Media Relations

Food Marketing Institute Teams With PeoplePC to Offer Computers, Internet Access to Members; 3.5 million FMI-Member Company Employees Eligible for New ''Wired@Home'' Program

5/7/2001 8:33:00 AM

CHICAGO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 7, 2001--Food Marketing Institute (FMI) today launched a new strategic alliance with PeoplePC, Inc. (Nasdaq:PEOP), the San Francisco-based company that makes it easy and affordable to get online. The alliance -- FMI's latest in a series of cooperative agreements with tech-oriented strategic solution providers was announced on the opening day of the 2001 FMI Show being held in Chicago.

Under the agreement, 3.5 million FMI-member company employees will receive a special offer on new name-brand desktop and laptop computers from PeoplePC. All computers come equipped with a comprehensive computing package that includes fully loaded software, an e-mail address and unlimited Internet access, an on-site warranty, 24x7 technical support, and membership in a unique online community for four years.

"FMI sees the alliance with PeoplePC as an outstanding, convenient, and affordable technology solution for FMI members and their employees," said Joy Nicholas, FMI vice president of research and emerging technologies. "With this program, FMI members can get connected with the Internet, wire their workforce, and build their businesses. It truly will enable companies to strengthen their relationships with their employees and produce greater efficiencies resulting in bottom-line benefits."

"We are proud to be chosen by the Food Marketing Institute to provide its corporate members and their employees with a complete PC and Internet program, helping to move their businesses even further into the digital age," said Wayne Gattinella, chief marketing officer and executive vice president, PeoplePC Inc. "Our enterprise programs have yielded great results for our corporate customers -- who are using our digital platform to improve their operating efficiencies and increase employee productivity and customer loyalty -- and we are pleased to extend this program to FMI member companies nationwide."

FMI members can immediately extend this offer to their company employees. They can also subsidize the employee cost, presenting the affordable computer packages as a company benefit.

FMI cites four key benefits that the FMI-PeoplePC Wired@Home employee program will deliver for participating companies:

• Improved communications between companies and their employees, contributing to improved, operating efficiencies.

• Direct savings resulting from decreased printing and administrative overhead.

• Greater productivity and increased flexibility as a result of employees interacting with the new technology, which facilitates dynamic work scheduling and creates an Internet-savvy workforce.

• Increased employee retention by offering a unique and compelling benefit program that connects employees to the company.

PeoplePC will be exhibiting at the FMI Strategic Solutions Pavilion throughout the FMI Show, being held through May 8 at the McCormick Place Convention Center in Chicago.

Note to Editors: PeoplePC and its logos are among trademarks of PeoplePC, Inc. in the U.S. and other countries. All other trademarks belong to their respective holders.

About FMI

Food Marketing Institute (FMI) is a nonprofit association conducting programs in research, education, industry relations and Public affairs on behalf of its 1,500 members including their subsidiaries -- food retailers and wholesalers and their customers in the United States and around the world. FMI's domestic member companies operate approximately 21,000 retail food stores with a combined annual sales volume of $300 billion -- three-quarters of all grocery store sales in the United States. FMI's retail membership is composed of large multi-store chains, small regional firms and independent supermarkets. Its international membership includes 200 members from 60 countries. For more information, please visit the FMI Web site at www.fmi.org.

About PeoplePC

Founded in 1999, PeoplePC (Nasdaq:PEOP) is a company that provides hassle-free digital solutions for people and connects corporations to those who matter most to their business. PeoplePC takes the frustration out of technology by bundling all the compatible components people need in one place, making it quick and easy to get online and add new capabilities to their systems. The pioneer in Custom Connections programs, PeoplePC also works with Fortune 500 companies and other kinds of organizations to create ongoing, relevant digital connections to the people who are important to their success, including employees, partners, customers, salespeople, members, and constituents of all sorts. A global company with offices in the US, Europe, and Asia, PeoplePC provides complete, simple, and affordable digital solutions so people around the world can enjoy everything technology has to offer without any of the worry. For more information about PeoplePC, visit www.peoplepc.com.

CONTACT:
PeoplePC
Kay Moffett, 415/901-6760
or
FMI
Todd Hultquist, 202/220-0655