FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

For further information, contact
Ben Ball
Dechert-Hampe Consulting
555 Skokie Blvd.
Northbrook, IL  60062
847.559.0490

DHC Consultant Speaks at Retail Merchandiser's Dollar Summit VII

NORTHBROOK, IL, April 25, 2006 – Ben Ball of our Northbrook, Illinois office was one of the featured speakers at the “Dollar Store Summit 2006” event in Chicago, April 25-27, 2006. Sponsored by Retail Merchandiser magazine, the invitation-only event involved meetings between retailers and vendors that dominate key categories in dollar price point, closeout and other retail chains that offer extreme value merchandise.

Ben’s presentation, “The Future of Food in Extreme Value Retailers” discussed the recent trends and resulting challenges of the food category in this growing channel. He asserts that while store traffic, household penetration and annual trips have all grown over the past couple of years, the operating costs and complexity associated with carrying food items have gone up as well, and operating margins are shrinking.

Ben Ball is Senior Vice President of Dechert-Hampe & Company. He works with clients on integrated customer and market development projects, including customer relationship management. Prior to joining Dechert-Hampe, Ben was Vice President, Marketing PepsiCo Foods International.

For more information about how to deal with the challenges of the Extreme Value channel, please contact Ben Ball in our Chicago office at 847.559.0490.