Guidance Solutions Inks Woolworth Corp.'s Athletic Group; Foot Locker, Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Champs Sports and Eastbay Go Online Spring 1998

Business Wire, April 1, 1998

MARINA DEL REY, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 1, 1998--Guidance Solutions, www.guidance.com, has been awarded the contract to develop Woolworth Corp.'s online business.

Guidance Solutions, a fully integrated multimedia service company specializing in the development and maintenance of online business ventures providing information, entertainment, commerce and community, has been hired to develop a fully integrated online entertainment and retail environment for Woolworth Corp.'s Athletic Group, which includes Foot Locker, Lady Foot Locker, Kids Foot Locker, Champs Sports and Eastbay. The sites will be complete in spring 1998.

In addition to the front-end graphics, Guidance Solutions will develop a sophisticated back-end database engine that will link the various brands, providing users with the largest selection of athletic footwear, apparel and sporting goods in the world.

The proprietary system will perform real-time inventory checks which will allow for customers to purchase styles that are in stock and receive them within 24 to 48 hours.

"Our focus is on leveraging the Woolworth Corp. athletic brands online with an end-to-end solution that delivers entertainment driven community and commerce on the front end supported by a fully integrated state-of-the-art database on the back end," said Robert Landes, chief executive officer, Guidance Solutions. "This is a paradigm shift in retailing."

"We are excited to work with Guidance Solutions on creating an integrated, entertaining retail environment online that complements our various athletic formats," said Dale Hilpert, president and chief operating officer of Woolworth Corp.

"The interim sites provide users with a glimpse of what to expect from our permanent sites, which will include interactive games, contests, online chats with professional athletes, special interest feature articles and an extensive assortment of athletic products for purchase."

Built on top of this sophisticated database and commerce engine will be an online entertainment and information arena that will incorporate:

--  Online games and contests where members win prizes and
    merchandise

--  Live chats with sports celebrities and authorities on various
    subjects

--  Membership features and discounts

--  Special interest articles written by established sports and
    lifestyle writers

--  Updated sports news and information via content partnerships

--  Streaming videos of featured products