As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 5, 2002 Registration No. 333- ================================================================================ SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION Washington, D.C. 20549 ----------------- FORM S-4 REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 ----------------- THE LIMITED, INC. (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter) Delaware 5621 31-1029810 (State of other (Primary Standard (I.R.S. jurisdiction Industrial Employer Identification of incorporation or Classification Code No.) organization) Number) Three Limited Parkway Columbus, Ohio 43216 (614) 415-7000 (Address, including zip code, and telephone number including area code, of Registrant's principal executive offices) Samuel P. Fried The Limited Inc. Three Limited Parkway P.O. Box 16000 Columbus, Ohio 43216 (614) 415-7199 (Name, address, including zip code, and telephone number, including area code, of agent for service) ----------------- Copies to: Dennis S. Hersch David L. Caplan Davis Polk & Wardwell 450 Lexington Avenue New York, New York 10017 Approximate date of commencement of proposed sale to the public: As soon as practicable after this Registration Statement is declared effective and the conditions to the consummation of the offer described herein have been satisfied or, to the extent permitted, waived. If the securities being registered on this form are being offered in connection with the formation of a holding company and there is compliance with General Instruction G, check the following box: [_] If this Form is filed to register additional securities for an offering pursuant to Rule 462(b) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [_] If this Form is a post-effective amendment filed pursuant to Rule 462(d) under the Securities Act, check the following box and list the Securities Act registration statement number of the earlier effective registration statement for the same offering. [_] CALCULATION OF REGISTRATION FEE ================================================================================ Proposed Proposed Amount Offering Maximum Amount of Title of Each Class of to be Price Aggregate Offering Registration Securities to be Registered Registered(1) Per Share Price(2) Fee(3) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Not Common Stock, par value $0.50 per share 94,000,000 Applicable $1,539,613,818.75 $141,644.47 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (1) Represents the estimated maximum number of shares of common stock, par value $0.50 per share, of The Limited, Inc., issuable upon the consummation of the exchange offer and merger. (2) Estimated solely for the purpose of calculating the registration fee pursuant to Rule 457 under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, based on the product of (i) $17.25 per share, the average of the high and low prices of Intimate Brands Class A common stock, par value $0.01 per share, as reported on The New York Stock Exchange on January 29, 2002 and (ii) the maximum number of shares of Class A common stock of Intimate Brands that may be acquired in the exchange offer (including shares outstanding and vested stock options). (3) In accordance with Rule 457, 0.0092% of the Proposed Maximum Aggregate Offering Price. The Registrant hereby amends this Registration Statement on such date or dates as may be necessary to delay its effective date until the Registrant shall file a further amendment which specifically states that this Registration Statement shall thereafter become effective in accordance with Section 8(a) of the Securities Act of 1933 or until the Registration Statement shall become effective on such date as the Commission, acting pursuant to said Section 8(a), may determine. ================================================================================
Information contained in this prospectus may change. We may not complete the exchange offer and issue these securities until the registration statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission is effective. This prospectus is not an offer to sell these securities and it is not soliciting an offer to buy these securities in any state where the offer is not permitted. [LOGO] THE LIMITED, INC. OFFER TO EXCHANGE 1.046 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF THE LIMITED, INC. FOR EACH OUTSTANDING SHARE OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK OF INTIMATE BRANDS, INC. THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON MARCH 11, 2002, UNLESS EXTENDED. The Limited, Inc., through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Intimate Brands Holding Co., Inc., is offering to exchange 1.046 shares of its common stock for each outstanding share of Class A common stock of Intimate Brands, Inc. that is validly tendered and not properly withdrawn on or prior to the expiration of the offer, upon the terms and subject to the conditions specified in this prospectus and the related letter of transmittal. This exchange ratio has been set so that you will have approximately the same ownership interest in Intimate Brands' businesses immediately after the completion of the offer and the merger as you currently hold. In addition, as a Limited stockholder, you will also have an ownership interest in The Limited's other businesses and assets. The exchange ratio also represents a 6.1% premium to the closing price of Intimate Brands Class A common stock on February 4, 2002, the last trading day prior to the commencement of this offer. We currently own approximately 83.7% of the outstanding common stock of Intimate Brands. Our offer is conditioned on (1) the tender of a sufficient number of shares of Intimate Brands Class A common stock such that, after closing the offer, we would own at least 90% of the outstanding common stock of Intimate Brands and (2) approval by our stockholders of the issuance of Limited common stock in the offer and the merger referred to in the following paragraph. Our offer is also subject to other conditions described in "Conditions of the Offer." If the conditions to the offer are met and the offer is completed, we will own at least 90% of the outstanding common stock of Intimate Brands. As soon as practicable after the completion of the offer, we will effect a short-form merger of Intimate Brands and Intimate Brands Holding Co., unless it is not lawful to do so. If you have not validly tendered your Intimate Brands shares in the offer (unless you perfect your appraisal rights under Delaware law), your shares will be exchanged in the merger for the same number of shares of Limited common stock that you would have received if you had tendered your shares in the offer. If the offer is completed, no further Intimate Brands stockholder or board action is required for us to complete the merger. See "The Offer--Purpose of the Offer; The Merger; Appraisal Rights." As a result of the offer and the merger, Intimate Brands will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Limited and the former public stockholders of Intimate Brands will own shares in The Limited. Intimate Brands shares will no longer trade publicly on any stock exchange. The Limited common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange under the symbol "LTD." Intimate Brands Class A common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "IBI." See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 13 for a discussion of issues that you should consider with respect to the offer and the merger. ----------------- Neither the Securities and Exchange Commission nor any state securities commission has approved or disapproved the Limited common stock to be issued in the offer and the merger or determined if this prospectus is truthful or complete. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offense. The Dealer Managers for the offer are: Goldman, Sachs & Co. Banc of America Securities LLC The date of this prospectus is February 5, 2002.
THIS DOCUMENT INCORPORATES IMPORTANT BUSINESS AND FINANCIAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE LIMITED AND INTIMATE BRANDS FROM DOCUMENTS FILED WITH THE SEC THAT HAVE NOT BEEN INCLUDED IN OR DELIVERED WITH THIS DOCUMENT. THIS INFORMATION IS AVAILABLE AT A WEB SITE MAINTAINED BY THE SEC AT WWW.SEC.GOV, AS WELL AS FROM OTHER SOURCES. SEE "WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION" BEGINNING ON PAGE 5. YOU MAY ALSO REQUEST COPIES OF THESE DOCUMENTS FROM US, WITHOUT CHARGE, UPON WRITTEN OR ORAL REQUEST TO OUR INFORMATION AGENT, D.F. KING & CO., INC., 77 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10005, 1-800-628-8532. IN ORDER TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY OF THESE DOCUMENTS, ANY REQUEST SHOULD BE MADE BY MARCH 4, 2002. IF YOU REQUEST ANY SUCH DOCUMENTS FROM US, WE WILL MAIL THEM TO YOU BY FIRST CLASS MAIL, OR ANOTHER EQUALLY PROMPT MEANS, WITHIN ONE BUSINESS DAY AFTER WE RECEIVE YOUR REQUEST.
TABLE OF CONTENTS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE OFFER......................... 1 WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION........................... 5 SUMMARY....................................................... 7 RISK FACTORS.................................................. 13 Risks Related to the Offer and the Merger.................. 13 Risks Related to Our Businesses, Including Intimate Brands..................................................... 14 FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS.................................... 17 SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA............... 18 The Limited, Inc. Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data............................................. 19 Intimate Brands, Inc. Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data............................................. 20 RECENT DEVELOPMENTS........................................... 21 SELECTED UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA...... 23 COMPARATIVE PER SHARE DATA.................................... 24 COMPARATIVE MARKET VALUE...................................... 25 COMPARATIVE STOCK PRICES AND DIVIDENDS........................ 26 BACKGROUND AND REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND THE MERGER........... 27 THE OFFER..................................................... 32 General.................................................... 32 Timing of the Offer........................................ 33 Extension, Termination and Amendment....................... 33 Exchange of Intimate Brands Shares; Delivery of Limited Common Stock....................................... 34 Cash Instead of Fractional Shares of Limited Common Stock.. 34 Withdrawal Rights.......................................... 34 Procedure for Tendering.................................... 35 Guaranteed Delivery........................................ 36 Special Procedures for Savings and Retirement Plan and Stock Purchase Plan Participants; Stock Options.......... 37 Effect of Tender........................................... 37 Purpose of the Offer; The Merger; Appraisal Rights....... 38 Certain Legal and Regulatory Matters....................... 40 Financing of the Offer and the Merger...................... 41 Plans for Intimate Brands.................................. 41 CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER....................................... 42 Minimum Tender Condition................................... 42 Approval of The Limited Stockholders....................... 42 NYSE Listing of Limited Common Stock....................... 42 Registration Statement Effectiveness....................... 42 Other Conditions of the Offer.............................. 43 MATERIAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES...................... 44 CERTAIN EFFECTS OF THE OFFER; EXCHANGE ACT REGISTRATION....... 46 FEES AND EXPENSES............................................. 47 ACCOUNTING TREATMENT.......................................... 47 RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTIMATE BRANDS AND THE LIMITED.......... 48 Relationship of Directors and Executive Officers of Intimate Brands with The Limited......................... 48 Intercompany Arrangements.................................. 49 UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS......... 52 COMPARISON OF LIMITED--INTIMATE BRANDS STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS..... 60 DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK OF THE LIMITED................... 62 Authorized Capital Stock................................... 62 Common Stock............................................... 62 Preferred Stock............................................ 62 Transfer Agent and Registrar............................... 63 Stock Exchange Listing; Delisting and Deregistration of Intimate Brands Common Stock.......................... 63 LEGAL MATTERS................................................. 63 EXPERTS....................................................... 63 SCHEDULE I: CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING THE DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE LIMITED............. 64 SCHEDULE II: CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING THE DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF IB HOLDINGS........................ 67 ANNEX A: SECTION 262 OF GENERAL CORPORATION LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE........................................... 68 i
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ABOUT THE OFFER The following are some of the questions that you may have as an Intimate Brands stockholder and the answers to those questions. We urge you to read carefully the remainder of this prospectus and the related letter of transmittal because the information in this section is not complete. Additional important information is contained in the remainder of this prospectus and the letter of transmittal. Q: What is The Limited proposing? A: We are offering to exchange 1.046 shares of Limited common stock for each share of Intimate Brands Class A common stock validly tendered and not properly withdrawn in the offer. This exchange ratio has been set so that you will have approximately the same ownership interest in Intimate Brands' businesses immediately after the completion of the offer and the merger as you currently hold. In addition, as a Limited stockholder, you will also have an ownership interest in The Limited's other businesses and assets. The exchange ratio also represents a 6.1% premium to the closing price of Intimate Brands Class A common stock on February 4, 2002, the last trading day before the commencement of this offer, an approximate 6.3% premium to the average ratio of the closing stock prices of Intimate Brands and Limited common stock for the six months ended February 4, 2002 and an approximate 8.8% premium to the average ratio of the closing prices of Intimate Brands and Limited common stock for the one year ended February 4, 2002. The purpose of the offer and the merger referred to in the following paragraph is to acquire all of the Intimate Brands common stock that we do not currently own. We currently own approximately 83.7% of the outstanding common stock of Intimate Brands. Our offer is conditioned on (1) the tender of a sufficient number of shares of Intimate Brands Class A common stock such that, after the offer is completed, we would own at least 90% of the outstanding shares of Intimate Brands common stock and (2) approval by our stockholders of the issuance of Limited common stock in the offer and the merger. Our offer is also subject to other conditions described in "Conditions of the Offer." If the conditions to the offer are met and the offer is completed, we will own at least 90% of the outstanding common stock of Intimate Brands. As soon as practicable after the completion of the offer, we will effect a short-form merger of Intimate Brands and our wholly-owned subsidiary, Intimate Brands Holding Co., Inc., unless it is not lawful to do so. If you have not validly tendered your Intimate Brands shares in the offer (unless you perfect your appraisal rights under Delaware law), your shares will be exchanged in the merger for the same number of shares of Limited common stock that you would have received if you had tendered your shares in the offer. See "The Offer--Purpose of the Offer; The Merger; Appraisal Rights." If the offer is completed, no further Intimate Brands stockholder or board action is required for us to complete the merger. As a result of the offer and the merger, Intimate Brands will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Limited and the former public stockholders of Intimate Brands will own shares in The Limited. Intimate Brands shares will no longer trade publicly on any stock exchange. Q: Why is The Limited making this offer? A: We undertook the initial public offering of a minority interest in Intimate Brands in 1995 to achieve a number of objectives, including allowing for enhanced management focus on Intimate Brands' businesses and providing for greater market understanding and recognition of Intimate Brands' strategy and the value of its businesses. We believe that these objectives have been substantially achieved and that it is now appropriate to recombine Intimate Brands and The Limited. We believe that the combined entity will provide all stockholders with greater upside potential than the current organizational structure, and we have structured the offer and the merger to allow you to participate in the combined company through your ownership of Limited shares. 1
In deciding to pursue the offer, we considered, among other things, the following: . Our increasing focus on exploiting a smaller number of key brands across merchandise categories and distribution channels, and our belief that recombining Intimate Brands and The Limited would allow us to pursue this strategy more effectively, to the benefit of both Intimate Brands and Limited stockholders. We believe that a recombination will provide greater flexibility in allocating resources and expertise and coordinating our businesses and thereby put us in a better position to maximize the potential of both companies' brands. . Our belief that a recombination will provide other benefits, including elimination of management distraction as a result of time spent maintaining two public companies and elimination of uncertainty on the part of lenders and rating agencies as to our plans for Intimate Brands. . Our belief that the strength and prospects of Intimate Brands' businesses and brands are now more clearly recognized by investors and no longer need to be supported by a separate ownership structure. . Our belief that investors are increasingly viewing The Limited and Intimate Brands as very similar companies as a result of, among other things, the convergence of the growth rates of the two companies and the increasing portion of The Limited's operating income attributable to Intimate Brands (estimated to be approximately 90% for fiscal 2001). Accordingly, the market capitalizations of the two companies have become substantially similar, with Intimate Brands representing approximately 95% of the market value of The Limited as of February 4, 2002. Q: What will I receive in exchange for my shares? A: For each outstanding share of Intimate Brands Class A common stock that you validly tender and do not properly withdraw, you will receive 1.046 shares of Limited common stock. You will not receive any fractional Limited shares. Instead, the exchange agent for the offer, acting as your agent, will aggregate any fractional shares issuable and sell them for your account. The proceeds realized by the exchange agent on the sale of fractional shares will be distributed to you and the other tendering stockholders on a pro rata basis, net of commissions. Q: What percentage of Limited common stock will Intimate Brands stockholders receive in the offer and the merger? A: Intimate Brands stockholders (other than The Limited) currently own approximately 16.3% of Intimate Brands. We anticipate that the stockholders of Intimate Brands (other than The Limited) will receive in the offer and the merger shares representing approximately 16.3% of the outstanding common stock of The Limited after giving effect to the offer and the merger. This assumes that 429,080,715 shares of Limited common stock are outstanding before giving effect to the offer and the merger, approximately 83,770,000 shares of Limited common stock will be issued in the offer and the merger, no Intimate Brands stockholders perfect appraisal rights and no stock options are exercised prior to the closing of the offer and merger. Q: When do you expect to complete the offer and the merger? A: We hope to complete the offer by March 11, 2002, the initial scheduled expiration date. However, we may extend the offer if the conditions to the offer have not been satisfied at the scheduled expiration date or if we are required to extend the offer by the rules of the SEC. We expect to complete the merger shortly after we complete the offer. Q: Has the Intimate Brands Board made a recommendation on the transaction? A: The Board of Directors of Intimate Brands has not yet made any recommendation. Under the rules of the SEC, Intimate Brands is required to file and distribute to its stockholders its response to our offer no later than February 19, 2002, ten business days after the commencement of our offer. Although we are not able to predict the Intimate Brands Board process, because a number of Intimate Brands 2
directors are directors or employees of or otherwise associated with The Limited, we expect that the offer and the merger will be evaluated solely by Intimate Brands directors who are independent of The Limited. The Limited has informed Intimate Brands' directors that it would support the retention by the independent directors of financial and legal advisors of their choice. For information about the conflicts of interest facing certain directors of Intimate Brands with respect to The Limited, see "Relationship Between Intimate Brands and The Limited." Q: If I decide not to tender, how will the offer affect my Intimate Brands shares? A: If you decide not to tender your Intimate Brands shares in the offer and we complete the offer and the merger, unless you perfect your appraisal rights under Delaware law, you will receive in the merger the same number of shares of Limited common stock that you would have received if you had tendered your shares in the offer. We will effect the merger as soon as practicable after completion of the offer, unless it is unlawful to do so. See "The Offer--Purpose of the Offer; The Merger; Appraisal Rights." Q: How do I participate in the offer? A: To tender your shares, you should do the following: . If you hold your shares in your own name, complete and sign the enclosed letter of transmittal and return it with your share certificates to EquiServe Trust Company, N.A., the exchange agent for the offer, at the appropriate address specified on the back cover of this prospectus before the expiration date of the offer. . If you hold your shares in "street name" through a broker or other nominee, instruct such broker or nominee to tender your shares before the expiration date of the offer. . If you hold your shares in the Savings and Retirement Plan or the Intimate Brands Stock Purchase Plan, instruct the agent or trustee for the relevant plan to tender your shares before the expiration date of the offer. For more information about the procedures for tendering your shares in the offer, please refer to "The Offer." Q: Will participants in the Savings and Retirement Plan be able to participate in the offer? A: Yes. Each participant in the Savings and Retirement Plan may instruct the trustee of the plan to tender some or all of the Intimate Brands shares attributable to his or her plan account. Separate forms will be sent to each plan participant for use in directing the trustee. Q: Will participants in Intimate Brands' Stock Purchase Plan be able to participate in the offer? A: Yes. Each participant in the Stock Purchase Plan may instruct the agent for such plan to tender some or all of the Intimate Brands shares attributable to his or her plan account. Separate forms will be sent to each plan participant for use in directing the agent. Q: Will I have to pay any fees or commissions for tendering into the offer? A: If you are the record owner of your shares and you tender your shares directly to the exchange agent, you will not have to pay any fees or commissions. If you hold your shares through a broker, bank or other nominee, and your broker tenders the shares on your behalf, your broker may charge you a fee for doing so. You should consult your broker or nominee to determine whether any charges will apply. If you hold your shares in the Savings and Retirement Plan or the Intimate Brands' Stock Purchase Plan, you will not have to pay any fees or commissions to tender your shares held under these plans. Q: Will I be taxed on The Limited shares I receive? A: Your receipt of Limited common stock will be tax-free for United States federal income tax purposes. However, you will be subject to tax upon any cash received instead of fractional shares of Limited common stock and for cash received if you perfect appraisal rights. 3
Q: What do I do if I want to withdraw my shares from your offer? A: To withdraw your shares from the offer, send a written or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal to the exchange agent at the appropriate address specified on the back cover of this prospectus prior to the date we accept your shares for exchange pursuant to the offer. Your notice of withdrawal must comply as to form with the requirements set forth in this prospectus. See "The Offer--Withdrawal Rights." Q: How will Intimate Brands employee stock options and restricted stock be treated in connection with the offer and merger? A: If the offer and merger are completed, Intimate Brands employee stock options and restricted stock will be exchanged for Limited stock options and restricted stock with substantially similar terms. Q: Where can I find more information about The Limited and Intimate Brands? A: You can find more information about The Limited and Intimate Brands from various sources described under "Where You Can Find More Information." Q: Who do I call if I have any questions on how to tender my shares of Intimate Brands common stock or any other questions relating to the exchange offer? A: Questions and requests for assistance may be directed to D.F. King & Co., Inc., the information agent of the offer, or to Goldman, Sachs & Co. or Banc of America Securities LLC, the dealer managers of the offer, at their respective addresses and telephone numbers set forth on the back cover of this prospectus. Requests for additional copies of this prospectus and the letter of transmittal may be directed to D.F. King or to brokers, dealers, commercial banks, trust companies or other nominees. 4
WHERE YOU CAN FIND MORE INFORMATION The Limited and Intimate Brands file annual, quarterly and special reports, proxy statements and other information with the Securities and Exchange Commission under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. You may read and copy these reports and other information filed by The Limited and Intimate Brands at the Public Reference Section of the SEC, 450 Fifth Street, N.W., Room 1024, Washington, D.C. 20549, at prescribed rates. You may obtain information on the operation of the Public Reference Room by calling the SEC at 1-800-SEC-0330. The SEC also maintains an Internet world wide web site that contains reports, proxy statements and other information about issuers, like The Limited and Intimate Brands, who file electronically with the SEC through the Electronic Data Gathering, Analysis and Retrieval (EDGAR) system. The address of this site is http://www.sec.gov. You may also inspect reports, proxy statements and other information about The Limited and Intimate Brands at the offices of the New York Stock Exchange, 20 Broad Street, New York, New York 10005. This prospectus constitutes a part of a registration statement on Form S-4 we filed with the SEC to register our common stock to be issued pursuant to the offer and the merger. As allowed by SEC rules, this prospectus does not contain all the information set forth in the registration statement or the exhibits to the registration statement. In addition, we filed with the SEC a statement on Schedule TO pursuant to Rule 14d-3 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, to furnish certain information about the offer. You may obtain copies of the Form S-4 and the Schedule TO (and any amendments to those documents) in the manner described above. Intimate Brands is required to file with the SEC a Solicitation/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14d-9 regarding the offer within ten business days from the commencement date of the offer and to disseminate this statement to Intimate Brands stockholders. You may obtain a copy of the Schedule 14d-9 (and any amendments to that document) after it is filed in the manner described above. The SEC allows us to "incorporate by reference" information into this prospectus, which means that we can disclose important information to you by referring you to another document filed separately with the SEC. The information incorporated by reference is deemed to be part of this prospectus, except for any information superseded by information in, or incorporated by reference in, this prospectus. This prospectus incorporates by reference the documents set forth below that The Limited and Intimate Brands have previously filed with the SEC. These documents contain important information about The Limited and Intimate Brands and their financial condition. The Limited, Inc. SEC Filings (Commission File No. 1-8344) Period -------------------------- -------------------------- Annual Report on Form 10-K Fiscal Year ended February 3, 2001 Quarterly Reports on Form Fiscal Quarters ended May 10-Q 5, 2001, August 4, 2001 and November 3, 2001 Proxy Statement Filed on April 20, 2001 Intimate Brands, Inc. SEC Filings (Commission File No. 1-13814) Period -------------------------- -------------------------- Annual Report on Form 10-K Fiscal Year ended February 3, 2001 Quarterly Reports on Form Fiscal Quarters ended May 10-Q 5, 2001, August 4, 2001 and November 3, 2001 Current Report on Form 8-K Filed on September 19, 2001 Proxy Statement Filed on April 20, 2001 All documents filed by The Limited and Intimate Brands with the SEC pursuant to Sections 13(a), 13(c), 14 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, from the date of this prospectus to the date that 5
shares are accepted for exchange pursuant to our offer (or the date that our offer is terminated) shall also be deemed to be incorporated by reference into this prospectus and to be a part hereof from the date of filing of such documents. Any statement contained in this prospectus, or in a document incorporated by reference, shall be deemed to be modified or superseded to the extent that a statement contained in this prospectus or in any other subsequently filed document incorporated by reference, modifies or supersedes such statement. Any such statement so modified or superseded shall not be deemed, except as so modified or superseded, to constitute a part of this prospectus. COPIES OF DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCE ARE AVAILABLE FROM US WITHOUT CHARGE UPON REQUEST TO OUR INFORMATION AGENT, D.F. KING & CO., INC., 77 WATER STREET, NEW YORK, NEW YORK 10005, 1-800-628-8532. IN ORDER TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY OF THE DOCUMENTS, ANY REQUEST SHOULD BE MADE BY MARCH 4, 2002. IF YOU REQUEST ANY SUCH DOCUMENTS FROM US, WE WILL MAIL THEM TO YOU BY FIRST CLASS MAIL, OR ANOTHER EQUALLY PROMPT MEANS, WITHIN ONE BUSINESS DAY AFTER WE RECEIVE YOUR REQUEST. We have not authorized anyone to give any information or make any representation about the offer or the merger that is different from, or in addition to, that contained in this prospectus or in any of the materials that we have incorporated by reference into this prospectus. Therefore, you should not rely on any other information. If you are in a jurisdiction where offers to exchange or sell, or solicitations of offers to exchange or purchase, the securities offered by this document are unlawful, or if you are a person to whom it is unlawful to direct these types of activities, then the offer presented in this document does not extend to you. The information contained in this document speaks only as of the date of this document unless the information specifically indicates that another date applies. 6
SUMMARY This summary highlights selected information from this prospectus and may not contain all of the information that is important to you. To better understand the proposed offer and merger, you should read this entire document carefully, as well as those additional documents to which we refer you. See "Where You Can Find More Information." Introduction We are offering to exchange 1.046 shares of Limited common stock for each share of Intimate Brands Class A common stock validly tendered and not properly withdrawn in the offer. This exchange ratio has been set so that you will have approximately the same ownership interest in Intimate Brands' businesses immediately after the completion of the offer and the merger as you currently hold. In addition, as a Limited stockholder, you will also have an ownership interest in The Limited's other businesses and assets. This exchange ratio represents a 6.1% premium to the closing price of Intimate Brands Class A common stock on February 4, 2002, the last full trading day before the commencement of the offer. It also represents an approximate 6.3% premium to the average ratio of Intimate Brands and Limited closing stock prices for the six months ended February 4, 2002 and an approximate 8.8% premium to the average ratio of Intimate Brands and Limited closing stock prices for the one year ended February 4, 2002. The purpose of the offer and the merger referred to in the following paragraph is to acquire all of the Intimate Brands Class A common stock that we do not currently own. We currently own approximately 83.7% of the outstanding common stock of Intimate Brands. Our offer is conditioned on (1) the tender of a sufficient number of shares of Intimate Brands Class A common stock such that, after the offer is completed, we would own at least 90% of the outstanding shares of Intimate Brands common stock and (2) approval by our stockholders of the issuance of Limited common stock in the offer and the merger. Our offer is also subject to other conditions referred to below. If the conditions to the offer are met and the offer is completed, we will own at least 90% of the outstanding common stock of Intimate Brands. As soon as practicable after the completion of the offer, we will effect a short-form merger of Intimate Brands and our wholly-owned subsidiary, Intimate Brands Holding Co., unless it is not lawful to do so. If you have not validly tendered your Intimate Brands shares in the offer (unless you properly perfect your appraisal rights under Delaware law), your shares will be exchanged in the merger for the same number of shares of Limited common stock that you would have received if you had tendered your shares in the offer. See "The Offer--Purpose of the Offer; The Merger; Appraisal Rights." If the offer is completed, no further Intimate Brands stockholder or board action is required for us to complete the merger. As a result of the offer and the merger, Intimate Brands will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Limited and the former public stockholders of Intimate Brands will own shares in The Limited. Intimate Brands shares will no longer trade publicly on any stock exchange. The Companies The Limited, Inc. Three Limited Parkway P.O. Box 16000 Columbus, Ohio 43216 (614) 415-7000 The Limited sells women's and men's apparel, women's intimate apparel and personal care products under various brand names through its specialty retail stores and direct response (catalog and e-commerce) businesses. The Limited's merchandise is targeted to appeal to customers in various market segments that have distinctive consumer characteristics. 7
The Limited conducts its business in two primary segments: (1) the apparel segment, which derives its revenues from the sale of women's and men's apparel; and (2) Intimate Brands, which derives its revenues from the sale of women's intimate and other apparel, personal care products and accessories. The following is a brief description of each of The Limited's significant operating businesses (other than Intimate Brands), including their respective target markets: Express--is a leading specialty retailer of women's sportswear and accessories. Express' strategy is to offer new, international fashion to its base of young, style-driven women. Launched in 1980, Express had net sales of approximately $1.6 billion in 2000 and, at the end of fiscal 2000, operated 667 stores in 48 states. Structure--is a leading specialty retailer of men's apparel and is being rebranded as Express Men's. Structure had net sales of approximately $570 million in 2000 and, at the end of fiscal 2000, operated 469 stores in 43 states. Lerner New York--is a leading mall-based specialty retailer of women's apparel. The business' strategy is to offer competitively priced women's fashion with its New York & Company brand. Originally founded in 1918, Lerner New York was purchased by The Limited in 1985. Lerner New York had net sales of approximately $1.0 billion in 2000 and, at the end of fiscal 2000, operated 560 stores in 43 states. Limited Stores--is a mall-based specialty store retailer founded in 1963. The business' strategy is to focus on sophisticated sportswear for modern American women. Limited Stores had net sales of approximately $670 million in 2000 and, at the end of fiscal 2000, operated 389 stores in 46 states. In addition, The Limited owns minority equity stakes in various businesses, including approximately 20% of Alliance Data Systems Corp. (formerly World Financial Network National Bank), 24% of Galyan's Trading Company, Inc. and 9% of Charming Shoppes, Inc. Based on the closing stock prices of these companies on February 4, 2002, these holdings had a market value of over $415 million in the aggregate. In addition, The Limited's management estimates that, as of the end of fiscal 2001, The Limited will have approximately $1.4 billion in cash. Intimate Brands Holding Co., Inc. 4441 South Polaris Avenue Las Vegas, Nevada 89103 (702) 798-1919 Intimate Brands Holding Co., Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Limited, is a holding company which owns 100% of Intimate Brands' Class B common stock. The Class B common stock currently represents 83.7% of the economic interest in, and approximately 93.9% of the voting power of, Intimate Brands. Intimate Brands' Class B common stock is identical to its Class A common stock, except that the Class A common stock has one vote per share and the Class B common stock has three votes per share. The Class B common stock is convertible at any time into Class A common stock at the election of Intimate Brands Holding Co. Intimate Brands Holding Co. currently owns no Class A common stock. The Limited does not own any Intimate Brands common stock directly. Intimate Brands, Inc. Three Limited Parkway P.O. Box 16000 Columbus, Ohio 43216 (614) 415-6900 Intimate Brands operates specialty retail stores and direct response (catalog and e-commerce) businesses, which offer women's intimate and other apparel, personal care products and accessories. Intimate Brands consists of Victoria's Secret Stores, Victoria's Secret Beauty, Victoria's Secret Direct and Bath & Body Works. 8
Victoria's Secret Stores--is the leading specialty retailer of women's intimate apparel and related products. Victoria's Secret Stores had net sales of approximately $2.3 billion in 2000 and, at the end of fiscal 2000, operated 958 stores in 49 states. Victoria's Secret Beauty--is a leading specialty retailer of high quality beauty products. In 2000, Victoria's Secret Beauty had net sales of approximately $530 million generated in 80 stand-alone stores and 400 side-by-side locations. In addition, beauty products are sold within niches in Victoria's Secret lingerie stores. The amounts for Victoria's Secret Beauty are included in the corresponding data for Victoria's Secret Stores in the preceding paragraph. Victoria's Secret Direct--is a leading catalog and e-commerce retailer of intimate and other women's apparel. Through its web site, www.VictoriasSecret.com, certain of its products may be purchased worldwide. Victoria's Secret Direct mailed approximately 368 million catalogues and had net sales of approximately $960 million in 2000. Bath & Body Works--is the leading specialty retailer of personal care products. Launched in 1990, Bath & Body Works, which also operates the White Barn Candle Company, had net sales of approximately $1.8 billion in 2000 and, at the end of fiscal 2000, operated 1,432 stores in 49 states. Summary of the Offer We are offering, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in this prospectus and in the related letter of transmittal, to exchange 1.046 shares of Limited common stock for each outstanding share of Class A common stock of Intimate Brands that is validly tendered on or prior to the expiration date and not properly withdrawn. The term "expiration date" means 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on March 11, 2002, unless we extend the period of time for which this offer is open, in which case the term "expiration date" means the latest time and date on which the offer, as so extended, expires. Conditions to the Completion of the Offer Our obligation to exchange shares of our common stock for Intimate Brands shares pursuant to the offer is subject to a number of conditions described under "Conditions of the Offer," including the following: . the tender of a sufficient number of shares in the offer such that, after the offer is completed, we would own at least 90% of the outstanding Class A common stock of Intimate Brands (assuming conversion of the Intimate Brands Class B common stock we currently own into Intimate Brands Class A common stock); . the approval by our stockholders of the issuance of the shares of Limited common stock necessary to complete the offer and the merger; . the shares of Limited common stock to be issued in the offer and the merger having been approved for listing on the New York Stock Exchange, subject to official notice of issuance; . the registration statement of which this prospectus is a part having been declared effective by the SEC; . the absence of any threatened or pending litigation or other legal action relating to the offer or the merger; . there not having occurred any material adverse change in the financial markets, any disruption in the banking system or any commencement of a war involving the United States; . any offer to acquire The Limited or Intimate Brands shall not have been proposed; . there not having occurred any event that, in our judgment, would result in an actual or threatened adverse change in the business, condition or prospects of The Limited or Intimate Brands; and . the absence of any event which would prevent us from effecting the merger after the completion of the offer. 9
We will not waive the minimum tender condition or any other conditions of the offer which, if not satisfied, would prevent us from effecting the merger. If the conditions of the offer are satisfied, or, to the extent permitted, waived, we will complete the offer and, unless it is unlawful to do so, we will effect the merger as soon as practicable thereafter. Timing of the Offer Our offer is currently scheduled to expire on March 11, 2002; however, we may extend our offer from time to time as necessary until all the conditions to the offer have been satisfied or, where permissible, waived. See "The Offer--Extension, Termination and Amendment." Extension, Termination and Amendment We expressly reserve the right, in our sole discretion, at any time or from time to time, to extend the period of time during which our offer remains open if any condition to the offer has not been satisfied, and we can do so by giving oral followed by written notice of such extension to the exchange agent. If we decide to extend our offer, we will make an announcement to that effect no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled expiration date. We are not making any assurances that we will exercise our right to extend our offer, although we may do so until all conditions have been satisfied, or where permissible, waived. During any such extension, all Intimate Brands shares previously tendered and not properly withdrawn will remain subject to the offer, subject to your right to withdraw your Intimate Brands shares. Subject to the SEC's applicable rules and regulations, we also reserve the right, in our sole discretion, at any time or from time to time, (1) to delay our acceptance for exchange or our exchange of any Intimate Brands shares pursuant to the offer, regardless of whether we previously accepted Intimate Brands shares for exchange, or to terminate our offer and not accept for exchange or exchange any Intimate Brands shares not previously accepted for exchange or exchanged, upon the failure of any of the conditions of the offer to be satisfied and (2) to waive any condition (subject to the limits on waiver described under "Conditions of the Offer") or otherwise to amend the offer in any respect, by giving oral followed by written notice of such delay, termination or amendment to the exchange agent and by making a public announcement. We will follow any extension, termination, amendment or delay, as promptly as practicable, with a public announcement. In the case of an extension, any such announcement will be issued no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled expiration date. Subject to applicable law (including Rules 14d-4(d) and 14d-6(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, which require that any material change in the information published, sent or given to the stockholders in connection with the offer be promptly sent to stockholders in a manner reasonably designed to inform stockholders of such change) and without limiting the manner in which we may choose to make any public announcement, we assume no obligation to publish, advertise or otherwise communicate any such public announcement other than by making a release to the Dow Jones News Service. Exchange of Shares; Delivery of Limited Common Stock Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of our offer, we will accept for exchange, and will exchange, shares validly tendered and not properly withdrawn as promptly as practicable after the expiration date and promptly after they are tendered during any subsequent offering period. Withdrawal Rights Intimate Brands shares tendered pursuant to the offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to the expiration date, and, unless we previously accepted them for exchange pursuant to the offer, may also be withdrawn at any time after April 5, 2002. 10
