Rent-A-Center Recognized by Leading Learning and Development Publication

Rent-A-Center, Inc. (NASDAQ/NGS: RCII) was named to Training magazine’s annual list of 125 organizations recognized for preeminent training and development processes. This marks the second consecutive year the nation’s largest rent-to-own operator has received this recognition.

Ranking 37th, Rent-A-Center was also one of five companies singled out in a category dubbed “Outstanding Training Initiatives.”

Tied to last year’s launch of smartphone sales across Rent-A-Center’s 3000-plus stores, Rent-A-Center’s initiative enabled fourth-quarter smartphones sales to account for over seven percent of the company’s core U.S. store revenues.

Rent-A-Center’s ranking validates initiatives recently launched across its 22,000-plus workforce.

Chief among these initiatives were the implementation of a fresh new-hire training program in the U.S. and Mexico and the rollout of an integrated Talent Management System.

“New-hire training continues to prove central to optimizing our customer experience,” said Trey Chapman, vice president of training and development. “The recognition is gratifying and strengthens our resolve around our realizing continued improvements on the training front.”

Rent-A-Center, Inc., headquartered in Plano, Texas, is the largest rent-to-own operator in North America, focused on improving the quality of life for its customers by providing them the opportunity to obtain ownership of high-quality, durable products such as consumer electronics, appliances, computers, furniture and accessories, under flexible rental purchase agreements with no long-term obligation. The Company owns and operates approximately 3,000 stores in the United States, Mexico, Canada and Puerto Rico, and approximately 1,400 Acceptance Now kiosk locations in the United States and Puerto Rico. Rent-A-Center Franchising International, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of the Company, is a national franchiser of approximately 190 rent-to-own stores operating under the trade names of "Rent-A-Center", "ColorTyme", and "RimTyme". For additional information about the Company, please visit our website at www.rentacenter.com.