27.02.2009, Karstadt gold card replaces HappyDigits customer card

Essen, 23 February 2009. From 1 March 2009, Karstadt is offering its customers a new customer card, the Karstadt gold card. It offers quick, simple and direct shopping benefits. Over the last few days, Karstadt has sent the new customer card to each of the four million customers who have used their HappyDigits customer card for shopping in the last fourteen months. All other holders of a Karstadt HappyDigits customer card can request the new Karstadt gold card by telephone or over the internet.

Summarising the main benefits of the Karstadt gold card, Ulrich Schumacher, Head of Customer Management at Karstadt, stated that "The Karstadt gold card offers our customers clear benefits and discounts directly at the cash desk within fixed periods". Karstadt is terminating the agreement for use of the HappyDigits bonus programme as of 28 February 2009.

The Karstadt gold card entitles the holder to discounts on selected ranges within fixed periods - the Karstadt gold weeks. This should also encourage customers to focus systematically on Karstadt for their shopping and purchases. Karstadt customers will discover when the gold weeks are taking place and the ranges which are of interest to gold card holders by means of a complete package of communication measures including the website www.karstadt-goldwochen.de. At the same time, Karstadt is replacing the Karstadt HappyDigits Mastercard with a Karstadt Mastercard, holders of which are also entitled to participate in the gold weeks.

Nevertheless, HappyDigits balances on Karstadt customer cards and Karstadt credit cards continue to be valid and can be redeemed in all Karstadt branches until 31 August 2009. The holders of these customer cards can continue to collect HappyDigits at Karstadt until 28 February 2009.