For further information, please contact:

Emma French
Safeway plc - 44.208.756.2033
emma_french@safeway.co.uk

Art Salyer
Carttronics, LLC
619-696-5133
art.salyer@carttronics.com

Ronald Margulis
RAM Communications
908.232.3230
ron@rampr.com

Safeway plc Radios in Lost Trolleys
With CAPS by Carttronics

London, 18 February 2001: Safeway plc is the first U.K. supermarket chain to inject a substantial investment into rolling out CAPS (Cart Anti-Theft Protection System), the groundbreaking new retention system for shopping-trolleys (carts) developed by Carttronics L.L.C., a leader in shopping cart loss prevention and management systems based in San Diego. This new system, which has already proved to be a tremendous success in the United States, works using radio frequency to trigger trolley wheels to lock when they are taken over a boundary line around the store perimeter. Safeway will have the CAPS program installed at 20 locations by the end of the year.

Andy Kalia, Safeway's Store Equipment Manager said: "We are already extremely pleased with the results we have seen from our stores that have trialed CAPS. Safeway is committed to eradicating the problem of trolley loss from its stores. Aside from the inevitable cost to the business, key issues that we will address with this new system are to help the environment, and provide our customers with clean trolleys which are good in working order."

"This new system will be clearly communicated to all customers as it is implemented into each store by POS signage and leaflets, and Safeway staff will be trained to deal with any queries," Kalia added

The environmental consideration is of prime importance for Safeway. Trolleys that are found on streets or in rivers are a growing concern, and it is causing the retailer to make significant expenditures in its attempt to combat the problem. CAPS is preventing trolleys being removed from store premises, saving Safeway both time and money.

"The CAPS system is the perfect solution to Safeway's challenges because it both addresses the problem of truant shopping carts and adds to the company's strategy of total customer service," said Art Salyer, CEO of Carttronics. "We are very pleased to have such a trusted and shopper-friendly retailer as Safeway lead our charge into Europe."

Safeway plc, is one of the largest grocery retailers in the United Kingdom. With nearly 500 Safeway supermarkets, primarily in England and Scotland, the company provides supervised kids' activity areas at some of its locations. Some stores also feature coffee shops, dry cleaning, pharmacies, and banks. The company posted sales of nearly £10 billion last year. Additional information is available at www.safeway.co.uk.

Carttronics L.L.C. was founded in April 1997 to bring the product to the market, and began commercial sales in July 1998. Since the commencement of sales, Carttronics has secured as customers many of the premier retail chains in North America, including Safeway, Kroger and Albertson's, and has initiated international sales in Canada, the U.K. and The Netherlands. Additional information can be found at www.carttronics.com.