Blackhawk Network's Gift Card Mall™ Launches in Stage Stores Locations Nationwide

PLEASANTON, Calif., Nov. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Blackhawk Network, Inc., a leading prepaid payment network, today announced that its award-winning Gift Card Mall™ will become available in Stage Stores, Inc. (NYSE: SSI) locations nationwide. Stage Stores is America's leading small town and neighborhood retailer dedicated to delivering desirable, brand name apparel for the entire family.

Customers of Stage Stores, which operates under Bealls, Goody's, Palais Royal, Peebles, Stage and Steele's nameplates, will be able to purchase prepaid cards from a selection of leading brands, including Visa^®, MasterCard^®, Lowes, iTunes, Applebee's, Starbucks and Outback Steakhouse in over 800 locations. Gift Card Mall will also offer Stage Store customers prepaid telecom products from Verizon, Tracfone, T-Mobile and Net10.

"We are excited to offer customers of Stage Stores across the country convenient access to gift cards for all of their favorite global brands," said Bryan Haynes, Blackhawk Network Group Vice President of Business Development. "With the holiday season rapidly approaching, we're confident Stage Stores shoppers will enjoy a wide selection of gift card options."

Gift Card Mall reaches more than 160 million consumers weekly, offering a wide variety of prepaid cards from some of the best brands in the world, including popular entertainment, fashion, dining and digital content prepaid cards. A wide selection of gift cards will be available in various Stage Stores locations.

"Our customers rely on us for brand name apparel, accessories, cosmetics and footwear," said Chris Lauritzen, Vice President of Ancillary Revenue for Stage Stores, Inc. "With the addition of the Gift Card Mall, we can also offer customers prepaid cards for the brands they want and love."

About Blackhawk Network 
Blackhawk Network Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ: HAWK) is a leading prepaid payment network that supports the physical and digital distribution of a large range of prepaid products. Blackhawk Network utilizes proprietary technology to provide consumers a wide selection of gift cards, prepaid telecom handsets, airtime cards and general purpose reloadable cards across a global network totaling over 100,000 stores. Through Blackhawk's digital platform, the company supports prepaid products and offers across a growing network of digital distribution partners including leading etailers, financial service providers, social apps, mobile wallets and other integrated physical-to-digital channels. Founded in 2001, Blackhawk Network is headquartered in Pleasanton, California, and offers products and services in the United States and 18 other countries. For more information please, visit www.blackhawknetwork.com and www.giftcardmall.com.

About Stage Stores Inc. 

Stage Stores, Inc. operates primarily in small and mid-sized towns and communities. Its stores, which operate under the Bealls, Goody's, Palais Royal, Peebles, Stage and Steele's names, offer moderately priced, nationally recognized brand name apparel, accessories, cosmetics and footwear for the entire family. The Company operates 872 stores in 40 states. The Company also has an eCommerce website. For more information about Stage Stores, visit the Company's web site at www.stagestoresinc.com.

SOURCE Blackhawk Network, Inc.