Procedure for Tendering Shares To validly tender your Intimate Brands shares pursuant to the offer, (1) you must complete, execute and transmit a letter of transmittal, along with any required signature guarantees, or an agent's message, in connection with a book-entry transfer, and any other required documents, to the exchange agent at one of the addresses set forth on the back cover of this prospectus and certificates for tendered Intimate Brands shares must be received by the exchange agent at such address, or those Intimate Brands shares must be tendered pursuant to the procedures for book-entry tender set forth in "The Offer" (and a confirmation of receipt of such tender received), in each case before the expiration date, or (2) you must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in "The Offer--Guaranteed Delivery." If you are a participant in the Savings and Retirement Plan or the Intimate Brands' Stock Purchase Plan, you will receive separate forms to be used to tender the Intimate Brands shares held in your accounts under the relevant plan. You may not use the letter of transmittal referred to above to tender shares held under the plans. See "The Offer--Special Procedures for Savings and Retirement Plan and Stock Purchase Plan Participants; Stock Options." The Merger If the conditions to the offer are met and the offer is completed, we will own at least 90% of the outstanding common stock of Intimate Brands. As soon as practicable after the completion of the offer, we will effect a short-form merger of Intimate Brands and Intimate Brands Holding Co., unless it is not lawful to do so. If you have not validly tendered your Intimate Brands shares in the offer (unless you perfect your appraisal rights under Delaware law), your shares will be exchanged in the merger for the same number of shares of Limited common stock that you would have received if you had tendered your shares in the offer. See "The Offer--Purpose of the Offer; The Merger; Appraisal Rights." If the offer is completed, no further Intimate Brands stockholder or board action is required for us to complete the merger. Appraisal Rights You are not entitled to appraisal rights in connection with the offer. However, at the time of the merger, Intimate Brands stockholders who did not tender their shares in the offer will have the right under Delaware law to dissent and demand appraisal rights with respect to their Intimate Brands shares, if they comply with certain statutory requirements. We will send such stockholders information regarding these requirements. See "The Offer--Purpose of the Offer; The Merger; Appraisal Rights." Certain Federal Income Tax Consequences Your receipt of Limited common stock in connection with the offer and the merger will be tax-free for United States federal income tax purposes. However, you will be subject to tax upon any cash received instead of fractional shares of Limited common stock and for cash received if you perfect appraisal rights. Accounting Treatment The Limited's acquisition of the Intimate Brands minority interest through the offer and the merger will be accounted for using the purchase method of accounting, as prescribed by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 141, "Business Combinations." Accordingly, the purchase price will be allocated to the minority interest portion of the estimated fair value of identifiable net assets acquired. Any excess purchase price remaining after this allocation will be accounted for as goodwill, which will not be amortized. 11
Risk Factors In deciding whether to tender your shares pursuant to the offer, you should carefully read this prospectus, including the risk factors, as well as the documents incorporated by reference into this prospectus. See "Risk Factors" beginning on page 13 for a more complete discussion of these and other factors to consider in connection with the offer and the merger. 12
RISK FACTORS In deciding whether to tender your shares pursuant to the offer, you should read this prospectus and the documents incorporated into this prospectus carefully. You should also consider the risk factors described below. These risks and uncertainties could result in a material adverse effect on our businesses, financial condition and results of operations and could result in a material decline in the trading price of Limited common stock. Risks Related to the Offer and the Merger Because the number of Limited shares that you receive in the offer is fixed, the value of Limited shares at the time you receive them could be less than their value at the time you tender your Intimate Brands shares. In the offer, each Intimate Brands share will be exchanged for 1.046 shares of Limited common stock. This is a fixed exchange ratio. The offer does not provide for an adjustment in the exchange ratio even if there is a decrease in the market price of Limited common stock between the date of this prospectus and the expiration date of the offer. The market price of Limited common stock will likely be different on the date of the expiration of the offer than it is today because of ordinary trading fluctuations as well as changes in the business, operations or prospects of The Limited, market reactions to this offer, possible other acquisitions or dispositions by The Limited, issuances by The Limited of equity or debt securities, general market and economic conditions and other factors. Tendering stockholders are urged to obtain current market quotations for Limited common stock and Intimate Brands common stock. See "Comparative Stock Prices and Dividends" on page 26. The Limited owns a number of businesses other than Intimate Brands. Accordingly, as a holder of Limited common stock, you will be subject to the risks and liabilities inherent in The Limited's other businesses, as well as the risks and liabilities inherent in Intimate Brands' businesses. These risks and liabilities could cause The Limited's stock price to decline. Upon consummation of the offer and the merger, holders of Intimate Brands common stock will become holders of Limited common stock. The Limited owns a number of businesses which, in addition to being subject to the risks and liabilities affecting all of The Limited's businesses (including Intimate Brands), are subject to a wide range of risks and liabilities that are different from those of Intimate Brands' businesses. Certain of these businesses have suffered losses over the past several years and are subject to significant lease and other obligations. Accordingly, although Intimate Brands contributes the substantial majority of The Limited's earnings, the trading price of Limited common stock could decline as a result of factors different from those affecting the trading price of Intimate Brands common stock, including the results, liabilities and prospects of The Limited's businesses other than Intimate Brands. Anticipated benefits of the combination may not be realized. We believe that a combination of Intimate Brands and The Limited is the organizational structure that will put us in the best position to fully leverage the leading retail brands of both companies and thereby generate additional value for all stockholders. However, for various reasons, we may not be able to achieve these anticipated benefits or achieving them may require more time than we currently anticipate. Officers and directors of Intimate Brands have potential conflicts of interest in the offer. You should be aware that certain significant conflicts of interest exist among members of the Intimate Brands Board of Directors with respect to The Limited. Three members of the Intimate Brands Board also serve as directors of The Limited, including Leslie H. Wexner, who serves as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of both companies. The two directors that comprise the compensation committee of the Intimate Brands Board also constitute the compensation committee of The Limited Board. In addition, two members of the Intimate Brands Board are employees of Intimate Brands, whose compensation is ultimately determined by the compensation committee of the Intimate Brands Board. Although we cannot predict the Intimate Brands Board process, because of these conflicts of interest facing certain directors of Intimate Brands, we expect that the offer and the merger will be evaluated solely by Intimate Brands directors who are independent of The Limited. See "Relationship Between Intimate Brands and The Limited" on page 48. 13
Risks Related to Our Businesses, Including Intimate Brands Our revenue and profit results are sensitive to general economic conditions, consumer confidence and spending patterns. Our growth, sales and profitability may be adversely affected by negative local, regional or national economic trends that shake consumer confidence. Purchases of women's and men's apparel, women's intimate apparel, personal care products and accessories often decline during periods when economic or market conditions are unsettled or weak. In such circumstances, we may increase the number of promotional sales, which would further adversely affect profitability. Our net sales, operating income and inventory levels fluctuate on a seasonal basis. Our businesses experience major seasonal fluctuations in their net sales and operating income, with a significant portion of their operating income typically realized during the fourth quarter holiday season. Any decrease in sales or margins during this period could have a disproportionate effect on our financial condition and results of operations. Seasonal fluctuations also affect our inventory levels, since we usually order merchandise in advance of peak selling periods and sometimes before new fashion trends are confirmed by customer purchases. We must carry a significant amount of inventory, especially before the holiday season selling period. If we are not successful in selling the inventory during the holiday period, we may not be able to sell the inventory at all. We may be unable to compete favorably in the highly competitive segment of the retail industry. The sale of intimate and other apparel, personal care products and accessories is highly competitive. Increased competition could result in price reductions, increased marketing expenditures and loss of market share, all of which would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations. We compete for sales with a broad range of other retailers, including individual and chain fashion specialty stores and department stores. In addition to the traditional store-based retailers, we also compete with direct marketers that sell similar lines of merchandise, who target customers through catalogs and e-commerce. Direct marketers also include traditional store-based retailers like us who are competing in the catalog and e-commerce distribution channels. Our direct response business competes with numerous national and regional catalog and e-commerce merchandisers. Brand image, marketing, fashion design, price, service, quality, image presentation and fulfillment are all competitive factors in catalog and e-commerce sales. Some of our competitors may have greater financial, marketing and other resources available to them. In many cases, our primary competitors sell their products in department stores that are located in the same shopping malls as our stores. In addition to competing for sales, we compete for favorable site locations and lease terms in shopping malls. We may not be able to keep up with fashion trends and may not be able to launch new product lines successfully. Our success depends in part on management's ability to effectively anticipate and respond to changing fashion tastes and consumer demands and to translate market trends into appropriate, saleable product offerings far in advance. Customer tastes and fashion trends change rapidly. If we are unable to successfully anticipate, identify or react to changing styles or trends and misjudge the market for our products or any new product lines, our sales will be lower and we may be faced with a significant amount of unsold finished goods inventory. In response, we may be forced to increase our marketing promotions or price markdowns, which would have a material adverse effect on our profitability. Our brand image may also suffer if customers believe merchandise misjudgments indicate that we are no longer able to offer the latest fashions. 14
We may lose key personnel. We believe that we have benefited substantially from the leadership and experience of our senior executives, including Leslie H. Wexner (our Chairman of the Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer). The loss of the services of any of these individuals would have a material adverse effect on our business and prospects. Our future success will also depend on our ability to recruit, train and retain other qualified personnel. Competition for key personnel in the retail industry is intense. Our unaffiliated manufacturers may be unable to manufacture and deliver products in a timely manner or meet quality standards. We purchase apparel through our wholly owned subsidiary, Mast, a contract manufacturer and apparel importer, as well as through other contract manufacturers and importers and directly from affiliated and unaffiliated manufacturers. Personal care, fragrance and beauty products are also purchased through other contract manufacturers and importers and directly from unaffiliated manufacturers. Similar to most other specialty retailers, we have narrow sales windows for much of our inventory. Factors outside our control, such as manufacturing or shipping delays or quality problems, could disrupt merchandise deliveries and result in lost sales, cancellation charges or excessive markdowns. We rely significantly on foreign sources of production. We purchase apparel merchandise directly in foreign markets and in the domestic market, some of which is manufactured overseas. We do not have any long-term merchandise supply contracts and many of our imports are subject to existing or potential duties, tariffs or quotas. We compete with other companies for production facilities and import quota capacity. We also face a variety of other risks generally associated with doing business in foreign markets and importing merchandise from abroad, such as: . political instability; . imposition of new legislation relating to import quotas that may limit the quantity of goods which may be imported into the United States from countries in that region; . imposition of duties, taxes, and other charges on imports; . currency and exchange risks; and . local business practice and political issues, including issues relating to compliance with domestic or international labor standards which may result in adverse publicity. New initiatives may be proposed that may have an impact on the trading status of certain countries and may include retaliatory duties or other trade sanctions which, if enacted, would increase the cost of products purchased from suppliers in such countries. The future performance of our businesses will depend upon this and the other factors listed above which are beyond our control. We depend on a high volume of mall traffic and the availability of suitable lease space. Many of our stores are located in shopping malls. Sales at these stores are derived, in part, from the high volume of traffic in those malls. Our stores benefit from the ability of the mall's "anchor" tenants, generally large department stores, and other area attractions to generate consumer traffic in the vicinity of our stores and the continuing popularity of malls as shopping destinations. Sales volume and mall traffic may be adversely affected by economic downturns in a particular area, competition from non-mall retailers and other malls where we do not have stores and the closing of anchor department stores. In addition, a decline in the desirability of the shopping 15
environment in a particular mall, or a decline in the popularity of mall shopping among our target consumers, would adversely affect our business. Part of our future growth is significantly dependent on our ability to open new stores in desirable locations with capital investment and lease costs that allow us to earn a reasonable return. We cannot be sure as to when or whether such desirable locations will become available at reasonable costs. Increases in costs of mailing, paper and printing. Postal rate increases and paper and printing costs will affect the cost of our order fulfillment and catalog and promotional mailings. We rely on discounts from the basic postal rate structure, such as discounts for bulk mailings and sorting by zip code and carrier routes. Future paper and postal rate increases would adversely impact our earnings if we are unable to pass such increases directly onto our customers or offset such increases by raising prices or by implementing more efficient printing, mailing, delivery and order fulfillment systems. Our stock price may be volatile. Our stock price may fluctuate substantially as a result of periodic variations in the actual or anticipated financial results (including monthly sales comparisons and quarterly earnings) of our businesses or other companies in the retail industry or markets served by us. In addition, the stock market has experienced price and volume fluctuations that have affected the market price of many retail stocks and that have often been unrelated or disproportionate to the operating performance of these companies. 16
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS This prospectus contains or incorporates by reference forward-looking statements. Investors are cautioned that such forward-looking statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, including those described under "Risk Factors" on pages 13 through 16, many of which are beyond our control. Accordingly, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in any such forward-looking statements. Words such as "estimate," "project," "plan," "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "intend" and similar expressions may identify forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are qualified by the risks described under "Risk Factors" which, if they develop into actual events, could have a material adverse effect on the offer and the merger or on our businesses, financial condition or results of operations. In addition, investors should consider the other information contained in or incorporated by reference into this prospectus. We are not under any obligation and do not intend to make publicly available any update or other revisions to any of the forward-looking statements contained in this prospectus to reflect circumstances existing after the date of this prospectus or to reflect the occurrence of future events even if experience or future events make it clear that any expected results expressed or implied by those forward-looking statements will not be realized. However, The Limited is scheduled to report January sales on February 7, fourth quarter 2001 earnings on February 28, and February sales on March 7, 2002. 17
SELECTED HISTORICAL CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA We are providing the following information to assist you in analyzing the financial aspects of the offer and the merger. The following selected historical financial data should be read in conjunction with the historical financial statements and related notes contained in the annual, quarterly and other reports filed by The Limited and Intimate Brands with the SEC and incorporated by reference into this prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information." The information for The Limited for the thirty-nine weeks ended November 3, 2001 and October 28, 2000 was derived from the unaudited consolidated financial statements included in The Limited's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended November 3, 2001. The Limited's results for the thirty-nine weeks ended November 3, 2001 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the fiscal year ending February 2, 2002. The information for The Limited for each of the five fiscal years in the period ended February 3, 2001 was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in The Limited's Annual Reports on Form 10-K and reflects The Limited's historical ownership interests in Intimate Brands. The information for Intimate Brands for the thirty-nine weeks ended November 3, 2001 and October 28, 2000 was derived from the unaudited consolidated financial statements included in Intimate Brands' Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended November 3, 2001. The Intimate Brands' results for the thirty-nine weeks ended November 3, 2001 are not necessarily indicative of the results to be expected for the fiscal year ending February 2, 2002. The information for Intimate Brands for each of the five fiscal years in the period ended February 3, 2001 was derived from the audited consolidated financial statements included in Intimate Brands' Annual Reports on Form 10-K. 18
The Limited, Inc. Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data As of or For the Thirty-nine Weeks Ended(a) As of or For the Fiscal Years Ended(a) ----------------------- ----------------------------------------------- November 3, October 28, 2001 2000 2000(b) 1999 1998 1997 1996 ----------- ----------- ------- ------ ------ ------ ------ (in millions, except per share data) Statement of Income Data Net sales.................................. $6,225 $6,583 $10,105 $9,766 $9,365 $9,200 $8,652 Net income................................. $ 192 (c) $ 190 $ 428(c) $ 461(c) $2,046(c) $ 212(c) $ 434(c) Per Share Data Basic net income........................... $0.45 (c) $ 0.44 $ 1.00(c) $ 1.05(c) $ 4.25(c) $ 0.39(c) $ 0.78(c) Diluted net income......................... $0.44 (c) $ 0.42 $ 0.96(c) $ 1.00(c) $ 4.15(c) $ 0.39(c) $ 0.77(c) Dividends.................................. $0.225 $0.225 $ 0.30 $ 0.30 $ 0.26 $ 0.24 $ 0.20 Diluted weighted average shares outstanding 435 444 443 456 493 549 564 Balance Sheet Data Total assets............................... $4,157 $4,016 $ 4,088 $4,126 $4,550 $4,301 $4,120 Long-term debt............................. $ 250 $ 400 $ 400 $ 400 $ 550 $ 650 $ 650 Shareholders' equity....................... $2,428 $2,088 $ 2,316 $2,147 $2,167 $1,986 $1,869 - -------- (a) Includes the results of the following companies up to their separation date: 1) Lane Bryant sale effective August 16, 2001; 2) Limited Too spin-off effective August 23, 1999; 3) Galyan's Trading Co. sale of a majority interest effective August 31, 1999; and 4) Abercrombie & Fitch split-off effective May 19, 1998. (b) Fifty-three-week fiscal year. (c) Net income includes the effect of the following special items: For the nine-months ended November 3, 2001: 1) a $170.0 million gain from the sale of Lane Bryant and 2) an aggregate gain of $62.1 million from the initial public offerings of Galyan's and Alliance Data Systems. In 2000: a $9.9 million charge to close Bath & Body Works' nine stores in the United Kingdom. In 1999: 1) the reserve reversal of $36.6 million related to downsizing costs for Henri Bendel; 2) an $11.0 million gain from the sale of a 60% majority interest in Galyan's; and 3) a $13.1 million charge for transaction costs related to the Limited Too spin-off. In 1998: 1) a $1.651 billion tax-free gain on the split-off of Abercrombie & Fitch; 2) a $93.7 million gain from the sale of the Company's remaining interest in Brylane, Inc.; and 3) a $5.1 million charge for associate termination costs at Henri Bendel. In 1997: 1) a $276.0 million charge related to implementation of initiatives to strengthen the Company's various retail brands; 2) a $62.8 million net gain related to the sale of one-half of the Company's investment in Brylane, Inc.; 3) a $13.0 million Henri Bendel inventory liquidation charge; and 4) an $8.6 million gain in connection with the initial public offering of Brylane, Inc. In 1996: 1) a $118.2 million gain resulting from the initial public offering of a 15.8% interest in Abercrombie & Fitch and 2) a $12.0 million charge for the revaluation of certain assets in connection with the sale of Penhaligon's. 19
Intimate Brands, Inc. Selected Historical Consolidated Financial Data As of or For the Thirty-nine Weeks Ended As of or For the Fiscal Years Ended ----------------------- ---------------------------------------- November 3, October 28, 2001 2000 2000(a) 1999 1998 1997 1996 ----------- ----------- ------- ------ ------ ------ ------ (in millions, except per share data) Statement of Income Data Net sales.................................. $3,084 $3,180 $5,117 $4,632 $3,989 $3,719 $3,093 Net income................................. $ 93 $ 211 $ 432 (b) $ 459 $ 394 $ 284(b) $ 257(b) Per Share Data Basic net income........................... $ 0.19 $ 0.43 $0.88 (b) $ 0.92 $ 0.75 $ 0.54(b) $ 0.48(b) Diluted net income......................... $ 0.19 $ 0.42 $0.87 (b) $ 0.90 $ 0.74 $ 0.53(b) $ 0.48(b) Dividends.................................. $ 0.21 $ 0.21 $ 0.28 $ 0.27 $ 0.27 $ 0.25 $ 0.23 Diluted weighted average shares outstanding 494 501 499 508 530 532 531 Balance Sheet Data Total assets............................... $1,725 $1,685 $1,457 $1,384 $1,448 $1,348 $1,135 Long-term debt............................. $ 100 $ 100 $ 100 $ 100 $ 250 $ 350 $ 350 Shareholders' equity....................... $ 659 $ 464 $ 665 $ 545 $ 609 $ 531 $ 377 - -------- (a) Fifty-three-week fiscal year. (b) Net income includes the effect of the following special items: In 2000: a $9.9 million charge to close Bath & Body Works' nine stores in the United Kingdom. In 1997: a $67.6 million charge related to the closing of the Cacique business. In 1996: a $12.0 million charge for the revaluation of certain assets in connection with the sale of Penhaligon's. 20
RECENT DEVELOPMENTS; ANNOUNCEMENT OF ESTIMATED FOURTH QUARTER 2001 FINANCIAL RESULTS, JANUARY SALES AND 2002 OUTLOOK On February 4, 2002, The Limited issued a press release announcing its current estimates of fourth quarter 2001 financial results and January 2002 sales for The Limited and Intimate Brands and its current view of the 2002 outlook for those companies. Among other things, the press release included the following information: Fourth Quarter Results and January Sales The Limited expects that comparable store sales for the four weeks ended February 2, 2002 increased 6% compared to the four weeks ended February 3, 2001. The Limited reported estimated net sales of $576.4 million for the four-week period ended February 2, 2002 compared to sales of $766.2 million for the five-week period ended February 3, 2001. Excluding the sales from Lane Bryant and the extra week in January last year, the sales increase from the comparable four-week period last year was 11%. January sales and margins were significantly above The Limited's initial expectations. The last two weeks in December were also strong. As a result, The Limited expects fourth quarter earnings per share to be between $0.72 and $0.74, compared to $0.55 per share last year (which excludes a $.01 per share special and non-recurring charge to close Bath & Body Works' nine stores in the United Kingdom) and the current First Call consensus of $0.59 per share. Additionally, The Limited expects that Intimate Brands will report that comparable store sales for the four weeks ended February 2, 2002 increased 7% compared to the four weeks ended February 3, 2001 and that estimated net sales were $341.9 million for the four-week period ended February 2, 2002 compared to sales of $407.3 million for the five-week period ended February 3, 2001. Excluding the extra week in January last year, the sales increase from the comparable four-week period last year was 16%. The Limited also expects Intimate Brands to report fourth quarter earnings per share between $0.58 and $0.60, compared to $0.46 per share last year (which excludes a $.01 per share special and non-recurring charge to close Bath & Body Works' nine stores in the United Kingdom) and the current First Call consensus of $0.49 per share. Actual January sales for both companies will be reported on February 7, 2002. Outlook for 2002 With respect to 2002, The Limited expects the economic and retail environment, particularly in the first half, to be challenging, and therefore will continue to manage inventories, expenses and capital spending conservatively. At Intimate Brands, The Limited expects comparable store sales to be slightly negative and earnings per share to be basically flat in the first half, reflecting an expectation that Victoria's Secret Stores will maintain its recent momentum and Bath & Body Works will continue to be challenged. For the year, The Limited expects Intimate Brands' 2002 comparable store sales to be flat to up in the low single digits and earnings per share to be flat to up in the mid-single digit percentage range. At The Limited, The Limited also expects comparable store sales to be slightly negative in the first half and for earnings per share to be basically flat to Spring 2001 earnings per share of $0.10 (excludes a $0.05 per share from Lane Bryant, which was sold to Charming Shoppes in August 2001 and a non-operating gain of $0.08 per share related to the IPO's of Galyan's and Alliance Data Systems). In addition to the Intimate Brands brand results described above, The Limited anticipates that Express will improve on its disappointing result in the first half of 2001. For the year, The Limited expects 2002 comparable store sales to be flat to up in the low single digits and earnings per share, excluding special items and Lane Bryant operating income in 2001, to be flat to up in the mid-single digit percentage range. 21
The outlook for The Limited and Intimate Brands described above does not include the financial impact of the offer and the merger. It was prepared by The Limited's management for internal purposes only and not with a view to public disclosure or compliance with published guidelines of the SEC or the guidelines established by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants regarding projections or forecasts. The outlook described above is not fact and should not be relied upon as being indicative of future results, and you are cautioned not to place undue reliance on it. The outlook constitutes a forward-looking statement that is subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from the outlook and should be read with caution. The outlook is subjective in many respects and thus susceptible to interpretations and periodic revisions based on actual experience and recent developments. See "Risk Factors" and "Forward-Looking Statements." The outlook is based upon a variety of assumptions relating to the businesses of The Limited and Intimate Brands including the ability of The Limited and Intimate Brands to achieve strategic goals, objectives and targets over the applicable period. These assumptions involve judgments with respect to the impact of general economic and business conditions, the competitive environment in which each operates and other factors, all of which are difficult or impossible to predict accurately and many of which are beyond the control of the management of The Limited and Intimate Brands. We cannot assure you that the assumptions reflected in the outlook for both companies will prove accurate, and actual results may be materially greater or less than those contained in the outlook. You should understand that many important factors, in addition to those discussed elsewhere in this prospectus, could cause The Limited's or Intimate Brands' results to differ materially from those expressed in forward looking statements and may cause the outlook or the underlying assumptions to be inaccurate. For these reasons, you should not regard our inclusion of statements regarding the outlook for both companies in this prospectus as an indication that The Limited or any of its affiliates, including Intimate Brands, or representatives considers that the outlook is or will prove to be correct, and should not be relied on as such. The Limited is not under any obligation and does not intend to make publicly available any update or other revisions to any of the statements regarding the outlook for either company included in this prospectus to reflect circumstances existing after the date of this prospectus or to reflect the occurrence of future events even if experience or future events make it clear that any expected results expressed or implied above will not be realized. However, The Limited is scheduled to report January sales on February 7, fourth quarter 2001 earnings on February 28, and February sales on March 7, 2002. 22
SELECTED UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL DATA We are providing the following selected unaudited pro forma consolidated financial data to give you a better picture of what the results of operations and financial position of The Limited might have been had the offer and the merger been completed at an earlier date. The unaudited pro forma consolidated income statement data for the thirty-nine weeks ended November 3, 2001 and for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2001 give effect to the offer and the merger as if they had been completed on January 30, 2000. The unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet data as of November 3, 2001 give effect to the offer and the merger as if they had been completed on that date. We have prepared the selected unaudited pro forma consolidated financial data based on available information using assumptions that The Limited's management believes are reasonable. The selected unaudited pro forma financial data are being provided for informational purposes only. They do not purport to represent The Limited's actual financial position or results of operations had the offer and merger occurred on the dates specified nor do they project The Limited's results of operations or financial position for any future period or date. The selected unaudited pro forma consolidated statement of income data do not reflect any adjustments for nonrecurring items or operating synergies arising as a result of the offer and the merger. The Limited currently expects to incur a one-time, after-tax non-cash charge of approximately $20.4 million relating to the exchange of vested Intimate Brands stock awards in connection with the offer and the merger that is not reflected in the selected unaudited pro forma consolidated financial data. See "Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements." In addition, pro forma adjustments are based on certain assumptions and other information that are subject to change as additional information becomes available. Accordingly, the adjustments included in The Limited's financial statements published after the completion of the offer and merger will vary from the adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma consolidated financial data included in this prospectus. The selected unaudited pro forma consolidated financial data should be read in conjunction with The Limited's and Intimate Brands' audited and unaudited historical financial statements and related notes, as well as "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" incorporated by reference into this prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information." As of or For the Thirty-nine Weeks Ended For the Fiscal Year Ended November 3, 2001(a) February 3, 2001(b) ----------------------- ------------------------- (in millions, except per share data) Statement of Income Data Net sales.................................. $6,225 $10,105 Net income................................. $ 198(c) $ 483(d) Per Share Data(e) Basic net income........................... $ 0.39(c) $ 0.95(d) Diluted net income......................... $ 0.38(c) $ 0.91(d) Dividends.................................. $0.225 $ 0.30 Diluted weighted average shares outstanding 521 532 Balance Sheet Data Total assets............................... $5,592 Long-term debt............................. $ 248 Shareholders' equity....................... $3,928 - -------- (a) Includes the results of Lane Bryant through its sale date on August 16, 2001. (b) Fifty-three-week fiscal year. (c) Net income includes the effect of a $170.0 million gain from the sale of Lane Bryant and an aggregate gain of $62.1 million from the initial public offerings of Galyan's Trading Co. and Alliance Data Systems. (d) Net income includes the effect of a $9.9 million charge to close Bath & Body Works' nine stores in the United Kingdom. (e) Reflects an adjustment for the conversion of Intimate Brands historical weighted average Class A common stock outstanding for the periods presented using an exchange ratio of 1.046 to 1. 23
COMPARATIVE PER SHARE DATA The following comparative per share data has been derived from and should be read in conjunction with "The Limited, Inc. and Subsidiaries Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements." The comparative per share data should also be read in conjunction with the audited and unaudited historical financial statements of The Limited and Intimate Brands, including the related notes, incorporated by reference into this prospectus, and the selected historical consolidated financial data including the related notes included in this prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information." The pro forma per share data have been included for comparative purposes only and do not purport to be indicative of (1) the results of operations or financial position of The Limited had the offer and the merger been completed at the beginning of the period or as of the date indicated or (2) the results of operations or financial position of The Limited for any future period or date. The Limited Intimate Brands The Limited Intimate Brands Unaudited Pro Forma Unaudited Pro Forma Historical Historical Consolidated Equivalent (a) ----------- --------------- ------------------- ------------------- As of or for the Thirty-nine Weeks Ended November 3, 2001 (Unaudited) (b) Earnings per diluted share........... $ 0.44(c) $0.19 $ 0.38 $ 0.40 Cash dividends declared per share.... $0.225 $0.21 $0.225 $0.236 Book value per share................. $ 5.67 $1.34 $ 9.15 $ 9.57 As of or for the Fiscal Year Ended February 3, 2001 (d) Earnings per diluted share........... $ 0.96(e) $0.87(e) $ 0.91 $ 0.95 Cash dividends declared per share (f) $ 0.30 $0.28 $ 0.30 $0.314 Book value per share................. $ 5.44 $1.36 N/A N/A - -------- (a) The Intimate Brands unaudited pro forma per share equivalent amounts represent The Limited unaudited pro forma consolidated per share amounts multiplied by the exchange ratio of 1.046. (b) Includes the results of Lane Bryant through its sale date on August 16, 2001. (c) Net income includes the effect of a $170.0 million gain from the sale of Lane Bryant and an aggregate gain of $62.1 million from the initial public offerings of Galyan's Trading Co. and Alliance Data Systems. (d) Fifty-three-week fiscal year. (e) Net income includes the effect of a $9.9 million charge to close Bath & Body Works' nine stores in the United Kingdom. (f) The Limited unaudited pro forma consolidated cash dividends per share reflects the historical cash dividend per share of The Limited. N/A Not applicable. 24
COMPARATIVE MARKET VALUE The following table sets forth the closing prices per share and aggregate market value of Limited common stock and Intimate Brands Class A common stock on the New York Stock Exchange on February 4, 2002, the last trading day prior to the commencement of this offer, and the equivalent price per share and equivalent market value of Intimate Brands Class A common stock, based on the exchange ratio. Intimate Brands Intimate Brands Limited Common Class A Common Class A Common Stock Stock Stock Equivalent (1) -------------- --------------- -------------------- Closing price per share of common stock $ 17.75 $ 17.50 $ 18.57 Market value of common stock (2)....... $7,616,182,691 $1,401,499,453 $1,487,191,133 - -------- (1) The Intimate Brands equivalent data is based on an exchange ratio of 1.046 shares of Limited common stock for each share of Intimate Brands Class A common stock. (2) Market value is based on 429,080,715 shares of Limited common stock outstanding and 80,085,683 shares of Intimate Brands Class A common stock outstanding as of January 30, 2002. The market prices of shares of Limited common stock and Intimate Brands common stock are subject to fluctuation. You are urged to obtain current market quotations. See the risk factor entitled "Because the number of Limited shares that you receive in the offer is fixed, the value of the Limited shares at the time you receive them could be less than their value at the time you tender your Intimate Brands shares." 25
COMPARATIVE STOCK PRICES AND DIVIDENDS Limited common stock and Intimate Brands Class A common stock are both listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Limited common stock is also listed on the London Stock Exchange. The Limited's ticker symbol is "LTD" and Intimate Brands' ticker symbol is "IBI." The following table shows, for the calendar quarters indicated, based on published financial sources (1) the high and low sales prices per share of Limited common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Transaction Tape, (2) the high and low sales prices per share of Intimate Brands Class A common stock as reported on the New York Stock Exchange Composite Transaction Tape and (3) the cash dividends per share of each of Limited and Intimate Brands Class A common stock. Intimate Brands Class A Limited Common Stock Common Stock ---------------------- ----------------------- High Low Dividend High Low Dividend ------ ------ -------- ------ ------ -------- 2000 First Quarter. $25.88 $14.44 $0.075 $23.50 $14.00 $0.07 Second Quarter $25.84 $20.94 $0.075 $24.19 $17.50 $0.07 Third Quarter. $25.00 $18.31 $0.075 $22.13 $15.94 $0.07 Fourth Quarter $27.88 $14.50 $0.075 $24.31 $12.31 $0.07 2001 First Quarter. $20.00 $14.60 $0.075 $18.50 $13.90 $0.07 Second Quarter $17.50 $14.90 $0.075 $16.90 $14.20 $0.07 Third Quarter. $17.60 $ 9.00 $0.075 $16.80 $ 8.50 $0.07 Fourth Quarter $19.00 $11.60 $0.075 $18.70 $11.80 $0.07 On February 4, 2002, the last full trading day before The Limited commenced its exchange offer, the last reported closing prices per share of Limited and Intimate Brands common stock were $17.75 and $17.50, respectively. Stockholders are urged to obtain current market quotations prior to making any decision with respect to the offer. On January 30, 2002, there were approximately 4,156 holders of record of Intimate Brands Class A common stock and approximately 67,349 holders of record of Limited common stock. The Limited's Dividend Policy The holders of Limited common stock receive dividends if and when declared by our Board of Directors out of legally available funds. We currently pay dividends at an annual rate of $0.30 per share. Following the completion of the offer and the merger, we expect to continue to pay quarterly dividends on a basis consistent with our past practice. However, our Board's declaration and payment of dividends will depend upon business conditions, operating results and other relevant factors. We cannot give any assurance that we will continue to pay dividends on Limited common stock at the current annual rate. Additional Information Relating to Dividends Intimate Brands has approved the payment of a regular quarterly dividend of $0.07 per share to holders of record of Intimate Brands common stock at the close of business on March 8, 2002. Payment is to be made on March 19, 2002. Holders of Intimate Brands common stock on the record date will receive payment of the dividend regardless of whether the offer and merger are completed. The Limited has approved the payment of a regular quarterly dividend of $0.075 per share to holders of record of Limited common stock at the close of business on March 8, 2002. Payment is to be made on March 19, 2002. Holders of Intimate Brands common stock will not participate in this dividend regardless of whether the offer and merger are completed prior to the payment date. 26
BACKGROUND AND REASONS FOR THE OFFER AND THE MERGER Background of the Offer and Merger On October 23, 1995, Intimate Brands, which was then a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Limited, completed an initial public offering of approximately 16% of its common stock. This transaction, which was the first in a series of transactions undertaken as a part of a comprehensive realignment of our organizational structure and businesses, was intended to achieve several key objectives: . To enable Intimate Brands to more independently focus on its intimate apparel and personal care businesses while allowing The Limited to focus on its retail apparel businesses. . To make the respective financial and operating results of Intimate Brands and the apparel businesses more visible to investors. . To promote entrepreneurial spirit and create new career opportunities by allowing executives and associates to participate more directly in the performance of their business. Intimate Brands has enjoyed considerable success since its initial public offering. From the initial public offering through fiscal 2000, Intimate Brands' annual revenues have increased 96% from $2.6 billion to $5.1 billion, net income has increased 113% from $203 million to $432 million and the number of stores operated by its businesses has increased 85% from 1,293 to 2,390. Over the past several years, our senior management has periodically evaluated whether, in light of a number of developments since the time of the initial public offering, the current separation of The Limited and Intimate Brands remains optimal or should be modified. These developments include: . Increased focus on a smaller number of key businesses and brands. Since 1995, we have completed a number of transactions intended to allow us to focus on strengthening a smaller number of key brands by divesting or closing certain non-core or underperforming operations. Among other things, we have: . Sold all of, or controlling interests in, Brylane, Alliance Data Systems Corp. (formerly World Financial Network National Bank), Galyan's Trading Co., Penhaligon's and Lane Bryant, as well as various non-core real estate assets. . Successfully developed and established Abercrombie & Fitch and Limited Too as independent companies. . Closed over 1,500 stores. . Substantially downsized Henri Bendel. . Repositioned Structure as the menswear business of Express, rebranding it as Express Men's. . Increased focus on fully exploiting key retail brands: the creation of "360(degrees) brands." Over the past several years, we have increasingly focused our strategic thinking on fully exploiting the key brands of The Limited and Intimate Brands across merchandise categories (including apparel, intimate apparel and personal care products) and distribution channels. . The potential advantages of a recombination of The Limited and Intimate Brands in fully exploiting its key retail brands. Our senior management has considered from time to time whether a recombination would facilitate the full exploitation of the key brands and ultimately generate greater stockholder value as compared to maintaining Intimate Brands and The Limited as separate public 27
