Cost Plus World Market Premiered its 12th Store in Los Angeles; West Coast Retailer Opened its 58th Store in Thousand Oaks.

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 7, 1996--Cost Plus Inc. premiered its winning combination of Home Decor and Home Entertaining "World Market" stores on Thursday, Nov. 7.

This addition marks the 12th store in the Los Angeles area, and the 58th store nationwide for Cost Plus. Cost Plus World Market -- located in The Promenade at Westlake in Thousand Oaks -- offers 20,000 unique and affordable gourmet food and wine, housewares, and furniture imported from more than 50 countries around the world.

Cost Plus targets its product selection to reflect the broad consumer trends in the 1990s which include an emphasis on more casual lifestyles, an increased investment in the home and greater focus on value.

The company's four key product categories are (1) home decor including furniture, rugs and baskets; (2) tabletop items including glassware, ceramics and kitchen; (3) gift items such as jewelry, candles and seasonal items; and, (4) consumable items such as wine, gourmet foods, coffee and teas. The company believes that breadth and depth of assortment in its selected casual living categories position Cost Plus as a destination store.

"We believe a spicy combination of competitively priced international home furnishing and gourmet food and wine is the recipe for success," said Ralph Dillon, Cost Plus chairman and CEO. Nowhere is this more true than Thousand Oaks. "The demographics of the Thousand Oaks area are a perfect match for Cost Plus World Market."

The Thousand Oaks store is an 18,630-square-foot showcase of living cultures, that can be navigated from a single starting point: the compass rose etched into the floor as you enter. Stocked with international treasures, shoppers are in for a treat no matter which direction they turn.

The eclectic collection includes hand-crafted iron candle-holders from India, 22 kinds of olive oil, 250 labels of wine, Baltic Amber jewelry from Poland, recycled wood furniture made in Indonesia, handmade birdhouses, kitchen utensils, hand-painted ceramics from Italy and more.

Small Indulgences

"Cost Plus buyers rummage through kasbahs, marketplaces and covered bazaars from Buenos Aires to Marrakech, with what I call the small indulgences rule in mind," said Pat Belardi, Cost Plus vice-president of merchandising.

"The Cost Plus shopper has little free time and many influences competing for his or her disposable income. Our customers want to leave our store with an item they feel is a reward for their hard work, will set them apart from their friends, and will not break the bank; these are small indulgences."

Hundreds of customers celebrated the Grand Opening with civic leaders and Cost Plus employees. Among the activities on Thursday were the personal appearances of Bernard Guillas of "La Jolla Beach and Tennis Club" and Deborah Fabricant of "The Art of Entertaining," demonstrating their hottest recipes and culinary trends and techniques.

In addition, everyone enjoyed special musical entertainment as well as numerous gourmet food tastings from Thai Kitchen, Lost Acres Fruit Butters, Alloccos, Toblerone, Ghirardelli Chocolate and Torani Syrups.

The Grand Opening Celebration continues throughout the weekend with a personal appearance from Los Angeles Clippers Basketball Star Brent Barry -- who will sign autographs on Saturday morning, Nov. 9, from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. In addition, Cost Plus customers and staff will enjoy Carribean Jazz Band music Saturday, 12-3 p.m.

Cost Plus was founded in 1958 when a San Francisco businessman blended his passion for travel and retail by selling shiploads of hand-woven wicker. In addition to the Thousand Oaks store, Cost Plus plans to open 12 additional stores in 1997.

CONTACT: Cost Plus World Market

Christine Hildebrand, 510/893-7300 ext. 3016