Catalina Marketing International signs Sainsbury; ASDA expands electronic marketing network; new CMI additions boost store count by more than 150 percent.

ST. PETERSBURG, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 30, 1996--The international business unit of Catalina Marketing Corp. (NYSE:POS) announced a major expansion of the Catalina Marketing Network and its core program, Checkout Coupon, led by the signing of a pilot program by U.K. retailer Sainsbury and completed installations of all 197 ASDA Supermarkets in the United Kingdom.

These expansions, combined with new installations in France and Mexico, boost the total international store count from 180 to 460.

Additionally in the United Kingdom, Sommerfield/Gateway, a retailer with 450 scanner-installed outlets, is continuing its five- store pilot. Also in the U.K., Catalina Marketing will introduce its database marketing program, Checkout Direct, which adds a time dimension to the network's targeting ability by monitoring household purchases on an ongoing basis and delivering incentives to individual households based on actual category purchases over time.

"By signing Sainsbury and completing installations in all ASDA Supermarkets, we've effectively penetrated the U.K. market, proving our technology can transcend the cultural and geographical barriers presented by international markets," said David Van Buskirk, president of Catalina Marketing International. "And, our retail partners have a high level of commitment to the program, as evidenced by extended contracts we've written with supermarkets in Europe and Mexico."

In France the company signed a long-term contract with Casino Supermarkets. The Network has been installed in 148 Casino stores and will expand to 398 total stores by year end. Testing continues in two other major French chains, Docks de France and Promodes.

In Mexico, a five-year contract with Gigante Stores was signed and installation has been completed in the company's 47-store Mexico City division with plans to install the entire chain of 145 stores by mid-1996.

The Catalina Marketing Network has also been installed in 34 Aurrera stores, part of the 143-store Cifra Supermarket Group, a chain that represents 40 percent of all grocery stores in Mexico City. In addition, consumer response to Catalina Marketing Network programs in Mexico has been positive with Checkout Coupon redemption rates equaling those in the United States.

Based in St. Petersburg, Fla., Catalina Marketing Corp. provides in-store electronic marketing programs for more than 130 consumer goods companies, including Campbell Soup Co., Kraft Foods, Nestle U.S.A. and RJR Nabisco.

The Catalina Marketing Network reaches more than 126 million shoppers each week in more than 9,400 supermarkets across the United States, including retail chains such as American Stores, Kroger, Winn-Dixie and Safeway. Internationally, the network reaches more than 10 million shoppers each week in Europe and Mexico.

The company is composed of four independent business units: Catalina Marketing Services, which markets the company's core electronic marketing programs in supermarkets, mass merchandisers and drug stores; Catalina Electronic Clearing Services, the industry's first electronic coupon clearing service; Health Resource Publishing Co., which delivers customized newsletters to pharmacy customers cased on prescription purchases; and Catalina Marketing International.

CONTACT: GCI Spindler

Brandon Smith or Debbie Pfeifer, 213/930-0811