More Than $6.5 Million in Free Gasoline Awarded to Shoppers in 2002 Using Fuel Rewards; Program to Fuel Consumers' Cars for Free Throughout the 4th of July Holiday

    DALLAS--July 1, 2002--Fuel Rewards(R), the leader in gasoline-related consumer rewards programs announced today that consumers using its in-store free gas promotion have received more than $6.5 million in free gas vouchers in the first six months of 2002.
    The free gas program, now in its third year at grocery retailers across the country, continues to help reduce consumer gasoline expenses by rewarding their purchases with free gas savings.
    Partnering with national grocers, consumer goods manufacturers and petroleum companies, Fuel Rewards develops consumer incentive programs that reward consumers with free gas savings. Customers receive free gasoline vouchers based on purchasing select products throughout the grocery store. Leading national consumer goods manufacturers are involved in the Fuel Rewards program. Some of the many grocery retailers taking part in the free gas program include Brookshire's, H-E-B, Meijer, Stop & Shop and Winn-Dixie Stores.
    "For the upcoming 4th of July holiday, Americans will pick up more than picnic supplies at their local grocery store," said Steven Rosenberg, Fuel Rewards president and chief executive officer. "In more than 500 stores across the nation, consumers can do their holiday shopping and earn free gasoline using the Fuel Rewards program."
    The Fuel Rewards program is integrated into the grocer's point-of-sale system and generates free gas vouchers at checkout when specific purchase minimums are met. The free gas vouchers are redeemable at any of the participating grocer's on-site or fuel partner gas stations, such as Chevron. Nearly $1.2 million of free gasoline has been redeemed, this year alone - an 18-percent national average redemption rate, which exceeds typical coupon efforts that usually redeem at one to three percent.
    "Integration of in-store sales with gasoline savings that are subsidized by the food wholesalers is a powerful customer offering," said Joe Leto, founder and president of Denver-based Energy Analysts International. "Significant gasoline savings provided as a reward for in-store purchases provides a very strong offering for building customer loyalty and increasing store traffic."
    "The industry leaders with which Fuel Rewards has partnered clearly have made a positive impact on the consumers and communities we serve," said Steven Rosenberg, Fuel Rewards president and chief executive officer. "The fact that our program has generated more than $6.5 million in free gas savings with extraordinary redemption rates illustrates how effective rewards programs are."

    About Fuel Rewards

    Dallas-based Fuel Rewards(R) develops innovative consumer rewards programs by partnering with companies in the supermarket, consumer packaged goods and petroleum industries. Currently in its third successful year, Fuel Rewards' unique marketing approach creates synergies between the grocery store and the fueling center enabling manufacturers to increase sales and brand awareness cost-effectively. The Fuel Rewards program is offered nationwide in more than 500 locations. For more information, please visit www.fuelrewards.com.