Alliance Data Systems Corp. , 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. 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.
Alliance Data Systems