companies. In particular, a recombination would provide greater flexibility in allocating resources and expertise, including closer coordination between executives within different brands and businesses. . Additional potential benefits of a recombination. Our senior management also considered whether a recombination might provide additional potential benefits, including: . Elimination of management distraction as a result of the time spent maintaining two separate public companies. . Elimination of uncertainty regarding The Limited's future plans for Intimate Brands, including uncertainty on the part of lenders and rating agencies. . The opportunity for modest cost-savings through the elimination of certain duplicative functions. . A belief that the key objectives of the initial public offering of Intimate Brands have been substantially achieved. Our senior management has in recent years come to the view that the objectives of the initial public offering have been substantially achieved. Specifically, our senior management believes that the separation has, among other things: . Facilitated the development of the brands and businesses of Intimate Brands by highlighting their significance and focusing attention and resources on their development. . Allowed Intimate Brands to be successful in recruiting and retaining talented executives and associates. . Focused the investor community on the performance and prospects of the Intimate Brands' businesses. . Encouraged the entrepreneurial spirit of Intimate Brands executives and associates by allowing them to participate more directly in the performance of Intimate Brands. However, as the two companies become more similar and the scope of the opportunities provided by a recombination of the two companies becomes more apparent, the need to maintain Intimate Brands as a separate company appears to be substantially reduced. . Lack of differentiation in the investor community between The Limited and Intimate Brands. Our senior management observed that investors are increasingly viewing The Limited and Intimate Brands as very similar companies, as a result of, among other things, the convergence of the growth rates of the two companies and the fact that Intimate Brands has contributed an increasingly large part of The Limited's earnings. For example, we estimate that Intimate Brands will contribute approximately 90% of The Limited's operating income for fiscal 2001. This lack of differentiation is also evidenced by the fact that the market capitalizations of The Limited and Intimate Brands are virtually identical. As of February 4, 2002, Intimate Brands represented approximately 95% of The Limited's market value. In the course of their review of alternative organizational structures of the two companies, members of our senior management consulted from time to time with financial and legal advisors, although no specific transaction was pursued or presented to our Board of Directors. In November 2001, we held discussions with Goldman, Sachs & Co. to assist our management in its evaluation of a range of transactions involving a number of our businesses, including Intimate Brands. In December 2001, our senior management, together with Goldman Sachs and our legal advisors, Davis Polk & Wardwell, continued its evaluation of alternatives with respect to Intimate Brands. We subsequently engaged Goldman Sachs and Banc of America Securities LLC as financial advisors to assist in senior management's evaluation of these alternatives. 28
During January 2002, Leslie H. Wexner, our Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, and other members of our senior management, held informal discussions with a number of our directors regarding various alternatives with respect to Intimate Brands. On January 28, 2002, the Finance Committee of our Board of Directors held a telephonic meeting to consider these matters, including the offer and the merger. On January 31 and February 1, 2002, our Board of Directors met to consider the offer and the merger. After presentations from senior management, our financial advisors, Goldman Sachs and Banc of America Securities, and our counsel, Davis Polk & Wardwell, and discussion among directors, on February 1, the offer and the merger were unanimously approved by our Board of Directors, subject to final approval of the transactions by a committee of the Board consisting of Mr. Wexner and Allan R. Tessler, Chairman of the Finance Committee of our Board. On February 4, 2002, Messrs. Wexner and Tessler held a telephonic conference and approved commencing the offer and, upon completion of the offer, effecting the merger. Later on February 4, Mr. Wexner and other members of our senior management held a telephonic conference with several members of the Intimate Brands Board of Directors to inform them of the offer and the merger. Shortly after that call, The Limited issued a press release announcing the transaction and addressing several other matters, and Mr. Wexner delivered the following letter to all members of the Intimate Brands Board of Directors who are not also members of The Limited's Board of Directors: February 4, 2002 Board of Directors Intimate Brands, Inc. Dear Intimate Brands Directors: I am writing on behalf of the Board of Directors of The Limited to confirm the key aspects of our call earlier this evening. As we discussed, The Limited's Board of Directors has determined that it is desirable to recombine Intimate Brands and The Limited. We believe this step is strategically and operationally compelling and should yield a number of significant benefits. Most importantly, we believe it would put the Limited and IBI in a better position to exploit fully both companies' key brands and thereby create greater value for all stockholders. As a result, tomorrow morning The Limited will commence an offer to IBI stockholders in which we will offer to exchange 1.046 shares of Limited common stock for each share of Intimate Brands common stock we do not own. We have set the exchange ratio so that Intimate Brands stockholders will have approximately the same ownership interest in Intimate Brands' businesses immediately after completion of the transaction that they currently hold while also getting the same interest in The Limited's other businesses and assets. The exchange ratio also represents an approximately 6.1% premium over the Intimate Brands common stock closing price on February 4, 2002. Assuming that the conditions to the offer are satisfied (including a non-waivable condition that The Limited own at least 90% of the common stock of Intimate Brands) and that the offer is completed, we will then effect a "short-form" merger in which the remaining Intimate Brands public stockholders will receive the same consideration unless it is not legal to do so. The share exchange in both the offer and the merger will be tax-free to IBI stockholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. We believe that the recombination should be well received by Intimate Brands' stockholders. It is strategically sound, and we hope it will facilitate meaningful growth in the years ahead. I believe this is truly a win-win transaction for both companies and their stockholders. Although we are not seeking to reach a formal agreement with you on the transaction, we are aware that you will need to review the transaction and make a recommendation to your stockholders. We also understand that it would be customary in transactions of this type for a special committee of independent directors to be established 29
to review the transaction and make its recommendation and for that committee to retain independent financial and legal advisors. Needless to say, The Limited supports the creation of such a committee and the retention by it of independent advisors. On a personal note, I want to express my thanks to each of you for your efforts in helping build IBI into the extraordinary business that it is and for the work to be done in evaluating this transaction. Please do not hesitate to call Ann Hailey or me with any questions or if we can be of any assistance. We look forward to moving ahead on this exciting transaction that we believe will generate value for Limited and Intimate Brands stockholders alike. Sincerely, /s/ LESLIE H. WEXNER Leslie H. Wexner Chairman and Chief Executive Officer On February 5, 2002, The Limited commenced the offer. The Limited's Reasons for the Offer and the Merger At its meeting on February 1, 2002, our Board of Directors unanimously determined to pursue the offer and the merger, subject to final approval of the offer and the merger by a committee of the Board consisting of Leslie H. Wexner and Allan R. Tessler. In reaching its conclusion, the Board considered the following material factors, among others: . Our increased strategic focus on strengthening a smaller number of key businesses and brands and fully exploiting the key brands across different merchandise categories and distribution channels. . The potential advantages of the recombination of Intimate Brands and The Limited in fully capitalizing on the strength of the key brands of both companies by providing greater flexibility in allocating resources and expertise. . The other potential benefits of a recombination, including elimination of management distraction as a result of time spent maintaining two public companies, elimination of uncertainty regarding The Limited's future plans for Intimate Brands and the opportunity for modest cost savings. . Their belief that the key objectives of the initial public offering of Intimate Brands have been substantially achieved, including the fact that the separation facilitated the development of its businesses and brands and allowed Intimate Brands to attract talented executives and associates. . Their belief that investors are increasingly viewing The Limited and Intimate Brands as very similar companies, as evidenced by the convergence of the growth rates of the two companies and the substantially similar market capitalizations of the two companies. . Their belief that the anticipated strategic and operational benefits of the recombination outweighed the estimated earnings dilution, particularly after considering the non-cash, largely one-time nature of the additional expenses. . The various factors outlined under "--Additional Factors for Consideration by Intimate Brands Stockholders." The foregoing discussion of the information and factors considered by our Board of Directors is not intended to be exhaustive, but includes the material factors they considered. In view of the variety of factors considered in connection with its evaluation of the offer and the merger, our Board of Directors did not find it practicable to, and did not, quantify or otherwise assign relative weights to the specific factors considered in reaching its determination and recommendation. In addition, individual directors may have given differing weights to different factors. 30
Additional Factors For Consideration by Intimate Brands Stockholders In deciding whether or not to tender your Intimate Brands shares, you should consider the following factors in addition to the factors set forth under "Risk Factors" and the other factors set forth in this prospectus. We believe the offer should be attractive to you as an Intimate Brands stockholder for the following reasons: . The exchange ratio has been set so that you will have approximately the same ownership interest in Intimate Brands' businesses immediately after the completion of the offer and the merger as you currently hold. In addition, as a Limited stockholder, you will also have an ownership interest in The Limited's other businesses and assets. . You will have the opportunity to continue to participate in Intimate Brands' growth through your ownership of Limited shares, the value of which is predominantly represented by our ownership stake in Intimate Brands, which have traded similarly to Intimate Brands shares over the last 3 years. For example, as of the day prior to commencement of the offer, Intimate Brands represented approximately 95% of The Limited's market capitalization. . The exchange ratio in the offer, 1.046, equals the highest ratio of the closing prices of Intimate Brands and Limited common stock, or the "trading ratio," over the two year period prior to the announcement of the offer. Additionally, the exchange ratio reflects approximately a 6.3% and 8.8% premium over the six month and twelve month historical average trading ratios, respectively. . Based on the $17.75 closing price per share of Limited common stock on February 4, 2002, the last trading day prior to the commencement of the offer, the exchange ratio reflected a value per Intimate Brands share of approximately $18.57, a 6.1% premium over the closing price on February 4, 2002, a 27.5% premium over the average closing price of Intimate Brands Class A common stock over the past year and a 37.1% premium over the average closing price of Intimate Brands Class A common stock over the past six months. . We believe that the combined company will be better positioned to achieve meaningful long-term earnings growth than Intimate Brands on a stand-alone basis due to opportunities to leverage brands across the two companies, as well as the elimination of management distraction as a result of the time spent maintaining two separate entities. . We expect there will be a more liquid trading market for the Limited shares you will receive in the offer and the merger than there is for the Intimate Brands shares you now hold. Based on the number of shares of Limited common stock and Intimate Brands common stock outstanding as of January 30, 2002, there will be approximately 512.9 million shares of The Limited common stock outstanding if the offer and the merger are completed, compared to approximately 80.1 million shares of Intimate Brands Class A common stock outstanding as of January 30, 2002. . The offer and the merger will be tax-free for U.S. Federal income tax purposes for participating Intimate Brands stockholders. 31
THE OFFER General The Limited, through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Intimate Brands Holding Co., Inc. (which is sometimes referred to as "IB Holdings"), is offering, upon the terms and subject to the conditions described in this prospectus and the related letter of transmittal, to exchange 1.046 shares of Limited common stock for each outstanding share of Intimate Brands Class A common stock validly tendered on or prior to the expiration date and not properly withdrawn. This exchange ratio has been set so that you will have approximately the same ownership interest in Intimate Brands' businesses immediately after the completion of the offer and the merger as you currently hold. In addition, as a Limited stockholder, you will also have an ownership interest in The Limited's other businesses and assets. This exchange ratio represents a 6.1% premium to the closing price of Intimate Brands Class A common stock on February 4, 2002. It also represents an approximate 6.3% premium to the average ratio of the closing stock prices of Intimate Brands and Limited common stock for the six months ended February 4, 2002 and an approximate 8.8% premium to the average ratio of the closing stock prices of Intimate Brands and Limited common stock for the one year ended February 4, 2002. Our obligation to exchange shares of Limited common stock for Intimate Brands shares pursuant to the offer is subject to several conditions referred to below under "Conditions of the Offer." The term "expiration date" means 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on March 11, 2002, unless we extend the period of time for which the offer is open, in which case the term "expiration date" means the latest time and date on which the offer, as so extended, expires. If you are the record owner of your Intimate Brands shares and you tender your shares directly to the exchange agent, you will not be obligated to pay any charges or expenses of the exchange agent or any brokerage commissions. If you own your shares through a broker or other nominee, and your broker tenders the shares on your behalf, your broker may charge you a fee for doing so. You should consult your broker or nominee to determine whether any charges will apply. If you own Intimate Brands shares through the Savings and Retirement Plan or the Intimate Brands' Stock Purchase Plan, and the agent for the relevant plan tenders the shares on your behalf, you will not have to pay any fees or commissions. Except as set forth in the instructions to the letter of transmittal, transfer taxes on the exchange of Intimate Brands common stock pursuant to our offer will be paid by us or on our behalf. We will, as soon as practicable after consummation of the offer, cause Intimate Brands to merge with and into IB Holdings (with IB Holdings surviving the merger and being renamed "Intimate Brands"), unless it is not lawful to do so. In the merger, each remaining outstanding share of Intimate Brands Class A common stock (except for shares held in the treasury of Intimate Brands, shares that we own and shares held by any stockholder properly exercising appraisal rights) will be converted into the right to receive the same number of shares of Limited common stock that you would have received if you had tendered your shares in the offer. See "--Purpose of the Offer; The Merger; Appraisal Rights." If the offer is completed, no further Intimate Brands stockholder or board action is required for us to complete the merger. If the offer and merger are completed, Intimate Brands employee stock options and restricted stock will be exchanged for Limited stock options and restricted stock with substantially similar terms. As of January 30, 2002, there were 80,085,683 shares of Class A common stock and 411,635,902 shares of Class B common stock outstanding. As of the date of this prospectus, The Limited, through IB Holdings, owns 411,635,902 shares of Intimate Brands Class B common stock, which is convertible into an equal number of shares of Class A common stock at our option at any time, and no shares of Intimate Brands Class A common stock. Based on this information and the number of shares of Limited common stock as of January 30, 2002, if the offer and the merger are completed, the historical Intimate Brands stockholders (other than IB Holdings) would receive approximately 16.3% of the outstanding shares of Limited common stock. 32
Timing of the Offer The offer is currently scheduled to expire on March 11, 2002; however, we may extend the offer from time to time as necessary until all conditions to the offer have been satisfied or waived. For more information, you should read the discussion under "--Extension, Termination and Amendment." We intend to promptly call a special meeting of our stockholders to vote on the proposal to issue shares of our common stock in the offer and the merger. We will solicit proxies in favor of approval of the proposal by our stockholders. Extension, Termination and Amendment We expressly reserve the right, in our sole discretion, at any time or from time to time, to extend the period of time during which our offer remains open if any condition to the offer has not been satisfied, and we can do so by giving oral or written notice of such extension to the exchange agent. If we decide to extend our offer, we will make an announcement to that effect no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled expiration date. We are not making any assurances that we will exercise our right to extend our offer, although we may do so until all conditions have been satisfied or, where permissible, waived. During any such extension, all Intimate Brands shares previously tendered and not properly withdrawn will remain subject to the offer, subject to your right to withdraw your Intimate Brands shares. See "--Withdrawal Rights." Subject to the SEC's applicable rules and regulations, we also reserve the right, in our sole discretion, at any time or from time to time, (1) to delay our acceptance for exchange or our exchange of any Intimate Brands shares pursuant to the offer, regardless of whether we previously accepted Intimate Brands shares for exchange, or to terminate our offer and not accept for exchange or exchange any Intimate Brands shares not previously accepted for exchange or exchanged, upon the failure of any of the conditions of the offer to be satisfied and (2) to waive any condition (subject to the limits on waiver described under "Conditions of the Offer") or otherwise to amend the offer in any respect, by giving oral followed by written notice of such delay, termination or amendment to the exchange agent and by making a public announcement. We will follow any extension, termination, amendment or delay, as promptly as practicable, with a public announcement. In the case of an extension, any such announcement will be issued no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled expiration date. Subject to applicable law (including Rules 14d-4(d) and 14d-6(c) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, or the "Exchange Act," which require that any material change in the information published, sent or given to the stockholders in connection with the offer be promptly sent to stockholders in a manner reasonably designed to inform stockholders of such change) and without limiting the manner in which we may choose to make any public announcement, we assume no obligation to publish, advertise or otherwise communicate any such public announcement other than by making a release to the Dow Jones News Service. We confirm to you that if we make a material change in the terms of the offer or the information concerning the offer, or if we waive a material condition of the offer, we will extend the offer to the extent required under the Exchange Act. If, prior to the expiration date, we decrease the percentage of Intimate Brands shares being sought or increase or decrease the consideration offered to holders of Intimate Brands shares, such increase or decrease will be applicable to all holders whose Intimate Brands shares are accepted for exchange pursuant to the offer, and if, at the time notice of any such increase or decrease is first published, sent or given to holders of Intimate Brands shares, the offer is scheduled to expire at any time earlier than the tenth business day from and including the date that such notice is first so published, sent or given, the offer will be extended until the expiration of such ten business day period. For purposes of the offer, a "business day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or a federal holiday and consists of the time period from 12:01 a.m. through 12:00 midnight, New York City time. 33
Exchange of Intimate Brands Shares; Delivery of Limited Common Stock Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the offer (including, if the offer is extended or amended, the terms and conditions of any such extension or amendment), The Limited will cause IB Holdings to accept for exchange, and will cause IB Holdings to exchange, Intimate Brands shares validly tendered and not properly withdrawn as promptly as practicable after the expiration date. In addition, subject to applicable rules of the SEC, we expressly reserve the right to delay acceptance of or the exchange of Intimate Brands shares in order to comply with any applicable law. For purposes of the offer, IB Holdings will be deemed to have accepted for exchange Intimate Brands shares validly tendered and not properly withdrawn as, if and when it notifies the exchange agent of its acceptance of the tenders of those Intimate Brands shares pursuant to the offer. The exchange agent will deliver the Limited common stock in exchange for Intimate Brands shares pursuant to the offer and cash instead of fractional shares of Limited common stock as soon as practicable after receipt of IB Holdings' notice. The exchange agent will act as agent for tendering stockholders for the purpose of receiving Limited common stock from IB Holdings and transmitting such stock to you. If The Limited causes IB Holdings not to accept any tendered Intimate Brands shares for exchange pursuant to the terms and conditions of the offer for any reason, or if certificates are submitted for more Intimate Brands shares than are tendered, The Limited will cause IB Holdings to return certificates for such unexchanged Intimate Brands shares without expense to the tendering stockholder or, in the case of Intimate Brands shares tendered by book-entry transfer of such Intimate Brands shares into the exchange agent's account at The Depository Trust Company (which we refer to as the "DTC") pursuant to the procedures set forth below under "--Procedure for Tendering," those Intimate Brands shares will be credited to an account maintained within DTC as soon as practicable following expiration or termination of the offer. Cash Instead of Fractional Shares of Limited Common Stock The Limited will not issue certificates representing fractional shares of Limited common stock pursuant to the offer. The exchange agent, acting as agent for Intimate Brands stockholders otherwise entitled to receive fractional shares of Limited common stock, will aggregate all fractional shares and sell them for the accounts of such stockholders. The proceeds realized by the exchange agent upon the sale of such fractional shares will be distributed, net of commissions, to such stockholders on a pro rata basis. Such cash payments will be made through the exchange agent if the related shares of Intimate Brands common stock are tendered to the exchange agent or, if such shares are tendered through DTC, through DTC. NONE OF THE EXCHANGE AGENT, THE LIMITED, IB HOLDINGS OR THE DEALER MANAGERS WILL GUARANTEE ANY MINIMUM PROCEEDS FROM THE SALE OF SHARES OF LIMITED COMMON STOCK, AND NO INTEREST WILL BE PAID ON ANY SUCH PROCEEDS. Withdrawal Rights Intimate Brands shares tendered pursuant to the offer may be withdrawn at any time prior to the expiration date, and, unless we previously accepted them for exchange pursuant to the offer, may also be withdrawn at any time after April 5, 2002. For your withdrawal to be effective, the exchange agent must receive from you a written or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover of this prospectus, and your notice must include your name, address, social security number, the certificate number(s) and the number of Intimate Brands shares to be withdrawn as well as the name of the registered holder, if it is different from that of the person who tendered those Intimate Brands shares. 34
An eligible institution (as defined below) must guarantee all signatures on the notice of withdrawal, unless the Intimate Brands shares to be withdrawn have been tendered for the account of any eligible institution. Most banks, savings and loan associations and brokerage houses are able to effect these signature guarantees for you. An "eligible institution" is a financial institution that is a participant in the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program, the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Program or the Stock Exchange Medallion Program. If Intimate Brands shares have been tendered pursuant to the procedures for book-entry tender as set forth below under "Procedure for Tendering," any notice of withdrawal must specify the name and number of the account at DTC to be credited with the withdrawn Intimate Brands shares and must otherwise comply with DTC's procedures. If certificates have been delivered or otherwise identified to the exchange agent, the name of the registered holder and the serial numbers of the particular certificates evidencing the Intimate Brands shares withdrawn must also be furnished to the exchange agent, as stated above, prior to the physical release of the certificates. We will decide all questions as to the form and validity (including time of receipt) of any notice of withdrawal, in our sole discretion, and our decision shall be final and binding. Neither we, the exchange agent, the information agent, the dealer managers nor any other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in any notice of withdrawal or will incur any liability for failure to give any such notification. Any Intimate Brands shares properly withdrawn will be deemed not to have been validly tendered for purposes of the offer. However, you may retender withdrawn Intimate Brands shares by following one of the procedures described under "--Procedure for Tendering" or "--Guaranteed Delivery" at any time prior to the expiration date. Procedure for Tendering For you to validly tender Intimate Brands shares pursuant to the offer, (1) a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal, together with any required signature guarantees, or an agent's message in connection with a book-entry transfer, and any other required documents, must be transmitted to and received by the exchange agent at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover of this prospectus and either (x) certificates for tendered Intimate Brands shares must be received by the exchange agent at such address or (y) such Intimate Brands shares must be tendered pursuant to the procedures for book-entry tender set forth below (and a confirmation of receipt of such tender received (we refer to this confirmation below as a "book-entry confirmation")), in each case before the expiration date, or (2) you must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedure described below. Participants in the Savings and Retirement Plan or the Intimate Brands Stock Purchase Plan may also participate in the offer and should follow the procedures described under "--Special Procedures for Savings and Retirement Plan and Stock Purchase Plan Participants; Stock Options" to tender their Intimate Brands shares. The term "agent's message" means a message, transmitted by the Depository Trust Company, or DTC, to, and received by, the exchange agent, and forming a part of a book-entry confirmation, which states that DTC has received an express acknowledgment from the participant in DTC tendering the Intimate Brands shares which are the subject of the book-entry confirmation, that the participant has received and agrees to be bound by the terms of the letter of transmittal and that we may enforce that agreement against the participant. The exchange agent will establish accounts with respect to the Intimate Brands shares at DTC for purposes of the offer within two business days after the date of this prospectus, and any financial institution that is a participant in DTC may make book-entry delivery of the Intimate Brands shares by causing DTC to transfer such Intimate Brands shares into the exchange agent's account in accordance with DTC's procedures for such transfer. However, although delivery of Intimate Brands shares may be effected through book-entry at DTC, the letter of transmittal (or a manually signed facsimile of such document), with any required signature guarantees, or an agent's message in connection with a book-entry transfer, and any other required documents, must, in any case, be transmitted to and received by the exchange agent at one or more of its addresses specified on the back cover of this prospectus prior to the expiration date, or the guaranteed delivery procedures described below must be followed. 35
Signatures on all letters of transmittal must be guaranteed by an eligible institution, except in cases in which Intimate Brands shares are tendered either by a registered holder of Intimate Brands shares who has not completed the box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" on the letter of transmittal or for the account of an eligible institution. If the certificates for Intimate Brands shares are registered in the name of a person other than the person who signs the letter of transmittal, the certificates must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case signed exactly as the name or names of the registered owner or owners appear on the certificates, with the signature(s) on the certificates or stock powers guaranteed in the manner we have described above. Participants in the Savings and Retirement Plan and the Intimate Brands Stock Purchase Plan may also participate in the offer and should follow the procedures set forth in "--Special Procedures for Savings and Retirement Plan and Stock Purchase Plan Participants; Stock Options" to tender their Intimate Brands shares. THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF INTIMATE BRANDS SHARE CERTIFICATES AND ALL OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS, INCLUDING DELIVERY THROUGH DTC, IS AT YOUR OPTION AND RISK, AND THE DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT. IF DELIVERY IS BY MAIL, WE RECOMMEND REGISTERED MAIL WITH RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED, PROPERLY INSURED. IN ALL CASES, YOU SHOULD ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME TO ENSURE TIMELY DELIVERY. TO PREVENT BACKUP FEDERAL INCOME TAX WITHHOLDING WITH RESPECT TO CASH RECEIVED PURSUANT TO OUR OFFER, YOU MUST PROVIDE THE EXCHANGE AGENT WITH YOUR CORRECT TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER AND CERTIFY WHETHER YOU ARE SUBJECT TO BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF FEDERAL INCOME TAX BY COMPLETING THE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 INCLUDED IN THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. SOME STOCKHOLDERS (INCLUDING, AMONG OTHERS, ALL CORPORATIONS) ARE NOT SUBJECT TO THESE BACKUP WITHHOLDING REQUIREMENTS. SEE "MATERIAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES." Guaranteed Delivery If you wish to tender your Intimate Brands shares pursuant to the offer and your certificates are not immediately available or you cannot deliver the certificates and all other required documents to the exchange agent prior to the expiration date or cannot complete the procedure for book-entry transfer on a timely basis, your Intimate Brands shares may nevertheless be tendered, so long as all of the following conditions are satisfied: (1) you make your tender by or through an eligible institution; (2) a properly completed and duly executed notice of guaranteed delivery, substantially in the form made available by us, is received by the exchange agent as provided below on or prior to the expiration date; and (3) the certificates for all tendered Intimate Brands shares (or a confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such securities into the exchange agent's account at DTC as described above), in proper form for transfer, together with a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal (or a manually signed facsimile of such document), with any required signature guarantees (or, in the case of a book-entry transfer, an agent's message) and all other documents required by the letter of transmittal are received by the exchange agent within three NYSE trading days after the date of execution of such notice of guaranteed delivery. You may deliver the notice of guaranteed delivery by hand or transmit it by facsimile transmission or mail it to the exchange agent and must include a guarantee by an eligible institution in the form set forth in that notice. 36
In all cases, The Limited will cause IB Holdings to exchange Intimate Brands shares tendered and accepted for exchange pursuant to the offer only after timely receipt by the exchange agent of certificates for Intimate Brands shares (or timely confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such securities into the exchange agent's account at DTC as described above), properly completed and duly executed letter(s) of transmittal, or an agent's message in connection with a book-entry transfer, and any other required documents. Special Procedures for Savings and Retirement Plan and Stock Purchase Plan Participants; Stock Options Savings and Retirement Plan. Participants in the Savings and Retirement Plan who wish to participate in the offer may instruct the trustee of such plan to tender Intimate Brands shares attributable to their plan accounts by completing, executing and returning to such trustee the election form included in the Letter from the Savings and Retirement Plan Administrative Committee sent to such participants. Stock Purchase Plan. Participants in the Stock Purchase Plan who wish to participate in the offer may instruct the agent for such plan to tender Intimate Brands shares attributable to their plan accounts by notifying such agent of the election as provided in the Notice to Stock Purchase Plan Participants sent to such participants. Intimate Brands Stock Options. Holders of vested but unexercised options to purchase Intimate Brands shares may exercise such options for cash in accordance with the terms of the Intimate Brands stock option plan and tender the Intimate Brands shares received upon such exercise pursuant to the general instructions for tendering shares discussed in "--Procedure for Tendering." In connection with the merger, unvested options to purchase Intimate Brands shares will be exchanged for Limited stock options with substantially similar terms. PARTICIPANTS IN THE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN OR THE SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN MAY NOT USE THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO DIRECT THE TENDER OF INTIMATE BRANDS SHARES, BUT MUST USE THE SEPARATE ELECTION FORM SENT TO THEM. STOCK PURCHASE PLAN AND SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN PARTICIPANTS ARE URGED TO READ THE SEPARATE ELECTION FORM AND RELATED MATERIALS CAREFULLY. Effect of Tender By executing a letter of transmittal as set forth above, you irrevocably appoint our designees as your attorneys-in-fact and proxies, each with full power of substitution, to the full extent of your rights with respect to your Intimate Brands shares tendered and accepted for exchange by us and with respect to any and all other Intimate Brands shares and other securities issued or issuable in respect of the Intimate Brands shares on or after February 5, 2002. Such appointment is effective, and voting rights will be affected, when and only to the extent that IB Holdings (or The Limited acting on behalf of IB Holdings) accepts for exchange the Intimate Brands shares that you have tendered with the exchange agent. All such proxies shall be considered coupled with an interest in the tendered Intimate Brands shares and therefore shall not be revocable. Upon the effectiveness of such appointment, all prior proxies given by you will be revoked, and no subsequent proxies may be given (and, if given, will not be deemed effective). Our designees will, with respect to the Intimate Brands shares for which the appointment is effective, be empowered, among other things, to exercise all of your voting and other rights as they, in their sole discretion, deem proper at any annual, special or adjourned meeting of Intimate Brands stockholders, by written consent in lieu of any such meeting or otherwise. We reserve the right to require that, in order for Intimate Brands shares to be deemed validly tendered, immediately upon our exchange of such Intimate Brands shares, we must be able to exercise full voting rights with respect to such Intimate Brands shares. We will determine all questions as to the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for exchange of any tender of Intimate Brands shares, in our sole discretion, and our determination shall be final and binding. We reserve the absolute right to reject any and all tenders of Intimate Brands shares 37
determined by us not to be in proper form or the acceptance of or exchange for which may, in the opinion of our counsel, be unlawful. Subject to the applicable rules and regulations of the SEC, we also reserve the absolute right to waive any of the conditions of the offer (other than the minimum tender condition, the condition relating to obtaining Limited stockholder approval and all other conditions, failure to satisfy which would prevent us from effecting the merger), or any defect or irregularity in the tender of any Intimate Brands shares. No tender of Intimate Brands shares will be deemed to have been validly made until all defects and irregularities in tenders of Intimate Brands shares have been cured or waived. Neither we, the exchange agent, the information agent, the dealer managers nor any other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defects or irregularities in the tender of any Intimate Brands shares or will incur any liability for failure to give any such notification. Our interpretation of the terms and conditions of the offer (including the letter of transmittal and instructions thereto) will be final and binding. The tender of Intimate Brands shares pursuant to any of the procedures described above will constitute a binding agreement between you and us upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the offer. Purpose of the Offer; The Merger; Appraisal Rights Purpose of the Offer and the Merger We are making the offer in order to acquire all of the outstanding shares of Intimate Brands common stock not owned by us. We intend, as soon as practicable after completion of the offer, to cause Intimate Brands to merge with and into IB Holdings. IB Holdings will be the surviving corporation after the merger and will be renamed "Intimate Brands." The purpose of the merger is to acquire all publicly-held Intimate Brands shares not tendered and exchanged pursuant to the offer. In the merger, each then outstanding Intimate Brands share (except for shares held in the treasury of Intimate Brands, shares that we own and shares held by any stockholder properly exercising appraisal rights) would be converted into the right to receive the same number of shares of Limited common stock that you would have received if you had tendered your shares in the offer. The Merger Assuming the conditions to the offer are satisfied or waived and the offer is completed, we could consummate the merger without any additional vote of the holders of our common stock or any vote of Intimate Brands stockholders under Section 253 of the Delaware General Corporation Law because we would own at least ninety percent (90%) of the Class A common stock of Intimate Brands (assuming conversion of our Intimate Brands Class B common stock into Class A common stock). We currently intend to complete the offer as soon as the conditions to the offer are satisfied, and we will consummate the merger as soon as practicable after the offer is completed. Appraisal Rights Under Delaware law, Intimate Brands stockholders do not have appraisal rights in connection with the offer. However, Intimate Brands stockholders do have appraisal rights in connection with the merger under Delaware law. Intimate Brands stockholders at the time of the merger will have the right to dissent and demand appraisal of their Intimate Brands shares. Dissenting stockholders who comply with certain statutory procedures will be entitled to receive judicial determination of the fair value of their Intimate Brands shares and to receive payment of such fair value in cash, together with a rate of interest, if any. This discussion is qualified in its entirety by reference to Section 262 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which contains the Delaware appraisal statute. A copy of this provision is attached to this document as Annex A. If you fail to take any action required by Delaware law, your rights to an appraisal may be waived or terminated. Notification of Merger's Effectiveness Either before the effective time of the merger or within ten days thereafter, Intimate Brands will send notice of the effectiveness of the merger and the availability of appraisal rights to each Intimate Brands stockholder (other than The Limited or its subsidiaries). 38
Electing Appraisal Rights To perfect appraisal rights, the record holder of Intimate Brands common stock must within 20 days after the date of mailing of such notice deliver a written demand for appraisal to Intimate Brands. This demand must reasonably inform Intimate Brands of the identity of the holder of record and that the stockholder demands appraisal of his, her or its shares of Intimate Brands common stock. A demand for appraisal must delivered to: Corporate Secretary, Intimate Brands, Inc., Three Limited Parkway, Columbus, Ohio 43216. Only Record Holders May Demand Appraisal Rights Only a record holder of Intimate Brands common stock is entitled to demand appraisal rights. The demand must be executed by or for the record holder, fully and correctly, as the holder's name appears on the holder's stock certificates. . If the Intimate Brands common stock is owned of record in a fiduciary capacity, such as by a trustee, guardian or custodian, the demand should be executed in that capacity. . If the Intimate Brands common stock is owned of record by more than one person, as in a joint tenancy or tenancy in common, the demand should be executed by or for all owners. . An authorized agent, including one or two or more joint owners, may execute the demand for appraisal for a holder of record. The agent must identify the owner or owners of record and expressly disclose the fact that, in executing the demand, the agent is acting as agent for the owner or owners of record. . A holder of record, such as a broker, who holds common stock as nominee for beneficial owners, may perfect a holder's right of appraisal with respect to common stock held for all or less than all of such beneficial owners. In that case, the written demand should set forth the number of shares of common stock held for all or less than all of such beneficial owners. In that case, the written demand should set forth the number of shares of common stock covered by the demand. If no number of shares of common stock is expressly mentioned, the demand will be presumed to cover all shares of common stock registered in the name of the record holder. Court Petition Must Be Filed Within 120 days after the effective time of the merger, the surviving corporation in the merger or any stockholder who has satisfied the foregoing conditions may file a petition in the Delaware Court of Chancery demanding a determination of the fair value of the Intimate Brands common stock. Stockholders seeking to perfect appraisal rights should initiate all necessary action to perfect their rights within the time periods prescribed by Delaware law. Appraisal Proceeding by Delaware Court If a petition for an appraisal is timely filed, after a hearing on the petition, the Delaware Court of Chancery will determine which of the stockholders are entitled to appraisal rights. The court will appraise the common stock owned by the stockholders and determine its fair value. In determining fair value, the court may consider any generally accepted valuation techniques, but will exclude the element of value arising from the accomplishment and expectation of the merger. The court will also determine the amount of interest, if any, to be paid upon the value of the common stock to the stockholders entitled to appraisal. The value determined by the court for Intimate Brands common stock could be more than, less than, or the same as the merger consideration, but the form of the consideration payable as a result of the appraisal proceeding would be cash. The court may also order that all or a portion of any stockholder's expenses incurred 39
