Extended Agreement to Focus on Launching Loyalty Program Geared Toward Enhancing Brand Experience with New Benefits and Emerging Technologies
DALLAS, Oct. 18, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Alliance Data Systems Corporation (NYSE: ADS), a leading provider of loyalty and marketing solutions derived from transaction-rich data, today announced that it has signed a long-term extension agreement with a subsidiary of Express, Inc. (NYSE: EXPR) to continue providing private label credit card and marketing services for Express. Established in 1980, Express is a specialty retailer of women's and men's merchandise in North America, with nearly $2 billion in annual revenue and more than 600 stores.
Alliance Data will continue providing Express with private label credit card services including account acquisition and activation, receivables funding, card authorization, card issuance, statement generation, remittance processing, customer service functions, and multi-channel marketing services. Currently, Express cardholders earn points for purchases that can be redeemed and applied toward future purchases, and also access cardholder-exclusive sales, promotions and offers.
Under terms of the extension agreement, Alliance Data will work with Express to evolve its card program through new cardholder benefits, new card plastics, and testing a new points-based loyalty program. Additionally, mobile marketing and payment solutions will continue to be explored by Alliance Data and Express, with the focus on enhancing the customer experience, engaging new and existing customers, and acquiring new accounts.
"Express, one of our longest-standing client relationships, is a dynamic and innovative brand, and we look forward to continuing to provide solutions that further fuel their impressive track record for success," said Melisa Miller, president of Retail Services for Alliance Data. "We're excited to continue our relationship with a company that has been a tremendous marketing partner, and to expand our partnership by providing powerful new tools and enhancements that deliver real value to those Express puts first: the customer. We're pleased that our card program has been an important component of Express's sales and marketing strategy, and are eager to collaborate with Express to drive even greater card program performance and support their business growth goals."
Jim Wright, senior vice president, marketing, Express, said, "We are pleased to continue our partnership with Alliance Data, a valued, collaborative relationship that has grown over time. Alliance Data possesses a keen understanding of the competitive multi-channel retail environment, and we look forward to working with them to enhance our credit card program. Coupling our unique brand and loyal customer base with Alliance Data's credit and marketing expertise, we have a great opportunity to take our credit card program to the next level."
About Express, Inc.
Express is a specialty apparel and accessories retailer of women's and men's merchandise, targeting the 20 to 30 year old customer. The Company has over 30 years of experience offering a distinct combination of fashion and quality for multiple lifestyle occasions at an attractive value addressing fashion needs across work, casual, jeanswear, and going-out occasions. The Company currently operates more than 600 retail stores, located primarily in high-traffic shopping malls, lifestyle centers, and street locations across the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and also distributes its products through the Company's e-commerce website, www.express.com.
About Alliance Data
Alliance Data® (NYSE: ADS) and its combined businesses is North America's largest and most comprehensive provider of transaction-based, data-driven marketing and loyalty solutions serving large, consumer-based industries. The Company creates and deploys customized solutions, enhancing the critical customer marketing experience; the result is measurably changing consumer behavior while driving business growth and profitability for some of today's most recognizable brands. Alliance Data helps its clients create and increase customer loyalty through solutions that engage millions of customers each day across multiple touch points using traditional, digital, mobile and other emerging technologies. Headquartered in Dallas, Alliance Data employs approximately 8,500 associates at 50 locations worldwide.
Alliance Data is a leading provider of marketing-driven credit solutions, and is the parent company of Epsilon®, a leading provider of multi-channel, data-driven technologies and marketing services, and LoyaltyOne®, which owns and operates the AIR MILES® Reward Program, Canada's premier coalition loyalty program. For more information about the company, visit our web site, www.AllianceData.com, or you can follow us on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/AllianceData.
