Filene's Basement's "Running of the Brides" Sale Slated for This Friday

Market Wire, January, 2007

The seventh annual "Running of the Brides" takes place at Filene's Basement (NYSE: RVI) in Columbus on Friday, February 2, 2007. Hundreds of brides-to-be and their helpers are expected to be at the store at 3704 W.Dublin-Granville Road when the doors open at 8:00am.

The sale is wildly popular among brides because the savings are so great. Over fourteen hundred designer and famous-name wedding gowns will be priced between $249 and $499 and a few very high-end dresses will be priced at $699. In bridal salons these dresses would sell for $900 - $9,000.

The gowns come from both American and European manufacturers and from high-end bridal salons. According to Filene's Basement buyer, Kerri Loughlin, the labels are the same ones seen in all the popular bridal magazines. "This year's assortment represents all the popular trends, including lots of strapless dresses. Brides-to-be will see lots of belts and sashes, beading and jewels, pale colors, vintage looks, fit-n-flair, pull-ups, ball gowns, and sheaths," said Loughlin. Sizes range from 4 to 24.

Filene's Basement's Bridal Gown Sale is often referred to as the "Running of the Brides," because it reminds people of the famous "running of the bulls" in Pamplona. Lines begin to form outside the store as early as 3:00am. When the doors open at 8:00am, the brides-to-be and their helpers run full speed toward the racks. In less than 60 seconds, the racks are stripped bare (store employees have to hold on to the fixtures so they don't topple). The women grab whatever gowns they can, haul them off to a corner, strip down to their underwear and start trying on dresses. Minutes later the trading begins. Every dress, no matter what size, style or color, gets bartered for another, as each bride tries to find the gown of her dreams at a cut-rate price.

Filene's Basement will open early for the sale at 8:00am and close at its regular time of 9:00pm. The sale is for one day only, and the gowns are not returnable. Checks, major credit cards and cash are accepted. For more information call 614-932-1001 or go to www.filenesbasement.com and click on "Bridal Event."

Contact: Patricia Boudrot 617-348-7273 or 617-680-3485 Email Contact