Tefisto Partners Enables Large Chain Store Retailers to Sell Gift Cards from Americas Top Retail and Restaurant Chains

Direct Partnership Program Allows Retailers to Sell Non-Competing POS-Activated Third-Party Gift Cards - Without Losing 25% - 40% of the Available Commission to a Distributor

Tempe, AZ July 26, 2004 -- Tefisto Partners, a consulting practice which enables large chain store retailers to go direct to product and service providers in the Stored Value space, today announced the availability of their gift card enablement service, which allows large chain store retailers to sell gift cards from other leading retail and restaurant chains, getting paid a commission by the issuing merchant on each card activation.

The US gift card market soared to over $45 Billion in 2003 according to Tower Group, as consumers passionately embraced the offer. According to ValueLink, 45% of Americans purchased a gift card in 2003, up from just 23% in 2002. This market explosion has created the opportunity for retailers to sell gift cards from other merchants, who pay the selling merchant a commission on each activation.

A large chain store retailer could see third-party gift card sales surpassing $100 Million a year according to Keith Brand, President of Tefisto Partners. At an average commission of 10%, that would be over $10 Million of new gross profit dollars to the bottom line. And with no product cost, no inventory and no shrinkage, these POS activated third-party gift cards represent a sweet spot not seen since the introduction of Prepaid Wireless. If you have stores and you have traffic, you have built in opportunity in this space.

Most importantly for the retailer, continued Mr. Brand, is that the selling merchant earn the full commission available on each card sale. There are now a small handful of distributors offering third party gift card programs, taking 25% to 40% of the retailers available commission, or potentially millions of dollars a year. Tefisto Partners program enables the retailer to go direct to the gift card issuer, earning full commissions, while creating a strong and lasting partnership.

For additional information on this gift card service and Tefisto Partners, contact Keith Brand at 602.750.8055, or e-mail protected from spam bots. Interested parties should also visit www.tefistopartners.com.

About Tefisto Partners:
Tefisto Partners, based in Tempe, Arizona, is a consulting / outsourced category management practice made up of retail industry veterans who specialize in product development, marketing communications and supply chain management within the Prepaid Telecom / Financial Services / Stored Value space. Tefisto Partners works with large chain store retailers to bring new electronically delivered products and services to market, and maximizes retailer profitability by streamlining the supply chain and product delivery, while ensuring products and services are effectively marketed inside and outside the store.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Keith Brand
President
Tefisto Partners, Inc.
602.750.8055
http://www.tefistopartners.com
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