plan, or any nonqualified deferred compensation plans.
We generally have provided our leadership team with certain perquisites, including an automobile allowance and an annual financial planning benefit, and, only for Ms. Gove, reimbursement of commuting expenses on a tax-neutral basis, as further described below. The Committee believes such limited perquisites are reasonable and consistent with our overall objective of attracting and retaining talented NEOs.
See the ”all other compensation” column in the Summary Compensation Table for further information regarding these benefits and perquisites, and the ”potential payments upon termination or change in control” table for information regarding termination and change in control payments and benefits.
Elements of Compensation for Ms. Gove following Appointment as Interim CEO and Permanent President and CEO
In connection with Ms. Gove’s appointment as the Company’s Interim CEO effective June 23, 2022, after research and review of compensation arrangements provided to other interim retail company CEO roles filled by an existing member of the applicable company’s board of directors and discussions with its independent consultant, the Committee approved the terms of Ms. Gove’s Interim CEO offer. The terms of her offer entitled her to receive an annual base salary of $1,400,000 and a grant of cash-settled RSUs with a target grant date value of $2,600,000 that will vest on the first anniversary of the grant date, subject to Ms. Gove’s
continued employment through the vesting date (subject to forfeiture provision upon certain terminations of employment, as described in “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control — Executive Change in Control Severance Plan.”)
In connection with Ms. Gove’s appointment as the Company’s permanent President and CEO, the Committee reviewed pay arrangements for similarly situated CEO roles from companies in the revised compensation benchmarking peer group (as noted below), as provided by the independent consultant. After thorough discussions, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Ms. Gove effective October 24, 2022, which replaced the terms of the original offer letter, under which Ms. Gove was entitled to continue receiving a base salary of $1,400,000 and was eligible to earn an H2 STIP (as defined below) and was awarded PSUs with a target value of $2,700,000.
Additionally, with the termination of Mr. Tritton, the Board of Directors unanimously appointed Ms. Gove Interim CEO with the understanding that, effective immediately, Ms. Gove would spend the substantial portion of each week at headquarters in New Jersey and regularly commute from her home in Texas to facilitate optimal execution of a new, comprehensive strategic plan and expeditiously revamp and solidify the new leadership team. Therefore, commuting expense reimbursements for Ms. Gove were provided on a tax-neutral basis. This arrangement was further ratified as part of Ms. Gove assuming the role of permanent President and CEO.
Our Compensation Decision-Making Process
Role of the People, Culture and Compensation Committee
The Committee, which is comprised entirely of independent directors, reviews and establishes our management compensation and benefits philosophy, policies, plans and programs. In this role, the Committee is responsible for considering and determining all matters relating to the compensation of the CEO and other executive officers, including the NEOs, as well as administering and functioning as the committee authorized to make grants and awards of equity compensation to our NEOs. Pursuant to its charter, the Committee may form subcommittees and delegate its authority to any such subcommittee or to any designated officer of the Company as it deems appropriate, to the extent permitted by law or by applicable policies and rules of the Company. The Chair of the Board attends committee meetings.
Role of Management
Meetings of the Committee have been regularly attended by our Chief People & Culture Officer and other members of our People & Culture management team. Our CEO also provides input as requested and, together with our CFO, contributes to the discussion of our internal operating budget and related calculation of goals for our incentive plans.
Role of Independent Compensation Consultants
In fiscal 2022, the Committee engaged the services of an independent compensation consultant, Meridian Compensation Partners, LLC (Meridian). Meridian reports directly to the Committee and attended meetings during the year, as requested by the Committee Chair. Meridian assisted with the development of competitive market data and benchmarking, helped the Committee design and implement our revised incentive compensation programs and provided information on trends and emerging best practices. Meridian has not served the Company in any other capacity except as consultant to the Committee. Additionally, in late fiscal 2022, the Committee engaged the services of Willis Towers Watson (WTW) to advise on implementation of retention strategies to retain key employees of the business.
The Committee has concluded that no conflict of interest exists (or existed) that prevents (or prevented) either Meridian or WTW from being an independent advisor to the Committee.
Benchmarking Peer Group
In October 2021, the Committee reassessed our peer group for fiscal 2022, based on a review by Meridian, and removed five companies due to size misalignment and/or non-standard pay practices.
The peer group shown below, which was used to assess competitiveness of pay levels in early fiscal 2022, consists primarily of retailers with business characteristics similar to the Company. The Committee also considered various size parameters, including revenue and market capitalization.
Based on the parameters reviewed, the following 17 companies (our Peer Group) were identified as competitors for business, talent or both. We aim to set target total direct compensation and related elements generally at the median range for our peer group, but also consider role and specific talent markets, internal equity, and individual performance and potential.
Fiscal 2022 Peer Group
| | | | | | | | |
Advance Auto Parts, Inc. | Foot Locker, Inc. | The Gap, Inc. |
| | | | | | | | |
AutoZone, Inc. | Kohl’s Corporation | The ODP Corporation |
Bath & Body Works, Inc. | Macy’s, Inc.* | Tractor Supply Company |
Big Lots, Inc. | Nordstrom, Inc. | Ulta Beauty, Inc. |
Burlington Stores, Inc. | O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. | Williams-Sonoma, Inc. |
Dick’s Sporting Goods, Inc.. | Ross Stores, Inc. | |
* For fiscal 2023 peer group, Macy’s, Inc. was removed and Five Below, Inc. and Academy were added.
The Committee continues to annually assess the peer group to ensure it remains consistent with the Company’s size and business characteristics. The Committee reviews market data from compensation surveys to benchmark pay for executive officer positions when relevant Peer Group data are not available.
In October 2022, the Committee conducted its annual review of the peer group, at which time it approved the following changes in an effort to position BBBY more closely to the median of the group in terms of revenues:
•Removed Macy’s and added Five Below, Inc. and Academy Sports and Outdoors, Inc.
This revised Peer Group was used to assess competitiveness of compensation for roles (including Ms. Gove) that were hired or promoted in the later part of the fiscal year.
ADDITIONAL COMPENSATION INFORMATION
Employment Agreements and Severance Policy
We have entered into employment agreements with our NEOs that set forth generally the elements of compensation discussed above and provide for termination payments in qualifying termination scenarios. We believe that it is in the best interests of the Company and its shareholders to enter into these employment arrangements as they provide a level of certainty to the Company and our executives on their fixed compensation and termination entitlements. Our NEOs are also entitled to severance under the Executive Change in Control Severance Plan that, similar to those of benchmarked peers, provides for enhanced cash severance to be paid to members of the Company’s executive leadership team (other than Ms. Gove) and specific other employees as a result of certain events that would trigger a change in control of the Company, as defined therein, and based on a tier system, subject to limitations thereunder, which provide that maximum payouts shall be limited to such amounts as would not require shareholder approval. For more information, see “Potential Payments Upon Termination or Change in Control — Executive Change in Control Severance Plan.”
Impact of Accounting and Tax Considerations
The Committee considers various accounting and tax implications of cash, equity-based and other compensation.
When determining the amounts of equity-based awards to be granted, the Committee examines the accounting cost associated with the grants. Under ASC 718, grants of stock options, PSUs and other equity-based awards result in an accounting charge for the Company equal to the fair value of the awards being granted.
Section 162(m) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the “Code”), generally disallows a federal income tax deduction for compensation in excess of $1 million in any taxable year paid to certain covered executive officers. There is limited transitional relief for “qualified performance-based compensation” and certain other items of compensation that were in place before November 2, 2017. While the Committee generally considers this limit when determining executive compensation, the Committee reserves the discretion to decide that it is appropriate to exceed the limitation on deductibility so we have the flexibility to attract and retain talented executives and to ensure those executives are compensated in a manner that is consistent with the best interests of the Company and our shareholders. Interpretations of and changes in the tax laws and other factors beyond the Committee’s control also may affect the deductibility of compensation.
Policy on the Recovery of Incentive Compensation
We have a stand-alone Compensation Recoupment Policy regarding the recovery of incentive compensation applicable to current and former senior officers. The Compensation Recoupment Policy is a stand-alone policy to underscore the importance of these principles and generally provides that we will seek to recoup incentive-based cash and equity compensation paid or awarded to current and former senior officers, where (i) there has been a restatement of the Company’s financial results or there was an error in the calculation of the achievement of applicable performance goals, which should have resulted in no performance-based award or a lower payment relating to such performance or (ii) the Board determines in good faith that the executive engaged in conduct detrimental to the Company (including fraud causing financial or reputational harm, commission of a felony, or material breach of
restrictive covenants). The full policy is available in the Governance Documents section of our Investor Relations website available at www.bedbathandbeyond.com. We are reviewing the final rule issued by the Securities and Exchange Commission implementing the provisions of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act relating to recovery of certain incentive compensation and will amend our Compensation Recoupment Policy when the NASDAQ adopts final listing standards in accordance with the final rules.
Policies Prohibiting Hedging and Pledging
We do not permit executive officers to hedge the Company’s securities, and we also restrict their ability to pledge the Company’s securities. Additional detail regarding the Company’s anti-hedging and pledging policies can be found above under the heading “Anti-Hedging and Anti-Pledging Policies.”
