CCA Global Partners Launches Tuxedo America; Cooperative Will Enable Independent Retailers to Compete in an Era of Consolidation.

Business Editors

MANCHESTER, N.H.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 28, 2003

CCA Global Partners Inc., the world's largest and most successful home furnishings retail group with combined sales of $6 billion, has expanded into formalwear with Tuxedo America, a cooperative of more than 300 independently owned retailers of men's formalwear. Tuxedo America is CCA's latest addition to its fast-growing multi-billion dollar retail empire.

"Consolidation threatens the profitability and growth of independent retailers. Our goal is to bring together the country's premier independent bridal retailers, including men's formalwear, and give them the value-added services that will enable them to dominate their markets while maintaining their autonomy," said Howard Brodsky, co-founder, co-chairman and co-CEO of CCA Global Partners. "We expect Tuxedo America to more than double its members by attracting the most dedicated, innovative and customer-oriented retailers."

"Independent retailers have long been the backbone of American business, but in the last decade, corporate Goliaths have resulted in the decline of locally owned family retailers," said Christopher Ramey, president of Tuxedo America. "We reverse that trend by creating aggressive marketing and merchandising strategies so that independent businesses remain market leaders. Tuxedo America members will immediately have access to the innovative marketing, management and purchasing capabilities that help CCA retailers achieve profitability levels substantially above industry norms."

Unlike many other retail segments, men's formalwear and the bridal industry continue to thrive despite the economic downturn. "More than 2.5 million couples marry each year, and formalwear is a $1.4 billion industry that continues to grow," noted Alan Greenberg, co-founder, co-chairman and co-CEO of CCA Global Partners. "Tuxedo America answers the consumer's need for the personal service at which locally owned businesses can excel combined with the product range and value of a large national retailer."

Tuxedo America members have annual sales of $160 million and over 300 locations, including: Al's Formal Wear in Louisiana, Oklahoma and Texas; Ascot Tuxedos in New Mexico and Texas; Derks Formals in Alberta and British Columbia; Friar Tux Shop in California; Mister Neat's Formalwear in Colorado and Wyoming; Mr. Formal in Oregon, Washington and Idaho; The Tux Shop in Washington; D'Alesios Tuxedos in Arizona; Cromwell Formalwear in Oregon; Tuxedo Den in Oregon, California and Nevada; Mr. Tux in Maine, New Hampshire, Rhode Island and Massachusetts; President Tuxedo in Michigan and Ohio; Sacino's Formalwear in Florida; Schapiro's Formal Shop in New York; Skeffington's Formalwear in Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio; and Squire Tux in Connecticut.

CCA Global Partners is a retail innovator whose unique business model enables thousands of independent retailers to compete successfully with large national corporations. CCA Global Partners drives its brands with the superior marketing, product development, training, operations and purchasing capabilities typically available only to large companies, while maintaining the lowest cost structure in the industry. Members of CCA Global Partners have more than 2,300 locations in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand with a total combined annual sales volume of $6 billion.