Brookshire's and Planet U Partner to Offer U-pons Internet Coupons; Regional Market Chain Provides Convenience and Targeted Savings for Consumers With Online Coupons.

Business Editors & High-Tech Writers

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 22, 2000

Brookshire Grocery Company, one of the largest food companies in the southern United States, and planet U(TM) (www.planetu.com), the online promotions network for the consumer goods industry, today announced a partnership to offer U-pons(TM) Internet coupons on leading national brands.

U-pons will be available by registering at Brookshire's Web site (www.brookshires.com) and will be redeemable at all Brookshire's and Super-1 Foods store locations in Texas, Arkansas and Louisiana.

"This partnership helps us deliver on our pledge of providing our customers with the highest possible care and satisfaction by offering them targeted savings," said Mark Brookshire, president-marketing group, Brookshire Grocery Company. "Unlike traditional promotions that try to meet the needs of many different people with only a few offers, U-pons are targeted to each individual consumer to meet his or her specific needs."

Customers who register at www.brookshires.com receive up-to-the-minute shopping values as well as special offers tailored to their individual preferences. Once customers select a promotional offer on the site, they receive personalized, securely printed U-pons by mail within a few days. Coupon offers are targeted to shoppers based on personal profile information, interactive questions and past purchase behavior.

planet U's unique, paper-based "Net-to-Direct Mail(TM)" solution virtually eliminates the risk of fraud, which has plagued other consumer packaged goods coupons that rely on "print at home" solutions. U-pons are individually printed on copy-resistant paper and mailed via first class mail. In addition, each coupon includes an identifying code, allowing planet U to close the loop on offers by associating household profile information with redemption information.

"U-pons will support Brookshire's private label products, and help drive traffic to both their Web site and their store locations," said Bill Purcell, CEO and founder of planet U. "We can provide information that will help Brookshire's better understand their customers and tailor programs to meet many of their shopping needs."

planet U Internet Coupons

planet U offers Internet coupons, called U-pons(TM), that can be accessed across a network of retailer, marketer, and partner Web sites. Based on the consumer profile, usage history and targeting guidelines set by the marketer, consumers receive offers that are "right" for them. The consumer then selects the offers they wish to receive.

In addition to the "Net-to-Direct Mail(TM)" program, planet U also offers a "paperless" U-pons Internet coupon program, in which coupons are transferred electronically to the retailer's point-of-sale system. When a customer visits their local retail store and presents their frequent shopper card, the savings are automatically deducted from the total purchase.

About Brookshire's

Brookshire's history began 70 years ago (1928), when W.T. Brookshire opened a little store on the square in Tyler, Texas. Today, Brookshire's is still a privately owned company, operating stores in three states: Texas, Arkansas, and Louisiana.

Brookshire's prides itself on providing "Legendary Customer Service" in clean stores, while selling only top quality products at the best possible prices. Community involvement is another top priority and the company is committed to assisting in the communities where it operates.

Brookshire's fleet of trucks logs almost 9 million miles a year, bringing the freshest, finest groceries to our 133 supermarkets. For more information, please visit www.brookshires.com.

About planet U

planet U is the online promotions network for the consumer goods industry that most effectively connects manufacturers, retailers, and consumers. planet U provides manufacturers and retailers with the capability to deliver highly personalized and targeted promotions across its network of retailer Web sites -- representing more than 10,000 retail locations, and Web partner sites. In 1999, the company entered into an agreement with News America Marketing, a division of News Corp. (NYSE:NWS), to represent planet U's Internet coupon technology as part of its SmartSource(TM) portfolio of consumer promotion products and services for consumer packaged goods manufacturers. planet U is located in San Francisco. For more information, please visit www.planetu.com.