[June 28, 2005]

Three Million Minutes of Call Time Being Donated to U.S. Troops

BIRMINGHAM, Ala., June 28 /PRNewswire/ -- Saks Department Store Group (SDSG) today announced that its "Let Freedom Ring" program, designed to give U.S. troops free phone calls home, has far exceeded expectations. The company, which set an initial goal of raising one million minutes of call time for U.S. military personnel, now plans to donate at least three million minutes.

Through the "Let Freedom Ring" campaign, which kicked off before Mother's Day weekend, SDSG will donate one phone call home for every $25 shoppers charge to their store credit cards. Phone time became available to military personnel beginning June 18, in time for Father's Day, one of the busiest calling days of the year. Two million minutes are being distributed to U.S. military serving overseas, with the remaining one million being given to armed forces personnel in domestic military hospitals.
"Our customers have truly made this program an outstanding success," said George Jones, president and CEO of Saks Department Store Group. "We couldn't be more pleased that they have embraced this opportunity to give back to our U.S. troops and we thank them for their support."
SDSG is partnering with HSBC Retail Services, issuer of SDSG's private label credit cards and MCI to provide a network for the free calls, which are being coordinated directly through MCI. The minutes are being distributed through a combination of MCI phone banks and calling cards.
"MCI's participation in the 'Let Freedom Ring' campaign is part of our ongoing support of U.S. military personnel and their families," said Jerry Edgerton, senior vice president, MCI Government Markets. "We see this as an opportunity to say thank you for the sacrifices that family, friends and armed forces personnel are making for their country."
"We are proud to be a part of this worthwhile program and are overwhelmed by the success it has achieved," said Joseph Hoff, chief executive officer, HSBC Retail Services. "Three million minutes of phone time will be a real morale booster for our troops, and there is still time for customers to add more minutes to the total."
Shoppers can participate in the program through July 4, 2005 at SDSG department stores, including: Carson Pirie Scott, Bergner's, Boston Store, Herberger's, Proffitt's, McRae's, Parisian and Younkers.
About Saks Department Store Group
Saks Incorporated operates Saks Department Store Group with 232 department stores under the names of Parisian, Proffitt's, McRae's, Younkers, Herberger's, Carson Pirie Scott, Bergner's and Boston Store, as well as 48 Club Libby Lu specialty stores. The Company also operates Saks Fifth Avenue Enterprises (SFAE), which consists of 57 Saks Fifth Avenue stores, 52 Saks Off 5th stores and http://saks.com/ .
About MCI
MCI, Inc. is a leading global communications provider, delivering innovative, cost-effective, advanced communications connectivity to businesses, governments and consumers. With one of the most expansive global IP backbones and wholly-owned data networks, MCI develops the converged communications products and services that are the foundation for commerce and communications in today's market. For more information, go to http://www.mci.com/ .
About HSBC Retail Services
HSBC Retail Services is a leading issuer of private label (merchant branded) credit cards in the United States. This business provides flexible, customized credit card solutions for many of the world's premier retailers and manufacturers. For more information, visit http://www.hsbcretailservices.com/ .
Saks Department Store Group

CONTACT: Liz O'Connell for Saks, +1-414-270-7151,eoconnell@laughlin.com

Web site: http://saks.com/http://www.mci.com/http://www.hsbcretailservices.com/

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