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To: Don Dorsey who wrote (33003)5/7/1998 11:54:00 AM
From: Don Dorsey  Respond to of 50808
 
Musicland's Comp Sales Up 11.6%

PR Newswire - May 07, 1998 05:00

DVD Exceeds 10.0% Of Video Sales

MINNEAPOLIS, May 7 /PRNewswire/ -- Musicland Stores Corporation (NYSE: MLG) today said companywide comparable-store sales rose 11.6 percent for the four weeks ended May 2, 1998. The Mall Stores Division (Sam Goody/Musicland and Suncoast Motion Picture Company) posted a comparable-store sales increase of 12.8 percent; comparable-store sales for the Superstores Division (Media Play and On Cue) rose 9.2 percent.

Gilbert L. Wachsman, vice chairman, said, "Sales were good in April with music, movies, apparel and accessories all showing healthy gains and with DVD reaching more than 10 percent of video sales. In addition, the shift of Easter from March into April contributed to the gain."

The company's total sales for the four-week period increased 9.4 percent to $111.5 million compared to $101.9 million for the four-week period ended May 3, 1997.

Total sales for the Mall Stores Division in April increased 9.9 percent to $72.9 million versus $66.4 million last April.

In April total sales for the Superstores Division increased 9.0 percent to $37.8 million compared to $34.6 million last April.

For the 17 weeks ended May 2, 1998, Musicland's comparable-store sales increased 9.9 percent; total sales increased 6.6 percent to $505.2 million from $474.1 million in the same period last year.

Based in Minneapolis, Musicland Stores Corporation is the leading specialty retailer of home-entertainment software products in the United States. As of March 31, 1998, the company operated 1,350 retail stores in 49 states, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands and the United Kingdom under the names Sam Goody/Musicland, Suncoast Motion Picture Company, Media Play and On Cue.

Forward-looking statements in this news release, if any, are made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Certain important factors could cause results to differ materially from those anticipated by the forward-looking statements, including the impact of changing economic or business conditions, the impact of competition, the availability of favorable credit and trade terms, the success of new music and video releases, other risk factors inherent in the entertainment industry and other factors discussed from time to time in reports filed by the company with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

To obtain a facsimile copy of Musicland Stores Corporation press releases, at no cost to you, call 800-758-5804, extension 585763. You may access Musicland's press release information on the Internet at prnewswire.com

SOURCE Musicland Stores Corporation



To: Don Dorsey who wrote (33003)5/7/1998 12:04:00 PM
From: Don Dorsey  Read Replies (1) | Respond to of 50808
 
New Technology From ABL Brings Video to Cisco Frame Relay Users - Successful Completion of Interoperability Tests

Business Wire - May 07, 1998 12:01

MONTREAL--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 7, 1998--Today, ABL Canada Inc. (ME:ABL.) (TSE:ABL.) announces the successful completion of exhaustive interoperability tests between ABL's VT2C Apollo video codec for Frame Relay, and Cisco Systems' MC3810 multiservice Frame Relay Access device. The combination of leading technologies from ABL and Cisco enables users to leverage Frame Relay networks for mainstream business video applications such as video conferencing, corporate training and video surveillance.

"This announcement presents exciting new possibilities for Cisco Frame Relay users", said William McKenzie, President and CEO, ABL Canada Inc. "The successful completion of these tests now extend Frame Relay beyond voice and data to encompass video applications as well."

Traditionally, users have been able to benefit from low-cost Frame Relay networks for data and voice applications. Business video services, such as conferencing and training, required the use of multi-line ISDN overlay networks. Besides forcing network managers to operate two separate networks, this scenario presented numerous disadvantages, as ISDN networks are notoriously difficult to install, maintain and operate.

With the introduction of the VT2C Apollo video codec, ABL eliminates the need for ISDN overlays, and enables Frame Relay users to leverage their existing networks for any video application.

The ABL VT2C Apollo is the first video codec to offer native Frame Relay connectivity to Frame Relay Access Devices such as Cisco's MC3810. Fully compliant with the ITU-T II.320 standard for video- conferencing equipment, the VT2C Apollo provides excellent video and audio quality, at bandwidths ranging from 64 to 1,544 Kbps. On-screen menus provide an easy user interface for call setup and codec control. In partnership with industry leader VideoServer, Inc., ABL has developed solutions to allow multi-point video conferencing across Frame Relay networks, as well as ISDN network connectivity. Those solutions enable Frame-Relay/ISDN bridging functionality for users with existing, ISDN-based video conferencing networks. You can find out more about the VT2C Apollo on ABL's website at abl.ca.

ABL Canada Inc., from facilities in Montreal, Canada, develops, produces and markets advanced digital equipment for companies choosing to enhance their network capabilities for the integrated, simultaneous delivery of multimedia voice, data and video. ABL specializes in video codecs, optical fiber multiplexers and broadband switches for multimedia transmission over optical fiber, ISDN, and Frame Relay networks, for wide ranging applications including distance learning, video conferencing, remote surveillance and broadcast and cable television distribution. ABL markets and services its products in over 51 countries through its offices in, Canada, the United States and Europe and through a network of distributors and resellers worlwide.

ABL is traded on the Montreal and Toronto stock exchanges under the symbol ABL.



To: Don Dorsey who wrote (33003)5/7/1998 12:19:00 PM
From: Don Dorsey  Respond to of 50808
 
 Information Mega-Stores Express Keen Interest in DVDs May 6, 1998 (TAIPEI) -- Taiwan industry observers are still optimistic about the digital video-disc (DVD) business, despite the thin sales and profits frequently reported by local pioneers. DVD products are classified as audio-video products, and are sold normally by home appliance retailers. However, information retailers have recently begun to pay more attention to the products, and set up large stores specifically for their sale due to their promising future.

An expectation that DVDs will come up as mainstream audio-video products in the next century has boosted operator confidence, even though the market is currently somewhat limited.

DVD demand in Japan and the United States has been booming. Demand for DVD players in Japan settled at 1.5 million units last year, and is expected to hit 3.6 million units this year. By 1999, DVD sales are expected to grow to 5 million units, and to 10 million units by the year 2000.

Taiwan's leading information mega-stores, such as Pacific T-Zone, Teco's 3C Land and a distributor established by Aurora Corp. have set up special DVD sales areas.

An Aurora spokesman said that the decrease in the number of work days this year and the resulting increase in leisure time will help boost the popularity of DVDs. The company is now displaying DVD players, DVD-Video and related products at its chain stores. Pacific T-Zone is displaying similar products.

Taiwan's Institute for Information Industry (III) said that after just over one year of development, many companies have already introduced the second generation of DVD-Video products. Two types of portable DVDs have already appeared on the market, and these products are expected to become a market focus in the months to come.