NRF to Honor Retail Visionaries

Washington, DC, December 26, 2006--The National Retail will honor Reed Hastings, Founder, Chairman and CEO, Netflix, as the Innovator of the Year and Kishore Biyani, Founder and Managing Director, Pantaloon Retail (India) Limited, as International Retailer of the Year at the Annual Retail Industry Luncheon on Tuesday, January 16, NRF. Millard Drexler, Chairman and CEO of J.Crew Group, Inc., will receive the Gold Medal Award. “Retailers who can keep pace with consumer demand deserve all the credit in the world,” stated NRF President and CEO Tracy Mullin. “We are thrilled to be able to recognize these industry leaders and we commend their innovative efforts and achievements.” Since launching its online movie rental service in 1999, Netflix has become the world's largest online DVD movie rental service. Netflix offers more than five million members access to more than 70,000 titles. Their "no late fees, no due dates" online movie rental model has eliminated the hassle involved in choosing, renting and returning movies. Pantaloon Retail (India) Ltd is India’s leading retail company with a merchandise mix including food, fashion, home solutions and consumer electronics, books and music, health, wellness and beauty, general merchandise, communication products, e-tailing and leisure and entertainment. Headquartered in Mumbai (Bombay), the company has more than 100 stores and operates in over 30 cities in India and employs more than 14,000 people. J.Crew CEO and Chairman Millard "Mickey" Drexler, NRF’s Gold Medal Award recipient, has helped bring inspiration, creativity, and unparalleled expertise to J. Crew in recent years. J.Crew began in 1983, when its first catalog was launched. Over the years, the business has grown from a mail-order start-up to an iconic American brand known worldwide for its sophisticated, fun clothing and accessories to live, work, play and even get married in. J.Crew has expanded to 174 retail and 51 outlet stores across the United States and in Japan. In addition to the Annual Retail Industry Luncheon, NRF’s Annual Convention and EXPO will feature other educational sessions, forums and events. For more information on NRF’s Annual Convention, visit our website, www.nrf.com/annual07

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