in connection with an appraisal proceeding, including reasonable attorney's fees and expenses and reasonable fees and expenses of experts utilized in the appraisal proceeding, be charged against the value of all common stock entitled to appraisal. Effect of Appraisal Demand on Voting and Right to Dividends Any stockholder who has duly demanded an appraisal in compliance with Delaware law will not, after the effective time of the merger, be entitled to vote the shares subject to the demand for any purpose. The shares subject to the demand will not be entitled to dividends or other distributions, other than those payable or deemed to be payable to stockholders of record as of a date prior to the effective time. Loss, Waiver or Withdrawal of Appraisal Rights Holders of Intimate Brands common stock lose the right to appraisal if no petition for appraisal is filed within 120 days after the effective time of the merger. A stockholder will also lose the right to an appraisal by delivering to the surviving corporation a written withdrawal of such stockholder's demand for an appraisal, provided, however, that any attempt to withdraw that is made more than 60 days after the effective time requires the written approval of the surviving corporation. If appraisal rights are not perfected or a demand for appraisal rights is timely withdrawn, a stockholder will be entitled to receive the consideration otherwise payable pursuant to the merger, without interest. The number of shares of Limited common stock, and cash instead of a fraction of a share of Limited common stock, delivered to such stockholder will be based on the same exchange ratio utilized in the offer and the merger, regardless of the market price of Limited shares at the time of delivery. Dismissal of Appraisal Proceeding If an appraisal proceeding is timely instituted, such proceeding may not be dismissed as to any stockholder who has perfected a right of appraisal without the approval of the court. Certain Legal and Regulatory Matters Except as set forth in this prospectus, we are not aware of any material filing, approval or other action by or with any governmental authority or administrative or regulatory agency that would be required for our acquisition or ownership of Intimate Brands shares. We intend to make all required filings under the Securities Act of 1933 and the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. State Takeover Laws A number of states have adopted takeover laws and regulations which purport, to varying degrees, to be applicable to attempts to acquire securities of corporations which are incorporated in such states or which have substantial assets, stockholders, principal executive offices or principal places of business therein. We have not attempted to comply with state takeover statutes in connection with the offer, except that we do intend to comply with certain filing requirements under the laws of the State of Ohio. We reserve the right to challenge the validity or applicability of any state law allegedly applicable to the offer, and nothing in this prospectus nor any action taken in connection herewith is intended as a waiver of that right. In the event that it is asserted that one or more takeover statutes apply to the offer, and it is not determined by an appropriate court that such statute or statutes do not apply or are invalid as applied to the offer, as applicable, we may be required to file certain documents with, or receive approvals from, the relevant state authorities, and we might be unable to accept for payment or purchase shares tendered pursuant to the offer or be delayed in continuing or consummating the offer. In such case, we may not be obligated to accept for purchase, or pay for, any shares tendered. See "Conditions of the Offer--Other Conditions of the Offer" below. 40
Intimate Brands Charter Article Eleventh of Intimate Brands' Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation provides that the approval or authorization of a "business combination" (defined as a variety of transactions, including mergers) with an "interested person" (defined generally as a person beneficially owning capital stock entitled to cast at least 5% of the voting power of Intimate Brands) requires the vote of not less than 75% of the outstanding shares of voting stock held by stockholders other than the interested stockholder. Although The Limited is an "interested person", this provision does not apply to the offer or the merger because (i) the offer is not a "business combination" within the meaning of Article Eleventh and (ii) a "short form" merger effected under Section 253 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, which in accordance with that section does not require stockholder approval, is not subject to the requirements of Article Eleventh of Intimate Brands' Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation. Financing of the Offer and the Merger The securities required to consummate the offer and the merger are available from The Limited's authorized but unissued shares. Fees and expenses in connection with the offer and the merger are estimated to be approximately $14 million, including the SEC filing fee and the fees of the information agent, the exchange agent, the dealer managers, financial advisors, the financial printer, counsel, accountants and other professionals. We will obtain all of such funds from The Limited's available capital resources. Plans for Intimate Brands Although we have no plans to make any significant changes at this time, following the completion of the offer and the merger, we expect to review Intimate Brands and its assets, corporate structure, capitalization, operations, property, management, personnel and policies to determine what changes, if any, are desirable or appropriate to better organize, integrate and coordinate its businesses with those of The Limited. We may in the future also consider transactions such as acquisitions or dispositions of material assets, formation of alliances, joint ventures or other forms of cooperation with third parties or other extraordinary transactions affecting Intimate Brands or its operations. 41
CONDITIONS OF THE OFFER Notwithstanding any other provision of the offer, and without prejudice to The Limited's and IB Holdings' other rights, neither The Limited nor IB Holdings will be required to accept for exchange or, subject to any applicable rules of the SEC, exchange any shares of Intimate Brands common stock, and The Limited and IB Holdings may terminate, extend or amend the offer if, at the expiration date, any of the following offer conditions have not been satisfied or, to the extent permitted, waived. We will not waive the minimum tender, Limited stockholder approval, the New York Stock Exchange, or "NYSE," listing and registration statement effectiveness conditions or any other condition failure to satisfy which would prevent us from effecting the merger. Minimum Tender Condition There must be validly tendered and not properly withdrawn prior to the expiration of the offer a number of Intimate Brands shares which, together with the Intimate Brands shares we currently own (which will be converted into Class A common stock of Intimate Brands), will constitute at least 90% of the total number of outstanding shares of Class A common stock of Intimate Brands as of the date that IB Holdings accepts the Intimate Brands shares for exchange pursuant to the offer. As of January 30, 2002, there were 80,085,683 shares of Intimate Brands Class A common stock outstanding and 13,083,366 shares of Intimate Brands Class A common stock were issuable pursuant to outstanding employee stock options. Assuming that no additional shares of Intimate Brands common stock are issued prior to the expiration of the offer (whether upon exercise of employee stock options or otherwise), we believe that the minimum tender condition would be satisfied if at least an aggregate of 30,913,525 shares of Intimate Brands Class A common stock are validly tendered pursuant to the offer and not properly withdrawn. Approval of The Limited Stockholders Rule 312.03 of the New York Stock Exchange requires us to obtain the approval of our stockholders for the issuance of shares of Limited common stock in the offer and the merger since the number of shares to be issued will exceed 20% of the shares of Limited common stock outstanding immediately prior to the issuance. Our offer is conditioned upon the approval of the issuance of shares of Limited common stock pursuant to the offer and the merger by the affirmative vote of a majority of the votes cast by the holders of Limited common stock at a meeting of such holders subject to compliance with all applicable quorum requirements. We intend to promptly call a meeting of our stockholders to vote on the proposal to issue shares of Limited common stock in the offer and the merger. We will solicit proxies in favor of approval of the proposal. NYSE Listing of Limited Common Stock Our offer is conditioned upon the shares of Limited common stock which will be issued to the Intimate Brands stockholders in the offer and the merger being approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance. Registration Statement Effectiveness Our offer is conditioned upon the registration statement on Form S-4 of which this prospectus is a part being declared effective under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and not being subject to any stop order suspending its effectiveness or any proceedings seeking a stop order. 42
Other Conditions of the Offer Our offer is also subject to the conditions that, at the time of the expiration date of the offer, none of the following shall have occurred and be continuing which, in our good faith judgment, regardless of the circumstances, makes it impossible or inadvisable to proceed with the offer or the merger: (a) There shall have been (1) any action, proceeding or litigation, pending or threatened, seeking to enjoin, make illegal or otherwise prevent or materially delay consummation of the offer or the merger or otherwise relating in any manner to the offer or the merger instituted before any court or other regulatory or administrative authority, or (2) any order, stay, judgment or decree shall have been issued by any court, government, governmental authority or other regulatory or administrative authority and be in effect, or any statute, rule, regulation, governmental order or injunction shall have been proposed, enacted, enforced or deemed applicable to the offer, any of which would or might restrain, prohibit or delay consummation of, or alter or otherwise affect, the offer or the merger or materially impair the contemplated benefits of the offer or the merger to The Limited; (b) There shall have occurred (and the adverse effect of such occurrence shall, in the good faith judgment of The Limited, be continuing) (1) any general suspension of trading in, or limitation on prices for, securities on any national exchange or in the over-the-counter market in the United States, (2) any extraordinary or material adverse change in U.S. financial markets generally, including, without limitation, a decline of at least 20% in either the Dow Jones average of industrial stocks or the Standard & Poor's 500 Index from February 4, 2002, (3) a declaration of a banking moratorium or any suspension of payments in respect of banks in the United States, (4) any limitation (whether or not mandatory) by any governmental entity on, or any other event that would reasonably be expected to materially adversely affect, the extension of credit by banks or other lending institutions, (5) a commencement of a war or armed hostilities or other national or international calamity directly or indirectly involving the United States, which would reasonably be expected to affect materially and adversely (or to delay materially) the consummation of the offer or the merger, or (6) in the case of any of the foregoing existing at the time of the commencement of the offer, a material acceleration or worsening thereof; (c) Any tender or exchange offer with respect to some or all of the outstanding Limited common stock or the Intimate Brands common stock (other than this offer), or a merger, acquisition or other business combination proposal for The Limited or Intimate Brands (other than this offer and the merger), shall have been proposed, announced or made by any person or entity; (d) There shall have occurred any event or events that have resulted, or may, in the good faith judgment of The Limited, result in an actual or threatened adverse change in the business, condition (financial or other), income, operations, stock ownership or prospects of The Limited and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole, or of Intimate Brands and its subsidiaries, taken as a whole; and (e) There shall have occurred or be in existence any other event, circumstance or condition which, in the good faith judgment of The Limited, would prevent IB Holdings or Intimate Brands from effecting the merger following the completion of the offer. The foregoing conditions are solely for our benefit and we may assert them regardless of the circumstances giving rise to any such conditions. We may also, in our reasonable discretion, waive these conditions in whole or in part (subject to the limitations on waiver described in the first paragraph of this section). The determination as to whether any condition has been satisfied shall be conclusive and binding on all parties. The failure by us at any time to exercise any of the foregoing rights shall not be deemed a waiver of any such right and each such right shall be deemed a continuing right which may be asserted at any time and from time to time. 43
MATERIAL FEDERAL INCOME TAX CONSEQUENCES The following are the material United States federal income tax consequences of the offer and the merger. This discussion is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended, applicable Treasury regulations, administrative interpretations and court decisions as in effect as of the date of this prospectus, all of which may change, possibly with the retroactive effect. This discussion only addresses persons who hold their Intimate Brands shares as capital assets. It does not address all aspects of federal income taxation that may be relevant to an Intimate Brands stockholder in light of that stockholder's particular circumstances or to an Intimate Brands stockholder subject to special rules, such as: . a stockholder who is not a citizen or resident of the United States; . a stockholder that is a foreign corporation, foreign estate or foreign trust; . a financial institution or insurance company; . a tax-exempt organization; . a dealer or broker in securities; . a stockholder that holds its Intimate Brands stock as part of a hedge, appreciated financial position, straddle or conversion transaction; or . a stockholder who acquired its Intimate Brands stock pursuant to the exercise of options or otherwise as compensation. Participants in the Savings and Retirement Plan may be subject to tax consequences in connection with the offer and the merger that are not discussed below. These consequences are briefly summarized in separate materials distributed to those participants. In the opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell, the offer and the merger will be treated for federal income tax purposes as a reorganization within the meaning of Section 368(a) of the Internal Revenue Code. This opinion is based on representations made by The Limited and on the assumption that the offer and the merger will be consummated in the manner described in this prospectus. The consequences of treatment of the offer and the merger as a reorganization are that, for federal income tax purposes: . A holder of Intimate Brands common stock will not recognize any gain or loss upon that stockholder's exchange of its shares of Intimate Brands common stock for shares of Limited common stock in the offer or the merger. . To the extent that a holder of Intimate Brands common stock receives cash instead of a fractional share of Limited common stock, the holder will be required to recognize gain or loss, measured by the difference between the amount of cash received instead of that fractional share and the portion of the tax basis of that holder's shares of Intimate Brands common stock allocable to that fractional share of Limited common stock. This gain or loss will be capital gain or loss, and will be long-term capital gain or loss if the holding period for the share of Intimate Brands common stock is more than one year as of the expiration date for the offer or the effective time of the merger, as applicable. . A holder of Intimate Brands common stock will have a tax basis in the Limited common stock received in the offer or the merger equal to (1) the tax basis of Intimate Brands common stock surrendered by that holder, less (2) any tax basis of the Intimate Brands common stock surrendered that is allocable to any fractional share of Limited common stock for which cash is received. 44
. The holding period for shares of Limited common stock received in exchange for shares of Intimate Brands common stock in the offer or the merger will include the holding period for the shares of Intimate Brands common stock surrendered in the merger. The exchange agent will be required to withhold 30% of any cash payment to which an Intimate Brands stockholder is entitled pursuant to the offer or the merger, unless such stockholder provides the stockholder's tax identification number (social security number or employer identification number) and certifies that such number is correct, or unless an exemption from backup withholding applies. Each holder of Intimate Brands stock will need to complete and sign the form W-9 that will be included in the transmittal letter to avoid backup withholding, unless the holder can establish in a manner satisfactory to the exchange agent that an exemption applies. The foregoing discussion is intended to provide only a general summary of the material federal income tax consequences of the offer and the merger, and is not a complete analysis or description of all potential federal income tax consequences of the offer and the merger. This discussion does not address tax consequences that may vary with, or are contingent on, individual circumstances. In addition, it does not address any non-income tax or any foreign, state, or local tax consequences of the offer and the merger. Accordingly, The Limited urges each Intimate Brands stockholder to consult his or her own tax advisor to determine the particular United States federal, state or local or foreign income or other tax consequences to him or her of the offer and the merger. 45
CERTAIN EFFECTS OF THE OFFER; EXCHANGE ACT REGISTRATION Following the completion of the offer but before the completion of the merger, the liquidity and market value of the remaining shares of Intimate Brands common stock held by the public and the rights of the holders of those shares may be adversely affected. The shares of Intimate Brands common stock are currently traded on the NYSE. Depending on the number of shares of Intimate Brands Class A common stock exchanged pursuant to the offer, the shares of Intimate Brands Class A common stock may no longer meet the requirements of the NYSE for continued listing. For example, published guidelines of the NYSE indicate that the NYSE would consider delisting the outstanding shares of Intimate Brands Class A common stock if, among other things, (i) the number of publicly held shares of Intimate Brands Class A common stock (exclusive of the holdings of directors, officers, and members of their immediate families and other concentrated holdings of 10 percent or more) should fall below 600,000, (ii) the number of record holders of 100 or more shares of Intimate Brands Class A common stock should fall below 1,200 or (iii) the aggregate market value of publicly held shares should fall below $5 million. As of January 30, 2002, there were 80,085,683 shares of Intimate Brands Class A common stock outstanding, held by 4,156 holders of record. If the shares of Intimate Brands common stock are delisted from the NYSE, the market for them could be adversely affected. It is possible that shares of Intimate Brands common stock would be traded on other securities exchanges or in the over-the-counter market, and that price quotations would be reported by such exchanges, or through the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., Automated Quotations System or by other sources. The extent of the public market for Intimate Brands shares and the availability of such quotations would, however, depend upon the number of holders and/or the aggregate market value of the shares of Intimate Brands common stock remaining at such time, the interest in maintaining a market in the shares of Intimate Brands common stock on the part of securities firms, the possible termination of registration of shares of Intimate Brands common stock under the Exchange Act, as described below, and other factors. Shares of Intimate Brands common stock are "margin securities" under the regulations of the Federal Reserve Board, which has the effect, among other things, of allowing brokers to extend credit on the collateral of such shares. Depending on factors similar to those described above with respect to listing and market quotations, following consummation of the offer the shares of Intimate Brands common stock may no longer constitute "margin securities" for the purposes of the Federal Reserve Board's margin regulations, in which event the shares of Intimate Brands common stock would not be eligible to be used as collateral for margin loans made by brokers. Intimate Brands common stock is currently registered under the Exchange Act. Intimate Brands may terminate that registration upon application to the SEC if the outstanding shares of Intimate Brands common stock are not listed on a national securities exchange and if there are fewer than 300 holders of record of shares of Intimate Brands common stock. Termination of registration of Intimate Brands common stock under the Exchange Act would reduce the information Intimate Brands must furnish its stockholders and to the SEC and would make certain provisions of the Exchange Act, such as the short-swing profit recovery provisions of Section 16(b) and the requirement of furnishing a proxy statement in connection with stockholders' meetings pursuant to Section 14(a) and the related requirement of furnishing an annual report to stockholders, no longer applicable with respect to the shares. Furthermore, the ability of "affiliates" of Intimate Brands and persons holding "restricted securities" of Intimate Brands to dispose of such securities pursuant to Rule 144 under the Securities Act may be impaired or eliminated. If registration of the shares of Intimate Brands common stock under the Exchange Act were terminated, the shares of Intimate Brands common stock would no longer be eligible for NYSE reporting or for continued inclusion on the Federal Reserve Board's list of "margin securities." After the completion of the merger, shares of Intimate Brands common stock will no longer be publicly traded or listed on any stock exchange. In addition, the registration of the Intimate Brands shares and the related reporting obligations under the Exchange Act will be terminated upon application to the SEC. 46
FEES AND EXPENSES We have retained Goldman, Sachs & Co. and Banc of America Securities LLC to act as co-dealer managers in connection with the offer and to provide certain financial advisory services in connection with the offer and the merger. Goldman Sachs and Banc of America Securities will receive customary compensation for such services and will be reimbursed for reasonable out-of-pocket expenses incurred in performing its services, including reasonable fees and expenses for legal counsel. We have agreed to indemnify Goldman Sachs and Banc of America Securities and related persons and entities against liabilities in connection with its services, including liabilities under the federal securities laws. We have retained D.F. King & Co., Inc. to act as information agent in connection with the offer. The information agent may contact Intimate Brands stockholders by mail, telephone, fax, electronic mail and personal interviews and may request brokers, dealers and other nominee stockholders to forward the offer materials to beneficial owners of shares of Intimate Brands common stock. D.F. King & Co. will be paid reasonable and customary fees for such services, plus reimbursement of reasonable out-of-pocket expenses, and we will indemnify D.F. King & Co. against certain liabilities and expenses in connection with the offer, including liabilities under federal securities laws. In addition, we have retained EquiServe Trust Company, N.A. as exchange agent. We will pay EquiServe Trust Company reasonable and customary compensation for its services in connection with the offer and the merger, will reimburse it for its reasonable out-of-pocket expenses and will indemnify it against certain liabilities and expenses in connection with the offer, including liabilities under federal securities laws. ACCOUNTING TREATMENT The Limited's acquisition of the Intimate Brands minority interest through the offer and merger will be accounted for using the purchase method of accounting, as prescribed by Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No. 141, "Business Combinations." Accordingly, the purchase price will be allocated to the minority interest portion of the estimated fair value of identifiable net assets acquired. Any excess purchase price remaining after this allocation will be accounted for as goodwill, which will not be amortized. 47
RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN INTIMATE BRANDS AND THE LIMITED The Limited, through IB Holdings, owns 100% of the outstanding Class B common stock of Intimate Brands, which currently represents approximately 93.9% of the combined voting power of the Intimate Brands' outstanding common stock. Each share of Class B common stock is convertible, at The Limited's option at any time, into one share of Class A common stock of Intimate Brands. By virtue of its ownership of Class B common stock, The Limited currently owns approximately 83.7% of Intimate Brands' Class A common stock. Relationship of Directors and Executive Officers of Intimate Brands with The Limited Leslie H. Wexner, Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Intimate Brands also serves as Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of The Limited. In addition, as of December 31, 2001, Mr. Wexner owned 130,657 shares of Class A common stock and options exercisable within 60 days to acquire 210,000 shares of Class A common stock of Intimate Brands. Mr. Wexner also owned 74,671,857 shares of Limited common stock and options exercisable within 60 days to acquire 2,454,232 shares of Limited common stock. E. Gordon Gee and Donald Shackelford, directors of Intimate Brands, also serve as directors of The Limited. Dr. Gee and Mr. Shackelford are the sole members of the compensation committee of the Intimate Brands Board of Directors as well as the sole members of the compensation committee of The Limited Board of Directors. As of December 31 2001, Dr. Gee owned 5,928 shares of Class A common stock and options exercisable within 60 days to acquire 10,975 shares of Class A common stock of Intimate Brands. Dr. Gee also owned 6,011 shares of Limited common stock and options exercisable within 60 days to acquire 9,026 shares of Limited common stock. As of December 31, 2001, Mr. Shackelford owned 14,442 shares of Class A common stock and options exercisable within 60 days to acquire 10,975 shares of Class A common stock of Intimate Brands. Mr. Shackelford also owned 108,195 shares of Limited common stock and options exercisable within 60 days to acquire 9,026 shares of Limited common stock. Leonard A. Schlesinger, an executive officer of Intimate Brands, also serves as Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of The Limited. In addition, as of December 31, 2001, Mr. Schlesinger owned 1,000 shares of Class A common stock of Intimate Brands. Mr. Schlesinger also owned 22,231 shares of Limited common stock and options exercisable within 60 days to acquire 112,483 shares of Limited common stock. In addition, as of December 31, 2001, the following directors and executive officers of The Limited beneficially own shares of Intimate Brands common stock: Daniel P. Finkelman, an executive officer of The Limited, owned 4,676 shares of Class A common stock of Intimate Brands; V. Ann Hailey, an executive officer of The Limited, owned 4,400 shares of Class A common stock of Intimate Brands; Alex Shumate, a director of The Limited, owned 3,762 shares of Class A common stock and options exercisable within 60 days to acquire 7,299 shares of Class A common stock of Intimate Brands; Martin Trust, a director of The Limited, owned 18,528 shares of Class A common stock of Intimate Brands; and Raymond Zimmerman, a director of The Limited, owned 3,506 shares of Class A common stock of Intimate Brands. Roger D. Blackwell, a director of Intimate Brands, owns 13,600 shares of Limited common stock according to Intimate Brands' proxy statement filed with the SEC on April 20, 2001. Beth M. Pritchard, a director of Intimate Brands, also serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Bath & Body Works, Inc., a subsidiary of Intimate Brands, and her compensation is ultimately determined by the compensation committee of the Intimate Brands Board, which is comprised of Dr. Gee and Mr. Shackelford, as 48
stated above. In addition, according to Intimate Brands' proxy statement filed with the SEC on April 20, 2001, Ms. Pritchard owns 159,857 shares of Class A common stock and options exercisable within 60 days to acquire 495,254 shares of Class A common stock of Intimate Brands. Ms. Pritchard also owns 28,677 shares of Limited common stock. Grace A. Nichols, a director of Intimate Brands, also serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Victoria's Secret Stores, Inc., a subsidiary of Intimate Brands, and her compensation is ultimately determined by the compensation committee of the Intimate Brands Board, which is comprised of Dr. Gee and Mr. Shackelford, as stated above. In addition, according to Intimate Brands' proxy statement filed with the SEC on April 20, 2001, Ms. Nichols owns 219,498 shares of Class A common stock and options exercisable within 60 days to acquire 360,504 shares of Class A common stock of Intimate Brands. Ms. Nichols also owns 51,085 shares of Limited common stock and options exercisable within 60 days to acquire 25,934 shares of Limited common stock. Tracey Thomas Travis serves as Chief Financial Officer of Intimate Brands and her compensation is ultimately determined by the compensation committee of the Intimate Brands Board, which is comprised of Dr. Gee and Mr. Shackelford, as stated above. Except as set forth in this prospectus, neither we nor, to the best of our knowledge, any of our directors, executive officers or other affiliates (a) has any contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship with any other person with respect to any securities of Intimate Brands, including, but not limited to, any contract, arrangement, understanding or relationship concerning the transfer or the voting of any securities of Intimate Brands, joint ventures, loan or option arrangements, puts or calls, guaranties of loans, guaranties against loss, or the giving or withholding of proxies, (b) has engaged in contacts, negotiations or transactions with Intimate Brands or its affiliates concerning a merger, consolidation, acquisition, tender offer or other acquisition of securities, election of directors or a sale or other transfer of a material amount of assets or (c) has had any other transaction with Intimate Brands or any of its executive officers, directors or affiliates that would require disclosure under the rules and regulations of the SEC applicable to the offer. Except for the shares of Intimate Brands common stock that we or our affiliates own as disclosed in this prospectus, neither we nor any of our affiliates beneficially own any Intimate Brands shares or have effected any transaction in the shares within the past 60 days. Intercompany Arrangements Intimate Brands' relationship with The Limited is governed, in part, by agreements entered into in connection with the initial public offering of Intimate Brands in October 1995, including a services agreement, a corporate agreement, lease agreements, shared facilities agreements and a tax-sharing agreement. The following description is a summary of the material terms of these agreements which was included in Intimate Brands' proxy statement filed with the SEC on April 20, 2001. Because the following description is only a summary, it is not necessarily complete and is qualified in its entirety by reference to the relevant agreements. Copies of the forms of agreements were filed with the SEC as exhibits to Intimate Brands' registration statement filed in connection with its initial public offering, and are available for inspection at the SEC. See "Where You Can Find More Information." Services Agreement. Intimate Brands and The Limited are parties to an intercompany services and operating agreement with respect to services provided by The Limited (or subsidiaries of The Limited) to Intimate Brands. The services provided by The Limited to Intimate Brands include, among other things, certain accounting, aircraft, associate benefit plan administration, audit, cash management, corporate development, corporate secretary, governmental affairs, human resources and compensation, import and shipping, information systems, international expansion, investor and public relations, legal, real estate, risk management, store design/planning, tax and treasury services. The services agreement provides that such services are to be provided in exchange for fees which (based on current costs for such services) we believe do not exceed fees that would be 49
paid if such services were provided by independent third parties. Under the services agreement, the fees for services provided by us to Intimate Brands during 2000 were approximately $134,636,000. In addition to the identified services, during fiscal 2000, we continued coverage of Intimate Brands under our umbrella liability, property, casualty and fiduciary insurance policies. Intimate Brands reimburses us for the portion of our premium cost with respect to such insurance that is attributable to coverage of Intimate Brands. Either we or Intimate Brands may terminate this coverage under our policies at any time upon prior written notice during the 90 days prior to the anniversary date of the policy, provided that termination of coverage by Intimate Brands may only be for nonpayment and only if a replacement policy, acceptable to us, is entered into by Intimate Brands. The services agreement further provides for eligible associates of Intimate Brands to participate in our associate benefit plans. In addition to a monthly services fee, Intimate Brands reimburses us for our costs (including any contributions and premium costs and including certain third-party expenses and allocations of certain personnel expenses of The Limited) relating to participation by Intimate Brands' associates in any of our benefit plans. The services agreement has an initial term of five years (commencing on October 23, 1995) and is renewed automatically thereafter for successive one-year terms, unless either Intimate Brands or The Limited elects not to renew the services agreement. The services agreement may be terminated at any time by either party upon six months' written notice. Furthermore, the agreement is subject to early termination by either Intimate Brands or The Limited upon six months' written notice if we cease to own shares of Intimate Brands common stock representing more than 50% of the combined voting power of the common stock of Intimate Brands. Lease Agreements. The businesses operated by Intimate Brands entered into lease agreements with The Limited or one or more subsidiaries of The Limited. Under these lease agreements, The Limited, directly or indirectly, leased to the relevant businesses of Intimate Brands a distribution center and headquarters office space. The lease agreements provide for the lessee to lease space at a base annual rental rate equal to $16.15 per square foot, in the case of office space, and $4.35 per square foot, in the case of the distribution centers, subject to adjustment based on the consumer price index every year. Intimate Brands paid The Limited (or subsidiaries of The Limited) approximately $14,096,000 in lease payments during 2000. The lease agreements have an initial term of fifteen years (commencing on January 31, 1999) and will be renewed automatically thereafter for three successive five-year terms unless either the lessor or lessee (or sublessor or sublessee) elects not to renew the applicable lease agreement upon at least one year's notice. Shared Facilities Agreements. Certain businesses operated by Intimate Brands and certain businesses operated by The Limited entered into shared facilities agreements pursuant to which the relevant businesses operated by Intimate Brands sub-leased facilities from the relevant businesses operated by The Limited. Under the Shared Facilities Agreement, the sublessee is responsible for its pro rata share (based on square feet occupied) of all costs and expenses (principally fixed rent) under the relevant lease, plus the portion of any performance-based rent attributable to the sublessee. In 2000, Intimate Brands paid The Limited approximately $31,707,000 for the portion of the cost and expenses attributable to it under the relevant leases. Tax-Sharing Agreement. Intimate Brands is included in The Limited's federal consolidated income tax group and Intimate Brands' federal income tax liability is included in the consolidated federal income tax liability of The Limited and its subsidiaries. In certain circumstances, certain subsidiaries of Intimate Brands are also included with certain subsidiaries of The Limited (other than subsidiaries of Intimate Brands) in combined, consolidated or unitary income tax groups for state and local tax purposes. Intimate Brands and The Limited entered into a tax-sharing agreement pursuant to which Intimate Brands and The Limited make payments between them such that, with respect to any period, the amount of taxes to be paid by Intimate Brands, subject to certain adjustments, will be determined as though Intimate Brands were to file separate federal, state and local 50
income tax returns (including, except as provided below, any amounts determined to be due as a result of a redetermination of the tax liability of The Limited arising from an audit or otherwise) as the common parent of an affiliated group of corporations filing combined, consolidated or unitary (as applicable) federal, state and local returns rather than a consolidated subsidiary of The Limited with respect to federal, state and local income taxes. Intimate Brands will be reimbursed, however, for tax attributes that it generates, such as net operating losses, if and when they are used on a consolidated basis. In determining the amount of tax-sharing payments under the tax-sharing agreement, The Limited prepares for Intimate Brands pro forma returns with respect to federal and applicable state and local income taxes that reflect the same positions and elections used by The Limited in preparing the returns for The Limited's consolidated group and other applicable groups. The Limited continues to have all the rights of a parent of a consolidated group (and similar rights provided for by applicable state and local law with respect to a parent of a combined, consolidated or unitary group), is the sole and exclusive agent for Intimate Brands in any and all matters relating to the income, franchise and similar tax liabilities of Intimate Brands, is solely and exclusively responsible for the preparation and filing of consolidated federal and consolidated or combined state income tax returns (or amended returns), and has the power, in its sole discretion, to contest or compromise any asserted tax adjustment or deficiency and to file, litigate or compromise any claim for refund on behalf of Intimate Brands. In addition, The Limited provides the aforementioned services with respect to Intimate Brands' separate state and local returns and Intimate Brands' foreign returns. Under the tax-sharing agreement, Intimate Brands must pay The Limited a fee intended to reimburse The Limited for all direct and indirect costs and expenses incurred with respect to Intimate Brands' share of the overall costs and expenses incurred by The Limited with respect to tax-related services. In general, Intimate Brands will be included in The Limited's consolidated group for federal income tax purposes for so long as The Limited beneficially owns at least 80% of the total voting power and value of the outstanding Intimate Brands common stock. Each member of a consolidated group is jointly and severally liable for the federal income tax liability of each other member of the consolidated group. Accordingly, although the tax-sharing agreement allocates tax liabilities between Intimate Brands and The Limited, during the period in which Intimate Brands is included in The Limited's consolidated group, Intimate Brands could be liable in the event that any federal tax liability is incurred, but not discharged, by any other member of The Limited's consolidated group. Corporate Agreement. Intimate Brands and The Limited are parties to a corporate agreement under which Intimate Brands granted to The Limited a continuing option, transferable to any of its subsidiaries, to purchase, under certain circumstances, additional shares of Intimate Brands Class B common stock or shares of nonvoting capital stock of Intimate Brands. This corporate agreement further provides that, upon the request of The Limited, Intimate Brands will use its best efforts to register under the applicable federal and state securities laws any of the shares of Class B common stock and nonvoting capital stock (and any other securities issued in respect of or in exchange for either) held by The Limited for sale in accordance with The Limited's intended method of disposition thereof, and will take such other actions as may be necessary to permit the sale thereof in other jurisdictions, subject to certain limitations specified in the corporate agreement. Intimate Brands will pay all out-of-pocket costs and expenses relating to each such registration that The Limited requests or in which The Limited participates. The corporate agreement also restricts Intimate Brands from taking certain actions for so long as The Limited maintains beneficial ownership of a majority of the number of outstanding shares of Intimate Brands common stock. 51
UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS We are providing the following unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements to give you a better picture of what the results of operations and financial position of The Limited might have been had the offer and the merger been completed at an earlier date. The unaudited pro forma consolidated statements of income for the thirty-nine weeks ended November 3, 2001 and for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2001 give effect to the offer and the merger as if they had been completed on January 30, 2000. The unaudited pro forma consolidated balance sheet as of November 3, 2001 gives effect to the offer and the merger as if they had been completed on that date. The Limited's acquisition of the Intimate Brands minority interest in the offer and the merger will be accounted for using the purchase method of accounting, as prescribed by SFAS No. 141, "Business Combinations." Accordingly, the purchase price will be allocated to the minority interest portion of the estimated fair value of identifiable net assets acquired. Any excess purchase price remaining after this allocation will be accounted for as goodwill, which will not be amortized. We have prepared these unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements based on available information, using assumptions that The Limited's management believes are reasonable. These unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements are being provided for informational purposes only. They do not purport to represent The Limited's actual financial position or results of operations had the offer and the merger occurred on the dates specified nor do they project The Limited's results of operations or financial position for any future period or date. The unaudited pro forma consolidated statements of income do not reflect any adjustments for nonrecurring items or operating synergies arising as a result of the offer and the merger. The Limited currently expects to incur a one-time, after-tax non-cash charge of approximately $20.4 million relating to the exchange of vested Intimate Brands stock awards in connection with the offer and the merger that is not reflected in the unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements. See "--Notes to Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Financial Statements." In addition, pro forma adjustments are based on certain assumptions and other information that are subject to change as additional information becomes available. Accordingly, the adjustments included in The Limited's financial statements published after the completion of the offer and the merger will vary from the adjustments included in the unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements included in this prospectus. The unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with The Limited's and Intimate Brands' audited and unaudited historical financial statements and related notes, as well as "Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" incorporated by reference into this prospectus. See "Where You Can Find More Information." 52
