SanDisk Expands Into European Market; Now Sells In Approximately 10,000 Retail Stores In 30 Countries

BERLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Aug. 27, 2001 - SanDisk Corporation (Nasdaq:SNDK) reported today that it has significantly expanded its retail presence in Europe and opened a large logistics distribution center in Europe to speed product deliveries to its retail distribution network.

SanDisk officials made their comments at the Internationals Funk Ausstellung (IFA) trade show in Berlin where SanDisk is demonstrating products for the first time at the major consumer electronics event. (hall 3, second floor, booth 03-B).

The number of retail outlets in Europe that carry SanDisk-branded flash memory cards and accessory products has increased from 6,000 in January 2000 to approximately 10,000 today. During the same time frame, the number of European countries where SanDisk products are sold has grown from 18 to 30 and includes additions such as Russia, Greece, Turkey, Ireland, Portugal, Poland, Croatia and the Ukraine.

The SanDisk EMEA retail head office, located in the Netherlands, is further supported by retail sales offices located in England, Germany and France to help with expansion into new countries and new retail stores.

One of the new products going into Europe for the first time this summer is the SanDisk Secure Digital memory card, a new stamp-sized, removable flash card targeted mainly for use in mobile phones, Internet music players and small-size digital cameras. More than 70 new products with slots for SD cards, including handheld computers such as Palm's 500 series, video and digital still cameras from brands such as JVC and Panasonic, mobile phones, audio players and notebook computers, have recently been introduced.