1 Registration No. 333-________ As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on July 10, 2000 SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549 FORM S-8 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 Venator Group, Inc. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Its Charter) New York 13-3513936 - ------------------------------- ------------------- (State or Other Jurisdiction of (I.R.S. Employer Incorporation or Organization) Identification No.) 112 West 34th Street, New York, New York 10120 - ---------------------------------------- ---------- (Address of Principal Executive Offices) (Zip Code) Venator Group Directors Stock Option Plan - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Full title of the Plan) Gary M. Bahler, General Counsel, Venator Group, Inc., 112 West 34th Street, New York, NY 10120 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Name and Address of Agent for Service) (212) 720-3700 - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Telephone Number, Including Area Code, of Agent for Service) CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Proposed Proposed Title of maximum maximum securities Amount offering aggregate Amount of to be to be price offering registration registered registered (1) per unit (2) price fee - ---------- ---------- --------- --------- ------------ Common Stock, 100,000 $10.75 $1,075,000 $284.00 $.01 par value Shares (including the associated Preferred Stock Purchase Rights) - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) In accordance with Rule 457 under the Securities Act of 1933, solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee, the maximum offering price per unit is based on the average of the high and low prices of Registrant's common stock as reported on the Composite Tape for New York Stock Exchange Listed Stocks on July 6, 2000.
2 PART II INFORMATION REQUIRED IN THE REGISTRATION STATEMENT ITEM 3. INCORPORATION OF DOCUMENTS BY REFERENCE. The following documents are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement: (a) Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 29, 2000; (b) Registrant's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended April 29, 2000; and Registrant's Current Reports on Form 8-K dated January 25, 2000, February 9, 2000, March 8, 2000, April 12, 2000, and May 18, 2000. (c) The description of Registrant's common stock contained in Registrant's Registration Statement on Form 8-B filed on August 7, 1989, including any amendments or reports filed for purposes of updating such description. All documents subsequently filed by Registrant pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act") prior to the filing of a post-effective amendment which indicates that all securities offered have been sold or which deregisters all securities then remaining unsold, shall hereby be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Registration Statement and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. ITEM 4. DESCRIPTION OF SECURITIES. Not applicable. ITEM 5. INTERESTS OF NAMED EXPERTS AND COUNSEL. Not applicable. ITEM 6. INDEMNIFICATION OF DIRECTORS AND OFFICERS. Article IX of the By-laws of Registrant requires Registrant to indemnify, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, any person who (a) is or was made, or threatened to be made, a party to any action or proceeding because that person or his or her testator or intestate is or was a director or officer of Registrant or served, or is serving, at the request of Registrant as a director, officer, employee, agent or fiduciary of another corporation, partnership, joint venture, employee benefit plan, trust or other enterprise, against judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement and expenses incurred as a result of such action or proceeding, or appeal therein, and (b) has met the standards set forth in Section 721 of the New York Business Corporation Law (the "NYBCL"). Section 721 of the NYBCL provides that no indemnification is to be provided to any person who is a director or officer if a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to such person establishes that (a) his or her acts were committed in bad faith or were the result of active and deliberate dishonesty and, in either case, were material to the cause of action so adjudicated, or (b) he or she personally gained, in fact, a financial profit or other advantage to which he or she was not legally entitled. Article IX of the By-laws also provides that Registrant shall, from time to time, reimburse or advance to any person indemnified thereunder the funds necessary for payment of expenses incurred in connection with any action or proceeding subject to such indemnification, upon receipt by Registrant of a written undertaking by or on behalf of such person to repay such amounts(s) if a judgment or other final 2
3 adjudication adverse to the director or officer establishes that he or she did not meet the standards set forth in Section 721 of the NYBCL. Article IX of the By-laws also expressly authorizes Registrant to enter into agreements providing for indemnification or the advancement of expenses to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. As more fully explained below, Registrant has entered into (or intends to enter into) agreements with each of Registrant's directors and officers to provide for indemnification to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. Article TENTH of Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation requires Registrant to indemnify its directors and officers, and permits Registrant to indemnify others, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law. The extent and limitations of indemnification under Article TENTH of Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation are substantially identical to the indemnification provisions set forth in Article IX of Registrant's By-laws. Article ELEVENTH of Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation provides that no director of Registrant shall be personally liable to Registrant or to any of its shareholders for monetary damages for