Service Merchandise And Goodwill Industries Team Up For Trade-In Promotion

Business Wire, August 1, 1996

NASHVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 1, 1996--Service Merchandise Company and Goodwill Industries are joining forces for a first-ever national trade-in promotion to be held August 5-18 at Service Merchandise stores nationwide. The event rewards shoppers for bringing in select, usable household items by giving them a discount off similar new items purchased at Service Merchandise.

Details of the promotion will be featured in a 32-page direct-mail advertisement that will be sent to 12.5 million homes. Donations will be collected in receptacles located at Service Merchandise stores. All items will be donated to Goodwill Industries to support its mission of providing job-training to people with disabilities and other barriers to employment.

"We are grateful for the opportunity Service Merchandise provides us to increase service to individuals seeking employment," said Fred Grandy, president and chief executive officer of Goodwill Industries International (GII). "Donations of usable stereo equipment, small appliances and other household items will help us in fulfilling the mission of Goodwill Industries."

GII is a network of 186 local, autonomous Goodwill Industries organizations located throughout North America and 52 international associate member agencies in 37 countries. Rehabilitation programs throughout the network help people overcome barriers to employment and become independent, tax-paying members of their communities. Goodwill Industries organizations across North America provided job-training services to more than 130,000 people in 1995.

Service Merchandise Company, Inc., "America's Leading Jeweler," operates 410 jewelry, gift, and home stores in 37 states. Publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol SME, the company reported sales in excess of $4 billion in 1995.

For further information on Goodwill Industries, please see the GII home page on the Internet at http://www.goodwill.org. Service Merchandise's home page can be viewed on the Internet at http://www.servicemerchandise.com.

CONTACT: Service Merchandise

Greg Winnett, 615/660-7092

or

Goodwill Industries International, Inc.

Jeanne G. Hamrick, APR, 301/530-6500