Compensation Risk Assessment
The Committee annually conducted a risk assessment of our compensation programs, which includes an analysis of the risk associated with our executive compensation program conducted by the Committee’s independent compensation consultant. In its review, the Committee considers the balance between pay components, measures of performance, magnitude of pay, pay caps, plan time horizons and overlapping performance cycles, program design and administration and other features that are designed to mitigate risk (such as stock ownership guidelines and a Compensation Recoupment Policy). Following its review, the Committee, with confirmation by the independent compensation consultant, makes a determination as to whether our compensation practices and policies create risks that are reasonably likely to have a material adverse effect on the Company. The last such analysis was conducted in April 2021, at which time the Committee concluded that no such risks were present. The Committee will be conducting its assessment at its next meeting in April 2023 as per its annual committee calendar.
Minimum Executive Stock Ownership Guidelines at Beginning of Fiscal 2022
We encourage our executives to own our common stock so that they share the same long-term investment risk as our shareholders. Our stock ownership guidelines require all executive officers, including our NEOs, to maintain an ongoing and substantial investment in our common stock. The guidelines are based on multiples of base salary, varying by role, as follows:
| | | | | | | | | | | |
6x BASE SALARY | 3x BASE SALARY | 2x BASE SALARY |
Chief Executive Officer | Chief Financial Officer | Chief Stores Officer | Chief Legal Officer |
| Chief Operating Officer | Chief Customer Officer | Chief People and Culture Officer |
| Chief Merchandising Officer | Chief Growth Officer | |
•All covered individuals must hold 50% of the net after-tax shares they receive in connection with the Company’s compensation programs or pursuant to such individuals’ employment agreements until their ownership requirement is met;
•Once the covered individual satisfies the ownership requirement, he or she is considered in compliance as long as such covered individual’s eligible holdings do not decline below the number of shares held when he or she first met the applicable ownership guideline; and
•The price used to determine compliance with the guidelines will be the 20-day trading average at each fiscal year-end.
The Committee evaluates compliance with this policy on an annual basis. Once an executive satisfies the ownership guideline as of a measurement date, they will be considered in compliance regardless of share price fluctuations or an increase in base salary, as long as their holdings remain at or above the number of shares held at the time they first met the ownership guideline.
Reconciliation of GAAP to non-GAAP measures for Fiscal 2022
The Company reports its financial results in accordance with GAAP. The Company also reports certain non-GAAP financial measures that it believes provide management, analysts, investors and other users of the Company’s financial information with meaningful supplemental information regarding the performance of the Company’s business. These non-GAAP financial measures include, but are not limited to, adjusted earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization (“EBITDA”). The Company also uses certain non-GAAP financial measures in its short term annual incentive compensation program. These non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered superior to, but rather in addition to other financial measures prepared by the Company in accordance with GAAP. The Company’s method of determining these non-GAAP financial measures may be different from other companies’ methods and, therefore, may not be comparable to those used by other companies and the Company does not recommend the sole use of these non-GAAP measures to assess its financial and earnings performance.
NON-GAAP RECONCILIATION
RECONCILIATION OF NET (LOSS) INCOME TO EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA
(IN THOUSANDS)
(UNAUDITED)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Twelve Months Ended February 25, 2023 |
| | Excluding | |
| Reported | (Gain) loss on deconsolidation of businesses | (Gain) loss on preferred stock warrants and derivative liabilities | Restructuring and transformation expenses | Impairment Charges | Gain on extinguishment of debt | Total income tax impact | Total impact | Adjusted |
Net (loss) income...................... | $ | (3,498,801) | | $ | 98,633 | | $ | 639,444 | | $ | 407,909 | | $ | 1,287,529 | | $ | (94,343) | | $ | — | | $ | 2,339,172 | | $ | (1,159,629) | |
Depreciation and amortization... | 427,087 | | — | | — | | (156,900) | | — | | — | | — | | (156,900) | | 270,187 | |
Interest expense | 110,497 | | — | | — | | (160) | | — | | — | | — | | (160) | | 110,337 | |
(Benefit) provision for income taxes...................... | (31,069) | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | — | | (31,069) | |
EBITDA.......... | $ | (2,992,286) | | $ | 98,633 | | $ | 639,444 | | $ | 250,849 | | $ | 1,287,529 | | $ | (94,343) | | $ | — | | $ | 2,182,112 | | $ | (810,174) | |
Executive Compensation
Compensation Tables
Summary Compensation Table for Fiscal 2022, Fiscal 2021 and Fiscal 2020
The following table sets forth information concerning the compensation of the Company’s NEOs for the last three completed
fiscal years.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Name and Principal Position | Year | Salary(1) ($) | Bonus ($) | Stock Awards(2)(3) ($) | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Compensation(4) ($) | All Other Compensation(5) ($) | Total ($) |
Sue Gove(6) President and Chief Executive Officer............................ | 2022 | 899,231 | 1,018,000(14)(19) | 2,637,797 | — | 226,499 | 4,781,527 |
Mark J. Tritton(7) Former President and Chief Executive Officer............. | 2022 | 444,692 | — | 3,714,867 | — | 6,765,000 | 10,935,521 |
2021 | 1,225,385 | 0 | 8,351,225 | 0 | 199,012 | 9,775,622 |
2020 | 1,144,615 | 710,000 | 6,931,834 | 2,700,000 | 1,440,503 | 12,926,952 |
Laura Crossen(8) Principal Financial Officer and Executive Vice President, Chief Accounting Officer.. | 2022 | 601,731 | 488,125(15)(19) | 334,958 | — | 4,200 | 1,429,014 |
Gustavo Arnal(9) Former Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer............................ | 2022 | 432,212 | — | 934,742 | — | 34,577 | 1,401,530 |
2021 | 775,000 | 0 | 2,101,371 | 0 | 37,094 | 2,913,465 |
2020 | 611,058 | — | 2,740,375 | 988,125 | 310,841 | 4,650,399 |
John Hartmann Chief Operating Officer and President, buybuy BABY.. | 2022 | 550,000 | | 1,688,572 | — | 3,386,951 | 5,625,523 |
2021 | 1,000,000 | 0 | 3,796,011 | 0 | 545,649 | 5,341,660 |
2020 | 750,000 | 687,500 | 6,635,377 | 1,473,214 | 103,553 | 9,649,644 |
Joseph Hartsig(10) Executive Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer, and President, Harmon Stores Inc.................................. | 2022 | 261,154 | — | 844,291 | — | 1,271,357 | 2,376,802 |
2021 | 700,000 | 70,000 | 1,897,993 | 0 | 208,798 | 2,876,790 |
2020 | 635,385 | 260,000 | 2,556,051 | 420,000 | 61,974 | 3,933,410 |
Mara Sirhal(11) Executive Vice President and Brand President of Bed Bath & Beyond........................... | 2022 | 526,923 | 640,250(16)(19) | 512,202 | — | 15,589 | 1,694,964 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Lynda Markoe(12) Executive Vice President, Chief People and Culture Officer............................ | 2022 | 600,000 | 305,000(17)(19) | 463,156 | — | 28,756 | 1,369,912 |
Patricia Wu(13) Executive Vice President and Brand President of buybuy BABY............................. | 2022 | 496,154 | 399,500(18)(19) | 431,889 | — | 62,500 | 1,390,042 |
(1) Except as otherwise described in this Summary Compensation Table, salaries to NEOs were paid in cash in fiscal 2022, fiscal 2021, and fiscal 2020. See “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Fiscal 2022 Base Salary Values” for details about increases to salary during fiscal 2022.
(2) The value of stock awards represents their respective total fair value on the date of grant calculated in accordance with ASC 718, without regard to the estimated forfeiture related to service-based vesting conditions, and in the case of PSUs, is based on the performance conditions applicable to such PSUs being achieved at the target payout level, which was determined to be the probable outcome as of the grant date. For liability-classified awards, such as cash-settled RSUs, fair values are determined based on the closing price of our common stock on the grant date and are remeasured based on the closing price of our common stock at the end of each reporting period through the date of settlement. All assumptions made in the valuations are contained and described in Note 15 to the Company’s consolidated financial statements in the Company’s Form 10-K for fiscal 2021 and to be contained the Company’s forthcoming financial statements for fiscal 2022 once completed. Stock awards are rounded up to the nearest whole share when converted from dollars to shares. The amounts shown in the table reflect the total fair value on the date of grant and do not necessarily reflect the actual value, if any, that may be realized by the NEOs.
(3) The value of stock awards consists of (i) PSU and RSU awards granted in fiscal 2022 to Messrs. Gove, Tritton, Crossen, Arnal, Hartmann, Hartsig, Sirhal, Markoe and Wu (ii) PSU and RSU awards granted in fiscal 2021 to Messrs. Tritton, Arnal, Hartmann and Hartsig and (iii) PSU and RSU awards granted in fiscal 2021 to Messrs. Tritton, Arnal, Hartmann and Hartsig in fiscal 2020.
