(30 March 2010 – Hong Kong)  New World Department Store China Limited (“NWDS” or the “Company”; Hong Kong stock code: 825), one of the largest owners and operators of department stores in the PRC, is pleased to announce that 18 contestants of Central China Region Semi-Final of “The 1st NWDS Spokesperson” Contest have been selected. The semi-final will be held on 17 April 2010. The champion, 1st runner-up and 2nd runner-up of male and female groups of the semi-final will represent Central China Region to compete in the Final Contest in the coming May 2010.

In Central China Region, the qualifying round was jointly organized by famous media, which aroused the attention from local citizens and widely received support, creating a great fervor of pursuing beauty and fashion style. Since Central China is the last region amongst the five to hold the semi-final for “The 1st NWDS Spokesperson” Contest, it attracted many applicants to take the last attempt. Applicants from Wuhan and Changsha showed strong passion for the semi-final with over 5800 applications received in total.

In order to select the most outstanding spokesperson, the qualifying round interview involved various sections to examine the talents of applicants such as concise self introduction, fabulous talent performance and exciting interaction with interviewers so as to exhibit their brilliant personalities, demonstrating their uniqueness and charming features.   

Evaluating of their appearances, body shapes, conversation, characters & styles, special talents, fashion sense and level of understanding towards NWDS, 18 contestants of the semi-final have been selected. The winners of the semi-final will represent Central China Region to compete in the Final Contest in the coming May 2010. It is believed that the competition will be very intense.

There will be in-store customer voting and online polling for the semi-final with voting period starting from 1 April 2010 to 14 April 2010. Customers can cast their votes during the voting period at the designated polling stations at NWDS* in Central China Region. In-store customer voting and public online polling will account for 20% of the total rating of the semi-final respectively, and 60% will be from the judge on site. VIP members take part in the polling with purchase at store during the voting period can enjoy double bonus points of their purchase while platinum VIP members can receive triple bonus points.

For the sake of fully manifesting the best attributes and delivering the special personalities of 18 contestants in the semi-final, an all-rounded training will be provided, including personal styling, costume selection and demonstration, catwalk & manner training and show rehearsal, which are taught by professional stylists and trendy & beauty experts, giving audience a refreshing feeling. 

Mr. Adrian Cheng, Executive Director of NWDS, said, “Central China is the last region to hold the semi-final for “The 1st NWDS Spokesperson” Contest. All regions have received overwhelming responses for the competition and applicants of each region have their own characteristics. In Central China Region, we have piano and dance experts, versatile candidate with handwriting performance, and a deaf applicant from Xian to Wuhan as the most touching contestant. Their spirit to overcome their endowments and make a breakthrough is tying in with the mission of pursuing continuous improvement in the rebranding concept of NWDS. It is believed that the final contest in May 2010 will become a focus in China, leading the fashion trend as well as motivating the living attitude of vogue lifestyle and personalized character.”

*Designated polling stations at NWDS: Wuhan New World Department Store ("Wuhan Store"), Wuhan New World Trendy Plaza ("Wuhan Trendy Plaza"), Wuhan New World Department Store-Wuchang Branch Store ("Wuhan Wuchang Branch Store"), Wuhan New World Department Store-Qiaokou Branch Store ("Wuhan Qiaokou Branch Store"), Wuhan New World Department Store-Xudong Branch Store ("Wuhan Xudong Branch Store"), Wuhan New World Department Store-Hanyang Branch Store ("Wuhan Hanyang Branch Store") and Changsha New World Trendy Plaza ("Changsha Trendy Plaza")

- END -