PLYMOUTH MEETING, Pa. -- -IKEA, the world's largest home furnishings retailer, announced today that its store-branded credit card, issued by GE Consumer Finance, is now available to the public at all 26 IKEA stores, by calling 1-866-382-IKEA (4532) and through its website, www.ikea-usa.com.

Consumers can apply for the IKEA Card in-store at innovative, self-service kiosks that process credit information and applications in less than five minutes and without the assistance or approval of an IKEA employee. This self-service method, a staple of the IKEA philosophy, was implemented by GE Consumer Finance to benefit customers who wish to save time and keep personal information close at hand.

With four to five kiosks strategically placed throughout each store, they will be easy to locate and ease traffic flow. The bilingual kiosks, like the toll-free number, can handle Spanish and English languages.

"We've listened to our customers and they want a credit card with a flexible financing program," said Matti Naar, Marketing Manager for IKEA US. "As the only major home furnishings retailer without a credit card, we are proud to introduce the IKEA Card; it will make purchasing our products faster, easier, more affordable and hassle-free."

Other benefits of the IKEA Card include:

--Self-service kiosks and other privacy protection programs to prevent information sharing.

--Kiosk application & approval process complete within five minutes.

--Ability to shop on approved account in-store right away.

--Home delivery of the annual IKEA catalog and "advance notice" sale and event mailings.

--The ability to view, manage and make payments to accounts online.

--Low monthly payments and no annual fee.

--Optional fixed payment plans for big-ticket purchases.

--Special financing offers and payment promotions throughout the year.

--Optional email notifications regarding in-store children's and charity events, celebrations and hands-on workshops.

Once an applicant has been approved, they will receive a receipt (online applicants, simply print their receipt; kiosks print receipts on-the-spot) that allows new cardholders be able to shop with their new IKEA Card by phone or in-store right away. The printed receipt is valid on the day of purchase and the following business day. Within seven to ten business days, the IKEA credit card arrives at the cardholder's business or home address.

"Our self-serve, in-store kiosks make it simple and convenient for customers to apply for the IKEA card," says Margaret Keane, president and CEO of GE Consumer Finance's Retail Consumer Finance unit. "Customers who get the IKEA Card will quickly find it to be a great, new financing tool for their purchases."

About IKEA

IKEA, the world's largest home furnishings retailer, was founded in 1943 and offers a wide range of home furnishings and accessories of high quality, great value and low costs in order to allow the majority of people to afford their products. IKEA has more than 225 stores in 33 countries, including 26 stores in the U.S. For three years, IKEA has been among FORTUNE's annual "100 Best Companies," WORKING MOTHER's "100 Best Companies for Working Mothers" and TRAINING's "Top 100" list of companies that excel at human capital development. IKEA is at the forefront of responsible business practices and innovative initiatives that help protect the environment and advance social responsibility for the future of children on local, national and global levels.

About GE Consumer Finance

With $150 billion in assets, GE Consumer Finance, a unit of General Electric Company, is a leading provider of credit services to consumers, retailers and auto dealers in 47 countries around the world. For more information, visit www.geconsumerfinance.com. GE (NYSE: GE) is Imagination at Work -- a diversified technology, media and financial services company focused on solving some of the world's toughest problems. For more information, visit www.ge.com.

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