Employment Non-Compete, Non-Solicit and Confidentiality Agreement, dated as of April 6, 2021, between Citi Trends, Inc. and Jessica G. Berkowitz
Exhibit 10.2
EMPLOYMENT NON-COMPETE, NON-SOLICIT AND CONFIDENTIALITY AGREEMENT
This EMPLOYMENT NON-COMPETE, NON-SOLICIT AND CONFIDENTIALITY
AGREEMENT (“Agreement”) is entered into between Citi Trends, Inc., including its subsidiaries, affiliates, divisions, successors, and related entities (“Company”), and Jessica Berkowitz (“Employee”), as of the date signed by Employee below, to be effective as of April 2, 2021 (the “Effective Date”).
This Agreement is intended to and shall supersede and replace that certain Employment Non-Compete, Non-Solicit and Confidentiality Agreement between the Company and Employee dated as of March 30, 2021 (the “Prior Confidentiality Agreement”).
For and in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements contained herein, including, but not limited to, Company agreeing to employ and/or continuing to employ Employee, and other good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which are hereby acknowledged, the parties agree:
3. | Confidentiality. |
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suppliers, plans for expansion and placement of stores, and also specific information about Company’s districts and stores, such as staffing, budgets, profits and the financial success of individual districts and stores, which Company has developed and will continue to develop and the disclosure or use of which would cause Company great and irreparable harm.
(2) use or reproduce Confidential Information or Trade Secrets for personal benefit or for any purpose or reason other than furthering the legitimate business interest of Company within the scope of Employee’s duties with Company; or (3) remove or transfer any Confidential Information or Trade Secrets from Company’s premises or systems (by any method or means) except for use in Company’s business and consistent with Employee’s duties with the Company. The foregoing covenants and obligations are in addition to, and do not limit, any common law or statutory rights and/or protections afforded to Company.
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Employee acknowledges and agrees that the restrictions contained in this Agreement are necessary and reasonable to protect Company’s legitimate business interests in its Trade Secrets, valuable Confidential Information and relationships and goodwill with its employees, customers, and “Merchandising Vendors.” Employee further acknowledges that Employee’s skills, education and training qualify Employee to work and obtain employment which does not violate this Agreement and that the restrictions in this Agreement have been crafted as narrowly as reasonably possible to protect Company’s legitimate business interests in its Trade Secrets, valuable Confidential Information and relationships and goodwill with its employees, customers, and “Merchandising Vendors.”
In light of the foregoing, Employee agrees that he/she will not, at any point during his/her employment with Company, work for or engage or participate in any business, enterprise, or endeavor that in any way competes with any aspect of Company’s business or that otherwise conflicts with Company’s interests. In addition, for a period of one (1) year following the Separation Date, and regardless of the reason for separation, Employee shall not, within any geographic area in which Company does business at any time during Employee’s employment with Company: (a) become employed by or work for a “Competitor” (as defined below) in any position or capacity involving duties and/or responsibilities which are the same as or substantially similar to any of the duties and/or responsibilities Employee had with and/or performed for Company; or (b) perform or provide any services which are the same as or substantially similar to any of the services which Employee performed or provided for the Company, for or on behalf of any Competitor. For purposes of this Section 4, the term “Competitor” shall mean only the following businesses, commonly known as: Cato, TJX (including without limitation TJMAXX and Marshalls), Burlington Stores, Gabe’s/Rugged Wearhouse, and Ross Stores.
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Employee specifically acknowledges and agrees that, as Senior Vice President, Planning and Allocation, his/her duties include, without limitation, establishing purchasing and pricing strategies and policies, managing sales margins, involvement in establishing and maintaining vendor relationships, and having contact with and confidential and/or proprietary information regarding Merchandise Vendors.
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12. | Acknowledgment of Reasonableness/Remedies/Enforcement. |
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agreements or certain restricted stock award and stock option agreements, which are to remain in full force and effect. This Agreement may not be amended or modified in any manner except by an instrument in writing signed by both Company and Employee. The failure of either party to enforce at any time any of the provisions of this Agreement shall in no way be construed to be a waiver of any such provision or the right of such party thereafter to enforce each and every such provision. No waiver of any breach of this Agreement shall be held to be a waiver of any other or subsequent breach. All remedies are cumulative, including the right of either party to seek equitable relief in addition to money damages.
EMPLOYEE ACKNOWLEDGES AND AGREES THAT HE/SHE HAS CAREFULLY READ THIS AGREEMENT AND KNOWS AND UNDERSTANDS ITS CONTENTS, THAT HE/SHE ENTERS INTO THIS AGREEMENT KNOWINGLY AND VOLUNTARILY, AND THAT HE/SHE INDICATES HIS/HER CONSENT BY SIGNING THIS FINAL PAGE.
(SIGNATURES TO FOLLOW ON NEXT PAGE)
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IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties hereto have executed this Agreement under seal as of the day and year set forth below.
Citi Trends, Inc.
By: /s/ David N. Makuen David N. Makuen
Chief Executive Officer
Date: 4/6/21
/s/ Jessica Berkowitz
Employee Signature
Date: 4/6/21 Employee Residence Address:
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