Information Resources To Provide Wal-Mart With Product Images For Internet Shopping Service

Business Wire, Sept 15, 1997

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Sept. 15, 1997--Information Resources, Inc. (NASDAQ:IRIC) announced today that it has been selected by Wal-Mart Stores, Inc. (NYSE:WMT) to provide digital product images and descriptive copy for products offered to consumers on Wal-Mart's internet shopping service, Wal-Mart Online.

IRI will utilize its proprietary National Product Library (NPL) service to create electronic images of products which will be featured on the Wal-Mart internet home-shopping site, (www.wal-mart.com). Wal-Mart Online currently offers shoppers over 300,000 items including apparel, electronics, hardware, food, health and beauty care products, books, music, toys and games. Additional products are added each week.

Wal-Mart utilizes NPL to provide consumers with photo-quality pictures of the specific products available for purchase. "The concept of shopping through electronic internet commerce has become a viable option for those consumers who desire it," said Terese Crema-Herbig, IRI's director of retail services. "We intend to build standards and support industry efforts to make this method of retailing exciting and rewarding for retailers, manufacturers and, most importantly, the consumer."

Phil Martz, Director of Wal-Mart Online, said, "The imaging provided by IRI will assist our customers with their buying decisions. We are pleased to be able to offer our customers a visual tool that can be used during their shopping experience with Wal-Mart Online."

Information Resources, Inc. is the largest provider of UPC scanner-based solutions to the U.S. consumer packaged goods (CPG) industry. IRI obtains data from point-of-sale scanners, integrates it with other proprietary data and maintains it in massive data warehouses. The data is then used to provide CPG manufacturers, brokers, retailers and wholesalers with timely, accurate reports and recommendations. IRI business solutions help clients more effectively market, sell and distribute their products. IRI's services are available in the U.S., Europe and other international markets.

CONTACT: Information Resources, Chicago

Robert Bregenzer, 312/726-1221