Slatkin & Co.

May 12, 2005

      Compass Advisers, LLP ("Compass") is pleased to announce the sale of Slatkin & Co. ("Slatkin"), a leading home fragrance and design company known for its sophisticated, exquisitely scented and beautifully designed collections of scented candles, potpourris and room sprays, to retail specialty store specialist, The Limited Brands, Inc. ("Limited Brands").  With execution of the sale, Slatkin now operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Limited Brands' Bath & Body Works unit, while maintaining its existing home fragrance brands and separate prestige distribution channels.  Compass acted as financial advisor to Slatkin in the transaction.

      Slatkin will provide Bath & Body Works, The White Barn Candle Company, and other enterprises with its innovative home fragrance and design expertise, continuing its existing product lines as well as creating new collections.  The transaction helps Bath & Body Works enhance its selection of luxury fragrances and designs for the home, and enables Slatkin to expand the breadth of its wholesale product offerings to its valued prestige department store customers.

      Compass assisted Slatkin in performing due diligence, valuing assets and business operations, and evaluating the sale opportunity.  In addition, Compass helped Slatkin negotiate the price and transaction terms, providing strategic advice to facilitate the most complementary transaction structure for a strong strategic alliance.