The Container Store Sends Workplace Love Note by Launching Employee First Fund

DALLAS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

The Container Store Group, Inc. TCS, today announced the launch of its Employee First Fund – an employee assistance fund that will provide grants to employees experiencing unforeseen emergencies, a major medical situation, are suffering from a catastrophic event, or facing other challenges in life which they are not financially prepared to handle. The Container Store is contributing $100,000 to kick-off the Fund, and after that, employees and other stakeholders have the opportunity to make donations. The retailer announced the new fund as part of its annual National We Love Our Employees Day – a day it created five years ago to show appreciation for all that its employees do for the company, their colleagues, customers, vendors and communities.

“We're so thrilled to launch our Employee First Fund, which exists to support our company's commitment to an employee-first culture, ensuring all employees feel well taken care of, safe, secure and warm,” said Kip Tindell, Chairman and CEO of The Container Store. “It's a culture that's driven by our seven Foundation Principles and results in an environment where the lives of everyone connected to our business are enriched and brimming with opportunity – where everyone can thrive – starting with our employees first!”

Tindell, along with Melissa Reiff (President and COO) and Sharon Tindell (Chief Merchandising Officer), announced the news of the Employee First Fund via a video message that was played for all employees and is posted on the company's blog (whatwestandfor.com) and the company's YouTube channel. The new fund was also announced today in ads in The New York Times and The Dallas Morning News, and messaging appeared on emails to customers, select billboards and via Facebook advertising. The Container Store customers are encouraged to spread the Valentine's Day sentiment by posting a “love note” on the blog about the retailer's employees for a chance to win one of 10 $100 Store More Cards.

Employees at the retailer's 63 stores, office and distribution center also celebrated National We Love Our Employees Day with in-store signage and sweet treats served by the company's management teams. Each of The Container Store's 5,000 employees also received a commemorative Employee First Fund shirt along with a letter from the Tindells and Reiff.

About The Container Store

The Container Store, the nation's leading retailer of storage and organization products, opened its first store in Dallas in 1978 and currently has 63 locations across the country. The Container Store has over 10,000 products to help customers save space and, ultimately, save them time. The retailer offers free closet design services every day in its stores and online using elfa^®, the premiere shelving and drawer system. The company has been named to FORTUNE magazine's 100 Best Companies To Work For^® – 15 years in a row. Visit www.containerstore.com for more information about store locations, the product collection and services offered. To find out more about The Container Store's unique culture, Foundation Principles and devotion to Conscious Capitalism, visit the retailer's blog at www.whatwestandfor.com.

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