Press Room > News Releases > Furniture Row® Selects Household for Private Label Credit Program Household's flexibility caters to company's philosophy that specialization is key to growth Prospect Heights, IL June 24, 2003 - Household International, a subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc (NYSE: HBC), today announced that its retail services business has signed an agreement to manage the private label credit card program for Furniture Row® Companies, one of the largest family-owned furniture retailers in the nation. Furniture Row brands include Oak Express, Sofa Mart, Bedroom Expressions, Denver Mattress & Furniture Row Outlet. Using the new Express Money Card, Furniture Row customers will be able to purchase bedding and specialty home furnishings for their entire home. By leveraging the new credit program, customers can benefit from special financing options, exclusive money-saving offers, and online account management and bill payment. "Our strong operational abilities and customized marketing expertise, especially in the furniture industry, will create a rewarding partnership with Furniture Row," said Sandy Derickson, managing director and CEO, Household's retail services business. "Our private label program will give customers a choice of flexible payment options, helping Furniture Row grow sales for all its brands." "Specialization plays such a key role in the way we operate our business and how we serve our customers," said Bill McKendry, director of marketing for Furniture Row Companies. "Having a partner like Household, which has leadership experience in both the furniture industry and in private label credit, will be a real asset in growing our business." As one of the nation's leading private-label credit card providers, Household's retail services business works with more than 70 partners at 63,000 locations across the country to help them attract new customers and build consumer loyalty. Committed to enhancing the customer experience in every single transaction, Household provides flexible, customized credit card and marketing solutions for many of the world's largest retailers and manufacturers including Best Buy, CompUSA, Costco, Levitz Home Furnishings, Menards, Mitsubishi, Rhodes Furniture, Saks, Sony, and Yamaha. About Furniture Row Headquartered in Denver, CO, Furniture Row has been selling bedding and furnishings since 1972. Furniture Row operates over 250 stores in 29 states, across all of its brands - Oak Express, Sofa Mart, Bedroom Expressions, Denver Mattress, & Furniture Row Outlet. Furniture Row is among the Top 15 furniture retailers nationally. About Household Household International is a wholly owned subsidiary of HSBC Holdings plc, one of the largest banking and financial services organizations in the world. Through its businesses, Household is a leading provider of consumer loans, credit cards, auto finance and credit insurance products in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. In the United States, Household operates under the two oldest and most recognized names in consumer finance - HFC and Beneficial. Additionally, Household is one of the nation's largest issuers of private label and general-purpose credit cards, including The GM Card® and the AFL-CIO's Union Plus® card. For more information, visit the company's Web site at www.household.com. ### Contact: Kathleen Rizzo Young, Public Affairs, HSBC, 716-841-5003, kathleen.rizzo.young@us.hsbc.com Steve Koenigsberg, Rowan & Blewitt Incorporated, 516-741-8877, skoenigsberg@rowanblewitt.com link: http://www.household.com/corp/hi_pr_press_release196.jsp