THE LIMITED, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (IN THOUSANDS) At November 3, 2001 --------------------------------------------- Pro Forma Historical Adjustments(1) Pro Forma ---------- -------------- ---------- ASSETS Current assets: Cash and equivalents................... $ 317,867 $ 317,867 Accounts receivable.................... 127,152 127,152 Inventories............................ 1,343,329 1,343,329 Other.................................. 304,605 304,605 ---------- ---------- Total current assets...................... 2,092,953 2,092,953 Property and equipment, net............... 1,391,215 $ 8,000 (2a) 1,399,215 Deferred income taxes..................... 79,433 (79,433)(2c) -- Other assets.............................. 593,140 1,506,953 (2a) 2,100,093 ---------- ---------- ---------- Total assets.............................. $4,156,741 $1,435,520 $5,592,261 ========== ========== ========== LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY Current liabilities: Accounts payable....................... $ 386,772 $ 386,772 Current portion of long-term debt...... 150,000 150,000 Accrued expenses....................... 550,113 $ 14,000 (2a) 564,113 Income taxes........................... 13,847 13,847 ---------- ---------- ---------- Total current liabilities................. 1,100,732 14,000 1,114,732 Long-term debt............................ 250,000 (1,950)(2b) 248,050 Deferred income taxes..................... -- 69,456 (2c) 69,456 Other long-term liabilities............... 235,581 (4,000)(2a) 231,581 Minority interest......................... 142,355 (142,355)(2a) -- Stockholders' equity: Common stock........................... 216,096 41,885 (2d) 257,981 Paid-in capital........................ 60,923 1,518,942 (2d),(2e) 1,579,865 Retained earnings...................... 2,253,657 (20,390)(2e) 2,233,267 ---------- ---------- ---------- 2,530,676 1,540,437 4,071,113 Less: treasury stock, at average cost.. (102,603) (40,068)(2e) (142,671) ---------- ---------- ---------- Total stockholders' equity................ 2,428,073 1,500,369 3,928,442 ---------- ---------- ---------- Total liabilities and stockholders' equity $4,156,741 $1,435,520 $5,592,261 ========== ========== ========== The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements. 53
THE LIMITED, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA) For the Fiscal Year Ended February 3, 2001 ----------------------------------------- Pro Forma Historical Adjustments (1) Pro Forma ----------- --------------- ----------- Net sales........................................... $10,104,606 $10,104,606 Costs of goods sold, buying and occupancy costs..... (6,667,389) $ (4,120)(3a) (6,671,509) ----------- -------- ----------- Gross income........................................ 3,437,217 (4,120) 3,433,097 General, administrative and store operating expenses (2,561,201) (17,993)(3b) (2,580,207) (1,013)(3a) Special and nonrecurring items, net................. (9,900) (9,900) ----------- -------- ----------- Operating income.................................... 866,116 (23,126) 842,990 Interest expense.................................... (58,244) (93)(3c) (58,337) Other income, net................................... 20,378 20,378 Minority interest................................... (69,345) 69,345 (3d) -- ----------- -------- ----------- Income before income taxes.......................... 758,905 46,126 805,031 Income tax expense (benefit)........................ 331,000 (9,000)(3e) 322,000 ----------- -------- ----------- Net income.......................................... $ 427,905 $ 55,126 $ 483,031 =========== ======== =========== Net income per share: Basic............................................ $ 1.00 $ 0.95 Diluted.......................................... $ 0.96 $ 0.91 Dividends per share................................. $ 0.30 $ 0.30 Basic weighted average shares outstanding........... 427,604 82,517 (3f) 510,121 Diluted weighted average shares outstanding......... 443,048 89,056 (3f) 532,104 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements. 54
THE LIMITED, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF INCOME (IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT PER SHARE DATA) For the Thirty-nine Weeks Ended November 3, 2001 --------------------------------------------- Pro Forma Historical Adjustments(1) Pro Forma ----------- -------------- ----------- Net sales........................................... $ 6,225,440 $ 6,225,440 Costs of goods sold, buying and occupancy costs..... (4,296,341) $ (3,090)(3a) (4,299,431) ----------- -------- ----------- Gross income........................................ 1,929,099 (3,090) 1,926,009 General, administrative and store operating expenses (1,805,868) (13,495)(3b) (1,820,123) (760)(3a) Special and nonrecurring item....................... 170,000 170,000 ----------- -------- ----------- Operating income.................................... 293,231 (17,345) 275,886 Interest expense.................................... (25,370) (70)(3c) (25,440) Other income, net................................... 15,682 15,682 Minority interest................................... (15,253) 15,253 (3d) -- Gains on sale of stock by investees................. 62,102 62,102 ----------- -------- ----------- Income before income taxes.......................... 330,392 (2,162) 328,230 Income tax expense (benefit)........................ 138,000 (8,000)(3e) 130,000 ----------- -------- ----------- Net income.......................................... $ 192,392 $ 5,838 $ 198,230 =========== ======== =========== Net income per share: Basic............................................ $ 0.45 $ 0.39 Diluted.......................................... $ 0.44 $ 0.38 Dividends per share................................. $ 0.225 $ 0.225 Basic weighted average shares outstanding........... 427,506 83,535 (3f) 511,041 Diluted weighted average shares outstanding......... 434,772 86,692 (3f) 521,464 The accompanying notes are an integral part of these unaudited pro forma consolidated financial statements. 55
THE LIMITED, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 1. Basis of Presentation The following summary of pro forma adjustments is based on available information and certain estimates and assumptions. Therefore, the actual adjustments will differ from the pro forma adjustments. The Limited believes that such assumptions provide a reasonable basis for presenting the significant effects of the offer and merger and that the pro forma adjustments give appropriate effect to those assumptions and are properly applied in the Statements. The Limited has accounted for the offer and the merger in accordance with the requirements of SFAS No. 141, "Business Combinations." Accordingly, The Limited recognized certain intangible assets acquired separately from goodwill, which represents the excess of the purchase price over the minority interest portion of the estimated fair value of identifiable net assets acquired. In accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 142, "Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets," goodwill will not be amortized. Additionally, trademarks, tradenames, and Internet domain names have been determined to have indefinite lives and will not be amortized. These assets will be reviewed for impairment in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 142. Beginning in fiscal 2002 and in accordance with SFAS No. 142, The Limited will no longer record amortization on its pre-existing goodwill. Goodwill amortization expense for the thirty-nine weeks ended November 3, 2001 and the fiscal year ended February 3, 2001 was $2.3 million and $3.0 million, respectively. This change in expense is not reflected in the Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Income. Amounts for The Limited were derived from the historical consolidated financial statements of The Limited, incorporated herein by reference elsewhere in this document. 2. Adjustments to the Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Balance Sheet (a) The Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Balance Sheet gives effect to the following transactions and events: (1) the issuance of Limited common stock in exchange for all outstanding Intimate Brands Class A common stock; (2) the allocation of the purchase price to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on a preliminary estimate of their respective fair values at November 3, 2001; (3) the elimination of the Intimate Brands minority interest in The Limited's consolidated financial statements; (4) the stockholders' equity impact of exchanging Intimate Brands stock awards for Limited stock awards; and (5) the recognition of deferred income taxes, which result from differences in the estimated fair value of net assets acquired and liabilities assumed for financial reporting purposes and their respective tax bases. The market value of Limited common stock to be issued was based upon the closing market price of $17.75 per share at February 4, 2002. The final purchase price will be based on the market price of Limited common stock on the dates of consummation of the offer and the merger. 56
THE LIMITED, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued) The estimated pro forma allocation of the purchase price is as follows (in thousands): Market value of Limited common stock to be issued.................................... $1,486,917 Fees and other direct costs of the offer and merger.................................. 14,000 ---------- Total purchase price.............................................................. $1,500,917 ---------- Minority interest portion of the estimated fair value of Intimate Brands identifiable net assets acquired: Trademarks, tradenames, and Internet domain names.................................... $ 406,250* Customer relationships and lists..................................................... 4,050* Property and equipment............................................................... 8,000 Store operating leases............................................................... 8,600* Long-term debt....................................................................... 1,950 Deferred income taxes on book/tax basis differences in pro forma balance sheet....... (162,341) Write-off of deferred rent........................................................... 4,000 Write-off of Intimate Brands' historical goodwill.................................... (10,446)* Minority interest at November 3, 2001................................................ 142,355 ---------- Estimated fair value of identifiable net assets acquired............................. $ 402,418 ---------- Excess of purchase price over net assets acquired.................................... $1,098,499* ========== ----- * These amounts are included as pro forma adjustments to 'Other Assets.' (b) Represents the adjustment of Intimate Brands' long-term debt to fair value, based on current rates available to The Limited for debt of similar maturities. (c) Represents the recognition of long-term deferred income taxes of $162.3 million associated with the allocation of the purchase price and the $13.5 million deferred income tax effect associated with the compensation costs discussed in Notes 2(e) and 3(b). These adjustments were recorded using The Limited's effective income tax rate of 39.75%. The adjustment also includes the reclassification of The Limited's historical long-term deferred income tax assets of $79.4 million to reflect the net pro forma long-term deferred income tax liability. (d) Reflects the issuance of an estimated 83.8 million shares of Limited common stock, par value $0.50 per share. This is based on Intimate Brands Class A common stock outstanding of 80.1 million shares at January 30, 2002 and applying the exchange ratio of 1.046. The excess of the purchase price over the par value of Limited common stock issued of $1.445 billion was recorded as an adjustment to paid-in capital. (e) The retained earnings adjustment represents the $20.4 million nonrecurring, non-cash after-tax expense for fully vested stock awards discussed in Note 3(b) of the Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Income. The adjustment to paid-in capital includes both this charge and $40.1 million of deferred compensation associated with unvested stock awards as discussed in Note 3(b). The treasury stock adjustment represents the unearned deferred compensation associated with these unvested stock awards. 3. Adjustments to Unaudited Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Income (a) Adjusting Intimate Brands' property and equipment to their estimated fair value will result in additional depreciation expense. Additionally, the recognition of certain identifiable intangible assets and the 57
THE LIMITED, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued) adjustment to the deferred rent liability will result in additional amortization and other non-cash expense. The estimated additional depreciation, amortization and other non-cash expense is as follows (in thousands): Non-Cash Expense ---------------------------- Average Year Ended Thirty-nine Useful February 3, Weeks Ended Adjustment Life 2001 November 3, 2001 ---------- ------- ----------- ---------------- Customer relationships and lists $4,050 4 yrs. $1,013 $ 760 Property and equipment.......... 8,000 5 yrs. 1,600 1,200 Store operating leases.......... 8,600 5 yrs. 1,720 1,290 Deferred rent................... 4,000 5 yrs. 800 600 (b) In connection with the offer and merger, vested and unvested grants of stock options and restricted stock of Intimate Brands common stock will be exchanged for awards of stock options and restricted stock of The Limited's common stock (collectively, the "awards"). The new awards will have the same vesting provisions, option periods, aggregate intrinsic value, ratio of exercise price per option to market value per share and other terms as the Intimate Brands awards exchanged. Based on Emerging Issues Task Force Issue No. 00-23 consensus views reached in the last 18 months and Financial Accounting Standards Board Interpretation No. 44, issued in March, 2000, the exchange of the Intimate Brands awards for Limited awards as described in the preceding paragraph is considered a modification of a stock-based compensation arrangement. Accordingly, a new measurement of compensation cost will be required at the date of the exchange. To the extent the exchanged awards are fully vested, any additional compensation cost will be recognized immediately. Based on the $17.75 closing market price of Limited common stock as of February 4, 2002, the non-cash after-tax expense for fully vested awards would be approximately $20.4 million, or $0.04 per diluted share. This expense is excluded from the Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Income, as it is nonrecurring, but will be reflected in The Limited's historical financial statements upon completion of the offer and the merger. The actual non-cash expense recorded will be based on the market price of Limited common stock at the time the awards are exchanged. If the market price exceeds $17.75, the expense will increase. If the market price is lower, the expense will decrease. Within a range of $15.00 to $21.00 per share, a $1.00 per share change in The Limited closing market price would have less than a $3.5 million non-cash impact on net income, or less than $0.01 diluted earnings per share. An additional $40.1 million non-cash pre-tax compensation cost relating to the exchange of unvested Intimate Brands awards for Limited awards will be recorded as deferred compensation and will be recognized over the remaining vesting period. Accordingly, the Pro Forma Consolidated Statements of Income for the year ended February 3, 2001 and the thirty-nine weeks ended November 3, 2001 reflect additional pretax, non-cash compensation expense of $18.0 million and $13.5 million, respectively. These amounts were determined assuming the exchange of unvested awards occurred at the beginning of the related fiscal period, and based on the $17.75 market price of Limited common stock as of February 4, 2002. Within a range of $15.00 to $21.00 per share, a $1.00 per share change in The Limited closing market price at the date of exchange of the unvested stock awards would have less than a $2 million non-cash impact on net income, or less than $0.01 diluted earnings per share. 58
THE LIMITED, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES NOTES TO UNAUDITED PRO FORMA CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS--(Continued) Assuming the exchange of the stock awards occurred at the beginning of fiscal 2001 at a $17.75 price for Limited common stock, the amount of non-cash compensation expense is estimated as follows (in thousands): Non-Cash Compensation Expense Year Pre-Tax After-Tax ------- --------- ----------- 2001 $17,993 $10,841 2002 16,228 9,777 2003 4,463 2,689 2004 1,289 777 2005 95 57 (c) Reflects the amortization expense of the fair value adjustment on long-term debt using the straight-line method over the remaining term of 21 years. (d) Represents minority interest in earnings of Intimate Brands for the period presented. (e) The assumed effective tax rate of the pro forma adjustments, excluding the minority interest adjustment, is 40.0% and 39.75% for the year ended February 3, 2001 and the thirty-nine weeks ended November 3, 2001, respectively. The minority interest adjustment is net of tax, consistent with the presentation of minority interest in the historical consolidated financial statements. (f) Reflects an adjustment for the conversion of Intimate Brands historical weighted average Class A common stock outstanding for the periods presented using an exchange ratio of 1.046 to 1. 59
COMPARISON OF LIMITED-INTIMATE BRANDS STOCKHOLDER RIGHTS Because Intimate Brands and The Limited are both organized under the laws of the State of Delaware, the differences in the rights of Intimate Brands stockholders and the rights of The Limited stockholders arise solely from differences in the organizational documents of Intimate Brands and The Limited, rather than from differences of law. The following summary highlights material differences between the current rights of holders of Intimate Brands common stock and holders of Limited common stock. This summary does not purport to be a complete discussion of the certificates of incorporation and by-laws of Intimate Brands and The Limited and is qualified in its entirety by reference to these documents. Copies of each company's certificate of incorporation and by-laws have been filed with the SEC and will be sent to holders of Intimate Brands common stock upon request. See "Where You Can Find More Information." Summary of Material Differences Between Current Rights of Intimate Brands Stockholders Exchanging their Shares of Intimate Brands Common Stock in the Offer and Rights Those Stockholders Will Have as Stockholders of The Limited Following the Offer Intimate Brands Stockholder Rights Limited Stockholder Rights ---------------------------------------- ----------------------------------- Authorized Capital The authorized capital stock of Intimate The authorized capital stock of The Stock: Brands is 2,255,000,000 shares, which Limited is 1,010,000,000 shares, consists of: which consists of: . 55,000,000 shares of preferred . 1,000,000,000 shares of stock, $.01 par value per share, common stock, $.50 par value per share, one vote . 1,100,000,000 shares of Class per share, and A common stock, $.01 par value per share, one vote per . 10,000,000 shares of share; and preferred stock, $1.00 par value per share. . 1,100,000,000 shares of Class B common stock, $.01 par value per share, three votes per share. 60
Intimate Brands Stockholder Rights Limited Stockholder Rights --------------------------------------- --------------------------------------- Supermajority The approval of at least 75% of the The approval of at least 75% of the Approvals: outstanding shares of common stock is outstanding shares of common stock required for the following: is required for the following: . Subject to Delaware law, any . Subject to Delaware law, business combination of any proposal that The Intimate Brands with or sale of Limited combine with, sell a substantial part of Intimate substantially all its assets to Brands' assets to any person or issue stock to any that owns five percent or more corporation that beneficially of the outstanding voting stock owns five percent or more of Intimate Brands (provided of Limited voting stock. that the 75% stockholder vote This provision does not does not include any interested apply to "short-form" parties). This provision does mergers under Delaware not apply to "short-form" law. mergers under Delaware law. . Subject to Delaware law, . Any amendment to the any business combination of provisions of the Intimate The Limited with or sale of Brands certificate of a substantial part of The incorporation relating to: Limited's assets to any person that owns 20% or . the powers, preferences more of the outstanding or special rights voting stock of The Limited associated with the shares which has not been of Class A common stock approved by the Limited or Class B common stock board of directors (provided (provided the approval of that the 75% stockholder at least 75% of the vote does not include any outstanding shares of the interested parties). This class that would be provision does not apply to adversely affected by the "short-form" mergers under proposed amendment is Delaware law. also obtained); and . establishment of fiduciary duties and conduct guidelines for the officers and directors of Intimate Brands in connection with matters involving The Limited. 61
DESCRIPTION OF CAPITAL STOCK OF THE LIMITED The following summary of the terms of Limited capital stock prior to, and after completion of, the offer and the merger is not meant to be complete and is qualified by reference to the charter and by-laws of The Limited. Copies of the charter and by-laws are incorporated by reference and will be sent upon request to stockholders of Intimate Brands common stock. See "Where You Can Find More Information." Authorized Capital Stock Under our charter, our authorized capital stock consists of: . 1,000,000,000 shares of common stock with $.50 par value, . 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock with $1.00 par value, and . On January 30, 2002, there were outstanding: . 429,080,715 shares of Limited common stock; . employee stock options to purchase an aggregate of approximately 30,311,896 shares of Limited common stock; . no shares of Limited preferred stock. Common Stock Common Stock Outstanding. The outstanding shares of common stock are, and the shares of common stock issued pursuant to the offer and the merger will be, duly authorized, validly issued, fully paid and nonassessable. Voting Rights. Each holder of common stock is entitled to one vote for each share of common stock held of record on the applicable record date on all matters submitted to a vote of stockholders. Holders of common stock do not have cumulative voting rights. Dividend Rights. Subject to the rights of any shares of preferred stock which may at the time be outstanding, holders of common shares are entitled to receive dividends as may be declared from time to time by our Board of Directors out of funds legally available therefor. Rights upon Liquidation or Dissolution. In the event of liquidation or dissolution, each share of common stock is entitled to share pro rata in any distribution of our assets after payment or providing for the payment of liabilities and the liquidation preference of any outstanding preferred stock. Holders of our common stock have no preferential, preemptive, conversion or redemption rights. Preferred Stock The following summary contains a description of some of the principal terms of our preferred stock. The description of the principal provisions of preferred stock does not purport to be complete and is subject to and qualified in its entirety by reference to the applicable provisions of our certificate of incorporation relating to each particular series of preferred stock. Serial Preferred Stock. Under our charter, without further stockholder action, our Board of Directors is authorized to provide for the issuance of up to 10,000,000 shares of preferred stock. Preferred stock may be issued in one or more series, with such designations of titles, dividend rates, any redemption provisions, special or relative rights in the event of liquidation, dissolution, distribution or winding-up of The Limited, any sinking fund provisions, any conversion provisions, any voting rights, and any other preferences, privileges, powers, rights, qualifications, limitations and restrictions as shall be set forth as and when established by our Board of Directors. 62
The shares of any series of serial preferred stock will be, when issued, fully paid and nonassessable and the holders will have no preemptive rights in connection with the preferred stock. Blank Check Preferred Stock. Under our charter, our Board of Directors has the authority, without stockholder approval, to create one or more classes or series within a class of preferred stock, to issue shares of preferred stock in such class or series up to the maximum number of shares of the relevant class or series of preferred stock authorized, and to determine the preferences, rights, privileges and restrictions of any such class or series, including the dividend rights, voting rights, the rights and terms of redemption, the rights and terms of conversion, liquidation preferences, the number of shares constituting any such class or series and the designation of such class or series. Acting under this authority, our Board could create and issue a class or series of preferred stock with rights, privileges or restrictions, and adopt a stockholder rights plan, having the effect of discriminating against an existing or prospective holder of securities as a result of such stockholder beneficially owning or commencing a tender offer for a substantial amount of Limited common stock. One of the effects of authorized but unissued and unreserved shares of capital stock may be to render more difficult or discourage an attempt by a potential acquiror to obtain control of The Limited by means of a merger, tender offer, proxy contest or otherwise, and thereby protect the continuity of our management. The issuance of such shares of capital stock may have the effect of delaying, deferring or preventing a change in control of The Limited without any further action by the stockholders of The Limited. The Limited has no present intention to adopt a stockholder rights plan, but could do so without stockholder approval at any future time. Transfer Agent and Registrar EquiServe Trust Company, N.A. is the transfer agent and registrar for the Limited common stock. Stock Exchange Listing; Delisting and Deregistration of Intimate Brands Common Stock It is a condition to the offer that the shares of Limited common stock to be issued in the offer and merger be approved for listing on the NYSE, subject to official notice of issuance, under the symbol "LTD." If the offer is completed, Intimate Brands common stock may cease to be listed on the NYSE and, if the merger is completed, Intimate Brands common stock will cease to be listed on the NYSE. LEGAL MATTERS Davis Polk & Wardwell, special counsel to The Limited, will pass on the validity of the Limited common stock to be issued to Intimate Brands stockholders in the offer and the merger and on certain legal matters in connection with the U.S. federal income tax consequences of the offer and the merger. EXPERTS The financial statements incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of The Limited, Inc. for the year ended February 3, 2001 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting. The financial statements incorporated in this Prospectus by reference to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Intimate Brands, Inc. for the year ended February 3, 2001 have been so incorporated in reliance on the report of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants, given on the authority of said firm as experts in auditing and accounting. 63
SCHEDULE I CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING THE DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF THE LIMITED The following table sets forth the name and the present principal occupations or employment, and material occupations, positions, offices or employment for the past five years of each director and executive officer of The Limited. Unless otherwise indicated, positions held shown in the following table are positions with The Limited. Except as set forth below, each such person is a citizen of the United States of America. None of the listed persons, during the past five years, has been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors) or was a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction as a result of which such person was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation of such laws. Except as otherwise noted, the current business address for each person listed below is c/o The Limited, Inc., Three Limited Parkway, Columbus, Ohio, 43216. Directors of The Limited Present Principal Occupation or Employment and Material Positions Name Held During the Past Five Years - ---------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Eugene M. Freedman Director since 1995. Mr. Freedman has been Senior Advisor and Director of Monitor Clipper Two Canal Park Partners, Inc. ("Monitor Clipper"), a private equity firm, since January 2000. Since 2001, he has Cambridge, MA 02141 been Senior Advisor of Monitor Company Group Limited Partnership, an international business strategy and consulting firm. He was Managing Director and President of Monitor Clipper from 1997 to 1999 and Senior Advisor and Director of Monitor Company Inc. from 1995 to 2000. Until October 1994, and for more than five years prior thereto, Mr. Freedman was a partner of Coopers & Lybrand, where he served as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Coopers & Lybrand LLP, U.S. ("C & L, U.S.") since October 1991 and as Chairman of Coopers & Lybrand, International since 1992. During The Limited's 2000 fiscal year, the successor of C & L, U.S., PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP ("PwC"), served as The Limited's independent public accountants. The amount of compensation paid by The Limited to PwC for such services was less than 1% of The Limited's and PwC's consolidated gross revenues for their 2000 fiscal years. Mr. Freedman is also a director of Bernard Technologies, Inc., e-Studio Live, Inc., JNet Enterprises, Inc., Outcome Sciences, Inc., Pathmark Stores, Inc. and Wheelhouse Corporation. E. Gordon Gee Director since 1991. Dr. Gee has been Chancellor of Vanderbilt University since August 1, 2000. 211 Kirkland Hall Dr. Gee was the President of Brown University from 1998 to 2000. Dr. Gee was also President of Nashville, TN 37240 The Ohio State University from 1990 to 1997. Dr. Gee is a director of Allmerica Financial, Dollar General Corporation, Hasbro, Inc., Intimate Brands and Massey Energy Company. V. Ann Hailey Director since 2001. Ms. Hailey has been Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Limited since August 1997. Prior to joining The Limited, Ms. Hailey was Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of The Pillsbury Co. from 1994 to 1997. Ms. Hailey was appointed to the Board of The Limited on March 1, 2001. David T. Kollat Director since 1976. Dr. Kollat has been Chairman of 22, Inc., a management consulting firm, 4410 Smothers Road since 1987. He is also a director of Big Lots, Inc., Cone Mills, Inc., Cooker Restaurant Westerville, OH 43081 Corporation, Select Comfort, Inc. and Wolverine World Wide, Inc. Leonard A. Schlesinger Director since 1996. Mr. Schlesinger has been Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of The Limited since March 2001 and was Executive Vice President, Organization, Leadership and Human Resources of The Limited from October 1999 until March 2001. Mr. Schlesinger was a Professor of Sociology and Public Policy and Senior Vice President for Development at Brown University from 1998 to 1999. He also was the George F. Baker, Jr. Professor of Business Administration at Harvard Business School from 1988 to 1998. 64
Present Principal Occupation or Employment and Material Positions Name Held During the Past Five Years - --------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Donald B. Shackelford Director since 1975. Mr. Shackelford has been Chairman of the Board of Fifth Third Bank, Central 21 E. State Street Ohio, a banking business, since 1998. Mr. Shackelford was Chairman of the Board and Chief Suite 1400 Executive Officer of State Savings Bank from 1972 to 1998. He was Chairman of the Board and Columbus, OH 43215 Chief Executive Officer of State Savings Co. for five years ending in 1997. Mr. Shackelford is also a director of Fifth Third Bancorp., Intimate Brands and Progressive Corporation. Alex Shumate Director since 2000. Mr. Shumate has been the Managing Partner of the Columbus, Ohio office of 41 South High Street the law firm of Squire, Sanders & Dempsey L.L.P. ("Squire, Sanders") since 1991. Squire, Sanders Columbus, OH 43215 provided legal services to The Limited during fiscal year 2000, and The Limited anticipates that Squire, Sanders will continue to provide legal services to The Limited from time to time in the future. Mr. Shumate was a director of Intimate Brands from 1996 to 2000. Mr. Shumate is also a director of Wm. Wrigley, Jr. Company. Allan R. Tessler Director since 1987. Mr. Tessler has been Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of 680 5th Avenue International Financial Group, Inc., an international merchant banking firm, since 1987. He is also 11th Floor Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of JNet Enterprises, Inc., technology holding New York, NY 10019 company. From March to August 2001, Mr. Tessler was Acting Chief Executive Officer of Jasmine Networks. He was Co-Chairman of the Board of Data Broadcasting Corporation, a provider of financial and business information to institutional and individual investors, from June 1992 until May 2000 and Co-Chief Executive Officer from June 1992 until November 29, 1999. Mr. Tessler was Chairman of the Board of Enhance Financial Services Group, Inc. from 1986 to February 2001. Since 2001, he has been Chairman of the Board of InterWorld Corporation. Since January 1997, Mr. Tessler has also served as Chairman of Checking Holdings Corp. IV. He is also a director of Allis-Chalmers Corporation. Martin Trust Director since 1978. Mr. Trust had been President and Chief Executive Officer of Mast Industries, 100 Old River Road Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Limited, for more than five years. Mast acts as a supplier P.O.Box 9020 to certain businesses of The Limited and Intimate Brands. He has been a Senior Advisor to The Andover, MA 01810 Limited since August 2001. Mr. Trust also serves as an officer and director of Brandot International LTD, in Salem, New Hampshire. He is also a director of The Lilli Group and Staples, Inc. Abigail S. Wexner Director since 1997. Mrs. Wexner was an attorney with the New York and London offices of Davis Polk & Wardwell from 1987 until 1992, where she specialized in mergers and acquisitions. By appointment of the President of the United States, Mrs. Wexner served as a member of the United States Holocaust Memorial Council from 1994 to 1999. She is a director of the Children's Defense Fund and is Chair of the Governing Committee of The Columbus Foundation and a member of the Boards of Trustees of Children's Hospital, Inc., The Columbus Academy and The Wexner Center Foundation in Columbus, Ohio. Mrs. Wexner is also the founder and Chair of The Columbus Coalition Against Family Violence. Mrs. Wexner is the wife of Leslie H. Wexner. Leslie H. Wexner Director since 1963. Mr. Wexner has been Chief Executive Officer since he founded The Limited in 1963, and Chairman of the Board for more than five years. Mr. Wexner has also been the Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Intimate Brands, Inc. since 1995. Mr. Wexner is also a director of Hollinger International, Inc. and Hollinger International Publishing, Inc. Mr. Wexner is the husband of Abigail S. Wexner. Raymond Zimmerman Director since 1984. Mr. Zimmerman has been Chairman of the Board of 99c Stuff.com since July Boca Corporate Plaza 1999. Mr. Zimmerman is a director of Service Merchandise Company, Inc. ("Service 1801 Clint Moore Merchandise") and was Non-Executive Chairman of the Board of Service Merchandise from 1999 Road, Suite 217 to 2000. He was Chairman of the Board of Service Merchandise from 1997 to 1999 and was Boca Raton, FL 33487 Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer of Service Merchandise from 1981 to 1997. In March 1999, Service Merchandise filed a reorganization petition under Chapter 11 of the United States Bankruptcy Code. 65
Executive Officers of The Limited Present Principal Occupation or Employment and Material Positions Name Held During the Past Five Years - ---------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- V. Ann Hailey * Leonard A. Schlesinger * Leslie H. Wexner * Daniel P. Finkelman Senior Vice President, Brand and Business Planning since 2001. He was a Vice President of The Limited from 1996 to 2001. Mr. Finkelman was an Executive Vice President of Cardinal Health, a healthcare business, from 1994 to 1996. Mr. Finkelman is a director and serves on the compensation committee of Alliance Data Systems in Dallas, Texas. Mark A. Giresi Senior Vice President, Chief Stores Officer since 2001. Mr. Giresi was Vice President of Store Operations of The Limited from February of 2000 to September of 2001. He was Senior Vice President of U.S. Franchise Operations of Burger King from August 1998 to February 2000. He was Senior Vice President and General Counsel of Burger King from March 1993 to August 1998. Mr. Giresi is a director of Fiduciary Trust International of the South, located in Miami, Florida. - -------- * See above under "Directors of The Limited." 66
SCHEDULE II CERTAIN INFORMATION CONCERNING THE DIRECTORS AND EXECUTIVE OFFICERS OF IB HOLDINGS The following table sets forth the name and the present principal occupations or employment, and material occupations, positions, offices or employment for the past five years of each director and executive officer of Intimate Brands Holding Co., Inc. Unless otherwise indicated, positions held shown in the following table are positions with IB Holdings. Except as set forth below, each such person is a citizen of the United States of America. None of the listed persons, during the past five years, has been convicted in a criminal proceeding (excluding traffic violations or similar misdemeanors) or was a party to a civil proceeding of a judicial or administrative body of competent jurisdiction as a result of which such person was or is subject to a judgment, decree or final order enjoining future violations of, or prohibiting activities subject to, federal or state securities laws or finding any violation of such laws. Directors of IB Holdings Present Principal Occupation or Employment and Material Positions Name Held During the Past Five Years - ---- ------------------------------------------------------------------------ V. Ann Hailey Director since 2001.* Three Limited Parkway Columbus, OH 43216 David H. Hasson Director since 2001. Mr. Hasson has been a Vice President-Tax at The Three Limited Parkway Limited since November 2000. He was Manager, Global Tax & Treasury Columbus, OH 43216 at GE Medical Systems (a division of GE), a diagnostic medical equipment business, from July 1991 to November 2000. Christopher L. Kaempfer Director since 2001. Mr. Kaempfer has been a Partner at Kummer Seventh Floor Kaempfer Bonnar & Renshaw, a law firm in Las Vegas, Nevada, since 3800 Howard Hughes Parkway March 1994. Las Vegas, NV 89109 Jackie Smith Director since 2001. Since June 1990, Ms. Smith has been Managing 4441 South Polaris Avenue Partner of Smith & Francis, Certified Public Accountants. Las Vegas, Nevada 89103 Charles H. Buckingham Director since 2001. Mr. Buckingham is a Certified Public Accountant and 2755 San Lago Court has been a sole practitioner since 1991. Las Vegas, NV 89121 Executive Officers of IB Holdings Present Principal Occupation or Employment and Material Positions Name Held During the Past Five Years - ---- ----------------------------------------------------------------- V. Ann Hailey ** David H. Hasson ** Christopher L. Kaempfer ** Jackie Smith ** - -------- * See Schedule I under "Directors of The Limited." ** See above under "Directors of IB Holdings." 67
ANNEX A SECTION 262 OF GENERAL CORPORATION LAW OF THE STATE OF DELAWARE SEC. 262 APPRAISAL RIGHTS. (a) Any stockholder of a corporation of this State who holds shares of stock on the date of the making of a demand pursuant to subsection (d) of this section with respect to such shares, who continuously holds such shares through the effective date of the merger or consolidation, who has otherwise complied with subsection (d) of this section and who has neither voted in favor of the merger or consolidation nor consented thereto in writing pursuant to sec. 228 of this title shall be entitled to an appraisal by the Court of Chancery of the fair value of the stockholder's shares of stock under the circumstances described in subsections (b) and (c) of this section. As used in this section, the word "stockholder" means a holder of record of stock in a stock corporation and also a member of record of a nonstock corporation; the words "stock" and "share" mean and include what is ordinarily meant by those words and also membership or membership interest of a member of a nonstock corporation; and the words "depository receipt" mean a receipt or other instrument issued by a depository representing an interest in one or more shares, or fractions thereof, solely of stock of a corporation, which stock is deposited with the depository. (b) Appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock of a constituent corporation in a merger or consolidation to be effected pursuant to sec. 251 (other than a merger effected pursuant to sec. 251(g) of this title), sec. 252, sec. 254, sec. 257, sec. 258, sec. 263 or sec. 264 of this title: (1) Provided, however, that no appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock, which stock, or depository receipts in respect thereof, at the record date fixed to determine the stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the meeting of stockholders to act upon the agreement of merger or consolidation, were either (i) listed on a national securities exchange or designated as a national market system security on an interdealer quotation system by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or (ii) held of record by more than 2,000 holders; and further provided that no appraisal rights shall be available for any shares of stock of the constituent corporation surviving a merger if the merger did not require for its approval the vote of the stockholders of the surviving corporation as provided in subsection (f) of sec. 251 of this title. (2) Notwithstanding paragraph (1) of this subsection, appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any class or series of stock of a constituent corporation if the holders thereof are required by the terms of an agreement of merger or consolidation pursuant to sec.sec. 251, 252, 254, 257, 258, 263 and 264 of this title to accept for such stock anything except: a. Shares of stock of the corporation surviving or resulting from such merger or consolidation, or depository receipts in respect thereof; b. Shares of stock of any other corporation, or depository receipts in respect thereof, which shares of stock (or depository receipts in respect thereof) or depository receipts at the effective date of the merger or consolidation will be either listed on a national securities exchange or designated as a national market system security on an interdealer quotation system by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc. or held of record by more than 2,000 holders; c. Cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional depository receipts described in the foregoing subparagraphs a. and b. of this paragraph; or d. Any combination of the shares of stock, depository receipts and cash in lieu of fractional shares or fractional depository receipts described in the foregoing subparagraphs a., b. and c. of this paragraph. (3) In the event all of the stock of a subsidiary Delaware corporation party to a merger effected under sec. 253 of this title is not owned by the parent corporation immediately prior to the merger, appraisal rights shall be available for the shares of the subsidiary Delaware corporation. 68
(c) Any corporation may provide in its certificate of incorporation that appraisal rights under this section shall be available for the shares of any class or series of its stock as a result of an amendment to its certificate of incorporation, any merger or consolidation in which the corporation is a constituent corporation or the sale of all or substantially all of the assets of the corporation. If the certificate of incorporation contains such a provision, the procedures of this section, including those set forth in subsections (d) and (e) of this section, shall apply as nearly as is practicable. (d) Appraisal rights shall be perfected as follows: (1) If a proposed merger or consolidation for which appraisal rights are provided under this section is to be submitted for approval at a meeting of stockholders, the corporation, not less than 20 days prior to the meeting, shall notify each of its stockholders who was such on the record date for such meeting with respect to shares for which appraisal rights are available pursuant to subsections (b) or (c) hereof that appraisal rights are available for any or all of the shares of the constituent corporations, and shall include in such notice a copy of this section. Each stockholder electing to demand the appraisal of his shares shall deliver to the corporation, before the taking of the vote on the merger or consolidation, a written demand for appraisal of his shares. Such demand will be sufficient if it reasonably informs the corporation of the identity of the stockholder and that the stockholder intends thereby to demand the appraisal of his shares. A proxy or vote against the merger or consolidation shall not constitute such a demand. A stockholder electing to take such action must do so by a separate written demand as herein provided. Within 10 days after the effective date of such merger or consolidation, the surviving or resulting corporation shall notify each stockholder of each constituent corporation who has complied with this subsection and has not voted in favor of or consented to the merger or consolidation of the date that the merger or consolidation has become effective; or (2) If the merger or consolidation was approved pursuant to sec. 228 or sec. 253 of this title, each constituent corporation then, either a constituent corporation before the effective date of the merger or consolidation, or the surviving or resulting corporation within ten days thereafter, shall notify each of the holders of any class or series of stock of such constituent corporation who are entitled to appraisal rights of the approval of the merger or consolidation and that appraisal rights are available for any or all shares of such class or series of stock of such constituent corporation, and shall include in such notice a copy of this section; provided that, if the notice is given on or after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, such notice shall be given by the surviving or resulting corporation to all such holders of any class or series of stock of a constituent corporation that are entitled to appraisal rights. Such notice may, and, if given on or after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, shall, also notify such stockholders of the effective date of the merger or consolidation. Any stockholder entitled to appraisal rights may, within 20 days after the date of mailing of such notice, demand in writing from the surviving or resulting corporation the appraisal of such holder's shares. Such demand will be sufficient if it reasonably informs the corporation of the identity of the stockholder and that the stockholder intends thereby to demand the appraisal of such holder's shares. If such notice did not notify stockholders of the effective date of the merger or consolidation, either (i) each such constituent corporation shall send a second notice before the effective date of the merger or consolidation notifying each of the holders of any class or series of stock of such constituent corporation that are entitled to appraisal rights of the effective date of the merger or consolidation or (ii) the surviving or resulting corporation shall send such a second notice to all such holders on or within 10 days after such effective date; provided, however, that if such second notice is sent more than 20 days following the sending of the first notice, such second notice need only to be sent to each stockholder who is entitled to appraisal rights and who has demanded appraisal of such holder's shares in accordance with this subsection. An affidavit of the secretary or assistant secretary or of the transfer agent of the corporation that is required to give either notice that such notice has been given shall, in the absence of fraud, be prima facie evidence of the facts stated therein. For purposes of determining the stockholders entitled to receive either notice, each constituent corporation may fix, in advance, a record date that shall be not more than 10 days prior to the date the notice is given, provided, that if the notice is given on or after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, the record date shall be such effective date. If no record date is 69