The fair value of the PSU awards that have not yet been certified is reported at 100% of target, which is the estimated outcome of performance conditions associated with the PSU awards on the grant date. If the Company achieves the highest level of performance for the PSU awards granted in fiscal 2022, then the fair value of such PSU awards would be $4,080,594, $6,833,124, $379,004, $1,719,363, $3,105,956, $1,552,989, $706,580, $851,931 and $6,04,842 for Gove, Tritton, Crossen, Arnal, Hartmann, Hartsig, Sirhal, Markoe and Wu, respectively. If the Company achieves the highest level of performance for the PSU awards granted in fiscal 2021, then the fair value of such PSU awards would be $10,528,298, $2,649,156, $4,785,599, and $2,392,774 for Messrs. Tritton, Arnal, Hartmann, and Hartsig respectively. If the Company achieves the highest level of performance for the PSU awards granted in fiscal 2020, then the fair value of such PSU awards would be $3,051,466, $844,608, $1,525,738 and $762,874 for Messrs. Tritton, Arnal, Hartmann and Hartsig, respectively
(4) For fiscal 2022 the People, Culture and Compensation Committee set performance objectives under the company’s short term incentive program of adjusted EBITDA and comparable sales growth under the STIP. Based on the People, Culture and Compensation Committee’s certification of performance results, no amounts were paid under the STIP for fiscal 2022.
(5) All Other Compensation for fiscal 2022 includes the following:
Inter alia, dividends or dividend equivalents on equity-based awards based on the amounts paid to all shareholders as of the record date for each dividend declared.
Ms. Gove: (i) $96,546 in commuting expenses and $93,401 in a tax gross-up with respect to such amount and (ii) $36,552 in fees earned for service as a director prior to her appointment as Interim Chief Executive Officer.
Mr. Tritton: (i) severance of $6,765,000 (for details, see “Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control”) and (ii) car allowance of $10,962. Ms. Crossen: (i) a payment for cell phone and (ii) total dividend income of $3,600.
Mr. Arnal: (i) car allowance of $15,702, (ii) $2,500 payment for financial planning benefits (iii) $16,000 payment for relocation assistance benefits and (iv) a $375 payment for cell phone benefits.
Mr. Hartmann: (i) severance of $3,375,000, (ii) car allowance of $11,601 and (iii) a $350 payment for cell phone benefits.
Mr. Hartsig: (i) severance of $1,260,000, (ii) car allowance of $7,478 (iii) $3,699 payment for financial planning benefits and (iv) a $200 payment for cell phone benefits.
Ms. Sirhal: a car allowance of $15,589.
Ms. Markoe: (i) a car allowance of $28,156 and (ii) a $600 payment for cell phone benefits.
Ms. Wu: payment for her relocation assistance benefits of $62,500.
(6) Ms. Gove commenced employment as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, effective as of June 23, 2022.
(7) Mr. Tritton’s employment with the Company terminated effective June 23, 2022.
(8) Ms. Crossen commenced employment as the Chief Financial Officer, effective as of September 5, 2022 and served until February 2, 2023.
(9) Mr. Arnal commenced employment as Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, effective as of May 4, 2020 and served until his passing on September 2, 2022.
(10) Mr. Hartsig’s employment was terminated by the Company on June 29, 2022.
(11) Ms. Sirhal was appointed Executive Vice President and Brand President of Bed Bath & Beyond on August 31, 2022.
(12) Ms. Markoe joined the Company as Executive Vice President, Chief People and Culture Officer on September 28, 2020.
(13) Ms. Wu was appointed Executive Vice President and Brand President of buybuy BABY on August 31, 2022.
(14) Amount represents retention bonus.
(15) Amount represents a one-time retention bonus of $360,000 and a one-time recognition award of $128,125.
(16) Amount represents a sign-on bonus of $220,000, a one-time retention bonus of $314,000 and a one-time recognition award of $106,250.
(17) Amount represents a one-time retention bonus.
(18) Amount represents a one-time retention bonus of $287,000 and one-time recognition award of $112,500.
(19) The terms of each one-time retention bonus provide that each NEO is required to pay the full amount if the NEO’s employment is terminated by the Company without Cause or due to the NEO’s death or Disability (each, as defined in the applicable bonus agreement) prior to June 8, 2023. The terms of each one-time recognition award provide for pay the full repayment of amount if the NEO voluntarily resigns or is terminated by the Company for any reason other than for Cause (as defined in the applicable bonus agreement) prior to one year from the date of payment, subject to proration based on days of service through the termination date.
Grants of Plan Based Awards for Fiscal 2022
Grants of Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards, Restricted Stock Awards, Restricted Stock Units and Performance Stock Units for Fiscal 2022
The following table sets forth information with respect to non-equity incentive plan awards and restricted stock (RSAs), RSUs and PSUs awarded during fiscal 2022 to each of the NEOs under the 2018 Plan and 2012 Plan.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| | | | All Other Stock Awards: |
| | Estimated Potential Payouts Under | Estimated Future Payouts Under | Number of Shares of Stock | Grant Date Fair Value |
| | Non-Equity Incentive Plan Awards | Equity Incentive Plan Awards | or | of Stock |
Name | Grant Date | Threshold ($) | Target ($) | Maximum ($) | Threshold(1) (#) | Target(1) (#) | Maximum(1) (#) | Units (#) | Awards(2) ($) |
Sue Gove............ | 10/24/2022(5) | — | 1,470,000 | 2,940,000 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 12/22/2022(6) | — | — | — | 197,369 | 394,737 | 789,474 | — | 1,211,349 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 12/12/2022(7) | — | — | — | 98,684 | 394,737 | 789,474 | — | 828,948 |
| 7/14/2022(8) | — | — | — | — | — | — | 9,592 | 46,953 |
| 6/29/2022(9) | — | — | — | — | — | — | 355,192 | 550,548 |
Mark J. Tritton......... | 3/25/2022(3) | 538,125 | 2,152,500 | 4,305,000 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 5/10/2022(11) | — | — | — | 72,171 | 144,342 | 288,684 | — | 1,521,365 |
| 5/10/2022(12) | — | — | — | 36,085 | 144,341 | 288,682 | — | 1,895,197 |
| 5/10/2022(10) | — | — | — | — | — | — | 192,455 | 298,305 |
Laura Crossen........ | 3/25/2022(4) | 25,625 | 102,500 | 205,000 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 8/24/2022(5) | — | 244,388 | 488,775 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 5/10/2022(11) | — | — | — | 4,003 | 8,006 | 16,012 | — | 84,382 |
| 5/10/2022(12) | — | — | — | 2,002 | 8,006 | 16,012 | — | 105,119 |
| 5/10/2022(10) | — | — | — | — | — | — | 16,012 | 24,819 |
| 7/11/2022(13) | — | — | — | — | — | — | 24,470 | 120,637 |
Gustavo Arnal........... | 3/25/2022(3) | 164,688 | 658,750 | 1,317,500 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 8/24/2022(5) | — | 461,125 | 922,250 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 5/10/2022(11) | — | — | — | 18,160 | 36,320 | 72,640 | — | 382,813 |
| 5/10/2022(12) | — | — | — | 9,080 | 36,319 | 72,638 | — | 476,868 |
| 5/10/2022(10) | — | — | — | — | — | — | 48,426 | 75,060 |
John Hartmann..... | 3/25/2022(3) | 312,500 | 1,250,000 | 2,500,000 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 5/10/2022(11) | — | — | — | 32,805 | 65,609 | 131,218 | — | 691,519 |
| 5/10/2022(12) | — | — | — | 16,403 | 65,610 | 131,220 | — | 861,459 |
| 5/10/2022(10) | — | — | — | — | — | — | 87,480 | 135,594 |
Joseph Hartsig......... | 3/25/2022(3) | 140,000 | 560,000 | 1,120,000 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 5/10/2022(11) | — | — | — | 16,403 | 32,805 | 65,610 | — | 345,765 |
| 5/10/2022(12) | — | — | — | 8,201 | 32,805 | 65,610 | — | 430,730 |
| 5/10/2022(10) | — | — | — | — | — | — | 43,740 | 67,797 |
Mara Sirhal........... | 3/25/2022(4) | 21,250 | 85,000 | 170,000 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 8/24/2022(5) | — | 220,500 | 441,000 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 5/10/2022(11) | — | — | — | 3,320 | 6,640 | 13,280 | — | 69,986 |
| 5/10/2022(12) | — | — | — | 1,660 | 6,639 | 13,278 | — | 87,170 |
| 7/11/2022(6) | — | — | — | 10,522 | 21,044 | 42,088 | — | 103,747 |
| 7/11/2022(7) | — | — | — | 5,261 | 21,045 | 42,090 | — | 92,388 |
| 5/10/2022(10) | — | — | — | — | — | — | 13,278 | 20,581 |
| 7/11/2022(13) | — | — | — | — | — | — | 28,059 | 138,331 |
Lynda Markoe........ | 3/25/2022(3) | 90,000 | 360,000 | 720,000 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 8/24/2022(5) | — | 205,800 | 411,600 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 5/10/2022(11) | — | — | — | 8,998 | 17,996 | 35,992 | — | 189,678 |
| 5/10/2022(12) | — | — | — | 4,499 | 17,996 | 35,992 | — | 236,287 |
| 5/10/2022(10) | — | — | — | — | — | — | 23,994 | 37,191 |
Patricia Wu............... | 3/25/2022(4) | 22,500 | 90,000 | 180,000 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 8/24/2022(5) | — | 202,125 | 404,250 | — | — | — | — | — |
| 5/10/2022(11) | — | — | — | 3,515 | 7,030 | 14,060 | — | 74,096 |
| 5/10/2022(12) | — | — | — | 1,758 | 7,030 | 14,060 | — | 92,304 |
| 12/12/2022(6) | — | — | — | 13,158 | 26,316 | 52,632 | — | 80,757 |
| 12/12/2022(7) | — | — | — | 6,579 | 26,316 | 52,632 | — | 55,264 |
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| 5/10/2022(10) | — | — | — | — | — | — | 14,059 | 21,791 |
| 12/12/2022(13) | — | — | — | — | — | — | 35,088 | 107,676 |
(1) Number of shares when converted from dollars to shares, which number is rounded up to the nearest whole share. Amounts represent the threshold, target and maximum amounts for equity incentive plan awards with performance conditions for each NEO.
