(HONG KONG - April 10, 2002) PARKnSHOP is launching a "Youth Development Fund Raising Campaign" to raise HK$1 million for Hong Kong youngsters - in particular the less fortunate.

The Community Chest will channel the funds to youth-related assistance projects.

The Hong Kong public is being urged to support this initiative and at the same time save money shopping at Hong Kong's leading supermarket chain by participating.

The campaign is themed "Help Hong Kong Youth While You Shop" and runs for the next three weeks, from 11 April - 2 May.

It centres around 'Charity Coupon Booklets' on sale for just HK$2 at PARKnSHOP stores. Coupons entitle customers to HK$2 savings on purchasing any of the 22 featured products - so they can redeem the price of the booklet with just one purchase.

PARKnSHOP is donating all proceeds of booklet sales to The Community Chest. Suppliers will also donate an extra HK$1 to charity for each of their products purchased.

PARKnSHOP kicked-off the campaign with a HK$100,000 donation.

"It's a win-win situation for everybody and with the support of our customers I'm confident we can reach our HK$1 million target," said Logan Taylor, Chief Executive Officer of the Retail Food Division of AS Watson Group, which runs the supermarket chain.

"PARKnSHOP is delighted to participate in this campaign and contribute. It's an especially worthy cause,"

"The young generation is the future of Hong Kong -- and as a corporate citizen of this community, PARKnSHOP is committed to their well-being."

Pop star Ms Miriam Yeung urged the public to participate, saying: "Everyone benefits from this -- especially the kids! I'm sure the Hong Kong public will support this campaign."

This is the second consecutive year that PARKnSHOP has participated in a charity drive for youngsters. Last year the supermarket chain raised over HK$1 million with a Children's Education Fund Raising Campaign - and was awarded the "President's Award for Excellence 2000/2001" by The Community Chest.

Mr Lawrence Yu, MBE, JP, Campaign Committee Co-Chairman of The Community Chest commented: "We're extremely grateful for PARKnSHOP's continuing support for our Youth Services.

"Last year we allocated just over HK$17 million to the programme and PARKnSHOP was one of the biggest contributors.

"I'm sure customers will rally-round with PARKnSHOP again this year to ensure the campaign is a great success."

Community Chest funding supports a wide range of services for youngsters:

• Children and Youth Centres develop a sense of social responsibility by encouraging young people to engage in community programmes. Guidance, counselling and support is also provided to disadvantaged young people.
• Aboard a challenging Adventure Ship youngsters develop self-reliance, mutual tolerance and community spirit.
• Temporary residence, counselling and employment programmes are provided at Christian Fellowship Pastoral Care to ex-offenders and ex-probationers.
• The Hong Kong Award for Young People encourages worthwhile leisure activities and voluntary service.
• The SKH Diocesan Welfare Council runs a Youth Employment Integrated Service Project; and Treats is a programme integrating abled and disabled young people.

  
About PARKnSHOP

Established in 1973, PARKnSHOP is Hong Kong's leading supermarket chain. With its continuous commitment to innovation, quality, service and value, PARKnSHOP is well recognized by the industry through many awards including the Hong Kong Management Association Quality Award 2000. Its well-known "Fresh Check" and "PriceWatch" programmes guarantee customers the highest possible level of food safety and hygiene while maintaining the lowest prices in town.

PARKnSHOP now operates over 200 outlets with over 10,000 employees in Hong Kong and Macau, of which some 50 are new-generation superstores.