The Packaging Store Launches New Name And Three New Franchise Concepts <b></b>

Englewood, CO-The Packaging Store Inc., a nationalfranchisor of specialty packaging and shipping services, announcedit has adopted a new corporate identity, Navis Logistics Network,and that it will begin awarding three newly created franchisebrands in early 2001. "The Packaging Store has strong brandequity in the retail world, and we will continue to make franchisesavailable under that name," says Marvin L. Storm, thecompany's CEO. "However, our new franchise concepts movebeyond retail. We wanted an identity that covers a family ofcompanies, all linked to our core business, specialty packaging,shipping and logistics." Navis, the Latin word for ship andthe root word of navigation, was selected because it provides anappropriate metaphor for a modern logistics enterprise. The newfranchises, Navis Pack and Ship Center, Navis Global Logistics andNavis Logistics Solutions, are all structured to capitalize on theeconomic shift toward decentralized distribution fueled largely byelectronic commerce. They also reposition the company out of themature mail and parcel industry and into logistics, which isexperiencing rapid growth. Navis Pack and Ship Center, though stilla retail store, will primarily sell custom packaging and shipping,boxes and shipping supplies. It will resemble a mini warehouse andallow customers to see the packaging process. Operating fromsecond- or third-tier retail locations, the stores will have loweroverhead than the current Packaging Stores, which usually arelocated in higher-rent neighborhood strip malls. Navis GlobalLogistics is a high-volume warehouse-based logistics franchise thatwill focus exclusively on commercial customers such as art andantique dealers and office equipment leasing companies, small-loadreferrals from moving and trucking companies, and Internetmerchants. Navis Logistics Solutions is a sales and marketingfranchise designed to build a base of commercial and corporatecustomers who are serviced by Navis retail and warehouse operationsand a network of affiliated companies. Currently the privately heldcorporation has approximately 190 active franchises operatingthroughout the United States and in Toronto, Canada. By the end of2003, Storm says Navis Logistics Network plans to have doubled itsretail franchises to 400, opened 40 to 50 warehouse franchises andlicensed 30 marketing reps. -Navis Logistics Network