fixed and the notice is given prior to the effective date, the record date shall be the close of business on the next day preceding the day on which the notice is given. (e) Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, the surviving or resulting corporation or any stockholder who has complied with subsections (a) and (d) hereof and who is otherwise entitled to appraisal rights, may file a petition in the Court of Chancery demanding a determination of the value of the stock of all such stockholders. Notwithstanding the foregoing, at any time within 60 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, any stockholder shall have the right to withdraw his demand for appraisal and to accept the terms offered upon the merger or consolidation. Within 120 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, any stockholder who has complied with the requirements of subsections (a) and (d) hereof, upon written request, shall be entitled to receive from the corporation surviving the merger or resulting from the consolidation a statement setting forth the aggregate number of shares not voted in favor of the merger or consolidation and with respect to which demands for appraisal have been received and the aggregate number of holders of such shares. Such written statement shall be mailed to the stockholder within 10 days after his written request for such a statement is received by the surviving or resulting corporation or within 10 days after expiration of the period for delivery of demands for appraisal under subsection (d) hereof, whichever is later. (f) Upon the filing of any such petition by a stockholder, service of a copy thereof shall be made upon the surviving or resulting corporation, which shall within 20 days after such service file in the office of the Register in Chancery in which the petition was filed a duly verified list containing the names and addresses of all stockholders who have demanded payment for their shares and with whom agreements as to the value of their shares have not been reached by the surviving or resulting corporation. If the petition shall be filed by the surviving or resulting corporation, the petition shall be accompanied by such a duly verified list. The Register in Chancery, if so ordered by the Court, shall give notice of the time and place fixed for the hearing of such petition by registered or certified mail to the surviving or resulting corporation and to the stockholders shown on the list at the addresses therein stated. Such notice shall also be given by 1 or more publications at least 1 week before the day of the hearing, in a newspaper of general circulation published in the City of Wilmington, Delaware or such publication as the Court deems advisable. The forms of the notices by mail and by publication shall be approved by the Court, and the costs thereof shall be borne by the surviving or resulting corporation. (g) At the hearing on such petition, the Court shall determine the stockholders who have complied with this section and who have become entitled to appraisal rights. The Court may require the stockholders who have demanded an appraisal for their shares and who hold stock represented by certificates to submit their certificates of stock to the Register in Chancery for notation thereon of the pendency of the appraisal proceedings; and if any stockholder fails to comply with such direction, the Court may dismiss the proceedings as to such stockholder. (h) After determining the stockholders entitled to an appraisal, the Court shall appraise the shares, determining their fair value exclusive of any element of value arising from the accomplishment or expectation of the merger or consolidation, together with a fair rate of interest, if any, to be paid upon the amount determined to be the fair value. In determining such fair value, the Court shall take into account all relevant factors. In determining the fair rate of interest, the Court may consider all relevant factors, including the rate of interest which the surviving or resulting corporation would have had to pay to borrow money during the pendency of the proceeding. Upon application by the surviving or resulting corporation or by any stockholder entitled to participate in the appraisal proceeding, the Court may, in its discretion, permit discovery or other pretrial proceedings and may proceed to trial upon the appraisal prior to the final determination of the stockholder entitled to an appraisal. Any stockholder whose name appears on the list filed by the surviving or resulting corporation pursuant to subsection (f) of this section and who has submitted his certificates of stock to the Register in Chancery, if such is required, may participate fully in all proceedings until it is finally determined that he is not entitled to appraisal rights under this section. 70
(i) The Court shall direct the payment of the fair value of the shares, together with interest, if any, by the surviving or resulting corporation to the stockholders entitled thereto. Interest may be simple or compound, as the Court may direct. Payment shall be so made to each such stockholder, in the case of holders of uncertificated stock forthwith, and the case of holders of shares represented by certificates upon the surrender to the corporation of the certificates representing such stock. The Court's decree may be enforced as other decrees in the Court of Chancery may be enforced, whether such surviving or resulting corporation be a corporation of this State or of any state. (j) The costs of the proceeding may be determined by the Court and taxed upon the parties as the Court deems equitable in the circumstances. Upon application of a stockholder, the Court may order all or a portion of the expenses incurred by any stockholder in connection with the appraisal proceeding, including, without limitation, reasonable attorney's fees and the fees and expenses of experts, to be charged pro rata against the value of all the shares entitled to an appraisal. (k) From and after the effective date of the merger or consolidation, no stockholder who has demanded his appraisal rights as provided in subsection (d) of this section shall be entitled to vote such stock for any purpose or to receive payment of dividends or other distributions on the stock (except dividends or other distributions payable to stockholders of record at a date which is prior to the effective date of the merger or consolidation); provided, however, that if no petition for an appraisal shall be filed within the time provided in subsection (e) of this section, or if such stockholder shall deliver to the surviving or resulting corporation a written withdrawal of his demand for an appraisal and an acceptance of the merger or consolidation, either within 60 days after the effective date of the merger or consolidation as provided in subsection (e) of this section or thereafter with the written approval of the corporation, then the right of such stockholder to an appraisal shall cease. Notwithstanding the foregoing, no appraisal proceeding in the Court of Chancery shall be dismissed as to any stockholder without the approval of the Court, and such approval may be conditioned upon such terms as the Court deems just. (l) The shares of the surviving or resulting corporation to which the shares of such objecting stockholders would have been converted had they assented to the merger or consolidation shall have the status of authorized and unissued shares of the surviving or resulting corporation. 71
Facsimile copies of the letter of transmittal, properly completed and duly executed, will be accepted. The letter of transmittal, certificates for Intimate Brands shares and any other required documents should be sent or delivered by each Intimate Brands stockholder or his broker, dealer, commercial bank, trust company or other nominee to the exchange agent at one of its addresses set forth below: The Exchange Agent for the Offer is: EQUISERVE TRUST COMPANY, N.A. By Mail: By Facsimile: By Hand: PO Box 43034 781-575-4826 c/o Securities Transfer Providence, RI 02940-3034 or andReporting Services Inc 781-575-4827 100 William Street--GalleriaNew York, NY 10038 Confirm Facsimile by Telephone:781-575-4816 By Overnight Courier: 40 Campanelli Drive Braintree, MA 02184 Questions or requests for assistance or additional copies of this offer to exchange and the letter of transmittal may be directed to the information agent or the dealer managers at their respective addresses and telephone numbers set forth below. Stockholders may also contact their broker, dealer, commercial bank or trust company for assistance concerning the offer. The Information Agent for the Offer is: D.F. KING & CO., INC. 77 Water Street New York, New York 10005 Call collect: 212-269-5550 Call toll-free: 800-628-8532 The Dealer Managers for the Offer are: GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO. BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC 85 Broad Street 9 West 57th Street New York, New York 10004 New York, New York 10019 Call collect: 212-902-1000 Call collect: 212-933-2223 Call toll-free: Call toll-free: 800-323-5678 888-521-4492
PART II INFORMATION NOT REQUIRED IN PROSPECTUS Item 20. Indemnification of Directors and Officers. Indemnification under the Charter and By-Laws of The Limited and Delaware Law. Article Sixth, Section 5 of The Limited's charter provides for the indemnification of directors or officers, in accordance with the by-laws, to the fullest extent permitted by the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. Article Five of the by-laws of The Limited provides that The Limited shall indemnify to the fullest extent permitted by law any director or officer made or threatened to be made a party to any legal action by reason of the fact that such person is or was a director, officer, employee or other corporate agent of The Limited or any subsidiary or constituent corporation or served any other enterprise at the request of The Limited against expenses, judgments, fines and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably incurred by him in connection with such action if he acted in good faith and in a manner he reasonably believed to be in or not opposed to the best interests of The Limited, and, with respect to any criminal action or proceeding, had no reasonable cause to believe his conduct was unlawful. The Delaware General Corporation Law provides for the indemnification of directors and officers under certain conditions. The Limited D&O Insurance. The directors and officers of The Limited are insured under a policy of directors' and officers' liability insurance. Item 21. Exhibits. Exhibit Number Description - ------ ----------- 3.1 Certificate of Incorporation of The Limited dated March 8, 1982 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to The Limited's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2001). 3.2 Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation dated May 19, 1986 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to The Limited's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2001). 3.3 Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation dated May 19, 1987 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.3 to The Limited's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended February 3, 2001). 3.4 Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation dated May 31, 2001 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to The Limited's Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the period ended May 5, 2001). 3.5 Restated by-laws of The Limited (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 3.2 to The Limited's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended January 30, 1999). 5 Opinion of Davis Polk & Wardwell regarding the validity of the securities being registered. 23.1 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants of The Limited. 23.2 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants of Intimate Brands. 23.3 Awareness letter of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants of The Limited. 23.4 Awareness letter of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, independent accountants of Intimate Brands. 23.5 Consent of Davis Polk & Wardwell (contained in Exhibit 5). 24 Power of Attorney (included in Signature Page). II-1
99.1 Form of Letter of Transmittal (including the Form of Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9). 99.2 Form of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery. 99.3 Form of Letter to Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees. 99.4 Form of Letter to Clients for use by Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees. 99.5 Form of Summary Advertisement. 99.6 Form of Notice to Savings and Retirement Plan Participants. 99.7 Form of Notice to Stock Purchase Plan Participants. 99.8 Form of Notice to Holders of Intimate Brands Stock Options and Restricted Share Awards. Item 22. Undertakings. (a) The undersigned registrant hereby undertakes: (1) To file, during any period in which offers or sales are being made, 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; (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. Notwithstanding the foregoing, any increase or decrease in volume of securities offered (if the total dollar value of securities offered would not exceed that which was registered) and any deviation from the estimated maximum aggregate offering price may be reflected in the form of prospectus filed with the SEC pursuant to Rule 424(b) if, in the aggregate, the changes in volume and price represent no more than 20 percent change in the maximum aggregate offering price set forth in the "Calculation of Registration Fee" table in the effective 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. (2) That, for the purpose of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, 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 that 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 which remain unsold at the termination of the offering. (4) That prior to any public reoffering of the securities registered hereunder through use of a prospectus which is a part of this registration statement, by any person or party who is deemed to be an underwriter within the meaning of Rule 145(c), such reoffering prospectus will contain the information called for by the applicable registration form with respect to reofferings by persons who may be deemed underwriters, in addition to the information called for by the other items of the applicable form. (5) That every prospectus (i) that is filed pursuant to paragraph (4) immediately preceding, or (ii) that purports to meet the requirements of Section 10(a)(3) of the Securities Act of 1933 and is used in connection with an offering of securities subject to Rule 415, will be filed as a part of an amendment to the registration statement and will not be used until such amendment is effective, and that, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each such post-effective amendment shall be deemed to be a new II-2
registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (6) That, for purposes of determining any liability under the Securities Act of 1933, each filing of the registrant's annual report pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (and, where applicable, each filing of an employee benefit plan's annual report pursuant to Section 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) that is incorporated by reference in the registration statement shall be deemed to be a new registration statement relating to the securities offered therein, and the offering of such securities at that time shall be deemed to be the initial bona fide offering thereof. (7) To respond to requests for information that is incorporated by reference into the prospectus pursuant to Item 4, 10(b), 11 or 13 of this form, within one business day of receipt of such request, and to send the incorporated documents by first class mail or other equally prompt means. This includes information contained in documents filed subsequent to the effective date of the registration statement through the date of responding to the request. (8) To supply by means of a post-effective amendment all information concerning a transaction, and the company being acquired involved therein, that was not the subject of and included in the registration statement when it became effective. (b) Insofar as indemnification for liabilities arising under the Securities Act of 1933 may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the registrant has been advised that in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act and is, therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a director, officer or controlling person of the registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such director, officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the 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 Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue. II-3
SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, the Registrant has duly caused this Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Columbus, State of Ohio, on February 5, 2002. The Limited, Inc. (Registrant) Date: February 5, 2002 By: /s/__V. ANN HAILEY____________ V. Ann Hailey Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer ----------------- POWER OF ATTORNEY Each person whose signature appears below hereby constitutes and appoints V. Ann Hailey and Leslie H. Wexner, and each of them, his true and lawful attorneys-in-fact and agents, with full power of substitution and resubstitution, for him and in his name, place and stead, in any and all capacities, to sign any and all amendments (including post-effective amendments) and supplements to this Registration Statement, and to file the same, with all exhibits thereto, and other documents in connection therewith, with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and hereby grants to such attorneys-in-fact and agents, full power and authority to do and perform each and every act and thing requisite and necessary to be done, 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 their or his substitute or substitutes, may lawfully do or cause to be done by virtue hereof. Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, this Registration Statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the dates indicated. Signature Title Date --------- ----- ---- /S/ LESLIE H. WEXNER Chairman and Chief Executive February 5, 2002 - ----------------------------- Officer Leslie H. Wexner /S/ LEONARD A. SCHLESINGER Executive Vice President and February 5, 2002 - ----------------------------- Chief Operating Officer Leonard A. Schlesinger /S/ V. ANN HAILEY Executive Vice President and February 5, 2002 - ----------------------------- Chief Financial Officer V. Ann Hailey /S/ EUGENE M. FREEDMAN Director February 5, 2002 - ----------------------------- Eugene M. Freedman /S/ E. GORDON GEE Director February 5, 2002 - ----------------------------- E. Gordon Gee /S/ DAVID T. KOLLAT Director February 5, 2002 - ----------------------------- David T. Kollat /S/ DONALD B. SHACKELFORD Director February 5, 2002 - ----------------------------- Donald B. Shackelford /S/ ALEX SHUMATE Director February 5, 2002 - ----------------------------- Alex Shumate II-4
Signature Title Date --------- ----- ---- /S/ ALLAN R. TESSLER Director February 5, 2002 - ----------------------------- Allan R. Tessler /S/ MARTIN TRUST Director February 5, 2002 - ----------------------------- Martin Trust /S/ ABIGAIL S. WEXNER Director February 5, 2002 - ----------------------------- Abigail S. Wexner /S/ RAYMOND ZIMMERMAN Director February 5, 2002 - ----------------------------- Raymond Zimmerman II-5
EXHIBIT 5 OPINION OF DAVIS POLK & WARDWELL February 5, 2002 The Limited, Inc. Three Limited Parkway Columbus, Ohio 43216 Intimate Brands Holding Co., Inc. 4441 South Polaris Avenue Las Vegas, Nevada 89103 Ladies and Gentlemen: We have acted as special counsel to The Limited Inc., a Delaware corporation ("The Limited"), and Intimate Brands Holding Co., Inc., a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Limited ("IB Holdings"), in connection with The Limited's and IB Holdings' offer to exchange 1.046 shares of common stock, par value $0.50 per share, of The Limited (the "Shares") for all of the outstanding Class A common stock of Intimate Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Intimate Brands"), and the subsequent "short form" merger of Intimate Brands with and into IB Holdings (collectively, the "Transactions"). We have participated in the preparation of The Limited's Registration Statement on Form S-4 (the "Registration Statement") filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission for the purpose of registering the Shares to be issued pursuant to the Transactions under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. We have examined originals or copies, certified or otherwise identified to our satisfaction, of such documents, corporate records, certificates of public officials and other instruments as we have deemed necessary for the purposes of rendering this opinion. On the basis of the foregoing, we are of the opinion that: (i) assuming the due execution and delivery of certificates representing the Shares and receipt of any required approval of the issuance of the Shares by the stockholders of The Limited, the Shares have been duly authorized and, when issued and delivered in accordance with the terms of the Transactions, will be validly issued, fully paid and non-assessable; and
(ii) assuming the representations made to the undersigned by The Limited in The Limited's letter dated the date hereof are accurate and complete and subject to the additional qualifications set forth in such discussion, the discussion set forth under the caption "Material Federal Income Tax Consequences" in the prospectus which is a part of the Registration Statement accurately describes the material United States federal income tax consequences of the Transactions. We are members of the Bar of the State of New York and the foregoing opinion is limited to the federal laws of the United States of America and the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware. We hereby consent to the filing of this opinion as Exhibit 5 to the Registration Statement and to the references to our name under the captions "Material Federal Income Tax Consequences" and "Legal Matters" in the related prospectus. Very truly yours, 2
EXHIBIT 23.1 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-4 of The Limited, Inc. of our report dated March 1, 2001 relating to the financial statements, which appears in The Limited, Inc.'s 2000 Annual Report to Shareholders, which is incorporated by reference in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 3, 2001. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such Registration Statement. /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Columbus Ohio February 4, 2002
EXHIBIT 23.2 CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT ACCOUNTANTS We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form S-4 of The Limited, Inc. of our report dated February 27, 2001 relating to the financial statements, which appears in Intimate Brands, Inc.'s 2000 Annual Report to Shareholders, which is incorporated by reference in its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended February 3, 2001. We also consent to the reference to us under the heading "Experts" in such Registration Statement. /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP Columbus, Ohio February 4, 2002
EXHIBIT 23.3 February 4, 2002 Securities and Exchange Commission 450 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20549 Commissioners: We are aware that our reports dated May 21, 2001, August 23, 2001 and November 20, 2001 on our review of interim financial information of The Limited, Inc. (the "Company") as of and for the periods ended May 5, 2001, August 4, 2001, and November 3, 2001 and included in the Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters then ended is incorporated by reference in its Registration Statement dated February 5, 2002. Very truly yours, /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
EXHIBIT 23.4 February 4, 2002 Securities and Exchange Commission 450 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, D.C. 20549 Commissioners: We are aware that our reports dated May 21, 2001, August 23, 2001 and November 20, 2001 on our review of interim financial information of Intimate Brands, Inc. (the "Company") as of and for the periods ended May 5, 2001, August 4, 2001 and November 3, 2001 and included in the Company's quarterly reports on Form 10-Q for the quarters then ended is incorporated by reference in the Registration Statement on Form S-4 of the Limited, Inc. dated February 5, 2002. Very truly yours, /s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
EXHIBIT 99.1 LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL To Accompany Certificates of Class A Common Stock of INTIMATE BRANDS, INC. Tendered pursuant to the Prospectus dated February 5, 2002 THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON MARCH 11, 2002, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED. To: EquiServe Trust Company, N.A., Exchange Agent If by mail: If by hand: If by overnight delivery: EquiServe Trust Company, EquiServe Trust Company, EquiServe Trust Company, N.A. P.O. Box 43034 N.A. N.A. Providence, RI 02940-3034 c/o Securities Transfer & 40 Campanelli Drive Reporting Services, Inc. Braintree, MA 02184 100 William Attn: Corporate Actions Street--Galleria New York, New York 10038 BY COMPLETING THE BOX BELOW AND SIGNING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, YOU WILL HAVE TENDERED SHARES OF INTIMATE BRANDS CLASS A COMMON STOCK REPRESENTED BY THE CERTIFICATE(S) DESCRIBED BELOW. PLEASE READ THE ACCOMPANYING INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY BEFORE COMPLETING THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL. DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT OTHER THAN AS SET FORTH ABOVE WILL NOT CONSTITUTE A VALID DELIVERY. YOU MUST SIGN THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL WHERE INDICATED BELOW AND COMPLETE THE SUBSTITUTE W-9 FORM PROVIDED ON PAGE 12. ----------------- Questions and requests for assistance or for additional copies of the Prospectus or this Letter of Transmittal may be directed to the information agent at the address or toll-free number indicated on the back cover. Box #1 - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- DESCRIPTION OF CERTIFICATE(S) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Name(s) and Address(es) of Registered Holder(s) Shares Number of (Please fill in, if blank, exactly as name(s) Certificate Represented By Shares appear(s) on stock certificate(s)) Number(s)(*) Certificate(s)(*) Tendered(**) - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ ------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------- ------------------------------------------- TOTAL - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- * Need not be completed by Book-Entry Holders (see below). ** Unless otherwise indicated in this column, you will be deemed to have tendered all of the shares of Intimate Brands Class A Common Stock represented by the certificate(s) indicated in the first column. See Instruction 2 below. - -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: Reference is made to the Prospectus dated February 5, 2002 (the "Prospectus") of The Limited, Inc. ("The Limited"), which together with any amendments and supplements thereto and this Letter of Transmittal, constitutes the offer (the "Offer") of Intimate Brands Holding Co., Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Limited ("IBI Holdings"), to exchange 1.046 shares of the common stock, par value $.50 per share of The Limited ("Limited Common Stock"), for each share of Class A common stock, par value $.01 per share, of Intimate Brands, Inc. ("IBI Common Stock") that is validly tendered on or prior to the Expiration Date and not properly withdrawn, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth herein and in the Prospectus. See "Summary" and "The Offer" in the Prospectus. Capitalized terms used herein have the same meanings as in the Prospectus. The Offer and withdrawal rights will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on March 11, 2002 (the "Expiration Date"), unless extended in accordance with applicable law and the terms of the Offer, in which event the term "Expiration Date" shall mean the latest time and date at which the Offer, as extended, shall expire. Upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer, I hereby tender to you the shares of IBI Common Stock represented by the certificate(s) described in Box #1 above. Subject to, and effective upon, the acceptance for exchange of such tendered shares of IBI Common Stock, I hereby sell, assign and transfer to you, or upon your order, all right, title and interest in and to such shares. I hereby irrevocably constitute and appoint the Exchange Agent as my true and lawful agent and attorney-in-fact (with full knowledge that the Exchange Agent also acts as your agent) with respect to such tendered shares of IBI Common Stock, with full power of substitution (such power of attorney being deemed to be an irrevocable power coupled with an interest) (i) to deliver stock certificates representing such tendered shares of IBI Common Stock or transfer ownership of such shares on the account books maintained by The Depository Trust Company (the "DTC"), together, in any such case, with all accompanying evidences of transfer and authenticity, to you or upon your order, upon receipt by the Exchange Agent, as my agent, of shares of Limited Common Stock, to which I am entitled upon the acceptance for exchange by you of such tendered shares of IBI Common Stock; (ii) to present certificate(s) representing such tendered shares of IBI Common Stock for transfer on your books; and (iii) to receive all benefits and otherwise exercise all rights of beneficial ownership of such shares, all in accordance with the terms of the Offer. If my tendered shares of IBI Common Stock are accepted for exchange, I will be entitled to receive certificates representing shares of Limited Common Stock ("Limited Certificates"). I hereby represent and warrant to you that I have full power and authority to tender, sell, assign and transfer the shares of IBI Common Stock that I have tendered and that when such shares are accepted by you for exchange pursuant to the Offer, you will acquire good, marketable and unencumbered title thereto, free and clear of all liens, restrictions, charges and encumbrances, and that none of such shares of IBI Common Stock will be subject to any adverse claim when you accept such shares for exchange. I will, upon request, execute and deliver any additional documents deemed by the Exchange Agent or you to be necessary or desirable to complete the sale, assignment and transfer of the shares of IBI Common Stock that I have tendered. All authority conferred or agreed to be conferred in this Letter of Transmittal and all of my obligations hereunder shall be binding upon my successors, assigns, heirs, executors, administrators, trustees in bankruptcy and legal representatives and shall not be affected by, and shall survive, my death or incapacity. This tender may be withdrawn only in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Prospectus and the Instructions contained in this Letter of Transmittal. I understand that, upon acceptance by you of the shares of IBI Common Stock that I have tendered, I will be deemed to have accepted the shares of Limited Common Stock exchanged therefor and will be deemed to have relinquished all rights with respect to the accepted shares of IBI Common Stock. I recognize that, under certain circumstances and subject to certain conditions to the Offer set forth in the Prospectus, you may not be required to accept for exchange any of the shares of IBI Common Stock that I have tendered (including any shares of IBI Common Stock tendered after the Expiration Date). Shares of IBI Common 2
Stock delivered to the Exchange Agent and not accepted for exchange will be returned to me as promptly as practicable following expiration or termination of the Offer at the address set forth on the cover page of this Letter of Transmittal under "Description of Certificate(s)" (Box #1) unless otherwise indicated under "Special Delivery Instructions" (Box #4) below. Unless otherwise indicated under "Special Issuance Instructions" (Box #3) below, please issue (i) the Limited Certificates to which I am entitled, (ii) if applicable, a check in lieu of a fractional share equal to such fraction multiplied by the average gross selling price per share, net of commissions, of Limited Common Stock obtained by the Exchange Agent upon the sale of all fractional shares on behalf of those tendering stockholders of The Limited otherwise entitled to receive fractional shares (a "Fractional Share Check"), and (iii) if applicable, the certificate(s) representing any shares of IBI Common Stock not tendered by me or any tendered shares that are not accepted for exchange, in each case in the name(s) of the registered holder(s) shown on the cover page of this Letter of Transmittal under "Description of Certificate(s)" (Box #1). Unless otherwise indicated in the box entitled "Special Delivery Instructions" (Box #4) below, please send (i) the Limited Certificates to which I am entitled, (ii) if applicable, a Fractional Share Check, in each case issued in the name(s) of the registered holder(s) shown on the cover page of this Letter of Transmittal under "Description of Certificate(s)" (Box #1), and (iii) if applicable, the certificate representing any shares of IBI Common Stock not tendered by me or any shares tendered herewith and not accepted for exchange by you (and accompanying documents, as appropriate), in each case to the address of the registered holder(s) shown on the cover page of this Letter of Transmittal under "Description of Certificate(s)" (Box #1). Any shares of IBI Common Stock delivered by book-entry transfer that are not tendered or any shares tendered herewith delivered by book-entry transfer that are not accepted for exchange will be credited to the account at the DTC. I recognize that you have no obligation pursuant to the "Special Issuance Instructions" to transfer any shares of IBI Common Stock from the name of the registered holder(s) hereof if you do not accept for exchange such shares. If Boxes #3 and #4 entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" and "Special Delivery Instructions" are both completed, please issue (i) the Limited Certificate to which I am entitled, (ii) if applicable, a Fractional Share Check, and (iii) if applicable, the certificate representing any shares of IBI Common Stock not tendered by me or any tendered shares that are not accepted for exchange, in each case in the name(s) of, and mail such certificate and check (and accompanying documents, as appropriate) to, the person(s) so indicated. I understand that the delivery and surrender of the shares of IBI Common Stock that I have tendered is not effective, and the risk of loss of the shares of IBI Common Stock (including shares of IBI Common Stock tendered herewith) does not pass to the Exchange Agent, until receipt by the Exchange Agent of this Letter of Transmittal, or a manually signed facsimile hereof, duly completed and signed, or an Agent's Message (as defined in the Prospectus under "The Offer--Procedure for Tendering") in connection with a book-entry transfer of shares, together with all accompanying evidences of authority in form satisfactory to you and any other required documents. All questions as to the form of documents (including notices of withdrawal) and the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for exchange of any tender of shares of IBI Common Stock will be determined by you in your sole discretion and such determination shall be final and binding upon all tendering stockholders. I understand that a tender of shares of IBI Common Stock made pursuant to any method of delivery set forth in the Prospectus and your acceptance for exchange of such shares pursuant to the procedures described in the Prospectus under "The Offer--Procedure for Tendering" and in the Instructions hereto will constitute a binding agreement between us upon the terms and subject to the conditions of the Offer. 3
PLEASE READ THE ENTIRE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL CAREFULLY BEFORE CHECKING ANY BOX BELOW This Letter of Transmittal is to be used by tendering stockholders if either (i) the certificate(s) representing shares of IBI Common Stock are to be forwarded herewith or, unless an Agent's Message is utilized, if tenders are to be made by book-entry transfer to the account maintained by the Exchange Agent at the DTC or (ii) guaranteed delivery procedures are being used, according to the procedures set forth in the Prospectus under "The Offer--Guaranteed Delivery". Delivery of documents to the DTC in accordance with its procedures does not constitute delivery to the Exchange Agent as required by the Prospectus. Participants in the Savings and Retirement Plan or Intimate Brands' Stock Purchase Plan may not use this Letter of Transmittal to tender shares of IBI Common Stock held in either plan. Instead, participants in these plans must use the separate election forms which will be sent separately. Box #2 THE FOLLOWING MUST BE COMPLETED BY ALL TENDERING STOCKHOLDERS. [_] CHECK HERE IF THE CERTIFICATE(S) REPRESENTING TENDERED SHARES OF IBI COMMON STOCK ARE ENCLOSED HEREWITH. [_] CHECK HERE IF THE CERTIFICATE(S) REPRESENTING TENDERED SHARES OF IBI COMMON STOCK ARE BEING DELIVERED PURSUANT TO A NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY PREVIOUSLY SENT TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT AND COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING (See Instruction 1): Name(s) of Registered Holder(s): ___________________________________________ Date of Execution of Notice of Guaranteed Delivery: ________________________ Window Ticket No. (if any): ________________________________________________ Name of Institution that Guaranteed Delivery: ______________________________ If delivered by Book-Entry Transfer, Account Number at DTC: _____________________________________________________ Transaction Code Number: ___________________________________________________ 4
THE FOLLOWING MUST BE COMPLETED BY TENDERING STOCKHOLDERS WHO HAVE SPECIAL ISSUANCE OR DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS Box #3 Box #4 - --------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------- SPECIAL ISSUANCE INSTRUCTIONS SPECIAL DELIVERY INSTRUCTIONS (See Instructions 3 and 4) (See Instructions 3 and 4) To be completed ONLY if Limited Certificate(s) and To be completed ONLY if shares of IBI Common any Fractional Share Check issued in connection Stock not tendered or any shares of IBI Common therewith are to be issued in the name of someone Stock not accepted for exchange, Limited other than the undersigned. Certificate(s) and any Fractional Share Check issued in connection therewith are to be sent to someone Name(s): _________________________________________ other than the undersigned, or to the undersigned at (Please Print) an address other than that shown in the box entitled "Description of Certificate(s)" on the cover page of __________________________________________________ this Letter of Transmittal. (Please Print) Name(s): ___________________________________________ Address: _________________________________________ (Please Print) __________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ (Please Print) __________________________________________________ Zip code Address: ___________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ____________________________________________________ Employer Identification or Social Security Number ____________________________________________________ Zip code - --------------------------------------------------- ---------------------------------------------------- 5
Box #5 THE FOLLOWING MUST BE COMPLETED BY ALL TENDERING STOCKHOLDERS. - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- IMPORTANT--PLEASE SIGN HERE (Please Complete Substitute Form W-9 on Page 13) (See Instructions 1 and 3) X _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ X _________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Signature(s) of Owner(s) In the case of tendering stockholders, this Letter of Transmittal must be signed by the registered holder(s) as the name(s) appear(s) on the IBI Common Stock certificate(s) or on a security position listing or by person(s) authorized to become registered holder(s) by endorsements and documents transmitted herewith. If signature is by a trustee, executor, administrator, guardian, attorney-in-fact, officer or other person acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, please set forth full title. See Instruction 3. Name(s): __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ (Please Print) Capacity: _________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address: __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ ___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ (Include Zip Code) Daytime Area Code and Telephone No.: ______________________________________________________________________________ Date: , 2002 - --------------------------- - - - ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 6
Box #6 THE FOLLOWING MUST BE COMPLETED BY TENDERING STOCKHOLDERS WHO ARE REQUIRED TO PROVIDE SIGNATURE GUARANTEES. See Instructions 1 and 3. ---------------------------------------------------- SIGNATURE GUARANTEE FOR USE BY ELIGIBLE INSTITUTIONS ONLY. PLACE MEDALLION GUARANTEE IN SPACE BELOW. Signature(s) Guaranteed by an Eligible Institution: (Authorized Signature) Name: ______________________________________________ (Please Print) Title: _____________________________________________ Name of Firm: ______________________________________ Address: ___________________________________________ (Include Zip Code) Area Code and Telephone No.: _______________________ Date: , 2002 ---------------------- ---------------------------------------------------- 7
INSTRUCTIONS Forming Part of the Terms and Conditions of the Offer 1. Delivery of this Letter of Transmittal and IBI Common Stock Certificate(s) This Letter of Transmittal is to be completed by stockholders if either (i) the certificate(s) representing shares of IBI Common Stock tendered herewith are to be forwarded herewith or, unless an Agent's Message is utilized, if tenders are to be made pursuant to the procedures for book-entry transfer set forth in the Prospectus under "The Offer--Procedure for Tendering" or (ii) the shares of IBI Common Stock will be tendered pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedures set forth in the Prospectus under "The Offer--Guaranteed Delivery". The certificate(s) representing shares of IBI Common Stock tendered herewith, as well as a properly completed and duly executed copy of this Letter of Transmittal and any other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal, or confirmation of any book-entry transfer into the Exchange Agent's account at the DTC of shares of IBI Common Stock tendered electronically, must be received by the Exchange Agent at one of its addresses set forth herein prior to the Expiration Date. THE METHOD OF DELIVERY OF THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL, THE CERTIFICATE(S) REPRESENTING SHARES OF IBI COMMON STOCK TENDERED HEREWITH AND ANY OTHER REQUIRED DOCUMENTS IS AT THE OPTION AND RISK OF THE TENDERING STOCKHOLDER, BUT, EXCEPT AS OTHERWISE PROVIDED BELOW, THE DELIVERY WILL BE DEEMED MADE ONLY WHEN ACTUALLY RECEIVED OR CONFIRMED BY THE EXCHANGE AGENT. IF CERTIFICATE(S) REPRESENTING SHARES OF IBI COMMON STOCK TENDERED HEREWITH ARE SENT BY MAIL IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT TENDERING STOCKHOLDERS USE REGISTERED MAIL, RETURN RECEIPT REQUESTED AND ALLOW SUFFICIENT TIME TO ENSURE TIMELY RECEIPT. DELIVERY OF DOCUMENTS TO THE DTC DOES NOT CONSTITUTE DELIVERY TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT. No alternative, conditional or contingent tenders will be accepted for exchange in the Offer. All tendering stockholders, by execution of this Letter of Transmittal, waive any right to receive any notice of the acceptance of their shares of IBI Common Stock for exchange. Holders whose stock certificate(s) representing shares of IBI Common Stock are not immediately available or who cannot complete the procedure for delivery by book-entry transfer on a timely basis or who cannot deliver their certificate(s) and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date may tender their shares of IBI Common Stock pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure set forth in the Prospectus under "The Offer--Guaranteed Delivery". Pursuant to such procedure: (i) such tender must be made by or through a participant in the Security Transfer Agents Medallion Program or the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Guarantee Program or the Stock Exchange Medallion Program (an "Eligible Institution"); (ii) prior to the Expiration Date, the Exchange Agent must have received from such Eligible Institution a properly completed and duly executed Notice of Guaranteed Delivery substantially in the form provided by The Limited setting forth the name and address of the holder and the number of shares of IBI Common Stock tendered, stating that the tender is being made thereby and guaranteeing that, within three NYSE trading days after the date of the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, the certificate(s) representing the shares of IBI Common Stock accompanied by all other documents required by this Letter of Transmittal will be deposited by the Eligible Institution with the Exchange Agent; and (iii) the certificate(s) representing the shares of IBI Common Stock tendered herewith (or a confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such shares of IBI Common Stock into the Exchange Agent's account at the DTC as described above), together with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal and any required signature guarantees, or an Agent's Message in connection with a book-entry transfer, and any other documents required hereby, must be received by the Exchange Agent within three NYSE trading days after the date of the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, all as provided in the Prospectus under "The Offer--Guaranteed Delivery". 8
