Friday, August 29, 2008

Dallas-based Alliance Data signs new credit agreement with Orchard Brands

By Pegasus News wire

DALLAS — Alliance Data Systems Corporation, the Dallas-based provider of loyalty and marketing solutions derived from transaction-rich data, today announced it has signed a new long- term agreement with Orchard Brands, a portfolio company of Golden Gate Capital, to provide fully integrated private label credit services for specialty catalog brands.

Photo not provided by Alliance Data, Coward Shoes

Coward Shoes will finally get the attention they deserve

Under terms of the agreement, Alliance Data will provide a full suite of integrated credit services for both the catalog and online channels, including account acquisition and activation, receivables funding, card authorization, card issuance, statement generation, marketing services, remittance processing, and customer service functions.

The brands most likely affected are Old Pueblo Traders, Bedford Fair, Willow Ridge, Lew Magram, Brownstone Studio, Intimate Appeal, Monterey Bay Clothing Company and Coward Shoes. According to public documents filed by Charming Shoppes, the women's apparel specialty catalogs generated approximately $280 million in sales in 2007.

"Alliance Data's retail experience, multi-channel expertise and integrated private label programs will help grow our newly acquired specialty catalog brands," said Neale Attenborough, chairman and chief executive officer of Orchard Brands, "Our commitment to delivering superior service to the fast- growing segment of customers fifty-five and over, combined with Alliance Data's ability to enhance customer loyalty through their private label credit card programs makes for an exciting partnership."

"We are very proud to further expand our partnership with Orchard Brands to include their newly acquired brands Old Pueblo Traders, Bedford Fair, Willow Ridge and the other great catalogs," said Ivan Szeftel, president of Alliance Data's Retail Services. "Orchard Brands' commitment to delivering the best quality and outstanding customer service to a rapidly growing customer segment is unequalled. We look forward to helping facilitate Orchard Brands' continued success as a leading multi-channel marketer of quality apparel and home products."

Source: Alliance Data

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