(2) Pursuant to the SEC rules, RSA, PSU and RSU awards are valued in accordance with ASC 718. See footnote (2) to the Summary Compensation Table in this Proxy Statement. The fair value of PSU awards is reported at 100% of target, which is the estimated outcome of performance conditions associated with the PSU awards on the grant date.
(3) Represents the target and maximum amount of the H2 STIP opportunity granted to Messrs. Gove, Crossen, Sirhal, Markoe, and Wu in August 2022 in connection with the shift to the half year program. Linear interpolation applies for performance above the target level of achievement, and no payout is earned if performance is below the target level of achievement. Under the H2 STIP, achievement at target performance would entitle participants thereunder to 70% of the overall target payout that would have been payable under the Annual STIP. Therefore, the amounts reported represent the target and maximum weighted at 70% of the overall target payout that would have been available under the Annual STIP. For Messrs. Crossen, Markoe, Sirhal and Wu, the amounts reported also reflect increases to base salary and/or target as a percentage of base salary between the grant of the Annual STIP in March 2022 and the grant of the H2 STIP in August 2022 in connection with mid-year promotions and/or change in responsibilities. See footnote (4) to the Summary Compensation Table in this Proxy Statement and “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Short-Term Incentive Compensation.”
(4) Represents the threshold, target and maximum amount of the Annual STIP opportunity granted to Mr. Tritton, Mr. Hartsig, Mr. Anal and Mr. Hartmann in March 2022. In August 2022, the Annual STIP structure was changed from an annual program to a half-year program, so that the Annual STIP applied to performance during only the first half of fiscal 2022. Following the shift to the H2 STIP, participants would no longer be entitled to payments under the Annual STIP. See footnote (4) to the Summary Compensation Table in this Proxy Statement and “Compensation Discussion and Analysis — Short-Term Incentive Compensation.”
(5) Represents the threshold, target and maximum amount of the STIP opportunity for the first half of fiscal 2022 for Ms. Crossen, Ms. Sirhal and Ms. Wu. The level of these NEOs’ positions at the beginning of fiscal 2022 (prior to their mid-year promotions) made them eligible to participate in the STIP available to the broader leadership population outside of the leadership team (the “Non-LT STIP”). The Non-LT STIP for the first half of fiscal 2022 used the same performance measures as the Annual STIP (Comparable Sales Growth and Adjusted EBITDA), but performance was based on only the first half of the year and was weighted at 40% of of the overall target payout available under the Non-LT STIP for fiscal 2022. The goals for the Non-LT STIP for the second half of fiscal 2022, which represented 60% of the overall target payout available, were not finalized or communicated until September 2022, by which time Ms. Crossen, Ms. Sirhal and Ms. Wu were eligible to participate in the H2 STIP instead of the Non-LT STIP for the second half of fiscal 2022 due to their mid-year promotions, so the Non-LT STIP opportunities for the second half of fiscal 2022 are not reported in this table.
(6) Represents an award of PSUs granted to the NEOs on July 11, 2022, and December 12, 2022 under the Company’s 2018 Plan. Vesting of these PSUs granted to the NEOs depends on (i) the achievement of the Company’s Gross Margin Percentage, and, if the Gross Margin Percentage is achieved, (ii) the NEO’s continuous employment by the Company from the grant date until the third anniversary of the grant date. The awards are capped at 200% of target achievement, with a floor of zero. PSUs are converted into shares of common stock upon payment following vesting.
(7) Represents an award of PSUs granted to the NEOs on July 11, 2022, and December 12, 2022 under the Company’s 2018 Plan. Vesting of these PSUs granted to the NEOs depends on (i) the Company’s achievement of a three-year performance goal based on the Company’s Total Shareholder Return compared with the Company’s peer group as determined by the People, Culture and Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, and, if the Total Shareholder Return goal is achieved, (ii) the NEOs’ continuous employment by the Company from the grant date until the third anniversary of the grant date. The awards are capped at 200% of target achievement, with a floor of zero. PSUs are converted into shares of common stock upon payment following vesting.
(8) Represents an award of RSAs granted to Ms. Gove on July 14, 2022, under the Company’s 2018 Plan, in respect of Ms. Gove’s service as a director prior to her appointment as Interim Chief Executive Officer. The RSAs will vest one year from the date of grant.
(9) Represents an award of RSUs granted to Ms. Gove on June 29, 2022 that will vest one year from the date of grant, provided that the NEO remains continuously employed by the Company from the grant date until the vesting date. The RSUs granted will be settled in cash, rather than in equity.
(10) Represents an award of RSUs granted to the NEOs on May 10, 2022 under the Company’s 2012 Plan with respect to Mr. Arnal and the 2018 Plan for each other NEO. The RSUs granted will be settled in cash, rather than in equity. The RSUs will vest in three equal annual installments beginning one year from the date of grant, provided that the NEO remains continuously employed by the Company from the grant date until the vesting date.
(11) Represents an award of PSUs granted to the NEOs on May 10, 2022, under the Company’s 2012 Plan. Vesting of these PSUs granted to the NEOs depends on (i) the achievement of the Company’s Gross Margin Percentage, and, if the Gross Margin Percentage is achieved, (ii) the NEO’s continuous employment by the Company from the grant date until the third anniversary of the grant date. The awards are capped at 200% of target achievement, with a floor of zero. PSUs are converted into shares of common stock upon payment following vesting.
(12) Represents an award of PSUs granted to the NEOs on May 10, 2022, under the Company’s 2012 Plan. Vesting of these PSUs granted to the NEOs depends on (i) the Company’s achievement of a three-year performance goal based on the Company’s Total Shareholder Return compared with the Company’s peer group as determined by the People, Culture and Compensation Committee of the Company’s Board of Directors, and, if the Total Shareholder Return goal is achieved, (ii) the NEOs’ continuous employment by the Company from the grant date until the third anniversary of the grant date. The awards are capped at 200% of target achievement, with a floor of zero. PSUs are converted into shares of common stock upon payment following vesting.
(13) Represents an award of RSUs granted to the NEOs on July 11, 2022, and December 12, 2022, under the Company’s 2018 Plan. The RSUs will vest in three equal annual installments beginning one year from the date of grant, provided that the NEO remains continuously employed by the Company from the grant date until the vesting date.
During fiscal 2022, the Company was party to the following employment agreements with our NEOs, which each set forth the NEO’s base salary, annual bonus, participation in the Company’s long-term incentive program, participation in the Company’s benefit plans, and certain fringe benefits (each, as described in Compensation Discussion & Analysis — Executive Compensation Elements in Fiscal 2022), as well as benefits upon certain terminations of employment and restrictive covenants (as described below in Potential Payments upon Termination and Change in Control):
Ms. Gove: In connection with Ms. Gove’s appointment as Interim Chief Executive Officer on June 29, 2022, the Company entered into an offer letter with Ms. Gove (the “Gove Offer Letter”). On November 11. 2022, in connection with her appointment as permanent President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Ms. Gove effective October 24, 2022 (which wholly superseded the Gove Offer Letter).
Mr. Tritton: In connection with his appointment as President and Chief Executive Officer, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Tritton on October 6, 2019.
Ms. Crossen: Prior to Ms. Crossen’s appointment as Interim Chief Financial Officer on September 5, 2022, Ms. Crossen’s employment as Chief Accounting Officer was governed by her Offer Letter, dated July 12, 2022 (the “Crossen Offer Letter”). In connection with her appointment as Interim Chief Financial Officer, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Ms. Crossen on September 5, 2022 for the term of her employment as the Interim Chief Financial Officer (which ended on February 2, 2023). Following Ms. Crossen’s term as the Interim Chief Financial Officer, her employment has continued to be governed by the Crossen Offer Letter.
Mr. Arnal: In connection with his appointment as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Arnal on April 24, 2020.
Mr. Hartmann: In connection with his appointment as Chief Operating Officer of the Company and President, buybuy BABY, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Hartmann on April 1, 2020.
Mr. Hartsig: In connection with his appointment as Executive Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer of the Company and President, Harmon Stores Inc., the Company entered into an employment agreement with Mr. Hartsig on February 26, 2020.
Ms. Sirhal: Prior to June 29, 2022 Ms. Sirhal’s employment as Executive Vice President, Brand President, Bed Bath & Beyond was governed by the Company’s Offer Letter with Ms. Sirhal, dated December 14, 2020 (the “Sirhal Offer Letter”). The Board appointed Mara Sirhal as the Executive Vice President, Chief Merchandising Officer and General Manager, Harmon on June 29, 2022, and in connection therewith, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Ms. Sirhal (the “Sirhal Employment Agreement”) effective June 28, 2022, as amended August 31, 2022, (which wholly superseded the Sirhal Offer Letter).