2. Partial Tenders (Not Applicable to Stockholders who Tender by Book-Entry Transfer); Withdrawals If less than all the shares of IBI Common Stock evidenced by any certificate(s) are to be tendered, the tendering holder should fill in the number of shares to be tendered in the part of Box #1 entitled "Number of Shares Tendered". A reissued certificate representing the number of shares of IBI Common Stock not tendered will be issued in the name of, and sent to, such registered holder, unless otherwise indicated under "Special Delivery Instructions" (Box #4) above, as soon as practicable after the Expiration Date. THE ENTIRE NUMBER OF SHARES OF IBI COMMON STOCK REPRESENTED BY ANY CERTIFICATE(S) DELIVERED TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT WILL BE DEEMED TO HAVE BEEN TENDERED UNLESS OTHERWISE INDICATED. Any tendering holder of shares of IBI Common Stock may withdraw the tender at any time prior to the Expiration Date and, unless the shares have been previously accepted for exchange pursuant to the Offer, may also be withdrawn at any time after April 5, 2002. To be effective, a written or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal must be timely received by the Exchange Agent at one of its addresses set forth above and must comply with the requirements set forth in the Prospectus under "The Offer--Withdrawal Rights". Withdrawals may not be rescinded, and shares of IBI Common Stock withdrawn will thereafter be deemed not validly tendered for purposes of the Offer. However, withdrawn shares of IBI Common Stock may be retendered by again following one of the procedures described in the Prospectus under the caption "The Offer--Procedure for Tendering" at any time prior to the Expiration Date. 3. Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal; Stock Powers and Endorsements; Guarantee of Signatures If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the shares of IBI Common Stock tendered hereby, the signature(s) must correspond exactly with the name(s) as written on the face of the certificate(s) representing the shares of IBI Common Stock without alteration, enlargement or any other change whatsoever. If any of the shares of IBI Common Stock tendered hereby are registered in the name of two or more joint owners, all such owners must sign this Letter of Transmittal. If any tendered shares of IBI Common Stock are registered in the names of different holders, it will be necessary to complete, sign and submit as many separate copies of this Letter of Transmittal as there are different registrations of certificates. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by the registered holder(s) of the shares of IBI Common Stock listed and tendered hereby, no endorsements of certificates or separate stock powers are required, unless Limited Certificate(s) are to be issued, in the name of a person other than the registered holder(s), in which case, the stock certificate(s) evidencing the shares of IBI Common Stock tendered hereby must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock power(s), in either case, signed exactly as the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appear(s) on such stock certificate(s). Signatures on such stock certificate(s) and stock power(s) must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. If this Letter of Transmittal is signed by a person other than the registered holder(s) of the shares of IBI Common Stock listed and tendered hereby, the certificate(s) representing such shares of IBI Common Stock must be endorsed or accompanied by appropriate stock powers, in either case signed exactly as the name(s) of the registered holder(s) appear(s) on such certificate(s), and such signatures must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution. 9
If this Letter of Transmittal or any certificates or stock powers are signed by trustees, executors, administrators, guardians, attorneys-in-fact, officers of a corporation or others acting in a fiduciary or representative capacity, such persons should so indicate when signing, and proper evidence satisfactory to The Limited of their authority so to act must be submitted. Signatures on this Letter of Transmittal must be guaranteed by an Eligible Institution unless the shares of IBI Common Stock are tendered: (i) by a registered holder of such shares of IBI Common Stock (which term, for purposes of this Letter of Transmittal, shall include any participant in the DTC whose name appears on a security position listing as the owner of shares of Limited Common Stock) who has not completed the box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" (Box #3) of this Letter of Transmittal; or (ii) for the account of an Eligible Institution. 4. Special Issuance and Delivery Instructions Tendering holders should indicate in the box entitled "Special Issuance Instructions" (Box #3) or "Special Delivery Instructions" (Box #4), as applicable, the name and address to which Limited Certificate(s), a Fractional Share Check, if any, and/or substitute certificate(s) for shares of IBI Common Stock not tendered or any shares of IBI Common Stock not accepted for exchange are to be sent, if different from the name and address of the person signing this Letter of Transmittal. In the case of issuance of Limited Certificates in a different name, the employer identification or social security number of the person named must also be indicated. 5. Participants in the Savings and Retirement Plan or the Stock Purchase Plan of Intimate Brands PARTICIPANTS IN THE SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN OR THE STOCK PURCHASE PLAN OF INTIMATE BRANDS MAY NOT USE THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO DIRECT THE TENDER OF SHARES OF IBI COMMON STOCK, BUT MUST USE THE SEPARATE ELECTION FORM SENT TO THEM. THIS LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL HAS BEEN SENT TO SUCH PARTICIPANTS FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY. 6. Stock Transfer Taxes The Limited will cause IBI Holdings to pay all stock transfer taxes, if any, payable on the transfer to it of shares of IBI Common Stock and the transfer to tendering stockholders of shares of Limited Common Stock pursuant to the Offer. If, however, the exchange of shares is to be made to, or (in the circumstances permitted by the Offer) if shares of IBI Common Stock that are not tendered or not accepted for exchange are to be delivered to any person other than the registered owner, or if tendered certificates are registered in the name of any person other than the person signing this Letter of Transmittal, the amount of all stock transfer taxes, if any (whether imposed on the registered owner or such other person), payable on account of the transfer to such person must be paid by the tendering stockholder unless evidence satisfactory to IBI Holdings of the payment of such taxes or exemption therefrom is submitted. Except as provided in this Instruction 6, it will not be necessary for transfer tax stamps to be affixed to the certificate(s) representing shares of IBI Common Stock listed in this Letter of Transmittal. 7. Mutilated, Lost, Stolen or Destroyed IBI Common Stock Certificates If any certificate representing shares of IBI Common Stock has been mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen, the stockholder must (i) furnish to the Exchange Agent evidence, satisfactory to it in its discretion, of the ownership of and the destruction, loss or theft of such certificate, (ii) furnish to the Exchange Agent indemnity, satisfactory to it in its discretion, and (iii) comply with such other reasonable requirements as the Exchange Agent may prescribe. Any holder whose stock certificate representing shares of IBI Common Stock has been mutilated, destroyed, lost or stolen should promptly contact the Exchange Agent at 1-800-251-4215 for further instructions. 10
8. Questions and Requests for Assistance or Additional Copies Questions relating to the procedure for tendering, as well as requests for assistance or additional copies of the Prospectus, this Letter of Transmittal or the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery, may be directed to the Information Agent at the address indicated herein. Additional copies of the Prospectus, this Letter of Transmittal or the Notice of Guaranteed Delivery may also be obtained from the Information Agent or the Dealer Managers. 9. Important Tax Information; Substitute Form W-9 Federal income tax law requires that a holder whose tendered shares of IBI Common Stock are accepted for exchange either must provide the Exchange Agent (as payor) with his or her correct taxpayer identification number ("TIN") on Substitute Form W-9 below (in the case of a holder who is an individual, his or her TIN is his or her social security number), or else must provide an adequate basis for exemption from backup withholding. If the Exchange Agent is not provided with the correct TIN or an adequate basis for exemption, the holder may be subject to a $50 penalty imposed by the Internal Revenue Service (the "IRS") in addition to backup withholding in an amount equal to 30% of the cash proceeds received in lieu of fractional shares of Limited Common Stock resulting from the Offer if such amount equals or exceeds $20. Certain holders (including, among others, all corporations and certain foreign persons) are exempt from these backup withholding and reporting requirements. See the enclosed Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9 for additional instructions. To prevent backup withholding, a tendering holder must provide his or her correct TIN by completing the "Substitute Form W-9" set forth herein, certifying that the holder is a U.S. person, that the TIN provided is correct (or that such holder is awaiting a TIN) and that (i) the holder is exempt from backup withholding, (ii) the holder has not been notified by the IRS that he or she is subject to backup withholding as a result of the failure to report all interest or dividends or (iii) the IRS has notified the holder that he or she is no longer subject to backup withholding. Foreign persons should not complete the Substitute Form W-9. Certain foreign holders may be exempt from backup withholding. In order to satisfy the Exchange Agent that a foreign person qualifies as an exempt recipient, such holders must submit an IRS Form W-8 signed under penalty of perjury attesting to such exempt status. Such an IRS Form may be obtained from the Exchange Agent. If the certificate(s) representing shares of IBI Common Stock are in more than one name or are not in the name of the actual owner, consult the enclosed guidelines for information on which TIN to report on the Substitute Form W-9. If you do not have a TIN, consult the enclosed guidelines for instructions on applying for a TIN, check the box in Part 2 of the Substitute Form W-9 (Box #7), and complete the Certification of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number (Box #8) in order to avoid backup withholding. Notwithstanding that the box in Part 2 of Box #7 is checked and the Certification of Awaiting Taxpayer Identification Number is completed, the Exchange Agent will withhold 30% of all reportable payments made prior to the time a properly certified TIN is provided to the Exchange Agent, and if the TIN is provided within 60 days, such amount will be refunded. If backup withholding applies, the Exchange Agent is required to withhold 30% of any such cash payments made in lieu of fractional shares of Limited Common Stock to the stockholder or other payee if such amount equals or exceeds $20. Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Rather, the federal income tax liability of persons subject to backup withholding will be reduced by the amount of tax withheld. If backup withholding results in an overpayment of taxes, a refund may be obtained from the IRS. Holders of shares of IBI Common Stock who acquired their shares at different times may have different tax bases in their shares of IBI Common Stock, and should consult with their tax advisors as to the possibility of identifying the specific shares of IBI Common Stock surrendered in the Offer in order to establish the basis of the shares of Limited Common Stock issued in exchange for shares of IBI Common Stock surrendered. 11
THE FOLLOWING BOXES MUST BE COMPLETED BY ALL TENDERING STOCKHOLDERS (OTHER THAN FOREIGN PERSONS) (See Instruction 9) PAYOR'S NAME: EquiServe TRUST COMPANY, N.A. Box #7 SUBSTITUTE Social security number Form W-9 Part 1--PLEASE PROVIDE YOURTIN or employer identification number Department of the IN THE BOX AT RIGHT Treasury ANDCERTIFY BY ------------------------ Internal Revenue Service SIGNING ANDDATING BELOW. Payor's Request for --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Taxpayer Identification Part 2--Awaiting TIN [_] Number (TIN) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- CERTIFICATION--UNDER THE PENALTIES OF PERJURY, ICERTIFY THAT (1) the number shown on this form is my correct taxpayeridentification number (or I am waiting for a number to be issued to me), (2) Iam not subject to backup withholding either because (a) I am exempt frombackup withholding, (b) I have not been notified by the Internal RevenueService that I am subject to backup withholding as a result of the failure toreport all interest or dividends or (c) the Internal Revenue Service hasnotified me that I am no longer subject to backup withholding, and (3) I am aU.S. person. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Signature __________________________________ Date __________________________________________ You must cross out item (2) above if you have been notified by the InternalRevenue Service that you are currently subject to backup withholdingbecause of underreporting interest or dividends on your tax return. However,if after being notified by the IRS that you were subject to backupwithholding, you received another notification from the IRS that you are nolonger subject to backup withholding, do not cross out such item (2). NOTE: FAILURE TO COMPLETE AND RETURN THIS FORM MAY RESULT IN A $50 PENALTY IMPOSED BY THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE AND BACKUP WITHHOLDING OF 30% OF ANY PAYMENTS MADE TO YOU PURSUANT TO THE EXCHANGE OFFER. PLEASE REVIEW THE ENCLOSED GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 FOR ADDITIONAL DETAILS. YOU MUST COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING CERTIFICATE IF YOU CHECKED THE BOX IN PART 2 OF THE SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9. 12
Box #8 CERTIFICATION OF AWAITING TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER I certify under penalty of perjury that a taxpayer identification number has not been issued to me, and either that (i) I have mailed or delivered an application to receive a taxpayer identification number to the appropriate Internal Revenue Service Center or Social Security Administration Office or (ii) I intend to mail or deliver an application in the near future. I understand that if I do not provide a taxpayer identification number by the time of payment, 30% of all reportable payments made to me will be withheld, but that such amounts will be refunded to me if I provide a taxpayer identification number within sixty (60) days. Signature _____________________________________________ Date_______________ 13
GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 Guidelines for Determining the Proper Identification Number to Give the Payor--Social Security numbers have nine digits separated by two hyphens: i.e., 000-00-0000. Employer identification numbers have nine digits separated by only one hyphen: i.e., 00-0000000. The table below will help determine the number to give the payor. - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------- Give the Give the EMPLOYER SOCIAL SECURITY IDENTIFICATION For this type of account: number of-- For this type of account: number of-- - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------- 1. An individual's The individual 7. Corporate account The corporation account 2. Two or more The actual owner of the 8. Religious, charitable, The organization individuals (joint account or, if combined or educational account) funds, the first individual organization account on the account(1) 3. Custodian account of The minor(2) 9. Partnership account The partnership a minor (Uniform held in the name of Gift to Minors Act) the business 4. a. The usual revocable The grantor-trustee(1) 10. Association, club, or The organization savings trust account other tax-exempt (grantor is also organization trustee) b. So-called trust The actual owner(1) 11. A broker or The broker or nomi account that is not a registered nominee legal or valid trust under State law 5. Sole proprietorship The owner(3) 12. Account with the The public entity account Department of Agriculture in the name of a public entity (such as a State or local government, school district, or prison) that receives agricultural program payments 6. A valid trust, estate, The legal entity (Do not or pension trust furnish the identifying number of the personal representative or trustee unless the legal entity itself is not designated in the account title.)(4) - ----------------------------------------------- -------------------- - ------------------------- --------------------- (1) List first and circle the name of the person whose number you furnish. (2) Circle the minor's name and furnish the minor's social security number. (3) Show the name of the owner. (4) List first and circle the name of the legal trust, estate or pension trust. Note: If no name is circled when there is more than one name, the number will be considered to be that of the first name listed. 14
GUIDELINES FOR CERTIFICATION OF TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER ON SUBSTITUTE FORM W-9 Page 2 Obtaining a Number If you do not have a taxpayer identification number or you do not know your number, obtain Form SS-5, Application for a Social Security Number Card (for individuals), or Form SS-4, Application for Employer Identification Number (for businesses and all other entities), at the local office of the Social Security Administration or the Internal Revenue Service. To complete Substitute Form W-9 if you do not have a taxpayer identification number, write "Applied For" in the space for the taxpayer identification number in Part 1, sign and date the Form, and give it to the requester. Generally, you will then have 60 days to obtain a taxpayer identification number and furnish it to the requester. If the requester does not receive your taxpayer identification number within 60 days, backup withholding, if applicable, will begin and continue until you furnish your taxpayer identification number to the requester. Payees Exempt from Backup Withholding Payees specifically exempted from backup withholding on ALL payments include the following: . An organization exempt from tax under section 501(a), or an individual retirement plan, or a custodial account under section 403(b)(7). . The United States or any agency or instrumentality thereof. . A State, the District of Columbia, a possession of the United States, or any political subdivision or instrumentality thereof. . A foreign government or a political subdivision, agency or instrumentality thereof. . An international organization or any agency or instrumentality thereof. Payees exempted from backup withholding on broker transactions include the following: . A corporation. . A financial institution. . A registered dealer in securities or commodities registered in the United States or a possession of the United States. . A real estate investment trust. . A common trust fund operated by a bank under section 584(a). . An entity registered at all times during the tax year under the Investment Company Act of 1940. . A foreign central bank of issue. Payments of dividends and patronage dividends not generally subject to backup withholding include the following: . Payments to nonresident aliens subject to withholding under section 1441. . Payments to partnerships not engaged in a trade or business in the United States and which have at least one nonresident partner. . Payments of patronage dividends where the amount received is not paid in money. . Payments made by certain foreign organizations. . Payments made to a nominee. Payments of interest not generally subject to backup withholding include the following: . Payments of interest on obligations issued by individuals. Note: You may be subject to backup withholding if this interest is $600 or more and is paid in the course of the payor's trade or business and you have not provided your correct taxpayer identification number to the payor. . Payments of tax-exempt interest (including exempt-interest dividends under section 852). . Payments described in section 6049(b)(5) to nonresident aliens. . Payments on tax-free covenant bonds under section 1451. . Payments made by certain foreign organizations. . Payments made to a nominee. Exempt payees described above should file a Substitute Form W-9 to avoid possible erroneous backup withholding. FILE THIS FORM WITH THE PAYOR, FURNISH YOUR TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION NUMBER, WRITE "EXEMPT" ON THE FACE OF THE FORM, SIGN AND DATE THE FORM AND RETURN IT TO THE PAYOR. Certain payments other than interest, dividends, and patronage dividends, that are not subject to information reporting are also not subject to backup withholding. For details, see the regulations under sections 6041, 6041A(a), 6045, and 6050A. Privacy Act Notice Section 6109 requires most recipients of dividends, interest, or other payments to give taxpayer identification numbers to payors who must report the payments to IRS. IRS uses the numbers for identification purposes. Payors must be given the numbers whether or not recipients are required to file tax returns. Payors must generally withhold 30% of taxable interest, dividends, and certain other payments to a payee who does not furnish a taxpayer identification number to a payor. Certain penalties may also apply. 15
Penalties (1) Penalty For Failure to Furnish Taxpayer Identification Number. If you fail to furnish your taxpayer identification number to a payor, you are subject to a penalty of $50 for each such failure unless your failure is due to reasonable cause and not to willful neglect. (2) Civil Penalty For False Information With Respect to Withholding. If you make a false statement with no reasonable basis which results in no imposition of backup withholding, you are subject to a penalty of $500. (3) Criminal Penalty for Falsifying Information. Falsifying certifications or affirmations may subject you to criminal penalties including fines and/or imprisonment. FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT YOUR TAX CONSULTANT OR THE INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE 16
The Information Agent for the Offer is: D.F. KING & CO., INC. 77 Water Street New York, NY 10005 Call Collect: (212) 269-5550 or Call Toll-Free: (800) 628-8532 The Dealer Managers for the Offer are: GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO. BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC 85 Broad Street 9 West 57th Street New York, NY 10004 New York, NY 10019 Call Collect: (212) Call Collect: (212) 902-1000 933-2223 Call Toll-Free: (800) Call Toll-Free: (888) 323-5678 521-4492
EXHIBIT 99.2 NOTICE OF GUARANTEED DELIVERY TENDER OF SHARES OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK OF INTIMATE BRANDS, INC. (NOT TO BE USED FOR SIGNATURE GUARANTEES) THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON MARCH 11, 2002, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED. This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery or one substantially like it must be used to accept the Offer (as defined herein) of Intimate Brands Holding Co., Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Limited, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("IBI Holdings"), made pursuant to the Prospectus dated February 5, 2002 (the "Prospectus") and the related Letter of Transmittal, if (i) your stock certificate(s) representing shares of Class A common stock, par value $.01 per share, of Intimate Brands, Inc. (the "IBI Common Stock") are not immediately available, (ii) you cannot complete the procedure for book-entry transfer on a timely basis or (iii) you cannot deliver the certificate(s) and all other required documents to EquiServe Trust Company, N.A. (the "Exchange Agent") prior to the Expiration Date (as defined in the Prospectus). You may deliver this Notice of Guaranteed Delivery by hand, facsimile transmission or mail to the Exchange Agent. See "The Offer--Guaranteed Delivery" in the Prospectus. THE EXCHANGE AGENT FOR THE OFFER IS: EQUISERVE TRUST COMPANY, N.A. If by mail: If by hand: If by overnight delivery: EquiServe Trust Company, N.A. EquiServe Trust Company, N.A. EquiServe Trust Company, N.A. P.O. Box 43034 c/o Securities Transfer and 40 Campenelli Drive Providence, RI 02940-3034 Reporting Services, Inc. Braintree, MA 02184 100 William Street--Galleria New York, NY 10038 If by facsimile transmission: (For Eligible Institutions only) (781) 575-4826 (781) 575-4827 Facsimile confirmation number: (781) 575-4816 Delivery of this notice of guaranteed delivery to the exchange agent other than as set forth above or transmission of instructions via facsimile transmission to a number other than as set forth above will not constitute a valid delivery. This Notice of Guaranteed Delivery is not to be used to guarantee signatures. If a signature on a Letter of Transmittal is required to be guaranteed by an "Eligible Institution" under the Instructions thereto, such signature guarantee must appear in the applicable space provided in the signature box on the Letter of Transmittal.
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN: Upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus, and the related Letter of Transmittal (which, together with any amendments or supplements thereto, constitute the "Offer"), the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, I hereby tender to you the number of shares of IBI Common Stock set forth below, pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure set forth in "The Offer--Guaranteed Delivery" in the Prospectus. (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT, EXCEPT FOR SIGNATURE) Name(s) of Registered Holders: Number of Shares of IBI Common Stock ______________________________ Tendered:________________________________ Address(es):__________________ Certificate No(s). (if applicable):______ ______________________________ _________________________________________ ______________________________ _________________________________________ (Include Zip Code) Total Number of Shares Represented by IBI Area Code and Tel. No(s).:____ Common Stock Certificate(s) Dated:________________________ _________________________________________ Window Ticket No. (if any):______________ Signature(s): _________________________________________ _________________________________________ IF SHARES OF IBI COMMON STOCK WILL BE TENDERED BY BOOK-ENTRY TRANSFER, PLEASE PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING INFORMATION: Account Number:__________________________ Transaction Code Number:_________________
GUARANTEE (NOT TO BE USED FOR SIGNATURE GUARANTEES) The undersigned, a participant in the Security Transfer Agents Medallion Program or the New York Stock Exchange Medallion Signature Guarantee Program or the Stock Exchange Medallion Program, hereby (i) guarantees that either the certificates representing the shares of IBI Common Stock tendered hereby in proper form for transfer or a confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such shares of IBI Common Stock into the Exchange Agent's account at the Depository Trust Company, or DTC, in each case together with a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal and any required signature guarantees, or an "agent's message" (as defined in the Prospectus) in connection with a book-entry transfer, and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal will be received by the Exchange Agent at one of its addresses set forth above, in each case within three New York Stock Exchange trading days after the date hereof, (ii) represents that the holder on whose behalf this tender is being made owns the shares of IBI Common Stock being tendered within the meaning of Rule 14d-1 promulgated under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended ("Rule 14d-1"), and (iii) represents that the tender of such shares of IBI Common Stock complies with Rule 14d-1. (PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT, EXCEPT FOR SIGNATURE) ______________________ ____________________ Name of Firm Authorized Signature ______________________ Address Name: ______________ ______________________ ____________________ (Include Zip Code) Title ______________________ Date: ______________ Area Code and Tel. No. NOTE: DO NOT SEND CERTIFICATES FOR SHARES OF IBI COMMON STOCK WITH THIS NOTICE. STOCK CERTIFICATES SHOULD BE SENT WITH YOUR LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL TO THE EXCHANGE AGENT.
EXHIBIT 99.3 GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO. BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC OFFER TO EXCHANGE 1.046 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF THE LIMITED, INC. FOR EACH SHARE OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK OF INTIMATE BRANDS, INC. THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON MARCH 11, 2002, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED. February 5, 2002 To Brokers, Dealers, Commercial Banks, Trust Companies and Other Nominees: We refer to the enclosed Prospectus dated February 5, 2002 (the "Prospectus"), of The Limited, Inc. ("The Limited"), which together with any amendment and supplement thereto and the related Letter of Transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal") constitute the offer (the "Offer") of Intimate Brands Holding Co., Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Limited ("IBI Holdings"), to exchange 1.046 shares of the common stock, par value $.50 per share, of The Limited ("Limited Common Stock"), for each outstanding share of Class A common stock, par value $.01 per share, of Intimate Brands, Inc. ("IBI Common Stock") that is validly tendered on or prior to the Expiration Date and not properly withdrawn, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus and in the related Letter of Transmittal. See "Summary" and "The Offer" in the Prospectus. Capitalized terms used herein have the same meanings as in the Prospectus. We have been appointed by The Limited to act as the Dealer Managers in connection with the Offer. Your attention is directed to the Prospectus, which should be read by you in its entirety. The Offer and withdrawal rights will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on March 11, 2002 (the "Expiration Date"), unless extended in accordance with applicable law and the terms of the Offer, in which event the term "Expiration Date" shall mean the latest time and date to which the Offer, as extended, shall expire. The Offer is subject to several conditions described in the Prospectus, which you should review in detail. See "Conditions of the Offer" in the Prospectus. For your information and for forwarding to your clients for whom you hold shares of IBI Common Stock registered in your name or in the name of your nominee or who hold shares of IBI Common Stock registered in their own names, we are enclosing the following documents: 1. The Prospectus; 2. The Letter of Transmittal, including the Guidelines for Certification of Taxpayer Identification Number on Substitute Form W-9, for your use and for the information of your clients; 3. A letter that may be sent to your clients for whose account you hold shares of IBI Common Stock registered in your name or the name of your nominee, with space provided for obtaining such clients' instructions with regard to the Offer; 4. A Notice of Guaranteed Delivery to be used to accept the Offer if the certificates for shares of IBI Common Stock are not immediately available, the procedure for book-entry transfer cannot be completed on a timely basis or time will not permit all required documents to reach EquiServe Trust Company, N.A., the Exchange Agent, prior to the Expiration Date; and 5. A return envelope addressed to the Exchange Agent.
YOUR PROMPT ACTION IS REQUESTED. WE URGE YOU TO CONTACT YOUR CLIENTS AS PROMPTLY AS POSSIBLE. THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON MARCH 11, 2002, UNLESS EXTENDED BY THE LIMITED AS PROVIDED IN THE PROSPECTUS. Except as otherwise provided in the Prospectus and the related Letter of Transmittal, tenders are irrevocable. Neither The Limited nor IBI Holdings will pay any fees or commissions to any broker or dealer or any other person (other than the Dealer Managers, the Information Agent and the Exchange Agent as described in "Fees and Expenses" in the Prospectus) for soliciting tenders of shares of IBI Common Stock pursuant to the Offer. IBI Holdings will, however, upon request, reimburse you for reasonable and necessary costs and expenses incurred by you in forwarding any of the enclosed materials to your customers. IBI Holdings will pay all stock transfer taxes, if any, payable on the transfer to it of shares of IBI Common Stock and the transfer to tendering stockholders of shares of Limited Common Stock pursuant to the Offer, except as otherwise provided in Instruction 6 of the Letter of Transmittal. To participate in the Offer, certificate(s) for shares of IBI Common Stock or a confirmation of any book-entry transfer into the Exchange Agent's account at the DTC of shares of IBI Common Stock tendered electronically, as well as a properly completed and duly executed Letter of Transmittal and any required signature guarantees, or an Agent's Message in connection with a book-entry transfer of shares, and any other documents required by the Letter of Transmittal must be received by the Exchange Agent as indicated in the Letter of Transmittal and the Prospectus prior to the Expiration Date. Holders whose stock certificate(s) representing shares of IBI Common Stock are not immediately available or who cannot complete the procedure for delivery by book-entry transfer on a timely basis or who cannot deliver their certificate(s) and all other required documents to the Exchange Agent prior to the Expiration Date may tender their shares of IBI Common Stock pursuant to the guaranteed delivery procedure set forth in the Prospectus under "The Offer--Guaranteed Delivery". Any inquiries you may have with respect to the Offer should be addressed to the Dealer Managers or the Information Agent at their respective addresses and telephone numbers set forth on the back cover of the Prospectus. Additional copies of the enclosed material may also be obtained from Goldman, Sachs & Co., telephone no. (800) 323-5678, Banc of America Securities LLC, telephone no. (888) 521-4492, or the Information Agent, D.F. King & Co., Inc., telephone no. (800) 628-8532. Very truly yours, GOLDMAN, SACHS & CO. BANC OF AMERICA SECURITIES LLC NOTHING CONTAINED HEREIN OR IN THE ENCLOSED DOCUMENTS SHALL CONSTITUTE YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON AS AN AGENT OF THE LIMITED, IBI HOLDINGS, THE EXCHANGE AGENT, THE INFORMATION AGENT, THE DEALER MANAGERS, OR ANY AFFILIATE OF ANY OF THE FOREGOING, OR AUTHORIZE YOU OR ANY OTHER PERSON TO USE ANY DOCUMENT OR MAKE ANY STATEMENT ON BEHALF OF ANY OF THEM IN CONNECTION WITH THE OFFER, OTHER THAN THE ENCLOSED DOCUMENTS AND THE STATEMENTS CONTAINED THEREIN. 2
EXHIBIT 99.4 OFFER TO EXCHANGE 1.046 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF THE LIMITED, INC. FOR EACH SHARE OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK OF INTIMATE BRANDS, INC. THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON MARCH 11, 2002, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED. February 5, 2002 To Our Clients: Enclosed for your consideration is the Prospectus dated February 5, 2002 (the "Prospectus") of The Limited, Inc. ("The Limited"), which together with any amendments and supplements thereto and the related Letter of Transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal"), constitute the offer (the "Offer") of Intimate Brands Holding Co., Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Limited ("IB Holdings"), to exchange 1.046 shares of the common stock, par value $.50 per share, of The Limited ("Limited Common Stock") for each share of Class A common stock, par value $.01 per share, of Intimate Brands, Inc. ("IBI Common Stock") that is validly tendered by the Expiration Date and not withdrawn or deemed withdrawn, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus and in the related Letter of Transmittal. See "Summary" and "The Offer" in the Prospectus. Capitalized terms used herein have the same meanings as in the Prospectus. The Offer and withdrawal rights will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on March 11, 2002 (the "Expiration Date"), unless extended in accordance with applicable law and the terms of the Offer, in which event the term "Expiration Date" shall mean the latest time and date to which the Offer, as extended, shall expire. THIS MATERIAL IS BEING FORWARDED TO YOU AS THE BENEFICIAL OWNER OF SHARES OF IBI COMMON STOCK HELD BY US FOR YOUR ACCOUNT BUT NOT REGISTERED IN YOUR NAME. A TENDER OF SUCH SHARES OF IBI COMMON STOCK MAY ONLY BE MADE BY US AS THE HOLDER OF RECORD AND PURSUANT TO YOUR INSTRUCTIONS. THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS FURNISHED TO YOU FOR YOUR INFORMATION ONLY AND CANNOT BE USED BY YOU TO TENDER SHARES OF IBI COMMON STOCK HELD BY US FOR YOUR ACCOUNT. Accordingly, we request instructions as to whether you wish us to tender any or all such shares of IBI Common Stock held by us for your account, pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the Offer. Your attention is invited to the following: 1. The consideration per share of IBI Common Stock will be 1.046 shares of Limited Common Stock as described in the Prospectus. 2. The Offer is being made for all outstanding shares of IBI Common Stock. 3. The Offer is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, as described in the Prospectus, which you should review in detail. See "Conditions of the Offer" in the Prospectus. 4. The Offer and withdrawal rights will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on March 11, 2002, unless the Offer is extended.
5. You will not receive any fractional shares of Limited Common Stock. Instead, the Exchange Agent, acting as your agent, will aggregate any such shares to be issued in the Offer and sell them in the open market and distribute any proceeds to you on a pro rata basis. 6. Except as otherwise provided in Instruction 6 of the Letter of Transmittal, stock transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of shares in the Offer. The Offer is made solely by the Prospectus and the related Letter of Transmittal and any amendments and supplements thereto and is being made to all Intimate Brands stockholders. IB Holdings is not aware of any jurisdiction where the making of the Offer or the acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with applicable law. If IB Holdings becomes aware of any jurisdiction where the making of the Offer or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with any valid applicable law, IB Holdings will make a good faith effort to comply with such law. If, after such good faith effort, IB Holdings cannot comply with such law, the Offer will not be made to, nor will tenders be accepted from or on behalf of, Intimate Brands stockholders in any such jurisdiction. If you wish to have us tender any or all of your shares of IBI Common Stock, please so instruct us by completing, executing and returning to us the attached instruction form. An envelope to return your instructions is enclosed. Please forward your instructions to us in ample time to permit us to submit a tender on your behalf prior to the Expiration Date. IF YOU AUTHORIZE THE TENDER OF YOUR SHARES OF IBI COMMON STOCK, ALL SUCH SHARES WILL BE TENDERED UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED ON THE ATTACHED INSTRUCTION FORM. 2
INSTRUCTIONS WITH RESPECT TO THE OFFER TO EXCHANGE SHARES OF LIMITED COMMON STOCK FOR EACH SHARE OF INTIMATE BRANDS CLASS A COMMON STOCK I acknowledge receipt of your letter and the enclosed Prospectus dated February 5, 2002 (the "Prospectus") of The Limited, Inc., which together with any amendments and supplements thereto and the related Letter of Transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal"), constitutes the offer (the "Offer") of Intimate Brands Holding Co., Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Limited ("IB Holdings") to exchange 1.046 shares of the common stock, par value $.50 per share, of The Limited ("Limited Common Stock") for each share of Class A common stock, par value $.01 per share, of Intimate Brands, Inc. ("IBI Common Stock") that is validly tendered by the Expiration Date and not withdrawn or deemed withdrawn, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus and the related Letter of Transmittal. See "Summary" and "The Offer" in the Prospectus. Capitalized terms used herein shall have the same meanings as in the Prospectus. This will instruct you to tender the number of shares of IBI Common Stock indicated below (or, if no number is indicated below, all shares) held by you for my account, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus and the related Letter of Transmittal. NUMBER OF SHARES OF IBI COMMON STOCK TO BE TENDERED: /1/ SIGN HERE: _________________________________ SHARES ________________________________________ ________________________________________ Account Numbers: ________________________ SIGNATURE(S) Dated: _______________, 2002 PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT NAME(S) HERE: ________________________________________ ________________________________________ PLEASE TYPE OR PRINT ADDRESS(ES): ________________________________________ ________________________________________ ________________________________________ AREA CODE AND TELEPHONE NUMBER ________________________________________ TAXPAYER IDENTIFICATION OR SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER(S) - -------- /1 Unless otherwise indicated, it will be assumed that all shares of IBI Common Stock held by us for your account are to be tendered. / 3
Exhibit 99.5 FORM OF SUMMARY ADVERTISEMENT This announcement is neither an offer to purchase nor a solicitation of an offer to sell Limited Shares (as defined below). The Offer (as defined below) is made by the Prospectus (as defined below) and the related letter of transmittal and any amendments or supplements thereto, and is being made to all holders of IBI Shares. This Offer, however, is not being made to, nor will IBI Shares be accepted from or on behalf of, holders of IBI Shares in any jurisdiction in which the making of the Offer or the acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with the laws of such jurisdiction. IB Holdings (as defined below) may in its discretion, however, take such action as it may deem necessary to make the Offer in any jurisdiction and extend the Offer to holders of IBI Shares in such jurisdiction. In jurisdictions whose laws require that the Offer be made by a licensed broker or dealer, the Offer shall be deemed to be made on IBI Holdings' behalf by one or more registered brokers or dealers licensed under the laws of such jurisdiction. Notice of Offer to Exchange Each Outstanding Share of Class A Common Stock of Intimate Brands, Inc. for 1.046 Shares of Common Stock of The Limited, Inc. by Intimate Brands Holding Co., Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Limited, Inc. Intimate Brands Holding Co., Inc. ("IB Holdings"), a Delaware corporation and a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Limited, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("The Limited"), is offering to exchange 1.046 shares of common stock, par value $.50 per share, of The Limited ("Limited Shares") for each outstanding share of Class A common stock, par value $.01 per share (the "IBI Shares") of Intimate Brands, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("Intimate Brands"), that IB Holdings does not own, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus dated February 5, 2002 (the "Prospectus") and in the related letter of transmittal (which, together with the Prospectus and any amendments or supplements thereto, collectively constitute the "Offer"). IB Holdings currently owns 100% of the outstanding shares of Class B common stock of Intimate Brands, which is convertible at any time at the option of IB Holdings into Class A common stock of Intimate Brands. The Class B common stock owned by IB Holdings currently represents approximately 83.7% of the outstanding common stock of Intimate Brands. Stockholders of record who tender their IBI Shares directly to the Exchange Agent (as defined below) will not be obligated to pay brokerage fees or commissions, if any, on the exchange of IBI Shares pursuant to the Offer. Stockholders who hold their IBI Shares through a broker or bank should consult such institution as to whether it charges any service fees. IB Holdings will pay all charges and expenses of EquiServe Trust Company, N.A., which is acting as exchange agent (the "Exchange Agent") and D.F. King & Co., Inc., which is acting as information agent (the "Information Agent"), incurred in connection with the Offer. If the Offer is completed, The Limited will effect a "short-form" merger of Intimate Brands and IB Holdings in which each then outstanding publicly-held IBI Share (except for any such IBI Shares as to which appraisal rights are perfected) will be exchanged for the same number of Limited Shares as provided in the Offer.
