Borders Rewards(R) Program Surpasses 20 Million Members

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    ANN ARBOR, Mich., Aug. 22 /PRNewswire/ -- Membership in Borders
 Rewards(R)-the free customer loyalty program for Borders and Waldenbooks
 customers nationwide-now exceeds 20 million. The program, which launched in
 February 2006 and continues to grow rapidly, is now one of the largest
 customer loyalty programs in the specialty retail industry, reaching 18% of
 all U.S. households.
     (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060208/BORDERSLOGO )
     "We are thrilled that so many customers have discovered the benefits of
 being a Borders Rewards member," said Borders Group Chief Executive Officer
 George Jones. "This program continues to grow at an impressive rate of
 about 150,000 new members each week. As membership builds, so does our
 capability to leverage the Borders Rewards database as a distinct advantage
 in introducing customers to new and important titles and promoting them.
 For instance, through the Borders 'Shortlist,' which is a weekly e-mail
 sent to Borders Rewards members, we have been successful at launching
 proprietary and exclusive titles such as Nick Santora's first novel 'Slip &
 Fall,' and Anuna's 'Celtic Origins' CD. We were able to make both of these
 titles national bestsellers and will continue to use the power of the
 Borders Rewards database as one of the unique ways we'll draw customers to
 our stores."
     In addition to providing ongoing discounts and valuable in-store offers
 for Borders Rewards members, the "Shortlist" also features exclusive
 content, which includes excerpts from the latest titles as well as the
 popular monthly Borders online video book club. The book club has featured
 dialogs with such authors as Stephenie Meyer, Khaled Hosseini, Susan Minot
 and Mitch Albom. The Borders "Shortlist" is also a gateway for Borders
 Rewards members to experience video episodes of Borders "Live at 01," where
 customers online can feel all the energy and intimacy of a Borders in-store
 event. "Live at 01" is filmed entirely on location at the Borders store in
 downtown Ann Arbor, and has featured artists and authors such as Joss
 Stone, Calvin Trillin, Anne Lamont and Dave Koz.
     Borders Rewards members also receive a monthly newsletter and can
 choose to customize with personal recommendations, notification of hot new
 book, CD and DVD titles, and the latest news on over 32 different
 categories. Customers join by simply picking up a Borders Rewards card at
 any Borders or Waldenbooks store and registering it online at
 www.bordersrewards.com.
     About Borders Group, Inc.
     Borders Group, Inc. trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the
 symbol BGP. Headquartered in Ann Arbor, Mich., the company is a $4.1
 billion global retailer of books, music, movies, and gift and stationery
 items. Through its subsidiaries, Borders Group has more than 32,000
 employees and operates over 1,200 stores worldwide. More information on
 Borders Group is available at www.bordersgroupinc.com.
 
 

SOURCE Borders