Wirecard AG Extends Customer Relationship With QVC

MUNICH, January 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ --

- Payment Processing and Settlement Services Now Also Available to Newly Founded Italian Shopping TV Station QVC Italia

For its newly established shopping TV station QVC Italia, the company QVC has also decided to rely on its long-standing, proven customer relationship with Wirecard AG. Using the payment platform of the Munich-based technology provider, Visa, MasterCard and DinersClub credit card payments are processed and settled, including card acceptance facilities via Wirecard Bank AG.

QVC Italia has been on the air since October 1, 2010 in Europe's third largest teleshopping market, reaching 18 million households. For its IT infrastructure and logistics, the QVC Group relies on synergies with its German subsidiary. QVC Germany played a decisive role during the roughly two-year preparation period for the launch of the new station in Italy. With more than 100 employees from such fields as logistics, IT and call center services, the German teleshopping market leader is supporting the establishment of the product range on offer by its Italian counterpart. The IT systems realized as part of the pilot project for Italy are also to be deployed at QVC Germany by the end of this year.

Synergy effects will also result from the customer relationship with Wirecard AG, which has already been engaged for QVC Germany since 2002.

"We're delighted that we have managed to extend our customer relationship with QVC. As a service provider operating with an international reach, we accompany our clients expanding into new markets with the aid of fully integrated solutions in the segments of payment risk management and banking services," says Christa Wagner, Executive Vice President of the Consumer Goods Division at Wirecard AG.

About QVC:

World market leader QVC launched its new teleshopping TV station in Italy on October 1, 2010; in future, therefore, the company will also be represented on Europe's third largest teleshopping market alongside the U.S., Germany, the United Kingdom and Japan. The new channel headquartered in Brugherio near Milan broadcasts 24 hours per day, 17 hours of which comprise live programs. QVC Italia reaches 18 million households. Broadcasts are terrestrial (channel 32) and via satellite (Sky channel 475, Tivù Sat channel 32). The entire warehouse logistics system for Italy is handled from Hueckelhoven in North-Rhine-Westphalia, where QVC Germany operates one of the most modern European distribution centers. Once orders are placed and accepted in Italy, consignments are prepared for dispatch via a Group-wide IT system and issued with Italian consignment documents.

About Wirecard:

Wirecard AG is one of the leading international providers of electronic payment and risk management solutions. Worldwide, the Wirecard Group supports over 11,000 companies from various industry segments in their efforts to automate their payment processes and minimize cases of default. Wirecard Bank AG is a Principal Member of VISA, MasterCard and JCB and operates as a credit card acquirer in more than 69 countries around the world, involving over 100 transaction currencies and 15 payout currencies. Part of the Wirecard Group, Wirecard Bank provides innovative solutions in the fields of corporate banking, prepaid and co-branded cards, along with account products for both business and private customers.

Wirecard Retail Services GmbH is a service provider for payment solutions at the point of sale: card acceptance, terminals, clearing and reporting from a single source.

http://www.wirecard.com

http://www.wirecardbank.com

http://www.mywirecard.com

Wirecard media contact:

    
    Wirecard AG
    Iris Stöckl
    Bretonischer Ring 4
    D-85630 Grasbrunn, Germany
    Tel: +49(0)89-4424-1424
    Fax: +49(0)89-4424-2424
    E-mail: iris.stoeckl@wirecard.com
    Internet: http://www.wirecard.com