Ms. Markoe: In connection with her appointment as Chief People and Culture Officer on July 14, 2020, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Ms. Markoe (the “Markoe Employment Agreement”) on the same date.
Ms. Wu: In connection with her appointment as Executive Vice President, Brand President, buybuyBaby on August 31, 2022, the Company entered into an employment agreement with Ms. Wu on the same date.
Outstanding Equity Awards at Fiscal 2022 Year-End
The following table sets forth information for each of the NEOs with respect to the value of all unvested RSUs, unvested RSAs and unvested PSUs as of February 25, 2023, the last day of fiscal 2022.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Name | Number of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested (#) | Market Value of Shares or Units of Stock That Have Not Vested ($)(1) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Number of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested (#) | Equity Incentive Plan Awards: Market or Payout Value of Unearned Shares, Units or Other Rights That Have Not Vested(1) ($) |
Sue Gove......................... | 364,784(2) | $ 558,120 | 789,474(3) | $ 1,207,895 |
Mark J. Tritton................. | 383,203(4) | $ 586,301 | 252,573(5) | $ 386,437 |
Laura Crossen................. | 53,488(6) | $ 81,837 | 26,059(7) | $ 39,870 |
Gustavo Arnal................. | — | — | — | — |
John Hartmann................ | 190,415(8) | $ 291,335 | 121,760(9) | $ 186,293 |
Joseph Hartsig................. | 84,385(9) | $ 129,109 | 52,007(10) | $ 79,571 |
Mara Sirhal...................... | 49,763(11) | $ 76,137 | 62,230(12) | $ 95,212 |
Lynda Markoe................. | 69,319(13) | $ 106,058 | 71,414(14) | $ 109,263 |
Patricia Wu...................... | 58,977(15) | $ 90,235 | 75,514(16) | $ 115,536 |
(1) Market value is based on the closing price of the Company’s common stock of $1.53 per share on February 24, 2023. See footnote (4) to the Grants of Plan Based Awards table in this Proxy Statement. PSU awards are valued at target achievement.
(2) The amounts reflected for Ms. Gove include (i) 355,192 RSUs that will be settled in cash and vest on June 23, 2023 and (ii) 9,592 RSAs that will vest on July 14, 2023, in each case, subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions of the award agreement governing the grant;
(3) The amounts reflected for Ms. Gove include 789,474 PSUs that will vest on May 10, 2025 subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions of the award agreement governing the grant.
(4) The amounts reflected for Mr. Tritton include (i) 16,037 RSUs that will be settled in cash and vest as follows: (a) 5,345 RSUs vested on May 10, 2023, (b) 5,345 RSUs that will vest on May 10, 2024 and (c) 5,347 RSUs that will vest on May 10, 2025; and (ii) 367,166 RSUs that will vest as follows: (a) 5,031 RSUs vested on May 10, 2023, (b) 357,103 RSUs that will vest on June 8, 2023 and (c) 5,032 RSUs that will vest on May 10, 2024, in the case of (b) and (c) for (i) and (ii), subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions of the separation agreement governing the grant;
(5) The amounts reflected for Mr. Tritton include and 252,573 PSUs that will vest as follows: (a) 153,044 PSUs that will vest on June 8, 2023, (b) 75,472 PSUs that will vest on May 10, 2024, and (c) 24,057 PSUs that will vest on May 10, 2024, in the case of (b) and (c), subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions of the separation agreement governing the grant.
(6) The amounts reflected for Ms. Crossen include (i) 3,514 RSAs that will vest as follows: (a) 899 RSAs will vest on June 10, 2023, (b) 214 RSAs will vest on June 11, 2023, (c) 468 RSAs will vest on June 12, 2023, (d) 345 RSAs will vest on June 10, 2024, (e) 215 RSAs will vest on June 11, 2024, (f) 469 RSAs will vest on June 12, 2024, (g) 344 RSAs will vest on June 10, 2025, (h) 215 RSAs will vest on June 12, 2024, (i) 345 RSAs will vest on June 10, 2026, in each case, subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions of the award agreement governing the grant; and (ii) 16,012 RSUs that will be settled in cash and vest as follows: (a) 5,337 RSUs will vest on May 10, 2023, (b) 5,338 RSUs that will vest on May 10, 2024 and (c) 5,337 RSUs that will vest on May 10, 2025, in each case, subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions of the award agreement governing the grant; (iii) 33,962 RSUs that will vest as follows: (a) 3,349 RSUs will vest on May 10, 2023, (b) 8,156 RSUs that will vest on July 11, 2023, (c) 2,794 RSUs that will vest on October 14, 2023, (d) 3,349 RSUs that will vest on May 10, 2024, (e) 8,157 RSUs that will vest on July 11, 2024, (f) 8,157 RSUs that will
vest on July 11, 2025, in each case, subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions of the award agreement governing the grant;
(7) The amounts reflected for Ms. Crossen include: 26,059 PSUs that will vest as follows: (i) 10,047 PSUs that will vest on May 10, 2024, and (ii) 16,012 PSUs that will vest on May 10, 2025, in each case, subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions of the separation agreement governing the grant.
(8) The amounts reflected for Mr. Hartmann include (i) 7,920 RSUs that will be settled in cash and vest as follows: (a) 2,430 RSUs will vest on May 10, 2023, (b) 2,430 RSUs that will vest on May 10, 2024 and (c) 2,430 RSUs that will vest on May 10, 2025, in each case, subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions of the separation agreement governing the grant; (ii) 183,125 RSUs that will vest as follows: (a) 2,287 RSUs will vest on May 10, 2023, (b) 178,551 RSUs that will vest on June 8, 2023 and (c) 2,287 RSUs that will vest on May 10, 2024, in each case, subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions of the separation agreement governing the grant;
(9) The amounts reflected for Mr. Hartmann include 121,760 PSUs that will vest as follows: (a) 76,522 PSUs that will vest on June 8, 2023, (b) 34,304 PSUs that will vest on May 10, 2024, and (c) 10,934 PSUs that will vest on May 10, 2025, in each case, subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions of the separation agreement governing the grant.
(10) The amounts reflected for Mr. Hartsig include (i) 1,215 RSUs that will be settled in cash and vest as follows: (a) 405 RSUs will vest on May 10, 2023, (b) 405 RSUs that will vest on May 10, 2024 and (c) 405 RSUs that will vest on May 10, 2025, in each case, subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions of the separation agreement governing the grant; (ii) 83,170 RSUs that will vest as follows: (a) 381 RSUs will vest on May 10, 2023, (b) 82,408 RSUs that will vest on June 8, 2023 and (c) 381 RSUs that will vest on May 10, 2024, in each case subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions of the separation agreement governing the grant;
(11 The amounts reflected for Mr. Hartsig include 52,007 PSUs that will vest as follows: (a) 35,318 PSUs that will vest on June 8, 2023, (b) 14,866 PSUs that will vest on May 10, 2024 and (c) 1,823 PSUs that will vest on May 10, 2025, in each case, subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions of the separation agreement governing the grant.
(12) The amounts reflected for Ms. Sirhal include (i) 13,278 RSUs that will be settled in cash and vest as follows: (a) 4,426 RSUs will vest on May 10, 2023, (b) 4,426 RSUs that will vest on May 10, 2024 and (c) 4,426 RSUs that will vest on May 10, 2025, in each case, subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions of the award agreement governing the grant; (ii) 36,485 RSUs that will vest as follows: (a) 2,287 RSUs will vest on May 10, 2023, (b) 9,352 RSUs that will vest on June 11, 2023, (c) 956 RSUs that will vest on September 16, 2023, (d) 1,940 RSUs that will vest on February 10, 2024, (e) 2,287 RSUs that will vest on May 10, 2024, (f) 9,353 RSUs that will vest on July 11, 2024, (g) 956 RSUs that will vest on September 16, 2024 and (h) 9,354 RSUs that will vest on July 11, 2025, in each case, subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions of the award agreement governing the grant.
(13) The amounts reflected for Ms. Sirhal include 62,230 PSUs that will vest as follows: (a) 6,862 PSUs that will vest on May 10, 2024, (b) 13,279 PSUs that will vest on May 10, 2025, and (c) 42,089 PSUs that will vest on July 11, 2025, in each case, subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions of the award agreement governing the grant.
(14) The amounts reflected for Ms. Markoe include (i) 23,994 RSUs that will be settled in cash and vest as follows: (a) 7,998 RSUs will vest on May 10, 2023, (b) 7,998 RSUs that will vest on May 10, 2024 and (c) 7,998 RSUs that will vest on May 10, 2025, in each case, subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions of the award agreement governing the grant; (ii) 45,325 RSUs that will vest as follows: (a) 4,391 RSUs will vest on May 10, 2023, (b) 36,543 RSUs that will vest on September 28, 2023, and (c) 4,391 RSUs that will vest on May 10, 2024, in each case, subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions of the award and agreement governing the grant.
(15) The amounts reflected for Ms. Markoe 71,414 PSUs that will vest as follows: (a) 15,662 PSUs that will vest on September 28, 2023, (b) 19,760 PSUs that will vest on May 10, 2024, and (c) 35,992 PSUs that will vest on May 10, 2025, in each case, subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions of the award agreement governing the grant .
