Gift and Loyalty cards increase
the frequency of visits by your customer base

The National Retail Federation is the world's largest retail trade association, with membership that comprises all retail formats and channels of distribution including department, specialty, discount, catalog, Internet, independent stores, chain restaurants, drug stores and grocery stores as well as the industry's key trading partners of retail goods and services. NRF represents an industry with more than 1.6 million U.S. retail establishments, more than 24 million employees - about one in five American workers - and 2006 sales of $4.7 trillion. As the industry umbrella group, NRF also represents more than 100 state, national and international retail associations.

Washington, DC, February 14, 2007 – Consumers put their gift cards to good use in January, snapping up discounted winter apparel and new spring merchandise at clothing stores, department stores, and personal care stores. According to the National Retail Federation (NRF), retail industry sales for January (which exclude automobiles, gas stations, and restaurants) rose 5.3 percent unadjusted over last year and 0.7 percent seasonally adjusted from December.

January retail sales released today by the U.S. Commerce Department show that total retail sales (which include non-general merchandise categories such as autos, gasoline stations and restaurants) were unchanged from December and increased 4.3 percent unadjusted year-over-year. December industry sales were revised upward from 0.9 percent seasonally adjusted to 1.2 percent seasonally adjusted from the previous month.

"Shoppers hit the stores in January to redeem holiday gift cards from a wide variety of retailers," said NRF Chief Economist Rosalind Wells. "Though January is historically the slowest sales month for retailers, gift cards are changing the game by bringing a much-needed boost to stores."

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Source: The National Retail Federation www.nrf.com February 14, 2007

The success of gift cards in the electronic payment arena is amazing. Their use is no longer restricted to the large department store and bookstore chains. Thanks to programs like Your Own Gift Card, any merchant can offer personalized or custom, reloadable gift cards to their customers and reap the financial benefits for their success. Find out how Your Own Gift Card Program can become a key to your success.

Edge the competition by keeping your current customers loyal and making your company more visible in a competitive marketplace. You are the architect of how your own loyalty card program will work so reward your customers in a way that makes sense for them and your business. Find out how your own Loyalty Card Program can work for you.

Merchant Financial Systems provides benefits packages for merchants interested in a more complete service solution while saving money.