breach of fiduciary duty as a director, except if a judgment or other final adjudication adverse to such director establishes that his or her acts or omissions were in bad faith or involved intentional misconduct or a knowing violation of law or that such director gained, in fact, a financial profit or other advantage to which he or she was not legally entitled or that such director's acts violated Section 719 of the NYBCL. As previously noted, Registrant has entered into indemnification agreements with each of its directors and officers (and intends in the future to enter into similar indemnification agreements with other persons who become directors or officers of Registrant) which require Registrant to, among other things, indemnify each director or officer for any and all judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement and expenses incurred in connection with investigating, defending, being a witness or participating in any threatened, pending or completed action, suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation, and to advance to each such director or officer his or her costs and expenses of any such suit, proceeding, inquiry or investigation if such director or officer undertakes to pay back such advances to the extent required by law. Prior to a "Change in Control" (as defined in each indemnification agreement) of Registrant, a director or officer is not entitled to indemnification under such agreement in any action or proceeding voluntarily commenced by such indemnitee against Registrant or any director or officer of Registrant, unless the institution of such action or proceedings is joined in or consented to by Registrant. Sections 721 through 726 of the NYBCL provide for indemnification of directors and officers. If a director or officer is successful on the merits or otherwise in a legal proceeding, such person must be indemnified to the extent he or she was successful. Further, indemnification is permitted in both third-party and derivative suits if such person acted in good faith and for a purpose he or she reasonably believed was in the best interest of Registrant, and if, in the case of a criminal proceeding, he or she had no reasonable cause to believe his or her conduct was unlawful. Indemnification under this provision applies to judgments, fines, amounts paid in settlement and reasonable expenses, in the case of derivative actions. In a derivative action, however, a director or officer may not be indemnified for amounts paid to settle such a suit or for any claim, issue or matter as to which such person shall have been adjudged liable to Registrant absent a court determination that the person is fairly and reasonably entitled to indemnity. Notwithstanding the failure of Registrant to provide indemnification and despite any contrary resolution of the board of directors, indemnification shall be awarded by the proper court pursuant to Section 724 of the NYBCL. Under New York law (and as provided in Article IX of Registrant's By-laws and in the indemnification agreements previously described), expenses may be advanced upon receipt of an undertaking by or on behalf of the director or officer to repay the amounts in the event the recipient is ultimately found not to be entitled to indemnification. The advance is conditioned only upon receipt of 3
4 the undertaking and not upon a finding that the officer or director has met the applicable indemnity standards. In addition, Registrant has directors and officers liability insurance policies. ITEM 7. EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION CLAIMED. Not applicable. ITEM 8. EXHIBITS. The exhibits filed as part of or incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement are listed in the Index of Exhibits that begins on Page 7. ITEM 9. UNDERTAKINGS. The undersigned Registrant hereby undertakes: (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made of the securities registered hereby, a post-effective amendment to this Registration Statement: (i) to include any prospectus required by Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Securities Act"); (ii) to reflect in the prospectus any facts or events arising after the effective date of this Registration Statement (or the most recent post-effective amendment thereof) which, individually or in the aggregate, represent a fundamental change in the information set forth in this Registration Statement; and (iii) to include any material information with respect to the plan of distribution not previously disclosed in this Registration Statement or any material change to such information in this Registration Statement. Provided however, that the undertakings set forth in paragraphs (i) and (ii) above do not apply if the information required to be included in a post-effective amendment by those paragraphs is contained in periodic reports filed by Registrant pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act that are incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement. (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at the time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (3) To remove from registration by means of a post-effective amendment any of the securities being registered hereby which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. (4) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act, each filing of the Registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act (and each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Exchange Act) that is incorporated by reference in this Registration Statement shall be deemed to be a new registration 4
5 statement relating to the securities offered herein, and offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, Registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted against Registrant by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Securities Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. 5