(16) The amounts reflected for Ms. Wu include (i) 14,059 RSUs that will be settled in cash and vest as follows: (a) 4,686 RSUs will vest on May 10, 2023, (b) 4,687 RSUs that will vest on May 10, 2024 and (c) 4,686 RSUs that will vest on May 10, 2025, in each case, subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions of the award agreement governing the grant; (ii) 44,918 RSUs that will vest as follows: (a) 2,940 RSUs will vest on May 10, 2023, (b) 11,695 RSUs that will vest on December 12, 2023, (c) 3,949 RSUs that will vest on February 10, 2024, (d) 2,941 RSUs that will vest on May 10, 2024, (e) 11,696 RSUs that will vest on December 12, 2024 and (f) 11,697 RSUs that will vest on December 12, 2025, in each case, subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions of the award and agreement governing the grant.
(17) The amounts reflected for Ms. Wu 75,514 PSUs that will vest as follows: (a) 8,822 PSUs that will vest on May 10, 2024, (b) 14,060 PSUs that will vest on May 10, 2025, and (c) 52,632 PSUs that will vest on December 12, 2025, in each case, subject to the terms, conditions and restrictions of the separation agreement governing the grant.
Option Exercises and Stock Vested for Fiscal 2022
Stock Awards Vested for Fiscal 2022
The following table includes certain information with respect to the vesting of stock awards by NEOs during fiscal 2022.
| | | | | | | | |
| Stock Awards |
Name | Number of Shares Acquired on Vesting (#) | Value Realized on Vesting ($) |
Sue Gove............................................................................................... | — | $ — |
Mark J. Tritton(1)................................................................................. | 40,252 | $ 424,256 |
Laura Crossen(2).................................................................................. | 8,072 | $ 63,466 |
Gustavo Arnal(3).................................................................................. | 488,478 | $ 4,411,671 |
John Hartmann(4)................................................................................ | 359,623 | $ 3,328,782 |
Joseph Hartsig(5).................................................................................. | 64,785 | $ 739,231 |
Mara Sirhal(6)....................................................................................... | 5,184 | $ 36,846 |
Lynda Markoe(7)................................................................................. | 12,211 | $ 95,664 |
Patricia Wu(8)....................................................................................... | 6,890 | $ 40,614 |
(1) Mr. Tritton acquired 40,252 shares in total on May 10, 2022, upon the vesting of previously granted RSUs.
(2) Ms. Crossen acquired 8,072 shares in total on May 10, 2022, June 10, 2022, June 11, 2022, June 12, 2022, and October 14, 2022, upon the vesting of previously granted RSUs and RSAs.
(3) Mr. Arnal acquired 488,478 shares in total on May 4, 2022, May 10, 2022, and September 2, 2022, upon the vesting of previously granted PSUs and RSUs. Pursuant terms of the applicable award agreements, unvested PSUs immediately vested at target upon Mr. Arnal’s passing.
(4) Mr. Hartmann acquired 359,623 shares in total on May 10, 2022, May 18, 2022, and August 31, 2022, upon the vesting of previously granted RSUs.
(5) Mr. Hartsig acquired 64,785 shares in total on March 4, 2022, May 10, 2022, and June 28, 2022, upon the vesting of previously granted RSUs.
(6) Ms. Sirhal acquired 5,184 shares in total on May 10, 2022, September 16, 2022, and February 10, 2023, upon the vesting of previously granted RSUs.
(7) Ms. Markoe acquired 12,211 shares in total on May 10, 2022, and September 28, 2022, upon the vesting of previously granted RSUs.
(8) Ms. Wu acquired 6,890 shares in total on May 10, 2022, and February 10, 2023, upon the vesting of previously granted RSUs.
Potential Payments upon Termination or Change in Control
NEO Terminations of Employment during Fiscal 2022
During fiscal 2022, three of our NEOs terminated employment with the Company. Each NEO’s separation benefits, pursuant to the terms of each NEO’s employment agreement, are described below.
Separation Agreement with Mr. Tritton
Pursuant to the terms set forth in Mr. Tritton’s employment agreement, in connection with Mr. Tritton’s termination of employment with the Company on June 23, 2022, the Company entered into a Separation and Release Agreement with Mr. Tritton on June 27, 2022 (the “Tritton Separation Agreement”), pursuant to which, subject to a timely release of claims and
continued compliance with the restricted covenants set forth in his employment agreement dated October 6, 2019 (the “Tritton Employment Agreement”), Mr. Triton is entitled to receive (i) cash payments equal to an aggregate of $6,765,000, payable generally in ratable installments over a 24 month period following the separation date, (ii) COBRA benefits at active employee rates for 24 months following the separation date or, if earlier, the date on which Mr. Tritton receives comparable coverage from a subsequent employer or Mr. Tritton is no longer eligible to receive COBRA coverage, and (iii) a lump sum cash payment of $202,192. Mr. Tritton’s outstanding RSUs and PSUs remain subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable award agreements (see below). Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Tritton is subject to non-competition and non-solicitation restrictions for two years following the separation date, as well as perpetual non-disparagement and confidentiality provisions.
Separation Agreement with Mr. Hartmann
Pursuant to the terms set forth in Mr. Hartmann’s employment agreement, in connection with Mr. Hartmann’s termination of employment with the Company on August 31, 2022, the Company entered into a Separation and Release Agreement with Mr. Hartmann, pursuant to which, subject to a timely release of claims and continued compliance with the restricted covenants set forth in his employment agreement dated April 1, 2020 (the “Hartmann Employment Agreement”), Mr. Hartmann is entitled to receive (i) cash payments equal to an aggregate of $3,275,000, payable generally in ratable installments over an 18 month period following the separation date; the Company will pay Mr. Hartmann (or his estate) any Accrued Obligations; (ii) immediate vesting in full of the unvested portion (170,664 shares) of the Hartmann Make-Whole RSU Award; (iii) up to 78 weeks of COBRA benefits at active employee rates; and (iv) six months of outplacement services. Mr. Hartmann’s outstanding RSUs and PSUs (other than the Hartmann Make-Whole RSU Award) remain subject to the terms and conditions of the applicable award agreements (see below). Pursuant to his employment agreement, Mr. Hartmann is subject to non-competition and non-solicitation restrictions for 18 months following the separation date, as well as perpetual non-disparagement and confidentiality provisions.
Mr. Arnal’s Separation Benefit
Pursuant to the terms set forth in his employment agreement and in accordance with the applicable equity award agreements, in connection with Mr. Arnal’s passing on September 2, 2022, Mr. Arnal’s estate, subject to Mr. Arnal’s estate or legal representative’s timely execution of a release of claims, all unvested RSUs and PSUs held by Mr. Arnal at the time of his passing were immediately vested (with PSUs vesting at target).
Executive Change in Control Severance Plan
Each actively employed NEO is entitled to participate in the Executive Change in Control Severance Plan (the Change in Control Plan). Pursuant to the Change in Control Plan, upon the occurrence of a termination of an NEO by the Company without Cause or by the NEO for Good Reason at any time three (3) months prior to a Change in Control or two (2) years following a Change in Control, such NEO would be entitled to the following:
•a cash severance payment equal to 1.5 times (or in the case of the Chief Executive Officer, 2.0 times) the sum of annual base salary and target bonus, both as in effect immediately prior to the Change in Control;
•a prorated portion of the NEO’s annual bonus for the period in which the termination date occurs, at target level of performance and paid at such time as other executives receive their bonuses; continuation of an NEO’s (and eligible dependents’) health benefit coverage for up to 18 months (or in the case of the Chief Executive Officer, 24 months) at active employee rates; and 12 months of outplacement services (at the sole discretion of the Committee).
The Change in Control Plan adopts the definitions of “Cause” and “Good Reason” set forth in each NEO’s employment agreement (as described below).
Pursuant to the Change in Control Plan, in the sole discretion of the Committee, such payments are subject to reduction to the extent necessary to comply with the Company’s applicable policies as in effect from time to time, such that no shareholder ratification of such payments and benefits shall be required. As of May 4, 2017, the Company’s applicable policy limits certain severance benefits to no more than 2.99 times the sum of the executive’s base salary plus non-equity incentive plan payment or other annual non-equity bonus or award, without seeking shareholder ratification of the agreement
Employment Agreements
The Company has entered into employment agreements with each of Messrs. Gove, Crossen, Sirhal, Markoe and Wu (collectively, the “NEO Employment Agreements”) which contain severance benefits and post-employment restrictive covenants, as described below. For Ms. Crossen, the description below sets forth the terms of the agreement governing her role as Interim CFO from September 5, 2022 until February 2, 2023.
Pursuant to each NEO Employment Agreement, if the Company does not renew the NEO’s employment term or terminates the NEO’s employment without “Cause” (other than due to death or disability) or in the event the NEO terminates with “Good
Reason,” in each case, not in subject to timely execution of a release of claims and continued compliance with the restrictive covenant obligations set forth in the respective employment agreement, the NEO is entitled to: (i) a cash payment equal to one-times (or for Ms. Gove, two-times) the sum of base salary and target annual bonus for the performance year in which the termination date occurs, payable over the 12 months (or for Ms. Gove, 24 months) following the separation date, (ii) any earned but unpaid annual bonus for the performance year prior to the year of termination, to be paid when the bonus would otherwise be paid, (iii) up to one year (or for Ms. Gove, two years) of COBRA benefits at active employee rates.
