Alliance Data Systems Signs Long-Term Renewal with Top-15 Client,
The Dress Barn and Maurices
DALLAS, July 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Alliance Data Systems Corp. (NYSE:ADS), a leading provider of transaction services, credit services and
marketing services, today announced that it has signed a multi-year renewal
agreement to continue providing private label credit card services for both
leading specialty retailers The Dress Barn, Inc. (dressbarn) and Maurices
Incorporated (maurices). dressbarn operates more than 785 locations in 45
states, catering to value-conscious career women and selling moderate- to
higher-end quality apparel and accessories. In January 2005, dressbarn
acquired maurices, which operates more than 475 retail stores in 39 states and
sells quality, on-trend apparel targeted at young adults. Both dressbarn and
maurices have been clients of Alliance Data Systems since 1993 and 2001
respectively.
Under terms of the agreements, Alliance Data will continue providing dressbarn
and maurices with a full range of services, including private label credit card
issuance, account acquisition and activation, receivables funding, card
authorization, statement generation, remittance processing, marketing services
and customer service functions.
"We have long valued our relationship with Alliance Data Systems, as is
demonstrated by our decision to renew both dressbarn and maurices programs,"
said Vivian Behrens, senior vice president and chief marketing officer, The
Dress Barn, Inc. "Alliance Data has consistently provided unique insights into
our customers' behaviors, which has helped us develop creative marketing
solutions that have resulted in incremental sales and stronger customer
loyalty. With their retail expertise and operational processes, our customers
have consistently received outstanding service and meaningful incentives tied
to the card programs. We look forward to building upon an already strong
business relationship for many years to come." Ivan Szeftel, president of Retail Services for Alliance Data Systems, commented
that its relationship with The Dress Barn, Inc. includes a shared vision of
delivering exceptional service to customers. "We are very pleased to continue
working with dressbarn and maurices, both of which are committed to providing a
superior shopping experience for their customers. Our approach to providing
private label credit card services nicely complements dressbarn's business
philosophy because we view private label credit cards as an effective tool for
recognizing and rewarding their best customers, while also increasing
incremental sales and loyalty." About Alliance Data Systems Based in Dallas, Alliance Data Systems is a leading provider of transaction
services, credit services and marketing services. The company assists retail,
petroleum, utility and financial services clients in managing the critical
interactions between them and their customers. Alliance Data manages
approximately 95 million consumer relationships for some of North America's
most recognizable companies and operates and markets the largest coalition
loyalty program in Canada. Alliance Data Systems employs approximately 7,500
associates at more than 30 locations in the United States and Canada. For more
information about the company, visit its web site,
http://www.alliancedatasystems.com/.
About Dress Barn The Dress Barn, Inc. (NASDAQ:DBRN) is a leading national specialty apparel
retailer offering quality career and casual fashion apparel through the
dressbarn and maurices brands. As of May 28, 2005, the Company operated 787
dressbarn stores in 45 states and 477 maurices stores in 39 states. For more
information, please visit http://www.dressbarn.com/ and
http://www.maurices.com/.
Alliance Data Systems' Safe Harbor Statement/Forward Looking Statements This news release may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of
Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the
Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements may use words such
as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "predict,"
"project" and similar expressions as they relate to us or our management. When
we make forward-looking statements, we are basing them on our management's
beliefs and assumptions, using information currently available to us. Although
we believe that the expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements
are reasonable, these forward-looking statements are subject to risks,
uncertainties and assumptions, including those discussed in our filings with
the Securities and Exchange Commission.
If one or more of these or other risks or uncertainties materialize, or if our
underlying assumptions prove to be incorrect, actual results may vary
materially from what we projected. Any forward-looking statements contained in
this news release reflect our current views with respect to future events and
are subject to these and other risks, uncertainties and assumptions relating to
our operations, results of operations, growth strategy and liquidity. We have
no intention, and disclaim any obligation, to update or revise any
forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future
results or otherwise. DATASOURCE: Alliance Data Systems CONTACT: AnalystsInvestors - Ed Heffernan, +1-972-348-5196, , or Media - Shelley Whiddon, +1-972-348-4310, , both of Alliance Data Systems; or Armand Correia, Senior Vice President & CFO of The Dress Barn, Inc., +1-845-369-4600 Web site: http://www.alliancedatasystems.com/ http://www.dressbarn.com/ http://www.maurices.com/
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