PHOENIX and ATLANTA, Sep 7, 1999 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- PETsMART, Inc. has selected NCR Corporation for a solution to improve store checkout and back office operations, and help turn pet lovers into loyal PETsMART shoppers. NCR is providing software, hardware and services. Installation at the pet superstore chain's nearly 500 U.S. and Canadian locations is scheduled for completion by the end of the year.

"Providing a fulfilling and fun shopping experience for PETsMART customers is our top priority," said Jake Mendelsohn, senior vice president, chief information officer for PETsMART. "The objectives for this major store automation initiative include assuring that checkout transactions and other shopper interactions -- today and in the future -- help us continue building strong and mutually satisfying relationships with each PETsMART customer."

The foundation for PETsMART's new store systems will be NCR's Advanced Store for General Merchandise (AS/GM) solution. AS/GM incorporates features that can help retailers speed checkout, and it provides tools that are designed to be easy for store associates to learn and use. Designed to meet the in-store needs of larger general merchandise chains, AS/GM solutions typically include customized POS management applications, store servers, POS workstations and peripherals. NCR professional and support services provide the expertise and tools to transform technology into results-driven retail business solutions.

PETsMART's solution includes NCR 3272 servers, to be installed in all North American stores, plus NCR 7452 point-of-service (POS) workstations and NCR 7880 bar code scanners, to be installed in approximately half of the chain's North American locations. Existing POS hardware will continue in use at PETsMART's remaining stores, running the AS/GM software.

The NCR AS/GM solution for PETsMART will run the Microsoft(R) Windows(R) NT operating system.

"The flexibility of Windows NT makes it easier for NCR's consultants to tailor a solution to the unique business requirements of retailers such as PETsMART," said Microsoft's Becky Kaske, group manager, Business Solutions Group. "In addition to meeting their current challenges, the Windows NT-based AS/GM will allow PETsMART to incorporate future technology enhancements and adapt to changes in their business."

"PETsMART is continuing to grow at a remarkable rate, and their decision to implement an NCR AS/GM solution will help assure their store systems keep pace with this rapid expansion," said Alan Couch, NCR vice president for General Merchandise Solutions in the Americas. "NCR is providing project management services to PETsMART in addition to the software and hardware. Our years of experience in handling programs of this magnitude will help PETsMART minimize disruption to operations and avoid customer inconvenience."

About PETsMART PETsMART, Inc. (Nasdaq: PETM) is a leading retail supplier of products and services for pets and their families. The Company operates 580 pet superstores in the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom, has a major pet supply catalog business, and is a leading online provider of pet products and information through its partner, petsmart.com. PETsMART provides a broad range of competitively priced pet food and supplies, and offers full-service veterinary, grooming and pet training services. Since 1992, the Company's charitable giving and animal adoption programs have saved the lives of more than 500,000 companion animals. For more information, visit PETsMART's web site at www.petsmart.com.

About NCR Corporation NCR Corporation (NYSE: NCR) is in the business of transforming transactions into relationships. NCR is a recognized world leader in data warehousing solutions, ATMs, point-of-service systems, high performance scanners, and support services for retail, financial, telecommunications, airline and insurance markets. NCR's business solutions are built on the foundation of the company's long-established industry knowledge and consulting expertise, value-adding software, global customer support services, a complete line of consumable and media products, and world-leading hardware technology. More information about NCR and its solutions may be found on the World Wide Web at www.ncr.com.

NCR is a trademark of NCR Corporation. All brand and product names appearing in this release are registered trademarks or trademarks of their respective holders.

SOURCE NCR Corporation (C) 1999 PR Newswire. All rights reserved. http://www.prnewswire.com -0- CONTACT: Robert (Kelly) Kramer of NCR Corporation, 770-623-7215 or [email protected]; or John Walker, 770-431-6227, [email protected] or Krisie Augustine, 770-431-6242, [email protected], both of Edelman Public Relations Worldwide WEB PAGE: http://www.ncr.com

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Thanks Anna!