Each NEO Employment Agreement defines “Cause” as the NEO’s: (i) indictment for or plea of nolo contendere to a felony or commission of an act involving moral turpitude; (ii) commission of fraud, theft, embezzlement, self-dealing, misappropriation or other malfeasance against the business of the Company Group; (iii) indictment for or plea of nolo contendere to any serious offense that results in or would reasonably be expected to result in material financial harm, materially negative publicity or other material harm to any member of the Company Group; (iv) failure to perform any material aspect of her lawful duties or responsibilities for the Company or the Company Group (other than by reason of disability), and if curable, failure to cure in 30 days; (v) failure to comply with any lawful written policy of the Company or reasonable directive of the Board (and for all NEOs other than Ms. Gove, the CEO), and in either case, if curable, failure to cure in a timely manner; (vi) commission of acts or omissions constituting gross negligence or gross misconduct in the performance of any aspect of her lawful duties or responsibilities; (vii) breach of any fiduciary duty owed to the Company Group; (viii) violation or breach of any restrictive covenant or any material term of the applicable NEO Employment Agreement, and, if curable, failure to cure in a timely manner; or (ix) commission of any act or omission that damages or is reasonably likely to damage the financial condition or business of the Company or materially damages or is reasonably likely to materially damage the reputation, public image, goodwill, assets or prospects of the Company.
“Good Reason” is defined in each agreement as any of the following occurring without the NEO’s written consent that the Company fails to cure within 30 days of receipt of notice: (i) a material reduction of base salary, other than a reduction of less than ten percent in connection with a comparable decrease applicable to all senior executives of the Company; (ii) a requirement by the Company that the NEO relocate her primary place of employment more than 35 miles, (iii) for Messrs. Gove, Shirhal, Markoe and Wu only, a material diminution in duties, authority or responsibilities of employment, or (iv) for Ms. Gove only, a change in Ms. Gove’s reporting line (such that she no longer reports directly to the Board) or title (other than the removal of Ms. Gove’s title as President and the subsequent appointment of a President who would report to Ms. Gove).
The NEO Employment Agreements also provide for non-competition and non-solicitation restrictions during the term of employment and for 12 months (or for Ms. Gove, 24 months) thereafter, as well as perpetual non-disparagement and confidentiality provisions.
PSU and RSU Award Agreements
The award agreements applicable to the PSUs and RSUs held by our NEOs provide for accelerated vesting upon certain termination events, including enhanced benefits in connection with a change in control (as defined in the 2012 Plan or 2018 Plan, as applicable).
Generally, upon (i) termination due to death, unvested RSUs and PSUs will immediately vest in full (with PSUs vesting at target); (ii) termination due to disability (as defined in an applicable employment agreement or, if not there defined, the 2012 Plan), unvested RSUs will immediately vest in full and unvested PSUs will remain outstanding and eligible to vest in full based on actual performance on the original vesting date and (iii) termination by the Company without Cause, by the NEO for Good Reason (each, as defined in NEO’s employment agreement), in each case, subject to the NEO’s timely execution of a release of claims, a pro-rated portion of the unvested RSUs and PSUs (based on days employed during the vesting period) will remain eligible to vest on the original vesting date (with PSUs vesting based on actual performance); provided that, if such termination occurs within 90 days prior to or two years following a change in control, the RSUs will immediately vest in full (with PSUs vesting based on actual performance during the portion of the performance period ending on the date of such termination).
In connection with her appointment as Interim Chief Executive Officer, on June 29, 2022 the Board granted Ms. Gove a one-time award of 355,192 cash-settled RSUs under the 2018 Plan (the “Gove 2022 Special RSUs) that will vest on the first anniversary of the grant date, subject to Ms. Gove’s continued employment through the vesting date. Pursuant to the award agreement, upon a termination by the Company without Cause (as defined below), by Ms. Gove with Good Reason (as defined in the Gove Employment Agreement), due to Ms. Gove’s death or Disability (as defined under Section 409A of the Internal Revenue Code, as amended), or in the event Ms. Gove’s employment as Interim Chief Executive Officer is terminated following the hiring by the Company of a replacement Chief Executive Officer, in each case, subject to Ms. Gove’s timely executive of a release of claims and her continued compliance with the restrictive covenants set forth in the Gove Employment Agreement, the Gove 2022 Special RSUs will immediately vest in full; provided, that if such termination of employment occurs within 6 months of grant date, 80% of the Gove 2022 Special RSUs will immediately vest in full and 20% will be forfeited without consideration; provided, further, that in no case will the value of the RSUs that accelerate in the accordance with the foregoing be less than $2,080,000. For purposes of the Gove 2022 Special RSUs, “Cause” means any instance in which Ms. Gove has (i) acted in bad faith or with
dishonesty; (ii) willfully failed to follow the directions of the Board; (iii) performed duties with gross negligence; or (iv) is convicted of felony.
The table below lists the estimated amount of compensation payable to each of our NEOs who was employed as of the last day of fiscal 2022 in each termination situation using an assumed termination date and an assumed change in control date of February 26, 2023, the last day of fiscal 2022 and a price per share of common stock of $1.55, the closing per share price as of February 25, 2023, the last trading day of fiscal 2022. | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |
| Cash Severance(1) | Pro Rata Bonus(2) | PSU and RSU Acceleration | COBRA Continuation(3) | Total |
Sue Gove | | | | | |
Termination due to death or Disability(4)....................... | $ — | $ — | $ 1,789,100 | $ — | $ 1,789,100 |
Termination without Cause or with Good Reason(5)......... | $ 7,000,000 | $ — | $ 550,548 | $ 35,029 | $ 7,238,046 |
Change in Control + Termination without Cause or with Good Reason(6)......... | $ 7,000,000 | $ 2,100,000 | $ 1,789,100 | $ 35,029 | $ 10,924,129 |
Laura Crossen | | | | | |
Termination due to death or Disability(4)....................... | $ — | $ — | $ 113,520 | $ — | $ 113,520 |
Termination without Cause or with Good Reason(5)......... | $ 1,211,250 | $ — | $ 36,467 | $ 12,228 | $ 1,259,945 |
Change in Control + Termination(6)................... | $ 1,816,875 | $ 498,750 | $ 113,520 | $ 18,342 | $ 2,447,487 |
Mara Sirhal | | | | | |
Termination due to death or Disability(4)....................... | $ — | $ — | $ 170,582 | $ — | $ 170,582 |
Termination without Cause or with Good Reason(5)......... | $ 1,050,000 | $ — | $ 45,424 | $ 29,498 | $ 1,124,922 |
Change in Control + Termination(6)................... | $ 1,575,000 | $ 450,000 | $ 170,582 | $ 44,247 | $ 2,239,829 |
Lynda Markoe | | | | | |
Termination due to death or Disability(4)....................... | $ — | $ — | $ 137,218 | $ — | $ 137,218 |
Termination without Cause or with Good Reason(5)......... | $ 1,020,000 | $ — | $ 50,958 | $ 0 | $ 1,070,958 |
Change in Control + Termination(6)................... | $ 1,530,000 | $ 420,000 | $ 137,218 | $ 0 | $ 2,087,218 |
Patricia Wu | | | | | |
Termination due to death or Disability(4)....................... | $ — | $ — | $ 202,340 | $ — | $ 202,340 |
Termination without Cause or with Good Reason(5)......... | $ 962,500 | $ — | $ 34,302 | $ 19,358 | $ 1,016,159 |
Change in Control + Termination(6)................... | $ 1,443,750 | $ 412,500 | $ 202,340 | $ 29,037 | $ 2,087,627 |
(1) Pursuant to the CIC Severance Plan, if an NEO is terminated during the three (3) months preceding a Change in Control or two (2) years following, the severance would be paid out in a lump sum within 60 days of the termination date. If the termination is not in connection with a Change in Control, severance payments will be made in installments in accordance with the regular payroll payment schedule; provided that if severance payments are subject to Section 409A of the Code (“Section 409A”), certain payments may be delayed until six months following separation from the Company.
(2) Pursuant to the CIC Severance Plan if an NEO is terminated during the three (3) months preceding a Change in Control or two (2) years following, the pro rata share of the NEO’s bonus, at target level, would be paid at such time as other executives receive their bonuses.
(3) Represents the employer portion of COBRA continuation coverage at active employee rates. Upon a termination without Cause or for Good Reason, Ms. Gove would be entitled to 24 months of benefit continuation, and Messrs. Crossen, Sirhal, Markoe and Wu would be entitled to 12 months. Upon a termination without Cause or for Good Reason during the three (3) months preceding a Change in Control of two (2) years following, Ms. Gove would be entitled to 24 months of benefits continuation, and Messrs. Crossen, Sirhal, Markoe and Wu would be entitled to 18 months.
(4) Represents accelerated vesting of all unvested RSU and PSU awards. In the event of termination due to death, PSUs vest in full based on target. In the event of termination due to disability, PSUs vest in full based on actual performance. For purposes of this analysis, the values above assume target performance.
