SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D. C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of
The Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Event Reported: April 10, 2001
TUPPERWARE CORPORATION
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Delaware 1-11657 36-4062333
(State or other (Commission (IRS Employer
jurisdiction of File Number) Identification No.)
incorporation)
P.O. Box 2353, Orlando Florida 32802
(Address of principal executive offices) (Zip Code)
Registrant's telephone number, including area code (407) 826-5050
Item 5. Other Events
The Registrant identifies below those risks and
uncertainties which could cause the Registrant s actual results
of operations to differ materially from those projected in
forward-looking statements made by the Registrant from time to
time. This disclosure is made in connection with cautionary
statements made by the Registrant pursuant to the safe harbor
provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995 and supercedes the disclosure made in the Registrant's
Current Report of Form 8-K filed on February 28, 1997. These
risks and uncertainties are in addition to any other cautionary
statements issued at the time of a forward-looking statement.
Factors Affecting Direct Selling Activities
The Registrant's products are marketed and sold through the
direct selling method of distribution, in which products are
primarily marketed and sold by a sales force made up of
independent contractors to consumers without the use of retail
establishments owned by the Registrant in the chain of
distribution. The direct selling system depends upon the
successful recruitment, retention and motivation of a large force
of sales personnel, all of which are subject to varying risks.
The growth of the Registrant's business depends, in large part,
upon the growth and activity levels of this independent sales
force.
Recruitment of a sales force may be adversely affected by a
number of factors, including the following: the national,
regional and local economies, levels of unemployment, demographic
and cultural changes in the workforce, competition for sales
personnel by other direct selling companies, and the compensation
incentives and structures utilized. The retention and motivation
of the sales force may be adversely affected by a number of
factors, including the following: the success of promotional
programs utilized by the Registrant, the introduction of new
products, the compensation incentives and structures utilized,
opportunities for advancement to higher levels within the
independent sales force structure, and the availability of
alternative employment opportunities.
Other factors which fluctuate frequently and may affect the
Registrant's direct selling business include the extent to which
there is adequate penetration in particular markets, the size of
the average sales per product demonstration, the size of the
sales amount per active product demonstrator, and the activity
rate of the independent sales force. Sales force recruits may
withdraw from the business after a short time, leading to a large
turnover in the population of product demonstrators within the
Registrant s business.
The Registrant's business may also be affected by any
disruptions in its initiatives to integrate its core distribution
method (direct selling by group demonstrations at parties or
other gatherings of consumers) with its integrated direct access
strategies, which include without limitation, Internet sales,
kiosk or showcase sales locations, television shopping shows and
alliances with other unaffiliated companies. Such disruptions
may occur due to a negative reaction by the Registrant's
independent sales force or commercial, technical and regulatory
considerations in countries other than the United States as the
Registrant proceeds to incorporate its new sales methods and
channels in such markets. The Registrant's business may also be
affected by difficulties with the integration of the
BeautiControl operations or the expansion of the BeautiControl
business into international markets.
General Factors Affecting the Registrant's Business
The Registrant's business is subject to a variety of general
risks, especially due to the scope of the Registrants operations.
These risks may include acts of God, weather, natural disasters
and a number of factors inherent in operating abroad, including
without limitation the following: currency exchange rates, war,
economic and political destabilization, other disruptions of
markets, restrictive governmental actions (including restrictions
on direct selling activities, transfers of funds, export duties
and quotas, international customs and tariffs, and unexpected
changes in regulatory environments), difficulty in obtaining
distribution and support, public perception of the safety of
plastics, nationalization, local ownership requirements in
international markets, the laws and policies of the United States
affecting trade, foreign investment and loans, and foreign tax
laws. The growth of the Registrant's business is in part
dependent upon expansion geographically into new markets.
The Registrant's business may also be affected by sources of
supply of products, raw material prices, product demand, consumer
confidence levels and spending trends, competitive products and
pricing, manufacturing efficiencies, fire, flooding or other
damage to facilities, new product development, the ability to
enforce patents and trademarks and to prevent the infringement of
the Registrant's patents, trademarks and confidential
information.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act
of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed
on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.
Orlando, Florida
TUPPERWARE CORPORATION
April 10, 2001
By: /s/ Thomas M. Roehlk
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Thomas M. Roehlk
Senior Vice President, General
Counsel and Secretary