CHARLOTTE, N.C. -- TWT Distributing, Inc. (http://www.twtdist.com) today announced it has been selected to manage the ethnic health and beauty care category for the Kroger Co.

Under the agreement, TWT Distributing, a minority-owned distributor of ethnic toiletries, will be responsible for sourcing, procuring and merchandising ethnic health and beauty care products for 12 divisions of Kroger.

TWT Distributing, Inc., plans to conduct demographic and purchasing research and draw upon its years of industry experience to create and implement a program which will ensure that Kroger's ethnic customers will be able to select from a wide variety of high-quality ethnic health and beauty care products.

"Our number one priority will be to serve Kroger's ethnic customers," commented Tom Tyree, President and CEO of TWT Distributing, Inc. "We plan to rely on our long-term and trusted partnerships with the ethnic manufacturers in order to bring maximum value to Kroger customers."

TWT Distributing, Inc. will be responsible for developing consumer-driven marketing and promotional programs aimed at attracting new customers to Kroger stores. Tyree states, "This agreement shows the continuing high level of commitment Kroger has to ethnic customers."

"We believe that TWT's experience in this category will enable Kroger to expand our product offering and better meet the needs of our increasingly diverse customer base," said Denise Thomas, Supplier Diversity Coordinator for Kroger.

ABOUT KROGER

Headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, Kroger is one of the nation's largest retail grocery chains. At the end of the first quarter of fiscal 2004, the Company operated (either directly or through its subsidiaries) 2,536 supermarkets and multi-department stores in 32 states under two dozen banners including Kroger, Ralphs, Fred Meyer, Food 4 Less, King Soopers, Smiths, Fry's, Fry's Marketplace, Dillons, QFC and City Market. Kroger also operated (either directly, through its subsidiaries, franchise agreements, or operating agreements) 794 convenience stores, 439 fine jewelry stores, and 42 food processing plants. For more information about Kroger, please visit http://www.kroger.com.

ABOUT TWT Distributing, Inc.

Based in Charlotte, North Carolina, TWT Distributing, Inc. is the leading distributor of health and beauty care products and toiletries for African Americans and Hispanics. Established in 1992, TWT Distributing, Inc. distributes the top ethnic brands in hair care, facial care, cosmetics, hosiery and hair accessories to grocery, drug and discount chains and wholesalers throughout the United States. TWT Distributing, Inc. is a member of The General Merchandise Distributors Council, The Carolina Grocers Association and The Carolinas Minority Supplier Development Councils Inc.

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More information: http://www.twtdist.com