American Stores Selects SpectraLink Wireless Telephone System for Use in Three of its Principal Retail Operations.

BOULDER, Colo.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 11, 1998

Pocket Communications Systems(TM) Installed in Acme Markets,

Jewel Osco, and Lucky/Sav-on Stores

As part of its continuing commitment to invest in state-of-the art information systems technologies, American Stores Company has selected SpectraLink Corporation's on-the-premises wireless telephone system for use in its Acme Markets, Jewel Osco, and Lucky/Sav-on combination food and drug stores.

American Stores initiated the roll-out with a successful trial in two Acme Markets in November, 1997.

The SpectraLink Pocket Communications System is currently being deployed in twelve of American Stores' Acme Markets, seven of its Jewel Osco, and twenty of its Lucky/Sav-on stores. By the end of 1998, American Stores plans to have the SpectraLink system installed in 100 of its combination food/drug stores.

SpectraLink's Pocket Telephones enable each store's customer service personnel, supermarket managers, and pharmacy personnel to provide better customer service by significantly increasing their availability to both call-in customers and in-store customers, as well as to store employees. The Pocket Communications System also dramatically reduces overhead paging, creating a more relaxed shopping environment.

"On-the-premises wireless was the only technology that was able to meet the extensive coverage needs of our combination food and drug stores," said Lance Platt, senior buyer, American Stores Company. "We tested several digital cordless phone systems, but we were unhappy with the distance restrictions and durability of the phones. SpectraLink's Pocket Telephone, on the other hand, provided us with the wireless mobility we were looking for, without the coverage limitations of cordless, at a reasonable cost."

"Retailers such as American Stores recognize that the Pocket Communications System is an invaluable tool for providing outstanding customer service," said Mike Cronin, vice president of sales and marketing for SpectraLink. "More than 1,000 retail stores across the United States have installed SpectraLink systems, which provide a high quality, cost-effective means of answering a customer's phone call right away."

The SpectraLink Pocket Communications SystThe SpectraLink Master Control Unit at each location is digitally integrated with the stores' Northern Telecom Norstar key telephone systems, permitting users to access party name display. Small radio base stations American Stores Company (NYSE:ASC) is one of the nation's largest food and drug retailers. It operates 1,557 stores in 26 states including 263 food and drug combination stores, 543 supermarkets and 751 stand-alone drug stores.ompany operates 1,104 pharmacies within its stut SpectraLink

With more than 3,000 Pocket Communications Systems installed and more than 65,000premises wireless telephone systems. SpectraLinBorder's Books, Home Depot, Kmart, Neiman Marc University Medical Center, Sun Microsystems, UCLA Medical Center, the U.S. Postal Service, Volvo Construction Equipment, and Whirlpool. For more information contact 1-800-676-5465, or www.spectralink.com.

This release as it relates to revenues and other company matters, contains forward-looking statements, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. Investors are directed to the Risk Factors section and other information contained in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission for a more complete description of the risks and uncertainties relating to the material in this release as well as to other aspects of the company's business. -0-

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CONTACT: SpectraLink Corporation

Vibeke Arentz, 303/440-5330

1/961-4525

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