prospectus for - Pumpkin Patch investor relations

Pumpkin Patch... our peoplePumpkin Patch employs approximately 1,700 people (34% in New Zealand, 59% inAustralia and 7% in the United Kingdom). Approximately 68% of Pumpkin Patch’s staffwork part time. When hiring staff Pumpkin Patch endeavours to identify people whoshare its vision and who are passionate about kidswear and committed to meeting,and exceeding, customers’ expectations of excellent service.One of Pumpkin Patch’s core philosophies is integrity – within the Pumpkin Patch team,with suppliers, and towards customers. This integrity is intended to create a platformof trust and commitment, and a foundation for all of Pumpkin Patch’s businessrelationships.Pumpkin Patch believes family life and strong family values are integral to the wellbeingof our people and therefore the Company. Family-friendly work policies encourageflexibility, adaptability and balance. People are rewarded for loyalty and long service,and families with young children are supported with in-house crèche facilities orchildcare subsidies.Pumpkin Patch recognises that employee retention and succession planning are vitalto a successful organisation. As such the Company has always ensured that keyemployees have been rewarded with equity interests in the Company, and theCompany has established a number of employee share schemes which have allowedemployees to share in our success. The share schemes are being restructured prior tothe listing of the Company and details of the restructuring are set out on page 84.In addition to these current schemes, the Directors of Pumpkin Patch agree with thephilosophy of rewarding employees with equity interests in the Company and haveestablished two new schemes to allow employees to share in the success of theCompany. One of these schemes is the DF7 Scheme, which will give all permanentemployees working more than 10 hours a week the opportunity to acquire Shares. Thedetails of that Scheme are set out on page 85.The other is the Pumpkin Patch 2004 Share Option Scheme, under which the OptionOffer is made. This Scheme is intended to give Eligible Senior Managers an additionalincentive to strive to create shareholder value by aligning their interests with those ofPumpkin Patch shareholders. Pumpkin Patch intends to establish similar schemes insubsequent years.This Prospectus is issued in respect of the 2004 Share Option Scheme and further detailsof the Scheme can be found on pages 93 and 98.This Prospectus is not issued in respectof either the DF7 Scheme or the schemes to be established in subsequent yearsalthough Pumpkin Patch anticipates that these schemes will be on similar terms.13