6 SIGNATURES The Registrant. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, Registrant certifies that it has reasonable grounds to believe that it meets all of the requirements for filing on Form S-8 and has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of New York, State of New York, on July 6, 2000. VENATOR GROUP, INC. By: /s/ Dale W. Hilpert ------------------------- Dale W. Hilpert Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed by the following persons in the capacities indicated on July 6, 2000. Signature Title --------- ----- /s/ Dale W. Hilpert Director, Chairman of the Board and - ----------------------- Chief Executive Officer Dale W. Hilpert /s/ Matthew D. Serra Director, President and Chief - ----------------------- Operating Officer Matthew D. Serra /s/ Bruce L. Hartman Senior Vice President and Chief - ----------------------- Financial Officer Bruce L. Hartman /s/ Robert W. McHugh Vice President and Chief Accounting - ----------------------- Officer Robert W. McHugh J. Carter Bacot* Director Purdy Crawford* Director Philip H. Geier, Jr.* Director Jarobin Gilbert, Jr.* Director Allan Z. Loren* Director James E. Preston* Director David Y. Schwartz* Director Christopher A. Sinclair* Director * Dale W. Hilpert, by signing his name hereto, is also signing as attorney-in-fact for the named directors. 6
7 VENATOR GROUP, INC. INDEX OF EXHIBITS EXHIBIT NUMBER DESCRIPTION 4.1 The rights of holders of the Registrant's equity securities are defined in the Registrant's Certificate of Incorporation, as amended (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibits 3(i)(a) and 3(i)(b) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended July 26, 1997, filed by the Registrant with the SEC on September 4, 1997 (the "July 26, 1997 10-Q"). 4.2 Registrant's By-laws, as amended (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2 of the Registration Statement on Form S-8 (Registration No. 333-62525) previously filed with the SEC). 4.3 Rights Agreement dated as of March 11, 1998 ("Rights Agreement") between Venator Group, Inc. and First Chicago Trust Company of New York, as Rights Agent (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 to the Registrant's Form 8-K dated March 11, 1998). 4.4 Amendment No. 1 to the Rights Agreement, dated as of May 28, 1999 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.2(a) to the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended May 1, 1999, filed by the Registrant with the SEC on June 4, 1999). 4.5 Indenture dated as of October 10, 1991 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to Registrant's Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 33-43334) previously filed with the SEC). 4.6 Forms of Medium-Term Notes (Fixed Rate and Floating Rate) (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibits 4.4 and 4.5 to the Registration Statement on Form S-3 (Registration No. 33-43334) previously filed with the SEC). 4.7 Form of 8 1/2% Debentures due 2022 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4 to Registrant's Form 8-K dated January 16, 1992). 4.8 Purchase Agreement dated June 1, 1995 and Form of 7% Notes due 2000 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibits 1 and 4, respectively, to Registrant's Form 8-K dated June 7, 1995). 4.9 Distribution Agreement dated July 13, 1995 and Forms of Fixed Rate and Floating Rate Notes (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibits 1,4.1, and 4.2, respectively, to Registrant's Form 8-K dated July 13, 1995). 7
8 5 Opinion of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP. 23.1 Consent of Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP is contained in its opinion filed as Exhibit 5 to this Registration Statement. 23.2 Consent of KPMG LLP. 24 Powers of Attorney granted to Dale W. Hilpert, Gary M. Bahler and Bruce L. Hartman 8
1 Exhibit 5 SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP FOUR TIMES SQUARE NEW YORK 10036-6522 July 6, 2000 Venator Group, Inc. 112 West 34th Street New York, New York 10120 Ladies and Gentlemen: We have acted as special counsel to Venator Group, Inc., a New York corporation (the "Company"), in connection with the Registration Statement of the Company on Form S-8 (the "Registration Statement"), filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Act of 1933 (the "Act") with respect to 100,000 shares of common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "Common Stock"), of the Company to be issued and sold pursuant to the Registration Statement under the Venator Group Directors Stock Option Plan (the "Plan"). In connection with this opinion, we have examined and are familiar with originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of (i) the Registration Statement, (ii) the Certificate of Incorporation of the Company, and amendments thereto, (iii) the By-laws of the Company, as amended, (iv) certain resolutions, dated April 12, 2000, adopted by the Board of Directors of the Company authorizing, among other things, the issuance of Common Stock pursuant to the Registration Statement and the adoption of the Plan, and such other documents as we have deemed necessary or appropriate as a basis for the opinions set forth herein. In our examination we have assumed the genuineness of all signatures, the legal capacity of all natural persons, the authenticity of all documents submitted to us as originals, the conformity to original documents of all documents submitted to us as certified or photostatic copies, and the authenticity of the originals of such copies. As to any facts material to this opinion which we did not independently establish or verify, we have relied upon statements and representations of officers and other representatives of the Company and others. 9
2 Venator Group, Inc. July 6, 2000 Page 2 Members of this firm are admitted to the Bar of the State of New York and we express no opinion as to the laws of any other jurisdiction, except the federal laws of the United States of America to the extent specifically referred to herein. Based upon and subject to the foregoing, we are of the opinion that the shares of Common Stock to be issued under the Plan have been duly authorized and, when issued in accordance with the terms and conditions of the Plan (including due payment of the purchase price set forth in such Plan), will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable. We hereby consent to the use of this opinion as an exhibit to the Registration Statement. In giving such consent, we do not admit that we come within the category of persons whose consent is required under Section 7 of the Act or the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission thereunder. Very truly yours, /s/ SKADDEN ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER, & FLOM LLP SKADDEN, ARPS, SLATE, MEAGHER & FLOM LLP 10
