Retailo Third-Party Prepaid Card Network Expanding in Europe: Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Spain, Netherlands, Belgium

COLOGNE, Germany, February 18, 2010 /PRNewswire/ -- In Europe, the electronic gift cards offered by Retailo in their "Gift Card World" displays can now be bought in around 18,000 stores in four countries. In Germany alone, the popular gift cards are available almost anywhere through Retailos exclusive network of retail partners: the gift cards of well-known premium retailers such as Douglas, C&A, Saturn and IKEA are available in around 15,500 stores in Germany such as petrol stations, supermarkets, Lotto shops, bookshops, banks and florists.

Germany, Switzerland and Austria

In Switzerland, Retailo is already present in 2,000 stores with the "gift card world" displays. "For example in around 1,100 post offices," explains Retailo CEO Christian Lindner: "In Austria, we started in October 2009 in tobacconist shops". The approximately 3,500 shops in Austria have the exclusive right to sell tobacco. In both Austria and Switzerland, Retailo works together with a local Joint Venture Partner, Loyalty Services AG.

Spain

In Spain, too, Retailo is committed to a joint venture. Together with a Spanish partner, they entered the market in December 2009. The partner's gift cards are sold there in the OpenCor convenience stores, as well as at Telecor, subsidiaries of the largest Spanish department store chain El Corte Ingles, among others.

Benelux

Market entry in the Netherlands and Belgium is planned for the first half of 2010. "Here, we are working together with the Dutch specialists in POS processing, H@ND International B.V.," says Lindner: "We prefer joint venture for our activities abroad. Especially in the sensitive retail environment, it is important for us that our partners can do business locally."

Europe - A Billion Euro Market

The market for gift cards has great potential in Europe: prognoses for the sector indicate that payments with prepaid cards in Europe will increase to an annual volume of over 120 billion euros by 2010. The Boston Consulting Group calculated that the largest potential in this is the gift card market segment, with 44 billion euros. "Retailo AG will develop this huge potential throughout Europe," emphasises the Retailo CEO. "We couldn't be better prepared for the expansion. Germany is one of the most difficult retail markets in the world. Now that we have achieved success there and also in Switzerland, Austria and Spain we are making the leap into further European markets."

About Retailo

With its "Gift Card World", Retailo operates the leading distribution platform for gift cards in Continental Europe. The cards are activated and charged by Retailo using a standardised process. The "Gift Card World" is a fixture throughout Germany at popular outlets including petrol stations, convenience stores, florists, supermarkets. In addition, the gift cards can be bought online. As well as Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Spain, Retailo is now planning expansion into further European countries. More information and image resources at http://www.retailo.de, http://www.geschenkkartenwelt.de.

    Retailo AG
    Kaiser-Wilhelm-Ring 13
    50672 Koln
    Germany
    Silke Fischer
    Telefon: +49-(0)221-569575-33
    Telefax: +49-(0)221-569575-99
    E-Mail: [email protected]

SOURCE Retailo AG