Alliance Data Systems Selected By Restoration Hardware, Inc. To Provide Private Label Credit Card Processing, Customer Care And Credit Services

Furniture World Magazine

Alliance Data Systems Corp. (NYSE: ADS), a leading provider of transaction services, marketing services and credit services, announced that it has signed a six-year agreement with specialty home furnishings and accessories retailer Restoration Hardware, Inc. (NYSE: RSTO). Alliance Data will provide turnkey private label credit card services for more than 100 Restoration Hardware stores nationwide, as well as for the retailer’s catalog and online store. Restoration Hardware is a unique home furnishings retailer offering consumers an array of distinctive, high quality and often hard-to-find merchandise. The stores combine classic, high-quality furniture, lighting, home furnishings and functional and decorative hardware with unusual "discovery items." The full-service private label credit card program that Alliance Data will provide includes account acquisition and activation; database marketing services; receivables funding; card authorization; private label credit card issuance; statement generation; remittance processing; and customer service functions. "We’re looking forward to working with Alliance Data to introduce this new private label card program to our customers, which we anticipate will help increase customer loyalty and contribute to the momentum for Restoration Hardware’s growth," said Tom Bazzone, chief operating officer, Restoration Hardware, Inc. "In this competitive marketplace, Alliance Data offers us the technological and marketing expertise as well as retail experience required to develop programs to attract customers and enhance our relationship with them. We believe that offering our customers the Restoration Hardware Card will enable us to capture more high-ticket sales, which is in keeping with the new direction of the company." "We are excited to have forged this relationship with Restoration Hardware," said Ivan Szeftel, president, retail credit services, Alliance Data Systems. "Our commitment to client service and delivering effective customized solutions has raised our visibility in the marketplace, and we’re looking forward to providing these offerings to help Restoration Hardware increase customer loyalty and grow its business." About Alliance Data Systems Based in Dallas, Alliance Data Systems (NYSE: ADS) is a leading provider of transaction services, credit services and marketing services, assisting retail, petroleum, utility and financial services companies in managing the critical interactions between them and their customers. Alliance Data each year manages over 2.7 billion transactions and 72 million consumer accounts for some of North America's most recognizable companies. The Company also operates and markets the largest coalition loyalty program in Canada. Alliance Data Systems employs over 6,500 associates at more than 20 locations in the United States, Canada and New Zealand. For more information about the company, visit its web site, www.alliancedatasystems.com. About Restoration Hardware, Inc. Restoration Hardware, Inc. is a specialty retailer of home furnishings, functional and decorative hardware and related merchandise that reflects the Company's classic and authentic American point of view. Restoration Hardware sells its merchandise offering through its retail stores, catalog (800-762-1005) and on-line at www.restorationhardware.com.