1 Exhibit 23.2 Board of Directors Venator Group, Inc. We consent to the use of our report incorporated herein by reference. New York, New York July 7, 2000 /s/ KPMG LLP KPMG LLP 11
1 Exhibit 24 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person whose name appears below constitutes and appoints Dale W. Hilpert, Gary M. Bahler and Bruce L. Hartman, and each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statement on Form S-8 for the Venator Group Directors Stock Option Plan and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments to that Registration Statement) and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Act of 1933, this Power of Attorney has been signed on the 20th day of June 2000. Signature Title --------- ----- /s/ J. Carter Bacot Director - -------------------- 12
2 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person whose name appears below constitutes and appoints Dale W. Hilpert, Gary M. Bahler and Bruce L. Hartman, and each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statement on Form S-8 for the Venator Group Directors Stock Option Plan and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments to that Registration Statement) and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Act of 1933, this Power of Attorney has been signed on the 16th day of June 2000. Signature Title --------- ----- /s/ Purdy Crawford Director - ------------------ 13
3 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person whose name appears below constitutes and appoints Dale W. Hilpert, Gary M. Bahler and Bruce L. Hartman, and each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statement on Form S-8 for the Venator Group Directors Stock Option Plan and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments to that Registration Statement) and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Act of 1933, this Power of Attorney has been signed on the 16th day of June 2000. Signature Title --------- ----- /s/ Philip H. Geier Jr. Director - ----------------------- 14
4 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person whose name appears below constitutes and appoints Dale W. Hilpert, Gary M. Bahler and Bruce L. Hartman, and each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statement on Form S-8 for the Venator Group Directors Stock Option Plan and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments to that Registration Statement) and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Act of 1933, this Power of Attorney has been signed on the 16th day of June 2000. Signature Title --------- ----- /s/ Jarobin Gilbert, Jr. Director - ------------------------ 15
5 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person whose name appears below constitutes and appoints Dale W. Hilpert, Gary M. Bahler and Bruce L. Hartman, and each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statement on Form S-8 for the Venator Group Directors Stock Option Plan and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments to that Registration Statement) and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Act of 1933, this Power of Attorney has been signed on the 5th day of July 2000. Signature Title --------- ----- /s/ Allan Z. Loren Director - -------------------- 16
6 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person whose name appears below constitutes and appoints Dale W. Hilpert, Gary M. Bahler and Bruce L. Hartman, and each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statement on Form S-8 for the Venator Group Directors Stock Option Plan and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments to that Registration Statement) and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Act of 1933, this Power of Attorney has been signed on the 18th day of June 2000. Signature Title --------- ----- /s/ James E. Preston Director - --------------------- 17
7 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person whose name appears below constitutes and appoints Dale W. Hilpert, Gary M. Bahler and Bruce L. Hartman, and each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statement on Form S-8 for the Venator Group Directors Stock Option Plan and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments to that Registration Statement) and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Act of 1933, this Power of Attorney has been signed on the 20 day of June 2000. Signature Title --------- ----- /s/ David Y. Schwartz Director - ---------------------- 18
8 POWER OF ATTORNEY KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, that the person whose name appears below constitutes and appoints Dale W. Hilpert, Gary M. Bahler and Bruce L. Hartman, and each of them, his true and lawful attorney-in-fact and agent with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign the Registration Statement on Form S-8 for the Venator Group Directors Stock Option Plan and any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments to that Registration Statement) and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, granting unto said attorneys-in-fact and agents, and each of them, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done in and about the premises, as fully to all intents and purposes as he might or could do in person, hereby ratifying and confirming all that said attorneys-in-fact and agents or any of them or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirement of the Securities Act of 1933, this Power of Attorney has been signed on the 16th day of June 2000. Signature Title --------- ----- /s/ Christopher A. Sinclair Director - ---------------------------- 19