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November 11, 2009

NRF Foundation, Castle Worldwide Bring Retail Manager Credential to China

For Immediate Release
Kathy Grannis (202)783-7971
grannisk@nrf.com

NRF Foundation, Castle Worldwide Bring Retail Manager Credential to China

Washington, November 10, 2009 – The NRF Foundation, the research and education arm of the National Retail Federation, and Castle Worldwide, Inc, a leading provider of testing and assessment products and services, announced today a new partnership with Greater Business Solutions Global of Beijing to deliver retail training and certification examinations in China. Design and development activities are underway for three levels of retail education programs which will target corporate employers, vocational students, and graduates of retail university programs.

The NRF Foundation’s Director of Retail Learning Solutions will travel to Beijing with Castle executives in December 2009 to launch the first program, Retail Operations Management, and work with local trainers to deliver the curriculum and certification exams.

“The NRF Foundation is proud to be able to bring our expertise and talent to the table in this international venture,” said NRF President and CEO Tracy Mullin. “As the leader in retail customer service, sales and management certification and training, we are eager to work with long-time partner Castle Worldwide and our new partners to give other countries the same opportunities US citizens have for training and certification in retail.”

Through their work with retailers and learning centers across the country, the NRF Foundation currently offers retail career training and/or certification programs in more than 300 sites across the U.S. In addition, NRF Foundation’s NRF University wired offers online education to thousands of executives from retail and related companies across the world.

As part of this engagement, NRF Foundation and Castle Worldwide have developed a new curriculum which, teamed with the NRF Foundation’s online courses in retail management, provide a blended learning experience.

“We are very pleased to join with our long standing business partner, NRF, in a new venture with GBS Global to bring world-class education and Industry credentials to the Chinese retail workforce,” said Jeffrey LaRiche, Chairman of the Board and CEO of Castle. “During our travels to China, GBS Global and its employees and partners have demonstrated professionalism, cooperation, and commitment to training and certification.”

For more than 20 years, Castle has distinguished itself from its competitors through its combination of psychometric expertise, technological capabilities and a customer-centric business approach. Castle continually monitors the advancements made in the testing profession in order to provide its clients with the best products and consulting available to meet their needs. Castle is committed to maintaining the psychometric integrity of the examination program while applying cost-effective technological solutions to the development and delivery process.

The NRF Foundation is the research and education arm of the National Retail Federation. A non-profit foundation created in 1981, the Foundation conducts industry research, develops education and workforce development programs, professional certification programs and promotes retailing as a career destination. The NRF Foundation benefits retailers, their associates and business partners and allies, and consumers in many ways. The Foundation’s education and career development efforts, including NRF University wired, encourage professional development and excellence in performance of retailing for associates and executives at all levels.

The National Retail Federation is the world’s largest retail trade association, with membership that comprises all retail formats and channels of distribution including department, specialty, discount, catalog, Internet, independent stores, chain restaurants, drug stores and grocery stores as well as the industry’s key trading partners of retail goods and services. NRF represents an industry with more than 1.6 million U.S. retail establishments, more than 24 million employees - about one in five American workers - and 2008 sales of $4.6 trillion. As the industry umbrella group, NRF also represents more than 100 state, national and international retail associations. www.nrf.com.

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