Outerwall Releases 2013 Corporate Social Responsibility Report

BELLEVUE, Wash., May 13, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Outerwall Inc. (Nasdaq: OUTR), a leader in automated retail, today released its third annual corporate social responsibility (CSR) report, which outlines its 2013 efforts and long-term goals to cultivate an exceptional workplace, support local communities, and reduce environmental impacts. The report is now available online at outerwall.com/responsibility.

(Video - http://youtu.be/4AU60nPX0-w)
(Logo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20130701/AQ41388LOGO)

In 2013, Outerwall made changes to the leadership team, introduced a new brand identity and acquired ecoATM while working to further integrate CSR across its operations.

"As our business evolves, we remain focused on our employees, our communities and the environment," said J. Scott Di Valerio, chief executive officer at Outerwall. "In 2013, we looked inward to better understand our impact, drawing inspiration from our community and retail partners to boldly innovate and develop sustainable solutions. We'll continue working with employees to explore new opportunities to drive efficiencies and create shared value."

In 2010, Outerwall set a goal to reduce operational greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 15 percent by 2015. Transportation used to service the company's kiosks accounts for roughly half of its overall carbon footprint. In 2013, Outerwall's Coinstar business expanded its use of hybrid vehicles, which now represent 86 percent of its passenger fleet. Additionally, the company's Redbox logistics team continued to benefit from a routing optimization initiative implemented in 2012; while its Redbox® kiosk count increased last year, total miles driven to service kiosks decreased. Coupled with other efforts, Outerwall reduced its greenhouse gas emissions intensity by 22 percent last year, exceeding its 2015 goal ahead of schedule.

To further curb environmental impacts, Outerwall also aims to reduce average kiosk energy use by 15 percent by 2015. By implementing kiosk design changes that minimize lighting needs, Outerwall is improving kiosk efficiency. For example, in 2013 the company installed timers in Redbox kiosks, enabling lighting to be turned off when retail stores are closed or foot traffic is minimal. The company also eliminated the need for some lighting features on its Coinstar® kiosks, resulting in a 29 percent reduction in average kiosk energy use. Across its lines of business, Outerwall reduced average kiosk energy use by 1 percent in 2013.

Beyond its environmental efforts, Outerwall elevated its commitment to local communities in 2013, increasing corporate charitable giving and employee participation in volunteer opportunities. Last year the company met its goal to donate 1 percent of the previous year's after-tax profits to charitable causes, contributing more than $1.5 million in cash and in-kind donations to community organizations. In 2013 Outerwall also succeeded in mobilizing 28 percent of employees to participate in company-sponsored volunteer events, continuing to build momentum toward its goal of engaging one-third of the workforce in volunteerism by 2015.

"At Outerwall we believe in cultivating an inclusive work environment where employees are empowered to take an active role in CSR initiatives," said Nicole Trimble, Outerwall's senior director of corporate responsibility. "We work to help provide employees with access to opportunities that will support their personal and professional development while enriching our communities and protecting the environment. In doing so, we're also able to advance our business objectives."

About Outerwall Inc.
Outerwall Inc. (Nasdaq: OUTR) has more than 20 years of experience creating some of the most profitable spaces for their retail partners. The company mission is to create a better everyday by delivering breakthrough kiosk experiences that delight consumers and generate revenue for retailers. As the company that brought consumers Redbox® entertainment, Coinstar® money services, and ecoATM® electronics recycling kiosks, Outerwall is leading the next generation of automated retail and paving the way for inventive, scalable businesses. Outerwall™ kiosks are in neighborhood grocery stores, drug stores, mass merchants, malls, and other retail locations in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. Learn more at www.outerwall.com.

Safe Harbor for Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements in this press release are "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. The words "believe," "will," "expect," "intend," "anticipate" and variations of such words, and similar expressions identify forward-looking statements, but their absence does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. The forward-looking statements in this release include statements regarding Outerwall's corporate social responsibility initiatives. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future actions, results, performance or events, which may vary materially from those expressed or implied in such statements. Differences may result from actions taken by Outerwall or its management, as well as from risks and uncertainties beyond its control. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, changes in Outerwall's strategic and financial objectives, and the ability to attract new retailers, penetrate new markets and distribution channels and react to changing consumer demands. The foregoing list of risks and uncertainties is illustrative but by no means exhaustive. For more information on factors that may affect Outerwall, please review "Risk Factors" and other disclosures described in Outerwall's most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission, as well as other public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. These forward-looking statements reflect Outerwall's expectations as of the date of this release. Outerwall undertakes no obligation to update the information provided herein.

SOURCE Outerwall Inc.