ENGLEWOOD, Colo. and TROY, Mich., Oct. 8 /PRNewswire/ -- Western Union
Financial Services, Inc., a unit of First Data Corporation (NYSE: FDC), and
Kmart Corporation (NYSE: KM) today announced that they have signed a five-year
agreement to provide Western Union(R) Money Transfer and Money Order services
through all 2,115 Kmart, Big Kmart and Super Kmart stores across the United
States and its Territories.
"This agreement establishes a new and long-lasting relationship between
Western Union and one of America's premier retailers," said Doug McNary,
president, Western Union North America. "Western Union services have the
proven ability to attract regular customers, which will give Kmart stores a
new revenue stream and lift their sales in other areas."
"Western Union services are the perfect addition to our stores, which
offer shoppers one-stop convenience in communities nationwide," said Floyd
Hall, Kmart chairman, president and chief executive officer. "With Western
Union's reputation for quality and service, we will now be able to offer
additional financial services that make shopping more productive for our
customers."
In some markets, Western Union will provide its services as part of the
new "Kmart Solutions" concept, a new PC-based, interactive retail environment
that offers customers products and services beyond what is available on the
store shelves. Kmart Solutions features a touch-screen menu that includes
everything from books, to flowers to money transfer transactions. To be
located at the service desk and electronics department of each store,
customers will use the service to send funds via Western Union to relatives
and friends within minutes.
Kmart Solutions rolled out to 48 Detroit-area stores in July and August
and is currently rolling out to stores in Chicago, Houston and St. Louis.
Ultimately, Kmart intends to equip all of its stores with Kmart Solutions and
Western Union services.
Famous for its pioneering telegraph services, the original Western Union
dates back to 1851. The company is credited with having introduced the age of
electronic commerce by beginning the first electronic money transfer service
in 1871. Today, Western Union is a money transfer industry leader,
transferring funds in minutes among more than 45,000 agent locations in 154
countries. The company also is a leading marketer of money orders and
transfers federal benefit payments to consumers without banking relationships.
Western Union is a subsidiary of First Data Corporation (NYSE: FDC).
Founded in 1992 and based in Hackensack, New Jersey, First Data is a global
leader in payment systems, electronic commerce and information management
products and services. First Data and its principal operating units process
the information that allows millions of consumers to pay for goods and
services by credit, debit or smart card at the point of sale or over the
Internet, by check, or wire money. For further information about the company,
please visit us on the Internet at http://www.firstdatacorp.com
Kmart Corporation services America with 2,115 Kmart, Big Kmart and Super
Kmart stores. In addition to serving all 50 states, Kmart operations extend
to Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands. More information about
Kmart is available through the World Wide Web at http://www.kmart.com.
SOURCE Western Union Financial Services, Inc.
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Related links:
http://www.kmart.com
CONTACT:
Peter Ziverts of Western Union, 303-488-8017;
or Mary Lorencz of Kmart, 248-643-1021
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