THE OFFER AND WITHDRAWAL RIGHTS WILL EXPIRE AT 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON MONDAY, MARCH 11, 2002, UNLESS THE OFFER IS EXTENDED. The Offer is conditioned upon, among other things, (1) the tender of a sufficient number of IBI Shares such that, after completion of the Offer (assuming the conversion of the Class B common stock it currently owns into Class A common stock), IB Holdings will own at least 90% of the outstanding common stock of Intimate Brands and (2) approval by The Limited stockholders of the issuance of Limited Shares in the offer and the merger. For purposes of the Offer, IB Holdings shall be deemed to have accepted for exchange IBI Shares validly tendered and not properly withdrawn as, if and when IB Holdings gives written notice thereof to the Exchange Agent. Exchange of IBI Shares accepted for exchange pursuant to the Offer will be made by deposit of Limited Shares with the Exchange Agent, which will act as agent for the tendering stockholders for the purpose of receiving Limited Shares from The Limited and transmitting such shares (plus cash in lieu of fractional shares) to tendering stockholders. In all cases, exchange of IBI Shares will be made only after timely receipt by the Exchange Agent of (i) certificates for such IBI Shares or a confirmation of a book-entry transfer of such IBI Shares into the Exchange Agent's account at The Depository Trust Company ("DTC"), (ii) a properly completed and duly executed letter of transmittal or an agent's message (as defined in the Prospectus) in connection with a book-entry transfer and (iii) any other documents required by the letter of transmittal, or the tendering stockholder must comply with the guaranteed delivery procedures described in the Prospectus. No fractional shares of Limited Shares will be issued pursuant to the Offer, nor will interest be paid by The Limited or IB Holdings in any circumstances, regardless of any delay in making such exchange. Stockholders who hold IBI Shares under the Savings and Retirement Plan or the Intimate Brands Stock Purchase Plan will receive separate forms to be used to tender their IBI Shares held under these plans. The term "Expiration Date" means 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Monday, March 11, 2002, unless IB Holdings extends the period of time for which the Offer is open, in which event, the term "Expiration Date" shall mean the latest time and date at which the Offer, as so extended by IB Holdings, shall expire. IB Holdings expressly reserves the right, at any time or from time to time, in its sole discretion if any of the conditions specified in the Prospectus under the caption "Conditions of the Offer" have not been satisfied, (i) to extend the period of time during which the Offer is open by giving oral followed by written notice of such extension to the Exchange Agent and by making a public announcement of such extension no later than 9:00 a.m., New York City time, on the next business day after the previously scheduled expiration date, or (ii) to amend the Offer in any respect by making a public announcement of such amendment. Tenders of IBI Shares made pursuant to the Offer may be withdrawn at any time on or prior to the Expiration Date, and unless accepted for exchange pursuant to the Offer, may also be withdrawn at any time after April 5, 2002. To be effective, a written or facsimile transmission notice of withdrawal must be timely received by the Exchange Agent at one of its addresses set forth on the back cover page of the Prospectus and must specify the name of the person who tendered the IBI Shares to be withdrawn and the number of IBI Shares to be withdrawn precisely as they appear in the letter of transmittal. If the IBI Shares to be withdrawn have been delivered to the Exchange Agent, a signed notice of withdrawal with signatures guaranteed by an eligible institution (as defined in the Prospectus) must be submitted prior to the release of such IBI Shares (except that such signature guarantee requirement is not applicable in the case of IBI Shares tendered by an eligible institution). In addition, such notice must specify, in the case of IBI Shares tendered by delivery of certificates, the name of the registered holder (if different from that of the tendering stockholder) and the serial numbers shown on the particular certificates evidencing the IBI Shares to be withdrawn or, in the case of IBI Shares tendered by book-entry transfer, the name and number of the account at the DTC from which the IBI Shares were transferred and must otherwise comply with DTC's procedures. All questions as to the form of documents (including notices of withdrawal) and the validity, form, eligibility (including time of receipt) and acceptance for exchange of any tender of IBI Shares will be determined by IB Holdings in its sole discretion, which 2
determination shall be final and binding on all tendering stockholders. None of The Limited, IB Holdings, the Dealer Managers, the Exchange Agent, the Information Agent or any other person will be under any duty to give notification of any defect or irregularity in tenders or any notice of withdrawal or incur any liability for failure to give any such notification. The information required to be disclosed by Rule 14(d)(6) of the General Rules and Regulations under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, is contained in the Prospectus and is incorporated herein by reference. The Prospectus, the related letter of transmittal and other relevant materials are being mailed to record holders of IBI Shares and furnished to brokers, dealers, banks, trust companies and similar persons whose names, or the names of whose nominees, appear on the stockholder list of Intimate Brands or, if applicable, who are listed as participants in a clearing agency's security position listing for subsequent transmittal to beneficial owners of IBI Shares. The Prospectus, the letter of transmittal and the related materials contain important information which should be read before any decision is made with respect to the Offer. Requests for additional copies of the Prospectus, the related letter of transmittal and other Offer materials should be directed to the Information Agent, at its address and telephone number as set forth below, and copies will be furnished promptly at IB Holdings' expense. Questions and requests for assistance may be directed to the Information Agent or the Dealer Managers. The Information Agent for the Offer is: D.F. King & Co., Inc. 77 Water Street New York, New York 10005 Call Collect (212) 269-5550 or Call Toll-Free (800) 628-8532 The Dealer Managers for the Offer are: Goldman, Sachs & Co.85 Banc of America Broad StreetNew York, New Securities LLC9 West 57th York 10004 Call Collect StreetNew York, New York (212) 902-1000Call 10019 Toll-Free (800) 323-5678 Call Collect (212) 933-2223Call Toll-Free (888) 521-4492 February 5, 2002 3
EXHIBIT 99.6 NOTICE TO SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN PARTICIPANTS February 5, 2002 TO: ALL PARTICIPANTS IN THE LIMITED, INC. SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN (THE "SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN") WITH INTIMATE BRANDS, INC. COMMON STOCK CREDITED TO THEIR ACCOUNTS The Limited, Inc. ("The Limited") has announced an offer (the "Offer") by its wholly-owned subsidiary, Intimate Brands Holding Co., Inc. to exchange 1.046 shares of the common stock, par value $.50 per share, of The Limited ("Limited Common Stock") for each outstanding share of Intimate Brands, Inc. ("IBI" or "Intimate Brands") Class A common stock, par value $.01 per share ("IBI Common Stock"), that is validly tendered by the Expiration Date, as defined below, and not withdrawn or deemed withdrawn, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the enclosed Prospectus and in the related Letter of Transmittal. See "Summary" and "The Offer" in the Prospectus. Capitalized terms used herein shall have the same meanings as in the Prospectus and in the accompanying Letter from the Savings and Retirement Plan Administrative Committee. This Offer commenced on February 5, 2002, and will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Monday, March 11, 2002, unless the Offer is extended (the "Expiration Date"). You, as a Savings and Retirement Plan participant, may participate in this Offer by instructing the Trustee of the Savings and Retirement Plan (by Friday, March 8, 2002) to tender the shares of IBI Common Stock held in your account under the Savings and Retirement Plan ("Plan Shares") in exchange for shares of Limited Common Stock. YOUR DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO HAVE YOUR PLAN SHARES TENDERED WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL. Enclosed with this notice is a copy of documents describing the Offer which have been furnished to holders of IBI Common Stock, as well as a letter from the Savings and Retirement Plan Administrative Committee, a statement of Questions and Answers on Savings and Retirement Plan Tender Rights and Procedures and a Tender Instruction Form for Savings and Retirement Plan Participants. Please read these materials carefully so that you may properly make your decision regarding the Offer. 1
LETTER FROM THE SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE February 5, 2002 OFFER TO EXCHANGE 1.046 SHARES OF COMMON STOCK OF THE LIMITED, INC. FOR EACH SHARE OF CLASS A COMMON STOCK OF INTIMATE BRANDS, INC. Dear SARP Participant: We are enclosing the Prospectus dated February 5, 2002 (the "Prospectus") of The Limited, Inc. ("The Limited") and the related Letter of Transmittal (the "Letter of Transmittal"), which together constitute the offer (the "Offer") of Intimate Brands Holding Co., Inc. a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Limited ("IB Holdings"), to exchange 1.046 shares of the common stock, par value $.50 per share of The Limited ("Limited Common Stock"), for each share of Intimate Brands, Inc. ("IBI" or "Intimate Brands") Class A common stock, par value $.01 per share ("IBI Common Stock"), that is validly tendered on or before the Expiration Date (as defined below) and not properly withdrawn, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus and in the related Letter of Transmittal. See "Summary" and "The Offer" in the Prospectus. Capitalized terms used herein shall have the same meanings as in the Prospectus. Also enclosed is a brief description of how the Offer applies to shares of IBI Common Stock held in your account ("Account") under The Limited's Savings and Retirement Plan ("Savings and Retirement Plan"), questions and answers describing how the tender process works ("Q&As") and a Tender Instruction Form for instructing the trustee of the Savings and Retirement Plan ("Trustee") with respect to the tender of IBI Common Stock held in your Account. Our records indicate that you hold shares of IBI Common Stock in your Account under the Savings and Retirement Plan ("Plan Shares"). As a participant in the Savings and Retirement Plan you may elect to instruct the Trustee to "tender" (exchange) some or all of the IBI Common Stock (excluding fractional shares) allocated to your Account by following the procedures described in the attachments to this letter. PLEASE NOTE THAT, ALTHOUGH THE DEADLINE FOR THE TRUSTEE TO TENDER YOUR SHARES IS MONDAY, MARCH 11, 2002, YOU MUST SEND YOUR TENDER INSTRUCTION FORM TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE FOR RECEIPT BY 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2002. ANY INSTRUCTIONS RECEIVED AFTER 5:00 P.M., FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2002 WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. You also may instruct the Trustee to withdraw any tender you have instructed it to make under the Offer pursuant to your instructions provided you so instruct the Administrative Committee prior to the March 8, 2002 deadline. The enclosed Q&As describe the steps that you must take to withdraw a tender. THIS MATERIAL IS BEING FORWARDED TO YOU AS THE BENEFICIAL OWNER OF SHARES OF IBI COMMON STOCK HELD ON YOUR BEHALF UNDER THE SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN BUT NOT REGISTERED IN YOUR NAME. A TENDER OF SUCH SHARES OF IBI COMMON STOCK MAY ONLY BE MADE BY THE TRUSTEE OF THE SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN AS THE HOLDER OF RECORD. THE LETTER OF TRANSMITTAL IS FURNISHED TO YOU FOR YOUR INFORMATION ONLY AND CANNOT BE USED BY YOU TO TENDER SHARES OF IBI COMMON STOCK HELD IN YOUR ACCOUNT UNDER THE SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN. 2
Accordingly, we request instructions as to whether you wish the Trustee to tender any or all whole shares of IBI Common Stock held in your Account under the Savings and Retirement Plan, pursuant to the terms and conditions set forth in the Offer. Your attention is directed to the following: 1. The consideration per share of IBI Common Stock will be 1.046 shares of Limited Common Stock as described in the Prospectus. 2. The Offer is being made for all shares of IBI Common Stock. 3. The Offer is subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions, as described in the Prospectus, which you should review in detail. See "Conditions of the Offer" in the Prospectus. 4. The Offer and withdrawal rights will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on March 11, 2002 (the "Expiration Date"), unless the Offer is extended. 5. Tendering stockholders will not be obligated to pay brokerage fees or commissions or, except as otherwise provided in Instruction 6 of the Letter of Transmittal, stock transfer taxes with respect to the exchange of shares in the Offer. The Offer is made solely by the Prospectus and the related Letter of Transmittal and is being made to all Intimate Brands stockholders. IB Holdings is not aware of any jurisdiction where the making of the Offer or the acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with applicable law. If IB Holdings becomes aware of any jurisdiction where the making of the Offer or acceptance thereof would not be in compliance with any valid applicable law, IB Holdings will make a good faith effort to comply with such law. If, after such good faith effort, IB Holdings cannot comply with such law, the Offer will not be made to, nor will tenders be accepted from or on behalf of, Intimate Brands stockholders in any such jurisdiction. IF YOU WISH TO AUTHORIZE THE TENDER OF SHARES OF IBI COMMON STOCK HELD IN YOUR ACCOUNT IN THE SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN, PLEASE COMPLETE THE TENDER INSTRUCTION FORM, INDICATING THE NUMBER OF SHARES TENDERED, AND RETURN THE SIGNED FORM TO US IN THE ENVELOPE PROVIDED. IF YOU DO NOT INDICATE A SPECIFIC NUMBER OF SHARES, OR IF YOU INSTRUCT THE TRUSTEE TO TENDER MORE SHARES THAN YOU HAVE IN YOUR ACCOUNT, ALL WHOLE SHARES IN YOUR ACCOUNT WILL BE TENDERED. IF YOU FAIL TO COMPLETE AND SIGN THE TENDER INSTRUCTION FORM, YOUR INSTRUCTION WILL BE INVALID AND NO SHARES IN YOUR ACCOUNT WILL BE TENDERED. PLEASE FORWARD YOUR INSTRUCTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE BY 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2002 TO PERMIT THE TRUSTEE TO SUBMIT A TENDER ON YOUR BEHALF PRIOR TO THE EXPIRATION DATE. Before making a decision, you should read carefully the materials in the enclosed Prospectus, the Notice to Savings and Retirement Plan Participants and the Tender Instruction Form. If you take no action, no shares in your Account will be tendered by the Trustee. The Administrative Committee and the Trustee will treat confidentially your decision whether or not to tender these shares. If you direct the Trustee to tender shares of IBI Common Stock and such shares are exchanged for shares of Limited Common Stock, such shares of Limited Common Stock will be transferred to the Limited Common Stock Fund under the Savings and Retirement Plan. PLEASE NOTE THAT TO THE EXTENT SUCH SHARES OF LIMITED COMMON STOCK ARE NOT RETAINED BY YOU AS AN INVESTMENT UNDER THE SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN, YOU MAY NOT QUALIFY FOR CERTAIN FAVORABLE TAX TREATMENT UPON SUBSEQUENT DISTRIBUTIONS TO YOU FROM THE SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN. SEE "CERTAIN TAX INFORMATION" FOLLOWING THE ATTACHED Q&As ON THE SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN. 3
Until the day before the Expiration Date (and thereafter for so long as legal restrictions apply), you will be able to continue to transfer your Account balance into and out of IBI Common Stock. However, such transfer may only be made via telephone; the Savings and Retirement Plan's website may not be used for such transfers during the Offer period. During the period beginning with the day before the Expiration Date and ending with the day following the Expiration Date, transfers into and out of IBI Common Stock will not be permitted. This period may be extended if necessary; however, it is not anticipated that any such extension will exceed two business days. Distributions involving the IBI Common Stock Fund will also not be permitted during this period. Shares of IBI Common Stock purchased after February 1, 2002, but before the Expiration Date with your elective contributions and employer contributions, will be tendered in the Offer only if you instruct the Trustee to tender all the shares you have in your account (or fail to indicate a specific number of shares on an otherwise complete and valid tender instruction form). If the Offer is successful, any shares not validly tendered as part of the Offer will be exchanged for shares of Limited Common Stock pursuant to a merger of IBI and IB Holdings, unless such a merger is not lawful (See Q&A 6). The Trustee will accumulate any of your elective contributions and employer contributions that cannot be invested in IBI Common Stock on or after the Expiration Date and will invest these amounts in the Limited Common Stock Fund. IF YOU ELECT TO INSTRUCT THE TRUSTEE TO TENDER IBI COMMON STOCK HELD IN YOUR ACCOUNT, THE ENCLOSED YELLOW TENDER INSTRUCTION FORM MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE BY FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2002. PLEASE USE THE ENCLOSED REPLY ENVELOPE TO RETURN YOUR TENDER INSTRUCTION FORM. TENDER INSTRUCTION FORMS RECEIVED AFTER MARCH 8, 2002 WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. YOU MUST COMPLETE AND SIGN YOUR TENDER INSTRUCTION FORM. IF YOU DO NOT SIGN THE FORM, YOUR DIRECTIONS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED AND THE TENDER INSTRUCTION FORM, AS WELL AS YOUR DIRECTIONS, WILL BE VOID. IF YOU DO NOT WISH TO TENDER YOUR PLAN SHARES, TAKE NO ACTION. 4
QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS ON SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN TENDER RIGHTS AND PROCEDURES A. DESCRIPTION OF THE OFFER 1. WHICH DOCUMENTS DID I RECEIVE AND WHAT IS THEIR PURPOSE? You received the following materials in this mailing: -- Prospectus. This document (WHITE, bound document) describes the Offer. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY. Capitalized terms herein have the same meanings as in the Prospectus. -- Letter of Transmittal. This document (BLUE document) is part of the Offer and therefore is being provided to you. However, it does not apply to, or provide detailed instructions for, tendering shares of IBI Common Stock held in the Savings and Retirement Plan ("Plan Shares"). Do NOT use it to tender Plan Shares. If you hold shares of IBI Common Stock outside of the Savings and Retirement Plan or the Stock Purchase Plan, please refer to the Letter of Transmittal for instructions on how to tender those shares. -- Letter from the Savings and Retirement Plan Administrative Committee (the "SARP Committee Letter"). This transmits information about the Savings and Retirement Plan and the Offer. -- Notice to Savings and Retirement Plan Participants which includes Q&As on Savings and Retirement Plan Tender Rights and Procedures (which you are reading). -- Tender Instruction Form. (YELLOW form) YOU MUST COMPLETE, SIGN AND MAIL THIS DOCUMENT TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE IN THE ENCLOSED ENVELOPE IF YOU WISH TO DIRECT THE TRUSTEE TO TENDER YOUR PLAN SHARES. THIS DOCUMENT IS POSTED WITH YOUR NAME AND SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER. USE IT IF YOU WISH TO DIRECT A TENDER OF YOUR SHARES. -- Reply Envelope. A preaddressed envelope for your reply. 2. WHAT IS THE OFFER? On February 5, 2002, Intimate Brands Holding Co., Inc. ("IB Holdings"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Limited, offered to exchange 1.046 shares of Limited Common Stock for each share of IBI Common Stock that is validly tendered by the Expiration Date and not withdrawn or deemed withdrawn, upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus and in the related Letter of Transmittal. This Offer will be open from February 5, 2002 until it expires at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Monday, March 11, 2002, unless extended (the "Expiration Date"). Savings and Retirement Plan participants who hold Plan Shares may provide for the tender of Plan Shares pursuant to this Offer by so indicating on the enclosed Tender Instruction Form and returning it as directed by 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Friday, March 8, 2002. The Offer is fully described in the Prospectus provided to you. PLEASE READ IT CAREFULLY. 3. HOW DO I DECIDE WHETHER TO PARTICIPATE IN THE OFFER? Whether you should participate in the Offer depends on many factors. You should consider, among other things, your view of the relative values of a single share of Limited Common Stock and a single share of IBI Common Stock. In addition, you should consider all of the factors described under "Risk Factors" in the Prospectus. You must make your own decision after reading the documents provided to you and consulting with your advisors based on your own financial position and requirements. 5
4. HOW MANY PLAN SHARES MAY I TENDER AND HOW DO I LEARN THAT NUMBER? The number of whole shares of IBI Common Stock that you held under the Savings and Retirement Plan as of February 1, 2002 is set forth on the Tender Instruction Form. You may tender all or any number of such whole Plan Shares. Fractional shares may not be tendered. 5. WHAT IF I HAVE IBI SHARES IN MY SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN ACCOUNT AND ALSO HOLD IBI SHARES OUTSIDE OF THE SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN? If you have shares of IBI Common Stock in the Savings and Retirement Plan and have other shares of IBI Common Stock in your possession (or at a brokerage firm) or held in the Stock Purchase Plan, you will receive two or more sets of Offer materials. You should be careful to follow the directions that apply to each kind of shares. 6. WHAT WILL HAPPEN IF I DO NOT TENDER MY PLAN SHARES? If the Offer is completed, The Limited will effect a merger of IBI and IB Holdings, unless it is not lawful to do so. If you have not instructed the Trustee to tender your shares of IBI Common Stock, or if you withdraw your shares from tender, your shares will be exchanged in the merger for the same consideration per share that you would have received if you had instructed the Trustee to tender your shares in the Offer, unless you properly perfect your appraisal rights under Delaware law. Any shares purchased by the Trustee for your Plan Account after February 1, 2002 which are not validly tendered (See Question 20), will also be exchanged for shares of Limited Common Stock pursuant to the merger. 7. WHAT HAPPENS IF I INSTRUCT THE TRUSTEE TO TENDER MORE IBI SHARES THAN ARE IN MY ACCOUNT? All of the whole Plan Shares in your Account will be tendered by the Trustee on your behalf. 8. WHEN DOES THE OFFER EXPIRE? Although the Offer and withdrawal rights will expire at 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Monday, March 11, 2002 unless extended (the "Expiration Date"), your instructions must be received by the Savings and Retirement Plan Administrative Committee by Friday, March 8, 2002, unless extended, in order to participate in the Offer. This is to enable the Trustee to compile records for Plan Shares tendered for the entire Savings and Retirement Plan and make the tender by the Expiration Date. 9. WHEN WILL TENDERING STOCKHOLDERS KNOW THE OUTCOME OF THE OFFER? Preliminary results of the Offer will be announced by press release promptly after the expiration of the Offer. 10. ARE THERE ANY CONDITIONS TO IBI HOLDING'S OBLIGATION TO COMPLETE THE OFFER? Yes, IBI Holdings' obligation to complete the Offer is subject to the conditions outlined in the Prospectus. 11. WHAT ARE MY RIGHTS UNDER THE OFFER? The records of the Savings and Retirement Plan indicate that shares of IBI Common Stock are allocated to your Account. You may tender some or all of these Plan Shares. Because all of these Shares are held in trust for your benefit, they are registered in the name of the Trust. So, the Trust will actually tender Plan Shares as you instruct the Trustee. You must direct the Trustee if you want to tender your Plan Shares. The Trustee will tender your Plan Shares only if directed. If you do not direct the Trustee to tender, your Plan Shares will remain in your Account, subject to exchange in the merger. Only whole shares can be tendered. Fractional shares will not be tendered. 12. HOW DO I DIRECT THE PLAN TRUSTEE? The only way that you can tender your Plan Shares is by completing the Tender Instruction Form as described, signing and returning it to the Administrative Committee for the Savings and Retirement Plan, ATTN: Trust Imaging, American Express Trust Company, 50765 AXP Financial Center, P.O. Box 59009, Minneapolis, MN 55459-9874, which will process your 6
instructions (overnight mail/courier address: American Express Trust Company, Attn: Trust Imaging, 50765 AXP Financial Center, Minneapolis, MN 55474). The address is on the return envelope you should use to return the Tender Instruction form. THE TENDER INSTRUCTION FORM MUST BE RECEIVED BY THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE BEFORE 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, ON MARCH 8, 2002. YOU MUST SIGN AND COMPLETE THE FORM FOR YOUR DIRECTION TO BE VALID. TO PROPERLY DIRECT THE TRUSTEE TO TENDER PLAN SHARES ON YOUR BEHALF YOU MUST: -- INSTRUCTIONS. Read carefully and follow exactly the instructions in the SARP Committee Letter and the Tender Instruction Form. These will tell you how to direct the Plan Trustee regarding your Plan Shares. -- FORM. Complete the enclosed YELLOW Tender Instruction Form. -- SHARES. Designate on the Tender Instruction Form the number of whole Plan Shares you wish to be tendered. No fractional shares will be tendered. -- SIGNATURE. You must sign the Tender Instruction Form to complete your instruction. Unless you sign the Tender Instruction Form, your direction cannot be honored and the Tender Instruction Form will be void. -- MAILING. A preaddressed return envelope has been enclosed with your Offer materials. Use this envelope to return your completed Tender Instruction Form if you wish to have the Trustee tender your Plan Shares. Please be precise in providing your instruction and please act PROMPTLY. 13. HOW DO I SEND INSTRUCTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE? Please return your instructions PROMPTLY, recognizing the slow delivery time inherent in the U.S. mail today. You may mail your Tender Instruction Form to the Administrative Committee for the Savings and Retirement Plan, ATTN: Trust Imaging, American Express Trust Company, 50765 AXP Financial Center, P.O. Box 59009, Minneapolis, MN 55459-9874 in the preaddressed reply envelope that has been provided for your reply or send it by an alternate faster means (such as overnight courier) (overnight mail/courier address: American Express Trust Company, Attn: Trust Imaging, 50765 AXP Financial Center, Minneapolis, MN 55474) You may NOT fax your instructions. DO NOT DELIVER YOUR INSTRUCTIONS TO YOUR HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT OR TO YOUR BENEFITS ADMINISTRATOR. 14. MUST I PROVIDE DIRECTIONS TO THE ADMINISTRATIVE COMMITTEE? You must respond IF you wish the Trustee to tender your Plan Shares. Do not respond if you do not wish to tender your Plan Shares. 15. WHO WILL KNOW WHETHER I TENDERED MY PLAN SHARES? Your directions to the Trustee are CONFIDENTIAL. Individual instructions will only be disclosed to the Plan recordkeeper as necessary to complete the tender. 16. CAN I CHANGE MY MIND AND WITHDRAW MY PLAN SHARES THAT I DIRECTED TO BE TENDERED? Yes, but only if you perform the following steps: . You must send a written and signed notice of withdrawal to the Administrative Committee for the Savings and Retirement Plan, ATTN: Trust Imaging, American Express Trust Company, 50765 AXP Financial Center, P.O. Box 59009, Minneapolis, MN 55459-9874. 7
. The notice of withdrawal must state your name, social security number, the number of Plan Shares that you wish to withdraw from the Offer and that you are withdrawing Plan Shares that you previously instructed the Trustee to tender on your behalf. . The notice of withdrawal must be received by the Administrative Committee before 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on Friday, March 8, 2002. 17. CAN I RE-TENDER MY PLAN SHARES? Yes. If you wish to re-tender your Plan Shares you must complete another Tender Instruction Form and return it to the Administrative Committee for receipt by 5:00 p.m., New York City time, Friday, March 8, 2002. You may obtain another copy by calling (800) 525-SARP (7277). 18. WHO SHOULD I CALL IF I HAVE QUESTIONS ON THE OFFER? For general Offer-related questions please call D.F. KING at (800) 628-8532. For Savings and Retirement Plan-related questions, please call (800) 525-SARP (7277). 19. HOW CAN I OBTAIN COPIES OF ADDITIONAL SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN-RELATED DOCUMENTS? You may request additional copies of the Tender Instruction Form, Notice to Savings and Retirement Plan Participants, Letter from the Savings and Retirement Plan Administrative Committee and Prospectus by phone at (800) 525-SARP (7277) or by mail to the Administrative Committee for the Savings and Retirement Plan, ATTN: Trust Imaging, American Express Trust Company, 50765 AXP Financial Center, P.O. Box 59009, Minneapolis, MN 55459-9874 (overnight mail/courier address: American Express Trust Company, Attn: Trust Imaging, 50765 AXP Financial Center, Minneapolis, MN 55474). Your request must include your name, address and/or fax number, and the name of the document(s) you are requesting. B. OPERATION OF THE SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN DURING THE OFFER PERIOD 20. WHAT HAPPENS TO CONTRIBUTIONS THAT ARE INVESTED IN IBI COMMON STOCK AFTER FEBRUARY 1, 2002? Contributions that you have elected to be invested in IBI Common Stock that are received by the Trustee after February 1, 2002 and prior to the Expiration Date will continue to be invested in shares of IBI Common Stock. These shares will be tendered in the Offer only if you instruct the Trustee to tender all your shares you have in your Account (or fail to indicate a specific number of shares on an otherwise complete and valid tender instruction form). As explained in Question 6, any shares not tendered will be exchanged for Limited Common Stock pursuant to the merger. Employer and participant contributions made to the Savings and Retirement Plan, and dividends and other funds which are normally allocated to acquire shares of IBI Common Stock, which are received by the Trustee on or after the Expiration Date, will be invested in the Limited Common Stock Fund. 21. WHAT HAPPENS IF I REQUEST A DISTRIBUTION, WITHDRAWAL OR INVESTMENT FUND TRANSFER FOLLOWING THE ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE OFFER DURING THE OFFER PERIOD? Distributions, withdrawals or investment fund transfers from the Savings and Retirement Plan may be made during the Offer period; however, any such transaction may cause the participant to lose the premium which is being offered by The Limited pursuant to the Offer and merger. There will be a short period beginning with the day prior to the Expiration Date and ending with the day following the Expiration Date during which restrictions on transactions involving IBI Common Stock will be imposed by the Plan Administrative Committee so that the Trustee can accurately determine the number of shares of IBI Common Stock to be tendered by the Trustee in the Offer. 22. WHEN MAY I REQUEST A CHANGE IN MY INVESTMENT ELECTIONS? You may change your investment election for future contributions at any time. SECTION 16 INSIDERS WHO HAVE TRANSFERRED AMOUNTS IN THEIR ACCOUNT INTO THE IBI STOCK FUND ACCOUNT FROM 8
OTHER INVESTMENT FUNDS UNDER THE SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN, OR HAVE TRANSFERRED AMOUNTS IN THEIR ACCOUNT OUT OF THE LIMITED COMMON STOCK FUND INTO OTHER INVESTMENT FUNDS, DURING THE SIX-MONTH PERIOD ENDING ON THE DATE OF THEIR ELECTION TO TENDER SHOULD BE AWARE THAT THE TENDER OF THEIR PLAN SHARES IN THE OFFER, AND THE RECEIPT OF LIMITED COMMON STOCK IN THE OFFER, MAY NOT BE EXEMPT FROM THE SHORT-SWING PROFIT RECOVERY PROVISIONS OF SECTION 16(b) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934, AS AMENDED. IN ANY EVENT, SECTION 16 INSIDERS WHO WISH TO PARTICIPATE IN THE OFFER SHOULD CONSULT WITH COUNSEL. 23. WILL I BE TAXED ON ANY PROCEEDS RECEIVED BY THE SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN IN 2002 FROM THE PLAN SHARES THAT ARE TENDERED UNDER THE SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN? No. Because tender proceeds received from Plan Shares will be received by and held in the Savings and Retirement Plan, they will not be subject to current income taxes. C. REINVESTMENT OF OFFER PROCEEDS 24. HOW WILL THE SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN INVEST THE SHARES OF LIMITED COMMON STOCK RECEIVED UPON EXCHANGE OF THE PLAN SHARES THAT ARE TENDERED? Shares of Limited Common Stock received from this Offer will be transferred by the Trustee into the Limited Common Stock Fund under the Savings and Retirement Plan. You may reallocate amounts invested in the Limited Common Stock Fund under the Savings and Retirement Plan to other investment funds, subject to the possible tax consequences noted below. D. CERTAIN TAX INFORMATION You should be aware that the disposition of any shares of Limited Common Stock received pursuant to the exchange of Plan Shares in the Offer may, in certain circumstances, result in certain tax consequences upon the ultimate distributions of your Account. Special tax rules apply to certain distributions from the Savings and Retirement Plan that consist, in whole or in part, of shares of IBI Common Stock. Generally, taxation of net unrealized appreciation ("NUA"), an amount equal to the excess of the value of such shares at distribution over the cost or other basis of such shares (which will vary depending on whether the distribution qualifies for lump sum treatment) will be deferred until the shares are sold following distribution. Moreover, if prior to a distribution, shares of IBI Common Stock are exchanged for shares of Limited Common Stock in a tax-free exchange, as would be the case in the Offer, the cost or other basis of such newly acquired shares of Limited Common Stock for NUA purposes will be the cost or other basis of the tendered shares of IBI Common Stock. If shares of Limited Common Stock received pursuant to the Offer are disposed of within the Savings and Retirement Plan, the opportunity to retain for NUA purposes the cost or other basis of the Plan Shares tendered, and the tax-deferral treatment of the NUA calculated in reference to such basis, may be lost. The foregoing is only a brief summary of complicated provisions of the Internal Revenue Code. You are strongly urged to consult with your tax advisor as to the issues described above. 9
The Limited, Inc. Savings and Retirement Plan TENDER INSTRUCTION FORM ------------------------------------------------------------- AERS Routing: Route to Jenna Kelly (N8/921) prior to imaging. ------------------------------------------------------------- (less than)Participant Name(greater than) (less than)Participant Street address(greater than) (less than)Participant City, State, Zip(greater than) SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN ACCOUNT - ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Number of Whole IBI Shares held in Name of Savings and Retirement Plan Participant Participant's Account - --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- (Participant Name) (whole shares) - -------------------------------------------------------------- (less than)Participant's Social Security Number(greater than) [_] I hereby elect to tender ALL whole IBI shares held in my Savings and Retirement Plan Account on the Expiration Date of the Offer. OR [_] I hereby elect to tender whole IBI shares held in my Savings and Retirement Plan Account. I have read and understand the Prospectus, the SARP Administrative Committee Letter and the Notice, and all attachments thereto, and I agree to be bound by the terms of the Offer. I hereby direct the Trustee to tender these shares of IBI Common Stock on my behalf and transfer any shares received in exchange therefor to the Limited, Inc. Common Stock Fund. I understand and declare that if the tender of my shares of IBI Common Stock is accepted, the payment therefor will be full and adequate compensation for these shares of IBI Common Stock in my judgment, notwithstanding any potential fluctuation in the price of such shares between the last day I can withdraw my tender and the date the Trustee exchanges such shares. ------------------------- ------------------------- DATE SIGNATURE OF PARTICIPANT Home Telephone:________ (Section 16b flag) Work Telephone:________ NOTE: THIS TENDER INSTRUCTION FORM MUST BE COMPLETED AND SIGNED IF SHARES OF IBI COMMON STOCK HELD IN THE SAVINGS AND RETIREMENT PLAN ARE TO BE TENDERED. IF THE FORM IS NOT COMPLETED AND SIGNED, THE DIRECTIONS INDICATED WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. PLEASE RETURN THIS TENDER INSTRUCTION FORM TO THE FOLLOWING ADDRESS: ATTN: TRUST IMAGING, AMERICAN EXPRESS TRUST COMPANY, 50765 AXP FINANCIAL CENTER, PO BOX 59009, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55459-9874 (OVERNIGHT MAIL/COURIER ADDRESS: AMERICAN EXPRESS TRUST COMPANY, ATTN: TRUST IMAGING, 50765 AXP FINANCIAL CENTER, MINNEAPOLIS, MN 55474). PLEASE USE THE PREADDRESSED REPLY ENVELOPE PROVIDED WITH YOUR TENDER MATERIALS. YOUR INSTRUCTION FORM MUST BE RECEIVED BY 5:00 P.M., NEW YORK CITY TIME, FRIDAY, MARCH 8, 2002. YOUR DECISION WHETHER OR NOT TO HAVE YOUR PLAN SHARES TENDERED WILL BE KEPT CONFIDENTIAL. 10
EXHIBIT 99.7 [COMPUTERSHARE LETTERHEAD] NOTICE TO STOCK PURCHASE PLAN PARTICIPANTS February 5, 2002 [NAME/ADDRESS] Our records indicate that as of February 1, 2002, you hold whole shares of Intimate Brands, Inc. Class A common stock under the Intimate Brands Inc. Stock Purchase Plan (the "Plan"). Enclosed for your consideration is the Prospectus dated February 5, 2002 (the "Prospectus") of The Limited, Inc., a Delaware corporation ("The Limited"), which describes the offer of Intimate Brands Holding Co., Inc. ("IB Holdings"), a wholly-owned subsidiary of The Limited, to stockholders of Intimate Brands, Inc. ("IBI") (the "Offer") to exchange 1.046 shares of The Limited's Common Stock, par value $0.50 per share ("Limited Common Stock") for each share of IBI common stock, par value $.01 per share ("IBI Common Stock"), that is validly tendered and not withdrawn (or deemed withdrawn) by the Expiration Date (as defined in the last paragraph of this Notice), upon the terms and subject to the conditions set forth in the Prospectus. See "Summary" and "The Offer" in the Prospectus. If you wish to exchange all or any number of your whole shares of IBI Common Stock in your Stock Purchase Plan account pursuant to the Offer, you must instruct Computershare Trust Company, Inc. ("Computershare") to tender your shares by contacting a Customer Service Representative at one of our toll-free Client Services numbers 800-389-1150 (U.S. Residents) or 312-360-5427 (Overseas Residents) by 3:30 p.m. (New York City time), on the Expiration Date. Our representatives are available Monday through Friday 8:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m., New York City time. Shares of Limited Common Stock received in exchange for any shares of IBI Common Stock tendered and accepted for exchange by IB Holdings will be held in your Plan account. If at any time you have instructed Computershare to tender your shares, you may thereafter instruct Computershare to withdraw them from tender. To do so, you must contact a Customer Service Representative as explained above. In the event that you choose to withdraw your shares from tender, we must receive withdrawal instructions by 3:30 p.m. New York City time, on the Expiration Date. THE PLAN WEBSITE MAY NOT BE USED TO GIVE TENDER OR WITHDRAWAL INSTRUCTIONS. Please note that Computershare will tender the specific number of whole shares that you instruct us to tender, up to all of the whole shares in your account as of February 1, 2002. Fractional shares in your account may not be tendered pursuant to the Offer. If your Plan account acquires additional shares of IBI Common Stock after such date, these shares cannot be tendered. Any shares not tendered will be exchanged for shares of Limited Common Stock pursuant to the merger described below. In the event that you instruct Computershare to tender your IBI Common Stock, your shares will be frozen to prohibit you from transferring the stock that has been tendered or from taking a distribution from your account. You may have your account unfrozen at any time by withdrawing your shares from tender as described above. If the Offer is completed, The Limited will effect a merger of IBI and IB Holdings, unless it is not lawful to do so. If you have not tendered all of your shares of IBI Common Stock under the Plan, or if you withdraw your shares from the Offer, your untendered shares will be exchanged in the merger for the same consideration per share that you would have received if you had instructed Computershare to tender your shares in the Offer, unless you properly perfect your appraisal rights under Delaware law. See "The Offer -- Purpose of the Offer; The Merger; Appraisal Rights" in the Prospectus. 1
If Plan deductions withheld from your paycheck prior to the Expiration Date cannot be invested in shares of IBI Common Stock, your deductions will be used instead to buy shares of Limited Common Stock under the Plan. IF YOU DO NOT WANT SUCH PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS INVESTED IN SHARES OF LIMITED COMMON STOCK, YOU MUST NOTIFY THE LIMITED, BY FAXING A COMPLETED PERSONNEL ACTION FORM (PAF) TO (614) 577-6391, NO LATER THAN FEBRUARY 15, 2002, THAT YOU WISH TO CEASE MAKING CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE PLAN. IF YOU SO NOTIFY THE LIMITED, YOUR SUBSEQUENT PAYROLL DEDUCTIONS WILL BE RETURNED TO YOU WITHOUT INTEREST. The Offer is subject to certain conditions, per the enclosed Prospectus. The shares are to be exchanged without any brokerage fees or commissions. THE PROSPECTUS IS BEING FORWARDED TO YOU AS THE BENEFICIAL OWNER OF WHOLE SHARES OF IBI COMMON STOCK HELD AS OF FEBRUARY 1, 2002 ON YOUR BEHALF UNDER THE PLAN, BUT NOT REGISTERED IN YOUR NAME. A TENDER OF SUCH SHARES OF IBI COMMON STOCK MAY ONLY BE MADE BY COMPUTERSHARE AS THE HOLDER OF RECORD AND PURSUANT TO YOUR INSTRUCTIONS. Before making a decision, you should read the enclosed Prospectus carefully. If you take no action, the shares of IBI Common Stock in your account will not be tendered by Computershare. The above offer and withdrawal rights will expire at 5:00 p.m. (New York City time) on Monday, March 11, 2002, unless extended (the "Expiration Date"). However, you must contact a Customer Service Representative at one of the above toll-free numbers by 3:30 p.m. on the Expiration Date if you wish to tender all or any number of your whole shares of IBI Common Stock, or if you wish to withdraw your tender. Sincerely Computershare Trust Company, Inc. 2
EXHIBIT 99.8 NOTICE TO HOLDERS OF IBI STOCK OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED SHARE AWARDS February 5, 2002 TO: ALL HOLDERS OF IBI STOCK OPTIONS AND RESTRICTED SHARE AWARDS As you know, The Limited has announced an offer by one of its subsidiaries to exchange 1.046 shares of The Limited's common stock for each outstanding share of Intimate Brands Class A common stock. If the offer is completed, Intimate Brands will shortly thereafter merge with a subsidiary of The Limited. If you own shares of IBI Common Stock, you will receive separate materials describing the offer. In connection with The Limited's goal of combining The Limited and IBI into a single company, outstanding IBI options and shares of restricted stock will be equitably converted into Limited stock options and shares of restricted stock on the basis of the exchange ratio extended to public stockholders in the offer (1.046) to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights under the respective awards. This conversion will occur in connection with the merger. IBI Stock Options. . Outstanding options to purchase shares of IBI common stock will be equitably converted into options to purchase shares of The Limited's common stock. . The exercise prices and the number of shares subject to such options will be adjusted, based on the exchange ratio extended to public stockholders in the offer and the merger. The accounting rules require that any rounding in the number of whole options held after the conversion be such that an option holder is not better off after the conversion than before the conversion. Thus, in-the-money IBI options will be converted to Limited options by rounding any fractional option down to the next whole number. The Limited expects to make cash payments to holders of such options in respect of such rounding. Underwater IBI options will be converted to Limited options by rounding up to the next whole number. . All other terms and conditions of such converted options, such as vesting and expiration, will be unchanged. . The following example illustrates how IBI options will be converted into Limited options: Example #1 Example # 2 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- # of existing IBI options 100 100 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Exercise price of existing IBI options $14.00 $25.00 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Exchange ratio 1.046 1.046 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- # of converted Limited options 100 X 1.046 = 104 100 X 1.046= 105 ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- Exercise price of converted Limited options $14.00/1.046= $13.3843 $25.00/1.046= $23.9006
You may exercise any vested IBI options at any time prior to February 15, 2002. Exercises after that date will be frozen to facilitate administrative changes. The IBI shares received upon the option exercise may be tendered as part of the offer. If you do not tender IBI shares received either upon such an exercise or otherwise, if the offer is completed the IBI shares would be converted to Limited shares in the anticipated merger at the exchange ratio used in the offer and merger. Restricted IBI Share Awards. . Outstanding awards of restricted shares of IBI common stock will be equitably converted into restricted shares of Limited common stock. . The number of shares subject to such awards will be equitably adjusted, based on the exchange ratio extended to public stockholders in the offer and the merger. The accounting rules require that any fractional number of converted shares of restricted stock be rounded down to the next whole number of shares, so that you are not better off after the conversion than before the conversion. The Limited expects to make cash payments to holders of such awards in respect of such rounding. . The following example illustrates how IBI restricted shares will be converted: # of shares of IBI restricted stock 100 ---------------------------------------------------- Conversion ratio for number of shares of restricted stock 1.046 ---------------------------------------------------- # of converted shares of Limited restricted stock 100 X 1.046 = 104 If you have any questions about your IBI stock options or restricted share awards, please call 1-800-216-1606. 2