E-commerce Internet Web site will be May 4, 1999. The new Web site, which will feature more than 10 million new and used entertainment products, will also offer a "lowest price" guarantee program and exceptional product and pricing offers, such as up to 50% off the list prices of best-selling books and special low-price offers not available on other Web sites. Hastings also announced that the new site will offer a line of low-priced computers and accessories through a strategic agreement with Thomas A. Edison Incorporated, a custom manufacturer and distributor of personal notebook and desktop computers.

The May 4 launch of www.gohastings.com will be supported by a national advertising campaign featuring print coverage in USA Today and The Wall Street Journal and electronic media exposure on Yahoo, CNN and CBS Marketwatch.

"The global community is a vast marketplace of retail opportunity for www.gohastings.com, and we believe that our community-oriented retailing style will be very successful going forward," said John H. Marmaduke, president and chief executive officer. "We are developing what we believe will be the most complete entertainment e-commerce site on the Web offering one of the broadest assortments of entertainment products currently available.

"Just like the customers who shop in our 131 entertainment superstores each day, we want our Internet customers to feel that www.gohastings.com offers them the best possible selections priced to provide the most value for their money," added Marmaduke. "Our alliance with Edison gives us another opportunity to provide for the entertainment-oriented needs of our customers by offering them high-quality computers and accessories at extremely competitive prices."

The new web site will also provide general financial information about Hastings. In addition, complete terms and conditions related to the "lowest price" guarantee program will be detailed on the www.gohastings.com Web site.