The Container Store Expands Commuter Check® Transit Benefit to Employees Nationwide

Business Wire, June 4, 2007

Company enhances benefits packages for greater appeal in metropolitan locations

WATERTOWN, Mass. -- Accor Services USA, a leader in innovative employee benefits solutions and premier provider of national commuter benefit programs, today announced that as of June 1 The Container Store began offering Commuter Check[R] Benefit Solutions to every employee in the U.S. - some 4,000-plus employees.

Recognized as one of FORTUNE magazine's "100 Best Companies To Work For" eight years in a row, The Container Store manages a sales growth of 15-20% a year. The retailer currently operates 39 stores across the country with two more openings scheduled for this year. With its growing presence in metropolitan locations including Boston, New York, Washington D.C., Chicago, Los Angeles and San Francisco, The Container Store expanded its benefits package to include this tax-free commuter benefit for every employee. This expansion comes after the successful adoption of Commuter Check Benefit Solutions among employees in just a handful of its locations.

"Especially as we expand into metropolitan areas such as New York City, we are excited to expand the Commuter Check Benefit Solutions to the entire employee base," said Claudine Tudgay, Payroll Director, The Container Store. "When we first offered Commuter Check, the employee response was overwhelming. They genuinely appreciate the opportunity to save money on their commuting expenses. This is another way we can demonstrate our commitment to offer benefits that help them create positive work/life balance."

The Container Store originated the storage and organization category of retailing in 1978 and continues to lead the niche. Its goal is to offer its customers innovative and multi-functional items designed to simplify one's life, save space and, ultimately, save time.

"We designed Commuter Check Benefit Solutions to ease the administrative burden on companies with multiple locations across the U.S.," said Christina Soderman, Vice President, Accor Services USA. "With Commuter Check, employers take advantage of the same simple administration and the same commuter products for all employees regardless of their location."

Commuter Check Benefit Solutions is a transit and parking voucher program that allows companies to take advantage of the Qualified Transportation Fringe Benefit, a federal tax incentive for employees and employers alike. Also known as IRS Code Section 132(f), the incentive allows employees to set aside up to $110 per month pre-tax for transit benefits and $215 per month pre-tax for parking benefits. In effect, employees can pay commuting and parking expenses with tax-free dollars without increasing overall compensation costs for employers. In fact, employers actually save on payroll taxes with every participating employee. For employees, this could equate to more than $1,500 in annual tax savings and employers can save eight to ten percent on payroll taxes.

About Accor Services USA

Accor Services USA is a leading transportation benefits organization in the United States and provider of Commuter Check Benefit Solutions, a nationwide transit and parking voucher program. Its mission is to provide, on a national basis, administration and program development services supporting public and private efforts to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality and promote use of public transportation. For more information about Commuter Check Benefit Solutions visit www.commmutercheck.com.

About Accor

Accor, European leader in hotels and tourism, global leader in corporate services, operates in nearly 100 countries with 160,000 employees. It offers to its individual and corporate clients nearly 40 years of expertise in its two core businesses:

- Hotels, with the Sofitel, Novotel, Mercure, Suitehotel, Ibis, Red Roof Inn, Etap Hotel, Formule 1 and Motel 6 brands: over 4,000 hotels and 475,000 rooms in 90 countries, as well as strategically related activities, such as Lenotre;

- Services to corporate clients and public institutions: 21 million people in 35 countries benefit from Accor Services products - meal and food vouchers, people care, incentive and loyalty programs.

About The Container Store

The Container Store currently has 39 locations across the country. In 2007, the retailer will open its second store in Denver (Cherry Creek), on August 11 and its first in the greater Philadelphia market area (Cherry Hill, NJ) on Nov. 3. The Container Store offers free closet design services every day in its stores and online using elfa, the premiere shelving and drawer system. Visit www.containerstore.com for more information about store locations, the product collection and services offered. The Container Store has been named to the top of FORTUNE magazine's annual list of the "100 Best Companies to Work For" for the past eight years. Sales for fiscal year 2007 are projected at $575 million. The Container Store is privately held.

Commuter Check is a registered trademark of Accor Services USA. All other names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners.