Asia PR News

SYDNEY, July 31 /Medianet International-AsiaNet/ –

The international expansion continues with successful Australian retailer,
Howards Storage World signing up Master Franchises in Ireland and the
Philippines. Howards Storage World anticipates that 25 stores will open in
Ireland and 30 in the Philippines.

The Ireland Master Franchisee is planning to open its first Howards Storage
World store in March 2008 with the Philippines Group anticipating roll out one
month later in April 2008.

The Master Franchise model allows for a franchisee to buy and own the
rights to a territory. In Ireland the stores will be franchised, and in the
Philippines all stores will be company owned.

The Master Franchisee for Ireland - Olive Donovan - first saw a store when
visiting her sister in Perth, Western Australia. With a merchant banking
background, Olive saw the market potential for the Howards concept and
consequently bought the rights for Howards Storage World in Ireland and
Northern Ireland.

The Robinsons retail group that has purchased the Philippines Master
Franchise, by contrast, is a large retail group that intends to company own its
Howards Storage World stores. Robinsons is the second biggest retailer in the
Philippines turning over US$500 million. The group represents The Handyman
Hardware Group of stores, Robinson Department Stores, Toys R Us from the US,
Top Shop from the UK, True Value Hardware from the US and Mini Stop from Japan.
They in turn, are owned by the JG Summit Holding Company, one of the biggest
conglomerates in the country.

As the Howards brand goes global, the Australian concept has been tightly
packaged to maintain brand integrity and consistency across markets, whilst
adapting to local market nuances.

Prior to opening international stores, the Master Franchisees will undergo
an intensive seven week training program in Australia with Howards Storage
World whereby they learn all facets of the retail concept.

"Howards Storage World offers consumers around the world innovative
solutions for storage and organisation around the home. The universal issue of
‘lack of space’ has driven our international growth. We assist people in
finding a place for everything," said Director, Dirk Spence.

With quality products designed to make life easier around the home
including the kitchen, pantry, laundry, bathroom, wardrobe, office and garage,
Howards has made a science of better storage, delivered through knowledgeable
service staff and easy to navigate store layouts.

Howards Storage World currently has nine international stores in New
Zealand, Singapore, the Middle East and Spain, and a further nine stores are
due to open by the end of 2008. Australia currently has a strong base of over
50 stores with more opening.

For further information on Howards Storage World visit the international
website www.howardsstorageworld.com Australian website www.hsw.com.au or
telephone +61 2 9452 8888.

ends

Media Information: Michelle Larmer or Jane Humphries,
Double Edge PR,
Ph. +61 2 9957 1352 or via email: jane@doubleedge.com.au.

SOURCE: Howards Storage World