News Release FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   Bealls wins BizRAte Platinum Circle of Excellence Award!   BRADENTON, Fla., September 17, 2008 - On Tuesday, September 16th, BizRate announced BeallsFlorida.com, Bealls Department Stores, Inc., eCommerce site, as a Platinum winner of the ninth annual BizRate Circle of Excellence Awards. Bealls is in an elite group of 81 online retailers that have met the criteria set by BizRate Research for outstanding service from September 1, 2007-August 15, 2008. "It is an honor to be a part of the BizRate Circle of Excellence. This award represents our dedication to the customer and our efforts to provide the best online shopping experience possible," said Gwen Bennett, Bealls Vice President of Advertising & eCommerce. Beall's Department Stores is a division of Bealls, Inc. The Bradenton, Florida-based company, privately held since its opening in 1914, now operates more than 500 stores in 13 states under the names Bealls, Bealls Outlet, Burke's Outlet, & Bealls Clearance Stores. To learn more about Bealls, or to shop online, visit BeallsFlorida.com. Contacts: Gwen Bennett VP-Advertising & eCommerce Bealls Department Stores, Inc. 941-744-4265 Karen Filips Director Promotions & Production Bealls Department Stores, Inc. 941-744-4262   1806 38th Avenue East · Bradenton, FL 34208 · www.BeallsFlorida.com Bealls stores are operated by Beall's Department Stores, Inc. and by Beall's West Gate Corporation