============================================================================== SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 ------------ FORM 8-K Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 May 14, 1998 Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported) THE LIMITED, INC. (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter) ------------ Delaware 1-8344 31-1029810 (State of other jurisdiction (Commission (IRS Employer of incorporation) File no.) Identification No.) Three Limited Parkway P.O. Box 16000 Columbus, OH 43230 (614) 479-7000 (Address of principal executive offices) ============================================================================== Item 5. Other Events On May 14, 1998, The Limited, Inc. announced the successful completion of its offer to exchange up to 43,600,000 shares of Class A common stock, par value $.01 per share, of Abercrombie & Fitch Co., which The Limited owns, for shares of common stock, par value $.50 per share, of The Limited upon the terms and subject to the conditions stated in the Offering Circular-Prospectus dated April 15, 1998. See press release attached as Exhibit 99.1 hereto. Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financial Information and Exhibits (c) Exhibits 99.1 Press release dated May 14, 1998 SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized. THE LIMITED, INC. By: /s/ Kenneth B. Gilman ---------------------------------- Name: Kenneth B. Gilman Title: Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Administrative Officer May 14, 1998 EXHIBIT INDEX 99.1 Press Release dated May 14, 1998
EXHIBIT 99.1 THE LIMITED, INC. ANNOUNCES SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF EXCHANGE OFFER RESULTING IN THE SPLIT-OFF OF ABERCROMBIE & FITCH CO. -- Completion of Next Step in Strategic Program to Focus Resources on Building and Delivering Value to Shareholders - ----------------------------------------------- COLUMBUS, Ohio, May 14, 1998 -- The Limited, Inc. (NYSE/LSE: LTD) announced today the successful completion of the tax-free exchange offer to establish Abercrombie & Fitch Co. (NYSE: ANF) (A&F) as an independent company. Through the offer, Limited shareholders were given the opportunity to exchange some or all of their Limited shares for shares of A&F. Based on a preliminary count by the exchange agent, The Limited expects to accept for exchange approximately 47,095,000 shares of its common stock, at an exchange ratio of .86 of a share of A&F stock for each Limited share. "We are pleased with the positive reception by shareholders to the distribution of Abercrombie & Fitch," said Leslie H. Wexner, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of The Limited. "The split-off of A&F is an important step in our ongoing effort to focus our resources on brands to which we can add more value for our shareholders." The Limited will announce the exact number of shares accepted for exchange after a complete review of all tender offer documentation. Promptly thereafter, certificates for shares of A&F common stock and checks in lieu of fractional shares will be mailed. Promptly after the consummation of the exchange offer, The Limited will set a record date for the pro-rata spin-off of its remaining A&F shares (estimated to be approximately 3,099,000 shares) to Limited stockholders. Following the consummation of the exchange offer and the spin-off, The Limited will have no ownership position in A&F common stock, and will have reduced its outstanding shares by approximately 17%, to 227.4 million shares of common stock outstanding. The Limited, Inc., through Express, Lerner New York, Lane Bryant, Limited Stores, Structure, Limited Too, Galyan's and Henri Bendel, presently operates 3,684 specialty stores. The Company also owns approximately 83% of Intimate Brands, Inc. (NYSE: IBI) which, through Victoria's Secret Stores and Bath & Body Works presently operates 1,759 specialty stores and distributes apparel internationally through the Victoria's Secret Catalogue. Abercrombie & Fitch is a lifestyle brand which, at the end of March, operated 159 stores and published The A&F Quarterly. Upon completion of this exchange offer, Abercrombie & Fitch Co. will continue to be traded separately on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "ANF." ### For Further Information, please contact: Rita Trevino Flynn Vice President, Communications The Limited, Inc. 614-415-7555