(5) Represents (i) (x) for Ms. Gove, two times the sum of base salary and target fiscal 2022 annual bonus and (y) for Messrs. Crossen, Sirhal, Markoe and Wu, one time the sum of base salary and target fiscal 2022 annual bonus; (ii) a pro-rata portion of the unvested RSUs (other than the Gove 2022 Special RSU Award, which is entitled to full accelerated vesting upon termination without Cause or resignation with Good Reason) and PSUs (with PSUs vesting based on actual performance) prorated based on the days employs employed during the vesting period or performance period, as applicable, at the time that such awards would have otherwise vested had the NEO remained employed up to the vesting date. With respect to Ms. Gove’s 2022 Special RSU Award, represents full accelerated vesting.
(6) Pursuant to the Change in Control Plan, upon a termination without Cause or for Good Reason during 90 days preceding a Change in Control of two (2) years following, the NEOs would become entitled to a lump sum cash payment equal to (i) 1.5 times (or 2.0 times times for Ms. Gove) the sum of base salary and target annual bonus, (ii) a pro rata share of annual bonus, at target level, for the performance period in which the termination occurs. With respect to equity compensation, unvested RSUs will immediately vest in full, and any unvested PSUs will vest, based on actual performance through the date of termination. For purposes of this analysis, the values above assume target performance.
CEO Pay Ratio
The Company has prepared the following information required by Section 953(b) of the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act, and Item 402(u) of Regulation S-K, regarding the ratio of the compensation of our CEO to that of the Company’s median associate, using certain permitted methodologies.
The median associate at the Company, not counting the CEO, was determined by: using our total associate population (whether employed on a full-time, part-time, seasonal or temporary basis), which as of February 26, 2023, the Company’s fiscal year end, includes approximately 20,000 associates (of which more than 63% were part-time and more than 91% were hourly), comprised of approximately 18,800 US associates and approximately 1,400 non-US associates; and using payroll records as of February 26, 2023, the Company’s fiscal year end.
The median associate was identified using total cash compensation, which, for this purpose, included base salary, bonus and commissions, per payroll records for the twelve months ended February 26, 2023 and pay for any permanent full-time and part-time associates (whether salaried or hourly) who were not employed for the full fiscal year was annualized.
The individual identified as the median associate is a part-time hourly associate working in a Bed Bath & Beyond store receiving a total annual compensation for fiscal 2022 of $17,333. The identification of the median associate was influenced by the Company having a workforce significantly composed of part-time, hourly store associates.
The compensation of the Company’s CEO for fiscal 2022 as reported in the Summary Compensation Table was $4,781,527. The ratio of the annual total compensation of the Company’s CEO to that of the median associate is estimated to be 276:1. This estimate was calculated in a manner consistent with the applicable SEC rules and guidance, based upon the payroll and employment records of the Company. The rules and guidance applicable to this disclosure permit a variety of methods and a range of reasonable estimates and assumptions to reflect compensation practices. Therefore, the pay ratio reported by other companies in similar industries may well not be comparable to the pay ratio reported above.
In connection with the preparation of the foregoing disclosure, management has provided the People, Culture and Compensation Committee with the analysis of the CEO to median associate pay ratio and accompanying contextual narrative, for its information when setting executive pay decisions.
Director Compensation
1. How We Are Paid
The Director Compensation Table provides compensation information for each member of our Board during fiscal 2022, other than Mr. Tritton, our President and CEO, whose compensation is reflected in the Summary Compensation Table. Mr. Tritton did not receive any director fees for fiscal 2022, since he received compensation in his capacity as an executive of the Company. Ms.
Gove received compensation in her capacity as a director for fiscal 2022 until June 23, 2022, when she commenced employment as President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company.
Annual director fees for fiscal 2022 were $90,000. In addition to annual fees, directors serving on standing committees of the Board were paid as follows: an additional $10,000 for Audit Committee members (or $25,000 for the Chair of the Audit Committee); an additional $7,500 for People, Culture and Compensation Committee members (or $25,000 for the Chair of the People, Culture and Compensation Committee); an additional $5,000 for Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee members (or $16,500 for the Chair of the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee); and an additional $6,000 for the Strategy Committee members (or $12,000 for the Chair of the Strategy Committee). The independent Chair of the Board also receives an annual retainer in the amount of $200,000 (in addition to the standard annual director fees received by the independent Chair of the Board), with 75% payable in cash and 25% payable in restricted stock on the date of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders (calculated based on the average of the high and low trading prices on such date).
The Company does not pay per meeting fees. Director fees are paid on a quarterly basis. Directors may elect to receive all or 50% of their fees in stock.
In addition to the fees above, each non-executive director serving on the Board as of the Company’s 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders received a grant of restricted stock under the Company’s 2012 Incentive Compensation Plan (the “2012 Plan”). In 2022, the Company transitioned to a new director pay cycle so that all non-executive directors will be granted an annual restricted stock award on the date of the Annual Meeting of Shareholders, instead of at fiscal year-end as was done in prior years. In recognition of service for the period from the 2021 Annual Meeting of Shareholders in July 2021 to the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders in July 2022, non-executive directors were eligible to receive a restricted stock award with a grant date value equal to $150,000. However, the actual amount of restricted stock awarded to directors who began serving on the Board prior to July 2021 was increased pro-rata to compensate for the time served between fiscal year-end 2021 (or, if later, the date of appointment to the Board) and the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders in July 2022; provided, that any such directors who were not up for re-election at the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders received the pro-rata increase in cash. The number of shares were calculated using the average of the high and low trading prices of the Company’s common stock on the date of the 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders.
In an effort to further align the interests of our Board and the Company, the non-employee members of our Board are required to maintain ownership of Bed Bath & Beyond stock (inclusive of restricted stock) of not less than six times a director’s base annual cash retainer (measured at the close of the fiscal year and subject to later fluctuations in share price). In addition, until a non-employee director has achieved the minimum share ownership, the director is required to hold one hundred percent (100%) of the shares acquired through the vesting of restricted stock received from the Company. As of the end of fiscal 2022, all the Company’s directors owned shares in excess of the applicable guideline or were in compliance with the retention requirement described above.
As described above and more fully below, the following table summarizes the annual compensation for the directors, other than Mr. Tritton and Ms. Gove, during fiscal 2022.
| | | | | | | | | | | |
| Fees Earned or Paid in Cash ($) | Stock Awards ($)(1)(2) | Total ($) |
Marjorie Bowen(4)(5)...................................................... | 94,427 | 196,000 | 290,427 |
Harriet Edelman............................................................ | 240,000 | 256,000 | 496,000 |
John E. Fleming(5).......................................................... | 99,282 | — | 99,282 |
Jeffrey A. Kirwan.......................................................... | 100,618(3) | 206,000 | 306,618 |
Shelly Lombard(5)......................................................... | 90,906 | 196,000 | 286,906 |
Benjamin Rosenzweig(4)(5)........................................... | 61,121 | 196,000 | 265,1210 |
Virginia P. Ruesterholz(5)............................................. | 99,847 | — | 99,847 |
Joshua E. Schechter....................................................... | 121,000 | 206,000 | 327,000 |
Minesh Shah(4)............................................................... | 100,913 | 206,000 | 306,913 |
Andrea M. Weiss............................................................ | 127,590 | 206,000 | 333,590 |
Mary A. Winston(5)....................................................... | 91,755 | — | 91,755 |
Ann Yerger...................................................................... | 109,671 | 206,000 | 315,671 |
(1) The value of stock awards represents their respective total fair value on the date of grant calculated in accordance with Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic No. 718, “Compensation—Stock Compensation” (“ASC 718”), without regard to the estimated forfeiture related to service-based vesting conditions. All assumptions made in the valuations are contained and described in Note 15 to the Company’s financial statements in the Company’s Annual
Report on Form 10-K for fiscal 2022. Stock awards are rounded up to the nearest whole share when converted from dollars to shares. The amounts shown in the table reflect the total fair value on the date of grant and do not necessarily reflect the actual value, if any, that may be realized by the directors.
(2) For all non-executive directors serving on the Board as of the Company’s 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders, includes the value of 392,042 restricted shares of common stock of the Company granted under the Company’s 2018 Plan on the date of the Company’s 2022 Annual Meeting of Shareholders and valued under ASC 718 at fair market value on such date ($4.90 per share, the average of the high and low trading prices on July 14, 2022). Such restricted stock vested on the last day of the fiscal year of grant, subject to the applicable director remaining in office until the last day of the fiscal year.
(3) 50% of Mr. Kirwan’s fees for the first, second and third quarters of fiscal 2022 were paid in unrestricted shares of common stock of the Company pursuant to the Bed Bath & Beyond Plan to Pay Directors Fees in Stock, and the number of shares was determined (in accordance with the terms of such plan) based on the fair market value per share on the second business day following the announcement of the Company’s financial results for its fiscal third quarter, which was $4.76 per share, the average of the high and low trading prices on January 12, 2023.
(4) Mr. Shah was appointed to the Board on March 1, 2022. Mmes. Bowen and Lombard and Mr. Rosenzweig were appointed to the Board on March 24, 2022.
(5) Mr. Fleming, Ms. Ruesterholz, and Ms. Winston are no longer serving as directors as of July 14, 2022. Mr. Rozenweig is no longer serving as a Director of December 20, 2022. Ms. Bowen is no longer serving as a director as of February 11, 2023.