Ross-Simons Unveils Luxurious New Location at Garden State Plaza; Retailer Continues Expansion with its 15th Store

Business Wire, Oct 29, 2003

Business Editors

CRANSTON, R.I.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 29, 2003

Ross-Simons, one of the nation's largest retailers of fine jewelry, china, glassware, home decor, gifts and collectibles, will open a new location at the Garden State Plaza on Saturday, November 1, 2003. The Paramus store is Ross-Simons' 15th location and its second retail store in New Jersey. Ross-Simons has operated in The Mall at Short Hills since 1998.

"Ross-Simons is excited to open our doors and unveil our newest store concept at the Garden State Plaza, one of the premier malls in the country," stated Darrell Ross, President of Ross-Simons. "I am confident that our more than 50 years of retail experience, combined with the best merchandise we have to offer will impress new and past customers."

The Garden State store represents a smaller footprint than the company historically has had, with the new store being under 5,000 square feet. This new model features a selection of fine jewelry, diamonds and elegant timepieces along with a special kiosk system for viewing and ordering of tabletop and specialty collectible items from china to crystal from around the world. This new store designed by JGA Inc. of Michigan, in collaboration with the Ross-Simons' retail team, features warm wood-toned showcases that appear to "float" over the black granite and white marble floor. Glowing light elements and mahogany display cabinets also complement display merchandise throughout the Garden State Plaza location. The new look will maintain Ross Simon's sophisticated environment and continue to offer the same affordable luxury items that customers have come to expect. The Paramus Grand Opening will also feature a $5,000 shopping spree sweepstakes.

"Clearly, our ability to grow our business geographically, while still maintaining a high degree of customer satisfaction and service, has proven to be the recipe to our success," continued Mr. Ross. "It is this commitment to our customers that set us apart and allows us to deliver what today's busy consumer wants, needs and expects."

Ross-Simons is a leading luxury fashion brand and specialty retailer of fine jewelry, tabletop, gifts, collectibles and other home decorative merchandise. Founded in 1952, Ross-Simons mails over 60 million catalogs annually and provides an online shopping environment that is both convenient and thriving at www.ross-simons.com. In addition, the company now operates a total of fifteen stores in nine states, with new stores being planned.

For more information, contact Linh Calhoun, Retail/Marketing Manager at 401.463.3100 x 859; e-mail at lcalhoun@ross-simons.com, or Dante Bellini, Jr. at 401.521.2700, x131, or via e-mail at dbellini@rdwgroup.com.