LONDON, MINNEAPOLIS (August 10, 2000) --The WorldWide Retail
Exchange (WWRE), the world's leading retail e-marketplace, today
announced that five retailers -- Kesko, Longs Drugs, Publix Super
Markets, Seibu Department Stores Ltd. and WoolworthsÑare joining
the Exchange.
"These leading retailers strengthen our global reach and continue
to diversify our membership," said Barry Knichel, a WWRE executive
committee member and director of supply chain research and development
at Tesco. "The addition of Seibu and Woolworths Australia strengthens
our role in Asia-Pacific, while more new members in the U.S. and
Europe secure our position as the world's leading retail exchange.
"Consumers will ultimately benefit from the caliber of members
joining the Exchange, according to Jerry Storch, head of marketing
for the WWRE and president of financial services and new business
at Target Corporation. "With leading U.S. retailers such as Publix
and Longs Drugs joining, more and more American consumers will
realize the savings that occur when retailers work together to
reduce supply chain inefficiencies."
The WWRE (www.worldwideretailexchange.org) is a Web-based business-to-business
exchange designed to facilitate and simplify trading between retailers
and more than 100,000 suppliers, partners and distributors. Consisting
of leading retailers from Asia, Europe and the United States,
the WWRE is open to all suppliers and retailers who wish to use
it. To date, the Exchange currently includes members who have
combined sales of $527 billion (U.S.) or Euro 524 billion.
In addition to the new retailers, WWRE membership includes: Albertson's
(U.S.), Auchan (France), Best Buy (U.S.), Casino (France), CVS/pharmacy
(U.S.), Dansk Supermarked (Denmark), Dairy Farm International
(Hong Kong), Delhaize Group (Belgium), Dixons Group plc (United
Kingdom), Edeka (Germany), El Corte Ingles (Spain), Gap Inc. (U.S.),
J.C. Penney (U.S.), Jusco (Japan), Kingfisher (U.K.), Kmart (U.S.),
Marks & Spencer (U.K.), Rite Aid Corporation (U.S.), Royal Ahold
(The Netherlands), Safeway Inc. (U.S.), Safeway PLC (U.K.), Supervalu
Inc. (U.S.), Target Corporation (U.S.), Tesco (U.K.) and Walgreen
Co. (U.S.).
About the Five New Members
Kesko (Finland) is a marketing and logistics company that
develops retail concepts and operating models. With nearly 3,000
stores, K-Alliance (Kesko and K-retailers) is Finland's leading
retailer. Together, the Foodstuffs, Home and Specialty Goods,
and Builders' and Agricultural Supplies are the profit divisions
responsible for Kesko's commercial operation. In 1999, Kesko Group
had net sales of approximately 36.3 billion FIM or Euro 6.1 billion.
Longs Drugs (United States) is one of the most successful
drug store chains in North America, operating more than 400 stores
in California, Hawaii, Washington, Nevada, Colorado and Oregon.
Annual sales average more than $9.3 million (U.S.) per store.
Longs Drugs' unique strategy includes competencies in the key
categories of pharmacy, over-the-counter medications, photo and
cosmetics, as well as other convenience offerings. Longs Drugs
has combined sales of approximately $3.9 billion (U.S.) or Euro
3.7 billion.
Publix Super Markets (United States) is one of the largest
grocers in the United States and is the largest employee-owned
supermarket chain. Most of its nearly 650 stores are in Florida,
but it also operates in Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina.
Publix produces some of its own deli, bakery, and dairy goods,
and many stores offer fresh flowers, housewares, photo processing,
and pharmaceutical services. Annual sales are $13.1 billion (U.S.)
or Euro 11.2 billion.
Seibu Department Stores Ltd. (Japan), an unlisted company
in the Saison Group, was founded in 1940 and has 24 department
stores in Japan. Annual sales in 1999 were 576 billion yen or
Euro 5.9 billion.
Woolworths (Australia) operates about 700 supermarkets
and liquor stores throughout Australia. In addition to food and
liquor, Woolworths sells gasoline, provides banking services through
Ezy Banking in stores, and leverages its distribution network
to provide wholesale merchandise for third-party supermarkets.
Woolworths runs about 300 general merchandise stores under the
names Big W and Crazy Prices, and it has 129 Dick Smith Electronics
and Powerhouse stores at home and in New Zealand. Woolworths had
total sales exceeding $20 billion (U.S.) for the 52 weeks ended
June 25, 2000.
Media Contacts:
Helen Craft (Europe)
Shandwick International
44.207.950.2871
hcraft@shandwick.com
Teresa McFarland (U.S.)
Shandwick International
952.346.6198
tmcfarla@shandwick.com
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